The Cybergarden - Midwinter Edition

[shodatin]

Hope this is Post No. 1001 equivalent, having just used up the thousandth space and feel I shouldn't ask Madmouse to organise the next one again.

Have just looked into summerhouse to check fire is burning gently, tray of [brew} organised by upward to turn into one's favourite hot drink of the moment is standing ready for visitors, along with a few pounds of chocolates from huge box sent by DSis. (Before DB eats any more today)

It's usually tianc, upward and hob who remember to be hospitable and also remember to send good wishes to previous visitors, including said madmouse and mouselet, kizzie and family, NanaNina, Butterpie and another name which eludes me just now, but am hoping you'll find your way to this new part of the Cybergarden
and continue visiting in the New Year, along with hob's time-travelling cat Her Felinity and her welcome associate ndt (next-door's-tom), who visit us quite often, bringing gifts of when they remember, instead of the usual dead rodents which they know are unwelcome in the cybergarden.

Have just had lovely large lunch, plus Skype visit from rest of relatives, so will have a little potter round RL garden, hoping all is well and welcoming now in cybergarden's summerhouse.

Stacked double ? on the pole ???? - what a
considerate beagle - and your DH even more hilarious It could have ended up far messier ! I will have told so many people about your beagles soon I think they eventually will turn into urban myth- little will they suspect . Am certain your pets they are making Upward smile during a rotten time .

Sorry for long gap , had PC problems again & DH at work so had to wait for his return (I don't mean to divide tasks in a sexist way , dh works with technology & I am v slow learner with it ) . I then lost post in Notepad too .

So agree with you that DH needed to know more about situation & if he weren't already under intense pressure with his parents , horrendous work pressure & helping me I would have told him straight away ... all week I've been thinking shodatin would say "tell him " .

Busy day here with tasks& DH work plus MIL needing visit , but really beautiful - wish you could have had some of the sunshine , & especially that upward has been able to look out and get some daylight in her eyes .

Hope side effects blessen very , very soon and that you can hold onto to your sense that you are f doing the very best you can to look after yoursef by making yourself go through this . We 're rooting for you and longing for your health to improve .

Very sparkly stars tonight , which always makes us peek into the cybergarden . < hands shodatin and Upward and Nilgiri thick scarves & gloves >

< feeds the fire with a huge hickory log >

It's lovely to read all your posts and good wishes - means a lot to me at the moment.

I love the stars too, hob, one of the best things about the cold weather. Can't remember having hickory logs before, but sounds very good, and with scarves, gloves and hot s available, it's a shame the garden is just cyber, or we could run excursions through til spring.

Beagle did indeed do well to balance the items, as I remember they were three deep, on top of the little post, which was about 3" square, and DH, a life-long dog-owner with experience of such things, had waited until the right degree of dryness had occurred - sounded very impressive but never occurred again. Chapter Two - How I Arranged Small Branch In Old Washing-Up Bowl to Provide Dog-Loo - to be continued.

Am in complete agreement that upward is doing the right thing, however difficult it is at present, and deserves pat on back (or at least some nice meals)Hope today's been better, with maybe some caring visitors to make the time pass quicker.

Sorry to hear about computer problems hob, indeed about all the problems facing you and DH at present, and pats on back are in order for you two also, in particular for your longterm and ongoing care for MiL.
Hope we've all had a decent day, whatever the weather, and that Nilgiri will be able to pop into the garden before the hickory log burns out.

I'm wondering when I'll see drs/team to find out what's happening - hOpe I get to try increased dose before bring given new drugs.

Oh that's so lovely of you , Upward, and you can't imagine how much your words mean to us .

Sending positive thoughts and prayers and hoping you are able to try to think of friends who care for you rather than the the stresssful things your mind is generating during this blip ... am sure it's what you're continually trying to do & must be exhausting .

"dried to just the right " DH astounded by these fabulous stories ( & will no doubt also spread the tidings of beagle joy ) I think Nilgiri & her DP will enjoy theyour tales massively

Bah , forgot to tell my DM that DH found some details of her grandparents .I had forgotten that in that once the franchise was extended to non -property holders (blooming men only of course ) people paying less than a certain amount of rent still didn't qualify to vote . Very interesting to see g -grandfather's rent on 2 rooms in East End
.

upward's all round

Hope everyone surviving - lots of catching up to do here...

Oops , sorry for crossposting Upward and also for not thanking you for your huge support and very kind comments , shodatin

Hope you do get the chance to see how increase might work beore being asked to try new medication , Upward .Have you met the doctors on the team before - I don't suppose you'll know till tomorrow ? Perhaps you could be provided with literature on any otential new tretment so you can talk it over as thoroughly as you'd hope ?

