General Chat

Stranger in your midst, except for those with good memories/ Yes, folks, I'm still in the land of the living although approaching my 90th birthday in July. Carmel was 93 last month and although she has a lot of health and mobility problems, all her vitals are non life threatening so she may beat me yet. I am still writing my poems as you can see here and sine 2021 have written getting on for 500. Lots of tales regarding that claim to fame but I don't want to bore you all. I have tried posting one below although it won't be the illustrated version that appears on my Facebook pages. I thought it was appropriate for my brief appearance this morning. I do think of you all and still keep my Genes subs open as I often refer to my family tree for all sorts of reasons. It's nice to see familiar names still on here and I wish you all well.

A FRIEND COMES TO CALL

When a friend comes to call,
That’s one of the best times of all,
Seeing their friendly face,
Your heart picks up a pace.

If you’ve not seen them for a while,
Their visits have not been in style,
All the better to see them once more,
As they again come to your door.

There’s a smile you know so well,
As gladly you answer the door bell,
You hug and you greet in the hall,
You’re now feeling ten feet tall.

You settle in easy chairs,
You in yours, they in theirs,
The chat begins to flow,
You’ve missed each other so.

There’s time for a cup of tea,
With the friend you’re so glad to see,
There’s so much news to share,
As you both show how you care.

Your friendships shared once again.
It’s part of your memory lane,
You’ve known each for years,
Shared the laughter and tears.

The visit is a precious gem,
Gladly shared with just them,
As if you both share communion,
At this much treasured reunion.

But time will pass you both know,
Until its time for them to go,
Your meeting has gone all too fast,
It’s their time to go at last.

There’s always a next time in view,
To be shared by just you two,
You hope it wont be too long,
Until again they come along.

There, now you know what I get up to. Friends are so special, no matter if you've met in real life a lot. Even these poems have made new friends for me and are read from Australia to Canada, from Ireland to Russia. It's a pity doesn't read some of the Remembrance ones that I've written for November 11th, I write a new one each year and more even. Like others my age, I served in the armed forces and like to pay my respects to those who never made it back home.
I'm off now, I'll look in again. My best wishes to you all and hope you are all well and healthy. What a pity we can't share photos etc on here.

I've been so busy today so I've only just sat down properly.

I hope no one's been in your potting shed Mel. It's not nice thinking someone might be in your garden.

I had a shock this morning. Last night the police helicopter was flying round and round our close, I was even watching it wondering what was going on. Anyway this morning when OH came home from his night shift he told me two of the fence panels had been broken between us and next door right outside our bedroom window. So now I know why the police were around, we had an intruder in the garden.

Poor OH told me I should of rang him at work and he would of come home, but I didn't know there was anyone outside. I must admit I was a bit shaky when I realised what had happened this morning and that I was here all night on my own.

To be honest I'm glad I didn't ring OH with knife crime the way it is nowadays, you never know what he might have walked into. He told our neighbour, she said she was watching the police from the front so hadn't noticed anyone in her garden at the back. I was watching from the back kitchen and couldn't see the corner of our garden from there, where the intruder was. So no one knew what had happened until we saw the damaged fences today.

I see your OH has got a date for his MRI Ann, I hope all goes well and he can make an appointment quickly for the results. OH's got his MRI this Sunday but no doubt he'll have to wait weeks for his results. It normally takes about two to three weeks for them to ring him. I see you both had new seats to sit on and had a lovely meal, I hope the seats were better than the last ones.

It sounds like you've had a bit of a day today AnnG with your wi-fi and thinking you were having your outside jobs done. At least Jake has given you a date now and has offered to take all your rubbish away plus anymore you may need to get rid of from elsewhere.

Shame you couldn't do your outside jobs Mandy with the rain, hopefully it'll be dry soon and a bit warmer so you can get the front fence painted. Yes, Sandra is still in her flat with her boyfriend and is very happy.

What a lovely man helping you and OH with your phones Vera and then to go the extra mile helping you further with how to speak to someone quicker. There's nothing worse than being on hold for ages is there.

Going to get a cuppa now then get ready for bed.

