I watched HIGNFY ( on catch-up after the church of fools). Enjoyed it, but it showed how much make-up and studio lighting there usually is - for the men. Two of the three looked significantly older and balder. I think Paul Merton probably just looks like himself always.
I had my first virtual video meet-up today, hosted by one of my nieces. In one corner we had her and her mum, my husband's sister. In another our son In a third my brother's wife. with guest appearances from my nephew and off screen music and jokes from my brother. We were in the fourth. We did a quiz and had an hour of fun and catching up. Have decided to do it again next week. It's great to have both families involved, and great to find out that my brother who has been so ill for the last year is getting back into playing his guitar and making us laugh. Tomorrow husband's sister is going to do facetime with her mum, my beloved mother-in-law. She was a bit worried we were expecting another quiz, but we've let her off that.
Glad to hear you brother is better.
Yesterday I thought I had a relapse. I woke up feeling much better but an hour later was back in bed with extreme exhaustion and shortness of breath. Obviously I panicked that the covid-19 infection was getting worse. But after resting in bed all day I decided that I probably have a form of post-viral fatigue and the breathlessness was partly due to anxiety. Much better today, I have some muscle fatigue due to lack of exercise but my breathing has returned completely to normal and I actually feel well for the first time in nearly 3 weeks.
While I was in bed yesterday a huge tall parcel arrived for me with a new passion flower for the garden; I will be supervising it’s planting today.
The Iron Ing has finally happened, and the new iron christened. Am I alone in not liking modern ironing-boards with slippery covers, from whence your clothes seem to be determined to slide?
According to the Met Office, it's going up to 17° later today - definitely ambling weather!
If it carries on like this, I'll have to send away for summer clothes, as my lightweight stuff is nearly all still in transit, and heaven knows when it'll get here.
BTW, the lamb shanks were lovely - now to try and remember the proportions of spices I used ...
A lovely day here in the Sad Southlands, too, with clear blue sky, NO AIRCRAFT VAPOUR SH*TE, and a nice fresh south-easterly breeze. We'll miss the clean air, if/when things get back to 'normal'.
Went out after Sunday service (I was in Dundee today) to post a letter, and to pick up some shopping. Virtually no traffic, except a goodly number of cyclists (combining exercise with errands?), and the usual Sunday dog-walkers...
Some rain is forecast for tomorrow, so it might be a 'duvet day'...
There's much talk at the moment of a resurgence in wildlife. I just walked to the supermarket through the forecourt of it's petrol station and there was a cockerel! Crowing away! I had to walk around it, as it wouldn't budge. Most unexpected.
I guess our local Foxes are exploring ever wider fields, though they must be missing the easy pickings of thrown-away fast food remnants...
The Ark was invaded momentarily earlier today by a large Bumblebee - presumably a queen looking for a suitable nesting site. I spoke politely to her, advising her that the Ark wasn't really a good place, and she duly buzzed off.
Yes, I had a enormous bumblebee come into the kitchen, but it wasn't very bright, and insisted on buzzing right in the bottom corner of the window, when the top was nicely open. I managed to persuade it that Up was Good (with the aid of a piece of card under the legs,) and it flew off. I prefer my bees outside!
Yes, I've been highly amused by the goats. I reckon there's a fair few full billies in that lot (yellow staining round the forequarters is a giveway if you can't see More Obvious Signs), so Llandudno might be quite an aromatic place at the mo!
I am having to remind birds that while cherries taste good ripe, eating unripe cherries including when still at the blossom stage is not a good idea. So far the wood pigeons and a blue tit have taken my advice.
Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one who talks to the Birds (in my case, visiting Seagulls - did you know that they are all called Mr Beaky? ), as well, as I said earlier, to the Bees.
We seem to be getting more Wood Pigeons around here lately. Are they somehow on the increase, and, if so, why?
(They are quite appetising, when casseroled in a red wine sauce, with herbs and vegetables to taste...).
