Its so undecided

I don't know how the people of America are feeling, but I personally am getting uneasy with the thought of a leader voted in, who appears not quite right in the head. Sometimes talking for the sake of talking without making sense and totally off subject.

Its difficult to discern truths from lies, is Trump really saying all those things.. he has had several conversations with Putin, is that fact? He believes he can end the war in Ukraine? How is he going to do that?

Each time there a news article about him, I can't believe he says some things. We watched 'Question Time' and people, who are with Trump, seem to dismiss his misdemeanors and odd remarks..and those people genuinely think he's the best for their country.

I worry that someone, who is the Head of a very powerful country could lose his cool and push that 'button' and then we'll all be in the 'mire!'

This was my morning prayer from Proverbs 31 Christian Ministries.

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV)

What do you think?

                              Chrisxx

Changes!

It's been all change for us... the bed... the new bed!! I kept saying to Dh this is not like the bed I tried in the store, but he reckons it has to be.  Anyway we decided to change the new mattress for the mattress off the bed in our second bedroom, perfect! Firmer and just right... Dh is long suffering with me being changeable, but I am convinced that the new mattress isn't the one I tried,  it is too soft! So I'm happy and since using it, I think its warmer! OK it could be the weather is warmer, but I don't think so, the mornings are brrrrrr, warm knicker weather! We've also changed over the metal rail head board for our old padded one, much more comfy to rest your head on when reading in bed.

I've also been back to Specsavers, for 4th time and said the varilux lenses are not right, I have to lift up my head to view my laptop screen.   So I've had them changed to just reading glasses, so I can use them reading at night in bed.. there was a refund as those lenses are cheaper, £140. The young man wanted  me to accept a credit note, which I could use on another pair of glasses. I told him I would never use Specsavers again and got my money!

We also decided to drop out of the U3a 'Singalong' group. She wants to change to not having a break in the middle, but keep singing for the hour, then have a social with tea and biscuits at the end. That doesn't suit us, we're not moving for an hour I was stiff and had to stand a few times..Then when it finished most people, including us left. The person who organises it said, they're doing what the majority want.. but she has forgotten we provided the biscuits, so now they'll have to buy them themselves. I am sad about this as I really enjoyed it and took an active part.

And taking the advice of Michael Mosely (RIP) I have done one thing different, I'm actually walking once a day.. That may not sound great but it is for me, I don't like walking, but have pushed myself to do it.

So a very big change for me!

Chrisxx

Mary Berry's Banana Bread

Now and then we indulge in a simple cake, one with limited fat and one where you can use half sugar and this recipe is one of those.

Banana Bread

100g butter (a substitute is lower fat spread)

`175g castor sugar (you can use half sugar)

225 Self raising flour

2 eggs

2  v. ripe bananas

1 tsp baking powder

2 tbl sp milk(semi is ok)

Pre heat oven 180 or gas mark 4

Mix all ingredients till well mixed.

Spoon mixture into prepared loaf tin.

Cook for an 1 hour until banana bread is well risen and golden brown.

Test if cooked with tooth pick, if wet cook for longer.

Dench with runny icing flavoured with chocolate... or not... doesn't really need it as it is very moist.

Leave to cool before slicing and then ....

ENJOY

Chrisxx

Book Group Book.

 I still have nights when I wake and can't get back to sleep and last night was one of those. It was 3 am, I tried snuggling back down after a loo visit, but half an hour later I was still awake, not wide awake but not sleepy.. so after another loo visit I switched on my bedside lamp and got my book. (The light doesn't bother Dh) I thought it would give me a chance to finish our Book Group book. 

Frank 75, a retired writer and academic receives an invitation to a funeral of an old friend to take place in Milan, Italy. Being reclusive, he has no idea of what is happening in the world, and is unaware of the increasing covid epidemic that is unfolding.

In Milan he finds he can no longer ignore what is happening in the wider world, when he finds himself quarantined in his hotel by the escalating restrictions. By nature introspective and self absorbed the reader is privy to his inner most thoughts and reflections and he becomes very real. 

There is a vast contrast between Frank and the family hiding out in the attic, who by his invitation, joined him in his room. One dispossessed family, that would struggle at the best of times and a man cultured, educated, who became involved with them, as they huddled down together at the height of the epidemic, brought a realistic edge to the story. 

It was an expertly written book, well paced, an absorbing and resonant read and certainly a convincing covid novel.

It just wasn't for me, but being the Group book, I read it, perhaps you might like it?

Chrisxx

A very white patio!

When we came home from SW yesterday morning the garden was radiant in sunshine, so we sat outside to have our cup of tea. We didn't talk just sat quietly and enjoyed the garden and quiet.. no builders banging for a change, two houses are now finished and the other is only worked on now and then. 

Dh had some posts to sort and I stayed there, in my warm jacket, because although the sun was shining it was only 10C. The patio is now sparking,  as Dh used the power washer on it yesterday and our pots back on it.

I loved sitting there, watching the birds on one of the feeders.. and the squirrel jumping from branch to branch on the trees that border the driveway of the private school, which is about 100ft from our garden. We sometimes see him tripping along our fence with a walnut in his mouth, so some one has a tree here near us? Its such fun watching him..

 Our sparking, very white patio

This was the garden when we arrived just over 3years ago.

And here are the three flower beds we 've dug and planted.

Sorry about the table with my tray of weeds! And we have the small trees and shrubs in front of the fence we had, instead of the awful hedge. Its a fair sized garden and we're very pleased we kept our big power motor mower..It takes Dh about 25mins to do back and front grass, so may be one more cut before winter with all this sun. The garden is very different from when we came here, the grass looks more like a lawn with regular cutting and weed and feeding and we've managed to get rid of most of the dandelions. 

