18 June 2007
Muggy and overcast but the promised thunder and heavy showers have not materialised in this part of the High Peak. It is extraordinary how the rain skirts round us - I am truly thankful that we have not been subject to the high rainfall in other parts of the country. Yesterday was spent with Ranger and his area has suffered prolonged, heavy rain and thunder and this is only 30 miles away as my friendly crow tells me; rather more when I have to do the driving.
I pondered on the way home as to why drivers will maintain a steady speed of 35 miles an hour, irrespective of the speed limit and also irrespective of the queue building up behind them on an A road with limits varying from 60 through to 30! As the road in question is one with no opportunity for overtaking as the Highways Authority has inserted numerous safety measures such as "traffic safety cameras" and "pedestrian refuges" this added a good 15 minutes to the journey and the chap in the car in question was blissfully unaware that some twenty cars were behind him. I know that this was Sunday but it is something which I have encountered before as part of the way is a route to the motorway and I do wonder how these drivers fare on the M6 or M1 - at least there you can overtake!
The drive home gave me time to ponder on the nature of relationships and how I handle them; my second marriage is a source of so much joy and acquiring a step-daughter has been splendid. My life is rich in friends and family and this so much compensates for the "growing old grumps" which assail me from time to time and which will no doubt, only increase in occurrence!
The concert of Saturday was splendid and went off smoothly and my head was full of music and still is; I managed to catch the glorious singing of the Cardiff Singer of the Year finalists and thought the result of Shen Yang as winner was well deserved.
Muggy and overcast but the promised thunder and heavy showers have not materialised in this part of the High Peak. It is extraordinary how the rain skirts round us - I am truly thankful that we have not been subject to the high rainfall in other parts of the country. Yesterday was spent with Ranger and his area has suffered prolonged, heavy rain and thunder and this is only 30 miles away as my friendly crow tells me; rather more when I have to do the driving.
I pondered on the way home as to why drivers will maintain a steady speed of 35 miles an hour, irrespective of the speed limit and also irrespective of the queue building up behind them on an A road with limits varying from 60 through to 30! As the road in question is one with no opportunity for overtaking as the Highways Authority has inserted numerous safety measures such as "traffic safety cameras" and "pedestrian refuges" this added a good 15 minutes to the journey and the chap in the car in question was blissfully unaware that some twenty cars were behind him. I know that this was Sunday but it is something which I have encountered before as part of the way is a route to the motorway and I do wonder how these drivers fare on the M6 or M1 - at least there you can overtake!
The drive home gave me time to ponder on the nature of relationships and how I handle them; my second marriage is a source of so much joy and acquiring a step-daughter has been splendid. My life is rich in friends and family and this so much compensates for the "growing old grumps" which assail me from time to time and which will no doubt, only increase in occurrence!
The concert of Saturday was splendid and went off smoothly and my head was full of music and still is; I managed to catch the glorious singing of the Cardiff Singer of the Year finalists and thought the result of Shen Yang as winner was well deserved.
19 June 2007
I am not given to reading books more than once but some time last year I became acquainted with Precious Ramotswe of the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency and read a couple of the books. I decided to treat myself to all eight which have been written so far and have had so much enjoyment in reading them through in sequence; once one is finished I cannot wait to start on the next and am now reading the seventh in the series. In this way I have not minded re-reading the two I had already read!
Alexander McCall Smith writes deceptively simple prose, without unnecessary embellishment and has such a commonsense attitude to life that I have been completely engrossed in each book. I have never been to Botswana and the books themselves would not give me a traveller's guide by any means but the descriptions of the large skies and comparatively small lives of those about whom he writes are just marvellous. There was a report in the weekend papers that a film is to be made of some of the stories and had a picture of the actress who is to play the lead. Precious Ramotswe is a lady of traditional build, so being a traditionally built lady myself I can only welcome this as a statement that size 0 to 6 is not the only way to achieve happiness!
