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.

Did someone say my name hot chocolate?

What a lovely day, shodatin! Hope you're not too tired now, but it sounds well worth any dormousing afterwards.

And hurray at small garage bill. Thank heavens, does that mean you're safely back on the road? I think you garage gets an honorary mention in the Battle fo the Objects.

Let me make you a hot chocolate Nilgiri, and just for a change, I'll plump the cushions and spread a warm rug for you (N feels suspicious and wonders at reason for sudden attention, but S has just realised it's usually N who does the tidying while S waits for fairies to oblige)

Garage is actually not that wonderful, as sometimes "forgets" to collect or deliver car, about three times out of five, year after year, never been known before this one... I did mention recently-fixed problem when booking in for MOT, but doubt anyone looked at it. Because I forgot to ask for more air in front near-side tyre, no-one noticed it(?), will have to ask DB as can't bend myself. (and he noticed it a while ago)

Mmmm. Thank you!

Oh dear, maybe award for garage rescinded on Commanding Officer's report, or something. I don't drive, but it doesn't sound great that they missed a tyre while MOT-ing it. Grr.

Hope DB can help with that.

Hope you enjoyed little rest Nilgiri, and wish I could capture hob for an enforced sit-down before it becomes imperative, as never known anyone do so much cleaning.

Forgot to enquire - where did you go on the time-travelling trip? Was it just HF in charge, or was ndt along as assistant on this journey?

Thinking back, would love to ask old friend to visit cybergarden, and thankyou for the idea, but she may need a bit longer to get used to any cyberspace or any further typing. At present we're just enjoying being in touch, although I have offered help/ideas to add to emails, and am not sure how her access works or if there's a rationing system.

Ahem, time-travelled back a few days to when I should have finished my nasty task, which I've been dodging all weekend. HF, in charge, has been very strict.

Ooh, so does this mean you've heard more from your friend? It's a pretty big task getting to grips with all this new technology from scratch, if she hasn't had the opportunity before.

Agree completely, hope hob has had a snooze in her mossy nest today. You know you'd be telling me to Do A Bit Rest A Bit, hob. Hope today's gone well.

Also hope Upward had a tolerable weekend, and gets another positive report if the consultant makes it around tomorrow.

Early night here, so here's wishing us all a good night's sleep - having made it safely up to bed.

Many thanks for all the comforts provided for night guests Nilgiri, and join you in hoping for good news from upward's consultant, assuming he arrives and pronounces tomorrow.

Friend has indeed done well with computer so far, and has managed to open ecard and view a YouTube video I sent, as well as two more emails, but no replies yet to further offers, and it may be enough excitement just now.
Will also be off to bed now, after early start and too much talking. Sleep well all. (Does washing-up,etc, just to give fairies a break for once)

Morning all - A late start here, but went out anyway, enjoying drive and warmer weather and now enjoying half the food a friend brought yesterday (second portion is usually kept for weekend, which works well).

Thinking of you today upward, as it used to be consultant's day, and we're all waiting for good news about your discharge. Fingers crossed here (and hope I have right day).

Oh this is your Thai friend's excellent food, isn't it? Yummy!

Glad you got a good outing today, and the weather is mild. We have real life actual genuine sunshine here, so I'm basking by the window with a constant supply of !

Same Thai food indeed Nilgiri, and DSis (in food business) actually requested Ginger Chicken recipe, (difficult for me, ie bit of this, some of that etc. and of course, measurements depend on how many are eating).
Glad you can have a peaceful day and enjoy the sun - never know when the next foul weather will turn up, so enjoy it now,and before I forget again, thankyou for the pot of .

Am hoping that upward had some good news about current meds today, and that hob managed to have little rests occasionally (seem to remember hobbeing unable to post until evening, and hope I have the right day). Also hoping things are going well for family now.

Have recently checked weather forecast and see we're due to be warmer for rest of the week, so am hoping to get something done in garden (and cybergarden, of course, but what shall we have this year?)

Evening lovely people , with shamefaced apologies for so long not doing my bit , & thanks for all the enjoyable posts . been trying to read but not managed to post - feeling the effects of cleaning etc , & thank you for unstinting support < sniffs >*

Thinking of upward on this painfully hard home stretch -you must be adjusting to new dosage levels but not necessarily feeling full improvement yet , but am sure it will be soon now

< pins on gleaming gold medal to Nilgiri for completion of hated task > Yes , HF is horribly stern < lives life governed by series of sharp looks > but she worries terribly that her humans might overtire themselves or miss meals , & nags to that effect

shodatin , sorry your tyre problem was missed by strangely ar lackadaisical garage < & that someone can soon sort it .

