🦞Lockdown friends still together🦞

Well that was obvious a kindness that repaid itself already Kaimoana
You are right, helping others is a good thing and it gives us a boost. Good news also if he gets a bit more mobile - and I expect you do stay in bed more than necessary if you think you might fall

I've had a busy few days. My mother-in-law had her birthday - 101 on Friday. We went to visit her in the morning with a tiny gift as we were taking her out in the evening along with four of her grandchildren (and partners/husbands/wives) and seven grandchildren.
She knew she was going out - but not who would be there waiting for her.

All went well and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. It's a little, "family" style Italian restaurant run by two long time friends and their wives who came as young men to work in the UK. One fell in love here and the other (I think) brought his young wife over to join them in this enterprise

That morning I discovered that my lovely friend (whose granddaughter is in in intensive care and not doing great) is afraid to drive into the city. I didn't know this so although she has been a great help at her daughter's house with the other two she has not visited her own lovely but isolated daughter- the anxious mum - to give her a hug.
I called to see if I could fit in a trip to the city with her but suddenly she realises she could take a train. Hooray. I will call later and see if she managed it.

Saturday was mainly garden and that is slowly improving, thank goodness.

Our shower was fixed on Thursday and can now do hot and cold! What a blessing that is.

Grammaretto, I do hope your dear friend had a kind and gentle death. I know you will miss her. 💐

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What a joy Kaimoana! Your good deed has really started something.

Maybe I should take my Floradix too. 🤣😂

Have you painted another watercolour Doodle?
We would all like to see it.
I know what you mean about the sad music. 😪

I'm quiet by myself until the Quakers arrive in a couple of hours. I should light the fire as everyone likes to watch the flames.

I shall make a pot of soup too.

Yesterday I did a long drive up to the wood kiln for unpacking. It's a great group of people using the community kiln. The results were pleasing. The Aussies helped a lot although they had never been around pots or potters before, they soon got the hang of it.
I promised them I would let them loose in my studio soon.

We picknicked on the farm and then I drove them to the fishing port of Arbroath *where they froze looking at
the ocean*. * --North Sea--*

I dropped them off at a tram stop so they could spend the night and today with their Aussie friends who are in Scotland to get married at Glencoe

The 101 birthday bash NotSpaghetti!!
I'll bet it was fun

My DGD had a pyjama party yesterday for her birthday. I wasn't invited, despite my home made pyjamas 😆

How is everyone today?

Weary today but thank you for asking, Grammaretto.

My cold is greatly improved but I have been left with a cough akin to a 20 a day Capstan Full Strength habit. Tiring, as is hobbling about with non-compliant hip/neck/shoulder. Not to worry, the physio's proposal of rest has got me off the hook for many of those mundane jobs which befall us on a daily basis. Yay.

Mr.I's fishpond, home to half a dozen randomly chosen goldfish last year produced what appeared to be black babies.
Now they have grown, changed colour (matured?) and are an additional 15 strong in the pond. Time, maybe, to inadvertently leave the anti-heron netting off?
--I can't believe I just wrote that.--

Kaimoana, I shall rename you Mary Lennox. Joy and a new sense of purpose for you both ❤️. Bravo.

^When I need you,^ eh, Doodle? That would've wiped me out completely. We had a cassette in the car of Leo Sayer that the children loved, especially 'One Man Band' which they used to sing along to on the way to DD's dancing lessons. Likewise Annie Lennox's Little Bird and Harry Nillson's Coconut. It was a revelation to DS1 many years later that the instruction to put the lime in the coconut was not, in fact, put the lion in ...

That, he confessed, had always perplexed him.

Kaimoana I can’t tell you how many attempts I’ve had at my lake scene. I have ruined today’s effort so will have another go tomorrow. I am determined to make a passable attempt.
What joy your visit to your neighbour must have brought. He was obviously very pleased to see you.
Good thing you sorted out the alarm for him. Hopefully he’ll be able to join the Kaumatua group soon..Sounds like the visit did you both some good

