The Breakfast Club

[LilyLangtrey]

Good afternoon, Clunkers!

Welcome to the Breakfast Club where the kettle is permanently on, the drinks flow and the snacks are both self-replenishing and calorie-free.

We start each day with a look at history and a tribute to a brave or inspiring woman. Mostly though, we just chat randomly about current affairs, recipes, life in lockdown, literature, music and anything else that comes into our heads.

Veteran Clunkers welcome. Anyone else who wants to join in the chat - sense of humour essential! - welcome.

Kettle's on

@ZombieFan

Andy really has just thrown a paddy. "I have been working with the government all along" "I refuse to work with the government" "Give me money, I demand money" "I said more money, even more".

Thanks for the OTD Lily and great article GCat

Zombie,

I can see why those findings would be drawn from his rant. However, (although disappointing that Lancashire leaders weren't in the press briefing) he is at least speaking up for the boroughs in his areas. I'm not a huge fan of Andy, and I do think if Westminster cave to his demands, we will be in Tier 3 at the drop of cutting the cheque.

But he doesn't speak for Lancashire. He thinks he does. But he doesn't.

We will all be in lockdown next week in all but name only. It was in the IC paper. Lockdown, open up for the summer, lockdown again for the winter. Handing it to local government was a good move. Westminster can unilaterally override him. I think they're being cautious. Particularly with Labour calling for circuit breakers.

I'm anti French, because where I grew up, used to be lovely PYO apple and cherry orchards. Once the shops were flooded with Golden (not) Delicious, those orchards were destroyed and houses built. I remember my mother being enraged one Christmas trying to find a Turkey that was not French; we tried McFisheries, International and Sainsbury (that dates me). She may have gone to the butcher in the end.

This will cause some upset. 😁 but may I have a Hawaiian with extra pineapple and extra cheese?, thank you.

And a large sparkling water, with ice and a slice, well 2 slices, 1 lemon slice and 1 lime slice, thank you. ❤️😁

@Nelllyyy

This will cause some upset. 😁 but may I have a Hawaiian with extra pineapple and extra cheese?, thank you.

And a large sparkling water, with ice and a slice, well 2 slices, 1 lemon slice and 1 lime slice, thank you. ❤️😁

I just made hot chocolate. I dont know what cadburys have done to their chocolate powder but it seems strange. Maybe its because i made it with water and not milk.

One thing that does lift me up when I am feeling down is...cats!

I like reading about the adventures of the BC cats. Funny little things, they are!

Please can my cats join in? I have four rescue cats. Two black girls (sisters), and two grey and white boys (unrelated). I will introduce the boys tonight.

We adopted our newest rescue cat in July. He was taken in from the streets by a local rescue group as a stray. The rescue lady reckoned that he had been thrown out once he had grown out of being a cute kitten. He was incredibly skinny and dirty. She said his age and the timing of him being dumped just smacked of him being a Christmas present. A present that people soon tired of once he grew into a cat and then needed neutering, vaccinations etc. She said it happens around the same time every year.

Anyway, he is a tabby - a grey and white striped little boy who is about one year old now. He is called Lenny, so shall be known as Lord Leonard to fit in with other grand cats in the BC.

Unfortunately, the arrival of Lord Leonard caused 'beef' with my other male cat, Earl Grey, who was most displeased to no longer be the only man about the house cat. He went missing for eleven days but returned on Sunday absolutely starving hungry and thirsty. We think he went off sulking, as he has done in the past, but got locked in somewhere. I put posters up locally on Saturday night asking neighbours to check their garages, sheds, and outbuildings. Low and behold, he came running home as fast as his little legs would carry him the very next day.

I have been advised by the rescue lady to give Earl Grey the space to reestablish himself in the home as he has very likely felt pushed out by Lord Lenny's arrival. He has been in the main bedroom with me since his return and has become the most softest, affectionate cat out of them all. He didn't used to be like that before his eleven day departure! He sleeps by my side and headbutts me for affection. Such a turn around for a previously aloof, grumpy cat. I think he has missed me a lot and now appreciates his safe, warm home with food on tap.

