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.

I won't know how viable a discharge date is til I ask, crossed fingers for that would be good.

Thanks for the . I hope nobody's troubled by the cold still.

Apparently I had several dwp envelopes at home, fortunately cold weather payments or April letters.

Fingers crossed all week, upward < hob goes about chores with trotter -effect hands > Hope the envelopes prove to contain good news , & am very pleased to hear you have someone looking in on your flat - would it be an idea to ask them to have water heat up slightly each day to avoid burst pipe ? Maybe newer buildings are less prone to thats , though

It's the coldest I ever remember , but am fine atm , thank you . Winter is my favourite season , but I worry about the rest of you having your aches aggravated by cold

shodatin , are you saying that cats can collude with beagles' food heists ? < new heights of joy > My nerves would never stand the foreign objects a hound ingests

< faints at metallic-poo effects >

Thank you , MIL doing OK but is frailer yet & there is much confusion at hospital as to what her dramatic , long lasting disease actually is - very , very strange & sad . Sorry Nilgiri < I forgot to thank you for something lovely you said about the situation earlier in the week

MIL very proud of Dgc , all doing exams and surfing trying to improve their career options . How is your DN dd, shodatin ? She was building quite a social life , I think ?

Many sympathies to you on extended dormousing and Nilgiri on unaccountable business < surveys houseful of chores >
PS I didn't dare look up homemade explosives for our celebratory display as might end up on a database

Will cross fingers for home date on Tuesday upward, having got idea that consultant's around then, although not last week, if I remember. Do hope the brown envelopes are for cold-weather payments, which reminds me that I had some last year but can't recall any this year, and was assuming this was part of cutbacks.

I don't really mind cold weather either, as long as home and bed are warm, but am surprised at hob coming from warm climate and preferring the winter! It's one of the reasons that all DSis's family are planning move to Australia, but they'd better get a move on as DNiece does get depressed living alone, and believed that Melbourne weather was worse than the six months she spent in London (and would have no problems settling here).

Can't be certain about cat and dog co-operation re stealing hob, but was only way we could explain loss of two beef joints left at back of kitchen unit near open window, too far away from jumping hounds but only explained by cooked strings found in outdoor kennel some hours later, hounds having no access to kennel via window even if they could have somehow jumped that distance. That was merely (!) expensive and annoying, with buffet due same evening, but neighbour's beagle once got into cupboard and ate whole packet of rice, being on back with four legs in air when owner got in and made life-saving dash for vet.
Never a dull moment of course.

That's impossible , shodatin !! How on earth could the cats have lugged them away ??
at cooked strings giving the game away .
Poor , poor rice - stuffed hound , saved in the nick of time < another thing to warn DN about >

Thank you so much for that - your animals were criminal masterminds - truly memorable stories < nerves in shreds >

Your poor DN , missing family - am sure you'd like her in UK , and I think you have quite some reservations about DSis' move to Australia ? Really hope all turns out well .

I keep wondering how your DSis is getting on with her smallholding , Nilgiri , since wandering cattle stole her precious crops . Has she been able to grow anything since then ?

Hope you have a few pleasant diversions , upward, and aren't woozy from increase. all round
< resolves to use fewer emoticons >

Hob, all we could think of was that the (one) cat got onto the unit top (yes she could, and frequently did, enraging me every time), then dragged the joints one after the other across to the other side, from whence the hounds could grab them one after the other and carry them through the glass-free pane in still-room french door which served as a cat-and-dog-flap, and out into shed, where they sometimes liked to sleep (cat included). Food was considered communal, and all three would growl over a bone. None were allowed in kitchen, but they could open one of the doors, and if someone had left the other open, nothing was safe.
Had forgotten which cybergardener had a sister with a small-holding, so thanks for remembering, hob, and I'd be interested in an update too. Hope you had a rest today, after so many chores to get through last week, and hope Nilgiri managed some relaxation too.

Just waving on my way to bed - sorry I forgot thanks for earlier . Wishing all goodnight.

I grumpeth today. May I just read and chortle and not say very much? And cross many digits for Upward getting a discharge date - even if it's not immediate.

((hugs)) to all.

Dear Nilgiri, Thankyou for being there, I think we're all aware of many calls on your time and of course it's ok to wave while passing through, and if you can manage a smile now and then, well, that's what we're here for. My turn (probably) to clean out fire, shake rugs, mop up animal pawprints etc, which our Nilgiri has been performing diligently for our comfort (so am calling on the overnight fairies to take over for a while, certain that HF will supervise better than I ever could). Have written instructions re: animal rations on tins of snacks and s, my only reservation about putting HF in charge of domestic comfort supervision is that we may need more of her favourites by the end of the week.

A miserable, misty morning here but probably safe to drive, so will get off now, back later.

