🦞 Locked down no longer but still firm friends 🦞

Thank you Grammaretto. I think (hope) he would have been proud, although he never wanted to open the garden as he thought it wasn't good enough - and he was far pickier than I and a perfectionist. I left the corners and said they were wild areas. That goes down well now! I would have loved him to have heard all the compliments.

I'm getting more and more keen to go to Denmark. It's where my genes are mostly from. According to Ancestry anyway. And I know about little really about the country. I can't believe you really, really swam in the sea, shoulders under and everything!

Wonderful garden Nfk!
Your DH would be so proud of you 👏 🥰

I hope the anniversary will not be too sad. You have been brilliant. You really have.

Hard times for you Doodle but it sounds as though you too are surrounded by love.

Denmark was great. I even made a speech they go in for these with my sister. I reckon we knew our DB from before anyone else so were entitled. It went down well.

After the parties, we went to the far north where they have a summerhouse. I was totally spoiled.
We swam truly in the freezing north sea and visited several museums and galleries which all seemed to have great cafés. diet starts today

One place had a perfect reproduction of the Bayeux Tapestry. I haven't seen it before and commented on the viking longships. I thought they were Normans who invaded Britain in 1066. Yes, ofcourse Normans were NorthMen
You all knew that I'm sure.

If we have Jeeves to wait on us, can we now borrow Mustang Man to take us out on jaunts please Kaimoana?

These first landmarks are rather challenging Doodle. I've succeeded in passing DH's 80th birthday and what would have been our 55th wedding anniversary. I was convinced he would see both of these. My next landmark is the anniversary of the day he died - which, when I arranged it seemed like a good time to scatter his ashes. Now I'm not so sure. Only two weeks away. I can't believe it's nearly a year since we parted.

I've got Elderly Deaf DGDog here to stay for a couple of days. I think it's DS's way of keeping me distracted and busy. He's a big, ancient, hairy hearthrug (dog, not son) and inclined to stand on the back step and bark very loudly and then listen for any dog replying. I'm pretty sure he can hear his own bark - but not any reply! Kira likes him though and he's teaching her things such as pond water being much nicer than the clean stuff in the bowl.

After working like mad up to the garden Open Days making everything look as if it was meant to be growing like that, there's nothing much to do out there now, apart from cutting the grass and trimming the edges. The sun has made everything grow exponentially (I love that word. So fashionable nowadays) and there's no gaps for weeds.

I imagine every day is hard just at the moment Doodle but one day at a time will, eventually, bring you to a certain level of management. You still have DH's love and always will.

Cherry You are exactly right about Mustang man.
Did we have a nice lunch? Depends how you define 'nice'!

The company was excellent. Fish fingers, kumara chips and peas (all from the freezer) not exactly gourmet but as I've never had fish fingers before (and if I have a choice, never will again) it was an interesting experience at least.

Homeward bound Grammaretto but with lots of lovely warm memories and good photos.

How are you Nfk?

I am looking forward to a quiet weekend but no doubt someone will ring the bell knitting and listening to a Peter May book.

Have just finished In search of Silence and can hardly believe that in the USA (and possibly UK & NZ too) public places are being made deliberately louder and louder.

Weasely adspeak says it's to boost sales but as it's long proven that noise stops the brain focussing and thinking, I see a scam.
There are people who have turned their cars into amplifiers so loud the sound literally lifts hair. Probably Trump followers.

Oooh - judgemental !!

Not the easiest day for you Doodle, I hope going out for a meal with a friend helped. Like ixion says I hope you and your family raised a glass to Mr D this evening and celebrated the man your DH was 💐

Kaimoana, your friend with the Mustang sounds like what I'd describe as a small man with a large heart. That's some beard he must have! Did you have a nice lunch?

What a stunning church Grammaretto, a lot work must have gone into revealing the wall paintings. You've had a wonderful time in Denmark methinks. Are you home now?

A dark blue flecked wool sounds gorgeous Nfk, I'm sure your DGS will love it. I don't knit but I can well imagine you needing bright sunlight to work in.

I haven't done very much today, I slept in to an unhealthy hour 🤭, we nipped to Aldi's, had a late for us lunch, did some tidying up/and all of a sudden the day had gone ... that'll teach me for getting up late 🤣.

