SOOP's kindly Kitcheners.

pompa nothing personal- I walk out of shops if music is playing too loudly. I can just tolerate a background music but I prefer nothing. Maybe that is why I have excellent hearing. I have also never been to a gig in my youth so again I was not deafened. Rory's snoring would be gentle and peaceful. Tara does not snore, the occasional deep breath but no more.

Charleygirl Rory can also burp from time to time. Nothing too noisy. Just a gentile hiccough...

I wear two hearing aids (possibly inherited deafness + tinnitus) and find the loud music in shops a form of torture, how on earth anyone can work in such an environment beats me.

An animal snoring (unlike DH's stertorous version) is strangely soothing sometimes- I often wonder what they're dreaming about (probably food!)

Just finished gardening, looks much better. Just wish next door neighbour would abandon his attempts to have his front lawn as a 'wild flower meadow', the blasted couch grass and bindweed is invading mine [exasperated]!
It seems to be an excuse for not mowing it more than once a year and to cultivate dandelions and other miscellaneous weeds! He's spent a lot of money on seeds but nothing else ever materialises.

Never mind, could be worse I guess

Highland cattle are docile creatures. On a New Zealand farm we were introduced to a handsome bull called Duncan and were asked if we would like a ride on him. Reluctant to inflict my weight on the poor thing, I declined, but it would have been an interesting little jaunt.

The belted Galloways / Dutch belted not sure which they are are all settled in Six heifers, who look to be in calf and one bullock ( or bull haven't looked that closely).! In America they are called Orio's I believe.

I'm with you loopylou loud music in shops (especially at Christmas time) drives me to distraction. Tesco in Campbeltown played one particular song over and over and it was deafening. I rarely complain, but felt so bothered by the din that I did so. MacSporran appeared to be embarrassed, bless him. However, my wee outburst didn't make a scrap of difference.

Highland cattle are magnificent beasts. I love the red, shaggy hair. The calves are not so wee either. They appear to be grown-up from the moment they are born. anno Wow! Riding Duncan would have been a most unusual experience. Brenda keep watching and updating us.

MacSporran has removed the chunky glasses from which we sip our Sunday evening "drinkie poos" from the cabinet. My hearing is pretty keen regarding the matter. It must be almost time for me to wish you all a very peaceful evening. After which I shall feed the cats and settle down to peruse the Sunday paper.

Thinking of our Bellasnana x

Yes,soop I'm can't stop thinking about Bella and her poor husband. It's very sad.

"I" not I'm!

On a different tack altogether, I have just come back from taking my elderly dog for a walk. Well, I say a walk. I slid on the loose stones on the hill and sat down heavily, nothing hurt but my pride! I began walking along the footpath beside the burn. The dog stopped for a good sniff of the foliage by the path and I walked on. I stopped and turned when I realised that the dog was not with me. I retraced my steps, and found the dog wandering about waiting for me at the bottom of the hill. She evaded all attempts to attach the lead to her collar and started back up the hill. I could do nothing else but follow her home. She is now curled up on the sofa beside me, sleeping peacefully. So much for exercise!!

Crafty creature
She's got you well trained!

My hubby played in brass bands from being 6 until just a few years ago, but now, thanks to loss of teeth, he can no longer play. I love brass bands, but I will not miss the years (and years) of hours of practice every day, it nearly drove me bonkers! If it was just playing a piece through it would have been OK, but constant repetition of the same few bars was mind destroying! And we had drawers full of cornet mouthpieces and mutes. I imagine that that`s what will get Mrs Pompa down, the constant repeating of just a few bars until he gets it right, so she has my sympathies, sorry Pompa.

numberplease Oh yes! Having to listen to the rehearsing of the same few bars over and over again is dreadful.

Ladies, you know how to hurt a man.

I'm sure you'll master the ukulele very quickly and and we'll enjoy the music as you serenade us ladies as we sup our and enjoy delicious [cupcakes] pompa

Oh, found you at last.
Mornin' all...
Survival.
Starting to get to grips with surrounding practical stuff after shock bereavement - have to continue life ...
Yesterday friend Mary came and cut all my grass so I can see my garden again and not a meadow.
It's a step.

I loved the poem too soop

Good morning to you lovely lot...sunshine and showers here in bonnie Kintyre.

I've had a lovely message from our BellasNana...she is having to tackle some very necessary paperwork right now. I just thought that you would like to hear that she blesses the day she walked into our kitchen. She is a remarkable lady. Inspirational!

hildaJ They say that a little light exercise does one good. You were lucky not to have done yourself a mischief. A sprained ankle would have made your journey home terribly painful.

number Both MacS and I love brass band music. I always "fill up" when I hear it played by a close-knit community of musicians.

pompa You know darn well that us lot are very fond of you.

AlieO Good for you. It is lovely of you to come into the kitchen and share every challenging step you take towards x

Okey dokey. I'm about to slip struggle into two possible outfits for the our granddaughter's wedding. MacS will take a photo of each. You'll have to imagine the hair looking glam...when I've reduced the pixels, I shall put both images in my album. I would appreciate your comments. Give me an hour or so. MacS is tiddling with stuff in the garden at the moment.

Ooh, wonderful, I do love a fashion show!

I hope everyone is having a peaceful day, at the very least. It's raining here, so I am going to chop a couple of inches off my hair. It could do with a good prune. Luckily I have tons of the stuff, and it's curly, so mistakes don't show unless I overdo it with the straighteners.

Both outfits courtesy of Ebay. The bolero had no collar. I've adapted a scarf and lace to make a ruffle. Still need hook and eye to fasten properly. The darker dress and jacket is a proper teal green silk (NOT navy as it appears) also the skirt is much fuller than it appears. My hair is not as it will be. I have pretty earrings and a sweet small purse...I shall also need my stick! It is purple. On balance, MacSporran likes the teal green outfit with turquoise hat. It certainly fits me perfectly. Any observations will be much appreciated.

It certainly looks like navy- that would be my preference.

You look beautiful in both outfits soop . I think my vote would go to the 2nd, the one that looks navy but is actually teal. I love the clean lines and also think the length is flattering, very New Look.

My vote is for the teal as well, soop. I like its simple elegance. You do look good in both though

soop I too like both of them and prefer the length of the second outfit but love the combination of the fascinator with the dress in the first, so would probably go with that one. But you can't go wrong with either!

You lot are so very helpful. Thank you. Yes, MacSporran says that the teal green dress and jacket is his favourite because it has "simple elegance" ...your very words, bags

I've adjusted the colour of the teal outfit. As you can see...not navy...almost the colour of the sea.

Still looks navy to me! That's my choice too soop although you look beautiful in both. I love the turquoise hat.