I am having to remind birds that while cherries taste good ripe, eating unripe cherries including when still at the blossom stage is not a good idea. So far the wood pigeons and a blue tit have taken my advice.
Would you come talk to mine? (Also the squirrels, groundhogs, etc etc etc about every garden food ever)
Oh, the cherries are their's, I suspect a woodpigeon planted it originally but that is twenty-five years ago or so. It is just reminding them that unripe they are likely to cause upset stomachs and the result of which, when it lands on windows, is not pretty. So for their comfort and my sense of aesthetics would they please desist to the proper time. I am not sure it would work if I was banning outright.
Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one who talks to the Birds ...
Indeed you're not - I passed the time of day with Thin Robin* and Mr. Blackbird this morning, and always say hello to a magpie if I see one.
* S. has two robins in her garden, Thin Robin and Fat Robin - she's not quite sure how she got two, as they tend to be very territorial.
We had another pleasant amble this afternoon, after which I had an inordinately long nap - the Iron Ing must have tired me out ...
We used to have a very tame robin in our previous house, I enjoyed him hopefully hopping around while I was gardening. Being at home means I'm paying a bit more attention to our small back yard. It hasn't looked so tidy in years. I also found some rather out of date seeds and have sown them indoors in the vain hopes we might get some basil and pea shoots.
* S. has two robins in her garden, Thin Robin and Fat Robin - she's not quite sure how she got two, as they tend to be very territorial.
Possibly Mr and Mrs Robin.
We have a robin around, and definitely a blackbird pair, plus sparrows and occasional tits. Earlier in the year the robin was trying to chase the sparrow off the bird food!
Yesterday walking on local fairly busy footpaths I saw a buzzard, brimstone butterflies (and lots of peacock and small tortoiseshells) and saw and heard a skylark. I am lucky enough to live 10 minutes walk from a small local nature reserve and footpaths in the fields beyond. Those footpaths are used regularly, and were noticeably busier, so needing to hold back and let people past in enough space a few times near gates or pinch points. I can also walk out of the town in different directions into other footpaths.
We're in small flats with the downstairs flats opening out on to patches of the grassed and shrubbed ground behind. Some of those residents from the upstairs flats did venture outside, sitting out, or one couple lying 2m apart on the grass out the front sunbathing for a bit. Later there was a small group trying to exercise together standing 2m plus apart.
Lazy day here so far, but an amble and making another pot of chilli are beckoning.
Inspired by a post on FB from a friend in Canada, I'm contemplating having a browse through the family photograph albums, which D. and I brought down to Edinburgh the last time we were here together, just before we sold Dad's house. I reckon they go back to about the mid-1940s, so they should keep me occupied for quite a while.
We seem to be getting more Wood Pigeons around here lately. Are they somehow on the increase, and, if so, why?
(They are quite appetising, when casseroled in a red wine sauce, with herbs and vegetables to taste...).
The UK'S wood pigeon population has been recovering over the past few years. There were fears that the invasive Eurasian collared dove was marginalising the wood pigeon (and the turtle dove, come to that) but the collared doves have started to decline.
The sound of the two is very similar, but wood pigeons tend to have a deeper voice.
Thanks. The collared dove is IMHO quite a pretty bird, but it's good to hear that the wood pigeons are recovering.
Is there any particular reason for the decline of the collared dove? Maybe the wood pigeons (who are bigger) have decided to fight back, and Bash Up the collared doves - 'Git aht uv it, yer Orrible Foreign Doves Not Like Us'?
I finished my jigsaw and lo - Echo has eaten two of the pieces!
🤣🤣
🧩
Quite a few years ago when visiting England, we heard on the radio that Her Majesty subscribes to a jigsaw borrowing (or maybe renting?) library. It's not as if she could afford to buy her own puzzles. (She was said to prefer pictures of horses and royal homes.) The problem was that the royal corgis also enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, as snacks, and almost every puzzle that she returned had missing or chewed pieces.
I'm surprised they continued to allow her to borrow/rent their jigsaws.
