Not Locked Down but may need to be locked up

Kaimoana I hope you have a lovely time with Gubbins and she enjoys all her birthday treats.
be lovely if you do get to go to the sea. I know you like it so much
Grammaretto it’s a very big kiln. Does it produce a different sort of finish.
Nfk so sorry I missed your birthday yesterday, Belated happy returns. I’m sure you missed your BB being with you. A walk on the beach sounds a good way to make you feel better,
Ixion I have often wondered who played that piano. Good you had a nice trip. Your closer to Christmas Day out with your cousin sounds lovely. I used to love Christmas lights and all the excitement.
It will be strange this year, it won’t be the same without my darling man but our sons and families will do all they can to keep me going.
Thinking of Cherry and missing posters. Night night all

Kaimoana...have a very happy day with Gubbins...She will help lift your spirits and hopefully a swim tomorrow too.
Ixion.... That sounds a lovely day out and I understand completely about the piano and losing it. Music is so powerful at bringing back memories and 'Wishing you were somehow here with me ' from Phantom guarantees my mascara will down my face.
Jan... I'm glad that your daughter is finally getting better. Hopefully the endocrinology dept will resolve it once and for all too.
NFK...belated Happy Birthday.... I'm heading for a 'big one' in a couple of weeks and it's making me feel really strange as my head is telling me I'm still young....my body however is another matter. !!!!

I hope you make it to the seaside Kaimoana
fingers 🤞
Gubbins' birthday celebrations must have been fun.

I'm glad your DS are so supportive Doodle like their DM

Mine are too but they are also worried I'll do something idiotic. Who me?
DS #1 phoned from his bike commute yesterday evening. It sounded like he was in a hurricane with all the background noise. He talked about my house plans and there was a film i should watch on Amazon prime. I don't subscribe to that so watched a teary movie on Netflix instead and advanced my knitting a little.

Kiwi girl is trying to find a job and a flat in Edinburgh so goes off each evening on the bus to view places. She's young!

I am glad you enjoyed your birthday
Nfk . A walk on the beach with Kira sounds perfect.

Naughtyneine are we allowed to ask how big your birthday is? Music affects me a lot. I can’t really listen to anything at the moment. *
Grammaretto so your kiwi helper intends to stay here for a while then. Your children are just concerned you don’t take on too much or make a mistake I imagine. House moving /building can be an arduous thing to take on. *
Kaimoana I too hope you had a wonderful time with Gubbins and she enjoyed her birthday treats. Hope you get to the sea tomorrow too.
*Busy day for me. Art class then Church then hospice.
Back home. Dinner and catch up on GN then knitting for a bit. *
Love to all the missing lonstars

Lobstars

Hello all.
Just a quick visit from me to hope that everyone's day has been at least do-able.🤞

Shoulder exercises have progressed, at my request, to taking place on our bed. I was doing as much, if not more, damage trying to get up from the floor, even courtesy of Doodle's giraffe manoeuvre. Second set this afternoon led me to a gentle recuperation with closed eyes and awoke fifteen minutes later ... 💤

Mr.I went for routine bloods this morning at the surgery.
Came home, furtled up his sleeve, and like a triumphant conjuror, produced an elastic tourniquet. Not only that, it had images of Mickey and Minnie Mouse all round it😱.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202411/medium-286373-1-birthday-006.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202411/medium-592932-1-birthday-007.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202411/medium-247867-1-birthday-003.jpg

ixion I hope the staff at that mickey mouse surgery don't live up to the idiom.

Despite the fact so many things went wrong the party was fine.

I dropped the bacon on the floor, the paper doylie sp? tore as I was getting it from the packet; the numeral 4 candle was broken when it came from the box; DS and Gubbins were hours later than planned as DiL took the car (yes, she knew
they were coming here and why) which meant Gubbins was a bit tired and fretful.

DS was too after working until well into the early hours with Uber Eats, so managed one hour sleep before Gubbins woke him at 6.

I'd planned breakfast for their arranged eta and because they didn't need to leave early (or so I thought) I'd prepared a late lunch-tea as well.

However, the chicken and mushrooms in red wine sauce went home in takeway containers, as did some trifle.

They had to pickup up the other child from school as Mum wasn't available, which meant leaving here far earlier than
hoped. But as we were all very tired, it was better that way.

I'd devised a sort of treasure hunt game for Gubbins: each little gift hidden but attached to a length of coloured wool which ran from the gifts to the living room, ending in a sparkly loop.

She had to follow each one to find the gift and was very pleased with that game.
I was able to stay cheerful while she and DS were here (but did get a bit tearful at one point, silly me).

No, the beach won't see me today I'm afraid, it's throwing it down and with no prospects of it clearing..

The not unexpected end to a very miserable week.

