The Lockdown GangSTARS still going

Thanks Jan and Doodle for your kind messages, makes me realise anew why I love this thread.

Dog test: It's all in the balance now. It's up to just one person whether I get a dog or not.

She visited 2 days after my fall when I was in pain and could hardly breathe and was clearly unconvinced of my fitness to take care of a dog.

Ah well, I can only do my best.

I tend to keep answerphone messages for a while, especially if they contain a phone number....and clear them later.
Today I found one from Phil telling me he'd call me back. If only he could. I'm glad to have his voice at least.

A chilly 7 degrees here but I think the sun is fighting through.

A kindly email from Kaimoana pricked my conscience about you lovely people, so time to sign in and wish you all a very happy end-of-summer, and I hope it has been everything you wanted from the days of sun and wine and roses.
MrJ is finally almost back to his old self, and the non-healing wound has closed up nicely. Helped, no doubt, by the fact that the rain has finally stopped and we have had some sun. Warm days, but little sun is all fine and dandy, but does little for the end-of-winter mood lifting.
It's been very therapeutic to get back to my French group for our hilarious sessions, though I've yet to re-establish the Roman History schedule. I'm starting a new course in World Archaeology very soon, arranged before the health crises, so lots of prepare. There's been a lot online about the Storegga Slide tsunami which inundated Doggerland, which I've been following with interest. Nice to have something to occupy the brain while under stress.
Warm temps and rain = lots of work in the garden. Weeds about a metre tall, smothering everything. Finished digging over the veg patch today, and pulled out another 10 kg of kumara. Tomatoes. potatoes and corn going in this week. It's all go here in the winterless North!

Afternoon All

I just scrolled down to the last message and suddenly there were a load of videos. Where did they come from? Gransnet videos it says. I don't want them, but it seems I have to put up with Nadia chatting away in the corner of the screen (sound turned down).

I'd just popped in to put my Wordle success on the Wordling thread. I'm late doing my mental exercises today as we've just got back from a memorial service and this morning Best Beloved hijacked the 'puter to write to his consultant pointing out that he seems to be booked in for two different operations for his atrial fibrillation more or less at the same time! Hopefully one should have been cancelled!

Kaimoana, we have a charity here called the Cinnamon Trust which matches up people who need their dogs walked with people who, for one reason or another, can't have a dog but love walking one. If you haven't got a similar charity perhaps you could advertise locally for someone who wants to walk and would like a furry companion? I know when our last dog died I used to walk in our local woods carrying a lead as I felt silly just walking and not so safe without my companion.

(It's kids in lock down in the corner of the screen now, I hope GN soon get bored with this idea, or I can find out how to turn it off.) Off to look up what kumara is. I've not yet read back all the older news, but I hope that all are well.

Evening all. I’m sitting down very gingerly. My back, which seemed so much better this morning suddenly started hurting again when I bent down to load the washing machine. It’s been very painful ever since. DH is doing all the bending for me now and is keeping watchful eye over me. I have no idea what I’ve done. We are supposed to be going out for a meal with DS1 tomorrow. I hope I’m better by then.
Kaimoana could you not contact the dog walking person and explain about your fall and how badly it affected you?
I bet that answerphone message brought back memories of your good friend. You must miss him.
Baodicea how lovely to hear from you. So pleased to hear Mr BJ is on the mend and doing well. That must be a relief to you. Glad your French group is back up and running. Is the World Agriculture one you are teaching or learning?
Hope the garden isn’t too much for you. Take care, you’ve had a lot of stress recently.
NFK I do Wordle and Quordle. I do them in the morning over breakfast after I’ve had a look through the papers.
How is your DH getting on? Hope things are going well.
I haven’t got any videos on my screen. Not sure whether to be pleased or left out ?
Take care all and have a good night.

Doodle that sort of back pain is awful. Hope it soon feels better. I had it bad once for days, never again I hope!

Thank you Fairfraise that’s kind. Yes back pain is never fun…..mind you it did get me out of doing the washing up ?