22 June 2007
"Well, you've done something to it"
This phrase conjours immediate feelings of fear, irritation, inadequacy and indignation at the unfairness of it. I have heard it frequently over the last couple of weeks and even whilst writing this I can feel the same stirrings of denial on my part and certainty on the part of OH , Ranger and any other IT person with whom I consult. If I use a piece of equipment or machinery and switch it off, when I come to use it again I expect that it will work in the same way as it did on the previous occasion I used it.
My new computer does not work on this principle; whether it is the operating system (Vista) or the computer itself I do not know but I do know that there have been several occasions recently when the machine could cheerfully have been pitched out of the window. Of course, when asking for help from the men in my life who can help it is that phrase which causes my blood pressure to rise and my courtesy to fly away! If I had done something to it of which I was aware, I would know that - saying that I have changed a file name or moved something is not awfully helpful when I know that all I have done is switched the wretched thing off and switched it on again!!
The latest crisis came about when I logged on last night to post a few irrelevancies and discovered that, following some essential updates which Windows downloaded, all the pictures on my web site had gone. I have spent some considerable time and energy replacing them and hoping that they will not get lost again. Preventative measures have been taken and I will not ask for help unless I am desperate; I do not include in this rant my son, who usually responds with the utmost patience when I phone in desperation but is, of course, limited by the fact that he cannot see my screen so the conversation does tend to become tortuous.
I am sure that improvements to Vista will iron out a lot of the problems; until then I will be patient and back up everything in sight against future calamities. There, that's off my chest!
"Well, you've done something to it"
This phrase conjours immediate feelings of fear, irritation, inadequacy and indignation at the unfairness of it. I have heard it frequently over the last couple of weeks and even whilst writing this I can feel the same stirrings of denial on my part and certainty on the part of OH , Ranger and any other IT person with whom I consult. If I use a piece of equipment or machinery and switch it off, when I come to use it again I expect that it will work in the same way as it did on the previous occasion I used it.
My new computer does not work on this principle; whether it is the operating system (Vista) or the computer itself I do not know but I do know that there have been several occasions recently when the machine could cheerfully have been pitched out of the window. Of course, when asking for help from the men in my life who can help it is that phrase which causes my blood pressure to rise and my courtesy to fly away! If I had done something to it of which I was aware, I would know that - saying that I have changed a file name or moved something is not awfully helpful when I know that all I have done is switched the wretched thing off and switched it on again!!
The latest crisis came about when I logged on last night to post a few irrelevancies and discovered that, following some essential updates which Windows downloaded, all the pictures on my web site had gone. I have spent some considerable time and energy replacing them and hoping that they will not get lost again. Preventative measures have been taken and I will not ask for help unless I am desperate; I do not include in this rant my son, who usually responds with the utmost patience when I phone in desperation but is, of course, limited by the fact that he cannot see my screen so the conversation does tend to become tortuous.
I am sure that improvements to Vista will iron out a lot of the problems; until then I will be patient and back up everything in sight against future calamities. There, that's off my chest!
25 June 2007
The end of a busy couple of weeks and a lot of singing so perhaps the awful weather is a blessing enabling me to catch up on housework, although it is so chilly the heating has been on! The experts tell us that global warming will make our weather warmer - someone please tell it so we can save on our heating bills, oh and of course, our "carbon footprint". I was watching a news programme whilst drinking my morning tea and, as I suppose was inevitable given that a politician was being interviewed, the jargon, catch-phrases and general buzz words were a real turn off - so I did!
The end of a busy couple of weeks and a lot of singing so perhaps the awful weather is a blessing enabling me to catch up on housework, although it is so chilly the heating has been on! The experts tell us that global warming will make our weather warmer - someone please tell it so we can save on our heating bills, oh and of course, our "carbon footprint". I was watching a news programme whilst drinking my morning tea and, as I suppose was inevitable given that a politician was being interviewed, the jargon, catch-phrases and general buzz words were a real turn off - so I did!
