Bluestocking: Do androids dream of electric hair?

[ifIwerenotanandroid]

Previously on 'The Bluestocking':
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/5198256-autumn-leaves-crackling-fires-quokkas-and-puffins-at-the-bluestocking?page=40&reply=139728736

Bloody male doctors - I'm fuming for you, @Boiledbeetle.

When I was training, I had a friend who was a medical student, and he told me about a gynae consultant at another hospital who, when he had medical students in Theatre, would let them all do vaginal exams on the women once they were anaesthetised - and no-one stopped him. That was back in the 80s, so I hope things are different now.

Longterm lurker on these threads, needing a breather from all the outside world madness.

Thought I'd comment for the first time to get some cheer as IRL my poor kitty cat stupidly swallowed a paracetamol tablet last night and is currently in vet hospital. I noticed immediately and rushed her there so needing some hot chocolate and a big comfort blanket to help. Just got an update there and she's doing okay, still on the drip and antidote fluids but they had her eating her food today (laced with charcoal) and it's helped.

My favourite hot chocolate is salted caramel. Some whipped cream and very dark and velvety. I always imagine being in a remote bothy up north somewhere being served by wildcats.

Also sorry to those having medical appointments today good luck and hope hot chocolate is waiting once over x

I hope your cat is OK, @INeedAPensieve - it must be a huge worry for you.

I do rather like the idea of a remote bothy, with wildcats to serve me - I am sure they could provide coffee and snacks, as well as caramel hot chocolate (which I would also adore, but which would send my diabetes monitor into a flat spin).

Hello @INeedAPensieve . I'm so sorry about your cat, but you got her to the vet in time. Come on PensieveKitty..rooting for you.

Just reminding everyone about the Bluestocking snug. It has panelled walls and a low ceiling so it's very cosy. Windows with deep window seats to curl up on. They overlook the meadow and the bend in the river where it's overhung with willows. When it's clear you can see Peak Woo, but not the zipwire or the funicular railway. There are shutters to use, if necessary, if it's noisy out. A log fire with toasting forks, blankets, squishy chairs, handy little tables and reading lamps. The wait gerbils are attentive, without being intrusive, and the service is exemplary. Not just food and drink but books, jigsaws, knitting or crotchet supplies. There's generally a cat or a quokka available for a snuggle or to keep your spot warm if you need to pop to the loo which is just down the hall. The dwarf pigs will pop in if someone fancies a warm footstool. Bar gerbil makes the best hot drinks, served in big curved mugs you can wrap your hands round, and always has handy supplies of marshmallows, crumpets and muffins for toasting over the fire. There's a wide selection of toppings. As well as butter there's jams, marmite, marmalades or sparp. The acoustics are unusual in that conversations can really only be heard by the women interested in them, otherwise all you hear is a gentle murmur, the crackle of the fire and, only occasionally and very faintly, the gulls arguing.

Autocorrupt changed murmur to murder, I'm almost sorry I caught that 😃

Glad to hear your cat is doing OK now.
Your remote-bothy/wildcat/hot chocolate fantasy is a lovely one, and shows our current ones up as very urban.
I'm not a cat person [nor any domestic animals at all] but I know a bit about cats, like SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius's who ignores the cat flap so as to oblige the Staff to open the front door for it, so I wonder how you're going to get wildcats to serve drinks???
Still, that's what the Bluestocking is for - reinventing reality!

If your bothy is in the far north, in Gaelic-speaking country, its name might be Na Stocaí Gorma

Aww thanks all for your kind kitty wishes! I'm glad the update from the vet has confirmed that her bloods are okay apart from a bit high sodium which they are monitoring closely. We reacted very quickly which I think has helped her. I've been warned the bill will be high so trying not to think about that right now...

And yes I realise in my bothy the wildcats would perhaps be getting served rather than being the servers! Perhaps maine coon server cats instead? I've never had anything other than rescue cats, all moggies, but I've always heard that Maine coons are very amenable cats.

Perhaps Na Stocai Gorma could be a holiday destination for the Bluestocking's members? You could all stay over with me on the way up, before we all head for the Highlands. I don't have any sparp to serve, but can manage most other delicacies, given notice. And dh makes a very good cup of coffee.

I can bring a selection of crocheted blankets, and quilts to keep us warm up in the bothy. One of my plans for this year was to do some (pieced paper) patchwork quilting - I have lots of fabric and 200 precut paper hexagons, but I have not actually managed to do any quilting - unlike my friend, who has made a double bed sized quilt with a massive thistlehead on it - she used a cross stitch pattern, and every stitch became a 5" square - it is absolutely amazing.

