5 OS pleasures in your day today - part 3

ampersand

Osps various, from outside a pizza express+1hr free ykw -

1. Aerial battle: 1 raptor vs 2 corvids+a piece of &'s grainy bread. Clever displacement tactics. Corvid 1 distracted raptor, so corvid 2 could fly low then high, up into trees and nest of sticks.

2. Very rtc emporium fish pie is 'lish. Began life at £4.99, & paid 90p.

3. & suggestion - 'Property Upkeep Services', please don't sign-write your van with only those 3 letters, each a metre high, close together and massively predominant!😁

4. Having spent an early hour taking in underarm seams on a bright orange and white summery cs dress, now being worn+cardie, it's been raining for most of the afternoon.😁 English summer, of course.

5. Wimbledon round ball happyland listening for &.🎾 Wunderkind Alcaraz perfectly tested by Estonian qualifier Layal, sporting an extraordinary coiffure - shaved sides and back of head, with a blond dreadlock topknot cluster!  Next,  Emma Raducanu was also well tested, by a late change of opponent!  Both these young players are only 21, both still learning their craft.  This needs to be remembered.  And 2nd seed Coco Gauff, in her 5th Wimbledon aged 20, has just breezed (largely) through!

Rain persistent now.  Yes, of course & watered everything this morning.😏
Bonne nuit!
#
Frith, your sailor dress and Mhags, your trousers - excellent finds.👌👏

DundeeDoll

1) the rain didn't start till I was on the bus (and at the hospital the stops descourge into a covered area
2) new member of staff started - he is lovely - he arrived from Saudi last night at 8:40, reported in at HR at 9:30 this morning, very impressive
3) pasta bean salad for lunch and I made enough for tomorrow too
4) gbf picked me up from work (to see unwell doggy then we took the other one for a long walk up Balgay which was lovely)
5) and he stayed for supper even if that meant I replayed the Engerland highlights (he's Welsh and a rugby fan but is trying hard with the blokey footie talk 🤣) 

LaineyT

Hope poorly pooch is feeling better soon DD

For yesterday,

Sigh, it’s Monday again, consolation of leftover smoked salmon & avocado on toast for breakfast.

An unexpected coffee and catch up with a friend when I met them in the emporium.

With my pony, bit of work done over poles then in-hand grazing and cloud watching.

Home and just in time to get the washing in before the rain come over, steady and soft as cobwebs as Pop would say.

Easy tea of baked mackerel with stir fry veg, we’ve had our beneficial fish oils today!

DigForVictory

All getting a bit out of hand....

Frith - happy belated birthday! Fend off those muntjacs. Nothing wrong with bottle greenhouses, until too small for plants. You are doing well in the summer frock hunt! I like leafleting - the postal stuff irritates me out of all proportion! MrM on wrong side of bomb threat, ulp. Harsh test of preparedness. Enjoy the count!

Highdays - grandson at Prom & you scheming more family breaks - awed! "a bit less than I was" sounds like progress to me! "Lots of washing line dried" - for this pleasure I put up with wicked heat!

Purple kitten - a steam fair that requires a chequebook sounds wonderfully civilised to me!

mhagster - even with the house stripped you can still use a washing line! Argh, bad dreams are just that, bad. You have spare lavender plants? Pottered around, despite. " not much else happened" - add one buyer & Boom! Linen is the business & hurrah donating voucher to one who Could use it, then clean sheets (Bliss!)

ampersand - glorious gallops! Any ooh, Spookymen, definitely music to vote to. "with tall boy ease" - oh yes! "munching thuggery" - and how. Blighters trying to scale my terracotta! Delighted tennis happyland listening even if alas no Andy unless with brother.

LaineyT - love your co-pilot! Aw baby rabbits - at Keele the elders were so unfussed by us students they carried on grazing on verges. I lack the patience for clafoutis, I eat cherries raw... I love "go faster creosote stripes"... "Edwardian villa" - wow. "in time to get the washing in" = a true pleasure!

DundeeDoll - huge congratulations on Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching! Fingers crossed for poorly dog. New staff land at 8:40 report to HR in less than an hour? Most impressive.

Suffolksue - delighted to see real life returning and friends recovering courage. 

