5 OS pleasures in your day today - part 3

LaineyT

For the last few days,

Work has really stepped up in the garden with much cutting back of nepeta and roses.

New green shoots on my chives, I’m very much a leave it and if it survives it survives kind of gardener but it’s always welcome to see things coming back.

We had one glorious, sunny and warm day that I made the most of, C dog spent all morning with me in the garden and lovely to see my dog holding her face up to the sun, often wonder what she makes of our English weather!

Washing dried on the line.

A set of new to me EB tea caddies.

A pony that came in more than a bit muddy but must have felt lovely to have the sun on her back.

Walking back through the gate and seeing the pot of cheery, colourful Polyanthus.

Washed out the birds feeders and topped them up.

Bid and won a marine condiment linen dress in red, I’ve had the equivalent in green for a good few years so pleased with my win.

Picked up my new pair of glasses, no more scratched lens!

Latest little free treat from emporium, a pack of sultana scones. Usually make my own but they weren’t bad.

mhagster

Up early and then it was a joy to watch daylight creep in this morning. I feel like I’m coming out of hibernation as the days stretch.

Washing hung out and I would say it was mostly dry when I brought it back in. Just felt a bit cold rather than damp but have popped it on the radiator to finish off.

Out with DD2 this morning. We had an appointment and then went to big town supermarket…bah on a Saturday! I really don’t like big big shops! But bought my first lavender of the season and a wee heater fro my caravan bedroom. My wall heater doesn’t seem to be working. So this should keep the chill off the room.

Popped into charity shop and I got a pair of cropped jeans. Was wearing cropped jeans today already…suns out and the ankles are bare!

And home.

Quiet afternoon with my doggy.

Friend had called for a chat.

Niece phoned so had a nice chat…she had been sitting out in her garden!

And I’m currently sitting with a thick pair of socks on and a pair of new heels…to try and stretch them a wee bit! They are a wee bit nippy so need them not to be!

A nice day.

villagelife

For yesterday

1. An early start and we had a walk round Wisley gardens. The blossom will look better in a weeks time but the magnolias were superb.
2. Did buy couple of things for garden- not too expensive.
3. Home and time sowing seeds in the garden.
4. Seeing photos of my Mum and sister with the baby.
5. Went to village panto. It was good and a few good people in it.

mhagster

Shall write whilst dinner’s a cooking! Guests should be here in 20 minutes or so. We are having slow cooked gammon joint, chicken, roast potatoes, carrots and parsnips. Broccoli and corn on the cob. Yorkies, pigs in blankets ( RTC a pre Christmas purchase) and using up the last of the cheese and some frozen lurking cauliflower to make cauliflower cheese! Some guests are bringing drinks and the others pud! Feels like an absolute age since I’ve cooked like this ( NYD probably) anyway it’s nice to set the table and no doubt lots of chatter and laughter to look forward to!

Was up early as usual this morning. A chilly start to a nice day. I feel like I start to thrive again in the light.

Had some bits and pieces to do this morning so did them!

And then I had a new family to go and visit at opposite end of town.
I shall start writing tomorrow…today I am thinking about how to best write it.

Hello doggy! He had just been left on his own for five minutes when I got home. DD2 had been here.

Quick Hoover with the new hoover!

And dinner on…smells nice!

Broomstick

Evening all.

Five pleasures for the weekend:

1. Bought some gas cannisters for my camping stove which I’d rescued from my house’s garage. I’d realised that not being able to make hot drinks in a power cut was a weak link in the electricity-only flat where I’m currently living.

2. Have reorganised some kitchen cupboards.

3. More listening to ‘The Shell Seekers’.

4. Afternoon naps both days.

5. Evening babysitting DGD – she mostly slept on my lap and was very cosy. Got home very late which is why I’m only posting now.

Sweet dreams,

Bx

villagelife

For yesterday

A good day

1. First coffee of the day- always a pleasure but trying to appreciate it more.
2. Time spent in the garden- raspberry canes are starting to bud which is great.
3. Weeding of veg patch done and will plant seeds today. Left the carrots in there which have self seeded.
4. Friendly robin joining us.
5. Went to see granddaughter. A lovely visit. She did wake up briefly.
   DS1 came too so was good seeing everyone.

