A couple of weeks ago I started playing an online game called Minesweeper which, for anyone who is not familiar with it is a logic game with a big element of guesswork at times. Perhaps as I become more proficient there will be less guesswork and more logic.
However, about a week ago I finished a game (I am wining more and more as I get familiar with it) and Apple flashed up a message to tell me that I had finished the basic game faster than anyone else playing the basic game. It wanted my name for some honour site which I have yet to locate. Last night I did it again; fastest finish in the elementary level. Have I beaten my own score?
Poppy has now been on anti-inflammatory medication for about two weeks and she is a new cat. the poor little girl must have been in a lot of pain. Now she is playing with Parsifal more than fighting him and she is carrying her flag upright instead of at half mast. It is nice to see her so happy but she has had health problems for most of her life so I am not confident that she will live happily ever after. It is fingernail trimming next weekend and we will see then if the pain from her arthritis is diminished.
Friday is D2's birthday which will be celebrated Chez minnie on Saturday evening. D3 is bringing the main course and because her whole family is gluten/dairy sensitive I have ordered a G/D free orange and almond cake for dessert. D2 has told me that she wants a sultana caramel pudding and argues that as it is her birthday she has a right to have what she wants. Of course it is neither gluten nor dairy free. It is an argument hard to counter so I am going to have to provide one dessert for her and one for the rest of the party. Grrrrr . . .
I have finally got serious about my beautiful block printed tablecloth which I bought in Iran and which Parsifal, when he was a kitten, ate most of the fringe. So I have started replacing the parts of the fringe where he chewed the bottoms off. Fortunately each little tassel is unconnected with its neighbours so the original tassels which he was not able to reach are still there as a guide to the replacements. It is a long, slow job and I have been putting it off for seven years: it is high time I sorted it.
The limerick:-
This is one of my favourites.
There was a young girl from St. Cyr
Whose reflex reactions were queer.
Her escort said, 'Mabel
Get up of the table;
That money's to pay for the beer.'
Monday, December 3, 2018
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
Busy, Busy, Busy.
I have just looked at my calendar for next week and I have something on every day and it is not going to get any better as we wind up to Christmas.
On the subject of busy I have saved a quote from Rachel Maddow on the subject. I saved it because in made me burst out laughing. Sarcasm will get you almost anywhere, even onto my blog. It relates to Donald Trump's non-visit to the Arlington Memorial:
"As for the president being “extremely busy” on Veterans Day, his official White House schedule included no events.
Trump also found time last Monday to publish plenty of tweets, including missives demanding Florida officials stop counting lawful ballots and blaming Democrats for recent stock market losses.
I don’t doubt he was at least somewhat busy – the president’s television isn’t going to watch itself – but the idea that Trump couldn’t have taken some time to do what presidents do on Veterans Day is very hard to take seriously."
I have had my 'seniors' check' which I hope that I passed - but my doctor informed me as I went out the door, that I have weak legs. She didn't test them and I am seriously annoyed and will show her how to muscle test and throw in how to test for balance for good measure. Last time I looked, the most common cause of fractured neck of femur was elderly people getting up in the dark in the middle of the night to spend a penny.
I can actually remember back to a time when to spend a penny was a reality. There was a shop in Adelaide, South Australia, where a penny in the slot opened the door to the cubicle. The store was Miller Andersons and it may still be there. I know that the doors were kept (probably heritage listed) and one acquired the necessary penny from the attendant. I do not suppose that there are attendants any more either. FYO - I do not live in South Australia and did not set out to find antique public toilets last time I was there.
And now the limerick:-
There was a young lady of Condover
Whose husband had ceased to be fond of her.
He could not forget
He had wooed a brunette
But peroxide had now made a blonde of her.
On the subject of busy I have saved a quote from Rachel Maddow on the subject. I saved it because in made me burst out laughing. Sarcasm will get you almost anywhere, even onto my blog. It relates to Donald Trump's non-visit to the Arlington Memorial:
"As for the president being “extremely busy” on Veterans Day, his official White House schedule included no events.