Oh, Doodle I am so very sorry to hear your back is painful. I do hope it gets better soon. What a wonderful nurse you have in your dearestH. xxx

Thanks Kaimoana . I’m so used to watching him, making sure he doesn’t trip or fall it feels odd to have him watching me like a hawk to make sure I don’t try and bend down. ?

Do be careful with your back Doodle and rest up. I had serious back problems 30/40 years ago and have since always followed my surgeons instruction of never carrying one full bucket of water, always two half buckets, one in each hand. (We had a horse at the time!)

DH is recovering from the heart op but now needs something done about the 'atrial fibrillation', although he may have had this for years and not known about it. He seems to be booked in for two operations to sort it out and we're trying to find out which it's to be. He's also very anaemic as his bone marrow has decided not to reproduce proper red blood cells. He's just had a blood transfusion which has helped enormously and is waiting for the results of about nine different blood tests! No contact with the hospital for weeks after the op and now overload!

Its good to read back that Mr BJ is on the mend and at last that wound is healing up. It looks like everyone is recovering at present. I do wonder if there's something in this sun spot/activity theory - that we're all affected by it.

NFK surprisingly my back is much better today. I have no idea why but very relieved. Since I had my hysterectomy I remember being tools by a friend don’t carry anything too heavy and I have tried to follow that advice. I think it was just a wrong movement that put strain on my back. Cant believe it feels so much better tonight.
My DH had a bone marrow problem too. He produces too many red blood cells (perhaps he can lend some to your DH)
I hope your DH gets good results from his blood tests and they can sort out his AF problem. The anaemia will make him weak and needs sorting. My DH has the opposite problem and has had to have blood taken out. What a pair ?

Mixed news in your post Nfk but brilliant that your DH is now getting the healthcare he needs.
I looked for something similar to Cinnamon Trust (thank you ) but we don't seem to have anything like that here.
Plenty of professionals to do it though.

I think it may have been Jan who suggested I advertise locally but I'd be scared to do that. This isn't the best area of the city and we know there are secret and very lucrative dog-fighting game run by the gangs. I'll say no more.

I think a few of our Gangstars need to take it easy at the moment.

I hope Grammaretto recovered enough to enjoy the holiday she needed.

It's bitterly cold, with winds straight from Antarctica and the kind of heavy, persistent rain which you just know is not going to stop all day.

Thinking about our Cherry whom I've heard maybe isn't too well. All love, Cherry xxx

Hello from the sunny Norfolk Broads. One has to wonder how long certain people - i.e. myself and DH - can spend sitting by the river with a glass of wine/beer in our hands watching boats tie up and leave! In our case many hours. So peaceful!
The photo is the local heron sitting on the pub rooftop watching us down more alcohol!
Pleased Doodles back seems a lot better. Back pain is horrible.
Nfk so sorry to hear about your DH. He does seem to have a lot of problems at the moment. Fingers crossed they can be sorted out fairly quickly. And what about you Nfk? Didn’t you say you had been diagnosed with AF?
Kaimoana good luck with the guide dog lady. Hope all goes well and you can find someone to help with the walking. Don’t like the sound of your weather. It’s really warm here at the moment although storage forecast tonight.
Sorry to hear about *Cherry”. If you’re reading this Cherry hope you are soon feeling better.
Boudicea pleased to hear Mr B seems to be on the mend. Fingers crossed for him and all other Gangstars who are feeling poorly at the moment

Kaimoana oh dear the dog fighting thing sounds awful. I can see why you don’t want to advertise for help.
My back seems better today. Had to take DH to the hospital this afternoon to be checked out for his next cataract op. Tomorrow we’re going on a boat trip up the river. Taking our own exciting picnic. Cheese sandwich for DH and strawberry jam sandwich for me as we’ve run out of cheese ?
For the first time in ages it’s due to rain tomorrow !
Grammaretto hope the holiday is going well.
Jan that sounds idyllic. I could do the same and sit and watch the boats. Are there any fishing boats there? Is that what the heron is waiting for?
Thinking of MrBJ and Cherry and wishing them well.

Mixed news from Waitakere.

