Bad news from South Africa...

I bumped into my Aunty Alice, Lesley (my cousin), Lesley's husband and Vivian (another cousin) in town today. It is always nice to see them and we always have a chat.
 Today they had bad news. Uncle Tommy had died. He had a heart attack whilst driving his car and crashed. They did not know whether it was the heart attack or the crash that had caused his death.
Uncle Tommy had moved to South Africa years ago, the last time I saw him must have been about 28 years ago.
 I remember when I was only 4years old and my sister was maybe just turned 6 years we decided we wanted to visit Uncle Tommy. We got out our bikes, ( I had stabilisers on mine) and we rode from Kettlethorpe to Horbury which was a long way, no body stopped us, nobody questioned us and I have no idea how long it took us.
 The look on Uncle Tommy's face was one I will never forget. He rang my mum to ask if she was missing anything, my nana had been looking after us because my mum had been at work,( I guess my nana would have been in trouble.)
 Uncle Tommy sat me on his knee and sang "Oh you are a mucky kid" to me while my sister and I had a drink of pop and biscuits. After that he put our bikes in the boot of his car and took us home. I think my mum was too amazed at what we had done and the fact we had found the way to be cross.
I do seem to remember my bike disappeared for a while after that though.

The Bank Card saga.

 Tony had decided after a lot of looking what camera he wanted to buy. So a quick visit to Leeds was called for, we drove there instead of going on the bus because we thought for once it would be easier.
First stop was the bank so Tony could get out some money he likes to pay cash for things most of the time.
Tony had decided on a Canon 60D, while he went to the camera shop I went for a quick look round the clothes shops,( new pyjamas were needed). For once Tony's shopping took longer than mine, I went for a wander round the charity shop looking for books to read, finally Tony appeared bag in hand happy with his purchase eager to go home and charge the battery so he could try the camera out.

When we arrived home Tony put his battery on charge then we nipped out to Sainsburys to do a bit of shopping. We had only been in there five minutes when Tony's mobile rang. He looked at the screen and said "who's Anonymous ? and why is he ringing me ?" He answered the phone looked in his wallet and said "yes I have" then his signal went.
"you aren't going to believe this" he said "I have left my bank card in the bank in Leeds".
 So yes we had to go back to Leeds. We took the shopping home went for the bus, back to Leeds into the bank got the card, into butchers row, picked up some meat, went into Maturi's bought a cafetiere (a nice red one ). Back on the bus and home.
I just climbed in the bath and soaked for an hour. Tony made dinner while his battery continued to charge.
I am glad today is over, tomorrow has to be better, Tony may even get chance to try his new camera out.

The Green Thing.

I was reading the local free booklet we get delivered once every so often this afternoon and a piece in it really amused me.
I am not admitting to fitting into the age group all of this will apply to but see how many of you have a secret smile or even a big grin after reading this...

In a line at the supermarket, the cashier told an older woman that she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment.

The woman apologised to him and explained "we didn't have the green thing back in my day"

The cashier responded, "that's our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment"

He was right our generation didn't have the green thing in it's day. Back then we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the off licence. They sent them back to the plant to be washed, sterilised, refilled and reused. So it could use the same bottles over and over. So really they were being recycled. But we didn't have the green thing in our day.

We walked up stairs, because we didn't have lifts and escalators in every shop and office building, we walked to the local shops we didn't climb into a 300 horsepower machine every time we had to go to the supermarket. We bought fruit and veg loose and washed them at home. We didn't have to throw away bins full of plastic, foam and paper packaging that need huge recycling plants fed by monster trucks all day every day. But we didn't have the green thing back in our day.

Back then we washed the babies nappies because we didn't have the throw away kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 220 volts- wind and solar power really did dry the clothes. Kids got hand me down clothes, mostly hand made or hand knitted, from their brothers or sisters, not always brand new clothing shipped from the other side of the world. But we didn't have the green thing back in our day.

Back then shops repaired things with funny things called spare parts, we didn't need to throw the whole item away because a small part failed. Back then we had one TV, or radio, in the house not a TV in every room. The TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?) Not a screen the size of Wales. In the kitchen we blended and stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail we used a wadded up old newspaper to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.

Back then we didn't fire up an engine and burn petrol just to cut the lawn, we used a push mower that ran on human power and hand clippers for the hedges. We exercised by working so we didn't need to go to a brightly lit, air conditioned health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity and then drink millions of bottles of that special water from those plastic bottles. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new plastic pen, we replaced blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole plastic razor just because the blade got dull. But we didn't have the green thing.

Back then people took the bus and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning parents into a 24 hour taxi service. We had one electric outlet in a room not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. We didn't need a computerised gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest fish and chip shop.

But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn't have the green thing back then ?

Go on admit it you smiled.

Joans birthday dinner.

