Have you tried moistening the Captain's gums with WINE yet? Given the country he inhabits...
ION, a typical Bank Holiday Monday here - not too cold, but overcast at present by some quite apocalyptic clouds, clearly sent from Europe in revenge for Brex*t.
The Faithful Few gathered for Mass this morning, to celebrate St Augustine of Canterbury - you know, the chap who was sent from Europe to re-evangelise the English people, back in 597. Maybe we could benefit from another attempt...
It's a nice day here: 15°, mostly cloudy - although as it's due to go down to 0° overnight, there's a frost advisory.
I gave the job interview my best shot, and hope they liked me - I should hear by the end of the week. I think I could do it, and the hours and conditions would really suit me.
A cool, showery day here, but warming up (they say) later in the week. And, as if the EU elections weren't excitement and entertainment enough, we have (IIRC) the joy of a State Visit to look forward to this weekend!
As the old ad said....the future's bright, the future's Orange...
It was sunny here but it looks like it’ll pour down soon.
I’m going for a walk and then doing some work. My fourteen year old is being obnoxious but at some point is going to clear off to the cinema with his mates - his older brother and I will then get some peace.
When my nephews and nieces were little, when they were visiting us and they'd been put to bed but were still fractious, my mum would disappear and moments later the fractiousness would stop. We never found out what it was she did - I don't remember her taking anything with her - but whatever it was, it worked like magic.
It's a nice day here: 17° and sunny, so a little amble might be in order.
I doubt that they'd remember - we're talking about when they were very little, 30-plus years ago. Mum was a very gentle lady (and devoted to her grandchildren), so I don't imagine that threats were involved - maybe she snuck some GIN between their lips?
I had a lovely amble over the bridge while D. was rehearsing with the band, and afterwards we went to that new eaterie and shared a charcuterie board, which was very nice indeed.
@Piglet, I’m sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to hear news....
As yesterday was a very unusual 9 to 5 working day (Uni invigilation - much pacing back and forth, up and down) I am having a lazy mid-week Saturday. It’s damp here, which I am very thankful for on behalf of my allotment, so I can get on with bread making and maybe the ironing heap will get reduced at some point.
Yesterday Captain Pyjamas got his initiation into the world of restaurants.
After all, if he’s going to be a member of our family, he’d better in the habit. And a very well-behaved little chap he was too. We went somewhere cheap, cheerful and quick and stuck a couple of CHIPS in his little paw. Yummy. He also got to taste a couple of spoonfuls of WHIPPED CREAM. I’m not sure the paediatrician would approve, but the aforementioned foodstuffs went down a treat.
(Actually, our paediatrician probably wouldn’t care. He is a gentleman already old enough to retire but who carries on because he likes children and enjoys his job. I think his age – he’s seen it all before – is probably the reason he is pretty laid back about nonsense like not feeding babies the odd chip.)
Good for you and Captain P - and I like the sound of your paediatrician.
When a health visitor advised us to feed the little men on finger food (a) we'd been doing it to some months, and (b) were appalled at her suggestion of boudoir biscuits. We found they took to mussels and other shellfish really well so hone your prawn-peeling skills.
As for the chips, what child doesn't like them, and what sensible parent doesn't grasp that the odd chip won't make a happorth of difference to the long-term eating habits of their child? Pomme-frites all round
I love the image of Captain Pyjamas being introduced to restaurant dining.
I'm not sure that it is linked, but my daughter took to prawns and mussels young, but is now allergic to all crustaceans and shellfish. Badly allergic, cannot walk downwind of a shellfish stall and can no longer walk on a beach allergic. If I had my time again, I would heed the advice about not introducing them too young.
I have just had some excellent news. A local organisation in which I am involved has just been informed that it has received its charitable status. It's been a very long haul but I'm delighted. I am now an official Trustee rather than an unofficial one!
When our youngest was 18 months old his nursery asked if they could move him on to solid food. I pointed out I had been feeding him chicken curry since he was nine months old.
