Old Style Daily Saturday 09 May 2026

YorksLass

Morning everyone, thanks for today's start off @Gers.

Very little rain was had yesterday but it's wet underfoot this morning so it must have arrived during the night. Today's forecast is a bit dreary - showery all day with a gentle breeze picking up to a light wind as the day goes on and average highs of around 10 or 11 deg. I was hoping to get out to do some more weeding but it's too wet for that.

Yesterday's grocery delivery arrived on time and, despite it being a small shop, seemed to take an eternity to put away - maybe it's just me getting slower! Anyway, the fridge looks healthier now and cupboard staples have been replenished. By the time I'd finished I was pooped and feeling a bit fed up but was cheered by the arrival of the first of the hanging baskets I've ordered. It was well packaged with minimal damage to a couple of stems (as expected) but on the whole the plants look healthy and well established, a mixture of blue lobelia, white verbena and yellow bidens. As advised, I'm putting it out during the day and bringing it in at night for a few days to allow it to acclimatise.

Seeing as today's outdoor plans have been scuppered, I'll be in the kitchen making some mini quiches and mince pies, a batch of carrot & lentil soup and there's some YS plums to do something with too. They're nice enough but a bit dry, not as juicy as I remember from childhood. Maybe it's because they're imported rather than home grown. I'm thinking of cooking them down into a compote for stirring through yogurt. Tea tonight is garlic and chilli prawn pasta.

My energy supplier has reminded me my current fix comes to an end soon and I'm now in the time window to look for a new tariff. I'm happy with them but of course it's all cost dependent. So, that's another wet weather task I could do.

@SO - Lovely to hear from you again, I hope you're keeping well.

@Ruby - I agree, the family was looking for holiday cover rather than something more permanent, shame they couldn't advertise that rather than wasting your time. Good luck with discouraging the rat.

@Izzy - Sorry to hear the weight loss isn't happening; it's discouraging but keep going (says she who's also come to a standstill 😁 ).

Have an enjoyable weekend all and take care. Best wishes to the sleep deprived, those with aches and pains or anyone feeling a bit fed up. X

TravellingAbuela

RUBY OMG you took me back a good few years with mention of the rat! I got up one Sunday morning and there were 2 rats on the bird table. I was paranoid thinking we were going to be over run with them. On examination outside (not by me!) Bob found their run ran under the fence from next door's garden. I went round gibbering like an idiot about these rats. As we both fed the birds and squirrels we agreed to go half on the bill for getting shut of the rats! It turned out the rats were living in the store room under their house which housed their boiler. The rat man said the rats had all they needed to live a comfy life as it was warm under there, we both fed them and they had a water supply from their little fish pond. And to make matters worse they had babies under there!! I almost felt guilty about him putting poison down.

YL everybody I know seems fed up just now. I think it's this never ending cold and miserable weather. Everyone was so much more cheerful during those few nice days we had. What a difference the weather makes to our moods.

ScarletRibbons

TA, I think you're right about the weather getting people down, though I've just been sorting through summer clothes! Daft or what!

Ruby, we stopped feeding the birds on the bird table because of rats. The crunch came when one day I looked out to see a large rat enjoying its lunch on the bird table - I tapped on the window, and it stopped feeding, looked up and stared me down, then went back to its meal! I dashed outside and it was off straightaway, but we got rid of the table, sadly.

YL, I don't like putting shopping away, particularly a big shop, which I don't have very often now thankfully.

snoozer

Hi everyone,

Just briefly popping in because I am very short of spoons at the moment. We were in Bristol this week and it took every scrap of energy. It's just as well we were there though because Laura gave Esther calpol on Wednesday because she was in a bit of pain, not ill, no temp or anything. She mentioned it at nursery drop off and they wouldn't take Esther, it's policy that the children can't go in until 24 hours after having calpol. Laura was furious and as she says just won't tell them if it happens again. it's just as well we were there because Laura had a full load of patients and Brian was in Oxford.

I spent most of the day in bed yesterday and feel as if I could do the same today, steve has gone over to Chris and Crystal's to work on the stables.

Izzy, it's so hard to lose weight with an underactive thyroid isn't it. I've come to terms with it now but resist any attempt to lower my doseage of thyroxine.

Have a good day and a good week at the van TA.

newroadahead

Afternon All

Been MIA but have tried to read along.

Hugs to all the poorlies and those with aches and pains.

Bit of a sad week, had a call from DD very upset as her cat seemed to become poorly overnight. I called a vet but sadly by the time we got there it had passed away. DD and DGC very upset as its first pet they have had to pass away. They have a dog as well and she seems ok but I think wondering where her sparring partner has gone.

Busy next week as Dd is away for a few days so nana duty and looking after friends dog when they go away for a week. Really need to sort out my wardrobe as well.

Have a good weekend.

NRA xx

weenancyinAmerica

@newroadahead - So sorry to hear about DD's cat. It is heartbreaking, especially if it is the first. Sending her hugs.