A 9:15am poke in the eye with a sharp needle, after which I waited in the foyer with a security guard who sang opera in between guiding and helping patients. Such a honey.

On then to the BLV support group where we all decided the place we meet, specifically the food and attitude of staff, has deteriorated so much we intend looking for somewhere new.

Home by 1:30 and had been in the house only 5 minutes when the electrician arrived, found a Reset switch and Abracadabra!, my cooker is working again.

Immediately made a batch of shortbread as my treat to myself. The baking is the treat, not the shortbread. Although I did have to test one small piece just to make sure it wasn't poisoned you understand.

Artoa, due here tomorrow arrived thinking it was Wednesday (this is what the homecare agency does, confuses everyone).
Once Alexa confirmed, which delighted her 7 year old daughter who'd never seen an AI unit before) Artoa stayed to prep vegies and take home most of the shortbread for her household. Five children, husband, niece and new baby…plus anyone else who passes by I suspect.

Until I came here, that's what my homes have always been: open to anyone and always fresh bread and baking available with a cuppa.

I really miss that but at least I can look back on my Cornish, "Ma Larkin" days with a lot of pleasure'.

Although it was only 8 degrees when I rose this morning (the outside door had been open all night), it's warmer now due to clear skies and bright sunshine.

My freesias are out [flower] and all the trees lining the main roads are full of pastel blossom.

Spring is here. Yipee!

Kaimoana starting off the day with a poke in the eye is not good even if it helps. Hope it doesn’t hurt too much when you have these injections
A guard who sing opera….what a nice idea.
Ah your cooker is working at last. Yippee!
Is Argos your new helper? Does she always take her daughter with her? Hope she will be of real help to you. Big family to feed. I have a feeling your home is always a welcoming place whether there’s fresh baking or not. It’s to do with the welcome from the person inside.
Spring for you and autumn for us. Rain promised all day today but apart from two very heavy thunderstorms it’s been dry.
Hope Grammaretto is having good weather.

I did NOT type Argos. I know I didn’t ? Artoa is who I meant.

I forgot to mention how nice your days sounded Jan, sitting watching river life and drinking wine, and that photo of the heron is beautiful.

Doodle Homecare ladies are strictly forbidden from bringing children into a client's homes a rule I understand.
But the agency (VW) has been asked not to schedule them 2:30-3:30 as that's when they pick up their little ones from school to take them home.

VW ignores them, knowing they won't refuse, or can't for fear of losing the job because that's the only work they can do…and these hard working Mums often, up at 5am, work 7am-7pm and beyond to make ends meet, sometimes 7 days a week.

Understandably, this causes distress, so I told them to bring the children and we'd say nothing to VW. It's the least I can do, having known the same struggles.

No Doodle the injection doesn't usually hurt but there is so much scar tissue now from 14+ years of 2-3 monthly injections, that it's quite uncomfortable. They use numbing solutions, so it could be worse.

I admit that on occasion I've 'chickened out' and missed an appointment but really it's small price to pay for still having a little sight in my left eye.

I know you didn't write 'Argos' - auto correct can be amusing

A robust 5 degrees this morning and my fingers is frozzed.

Off to make breakfast

Love to all

Ohh, Kaimoana - poor you...the poke in the eye must be such an ordeal. I can't imagine how brave you have to be to tolerate that on a regular, ongoing basis. I know the reward is still having some sight, but it's still such a horrible thing for you to have to go through.
I went to the nurse yesterday to have my regular solar keratosis burn-off. She said that she wanted to get the doc to take a look...within 30 minutes, I was lying on the examination bed, large needle through my nose, with the lovely Polish doc cutting out a chunk of it. Nose, not needle. Basal cell carcinoma. The inevitable result of a childhood where every summer was golden, every day spent at the beach, barefoot, sandy, salty, sunbronzed limbs...
My kids wore hats, sunscreen, cover-ups, and my 39-year old daughter looks 25 as a result.

