Alt.Mustardland

While I was out yesterday, or just not in the bedroom supervising, a big tractor came and reaped the meadow at the back, leaving the straw in a tangled heap on the ground. Yesterday the ears looked filled with promise, but it looks as though the promise has been kept. September is here but I don't like to preempt the start of a new thread.

I'm off to Brunch at the Village Hall now.

Yes, after a sepsis scare Brian's daughter is much improved and her baby has also been discharged from hospital. Visiting has been confined to grandparents only for a few more days.

The smell at the Cadbury's factory in Bournville was very attractive, but although there were alleged to be 1001 trades in Brum, there wasn't a tannery. Quite the stinkiest, though the sulphur from the Silver processors was unpleasant. That was in the Jewellery Quarter, 5 miles away.

Not Keeping up!
Chocolates and Sweetmeats? The World has not been the same since Southends Ice Cream-maker has retired, and his Disperate offspring all make ice cream to their various lesser recipes, and the Fire that destroyed Southends Grosvenor Rock Factory (which made many seaside towns Rocks), The world has gone all wrong. A one-time Colleague Lived in a cul-de-sac that led to The Thornton Chocolate Factory. The constant odour disinclined him from eating the stuff (fortunately it never affected me).
OK, I'll be honest - I did a few weeks work making changes in one of The Bristol Royal Mail offices - The Fry's Chocolate Factory was suitably scented, but was overcome by the nearby Tobacco Factory, and the Hide treatment/diers....

I hope The Baby is improving.

Not for the squeamish is so true. I won't go into detail.

No the continentals aren't cosy are they. I only go in for olives and continental chocolate which is far less tempting when it's kept in the fridge. The old teeth can't cope with rock hard chocolate, so just thawing out small quantities is quite satisfying. It may be hard to credit, but outside Essex things are much better.

Brian's daughter has had the baby but isn't very well yet. Thinking of her and the baby.

At one time I had on the footer of my Stationery: [i]Old Age is Not for the Squeamish.[/i]
Listening to the Radio this evening: What we Know as Retirement is said to becoming a day of the Past. If one does the sums (as their tame Mathematics Lecturer did), it won't provide a living income. It should in future just be a steady reduction of working hours (or days) over the years. That has long been a Hobby horse of mine, but the suggestion applies to people currently in their 60's, with only a few in their 70's currently doing it now. HMMMMNNNNNnnnnn. I'm afraid the problem is that people don't all fit the same mould. Will a builder who has been working in all weather still be fit enough to work into his seventies with all the lifting/carrying/bruised/with a backlog of minor/greater injuries be working into his 70's (or 80's as they implied). I wonder what ex-coalminers or dustmen can do. getting political.
I have abandoned Local Co-oP. It has never been a moderately priced shop, nor is the quality that good (Yes, they have been clients of Mine, but not locally and not Supermarkets). The nearest shopping centre (an unusual design) is not really suitable anfter 40 years. It is to be demolished, The Co-oP is the current occupant of successive supermarkets, The freezers have been breaking dowm ingreasingly for years, and tnhhe whole bank of freezers is now empty. Fruit? Yup Grapes are good and good value, But it is not wiorth a detour to get off the bus partway to Town Centre, but if one walks its worth walking another 200yds to One of the German/Dutch Supermarkets and get all the better quality at 2/3 the price - but a bit - how can I say - "spartan"
Goodnight.

If the exercise would do you good, maybe. There is an abundance of people to help you do things you can do yourself. Everything else moves with agonising slowness until it hits the one blockage you hit yourself 18 months ago, and they have no more power to dig you out of the mud than you have yourself. Old age isn't for wimps. I do find after one of those brick walls I have the energy to try again from another angle and sort it myself.

I went to the dump today and got rid of a few cardboard boxes and plastic packing. There are attendants waiting to take it off you if you are struggling. One of the paths I sometimes take was blocked by a fallen tree, so I had to turn back. Cassie had a decent scamper though. The co-op had lots of fruit that the supermarkets sell out of early, so it was just a quick shop and back home to have a gentle afternoon.

