Happy New Week! We’re back – Son is ok. He was facing a court appearance re an allegation against him, but in the end did not have to appear and is in the clear. Not a nice experience.
Been to LG and LotL – and got new long lens for camera! More tomorrow. Thanks for all the support – so pleased to be back here with you all!!
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
Diblib - My thoughts exactly re getting the darned food there! Some will be in our hand baggage and if our hold luggage gets delayed - well, :-((( and I will just say to myself 'You were a very silly woman to even contemplate taking it'. I'll have to say it first before OH says it-----
Margobird - Thanks for post. They say, don't they, that with age comes wisdom? I don't know about wisdom but certainly life experience has to count for something. When my children were squabbling teenagers I used to think about how little contact I then had with my brother, and ask them to try and remember that in future years they may not see much of each other and what a shame to waste time by arguing etc. Of course, they couldn't see things from that perspective, they probably couldn't wait to be living apart from each other! However nowadays, although they are all four very different characters, when the chips are down they are there for each other, ie visiting the sister whose OH is in Afghanistan because she doesn't have family nearby.
I'd better get on with the packing. Everything at the last minute----- it'll be panic stations tonight!
AQ just finished Dead like you and as with the others in the series it leaves you knowing there will be another to follow.
AUNTIE poor duck I bet his mother loves him!!!!!!
TERRY just mentioned to OH about scanning our printed pics. He said he had heard it could be done but not sure how.. Can you run us through an idiots guide and then I can try myself if poss.
re Brenda and neighbours funeral and her kindness. Our neighbour told us in Feb that they now had Hazels sister living with them. Sadly at 46 she had been diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer. She died a fortnight ago and the funeral was back home in Shetland so of course we did not go. Hazel is 45 and told me she had lost both parents 4 years ago and brothers who were born with some degenerative disease a good many years ago. What a tragic story. Although it was very hard work for Hazel and her OH I know she thinks it was worth every hardship to have her sister with her for those last few months. She has my admiration.
Morning all: Yet another overcast and gray morning in SoCal. Roses aren't happy at all; "dry" thunderstorms forecast for the hills this afternoon, but "significant" warming trend due Thursday then cooling again next week. Really!
Gosh. Seems like every family is touched by some sadness or other. My niece and nephew in the UK were barely talking to each other at one point, but my sis said yesterday they're much closer now. My grandson and granddaughter aren't very close - only because he's got his head where the sun doesn't shine so much of the time. Still, he's basically affectionate and good-hearted and still very young, so assume - hope - he'll come to appreciate family more as he ages (could be a bit of a wait though!) :-)
We're busy this week with OH's impending trip to Cambridge for a history seminar. He leaves on 7/21 and lots of domestic loose ends to tie up, not the least of which is that we're having a cleaning service in to shampoo the older carpeting in the bedrooms and two armchairs, which means getting rid of surplus furniture and moving as much out of the rooms as we can. I suspect OH was hoping to put it off until after he comes back but I will go bonkers if these carpets don't get cleaned; I want to do a major clean of the house right after he leaves so I can sit and enjoy it all - and watch super new flat-screen telly of course! :-)
Had long chat with my sis yesterday. We really want to spend more time together but she feels she can't leave her OH to go tootling around the UK with me - he'd want to drive us/come along while not really wanting to do any of it! And my OH would want a nap every afternoon! She and I love to explore, but we were saying that when we indicate an interest in driving down a "new" road, our OHs say "What for?" Very good guys, but rather set in their ways at this point.
Off to start the day - do wish the sun would come out. Glad some of you are getting much-needed rain though.
Afternoon all isn't funny how bereavement affects people differently. Before my wife died we had very little contact with her brother and his wife but now we rely on each other much more and with him being in hospital I try and be as much help as possible because I don't have any brothers or sisters and my philosophy of life is do unto others and you would have them do to you.
My BiL is getting home from hospital on Wednesday and SiL is getting help in the morning and evening.
Had a really good time with son and his wife but eating out rather puts on weight. This is Forres in bloom
george g
Afternoon all - been drizzling on and off all day here ... not very warm either!
HeatherB - I hope you have a lovely time in France ... even though it sounds like you will be working! Fingers crossed that all your food etc gets there safely too.
Linda - lovely Monday smile and brilliant poem - felt very emotional when I read it
OG - so glad your family problem was sorted - not a pleasant experience. Lovely photographs - I love misty lake and mountain scenes - I'm not a 'sun and blue skies' photographer, I prefer some atmosphere!
auntie - so pleased that your mum will be home soon
Diane - excellent that it was just your car battery
AQ - great 'Rules' Like OG, I thought it was a Muscovy duck ... we have one here on a local lake.
Great to see Cathie and Quietwoman on here ... welcome!
I didn't mean this to be so long, so will stop now :-)
Take care
Joan - avid bird and nature watcher in Northumberland!
Index Thread
georgeg - I'm glad to hear that your brother in law is coming home, your SiL will be so happy to have him back. I take it that the stair lift was fitted OK?
Lovely picture of Forres Gardens. We were there on Saturday at the Highland Games. Know what you mean about eating out and weight gain, I put on 4lbs during our recent holiday. Most of it can be blamed on cooked breakfasts and cheese-----
Hi Folks. Back from funeral and refreshments buffet etc. after. It really was a celebration of his life and his wife and family have not had time to even think. Friends came from near and far and one of the son-in-law's eulogy was extremely amusing. So amidst their sorrow, there was also much laughter.
I see you have been having many deep thoughts about relations and death. Our two children are very close and I sincerely hope it stays that way. They have witnessed the saga of my husband's two sisters, who permanently found fault with each other, but never openly tried to resolve their petty niggles, and even though one died last year, the other one still seems unable to find peace.
Anyhow, on a happier note, George, Lovely photograph and good news to hear that your brother in law will be returning home, and also auntie, that your Mum will soon be home.
AQ; I also vote for the Muscovy duck. Great photograph.
OG; I really do like your photographs. You have captured the true view of the mist and mountains.
Good evening Brenda H was nice to read that it was a celebration of life with some time for laughter at a sad time. You are right it is important to always be there for any member of your family. Sometimes it is not easy but when things happen and it is to late there are often regrets. It is a pity that your husband's two sister never really came together.
Margobird