Morning everyone and welcome to a new week! Last week's Weekly Chat ended with some interesting entries and very interesting links (wonderful pix of swan giving cygnets a ride, courtesy of Lindybird, and, thanks very much Alan; another perspective on those oil-covered pelicans - good news too!). OG: Not rushing and dashing; kids are here and headed to bed early for ultra-early departure. Margobird: Thanks for update on Hope and Lily.
Gather USA/England draw was result of bungle by England goalkeeper?
Back from Vons, Trader Joe's, and Costco, where I spent ages browsing up and down the aisles, looking at all kinds of stuff I don't need, but also spent a while chatting to an Indian (Asian) gentleman who was also looking at flat-screen TVs and knew all about them, being an engineer. He explained all the numbers of the labels, some of which I knew about, but some I didn't.
OG/Heather: Gingerbreak and cherry slices? Yum. I'll be right over, put the kettle on. We had the scullery wtih a larder (although we kept milk, meat, etc., down the cellar in the summer - no refrigerator!), a kitchen/living room (we called it the kitchen), a "middle" room, that we occasionally used, and a 'front" room for Very Special Occasions. Our house was pre-war; not sure if it was WWI or WWII.
George g: So, sort of "good" news in that you won't have to make that long hospital drive every day this week - very good of you to help your SIL; she must be worried. Do take care of yourself in between helping the rest of the family. And let us know how you're doing; not sure we have solutions, but certainly can offer encouragement. Oh, and congratulations on the closet clean out!
dibnlib: I talk to the lizards in our garden, who are more numerous since we took out the lawn and don't water much. Lightning likes to chase them, but they're pretty quick at zipping up the garden wall. "Ha ha he he ho ho." OK, so where did that come from? Oh boo hiss that Dillon needs a little op on his lip. Assume you can't kiss it better? :-) Tell wallet to be quiet; it's all in a good cause.
Diane: Thanks for filling us in on Trucker Steve's potatoes. I wonder why he left TK? Maybe too hot in the truck at some point during the summer - perhaps he doesn't always have the A/C going? Hmm. But also think OG's guess about a trial separation prior to new rig might explain things too.
Off to do some things around the house.
Oh very odd. Saw a reference to roses, but hadn't seen the photo when reading older posts; now the roses have shown up. Very pretty too!
Lindybird – another lovely photograph!
Annette – Steve’s RoadCrew’s blogs suggest that his truck is very hot – maybe no a/c as his Mum actually says he will be able to have the windows down now TK isn’t in there!!! I had spotted the roses in the background of one of Lindybird’s poppy pictures earlier, which gave rise to my comment and her reply.
Just had phonecall from Son - getting less frequent, he must be settling in at last! Now time for bed. Am hoping to get my steroid injection tomorrow - way overdue because of my hols, surgery's computer changes, my chest infection and Dr's holiday! My Dr is still away, so am seeing the one who gave me the antibiotics for my chest - by the way, still coughing morning and evening, otherwise feeling fine.
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
Oh Annette - you brought back memories of our last holiday in California when you mentioned Trader Joes! Just very different in style and in some of the items on sale, as I remember. I seem to remember European things there. And Vons - that sounds familiar but I can't remember what kind of store it was. Is it a supermarket? Costco, we have here in UK.
OG: Was just going to explain the muddle over the roses pic, but can see you have done it for me ; - )
Sorry to hear you're both still coughing - its been a really tough one to shake off, I gather. Hope you can get rid of it soon. Perhaps this more summery weather will help.
Must get off to bed now: I've done the ironing !! hooray!
OG - These horrible coughs seem to hang in there morning and night, don't they, and then one day - gone!! Hope that day comes soon. I'm packing up both myself and the ironing pile and giving in to bed and my library book.
Evening all: Lovely evening here; just went to check on the ocean - it's still there. Huge herons high in the branches of the eucalyptus; of course, forgot the binocs. Heather: Trader Joe's is wonderful - reasonable prices; very friendly staff; Vons is big supermarket - very convenient. OG: Yes, read that Trucker Steve was looking forward to having his windows open (wonder why he couldn't have them open part way with TK there...?)
Hi, all.
OG: I hope your cough goes away completely very soon. And I so hope you can get your steroid injection tomorrow. I know you have needed that for a while now. Did that caterpillar understand your directions and get in the right pose for his photo? LOL
Lindybird: Such lovely roses, and nice that they remind you of such a beautiful person. 51 is so young; my sympathies.
Maybe Buzz needs his own doggie door so he can go in and out all the time, not just when the conservatory doors are open. :-) BTW: You just let me know when I can attend the MASSJS rally. I'm there! LOL LOL
dibnlib: I so hope that Dillon's lip can be healed without surgery or invasive, expensive treatment. I know what you mean about vet bills. They can really add up fast. I think a lot more people would adopt pets if they weren't worried about the vet expense. It's too bad for the animals.
Margobird: What a cheeky fox to make off with your cheese tray!!! Some time ago, there was a news report from a small town in the U.S.: Everyone in that town was having their newspapers stolen shortly after delivery every morning. The folks were all trying to find the thief, and finally someone happened upon a fox den, lined with dozens of newspapers!
george g: I'm so glad that your brother-in-law has been transferred to a nearer hospital. I'm sending good wishes for the very best outcome for him. Please do take good care of yourself during these difficult times for the family.
AQ: So good of you to send the jumpers to the Dogs Home!!!
re: your post on worker safety in dangerous conditions. The United States should be very ashamed that we don't do more to protect and honor our workers in all types of work. Our Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is supposed to make sure that all workers are kept safe in the workplace. But OSHA has been largely stripped of its power over the last few administrations, and our workers are at the mercy of corporations whose only interest is profit.
I'm also appalled that a U.S. citizen can work full time -- 40 hours per week or more -- and still not make a living wage (enough money for adequate food, shelter, and health care). I've been very politically active in workers' rights, and this government's contempt and lack of concern for its working people is deplorable -- and that goes for both political parties! My soapbox is well worn on this issue, I'm afraid.
Annette: Any closer to choosing a TV? I know the options are mind boggling. The rabbit I was talking to in my garden was not white, and I'm pretty sure he doesn't own gloves and a fan. However, every night when I watch the national news, I feel like I've gone down the rabbit hole. LOL
Trucker Steve watchers: I'm not sure why he gave TK up -- for the summer or permanently? He has terrible allergies, and TK makes the symptoms worse because he's allergic to her, too. So maybe he was worried about another round of pneumonia so soon after being so ill. Or maybe it's an effort to get a new truck. She has travelled with him in the summer before so I wouldn't think that it's the heat, but maybe the A/C is broken in that old truck. I don't really know.
Yay, good boy, Hamish! It's officially summer! Everyone have a good Wednesday!
Diane: Forgot about Trucker Steve's allergies - and yes, he is allergic to cats, so maybe a necessary though unwelcome decision.
Had to laugh on the news tonight: They were showing excerpts from the subcommittee meetings on the Gulf oil spill - several execs from Exxon, Mobil, and other oil companies that drill in the Gulf were being questioned about their emergency preparedness. One senator noted that four out of five companies' plans included steps to protect - the walrus. He then on to point out to the oil execs that there are no walruses in the Gulf, the implication, of course, being that their plans may not be altogether reliable!
Walrus? ?!#%!?!^&*#!!!