Highdays

Happy new week everyone.

Recent pleasures|:

1. Had a wonderful dream about my mum and dad, not as they were latterly, old and frail, but vibrant and laughing and dancing and so 'there'. Sad to wake up but it's stayed with me for the last couple of days and makes me very happy. They'd been on my mind since my birthday.
2. We borrow the view of the beautiful woodland gardens next door. The camellias and magnolias are in bloom and looking magnificent.
3. Pink blossom against a clear blue sky, beautiful.
4. Not keen on day to day cleaning but love a big project. Currently the hall and landing ceilings in the 'big house' have been ripped down and insulated and years and years worth of old gloss painted anaglypta has been scraped and steamed off the walls. We now have three days of plasterboarding and plastering so the place is humming with people, mess and dust everywhere. Lovely!
5. Hubby has the set in for the latest play and the technical rehearsal is tonight. Luckily the timings work out so we can get to see the new Elvis film at the cinema this afternoon and he can get home and have some tea before he needs to go. Woke up this morning to the yummy smells of a beef casserole that had been in the slow cooker overnight so that's tea sorted for when we get back.

Right, that takes me nicely up to coffee time.

Have a good day, whatever you are up to.

DigForVictory

PaulieHerts - love those photos! "does aid sleep" - all sorts of sea air virtues! Belated happy birthday to you & twin sis & have a ball at the Turkish restaurant! You've Exchanged?! Oh that amazing photo! "Today’s the day"!!!
DundeeDoll - only your calm days include Lots of piano practice. "watching the winter olympics while doing my workout" - motivational! "broad bean and bacon risotto" yum! Porridge for breakfast but no spurtle? Did you give them All away on tour last year/year before?! "sheets are blowing on the line" - there's MS pleasure... "office multicultural tree" - sounds great fun <off to google eid decorations, cor!> "we're going to purchase a 3d bee hive" blimey, which group is this?! "Friday is £5 pizza day so we did" - splendid! The talk from the artist om the new stations of the cross that was also hands-on - fascinating! "manage to book a slot" with DD1!
Suffolksue - sunshine is glorious!
topsyturphy - "Spag Bol to use up mushrooms" yes! "Breakfast of scrambled eggs." is that of champions also. "cough may go" - hope so. "flapjacks taste more like crunchy toffee" - this sounds intriguing! "Working from home - no commute." Bliss. "Sunshine" a special pleasure.
LaineyT - aw sunshine & "throwing some shapes". Small Prophets is a special treat! "having to wear my sunglasses" - wow! Oh beautiful mare, of course she ducked out to grab juicy green grass! January felt months long, February less so but still hard. Absolutely go with the flow. "Sunshine and a fair bit of it, lifts my spirits like nothing else." Absolutely. Very happy belated birthday & very clever dog & pony! "A tiny wren came down for a bath" - lovely! "marine condiment linen dress in red" - excellent - a dress you know & trust is an ally!
mhagster - chilly weekend but good series finale. Oooh Haggis "accusingly telling me his dinner was late!" Ergh hospital parking makes a book your ally. Aww straw bag with yellow polka dot print lining! Delighted caravan season opening. "Changed the curtains over" - hadn't occurred to me but do see it would be brighter. "Unpacking things and wiping down stuff." all part of what makes the season start off right. "Long hot water bottles…what an invention" indeed! "Just a quiet day" - deserved! "service to take for a friend" - always harder. "Back in my happy place" - wonderful! But yes, house "with your hot shower and washing machine" also welcome. Nine years. Glad Haggis beside you. Patio & pots & parcel delivery photo! "ouchy ouch massage" protects your skeleton from grousing? "Blossom on trees" - it's all beginning again! Yeay plumber on iste so your own hot water! "soggy doggy moments" - when you gotta. Aw Haggis, at least was outside. "a joy to watch daylight creep in" - yes! "dinner’s a cooking" - sounds a feast to me.
villagelife - "time in the garden" is special. Then "daffodils and snowdrops" on walk to bus, lovely! "light when I left work" - ooh, glorious! "Birthday celebration at my Mum’s house with both my sisters" - belated happy birthday delights! Good to have a supervising robin when gardening. "far less achieved as talking to people walking past but very sociable" - oh yes! More live flowers "snowdrops and also daffodils and primroses", beautiful. "DIL let out of hospital" - a relief! "first grandchild" - HURRAH! well done to all involved & mamselle. "Work frustrating but survived it" some things you have to endure."magnolia in full bloom" - glorious! Aw world book day & child patients "dressed up"! "washing partly dried on the line" - every little helps & I think the texture is nicer. "photos of my Mum and sister with the baby" - these 3 generation photos are so special! "Left the carrots in there which have self seeded" - my kind of gardening!
Purple kitten - "The house is actually clean." Aw, respects, mine is not. "done slower but with a lot of laughing" surely the better way?! Cooking sounds delicious & hurrah Iceland reductions too! "re filled all the bird feeders"- you will be So Popular. Bumbles already? <covet> Oh, ouch, Daim, but delighted your jumper triggered a positive conversation. "Deep cleaned the microwave and oven" - that, done, is indeed a pleasure. Sun out is a challenge to get all you can onto the line! "Listening to the owl is so relaxing when I’m not its prey" - and how!
Happycas - sunshine despite the cold! 'Bring in bulbs' - hoping they're thriving? "Father Brown" a special pleasure!
Frith - I'm all for sleep "but a lot of dreams" can be a questionable pleasure.
Highdays - love the sound of pup "tiny with ears like velvet"! Amused your grandchildren get different choices depending on age! "No scan results yet" - yep, I always reckon silence is a Good Sign. Ooh a temperature tree - they look amazing, and if you add a little label explaining exactly where, what temperatures & what time frame, they're amazing reference materials. Driving theory tests - ooh, best of luck Middle grandson! He's passed - splendid & you're reading "May We Feed The King" which is brilliant. Bleated happy birthday & hurrah sunshine! "Avoiding the news as much as possible" - oh me too. "Had a wonderful dream about my mum and dad" - lovely & just the best sort of reminder.
ampersand - I admire your faith but "no butter, no booze and no more books", I'd go over like a ninepin at that latter. Hoping antibiotics are effective.
Broomstick - whyever not sing the good music? I wouldn't let the Baba Ganoush sit for long either! "browsing seed catalogues" - right now both an indulgent pleasure & canny scheming to reduce food prices.(I'm told chard is really easy as well as toothsome.) "Braced myself to open a piece of post" = oh good, not just me that can be a bit cautious. Gas canisters so you can have "hot drinks in a power cut" - spot on!

