I'm in three book groups, all on line and I haven't read the book for the one on Wednesday. I'll probably join in anyway as the discussion was so interesting last time even if I can't actually comment.
In other news it looks like we are finally exchanging contracts tomorrow on this place and should be moving on the 18th to our new house as the other end seems pretty sorted too.
@Sarasa how do you - and anyone else here who's in a book group - choose the books your group will read? We've done a mixture; the most successful have been the ones when someone has offered to lead the discussion on a book they love. Others, not so successful, have been books that someone's said, "I've heard this is good, shall we try it?" or ones the library decide to give us, clearly because other book groups have ordered them. That came apart badly on one occasion when they gave us a book that was a second one in a trilogy. >rolleyes<
ETA - great news about your house move! Hope all goes smoothly from now on.
Solid day today, with the usual admin this morning and marking this afternoon (still on government support for families/parenting). But I have now completed the scheduled term marking on all 4 modules and just have one late submission I need to mark in the next day or so.
@Sarasa happy birthday and congratulations on more positive news about your move. @Nenya in my book group we each nominate 3 or 4 books then we all vote on them. Those that have the most votes go on the programme. There will still be the odd book about which there’s little to say. We’re still meeting on zoom as one member who’d moved away has rejoined and another will continue to shield.
Many happy returns, Sarasa, and congratulations on the house!
Firenze got it about right about the alternating weather: there was one heck of a shower just after lunch time in EH4. My office is on the top floor and the rain was thundering on the roof. Fortunately, unlike on Friday, it didn't do an encore while I waited for the bus - must have been something to do with my having a hood on my coat ...
I've just polished off some immoral chicken, which came out not too badly (especially considering I've never stuffed anything more complicated than a mushroom before).
I didn't get the timing quite right: I put the potatoes and carrots in the oven before starting to work on the chicken, and they didn't really need so long. I should also have held off making the mushroom sauce until a bit later, as it needed a bit of rescuing at the end.
I think I'll try it again though; it was quite tasty (and I've got another slice of haggis in the freezer).
I saw Firenze's dandelions on Facetube, and they're lovely.
Wonderful news @Sarasa - and a belated Happy Birthday from me too!
A truly foul trip back from granddaughter-minding in Cardiff (in the 50 mph section of the M4 you have enormous lorries in both lanes, and of course *everyone* has their own idea of exactly what 50 mph looks like, plus so much spray that you can't actually see the road markings ) was ameliorated by possibly the biggest and best rainbow I have ever seen, set off by a drift of bluebells at the roadside.
That and my supper cooked by Mr S and ready, with a glass of WINE!
My book group tends to put together a list of suggestions by all of us, then work our way through it, adding other books if anyone suggests one. Sometimes we consult lists of "best book club books" if we're stuck.
We've had some that all of us have hated, but they often generate better discussion than the ones we all enjoyed.
My group managed a meeting in a pub garden recently, and enjoyed it so much we decided we should do it again soon. Or even inside a pub!
My book group that is meeting on zoom but is made up of members of my writing class take it in turns to chose a book. We usually suggest a couple and then pick from those. It's worked well so far. I've read a few things I wouldn't have normally read, and though I may not have enjoyed them all, at least the discussion was interesting
I have just submitted at 15000 word research proposal, the culmination of 2 years work; I need to pass this to move on to the research phase of my doctorate. I am now having a gin and tonic!
It's a professional doctorate in education so it's done part time over 4 years while I do my day job (lecturer in health and social care). The first 2 years are a taught stage, with the first year ending with a 10000 word literature review and the second in a completed research proposal with literature review and methodology. Year 3 is research, year 4 writing up.
[...] I've just polished off some immoral chicken [...]
I read that as 'immortal chicken', which given how it was dealt with is clearly not quite correct!
But pray, what is or are 'immoral chicken(s)'? They sound rude, if not lewd? Or have I missed a post where this is being discussed in depth?