Never fiddled, and only sang once at a Schools Concert. There were Several schools in (what was then) The Secondary Schools in Romford. The mystro assembled 'undreds of us all To be heard and rehearsed. After hearing the massed choirs, we were dismissed for a very long break, returned to our coaches a heard no more of it.

Back in the 1970/80's I was a Member of "Spare Time Club". Just a group of 20's to 40's putting events into a monthly programme. It was big enough to attract all sorts of interests (I was one of the gang-of-four who took turns to design, and publish, and lead Rambles in Essex. (especially important not to Clash dates with Those two women doing Similar things in Surrey). For A six-month period I was "Link man" to get established and New Members to meet at Monthly intervals. Thus, I was drawn into involving two Ladies from W Essex, Anne and Ann. i.e., A schoolteacher and A Sportscentre Swimming instructor for Anne's Class. (new Towns had no History and made their new structure, including Linking School and Sports teachers). These two women (and a few later additions) were members of the Harlow Chorus - think Albert Hall, Think The "Proms". This longer [i]off the cuff[/i] mention that I imagined. Anne-with-an-E, got married and became a Head Teacher in .. Isle of Man. But That was the nearest I got to music !!!! Ann with an E, was also in the Amateur Operatic and Drama Society. She played a Nun in Sound of Music.

Now, where was I before I diverted myself? I thought that once I got a Doc who could actually supply my medical needs, I felt stronger and started to pick up lost thread (I can now walk without Hurty feets, and done away with Walking stick). Unfortunately, I found it was like trying to run several machines at a time I really needs to ofload some stuff, but I kleep finding anomolies that CAB, Stepchange, Age Matters, Noddle, etc havn't grasped. I think I may have mentioned previously (or elsewhere) that If you have been ill, you get all sorts of helpers uninvited, But they all find you other Spevcialist, who interpose their view. One just switches off in the end.

Wonder if it would Help if I went up Langdon Hills to the Forest where there are No Houses and Enjoy a Good SCREEEEEAAAM.

No, I have never busked. In Birmingham, the students at the School of music used to practice on the street for money, and I heard possibly the best performance ever of the Bach Double Violin Concerto, with two young violinists playing up a storm. I've heard worse on telly. My dreadful attempts would have earned me pity. I'm better than I was, but still not brilliant.

I really feel for you with your frustrations. Maybe they aren't always intent on obstructing you, but with your difficulties in remembering the precise words you want to use it is doubly difficult. You have been trying to slay more dragons today than I'd attempt in one day. Yes, I think you need to make sure you actually need everything in each file, and consider subdividing some of them. I've separated ongoing medication paperwork from Hip Op stuff and put previous unrelated hospital stuff into archive. These suspension files are a bit fragile, but they are OK for current stuff from this year.

With what you have to endure, don't let ignorant comments from people who don't get the levels of bugeration in Essex bureaucracy, especially local Authorities upset you. Most people want to help, and those that just want to prove their superiority are just gremlins. Just ignore them and they'll go away. I'm sure I have got it wrong lots of times, but you've been very patient with me. I do just want to help. Nil Desperandum.

Hi.
Not in a good mood. Spent an hour this Morning in the CAB, Got back after lunch for another hour and a half, then spent another Hour or Two firstly visiting the Post Office to get a Form I was directed to, and to the Royal Mail Office where I was Directed, who also denied it. and then on the Phone to Sundry DHS phone dept, getting passed to half a dozen different offices being directed to another, ending up with the last one Hanging up - reminds me, I must recharge my phone. I finished too late to Get Prescriptions (New Doc is a Cab ride away).
I mentioned my adventures in another thread - I shouldn't have done! It was a merely Polite conversation to explain being Late on the Board. and This bloke has been going on about something He knows nothing about. A short reply only sparks more detailed explanation. (Hint: Never mention anything to anybody who knows my business better than me because has a Brother who works in some gov office).
I'm calming down a bit now: Much of my Paperwork was/is in Box Files, or for some project in ring-binders. Latterly dispersed in my de-cluttering campagne. and thus EVERWHERE. I now needs to find all my paperwork prior to the Post office/Royal Mail non-delivery here, and go back to the CAB next week. I was transferring "stuff" into an office surplus Suspension File. I can't get the steel stiffeners needed to carry the weight. They don't seem to have them nowadays - the bendy stiffener is not strong enough for the weight.