You got to see your darling girl and DS Kaimoana. That's the main thing.
The best laid plans and all that....

I am full of the cold this morning and will need to alter my plans. No Friday night dinner party, no work at the Storehouse. I shall listen to the radio or podcasts and knit or perhaps I won't 🤔.
I bought the ingredients to make a Christmas cake so I may begin that. The soaking the fruit in brandy bit

DGS, the poet, has sent a short story which is to be published in a NZ anthology. It's thrilling and chilling. Set after the world as we know it has been destroyed by climate and wars, it eerily rings true as the everyday mingles with a dystopian future.

Thats very funny ixion, Your DH visit to the Mickey Mouse surgery.
Do you suppose it was a blood test or was he taking part in a Disney animation?

My friends who are emigrating to NZ have arrived and are loving it. Photos arrive to make me homesick. At ceilidh dance class last night there was another Kiwi, on holiday here,. He lives just a few miles from Kiwi girl. She's off to view a flat today.

Hoping all Lobstars are feeling strong and brave for whatever the world has in store for us.

Well what a week we've had - bras, bloods, birthdays (mine too and grandson and son in law) and baking. Disappointingly no beach though for Kaimoana. Just hoping thst my my wheezy chest isn't bronchitis to complete the"B's"

Today I have the electrician here. This is an old house with lots of "surface wiring" on the top storey so he's "cutting in" where it's easy and fitting some smart new patresses.
He's also putting up some lights for me in rooms with not much lighting and fixing a double wall socket that isn't working. I hope the plaster doesn't completely crumble away!

MrS is off on a short walk looking for milk and bananas. He's doing pretty well all considered

Have a "good" weekend my friends

You may know there is a march to parliament (a Hikoi) of people concerned about the changes this right-wing government intend making to our constitutional founding document which guarantees basic and human rights to everyone in this country.

It was due to be read on 18th November, instead it was presented unexpectedly (some say sneakily) early on 7th.

Despite what the press says, it's not just about Maori, it's a threat to all Kiwis, although Maori and Pasifika people would be particularly impacted initially by some of its racist policies.

This march, only a fraction of the way through when this photo was taken and showing only a small part of the crowd, is gathering tens of thousands - people of all heritages - at every town as it progresses.

The Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840 between Maori and the Crown (the 2 major cultures of the time), is more than just a historical document.

Every company, school, university, health care agency and all government departments in New Zealand, are based and run on Treaty principles.

So any weakening of this endangers the rights and wellbeing of all, which is why this Bill is opposed by intellectual leaders as well as the humblest of us; by doctors, lawyers, educators, churches, employers and other politicians.

Every thinking person who sees it as a disastrous ‘thin end of the wedge’ towards further erosions of rights and security is speaking out or marchng.

The man who introduced this Bill was asked to comment on the Hikoi and said everyone has the right to peaceful protest. Good.
0
Next day, when MPs and supporters (not all of whom were Maori) in the gallery began a haka as he was about to speak to the Bill, he angrily objected and the Speaker had to close the session.

It’s laughable when radio broadcasts of parliament are regularly disrupted by braying politician opponents.

The haka was 'kamate, kamate' a very popular chant used by the All Blacks.
I admit it can look threatening, especially when pukana and whetero (eye-flashing, tongue poking) are used but in context is much different.
These are affirmations of the emotions being expressed in the haka. (see link below)

This haka came fromTe Rauparaha, a chief of the Ngāti Toa tribe. Being pursued by enemies, he hid in an underground food storage pit.
As his foes drew nearer he muttered 'I’ll die, I'll die.' (Ka mate)

However, they didn't find him, so his next words, no doubt of heartfelt relief, were 'I live! I live!' (Ka ora)
The rest of the haka is how he climbed out of the pit into the sunshine.

It was used in parliament not as a threat but as a statement that despite what the enemy intends, the people will rise into the sunshine.

In a very happy song, ‘Ka pioioi’ it tells of the whetero and pukana being used to show love and gratitude at the return home of the singer.

So a lack of knowledge and understanding is a dangerous thing.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlyzsGcOnIw

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgwve4j176o

Covered here by the BBC and ITV on its late night news yesterday. I think that, as an addendum to the day's events, this was included to show the dramatics of an unexpected Haka by a female MP, rather than a delve into the background history and politics of the issue. Sadly.