Tony's uncle Harry invited us to a meal at "The Three Houses" to celebrate aunty Joan's 65th birthday.
So of course we said we would love to go, Harry was delighted and then asked if we could pick up himself, Joan their granddaughter Kerry along with her boyfriend Dale. Well we could hardly say no could we.
We drove from Wakefield to Featherstone to collect them, we had a bit of a struggle getting Joan into the car, then drove back to Wakefield to the place we were eating.
I should explain Joan is not very well, she has had a few mini strokes (or Transient Ischemic Attacks to give them the real name) which now means she has symptoms of early dementia.
Harry is 78 years young and is also not 100% fit he has had a few op's and when he talks about them he is quite graphic about them with a lot of hand movement which Tony and I have christened "Harry's hacker"
They are a smashing couple and it is a shame to see how ill Joan has become so quickly.
During the meal however Joan kept us entertained as every so often she would suddenly join in the conversation when least expected with a comment that fitted in just right, Dale had been telling a story and he had just said something about not being man enough when from the end of the table Joan shouted out "Well your not a proper man are you?" The whole room just fell about, Joan sat there a big grin on her face two thumbs in the air looking straight at Kerry. This is the secret sign they share for when Joan is happy.

JOAN

                                                HARRY

Joan spent most of the night singing to herself, while the world just carried on around her. The sad thing is nobody is helping her or Harry she is receiving no medical help, she is under no hospital care the family GP says he can do nothing, so it is left to the family to struggle isn't the NHS a wonderful organisation.
After the meal was over which took longer than expected (the service was terrible 2 hours waiting for the dinner) we took Harry, Kerry and Dale back to Featherstone. (Joan went back with Bev as it was easier for her to get into Bev's car) Dale gave Tony a couple of bottles of wine as poor Tony hadn't had a drink all night as he was driving. By the time we reached home it was turned midnight I was ready for turning into a pumpkin I am usually in bed by 8 - 9 o-clock if not earlier.
It had been a good night though we had enjoyed it, Tony's cousin Neil had told Tony about his dog it is a Border Terrier the same breed that Carl has so no doubt we will be visiting soon, of course the fact that he keeps hawks is also another reason to call any photographic opportunities  are welcome.

Neil.

A day for visits...

We were visited today by my son who had a day off work and had nothing better to do. He brought some DVD's for Tony to watch, that will keep him happy for a while. We had a couple of hours chatting about his new job, he seems to be enjoying it. The hours suit him better he has more time for other things. His girlfriend enjoys spending more time with him they actually have time to go out together not just pass each other as one comes in from work the other is just leaving.

My son is running the London Marathon this year so he now is beginning to seriously train for it, all I can say is rather him than me. There must be something in the air as he is the second member of my family to be running the marathon my sister-in-law is also running, well good luck to both of them I shall cheer them on from my sister - in -laws home whilst looking after her cat and enjoying the change of scenery.

We also had a visit from my younger daughter this afternoon, she always seems to have some sort of drama happening. Todays was her bag was coming apart at the seams, she would have to buy another one. I calmly picked up a needle and cotton and sewed the bag while she continued with the next drama. She had been for her eyebrows weaving, one was much thinner than the other she wailed "look what am I going to do" I put down the bag I had finished mending looked at her face and I couldn't even tell which one was supposed to be thinner than the other. I told her this so she calmed down picked up the bag and to my surprise said "thanks mum" now she never says thanks.
After I had printed a photo of her friends cat to put in a frame she had bought as a birthday gift, put her mind at rest that yes the dress she was wearing to go out in tonight looked fine, yes it went with the shoes, yes her hair was fine, yes the nail polish matched and the short black cardigan looked just so, I needed a rest.

Just a quick catnap!

I am happy to say my other daughter didn't visit today not that I wouldn't have liked to see her or the grandchildren. Any of them are always welcome.

It's always lovely to see my son, my two daughters or the grandchildren, but oh it's so nice to see them go...

The results are in...

We had a bus ride into Wakefield this morning, we met Elvira for a coffee. (99p a cup before 10:30am in BHS mon - fri ) We had a chat caught up on the gossip, discussed the soaps much to Tony's disgust , he doesn't like soaps (well the ones on the TV not the smelly ones for washing with).

After we had exhausted all avenues of discussions we left Elvira to go and do some shopping. We had not gone far when Tony's mobile rang.

Dr Daru was ringing to say he had the results of the MRi. We both looked at each other, the doctor wanted Tony to collect the results and arrange an appointment with the spine clinic.
The results are just a load of gobble-de-gook, the only bit I really understand is at the end where it says
Referral to a spinal surgeon is advised.

Tony's response is...

The MRi...

Tony had his MRi today! He didn't enjoy the experience, I did try to explain about the noise, it is hard to make someone understand just how noisy it is. I told him it sounded like a pneumatic drill but louder it was the nearest I could get.
When Tony returned to the waiting area he was very flushed in the face, he did not look happy!
" I have been microwaved" he said. He had warm patches on his body, so he said it felt like he had been cooked.
The nurse had put Tony earphones on so he had asked if it was AC/DC that was playing "oh no mate it's much worse than that " he was told.
Then the noises began I am not sure what Tony had expected but I think he was still not prepared for it.

Anyhow that is the MRi out of the way, now we just have to wait for the results which should be ready in 7 - 10 days.