Another difficult day for you, Doodle.
I hope you and the family are raising a glass to dear Mr.D on this his special day 🕯️

Grammaretto it sounds a lovely trip. Hope you are safely home now and relaxing.
Dear Kaimoana, thank you for your truly special gift which arrived today on DHs birthday. I can’t tell you what it means to me. I have written to you.
lovely gang you have all been so supportive and caring. I am doing my best to keep going and getting some sunshine in my days. I’ve been out this morning to buy some wool for knitting a prayer shawl for church and tonight I am going out with a friend for a meal then zooming with the family
Have a good day all

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Hello Lobstars,
I see that you are up to all kinds of things as usual
I have too but it's time to come home.

I shall certainly be thinking of your family today Doodle dear.

We came back on the ferry last night across the Kaggerat and enjoyed the setting sun.
Here's a photo and one of a medieval church with recently revealed wall paintings.

The man with the Mustang is a real honey and an old friend. He's from Alabama with an accent to match. If he tops 5.2 I'd be surprised and has a luxurious grey beard almost to his waist.
Of many delightful things about him he has a caring heart and easy laughter. The Mustang is a bonus.

I'm glad you are gaining support and comfort from your groups Doodle and we will all be thinking of you on 21st.

Looking at your photos Mamisimo I wonder how people survive without calming, beautiful greenery all around; no trees in the streets, no flowerbeds beside the roads?

I am endlessly greatful to be surrounded by green, native bush and of course, the birds.

I've always loved Italian architecture though. Surprisingly Bradford Town Hall was designed by a man passionate about it. Complete with impressive campanile

Montepulciano eh? All very Inspector Montalbano .

è arrivata la papera con la maglietta, kia ora rawa atu.

Everyone seems to be slowly recoverimg from their aches and pains

Cherry, an award winning Indian meal. My goodness that sounds good. In this area if you get a meal of fresh (not frozen or pre-mixed) food, its 5 star.
The city fares better of course but as the police have recently cautioned people not to wander about in the CBD at night (gangs), I don't know how those restaurants are faring.

It's about 8 degrees atm and I'm in 6 layers of clothing, making me look more like Michelin than ever but I don't suppose I warrant 4 stars

i seem to have missed a couple of posts from yesterday. I think I might have been on the wrong page
ixion the bereavement group was good as was the cake 😊. Art class went well today too
I love a good clear out. Well done Mr I
Notspaghetti glad the pain is ok and hopefully after the antibiotics stop your stomach will settle too.
Kaimoana, what a time you had at the eye clinic. So glad your left eye is ok and I hope the removal of the lump takes the pain away. What a brave lady you are
Unlike you we had a glorious day today. So warm for a change
Im with Cherry. What man with a mustang ?
Gracious Mamissimo how did I miss the fact you are on your hols. What a wonderful trip you’re having. The weather is a bit warm for me but I’m sure you’re enjoying a break from the rain here,
Sorry Mr M wasn’t feeling too good. Hope today he has recovered. The photos are lovely. Please take pictures of the posh monastery to show us.
I expect Spud and his trusty guard dog are taking good care of the family home
NFK, you and Kira sound beautifully matched. You obviously understand each other well. How nice to just relax in your garden with your lovely companion and have a little nap maybe.
Im glad you’re coping better. I find that comforting
Cherry I got on well at the group today. Tomorrow would have been DHs birthday. One of those milestones to overcome. I am planning a meal with a friend and in the evening zooming with the family for a toast to their dear dad.
i hate those sort of dreams that you can’t shake off. Don’t worry, me and the gang will come to your aid if you’re chased again. The sight of me in my curlers and dressing gown armed with a rolling pin would scare most people off 🤣🤣
sounds like a lovely lunch and well worth it
Grammaretto, hope all is going well and you’re consuming some lovely Danish pastries.

If it's an award winning Indian Cherry and you had good company, it was definitely worth a sleepy afternoon!

I did sit in the garden most of the day, watching and listening to the birds and sewing up a pullover I've made for DGS out of reclaimed wool. It's in dark blue fleck and needed bright sunlight to see what I was doing. A very pleasant day, and the sort of day I've been avoiding, keeping busy and all that. The ache is still there Doodle, but bearable now. A bit like tinnitus, I can live with it. (Although I could do without the tinnitus.)

What a palaver they made of your hospital Kaimoana! The Dr seems to have been pretty thorough though and, importantly, you've got a new plan going forward. The lump sounds unpleasant but if it's the source of the pain and they remove it that's got to be a positive. I hope you won't have long to wait 🤞.
Ooh, what aren't you telling us about the man in a mustang picking you up and taking you to lunch 😉😁. Enjoy your lunch.