Well done, Baptist Trainfan.
I need to mark some sample exams today for an exam planning meeting tomorrow evening. I’ve been putting it off all day but I’m going to have to surrender to it now.
When our youngest was 18 months old his nursery asked if they could move him on to solid food. I pointed out I had been feeding him chicken curry since he was nine months old.
Gracious, Heavenlyannie, whatever had the nursery been feeding him on all that time? he must have been glad to get home to his curry!
Well, quite - with some nice poppadoms or naan bread or whatever, along with some tasty onion bhajis, and a nice glass of cool BEER!
Presumably the nursery catering amounted to some kind of bland (but possibly nutritious, nonetheless) Mush™.
Opinions will vary, of course, but surely it does no harm to gently introduce Small People to Proper Food at the first opportunity.
@Curiosity killed - noted, however, regarding the potential dangers of sea food. Has there been any research into correlation between early tolerance of sea food, and a later allergic reaction?
Apparently no real research - although this 2014 paper suggests delaying the introduction of allergenic foods may increase the likelihood of allergies developing, particularly peanuts and some other allergens. I failed on being careful about introducing foods after about 5 months - including peanuts and nuts. She's not nut allergic, now, that seems to have settled down.
Difficult - you're damned if you do, and/or damned if you don't, it seems.
The whole question of modern-day allergies is a hard one, and I sympathise with parents, like yourself, who have to try to cope with them in your children.
IIRC, no-one of my acquaintance at school (1950s/60s) suffered from anything like an allergy to nuts, or whatever. I have an aversion to eggs e.g. in a state where they are obviously eggs, such as boiled, fried, or scrambled, but that's by no means the same thing, of course.
I have just had some excellent news. A local organisation in which I am involved has just been informed that it has received its charitable status. It's been a very long haul but I'm delighted. I am now an official Trustee rather than an unofficial one!
I am green with envy - I am in the process of dragging a constitution into the 21st century and creating a few policies, so that this organisation can also apply for charitable status and some grants. It is Hard Work and so time consuming, but I am grateful for the help I’ve had from a few hardy individuals. We’re on target to take everything to the AGM in October for member agreement, then the fun & games begin with getting the prized status.
Thanks, one and all - I suppose it was just too good to be true.
There was an advert today for a receptionist/assistant in a music shop that also offers lessons - sounds right up my street! I'll be very surprised if I get anywhere, but I'll give it a go.
The organist at the Church Of My Yoof was manager of a local music shop (they sold all sorts of instruments, from piccolos to grand pianos - but nothing Elecktricackle, AFAIK), and he (Jack) thoroughly enjoyed his work.
Sorry to hear that, Piglet. Best of luck for the music shop.
I've just spent the best part of the afternoon applying for a casual post showing people around a local Famous Place. Only for the system to throw me out and lose it all. Have sent e-mail with cv instead, as I really can't face copying all that again for the same thing to happen. Half a page of technical gobbledegook didn't really help.
So sorry Piglet. Better luck with the music emporium.
In other news, I've just discovered that number one sons girlfriend, who attended a church school, has no idea of the significance of Ascension Day or even what happened to be commemorated!
Thanks again, everyone. Hope your new application works out, Fredegund!
I'm going to apply for the music-shop job on the computer in D's office, as it'll be easier than doing it on the Tablet (which doesn't have my CV on it) or our home computer (which has two speeds, dead slow and backwards).
ION, we put up the hummingbird feeder yesterday, and had our first little visitor this morning.
... we put up the hummingbird feeder yesterday, and had our first little visitor this morning.
Oh I absolutely love hummingbirds - astonishing, delightful creatures, and don’t they migrate such a long way for such tiny things. My parents used to have the green & red ones in their California gardens, and in Chile once I walked through an enormous fuchsia bush just buzzing with them.
I frequently have hummingbirds in my yard. I don't have a feeder for them -- just enough flowers to attract them. Several years ago a very feisty one built a nest in my orange tree and hatched her eggs -- and wouldn't let me use my backyard during the duration!
