❓?Ask a Question etc etc? 7️⃣

I love pretty lights and put them in the windows so they can be seen from outside. Also strung along the handrail of my steps.

I have loads of tomatoes, and a neighbour gave me some more!' So I'm making tomato soup today. Are you good at this? Do you have a favourite soup recipe? Is it vital to have basil in tomato soup?

Not a favourite but I have plenty of ‘end of week soup’ when I empty the vegetable draw, chop it all up with some herbs and a good stock and make soup.

Just had a letter, five pages, from a friend. It was so lovely and unexpected. Have you had something similar happen lately ?

No, but I love writing letters and still send postcards. It has prompted other people to send postcards to me. I prefer a letter to a phone call in some ways.
An old friend who became a Carmelite nun, sends me a long beautiful letter every Christmas. The only problem is it is getting increasingly harder to read her handwriting.
That is the first rule of handwritten letters, they must be legible.

Are you letting nature takes its course regarding your looks or making an effort to stay youthful.

I am letting nature take its course! I am well past the age when I care what anyone thinks.

Is your kitchen organised with the things you use every day (kettle, mugs, spoons etc) out on the counter and close at hand. Or do you like a completely clear work area with everything stowed away?

I have the things I use everyday close to hand. Cant be bothered scrabbling in the cupboard for the bits to make a cup of coffee.

Everything in its proper place. Tray always ready with cups near the kettle and kilner jars with tea and coffee etc. Otherwise , only the toaster is out.

Tea or coffee for preference? Or something else ?

Coffee before lunch , tea after lunch and then coffee again, after 5pm. I sleep ok, so the coffee isn’t a deterrent, obviously .

If there was a party buffet in front of you, do you choose mainly the savouries (sandwiches, sausage rolls etc) or a selection of cakes?

Savouries for me.

I always have a book on the go. If I was in the place where the book is set (on the page I have got to), I would be boarding the Titanic in Southampton.

Where would you be ?

Nantucket and I’d be shopping. I’d love to visit there. The climate is more appealing than Texas, where I was in my last book.

Where would anyone else be, if they could be where their book is set?

I’m not reading but writing, so North Wales at the moment.

Same lovely question please

I’m currently reading Sali Hughes’ book ‘Pretty Iconic’ which is about icons of the beauty industry; so let’s say the Beauty Department in Harvey Nicks or Harrods

What are your beauty or grooming must haves?

It would have to be my hairdryer because I wash and style my hair everyday.

Do you like audio books? I do, just started 1984 read by Stephen Fry.

I’m mad on audiobooks! I have about 300 on Audible.
I’m a top tier subscriber, which makes it much easier for me to return books, it seems.
My all time favourites are by Anne De Courcy.
I also like Lucy Wordsley and I have lots of old fashioned thrillers like Christie.
My favourite performer is Richard E Grant, he’s amazing

Same question please!

Bill Nighy.

Would you call yourself an introvert or an extrovert?

Introvert. I'm pretty sure I am. (but wish I wasn't.)

Do you actually like yourself? Are you pleased with the way you have lived your life? What would you change?

If I said I liked myself it would sound a bit conceited I fear, but I'm reasonably satisfied that I'm an okay type of person - I try to do my best and not be unkind, that sort of thing - don't most people?

I had to fill in a form once which asked, 'how would your friends describe you?' and I was flummoxed - I don't usually ask them what they think of me, if they didn't like me they wouldn't be friends, would they? - how would you answer that question?

I would probably answer that it was impossible for me to know as I am not a mind reader! However your response that your friends would not be your friends if they did not like you is a good one.

What was the most awkward, stupid or uncomfortable question you were ever asked at an interview?

Mine was "would you consider part time or job share" when I had applied for a full time post with no mention of the possibility to jobshare/part-time in the ad.

My response was that if it had been advertised as p/t or jobshare I would not have applied as I was only interested in a full time role. I also went on to say that I thought the advert was misleading in not stating this. They subsequently offered me a job share but I refused for the reasons stated.

I learned from a colleague that there was a full time person on staff who wanted to drop down to jobshare and the person being taken on would probably have ended up with all the sh***y hours and jobs. Dodged a bullet there.

Do you go to church? (From a Jewish solicitor) Presumably because the staff in this major city were Protestant/Catholic mixed.

On the same lines, do you have a favourite hymn?

I love "Jerusalem"

Do you have a favorite christmas carol?

Mine is silent night.

In the deep midwinter

Love it, and the images that form in your head.

Do you dream in colour, or black and white ?

Definitely in colour.
I have outrageously vivid and real dreams. They are almost like a parallel life.
I’m not sure if it’s a blessing or a curse.
They are often very, very distressing too.

What about you? What are your dreams like?

I have always had vivid dreams, sometimes pleasant ones about the past and visits from long departed family members but often it’s nightmares and I wake up feeling awful.

Do you tend to have any bedtime routines or just go with the flow.

I dont have any specific routines or regular bedtime. I tend to just watch a bit of TV/netflix until my eyes are closing.

Do you ever find that a particular song or tune etc suddenly brings back memories of long departed loved ones and leaves you close to tears?

There are some songs (and sights) which remind me of my grandmother.

Oh yes. A Horse with no Name by America is one which reminds me of my dear late husband as it was one of his favourite songs of all time.

I've a few others, Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin, also It's Too Late by Carole King.

Do you have any favourite unusual place names? I'm rather partial to Husbands Bosworth, Barton in the Beans and Guiting Power.

"Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate! in York always makes me smile and wonder what went on there! "Nether Whopping" is another one.

If you were going to work or a social function in the next few days would you feel obliged to wear dark colours? Or at least avoid bright ones?

I wouldnt because the queen loved bright colours.

BigLouis whip ma whop ma gate was so called as it was the place to take and beat your wife! (Heavens knows why)

I usually wear dark colours anyway.
But I wouldn’t really give it a second thought.

Will you watch the funeral?
I won’t as we’re going on holiday that day, but I think I’d find it too upsetting to watch anyway.
I’d rather look at photos.
I couldn’t watch the DoE’s