It was very calming sitting there and then it was time for lunch, I was desperate, we had a baked potato with cheese grilled on top! A lovely morning. What was yours like?

Chrisxx

Smiling is infectious!

 If you've read my blog in the past you'll know I suffer with repeated and horrendous UTIs so when I heard about hiprex, which is a bladder antiseptic and prevents infections I asked my Drs could I have some. I was summoned to a face to face app.!! 

I saw a Dr I hadn't seen before, she was excellent, knew what I was talking about and was fully sympathetic.. and not only did she agree it was worth giving hiprex a try, as we had our flu jabs booked later this month, she said she could do them there and then to save us having to go to the Medical Centre again. So we were jabbed!

Then I found this gem of a poem by Spike Milligan and was just how I felt when I left the Drs.  

Smiling is infectious,

You catch it like the flu.

When someone smiled at me today,

I started smiling too.

I passed around the corner,

and someone saw my grin.

When he smiled I realised, 

I'd passed it on to him.

I thought about that smile,

then realised its worth.

A single smile, just like mine,

could travel round the Earth.

So if you feel a smile begin,

don't leave it undetected.

Let's start an epidemic quick,

and get the world infected!!

by Spike Milligan

Chrisxx

A gardener's tale.

 Every morning the first thing I do is walk through the lounge to look out of the French doors to view the garden. If its not raining I step out onto the top of the steps and peer up and down. I smell the air, look at the furthest flower bed, is there a new flower, is there anything new to see, how is the shape of the little scented tree? It all brings great joy to me. I listen to the birds, and when the wind is in a certain direction, I  can hear the sea! Some mornings I see the geese flying across  from the nature reserve to Ogmore. I used to walk round in my dressing gown, but after my fall I am wary, so wait till I've dressed.. one thing falling fully dressed, but in my nightie??

We had a lovely couple of hours on Monday afternoon, the sun was shining and it felt warm. Our garden is south-west facing so good for lots of plants, but would you believe too hot for some others, which flower one year and then disappear, but I keep trying, so I plant snowdrops every year!  But it means we can grow some very nice grapes!

With all the tidying up, I also reduced the height of the crab apple tree so it will bush out. I had a beautiful one in my garden in Billericay and I made jars of crab apple jelly, to which I added  different herbs and gave away to friends.

Here's one of my end of the summer pots... ready to go for a winter sleep in the garage. A bit sad to see the end of summer.

And the cosmos all looking a bit end of summer weary.

Once these have died down  I shall fill it with even more bulbs!

And my new spring pots already planted  with daffodils, and tulips and grit to protect (I hope) against the squirrels.

 I gently pruned some of the roses, just to their 'knees' in Autumn, it will be down to their 'ankles' in spring! And the clematis too, remembering 'flower before June, don't prune!' All the sayings I learnt as a new gardener so many years ago, have helped me through the years.

Dh was going to power wash the patio, but with the rain showers we decided to just get the patio ready for the next dry fine day, not safe on a day with sudden showers,  as it is electric.

 I just love my garden, and  it was surprise,  because of covid lockdown we didn't view the property, altho my son videoed the bungalow for us, I was a bit concerned about the garden, would it be too small? Truth be told it's a bit too big, but we haven't made it labour intensive so we're coping!

Do you love your garden?

Chrisxx 

How Clever

 

Seen on the beach yesterday

Chrisxx

Weaver.

 This wasn't my proposed blog post for today but I feel I should give praise to Weaver whose blog has been so interesting and informative of her life, as a wife to the farmer plus her first husband.

She announced earlier this year that she had been diagnosed with bowel cancer and stopped blogging in July. 

She has given me and many more hours of enjoyment reading her writings..

October 6th she died.. Rest in Peace Weaver of Grass.

                        Chrisxx

90th Birthday.

 Yesterday we went to a 90th birthday party, it was my mother's cousin, although she refers to me as her cousin. Often on the phone, when she's asked me about something from the past, and I have said I don't think I remember that, she has said...'Don't be silly of course you do!' So I keep quiet!

She gave a little speech about her life, but forgot that myself and my cousin were her bridesmaids, until I reminded her, we all laughed..

Her brother age 92 was there. I went to talk to him, asking him did he not recognise me, he didn't, but I carried on talking to him and reminded him I had quite a 'pash' for him when I was 18. He wrote to me long letters, when I was a student nurse. He was one of those over studious, quiet, shy, young men, but did go on and get married and had four girls..And I just moved on as  you do when you're 18 and young!

There were about 50 people there including my cousins, (one the other bridesmaid) I don't have much contact with her, she lives in the midlands. And her brother, they were both full of the holidays they'd had this summer, all very nice, but to me it was like they were chasing dreams. I'm past that stage of my life, all that airport hustle and bustle, not for me any more. They asked could I speak Welsh yet and I was able to reply.. 'Ydw, dw i'n dysgu siarad Cymraeg,' (yes I am learning to speak Welsh)

The food was lush, pulled pork in a bap, roast potatoes, mixed green salad leaves, coleslaw and apple sauce. I loved it as we never eat foods like that these days, as we're always trying to lose weight (I lost 2 pounds this week) We just had a little bit of it all.

And there was a very delicious birthday cake, all very nice.

We drove home the long way via our front promenade, which was crowded, but just by chance there was a parking space by Booths, the pavement kiosk with the fab Welsh ice cream, so we stopped for one,  it was delish..So a nice day but I was glad to get home for a decaff tea! Can't beat a good cuppa.

Have you older relatives?

Chrisxx