❓Ask A Question etc 🧵🎱

Ive never won anything by sheer luck like a lottery but I have won competitions by my own efforts (singing, drama, essays, etc). My nephew has had several small (£100 ish) lottery wins.

Did you use the library regularly as a child?

I used to love the local library. Apart from the books which I could read in peace it was somewhere quiet I could do my homework. Study was impossible at home. I got chatting with the librarian and eventually went into librarianship as a career.

Yes I did and still do. Also there was a lending library in Boots or Smiths when I was a child. Long gone now though.

What is your favourite reading genre.? I must admit to reading anything and everything.

At present I am into psychological thrillers, by people like Lisa Jewell and Louse Candlish, K.L.Slater, etc. I'm a voracious reader, a mixture of library books and my kindle. I will read almost anything really.

Do you keep any clothes 'for best'? When I was young I always had to keep a special dress or whatever, for best. Only to be worn on very special occasions. It's not really the thing now, is it?

No, although I do keep one special sparkly top for attending Christmas events with choir. I don’t have the money (or the wardrobe space) to worry about people seeing me in the same outfit.

Have you tried fur lined tights? The young staff at school rave about them.

Never heard of fur lined tights although I do have thermal leggings for wearing under kaftans when its chilly.

Do you ever wear hats?

I have a couple in my wardrobe but cant recall the last time I wore one.

I have a straw hat for summer - which must not be worn in the rain - I dread to think what would happen to it, and a brown felt hat for winter which I like but I haven't worn it for years - it doesn't go with my smart navy-blue coat, as if that really matters.

Still on the subject of clothes, having just sorted out my sock drawer I was surprised to see that I have forty pairs - how many pairs does a girl need? Have you got too many of anything which you'll admit to?

31 pairs of knickers, some a bit sad. So a cull very soon.
9 bras and 8 pairs of socks. 7 scarves and 12 pairs of shoes, though I only really wear 3.

Same question please

Dozens of pair of socks - lost count
6 new pairs of nickers (others did not fit)
3 newish bras

Counted a dozen handbags. Most are vintage

How many bags have you got (not counting shopping bags)

There are three in a box which I'm taking to the local charity shop this week. So that leaves me four. I'm having a cull of all sorts of things at the moment. (including knickers!).

Do you have things which match? My latest handbag is bright red which clashes badly with my new orange raincoat.

I try to make sure many of my clothes match because I like to look coordinated, but henetha your bag and coat might look very jolly together.

Same question again please.

I try to buy things that match or go with items already in my wardrobe. Some people can wear a clash of colours or mismatched items & look good & quite quirky.

Do you go to the switch on of the Christmas lights in your local town. I did last night and it was packed, only a small market town but the lights are beautiful and there was a great atmosphere.

I seldom go out (because of mobility issues) and certainly avoid the city center.

Are there many decorated houses near you?

Many of my neighbours are very big on outside lights although not necessarily christmas themed (diverse area)

There's hardly any decorations or lights around here yet. It's a little early, maybe. I'm putting mine up on 1st December.

Do you sometimes eat vegetarian food even if you're not a veggie? I like veggie more and more and eat far less meat these days.

Yes we do, and like you more and more.

Do you have a wreath on your front door at Christmas ?

Yes we do. Always have an afternoon with family and friends when we make our own.

I like to have some Christmas themed fresh flowers and foliage in the house. Do you and do you arrange them yourself ?

Yes. I went to a Christmas flower arranging demonstration last week which gave me lots of ideas for wreaths, table decorations and centrepieces. I'm looking forward to making some soon.

Are you an early bird with Christmas shopping and preparations, or a December starter, like me?

I’m going to sound really pathetic now, but I don’t really have many people to buy for. I love buying presents, but my life has panned out in a strange way

Has yours?

The first publisher I approached said my book had no plot. Well whose life does ? It is very many times controlled by others. So the way your life pans out is often in ways you never envisaged. Mine I think has been like that, though generally happy.
What one thing makes you truly happy.?

Knowing Im not expecting anyone to call that day and I can get up, go to sleep and eat when I want.

Same question

I like that too. Not every day, but I really love having at least 3 or 4 days each week when I can just be alone and not have to be sociable or chat.

In spite of the above I went to a neighborhood Christmas event today.
Cakes and trifle and mince pies and lots of singing Christmas songs. Have you been to any yet?

I’ve went to a Christmas market and the local lights switch on at the weekend. I’m going for a Christmas afternoon tea on Saturday afternoon with friends from my craft group. I’m totally with those of you who like a few quiet days in the week to yourselves though.

Do you ever make jams, chutneys or pickle your own onions. I used to but just haven’t got the motivation at the moment.

Ive never done anything in the prervatives nature although I did once have a craze for making my own wine from "country" recipes. I made blackberry, gooseberry, blackcurrent and nettle wine.

Have you ever made wine or beer?

No. My dad went through a phase of it in the early 80s. I remember it being a total faff and not at all worth it.
I make my own Baileys though! It’s even better than the real thing!

What do you think your best features are? I’ve got nice eyes, hands and my skin is good (probably because it rarely sees any sunlight)

I’m sure that your wine was far more successful than my father’s biglouis, I can’t even remember what he made it from

Best features ? Boobs and mouth probably. The former haven’t yet sagged !
How old were you when you got your first ‘proper’ kiss? I was only 12, young man when I was on holiday in the Norfolk Broads. My mum knew immediately and I couldn’t eat my tea!