OS pleasures recently

Hearing the cough of youngest & thinking he’s sensible enough not to go for a walk in the bucketing rain.

Oops, peeved the cook by being stuck in phone call & saw my food plonked on the floor like a dog bowl. Have been forgiven by both caller (call closed a bit abruptly) & cook!

Saw a bat in the twilight, jinking around, felt so privileged.

Fellow museum committee member has Views on waste & kindly gave me 5 clear plastic bags previously used to ship tablet computers in. I now have 5 inflated greenhouses over my citrus seedlings! Still another 55 to re-home, but imminent roofing works suggest a range of possible uses.

Another committee member is invited to a party, dress code ‘smart cocktail’ & I suggested reaching back to the roaring 20s, flapper, pearls, drop waist, handkerchief hem etc. Absolutely not my style but the research is amusing!

A satisfying class - the young are helping each other! I umpire rather more than I “teach”…

Longer than expected day at work in part as had left one meeting to hear useful & pertinent info from another & so “popped back” & obtained data. My phone minder was much amused by this ruthless “frugality” (not hauling colleagues over the Pennines on a repeat trip), but she understood I wanted the data so hard I could taste it! My poor trainee, who had left on a train thinking it was just bad luck to observe another ineffective meeting, thus missed the effective bit. All notes in assorted formats collated & uploaded for the benefit of our team.

Youngest son who had thought I was on my way home & had cooked, growled somewhat, but hugged me anyway familiar with my brand of crazy.

Middleson had planned to come & fetch his wardrobe - the lack of available parent to help lug has seen this postponed to the weekend. I foresee a local pal being charmed into some heavy lifting. (His house move so far taking over 6 months but it isn’t as if he’s sold this one.)

Wow, Youngest skipping this open day to check on Granny. I think I’ll book onto the August one to check what term dates are.

Discussing the lads’ proposed invasion of Italy (for cultural purposes) in the new year & I opined the Dig boys would have more fun without mother in tow “ouch, low self esteem mum - I mean you’re right, but hey” I’m laughing so hard I can barely walk.

Lady Mother engrossed in Good Housekeeping (knew there’s a reason I pay for a bank account) & has asked for an explanation of a “chip butty” - glee in a bite thinks I, but she has Views.

It is So Rewarding buying mum flowers. The carnations are colourful, cheap, cheerful & will give her something to rearrange as Every bud opens & the lilies (her choice) are also in elegant bud.

She’s enjoying the Waitrose magazine (my preferred price bracket, free) but was stumped by “kefir” & “halloumi”. Being over 85 means you can ask your children &/or grandchildren to explain things!

Coaching youngest in how to lock a door silently. These nifty PVC multipoint systems I learned in the 70s & he’s never met before!

I wonder if any of the royal households get up, breakfast, then have a nap before the Trooping. Mum’s enjoying it so much!

Stood in the kitchen I can hear birds chirping - the boiler vent comes out by a perch & so the avian conversation is literally piped in!

Reading the parish newsletter for the local colour & what colour! The crash & explosion of a truck on a local bypass, a walk admiring local nature, the proposed closure of the local pool where 12 schools take pupils to learn to swim (me included some decades past, no wonder the owners say it needs expensive repair & refit) & the local under 9 football coach pleading for new parents to join in the fun…

Lady mother happily scrunching away on tortilla chips. She loves the crunchy snacks & I’m not trespassing on the cook’s territory as he’s still asleep.

Got the job application in. Got the happy Eid message up. Can now take leave and walk away from work tech! Middleson in Corfu, think he had the better idea.

I’d never thought of pearls as unethical. Since I don’t have many & they’re inherited, I think I’ll continue my wearing but ensure they’re gifted on. Along with the bookcases of paper books. The perils of paper making, printing & binding are past, now to get as many hands on those books before they’re unreadable.

Youngest intrigued that I chortle at the death of Lincoln’s assassin by the authorities setting fire to the barn he was hiding in. Then bids me come help clip his hair.

Ah Ascot & wow 18 year old jockey Billy Loughnane winner!

“Thankyou for taking my call”?! This from the water board, advising me there’s a local leak & how to handle any brown water. I should be thanking her!

