Not Locked Down but may need to be locked up

Sending you a second Birthday cwtch for your actual birthday Doodle 🍰 🍷. I know celebrated with your family yesterday but I hope you have done something nice today xx

An emotional time for you Kaimoana, I know you want the beat for your DS and family, not easy though 💐.
Every day's a school day they say - I've certainly learnt something about agapanthus, I had no idea it could be so prolific. We have one plant and it's well contained in a pot, we did have two (the one remaining a division of) but I accidentally dug it up from a bed when I was digging up all that crocosmia which might not have been such a bad thing in the end then 🤣.
The community centre looks great, it will be a lovely place for your Elders group.

Considering the amount of rain you had since the roofer's last repair Grammaretto, I don't think it's premature to say it's fixed 🤞😁.

Kaimoana thank you for the lovely cake and candles. Had a wobbly start this morning then had a good day out with friends. Eaten a lot so very full now.
Went to the hospice to be with my memories there for a while and then put for the afternoon.
I do hope you get to see your DS again soon and his trip is successful
Your new meeting place sounds good. I’m going to watch the link now
Notapaghetti I had a good day yesterday and today despite the fact I was dreading this birthday without DH. I was quite ba d last week and I think it was the build up to today that got me so stressed. Everyone has been so kind and supportive.
Grammaretto I celebrated today too. 🤣. Had cake and candles and birthday cards and good wishes. So tired now it’s been a busy two days
*Glad you’re home safely and your buckets are dry. That made me laugh when I wrote it, it made it sound like some sort of traditional greeting “Hope your buckets are dry” 🤣
Fancy your classes starting again. You do things earlier in Scotland. I’ve got weeks to go before art class starts

Hi Cherry. Yes I’ve had a good day. Sat and had a little cry with DH’s ashes this morning but been out most of the day and had a pleasant day.
Hoping things are a bit better for you. Much love x

"I hope your buckets stay dry" sounds a wonderful greeting Doodle.

"Lang may yer lum reek" is what Maggie, our Scotish landlady in Rothesay used to say, wishing us health and prosperity. (so
we'd go back year after year!

Glad to see you posting Cherry - that greeting, according to Uncle Google, is even more endearing in Welsh: Hir oes i'ch simnai wenu (long live your smiling chimney) so cute.

"Glad you’re home safely and your buckets are dry."
That made me laugh too!
🤣

I also thought it sounded like a traditional greeting - but decided it was potentially quite negative as it could have implied leaky buckets or not enough water! 😱

Lovely to hear you have a pleasant day, Doodle. An even more emotional couple of days for you🌻.
Good to see Cherry up and running (?) again, must polish up the pompoms this week ⚽️.
The Community Centre looks excellent, Kaimoana. Did you get your carpet sorted?

Not much to offer tonight- a long day in the Big Smoke, or Centre of the Universe as my family disparagingly call it, tomorrow, so have been doing my homework to arrange itineraries which minimise too much foot slogging in the predicted heat.

Wishing everyone well, will return refreshed (apart from my feet) to join in again shortly.

Thanks for the greeting wishing me dry buckets!

Well you are right Doodle and I am wrong. My Gaelic class doesn't start until September. I am getting ahead of myself. The schools go back on Wednesday here and yoga begins this week. The schools break up at the end of June.

I'm doing an extra shift in the store tomorrow. So many folk are on holiday.

Doodle I didn't enjoy my first birthday after DH died. A friend and I went for a meal and hoped to see a show in the Fringe but I was not in the mood to be entertained.

I'm getting used to it now though and I will buy tickets for a show and find someone to come with me!

Good evening and dry buckets, long live your smoking or smiling chimneys to all the lobStars 😁

I've never heard that greeting in either Welsh or English Kaimoana, I agree it is kinda cute.

Its' curious, that anticipation of a significant date or anniversary^ Doodle. It can be a such a focus of dread that the build up toward it ends up being worse than the actual day. Im pleased that in the end you had a pleasant birthday.

