🦞🦂 *What are we up to?*🦂🦞

Naughtyneine I do hope your hip is sorted soon. I think I expected some pain and weeks of rehab but have been surprised at the fact that I'm still so wobbly side-to-side. I keep hoping it's just muscle weakness and not permanent.... however your problem of feeling as though it's dislocating is way worse! 🤞
for you and for Kaimona...
presumably Grammaretto, you are bombing about easily now. I remember you venturing out in a wobbly garden on about day 3!

I had my comeuppance when I had that inflammation recently NotSpag. That gave me a fright. I have been doing the boring exercises which helps.

I love the shawl Doodle such a talented lady.

I met a couple at community lunch today who have fairly recently moved here from the South of England. He's a handyman looking for small jobs.
So he's coming over tomorrow, possibly, to take a look at my window which is held in place with gaffer tape rather than putty and my front door which has a hole in it which it shouldn't have 😒.

The lady is mourning her horse which died recently. 😢

Our Gaelic teacher is very keen to celebrate the important days throughout the Celtic year, and Oidhche Shamhna (Halloween) is her
absolute favourite. It is the night before Samhain (November)
when it's believed that the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is thinned.

Wow NN you’re really going for it. Tattoos piercings. What are you planning for 72?
Hi Ixion yes the shawls are what we knit. They are not necessarily for our congregation they are for people who come to the churches attention. We knit the shawls together in church. Bet your tubs are lovely in spring.
Kaimoana i would go down well with your mum. I don’t wear dangly earrings . Don’t know why but I’ve never bought any. Funny enough I was thinking of getting some for Christmas.
Grammaretto i didn’t know anywhere that had buses running all night. You are lucky to have such a good service.
Our local busses aren’t bad but only one an hour till 9,30 or 10.
That could be a very useful meeting with a handy man. Hope he can help you with your window.
Notspaghetti we have our memorial service in Sunday. He names of all those being remembered by the congregation will be read out, it’s a lovely service. Thank you for thinking of us.
Art for me tomorrow.then visiting friend who’s just had her cataract done. Sleep well all

Do read them NotS they are excellent.

Ruth Downie write similar novels set in ancient Rome.

I often get recommendaions, look them up and see lots of lovely books. Then I hit the "eAudio' button (because I can't read) and whoops, 99% of those tantalising reads disappear.

But CDs are being phased out, so more eAudio is becomming available

Just had a look Kaimoana and found that Bolinda Audio does have some of the Falco books. Can you get Bolinda - I think it's originally Australian?

I had to wait in for that nice man, who never came, to do my DIY jobs so I finished fettling my mustard pots.
However, the weekend is looking very different now as I'm going to help out at DD's as she's laid low with an agonising sore back and can hardly move.
The DGC have to get to their Halloween parties.

DGD has made her own costume based on an animated character.

Here are my pots, they've still to dry and be fired.

How are the Lobstars today?

Keep fettling, Grammaretto! They are lovely!
I was sorry to hear of your DD, not so long before you go to Ireland, is it?

I never used to appreciate the significance of All Souls, Doodle, until bereavements in the close family led me to find solace in the dedicated Church service and the prayers for the dear departed.
Our church service is now accompanied by Fauré's Requiem.

Melancholic before we start, I am always in pieces by the close!

I have planted my 'Ronaldo' tulips (dark purple/black) this afternoon. They should - squirrels permitting - look a treat in my large (posh, RHS😉) grey glazed terracotta tub.
Crocus, muscari and tête-à -têtedaffs to follow.

Grammaretto i love your pots, really dainty and nice,
So sorry about your DD. Must be panic stations with Halloween fast approaching. Hope you get them kitted out ok.
Ixion i love the sound of those dark purple tulips. Love a picture when they’re in bloom.
I’ve been to art today. Another masterpiece on its way to the bin. I always overwork things then don’t like them.
Haircut tomorrow
Sleep well all

Thanls NotS I have had all the Falco books via Bolinda and much more, its a great resource.


The salient point is not whether the books have been issued in eAudion but whether Auckland Libraries have bought them for us to borrow.


Dozens of book I'd love to read are unavailable
because Auckland hasn't got them.

There is an 'Ask Us To Buy Them' facility and the librarians do their very best, but when you think every borrower in this vast sprawl (not just the city) can request, its not always successful.

I'm NOT complaining (honest) as I do have access to books without leaving my chair and the library is acquiring a few more new ones each month - and I often go back to old favourites like Falco and Ruso.

It's just a wee bit more difficult for me as I can't read, have neither TV nor radio and can't leave the house. eAudio is my sole source of entertainment.
Yes, I knit but I am knee deep in wooly slippers - I amy need to move to a bigger house

DS get on the plane home at 5:50 tomorrow evening. Long haul for him, landing here 4 days later.
Can't wait! I love that boy SO much.

Kaimoana.. 🧡 to you and "your boy"

Just popping in before we drop off the page.

We have had a busy evening with Trick or Treaters, all ages but polite and non threatening, generally with parent lurking at the end of the drive. Star of the evening was a toddler-sibling, who clambered up the step, dummy firmly in place, bag in hand , then marched determined into the front porch.

Hoping Grammaretto survived the Halloween taxi service and that DD is resting and recuperating.

Bulb planting tomorrow, working towards putting the garden to bed for the winter, I will follow shortly tonight.

Safe trip for DS, Kaimoana. Emotional times.❤️

Being two floors up I don’t get people on Halloween any more. Glad your visitors were respectful Ixion
Oh Kaimoana i bet you can’t wait. Even having him back in the same country will be a relief. Can’t wait till you see him.

I'm in the wild and windy Highlands. Can't sleep which is maddening.

