Absolutely well done, NE Man - I wouldn't have had the nerve!
My "getting wet" quota has now increased to four times in as many days. Linlithgow doesn't generally seem to get a huge lot of rain; I don't think I've seen so many consecutively wet days since I moved here.
No matter; BEER has been acquired, and prawn curry Part II will shortly be consumed with some of it.
Been to see my smallest grandson being a sheep in his school nativity play. The children did so well; mainly clear voices and tuneful singing. I can’t remember seeing either of my girls in a nativity play once they’d left nursery so this was a treat.
A quiet day in Arkland the Calm, with some Sun-Shine and a gentle westerly breeze.
Night has now fallen, of course, but the Yuletide lights are appearing, along with wisps of smoke from the stovepipes of various Arks. These two phenomena prove that at least some of my Neighbours are alive and well, though I haven't seen (or spoken to) any Humming Bean all day.
A light day today, just admin, comms and a meeting. So I managed to do some housework this afternoon, in anticipation of our guests.
Unfortunately I have a batch of marking arriving tomorrow, followed by more early next week. Just before the university closes for Christmas.
Tea was venison burger on a bed of fried kale and mushrooms (with cayenne and paprika) combined with leftover potato and aubergine in cream from yesterday, which created a lovely glossy heap. All topped with a fried egg.
I think my winter depression would improve if there wasn’t so much kale in my veg box over the season.
{{{Nenya}}}
David would have turned 70 today, and I had a nice chat with his sister, who has promised to send me some pictures of Sally, her new granddaughter, who I'm sure he would have adored.
Originally posted by Piglet: Absolutely well done, NE Man - I wouldn't have had the nerve!
As he tells it, he had the coffee and pastry for the Big Issue seller, rounded the corner and saw what was happening, and the only way he could give her the coffee and pastry was by getting rid of the men. Which he did. His mindset was not "intervene" but "give her the coffee."
If he had just happened to be passing, and decided to intervene, that would have taken nerve. But the decision to give her coffee and a pastry had been made when all was well with the world and he'd found himself with an unexpected £3.
It wasn't till he got home that he started thinking through what had just happened. The men claimed to be members of the "ADF" but we have no idea what that might be. Perhaps he misheard. They walked off shouting "No surrender" which he found ironic as they had just been chased off by a retired bespectacled sciencey geek.
I've just looked up ADF and there is an organisation called the Alliance Defending Freedom who claim to be a Christian group defending our freedom to free speech. Well done NE Man.
We've had a day without rain. I headed off to the city to the west to pick up my hearing aids that needed sorting out and to do a bit of shopping, though I didn't actually get much. This evening I went to our local museum to see some architectural drawings of our town. The artist is Chilean, and he finds the way our town which is mainly Georgian with a big chunk of Medieval is set out compared to towns in his country really fascinating. Afterwards there was a Town Council meeting which was pretty productive as a couple of things were decided and we managed to finish in good time.
This morning I drove to a nearby village which has easy parking by the post office, bought stamps and gift tokens and some goodies from the supermarket, then visited Mr P’s grave on the edge of the village. He would have been 79 today, and shares David’s birthday.
Lunch, then Scrabble group, a quick turn around before Choral Society. It was the last rehearsal before the Christmas concert. The tenors and basses were on poor form. Maybe they will be “ alright on the night”?
I've got a busy day today starting with visiting the post office to send a card to my friend in Australia. Then its on to my lipreading class's fuddle. Is that a Nottinghamshire word or is it used elsewhere for a bring and share party. My friend from the class who is welsh and Londoner me hadn't come across it before we moved here. Then its on to my charity bookshop shift which should be interesting. I couldn't make the staff meeting on Tuesday but left a question about censorship. A lot of books are being taken off on-line sales that I don't think should be. Banning books even if your intentions are honourable is never a good idea. I'm interested to know what other volunteers thought.
Finally tonight is the Mayor' quiz evening. We're encouraged to bring items for the foodbank or a cat's charity she's supporting so I need to pick up something to take with us.
Yoga this morning, followed by coffee with the ladies. Some of my students have an assignment due today (on achieving a good death) so I need to check on those and I might summon up the courage to do some early marking. Officially it is my day off/study day so I will see how I feel.