I didn't know until earlier this year that the schools in Scotland broke up as early as they do Grammaretto how did I not know that I knew they started back earlier but I'd always thought it was only by a week. It wouldn't have surprised me if your Gaelic class followed a similar schedule.
I'm sure you'll find someone to come to a Fringe show with you. I would if I lived nearby.

Your planning is putting me to shame ixion 🤭 😉, I'd better dig out the pom-poms from storage to clean them and fluff them up in readiness for the weekend 😅.

Kaimoana May your buckets stay dry may well become one of the lobstars sayings 🤣
Notspaghetti do you remember the song “There’s a hole in my bucket dear Liza dear Liza.🤣
Ixion I had two reasonably good days followed by a crash day today. Thought I had finished making painful phone calls about DH but then I had to phone DWP again.
Had an hour or more conversation with the bank today about my credit card which they told me didn’t exist even though I was holding it in my hand as we spoke. Got it sorted in the end but I was worn out.
Drove over an hour to the hospital to return some medical equipment. That’s nearly the last of it gone now.
How did you get on in the Big Smoke. I remember you had some trepidation about going?
Grammaretto no it’s not fun celebrating without your other half is it? Having said that our family did all they could to mek it a good day and it was. We had a nice meal together on Sunday and I spent the day with friends yesterday. Today was the miserable day that often follows some good ones. Still tomorrow is another day as they say and I have church in the morning
Have a good time at the store. Are you baking cakes?
Cherry yes I am finding that the build up can be worse than the day. My goodness is it Pom Pom time again? Anyone got the Pringles 😊

Keep up the practising Cherry and Ixion

It seems as if we are all in carry on mode, even if some of us (me) are not always keeping calm

Good things happened yesterday at the elders group: our extremely sunny room opens onto the deck you may have seen in the video.
Despite Ophthalmologist's strict orders to stay out of the sun, I naughtily disobeyed and took my cuppa tea out there for 10 minutes.

When it came to our 'getting the body going' session I sat it out, knowing I don't have the balance for wild jigging and hating the over-loud music which throws me off focus

But Liz came and stood behind me and holding my arms, waved them up, down and all about, then massaged my shoulders. What a sweet thing to do.

We have new kaimahi, two of whom were my transport.

On the way back, they asked personal questions which led to my telling them about my eyes but that I was lucky to have completed a children's book before they got really bad.

My driver, keen to see the book, came into the house.
As I pulled old Trevor from the bookcase, I asked if she had young children. 'Three" she said.

So I gave her the book, telling her it was a true story from Niue.
'Wow, Whaea, I'm from Niue! ' she laughed, giving me a big hug, 'I'll read this to my boys when I get home.'

What a wonderful coincidence.

How lovely about the book!
Hope the boys enjoy it

Have a good day everyone

Trevor has flown far and wide! You must be so proud of him Kaimoana.
We all are! 👏

Yesterday I was visited by another person who is interested in my house. He wants it to be a music school. My head is now reeling.
I was late for the dentist in all the flurry

Morning Everyone. Just been catching up with the news. Not much to say really except thank goodness we’ve lost that heat. Yesterday was so hot it was oppressive. Today is the exact opposite. Cloudy and cool and quite breezy. But at least we can breathe! This photo is how Theo felt yesterday!

That was a heartening post, Kaimoana. New experiences, new friends, lots, hopefully, to look forward to. And Trevor's fame widens! Yay. Hoping for ⬆️sales for you.

I think, Grammaretto, not that it's anything to do with me that your home becoming a music school would be just lovely. Lots of noise, music and joyful laughter ringing out: it had always seemed to be a home to be loved. Do you have any strong feelings about what might happen to it? Presumably a music school would give you peace and quiet in the evenings- unless for lovely performances. Would there be any fear that it could be bought by a builder😱 for the plot for an apartment block? Maybe you are 'listed'?🤞

No, Doodle, no worries from me about my away-days. Can't come quick enough. It was 26 degrees, cooler, they told me, than the previous day. I had a picnic lunch on a bench in one of the Magnificent Seven Victorian cemeteries in London, whilst taking a break from relly hunting. It was magical. So much wilderness, so much uninhibited wild life, not a sound from the nearby traffic. It is part (official) park now, thanks to the GLC as it was in the 1960s. Running trails, lots of dog walkers, a children's volunteering session with wheelbarrows, mini tools, butterfly nets, notebooks, abundant wild cyclamen in the shaded undergrowth.

