Weekly Chat Sunday July 11th

Very kind of you to say so, Brenda H.  There is not much market for these kinds of jotting, except when the magazines publish them on their pages (but don't pay you!)  Did have a short story published once, & its in a book with others so has a place on my bookshelf.

Reasonable weather, but now going dark early.  Another busy day – including second load of shirts ironed – final pile will be trousers which are currently hung up to dry.  OH has mowed and strimmed, so is now clearing up a pane of greenhouse glass which shattered – presumably the mower sent a stone flying at it!  He thinks (hopes?) he has a spare.  Son was to start work again today (“summer activities”) with a new agreement about better rota cover.  Probably won’t hear from him tonight – think he is going to a BBQ.

AQ – if your Feral Ducks are escapees, they could still be Muscovies, or maybe descendents of them!  Whatever they are, they are impressive birds – and I like your smart-looking Wood Ducks too.

Annette – “funny” weather with you recently I see!  Everything here (weeds included) is growing fast after rain last week – more forecast for next two days at least.  Eating and freezing loads of Courgettes, enjoying lovely Tomatoes – even had one Runner Bean yesterday – why is there always one ready before all the others?! At least this was visible – usually first one hides and we find the tough old thing weeks later!

Diane – “Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies with Honeyed Cream Filling” – yes please.  But would need a friend to share it – I understand they are rather large. (sounds like Annette might share it with me!)

Lindybird – I have some pics of LotL family, but need to look at all of them (like, about 40!) to select best to post!

Margobird – many thanks for post re Lily and Hope reunion – hadn’t looked at them at all this week, so enjoyed the good news and video.

Terry – do you also get Friday off from working with OH or is it just the “day job”?  Mowing sounds like a “busman’s holiday” for you anyway!  Pleased you got some good sightings at Bassenthwaite.

Dibnlib – well done with scanning – no stopping you now!  Lovely photo of your beloved Fingal, too.

Remembered I promised a picture of the pebble pool at our previous garden – this was its beginning, on the edge of the patio, surrounded by pots, and inhabited by frogs.  We kept the spout quite low and had just a little splash of cirulated water. 

Then we added a cascade and lower pool from which the water went back up to the top - which we finished the year we left!

That was a nice pebble pool OG.  Pity these things are not always easy to take with you when you move.

Thanks to margobird for clip of Hope and Lily:  how lovely to see them happy together like that.

TerryM :  Thanks for your description of your trip to Bassenthwaite, sounds great. I would so have loved to have been there.

All this talk of Whoopie Pies and such are making me put on pounds in weight just thinking about it!!!

Evening all:  Re gutted - I must be watching UK movies since I'd heard that term used in the way Margobird used it, so wasn't worried about her OH.  Hot day here; orange tree is still ailing so threw more water at it. Apparently it's been thriving in unsuitable conditions for years,  and now it doesn't like the allegedly suitable conditions. 

BrendaH: Hope the weather forecaster talks to that guy on the roof with the hose.

Lindybird: John Magee was only 19 when he died when his Spitfire, I think, collided with another plane over Lincolnshire durint WWII - brilliant work from such a young person.  He's buried in Scopethorpe (or something like that - I Googled it.)    Can't imagine why you're not posting all your observations in verse!  :-)

dibnlib: Ahhhh. Lovely photo of Fingal.

TerryM: I used to love Rupert Brooke (when I was very young and romantic).

OG: Gosh. Getting dark early - already?  We just had our hottest day so far - well, in the mid-80sF, but maybe a shock since we've had a month of below-average temps.  Uh oh - OH has mowed and strimmed? Not the same as scarified I take it?   Hope new work arrangement works out for son - good he's going to a  BBQ.  Never heard of a pebble pool, sounds like a pretty noise. Do you have something similar at your new house?

Just finished dinner and OH is doing dishes. Must go out and move the sprinkler around the orange tree then - oh dear - take a shower. Have been busy all day organizing donations for various nonprofits.  Take care all and hallo to anyone I missed!

Unknown said:

Diane: Didn't realize you were in Amish country. I've always imagined that would impart a peaceful quality to the area....  However, in the past you've mentioned neighbors who seem to be a tad on the redneck side of the spectrum.  I'm assuming they couldn't be one and the same?  

Hi, Annette. Oh, no, the Amish aren't the problem. I've always found them to be pleasant and polite when I run into some of the families in town. The Amish theology requires that they remain separate from modern society, so they keep to themselves. I get really good organic vegetables from an Amish farm just a couple of miles from our house. They don't pollute the environment, and frankly, I appreciate anyone who doesn't preach politics/religion at me and leaves me alone. LOL 

We have a fairly large Amish settlement in this area. They came here from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1991 (although there are other, much older Amish "affiliations" elsewhere in Indiana). Farm land in Lancaster was very expensive, and -- at that time -- farm land here was much cheaper, so they bought a lot of land in this community and started settling their families here.

They were not generally welcomed by the local conservative folks -- mostly because they're different. Many people here have no tolerance for any religion and lifestyle but their own, they resent that "outsiders" bought so much land cheap, they don't like that the Amish speak a type of German, the slow horse-drawn buggies are a hazard on the highways,  ...etc.

The Amish mostly stay on their farms, and many of them own furniture-making, woodworking, and construction businesses. Many are extraordinary craftsman, so their products/services are expensive and in great demand because of the superb quality. But the high prices anger the local folk, who apparently assume that the Amish should take a vow of poverty because of the simple, modest way that they live. The business people here like that the Amish help draw tourism to the area -- with their bakeries, shops, quaint farms, etc. -- but issues sort of remain under the surface.

Oh Diane. Hurray!  Someone is up and on the blog. Have been chattering on to myself on the LG and LOTL threads - don't know where the usual suspects are tonight!  :-)    I always thought the Amish would be nifty neighbors.  I'm aware of their reputation as carpenters, etc. - I'm surprised they can still maintain their separate lifestylei in the midst of all the diversions!

Hi, all.

Lindybird: Such a lovely poem!!! Congratulations that you've had a short story published.

OG: I've enjoyed all of the photos you've posted. Beautiful garden. Wonderful woodpecker. He looks a little like the Ladder-Back Woodpeckers that reside in my back garden. Loved the misty Highland day and the seal!

George G: I also loved your grand garden picture. Good news about your brother in law.

dibnlib: Fingal was such a gorgeous, noble dog.

TerryM: Hope you're enjoying your time off.

Auntie: Hope you're getting rest and relaxation, too. I'm so glad that your mother is progressing well.

Annette: Hope Lightening respects the newly cleaned carpets. :-)

AQ: Terrific duck photos! I love them. When you send me a pair of the wonderful Pacific Ducks, I want a pair of the Australian Wood Ducks, too. :-)

I think I've missed Heather, but I hope she has a lovely holiday and doesn't get busted for food smuggling. LOL LOL

Welcome to Cathie, QuietWoman, and all folks new to the thread.

Must go to bed. Sorry if I've missed anyone.

G'night Diane. Take care. I'm about to sign off too

Don't work too hard, Annette. Glad you're enjoying your new TV. Do you mind saying what brand you bought?