Trump also found time last Monday to publish plenty of tweets, including missives demanding Florida officials stop counting lawful ballots and blaming Democrats for recent stock market losses.
I don’t doubt he was at least somewhat busy – the president’s television isn’t going to watch itself – but the idea that Trump couldn’t have taken some time to do what presidents do on Veterans Day is very hard to take seriously."
I have had my 'seniors' check' which I hope that I passed - but my doctor informed me as I went out the door, that I have weak legs. She didn't test them and I am seriously annoyed and will show her how to muscle test and throw in how to test for balance for good measure. Last time I looked, the most common cause of fractured neck of femur was elderly people getting up in the dark in the middle of the night to spend a penny.
I can actually remember back to a time when to spend a penny was a reality. There was a shop in Adelaide, South Australia, where a penny in the slot opened the door to the cubicle. The store was Miller Andersons and it may still be there. I know that the doors were kept (probably heritage listed) and one acquired the necessary penny from the attendant. I do not suppose that there are attendants any more either. FYO - I do not live in South Australia and did not set out to find antique public toilets last time I was there.
And now the limerick:-
There was a young lady of Condover
Whose husband had ceased to be fond of her.
He could not forget
He had wooed a brunette
But peroxide had now made a blonde of her.
Friday, November 16, 2018
Christmas Comes, Thankfully, but Once a Year
My tooth has been filled. It was such a huge cavity that I didn't think that it would be possible but it is done and dusted and only took an hour so I managed the string bag knitting workshop where I knitted my eternal scarf which is what I fall back on when I do not want to knit something where I have to keep count of rows or stitches. String bags I do not need; I have more bags than I could possibly use already.
So now I have to think about Christmas. It is my turn to have the family on Christmas Day although D2 is working. The menu is the same every year - potato salad and trifle although D3 and family cannot eat the trifle because of milk protein and gluten sensitivities. D3 brings dessert for her family but I have been told about a delicious orange and almond cake and thought that I might buy one for the D3s and anyone else who wants a piece.
I seem to be spending more and more time at my computer reading about the goings-on in USA and The United Kingdom. We are not doing all that well here at present either but things look as though they are about to really blow up in UK and USA
Poppy is back on anti-inflammatory medication and is much more settled and so far this evening there have been no spats. Parsifal goes riding in the kitty carriage most days and is very vocal when he wants to go out. I am meeting some interesting people who stop to talk. There is the nice man who sells "The Big Issue" and who has a cat at home but has a toy cat in his trolley. I run into him quite often and today I met a man wearing a crown. I had a feeling that he and his friend were from the hostel over the railway line but I am only guessing.
As you can see, I have done very little and need to get back to crossing items off my bucket list of things which I have been putting off - such as calling in an electrician to replace all the lights which have failed, about half a dozen at last count. I keep putting it off because I think that the light in my study is about to fail - but the power to the area has been upgraded and flickering has stopped. And getting the fridge door adjusted.
The limerick:-
This one was, according to my book, written by the Reverend Charles Inge.
A Lady while dining at Crewe
Found an elephant's whang in her stew.
Said the waiter, "Don't shout,
Or wave it about,
Or the others will all want one too."
So now I have to think about Christmas. It is my turn to have the family on Christmas Day although D2 is working. The menu is the same every year - potato salad and trifle although D3 and family cannot eat the trifle because of milk protein and gluten sensitivities. D3 brings dessert for her family but I have been told about a delicious orange and almond cake and thought that I might buy one for the D3s and anyone else who wants a piece.
I seem to be spending more and more time at my computer reading about the goings-on in USA and The United Kingdom. We are not doing all that well here at present either but things look as though they are about to really blow up in UK and USA
Poppy is back on anti-inflammatory medication and is much more settled and so far this evening there have been no spats. Parsifal goes riding in the kitty carriage most days and is very vocal when he wants to go out. I am meeting some interesting people who stop to talk. There is the nice man who sells "The Big Issue" and who has a cat at home but has a toy cat in his trolley. I run into him quite often and today I met a man wearing a crown. I had a feeling that he and his friend were from the hostel over the railway line but I am only guessing.