I need to clean the kitchen at some point.
Did my usual exercise class this morning which I've missed for a couple of weeks so it was good to get back to it, followed by coffee with friends.
I've been distinctly Under The Weather for the past few days, with a slightly sore throat and a few aches which don't develop into a full blown cold but don't seem to want to get better either. With all the tidying and sorting involved in a possible house move next year - plus being exhausted because I'm not sleeping well and continuing to be horrified at the Stuff that's coming out of our loft - I am very behind on All Things Christmas and hope I can catch up on myself over the next few days.
Belated hugs to Puzzler and Piglet. I hope the birthdays went as well as they can.
I decided that I am enough on top of my work to skip the marking today and I just made my marking plan instead. I am currently having a sit down with Mochi before doing some tidying.
Tea will be mutton chop and mushrooms, all by myself as Mr Heavenly is having a late Christmas lunch with his work.
A day of tidying and cleaning, in preparation for hosting my French group tomorrow afternoon. The hardest part was clearing the piano which holds piles of music for three different carol events, and my side table of multiple To Do lists and other essentials of my existence.
I decided to leave my 23! birthday cards up for one more day. Only a few Christmas cards have arrived as yet. I have still got three vases of birthday flowers. I’m going to deflate the remaining balloons.
Unfortunately I managed to dislodge my Advent bridge and now it won’t light up.
{{virtual hugs}} to all of you going through emotional times just now, or simply feeling unwell - There Is A Lot Of It About...and the forced jollity of the season often doesn't exactly help, especially if you're under pressure.
Another breezy but dry day in Arkland the Blustery (though the wind has died down now somewhat). A few more Arks are displaying festive lights this evening, but Neighbour F's HO-HO-HO is hard to beat.
Tess Coe was visited at the usual midday-ish hour, but was (perhaps unsurprisingly) very busy. The car park was full, but after a couple of trips around it whilst people loaded up their booty shopping, my Guardian Angel found me a disabled bay close to the door.
I bought the last Crimbo Prezzies I needed to get - two large boxes of CHOCOLATE (Green & Black) and a bottle of WINE - but forgot to stock up on loo rolls. With only a fortnight to go before The Day, I need to make haste, because there will undoubtedly be a Shortage very soon, with the entire kingdom usually becoming incontinent at holiday times. It's all that Bread and Milk they insist on buying...
{{{Puzzler}}} I hope David and Mr P had a nice pint in Heaven!
At last, a day without Getting Wet; it's still unseasonably mild, but at least dry. Having said that, the hoolie that was blowing the other day, and had abated somewhat, seems to have come back, probably because I got my hair cut at lunchtime, and we couldn't have it behaving itself on the way back to the office, now, could we?
I'm still coughing like an engine; one of my bosses phoned down this morning to ask if I was all right! I was a bit worried that I might be frightening the horses clients, but it was kind of him to ask! The thing is, I really don't feel ill; it's just this rather alarming barking ...
Supper was the curry, Part the Third, and very nice too. I must try and replicate the spice quantities next time I make it.
Just back from our Mayor's quiz evening, which we won. This was mainly due to a round on literature where I knew both the names of the Bennet sisters and the Famous Five and a round on our town where we were all pretty clued up as to the answers.
I have a busy afternoon tomorrow, but don't intend to do much in the morning.
I'm joining @Bishops Finger in virtual hugs for everyone that needs them.
What did you win @Sarasa? Last time my team won a quiz we won a rather good bottle of wine each. 🙂
I am on the Flixbus to Bristol - the last leg of my Northern Adventure. It's been absolutely brilliant to see family and friends, including a theatre trip to my favourite theatre (The Royal Exchange) as a Big Birthday treat for my friend.
We won a bottle of wine and a tin of sweets @Boogie . The wine will get drunk, but I hope we can off load the sweets elsewhere!
I'm off to the chiropodist in a bit, followed by drinks and nibbles at the Town Hall for staff and councillors. It'll mean I've been in the Town Hall four days in a row.
Husband is heading off for a weekend away with friends shortly, so I'm looking forward to a couple of lazy days.