Your friend's Thai food sounds gorgeous , & I want to expand my experience of this cuisine beyond lemongrass . Your unagi looks amazing , Nilgiri - can we take HF on that leg of our tour ?

How lovely to be able to send ecard to your friend , shodatin - I'd agree the cybergarden might be overly hard work for her at first , but she might like to relax watching us planting in the new season's flowers whilste she interacts with our animals . I've only put out primroses & violas so far , but am sure you & Nilgiri will be more inspired

Thank you for pots of tea & for giving our fairies the night off last night
< fairies flutter in , leaving trails of disco glitter >

Ooh, just checked before pressing post, and here's lovely hob! I was about to say I hoped you were tucked up warm recovering after your labours.

So glad you have HF to look sternly, which I'm sure she does about over-exertion as much as completing tasks. I'm not quite deserving of a gold medal yet, but I'll leave it by the door as I intend to earn it tomorrow morning. Meanwhile, here's completely merited medal + oak leaves for your own endeavours.

Ginger chicken! Mmmmm! So did your DSis manage to make it to her satisfaction, shodatin - inevitably her own special variation, as happens when recipes are passed on?

Oh yes, I'm sure HF would wolf (lion?) unagi. Humans wouldn't get a look in...

Trying not to have a late night, so off to bed here. Hope everyone else has made it off the sofa.

Sleep well all, thinking of you all.

Glad you're finally getting a break from cleaning hob, but hey, it is after midnight, and not surprised you're feeling effects.
Been uncertain whether or not Nilgiri had actually completed the unpleasant chore which was postponed, so didn't like to mention it, but am glad there's a medal waiting, which I'm sure is well- deserved. Glad you have beagle for protection, as they're usually fairly laid-back and quite happy to have a hug (while discreetly sniffing
for any snacks in the area).
Afraid DSis was a bit disappointed that recipe was not more precise, but have found that texture of ingredients is most important, while quantities work best when adjusted for own personal taste, so it worked for me.

Last season I painted some flowerpots in shades of grey and lavender, planning to use them in windowbox
with various plants of suitable colours, but had second thoughts about window-box, due to very narrow drive.
Am considering hanging pots in chains from top of fence, where they will be safe above car height, and wondering if this would work on any wooden fence in cybergarden. Might ask email friend, who taught me gardening originally (and before it was popular).

Will say "goodnight" now - been a long day - and I hope everyone has a good, refreshing sleep.

You were so brave to follow the glitter , Nilgiri ! Thank goodness our beagle was there to comfortbyou , whose temperament shodatin so perfectly describes

s as we cheer you on for last bout with the detestable task
Thank you for my unearned medal , & for rescuing the oak from Royalists & conservatives in my mind yesterday I found a cracker -type ring whilst sorting , which I hadn't seen for years - it is made up of oak leaves

...I should have postponed agent's visit as was still not & he was shocked ... poor Dh , showing him round the areas he hadn't managed toa take over from me . We're waiting to see what measures agents might take next , & I have almost no proof at all of reasons for my difficulties < tries to amass some > < tidies further >

You must be exhausted , shodatin , after all that socialising ( we could have lovely chats about arts & literature ourselves in our summerhouse , though I tend to avoid these as show up craters in my knowledge )
Wonder what upward likes in the waay of art & books ? Looking forward to her being able to enjoy rivolity again

I remember your painting those pots , which I've been planning to copy ... perhaps we could borrow them for a bit for the cybergarden ?
The hanging pots would be perfect - a bare fence top is a dreary thing , & am sure our cyberfences are sturdy enough for them .

s and espressos all round and tightly- shut tin of wholemeal hot cross buns and Nilgiri's tempting shorbread

sorry for many typos

Such a shame you don';t think your cleaning efforts were sufficient, hob, and can't help wondering if you're being too much of a perfectionist here? Why do you think agent was shocked, did he say anything? At least you can now have a break from boring cleaning, and I think it's sad you should be so worried about the subject.

It would be a short conversation on art and literature if left to me, but friend used to teach both, and persuaded me to join local writing club, so doesn't expect me to say much. Her latest teaching venture was on cruise ships, which suited semi-retired husband too, and latest art was painting scenery locally, so I 'm happy to listen and have agreed to join in with publishing another little book, which flatters my ability somewhat.