Still, pity the poor woman - cooped up in those great Palaces for hours on end, with only sycophantic courtiers or obsequious Prime Ministers to talk at to.
I too have heard the story about the Queen and the jigsaw puzzles - and that she liked difficult ones, but not that they got sent back with bits missing!
I too have heard the story about the Queen and the jigsaw puzzles - and that she liked difficult ones, but not that they got sent back with bits missing!
I believe it.
Drop a piece and it’s snaffled before you can blink!
It's another lovely day here - I think bedlinen laundry* and an amble might feature in my plans.
* S. did hers yesterday, and it was merrily drying on the whirlygig when the heavens opened. We rushed out and retrieved it (getting quite damp ourselves in the process), and by the time we'd relocated it to the clothes-horse the rain had stopped.
Yes, blue skies, sunshine, a few cotton-woolly clouds, and a fresh easterlyish breeze here today. There doesn't seem to be any laundry pending, so the Wash Ing has a day off.
Had my 1:1 Pilates session via Zoom - I usually feel the effects quite quickly, so should be able to take a very short Amble later. My legs have been a bit achy for a couple of days - possibly due to lack of exercise.
Lunchtime - Cottage PIE today, though the bits of thatch do get stuck in one's teeth so...
I've been channelling my Inner Piglet, aka Domestic Goddess. Went grocery shopping first thing this morning and spent a jaw dropping amount in order to avoid going again for as long as possible. Came back, washed all my clothes and the shopping bags, cooked up a nutrient-packed bolognese sauce which is now in the slow cooker for consumption with jacket potatoes later, and chased some laundry and a couple of dishwasher loads of crockery.
I had a lunchtime catch-up with some girlfriends and am now heading out for my daily walk before a catch-up with some others at 4. At 6 we are virtually sharing a glass of wine with the family.
On reading this thread I'm thinking of breaking out one of our puzzles on the dining room table to do over the Easter weekend.
On the other hand, Welsh Dragon Sausages don't seem to contain real dragon, but that could be because they're a rare and protected species. Once they leave Caerphilly Castle, the Principality falls: https://tinyurl.com/sf7kfds. (The dragons are on the left, by the way).
This company has a large dumpster in the parking garage behind our Cathedral. I laugh whenever I see it (especially when the Opera was doing "Das Rheingold" just down the street). But it's handy to know that it's there should the need ever arise.
This company has a large dumpster in the parking garage behind our Cathedral.
I'll bear them in mind if ever I find myself in possession of more dragons than I actually need.
Laundry has happened, and been dried outside! I think that's the first time I've ever hung anything on a washing line, and though I've now got a laundry basket full of clean, dry downie, I'd still prefer a tumble-dryer every time.
Wow, Piglet. One of the benefits of being at home (and working nearly full time, and looking after three children...) is getting a load or two on the line every day. Never miss a drying day
A videoconference with my boss this morning inspired me to actually put a face on for the first time in three weeks. It's making me feel quite put together but I doubt it'll happen often.
I even put earrings in, although all the handwashing means I really can't be bothered with my rings apart from my wedding ring.
With a small child about the place, laundry here is like the labours of Hercules.
How is the "no exercise between 10:00-19:00" going to work for you LVER? I can't imagine you'll be taking Captain Pajamas out in the evening... Can you get out with him before 10:00am?
Round here, the families all seem to be out mid-afternoon. I guess it's got to the point where the kinds need to get out by then.... (sadly that's also when I'm trying to be out & about after a day's work, so it's kinda busy!)
I don't understand their logic: if people are only allowed out before 10 a.m. and after 7 p.m., won't that make the crowding worse during those times? Wouldn't it spread out the crowds a bit if you could go out during the day?
I haven't ambled yet today, but as it's 14° and gloriously sunny, I think I shall. I have had a little exercise today: I decided that the bedlinen, which is pure cotton, really looked a bit scruffy, so I summoned the Iron Ing, and it now looks a bit better.
Two unsolicited Acts of Kindness were received by me today in Tesco's.