Goodness Ixion did they leave the tourniquet on 😱. His arm might have dropped off.
Bed exercises where you fall asleep sound good to me.
So pleased you got to see your darling girl Kaimoana Im sure she had a wonderful time. The food sounds good. Plenty for all.
Lovely presentation and the Peppa Pig card is good too
Thank you for your posts. Interesting reading
Grammaretto sorry you’re poorly again. I would pour some of that brandy down your throat rather than the fruit. It might help you feel better.
You must be proud of your DGS he is doing well
Notspaghetti sorry if I missed your birthday. Many happies to you and your grandson and son in law. You must have had lots of parties.
Good MrS is doing better, Good luck with the electrician
Ive been out for a very pleasant lunch with my friend today. We sat in a Chocolate Cafe (not dissimilar to a Chocolate teapot 🤣) and enjoyed a very nice lunch overlooking the river and people watching.
Back home for a warming coffee and knitting
Have a good weekend all

I was looking for that ixion, but you had already posted. It was covered on our news all day Kaimoana.

Good thing too.

I had a boring day being unwell but managed to start the cake, pack the kiln, knit quite a lot of a jumper, talk to 2 of my DC, and celebrate Kiwi girl being offered 2 flats she has to choose and a job interview.
I also saw the pots fired at the weekend and are rather pleased with them.

Glad to hear Mr NotSpag is doing
well. I hope you are too.

I've ordered a night cap from Jeeves but alas it hasn't turned up 😒

So glad your day went well Doodle
😊
You are right about the brandy

Jan, I tried to send a pm with a photo of where the big car park is, but failed miserably. It is rather hard to find! So, this is a screen shot of my Google directions coming from the A47 bypass. You've probably found it by now. I've had the most horrendous head cold and been laid low. Couldn't focus on screens. Better now!

(I couldn't get rid of the EV Charging station thingy. But the car park is hidden under it!)

Bums. I'm sorry Jan, I just realised. That's not coming from the A47! You'll be coming down the pale blue bit of the Watton Road! It's early and I'm an idiot!

Just read back the posts I'd missed and that BBC News link which I'd slept through missed. Wow! That certainly livened up a Parliamentary meeting! I'm now off to look up and refresh my understanding of the Treaty.

Pressed the wrong key! I'm so sorry that the plans for Gubbins didn't quite go as intended. But she will remember the present trail and you may well have started a family tradition.

How did you achieve so much Grammaretto? Every time I sat down I fell asleep! Driving the Camperbubble back from her service in Yarmouth on Thursday was quite a challenge and I feel sure I nodded off a couple of times while we were sat in reception waiting. And waiting. Why do these things always take an hour longer than they say? I hope you feel better now. There's some real corker bugs around.

ixion and Kaimoana - thank you for the background and the link. I had read about this in only a brief article and the background is of course left wooly...

The video is great as it really makes you feel the power of people when joined in a common cause. I found it deeply moving
I have sent it to my family btw and have since been making myself more aware of the issues

I had paid nearly no attention to anything yesterday becauseof electrical work .... more pond work today - thanks for everyone's well wishes

Have a good weekend

Well Grammaretto despite feeling ill you seem to have done quite a lot yesterday. I only managed 4 rows of knitting but I did clean bathroom and kitchen which will hopefully leave me feeling less guilty if I play at painting on Monday instead of doing housework.
I agree amazing footage. Quite impressive
NfK no mean fear driving the camper bubble I would think. Glad you got back safely
Notspaghetti hope you have a good weekend too
Kaimoana, Cherry and Ixion hope you’re all ok.
Tomorrow it will be 26 weeks since my beloved died. It’s been the longest 6 months of my life I think. I’m going to the hospice tomorrow for a quiet sit. Our sons have decided to join me which I’m pleased about. They miss their dad a lot.
Have a good weekend all.

Hello lobStars

Sorry I've missed people's/loved ones' birthdays whilst I've been awol - please accept my belated birthday wishes 💐, especially, but not exclusively, to the beautiful Gubbins.🎈🎂🎈
I'm pleased you got to spend some time with her Kaimoana and she got to enjoy her her present hunt. 😊

I'm glad that your DD's goitre has finally been removed Jan and I sincerely hope that the endocrinologist is able to sort her calcium levels out swiftly and she can cone home.🤞💐

As for me, I've been through the mill a bit again- , in A&E two days in a row this week for different things. First, I had a seemingly endless bout of seizures and just as I thought I was recovering and it was safe to go out ..., 🤦‍♀️ We decided to pay a visit to Aldi's and as we were coming away - bang, down I went like a lead balloon and hit my head on the side of the exit doorway a few steps more and I'd have fallen on the concrete outside. Of course, the store called an ambulance- 5 hours in A&E, given all clear and home I went. The following day 8+ hours in A^E ! Now awaiting tests and a colonoscopy. I'm having an oral polyp (planned procedure) removed next week. 🙄 Treatment at both ends beckons. 🤣

I hope your cold clears soon Grammaretto.

If anyone knows where Jeeves is would they kindly send him my way - I'm in need of some chocolate ought to be healthy snacks really but ..... 😁

Thinking of all the lobStars.

Doodle 💐