Hurraaaayyyyy !!! hello Nilgiri ! Hope you're OK - I know you'll be worried for Upward being stuck in hospital for a bit , voluntarily so as to avoid over reaction by staff , but impressed at her courage and hopeful of treatment bringing about improvements

< wonders why she's taken it upon self to speak for Nilgiri >
< slinks off >

Welcome back to both upward and Nilgiri, please put your feet up and stay a while!
Upward, I can only imagine that doctors are doing a five-day week these days, and that consultant will be around next week on the usual day - think it was a Tuesday last time, but no idea how it works. I think they have to note your views if you're voluntary, and it does seem sensible to try higher dose before changing altogether, so think it's likely they will listen to you.

Hope life has not been too tiring for you Nilgiri, and you'll no doubt have the news about upward now.

Lovely to see you again, nilgiri!

Yes it depends when ward round is, hopefully sooner rather than later, unless they want a week's worth of drug increases.

Take good care all.

Have to go I'm afraid - sleep well all

My goodness, it's obviously been quite a week...

Upward you are amazing - though you probably don't feel much like it at the moment. So sorry the last few days have been so rough.

I'm bowled over by your courage and self-control in making your own pro-active decision about hospital. Fingers and toes crossed that the new doses/meds settle down fairly quickly and you can get home again ASAP - when this freezing snap may be over too.

Can see I've been a real wuss whingeing to DP about my mundanely rubbish week...

And hob, you always speak for me! It's tempting to just post, "Wot hob said," every time! DP's a bit freaked out by your 100% accurate rendering of his panic at me going off-line! Have informed him you are psychic and not to even think anything confidential near the internet! He also says Thank You for heads up about monastic books programme - from which he's been passing on amusing details about a book commissioned by King Cnut...

shodatin your millinery flowers sound beautiful. Am joining hob in fretting a bit about your bruises, tho. Surely those would normally be a "best to get a check up" item, especially after C - although I'm sure you know best with your own medical stuff, and I don't want to pry.

Haven't completely caught up yet: am saving the beagle stories for tomorrow and a !

Hope the ward's quiet and everyone gets a decent night's sleep or rest.

< puts row of woolly gloves and socks to warm in front of fire >

Hope today isn't all exhaustng activity / frustating waiting ,Upward, when what you really need is to find out what the team is suggesting you do . Hope also that the heating isn't cranked up to hellish levels , interfering further with your sleep

So good to hear your voice again Nilgiri as well as have your regular visits to cybergarden and oh my are you -and DP - going to enjoy the beagley doings

< buffs crystal ball smugly > HF has been training me in telepathy but is appalled as ever by human inadequacy

Sorry to hear you've had a "mundanely" rubbish week, Nilgiri code for hateful ordeals I daresay - & hope you have some way of giving yourself a break from these concerns -if only it were that easy . Won't ask on a Monday morning as that alone seems challenge enough for now

< King Cnut holds back tide of horrors for us this week' >

Hope you're not getting fed up with the grey weather up there , shodatin . Thank you Nilgiri for mentioning concern about your bruises - sorry to fret , I know you're distressed by doctor appts / inaction thereat.
Please rest after you very hard work in recent days to keep upward company and entertain us greatly . ...ever more delighted by your way with words

< keenly looking forward to branch - in- bowl beagle loo when you've had a good rest >

Sorry for fast retreat due sudden sleepiness, it's actually quite normal, and have had bruising before too, but have decided to see GP next time they occur, and thanks for concern.

Noticed the Kings Books programme is on tv tonight, one of the "new" channels, although will co-incide with Prof. Cox, which I'd planned to watch.

Hope you're getting some sleep on the ward upward, and that you can soon have a proper discussion about plans for drugs. Y ou are doing well, as Nilgiri says.

Sun is out today, altho no frost evident. Must get to town for word with pharmacy etc. then will be busy p.m.
but hope to catch up very soon. Glad to have you back Nilgiri, and hope last week not too difficult.

Just wondering about upward, and hoping there's some good news soon about change of meds/dosages.