Good morning all[ Thank you for and safeguarded s , shodatin < ducks as fairies swoop and sweep >

I hope your drive out is indeed safe with that mist about , shodatin

Oh ,Nilgiri , what manner of world is this which discomfeteth thee . Retreatest thou to our contemplative community and be not of ill cheer < HF hops up to fuss Nilgiri >
(could ye be minded to give a humble woman tuition at ye gramaire , gracious sisters? )

So sorry I dormoused and missed our goodnights - thank you all for keeping the fire burning & summerhouse ready

Horrible day here as DH has his huge work appraisal & cross unexpected caller spotted me fleeing him first thing ( was truly in no state to meet a stranger , so hope was a meter reader rather than another unscheduled workman who will contact landlady & give DH a hard time on his stressful day ...argh argh argh , why did I risk being seen when not able to talk to any callers ) ...

< soothing lemonbalm goes to contemplates snowdrops in our cybergarden , and coaltits splashing in our birdbath >

Oh poor hob, how embarrassing being caught escaping! Only thing to do is grunt "Flu" at first opportunity, shake head and either sit down or escape again, methinks. (And that's the only C17th century word I know, so will stop using it before we're all really fed-up with it - wondering now which century we landed in and have forgotten why we're still there).... Hugs to Nilgiri as she dashes away to important appointment, and pats on back to self for getting to and from big supermarket with no problems. Weather has now improved, warmer with sunshine, so hope there's a chance that upward can have a few minutes outside.

< creeps back to apologise for grumpiness > Oh thank you , shodatin - so wish I'd have thought of that & will definitely use it next time
Glad your trip went safely - you sound extra busy today

I forgot to hug Nilgiri & hope your day is boosting your spirits and your equilibrium will soon be restored < brews herbal potion for harmlessly warding off nasty people / intentions >

Thinking of you upward , who must be itching to be out & about

We were our olden village again for a bit there shodatin as Nilgiri was being her c17th self in her goodnight post

Am doing springcleaning & v minor DIY again and am pleased my tray of violas might be able to stop shivering in the porch & be planted out at last

< HF & ndt carry a primrose to each cybergardener >

Hellooo - just popping in to say got fingers crossed for upward for discharge in v near future.
Take care everyone xx

Hi Kizzie, hope you and family are keeping well , and that work is being interesting rather than stressful. Glad you've got upward's latest news, and we're all hoping for a discharge date very soon.

Am wondering if the tray of violas have been planted out yet, hob, or do you plan to let earth warm up for another day? I put some orange-coloured violas in small front bed in the autumn, being assured they would bloom during winter, but have had mainly leaves so far, so rather disappointed. We moved some self-sown escholtzias into same small bed, which are now very healthy, but no flowers here either, but of course it is early in season.
What really lovely cats you have hob, bringing flowers as gifts in stead of mice and voles. Hope you managed to accomplish more chores today, and have not received any complaints from the man you avoided this morning.

In a complete change of subject, does anyone remember my hunt for a hair accessory called a Tippy-tail? ( at brand-name), but today I found more up-to-date gadget called "spin-pin", like a double-helix in metal which holds a lump of hair in a tidy bun, according to the instructions. They also had something similar to the Tt, which I might get later, depending on how today's works, but will need to do some experimenting first.

Brilliant to see you , kizzie ! Hope you & family are well and you have a bit of time to yourself .

Ooooh at your fancy Spinpin , shodatin - hope it works as well as TT
I'm letting the violas acclimatise for one more day . The orange ones are gorgeous , & am familiar with a long wait for flowers . Am off to look up your other , self- sown flowers < excited >

I haven't thanked you for the joy & hilarity you brought to this house with the tale of cat who could get inside kitchen unit to help in beagle raids ... and as for the growling pussycats - all evening I interrupted my dormousing to remind DH of it , then fell properly asleep before thanking you .This morning we were dismayed that things were dispiriting for Nilgiri - not many things could have driven such joyous images from my mind

Hope you have a peaceful night , upward < and that you have had a better day , Nilgiri

Thank you shodatin , 'twas a meter man who will complain further , but better than landlady's workman - phew
PS dh's appraisal went well , thank goodness

< puts out rugs & cushions for stargazers >
< leaves pot of lemonbalm on stove >

Lovely lemonbalm thanks hob, mine's so dormant it's unusable, and never occured to me to buy supplies. Shame about the meter-man, but he must have led a sheltered life if no-one's avoided him before... Hope it works out without too much fuss. Good news about your DH's job appraisal, but no more than he deserves after doing so much extra for so long, and hope he feels able to relax now it's over.
Thanks to you also for endless efforts to make us all comfortable in our super summerhouse, and for kind comments on the animal stories. Would love to stay and stargaze, but already starting to nod. Night.

Oooh, thank you. I needed all that and loveliness and primroses!

Hurray for Tt substitute after your long quest, shodatin! What genius advice about escaping unwanted visitors, too. Your snow prose glows... but at creative animal thievery! They work in teams? Help!

hob you have the most amazing memory! Text from DSis today that rains have restarted - after weeks of dry which have completely killed her crops. She really needs a borehole - but she knew that when she chose that smallholding. [exasperated]

Upward, I know this will embarrass you, but can I say I'm in need of some courage right now - and I'm getting rather a lot from you? You knew you'd have a horrid inpatient stay, and went ahead and did it anyway because it was the Right Thing To Do. That's an example I need to follow with my own (completely different) difficult stuff. Still crossing everything for a discharge date, though doubtless less dainty on my trotters than hob...

kizzie so glad to see you - hope you all keeping well.