Middleson on holiday with work colleague in Corfu. Colleague texting me occasional photos - which are met with rapture. Son getting “have you tried?” & “send granny a postcard!” messages but still has bought me fresh kumquat for the seeds… 

 

Discounted photo shoot now happening tomorrow & I’m struggling with props (let alone the clothing!) Turning tearful over Tilleys, dear me. (Then shocked rigid over the unit cost. That fiver gets me One framed photo, the second will be £250 - shrewd of Venture to hide their pricing mechanism.)

“You shouldn’t sit sidesaddle on the floor.” I’ll sit as I choose! Bless him for thinking that was sidesaddle.

Glorious sunshine, so bed stripped & linen in the wash then on the line. (Remaking the bed I flipped a small first aid kit onto the bed and Didn’t Realise til I’d got in! Flipped it back beside the bed & conked out.)

Seasalt linen tunics - feel beautiful against the skin but do nothing for me “visually”. Hurrah the returns process is simple… now to find that length of linen & cobble myself a very slightly more ‘historically authentic’ garment. Just as useless in the office but fine for working from home. (Not at all authentic in that it’s a lovely cornflower blue, but it’ll be a Dig garment.) {Lays down shovel & ponders dowsing rods}

Eyed the sky darkening & remembered laundry on the line - all is safely gathered in!

If it doesn’t rain, I need to go water things. Pleasure is eyeing the met forecast & thinking no point in heaving watering can, splendid. [Very splendid, says she from under a duvet listening to the trickling.]

Rereading Terry Pratchett a life with footnotes & already chuckling. Which given that I know I’ll be sobbing at the end is impressive. [My lifespan includes Pratchett, David Bowie & the internet. Plus whatever the universe comes up with next. Amazing times.]

Noodling on Facebook (bad idea) & met the 'owlet smart sock'. Could see the appeal (just) but kept the baby Digs close enough to eyeball. If the sock software downloaded a report for the health visitor, I’d be more impressed.

Read the bloke’s bad day with the suit & am still chuckling a bit. Shame on me, kudos to him for using it to put bad days into perspective.

Lightly in touch with a godfather in case he wants to walk & talk when we’re south.

We bought Middleson a pizza. So did he. Youngest is happily off to cook it at 11.55pm whereas I had the last of the stew (yum!) by daylight. It works for us!

I have unleashed Technology on seeds. Let us see if science can mimic nature. [Truly I have left this file Too Long]

“If you’re happy & you know it stay in bed” Hm, a bit ‘for the weekend’ but fun. Tune’s an earworm…

I am so lucky - Middleson has brought me fresh fruit - whether I can mimic Corfiote temperatures I doubt but worth a try. [sliced, seeds! Now in hotbox alongside massive Hope.]

Bless the lad, he’s prodding my car with his gadgetry to see if he can get the rear wiper moving. I really am blessed!

Oh my scouts! We’ve three new scouts from another pack & they’ve been invested they just need the correct identity badges. So there was a slightly odd juxtaposition of “I’m going to eat you, starting with your eyeballs” & “Welcome to the TwentyThird”. That had a couple of my young leaders & I desperately trying to maintain the facade of benevolent tranquil approval Baden Powell would expect, over snorts of laughter. Another good evening…

I tried to cartwheel, something I have not done in decades. To no one's particular surprise, my right wrist was having none of it & I went down in a heap, but the County gymnast was wholly approving of my technique & the skill with which I fell gently. Bless them for leaving me some undeserved face!

A scout with neurodivergent issues, a young leader & I have bonded over the 50m tape measure. There’s something about how it winds up & unwinds that appeals to us in a way we can’t put into words, but saw us passing it around with a sort of decorous courtesy, recognising Each is Desperate to have another play.

Youngest off to heat the bolognese clutching a box of Corfiot “greek delight” - Turkish delight said to be kumquat flavour. (Pure sugar as far as my palate can tell, but I doubt I’ll get a chance to review the impression. Youngest had a low blood sugar tidying expression.)

Sis got a rocket from her boss today - along with the rest of the staff. They were given ice lollies at work as a thankyou for a hard day in the heat!

Family tree climbing adding 14 children & thinking I am just so glad to live in a time of functioning painkillers & antibiotics.

Youngest bemused by lumps of lemon & lime in ice cubes. (I was hoping for seeds, I’ll settle for exotic drinks!) What he’ll say to frozen borage I have no idea, but the flowers definitely look civilised!