I was duly chastened by Kaimoana's picture of agapanthus au naturel, making my offering look so weedy in comparison. I was aware that they grow in abundance in the Channel Islands. In my defence, this is the secondary tub, acquired for nought from Freecycle. I have a pair of much larger dolly tubs, given to me by the grandson of our next door neighbour when clearing the house. He remembers his grandmother using them there when he was a child. They both contained matching plantings of huge white agapanthus plants, my pride and joy, set up at the door. They were many years old, well pot bound but thriving on intentional neglect. That included (note past tense) leaving the foliage untouched, albeit rotting or frost damaged, safe in the knowledge that this would act as protection for the new growth in the spring.
Until Mr.I put in his Monty Don hat, 'tidied them up' (sic) and killed the lot.

Jan, Barney sympathises with Theo. He tends to find cooling relief by stretching out on clean laundry on 'his' bed.

Kaimoana what an inspiring day. Your new meeting place is lovely. How nice you could sit out on the deck for a while.
Im sure Trevor will be much appreciated by that young family and their mum will be bragging about how she met the author,😊
Grammaretto a music school now that is interesting. Obviously the big rooms and high ceilings will be an advantage. Have you thought any more about building in your garden?
Notspaghetti I hope you have had a good day too
Jan I know exactly how Theo felt. I don’t do heat well.
So pleased it’s been cooler today
Ixion so pleased your having a good time. Your day in the cemetery sounds peaceful and entertaining. I love people watching
Cherry thinking of you and hoping things are ok

Thanks Doodle, if you discount the burn I've obtained by sheer stupidity on my arm then Im fine 🤣
I hope you've had a better day than yesterday, it can't be easy to be making phone calls about your DH and the DWP can be exasperating to deal at any time, it's a department devoid of Wisdom and People skills. As for the bank, I've got one word - ridiculous!

Whar a happy coincidence Kaimoana, your driver was obviously thrilled to receive Trevor too 😊.
I must admit to admiring the deck at your new centre when I watched the video, it must have been lovely to sit out on it with a cuppa, it's what I would want to do.

Poor Theo, in the heat we've had these last few days Jan but oh aren't cats funny. My neice1's cat likes to spread eagle a bit like one of those bear rugs when it's hot.

Interesting idea, your house becoming a music school if you do sell it. I think it's a sign that he appreciates it's steeped in history. I'm inclined agree with ixion not that it any 9f my business either, it's a lovely idea.
I hope you wereso late arriving the dentist that they refused to sed you 🤞.

Converting part of the grounds at the cemetery into a park is is an inspired and inspiring idea I think ixion; duel use, peaceful, contemplative. It sounds like you had a good day.
Oh my, your poor agapanthus - it sounds like they were killed by kindness 🤦‍♂️. At least he did accidentally dig them up like I did with our mother plant 🤣.

It's been a glorious day here Goldilocks zone for temperature and a gentle breeze. Perfect weather my walking group - so we did a lot of walking 🤦‍♀️. Very tired now. I'll have e a cup of tea please Jeeves 🙂.

Well, I'll go to the foot of our stairs - as my mother (and hers) used to say.

I logged on to tell you about a couple of incidents and find identical things have just happened to other Lobstars.

So to avoid being thought a copy cat, I better keep my waha nui shut.



A music school eh? Grammaretto - no doubt their first song will be: 'There's a hole (or drip?) in my bucket.'

Or would it be 'Raindrops are falling on my head'?

Yes, all right, I'm going.....

I'm excited again today. My DGD rang to tell me she has got into the art school of her first choice which is in Newcastle. I have already booked a train to go and visit her!
I hope she loves it.
I loved art school especially the first year. It was so freeing after all those years at school. I thought everyone should have that experience. Imagine being in kindergarten only we were bigger and no longer needed help with dressing. debatable actually

I hope the idea of a music school isn't just a pipe dream. did you see what I did there

I am feeling sorry for all your hot cats. Though Cherry managed a good walk so wasn't as hot as the cats.

