Thread 8 - TalkLair: “Brewing Russell's teapot”

[Kucinghitam]

Continuation of previous threads (thread 7).

The new lair of JTT escapees is all cosy and homey; we have truly settled here. Outside, the garden is blooming with spring flowers. Inside, the hearth is glowing, pictures are up on the walls, rugs are down on the floors (and assorted pets curled up on them).

We just won’t mention the gnawed bones of our prey over there in the corner of the cave…

The dog on the pony is great!

@MouseMinge that's a good price, glad you found it. We'll start with the videos and see how we get on. If they aren't enough then I'll look into lessons.

My fear of the sewing machine stems, I think, from school where girls did sewing and boys did technical drawing. The sewing teacher was an absolute gorgon who took any opportunity to be vile to me, though I never figured out why. One day she told me off for cutting my thread the wrong length and then leaned on my desk and said 'Are you enjoying yourself?' in a quite aggressive way. I said 'No, not particularly'. After that she left me alone but I hated her classes with a passion. It's silly really to still have an aversion to sewing machines as they're so useful and I really want to learn how to use one properly.

They are so much easier to use than those of us with the fear think/thought. I'd recommend a good class to anyone.

I feel your pain Tri - my sewing teacher was also my domestic science teacher. While she wasn't as aggressive as that, she definitely had her favourites and I wasn't one of them. Fortunately my pre-existing enthusiasm for good food and nice clothes, and my mothers encouragement stopped me being put off cooking and sewing but she probably put quite a lot of other girls off. She basically ignored her non-favourites and then told us off for doing things wrong.

Mr Tric ordered a dvd on sewing for beginners and it's just arrived: https://www.hobkirk.co.uk/so-sew-easy-with-jack-heywood-dvd

Just watched the first lesson - shortening trousers - and it looks very doable. We both need to shorten a number of pairs of trousers (why are they always too long these days?) so will follow the guide.

Another site by the same bloke:

That sounds familiar, Poppy. I taught for a few years and did have favourites but tried very hard to not show it in class. It's horrible, everyone knows who's in and out of favour and that makes for a terrible learning environment.

Having finally watched Glow Up from earlier this year, I have just started watching Sewing Bee, and always get the urge to learn how to sew. Hated needlework in school, had no talent or patience for it. After leaving school I shared a flat with a fashion student and so picked up the lingo and techniques, but never had any interest in doing it myself. I still have some of her beautiful, unique, hand-made garments in my wardrobe! They still fit, too!

I watch Sewing Bee and think it looks impossible but at the same time feel I should somehow be okay at sewing (even just the basics).

There's a friendly sewing thread here https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/arts_and_crafts/stitch-and-bitch-7-hanging-by-a-thread?page=10&reply=127673747 a mix of beginners, bodgers and beautiful crafters

Thanks, kitty, that looks worthy of following!

Me and Hooliganette have been up to the lighthouse today. We watched the seals and I discovered that the left part of my binoculars won't focus, so we had to squint and use the right only. We walked round the nature reserve and didn't see many interesting birds, but quite a few butterflies, she got some really good close ups of a Red Admiral.

She also got some of a starling about five feet away, having a bath. Quite a few big dragonflies, too; I'm pretty sure that there were some Emperor Dragonflies, absolutely huge.

She did a rather good sketch of the lighthouse, but she was hungry and the wind was something else and we were getting cold, so came home.

I made her macaroni, with tomato and spinach sauce, with some carrot and aubergine - chilli powder, paprika and garlic for flavour. It's completely green! I forestalled her "Eurgh!" by saying, "Ooh look - should have made this for Halloween!" Grated some fresh Parmesan on top.

Sounds like a nice day out, Sinner.

I'm just starting to look into learning some basics in British Sign Language. While working in a garden on Thursday morning I got talking to the neighbour's son, me clipping away while chatting. His mum came out and they started signing at each other and I didn't have a clue what was being said. I've briefly met the woman before and realise she's profoundly deaf and I have no way to even say 'Good morning' to her, which feels shameful. Have learned 'Good morning. How are you?' so far. Hopefully it won't be too difficult to get a few phrases under my belt.

Tricyrtis2022 · Today 15:46

Sounds like a nice day out, Sinner.

Yes, it was pleasantly diverting. We were going to walk up and bus back, but the weather looked ominous. There were a few light showers, but that was all. It's mostly sunny now.

We are under a flood and tornado watch here, and it's pouring with rain, but we are unlikely to be affected by the direst warnings though. I can only remember one previous tornado in the 21 years I've been here, and it wasn't near us.

I'd love to get a useful amount of BSL. I can spell words out (slowly), and picked up the odd thing from signed version of programmes - but they tend not to be useful conversational vocabulary.

One of the regular dishes MaBint used to cook for me when I was small was Green Eggs on Toast (scrambled eggs with vast quantites of spinach).

@BinturongsSmellOfPopcorn I found this earlier which covers some basic greetings and manners and is pretty clear:

Excellent - thanks. Hello and thank you are about my only actually useful signs at the moment (and biscuit) so that will be a helpful expansion.

Where do you live, Sinner? It sounds amazing.

That sounds like a great trip out, Sinner! (Weirdly, given that sinner is an actual word, autocorrect feels you should consider changing your name to Dinner.)

I started learning BSL earlier this year and then stopped. I really should start again. I think it would be great if it was something we all got a chance to learn at school. Then again, if I was deaf I'd love being able to slag people off with other deaf people and those who didn't have BSL being none the wiser!

I had a lovely day out on Friday having a walk in the woods with Snoop, Seamus and a mutual friend who is off back to Tasmania this week. We managed to miss the majority of the rain which was a relief. Saturday was music, chores and a visit from Snoop after her table tennis. Then I got myself out to buy fabric and a pattern after watching a hugely disappointing Wimbledon final. Today I watched an absolute cracker of a Wimbledon final and yay, Carlos Alcaraz! It was definitely one for the record books. Up there with the best finals I've ever seen.

And now, after being distracted by tennis for most of the day and then watching television for other entertainment I need to get on with my talk for the Catalyst Club which is happening on Tuesday. I do like to get things done at the very last minute.

I was totally gripped by that men's final - didn't see the women's one as I was busy on Saturday. Thank goodness for a VPN! I don't feel guilty about telling the BBC that I have a TV licence as I pay for my son's!

The National Deaf Children's Society is campaigning for BSL to be taught in primary schools. I think this is a marvellous idea.

Yesterday afternoon we met this very pregnant cat, who was obviously struggling with the sweltering tropical heat. But was happy to receive some strokes and chin scratches.

What a beauty!

I forgot to mention that I met a cat today. He was in a harness in the arms of his mum. A beautiful British shorthair/British Blue. He was very loving and up for all the head rubbing on offer.

I'm beginning to believe that the story about Django's mother being part pure breed something - I've forgotten now but definitely one of the many Asian varieties of cats - is true. He eats lots but he's a total skinny Malink and has a lovely very pointy face. He's a miniature skinny Black Panther.