The Garden Fence - proper Old Style support and chat!

pollyanna_26

MrsCD said:

Totally agree with you Florenceem.  I too think we are becoming more secular in our nation and it worries me that the next generations won't have the values that I and many others believe in, which have been the bedrock of our laws for hundreds of years.
I sympathise with football followers, especially as it was played in an unsportsmanlike way by some who should have been sent off in my opinion. Did you see the letter sent to the team by Harry Maguire from County Durham? Old beyond his 7 years! I'll see if I can find a link.

I saw the letter from the little Harry Maguire. I must admit as a Man U fan I've been screaming at the tv over the last two seasons as our captain Harry Maguire jumped too high and sent the ball over the goal rather than inside. He's tall anyway so no need for those mighty leaps.

Luke Shaw has been off form for quite a while so quite frustrating to watch until recently. Both players got it right for the Euros.

I think the problem that needs addressing is the lack of punishment for the trouble makers that may call themselves fans but behave badly.

Many parents still raise their children to know the difference between right and wrong. Marcus's mother raised her children in dire poverty but they learned honesty and decency and Marcus has shown empathy and decency in his support for those struggling.

No player or fan should be ridiculed, targeted for the colour of their skin or injured as Harry's dad was when Wembley was invaded by ticketless " Fans".

We saw the disruption twice at Old Trafford and The Lowry Hotel and the impact that had on the players.

There is no denying there are many who do as they please nowadays. I think spending cuts have meant early intervention to steer some on to a better path is in short supply.

We are in a different world now. Shortage of Police, Social Services cuts and the full impact yet to be felt of disrupted education due to the pandemic.

There have always been good and bad through the generations. The problem now is too many adult role models on the wrong path setting the worse possible example to the young and so the cycle continues down the generations.

Born a few years after WW2 I feel I was lucky with educational opportunities not normally available to the working classes opening up.That was a real game changer for many and changed lives on into the generations to follow.

I'll never be wealthy but I own the roof over my head, my children were able to choose the path that suited them and thrived.

I think the 70s changed a lot for the worse and a division happened between the haves and have nots. Often the haves were just managing but were believed to have it all.

My main subjects were Social History and English Literature. I read all the books The road to Wigan pier, 1984 rather late now but very relatable now- Animal Farm and So on.

One book I read was Round about a Pound a week by Maud Pember Reeves. It was study by some members of the Fabian Society of a number of families living in a poor area of London on about a pound a week for all their outgoings.

A large chunk of that money went to the burial club. Infant mortality was high and it was normal for babies and children to die young.

One family stood out, the children were well fed and thriving and the family did not pay into a burial club.

That family was studied more closely. The mother had trained in service before her marriage. She understood the importance of cleanliness, knew how to cook good meals from very little, make do and mend and keep her children clean and healthy.

The conclusion was she had the Knowledge, no need for the burial club her children thrived.

Many of us will have learned to cook from scratch, shop and care for a home when growing up. There is more of a gap now with fast food, wants not needs and generations with no role model to follow.

Florence mentioned the SA foodbank a while back and how little cookery and other living skills are taught in schools now. I and my sisters had cookery from scratch in school plus sewng housecraft etc.

We'd already been taught at home but many hadn't . Dd1 did proper cookery at school. Her younger sisters Ready made sponge flan, tin of mandarin oranges and quick jel. Assembly rather than cooking.

I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before but every Sunday Tom Kerridge and sometimes Marcus do a quick , cheap recipe mainly with items from foodbanks.

It's sponsored by the Cooperative Stores and some support from Morrison's. There are weekly recipies in both Morrison's and Coop. Morrison's do them here but so far not our little Coop.

Full Time meals is online. Our little community food bank has printed them off to hand out and hope to start teaching when the numbers reduce and it's safe to do so.

Jack Monroe is happy for her Bootstrap Cook and Girl called Jack recipies to be printed and given out by foodbanks.

Firecracker sausages and Tragedy Mash seems a very popular one and can be adapted according to what is available. Where possible Jack will suggest alternatives.

Brew time.

pollyx

VJsmum

WHat an excellent, informative post Polly

Hard_Up_Hester

Polly thank you I am a big fan of Jack Munroe but didn't know about the Tom Kerridge recipes.

