Weekly Chat (Non-Osprey), 18 June 2023

I was woken up by lightning and thunder, and then came very heavy rain. The road outside looked more like a river. Now everything looks fresh and green, and hardly a breath of wind. English weather ... you have to love it :)

Some time ago on here I seem to remember we were talking about dreams. I had a really strange one last night. I was at home and there was an elephant in my lounge. I was very insistent that it should remain there, but also concerned about my carpet and what the elephant could do to it. Any idea where that came from?!?!?

Hope everyone is managing with the heat, humidity, rain, thunder, lightning etc etc. I have a lot of reading to do today so I'm staying indoors, with some nice music in the background, and trying to concentrate ...

Not sure about victims statement ANNETTE but we will be investigating that when we get a date. I suppose Mum was technically the victim!!! You will remember I said he had a small bedsit, we found out through his daughters than he had taken £50k from Mum to help pay towards that. He certainly didn't discuss it with me and of course he didn't have to (although most honest people would have) in fact he didn't even discuss getting power of attorney with me!!!! Anyway we have wondered if we could recoup the money for the house as it is an existing asset. I do know that my bro will insist it was necessary in order to look after Mum. You will probably gather that what I have told you is only the tip of the iceberg.

RUSTY As you know most families to look after each other......I happen to have drawn the short straw.

This sorry saga has been going on for a long time. I told both LINDY and OG when we discovered the horror of it all and in fact OG told me she cried which I felt dreadful about. To begin with I told just about anyone who would listen. I think I felt someone would tell me it was a bad dream. It is only now I have felt able to open up on this site and it has been good to hear your feelings. There have been many times when I have blamed myself for not realising what was going on. The policeman who OH gave the original statement to told me not to beat myself up as my bro wasn't worth it. Easier said than done but he was right. Thank you all for letting me download my feelings.

Mark today on the calendar!! Rusty has been at home for 2 days on the run!! LOL!!

No worries Annette and Lindy. I will be out for the next 3 days!!!!!

Elephant

I found a large grey person
Standing on my mat:
I said "I hope that you're not going to stay
As my carpet, you may mark it!"

He looked at me with serious eyes,
Surveyed me, up and down -
He said "I'm sorry if you find my
Feet too big, but I'm a bit of a clown."

"My family said 'Leave this place! and
Go to somewhere else!'
So I had to wander far and wide
I'm sort of, on the shelf."

"I'll go once you've decided:
If you can bear to think -
That maybe my large prescence here
Is just your head's way to take a blink."

"You need to go beyond your worries -
To go on, to your concerns"
And with that, suddenly, away he scurries...
Leaving me to go to turn
For the shovel (as he left me a present, for the roses).

Sorry I am so late joining this week – just more of the usual excuses!

Sunday we went to church in the morning then spent the afternoon in the garden. Monday was cleaning day and I had got up really late after the cooler night, so we had some difficulty being ready for our cleaners. Can’t remember much about Tuesday!

Today is a comfortable temperature and we have had some useful rain – still no thunderstorms, but pleasant rainfall for the garden – even the grass looks a happier colour – green rather than yellow-brown! I have been sorting essential emails, and OH has been ironing until he remembered some jobs in the garage. I will now attempt a few replies – hope nobody minds if I leave them out!

LINDA – glad the weekend trip went well with the family – how old are those three now? Our youngest GGchild was One on Saturday.

RUSTY – I’ve lost count of the age of my oldest Geraniums – I too keep them in individual pots – getting larger every year. I have to confess I don’t like petunias – horribly sticky when you try to keep them dead-headed!

DIBNLIB – I hope your friend can get a good bionic leg – she deserves all there is that can help her! Been thinking of your situation re your brother and what should have been your money – an unforgivable offence against the prime victim – your mother. I know that is not a very Christian thought, but it just seems beyond understanding. You have been brave sharing your feelings, and I hope the case will come up soon and give you some chance of recovery.

RUSTY and LINDA – I do envy you the fresh Strawberries! We have bought a few and been disappointed, but now the Scottish soft fruits are here, so we should get good ones for a few months.

LINDA – if only slavery was at an end all over the world – but I suppose we could say that about so many things which go on!

PAT – I wonder about your Elephant in the room? Are you ignoring something big? Ha-ha. I do like Linda’s poem – especially the “surprise” ending!

Lindy - THANK YOU :) That puts my dream where it belongs - in the 'ridiculous' drawer! And as for the picture of a scurrying elephant ... well! I wonder if the basis for my dream was pruning the roses pretty much every day at the moment, and thinking how well they're doing - but really not wanting elephant 'remains', as they are very near the house and the smell would probably knock me out!

I was interested to hear, in the wee small hours last night (before my dream!) that a nap during the day is good for your your brain, and is probably better for you than physical exercise. On the strength of that, I have foregone my normal Tuesday keep fit session and I am sitting and watching the cricket! I have two Zoom sessions this evening, so a nap may be a good idea - but the cricket is delicately poised and I don't want to miss any!

I saw that mention of napping being good for you. Just as well, as I seem to be getting better at it!

Our strawberries are wonderful this year - juicy & sweet. My OH had to water them but vital was worth it. Today he rushed off to pick more as it has been raining again, & usually that means that they sit in a puddle and rot. Last year -- well, last year was such a contrast. We ate about two strawberries each and there were none to pick at all.

OG Thank you, yes I know I should forgive (for my own sake) but he has committed such a heinous crime I find it unforgivable.

It is so good to see you are getting out and about now. Take care