The Lockdown Gang still chatting

Grammaretto never heard of purslane, what does it taste like?
Are there many in your group? Do you all go armed with trowels or buckets and spades?😊
I used to love going on the beach with my dad and searching in the rock pools for anything moving. We didn’t get to the beach much but it was something we loved to do together.
Kaimoana you have led such an interesting life. Only you could be ambushed by a do gooder trying to save you from the terrors of fennel. 🤣
Nice surprise visit from your DGD. I never light ‘special’ candles either.
How nice for you to spend some time together and a fancy hairdo as well. Sounds a lovely colour combinations. I bet it suits you.
Mamissimo the loss of a pet affects all the family doesn’t it.
Wow is it next week you are going to Norway. It has come round fast. Lots of packing to do which will help take your mind off things. So exciting. Hope you have a good time.
Jan that would be an interesting colour combination for MrM . So sorry you had to cancel your July cruise. We have one booked too but not sure if it will go ahead whether the insurance will cover us. Have to wait and see.
Will you try and re book yours?

Mamissimo Maybe Mr M could have his hair coloured to match the Norwegian flag!! We love Norway. Had an amazing cruise there last year and should have been doing another one in July but had to cancel due to the you know what!!! Just been doing exercises- grrrrrr!
The Coronation was on yesterday for what felt like a whole day. Mr J was glued to it and I watched bits of it. Shame about the weather though.
We are all sad when we lose a pet but life goes on. We are the tough generation!

Good morning 🙃

We're undergoing immersion therapy after H's loss and are swamped by miserable children and grandchildren......Mr M and I seem to be far more stoical than the younger generation who are puzzled by us carrying on with life. Of course we're sad and miss her hugely but we were both encouraged by our parents and society in general to put our chins up and keep busy. We thought we'd led by example when our previous pets died but our AC are having none of it. I'm trying not to be grumpy with them but I wish they'd get off my case!

We all settled down to watch the coronation yesterday and only Mr M and I saw it though....the others drifted off to chat in the kitchen and play with the DGDs.

This week I have to get my butt into gear and get us packed up for Norway next week. That holiday has come round fast! DD2 is here and is going to cut Mr M's hair....maybe she could give him a Kaimoana colour? 😁

Cherry

Grammaretto you have taken me back to a distant occurence when I was a herbalist and gathering fennel which I knew well. A woman walking along the disused railway line almost wrestle me to the ground insisting I was picking hemlock. Fennel has a lovely aniseed fragrance, hemlock doesn't but she wouldn't believe me.

Another wonderful surprise for me yesterday.
An unexpected visit from my grand-daughter who lives in Tauranga.
She spent all afternoon and evening chatting with me; bought me fish and chips for tea and 'wet fish' for tomorrow.

She also gave me my birthday gift, which is the most beautiful, perfumed fat lady candle.

It'll never be lit but will join my collection of 'fat memorabilia' which includes statues, a terracotta sculpture and Xmas angel decorations.

All were gifts to me when I wrote the first book. Blimey! that's nearly 24 years ago now

She also re-dyed my hair and instead of being streaky as it is when I do it, it's now blended gently into green, blue and lilac in a most professional way.

It was such a pleasure to see her that I didn't even regret leaving my computer to be sociable

Bet Charlie's glad it's all over.

We will all miss Honey Beagle's antics.
Such a character!
Gorgeous flowers Kaimoana I hope you enjoyed the theatre too. Lots to look forward to.

Cherry what an interesting story. Did it really happen?

I didn't watch the coronation but have seen plenty of highlights.
I went foraging on the beach. The rain stayed off and we added wild purslane to our filled rolls.
Much slippery seaweed -some delicious.

We were shown one of the most poisonous plants in Britain. Hemlock whose alkaloids, if ingested, can kill within minutes. Unfortunately it's easily confused with chervil and sweet Cicely.