Today’s temperature has been a bit of a shock to the system. There were just a few little rays of sunshine this afternoon and that north wind has been bitter. I think it’s supposed to be down in minus figures again tonight so the fleece is back over my pots of agapanthus.

I hope no-one has been in your shed Mel. Is it likely? Would many people know it’s there? Perhaps bil has been up there.

Annx, it’s good that G’s MRI scan is soon. I hope he can get the results quickly. Your lunch sounded yummy, though I would have passed on the garlic mushrooms. Garlic’s fine but I’m not at all keen on mushrooms. Great that the chairs had been reupholstered too. I hope they were more comfortable. You mentioned cleaning windows. That’s one of the jobs I’m working my way through in the conservatory. I wasn’t free to do anything out there till around 3 pm but I managed to tackle 2 more, washing all the paintwork round them and cleaning the windows. Of course, conservatories are nearly all glass so I still have a lot to do. I use warm water, a good slurp of vinegar and the tiniest drop of washing up liquid and wash over the window with this, then I wipe it over with one of those e-cloths designed for glass. They dry beautifully without any smears. It’s a good idea to take one or two bits at a time to the tip if you can. It wouldn’t work for us as our tip is on the road to nowhere so we never drive past it to drop a couple of bits off and we also have to make an appointment at our tips. We find it best to put everything to go to the tip in the garage till there is enough to fill the car and then make our appointment.

You and Jake did get your wires crossed, didn’t you AnnG but it’s good he can get all the jobs done for you.

It’s a shame that you couldn’t get your front fence painted Mandy but even if it’s dry I think you would have frozen out there today. I’d wait for warmer weather if I were you.

OH has had a bit of trouble sending and receiving texts lately so yesterday he rang EE and was on the phone to a lady there for ages. In the end she said it might be a fault on his phone (it wasn’t!) and we would need to go into an EE shop. She mentioned where some of their stores were and we decided to go to Colchester. A lovely young man soon sorted out OH’s phone, did something on mine for me and told us that he thought our broadband charges were a bit high and suggested we rang and asked them for a better deal. He also told us which options to press when the recorded voice the other end gave us a menu and how to get through quickly to the department that would be able to help us best. He also told us that there is a BT/EE van that comes to our town once a week so if we have future problems we won’t have to drive all the way to Colchester.

I’ve always got plenty more to say but I think I’ve rambled on for long enough. Sleep well tonight everyone.

That was a treat to have the chairs reupholstered but were they more comfy? The meal sounded nice and I would have enjoyed that.

Anng funny thing you said about having a small kincker boker glory as I was only thinking of those the other day. You don't see them much on menus now. I used to make them sometimes too.

Well I did'nt get as much done today as I was planning to do so I had a walk up to the potting sheds and went in and the wind we had a couple of weeks ago had blown leaves and thing about in there. I had a look at the leccy meter on the outside and its been the same reading for years now as I don't go up there and never turn anything on in there but the meter had a different reading on it and I have just paid the bill too. I shall have to ask BIL if he's been in there otherwise someone else has been in there and had a nosy about. I don't like to think someones been around poking their nose in and possible taken things.

Ann that was a nice lunch you had I could have eaten all that ,maybe they had a few complaints about the seating so it was good you had a comfy seat this time and a bigger table this time too .
They were French Marigold Naughty Margarita that I bought ,I had a few last year but not many and several didn't come up so it must have been old seed so it was time for some new, I like them as they don't seem to mind the full sun and they are easy to just snap the flowers off to dead head

Anng that a good chance to have a good clear out if Jake can take it all away for you .

It's really cold here and been raining off and on all afternoon, don't think it's going to be much better tomorrow.

Lol my inside windows badly need doing it really makes my arm ache these days.

I mentioned the windows earlier AnnG! lol. They hadn't been done since before christmas and it was just the one room with me standing on a small stool to reach. Taller people are so lucky being able to reach things. I used a battery Karcher thing after wiping with a bit of soap on a cloth and it was quick to do.

Glad you enjoyed lunch, it sounded nice. I did have a sweet when we went out for lunch last week but it was a mini knicker bocker glory about a third the size of a normal one and just right.

I have pottered a bit but too cold out there really. I just need to spend time retrieving everything that I want to keep when they load up wore waste disposal. Jake has said that they will take anything I want to get rid of so that is good. they think the work could take up to 3 days. I can see problems finding days after Monday when we are both free.