Safe travels @boogie. Sounds like a good few days. What did you see at the theatre?
I’ve just hosted my u3a French group. As it was our last meeting before Christmas, I put on a bit extra in the way of refreshments, so now I have all sorts of tasty nibbles leftover, most of which do not have a use by date. Some nice treats. Only one person wanted wine, so there’s the rest of the bottle in the fridge too. And the house is clean and tidy.
One problem: I can’t find my purse. I put things which are normally lying about into all sorts of places, but haven’t found it yet. Fortunately I had a stash of cash I could raid when I popped across the road for some milk.
Tomorrow is a day of two halves, but all local:
Morning: collect prescription, hair appointment, then take a broken item to the repair cafe( more in hope than expectation ).
Lunch.
Rehearsal 4 -6 pm, concert 7 - 9, so it’s not worth going home in between, but I am expected to help serve wine and Satan’s Santa’s snacks aka mince pies and clear up afterwards, so by the time I get home I will be famished.
Definitely going to take a goody bag of nibbles to eat at 6pm.
I cannot tolerate this rudeness about mince pies. I spent the afternoon making them prior to having the neighbours round this evening. I'm starting to feel properly Christmassy now. I finished buying my presents this morning (a jumper for my Mum and books for Captain Pyjamas) and the Sally Army brass band are currently playing Christmas oompah downstairs.
O! I love mince pies, though no shop-bought ones can compare with those made in days of yore by My Old Mum. She specialised in flaky pastry, containing probably illegal amounts of BUTTER...
I intend to buy some of Tess Coe's finest (they're quite acceptable) next week, but I don't really have the will-power to resist consuming a whole pack in one sitting...
...to which the answer is, of course, to buy more than one pack.
I like hearing about your jaunts @Boogie . If we end up moving house I will be doing similarly, to visit and stay with old friends.
I've been out for lunch with friends for an early Christmas/Nen birthday celebration and am feeling suitably replete. I will not want a huge amount of the spaghetti bolognese I have prepared in advance for tea, but will have a little to keep Mr Nen company; it would, of course, be Wrong to let him drink the wine on his own.
Tomorrow is earmarked for putting up the decorations and writing the Christmas cards.
I used to make my own mince pies and they were pretty darn good - I learned the art of good pastry making from my Dear Old Mum - but I haven't done so for years. Like Christmas cake, I am the only person in the house who eats them and the last person who should.
I got very little sleep as Mr Heavenly got in from his work Christmas do at 2am and had a consequently restless night.
A busy day. This morning I did my usual emails and admin, then made 2 big venison sausage rolls and a big mushroom and cheese sausage roll for the bible study Christmas party tomorrow. Then more work after that (though I did not have the energy for doing the marking) before popping to Waitrose for some Christmas treats. We have a wide variety of exotic mince pies.
Tea was pigeon breasts with red peppers on a bed of lentil curry.
I've been indulging in Tessie's Finest and Mr Kipling's mince pies for several days now. I'm sure they're good to stave off a cold ...
This stupid cough isn't really going anywhere; I'm determined to go to the Advent service in Perth tomorrow (apart from anything else, my friend Iona is relying on me to bring a spare copy of a piece of music she doesn't have), but I'm not sure how much use I'll be.
I know how to bypass my throat when singing, but if my voice gives up completely (as it did at the very first Scottish Voices gathering I was at), there won't be much I can do. Also, we're doing a version of Angelus ad virginem for which the only rendition I can find on You Tube goes so fast I wouldn't have a mission of fitting the words in. With any luck, our MD won't take it quite at that lick!
I hope the cough buggers off in time for the concert, or f it doesn't it doesn't impede your singing too much @piglet. What a pain.
I had a nice hour in the Mayor's parlour eating nibbles, drinking prosecco and chatting to people this afternoon followed by heading to my local independent wine shop for a bottle of something festive to have with mince pies. I was intending to get port, but the masala looked interesting so I went for that. I might go back for the white port that also looked good tomorrow.
I'm now heading to bed for an early night. I've been going to bed late and getting up early for the last few days and feel a bit worn out.
