5 OS pleasures in your day today - part 3

DigForVictory

Forgive me? Late even by my haphazard posting, but RL can be very unforgiving at times & oh Gods this heat leaves me near witless.

OS Pleasures recently

Curled up with Cadfael, contemplating making a reverence & thinking for the female, a curtsey, but for the male? It’s almost as baffling as “making a leg”. About which Reddit is startlingly vociferous but that’s thanks to some entertainment.

Chives long & tall with seed heads in bud were growing in a crack in the path. I tried to dig out the roots - less than a centimetre but potted & watered & I am now scrubbed clean again & hoping they’ll survive. [Kinda sorta - sis tucked them in to find a wood pigeon uprooted them, but in this heat the seed heads are opening, so all being well she’ll have chives Anyway next year]

Aw Youngest uses a hair drier to try to avoid the Tintin tuft.

He’s run out of time to cook, so mum will be eating my cuisine. At least one meal of pizza then, and (since the rice cooker has its instructions packed in it), a curry. I’ll have to look up shepherds pie, a weaving museum colleague adds an egg to the mashed potato. Not sure how that might reheat from frozen, so may experiment at home on sons…

Driving south & becoming aware of it getting hotter!

I love arriving at mum’s. Everyone’s in bed, so I sneak in & when mum peeks in to see if I’ve arrived, there I am in bed. “How did you get in without me seeing you?” (Other than you were asleep with your door shut & hearing aids out?) “very quietly” - she roared with laughter!

My uncle’s memoirs entertained mum right up until the last page when he described her as “in full time care”. She is, but not the sort of full time care that phrase traditionally means. She’s puttering around her home & garden of near sixty years, seeing friends, enduring the bickering of her daughters, generally getting on - that she has a resident carer in case is as much a thing as missing her husband of fifty something years.

I was dryly amused to see that in a page of alas departed both my father & my husband were in the same paragraph but my firstborn not mentioned. I suppose with a ruckus of grandchildren, a great nephew is less visible.

Mum out refilling the bird feeders led me into early morning coolth (blissful) & there was the rosemary bush in full bloom so I took a snap & shared it with the family (including our aunt Rosemary who’s birthday was days ago).

Mum got up to get butter but was distracted by chocolate. The cunning plan to feed her up working, as she’s eaten both.

Driving past a horse chestnut, mum crooned “candles out for Easter”.

Trimmed sister’s hair, she has it hauled back & plural bobbles so it had a hard kink where I wanted it smooth. I dunked the ponytail in a pint pot & brushed it wet & flat & trimmed it then braided it for her. Everyone happy!

I’ve had to look up “chipotle” as other than knowing it’s an exotic ingredient, I was ignorant. “Chorizo” has greater exposure but was also a query (mum puttering through Good Housekeeping - the vocabulary far more serene!) Spoke too soon, “dystopia” (Margaret Atwood article.)

Watching mum happily tear into a chocolate hazelnut croissant is a splendid pleasure & relatively MS….

Crooned over beautiful baby girl (only 3 weeks!) fast asleep & discovered she was out with her foster family - crooned even further as they’re Remarkable.

Carer grinned as I staggered in bag of groceries in one hand, bunches of flowers in the other & I shrugged “got to remind mum she’s still loved, even when we’re not here”.

Think one of the best things I did with the internet was introduce mum to online jigsaw puzzles. She has so much fun!

How come the cat is such a feline flitterwit? There’s a warm soft bed with a drowsy & cooperative human & the cat’s bouncing downstairs….

It’s a long drive leaving mum behind, it’s heavy lugging groceries whilst Youngest is on campus studying, but at least the crazy heat has eased a bit.