26 June 2007
Out to lunch today for a friend's birthday and we somehow found our way to the nearest good M & S. Having just been able to put my &More credit card online (what a stupid name that is - what's wrong with M & S?) I thought I would give it a blast.
Arrived home several pounds poorer but with a very strange collection of clothes in varying sizes. Only one top to go back, not because it doesn't fit but because it looks horrible, and the sizes range over 4 dress sizes! Time was you could go to Marks and know your size and buy accordingly and that is no longer the case. Probably because the Chinese cannot envisage anyone larger than a size 8!
Out to lunch today for a friend's birthday and we somehow found our way to the nearest good M & S. Having just been able to put my &More credit card online (what a stupid name that is - what's wrong with M & S?) I thought I would give it a blast.
Arrived home several pounds poorer but with a very strange collection of clothes in varying sizes. Only one top to go back, not because it doesn't fit but because it looks horrible, and the sizes range over 4 dress sizes! Time was you could go to Marks and know your size and buy accordingly and that is no longer the case. Probably because the Chinese cannot envisage anyone larger than a size 8!
28 June 2007
Absolutely typical! As soon as I go out to get on with some gardening, the heavens open. That sums up this week nicely. I have been feeling a bit low for various reasons and everything that could go slightly wrong has done so. It is probably a reaction to the very busy couple of weeks I have had which has meant that on days when the weather was suitable I was busy doing something else, and when I was free the weather wasn't!
We have been extremely fortunate in that although the rain has been irksome we are in no danger of flooding; if we were there would be very serious consequences as we are around 700' up a hill but the wind has been horrible and we really do catch it up here. Also no-one has phoned or called so the house has been silent and this would normally not bother me but when I am in prowling mood and house-bound it suddenly is important. Not long now until OH comes home and then I can have a good natter.
Absolutely typical! As soon as I go out to get on with some gardening, the heavens open. That sums up this week nicely. I have been feeling a bit low for various reasons and everything that could go slightly wrong has done so. It is probably a reaction to the very busy couple of weeks I have had which has meant that on days when the weather was suitable I was busy doing something else, and when I was free the weather wasn't!
We have been extremely fortunate in that although the rain has been irksome we are in no danger of flooding; if we were there would be very serious consequences as we are around 700' up a hill but the wind has been horrible and we really do catch it up here. Also no-one has phoned or called so the house has been silent and this would normally not bother me but when I am in prowling mood and house-bound it suddenly is important. Not long now until OH comes home and then I can have a good natter.
2 July 2007
A great deal of turmoil both inside and outside of the Songsinger household! The weather is hideous; my asthma is bad and I cannot get out in the garden and can see all these jobs needing to be done and am frustrated.
Oh and I went to visit elderly relatives in Kent this weekend and have now adopted a plan of driving down one day, seeing them the next and coming home on the third day. All this hinges on whether my good friend can Robinson-sit; if not the trip has to be abandoned because this cat has never been in kennels in this country all his thirteen years and I know that this is not ever going to happen. Around Oxford was the heaviest downpour I have ever been in and we were almost forced to stop. We were making such good progress and I even met a friend in the services on the M40 which was lovely and then we joined the M25.
Two hours later we managed to get off this awful road and on to the other motorway we needed to reach our hotel. In total, seven and a quarter hours on the road - no joke. We have stayed in the hotel several times before and know that at least, there is a very good Indian restaurant within walking distance so at least the inner man was fed. However, the combination of muggy weather alternating with cold periods of rain, air-conditioning in the car and traffic fumes combined to make my chest protest and it has not improved at all - I think a visit to the doctor is imminent. I am so glad to be home - it was a round trip of some 500 miles and at least we came home by the scenic route which was lovely and there were no road works to contend with as it was Sunday. The joys of British motoring.
A great deal of turmoil both inside and outside of the Songsinger household! The weather is hideous; my asthma is bad and I cannot get out in the garden and can see all these jobs needing to be done and am frustrated.
