Soop's special kitchen for like-minded folk and treasured pets

Swanny feel better soon!

Gq is the Magpie up and running again? Glad to hear that if it is - last time we went up there it had just suffered a catastrophic fire. My DS and DiL go to Dalby with their bikes.
Sending you the most positive of vibes Swanny - it is sometimes hard to find your mojo when the days are getting shorter. I hope you feel better soon.
Galen I have given up trying decent crackling on bellypork. The only way to do it is to take the crackling off after the meat is cooked and crisp it under the grill, but it ain't the same! No problem with the other cuts. I am the crackling queen and GS will fight all comers for it.
Maw we used to have a cat that liked to watch wildlife programmes!
I am debating whether to have a few hours fishing at a local reservoir this afternoon. The season is hurrying to a close now and I thought I had put my rods away for this year, but the prospect of a last bash is very tempting. I'd like it to brighten up a bit first though.

That sounds like a “perfect day” oldgoat.
Re greyhounds’ slim figures, you know that thing about people who look like their dogs?
Not true
Don’t get chilled greyduster if you do go fishing, the temperature here seems to have dropped noticeably. ?❄️

Good Morning all !!

Thank you for the picture Grey . I showed it to Jackson who confirmed that you had named it correctly but asked it you would let the man know its illegal to have his number plate covered up [laugh] !!! I did chuckle !! PS I do think DH MIGHT have pulled up along side you could have pretended to be the paparazzi !

I think Jackson is fine, its just not what he is allowed to say and he's a lad for the 'rules' .

Lovely photo soop , I love the rose, you always look so elegant !! I am envious.

Hope you're feeling better Kitty . Way to go Bertie !! I see a star in the making.

What a lovely way to celebrate David's life Callgirl . The time has flown past for me , I'm sure not for you.

So sorry to hear the Autumn Blues have got you Swanny .I totally understand. Its usually January or February that trips me up with leaden skies and short days.
Please join the Chara and come for the ride !! The new place is tiny so wont need much housework and we can all sit and gossip endlessly and dine on cake and wine !

What is it with some Mums Swanny that they do not 'see' their own child's behaviour? I had to smile at his comment to you though.... when Laura was about 5 we had the following conversation :-

Laura: How old are you Nana?
Me: I'm quite old.
Laura ;Yes I think you're 1975 ( and then as she looked at me she shook her head sadly and sighed and added....and you're fat .

I nearly died laughing , he Mother was mortified but to be fair the child had a point and it was said with such sadness and without malice. Out of the mouths of babes eh? I would hasten to add she would be horrified if I reminded her of this at the grand old age of nearly 11!

Sam is a big fan of animals on |TV Maw and only last night round the back of the set looking for the elephants !!

Shame about the 'crackle' Galen- I do love a bit .

Right, time to hit the ground running. I am taking the lovely Laura birthday outfit shopping after school. There has been some hinting of over the knee boots ( which Mummy has already vetoed) so it will be interesting.

Happy day ( and good fishing Grey) all .

I slept for nearly 9 hours last night so I am still recovering slowly. Tara was not over impressed.

At least it is lighter here now- it was very dismal earlier.

Now that the dining table and chairs have gone my kitchen is so much more spacious. I only need a plumber, carpenter and tiler to finish off the work. The people who took my beautiful furniture did not have the manners to send a small email to thank me. Maybe I was brought up proper!!!!

G&N I definitely agree with Laura's mum re the over the knee boots- she is too young. I am amazed that they are made for her age.

The Magpie is still closed for repairs greyduster so we bought our fish and chips from their take-away next door. They were delicious - but far too big!! (Don't think I'd better record MY food intake yesterday.)
Are you planning to visit Muasdale again next year, callgirl It's a beautiful place and I know it holds special memories for you and David.X
Hope you and MacSporran are beginning to feel a bit better soop Losing Rory and catching this awful cold seems to have knocked you for six.

I am sorry Swanny is in the doldrums. Is this a seasonal thing or connected with e.g.an anniversary?
Whatever, I hope you have the support and the means to get back to your usual self. So hard to cope with ongoing life when the little black dog is on your shoulder [ flowers]

Thank you Maw and everyone else for your kind wishes and positive vibes. This is a seasonal thing and I take various steps to deal with it but that black dog always manages to 'bite me on the bum' at times

I expect forewarned is forearmed, but only of limited use. If you know that you will come out of it, that is something, and I hope it is not too far off (second time lucky?)

Dear Granspals I would like to share something with you. Like Swanny I also feel depressed. I know that I've a zillion reasons to be grateful. I'm aware that there is some bloody awful, hateful, heartbreaking stuff going on in the world outside my cosy front door. I feel ashamed of myself for being lily-livered. Is that the right phrase? What I shall do is be positive and tackle the ironing. A little later, I shall pop in again and catch up with all your news.

Don't feel any more guilty about feeling depressed than you do about catching a cold, soop. Firstly, feeling guilty about illness is not allowed for the good reason that, secondly, it is not under your control.

You have been (are?) unwell in other ways too and you are coping with the sadness of losing a much loved cat.

????????????? xx

soop you give so much love, support and understanding to others that maybe your batteries are a bit low?

You have a lovely, loving man in Macs so my prescription is that you tell him you are in need of a big cuddle and some TLC. I reckon that might do the trick and make you feel more usual happy yourself.

Some people are radiators and others are drains. You are definitely the former but maybe you have been in the company of too many of the latter?

Sending you a big hug and the very kindest regards from the south coast xx

feel your more usual happy self!

Thank you, Baggs and Gaga for your kind words.