It's good to hear that the antibiotics seem to be getting rid of the infection NotSpaghetti.
You're my kind of gardener, I tend to work in 20 - 30 minute spells too. My WP, on the other hand, gets lost in his own little world when he's gardening and can garden for hours. If I manage to minimise the return of the crocosmia by the end of the growing season I'll be happy 😂.

ixion, you have one of those garages too then 😬. My WP keeps saying he's going to hire a skip .but ... 🤔 🤦.
What, you're travelling to and from the Big Smoke in a single day? That will be a very long day! Yes, I can imagine it's always a day that evokes mixed emotions, those sort of visits do that to me too. Still, they're always great trips though aren't they.

Good plan Nfk, if the weather where you are is like we have here it sounds good to me. It sounds like Keira enjoyed her afternoon tea with your friends yesterday 😁, I hope you did too.

It's good that you've found that the people at the church are good to talk to Doodle. The first bereavement group meeting may feel daunting but it will be supportive, I'm sure. My SiL found hers at her church incredibly helpful and supportive after my DB died. Sending you a gentle cwtch xx

I was too exhausted to even post yesterday 🙄. Tuesday night I hardly slept it can happen when I've had a seizure the night before and when I did I had a horrible dream where a group of us were chased and robbed 😬. I couldn't get back to sleep afterward. Stupidly, mid morning I met up with my walking group 🤦. Sensibly, I ducked out two thirds of the way in to meet up with a couple of friends for lunch at a lovely award winning Indian restaurant. Lunch was huge and made me feel sleepy. All I was fit for when I came home was sitting on the sofa. Not sure it was that sensible to go out to lunch after all 🤣.

Oh, Mamissimo, that all looks just so beautiful. I would love to return to Italy and I've never been to Florence. Perhaps an October visit would be a good time, I don't do extreme heat very well.

If stomach cramps is the price to pay for no toothache NotSpaghetti, it probably is a price worth paying. Toothache is awful. Last pill tomorrow?

I hope your little lump is easily sorted Kaimoana. We're given the impression that our NHS is the worst health service in the world, but your NZ care sounds so very familiar! (A man in a Mustang sounds just the job - and lunch too? Especially with lunch too.)

I'm intending a day of sitting in the garden doing not a lot. I had an early night last night and didn't wake until nearly eight this morning. I think the weekend has caught up with me! Kira agrees. We met friends for afternoon tea yesterday after her walk, (she has a sauce of milk and the last bit of scone) and she was so pleased to get back into the car and curl up. She came downstairs for breakfast and toilet this morning and has gone back up to bed! We must remember we're not in the first flush of youth.

Have a good day everyone, and no falling over Cherry!

Where is Contera, Mamissimo?
What a lovely trip you are having. Hope MrM is ok today.

Mamissimo - I do hope you spent some time out of the heat and in the church with those beautiful frescoes!

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Ciao, bella Nonas! ☀️

El Wi-Fi has failed to deliver 2 postcards from Italy so hoping this is third time lucky....

We are currently residing in a attic trendy loft apartment by the Duomo in San Gimagno. It's been over 32 for the last three days and Mr M, who tans easily, looks well cured. I do not tan easily and attract hungry mozzies so I am a tad mottled and scratchy.

Florence was fab as usual but too full of shouty, bored tour groups and after two days we were happy to drive on to Cinque Terres, where we spent three wonderful days soaking in the views.

Mr M was a little under the weather yesterday with the galloping gourmets, so I pulled on my big girl pants and went out to eat alone. It was a strange and quiet meal and I raised my glass to you Doodle - doing normal stuff on your own is hard enough without grief to amplify the silence. Salute! 🥂*

Today we are shopping for arty trifles, then tomorrow we move on to Montepulciano....and then...Contera... where we are staying in a posh monastery, then Florence again and home early next week to Spud, who's been house sitting 😍

Hope this finds you as it leaves me, wish you were here...x

ixion, Kaimoana2 and others...
Yes I think the pills are doing the trick.
No tooth pain. 👍
I can endure the stomach cramps as it's just 1½ days now... hooray!

Sorry about your little lump Kaimoana2 - I hope it's easy to sort out.

I'm feeling that a lot is wrong with me. All little bits and pieces that signify not a lot. I would love to have a healthier body - but wouldn't we all!!?

I'm happy that today I've been able to clear a section of our back yard. It had lots of small weeds and moss on the bricks and I've not been keeping on top of it. If I can just do 20 minutes at a time by next week it will be done.

Oooh, Tuscany?
Have I missed something?

It's nice that you are getting comfort and some joy from your art class and church family. I know how much they mean to you.

Love the idea of you squashed between friends eating crisps!

NotS and Cherry Hope you are both feeling better.