Hello Lobstars,
I'm back from my hols.
Had a great time but alas this is my Kiwis last night with me as they resume their epic travels tomorrow. It's going to be such sad parting.
I am going to catch up on your posts.
Back soon.
We saw flamingos at the Etang. It was too hot for me although such a beautiful area and so much to see and do. I am glad to be home.

Kaimoana now I understand about your carer having a child with her. Not her fault at all. Those who have little or no choice are often not treated properly by the companies they work for. Not surprised you allowed her to bring her child.
I think you are very brave having those injections. I realise it’s for your own good but never the less it requires some courage.
Boadicea lovely to hear from you. Oh your poor nose. I hope it didn’t hurt too much.
How is your DH getting on? Are the mean girls ok?
Grammaretto welcome home. So pleased you had a lovely time. You will miss having family with you.
We have missed you too.
What a lovely trip your NZ family have had.
DH had another fall today. Lost his balance when standing up and fell on his nether regions though fortunately not his tail bone. He now had a large egg side lump on his bottom and it’s painful sitting down.
I’ve been to church this morning then out for coffee with friends so nice day.

Lovely photo by the way

You are all in the wars it seems!
I hope the injection has done it's trick Kaimoana.
Sorry to hear the Dude has had an injury.
BJ and you've had a BCC removed.
I had one on my nose removed a few years back. I always wear a hat in the sun and factor 30.
I came home covered in mosquito bites but I'm still not tanned!

Gosh, we're all in the wars!

BJ yours is the War of the Noses good job that was caught in time but one more thing for you to tolerate, you poor thing. Kia kaha.

Welcome back Grammaretto, were you not tempted to join your Kiwis for the rest of their Big Adventure?

And poor MrD, how undignified to fall on his situpon, but gladly no damage, just bruised Gluteus Maximus.
No, BJ not one of your Roman generals

I'm sure Doodle will be there with the Arnica cream at the ready to soothe wounded pride.

I too have begun to get futile adverts in my GN posts. As I can't see them and my sound is turned off, they are wasting their time. Ya boo sucks!

Do any of you remember the hassles I had some time ago with our kaumatua van driver, Derek?

He's been away from us nursing his wife and last night she passed away. I didn't know her but I'll go to the funeral on Friday with the other kaumatua-kuia as a sign of support.

I was supposed to get together for a day with my sweet Korean "granddaughter" on that day too but we've rescheduled for 23rd. Fingers crossed.

By jingoes it's cold again - but sunny so I'm going to see how far up our street I can walk - knee permitting.

Keep smiling everyone

Such a shock to hear the news of the Queen . Even though I knew she wasn’t well it came as a surprise. Can’t get my head round it.

Grammaretto DH is sitting very gingerly on a pillow on his chair. I think he’s feeling a bit better today so hope no serious damage is done. I’m sorry about the mosquito bites. I have a mosquito head covering that I could have sent you. Only ever used it once and I think they were black flies not mosquitos. Hope they don’t hurt too much.
At last this afternoon I captured a huge (well not that big really) spider who has been hiding behind our chest of drawers in the bedroom. Cheek of it, he was walking (crawling) across the lounge carpet as though he owned the place. I’m sure he is much happier now having done his first airborne landing from our balcony to the plants below and scuttling off.
BJ how is your poor nose today. Hope it’s not painful and Mr BJ is he ok?
Kaimoana sorry to hear about your drivers wife. Hope your meeting with your Korean granddaughter goes ahead and you have a good time.
I am going to lunch with friends tomorrow. Not going far which is just as well as the weather looks to continue raining.
Sewed a patch on my ironing board cover today to fix a scorched bit. Had a long chat with DS 2 and an email from DS1 who is in London for a meeting. DH and I are going for our super booster Covid and flu jabs on Saturday. Hope they go ok.
Take care all

The incessant rain ?️ ?️ is the perfect backcloth to our collective grief today.
It is testing my roof.
I have gone to bed.
I first saw her in NZ . I was lifted up by my dad to watch the royal cavalcade. It must have been early 1954. I waved my union jack.

My Kiwis left today which was very sad too. How I will miss them. Why is NZ so far away?