Sending good wishes toNilgiri this morning for extra strength and confidence . Glad you could put feet up in front of fire and relax yesterday, and hope you'll manage same today after dealing with problem. Upward is indeed inspirational, and has been amazingly positive
through this latest stay, remembering we were hoping for "a few days" at the beginning and are now into a few weeks. Hope for good news today, if consultant's around.

Sad news about sister's farming Nilgiri, and hope there is alternative income without crops - loss must be devastating, and one does need confidence in future to attempt smallholding, particularly without reliable water-supply - is borehole impossible I wonder?
(Knows nothing on subject, just hoping for chance of improved future crops).
Tray of s assorted, with extra large espressos for Nilgiri and self before setting forth with renewed energy and ambition - Go Nilgiri!

Afternoon all < waves trotters crossed fingers for our brave upward and Nilgiri , who are being bombarded with positive thoughts , wishes & prayers . Completely share shodatin's & Nilgiri's great admiration for your courage and patience , upward and have -finally - changed many of my efforts due to your inspiration .

So hope doctors encouraging about a discharge date very soon , but many hugs if they feel they want to be more certain of your comfort before actual discharge < chivvies >

Really hope your very difficult tasks are soon surmounted , Nilgiri and wish you as much success as possible . I hate the fact that such painful efforts are necessary & hope you see some benefit . Am am certain you are improving matters in some way .

Here's to a spring with all our hearts made a bit lighter by having overcome some of our dreaded tasks < looks sternly at self > < raises upward's magics all round >

Oh no , Nilgiri ,your poor DSis ... sometimes it takes a while for good advice to sink in , heh heh Hope she can have a borehole made & try again

Am fretting now shodatin that the hairdo resulting from Spin thing won't be as pleasing to you as the Tt 'do - have you tried it yet ? Oooh , still havent looked up the other plants you mention planting out ( will lose post if try )

< creeps past dozing Nilgiri who was trapped in sitting position all night by unwillingness to wake comforting but sound-asleep HF >

Oh yes indeed , shodatin - Go Nilgiri !

I'm also rather behind hob, and not yet tried new hair thing, probably because hair needs a wash first. Glad you've not yet looked up front plants, as uncertain I've got right spelling, and usually use local name of California Poppies (or Noah's Nightcaps) - there, you probably don't need to look them up after all. Been using packet of mixed shades for a few years, then sorted seed from cream-colour only, thinking they would look better near mauve flowers than original orange shades, but am uncertain how successful this separating has been. They are such good self-seeders I'm happy to have the small front bed repeat colours every summer, which is why I added orange pansies (hoping for more self-seeding) to the winter display (lazy gardening).

By the way, thanks to your good advice my Pak Choi seedlings look amazingly good, fresh and shiny and untouched by the SoDs (yet..), causing some jealousy to Thai friend who lost all hers to horrible beasties.

Had forgotten what we had in cybergarden for the winter months, but am sure someone suggested snowdrops at the right time, which will no doubt be looking good right now. Reason for mentioning is that today I noticed some in hedge-bottom near my boundary, which was a really lovely surprise, as have never seen them before and have no doubt been covered with old rubbish/dead weeds in previous years.
Hope everyone else finds a good surprise today, and am particularly thinking of Nilgiri and upward, who really do need something good right now.

Hope everyone's OK and just busy being Valentines. Goodnight.

Thank you so much. I haven't done nearly enough on it today, but what I have done has been shoved nudged on by you guys. I now feel I can't let you down, and it's actually useful to have an externality like that and the espresso.

shodatin you have snowdrops! I'm soooo pleased for you! And that's exactly how one should find them - all unexpected and poking their delicate little heads through all barriers! Much better than merely cultivated. That definitely counts as my lovely surprise of the day.

Hope Upward has also had something good today - or at least a faint glimmer of it. Please god things are still going in the right direction, even if not nearly as fast as you'd like.

Do you have spring stuff showing in the outdoor area? I hope you've been able to at least stick your nose out.

hob hope your MIL is settling in OK, and is tolerably comfortable and happy though still mystifying the doctors. And that you and DH are able to recharge your emotional reserves a little.

Thank you all for concern for DSis. It's not the family's only source of income, thank god, but it is their hope for a better future. Think DSis has been on trotters tighter even than hob's hoping for a few years of good rain to fund a borehole. Maybe it will happen.

Morning all, and particularly to *Nilgiri who really should not be feeling bad at doing less than planned. Agree with you that these postings are actually useful, in different ways, different people, etc, and to me are often like a support group, having people who care about my life. Wishing good climate for your DSis, and some good thing around the corner today for everyone else.
(Own car is due at garage today, so am really hoping for good news rather than bad). Kettle on for s.