Aah, showing off now, I noticed a mention of cleaning windows there!!!

We found it bitterly cold when we went out too. I couldn't believe my eyes when we got there as the chairs appeared to have had a lot of the seats reupholstered. Also the girl put us on a table for four so we had space for all the dishes. We both ordered the same, a skewer of chicken breast pieces wrapped in a little parma ham and roasted in the oven, a dish of roasted thin slices of vegetables including onion, parsnip, courgette, carrot, peppers and sweet potato and a dish of garlic mushrooms. OH decided he wanted garlic bread too, which I didn't think he'd manage as well, but neither of us could manage to eat everything, but it was nicely cooked and very tasty. No question of wanting any pud, neither of us are used to eating as much now. There were only two other couples there by the time we left, yet other years they have had parties arrive and were busy by the time we have gone. We popped to the shop on the way back and OH is having a rest now and reading his paper.

You both seem to be having one of those days of setbacks Mel and AnnG. Hopefully there won't be any more today..

Mandy I have decided to get some Marigold seeds this year. I want some short ones with single flowers, as in the pandemic those really attracted the orange butterflies. I'm still debating whether to keep my greenhouse when we revamp the back garden or to get a smaller one or use the plastic ones like yours that you can take down in the winter. The hotter summers we get mean more can be grown outside in tubs or pots anyway.

Mel it was good to get some casting done while you were in the mood! The cobwebs are back again aren't they and I swept some off the light fitting in the bedroom this morning and off the curtain pole when I was cleaning the windows.

Better get on with measuring and checking the ensuite drawing now! The new catalogue will be out next month and that's sure to mean prices will go up so I want the order to go in before then. :-)

Yes it was a bit aggravating and then wifi went down which meant not only no garden jobs but no working on the internet either. so I turned it all off and went and had a coffee and when I came back it was all OK again. sometimes I hate technology when it seems to be working against me.
the sun is shining here but it is still very cold outside and my hands are cold indoors.

so with faffing around with the Wifi which caused problems with google which then wanted me to sign in and then refused my password which I knew was correct, went round in circles there as well before it all came back on so I suspect it was all connected.

So nothing much done here today.

What a nuisance Jake was'nt starting today and now you have to wait till Monday. We make our plans and they always seem to get put back a few days.

You know I said Ade was coming tomorrow? well he turned up today. I went up the orchard and asked him what day it was and he said Tuesday, I said it was supposed to be Wednesday by the message I recieved this morning at 6.50am. He told me Lorna had sent the message last night!!! I know they have had trouble with their phones but thats rediculas 18 hurs for a message to get through. Anyway he cleared the rest of the wood out of the orchard and then went and did something outside the wall on the other tree oh had put out there 2 years ago.

Then the shopping arrived really early just as I had mixed up some plaster and I had to give him the box and rush back before it went off. Just managed to do it and went back to the door to say thank you and goodbye to the driver. There were no subs today which was good. Put it all away but never managed to have time to clean the fridge out before it all arrived so still have that to do.

Meantime the sun came out and its quite a lovely day but bitterly cold out. I will send it your way Mandy.

Good the appointment came through quickly and do have a lovely meal out and I hope you find some comfy chairs so you can enjoy your birthday meal.

Right better get some more moulds in as I am feeling like casting and I can put some in and then hoover. I also need to go round with the cobweb brush.

That's annoying it started raining just as you were all set to go out Mandy. Still there's always something needing doing inside as well.

I have hoovered and mopped the ensuite and bathroom floors and cleaned the inside of the patio door glass and lounge window and the glass splashback at the back of the cooker. I've also done a wash so that's those jobs done. A shower next and when we get back from lunch I can sit and check the measurements for the ensuite plan I did and decide on the flooring and walls. I might do a bit outside as well if I'm not too full! :-)

That's a shame Jake won't be starting today AnnG, but at least you've agreed a date when he can start. We have a lot of 'might come in handy' stuff in the shed to get rid of. Our tip is only a mile away, so I've suggested each time we travel that way (it's on the way to the surgery) we just take a couple of items that won't be heavy for either me or us to carry (thinking of his back!) and drop them off there or at the charity shop.