I wonder if Tower Hamlets cemetery is one of the magnificent seven Ixion?
My gt gt gran is buried there so I went to try to find her grave but discovered instead a fabulous jungle right there in the East End.

Later I found her actual burial record. It will have been an unmarked grave.

Any news from Lobstars today?

Oh Cherry not another burn. Hope it’s not serious. I was going to say please take care but that’s silly because you obviously do and can’t control when you have a seizure. Hope it’s not too painful.
I had a good day yesterday and not bad today either. Church both days which I find helps. Sending Jeeves round to keep an eye on you
Kaimoana now you’ve got me worried, You haven’t burnt yourself have you?
On the same theme, “I can’t stand the rain” mind you “It’s raining men” might be ok if they were all roofers
Grammaretto that’s wonderful news you must be so pleased. *i too hope she enjoys it there
My DGD passed her exams too and is going to her choice closer to home although she will stay there during the week.
Pipe dream 🤣
Hope it works out for you

Well done to your respective DGDs Grammaretto and Doodle. 👏. Exciting times for each of them. I'm sure they'll both enjoy their time at college.

Ah yes, Grammaretto, I too remember finding my time at university a freeing experience. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and not for the parties and protests 😆 though there were those too, but for the rigour of study. Wonderful times.

I sincerely hope that one of the identical things that have jusr happened to other lobstars was not a burn Kaimoana. I'd hate that to be the case. Hoping not, I am intrigued 🤔.

It's good to hear that the last couple days have been a bit better for you Doodle ❤️.
I wish I could say that I burnt myself during a seizure because then it would mean that I hadn't been so foolish 😅. I stupidly briefly rested my arm on the oven door 🤬 taking sonething out which I shouldn't do anyway because of the risk if I do have a seizure. It's not too bad, just a red patch but I don't half feel stupid 🤦‍♀️.

Oh sorry about your burn Cherry. Burns are so painful. They punch above their pain weight forgive mixed metaphors

Good to hear about happier days Doodle
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Okay, I confess. Yes, I burned my hand.
I was pouring water from a poached egg when the pan slipped and water sloshed all over the back of my hand.
But worry not!
I always keep honey in the house because I burn myself so often now. That was dabbed on, it did its usual magic and now there is virtually no sign and no hurt at all.

I'm very sorry to hear about the others though.

I remember hearing a joke about an old deaf lady who, on regaining her hearing, heard bagpipes for the first time.

When asked what she thought of the sound she said, 'Thank the Laird it disna smell.'

I don't share her opinion and have wonderful goose-pimply memories of watching military pipe bands marching past when I was a child.

Our family in London have written to say they are so looking forward to DS arrival and stay.
When he was little, all the aunties used to pinch both his cheeks and kiss his nose.
Now they'd never reach

Sorry to hear of poorlies with burns🤕, look after yourselves!

And congrats to the DGDs as they approach another exciting milestone in their young lives. Sometimes I wish I could turn the clock back - but I'd have to be wary of the loons with the huge flares these days. A right trip hazard ⚠️

I'm pleased Gubbins' dad is being welcomed into the bosom of his UK family, Kaimoana. That should bring comfort and peace of mind to you all.

Yes, indeed, Grammaretto, Tower Hamlets it was! I rather like the idea that, should you wish, you can 'adopt' a grave(stone), but only after an ecological assessment has been carried out.
I used to think that mosses and lichens were just, well, that but apparently they are much more to the trained eye.

The ⚽️ season starts tomorrow. We look forward to exciting times (🤔) times with a new Manager and a bevy of new players after he has been splashing the cash .
I must give Cherry a nudge that we have to get our kit out and polish both our pompoms and our marching routine. I just hope mine still fits.
Pringles at the ready, Doodle?

A bientôt.

🤦‍♀️
Happy Birthday, Grammaretto!