Colleague chuckling with me how each of us sees the other as competent capable etc & yet each of us “use cardboard for a mirror”.

Trainee feedback startlingly positive! I may have been letting my love of the job & the fun of the tools show a bit. They have had me as trainer before, they know I can get a bit “yippee!” when things go right.

Youngest has cooked enchiladas without needing a reason. I am so darn lucky.

Shopping youngest added a gingerbread man as a “hostage” - it didn’t make it back to the car & there was a certain disapproval that I appear to know so much about kidnap etiquette… (Blame !!!!!! Francis!)

Photoshoot viewing ulp, but it turned out to be relatively easy to whittle it down, so I get that “nice photo for mum” taken by a pro but still recognisable as me (and, if you peer, also as daughter of my parents), sorted for a Christmas present. I may plead with youngest to get detail closeups & then borrow something long lensed to get a photo of me with scouts so I’m properly engrossed not eyeing a camera.

Weekend! Starting with repeated dropping back off to sleep!

Spider in bathroom emerged & stopped when it saw me. Pleasure in standoff but pleaded with Youngest to go take steps.

I do chuckle at laundry adverts that say they make things beautiful and then add “always keep away from children”. I’d rather be grubby & gurgling with the young than squeaky clean & hiding away.

The meters are read & the numbers submitted & I have fixed. Ah, relative tranquility.

Unlike the bird nesting in our roof whose chyup chyup chyup is so insistent I think they’re just cheeping to guide the other one in… (you take a turn with them, dear, I need a stretch..?)

Good day in the office, good to see people. Even got my leave sorted out, hurrah!

Middleson has come over with special tool to extract wiper connector which has jammed with dried screenwash. (Awed at the technical prowess & hugely relieved as he’s sparing me an expensive repair!) The tool will be returned to work tomorrow.

Mystery plant revealing itself as gooseberry.

Garden has raspberries & the start of currants, but also wicked bindweed.

Lemon seeds beginning to respond to heat mat!

Gradually peeling lightproof cardboard off Middleson’s door. (My indoor plant nursery now.)

"For a fistful of spinach" - Youngest's inflexion is clear that this is not going to worry the Tarantino enthusiasts.

The Ivory Coast mango has a shoot and is reaching up to sunlight!

Health, Strength Love & Courage to all as have need.

Frith

DfV - you've brought back a very clear memory of how we used to play with dad's metal retractable tape measures when we were younger. Of course there was the pull out, whizz back in game, but we also used to pull out about 10cm of metal tape, lock it and use them like walkie talkies! 

Pleasures for today (Tuesday)

1) Appalling night's sleep. Useful in that I was awake in plenty of time to contact the doctor. 

2) Listened to the Mark Steel's in Town about Malvern overnight. 

3) Well, there should be no taboo about this really, but the last few months have been odd. Sad, crying and tense replaced suddenly with raging anger then waking up in a pool of sweat then... hot flushes. Have you guessed what it is yet?! It took me long enough to work it out! I had a blood test 2 weeks or so ago, just to rule out anything else. That found a vitamin D deficiency and the anaemia that has persisted for about 20 years. 

This came to a head in repeated arguments with people (or repeated episodes of having to walk off and sit by myself). I still hadn't really accepted it. Cue another loss of temper yesterday, culminating in my telling MrM to "go away". The second time in my life I have ever directed any swearing at anyone. Luckily it was directed at the world's most laid back man. 

Anyway, I thought there would be a battle to be listened to on the phone to the doctor (standing in the middle of the lawn to get any reception). But no! A quick phone chat, some kind comments ("Your last alcoholic drink was 1997? Well done!") and the gubbins were waiting for me at the pharmacy. Another apology to MrM who is still fine and glad I spoke to a doctor. 

4) Delivered the final election leaflets. 2.5 mile walk which looked daft on Strava as I walked up so many driveways.

5) Went to floody town (for pharmacy) and had a cup of tea in the museum cafe.

6) Made smaller son a bacon sandwich and we had banana cake from yesterday.

7) Spoke to my neighbours at length. One is a retired policeman so informative about the naughty man locally. He probably won't get out on bail.