I am very good at buying craft supplies, but a lot less good at doing the crafts. I recently bought a kit to make myself a pink leather satchel, but am yet to get started on it. At least I've managed to finish ds 1's second sweater - all bar sewing in the zip, because I bought the wrong one, so I'm waiting for a delivery from Wool Warehouse (who should be listing me as a secondary location, because I have so much of their yarn). I've knitted Parsley's body, and was going to do more today, while dh was away, but he's here, so no Stealth Knitting is possible.

That sounds like a fabulous idea @SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius . Bluestocking pub and then holiday breakaway to the Na Stocai Gorma when needed. Roaring fire and sweeping mountains and loch views outside.

I'm like you except with art. I have all my oil paints sitting gathering dust and I have a painting to finish for my DC2's toddler room as he loves bears and am just not finding the time. Maybe over the Christmas break in between toilet training and over indulging on hot chocolate...

For those who prefer rolling hills and babbling streams, we could offer breaks at Yr Hosan Las.

Obviously Welsh cakes and bara brith would be an option with your hot chocolate. You can even get Welsh cakes with chocolate chips instead of dried grapes.

Meanwhile I may be rolling and babbling under the influence of too many Dead Aunts.

AI didn't know what a bothy was so, it stuck you outside, but at least you're wrapped up well.

I think cuddling the waiting staff is perfectly acceptable given the temperature!

Diolch yn fawr, @Chersfrozenface - that sounds like an excellent idea too. I could try out my Welsh on the local gerbils.

My favourite hot chocolate is salted caramel. Some whipped cream and very dark and velvety. I always imagine being in a remote bothy up north somewhere being served by wildcats.

I suspect being served that by any sort of cat would result you getting an empty mug, no chance at all of the cream making it to you.

Good update on Penseivekitty. Keep going furry one!

And the Bluestocking holidays sound wonderful. Will those buses take us there?

I'm liking the idea of the other locations, though I think the Bluestocking bothies and huts will perhaps need to be a bit warmer and less basic than the ones my DD seems to spend quite a lot of her weekends in nowadays.

I am sure AI can design us a luxury charabanc, @FuzzyPuffling - comfy, reclining seats, ample hot and cold beverages and snacks, some nice music on the stereo, and a driver who knows all the most scenic routes.

Definitely luxury bothies/huts, @ErrolTheDragon - I am well past the age of slumming it - I like my home comforts.

Not sure where this one will end up!

I've always wanted an excuse to charter a Routemaster!

Oh yes my bothy is definitely homey, not a cold shack. I'm thinking enough room for a fire, comfy bed and seats and spectacular views.

And thanks, PensieveKitty is hopefully going to pull through, the last update sounded positive. She's an indoor cat as she never fancied being outside despite being quite young (only 6) yet has somehow managed to almost kill herself whilst inside the house. I don't have pet insurance as she is an inside cat! So the bill will be presented by Thur... I think I will need lots of hot chocolate to cope...it's worth it for saving her though she is sweetest cat.

Also @Boiledbeetle that AI is perfect; hot chocolate exactly as imagined.

My nephew has one!

Just back from avoiding the building work at home. Lots going on here!

@SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius well done on doing your diabetic eye test & on avoiding the eye drops. My optician uses some which he warns 'may sting a bit'. He puts them in & I say, "Oh, it's alright, I can't feel anyth - OH MY GOD!!!!!"😂.

@FuzzyPuffling Good to hear your eye is doing well & the other op will be soon.

@INeedAPensieve Welcome & all good wishes for PensieveCat's full recovery (& a small bill).

@Boiledbeetle Aw lovey, such a long wait & then you get some idiot. It's just as well you had those millipedes in a bun for breakfast to sustain you. I rather wish you'd opened the consulting room door so the whole waiting room could hear you & shouted, "STOP TELLING ME ABOUT YOUR TESTICLES! I'VE TOLD YOU BEFORE, I'M NOT INTERESTED!" then walked out & slammed the door. Er, how did he bring the convo round to testicles, anwyay?

I can't remember who has BastardCat, but I loved reading about the blighter. In a similar vein, I was at a friend's house when one of her cats stood at the open patio door trying to insist that my friend had to open the back door to let her in.😹Didn't work.

Whoever wrote the decriptions upthread of this lovely place - wonderful!

What does he do with it? I need to know more!

This is CatBastard. His real name is Smudge, but his nickname is very appropriate.