I allowed Lord Leonard into the bedroom today. There was much hissing and growling from Earl Grey. However, a few hours on, both boys are now asleep with me in the same room. One on one windowsill and one on the other. That is REAL progress as, previously, Earl Grey could not stand to be in the same room as LL. Slow steps but I am encouraged they can start living together eventually.

So...Lord Leonard and Earl Grey have joined us for the pizza night but are both snoozing away peacefully. I shall introduce my two lady cats to the BC once the new boys have settled in.

When Gcat#2came to live with us, Gcat#1 (Chairman Miaow) was discombobulated. They eventually achieved an accommodation and coped with each other. It has been noticeable how much more affectionate Chairman Miaow has been since he became the sole cat in the household in March, when we had to have Gandalf PTS.

I fancy some garlic bread with my hot and spicy fungi tonight

@thegcatsmother Sorry to hear you had to have one of your cats PTS. It must have been heartbreaking. It is something I have never had to do as all our cats are age seven and younger. I dread the day. They are family and are treated like children.

How long did it take for your two to live together in relative peace? I don't expect them to be best chums as none of the others are. They seem to like being together in whatever room we are in, but always apart. So, one on a chair, one in a cat bed, one on the windowsill type of arrangement. My aim is to get to that stage with all four. I just need to get Earl Grey to relax and not see LL as a constant threat. Interestingly, the two ladies just rub along nicely with LL. There was never any problem for them apart from a few hisses on his first day.

Will you be getting another cat or are you content with Chairman Miaow being in sole charge?

Omg SylviaGold, you must have been beside yourself for those 11 days. I can’t cope if mine isn’t home safe when it gets dark.

Sorry you’re having such a hard time, @TeflonTits. I’ve found it hard going this week as well. I think we all have. It will get better, hang in there.

@TeflonTits

No Cadbury’s hot drinking chocolate taste horrible, I haven’t had it in years, then we bought some when we were away, it was like drinking something totally different and far too sweet.

Ovaltine I used to love but that now is just like drinking a cup of sugar.

Now Horlicks is my favourite, to me it hasn’t changed at all, made with milk and a dash or two of evaporated milk. 😍

Can I have a pizza with Parma ham, goats cheese, cherry tomatoes and mozzarella please?

And I’d better make that a mocktail, I have just reached a bit I wrote after a glass of wine or two yesterday. It makes absolutely no sense at all , I have a recollection of feeling very insightful writing it.

Nelly, the cookies are delicious... and they make me think of my grandmother, so they make me happy. OnProzac, hands up, I made cookies... I baked with Little Hippo and her friend yesterday and our neighbour kindly lent me eggs as I was out. I promised her some cookies, but the little hippos almost finished them...and the Mr Hippo came home. And that was the end of the cookies. So I made another batch today. Any excuse .

< slaps forehead and dives back to the library with the laptop clutched to the chest >

@SylviaGold,

I love your Kitty’s names. 😻

We had a Maine Coon, he was a beautiful very large cat, almost dog like, silver and grey with a very fluffy neck and very long thick bushy tail.

He passed away at the age of 7 due to heart problems, very young for a cat, still miss him and our Cocker Spaniel boy. 💙💙

@MoreHippoThanPenguin

Can I have a pizza with Parma ham, goats cheese, cherry tomatoes and mozzarella please?

And I’d better make that a mocktail, I have just reached a bit I wrote after a glass of wine or two yesterday. It makes absolutely no sense at all , I have a recollection of feeling very insightful writing it.

Nelly, the cookies are delicious... and they make me think of my grandmother, so they make me happy. OnProzac, hands up, I made cookies... I baked with Little Hippo and her friend yesterday and our neighbour kindly lent me eggs as I was out. I promised her some cookies, but the little hippos almost finished them...and the Mr Hippo came home. And that was the end of the cookies. So I made another batch today. Any excuse .

