The Bluestocking, where Maud reigns supreme...

[ifIwerenotanandroid]

... & Magpie regularly drains the hot chocolate bowser.

If you understand that, or you're just cool with it, come on in & bagsie a chair by the fire.

Previous thread: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/5410054-the-bluestocking-the-one-where-the-nights-start-to-draw-in?page=1

Still waiting.

I think I may have to wait till morning rounds before a bed becomes available.

The stoicism comes from accepting this is the situation and being anything except patient and kind means I will feel rude. It doesn't matter if I'm happy or sad, the outcome is the same, so I'd rather be happy and try to enjoy the time.

The staff are doing their best. They're not deliberately denying me a bed and plenty of other people are rude or impatient. A very good friend of mine sadly died in hospital about 12 years ago. I was fortunate to be by his side as he died. The following day the doctor called me and said that my friend had been unfailingly polite and kind, despite being on the verge of death. I often think of that and try to emulate him.

I have interesting companions. A very grumpy older gentleman with memory issues and an infection also waiting for a bed. His wife is patient but has realised he needs a diagnosis. We've agreed to just say he'll be moved to a ward soon, but he asks a lot. And asks about the car and where it's parked and says he doesn't like this trip and when is he going to hospital. Every five minutes. It's very wearing for her. So I'm supporting her to get some rest once he goes into the ward age to come back only once she has slept and had some time to herself.

An older lady is also anxious to be in bed, but when I adjusted her blanket she gave me a warm smile, so I think she just wants to go to sleep in a bed.

A mother and son in for different reasons coincidentally. She is about to go home, he needs to stay in. When he got here and saw his stepdad he was wondering how his stepdad knew he was going to be in hospital.

The stoicism comes from accepting this is the situation and being anything except patient and kind means I will feel rude. It doesn't matter if I'm happy or sad, the outcome is the same, so I'd rather be happy and try to enjoy the time.

The staff are doing their best. They're not deliberately denying me a bed ...

I’m pleased you are able to feel like this, @MyrtleLion . It’s generous and good-hearted of you to write as you do about your companions.

Right, having thought I was robust enough to cope with FWR threads I am out. Will pop in here for the odd tunnocks and a quiet drink in the corner behind the bar.

I draw the line when people suggest that neuroplasticity means that kids can grow out of autism but that they can’t grow out of trans identifying.

I will write a lovely gruesome murder scene later and lay out the pieces of my book nook kit. Might need to clean my glasses first though

You’re very wise to make the best of it, Myrtle. Have you got a bed yet? Any food or drink?

Sending a huge hug @MyrtleLion

Hope they have found a bed for you now in a quiet ward (do those exist?).

I could watch those hugging monkeys all day, Cautious - I think maybe you were nicknamed Lurky, but I'm not sure? Which would you prefer?

Myrtle, you are showing not just stoicism, which is passive, but wisdom and humanity, which are active💙

It is very wise to accept your surroundings and your 'companions' because you're stuck with them for now, and keeping as calm as you can is good for you physically as well as emotionally.

But you are showing you have immense stores of patience and resilience and caring for others, and that's so admirable.

They say 'Virtue is its own reward' but it would be better if in this case your virtue was rewarded with a bed and all the care you need to turn this problem around and get walking around on all four paws again very soon.

@MarieDeGournay thank you… think I’m trying to move away from being overly ‘cautious’ so Lurky may be more apt. Esp as I plan to try and only lurk not post in FWR for a bit. I learn so much there from the clever, thoroughly educated ladies who are so artful in the way they construct an argument/defence. I am much better at discussing these issues IRL now as I am more able to take a breath, take the emotion out of it, and reply with facts. I might have lost it a bit on that last post though 🤣

Fortunately I have a packet of Hotel Chocolat granduja chocs in lieu of tunnocks!

Lurky I'm one of those irritating people who read stuff in FWR but rarely comment. But I learn a great deal.

Good morning to everyone & sending good vibes to Myrtle: here's hoping everything goes well for you today. 💙

Lurky, you made me look up my old HC fave: Cherry Griotte. Mmmm...

My computer tells me it’s Squirrel awareness month. Why do they get a whole month? Is anyone not aware of them in autumn when they’re scurrying around burying acorns etc?

Just leaving this here for @MarieDeGournay

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seit%C5%8D_(magazine)

having left her a breadcrumb at 05/10/2025 13:31.

How do squirrels get a whole month??

@CautiousLurker01 - I am a bit of a lurker too, though I do post on FWR from time to time. I definitely lurk more than posting on FB - cowardly of me, I’m afraid.

The Hotel Chocolat chocolates sound delicious.

@MyrtleLion - I would have loved to have you as my patient when I was nursing - you are a star. I hope you get a bed soon, and can get some decent rest.

I’ve just figured it out - they steal the other 30 days from the birds.

so the rest of this month we should have:
goldfinch day
greenfinch day
chaffinch day
bluetit day
great tit day
long tailed tit day
coaltit day
house sparrow day
tree sparrow day
dunnock day
blackbird day
robin day
woodpigeon day
collared dove day
woodpecker day
nuthatch day
jay day
magpie day
starling day

…that’s a start. Obviously only birds which eat from, or under, bird feeders - afaik squirrels don’t steal from puffins.

Oh, God, squirrels, never hire them to do your PR. Don't be FifeNHS

@ErrolTheDragon do you count as a sort of bird, do you think?

No, reptilian, and I don’t eat from or around the bird feeder. If I was actually Errol the Dragon of Discworld fame, I’d be more likely to eat the bird feeder itself tbh.

Oh wow this is a wonderful find, thank you v much Android!
I've only glanced at the Wiki page, when I have time later I'll sit down and give it proper attention, it's something I knew nothing about until now, and I love that there are so many things yet to be discovered.
And not infrequently discovered thanks to a steer by a Stockinger, like this one
Unfortunately I have to go and do boring house-y stuff now, I've put it off for as long as I can, I even googled synonyms for 'procrastination' at one point as I felt it had gone past procrastination, as I've been meaning to phone the builders since 9am...
deferring? postponing? shilly-shallying? is that worse than dilly-dallying?😄

Oh, builders are terrifying. Qapla' ! (& how about 'displacement activity'? I do a lot of that)

Hope things are improving at the hospital @MyrtleLion I like pragmatism as a philosophy. Is it a philosophy?

Or HR either.
This is an actual literally authentic scene from an NHSFife job interview.
Not😄It's from Green Wing.

It’s not stonewalling, at any rate, that’s specifically Stalling or delaying especially by refusing to answer questions or cooperate

I am currently knitting a suffragette scarf and ignoring a pile of ironing.

As you all know, this is an example of procraftinating.

A friend of mine is a big fan of procrastibaking.