With that fowl pushing up the daisies, and in other news, a further one of the mouses in Wesley's big AD 1856 dwelling place has gone to meet its maker, just the day before Ascension. (I wonder if the Mouse God looks human, and is in fact 'our' God, or if they have special Mouse-lookalike Gods?)
Anyways, so in the middle of the night, when I was up for a moment, there goes the too familiar drrrrrrrrrrr drrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr drrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr on the stretched ceiling in the kitchen! A particularly unpleasant sound (no, it is not the telephone!), as said Wesleyan room is of course full of the most delicious foodstuff, and you don't want any mices anywhere near there, and definitely not dashing about above your head either!
But luckily the drrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr (of just one beast) was followed a few minutes later by an almighty THONCK! And as I checked later in the daylight, I was pleased to note the greedy beastie had met its prompt demise, and was, upon retrieval into a plastic bag, still of a warm body temperature. Caught in the act indeed.
The carcass shall be disposed of hencewith, and without regret.
Here endeth the lesson. This is what happened in a small part of Continental WesShire just the other day.
@Wesley J - I think someone (possibly @Piglet ) described *immoral chicken* as a sort of Poor Man's Version of the rather posher *Balmoral Chicken* dish...
As regards mice, the way to get rid of them is to evangelise them. Go round from mouse to mouse, asking them if they believe in Cheeses - gets rid of them every time...
...which reminds me of the story of the Vicar whose church was plagued by bats. When asked how he'd managed to solve the problem, he said that he had simply baptised them.
@Wesley J - I think someone (possibly @Piglet ) described *immoral chicken* as a sort of Poor Man's Version of the rather posher *Balmoral Chicken* dish...
Just as well we nipped out to the shops early (just a few basics - bread, a paper, tin of haggis, 12 bottles of wine) as it's been a thoroughly wet and chilly day... [snip]... The haggis is for making Immoral Chicken tomorrow - like Balmoral Chicken but with lower standards. ...
It was indeed Firenze's phrase - I just reheated it.
This afternoon I got a message to say I could get my second Covid jag, as the centre's changing from Pfizer to AZ and they wanted to catch everyone who'd had Pfizer for their first one, so I'm now fully perforated. As I assumed I might feel a bit zonked in the evening (and I'd forgotten to take anything out of the freezer for supper), I stopped at the chippy on the way home, so that I wouldn't have to bother.
I'm actually feeling OK, apart from an achy upper arm if I lean on it, but I'm quite happy to have a lazy evening and maybe an early night.
Lucky people getting their second jabs
I've just finished a two and half hour teaching session ( assignment prep: young people and social change, legislation and policy). It was my last formal teaching of the academic year. I also marked my last module essay today. Having submitted my own assignment last night, I now have a couple of very light weeks until a batch of exam marking appears.
I'm having a day off tomorrow.
Mine is on Monday and we're already prepared for me not being at Guides on Wednesday as the Guide leader who had her second jab this Monday didn't make it last night.
Day off today so I am just off for my morning walk and then will have a leisurely day, hopefully gardening if the rain holds off. I can’t remember the last time I had a weekday off with no commitments, and I’ve worked Saturdays and an evening a week for the last month.
I’ve just booked a table for dinner next Monday in the village gastropub
the Guide leader who had her second jab this Monday didn't make it last night.
Yikes. Sounds like a pretty serious side-effect.
Mr Nen and I had planned coffee out this morning but the weather looks unreliable so we're not sure whether we'll keep to that plan.
Lovely to have a day off @Heavenlyannie and congratulations on submitting your assignment. My son's life is all about the marking at present, but he was planning to take last Sunday off so I'm hoping he managed to do that.
We've exchanged contracts on this place! Still not got the final bits in place for the house we're moving to, so may be homeless for a week or two. We're waiting on more news from that end. We went ahead with exchanging as it took so long to sell this place we just want it done and dusted.
Yesterday was my last bit of volunteering for my local charity bookshop, helping clear lots of books from the house of a good customer who is downsizing. It's sad to say goodbye to such a nice bunch of people, but apparently I can transfer to the branch in my new town. I'll give it a few weeks and then see if they need a bossy ex-school librarian.