Well, slightly crossed wires today Jake is never clear when he says he is coming. He did get here just on 9am but actually it was just to check out all the jobs to do so that he could go away and do a quote. And they have another job today, he wanted to come either Wednesday or Thursday but I am out so he is coming next Monday now. I think it will take more than a day but we will see. He was quite happy with all the jobs and as usual managed to add another one to the list :-D Hopefully when he clears all the rubbish that T accumulated down the side of the house (the 'might come in useful' stuff, and they have made two new gates it will look a lot smarter down there. It is a tip at the moment.

enjoy your meal out Ann. good that the appointment has come through.

When I was walking round the garden with Jake it was bitterly cold but the sun is coming up now and hopefully it will soon feel warmer.

Well that put pay to our going out in the garden as its raining and we didn't realise it was so cold again so it's indoor jobs .

Ann enjoy your birthday meals out today and I hope you can find the comfy seats lol

Morning All,

We slept well last night and I was awake just before the bin lorry arrived just before 7.00am.

OH was texted with his MRI appointment as promised and which will be next week, so that is quicker than we expected. It is at the private hospital too so easy to park free of charge near the entrance. They must have their own scanner, which we didn't realise. OH is ringing them today to see if he can prebook an appointment with the consultant the following Wednesday for the results.

Today we are going out to the Italian place with uncomfy seats we sometimes go to for our birthdays! We'll be early so we can do some seat swapping and there are some good options on the menu!

I hope Jake can get some of those jobs on your list done AnnG. The sun is coming out here and I ought to see if I can do a few minutes weeding or pruning.

I like to wipe the fridge out while it's got less in before a delivery too Mel. We can't get the twin lamb shank packs from them anymore which is a nuisance and they seem to have gradually have stopped stocking other things we liked too. It's the same with our Co-op who are stocking more and more curry and spicy foods as well as burgers. I suppose the shift in population and also young people's tastes are the reason. It will be good for you to get the rest of the tree taken away.

Better get on with some jobs now I am less of a zombie today. :-)

Morning all,

Nice bright morning here the suns out so we're hoping it keeps dry as we want to paint the front fence .

Ann hope you and OH had a better night's sleep .

Better get on just having a cuppa then we'll get sorted to go outside.

I had'nt read yesterdays posts and see our Gill is back. So nice to see you posting again and so sorry hubby has been unwell. Hope the MRI goes ok and he can have the op as soon as possible. It seems to me that we are all wearing outt on this thread.

Anng I am sure your Robin will stay on its nest as when we had one in oh's workshop years ago he was in and out all the time and the Robins did'nt mind at all. Hope that Jake can get some of your jobs done off your list.

Shopping comes today so I need to clean the fridge out before it arrives.

Morning Anng and all,

Cloudy skies and 6 degrees here pc says cold outside feels like -3. Needless to say iv'e not been out yet.

I had a message this morning at 6.55am to say that Ade is coming tomorrow to take the rest of the tree away. I had been up for the loo and was just laying there and thought it must be asda as they soemtimes message me at about 7 am.

good morning all. a bit chilly this morning at 4 degrees but so far dry. Hoping it stays that way as I have Jake coming this morning. Not sure if he is just seeing what needs doing or intending to start on the list. so I have to be prepared to 'go with the flow'.

Evening all,

Welcome back Gill lovely to see you posting again ,sorry to read about your OH having cancer ,it's good it was caught quickly and that he can have an op all the best to him.
You have still been busy in the garden and bungalow and have lots more to do but once its done you'll be able to sit back and enjoy all your hard work.
How is Sandra ?is she still in her flat with her boyfriend .

Best wishes to OH Ann I hope he's managed to enjoy his day after a bad night .
I bet he found a good book in the bookshop to add to his book shelf :-D

We went to Roys this morning as they had greenhouses on offer and we wanted to get another one as the zip was sticking a bit on the old one and a connection had split too .
We also got some wet and forget,weed and feed some paint for the front fence and two packets of seeds ,Tumbling Tom tomato seed and some of those little marigold seed .
Right I'm posting this now as I just typed this all out before and it just went