I was excited about our 1st July visit to a special showing of a film until I saw it was "Whawhai Tonu - Struggle Without End".
Yet one more of many recent films, many of them violent, about the brutality of the colonial British towards Maori.
I'm not sure I'm up to yet another. <sigh>

A man in a Mustang is picking me up and taking me to lunch today - that I can manage.

Wot! No postcard from Tuscany Mamissimo?

Pleased you could take strength from your friends at church today, Doodle. I hope the bereavement group will give you the support you are hoping for, too. As for the art class - hey, you're hanging in there. Bravo🥳 You might even get selected for the end of term Exhibition😄. Then our modest little group will be able to boast an established author and an exhibiting artist. Fingers crossed.

I am pleased you got a resolution about your future eye management, Kaimoana. That in itself can be a positive, IYSWIM. Wishing you all the very best for your biopsy (gulp). Is the lesion on your 'good' side?

How's the new tablet (?iPad) going, Cherry? Like you, I daren't risk my credibility carrying out anything much on my phone. Certainly nothing in the financial or business line. So much to say, so little space to say it ...

Are you seeing the light at the end of the proverbial 💊💊s , NotS? Do hope so. Let us know.

I am childishly pleased today. You can tell I'm retired, with low aspirations🤪
Our black landfill bin was due to go out tonight but was ridiculously empty. I made my usual suggestion to Mr.I that he might like to have a little look round and put some of his,er, clutter in. The next I knew, he was standing outside the laundry window waving all sorts of accumulated toot from the garage, asking if I needed any of it. As if. Unrequited suggestions of skip hire are legendary here.

The second ⭐️ is that I have booked a ticket to visit my roots in the Big Smoke for a (very) long day in the near future. It is so long since I have been, and I will be looking up rabbits, friends and relations, and taking flowers to appropriate locations😢. It is a nostalgia trip I always make with mixed emotions.

She's only a coal-whipper's daughter, but tremendously proud of whence she has come .

PS Not Ireland, Mamissimo😉

sorry forgot to make it all bold

*ixion I like most flavour crisps. Have indulged in a packed or just salted Pringles this week. They won’t last long.
Nice to have a coffee with a friend and catch up.
I’ve been to church today. Lovely people so nice to talk to.
Church again tomorrow for my first bereavement group meeting and art class too. Busy day.
Hope all keep well. x

A mixed day.

My appointment at the hospital was a bit wonky.
I was seen early for the first stage, then my papers went walkabout for 90 minutes.

As there was no room in the waiting area (crowds, chatter puerile, intrusive telly and multiple coughs and sneezes) I stood in the corridor leaning on my stick until a lovely nurse brought out one of thoe wheeled office chairs (that's the chair with wheels, not the office).

In this and leaning against the wall I more or less fell asleep for the next hour or so before my notes ame scuttling back apologetically to enable me to go for a scan, pressure tests, dilating drops etc.

Finally saw the doctor who said exactly what I had suggested years ago - if my right eye is now useless, what's the point in injecting it?
The left eye is bravely holding its own. For small mercies let us be thankful.
.
I told her about the tiny, hard lump in the corner of my eye and she's going to arrange to have that removed and biopsied. We don't yet know if this is the source of pain but at my age it doesn't much matter what causes it, as long as we can make it stop.

Aatoa had re-arranged her day to come to me later and having done most of the tasks received a call asking why she hadn't picked up her girl at noon. Clearly she had no idea she was supposed to.
What on earth are working parents supposed to do in a situation like this? Her husband only came out of hospital last night so he was no help.
Apparently the teachers had a meeting.

If it was anything like the meeting held in the school where I used to work, it would be accompanied by good wine and catered snacks.

The rest of the day was spent knitting, waiting for my eye to clear enough for me to write this, see emails and pay bills - and drinking several mugs of Rooibos tea to stay warm.

Wicked winter really has got its icy act together today, such a change from Tuesday when I was wandering around in a strappy top and sunshine.

Postscriptum:
My casual jokes about the F word in no way indicates I use it, in fact when I hear it in an audio book, increasingly common these days, it is closed with a digital snap and returned.

Wishing you all a peaceful, productive and pretty day ahead.

Thank you all for your kind words re my (relatively minor) problems! I've decided to stick with this erythromycin - as by the time I get to chance to see a GP it it will be over - and I might just start with more of the same problems for another week anyway!

I've mercifully only got to take them till Friday afternoon and today has been less "disruptive" than the previous days.👍

What a lot of health sagas everyone seems to have to endure at the moment... - I feel quite lucky really
Thinking of all you kind people who are struggling with much much worse 💐

Crossed posts, Doodle! Not the fastest of typists here 🙄