Good morning Michael and all GN's on a very dark but much colder morning in North Yorkshire. Definitely into winter mode with the heating situation now, and today is a case of 6 and two 3's , as on the plus side , my bedroom was quite warm so heating coming on properly, but I now need to make sure thta there is nothing blocking the radiator etc, but when I came through to the lounge it felt decidedly chilly, but the radiator hadnt come on, and despite my faffing around with it , it is being stubborn, and I will have to get the instructions out and remind myself of the way to readjust it all, and make sure that I am getting the best out of them when they are on. Last year I did buy one of those electric blankets with the idea that you warm yourself rather than the room, and so I need to set that all up too, as my basic idea is going to be having the heating coming on so that I dont start the morning by freezing, but have to keep the timings to the early morning and late evening, and learn to go for the electric blanket thing if it is cold in the day, as sadly I have to accept that the old idea of get moving and go for a walk or do some exercise wont be something I can do very well these days.
Yesterday was definitely also a 6 and 2 3's day. Definitely you win some and lose some! I was struggling to get around easily ,and had decided to miss the group morning as I was not at all interested in making anything, but with the cleaners coming I couldnt go out for the day. But I decided to go to the Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle. I had made up my mind to join their annual scheme, as they have various bits and pieces coming, the silver swan is always a delight to watch, and they had the new exhibition of some french impresssionist but more slightly earlier painters coming. I had enjoyed the free weekend when they had done so well with over 2000 visitors in two days, and it had reminded me that I used to go there regularly, and with an annual ticket now I will have that opportunity to go as and when I like, and it will be somewhere to enjoy in the winter months, and get me out and about.
I needed to be back in the early afternoon, so planned to get off early, but so many things were working against me, from phone calls to only moving at tortoise speed, that I was getting so frustrated that I left quite a shambles of jobs not finished and things half done, But the last straw was yet another pile of things sliding to the floor. I think it was because in the pile was a magazine with a shiny cover and it just gained momentum slowly. I wasnt even anywhere near it and it just slid down and spread over the floor. Was so miffed I just got my coat and shut the door on it and set off! It was quite a slow journey with the traffic, but definitely an autumn morning to be enjoyed. Looked as though it had been really cold the night before and so touches of autumn colour and the sheep showing up against the hillside. I had put some washing out before I left, in the hopes that it might dry, but at least would smell nice. The sky darkened and we had a swift shower but with a beautiful rainbow to enjoy.
I got myself there and parked in the disabled area, and hobbled into the museum. It was in that rather nice state, where I had seen a couple of coaches parked up, and in the museum, there was that rather nice buzz of conversation, and enough people wandering around to make it feel lived in, but not so many you had difficulty looking at things.
I enjoyed the art exhibition, but on that floor they only have very low down benches with no backs to them and I found it quite difficult to either stand for long periods or to safely lower myself to a bench with the slight worry if I would manage to get back up!! They had postcard size comment sheets, so I wrote one out , suggesting that on that floor they might have a few higher chairs with good back support. That they might label them, asking that priority was given to any disabled person who might need them like the seats on the bus or train.It seems odd that on one floor there are suitable seats around yet on the other floor none. After I had looked my fill of the art exhibition I took the lift up to go and see the lovely Silver Swan, and sit in comfort for a little while and enjoy looking at other items, but then looking at my watch, had to beat a hasty retreat and drive straight home in the hopes of being there before the cleaners. They were just leaving as I arrived, and so had a hasty chat with them and off they went and I was glad to come in and collapse in a heap!! They had done a good job, and the floors now looked clean and with all the various debris and things dropped on them sorted and cleared up. I had forgotten to ask them to put a bag of sorted summer clothes up into a cupboard I find hard to reach into, but certainly everywhere looked cleaner and a bit tidier too.
I enjoyed some smoked haddock chowder and fresh bread for my late lunch and then my halo improved over the afternoon, as I plodded through various piles of things, throwing out of date reminders away, making a couple of phone calls, and in particular trying to find my elusive loyalty card for Strikes. A friend called and we made arrangements to meet there this morning at 10am for a catch up as again no library bocca this week, so making the most of the chance to have a chat rather than bits of conversation between curling or bocca bits.
