Weekly Chat, Sunday April 25, 2010

Hmm. Bad tornadoes in Arkansas - got distracted reading the news on CNN.com and then comments from people living in the path of the storms. Sounds awful, with sirens going all evening for some folks.

Hi

Annette:  You caught me tiptoing in and out again.  Mind you who'da thought and internet forum would have such a thing as a creaky floor board.  LOL.

Don't worry about watching the nest as much.  I understand with the time differances between Scotland and Califonia, most of what you'll see at LG will be on the night cam.  Not sure if consumer confidence is picking up on this side of the pond but I reckon a few folk might be holding back because of the General Election.  The Arkansas storms sound horrible.  Really hope everyone is okay.

Diane:  Thanks for the good energy.  A very happy May Day and Beltane to you. :-)  I'm not great with Gaelic spellings myself.  To be honest apart from a few words and phrases I struggle.  Scots Gaelic (Ghadlig) is very similar to Irish (Gaeilge).  I remember reading somwhere that a Scots Gaelic speaker and an Irish speaker could easilly hold a conversation in each others languages.  Funny thing is my great grandfather came to Scotland from County Donegal in the north west of Ireland as someone who could only speak Irish.  I have to confess a little bit of an interest in languages.



Paul

Annette: My friend, maybe you should have a Sunday day of rest again this week. You do sound a bit depleted. Chores have to be done, but not all at once. Take time to sit in the garden, drink a glass of wine, and do a little navel gazing. :-)

When I originally wrote that last sentence, I spelled it "naval", which would have suggested that you pick up a couple of sailors. Which also might be relaxing... LOL

I've been watching the oil spill, too. That "Drill, baby, drill" thing isn't working out too well. :-(

re: flooring. I desperately need to do the entire house, but can't afford it. Will need to do it one or two rooms at a time. And oh, yeah, I'll be installing the flooring myself. But if I use engineered hardwood, I can just float it; tongue n' groove installation isn't difficult as long as I can saw a straight line. Have about talked myself out of the hickory, though. Think the pattern might be too bold for this little house. I'd love to do the whole house in ceramic tile. But the floors have too much "deflection" -- a fancy flooring term meaning that my rickety, squeaky old floors have too much give in them.

re: IE8. I will warn you that it is a deeply invasive program -- affects way more than your browser. (If you are still using XP, make sure that you download the Service Pack 3 before you try to download and install IE8.) My system is fine now, but there were compatibility issues. You might want to put off the installation, at least until you have a clear head and have time to fiddle with it.

We have big storm fronts moving in for the weekend, starting in less than an hour. Flood watches already declared. We are supposed to get 2-4 inches of rain. Surely wish I could send some to AQ. We'll be under a tornado watch very shortly. This front looks pretty awesome on radar, but I'm tired so I'm going to bed and let Mother Nature have at it.

I just loved the term "fascinator", too. What a great name!

Do get some rest, Annette.

Heron: Oh yes, the election - next week. Hmmm. Don't like the sounds of the cuts some of them are planning...

Diane: What?! Chores don't have to be done all at once?  Now they tell me!  :-)     Not sure I'd want to gaze at my navel (where did it go?) and think OH would have something to say about picking up sailors.   Yeah, right - drill baby drill indeed. Seems like old-fashioned ideas like "conserve gasoline" went out the window.... God forbid we should have to sacrifice!!     I've been watching the Weather Underground maps that do a fab job of marking the storms tracks in Arkansas.  Looks ferocious (sp?)   Sleep tight.

Paul: I love to hear Gaelic being spoken. I have trouble with the pronunciations, though, when I try to say the words. It's my understanding that in Scotland, people might speak 3 languages: Scots Gaelic, Scots (of which there are many regional dialects), and "standard" English (don't care for that term). I don't know whether that's right or not. And I don't know how many people speak all three. Good luck to you with the job search!

Hi Annette unfortunately I have very poor sight.  Can only see from my left eye and restricted vision in the right eye.  Despite the best efforts of Moorfeilds Eye Hospital in London this is the best they could do for me.  A disease of the retina has caused all my eye problems.   I manage OK though as I do not know any different, has been like like it since a child.  Worked all my life doing secretarial work, and did not retire until I was 63.  Audio typing a wonderful thing.  Now I am going a bit deaf it might be more difficult. 

Have a good and restful day.

Good orning DjoanS such a lovely story about the owls.  I had thought with all the bad weather owlls would be in trouble.

Just having a quick look as going out but thanks to all for the stories, pics and links.

Just updating myself on a so-far dry Bank Holiday Saturday.  No special plans – more gardening and maybe a short trip out on Monday.  Terry – enjoy your weekend.  Annette – good opportunity for you to get rid of items at friend’s garage sale but, as Diane said, please take some rest on Sunday again, you are doing a lot of rushing about!  Like you, I haven’t actually been watching the nest so much – just check on it and read the daily thread each time I come into the study, but will also probably see more after hatching – depending on weather, as I like to be outside as much as possible.  Arkansas tornados sound bad – not yet reported on BBC.  Heron – at last we see you again!  I hope the right job comes along for you soon.  Liked the “creaky floorboard”!  I agree the election is affecting public and business confidence.  Started learning Gaelic for a few terms – even went to Skye for a week’s course – but not enough opportunities to practice it, and it’s now on the “one day …” shelf.  Diane – sounds like you are putting plenty of thought and research into your flooring renovation.  Hope the project runs smoothly for you.  More storms?!  You seem to be getting an awful lot this year – hope the tornados don’t hit where you are – take care.

The “dayshift” seems quiet today – and I really ought to do something!  Will drop in again this evening.

Hi - part of the Dayshift logging in!   Had to go shopping & various other tidying missions ready for weekend this am.   Started sunny here but now clouding over.

Going back to read all the posts now, Happy May Day to All.