Is Jeeves about? I wonder if he was at the palace? I could do with some hot chocolate.
Night night everyone

I agrée Kaimoana i think we were all fond of Honey beagle and her antics.
Glad you had a good time with your son, I can just imagine you chatting away together and the time flying by. Nice they are coming next weekend. Something to look forward to,
Oh yes I do remember James Robertson Justice. Wonderful character.
DH is what the NHS politely refer to as a ‘bleeder’. No sooner does his skin develop the smallest of holes then we tend to have a bloody mess, so to speak. They tend to pack his arm with cotton wool and tape and always take canulars out very gingerly.
What a thoughtful gift from your DIL and how lovely even if it was the wrong day. Beautiful flowers, Hope you all have a good time next week. Enjoy your theatre trip.
Cherry that lovely. Thank you 😊

Hello lobStars

Yesterday the weather was a bit mixed but we, armed with a flask of coffee, went for a walk on the common. Having walked a fair way my WP was starting to struggle because of his back. We knew that only a little further away was a fence beside which was an old perching stone so we headed for it and took a break. My WP couldn't perch on the stone but I could, whilst he paced back and forth because he can't stand still as he aches even more. We took a much needed break with a cup of coffee. There was a man in the field who seemed to spot us, indeed he walked over and asked if my WP was okay. My WP told him he was okay, just that his back was bothering him and he wasn't very happy because he wanted to enjoy our walk. The man said he has a sheepdog called Cass who isn't happy either. I said I'm sorry to hear that and asked him what's wrong with her. He said she isn't happy being a sheepdog but that she was a sheepdog by breed so she didn't have any choice and he kept telling her that. So she doesn't behave like a sheepdog then I said. No he said, what she likes is to steal shoes and boots and sge takes them out into the field and leaves them there. So you farm sheep then I asked. No he said I farm potatoes and swede. Then he said he hoped we enjoyed the rest of our walk and that he was going to attend to his chickens. By this time our coffee was going cold so we drank it up and walked the few yards to the fork in the lane and decided to walk home past the farmhouse. As we approached the farmhouse we could see there was a single shoe near the front door. There was no sign of a dog. We walked a little further on and we caught a peep of the other shoe. Sitting on top of the shoe was a chicken. As we headed away from the house and past the next field we saw a woman rounding up a flock of sheep. We couldn't see a dog. Then we heard a man's voice shouting "Cass, Cass". The woman turned her head towards where the voice was coming from and then we noticed she had bare feet. We looked at each other and then back to the field. The woman was gone. In her place was a sheepdog wearing a shoe, another nearby.

RIP Honey Beagle.

I did have a great time with my very DS, he's always so interesting. Three hours just isn't long enough but I shall probably seem them all next weekend.

Do you remember the 'Doctor in the House' series, Doodle? The consultant was played by James Robertson Justice.
He was talking about how fast blood clotted and turned to Dr Sparrow (who had not been paying attention) and barked, 'Sparrow, what's the bleeding time?'
'Two thirty, sir.' says Dr Sparrow.

My bleeding time is very quick, the blood is never more than a tiny dot (whatever the Warfarin dose) and I don't need a plaster. Not sure if that means my blood is like sludge or not

A beautiful bouquet arrived for me today - my Dil forgot Mothers' Day isn't until next weekend!

As that is also Dgs birthday, we may all go out for lunch.

To the theatre tomorrow; an afternoon performance
which sounds very similar to, 'The Vagina Monologues' - only from a Maori women's perspective. Sounds interesting.

Thinking about the very sad Mamissimo household and sending love. xxx

I am sure H.Beagle would have chosen to go just as she was making plans to snaffle ham.

Isn't it strange how one can be fond of a dog you've never met?
She was so cheeky and I loved that.

Sorrow is the price we pay for love but you ( and we) have so many wonderful memories.

Thank you Mamissimo for sharing her with us.