According to the subtitles, the temperature will be 8-9 in naughty Scotland on Sunday & I’m just giggling. Then scowling at the cold start to the bank holiday Monday! How am I to persuade seeds it’s spring, below 10°C?! Still, midsis’ herb assortment should be getting the idea - where that hedge was is now a bark-chipping-topped sun trap…

Oh gods, sis inviting sis “let me show you a good time” meaning for a meal in thanks for laundry not the other meaning I’ve heard…

Watching “North by Northwest” with Youngest & grinning at “That’s a proposal, sweetie” - nope, cavers code of conduct no proposals or propositions while you are or might be lifelining someone. (The journey home, all bets are off.)

My own bed! (Hey, the simple pleasures can have serious zing...)

Middleson (now planning a shed you could nearly park a bus in) has come for tools etc. Listening to him picking out a hammer from the trolley (yes we do have that many) “for knocking concrete off flags” (so not the hide or really nice ones but still.) good to hear a happy chap even if ”dear Lord so many screws” “huh! Baby ones!” (hand vices) “ooh I’d forgotten about me brew!”…

The whoop of joy at the discovery of a tin of Garryflex blocks (used for rust removal). A happy chap. He’s even found a book as well as a dvd on care & usage of the Tormek sharpener & is taking the book as his laptop hasn’t got a dvd player.

He thinks there may be money in the army surplus pay safe. And is off like a happy squirrel to find the keyring & the key. I reckon if it has any money in there, I will be most surprised. (That or Youngest has taken up pragmatic prepping in a whole new direction for him.) [Just paint thinners, blasted inflammable.] {He has No idea what a RADAR key looks like. And got laughed at again as he presumed big meant old.}

I had intended to wash my hair but the gardening saw me come second to a patch if nettles & my fingers are still tingling. I shall leave my scalp in peace & try again tomorrow.

Checked my work email - the Wednesday trip has a special dress code so left messages for colleague & manager. I really must get my powers of attorney signed & witnessed. [Visit done. Gods, I need better insoles.] The Friday visit is off - frankly oh good. I’m tired.

Wryly amused at “don’t buy washing up liquid!” it’s bad for the planet (but get the branded refill in recyclable tub).

Introduced to “cut bitterleaf” which apparently is an African vegetable that cooks into a nutritious black soup & I think Scout Halloween/world badge just got easier. Obviously it’s Good for you - the lad selling it in frozen packets was a strapping hulk, with a glorious amused smile at my short round curious self. Google even claims the Spartans ate it, but I’m not sure of their source for that. Mind you, if a Spartan ma said “eat it up”, I think the intelligent youths would obey… 

Report written, photos labelled, almost covered in virtue. Unusual & pleasant feeling, amplified by getting out if Manchester before the football enthusiasts got in. (No reflection on the followers of either team but that many extra cars just causes mayhem.)

Colleague’s son went on his first date a couple of days ago, all well & happy, & me delighted for all but suddenly realising my lads lack a father to cheer them on.

Excellent yoga class. Spent some time eyeball to kneecap & managed to hold plank for a wheeze twice!

The barbecue grill camping table has been collected for return. Better it goes to someone who is living that life. In time for summer.

Bed stripped & remade fresh, and the heaped linen taken to wash & line dry in the sunlight. The pleasure in the anticipation, in the texture, in the centuries of rightness (well, history is my drug of choice). [Another time I’ll bring my bedlinen in myself. Despite the height advantage, the young lout dumped it in the trug & It (of course) Creased Vilely. I have tried to smooth it and pleat it but grrr.]

Tracked my way down four flights of stairs with my eyes shut, using the tactile cues on the handrail. Remarkably effective even if I did go slower to give myself time to read the info & process before I stepped. I don’t anticipate blindness, but I’d like to know what I can work with.

Middleson chirping over angle grinders “it’s a baby angle grinder!” & I am blinking at “an angle grinder - to be used on babies? By children?” (It is small compared to the others, ahem.) He’s taken the (never used) largest & a medium one off, with cutting discs & I am trying to be pleased the tools will be used. He brought a box of Belgian waffles from Costco - and to my amazement, we All thought them a bit sweet! [Youngest diligently running down the stock, helped by the fact they’re all individually wrapped.]

