Geriatric??

Oh dear must get my Nonnies and my Nonus straight in my head. Perhaps it's because I tend to agree with much of what you both post (please ignore my grammar). Isn't there a Ninny too?

People often get me muddled with Ana too

Aka

I think there is !

Yes, sometimes they do credit one of us with the other's viewpoint or posts, don't they Aka?

Yes, though sometimes I think we are more discredited by some!

PS I thought Nancy Drew was a fictional character? What's she been up to with those Hardy Boys?

I've known a few women who have had such controlling husbands (the control was done in a very subtle way) that their own self-confidence was so low, such little belief left in themselves

Hollydaze your comment would have rung a bell for many of the women students I used to have on some of the Confidence Building courses I ran in Adult Education.

I've noticed a couple of GN posters regularly use words in their comments which make me realise they are in this position NOW. They always put themselves down, saying they are nor worthy and there is nothing they can do about it and this is what the family expects of them. It's as if they have given up all control of their lives and must keep everyone happy, except themselves.

It would be inappropriate for me to advise any of these women as I no longer teach, but it is very difficult to ignore their plight.

I realise if their partners are violent then they have to be very careful, but if their partners just get into a strop, or stop talking and become moody, well so be it. The partner won't change so they need to approach things in a different way.

Well I don't mind being confused with Nonu she seems very nice! for you nonu and for you Aka for being less than perfect just like me!

AW Shucks NONNIE you have made me you seem nice as well .

Thank you for the Interflora have just delivered them !!

I agree with Nonnie when she says that stay-at-home mums (or dads) can be just as interested in current affairs, the arts, creativity, etc. Some people have particularly responsible or interesting careers, but many are doing jobs that are extremely boring. Sitting in front of a computer screen all day, for instance, is not necessarily very intellectually stretching.

Homemaking is a very important role but is unfortunately not really valued as such in Britain. Women (or, less commonly, men) who stay at home to bring up their families are financially reliant upon their partners and whilst some partners share their income equally, others do not. Also, once the children are older, someone who has not worked may feel at a loose end and would enjoy a change of environment and a chance to relieve the pressure on family finances. But it may then be difficult to get back into the employment market.

I think there is far too much emphasis on everyone working, and particularly working long hours, especially parents with young children. That is, though, the way this society is run and it makes it very difficult for people to make other choices.

I'm getting bored, staying at home! (No work) I can't crochet all day and I can't get out and about easily.
Do you think I'm vegetating?

The true vegetables are the ones who think that their state is normal. If you know that you are bored, you are not vegetating. You are aware enough to do something about it.

Is the crochet losing its appeal? You could try other things. Bargello is quite absorbing and as quick to grow as crochet. I shall go and take a photo of what I am in the middle of and post it. I may be some time, don't go away..

Galen I have loaded two photos to my profile pics, but I am having the greatest difficulty editing the caption of one of them. What I am trying to add is that one of them is in hot bright summer colours with a variety of summer greens, all much brighter that the photo, which has made it look as faded as the unfinished other one (autumn) is meant to be.

The stitch is basic bargello, very straightforward. The effects are achieved by the placing and colours of the blocks.

Most published bargello designs are like a row of icicles (look online) but I wanted a flower garden effect.

Never heard of bargello but it looks complicated and like you would need very good eyesight.

I think vegetating is when you start watching daytime TV (unless its the news). My radio is on wherever I am in the house, car or garden so I get plenty of news.

Elegran I've just looked at your photos, I've never heard of Bargello but what you have done is beautiful.

Nonnie Agree with you on the daytime TV, though if you can't get out or even move around the house easily I can see that it would be useful. A pity so much of it is tripe, but if you taped things from the evening, when there are often three decent things on all at the same time, you could watch what you missed.

I've never heard of it either, but it looks stunning Elegran

Thank you, Jane It is also known as Florentine stitch. It has a long history, and I have seen the walls of a whole small room (well, a sort of closet/boudoir) covered with an old hanging made of it. It was in silk, in colours of dark greens and purples - really quite claustrophobic! If you Google "Bargello" and then choose the "images" option, you can see hundreds of examples of designs, some beautiful some frankly hideous.

I do bargello because my eyes are no longer up to the finer embroidery stitches. It is done on canvas in wool, and each stitch is about half-an-inch long. It bears the same relationship to fine embroidery as chunky knitting does to 2 or 3 ply. I have added a closeup on my profile pics to show the size of the stitches and the canvas, and how the stitches each overlap the ones in the previous row. It is easy enough for simple designs to be done by most children of seven or so, but the colours and the number of parallel stitches in each grouip of one, two, three or four (which determines the curves) can be arranged to make different patterns.

Thanks Lona

Outs beautifully, but not for me. I can't sew and I make things to be useful.
Might try sometime though.

Outs?
Looks!

Galen have you heard of the game Rummykub ? Its fabulous and has really got my brain working. You can buy it online. I play it about 3 times a month with different friends.

The game is based on the card game rummy with Runs and Three or four of a kind. Tiles are used like scrabble.

Do you have any friends of neighbours you would like to invite round and teach them the game. It works well with 3 or 4 of you, but can be played with 2. I am sure you will get hooked quite easily.

If I lived near you I would come round (if invited) and we would have a good regular session and a bit of chat about our memories of Brum.

No doubt it can be played online too.

Elegran what lovely needle work . Bargello is such a pleasant soothing activity.

Galen they make brilliant cushion covers . You don't have to put them on a wall.