Kaimoana I didn’t realise you had your bloods taken every day. You must be like. A pin cushion. Do you bleed a lot after? DH does and he always ends up with a wad of cotton dressing strapped to his arm to stop the bleeding.
Sorry this has all happened and made you feel so ill. Could be the BP meds as you say, DH is always loathe to change more than one medication at a time as he says you never know what’s causing the problems if you do that.
Sometimes the GPS are urged to prescribe things following recent trends or guidelines but not all patients respond the same way. I think having input on your own health and medication is the best way forward,
Have a lovely time with your DS. Nothing Ga ga about you, of that I’m certain😊
Hello Grammaretto. Well I’m still here ….. I think …although I’m not too sure. Poor DH, who takes so many tablets every day, has started having very believable dreams at night where he is convinced he has to take some tablets.
It’s happened several times. He wakes me up and says what tablets am I supposed to be taking ….me, nothing you’ve had them all..go back to sleep. He’s so used to this now he just wakes me up and says have I been dreaming 🤣.
That was quick getting your tank fitted. Hope it’s all ok now,
We too are very suspicious of any call from the bank and are always alert for scams.
When are the Germans coming? (Sounds like something from Dad’s Army)
Yes it would be nice to get out in the sunshine for a bit.
Oh Mamissimo I’m so sorry. We will all miss tales of her exploits. I’m glad she was able to keep going for a while and her character was with her to the end. Much loved and will be much missed I’m sure.
She had a good life with you and we all enjoyed tales of her naughty but loveable habits. Having lost 3 of our own I know how you will be feeling tonight. Thinking of you.
Jan you put it all so well. Yes a big personality describes her perfectly.

Dear Honey Beagle. RIP. .
Jan has put my sentiments too.

Mamissimo. I am truly so sorry to hear about Honey Beagle. I know only too well how much your pain hurts. Bless her she had an amazing home with her doggie mum and dad who loved her so much. And I think we all loved her too. A little dog with a big personality and oh how she loved her - or even your - food! Will be thinking of you as you raise a glass of that French wine and remember her with love xxx

Good afternoon 😢

H Beagle was PTS this morning. Her spirit was still very strong but she suffered a fit this morning after standing on her back legs to help her to steal ham from the worktop. A final act of beagle naughtiness. We are in pieces. X

Hello Lobstars
I hope we have all made it to the end of the week?
My nice new plumber fitted the new tank so the Germans will have wasser.
I hope the ceiling doesn't fall in. Water is still dripping from it and it's turned a funny colour not pretty like your arm Kaimoana
As I was trying to eat my meal last night I had a call from the bank. Alarm bells were ringing as I thought it could be a scam but it was to query my new recipient of phone bank transfer. It took half an hour and many questions before I was allowed to pay him.
It would have been much quicker when I could have given him a cheque or even cash.
I am so glad that the dude is doing better Doodle . Nice weather helps and to have something to look forward to.
This applies to all the gang
Kaimoana this includes you.
Keep the sledge hammer at bay!!

You may have to look at your tank not as an expense Grammaretto but as an investment in property.

Yes Doodle I have a blood test every day, the phlebotomist comes to me, which is wonderful.

Cardiologist suggested aspirin but despite my mentioning this (or maybe because of it!) GP didn't prescribe.

Instead it was Warfarin and doses increased day by day - was my blood like sludge?

Until I had sub-dermis bleeding all up my arm, very pretty but unpleasant.

Then panicky phone call from surgery, 'Your INR levels are way too high. Stop taking it!'
I would have anyway, there's just so much I can stand before I think Enough!

Yes, it has made me feel really ill but that could be because she also changed my BP medication.

Until this happened, my BP was not too bad 135/80 but the cardiologist took it and it was 150 ("white coat hypertension" he suggested).

I have never reacted well to pharmaceuticals but I take them if I have to. I previously reacted badly to Warfarin but no one seemed to listen (except the cardiologist who suggested aspirin).

This 'sledge hammer to crack a nut' (me!) approach isn't the right way to treat patients.

No doubt my BP is through the roof at the moment because I so much want to finish this book and my eyes are failing so rapidly - and I can do without my doctor trying to kill me

Grammaretto are you going to make Seaweed Quiche with King Prawns on Coronation Day?

