The Bluestocking - Raiders of the Lost Sparp

[lcakethereforeIam]

Welcome everyone. Wipe your feet, it's been wet out.

Don't forget to namechange before posting if necessary.

I've been reading my WRN group's timeline of the march.

I wouldn't have gone even if I'd been well because my marching days are over and I appreciate my anonymity, but it was lovely to see the photos and comments.

Every year on publication day, my father's publishers used to send him the biggest bouquet of flowers in masculine colours.
That's the nearest I've been to a book launch!

I'm currently watching Harry Potter playing for Australia against England! He's just scored a try.

I'm wondering what 'masculine colours' are?
Deep red? Or tweedy heathery colours?
Or just no pink of mauve?

I'm currently planting things the garden, and I was out there today with the dogs. Batshit found a twig.

'A TWIG! Look, I have found a twig!' She ran about with it, chucked it in the air, tried to catch it, failed, couldn't find it without spinning around three times, found it, lost it again, I found it for her, she ran about again.

She came from wonderful working stock. I really don't know what happened.

Yes, deep red, lots of green, no girly pink!

Harry Potter lost. He scored Australia's only try though.

Does anyone know about jewellery? I don’t and I’m not into it usually, and haven’t been in the habit of wearing any, but I’m feeling upset about something.
I had Bear’s ashes put into a gold pendant casket from the funeral director. The pendant was £1600 and then I realised I needed a gold chain that was the right size.
I went to a good jeweller’s and the owner was lovely with me. She spent ages with me in a separate room and was so kind and thorough. I bought a gold chain and that was another £1800. She knew how important it was and wanted the right weight etc. She felt it should have a lobster clasp for security. I had to wait for it to arrive and it came mid September. I took it off tonight, before washing my hair, and when I went to put it back on again the clasp didn’t work. I can see that the spring has broken. Or come out position or something. I think all the parts are still there but there’s a very thin metal piece that looks like it’s come loose and so nothing is working.
I can’t have caused this by undoing it, can I. And surely it shouldn’t happen. Is it likely to be a fault? I’m a bit devastated and the jewellers doesn’t open on Mondays so I’ll have to wait until Tuesday. Also worried that it will have to be sent away and I want to wear it….😢. But mainly hoping they’ll concede it shouldn’t have happened and will fix it without question.

I know bog all about jewellery but, fwiw, my reckon is it should not have broken in such a short space of time. It should be fit for its purpose. I hope the jewellers do the right thing.

Thanks, Cake. I think that too. I’m also a little scared, it might happen again when I’m out walking the hound, and I won’t notice until it’s gone…

Perhaps the jeweller might fit a safety chain?

That was my first thought swashy.

i was wondering if you could have a chain that does not involve any type of clasp on it.

you have rights under the consumer rights act 2015 to have it repaired for free, not sure if you can reject it or not.

i think you might be better at an actual goldsmiths who make jewellery for advice.

You see, I’m sure she mentioned a safety chain when I ordered it, but it doesn’t have one. I’ll follow that up too, as I was all over the place at the time.

Thanks for that Hedgy.
I’m hoping she’ll be fine. It’s an old family jewellers with a good reputation. I’ll see how it goes on Tuesday…

Good luck xx

I don’t think I’ve ever had a clasp break even on cheap chains, this one must have been defective so they should replace it. If I was them I’d loan you a chain until yours is replaced or fixed.

Thanks, Errol. Good to know.
Defective is a good word; I’ve noted it 🙂

That must be very upsetting, Swash - I agree with the others who've said that the catch must've been defective and I'm sure they will fix it for you, no prob.
I know lobster clasps are very strong [when not defective!] but a screw clasp is very very secure, once the two halves have been screwed together, they can't come apart accidentally.
Good luck with sorting it out, I'm sure the jewellers will do so without quibbling.
They'd better or they'll have us to deal with😠 🙂

Edith - Batshit sounds delightful, your little scenario with the twig made me laugh our loud - but with Batshit, not at her, she seemed to be having so much fun with that twig. And so did you, and now so did we, reading about it.
Thank you Batshit Bringer of Joy

Swash, they should fix it without question, and yes, get a safety chain.

Marie, I'm glad Bathshit's batshittery brings you pleasure. She is definitely a slow learner, and quite neurotic, but also extremely affectionate and very easily pleased. And can sulk for Britain if she feels slighted or put-upon.

Brains knew what the world was all about by the time she was about 3 months old. Batshit... Nope, no idea, even now.

Thanks, Marie. I’m going to be using the word defective, for sure now 🙂.

Edith, something about your tone here relaxed me! A quiet, but factual, confidence. 🙂

No advice to add to everybody else's, Swashy, but a sympathetic hug. My first husband died almost 25 years ago now, but I still wear a ring which he gave me the year before he died on my right hand. I've been married to DH2 for 23 years now and I love him dearly, but DH1 was my first real love and the father of my children, so that's how I keep him always with me. DH2 is very understanding about that. I told him when we first got together that it was no disrespect or lack of love for him but that it was important to me.

❤️ @Britinme

That's lovely, Britinme - that's great understanding and respect from DH2.

Swashy, Brit and anyone else, I am going to an All Souls service this afternoon, and if you would like me to, I will send up prayers for your loved and lost ones.

Thank you for sharing your prayers, Fuzzy, I know what they mean to you and appreciate the thought💙

I remember this prayer from my childhood:
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen

That is one of the prayers I say every morning and evening. Also if someone long gone comes into my mind for no obvious reason I say it for them.

We had a our All Souls readings in at the vigil mass last evening - there will also be a memorial mass for everyone in or connected to the parish who died during the year later in the month, and prayers and blessing of the graves in each of the graveyards. I think its good to have a time set aside to remember those who have left.

I was thinking of you and Bear, Swash, I know it's very tough going still.