Ah, pegging laundry into breezy sunlight. Almost worth stepping back to check it hangs & trip on the shavehorse & land in a heap of slats & broken wooden legs. Oops. Not my legs broken, & a son paged to come help fix it. He uses the wheelbarrow as a garden chair, I like the shave horse.

Eeep, this heat. Much hurtling in hot car, standing around chaperoning colleague who did excellently & now sprawled by thick cool stone wall, thanking various deities.

Put a slightly cheeky bid on some bedlinen but vendor has it timed to end Sunday afternoon, doubt I’ll last the course. Can you “convert” a fitted sheet into a flat sheet if you fill in the corner gaps with pillowcase?

Read something about the Mission Impossible films being as alluring as they are as they’re office politics in heightened storytelling. Thought they might have a point but if any of my colleagues start unpeeling faces, I will strike them from the tea club.

“There’s enough light! a bat could see!” Youngest has Views…

Alas I gather fellow forumite Fuddle has died - rescquiescat, dear lady & may we meet again.

“My dictionary people will beat up your dictionary people” “they’ll try & lose - quality will out” - the bedtime chatter is a bit odd chez Dig.

Manager & I sat comparing computer data & agreed I need to take some leave in the next 8 weeks. She’s wonderful. Even insisted I take either this or next Friday to celebrate the king’s birthday - and firmly rearranged two meetings to make it happen! I am hugely fortunate in my management chain - they carry the weight & shield me from most of the loftier echelons’ bright ideas…

Cheering colleagues on as they work to gather financial data & then huzzahs extended to their chaps for having the kettle boiled. 

My lovely sons hear that I am to be taken to a police station with complete equanimity. (So I should hope, I fetched them from a not that local one when they went there with scouts.)

Youngest has cooked beef stew & it tastes every bit as good as his father used to make. I am hugely blessed.

Rummaging for insoles, I found a pair of plimsolls not used in years lined with Scholls finest. Today’s work footwear now upgraded!

Not heard radio one extra before - I’m not its target demographic, but it’s perfectly acceptable. (Colleague driving.)

Towed watering cans around various pots, weeded the baby oaks & the Forsythe with bay cuttings & upended a bucket over the currant at the front. Ought to lug a bucket per baby fruit tree but the garden is uphill… (Oh, Youngest? I think, he’s right, I do land him with the chores.)

Seems nasturtiums want temperatures of 15-18°C to germinate?! As it happens, this will occur, but yikes… Still, as I contemplate whimpering, I can cheer the germination process on. (Planning to swap in a nasturtium seedling for every dandelion I haul out.]

Pope’s Inauguration Mass includes lots of meaningful costume. It reminds me of a huge wedding. (So many guests, all turned out, let alone the visible & less-visible guards.) I wish him & all of faith well.

Middleson was due to come over but it was a works do last night & he’s feeling “a bit delicate” - urged him to rehydrate & rest. He’ll outgrow keeping up some day but they’re pedalling coast to coast next week & that may have been a factor.

Local supermarket cook who makes (delicious) pizzas happily sharing the excitement of forthcoming fortnight in Bulgaria with the family. Levs for currency, which I initially misheard….

Sis who had mastectomy heard they found a stage 2 tumour hiding behind the DCIS & is radiant that surgery early enough to spare her further hassle. (Well, so we hope.)

Shocked to hear Biden has cancer, and again to read that it is expected he will use this to further his legacy. 

Went to paint a chess piece for our weaving museum. Got a circuit of splodgy green & yellow (organiser’s six year old advised the yellow & was bang on!), started dabbing on some (appalling) sheep & our chair (former art teacher) arrived, squinted at the curves of a 18” pawn, began sketching ideas in acrylics & muttering darkly as she absolutely failed to meet her own standards (whilst my cheerful toddler level grass had equally toddler grade sheep) and yet within 2 hours had a recognisable building & 18 windows (& further mullions) several local landmarks as they would have looked 150 years ago & mill chimneys. I’m in awe!