Oh and I went to visit elderly relatives in Kent this weekend and have now adopted a plan of driving down one day, seeing them the next and coming home on the third day. All this hinges on whether my good friend can Robinson-sit; if not the trip has to be abandoned because this cat has never been in kennels in this country all his thirteen years and I know that this is not ever going to happen. Around Oxford was the heaviest downpour I have ever been in and we were almost forced to stop. We were making such good progress and I even met a friend in the services on the M40 which was lovely and then we joined the M25.
Two hours later we managed to get off this awful road and on to the other motorway we needed to reach our hotel. In total, seven and a quarter hours on the road - no joke. We have stayed in the hotel several times before and know that at least, there is a very good Indian restaurant within walking distance so at least the inner man was fed. However, the combination of muggy weather alternating with cold periods of rain, air-conditioning in the car and traffic fumes combined to make my chest protest and it has not improved at all - I think a visit to the doctor is imminent. I am so glad to be home - it was a round trip of some 500 miles and at least we came home by the scenic route which was lovely and there were no road works to contend with as it was Sunday. The joys of British motoring.
8 July 2007
I feel today as though life may be worth living again! Have had a virus which has laid me low and have spent quite a lot of last week in bed with pills from the doctor and strict instructions not to move and that has brought about a considerable improvement although not quite mended.
Managed to accompany OH to the supermarket yesterday but after wandering round for a bit had to go and sit in the car and was totally unable to help him pack and pay - it's a good job he understands that this is not willful shirking but an inability to cope with too much too soon. I was distinctly wobbly when we got home and I did not like this; I expect to shake these things off as though I was 20 but life isn't like that. Have aged considerably this afternoon watching the Wimbledon men's final and my blood pressure has suffered I am sure. Anyway, for me, Federer was the right man to win even though Nadal is extraordinary in both stamina and skill. His time will come.
I feel today as though life may be worth living again! Have had a virus which has laid me low and have spent quite a lot of last week in bed with pills from the doctor and strict instructions not to move and that has brought about a considerable improvement although not quite mended.
Managed to accompany OH to the supermarket yesterday but after wandering round for a bit had to go and sit in the car and was totally unable to help him pack and pay - it's a good job he understands that this is not willful shirking but an inability to cope with too much too soon. I was distinctly wobbly when we got home and I did not like this; I expect to shake these things off as though I was 20 but life isn't like that. Have aged considerably this afternoon watching the Wimbledon men's final and my blood pressure has suffered I am sure. Anyway, for me, Federer was the right man to win even though Nadal is extraordinary in both stamina and skill. His time will come.
12 July 2007
Being housebound (with more and more pills) I have seen rather more television that I would wish. Apart from the awful loan advertisements, the one that really gets me is the "two times concentrated" stuff. What's that all about? What on earth is wrong with "twice" and anyway what does this mean? If the stuff is concentrated I assume it is to be used in fairly small amounts so does two times concentrated mean that you use none at all?? The worst of it is that people appear to be taken in by this stuff and will buy it thinking they will get brilliant results by using less but of course, in practice this simply doesn't happen. People just use more, or nearly their usual amount and the companies have boosted their sales without too much effort!
Being housebound (with more and more pills) I have seen rather more television that I would wish. Apart from the awful loan advertisements, the one that really gets me is the "two times concentrated" stuff. What's that all about? What on earth is wrong with "twice" and anyway what does this mean? If the stuff is concentrated I assume it is to be used in fairly small amounts so does two times concentrated mean that you use none at all?? The worst of it is that people appear to be taken in by this stuff and will buy it thinking they will get brilliant results by using less but of course, in practice this simply doesn't happen. People just use more, or nearly their usual amount and the companies have boosted their sales without too much effort!
16 July 2007
Well, it's been a funny old time. Still struggling with a poorly chest so OH has kindly been driving me round but I still feel shaky, probably weighed down with the plethora of drugs which have been prescribed! I must do as I am told! I have managed a bit of deadheading and pulling up of weeds within easy reach having felt that I must make the most of any dry spell available - at least afterwards I can collapse.