I taught myself to cook, school cookery lessons were useless, we did mainly decorative stuff and at home my mum didn't cook, she was disinterested in any domestic skills. 

When Marcus Rashford started his campaign Steve and I had a very heated discussion, Steve didn't think kids went hungry, not sure what planet he was on. I frequently went hungry, not from lack of money but from lack of interest from my mum. Two of my daughters foster children had a very difficult start. Their mum spent money on heroin rather than food.

Proud grandma boast. One of the children has got her first job, just at weekends, she is a lovely girl but struggles with concentration and memory (it's a fairly common response when a child has suffered trauma). My DD1 suggested she make notes of things to help her, she is doing so and is doing really well in her job.

pollyanna_26

The full time recipies are on Instagram each Sunday. Plan is 52 over a year. There are 12 online at Full time meals so far.

The stir fry one near the beginning was fascinating. Marcus had never peeled a carrot before and spent ages peeling and cutting perfect little batons  with the same concentration he studies the goal before shooting.

Tom Kerriidge made an omlette in a kettle a few weeks ago. I remember speaking to a young homeless guy very excited because the food bank had given him some ring top soups , someone had lent him a small pan and someone else was going to let him heat the soup in their camper van. Those conversations really bring home how lucky most of us are.

Your dd and her family are the ones who keep society ticking over and offer hope to the neglected ones.

My middle dd has worked with children for over 20 years. College training then work experience at a local Montessori nursery.

She wears many hats. Senco, senior safeguarding officer . assistant manager and many other roles.

She's planned to move on for years but never has. She had to learn to bite her lip, stem the tears and fight like hell for the children who need her to often against parents unfit to bear the name.

I wish your dgd all the luck possible. My youngest dd  suffers from overwhelming anxiety in some situations . Deep breaths, writng things down and preparing in advance for appts etc have helped. She's mid 30s now and I haven't said it but one day she will need to face these things herself without my prep and support.

She does still laugh at Monna's like a kidney stone when i say this too shall pass.

Hope the car situation is soon sorted.

pollyx

pollyanna_26

mothernerd said:

My suitcase is under mum's bed, with some of her clothes in. I persuaded her to put some of her 'less used' (only worn when we go away on holiday) clothes away, moved her everyday clothes into the wall of hanging space cupboards in her room, which gave me access to wardrobe space (mostly used for storing tins and cooking supplies as there isn't much room in the kitchen).

We had 'words' yesterday. Well mum had lots of words and I just listened. Not going to talk about it, still digesting/ trying to make sense of it (especially the bit in the middle which was about wrongs done by my father and her 'so called friends', 30, 40 or 50 years ago). Another dollop of uncertainty in my life, just what I need. Ah well, this too shall pass (definitely like a kidney stone).

Sorry I missed this. I know both your mum and yourself aren't in good health is there a chance she's feeling stuck indoors , confined , frustrated or maybe fearing losing control of her home and her way.

I know you are very , very careful to involve her in what meals what to do around the house.etc. She used to be able to go on holidays and trips with you pre covid  or shopping etc.

Perhaps she fears she will never see normal again. I've mainly stayed close to home apart from meds ,shopping and seeing youngest. We're both double jabbed but Freedom Day has thrown a curve ball.Numbers up again here and the hospital she visited last week has new Covid admissions after being declared Covid free.

The anxiety is back for youngest Dr on the landline yesterday stay indoors. There is no guidance for the ECV but I know dd will hunker down as she did after the first call last year to stay indoors.

Can you let whatever complaints dating back 30, 40  or 50 years ago pass you by. Not your circus and not your monkeys.

My eldest dd offered to come from Yorkshire a few months ago to do my gardening . I thanked her but had a niggle did she think I was past doing it myself? Soon realised I was being stupid.

I know there are still hotspots in Mcr and Bolton as there are in this region. I was watching Andy Burnham and Steve Rotherham along with othe regional and metro mayors demanding face masks on public transport.

I have no idea how mobile your mum is although I remember she uses a walker. Is it likely you could take her for a small amble just for a change of scene. No idea how far you are from the canal you sometime s visit but is it nearby and quiet?