< slaps forehead and dives back to the library with the laptop clutched to the chest >

🧁🍰🍩🍪 👍🏻😁❤️

@Nelllyyy I wont touch horlicks, let alone have it in my house anymore. Used to be my grandma's favourite drink.

Is it bedtime yet?

@Doobigetta Yes, I was frantic. I spent the night before he came home in constant tears. I was thinking the most dreadful things. The very next day, DN came into the bedroom carrying a cat in his arms and said, "Look who's here." We had a group hug. Then he feared on two sachets of cat food and some fresh pork cooked for Sunday lunch. I have never seen such a hungry cat. He has calmed down with the eating now, thank goodness. I am so glad to have him home. The rescue lady said not to let him out for three weeks for him to reestablish himself and his scent around the home. So that is what we are doing, He doesn't seem at all bothered about going out. He just stays next to me sleeping.

*DH

BakedCam I actually like Andy (normally) but his rant today didn't make sense, it seems to just be pure politics.

He refused to go into full Boris lockdown but has no problem going into a full Starmer lockdown.
His area is riddled with Covid but he is refusing to do more, how is that helping 'his people'?

He never mentioned that someone on low wages getting 67% furlough can also claim UC on top of that to get almost 100% of their wages.
Yes some jobs might get lost in his area but his solution is to lose jobs across the whole of the country. Its not anyone's fault its a pandemic.

His answer to how the country would pay for an 80% furlough that would have to last until the pandemic was over, was it wont cost us a penny. He never mentioned what would happen after a 2 week lockdown.

I have more respect for the Liverpool Mayor (who I dont like) who accepted a level 3 lockdown was needed. He wanted more money as well but accepted the evil government wouldn't give him anymore. Much more honest.

*feasted

Oh Edit button, how I miss thee!

I allowed Lord Leonard into the bedroom today. Anyone skim reading this thread

Lovely pusscat story Sylvia. I've never had a cat but I like to hear of their adventures.

Oh Lily! You've got those gins out again and it's a school night. I really want one now. 2 of those and the chucking-out time pizza (COTP) will be having an airing.

Sounds as though Dizzy is getting the Langtrey household knocked into kitty-shape.

The same, gcat. I've always bought British first, Commonwealth second. And if we can help some developing economies by buying their produce, so much the better. I'll only buy EU produce if it's a specialist item, such as cheese or wine. And non-EU countries produce very drinkable wines.

The British led the way in Free Trade back in the 19th century. We even convinced the French!

BTW, when we've finally left will we get rid of that annoying 'accept cookies' pop-up that appears whenever you visit a website? It wastes time when I want to get on with doing what I went there for, and sometimes the sodding thing just won't go away.

@TracysShoulder Oops! When you read it out of context...

I have let Lord Leonard out of the bedroom now. He has gone downstairs to see my husband. Oo-er missus!

Lovely stories about the cats .

Gandalf was about 17 and as the longstanding BCers know, he had kidney disease. We had him for almost 7 years, as we found him in a cattery with 'a placer' on his cage (means needs a home). We dropped one cat off at the cattery that weekend, and there were two that went home with us. It took a while, and even til last year there might be the odd hiss or swipe, but they both slept on our bed.

It was a hard decision, but the right one, to have him PTS. His ashes are on the dresser in the kitchen and I smile and say 'Hi' every day. Chairman Miaow is 17, and I know we are on borrowed time with him. My first three were 12, 17 and 19 when they died.

[quote TeflonTits]@Nelllyyy I wont touch horlicks, let alone have it in my house anymore. Used to be my grandma's favourite drink.

Is it bedtime yet?[/quote]
Nooo, what about something like Galaxy, Malteser, Aero?, trial and error until you find one to you taste.

I had a very daft big black tom cat who was 17 when I had to have him PTS.
He also had kidney problems.
He was a real scary cat even though he was big. He was ok with flies as long as they did not buzz. He would sleep under the duvet with me.
My friends kitten used to swipe her paw at him and he would be scared 🙀