Today I'm off to see my mum followed by coffee with one of bookshop volunteers. Husband is off to the dump, and then to see his mother for the night. I'm looking forward to a lazy evening.
That early night I mentioned? Just after 9 I was thinking, I'm really sleepy and I'll go to bed once I've unloaded the dishwasher. I blinked, and it was 10:30 ...
I still made it to bed by just after 11 though, and slept well. I woke with a bit of a headache, but it didn't last, so now I just have to be careful how I move my left arm.
I opted for a gap in between selling my last place and moving to this place. Yes it was costly and not comfortable but a minor inconvenience to save the stress, and it also meant that I could really clean the place before moving in - which I was glad to be able to do.
We've exchanged contracts on this place! Still not got the final bits in place for the house we're moving to, so may be homeless for a week or two. We're waiting on more news from that end. We went ahead with exchanging as it took so long to sell this place we just want it done and dusted.
Yesterday was my last bit of volunteering for my local charity bookshop, helping clear lots of books from the house of a good customer who is downsizing. It's sad to say goodbye to such a nice bunch of people, but apparently I can transfer to the branch in my new town. I'll give it a few weeks and then see if they need a bossy ex-school librarian.
Today I'm off to see my mum followed by coffee with one of bookshop volunteers. Husband is off to the dump, and then to see his mother for the night. I'm looking forward to a lazy evening.
Hurrah!
Enjoy your lazy evening.
I’ve had a pootling sort of day and I’m quite enjoying it. I had physio yesterday and my shoulders and upper arms feel sooo much better I’ve got lots done. 👏🏼
Glad your arms and shoulders are feeling better @Boogie . That's good news on the house @Sarasa .
Mr Nen and I got our coffee - the cafe wasn't anticipating people wanting to sit and hadn't put out their outdoor tables, so we wandered up the high street and sat on a seat together. We were just finishing our coffees as it started to rain and it hasn't stopped raining.
I've had a nice FaceTime catchup with Nenlet1 and am doing some domestics like watering the house plants and putting cleaning stuff through the dishwasher and washing machine. I'd got to the point with all these jobs of thinking, "When was the last time I did that?" which is a sure sign they're well overdue.
It was so wet and horrible this morning that volunteering friend and I cancelled the coffee for this afternoon and re-arranged it for next week. Its not quite so wet now, but still rather chilly to be sitting outside for long. It'll be something to look forward to apart from packing.
We've heard that we can move our furniture in to our new place and hopefully by the 25th probate will be sorted and we can move ourselves in too. If not maybe a bit of an impromptu holiday is called for, specially as our Italian wine tasting trip for early June was cancelled.
That’s good news on the move Sarasa.
I’ve just come in because the rain has started. A productive day of gardening; potting up pelargoniums, planting out veg, sowing seeds, and weeding beds.
Speaking of gardens, I have today visited a rarely opened garden in Grantham, where my daughter volunteers as a gardener once a week. I can see why she loves going there. It is owned by the NT actually but not open to the public normally. The tenancy has just been taken up by the nearby church, who opened it today as part of Mental Health week - and it was certainly beneficial : the beauty of nature, peace, birdsong....all on a dry, sunny day. They also plan some vegetable growing as part of community responsibility / social prescribing, and later, various other activities and workshops in the house and grounds.
In other news, all double jabbed here with no side effects. My adult son and daughter + spouses have had theirs, ( daughter had flu-type symptoms but not as bad as the first time ) and even my 19 year old granddaughter. Actually I am more pleased for her than anyone, as she works p/t for Aldi when not at college, so is more at risk than the rest of us. My younger teenage grandchildren are too young but are mixing a lot with school, sport etc. We have the offer of help ( garden, loft clearing etc ) from the 16 year old grandson when he has finished his GCSEs, but I am not sure if we will want to take the Covid risk.
A dismal sort of day. My plants (despatched Monday) still haven't been delivered, and I wonder how many will be viable when they are.