The queue for the checkouts was much longer than I anticipated, but a Young Lady offered me the space in front of her. I politely declined, as we were getting close to the tills, but it was a very kind gesture towards this Feeble Old Git.
One of the staff then indicated that this FOG could use the self-serve checkouts, which I don't normally do, as I get discombobulated by their complications. No worries - the Kind Lady in attendance dealt with all my items (including a pack of Toilet Rolls! ), packed them in my bags, and just left me to put my card into the terminal...
Lovely sunny day. Laundry on the line by 8, on the road by 8.30 to do shopping for another lot of shut-ins, all done and dusted by 12.30. I locked myself into church and played for a couple of hours - bliss.
We’ve had a ‘chicken week’ this week*, culminating in stock making, so now have lentil soup that just needs to be heated up, to go with the rolls Macarius made this morning.
MMM
*There’s only 2 of us, so a chicken lasts for 5 meals, although we did put one portion in the freezer.
Comments
BTW I think the new Private Eye is excellent.
Yesterday I thought I had a relapse. I woke up feeling much better but an hour later was back in bed with extreme exhaustion and shortness of breath. Obviously I panicked that the covid-19 infection was getting worse. But after resting in bed all day I decided that I probably have a form of post-viral fatigue and the breathlessness was partly due to anxiety. Much better today, I have some muscle fatigue due to lack of exercise but my breathing has returned completely to normal and I actually feel well for the first time in nearly 3 weeks.
While I was in bed yesterday a huge tall parcel arrived for me with a new passion flower for the garden; I will be supervising it’s planting today.
The Iron Ing has finally happened, and the new iron christened. Am I alone in not liking modern ironing-boards with slippery covers, from whence your clothes seem to be determined to slide?
According to the Met Office, it's going up to 17° later today - definitely ambling weather!
If it carries on like this, I'll have to send away for summer clothes, as my lightweight stuff is nearly all still in transit, and heaven knows when it'll get here.
BTW, the lamb shanks were lovely - now to try and remember the proportions of spices I used ...
Went out after Sunday service (I was in Dundee today) to post a letter, and to pick up some shopping. Virtually no traffic, except a goodly number of cyclists (combining exercise with errands?), and the usual Sunday dog-walkers...
Some rain is forecast for tomorrow, so it might be a 'duvet day'...
There's much talk at the moment of a resurgence in wildlife. I just walked to the supermarket through the forecourt of it's petrol station and there was a cockerel! Crowing away! I had to walk around it, as it wouldn't budge. Most unexpected.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=xcDvM3PdVsc
I guess our local Foxes are exploring ever wider fields, though they must be missing the easy pickings of thrown-away fast food remnants...
The Ark was invaded momentarily earlier today by a large Bumblebee - presumably a queen looking for a suitable nesting site. I spoke politely to her, advising her that the Ark wasn't really a good place, and she duly buzzed off.
O Woe (or O Frabjous Day)...
We seem to be getting more Wood Pigeons around here lately. Are they somehow on the increase, and, if so, why?
(They are quite appetising, when casseroled in a red wine sauce, with herbs and vegetables to taste...).
Would you come talk to mine? (Also the squirrels, groundhogs, etc etc etc about every garden food ever)
Indeed you're not - I passed the time of day with Thin Robin* and Mr. Blackbird this morning, and always say hello to a magpie if I see one.
* S. has two robins in her garden, Thin Robin and Fat Robin - she's not quite sure how she got two, as they tend to be very territorial.
We had another pleasant amble this afternoon, after which I had an inordinately long nap - the Iron Ing must have tired me out ...
Possibly Mr and Mrs Robin.
We have a robin around, and definitely a blackbird pair, plus sparrows and occasional tits. Earlier in the year the robin was trying to chase the sparrow off the bird food!
We're in small flats with the downstairs flats opening out on to patches of the grassed and shrubbed ground behind. Some of those residents from the upstairs flats did venture outside, sitting out, or one couple lying 2m apart on the grass out the front sunbathing for a bit. Later there was a small group trying to exercise together standing 2m plus apart.