Ah, grief-knitting. There are several balls of Wool blends that belong with nothing else that are slowly being turned into curly strips (I did try blocking, the nylon won out.) It continues to be restful and infuriating.

Laundry on the line & me hoping it’ll be warm enough to dry while I Scout. If not, it’ll have to go out again tomorrow & after that I’ve troubles! [It went, it dried, it is now tenderly shelved & the rest of the laundry can take its chances in turn.]

“Corned beef hush” a new & intriguing meal after the hash I love! Pure comfort food. Youngest happily pottering & I counting my blessings.

O my Scouts! Leaping around on the grass like young lambs. Their grip on the theory of healthy eating & exercise is delightful, even if they’re honest enough to prefix that with “it should be”….

I was grousing over wedding guest dress shopping when “I always have fun wearing dresses” piped up Youngest, & sent m on my way giggling. Found a charity shop frock, even if not quite the high end "semi-formal garden party" (!) suggests. I can credibly claim to have tried!

Health strength love & courage to all, & please kindly gods let it rain soon. Even if I do have laundry out. Even if I have hopes of nasturtiums.

ampersand

Again in big Town of Gown library after bus pass travel earlier.  Counts as an osp really.
No blutty autocorrect- not as an osprey.😁
#
1. Tremendous help from Town of Gown NatWest's A yesterday to block any attempts by former Doblo insurer to extract & £s at midnight on Sunday.  She has put a marker on anything incoming by them, to send an automatic complaint in my behalf.
2.  Chilly again today despite sun. Layers definitely necessary as it's looking greyer outside as we speak.  &'s wearing her new 10p trousers.
3. This was an 'Oh! my goodness' read just now:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy8nk279ydyo
4. M, wife of Alma patron D and Mum of 2 littlies, has completed the Yorkshire 3-Peaks Challenge(for Romsey Mill, Lainey)and a few & £s are there.
A tough and brilliant achievement.
5. Again feeling grateful for all care from BROH, meaning much walking, ALL walking, is possible.
#
Enjoy whatever your weekend brings, everybody.
Hopefully not your tomato seedlings snipped and levelled to nothing overnight, despite slug pellets etc.
Any ideas anyone?
Stalk's just visible nearly halfway down rhs of pic.😬

weenancyinAmerica

I use a segment of a large plastic bottle around each of the tomato seedlings to keep the slugs at bay. My sister likes the half-buried containers of beer - they fall in an drown. My neighbors prefer the loose chickens in the yard method.

Frith

Smaller son left a bit of beer and I put about 1cm in a Gu ramekin. Next day I had caught 16 slugs! They're scything through my strawberries. 

Pleasures for today (Friday)

1) Not a bad sleep. 

2) Went to the coffee morning. One woman suddenly went into a rant about how Enoch Powell had some excellent ideas. WHY do people think everyone is a willing audience?! I did manage to make an excellent interjection but she didn't realise what I said. My other friend there couldn't speak for several minutes! 

3) Survived another shift. Most unpleasant. 

4) Travelling hopefully so bought an interview dress while I was at work! 20% off plus my Friday 15% staff discount. 

5) Used my new loppers (special offer and 15% off) to do some lopping. 

6) Made toad in the hole for tea.

7) Watching Gardeners World now. 

8) Starting to organise my birthday party. Last Friday in June if anyone is passing...

mhagster

Good morning, think I’ve been remiss in posting.

Thursday and Friday were very similar in that I went to CP had a beautiful walk and then a lovely swim. 

And I came back and worked. 

Our rain started in the evening and has continued overnight, it’s most welcome. 

Had a drizzly dog walk at 5am this morning.

LaineyT

For the last few days,

A morning catching up on chores helped along by a most interesting podcast on nutrition.

Taking a moment to sit on the back doorstep with a restorative cuppa.

Chive flowers on my lunchtime salad, not too many as the bees enjoy them as well.

