Soop's Special Kitcheners

Anya If you are having a go at playing the first two lines of "Jingle bells" you only need to play the same three notes twice. Think of the practice you would get.

I remember DD learning the cello, Three Blind Mice excruciatingly repeated ad nauseum.....it paid off though, now plays in three London orchestras, so keep going Anya!

Almost like predictive texts Soutra

Great notes Anya but not necessarily in the RIGHT order ...

Thank you for your kind words loopy i will cherish them. Your appreciation will drive me on to even greater heights. I'm practising 'A Little Tune in G and A' for Monday.

Just worried about Soup's cat though. I can't persuade my dog to come back inside. He's cowering under the trampoline.

They're five very well played notes.......... I'm not the best person to ask concerning music, tone deaf.........sorry!

While I'm on here yesterday Soop very kindly invited me to play for you. I've now mastered tried five notes. So here goes on Jingle Bells

Come back loopy ......

How tempting Anya!

Send him a letter. Explain that the reason you were keeping a good thorn hedge is that you are getting a dog. You've seen a nice Rockweiler x Doberman which needs to be rehomed because of constant barking. Emphasise (over emphasise) it's not vicious - just boisterous and over friendly.

Express the hope that the Firethorn will regrow quickly but should it venture onto his property he's to shut all doors and call you immediately.

I think that, legally, you could send him an invoice for getting Gary to prune the pyracanthus properly and clear up the mess he has made, and probably sue him for trespass and damage to your property. It would cause more trouble than it's worth, but contemplating it could cheer you up.

Don't be silly! It's the old git. He's left the pieces for Gary to tidy up! Once again Grrrrrr and he's made a right pigs ear of the hedge.

Rather him than me; lost count of the number of times I've pricked my finger on firethorn. I hope he's picked all the pieces up so no one can accidentally tread on them...they've stabbed through to my foot even wearing shoes sometimes.

Galen there is one thing you can be sure of with a pyracantha though is that it will grow back with even greater vigour the more you prune it. It's not fair on the birds though the do enjoy the berries.

The previous owner of the house next to mine cut down my Amelanchia when he was putting some measley little shrubs in the very poor soil rubble in the strip of land between our two front gardens.

...at least "drop bot" and cranky hips have been sorted...

Gaga, Thank you for your kind words.

I've delivered a portrait of a Pomeranian called Lachlan just this morning. L's owner was also delighted. Lovely!

hilda your grandson is obviously a very bright wee boy. What a super story about visiting the shop and assisting the assistant. I'm really pleased to hear that your father is settled in his new home and is happy. A little later, we'll be visiting our pal from the village who has been moved to a nursing home in Campbeltown. Thankfully, his wife reports that "he loves the non-stop chatter..."

Galen Grrr...

It is the day we motor to Campbeltown and treat ourselves to a light lunch. Optician's appointment early afternoon. I've lost my prescription specs and am making do with a pair of Boots magnifying specs (which are far from ideal). I must remember to wear my hearing aid so that I can hear the optician's instructions. Eyes...ears...teeth...all a bit "iffy" I suppose it could be so much worse.

Galen what a wonderful neighbour you have!! Does he mow your lawn for you to help? I would not like to live within 20 miles of him, interfering old git.

When I came home last night from York. I found the old git from next door was in MY garden cutting back MY fire thorn hedge. He said it was pulling the wire fence over on his side and he'd shown it to Gary (the Gardner) but he'd done nothing about it.
It was being left until the birds had finished stripping the berries off it. I really don't see how trimming it back on my side or off the top affects the fence. I refuse to get rid of the hedge as the birds love nesting in it. He has a very ugly and tall ( taller than the telegraph pole) Norwegian fir tree in his garden right next to the fence that overhangs my garden and is very ugly. This drives me crazy but I don't go into his garden and start pruning it! Grrrrr.

Four is a magical age Hilda - did you see that programme on TV a few nights ago The Secret Life of 4-year olds?

hildaj I think that the trip here to sort out my problems would be worth it for that young fellow because there is a proper fire station less than 2 miles away and I am sure that he would love to see them displayed outside.

That's if he's seen it on the television!!!

I think it's a case of, I've he's seen it on the telly or watched someone do it. He is only four and I'm afraid he can't read. He might have difficulty learning to read if his speech hasn't caught up. He is improving slowly.

I'd like to hire him to interpret the instructions on my new printer, please.

Charleygirl I think the going rate is probably Lego or perhaps toy fire engines. He starts school in August and I wonder what they are going to make of him. He has a speech delay and talks like Yoda!

hilda I could do with his services here please- how much an hour does he charge?!

Yes anno. I knew he had potential when he took me by the hand, age 2 and showed me every light switch and socket in the entire house ( they were living in an old, large farmhouse at the time). He has had a fascination with electrical equipment since he could walk. He can take his Dad's drill apart and put it back together again perfectly. I told my DD that she has a budding electronics expert there.