As you can see, I have done very little and need to get back to crossing items off my bucket list of things which I have been putting off - such as calling in an electrician to replace all the lights which have failed, about half a dozen at last count. I keep putting it off because I think that the light in my study is about to fail - but the power to the area has been upgraded and flickering has stopped. And getting the fridge door adjusted.
The limerick:-
This one was, according to my book, written by the Reverend Charles Inge.
A Lady while dining at Crewe
Found an elephant's whang in her stew.
Said the waiter, "Don't shout,
Or wave it about,
Or the others will all want one too."
Sunday, November 11, 2018
Just When . . .
After a couple of weeks of something happening most days I thought that I finally had a clear view of this next week. Too bad that on Friday one of my fillings fell out into my muesli and the first appointment to see my dentists is tomorrow lunch time which is, sadly, going to clash with my knitting group although I will probably manage it albeit late.
There is going to be a workshop on knitting string bags which I do not need so I am not missing a lot. Living over the top of a shopping centre containing two supermarkets I simply load my groceries back into the trolley and wheel it all upstairs.
Last week I had to have a physical check-up and a 'seniors' mental assessment very similar to the one which Donald Trump insisted on to prove that he is not dementing. His was on paper and on-line so that he could learn the answers but although mine was similar it was random questions which hopped all over the place so that I didn't know if they were going to throw a curve ball next time around.
I got one wrong that I know of; asked the date I managed the year and the month but fell down on the date. I have been so fixated in November 6th (Americans will relate to that) that I said the sixth instead of the eighth. I was able to confidently repeat the phrase "No ands ifs or buts" because it was used where I used to work, I had to spell 'world' backwards and write a sentence. I cheated there by using a line from a poem so it was in my long-term memory but I have no problem writing sentences or I would not be writing this blog. And no serial sevens; that is one which I practise when I can't sleep - a bit like counting sheep.
D1 flew over for a couple of days to attend S/W's birthday and walked off with my shower cap but she will be back for Christmas. I went out and bought a new one today. It was needed anyway.
The limerick:-
There was a young maiden from Multerry,
Whose knowledge of life was desultory;
She explained, like a sage,
"Adolescence? The stage
Between puberty and - er - adultery."
There is going to be a workshop on knitting string bags which I do not need so I am not missing a lot. Living over the top of a shopping centre containing two supermarkets I simply load my groceries back into the trolley and wheel it all upstairs.
Last week I had to have a physical check-up and a 'seniors' mental assessment very similar to the one which Donald Trump insisted on to prove that he is not dementing. His was on paper and on-line so that he could learn the answers but although mine was similar it was random questions which hopped all over the place so that I didn't know if they were going to throw a curve ball next time around.
I got one wrong that I know of; asked the date I managed the year and the month but fell down on the date. I have been so fixated in November 6th (Americans will relate to that) that I said the sixth instead of the eighth. I was able to confidently repeat the phrase "No ands ifs or buts" because it was used where I used to work, I had to spell 'world' backwards and write a sentence. I cheated there by using a line from a poem so it was in my long-term memory but I have no problem writing sentences or I would not be writing this blog. And no serial sevens; that is one which I practise when I can't sleep - a bit like counting sheep.
D1 flew over for a couple of days to attend S/W's birthday and walked off with my shower cap but she will be back for Christmas. I went out and bought a new one today. It was needed anyway.
The limerick:-
There was a young maiden from Multerry,
Whose knowledge of life was desultory;
She explained, like a sage,
"Adolescence? The stage
Between puberty and - er - adultery."
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
All Clear
The results of the scan I had last week show that everything is normal. The ultrasound technician was correct. Never underestimate technicians - especially from New Zealand - they often see more than the doctors and soon learn to interpret their own scans.
Today I had four nuisance calls on my personal alarm before lunch so I phoned the personal alarm help line who was not able to give me any help except to tell me to press the SOS button to cancel the call. All well and good but I have to dig it out from under all my clothes which is not a good look when I am out having coffee with D3 and SIL. I asked if there are many complaints about nuisance calls, was told 'no, not many' and realised why. The man suggested that I ask the telemarketer to cross me off the list. Jear Desus!