I had my first mince pie of the season on Monday. Didn't like it much, too big, too expensive and far too sweet!. Should have known better, I find all commercial mincepies too sweet.
As a consequence, I gathered together the ingredients and will make some of my own tomorrow, with 'doctored' filling to minimise the sweetness.
I had an unexpected call from the eye hospital this morning, offering me an appointment for my second cataract operation - on Christmas Eve! I am pretty desperate to get this second one done, but no way can I fit it in on Christmas Eve. So I have not taken it up - partly because their phone was engaged each time I tried to call.
New Years Eve would have been fine, family would have all returned home, and nothing in the diary (other than a dentists appt) in the following week, but it will probably be another x number of months before the next appt is available. Hey Ho!
I cannot tolerate this rudeness about mince pies. I spent the afternoon making them prior to having the neighbours round this evening. I'm starting to feel properly Christmassy now. I finished buying my presents this morning (a jumper for my Mum and books for Captain Pyjamas) and the Sally Army brass band are currently playing Christmas oompah downstairs.
People who make mince pies are surely guaranteed a spot in Heaven, where they will be in great demand, along with the buttery bakers.
I cannot tolerate this rudeness about mince pies. I spent the afternoon making them prior to having the neighbours round this evening. I'm starting to feel properly Christmassy now. I finished buying my presents this morning (a jumper for my Mum and books for Captain Pyjamas) and the Sally Army brass band are currently playing Christmas oompah downstairs.
People who make mince pies are surely guaranteed a spot in Heaven, where they will be in great demand, along with the buttery bakers.
I didn't know bypassing the throat when singing was even possible, let alone have any idea of how it's done .
It's a bright still morning here and I have a Christmas agenda this weekend - sorting out my random pile of wrapping paper (both birthday and Christmas, and silly little bits I've kept "in case"), writing the cards, wrapping the presents that need to be posted to Nenlet2 and his husband, and getting the decorations up.
Yesterday I had lunch with some friends, an early Christmas/birthday celebration, and came home to find I'd received my bus pass in the post, so I am now officially An Old Person .
Mr Nen has informed me that he recently joined a Facebook group for Damp And Condensation Advice. We do not have damp or condensation issues chez Nen. He clearly needs to get out more.
It goes totally against the grain, but I am going to have to nip over the road to Aldi to buy some mince pies to take to tonight’s concert, where wine and mince pies are served to all who attend, included in the ticket price ( but donated by singers). I just don’t get why every event from mid-December onwards has to include them, on this occasion with no alternative for those who don’t like them or mustn’t eat them at 220-350 calories each. There is at least a soft drink alternative- just as well as many will be driving. Yes, I know I will not be popular for this post.
On a more positive note, in town this morning I had my bathroom scales fixed at the repair cafe and I picked up small gifts of brain teaser type boxed games for the adult grandchildren so I have something to hand over as well as vouchers.
I just don’t get why every event from mid-December onwards has to include them, on this occasion with no alternative for those who don’t like them or mustn’t eat them at 220-350 calories each.
Agreed. I know they'd still be calorific, but what about offering slices of yule log, cake (English-type or Stollen), or perhaps Lebkuchen? All are widely available.
There are many traditions, not all of which have the same issues or connotations. That may come over as killjoy, but it really is worth events thinking from more than one point of view.
I just don’t get why every event from mid-December onwards has to include them, on this occasion with no alternative for those who don’t like them or mustn’t eat them at 220-350 calories each.
Agreed. I know they'd still be calorific, but what about offering slices of yule log, cake (English-type or Stollen), or perhaps Lebkuchen? All are widely available.
An excellent idea.
Another balmy day in Arkland the Sun-Shiny, though the Sun is now sinking unromantically behind the road and rail bridges. It's been fine and mild enough for me to spend some S & Q time in the Wheelhouse, and They say we shall enjoy another similar day tomorrow.
This will no doubt be good for Our Place's 'CHRISTmass' Carol Service and 'CHRISTmass' Fayre/Fair/Market/Bazaar/Bizarre in the afternoon. I hope so, given the amount of Hard Work put in by FatherInCharge and a small team of faithful volunteers.