OS Pleasures recently (ahem)
Begun cataloguing the Denby with a view to rationalising. A pleasure to see how much I recognise, disconcerting to think I’m going to need a Lot more boxes (in the first half hour!) Still, lads reassured I am serious.

Middleson hauled me into watching Small Prophets - I am utterly smitten & trust Mackenzie Crook. Loving how good an actor Michael Palin is, too. [So far, resisting the urge to binge!] {Agreement “old school” one episode per week - viewed in the same room, on the same device!} «And oh, the music - I love “the wise man’s song”»

Migod how do you get your tongue to consistently cooperate? This cornet is both delight & source of fury - or my ability to persuade it is! Aye well, practice is the only way to get better.

As an infant we were not required to shut the bathroom door. As mother of an epileptic, it was always a bit open to help hear the ablutions & any rhythms of seizure. Now Youngest hooks it shut to be able to walk past without the appalling sight of his mum reading a good book. (I am so fortunate!)

A cool but not frozen, damp but not raining Monday. Here’s hoping everything in pots has survived the layers of snow.

Youngest again admonishing me to ingest a hot snack that we may dispose rightly of / “finish off the weak & wounded” - the food waste bin doesn't come into official use til April & somehow I’m a little unconvinced.

Still the lad thinks tinned soup is “convenient” - I have work to do…

Stressing over some work, detail checked with customer - “ooh no, just X & Y”, OhThankHeavens & no wonder said customer is cherished. To be fair, they had always been clear, just I bewildered myself. Onwards!