Message from DS who is coming for a quick visit sometime today. Yipee. We are going to fill in the forms for Enduring Power of Attorney for when I am more ga-ga than I am already.

Kaimoana do you have your warfarin levels checked regularly? Has it suddenly shot up? I Hope you are ok.
Does it make you feel really ill? Hope the Docs can bring it down again without much trouble,
I too love that clip.
Grammaretto your Saturday sounds like fun too. What will you be searching for? I’d love to be on a beach again. Hopefully in a couple of weeks we may be able to do that.
I might be foraging for things too. In my case some pebbles to paint.
I hate that sort of expense. You know you need it but it’s not exactly a glamorous or interesting thing to buy.
I went for lunch with a friend today. Really enjoyed it. Nice place and some good food. Intrigued by young 18 moth old little baby boy who was walking along holding into the huge flower pots and pulling the leaves off the plants one at a time while his mum sat chatting to friends. I think he knew he shouldn’t be doing it because he kept looking over his shoulder to see if she’d spotted him

I love that Monty Python clip Kaimoana.
I shall be foraging playing on a beach on Saturday with my ecologist df and a couple of my potters. There'll be children and dogs. Seaweed crowns?

The plumber will fit a new water tank today while I'm on my walk.
Not cheap but necessary.

I am glad you've been able to get out on walks again Doodle
I love this time of year.

In the distant past, I used to volunteer as a medical guinea pig. Now it seems I am again - but this time I didn't volunteer. Warfarin dose dangerously high, results say gee, thanx doc.

Oh yes Gramaretto rich golfer are far more important than people who need community gardens. Did you ever doubt it?

You can always fill the 2nd pepperpot Doodle isn't it de rigueur these days to have Pink Himalayan Salt ? after years of food police telling us not to put salt on our food

Unrelenting rain today and apparently for the next 4 days - yipee.

I shan't be watching the Coronation but I wonder if Charles is nervous. What little I know of him, I support because he's a thinking man and seems to genuinely care.

I had a nice wee chat with him about long bows found on the Mary Rose, when he and Diana visited us in Cornwall.

Monty Python on kings:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2c-X8HiBng

I have a feeling the pepper pot knob will be found soon……..because DH has just ordered another one. 🤔
Had a lovely day today. Hospital visit first thing then lunch by the river and a little walk. First time we have walked by the river for a long time. We were both so pleased to be a bit normal for a change.
Grammaretto I can’t do steps at all anymore. Living in a flat, I have lost the use of my step climbing muscles and now if I do steps I have to take them one at a time with both feet on the same step before moving on.
Hope the Germans turn up and are helpful. What are you knitting now? Is it another cardigan ……..Jeeves is looking hopeful!
Ah thank you for the reminder. I need to book the window cleaner.
Dear Cherry Doppler did go well and the results are good. DH is so relieved as the surgery for the neck arteries is very dangerous. Having survived it once he wasn’t keen to have it again.
Hmm our team need to get better results. Hope they do better next time.
Glad you had a good walk. It’s so much better in the sunshine.
Jan if you think it’s funny reading about my giraffe pose you should see it in real life. DH has watched me do it loads of times but it still makes him laugh. Ungainly isn’t the word for it. 🤣. Yes I see now why the handrail is a better option. DH is a bit scared of tackling slopes with his Rollator.
Kaimoana of course you are forgiven. 🤣. I love your stories. I was hooked. 😊
NFK great minds as they say. Just read your post after I had written at the beginning of mine about buying a new one.
I will let you know if it turns up,

You do know Doodle, that the only way you'll find your pepper mill top is to buy another pepper mill. The top will then be found sitting on the worktop.

I do hope you go on your trip Jan, it'll be good to just go somewhere different - even if you were to come one every night!

I love that story Kaimoana. I like to think that sometime, someone actually did do it.

