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.

Good afternoon all , many thanks shodatin for refreshments , and Nilgiri for hard work ast night .

Ooof , sorry you were so achey last night shodatin - how are you today ? Glad it started off sunny for you & hope those with pretty snow keep it just a littlelonger

Many thanks Nilgiri < won't know till later how MIL got on

< cybergarden medals & a chaise longue each for shodatin's DB and Nilgiri's DP >

We're all thinking of you ,upward, on what is I think doctor's rounds day, and willing the meds to help you very soon

< glowing with beagle love >

Most of our snow's now gone hob, althgough I did ask friend to collect the TV programme magazine out today just in case we had additional snow before I got car out again. Still sunny here too, so am hoping we've maybe had the worst of the winter. Since we had the "surprise" gales a few years ago, I think the weather people have erred on the side of safety, and now give warnings for perfectly ordinary weather.
Remember walking the beagle many years ago, after some real snow, which had altered landscape so much I was uncertain which direction was home - no problem, I thought, telling beagle to find his way home, and following him with perfect confidence - until I slowed down for a break and he reappeared from behind, (italics here), waving tail in half-hearted fashion, as he'd been following me for at least five minutes. I checked on sun and direction of river, knowing we couldn't be too far from home, and made a lucky guess as hound was still following me (and probably thought it was some new game, and I';d be leading him home when I'd had enough). This little tale does not reflect well on either of us, but then, I didn't tell many people at the time.

Hope everyone's had a reasonable day, and not got lost in any snowdrifts (or followed any beagles, hob).
Just about to make tray of nightcaps, as this will be another early night for me (nothing alarming, just more than tired plus legs only comfortable while in bed).
Hoping upward's consultant was happy with progress, and that life is now improving.

Oh shodatin ,Dh & I were absolutely weeping with laughter at bewildered beagle and you still striding forth confidently . Perhaps the thick snow masked the familiar scents which would normally have guided him < charitable > . I certainly wouldn't have worked out the right path as easily as you did .

Aam very soothed by mental picture of a snowy sunset ... sorry for absence , tassks & unscheduled errands

Thinking of you especially tonight upward If dosage increasee isn't working yet , and sending wishes for you to feel hopefful you will soon be better & at home - many hugs

< piles fire with logs in unwise fashion >

Ah , hello again shodatin . Thank you for nightcaps , and for reassuring us about your aches , but must have been a hard day , feeling like that. Peaceffiul night to you .

< looks innocent >
< mops pawprints from summerhouse floor >

at "This little tale does not reflect well on either of us..."

Put not thy trust in beagles, it seems!

Hope you're now tucked up comfortably, shodatin. Just as well we have nicely cushioned steamer chairs in the orangerie - and I think some have made it into the summerhouse, though I often hog the window seat myself.

Especially when hob has made a blaze that heats the whole room. Toasty! Sounds like today was another busy one for you, so I hope you get some good dormousing time tomorrow.

Gosh yes, consultant day again for Upward. Fingers crossed for good progress and another step towards going home.

Definitely bedtime. Hope we all get decent sleep, and tomorrow's as good a day as possible.

Thanks for lovely post about warm, blazing fire, comfortable chairs and starry sky, Nilgiri, we do have a super spot in cybergarden, even on a cold and wintry night. Can't blame wandering beagle for returning, but don't think we can blame him for cushion-chewing. It's usually a sign of boredom, and have noticed that when they're bored, hounds just leave and find something more interesting, putting time and thought into means of escape rather than comfort-chewing. Think it's more likely that one of the dormice did the damage, dreaming of tasty snacks while in sleep mode, and too embarrassed to say anything on waking. (Years since I chewed on a cushion, sure I've grown out of it, lots of other creatures roundabout who might have dozed off in this chair..)

Morning all. Here's some - no consultant so far this week.

Morning all and thank you to upward for .

I imagine it's pretty frustrating that the consultant hasn't been to you yet and I hope s/ he can give you more input very soon .
Have you had any chance to get outdoors for a few mins , even if only in smokers'area ?

shodatin , may I unilaterally award you our highest honour in the cybergarden - a triple award ,one for literary merit , one for cheering abilities , and one for services to animal psychology < off to dream up witty title for award >
So pleased you are a well- adjusted dormouse these days Will pass on beagle boredom tips to DN

Awards to be heaped upon Nilgiri too , for such beautifully evocative posts - thank you for giving us a peek at snowy stargazing in cybergarden last night

...and a joint award to all for consideration , sensitivity and wisdom -think we've already founded our c17th women's contemplative community < novice >
sorry for soppiness ...

Hello upward, and thanks for managing to keep us up-to-date, as all wondering how you're doing. Hope you hear something good soon, maybe we're too early for expecting pronouncement from consultant, just because it's a Tuesday. Probably should not have mentioned beagle cure for boredom - escaping to freedom- as don't want to give you ideas. You've done really well to put up with ward life for so long, must be getting to a place where new drugs are effective, with manageable or no side-effects and able to be at home again. Really hope you have good news soon, prize for patience goes to upward this month.