Hm, boundaries issue - colleague concerned (& under the doctor) but getting reassurance from me on what going on with UTI/STD. It’s not something I’d expect to discuss with a Scout (definitely safeguarding issues) or a leader (I’d hope) but I do get asked for reassurance on matters medical. This is outside my usual scope, somewhat. Pleasure is the patient does seem to get reassurance.

Another colleague, consulted on a technical matter, sat with me over teams as we boxed it off & he grinned after the paperwork he was ‘off for cuddles’. Turns out the fiancée is now wife & mother of their wonderful 7 month old baby girl & he is utterly gloriously happily smitten. A joy to hear.

Half term, no scouts, so time to write a chatty text to a colleague who’s struggling with several woes at once & I just keep sending her something to chuckle at & a Hug. Just described, but with details like the pockets & the embroidery relating to something we’ve discussed or prepared for.

Before I catalogue more of the Denby, adored son is moving the lawnmower to make access simpler & safer…. (Please don’t ask what it’s doing in the front room, as I haven’t a coherent answer.)

More wild tootling (also called practice) & Youngest initially bewildered as I start with the mouthpiece alone & he utterly cannot place the noise!

Repeats “I do love my family, really.” On continuous loop for three minutes straight. Had four calls back to back asking back into zoom, asking advice & frankly I just want to finish this report so I can hear my colleague smile tomorrow.

The joy of doing an early evening practice is you can warm yourself at the idea of a second session before bed, even if you don’t then actually deliver.

Wonderful colleague coping with her mum being diagnosed with oesophageal cancer & this last week tests, tests, tests. (Awed when the NHS swings into action like Marines.) Yet daughter online at 8pm & answering my how goes it? OK, just… We chatted briefly & I suggested go hug husband. (As a hug from a warm human being helps you keep on.)

Intrigued the news coverage of Andrew focuses on Charles & Camilla. Anne was visiting a prison, as planned for months. She has such style & discipline. Pleasure in seeing them carrying on the duty & service.

“If it has to be, it has to be if”, not a phrase I expected to use but logically I needed an if clause & my colleague chortled happily.

I have been spending too much time in books & on silver charms if an eBay seller & I can happily exchange views on Strike & other crime fiction. That she had a lovely roulette wheel with hidden pistol was almost incidental, as so do I.

Ah family tree climbing. Three sons clearly named & oh my, a daughter. Post war priorities, eh?! Still, glad to see her alive & survive even if Woefully Underrepresented in documentation. (Ah, hello Ethel!)

Having a tootle and I got both blasted high & blasted low! No idea how but practice is the only way to find out. Meanwhile my mouth feels like I face planted on a concrete slab - but it’s not completely numb, and my rib muscles are grouching (which was a good thing, learning to sustain a note singing).

Is it daft to count the phone updating perfectly as a pleasure? Still, one less thing on the to do list.

Was planning an early night as early start for cornet lesson & band practice but gut engrossed in a book. The author’s only written 26 so far but I’ve read over the years at least half of them so I’m amused I forgot they retain the lure to the last page!

Strewth! I got 4 different notes more or less under control & was whisked into the novice band! (on the same desk as the 7 year old, 3rd cornet) Happily I listen to the conductor so didn’t make a total hash even if I got lost & the wrong notes. Listening to the next hours rehearsal was fascinating & helped me figure the sound to the notes… How did I forget the utter rush of playing in a group?

Got various new bulbs potted up & some attempts at propagation started, then the heavens opened so I don’t need to water them! Always good to dodge lugging a watering can.

Thought I was invited to Middleson for another episode of small prophets. Misunderstanding re dates so I let myself in, had a cup of tea, resisted the temptation to watch an episode without him & drove home. Quite how to celebrate his birthday we are still working on!

Work colleague was being a bit vehement that the only worthwhile Poirot was played by Suchet. On TV, I’m ready to agree but I loved the original Murder on the Orient Express (with Albert Finney, possibly as the other actors were sensational - but AC was rightly disappointed in the moustache).