8) Mowed 1.5 lawns then got tired.

9) Meatballs for tea with hm sauce from the freezer.

10) Watched Netherlands v Romania earlier and I'm watching Turkey v Austria now. 

mhagster

Hello. It is blooming chilly here and I actually think if it was an evening in September I’d probably put the heating on…however it’s an evening in July so I’m absolutely not! Have just came to bed instead! 

Up early. Slept ( ha ) in spare room last night as bedding wasn’t quite dry enough. So I saw the most beautiful sunset which was a lovely way to fall asleep…however I didn’t wake up to the sunrise. 

Pup dropped off at 8.30am for an extra day! He was out for his big walk this afternoon. 

Well I managed to get two sofas! Hurrah! That will be delivered tomorrow ( at some point with a 30 minute prior arrival call) saw on charity shops FB page they’d had a new delivery and they looked nice in the photo. So gave them a call to ask them to hold ( they will hold for one hour only) quickly dried my hair and away into town I went. They are both very nice and clean and don’t smell! They were an affordable price for me, charity benefits and they are not brand new so a dog may go on them…just not with muddy paws! They will be for the lounge in the new house and I think I’ll probably use the other room more…if I ever get there…more deep sighing 😆

Anyway I was home within half an hour. 

Chat to sister.

From the F&V box I have eaten one apple, one pear, one nectarine, one orange, half an avocado and 2 tomatoes! And I gave 2 avocados ( because I don’t really love them) 2 bananas, a pear and a nectarine to friend. 

For lunch I had sourdough toast with tomato on one slice and boring avocado on the other. 

Out for tea tonight with friend. We went for a Chinese meal and I had veggie spring rolls and a chicken curry. And it was just the right amount of food. 

And it’s now pouring with rain again! 

DundeeDoll

oh goodness yes the steel tape measure.
hugs frith - vitamins and minerals can be tricky wotsits!
For today
1) doggy cuddles - he is not in any distress and still loves cuddles and he managed a small breakfast
2) lovely lovely gbf came round and sat with him and gave him water and loves
3) i had a super day at work - one of those days where i was in the right place at the right time several times - i am loving building up my team (though still haven't heard from the dean if the interim is to become the for real!)
4) gbf picked me up from work and we sorted the doggies - he walked well dog and ill dog had another small meal - two in one day and so far no chucking back up
5) due to giving doggie meds at 8pm late for footie but a good evening eventually with drm and mrg. got a free half of strongbow too. and ill doggie has been out and done a big wee. fingers crossed he has a good night. 

ampersand

&'s post has disappeared, but can't re-do at this stage of long day - up baking at 4 bells - long evening and have finally left meeting.
Will try again tomorrow at some point.
Bonne nuit.
It will be another hwb night for &.

LaineyT

For yesterday,

Rainy morning so popped some Ella on the Sonos and tackled the kitchen, I’ve a fair bit of wooden shelving containing various bits of much loved pottery & china and they have needed doing for some time. Took my time and everything was washed, carefully dried and put back.

Baked a loaf and smiled at Capt S sniffing with appreciation when he came home for lunch.

With my pony, she was in a funny mood and kinda offish so just gave her a quick brush before putting her out, after nearly 7 years together I’ve learnt to read the mood in the room!

Home and small dog was delighted to see Mum back a bit earlier, sat outside for a bit but cool out of the sun so popped an old episode of Morse on the tv and we both promptly fell asleep.

Tea was baked feta & roasted veg linguine, mmm. Watched the second half of the Austria / Turkey game and looks like Germany are getting the same summer as us.

VJsmum

Yet again, I have to creep in shamefacedly.

I've been to Glastonbury so Glasto-related pleasures

1. A new friend joined our gang.  Wonderfully gay and hilarious.  Described me as a 'wonderful, difficult woman'.  I'll take it!
2. Just being there on the farm.  I love it so much. It's 'my' place.
3. Of course the Acts - Coldplay, Keane, Paul Heaton, Lulu, Paloma Faith, London Grammar among many many others.  But this one was the surprise - Heilung

Heilung - Traust LIVE | LIFA Iotungard (youtube.com)

4. My lovely mini-camper.  So nice to sleep in a bed off the floor.
5. Oxfam festival volunteers - so friendly.