Weekly Chat (Non-Osprey), 27 October 2024

HAPPY NEW WEEK and HAPPY NEW MOON 

The moon turns new next Friday, 1 November, in UK and US.

I've just come in from giving the groundhog an apple. The pub/ bar on the highway is going to have a loud Halloween party tonight, and I want the groundhog to be able to get in his burrow.

I never feed wildlife, because it's generally a bad idea. It's often unhealthy, and it habituates animals to humans. But I break my rule for the groundhog. I used to have an apple tree near my bedroom window, and the groundhog dug his burrow under it, so he could feed on apples. But a big derecho storm knocked over the tree and it died. I feel sorry for the groundhog because he no longer has his tree and his fruit. Groundhogs need to double their weight in order to survive hibernation during our harsh winters. Their hearts only beat 4 times per minute in hibernation, and they breathe only once every six minutes.

The big one on my patch is a solitary ol' fella, and I'm his only human contact. He makes a tooth-grinding chuff, chuff, chuff happy sound when I pitch an apple to him. I NEVER get close to him.

I hope you all have an easy week. Love and hugs to all.

Groundhog info ( Wikipedia)

en.wikipedia.org/.../Groundhog

  • HEATHER: I'm so very sorry that your daughter was so badly injured. I hope she will heal quickly and well. 

  • AQ: That's just ghastly what you are having to endure with your OH's nursing facility--with all of his lost things. 

    I admire your strength in dealing with all of the ongoing stress. However, I wish your life were easier. I wish I could help. Do what you need to do to protect your own wellbeing. Hugs to you.

  • DIANE – Thanks. Actually I am ignoring the NH until, um, next week.

    I met new GP; very pleasant, not young, I hope he is not thinking of retiring before me! No problem getting referral,

    FC had better leave his fur-lined coat at North Pole and wear his board shorts as tomorrow’s temp now expected 35 C. There will be lots of cranky sunburnt families lining the streets. Dau & Trio will watch TV coverage of pageant, wearing their χmas t-shirts.

  • HEATHER  Sorry your daughter was so badly hurt and glad there was a Good Samaritan to help.  I broke my leg (tib,fib and dislocated my ankle ) on 26 Oct 2010.....I was non weight bearing for 8 weeks.  We have a downstairs loo but I did shuffle bum up and downstairs every day so I could sleep in my own bed.  We have a shower but with one step in so I showered at my fitness club every 2nd day, 

    OG Sorry to hear you are feeling down

    AQ  Glad to hear you are happy with your new GP,  you need all the help and support you can get.  When my Mum was in a care home many things went missing inc jewellery of course now we know about my brothers dishonesty we wonder if he was helping himself.

  • .

    EDIT - this post has been sat here for a week-ish, I hope you'll indulge me cos I can't bring myself to delete it.

    .

    Lindybird said:
    AIR FRYER NOTES

    That hooked me right away Smile

    Like you, Lindybird, I'd seen a lot about them and was resisting buying one - but I did recommend one to my friend, who was having trouble with his oven.  To my surprise, he got on very well with it (he's not terribly good with gadgets), and I got so fed up with Bro wasting fuel in my oven that I relented and got one... but by that time a lot were sold out so I ended up spending more than I should have, on a "dual blaze" (top and bottom heat) model - the price has since come down a lot, of course Disappointed  I've got hardly any surface space in my kitchen so it couldn't be a 2-drawer effort - yours sounds great!

    Lindybird said:
    we used it very carefully, just cooking some frozen oven ready chips, which were a huge success.

    I've tried several different brands and types but all have been disappointing - even worse were home-made, I feel there's no substitute for deep-fried, not in this house anyway - not had any for years and years, oh for the greasy chip-pan of my youth, full of solid beef dripping, so inviting Grin

    On the subject of OIL - I've seen several YouTubers advising to avoid commercial sprays, they say that there's an additive in them that damages non-stick surfaces.  I've got a spray-and-pour bottle that I fill with avocado oil (very high burn temp and tasteless, but much cheaper and perfectly OK would be rapeseed, IMHO).

    End of delayed post.

    GPs - In a roundabout way the msg has got thru that I need some help re flushes+associated horribilities, and I got a phone call from a new man - he's ended up putting me on anti-depressants, which he thinks may help with one of the said horribilities... I'm not hopeful, but it's something, after 30 years!

    HEATHER - great sympathy to your daughter - it's not only the pain, but the shock and disruption, too Disappointed

    KATE - Wasp sting - OMG AstonishedCry

    ALL - It's so lovely to catch up with you Heart exclamation

  • I hope that the antidepressants help, SCYLLA - after 30 years of suffering ? Am I understanding correctly ?

    I'm probably too late to wish LINDY and her OH a super holiday ...

    Re,wasp stings - many years ago I picked up a glass of fizzy drink and didn't notice the wasp until it was too late !

    Thanks, all who sent best wishes for my daughter and her foot ! She is still reliving the fall ( guess the modern word is 'flashback' ). I can empathise with that. She hasn't attempted the shuffle up the stairs yet, DIBNLIB.

    I'm glad that you are reporting your expeditions, RUSTY - and yes, I'm keeping count of the Lunches Out :-) Good for you !

    My eldest daughter will appear today with my shopping and to help me with a few jobs that must be done before our Danish friends arrive on the 16th.

    Regards to everyone -

  • Scylla - how great to hear from you. I too hope the anti depressants help. 
    Heather - hope your daughter is managing. Such a shame that it happened. 
    OG - sorry to hear you have not been so good. Hope things improve. 
    Yesterday I went to visit my friend in the assisted living. She was on very good form and we had a laugh together. I also helped in the search for her DVD remote which has gone missing. No joy so we ordered a new on online, I have offered to go and try to help set it up when it comes. Then I went round the corner to the cottage hospital to visit a 95 year old lady who had had a fall at home and badly cut her head. No broken bones thankfully. She used to make the tea and coffee for us all at work. I go to see her from time to time as she only lives down the road. Such a lovely lady. She is frail now but very with it. She wanted to hear news of all my former colleagues. 
    Today I have been to the market in town. Very social occasion. I bumped into 5 people to have a nice chat to. This afternoon it is leaf scraping!!!! 

  • Not too late, Heather- Thank You! We leave after lunch tomorrow so I aim to be packed shortly so that in the morning all we have to do is lock all the windows & double check all our documents etc. My OH is going to make egg sandwiches for the plane journey as we now hate airline food. He will also drive two/three streets away to take Bonnie to stay with his sister. The dog looks anxious this morning as she knows something is happening but she loves staying with sis in -law so we know she'll be OK.

    I've packed um... let's see.. 

    2 pairs evening sandals  one black, one silver/gold.(double duty!)

    I pair of navy "I can walk for miles in these" sandals

    1 pair navy "I look smart in these" sandals.

    1 pair plastic slip ons for poolside wear.

    And I'll be wearing a pair of comfortable lace ups for the journey.

    Only 6 pairs!! Travelling light! ;-))

    My OH is wearing a pair of leather deck shoes & taking his favourite sandals. I might be able to persuade him to take some very light navy slip ons if there's room in the case. Once at this hotel we had two days when it rained torrentially & I fear having wet feet if not enough alternative footwear!

  • Glad to hear all bases are covered with your shoe selection Lindy! Have a great time. 

  • Thanks Rusty! Dont know if you have been reading for years, but my shoe packing is always of interest! LOL!!

    How kind it was of you to visit the elderly lady & keep her up to date with all the news. And I'm glad your friend is now settled in her accommodation.