Fiddle playing - are you the Lady who busks in Basildon Centre?? Actually, I've had enough Vivaldi on the phone today!

Trying to finish editing the parish magazine for tomorrow.

My new 2 drawer filing cabinet has arrived. Getting past the unfiled paperwork could be a problem, but maybe I can use the stupendous outer cardboard box pro tem. My study/dressing room will need readjusting , and getting to the front door to receive the suspension files would have been a problem if the courier lady wasn't willing to pass the parcel over the blockage in the hall. It all happened while I was writing this. Maybe I will be better organised after the reorganisation.

Violin practice too for tomorrow's rehearsal. No chance to be bored and lonely here.

Cats love gravy.
I was just pondering if I ever wanted tons of topsoil. It might be possible to get a vehicle in here, (not certain how). Not possible to get into individual courtyards (Bollards from the Fire Engine route). But that only gets to the front door - no direct access through the garden wall. ... and I would have to buy a permit for secretary, but I doubt if there will be a space. (lack of parking - and getting a fine - has lost one of my "carers". stopped coming).

Decided on a bit of "Finding all the Paperwork", before moving on.

Either because of the gravy or you.

Last 5 Tonnes of topsoil today. No rain forecast before Thursday so gardener can move it where it needs to go. Then I can plant my ferns, Lilies of the Valley and wood anemones in the last (shady) bed.

Chasing payment for Parish magazine advertising. We had already covered our costs without counting recipients' contributions, so I was a bit dilatory, but I have some promises and a cheque. I am hoping to get the Magazine off to the printer before my pre-op visit to Yeovil, when the date of the op may be vouchsafed to me.

I hope you are making progress with your proper address/Meds etc. Do you have a parking permit to lend to your secretary?

Had little or No rain today - Not that I've been out.

I'd better go - Needs a change of clothes and to Feed my washing M/c. Slight Gravy Mis-hap in the Kitchen - cat keeps sniffing at my shirt and looking hungry.

You could classify your missives or see if any answer each other. Then work through them one at a time. Do 4 a day in order of urgency, and they will be sorted out by next week. Pity the schools have broken up, but there may be some teenagers with Duke of Edinburgh Silver awards who would do it on an intern basis. Or The Apprentice. I'm sure you would be nicer than Alan Sugar, and they'd learn a lot from you.

More rain. I got a bit wet bringing in the shopping. 3 shopping bags, a handbag and a bunch of roses. Tescos lent me a member of staff to carry the stuff out to the car, but I had to bring it all in myself on crutches. I carry it up to the door step, climb over it, then have to move it all so that I can close the door.

We are both fed and watered, so I just have to arrange the flowers and put the shopping away, then I can go to bed.

Rain Yesterday - long but not heavy. (Thinks: I believe the Pakamac was invented in the 1950's when I was on a Summer Holiday in Essex?).
Afraid my garden was demolished a year or two ago when Looney Neighbour Wanted a Windmill to produce lecktrickery, and wanted to be in the Windstream above Roof Level. but several feet from the house. To do this He hacked down the tree branches and chucked them into my garden. I was ill in hospital firstly when He did it, and secondly when I got the County Justice team to get some errant teenagers to clear the Garden, so it remains. Also lost my determination in getting the Local Council to remove his windmill. which causes flashing of sunlight through his windmill blades. He also broke a window. The Annoying thing is that He had previously whinged when I wanted the tree removed as it was too near my (and his) house.