At last I triumphed and found the new card and put it ready to take . By this time it was quite late and went to turn the tv off and go to bed, but could I find the flipping control, could I heck!! In the end I had to just close the door firmly to try and deaden the sound, and go to bed anyway. After a set time with nothing happening it closes itself down, but I did feel annoyed with myself , that I just could not find the wretched controller, as I knew that I had used it earlier .
Ah well such is life. So here I am creaking around and waiting for the rooms to heat up a bit before I get myself showered and for once dressed in going out clothes in the first place. I still sort of divide my clothes into clean and fit to work in at home, or things to wear to go out in. I think my age group, brought up when there was still rationing etc after the war, were all expected to change out of school uniform as soon as you got home and take care of your "good " clothes . With no central heating at that time it was also put on something warm and get cracking with jobs or homework or whatever.
There was also the clear age difference related choice of clothes. Despite running a farm and looking after stock etc., I never remember my granny wearing trousers ever. Her version would be longish skirt or dress, with stockings or sox and boots for outside and warm slippers for inside, with a really coverall pinafore worn in the house for baking or cleaning etc. My mother was daring enough to wear warm trousers at home for housework and in the back garden, but again definitely never went out in trousers, but got changed into dress or skirt with warm jumper at this time of year, and I tend to live in trousers, as the easiest things to get on and off, but have a range of them, again older or less pleasing ones for working in at home, and at the moment my favourite trousers to go out in are my rather good blue cords with wide legs, easy to put on, and one of several striped tops with a suitable jumper to go over the top. I do have various dresses and so forth, but most of them are for either evening wear or a selection of things that I go to sing in. I most certainly dont dress to look fashionable , or care what other people thing. My choice is based on , what is most comfortable and practical for what I am doing at that time. I used to do modelling in the far distance past, and stick to those rules, where you take care that you have got dressed in an appropriate manner, that all is clean and tidy as you are too , and once that is checked you carry on with your day and totally ignore any further worrying about your outfit.You know you are getting older when you see some young woman looking very smart but absolutely freezing in some trendy but chilly outfit, and are not in the least jealous of her but even feel sorry for her!! What do you all do? Am I an odd one out or do you all do similar things?
Well the morning has lightened up and it is a little warmer here, so time to get cracking and hope that the borrowers return the tv controller! Not a sign of any squirrel or pigeon today, think they are all trying to still keep warm and feeling the chill. I hope you have a good trip on the bus Mike and I may join you in having fish and chips today. Ashcombe you will have to make the most of the black eyes! Look reproachfully at your DH whenever anyone else is around or write in mascara "his" and "hers" in tiny letters on your cheeks, and give dramatic sighs. GrandMattie , glad you are having a little break and so far enjoying your time together. It should also do your various groups at home good to realize how much you do for them, as they cant find things and have to get themselves organised for once and deal with things. When you get back, encourage them to tell you who made a good dish or organised something and then make the most of this by telling them that it is good that they have some other people to do their share at last as you now need to take a back seat , but are happy to advise in the future!! Ah Marzipan quick quick get the sack out and grab as many of the leaves as possible and make some leaf mould for nothing, and next year you will be pleased with your efforts .Oh Greyduster, chestnuts! we used to collect them and then they would be put under the fire to safely cook and not shoot out at you, and that throwing about as you tried to peel them as hot as possible without burning your fingers. But they are so moorish arent they. Once you start you cant stop eating them. We also used to have three sorts of stuffing in our christmas dinner turkey or whatever, so it would be sage and onion, sausage meat and then chestnut. delicious, but wont be bothering with that on my own this year. so next market day I shall look out for fresh and plump chestnuts to enjoy.
Ah well the entourage have arrived, squirrels 2 are dashing about up and down the tree, cheekily trying yet again to bury things in my pots and racing along the fence. In the meantime the pigeons 3 rather slowly pacing around giving the odd peck at the ground, and ignoring the dashing squirrels rushing past them! Now it is time for me to get going, shant be dashing but hope to move faster than a tortoise. I hope you all have a good day and I will return to read more posts later. Treat yourself kindly today and award yourself a good coffee or an extravagant cake. Well it is friday folks!!