I have lifted that expletive from a funny video lesson on learning to knit. The man who created it seems to have made a fair number of "how to" videos and I will be following them up.
I was still getting dressed this morning (having been woken up by the first nuisance call) when I received a call from D3 to say that she and SIL were downstairs and would I like to join them for coffee so with that nice start to the day and the news of the scan results at the end of the day, all in all it has been good.
The weather is predicted to warm up over the next few days so hopefully, now that I do not need biopsies or other invasive procedures, I will be out around the lake soaking up all that vitamin D. Summer is finally getting here.
Yesterday was D1's birthday and she is getting older than I would like to think that any of my daughters are, GB1 had his end of formal school ceremony last night and my internet server turned 25, also yesterday. I thought that I had been on the internet for longer than that so it was something of a surprise. A big day, yesterday.
The limerick:-
There was a young lady of Louth
Who returned from a trip to the South.
Her father said, 'Nelly,
There's more in your belly
Than ever went in by your mouth."
Today I had four nuisance calls on my personal alarm before lunch so I phoned the personal alarm help line who was not able to give me any help except to tell me to press the SOS button to cancel the call. All well and good but I have to dig it out from under all my clothes which is not a good look when I am out having coffee with D3 and SIL. I asked if there are many complaints about nuisance calls, was told 'no, not many' and realised why. The man suggested that I ask the telemarketer to cross me off the list. Jear Desus!
I have lifted that expletive from a funny video lesson on learning to knit. The man who created it seems to have made a fair number of "how to" videos and I will be following them up.
I was still getting dressed this morning (having been woken up by the first nuisance call) when I received a call from D3 to say that she and SIL were downstairs and would I like to join them for coffee so with that nice start to the day and the news of the scan results at the end of the day, all in all it has been good.
The weather is predicted to warm up over the next few days so hopefully, now that I do not need biopsies or other invasive procedures, I will be out around the lake soaking up all that vitamin D. Summer is finally getting here.
Yesterday was D1's birthday and she is getting older than I would like to think that any of my daughters are, GB1 had his end of formal school ceremony last night and my internet server turned 25, also yesterday. I thought that I had been on the internet for longer than that so it was something of a surprise. A big day, yesterday.
The limerick:-
There was a young lady of Louth
Who returned from a trip to the South.
Her father said, 'Nelly,
There's more in your belly
Than ever went in by your mouth."
Sunday, October 21, 2018
Today I am wearing my comma police hat.
I visit Facebook every day and the thing which strikes me often is the proliferation of meaningless commas scattered throughout the posts. I found this meme today and felt that it was memorable for the sheer number of unnecessary commas.
"About marihuana, the people that don't smoke it won't start, just because it is legal. The people that do, will help pay taxes, and buy more munchies, to help the economy."
I counted four unnecessary commas in that short passage. Another gripe (and here I get onto my hobbyhorse) is the use of 'that' instead of 'who' or 'which'. But I digress. . .
Another gripe: if you are tweeting and have a limited number of characters per tweet it seems to me that not using the 'F' word would give you four extra characters for every time you don't use it. And is it necessary in every Facebook post?
OK - so I am in a bad mood. It is now a week since I had my mammogram and no feedback so far.
I have been trying to re-educate the cats to their harnesses with a view to taking them out to the park in their Kitty Carriage and letting them have a little run on the grass. Poppy is happy to wear her harness but gets seriously upset if I take her out for a walk and we have about 24 hours of hissing and spitting at Parsifal. He, on the other hand, enjoys going out and meeting and greeting but today was cold and windy and he didn't like it although he had asked to be taken out.
For some reason he is upset and noisy today. I wish that he could talk and tell me what is wrong but although he has an extensive vocabulary that is, sadly, beyond even a very clever cat.
The Limerick:-
Rosalina, a pretty young lass
Had a truly magnificent ass:
Not rounded and pink,
As you possibly think -
It was grey, had long ears and ate grass.
"About marihuana, the people that don't smoke it won't start, just because it is legal. The people that do, will help pay taxes, and buy more munchies, to help the economy."