Time to exhume a fat quarter to make a custom cushion for work. The new device lacks the robust pressure in the lumbar area I seek. (How I then fasten the pad into the lurid pink cushion cover I will figure later.) {Found amongst covid mask making fabric pieces.}

The floral tape I got off eBay to make wedding flower hairpins turns out to preserve flowers (well d’oh but I hadn’t thought that through) & months later the white lavender is still crisp. The greenery is looking rather wan, but I’m intrigued by & rather pleased the lavender has dried so beautifully.

More Denby washing drying grading & packing & the realisation I need to label each bundle. (Adds sticky levels to the shopping list.) There is probably a guide to the correct terms but so far I have Christmas tree, ball, flat oval mushroom, & solid mouthpiece to describe teapot lid knobs already…

I found 3 more big flowerpots! Excellent, I can move them outdoors, & plant things in hope (& compost mixtures)… then went amok with gift vouchers & have another 5, several already with a beautiful patina of garden! When I have to move the dwarf rootstock fruit trees, they have somewhere to be cherished & reassured.

Our pizza bloke was unexpectedly not present as bereaved - we passed on appalled & heartfelt condolences, & wished his stand-in’s mum a happy 93rd for tomorrow.

The BBC is supposed to help me navigate the weather but the chap in the box & the info on the phone point in two different directions! Oh well, warmer & not as wet will do even if I yearn for DD’s sunshine. Line drying opportunities…. (So hard to “pounce” when you have to strip the bed & remake it before you get the machine going & once it’s clean & spun, it’s usually raining already.

Propagating lilies by scaling sounds a bit “grow your own dragon”, or ‘tone tone semitone’ yadda, but I have two bags of slightly damp compost & a lot of hope. Cheerful hope as the bulbs they came from are deep in soil in the back garden, so with a fair wind something will survive.

Tootled briefly, wrestling with every good boy deserves favour & thinking why not “every green bug drives Ferrari” or “Edna’s gelding bucks darn fast”? At least the treble spaces are “face” but I can only manage C, D, E & F (so far) & the return spring on the end valve has taken up arthritis so I’m a bit stuck. Still got the breathing exercises from my singing lessons decades ago so will work on holding a note consistently & not gasping after each minim!

The nice thing about a paperback is you can feel how much longer you’ve got. Says she, finishing the fourth tangible book & tickling through another on my phone. (Ah the kindle app, how I do love thee!)

Bed stripped, remade in fresh linen, rest washed, pegged into sunlight & brisk breeze. (Then fetched in as light drizzle undoing previous hours drying work! Pegged onto paracord in weaving shed.)

Exhumed acorns from fridge, still showing signs of life so moved to warmth light & water to get on with it (& a couple separated to be returned to my boss, who is amused by the health of two in the windowsill & inspired to try herself. She found them & brought them in to me back in November - only reasonable I return her a couple to share the fun.)

Cornet valves not moving freely so dropped in by appointment (wouldn’t want to disturb senior band) & once all cleaned & oiled, promptly set to practice with another cornet happily playing follow my leader! Had a brief blast on a tenor horn which sat in my arms like a sleeping baby & was startlingly easy to get a note out of. (Turns out I can ‘growl’ innately, which is rolling an r whilst blowing into the mouthpiece & what I thought an amusing misdemeanour turns out to be a valuable skill, once I learn to control pitch volume etc!)

Emerging from the band premises (a former pub!) to hear an owl screech & think “that’s higher than C” then “I am So privileged!”

Headed off to scouts & set them to planning what they want by writing out things they want to do, like games, activities, on camp & do badges in. Youth shaped scouting makes planning so much easier. No one has declared a wish to stroke a capybara yet. (That was a fun idea, but hiring one was too pricey!)

Getting into my own bed, snuggling down under my bedlinen & feeling the same tranquillity of centuries sleeping on linen.

Girl with hair clip frangipani lookalike on rucksack & her hair loose but she has options & her rucksack looks sensational!

Colleague skipped a team meeting yesterday with a cold but in this morning & manager said I should go home & work there rather than risk taking this to mum. Bless her!

Intrigued to see Jersey moving towards being an alternative to Switzerland should everything go sideways. A strange pleasure, this tourism with a difference, but relative peace of mind is exactly that.