Notspaghetti wow 101 is a great age. How nice to still be able to go out and meet with family. Hope you had a lovely time.
So sorry to hear about your friends granddaughter. I do hope she gets to visit soon.
Our shower went on a Luke warm strike when its thermostat went. I remember how good it was when it was fixed.
Grammaretto I am trying to paint a lake scene with a boat. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve attempted it. Todays is in the bin I will try again tomorrow.
Do you have a Quaker meeting at your house? I wouldn’t mind sitting quietly with a bowl of soup watching the fire. Must be very calming.
What a shame all us lobstars couldn’t get together for a pyjama party. Jeeves has a very fetching nautical pair and my flannel flora ones would keep me warm
ixion sorry to hear of your wows. What with the cough and the aches and pains you’re not doing well*
Hope you feel better soon.
DH and I liked Leo Sayer. I think he has a lovely voice but that particular song really got to me as so many do these days. I’ve lost count of the number of shops and places I’ve had to leave because of the music. It’s one thing that really gets to me and once the tune is in my mind I can’t seem to shrug it off.
Church today and Lent lunch after which was very nice. So many lovely people to chat to. I’m very lucky with the people I meet up with there and at art class. They are all so kind.

Had to look up 'Mary Lennox' ixion

"Mary Lennox is known as a very spoiled, rude, and egoistical child."

Is that how I come across?

No, of course not.

I asked my AI "Gemini" on my phone how to sum up Mary Lennox and it said:

In essence, while Mary starts as a seemingly unpleasant child due to neglect, her inherent strength, curiosity, and capacity for connection allow her to blossom into a caring, resilient, and life-affirming young girl. Her journey highlights the transformative power of environment, friendship, and a connection with nature.

I have to say I loved that book!

ixion

No, of course not.

Rather, I saw this as the development of a friendship based on mutual help and a shared common purpose which ultimately leads to a sense of achievement and a positive outlook on life.

#Pollyanna.

I suppose it might have helped if I knew what book and who M.Lennox was.

She's the young girl (10 ish?) in Frances Hodgson Burnett's children's book The Secret Garden.

Kaimoana2

I suppose it might have helped if I knew what book and who M.Lennox was.

Indeed.
Mea culpa.

*Well here guess wtf the asterisk thing to make it bold.
Kaimoana... That's lovely to read that you and your neighbour enjoyed one anothers company and a home cooked meal by someone else is always a treat. He obviously likes you calling round so hopefully there will be many more opportunities coming up.

Doodle...I do so understand about songs.... I've struggled 3 times recently at Mass....singing a bym called Freely Freely....my memories of singing it with my baby daughter on my hip...her running up the aisle to be with me when I was doing the readings etc etc had me in pieces...I choked over the words and treats rolled down my face...not good when you are in the choir. Star by David Bowie has the same effect....no longer that 17 year old weighing 7 stone with her whole life in front of her .

Not spaghetti...wow 101 ... That is a real achievement and his looking that the people she loves shared it with her.

Grammaretto... I'm sad for you that your friend has died but glad her suffering is over...May she rest in peace. Be kind to yourself just now...you have been through a lot over the last few months and our bodies and minds can only take so much before they say...enough. The pots look beautiful... I'm glad you were able to spend sometime doing what you. love.

Ixion...I hope the sunshine gets to clear up that may sounding cough. My youngest daughter used to sing along to an advert for pull up pants ..the strap line being ,'Im a big kid now' or in her case I'm a biscuit now. 🤣

Sending Cherry a catch and healing thoughts.

I saw the colo rectal consultant today...Benenden cover these things. Very nice Consultant who put me very much at ease...well as much as possible when discussing derrieres. Op in May booked...week to 10 days recovery and I'm good to go. All damage probably down to forceps delivery many moons ago. Ah well despite everything that's gone on..it was worth it.
*

Well here guess wtf the asterisk thing to make it bold.
Kaimona... That's lovely to read that you and your neighbour enjoyed one anothers company and a home cooked meal by someone else is always a treat. He obviously likes you calling round so hopefully there will be many more opportunities coming up.

Doodle...I do so understand about songs.... I've struggled 3 times recently at Mass....singing a bym called Freely Freely....my memories of singing it with my baby daughter on my hip...her running up the aisle to be with me when I was doing the readings etc etc had me in pieces...I choked over the words and treats rolled down my face...not good when you are in the choir. Star by David Bowie has the same effect....no longer that 17 year old weighing 7 stone with her whole life in front of her .

Not spaghetti...wow 101 ... That is a real achievement and his looking that the people she loves shared it with her.