The weather has been pretty good here today, if a bit on the nippy side. I went for a mooch round town this morning and bought a couple more decorations for my Christmas mantlepiece. I came home via Waitrose to get various bits and pieces, then when I got home received a message to say the wine glasses I'd ordered from John Lewis had arrived, so trotted back later to get them. That trip nearly ended in a very annoying detour. To get to Waitrose and into town I have to cross a level crossing. Usually the wait when a train is due is about three or four minutes but today it was more than ten. There were various people on my side of the gates who wanted to get on the train on the other side. Usually the gates go up and the train waits a couple of minutes for people to get across. Not today though, so they missed their train. I'd just decided to phone the emergency number and report the problem when the gates lifted. If they hadn't lifted I'd have had to go and find a taxi as there is no other way to get to my house on foot. As I had my parcel with me, I'm very glad I didn't have to do that.
This could very well belong on the CTH thread. I was tidying the fridge when I noticed a puddle between it and the washing machine which both back on to the end wall. First suspect was the washer/drier which is currently working on a bedspread. But then I found the work surface above it was also awash. That is the corner where the coffee machines live - filter and Nespresso - and is the domain of Mr F. Neither machine holds any quantity of water. Nevertheless there must have been about a pint's worth slopping about. There is no sign of ingress from the window, ceiling, walls or tap.
Comments
My "getting wet" quota has now increased to four times in as many days. Linlithgow doesn't generally seem to get a huge lot of rain; I don't think I've seen so many consecutively wet days since I moved here.
No matter; BEER has been acquired, and prawn curry Part II will shortly be consumed with some of it.
Night has now fallen, of course, but the Yuletide lights are appearing, along with wisps of smoke from the stovepipes of various Arks. These two phenomena prove that at least some of my Neighbours are alive and well, though I haven't seen (or spoken to) any Humming Bean all day.
A light day today, just admin, comms and a meeting. So I managed to do some housework this afternoon, in anticipation of our guests.
Unfortunately I have a batch of marking arriving tomorrow, followed by more early next week. Just before the university closes for Christmas.
Tea was venison burger on a bed of fried kale and mushrooms (with cayenne and paprika) combined with leftover potato and aubergine in cream from yesterday, which created a lovely glossy heap. All topped with a fried egg.
I think my winter depression would improve if there wasn’t so much kale in my veg box over the season.
My day started badly and got worse so I'm going to crawl into bed and hope for better things tomorrow.
David would have turned 70 today, and I had a nice chat with his sister, who has promised to send me some pictures of Sally, her new granddaughter, who I'm sure he would have adored.
Originally posted by Piglet:
Absolutely well done, NE Man - I wouldn't have had the nerve!
As he tells it, he had the coffee and pastry for the Big Issue seller, rounded the corner and saw what was happening, and the only way he could give her the coffee and pastry was by getting rid of the men. Which he did. His mindset was not "intervene" but "give her the coffee."
If he had just happened to be passing, and decided to intervene, that would have taken nerve. But the decision to give her coffee and a pastry had been made when all was well with the world and he'd found himself with an unexpected £3.
It wasn't till he got home that he started thinking through what had just happened. The men claimed to be members of the "ADF" but we have no idea what that might be. Perhaps he misheard. They walked off shouting "No surrender" which he found ironic as they had just been chased off by a retired bespectacled sciencey geek.
We've had a day without rain. I headed off to the city to the west to pick up my hearing aids that needed sorting out and to do a bit of shopping, though I didn't actually get much. This evening I went to our local museum to see some architectural drawings of our town. The artist is Chilean, and he finds the way our town which is mainly Georgian with a big chunk of Medieval is set out compared to towns in his country really fascinating. Afterwards there was a Town Council meeting which was pretty productive as a couple of things were decided and we managed to finish in good time.
Lunch, then Scrabble group, a quick turn around before Choral Society. It was the last rehearsal before the Christmas concert. The tenors and basses were on poor form. Maybe they will be “ alright on the night”?
Finally tonight is the Mayor' quiz evening. We're encouraged to bring items for the foodbank or a cat's charity she's supporting so I need to pick up something to take with us.