This one didn't really stay long enough for me to see what colour he was - I hadn't got my contact lenses in, and without, I'm as blind as a bat - but I just caught a sudden movement and there was something bigger than an insect poking his beak into the little flowery things on the feeder. I felt very chuffed to have seen him at all - I hope he'll be back!
Somewhat larger than humming-birds...but I was pleased today to welcome, to the environs of the Episcopal Ark, Mr & Mrs Swan and their three newly-hatched offspring.
Swans are quite common on this tidal river, but they mostly congregate in other places, and locally we have just the one pair as regular neighbours. Whether it's the same pair as last year, I couldn't say...
Still, these large and gracious birds are always welcome, and I hope that, over the next few months, we shall see the cygnets growing to maturity.
It always seems amusing to me that, even though they're the same size as their parents by the time they're a year old, the youngsters still speak in the squeaky little voice they're born with, at least until they lose the last of their grey/brown downy plumage!
Meanwhile, the local Mallards (Charlie Drake and Jemima Puddleduck) continue to make a nuisance of themselves by landing on the deck of the Ark at silly o'clock (6am the other day), and stamping around, QUACKING LOUDLY the while, as Jemima looks for a place to nest - though surely it's rather late in the year by now?
I wouldn't mind so much if they'd just wipe their feet before traipsing about, and if they'd quack more quietly. You've no idea, until you see the muddy mess they leave, how big their feet are...
O the joys of living with wild neighbours - which include Foxes (yes! They walk across the mudflats - they're light-footed enough to do so - and sometimes come on board, forgetting to wipe their paws...).
Not to mention visits from assorted Seagulls (usually addressed by me as 'Mr Beaky' - apologies to @MrsBeaky), along with Magpies, Pigeons, Collared Doves, Sparrows, various Martins, Kingfishers (O! That wondrous flash of Blue!), and Rats.....NOT Water-Rats, wot are a sort of Vole, as enny fule kno, but yer average domestic Rat. Not a nuisance, happily, as Cats and Guns* keep them in check...
Comments
ION, a typical Bank Holiday Monday here - not too cold, but overcast at present by some quite apocalyptic clouds, clearly sent from Europe in revenge for Brex*t.
The Faithful Few gathered for Mass this morning, to celebrate St Augustine of Canterbury - you know, the chap who was sent from Europe to re-evangelise the English people, back in 597. Maybe we could benefit from another attempt...
I gave the job interview my best shot, and hope they liked me - I should hear by the end of the week. I think I could do it, and the hours and conditions would really suit me.
Trotters crossed ...
Also, best wishes to @Piglet for Success!
A cool, showery day here, but warming up (they say) later in the week. And, as if the EU elections weren't excitement and entertainment enough, we have (IIRC) the joy of a State Visit to look forward to this weekend!
As the old ad said....the future's bright, the future's Orange...
I’m going for a walk and then doing some work. My fourteen year old is being obnoxious but at some point is going to clear off to the cinema with his mates - his older brother and I will then get some peace.
FWIW, the traditional way of calming a fussy baby in certain parts of Northern France was a splash of CALVADOS in the milk.
Laid back though he may, I think the paediatrician would object to that.
It's a nice day here: 17° and sunny, so a little amble might be in order.
Can you ask your nephews and nieces? - Another piece of life's big puzzling jigsaw might just fall into place? I'm curious!
I had a lovely amble over the bridge while D. was rehearsing with the band, and afterwards we went to that new eaterie and shared a charcuterie board, which was very nice indeed.
As yesterday was a very unusual 9 to 5 working day (Uni invigilation - much pacing back and forth, up and down) I am having a lazy mid-week Saturday. It’s damp here, which I am very thankful for on behalf of my allotment, so I can get on with bread making and maybe the ironing heap will get reduced at some point.
Good for you and Captain P - and I like the sound of your paediatrician.