Couldn't be more true , shodatin - so sorry such patience has been needed . Hope there is some psychological support to help you feel hopeful , upward, and a bit of structure / planning for rebuilding your spirits after all this disruption
< mixes her - not metaphors - what word am I looking for ? needs literacy tuition from our playwrights >

< icicle emoticon >

< stokes up fire and stove >

< HF comes to play pouncng games round & around upward , then curl up on tasselled cushion>

Just an idea, hob, but it's most likely your DN already knows about hounds' amazing escaping abilities, which is probably why there are so many adventures to tell Auntie Hob... It's the only breed I've seen pull it's head through collar when attached outside a shop, but not the only one with head shaped like a seal, so others could manage it (if they had the idea in the first place). We got onto bridles quite early, but never figured out how he managed that escape - remember fixing new bridle to long anchor-chain on one occasion, then went indoors to bin wrappings, looked out of window - no dog in sight.

Will now give people a break from hound reminiscences, realising that for Nilgiri it's probably just one small step away from Gnomes I Have Known, and that even poor bored upward's probably heard enough for today.
Thank you very much hob, for kind comments, but we're probably a minority of beagle-enthusiasts. Hope HF is warm enough during these icy conditions, and has probably found new and original places for her naps.

We seem to have crossed on last posts, hob, sorry about that, but sometimes mine seem to drop into black hole or similar, maybe that place where emails go when recipient is without a computer to receive them - just remembering weird conversation with DSis when we were both new to cyberworld, take no notice.

We don't know if the meds are working, need it at a higher dose still, increase today and maybe Friday. No chance of getting out of here yet :( , whilst things have been a bit better they want me properly sorted before I go home (ie. meds working and minimal symptoms).

Have had it suggested that I check out the nice guidelines, and have regular night sedation.

It is very hard to be here, I'm giving weight to the thought that they wouldn't suggest I should be here unless it was avoidable.

I hope everyone's surviving the cold.

"Things have been a bit better" - that's really good news at last upward, even though it's only a slight improvement yet, hope it means you're now on the right road. You're right about not being in hospital unless it was unavoidable, I'm sure, remembering how difficult it can be for people on the outside to get enough attention, and how it can be usual to wait for weeks before having a consultant's appointment. I realise it's not fun, but having two drug increases in a week would be difficult or impossible if at home. You're doing really well, but is there any reason you really don't want to try night sedation?

Good to have update upward,t hank you ,but very sorry you still have uncertainty . Sounds very positive that symptoms are finally a little better
Am always very worried about more-or-less coercive inpatient stays , but really do feel it sunds as if ther doctors feel you need to be there whilst symptoms are brought under control .

Think the night sedative sounds very useful , & likely to help any symptoms . Would the NICE guidelines be likely to recommend more treatment for your needs , such as the night sedative ?

Sorry for long gap , am behind with tasks , and FIL driving me to distraction ...< giggling at notion of DN evercalling me Auntie Hob as if I were a proper grownup >

Have loved the beagle tales shodatin < & am sure am not the only one . They are quite unique - seal shaped heads indeed Yes, bridle very wise ... did your dog actually manage to wriggle out of it right away ? Thank you for making us laugh so much with his antics

HF has donned her winter "stole" and "undertrousers" ie fluffed up her fur to very glamorous effect . She & ndt are very active outdoors atm , rushing about all over their patch -it's definitely spring for the neighbourhoiod animals

Thank you for asking about the cold upward, & have been wondering whether you're a comfortable temp yourself . I've been thinking wistfully of the weather of my childhood , this past week ...

< adds hickory logs >
< warms softest rugs for us all>.

Thank you for the hob, which I'm forever forgetting to make, having water-glass alongside at all times. Don't know where you get the energy, and so sorry to hear that FiL's being an old - again, which would take anyone's spare spoons. Hope MiL's not upset by his actions/antics, but guess she would be sometimes.
Lovely to hear about the animals enjoying their energy and the time outside, as it's not raining, and well remember the winter-wardrobe (and the brushing out next season). Yes, beagle had escaped and disappeared in minutes, although he'd never before seen a bridle, and it took me longer to figure out how to get it in place.
Will say "goodnight" now, and hope everyone sleeps well.

So sorry you don't have a date yet, Upward. What excellent news that things have improved, though. Glacial, but the right direction.

Sounds jolly sensible, too, to sort out sedation while you're in, if you want it. But I know "sensible" doesn't make it any less hard work.

Draining day here, though not on the same scale. But am laughing out loud at animal stories and "haven't chewed a cushion for years"!

DP is less scared of beagles than g, shodatin. He was DC2 in his family: the beagle was DC1; so he accepts this as the natural order of the world. Unlike the g-related trauma - which did indeed involve hitch-hiking critturs and seedy hotels, hexy hob. Allegedly.