I need to clean the kitchen at some point.
Safe travels @Boogie .
Did my usual exercise class this morning which I've missed for a couple of weeks so it was good to get back to it, followed by coffee with friends.
I've been distinctly Under The Weather for the past few days, with a slightly sore throat and a few aches which don't develop into a full blown cold but don't seem to want to get better either. With all the tidying and sorting involved in a possible house move next year - plus being exhausted because I'm not sleeping well and continuing to be horrified at the Stuff that's coming out of our loft
I decided that I am enough on top of my work to skip the marking today and I just made my marking plan instead. I am currently having a sit down with Mochi before doing some tidying.
Tea will be mutton chop and mushrooms, all by myself as Mr Heavenly is having a late Christmas lunch with his work.
I decided to leave my 23! birthday cards up for one more day. Only a few Christmas cards have arrived as yet. I have still got three vases of birthday flowers. I’m going to deflate the remaining balloons.
Unfortunately I managed to dislodge my Advent bridge and now it won’t light up.
Another breezy but dry day in Arkland the Blustery (though the wind has died down now somewhat). A few more Arks are displaying festive lights this evening, but Neighbour F's HO-HO-HO is hard to beat.
Tess Coe was visited at the usual midday-ish hour, but was (perhaps unsurprisingly) very busy. The car park was full, but after a couple of trips around it whilst people loaded up their booty shopping, my Guardian Angel found me a disabled bay close to the door.
I bought the last Crimbo Prezzies I needed to get - two large boxes of CHOCOLATE (Green & Black) and a bottle of WINE - but forgot to stock up on loo rolls. With only a fortnight to go before The Day, I need to make haste, because there will undoubtedly be a Shortage very soon, with the entire kingdom usually becoming incontinent at holiday times. It's all that Bread and Milk they insist on buying...
At last, a day without Getting Wet; it's still unseasonably mild, but at least dry. Having said that, the hoolie that was blowing the other day, and had abated somewhat, seems to have come back, probably because I got my hair cut at lunchtime, and we couldn't have it behaving itself on the way back to the office, now, could we?
I'm still coughing like an engine; one of my bosses phoned down this morning to ask if I was all right! I was a bit worried that I might be frightening the horses clients, but it was kind of him to ask! The thing is, I really don't feel ill; it's just this rather alarming barking ...
Supper was the curry, Part the Third, and very nice too. I must try and replicate the spice quantities next time I make it.
I have a busy afternoon tomorrow, but don't intend to do much in the morning.
I'm joining @Bishops Finger in virtual hugs for everyone that needs them.
I am on the Flixbus to Bristol - the last leg of my Northern Adventure. It's been absolutely brilliant to see family and friends, including a theatre trip to my favourite theatre (The Royal Exchange) as a Big Birthday treat for my friend.
I'm off to the chiropodist in a bit, followed by drinks and nibbles at the Town Hall for staff and councillors. It'll mean I've been in the Town Hall four days in a row.
Husband is heading off for a weekend away with friends shortly, so I'm looking forward to a couple of lazy days.
Safe travels @boogie. Sounds like a good few days. What did you see at the theatre?
It was mild enough for me to indulge in some Sittage and Quaffage in the Wheelhouse a little earlier, but Night is not far off:
Now the darkness gathers,
Stars begin to peep;
Birds, and beasts, and flowers
Soon will be asleep.
One problem: I can’t find my purse. I put things which are normally lying about into all sorts of places, but haven’t found it yet. Fortunately I had a stash of cash I could raid when I popped across the road for some milk.
Tomorrow is a day of two halves, but all local:
Morning: collect prescription, hair appointment, then take a broken item to the repair cafe( more in hope than expectation ).
Lunch.
Rehearsal 4 -6 pm, concert 7 - 9, so it’s not worth going home in between, but I am expected to help serve wine and Satan’s Santa’s snacks aka mince pies and clear up afterwards, so by the time I get home I will be famished.
Definitely going to take a goody bag of nibbles to eat at 6pm.
My wife makes very good ones.
I intend to buy some of Tess Coe's finest (they're quite acceptable) next week, but I don't really have the will-power to resist consuming a whole pack in one sitting...