Not a good start to the day

The day started early with the yowling of a cat, no we don't have a cat but for some reason the neighbourhood cats have taken a liking to our garden. Many morning just lately we are awoken not by the birds dawn chorus but by the cats chorus. This can begin anytime from 1am and continue until 7am or even later if we are really blessed.
There are certain cats who like to sleep in our garden under the bushes laying in wait for the blackbirds who are usually the first birds to call, so Tony is awake early to make sure the blackbirds are safe...

Well Tony greeted me this morning with "I don't like that mirror in there" I went to look and I had to agree I wasn't too sure.
All that time spent putting it up, the money spent buying it, what a waste, then Tony said "do you want it for the bedroom?"  I smiled at him you can guess my answer  "oh yes please"
I am just waiting for him to hang the mirror it will fit in lovely with every thing else in there.

We visited the Redbrick Warehouse today.
 We were much more careful about spending money today though! When we came home we had only bought a couple of things, well you have to buy something it's no good going shopping and not buying anything what sort of fun is that?
I wont tell you what things we did buy, I will let you into the secret at a later date.
The last couple of days have been a bit hectic.
So I am going to relax and reflect.
A little like this Long Tailed Tit seems to be doing that was in the garden earlier this week.

Someone somewhere is having a worse day...

Today we went to Ikea, Tony wanted more hooks for the kitchen.
We have bought a new dinner service, it's called "Jazz" all black and white and well jazzy designs.
Anyhow this is why we went to Ikea for hooks to hang the new mugs and cups on(even though the cups haven't arrived yet).
So we walked round Ikea picked up a few things found the hooks and decided to go for a coffee. (it's free if you have an Ikea card).
Well it had to be the worst cup of coffee I have had in a long time (no wonder it's free).
We did get a couple of bargains so I suppose it was worth the trip, it got us out of the house anyway.
When we left Ikea we decided to go to Junction 32 which is another shopping area, we didn't really go to buy just to look (yeah right I can hear you all saying.)
We found a mirror that we both liked it has a glossy red frame and will look great in the room we both decided, then we saw a light shade oh yes we both said that will go great in the lounge.
What can you do when you both agree you have to buy them, so we did.

We decided to put up the mirror as soon as we arrived home, that was not as easy as it sounded, but without going into detail lets just say it took a while. The light shade didn't go as expected either but looks quite nice on the lamp.

Oh and another thing when we unpacked the bags the hooks that we went to Ikea for were nowhere to be seen. The only thing that stopped me screaming was thinking if I thought my day was bad, what did the driver of this car think to his?

We saw this on our way home, so there is always some one who is having a worse day.

Wind damage...

The wind has been blowing a gale,  where we live has not been hit as hard as some places but it has left it's mark.
Trees have blown down blocking roads causing disruption to traffic, garden sheds have been blown down or up (one ended up in a tree, does that make it a tree house now?), house roofs and chimneys were flung to the ground, wagons blown over injuring drivers, cars ending up in rivers and peoples houses flooding, one poor man on the news has been trying to stop his house flooding since new years day. The poor man was in tears.

I must say my life at the moment listening and watching all this seems pretty good!

I have not been down to the shed today but I did go in yesterday, when I managed to snap a Grey Wagtail even that got blown over by the wind.

The only other photo I managed apart from more of the Wagtail was a Goldfinch patiently waiting for his/her turn on the feeder.

I enjoy my time in the shed even if I don't get any photos, just watching the birds, listening to a bit of country music on my Sony Walkman Mp3 that Tony bought me for Christmas, a cup of coffee from the flask and I am as happy as a pig in muck.

The world we live in...

The new year has not started well for a lot of people, you just have to listen to the news or read the papers. The amount of deaths already reported and we are only 2 days into the year. What makes a person want to take the life of another, or even their own life? I cannot imagine life being so bad that I could feel the need to consider doing that. I could maybe consider the feeling of wanting to take one (My ex was not a nice person) but I don't think I could ever do it! Then of course there are the accidental deaths, the young man who lost his life on Scarfell Pike for instance. What a horrible start to the new year for his family and friends.
I often wonder how people can keep a faith in God, with all these things happening, and the natural disasters, the floods, hurricanes, etc...
Then I suppose there is the other side of the picture, the miracle of new life. Babies being born, both human and animal, new growth of plant life. The beautiful sounds of nature, birdsong, the patter of rainfall, the wind whispering and the call of the sea. Children playing, the sound of their laughter, voices singing and faces glowing.
Hopefully as the year  proceeds the good will out weigh the bad.

A new year

The start of a new year was spent quietly watching TV, eating chocolate, making and receiving phone calls to pass on messages of good will for the new year.
Tony's sister in law was our first visitor of the year, she called in this morning for a cuppa, she supplied us with more chocolate and sweets (as if we needed them). I even had a drink, I enjoyed a drop of Baileys.
The squirrel visited the garden today, she spent an hour or more hiding chestnuts before she stopped to eat anything. I think she wanted to make sure nobody else got them.
The blackbirds, starlings and various other birds filled the garden through out the day eating the fruit and seeds it was the busiest it has been for a while I hope this is a sign of things for the new year.

I have not been to the garden today, the only photo I have to share with you is a picture of some of the cards Tony has bought me for birthdays.

Don't you just love them?

I do.