It's not been a day for outside in any case. We took a short amble for a few necessities (gin, mainly) but it was dull and damp and bone-chillingly cold.
Pissaladière for dinner, so though it's only 6.30, I'd better go and start the topping.
It was rather chilly in Embra today - although not quite so bad when I was coming home.
I wonder if I'll put a jinx on things if I withdraw the curses I've hitherto heaped upon Lothian Buses? For the last several days, there's been a bus from Waverley at about quarter to eight (7:43 according to the timetable), which gives me plenty of time to get up the escalators and then just wait for a few minute, and gets me in to work just after eight o'clock.
Lothian Buses, if you're reading this, DON'T CHANGE IT!!!
I had a little more energy tonight (although I'm still a bit tired and achy in the upper arm), so I made a risotto with prawns, tomatoes and mushrooms for supper.
A kind neighbour pointed out to me today that neither of the brake lights on the Episcopal Chariot are working...
Tomorrow morning therefore involves an Exciting (and possibly Expensive) Expotition to my friendly Mechanical Man, although I'm hoping that the problem might simply be a blown fuse. Anything electrical, however, ISTM really requires the services of someone who knows what they're doing.
Just got back from the monthly Waitrose shop to stock up on essentials. On the way out I saw some beautiful scarlet geums and I fear I may be forced to pop back into Waitrose in the morning to get better acquinted with one of them.
I’m a sucker for a pretty flower. At the moment my garden is keeping me sane as I am having trouble relaxing (probably due to a mix of being very busy, lockdown fatigue and a fast heart rate).
A good day off today though with plenty of gardening exercise in the fresh air/drizzle. I met a new friend, as apparently a toad lives under my tomato grow bags and he wanted to know what I was doing disturbing the vegetable patch.
I am now having a rose gin to help me relax
Thank you! My Mechanical Man has looked after me, and my Chariots, for some years now, and is trustworthy. He also (despite my misgivings) doesn't charge Silly Money...
The Geums look as though they might be suitable for the front flower bed at Our Place. The plot (quite small) is north-facing, but does get some sunshine in the mornings. Would the Geums (I wonder) be fairly drought-resistant/tolerant, as it's not always possible for people to carry out regular watering?
I’ve never grown one before but from what I read they like moist, well drained soil. But they do like shade so you might be okay.
I have poor dry soil, north facing, on the outside border of my fence and successfully grow large-flowered clematis and I’ve just planted some alpine asters as I though rockery varieties might be a good bet for the rocky soil. Your situation might suit a hardy geranium (as opposed to a pelargonium which are the bright flowers people call geraniums) as I think they are more drought tolerant.
Comments
In other news it looks like we are finally exchanging contracts tomorrow on this place and should be moving on the 18th to our new house as the other end seems pretty sorted too.
ETA - great news about your house move! Hope all goes smoothly from now on.
Solid day today, with the usual admin this morning and marking this afternoon (still on government support for families/parenting). But I have now completed the scheduled term marking on all 4 modules and just have one late submission I need to mark in the next day or so.
@Nenya in my book group we each nominate 3 or 4 books then we all vote on them. Those that have the most votes go on the programme. There will still be the odd book about which there’s little to say. We’re still meeting on zoom as one member who’d moved away has rejoined and another will continue to shield.
Firenze got it about right about the alternating weather: there was one heck of a shower just after lunch time in EH4. My office is on the top floor and the rain was thundering on the roof. Fortunately, unlike on Friday, it didn't do an encore while I waited for the bus - must have been something to do with my having a hood on my coat ...
I've just polished off some immoral chicken, which came out not too badly (especially considering I've never stuffed anything more complicated than a mushroom before).
I didn't get the timing quite right: I put the potatoes and carrots in the oven before starting to work on the chicken, and they didn't really need so long. I should also have held off making the mushroom sauce until a bit later, as it needed a bit of rescuing at the end.
I think I'll try it again though; it was quite tasty (and I've got another slice of haggis in the freezer).
I saw Firenze's dandelions on Facetube, and they're lovely.
