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.

< clinks happily with cybergardeners > This car doesn't have a name but previous ones are still referred to as ... there was a Zoe , my DM's first car after learning to drive in her 50s , then Chloe < imaginative > , then the one we drove to our weddng & several home moves in ( had DN's tiny handprint immortalised on back window for many years ), then this one we still think of as DH's brother's car , very grownup & obviously sentimental to us .

Hope you're out having a lovely time with your friend , shodatin, and that DB is feeling almost recovered - I remember now he goes to computer club.

Will be pottering in and out of the cybergarden all afternoon , upward but won't disturb you if you just need some quiet ( sorry for all the questions I was asking last night - obviously not asking you to answer, just thinking through some of the possible difficulties you may be encountering )

< refills bird feeders >

Thanks for refilling bird-feeders hob, I didn't realise we had them, but a good idea.
Have just got back after a good shop in small city up the coast, where I was lucky enough to buy a handbag I liked. (Limited by needing large one for huge amount of necessary stuff, and light-weight for same reason, plus I prefer plain while fashionable ones have masses of metal decoration, buckles, fringes, plaques etc.) Also been lucky enough to have Thai friend driving, who knows the town well, and a beautifully sunny day until sunset about half-an-hour ago, when I neededed sunglasses again.

Hope everyone else has had an enjoyable afternoon.

Sounds an absolutely lovely afternoon , shodatin , including sunshine . Glad you found a suitable bag . I know what you mean about all the embellishments - am bit puzzled by these years now of early 80s fashions which were a throway teen style in the first place - do you think the designers are having a little joke on the public ? < grumpy old lady >

Hope you don't mind the feeders- I sneaked them in a week or so back & you said you didn't mind as long as you weren't the one who had to remember to change them

Very good afternoon , thank you , but need to do more cleaning and less eating whilst gawping at the internet. At least I apear to have bserved HF more satisfactorily than usual today .

< ndt teleports himself for a visit to Nilgiri >

We're all sending our love to you , upward , and imagining how hard it must be , and trusting you will feel better soon

You're probably sleeping atm shodatin , and upward you may have no access to TV , and last I knew you weren't feeling up to it , but the lovely programme The Private Lives of Medieval Kings is about to start on BBC4

Oh I missed it! Still, it's likely I wouldn't have stayed conscious for the full programme. Will look for a repeat, and thanks for the warning hob.
Hope everyone else is OK, and that there's been some improvement for upward, who deserves a break.

My comment re bird-feeders seems exactly right hob.
I remember saying many years ago that I wouldn't have anything else that needed feeding - think DH was dreaming of having a small pig, which happened every so often. Thankyou for dealing with birdfeeders hob, and I'll continue to ensure they have clean water when frosty.

Have to go to sleep now - night all.

at DH's pig plans, shodatin. Somehow I'm just not surprised... So glad you not merely got out, but achieved sunshine and handbag treasure-seeking. And cheering to think DB is probably on the mend. Btw, I'm sure I missed your DSis having a rather dramatic soft-landing while I was hibernating. Hope she's recovered from all her tumbles now, and manages not to clock up any more.

DN's handprint in window, hob?! Glad you had a good afternoon - and well spent evening with that medieval kings programme. Did you and Upward get the sunshine like shodatin? It's been determinedly grey here, with just a brief glimmer of blue before the sun gave up and sank.

More ((hugs)) for Upward, who may be in much need at the moment.

And I strongly suspect you are all being very nice to me. I may have to run away, or pretend I didn't hear, or groom my whiskers or something...

I seem to reply to the posts before last, each time, like that Two Ronnies Mastermind sketch. But anyway, thank you for comments and understanding about GP. It's considerable progress that I can write about him without being carried off in incandescent fury. And that progress is entirely due to you, hob, and you, shodatin, and you Upward, for your inspiring examples in facing HCPs during and after difficult situations. Not sure I can quite manage shodatin's sheet of glass technique and I'm a long way from Upward's graciousness and generosity towards well-meaning idiots who manage to make life just that tinsy bit worse. And I may have to imagine GP sitting there with three-belled jester hat on or something. But it's all progress.

So to you all.

And . Obviously.

Morning all, and big thanks to Nilgiri for managing another lovely post for us. Grooming one's whiskers indeed... DSis is now well-recovered and planned yoga classes, which am sure will help in case of another fall.

Love idea of u/s GP in jester-hat, reminds me of advice to actors nervous of audience to just imagine them all sitting there in their underpants. Works on many levels, and hope it gives you an enigmatic smile at right time.

Even more thanks for and , always badly needed about now. Good, positive vibes to upward
on what might be consultant day.

Hello lovely ladies. I have been away with work quite a lot over the last 3 weeks so havent had much time to MN.

Wanted to say hello to you all - and particularly upward . As ever I am in complete awe at the strength you show and the pragmatic way you deal with lifes challenges. I hope your sleep improves very soon.