That story is funny though far too believable. Kaimoana
Years ago, when the then community garden was suffering regular vandalism, the police were called and said they'd come by at about 6 pm. I waited for 2 hours until the midges became unbearable, gave up and went home.
I rang our local police who, without apology, said they had been too busy policing the international golf tournament at Muirfield
When some days later a policeman came he didn't seem interested in stopping the vandals but how much were the 3 burned down sheds worth?

Hey ho! There are bigger worries in the world

I don't put out bird food any more. Sometimes in the depths of winter I might but just now the birds have plenty.
There's a wren's nest underneath the gypsy caravan. There must be as they keep darting under. And now I can watch through my clean windows! 😊

If you want a mysterious story about a summerhouse, I can oblige.

My friend Judy looked out of her bedroom window one night to see sinister lights in her summerhouse and saw thieves taking her garden furniture.

She rang to police who asked if she was insured (yes) then said unfortunately there was no one available to look in this burglary.

Judy had a lot of expensive furnitute and some arty things in there and as the thieves struggle to get chairs and tables out, she rang the cops again.
"I've just heard gunshots, I think they might be armed!"

In a very short time, there were police cars, SWAT teams and dogs in her garden.

After an initial search of the perps, Det. Insp said, "We can find no firearms, I thought you said there were shots?"

"And I thought you said you had no one available." said Judy.

Of course all this is an elaborate story round a very old joke. Poetic licence.

Am I forgiven?

Doodle sorry but that did make me giggle! The things we have to do! 🦒🦒🦒🦒. The only sinister thing in the garden is those flipping pigeons. But we feed the birds and pigeons are birds! No can’t have a ramp as it would be too steep and I would end up running down it - if I could run!

The pepper mill knob definitely didn't go down the plughole then Doodle. It's a mystery for sure. I'm still puzzled to this day about how ours got inside a closed cupboard nevermind the saucepan 🤣. That's horrible what happened in your DS' house and to your DGD's precious little belongings ☹️.
I hope you and your DH have had a lovely relaxing day today, I hope the Doppler scan goes well tomorrow.
Oh, me and ixion have been cheerleading .... it just didn't work on the weekend and tomorrow's opponents 😱!

Shame there'll be no water for the potters Grammaretto but you can tell your German helpers that you want to give them an experience of a new minimalist aesthetic 😉

I'm sure that your load of rubbish isn't quite as rubbishy as you think Kaimoana but it's said that every good writer is critical of their own work. It is helpful to remove yourself from it sometimes though ain't it and return to it with refreshed clarity.

Grr, pesky pigeons Jan! Flying rats more like 😯. They eat our bird feeders dry if they can, they're a perennial pest for bird lovers even though they are birds . No matter how hard we've tried to make the feeders inaccessible to them they always seem to find a way. It's great when we're visited by rooks and even better when a kestrel visits as they don't like that 😁
I can understand you getting cold feet about going away for a couple of days, it's bound to be daunting, but I do think it'll be good for you to get away. Are you going by car? Being away from home doesn't necessarily mean you have to walk very much and hopefully the weather will be good and you can sit outside somewhere, have lunch outside and people watch.

Talking of good weather, I went on my walkie talkie today and the weather was glorious. The lunch was great too, we rolled rather than walked after it 🤣

That's great Jan I hope you get your handrail soon.

We had a handrail for our front steps for our elderly visitors. Guess who needs it now!

I hope you get away for your mini break. I hope Doodle does too.
Depending on when the coronation is I may see some of it but I shall be foraging on the beach for edible plants and seaweed - with an expert.

The window cleaner came today so they are sparkling - at least on the outside.

The plumber tells me he can fit a new tank by early next week.
The water was joined to the Mains so no wonder it was a neverending deluge. Poor Lodger. She's a hero!

I haven't met these Germans before. I hope they turn up. Neither of the 2 last people came but called off at the last minute.

I've had to undo several rows of knitting tonight. I was going wrong. 😕

I am sure your writing is excellent Kaimoana but I am sorry you have such difficulty seeing. That must be very frustrating.