When a health visitor advised us to feed the little men on finger food (a) we'd been doing it to some months, and (b) were appalled at her suggestion of boudoir biscuits. We found they took to mussels and other shellfish really well so hone your prawn-peeling skills.
As for the chips, what child doesn't like them, and what sensible parent doesn't grasp that the odd chip won't make a happorth of difference to the long-term eating habits of their child? Pomme-frites all round
I'm not sure that it is linked, but my daughter took to prawns and mussels young, but is now allergic to all crustaceans and shellfish. Badly allergic, cannot walk downwind of a shellfish stall and can no longer walk on a beach allergic. If I had my time again, I would heed the advice about not introducing them too young.
Hope you get the job @Piglet
Well done, Baptist Trainfan.
I need to mark some sample exams today for an exam planning meeting tomorrow evening. I’ve been putting it off all day but I’m going to have to surrender to it now.
Gracious, Heavenlyannie, whatever had the nursery been feeding him on all that time? he must have been glad to get home to his curry!
Presumably the nursery catering amounted to some kind of bland (but possibly nutritious, nonetheless) Mush™.
Opinions will vary, of course, but surely it does no harm to gently introduce Small People to Proper Food at the first opportunity.
@Curiosity killed - noted, however, regarding the potential dangers of sea food. Has there been any research into correlation between early tolerance of sea food, and a later allergic reaction?
The whole question of modern-day allergies is a hard one, and I sympathise with parents, like yourself, who have to try to cope with them in your children.
IIRC, no-one of my acquaintance at school (1950s/60s) suffered from anything like an allergy to nuts, or whatever. I have an aversion to eggs e.g. in a state where they are obviously eggs, such as boiled, fried, or scrambled, but that's by no means the same thing, of course.
I'm one monumentally pissed-off piglet.
<votive> for perfect-ish job(s)
There was an advert today for a receptionist/assistant in a music shop that also offers lessons - sounds right up my street! I'll be very surprised if I get anywhere, but I'll give it a go.
Go'n yersel'
The organist at the Church Of My Yoof was manager of a local music shop (they sold all sorts of instruments, from piccolos to grand pianos - but nothing Elecktricackle, AFAIK), and he (Jack) thoroughly enjoyed his work.
I've just spent the best part of the afternoon applying for a casual post showing people around a local Famous Place. Only for the system to throw me out and lose it all. Have sent e-mail with cv instead, as I really can't face copying all that again for the same thing to happen. Half a page of technical gobbledegook didn't really help.
In other news, I've just discovered that number one sons girlfriend, who attended a church school, has no idea of the significance of Ascension Day or even what happened to be commemorated!
I'm going to apply for the music-shop job on the computer in D's office, as it'll be easier than doing it on the Tablet (which doesn't have my CV on it) or our home computer (which has two speeds, dead slow and backwards).
ION, we put up the hummingbird feeder yesterday, and had our first little visitor this morning.
Swans are quite common on this tidal river, but they mostly congregate in other places, and locally we have just the one pair as regular neighbours. Whether it's the same pair as last year, I couldn't say...
Still, these large and gracious birds are always welcome, and I hope that, over the next few months, we shall see the cygnets growing to maturity.
It always seems amusing to me that, even though they're the same size as their parents by the time they're a year old, the youngsters still speak in the squeaky little voice they're born with, at least until they lose the last of their grey/brown downy plumage!
Meanwhile, the local Mallards (Charlie Drake and Jemima Puddleduck) continue to make a nuisance of themselves by landing on the deck of the Ark at silly o'clock (6am the other day), and stamping around, QUACKING LOUDLY the while, as Jemima looks for a place to nest - though surely it's rather late in the year by now?
I wouldn't mind so much if they'd just wipe their feet before traipsing about, and if they'd quack more quietly. You've no idea, until you see the muddy mess they leave, how big their feet are...
O the joys of living with wild neighbours - which include Foxes (yes! They walk across the mudflats - they're light-footed enough to do so - and sometimes come on board, forgetting to wipe their paws...).
*Don't ask...