I know it's very difficult trying not to worry , shodatin , but expect the unit is busy on Monday morning , and have in fact been pleasantly surprised at how much Upward has been managing to post

Glad you have sunshine too , & hope enquiry at pharmacist was straightforward & that your tasks/outing this afternoon will be pleasant

Ah , thank you for reassuring us that you'll be going to docs, though I think Nilgiri might fret as I am that waiting paitiently for recurrence not as soon as ideal < crings at persistence >

Wwill be thrilled if you like the King's Books programme but don't want you to miss your date with Prof Cox

Right , I succumbed to a snooze this morning so had better get on with chores

thaw -aiding s all round and a gigantic log added to our fire
Hope Nilgiri has cheering aspects to her day & that madmouse and kizzie are well

sorry for "recurrence not as soon as"

I'm very lucky that I'm allowed to keep my phone, some wards don't allow it.

I'll maybe get to discuss drugs tomorrow.

Hope everyone's tasks/ journeys go well

Hi Upward ,so good to see you and thank goodness you do have your phone .. How depressing for those not allowed to keep them....there would have to be proper justification for that I guessbut with a blanket ban (for fairness within ward? ) that isn't possible is it .

My tasks are being undertaken too enthusiastically & am making myself wobbly but have so many urgent ones to do , let alone minor matters such as food & cleanliness

Birds and HF (!) frolicking in the bright sun still shining here
< HF comes to warm up by fire with Upward>

Sorry , forgot v important thing you posted - hope you do get the chance to discuss that tomorrow

Yes, thankyou for posting, upward, you're doing much better than I am at being patient, and hope it pays off soon.

Glad to hear that HF's feeling frolicsome hob, but not that you're getting wobbly through doing too much, and suggest you have a break. Sun is probably energising us all, after first real frosts of winter, but will admit to having done too much myself this morning. Had to try three shops before getting some leeks, and can only assume the ground's been too hard to pull them up.
Feeling rather like I've been doing just that for the last few hours, instead of sitting and chatting - it is so easy to do too much.

Blimey shodatin , there's an evocative description of tiredness ! Not surprised after all your writing last week .I trust you are relaxing and finding some comforting tea . So agree with you that Upward is being incredibly patient and strong .

Am OK thanks as cold weather eases symptoms , but have seriously overdone it this weekend - don't forget I was able to manage visit to an exhibition of remains from DH's very favourite place & time- a small clue , this civilastion venerated the pussycat so have been very lucky again . Still not managing to link but I recommend looking at the sites of major museums for a fix when going out is impossible .

Wonder how the food is there , Upward , as I know you want to maintain healthy eating . Hope also that you find fellow guests as relaxed and unobtrusive as their situation allows them to be .

Just realised shodatin's Professor is on star programme tonight with my favourite ,Dara O'Briain -that's more like it !

< sets up telescope in orangery >

Glad the cold weather helps you, hob, and that you got to the exhibition. I always think "London" for museums and "Egyptians" for venerating cats, but then I've not much imagination. Can quite see how exhausting/exciting they would be together though, and worth the tiredness too.
Am off to bed for usual few hours now, having set an alarm so don't miss programme - although might think it's morning and just lie there until it stops half-an-hour later...

Hope you had a refreshing nap shodatin and caught some of your astronomy programme . Did you see the observatory in the South African desert ?

Aha , the museum wasn't in London but you're right about the other bit The most astounding thing was a wooden "temple guard" from a pharaonic burial looming about 12 feet high - the spookiness ! And the tiny , fine figurines and paintings onto stone and wood.

Thinking of you Upward and wishing you calm as you wait and try to cope with the place in the meantime xx
< applewood log onto fire >

< next door's tomcat comes into ssummerhouse to warm up - he likes his chilly bac to be stroked by nice warm mittens >

So glad you've still got your phone, and can snuggle up in front of the summerhouse fire, Upward. Hope you get a good chance to discuss drugs tomorrow - assuming Tuesday is still consultant day.

This is that medieval book programme, surely, still available to watch online? DP loved it, and needn't clash with M'sier Le Professeur thanks to the wonders of iPlayer.

iPlayer on the computer and a recording box attached to the telly/satellite have been life-changing here - can watch stuff in small slices and at times to suit.

Thanks for Nilgiri, and for info re: iPlayer and recording box, which I'll ask DB and computer friend about, as am now determined to see that programme.
Star programme was OK, but I didn't find everyone had something interesting to say, eg Capt. Cernan, the astronaught (not certain about his spelling), but I could watch the two presenters together for a long time, so am afraid I forgot about the other programme.

Thanks for info about exhibition hob, you're right about museum websites being interesting, and I love the galleries too, having very little on the doorstep.

It will be an early night after today's spoon-spending, so hope everyone sleeps well and enjoys star glimpses, including ndt, always a very welcome visitor.