Not Happy today: several minor annoying whinges today.. Women on Busses commandeering a second seat to carry their shopping: A bloke so determined to smoke that if the bus stopped to change drivers, or negotiate some obscure ticket that took time etc., He Jumped out the door to light a fag, but only just out of the doorway so the smoke blew in, and was still exhaling the stuff when He was back aboard, and a Minor collision - an oncoming vehicle found (during road digging-up the road, thus narrowing it) He thought a big enough gap to turn right in front of bus - His RangeRover made the turn but too fast to avoid swerving out to drive over the garden of the corner house, but his trailer did contact the bus before landing on it's side.

I have a list of 28 missives That I neglected to pursue - not really up to such a big load on my tiny mind. Wonder if The NHS would provide me a Secretary? After Ny illness a couple of years ago every Doc/Hospital/Nurse, sent me "carers". Each one found other contacts - (most useless) so I have just too much to manage. One geezer offered a Secretary a few days/week. No ideas what it would cost, but I did not want the extra load of having an "Employee" - and an extra bod to hexplain things to.

No Ignore me - I'm just whinging. ..

The rain has arrived. The new soil looks as if it belongs now, and the plants are beginning to recover. I'm a bit ruthless about the garden, only watering new planting and things in pots. Once established most survives. Fortunately my gardener is more merciful. Even the trees have been suffering, with brown branches hanging here and there. A picturesque contrast, but a bit sad.

I'm a bit sombre myself - lots to do and not much energy. No food in the house, and my diet days don't start again until Monday. I don't fancy peppered Ryvita for breakfast.

Me again.
Yes, as seeing {People out of Context) - Had this very discussion a few weeks ago with the Councillor (now ex-Councillor) who kept having people acknowledge him whilst we were in discussions. I also had a Chinese (well Far Eastern) man who accosted me, and lined up his wife and children (in height order) who all bowed at me - ... How deeply should I bow in response. Then I realised: He worked in one of the few nearby clients I worked in: Tractor Assembly Shop (Not a Manufactory since it was Given away to the EU, Only Assembly now).

Or even concurrently? I think it's hard to recognise someone you know quite well, but out of context. I was chatting with a local acquaintance and a man who looked vaguely familiar. He turned out to be the milkman, and something similar happened on another occasion with the lady in the post office. Fellow bus passengers are easier to recognise because they are already out of context.

I had the Heating engineer call to service my heat pump, and my gardener also arrived to shift the rest of the topsoil so they got together to rearrange the slight backward tilt resulting from the landscaping work. Now at last it's level.

Didn't need an ID when I was presiding Occifer.
Nope, Never done Jury Service, although the Local Fuzz did come into my (then) office and invited some of us of suitable age to be the innocents in an identity parade. To all look similar, we had to wear The same style of overalls. (wonder if they drew them from the Forensic Team). One of my co-innocents knew both the Prisoner and the plaintiff doing the identity. The Plaintiff didn't recognise my colleague (who lived next door to the Plaintiff) nor the prisoner.........
Someone else in my Office was also a witness for another burglary by the same prisoner. His report of the proceedings was like a comedy. It seems that that when The Judge gave sentences for each charge, he ended with the words "The sentences to run consecutively". Much muttering and a court official whispering corrections in His Lordships ear. "No I don''t. I mean [b[i]]consecutively[/i][/b]".

I meant that the question dealt with whether I thought people should show ID in order to vote. If you don't get the letter about confirming your registration to vote, there are other avenues to try. I gather that you can still be asked to do Jury service up to age 76. My brother was called some time ago, and thinking it would be a nice change from farm work he made arrangements for the stock feeding for several weeks. My mother was surprised when R came back about lunchtime on the first day. "I thought you were on Jury service". He was so disappointed he could barely tell her "The b----r pleaded guilty!"

We had a policeman call me out of evensong on Sunday because some obsessive called them to report that my dog was panting in the back of the car. It really wasn't hot in there, and I'd left windows and roof open. There was plenty of water. I have permission to take her in with me. She'll enjoy the music.