Youngest excavating Kenwood bits to take down for one of mum’s care team, as she knows what she’s doing with one & we don’t. (Himself acquired random bits & I think we have two devices & three models of gadgets to go with.) [accessories run through dishwasher, unit hand rubbed down by me!]

The Good Housekeeping has not yet arrived. (Torn between guilt & relief at that - can’t do the crossword!) I will arrive empty handed which feels Deeply Wrong. Still I gave been told to sort laundry & dishwasher pods, rinse aid & salt so will be tucking mum into a deep armchair with coffee & an exotic croissant as I price check against Amazon etc…

Argh practice. Trying to find a pitch note in YouTube, struggling to breathe after the fifth best, then managing to reach notes I didn’t think cornets should let alone a few notes of summertime before my lip tapped out. “Pins & needles” become “ticks & wheedles” when lip sounds are hard to control!

Family tree climbing, I find an array of Brown-Wilkinsons &, whilst I applaud their mother’s determined stamina & faith, the offspring sound like a tray of soups.

Showed cornet to carer who now wants to watch me practice (oh gods blush) but the irony is living in brass band country I can just walk in to a teacher & loan instrument. Oxford is far too aware of the price of everything & its charities are global, not village scale!

If there is a sweeter sound than Youngest telling his grandmother “lunch is served”, I think mum has yet to hear it.

Mum’s meters need reading - cue me rolling Henry out of the way & wriggling under the table we played at when that room was a nursery… then back under again, as they want a photo.

More day lilies dug up & potted for transport and an hour later, a line squall briefly waters them in! It was Meant.

I say, a conversation I do Not want to have with my mother “what has Andrew been doing?” - well, what he was arrested for is wonderfully complex & quite tricky to prosecute. The whole Epstein mess has me thinking wistfully that the Good Housekeeping crossword suddenly looks appealing…

Youngest acquired a yellow stickered box of strawberries - sensibly ate most, & shared the rest with us womenfolk, who crooned!

Dear me, cat has seizure just as I have recently charged phone. Most disconcerting, but sisters say vet will be delighted. Pleasure, cat has appointment at 3, so challenge: find cat, cat carrier & insert a into b without bloodshed before appointment… (He may need blood tests, a cat scan [insert ironic joke to taste], & at least daily meds. Or he may get Extra TLC as trying to dose a thought-to-be-post-seizure cat with a sedative has us thinking ‘how can you be certain’, & in a human, Definite Consent Issues)

I adore reading mum’s parish magazine (edited photocopied & stapled by volunteers), partly for the local news & largely for the good red meat for the imagination of all the societies & clubs & parish things, that positively invite the Midsomer scriptwriters….

Mum plying a biro over a Community & Engagement survey. Buys me half an hour as she decisively marks the multiple choices & she’s amused at the ten pond shopping voucher. (I rather wonder where she’ll spend it but have complete faith in her!)

Music corner now set up - stand, pencil & rubber, even a metronome. No excuses! Even got a microfibre cloth for a spit mat.

I’m not sure if Costco is a temple of mammon or a place of grace but I now only go in with a list. Costco Tetris & then driving laden wondering about tyre pressure - aye well, it’s all unloaded & put away now.

This cough! It’s even got us swapping tips with the cashier. Her man had a toddy of Jim Beam, lemon, honey & ginger & coughed less. I suggested alternating the Jim with clove tea, which is cheaper per pint & has the weird taste of novelty & got an intrigued chuckle (but the work colleague who taught me this has not been coughing this last week, while others have.)

Home! And what has been delivered? Ah, Good Housekeeping. And the replacement DVD player sis doesn’t want. (She’ll keep it boxed in case, to keep the current device cooperative.) Truly the Fates laugh…

One brother took another to an ice hockey match & the resulting opinions are strongly worded (the gist being “I sort of see why it’s played, I do not see why it is watched”) plus disagreement over music… It was a good try!

There is enormous kindness & solidarity around our few with kin caught up in areas of bombs. Managers are teams- & text- messaging, to leave landlines & personal mobiles clear.

Calendar wrangling - the pleasure is in stopping. Not all sorted, but the kindness & support so far has me hopeful.