A truly foul trip back from granddaughter-minding in Cardiff (in the 50 mph section of the M4 you have enormous lorries in both lanes, and of course *everyone* has their own idea of exactly what 50 mph looks like, plus so much spray that you can't actually see the road markings
That and my supper cooked by Mr S and ready, with a glass of WINE!
We've had some that all of us have hated, but they often generate better discussion than the ones we all enjoyed.
My group managed a meeting in a pub garden recently, and enjoyed it so much we decided we should do it again soon. Or even inside a pub!
I started a taught doctorate quite a few years ago but never finished, so I know what it's like trying to fit it around a job.
I read that as 'immortal chicken', which given how it was dealt with is clearly not quite correct!
But pray, what is or are 'immoral chicken(s)'? They sound rude, if not lewd? Or have I missed a post where this is being discussed in depth?
With that fowl pushing up the daisies, and in other news, a further one of the mouses in Wesley's big AD 1856 dwelling place has gone to meet its maker, just the day before Ascension. (I wonder if the Mouse God looks human, and is in fact 'our' God, or if they have special Mouse-lookalike Gods?)
Anyways, so in the middle of the night, when I was up for a moment, there goes the too familiar drrrrrrrrrrr drrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr drrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr on the stretched ceiling in the kitchen! A particularly unpleasant sound (no, it is not the telephone!), as said Wesleyan room is of course full of the most delicious foodstuff, and you don't want any mices anywhere near there, and definitely not dashing about above your head either!
But luckily the drrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr (of just one beast) was followed a few minutes later by an almighty THONCK! And as I checked later in the daylight, I was pleased to note the greedy beastie had met its prompt demise, and was, upon retrieval into a plastic bag, still of a warm body temperature. Caught in the act indeed.
The carcass shall be disposed of hencewith, and without regret.
Here endeth the lesson. This is what happened in a small part of Continental WesShire just the other day.
As regards mice, the way to get rid of them is to evangelise them. Go round from mouse to mouse, asking them if they believe in Cheeses - gets rid of them every time...
...which reminds me of the story of the Vicar whose church was plagued by bats. When asked how he'd managed to solve the problem, he said that he had simply baptised them.
Whereupon he never saw them again.
'Twas actually Firenze.
I'll see meself out.
Awww, come back in, BF! - Thanks for chickensplaining, all!
This afternoon I got a message to say I could get my second Covid jag, as the centre's changing from Pfizer to AZ and they wanted to catch everyone who'd had Pfizer for their first one, so I'm now fully perforated. As I assumed I might feel a bit zonked in the evening (and I'd forgotten to take anything out of the freezer for supper), I stopped at the chippy on the way home, so that I wouldn't have to bother.
I'm actually feeling OK, apart from an achy upper arm if I lean on it, but I'm quite happy to have a lazy evening and maybe an early night.
*Ten weeks after my first.
I've just finished a two and half hour teaching session ( assignment prep: young people and social change, legislation and policy). It was my last formal teaching of the academic year. I also marked my last module essay today. Having submitted my own assignment last night, I now have a couple of very light weeks until a batch of exam marking appears.
I'm having a day off tomorrow.
You get a Jag now as a reward? I like it! (E-Type? XJ6? Can you choose?)
I’ve just booked a table for dinner next Monday in the village gastropub
Mr Nen and I had planned coffee out this morning but the weather looks unreliable so we're not sure whether we'll keep to that plan.
Lovely to have a day off @Heavenlyannie and congratulations on submitting your assignment. My son's life is all about the marking at present, but he was planning to take last Sunday off so I'm hoping he managed to do that.
Yesterday was my last bit of volunteering for my local charity bookshop, helping clear lots of books from the house of a good customer who is downsizing. It's sad to say goodbye to such a nice bunch of people, but apparently I can transfer to the branch in my new town. I'll give it a few weeks and then see if they need a bossy ex-school librarian.
Today I'm off to see my mum followed by coffee with one of bookshop volunteers. Husband is off to the dump, and then to see his mother for the night. I'm looking forward to a lazy evening.