I have been a little bit stressed over last few days. New high profile 6 month project starting at work eek and also v upset about a situation linked to a close family member. I think she is probably making a mistake with something but know can only offer support and not interfere too much. . Fingers crossed that all works out ok. x

Mornig all & apologies for lengthy unexpected dormousing . So good to see you , kizzie and we know you often come & relax with us in our cybergarden . Sounds as though you continue to do brilliantly at work , & am very much in awe of the way you push yourself past your "comfort zone" - please spend some time reflecting on how much you've done recently .

Totally empathise with distress of seeing dear person about to make a serious mistake . The only advice that worked for me is to not criticize so much as to alienate the person , so they will come to you when in need ( may not work at first if someone is trying to alienate person from their family )

Another one sending you hugs upward on what is probably consultant day as shodatin & Nilgiri say . Agree that you may well be in need of sanctuary , and we wish you as much hibernation as is practical in busy unit Hope you will feel properly heard, & so sorry if doctors suggest new drug you don't want .

Excellent news that DSis is well recovered & raring to go on the old yoga , shodatin* , & a reassuring piece about recent controversy over some bad teaching www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/jan/22/health-dilemma-yoga-dangerous?intcmp=239

Nilgiri , so angry on your behalf that you've had these battles ... will muse more later . - just want to thank you & shodatin for your strengthening example .
Two Ronnies Mastermind sketch - that's it exactly, Nilgiri < hob always a day and a half behind >

Thank you for indulging me about that programme, shodatin - I think you'll enjoy it ,being an artistic & calligraphy person . You hardhearted sensible wife about the pig . N -d neighbour & I would like to keep breed which we saw at an outing to Iron Age settlement .. think there were small tusks involved , much bristlinessy < achoo> & incredibly noisy .
In the countryside 2 weeks ago we saw a fine big sow complete with more than a dozen & tiny piglets , ( must be 2 litters there , with Mamas doing childminding shifts ) all looking - well , now I see why the adjective "perky" has been attached to the porcine

all round

Welcome to Kizzie, and congratulations on new work project - hope it's enjoyable as well as profitable, and all best wishes for success.
Shame about the family member you mention, it's so very difficult to stand back and watch what's likely to be disastrous, but we've really no option at this stage, unless actually asked for an opinion, and then I think it's a brave person who can give an honest one. Agree with hob it's best to be available to help with mess afterwards, but am sure you've thought about this too.
Not an easy situation. Wonder if you're able to discuss it with DH?

Thanks for yoga link hob, and have sent it to DSis, who obviously doesn't know enough about it to understand yet, so I hope some of the comments about non-competitiveness are included.

Interesting to hear about Iron Age pigs hob, and I agree they're attractive while pink and pretty, but am sure people only took on the hassle of feeding in order to have food themselves at a later date, and would bet that both your DHs turned down the opportunity.

Now you know eating them would be unthinkable , shodatin < wrests trouser leg from bored striped companion >

Hope we're all coping , and that upward can feel all the good wishes coming her way , today especially.

Ooh , thank you for forwarding piece to DSis , though I'm sure she'll go to a reputable class & feel many benefits .

Wise advice you give,shodatin , as ever

Procrastinating before returning to impossible cleaning task ...t hink walls and ceiling ( I know you good people will have donne all sorts of fancier DIY jobs)
all round

What a horrible cleaning task hob, as I remember, I've only washed them down once, preferring to slosh on paint, which seemed much easier. Had to buy something called saddle soap, as I remember, and just kept on rinsing - really ached for days. Hats off to you for doing this, and hope it goes well. The only good thing about the job is feeling warm while working up ladders, so I hope you're soon finished, and only one room to be done this year.

DSis wanted a class for beginners, not realising that everyone is going at their own pace (and there can't be too many total beginners left over say age 15). I didn't call her at weekend, so will maybe talk at next one and find out how first lesson went.
Thanks so much for , which I always forget.

Ty for all the thoughts and wishes

Good to see you , upward many hugs ... Hope your sleep isn't horribly affected by the stay . Any chance of you feeling up to texting / phoning friends ? I expect you're feeling too overwhelmed for visitors . We're really rooting for you to feel better soon < HF brings upward whole mouthful of snowdrops >

Thank you for cheering encouragement , shodatin - I always feel now as if my boring old chores are a cybergarden group effort ! I had completely forgotten about soaping the walls , as have been sponging off a sudden bout of damp which shouldn't occur again , using some bleach , which is of course very bad for you . I had completely forgotten about old bottle of sugar soap - is that very different to saddlesoap , I wonder < off to look up >

Hope you have a nice nap before the rest of your evening , & that Nilgiri has had pleasant parts to her day.

< adds applewood to fire >

Oops sorry hob, think I got the wrong soap there! See how long it is since I did any cleaning of walls/ceilings.Am certainly impressed with what you've done, and hope it looks much better for effort.

Big thanks to Nilgirifor making us all so comfortable, and really hope that upward's feeling a bit better today. ((((upward)))) (hope I have symbol for hugs)

Another evening without stars in sight, although it is warmer I do miss seeing them, and would prefer to have frosty nights. Am thinking that maybe upward feels the same, with the ward being kept at a high temperature, and if this is part of global warming I'm not sure I want any more. This time of year has been the coldest for as long as I can remember, so can hardly believe the change.