She may just have run out of something interesting to say so says the first thing that comes into her head.

She is aware you are there to keep her safe and after independance may find that hard to take.

Get yourself some food and see what happens.  if she starts talking ask her how she's feeling and if anything would help.

Maybe talking of possible future coach trips , holidays may calm the situation.

Just tell yourself you've gone above and beyond , bit your lip and kept your patience.

I know you've been shifting soil around but is the back garden anywhere near sitting out in ? The weather looks pretty good over the next few days so would a little afternoon tea be doable?

pollyx

boultdj

Round about a pound is mentioned by Shirley Goode in her first book, but I also liked and used a lot her second one called Goode for one.

pollyanna_26

boultdj said:

Round about a pound is mentioned by Shirley Goode in her first book, but I also liked and used a lot her second one called Goode for one.

I still have Shirley's books She lived further up the coast in Morcambe.There was the Goode Kitchen, Goode for One and another with gifts and festive and special occassion recipies.  I remember keeping an eye on the local bookshop for each one. £1.95 each new. That was the 80s and I used to weigh up whether I could buy one on my budget.

She did a bigger book with Erica Griffiths before her own think iti was 1981. much bigger and still some things that appeal today that cost £1.85.

She was a trailblazer very MSE and she has been compared to Jack Monroe and vice versa. She suffered so badly with her health and I did shed a few tears when the news trickled through she'd fought her last battle.

Mary Berry did a feed your family the new healthier way book in the 80s based on wholefoods and healthier meals I kept my lot fed well between Shirley ,Mary and Bernadine Lawrence.

I haven't met many who remember Bernadine her book was feed your family for £3 a day. She had a large family and was living in poverty but her meal planning was spot on. Healthy real food.Every year or so the book would go up a pound but she'd add new recipies.

The Mary Berry book had things I made over and over again including granary rolls . If we had a Sunday roast the remains of the joint would be served next day with baked potatoes, veg and rolls. Boxing day would be similar.

I think Elizabeth West was the most frugal cook. Kitchen in Hills was her hovel cookbook full of quick meals and snacks.

When I was little I wanted to own a library later amended to bookshop..Life took me in another direction but I've just realised I've had my library all along . Many van loads of donations to our little local animal welfare charity and Istill have the original favourites.

When it comes to my Nigel Slater's I'm a bit possesive. Same with my Gary Rhodes books his Vegetarian scotch broth fed us in the coldest winters- may he rest in peace.

Speaking of food time to eat.

pollyx

ETA The book with Erica Griffiths was More For Your Money. Sauces ,Jellies,marmalades, breads , crackers and meat and other recipies. Lots on time and money saving. Sprouting seeds etc. Although first published in 81 it's still a good guide to money saving cooking.

nannywindow

Ooooh did someone mention afternoon tea, could we have one on the fence, please ? I'm in need of a bit of fun and frolicking.

DH has finished his treatment but is really out of sorts with little energy, appetite and an upset tummy. I am hoping something positive will come out of this and not have made things worse. Our virus cases are climbing rapidly again ( S.E Wales) and just when I thought it was safe to go back into the water. 😒

Pollyanna I hope you have stored the suitcase appropriately and I don't mind sharing till either of our Drs arrive. I can perch on the end as I'm only a little one, honest 😉 I think my fave of all was Tom Baker and his jelly babies, probably wouldn't be pc these days though to have a strange man offering sweeties around. ..... Uh-Oh ! shouldn't have mentioned those, don't tell you know who 🤐

Mothernerd many hugs to you. I struggle with my father who seems to have a huge chip on his shoulder about his younger days when he believes he had harder times than anyone else. My Dad is 92 this year and can't seem to let things go after all this time.

Monna hope the funeral went as can be expected.

Take care all, stay safe.

nan

Florenceem

MrsCD - what are weather worms?
Mr F used to get Cellulitis - not had it for years. He still has swollen legs but I think they are the norm for him
Working on a crochet scarf after going to the shopping centre this morning.

Hard_Up_Hester

I had the book by Bernadine Lawrence and the Shirley Goode books also the Paupers Cook Book by Jocasta Innes.
I no longer have the books but still cook many of the recipes.