And as I thought, enough! I got an admonitory email from HR about annual leave. Half goes on seeing mum, & evaporates barely noticed. The days of daylight before Easter call for fingertip weeding, so that will be booked. Better to get the weeds out early!

Eyeing the news, I think I’m thankful I got to Costco when I did & the tinned tomato stack is restored. (Never had sufficient success growing the blighters.) Also that it’s spring, things should grow more willingly in the warmth & light.

Oooh, that Moon!

Gardening marketing email invites me to “add a touch of gardening espionage” - then stacks of plants & no cameras or exciting gadgetry. Boo!

Some of my colleagues are a bit fuzzy on the work life balance. I got a call at 5 to 7 in the morning from one wanting to confirm I could attend training in a fortnight - I’ve not had a chance to check that yet & anyway can’t pull up the calendar files whilst driving.

Brief thanks to building workers putting up scaffolding by the office in Manchester - they’re building a ‘crash deck’ to allow all materials to be stored on site. Fascinating - the scaffolding has its own designer! (Builder glad as a lot of maths & the designer responsible for calculating load. Me smitten at the unexpected beauty.)

Interested Harrison Ford’s “rule” with wife Callista Flockhart “I don’t tell her what to do”. (Listening to the camera folk yelling, a red carpet thing, that must be a relief.)

Aw dogwalker struggling with part mastiff, which was afraid of scaffolding clangs.

Purim & one Jewish family dressed as cops & robbers, entertaining me as I drive carefully past the school. Several heroes draped & caped & one very orthodox father holding the hand of a confidently walking fairy. I love Purim, you get to see families playing together.

Family tree climbing & some may be born great, some achieve greatness & others have John George Julius embroidered on their nametapes. All children named with solid hope & several went on to honourable civic roles. (Whomever drew the tombstone straw did an admirably detailed & thorough job.) I wasn’t planning to look back 5 generations but since one Mervyn had documentary presence I ended up with a bonus extra few….

Tumbling into bed, top lip numb & ribs aching a bit but while I don’t think I found all the notes on the page, I certainly found a few I didn’t think I could reach that far, both up & down! Can I do it reliably? Of course not, hence the practice!

“I wouldn’t say we’re built like a brick outhouses but my god we know what to do with a cream bun.” The difficulty of describing being a short round & plump sister alongside the whippet-built sister.

Introduced to the concept of hyperverbal. Still wildly ambivalent but intrigued.

Setting Scouts puzzles (ah, knots were just the start, one leader has a fearsome collection of Rubik's shapes) & then stretching the young leaders at hangman with isopropyl alcohol. (Though I still have no idea what cyclohexane is.) Then closing up the building & the site & realising I can see stars, & (I think) Jupiter. Glorious.

Home to cornet practice, enchiladas & bed!

Panicked bought chard, spuds & carlin peas to grow. Swing by lidl & saw chard seeds 20% of the price. D’oh but done.

Trying to have intelligent conversation about cat carrier & how/when to take cat to vet. Switching between what did for human & what expected for cat rather hard work! Not least as trying to get a groggy cat into the present carrier will be challenging.

I see that “Harry hasn’t restored relations with his brother” is news. Frankly this “he’ll be king, he should set a good example” doesn’t excuse anyone from the irresponsibility of books like Spare. It’s a family disagreement, & it’s not my family. Absolutely up to them how they choose to cope but as historian I’m aware of convenient deaths & as mother & coder the joys of IF THEN ELSE. Frankly, I think it’s as well I’m not allowed near the Royal family as I’d be commending Machiavelli as basic nursery reading.

Family tree climbing & another family stunned their eldest didn’t make 21. Also a family where their newborn pride & delight didn’t make it to two months old. The wry pleasure is that this is a community I can walk amongst & agree some names draw the Fates’ shears.

Youngest stalking like a displeased heron barefoot to the drier - no sock. I suggested one had been sighted amongst the clean dry stuff piled in my room “oh goodee” & moves off swiftly. There’s absolutely no cat in the movement, just a lot of long bones & fastidiousness which has me desperately stifling a giggle.