(Makes tray of as nightcaps all round, as plan to depart for bed soon).

Ooh, kizzie, good luck with the new project! And I hope the threat of redundancy is now safely behind you (sorry if I missed any news about that ages ago). Much empathy about family member, though I can't better shodatin and hob's sage words.

Really good to see you today, Upward. Hope things went well today with consultant.

Sugar soap definitely the business for repainting, but bleach very sensible when dealing with mould. Deeply impressed that you've managed such strenuous cleaning, hob. Painting definitely easier, as shodatin says - and more rewarding.

And I am with envy at trip to the Iron Age settlement. Were the pigs those black maybe-I'm-really-a-dangerous-boar type? Fab! Mind you, pig bites are apparently a major source of serious injury in some countries. Having met a tethered sow in a domestic yard in Asia, I can believe it: they don't brush their teeth, and take grumpiness to whole new levels...

Hope DSis's yoga proves enjoyable, shodatin, and it sounds potentially very beneficial. Do I gather that "non-competitive" will be slightly alien for her?

Btw, I've never understood the classic "imagine them in their underpants" idea. Euww! That's making me squirm from my sofa - in real life I'd have to flee the room! Maybe I can just imagine brightly coloured string plaited into their hair, or silly signs stuck on their backs? Or or, maybe I can stick actual silly signs to their backs? [childish]

Anyway, here's to everyone sleeping well tonight, and having as good a day as possible tomorrow.

...and I still haven't worked out the difference ,shodatin ! Thank you for reminding me to try whichever soap I end up with . Looking much better , thank you , though ceiling will be trickier

ndt was most impressive this evening , high on the wall guarding the boundaries of his & HF's territory

Thank you for applewood addition , Nilgiri ...I thought of you the other day when I was agog at a film about Elgar , & eventually realised it was the famous Ken Russell thing.( am probably totally mistaken that you like Elgar . I wonder about musical upward & shodatin ? ) I hardly knew which famous pieces he wrote ... am excited now I realise how many of the stunning ones they are

Hope your DSis finds the first class similarly exciting , shodatin
*www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/jan/22/health-dilemma-yoga-dangerous?intcmp=239

Am so shocked & sorry that such strong people can ever have been caused such distress by the attitude of HCPs... I assumed I was foundering due to my social difficulties , similar to Asperger's , which are not hideable - yet I know several people who can't bring themselves to seek treatment no matter how seriously ill , & many more who've been treated outrageously .

Enigmatic smile at the right time is brilliant advice , shodatin. A magnificent poster on other thread, who had developed mh problems due to unprofessional treatment by health staff , and has had the most horrendous appts with powerful professionals , advised me to try toappear calm & in control , & cry later . At first this just made me more teary as so difficult, but I did find I grew more able to put it into practice ... I find it helpful to have a steady gaze as my mouth is less reliable . Ultimately though , as you once advised me shodatin , it can be useful for the professional to see stress is being experienced .

Two Ronnies Mastermind sketch - that's it exactly, Nilgiri < hob always a day and a half behind >

We're all thinking the most calming thoughts & meditations & sendsing them towards you , upward . Hope we all have a peaceful night

Morning all, a very misty one here, so may have to cancel expedition if it's proper coastal fog.
Hope everyone had a good night, and that upward had a good consult yesterday (if indeed it happened).

Lovely to hear about ndt prowling on the wall to keep his little kingdom safe last night, and how nice for the pair of them to have each other's company. Rarely see any cats here at all, unfortunately.

Time for second expresso, so here's an assorted tray with some of hob's healthy snacks - (non-snacker here clueless about choice, apart from special-offer bikkies.)

Morning all - misty even here , shodatin & a shame if you have to stay home , but might be wise . Have you seen there may be a temporary small price rise in petrol / minor supply problems - might want to get some next time you're out .

ndt really is very lovable in his guarding efforts , and brave as he has huge difficulties with anxiety , bless him . He escorts his "mummmy" on her morning walk to feed mother fox every day before dawn , which is a sight to see . His interactions with HF would fill a thread on their own , as you can imagine .

Thank you fors and hope upward has been feeling up to eating the meals provided...I know she was concerned it's not the healthiest fare . Thinking of you upward , especially if feeling railroaded into a change of medication .

Hope Nilgiri isn't yet more flattened , just catching up on well- deserved rest , the novelty of which must have long since worn off . Hope you can find some treats to allow yourself if more ambitious plans have had to be changed .

I must get to my spring cleaning - thank you for s , shodatin

derb

Mm, espresso...

shodatin you are leading me astray from my tea-habit!

oh no - so sorry about huge blank space

Couldn't figure out the space + derb at the end, so am really pleased to see an apology, and assume it's just one of the (very small) gremlins which visit now and again.

You're right to have tea, Nilgiri,and I do quite like it without milk, but need the wake-up coffee effect and don't (as far as I know) have any heart problem/s like friends who can only have decaff coffee. Maybe it's a result of being teetotal, but I enjoy the coffee-kick too.