Well, it's been a funny old time. Still struggling with a poorly chest so OH has kindly been driving me round but I still feel shaky, probably weighed down with the plethora of drugs which have been prescribed! I must do as I am told! I have managed a bit of deadheading and pulling up of weeds within easy reach having felt that I must make the most of any dry spell available - at least afterwards I can collapse.
OH cooked them for Sunday dinner and they were scrumptious!!!
How we larfed!!
How we larfed!!
This hanging basket has been in the same place for a couple of years and I have not disturbed it this year as is has some plants which although annuals, have survived the winter and I cannot bear to discard them! I have had a bird-feeder with bird-cake in it for the last couple of months and when I went out to weed I tried to pull up some things which I had left growing because I had a vague memory of what they were and didn't think they were weeds.
I pulled and pulled and pulled up . . . .
I pulled and pulled and pulled up . . . .
13 August 2007
Keeping this narrow path by the side of the house clear of bits and pieces and more importantly, slugs and snails is a real headache.
We have an outdoor blower/vacuum but unfortunately, OH has put it on a high and inaccessible shelf in the garage so that's a non-starter and in any case it appears to have forgotten how to switch itself on and off properly so you can get very hot using it; it is also extremely noisy. Having looked at various brushes with stiff bristles, soft bristles and a nifty rubber brush I have come to the conclusion that none of them will work as well as the vacuum, so for today that is that. The path will remain grotty.
I have done so much work in the garden over the last burst of sunny weather that not only is our large green wheelie bin completely full but also three large industrial waste sacks are bulging with green waste. These will have to be taken to the tip separately but it is a big step forward that for all normal gardening needs we have the waste collection once a fortnight.
The downside of this is that our black bin for ordinary household waste is also collected only once a fortnight and I find it impossible to keep this clean and smelling OK. It has been moved into the garage as it used to live on the narrow path by the kitchen door but as this gets sun almost all of the day the smell was awful. All the rubbish is wrapped, I use a big wheelie bin bag but still there is a pong. At least with the small bins I could clean them out but I would end up head first in this one. Of course, this is progress and I must not criticise.
Keeping this narrow path by the side of the house clear of bits and pieces and more importantly, slugs and snails is a real headache.
We have an outdoor blower/vacuum but unfortunately, OH has put it on a high and inaccessible shelf in the garage so that's a non-starter and in any case it appears to have forgotten how to switch itself on and off properly so you can get very hot using it; it is also extremely noisy. Having looked at various brushes with stiff bristles, soft bristles and a nifty rubber brush I have come to the conclusion that none of them will work as well as the vacuum, so for today that is that. The path will remain grotty.
I have done so much work in the garden over the last burst of sunny weather that not only is our large green wheelie bin completely full but also three large industrial waste sacks are bulging with green waste. These will have to be taken to the tip separately but it is a big step forward that for all normal gardening needs we have the waste collection once a fortnight.
The downside of this is that our black bin for ordinary household waste is also collected only once a fortnight and I find it impossible to keep this clean and smelling OK. It has been moved into the garage as it used to live on the narrow path by the kitchen door but as this gets sun almost all of the day the smell was awful. All the rubbish is wrapped, I use a big wheelie bin bag but still there is a pong. At least with the small bins I could clean them out but I would end up head first in this one. Of course, this is progress and I must not criticise.
25 August 2007
Today OH and I ventured out to a different supermarket for the weekly "big" shop. It is essential that OH is there as he does all the cooking so knows what is needed. The experience is one I hope we will not repeat as the supermarket in question was not at all to my taste and did not meet my requirements!
On the way home we visited a local garden centre to try to buy moss poles for my scindapsis; in this we were totally unsuccessful but the items which caught my eye were (and hence the unseasonal picture) Christmas crackers and ornaments designed for the patio. It is only August 25th for goodness sake!!
Today OH and I ventured out to a different supermarket for the weekly "big" shop. It is essential that OH is there as he does all the cooking so knows what is needed. The experience is one I hope we will not repeat as the supermarket in question was not at all to my taste and did not meet my requirements!