Band practice! Someone was rehearsing with a laptop & headset & a saxophone which gave me student days flashbacks. (Flatmate now a computer science lecturer who has recorded 2 CDs & gigs several weekends a season, goes wild swimming & is largely the “go on, try!” cheerleader who ‘speaks’ Brass!) All going well, but giggling does nothing for the embouchure.

Was there as first aider as H&S lead drilled into a wall & then screwed the hook into place, with extra wood for grip held in place in the other side of the wall by a third committee member. The first aid kit is now clearly accessible & we had much cheerful teasing.

Begun weeding. What with bindweed in the back garden & feral strawberries in the front, the compost heap is feeble but the inferno heap has potential.

Reading up on the instruments I’ve seen, a tuba, baritone horn, bass trombone, & tenor horn all at play. Love the warm deep tone of the baritone & amused to hear a novice tenor horn come over & play competent cornet - there’s a lot of overlap, but not quite effortless!

Again, managing not to binge on Small Prophets. Just.

Vigorous debate over how to care for fairly senior cat which has developed epilepsy. Looking like cat is to be issued with a pet variant medic alert collar & generally encouraged to carry on enjoying life.

It’s pizza night. Some pleasures are in the simple things!

And a shower. Although the safety briefing was met with a “make that two towels” - cheeky youth to thus bid his mother cover herself before yelling for help!

Busy day at work - both in the city office & the home office!

Good to be in a meeting with our King on the wall. (council boardroom)

Finally back at home eating Youngest’s pineapple pie & enjoying Springsteen causing mayhem singing Fire in 2006…

Health Strength Love & Courage to all as have need, and if you get the chance, make live music - play sing however, but it is so good to make music on groups!

Purple_kitten

Wow, that's quite a post to follow.

Got a tip run done which was long overdue, nice to have things tidied. Also disinfected the area it’s cleared which looks a lot better.

The oven has packed in after a lot of various fixes not a pleasure as it took about an hour and a half to sort out a basic meal.

The ferrets have enjoyed a lot of interaction and playing today, thou I think I’ve enjoyed it more.

There was some sun which was lovely.

LaineyT

Some of our friends have binge watched Small Prophets DFV but like you we are going old school and watching it week by week, prolonging the joy etc.

For the last few days,

Both of Dstepsons plus a lovely fiancée spent time with us on Saturday, lots of footie chat as expected and happy that mine was doing well for a change!

The eldest arrived first and as always was hungry, his reputation of being hollow-legged remains.

C dog was in her element, going from person to person and loving all the cuddly attention.

A big bunch of flowers for me, belated birthday present bless them, also a voucher for Persephone Books, ah they know me so well ☺️

The youngest plus lovely gf were off to run the Cambridge half marathon the next day and gf was concerned that she wouldn’t be allowed to wear headphones as it’s the only thing that gets her through the miles, apparently the crowds lining the route were a handy alternative.

Sunday and breakfast out, C dog came too and not only had some of my Snorker plus her Dad donated the crispier parts of his bacon but the kind lady also turned up with a tin of treats, one of her best trips out I’d say.

No trip into Cambridge for us as we had two lovely nieces plus partners arriving.

C dog delighted to have more visitors to cuddle and rub tummy.

Eldest niece plus hubby came on their Harley D which we heard rumbling up the lane. Reassured that they both wear Belstaffs, too precious to take chances.

More belated presents for me, witchy books plus various dried herbs, I am one lucky Auntie!

Must have been all the excitement but horrendous nights sleep on Sunday so oh the first coffee of the day. My soon to be DIL is taking magnesium which she said has really helped so duly ordered.

Capt S came into town with me and picked up his new glasses while I food shopped, we are both now ok for seeing the world clearly!

Felt a bit like a wet weekend all day due to lack of sleep, at one point I leaned into pony’s neck for cuddle and nearly dropped off, she’s shedding like mad so it’s hard to hide what I’d been doing. Dark clothing helps disguise the mud but not the hair.

Oh so easy tea of egg & chips, sometimes simple is best.

Did manage a couple of UC answers but then dozed until bedtime, Hugh reading Sherlock lulled me to sleep and I only came to sufficiently to turn it off but who knows who did it?