That early night I mentioned? Just after 9 I was thinking, I'm really sleepy and I'll go to bed once I've unloaded the dishwasher. I blinked, and it was 10:30 ...
I still made it to bed by just after 11 though, and slept well. I woke with a bit of a headache, but it didn't last, so now I just have to be careful how I move my left arm.
I opted for a gap in between selling my last place and moving to this place. Yes it was costly and not comfortable but a minor inconvenience to save the stress, and it also meant that I could really clean the place before moving in - which I was glad to be able to do.
Hurrah!
Enjoy your lazy evening.
I’ve had a pootling sort of day and I’m quite enjoying it. I had physio yesterday and my shoulders and upper arms feel sooo much better I’ve got lots done. 👏🏼
Mr Nen and I got our coffee - the cafe wasn't anticipating people wanting to sit and hadn't put out their outdoor tables, so we wandered up the high street and sat on a seat together. We were just finishing our coffees as it started to rain and it hasn't stopped raining.
I've had a nice FaceTime catchup with Nenlet1 and am doing some domestics like watering the house plants and putting cleaning stuff through the dishwasher and washing machine. I'd got to the point with all these jobs of thinking, "When was the last time I did that?" which is a sure sign they're well overdue.
We've heard that we can move our furniture in to our new place and hopefully by the 25th probate will be sorted and we can move ourselves in too. If not maybe a bit of an impromptu holiday is called for, specially as our Italian wine tasting trip for early June was cancelled.
I’ve just come in because the rain has started. A productive day of gardening; potting up pelargoniums, planting out veg, sowing seeds, and weeding beds.
In other news, all double jabbed here with no side effects. My adult son and daughter + spouses have had theirs, ( daughter had flu-type symptoms but not as bad as the first time ) and even my 19 year old granddaughter. Actually I am more pleased for her than anyone, as she works p/t for Aldi when not at college, so is more at risk than the rest of us. My younger teenage grandchildren are too young but are mixing a lot with school, sport etc. We have the offer of help ( garden, loft clearing etc ) from the 16 year old grandson when he has finished his GCSEs, but I am not sure if we will want to take the Covid risk.
It's not been a day for outside in any case. We took a short amble for a few necessities (gin, mainly) but it was dull and damp and bone-chillingly cold.
Pissaladière for dinner, so though it's only 6.30, I'd better go and start the topping.
I wonder if I'll put a jinx on things if I withdraw the curses I've hitherto heaped upon Lothian Buses? For the last several days, there's been a bus from Waverley at about quarter to eight (7:43 according to the timetable), which gives me plenty of time to get up the escalators and then just wait for a few minute, and gets me in to work just after eight o'clock.
Lothian Buses, if you're reading this, DON'T CHANGE IT!!!
I had a little more energy tonight (although I'm still a bit tired and achy in the upper arm), so I made a risotto with prawns, tomatoes and mushrooms for supper.
Tomorrow morning therefore involves an Exciting (and possibly Expensive) Expotition to my friendly Mechanical Man, although I'm hoping that the problem might simply be a blown fuse. Anything electrical, however, ISTM really requires the services of someone who knows what they're doing.
Not me, IOW.
A good day off today though with plenty of gardening exercise in the fresh air/drizzle. I met a new friend, as apparently a toad lives under my tomato grow bags and he wanted to know what I was doing disturbing the vegetable patch.
I am now having a rose gin to help me relax
I hope the trip to the mechanic isn’t too bad.
The Geums look as though they might be suitable for the front flower bed at Our Place. The plot (quite small) is north-facing, but does get some sunshine in the mornings. Would the Geums (I wonder) be fairly drought-resistant/tolerant, as it's not always possible for people to carry out regular watering?
I have poor dry soil, north facing, on the outside border of my fence and successfully grow large-flowered clematis and I’ve just planted some alpine asters as I though rockery varieties might be a good bet for the rocky soil. Your situation might suit a hardy geranium (as opposed to a pelargonium which are the bright flowers people call geraniums) as I think they are more drought tolerant.