On the way home we visited a local garden centre to try to buy moss poles for my scindapsis; in this we were totally unsuccessful but the items which caught my eye were (and hence the unseasonal picture) Christmas crackers and ornaments designed for the patio. It is only August 25th for goodness sake!!
27 August 2007
I do not need the pundits to tell me that the slugs and snails are abundant this year. I bought a beautiful little santolina for the bank which was called Lemon Fizz and was a glorious lemon colour; duly planted within two days I was unable to find it and eventually spotted the poor little stalks which was all that was left of it. It is strange because the grey variety flourishes and I wonder if it is the colour or the faint lemon scent which the beasts like.
Anyway, much against my better judgement I went out a couple of days ago with the bio slug pellets. I was unable to walk anywhere afterwards without viewing slime trails and dead slugs. It was disgusting.
I do not need the pundits to tell me that the slugs and snails are abundant this year. I bought a beautiful little santolina for the bank which was called Lemon Fizz and was a glorious lemon colour; duly planted within two days I was unable to find it and eventually spotted the poor little stalks which was all that was left of it. It is strange because the grey variety flourishes and I wonder if it is the colour or the faint lemon scent which the beasts like.
Anyway, much against my better judgement I went out a couple of days ago with the bio slug pellets. I was unable to walk anywhere afterwards without viewing slime trails and dead slugs. It was disgusting.
19 August 2007
On Monday, 13th August, I looked out over the patio towards my neighbour's garden and realised that the mature whitebeam and laburnum had leaves which were turning brown. I have noticed the previous week that some 200 year old horse chestnuts in the village were becoming autumnal but I know that there is a problem with a grub which is damaging these trees and assumed that this was the problem.
This morning however, it has become clear that the onset of autumn is here - I reflected that in late July last year my honeysuckle on the trellis was being visited by a humming-bird hawk moth and my hibiscus was in beautiful bloom.
Sadly this is not the case this year and I have several tuberous begonias which have not even managed a bud! I treated myself to a dahlia called Bishop of LLandaf with beautiful bronze leaves and glorious scarlet blooms and I envisaged a riot of colour for autumn. Sadly, the slugs and snails have stripped the leaves and I am left with three stalks and a pathetic flower which is only held on by a slime trail.
Of course, this is all the fault of global warming, including the heating being used as the temperature has dropped alarmingly.
I love living in England.
On Monday, 13th August, I looked out over the patio towards my neighbour's garden and realised that the mature whitebeam and laburnum had leaves which were turning brown. I have noticed the previous week that some 200 year old horse chestnuts in the village were becoming autumnal but I know that there is a problem with a grub which is damaging these trees and assumed that this was the problem.
This morning however, it has become clear that the onset of autumn is here - I reflected that in late July last year my honeysuckle on the trellis was being visited by a humming-bird hawk moth and my hibiscus was in beautiful bloom.
Sadly this is not the case this year and I have several tuberous begonias which have not even managed a bud! I treated myself to a dahlia called Bishop of LLandaf with beautiful bronze leaves and glorious scarlet blooms and I envisaged a riot of colour for autumn. Sadly, the slugs and snails have stripped the leaves and I am left with three stalks and a pathetic flower which is only held on by a slime trail.
Of course, this is all the fault of global warming, including the heating being used as the temperature has dropped alarmingly.
I love living in England.
26 July 2007
I am not complaining about the weather as at this height I there is little chance of us suffering in the way that some of England is but there is one member of the family who does not approve.
Robinson has wanted to go out today but it is raining. He likes to sit on the doormat looking out at the possibilities of frog chasing but became very bored this morning so decided to sit somewhere else.
I am not complaining about the weather as at this height I there is little chance of us suffering in the way that some of England is but there is one member of the family who does not approve.
Robinson has wanted to go out today but it is raining. He likes to sit on the doormat looking out at the possibilities of frog chasing but became very bored this morning so decided to sit somewhere else.
