The Bluestocking - where the laugh emoji is sorely missed.

[MyrtleLion]

Welcome to the Bluestocking Arms!

The company is always sparkling, the drinks are always sublime, and the cakes are mysteriously free from gluten, sugar, calories, and troublesome booze… not that you’d ever notice. 😏

Our enthusiastic team of gerbil waitstaff is ably supported by capybaras, quokkas, and other charming creatures who excel at their jobs while looking outrageously adorable.

You will find many things to laugh at - usually out loud - so take care not to spit out your tea. We are considering a petition for the return of the laugh emoji - just as soon as the AI gerbils learn how to spell.

New Bluestockingers are always welcome. Men can pop along to The Staunch Ally nearby.

Currently also knitting a Woolly Hug blanket for Bluestockinger Swashbuckled. Details here if you can knit or crochet a square before the 18 July.

www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5350941-woolly-hugs-desperately-sad-news-we-are-afraid-making-a-blanket-for-lovely-swashbuckled-whose-son-has-tragically-died

@MarieDeGournay oh WOW!

It's stunning.

I'm moving in.

💙

The graffiti was definitely not me.

See, my handwriting is different

@BoiledbeetleI saw this online shop and thought of you.

www.gilliankyle.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawK-R15leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHmrcZvD2QKedPdjxSAngKHMMo0YZ3TuGQBoQeq-ZUbXQ2fLyBg6YPn4dMLmG_aem_kRSkYjnTiPfBYYIu_M1b9g&utm_medium=paid&utm_source=fb&utm_id=6647120711187_v2_s03&utm_content=6661283629987&utm_term=6647120710787&utm_campaign=6647120711187

Sorry for the horrible link, but check out all the lovely Tunnocks things!

I actually have one of these- a Tunnocks tea towel.
It was a wedding present many years ago and is a nod to my Scottish DH. Who isn't keen on Tunnocks, hates Irn Bru and never wears a kilt!

But does he do the drying-up?

I have been very intrrigued by all the AI pictures on this thread, so I asked AI for a picture of a steppemum, and this is what it came up with. Not bad. My name comes from having lived in a yurty place, so it is pretty close!

(only problem is I am about 2x as old and my kids are all grown up, but close enough)

What?? Images under review?? I have been a member of mn for a full 22 years, I'm feeling distinctly huffy and flouncy.

the review process is inclusive. Probably just as well, at some point these AIs are going to come up with an optical illusion which looks like innocent gerbils when looked at one way and something unspeakable when looked at another.

I've long been impressed by the fact your name is accurate! How did you come to be living on the steppes?

We were there working with a charity. 8 years and would have stayed longer but had to come back for medical stuff for youngest dd. I've kept my name through it all, on the basis that I don't give anything away on here, at least nothing that would matter for a scam etc. It is pretty easy to work out where I live. and if you tracked me to RL I wouldn't say anything different!

I have nothing to hide!
I quite like the fact that people mistake it for Stepmum, I think it is a little moral support for stepmums who get a bad press on here, but who do a tough job.

now, on the steppe, we had wild tortoises and prairie dogs (at least I think that is what they were called. Look remarkably like Capybaras...

Just googled them and they are called Bobak Marmots, bigger and fatter than prairie dogs. I often wondered what they did in winter, as it is a long, long cold time, and everything is covered in snow.
I wonder if there is space for a marmot in the Bluestocking.

Yes, and the washing up, cleaning, cooking, cat feeding, shopping, tea and coffee making....

I often wonder about people's usernames - mine was 'something that nobody else will have thought of', and I wish I had picked the name of an animal so I could be more cute in Bluestocking images
But yours is actually what it is, it really is steppe as in steppe! Wow.

I think there HAS to be a place in the Bluestocking for something called a 'Bobak Marmot'. If only I'd heard of Bobak marmots when I was picking my username😒

RumNotRun - is that one of those name changes which has caused me to bound up to an apparent newcomer and say 'Hello! You're new here! You're so welcome to the Bluestocking!' - only to find out that they've been regulars since long before I ever turned up, but have changed their name - embarrassing
So a tentative welcome..

Definitely. I’m trying to think if there are any animals unwelcome here (albeit some are asked to stay outside)?

Ah, I didn’t even notice the new name @RumNotRun above that link. Must be someone who has been here awhile, whether sitting quietly in the snug till now or not?

Another booknook arrived today, so I have three to do. One is special and not so fiddly so I'm keeping ot to do on my lap when my ankle is in plaster.

The other two look lovely, but I can't compete with The Bluestocking created by @MarieDeGournay , which is all handmade and mine is precut etc.

Also I have been knitting and have managed to produce a square!

@ErrolTheDragonand @MarieDeGournayI've been on the FWR boards a bit, mainly reading but I have contributed once or twice. I remember Boiled's Tunnocks obsession from threads like the Ascot uni one and the grimaults (?), but I don't think I've come to the Bluestockings before.

So lovely to see you here! Welcome gerbils will be along to take an order. I thought you might enjoy the garden in this weather.

Hiya rumnotrun

I assume you mean the Aston university.

Hello! I’ve been working on Woolly Hug squares, it’s lovely yarn to crochet with. Your knitted one looks good Myrtle

It is apparently World Crocodile Day today. I suspect many of our small and furry friends may be less keen on having a crocodile around, even if it's a committed vegetarian.

I think it's cool that dinosaurs still exist, but I wouldn't want to get too close to one.

My esteemed cousin Sionnach Artach says much the same about polar bears.

😂

Love the Bluestocking, Marie - I'm just catching up.

I have done half a square so far, should have more time tomorrow. Congrats on yours Myrtle.

I went to a committee meeting last night. Sense did eventually prevail, but only after 40 minutes of going round the houses, during which I began writing 'kill me now' on my agenda.

As I left I messaged DH requesting a large gin when I got home.

I do like a Tunnock's me!

Obsession though?

Alas, yes! That portrayal is unfortunately accurate.