A tense evening in our house but at last the final whistle blew and Spurs had won the European Cup, how good has this season been with different teams winning the trophies.

The yard sent a video through of girlie kicking her treat ball around the field.

Long chat with my bf.

The goldfinches are one of the smallest birds in the garden but seem to eat the most food!

A new tyre arrived and was fitted to my wheelbarrow.

Trip into BuryStEds, picked up some new undies and then saw that the Marine Condiment shop had an offer on their dresses, I’ve been looking for a replacement linen dress for some time and was pleased to find one. Not exactly MSE but welcome all the same.

Afternoon at the yard and spending time with the beautiful grey one. Stroking her nose with her head heavy on my shoulder and her eyes half closed.

As always the evening was the nicest part of the day, dared to hold off watering with rain forecasted overnight but a potter around the garden and some deadheading done.

The first Pimms of the year, rude not to!

Happycas

Good afternoon. Summer has gone😔 but the rain has freshened the garden so that's good

Lately

Went to the manicurist in the middle of nowhere.  It was one of those roads with signs like 'Oncoming Vehicles in the Middle of the Road '. And level crossings.  And funny little bridges over canals.  But I was very brave and got there, very proud of myself. She is lovely and my nails look so smart so it was all worth it.

Next day I went for my final post cataract check.  The optician decided he needed to put drops in to check behind my eye.  I'd originally intended to walk home ( it's not far) but DH had said he'd pick me up after he'd done some errands.  Good job too because I couldn't see a thing in the bright sunshine.  Anyway, all was well and my eyes settled down again so that's it for two years apart from picking up my new reading glasses in two weeks.

DD and DSiL back from Ibiza so we're going out for tea with them tomorrow to hear all about it.  Other than that, we'll stay home.  DH not a fan of Bank Holidays😂

Happy weekend everyone

mhagster

Hello from the land of much wet! Currently heavy rain though it’s been dry most of afternoon. Oh it’s so very welcome for the garden! 

Up early and out walking at 5am just us and the birds and just a wee bit drizzle. 

Nipped out to supermarket at 6.30am in my dog walking clothes 😆 glad there was hardly anyone around! 

Home and showered and hair washed and dried and clean clothes on!! That’s better! Went to garden centre with DD2 . We had our mouths shaped for a cheese scone and waited till they were ready and we both cut them open and went ‘oh!’ Not quite cooked in the middle! So when we said to waitress she was a bit dismissive and suggested microwaving them! Eh no thanks I’ll just have a refund! Our cheese scone shaped mouths were very disappointed! 

Bought a planter, a white lavender and a pair of gardening ‘crocs’ . 

And home and started painting 2 bedside tables. Cheap and cheerful . They were from DD2 ( and she had got them second hand 2 years ago ) paint was leftover from when I painted my table recently. Drawer knobs were lovely ceramic ones I had bought a few years ago. The drawers they were on had broken ( my office drawer) and plonked the new to me pretty lamps from charity shop yesterday on top! So I’m happy with them! 

And that was about it really. Would paint , watch something, paint, planted up planter, paint! 

Had a wee snoozette.

Chat to friend on phone. 

And just enjoying the sound of the rain! 

Three years since mum died today 💕

topsyturphy

Mhagster - sending hugs your way.

Pleasures for last few days

1. Lunch out with friends on Friday.
2. Went out with other friends for dinner on Wednesday.
3. Orzo & chicken 1 pot meal was delicious 
4. Plants doing well
5. walking the dog with friends and their dogs, good to chat.
6. Cuddles with little dog
7. DS2 helping a bit more round the house. 

mhagster

Up early and out for a rainy walk. 

Decided to tidy understair cupboard. Put 4 sets of shoes/boots on Vinted. All sold within an hour! Boots sold in 4 minutes!
Went to local food fayre at castle. 

Snoozette.
Popped over to friends.
Drove up to drop off parcels. 

Washing dried…been a showery day