🤣🤣
My son (the Bristol son) and I both enjoy jigsaws and did one together when we were last together three weeks ago.
I’m now excited to start my new one. I will be more careful not to drop any pieces this time!
This morning I’ve been combing the Internet for jigsaws - most places are out of stock, but I’ve managed to buy three. 🧩
Inspired by a post on FB from a friend in Canada, I'm contemplating having a browse through the family photograph albums, which D. and I brought down to Edinburgh the last time we were here together, just before we sold Dad's house. I reckon they go back to about the mid-1940s, so they should keep me occupied for quite a while.
The sound of the two is very similar, but wood pigeons tend to have a deeper voice.
Is there any particular reason for the decline of the collared dove? Maybe the wood pigeons (who are bigger) have decided to fight back, and Bash Up the collared doves - 'Git aht uv it, yer Orrible Foreign Doves Not Like Us'?
Quite a few years ago when visiting England, we heard on the radio that Her Majesty subscribes to a jigsaw borrowing (or maybe renting?) library. It's not as if she could afford to buy her own puzzles. (She was said to prefer pictures of horses and royal homes.) The problem was that the royal corgis also enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, as snacks, and almost every puzzle that she returned had missing or chewed pieces.
Still, pity the poor woman - cooped up in those great Palaces for hours on end, with only sycophantic courtiers or obsequious Prime Ministers to talk at to.
(I rather think/hope the story was apocryphal).
I believe it.
Drop a piece and it’s snaffled before you can blink!
* S. did hers yesterday, and it was merrily drying on the whirlygig when the heavens opened. We rushed out and retrieved it (getting quite damp ourselves in the process), and by the time we'd relocated it to the clothes-horse the rain had stopped.
Had my 1:1 Pilates session via Zoom - I usually feel the effects quite quickly, so should be able to take a very short Amble later. My legs have been a bit achy for a couple of days - possibly due to lack of exercise.
Lunchtime - Cottage PIE today, though the bits of thatch do get stuck in one's teeth so...
I had a lunchtime catch-up with some girlfriends and am now heading out for my daily walk before a catch-up with some others at 4. At 6 we are virtually sharing a glass of wine with the family.
On reading this thread I'm thinking of breaking out one of our puzzles on the dining room table to do over the Easter weekend.
On the other hand, Welsh Dragon Sausages don't seem to contain real dragon, but that could be because they're a rare and protected species. Once they leave Caerphilly Castle, the Principality falls: https://tinyurl.com/sf7kfds. (The dragons are on the left, by the way).
I'll bear them in mind if ever I find myself in possession of more dragons than I actually need.
Laundry has happened, and been dried outside! I think that's the first time I've ever hung anything on a washing line, and though I've now got a laundry basket full of clean, dry downie, I'd still prefer a tumble-dryer every time.
Sorry about that.
I even put earrings in, although all the handwashing means I really can't be bothered with my rings apart from my wedding ring.
With a small child about the place, laundry here is like the labours of Hercules.
Round here, the families all seem to be out mid-afternoon. I guess it's got to the point where the kinds need to get out by then.... (sadly that's also when I'm trying to be out & about after a day's work, so it's kinda busy!)
I haven't ambled yet today, but as it's 14° and gloriously sunny, I think I shall. I have had a little exercise today: I decided that the bedlinen, which is pure cotton, really looked a bit scruffy, so I summoned the Iron Ing, and it now looks a bit better.
The queue for the checkouts was much longer than I anticipated, but a Young Lady offered me the space in front of her. I politely declined, as we were getting close to the tills, but it was a very kind gesture towards this Feeble Old Git.
One of the staff then indicated that this FOG could use the self-serve checkouts, which I don't normally do, as I get discombobulated by their complications. No worries - the Kind Lady in attendance dealt with all my items (including a pack of Toilet Rolls!
Well done, all.
MMM
*There’s only 2 of us, so a chicken lasts for 5 meals, although we did put one portion in the freezer.