DD had a positive outcome with the osteopath who will see her again next week. SiL took us to the Halloween party which was 2 hours of fun very loud children
I had my face painted and hair "dyed"
by DGDs. Blue lips and silver tattoos rather suit me.
They now have 3 turkeys to add to the menagerie.

I hope you see your son very soon Kaimoana. It's been a long time.
I don't see my DC all that often and as for the DGC. I've become the person who can only marvel and say how you've grown!

I must try to get to sleep. Night night.

Happy Saturday everyone. Kaimoana I hope that your DS is now back in NZ and your are able to see him very soon
Grammaretto, were any pictures taken of the the blue lipped silver faced party guest!!!!!
I hope that your DD continues to improve too, pain is so debilitating
I'm not hanging around long, I'm struggling with the hip pain as you might have read on Soop's thread and not a happy bunny just now* mostly weepy*
I'll be back when I've given myself a talking to and back on track...well at least got some make up on,
Wishing you all a good weekend wherever you are and whatever you are doing

Grammaretto i love that your grandchildren are making the most of having you with them for Halloween. I bet they’re excited. Are you staying long, sorry I can’t remember.
It was really windy here today must be much worse where you are.
Better news for your DD
NN I’m so sorry about your pain. A lady at our church suffered very badly and was in constant pain. She was very depressed about it. She’s just had her hip done and is feeling better now though still walking with a crutch.
Pain of any kind has such an impact on,our quality of life.
Kaimoana is he home yet! 💕

Doodle as I write, he's en route from Hong Kong to Auckland with less 4 hours to go

Photo shows a plane being loaded, maybe his, not sure - the drink is non-alcoholic btw. DS was in the Business Class lounge enjoying a good meal during a 7 hour layover..

Your excitement is palpable, Kaimoana.
It will be magic 🌻

You will be so happy today Kaimoana

It was very nice to stay with DD and family and be able to help out.
I have a cold now again which is rotten.
I went on a bracing dog walk before I left yesterday. Here is s photo of their place from across a field. The autumn colours everywhere are so beautiful.

Oh, what a lovely location, Grammaretto.
No wonder the DGDs need ferrying!
I'm sorry you have a cold now🤧.

How is the glumness, NN? Sometimes, you know, it's more than just a good talking to that one needs. Keep pushing!

We have just witnessed this year's excellent firework display - 20 minutes of pure delight!
Not in person, I might add. Gone are the days of pushing pushchairs and guiding little welly-booted toddlers across muddied fields, with the occasional one wanting to go home, cos they were cold/wet/tired/ hungry/ scared.

We now gaze over the rooftops to see the aerial display in all its glory from the warmth of our own home, 🥃🥃in hand.

Has he come yet? Kaimoana.
A line from one of my most favourite films. Clue 1961, Brian Forbes.
Any other fans here?

I believe Brian Forbes was, if not a pioneer, certanly a leading light bringing British filmakers out of the dark

Yes, DS landed 90 mins late, sent me a text message then went straight to bed!
Like me, he does not sleep well on aeroplanes and as his journey commenced at 5:50pm, he had already been awake many hours before boarding.
But he's home and that's marvellous

Meanwhile, I have been hit - and I do mean hit as with a virtual sledgehammer - in my hips.

No idea what it is but I suspect an infection because the right hip, of trusty Titanium, is hurting as much as the left.

I also think a little envy is involved here as the left has grumbled and sulked on and off for a while now, ever since the right was refurbished and probably got a bit boastful about it

I am using a walker because I just cannot perambulate unaided. nor can I take anti-inflammatories - but I do have codeine, thank goodness.

I have a doctor's appt Thursday, unless they can squeeze me in before.

Grammaretto what a lovely location and amazing view. Glad you had a good time sorry about the cold.
Our younger son’s family all have colds too.
Kaimoana i doubt if even a painful hip will dampen the joy of your boy being home again, hope you get to see him soon.
Hope you get that doctors appointment as well. Sorry you’re having even more health problems.
Ixion nice to enjoy fireworks from the warmth of home. Our son’s poor cockerpoo is a quivering mess after last nights displays.
I went to a lovely memorial service today. DH’s name read out along with many others. Both our sons came with me which was so nice.

That's a bummer Kaimoana your hips competing to give you extra pain 😢 😭

I hope you soon see DS that will lift your spirits.

I have arranged to stay with DS3 after the Dublin trip. Then it's only NZ I can't go to but have not ruled it out for next year. or in the future

I was at the film tonight thinking it was Rear Window but it was Outrun instead. It's about an alcoholic trying to recover. (Siorse Ronan) Set on Orkney the lashing waves and constant storms made me freeze so I'm now in bed after a hot bath.

I'm glad the fireworks were good ixion.
I'm happy that you've had a nice day Doodle.
My cold is now a burning throat.
I'm doing an outdoor firing tomorrow with an artist friend so will probably die of either cold or smoke
inhalation.

DD is remote but she is used to it. I hope she's getting better. At least the DGC go on the school bus which picks up all the rural kids in their valley.
Night night Lobstars 🌙

Grammaretto that throat sounds sore. Are you gargling with something? Hot drinks and 🥃 are called for I think.
Will the outdoor firing be an all night one? I hope you’re not going to be outside much you need to wrap up warm.
When are you going to Dublin? Be nice to stay with your
dd a bit.

Kiamoana is he home? 💕

Kaimoana's DS must be home now with his family.

My throat is still sore but we got the pottery fired. It only took a couple of hours as it's a small handmade kiln using propane gas.
Here's the piece my gt nephew aged 3 made when he was here.

This evening I went to a choral concert in the Usher Hall. Two choirs one of which was a junior choir who stole the show! They sang in Gaelic, in Welsh, in Japanese, Hawaian and Ghanaian as well as English.

It's not until next week that I go to Dublin.

Can Jeeves please bring some throat medicine.