Many thanks for espresso, which I forgot mid-morning as busy with little chores before DB visits tomorrow, like clearing various spaces. Will share today's scone with both animals as I can do without the calories, and they have been very good recently, which should be encouraged.

Will give thought to plants for pots - already have 2/3 lavenders, various herbs etc plus violas and the disappointing new iris (no discernable scent after all), and will certainly have enough spares for cybergarden (and paint leftovers in suitable colours).

Just remembered the ring you mentioned earlier hob, and wonder if it had some sentimental value. I had a ring made with oak-leaf design, rather heavy gold, but fashionable in sixties. Never got chance to wear it, as I cancelled wedding couple of weeks before due date, and actually sold it later - shame, as have never seen one the same. Is it possible to show a photo of yours? I wonder if it's of a similar date?

shodatin , have been having computer problems - Dh just realised a cable needed replacing , and found a spare to do it with !
Thank you for earlier comments about house but I'll post properly later tonight

What a coincidence about oak leaf ring ! Mine is only a toy type one , probably out of a cracker , with the leaves horizontally in a band -unfortunately Dh still hasn't had a chance to help me post photos , but I like this this ring www.clogau.co.uk/jewellery/item/Royal-Clogau-Oak-Ring-3SOLRis , though perhaps looks a touch flashy in that picture , - there is also www.clogau.co.uk/jewellery/item/Royal-Clogau-Oak-Ring-3SOR01( I love that make - I first noticed this brand of jewellery in early days with DH on visits to Wales , so have soppy associations )

You are very original indeed to have chosen / designed such a ring in the 60s , and I can see why you didn'tkeep yours , however pretty - it's probably been treasured by the buyer ever since .

lemonbalms and hot choc all round

I'm surprised you feel the agent was shocked, hob. I agree with shodatin that after all your sterling work it's hardly likely there was anything too awful and we did nick the coal from your bath. Do hope you can take a bit of a break now.

Cancelled a wedding, shodatin? My goodness, we can certainly have the most amazing gossipy reminiscences sitting around in the summerhouse, even on days where we're light on the literature!

Except apparently we're not light on literature at all: you're being published! Wow! You do write so well, I'm really glad more people will get to enjoy your writing.

Hope Upward is managing, and not too demoralised.

Quite shattered here, but wearing my medal with exhausted pride and resting before embarking on Phase 2 of nasty task.

Hi ,kind Nilgiri -honestly , he was speechless !
Sory, links didn't work -here www.qvcuk.com/ukqic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.item.686580
www.clogau.co.uk/jewellery/item/Royal-Clogau-Oak-Ring-3SOR01
www.clogau.co.uk/jewellery/item/Royal-Clogau-Oak-Ring-3SOLR
Oh blimey Nilgiri , Phase 2 ... < unanimous upgrade of medal to platinum >
Back later but saying goodnight to wise people carrying their candlesticks up to bed

< looks forward to much gossiping in summerhouse > having earlier , when overtired , assured MIL that political meetings are hotbeds of vice ( self not included , obviously - more Tories & LibDems ...)

Oh no , what am I thinking of - amazingly well done Nilgiri for completion of Phase 1 of horror Task - our heartfelt thanks for the effects it will have and the effort it's cost you

Thanks for ring photos hob, they are certainly original and I never thought of using two golds (not own design exactly but one-off - and less expensive than yours).

Am so pleased your DH managed to fix computer again, must be genius-type, but can understand keeping spare.

Glad you were able to amuse MiL hob, hope disclosures were not too shocking and that you both enjoyed visit.
Also hope that being away from home is working out for both iLs, and not causing more stress.

Hope upward is still doing well.

Having started unpleasant task is great achievement Nilgiri, and must be very tiring to be still involved.
Hope all goes your way and end result is successful.

Off to bed now - up to fairies to tidy again, I'm afraid.
(Would never be accepted by anybody's agent,ever).

Calming for very hard-working hob. You sound as tired as I am.

Night night to all, hope we sleep well and wake refreshed tomorrow.

Hope everyone slept well, and woke with plenty of spoons and enough enthusiasm to manage today's tasks (and hope they're fewer for hob and Nilgiri).
Tray of including upward's specials, which turn into whichever variety one fancies, but certainly plenty of espresso for those of us who need the caffeine to stay up.