...to which the answer is, of course, to buy more than one pack.
I've been out for lunch with friends for an early Christmas/Nen birthday celebration and am feeling suitably replete. I will not want a huge amount of the spaghetti bolognese I have prepared in advance for tea, but will have a little to keep Mr Nen company; it would, of course, be Wrong to let him drink the wine on his own.
Tomorrow is earmarked for putting up the decorations and writing the Christmas cards.
I used to make my own mince pies and they were pretty darn good - I learned the art of good pastry making from my Dear Old Mum - but I haven't done so for years. Like Christmas cake, I am the only person in the house who eats them and the last person who should.
A busy day. This morning I did my usual emails and admin, then made 2 big venison sausage rolls and a big mushroom and cheese sausage roll for the bible study Christmas party tomorrow. Then more work after that (though I did not have the energy for doing the marking) before popping to Waitrose for some Christmas treats. We have a wide variety of exotic mince pies.
Tea was pigeon breasts with red peppers on a bed of lentil curry.
This stupid cough isn't really going anywhere; I'm determined to go to the Advent service in Perth tomorrow (apart from anything else, my friend Iona is relying on me to bring a spare copy of a piece of music she doesn't have), but I'm not sure how much use I'll be.
I know how to bypass my throat when singing, but if my voice gives up completely (as it did at the very first Scottish Voices gathering I was at), there won't be much I can do. Also, we're doing a version of Angelus ad virginem for which the only rendition I can find on You Tube goes so fast I wouldn't have a mission of fitting the words in. With any luck, our MD won't take it quite at that lick!
Supper, rather predictably was f&c.
I had a nice hour in the Mayor's parlour eating nibbles, drinking prosecco and chatting to people this afternoon followed by heading to my local independent wine shop for a bottle of something festive to have with mince pies. I was intending to get port, but the masala looked interesting so I went for that. I might go back for the white port that also looked good tomorrow.
I'm now heading to bed for an early night. I've been going to bed late and getting up early for the last few days and feel a bit worn out.
As a consequence, I gathered together the ingredients and will make some of my own tomorrow, with 'doctored' filling to minimise the sweetness.
I had an unexpected call from the eye hospital this morning, offering me an appointment for my second cataract operation - on Christmas Eve! I am pretty desperate to get this second one done, but no way can I fit it in on Christmas Eve. So I have not taken it up - partly because their phone was engaged each time I tried to call.
New Years Eve would have been fine, family would have all returned home, and nothing in the diary (other than a dentists appt) in the following week, but it will probably be another x number of months before the next appt is available. Hey Ho!
People who make mince pies are surely guaranteed a spot in Heaven, where they will be in great demand, along with the buttery bakers.
AMEN, BROTHER, PREACH IT LOUD!!!!
It's a bright still morning here and I have a Christmas agenda this weekend - sorting out my random pile of wrapping paper (both birthday and Christmas, and silly little bits I've kept "in case"), writing the cards, wrapping the presents that need to be posted to Nenlet2 and his husband, and getting the decorations up.
Yesterday I had lunch with some friends, an early Christmas/birthday celebration, and came home to find I'd received my bus pass in the post, so I am now officially An Old Person
Mr Nen has informed me that he recently joined a Facebook group for Damp And Condensation Advice. We do not have damp or condensation issues chez Nen. He clearly needs to get out more.
On a more positive note, in town this morning I had my bathroom scales fixed at the repair cafe and I picked up small gifts of brain teaser type boxed games for the adult grandchildren so I have something to hand over as well as vouchers.
Indeed 😊
An excellent idea.
Another balmy day in Arkland the Sun-Shiny, though the Sun is now sinking unromantically behind the road and rail bridges. It's been fine and mild enough for me to spend some S & Q time in the Wheelhouse, and They say we shall enjoy another similar day tomorrow.
This will no doubt be good for Our Place's 'CHRISTmass' Carol Service and 'CHRISTmass' Fayre/Fair/Market/Bazaar/Bizarre in the afternoon. I hope so, given the amount of Hard Work put in by FatherInCharge and a small team of faithful volunteers.
I hate stuff like this.