In the early hours, the outside light was triggered. MacSporran looked out and saw the tabby cat. Tabby and Tortoiseshell shared the same Paw Rory. The wee chalet is as Rory left it. It's cosy and carpeted. Should Tabby cat need snug shelter throughout the winter months, she'll not have to walk too far afield.

soop I've not been able to get in for a bit but pleased I could just now so I can send a hug and say please, please don't feel bad about how you feel. My guess a mix of grief and ongoing physical health issues. It's ok to feel as you do, no I know not pleasant but understandable. Maybe think about being kind to yourself. Don't push too hard. Nice things are best. Sending lots of good wishes to you. swanny and anyone else a bit squashed just now

Life's a bit manic in corner-land this week. Our poorly friend is poorly again so back on the motorway. I'll be back properly soon but in the meantime take care everyone.

NHS - good and not so good. I was pleased to be able to contact a GP by the triage system to ask for treatment for my very sore hip - left over from my fall six weeks ago which broke my shoulder. The spectacular bruise on my haunch has gone leaving a painful lump. He made me an appointment with another GP who is the practice expert on skeletal-muscular things. He diagnosed trochanteric bursitis (it's always nice to have a name, isn't it?} which he said would respond to a cortisone injection. Not so good - the receptionist couldn't find an appointment for me before November 7th! Four more weeks of hirpling around with a stick.

soop I would love nothing better than another cat to take refuge in that gorgeous cat chalet. It would be loved and cherished as much as Bracken and Rory were and it would soon sneak indoors no doubt.

I do not want to appear to be a nag bag but do you and MacSporran not need another trip to see your GP?

anno at least you have a diagnosis although the treatment will be a tad late.

Firstly, Soop, do not feel guilty about being ill. Did you ask to be? No, I thought not, it just jumped you when you weren`t looking, so it`s not your fault,
Secondly, yes Oldgoat, the family and I will be back at Muasdale to say Hello in mid April, but it`s probably a little early for you, if you`re going again, would love to meet and say hello if you`re going to be there. We`re up there from the 13th to the 16th of April.
Thirdly, I am officially DOOLALLY! I put some washing into the machine late Saturday afternoon, forgot about it till this afternoon, went to empty the machine, only to find that I`d forgotten to switch the blooming thing on! Duh!!!

Thank you cornergran I've waded through the ironing. About to have a spin and go nowhere on the exercise bike. A devil for punishment! .
Tomorrow I shall resume visiting the ladies in the care home. I've had about two weeks absent without leave and need to make the effort. Thankfully the buggeration of a cough is on the wane.

anno Four more weeks of hirpling around with a stick is no joke. If you lived here you'd be seen asap. Like tomorrow. I feel cross on your behalf.

Oldgoat It would be a real treat if you could possibly manage to be in Muasdale at the same time as callgirl1 We could all tuck into huge slices of cake at Glenbarr.

callgirl! You are the most undoolally person I know. You are also very kind.

Charleyg Who knows what Tabby cat has in mind. She might even get to like the special food that MacSporran stock piled just in case the shops ran short Don't laugh. He meant well.

Time to log off and find something useful to do. Thank you for making me feel less rubbishy than I did earlier today.

Soop it occurs to me that your present doldrums could have many causes or a combination of them
Losing poor Rory, the inevitable “down”which comes after a family gathering, exhaustion from the journey, the fact that neither of you is 100% well plus the shortening days of Autumn. Not to mention other things of which I may be unaware.
I think it is important to go with the flow in the sense of recognising the symptoms, taking account of them and NOT pushing yourself to the limit, NOT pushing through the “pain” barrier because post viral depression can take months to recover from.
So don’t be brave, treat yourself as you would if you had a broken leg - employ whatever “crutches” work for you.
Gentle walks when the weather is fine, favourite music by the fireside when it is not. A box set of something which will bring a smile to your face (As Time Goes By and To The Manor Born do it for me) a little self indulgence for both of you. Do you see what I mean? And if another feline friend wanders your way you will be all the more prepared to offer him or her a home
(Alternatively Cats’ Protection League for a rescue moggy.
I fear there is a cat shaped space in your lives ? )

We have had some fabulous meals at the Magpie Cafe over the years. SiL bought me a Magpie Cafe cookbook full of delicious fish recipes - typically, I have yet to cook anything out of it. Anyway "fish" is a dirty word today. I should have gone out on a high after my last trip to Ladybower, instead of which I am exhausted, disappointed, and totally feeling my age. Maw you were right, it was cold. And I am getting past the stage where I can stand hurling a rod around for five hours. Anyone want to buy some fishing tackle? Hey ho. I put a chicken casserole in the slow cooker before I went out and it smells lovely, so there is something to cheer me up and look forward to!
To all those in the doldrums, I send you a hand to hold (it's a bit grubby but it should do the trick!).

soop sorry to hear you are feeling down. You cheer us lot up so much all the time and are so caring to others needs. You have had a lot to deal with this year and have not been in the best of health. Missing Bracken and Rory can't help either. I am joining in with the other kitcheners in a big group hug ? and I suggest we all have a wee dram to cheer us up ?

callgirl what a lovely way to remember David's first anniversary with your family.

swanny sorry you are feeling a bit down. Seasonal or otherwise, I hate that low feeling. Do hope things pick up for you soon.

maw love the picture of hattie watching TV. Have you got any sheep ? she can round up?

anno so sorry you are in such pain and have to wait so long for an injection. Have you asked the surgery to let you know if there are any cancellations? It might be worth phoning again to see if you can bring your appointment forward somehow.