I counted four unnecessary commas in that short passage. Another gripe (and here I get onto my hobbyhorse) is the use of 'that' instead of 'who' or 'which'. But I digress. . .
Another gripe: if you are tweeting and have a limited number of characters per tweet it seems to me that not using the 'F' word would give you four extra characters for every time you don't use it. And is it necessary in every Facebook post?
OK - so I am in a bad mood. It is now a week since I had my mammogram and no feedback so far.
I have been trying to re-educate the cats to their harnesses with a view to taking them out to the park in their Kitty Carriage and letting them have a little run on the grass. Poppy is happy to wear her harness but gets seriously upset if I take her out for a walk and we have about 24 hours of hissing and spitting at Parsifal. He, on the other hand, enjoys going out and meeting and greeting but today was cold and windy and he didn't like it although he had asked to be taken out.
For some reason he is upset and noisy today. I wish that he could talk and tell me what is wrong but although he has an extensive vocabulary that is, sadly, beyond even a very clever cat.
The Limerick:-
Rosalina, a pretty young lass
Had a truly magnificent ass:
Not rounded and pink,
As you possibly think -
It was grey, had long ears and ate grass.
Thursday, October 18, 2018
Boomerang Drone Mk. 5 - final post on the subject
My grandson has managed to get the cat drone working (I suspected that he would manage to do so) and is, according to his mother, having great fun with it so I am glad that it has gone to a good home after all the trauma. I will not be on-line shopping at that site anymore and have notified them of my decision.
I had my mammogram five days ago and now have to wait (and wait) for the verdict to get to know if I am clear or if I will need biopsies to confirm whether I have breast cancer or not - again. I've been there and done that before and so far I have been lucky. Long may it last but I am not holding my breath.
I have started taking the cats out for trips in the Kitty Carriage to socialise them and maybe make it easier to get them to and from the vet with me and Dr. L still in one piece. I have sedatives to give them now but more exposure to the outside world should be good for them. Parsifal enjoys the outings and sits at the front door and shouts that he wants to go out. Today I put his harness on and let him out to explore. He was wary in the town square but enjoyed his visit to Zoo which is a shop which sells all things pet - but not the pets themselves.
I took both of them out together a few days ago and Poppy reacted violently, spitting and growling at Parsifal for about 24 hours afterwards so I am going to have to take them separately until she gets more used to being out of her comfort zone and then try putting her harness on, although, in the past she never ventured out of the Kitty Carriage. I can cope with that, it is the socialisation and new environment which she needs. Even when I have visitors to the apartment she tends to disappear into the Master Suite which is her safe place.
The Limerick:-
I once thought a lot of a friend
Who turned out to be in the end
The southernmost part
(As I'd feared from the start)
Of a horse with a northerly trend.
I had my mammogram five days ago and now have to wait (and wait) for the verdict to get to know if I am clear or if I will need biopsies to confirm whether I have breast cancer or not - again. I've been there and done that before and so far I have been lucky. Long may it last but I am not holding my breath.
I have started taking the cats out for trips in the Kitty Carriage to socialise them and maybe make it easier to get them to and from the vet with me and Dr. L still in one piece. I have sedatives to give them now but more exposure to the outside world should be good for them. Parsifal enjoys the outings and sits at the front door and shouts that he wants to go out. Today I put his harness on and let him out to explore. He was wary in the town square but enjoyed his visit to Zoo which is a shop which sells all things pet - but not the pets themselves.
I took both of them out together a few days ago and Poppy reacted violently, spitting and growling at Parsifal for about 24 hours afterwards so I am going to have to take them separately until she gets more used to being out of her comfort zone and then try putting her harness on, although, in the past she never ventured out of the Kitty Carriage. I can cope with that, it is the socialisation and new environment which she needs. Even when I have visitors to the apartment she tends to disappear into the Master Suite which is her safe place.
The Limerick:-
I once thought a lot of a friend
Who turned out to be in the end
The southernmost part
(As I'd feared from the start)
Of a horse with a northerly trend.
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