Shame you're still feeling tired Nilgiri, and would guess you're doing more than your share in RL as well as housekeeping in cybergarden. (Cleans out and refreshes fireplace, shakes rugs, looking at tassel remains on largest cushion, then kettle on for espresso and other drinks as required, determined not to leave it for fairies and Nilgiri as usual).
Can appreciate your DP's mixed views on beagles Nilgiri. Being such pack animals, they are programmed I think to be Number One, leading to training problems as most humans don't think this way beyond the toddler stage.
A miserable, misty morning here, but no extra snow, so managed to renew iced-over water-dish in bird-feeding area and add some elderly apple pieces and experimental beer-bread no human would eat (too much wholewheat flour, methinks). Am hoping all alcohol was baked away, and am not encouraging partying near bottom border.

Oh joy shodatin at partying birdlife . I like the sound of beer bread ... btw , sesame potatoes you suggested a few weeks ago are intensely moreish . How are your aching legs today ? Sorry ofrgot to ask yesterday .

Very well done on the draining tasks , *Nilgiri,< and I hope you're not totally wiped out today

< hexy hob preens >
< dares not ask more about g* horror >

Sorry for absence but needed to go to ILs at short notice as they had to have GP visit and emergency SS input ... amazing GP , think he would have prosecuted us for neglect if we hadn't tried to get SS involved many times previously . MIL very frail , but cheerful , brave lady .

Thank you all for joyously cheering messages , which I'm sure bring pleasure to upward . Hope you're not feeling too grim from sideffects of dosage increase , and the time goes by soon till improvement and homecoming s all round

< shamefaced at chewed tassels indeed >

Glad you liked sesame potatoes hob, so simple aren't they, with a bit of extra protein I think, always useful.

So sorry you've had an emergency with MiL, and I do hope she's not too upset now. The GP sounds like a gem, if he's so concerned that she has help, but hope it's not taking too many of your spoons at present. Your DH is probably feeling overworked too, and frustrated at being so limited in what can be done from where you are. Hope the help/s are still being helpful round the house.

Had to mention the tassels hob, it's so rarely that one can deny dog's involvement, but haven't had a cushion-chewer. DH's socks were always prized, but he did learn to look after them early on, and thanks to good butchers there were plenty of bones for chewing

I was astonished when a fox chomped a nice new sock of Dh's in the garden , shodatin , & notice beagles like to eat all types of footwear

Thank you so much for good wishes for MIL & Dh , who has indeed been slightly ill from overwork this year & distressed at MIL's state . Thrilled to hear tonight his workload is easing up a little bit from today , for several months

GP was shocked at lack of SS involvement & incredibly understanding of the struggle we've had with FIL ... bet GP is unconscious in a puddle of gin this evening . SS have arranged emergency respite in a care home for a short time , starting tomorrow , & further assessment of needs - all totally unecessary to be on crisis basis .

Thinking of you very often , upward , and wishing you continued strength

Hope we 've all felt reasonably well today , & are recovering from recent strains
.
Has anyone had any new snow this evening ? We've had a dusting for our previously un - blessed streets , just in time to surprise DH on his walk home from work

Can we build a cybersnowman tomorrow ,?< childish snowfight >

Oh blimey, hob. You must be exhausted, mentally and physically. Hope some resolution is now in sight (am going to do a psychic-Hob and guess that MIL moving to residential care may soon be more likely).

and at alcohol-fuelled party in border, shodatin. And you a fFriend! Methinks the field of suspects for tassel-teasing has rather broadened, if we have inebriated wildlife reeling somewhere warm to sleep it off!

x-post. Thank goodness you've now got over this "hump" of going into residential care. Fingers crossed that this will break FIL's iron grip on the situation, and MIL will have the choice of a care home - if it's what she wants, of course, but you said she'd probably enjoy it.

Very glad to hear DH's workload has dropped, too. I've been quietly fretting about how heavy the load must be on you both at the moment.

I'm dealing with a different type of Nasty Tasks at the moment, of the sort that are much in the news and on MN at the moment. They are not battles I will win. But I'll sell my defeat very expensively indeed. Signed, Phyrric-Victories-R-Us.

Anyway, that's horrid stuff - why am I talking about that?

You got snow, hob?! Not a single falling flake of snow here, tho DP copped a minor blizzard. Here it's the same as shodatin and perhaps Upward - frozen bird baths but no new white stuff.

Hope Upward's had as good a day as possible, and hasn't yet gnawed off a limb from frustration. (Here, have a tassle to chew instead...)

Yyy to a cybersnowman!

More snow here this evening, but not a lot and could probably drive out if necessary. Am so pleased your DH will have less work pressure for a while hob, and do believe things will now improve for MiL (and you two).

Am sorry you don't think you'll win at the present tasks Nilgiri, but you've probably advanced the cause for next occasion, and sure people are grateful for your input. Will build a snowman in your honour, carrying a placard I think...
Must go to bed now, and postpone my good news until a.m. Sleep well all.