Granmaretto... I'm sad for you that your friend has died but glad her suffering is over...May she rest in peace. Be kind to yourself just now...you have been through a lot over the last few months and our bodies and minds can only take so much before they say...enough. The pots look beautiful... I'm glad you were able to spend sometime doing what you. love.

Ixion...I hope the sunshine gets to clear up that may sounding cough. My youngest daughter used to sing along to an advert for pull up pants ..the strap line being ,'Im a big kid now' or in her case I'm a biscuit now. 🤣

Sending Cherry a catch and healing thoughts.

I saw the colo rectal consultant today...Benenden cover these things. Very nice Consultant who put me very much at ease...well as much as possible when discussing derrieres. Op in May booked...week to 10 days recovery and I'm good to go. All damage probably down to forceps delivery many moons ago. Ah well despite everything that's gone on..it was worth it.The

Naightyneine the making bold thing didn’t work so I’ve done it for you in the hope Kaimoana can at least read some of your lovely post

To make things bold you need to put an asterisk at the beginning and end of every sentence or paragraph. In other words before you press the return key or enter key you need to put an asterisk. If you don’t press the return or enter key then you can put an asterisk at the beginning and end of your writing and it should work

Floradix has never let me down before but 5 days in and I don't feel any better.

I shall risk going to my elders group today as I need to pick up my fired ceramic dish but in truth, I'd rather go back to bed and stay there for the rest of my life

Kaimoana I didn’t know who Mary Jane was either but I think Ixion’s explanation of her meaning suited your friendship with Ray. A mutual friendship and companionship.
Naughtyneine I loved that little snippet about your daughter and he big pants. 🤣
Glad things went ok at your appointment. Never good to need surgery but hopefully it will be over quickly and the problem sorted.
Grammaretto what have you and the Aussie helpers been up to today?
I took my car to the tire place today to have the wheels checked and the pressure. While I waited for them to do it I went to the garden centre nearby and met a friend for coffee. Much to my delight she brought her new 7 week old puppy with her. A delightful little chap and very lovely. I had a nice cuddle.
Bought some new trousers in the shop at the centre and a lucky find in a nice pair of summer sandales halo price.
Sleep well all
Ixion and Cherry sending hugs. I’ve nearly choreographed the seated cheerleading. The splits is (are) causing a bit of a problem though 🤔

Kaimoana I’m so sorry you sound really unwell. What a shame the Floradix hasn’t helped. Do you think another visit to the Doctor is in order?
Hope your dish is worth the effort and you are pleased with it
sending much love and cwtches

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Poor you Kaimoana 😢
I hope you are having a lovely day
The weather was so beautiful today I almost forgot about my sore leg

I took a carload of boxes to the tip. It's still emotional, throwing out stuff

I then went to a friend's for lunch. She lives way out on the moors so we were surrounded by bird song.

The Aussies cooked a fabulous meal. I am being quite spoiled

I think I missed that you are having surgery Doodle. Let's hope that goes well

The star dish I made for my dgd at the elders' group.

It's just a little bigger than the palm of my hand.

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Busy in the garden - trying to make sense of it all. 😱 SO much to do. Have decided to use up some (spare) bricks to create a bed where my husband has chopping back a huge laurel... my need to check the soil I suppose for acidity....

Anyway, here's some obvious signs of spring

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And here are some more - the amelanchier which I think I mentioned before, and a camelia bloom (from my dad's friend's cutting circa 1960) - this plant (or another cutting of it) has moved house 5 times. It's one of three - a white, this and a smaller-bloomed redish one. Dad's friend was mad about them. They seemed SO exotic in the 1960s!

The other is a clematis armandii. A bit of a thug but the almondy fragrance is so heady that I love it anyway.

That's so sweet, Kaimoana

Your garden must be amazing NotSpag. What a beautiful display. Thanks.

I'm waiting for my coffee morning guests to arrive. I rang the lady my age to check she hadn't forgotten. She had but says she'll come as soon as she's finished planting something.
She has a fabulous garden and is part of a group called "Flowers from the garden"

I'm swithering whether or not to light the 🔥 fire. It sounds mad in this weather but I don't suppose I'll have a choice in my next house.

Yes, light the fire!
What a treat!

No, the beautiful flowers are in between weeds and chaos. My garden is lovely in that we have some lovely plants. BUT, sadly they either survive or die

My dad had green fingers. 🌿
We lost 3 toad lilies last year. - they didn't survive 🙁