The Bluestocking: it's the season of mulled wine, conversations about pineapple and, of course, gerbils. Confused? You will be...

[EdithStourton]

Welcome to the anarchic and marvellous women-only on-line pub, the Bluestocking. The booze won't give you a hangover, the cakes won't make you fat, and the conversations are fascinating, covering knitting, health and safety, the Muppets and anything else that comes to mind.

Climb Peak Woo, have a cuddle with Rosie the Red Panda, and watch out for capybaras busy with any necessary building works.

Welcome in (and name change at the door if you need too).

Could you ask Gosie that now she knows they are working to turn them off again for five minutes so we can get our cameras ready?

Beautiful. Just Beautiful.

I see now why Maud was hiding out on the sofa. She's rather embarrassed at being atop the tree.

What a lovely tree. Well done Gosie for switching on the lights, and congratulations to all the gerbils who decorated it!

And NO! That's not me on the bottom right dressed as a Christmas tree having a fag as we are outside.

But could someone get a fire extinguisher.

Quickly.

Never fear, Boily, Magpie is here!

You beat me to it!
Phew.

Well done, Gosie. A little quick, perhaps; I’d settled myself down for a bit of a speech.

Rosie is crying in the far corner of the pub. She's feeling very neglected in favour of LOUD and LAIRY gerbils.

I'm giving her a special hot chocolate, a hug, and a new branch to lie on. I might need to wrap some fairy lights round it that she can switch on and off as she pleases.

Well officially only the outside lights have had their switch on. The gerbils are still putting up the inside ones so Rosie can do the official turn on for them tomorrow is she wants to.

Oh, I do hope that cheers Rosie up, Fuzzy.

Rosy is a darling and of course she must do the inside lights ceremony, and give a little speech

I was inspired by Boily to take some stuff to the electrical recycling centre today, instead of continuing to drive around in a car full of dead microwaves and kettles, and there was a cat there just like my own Rosy. An honoured resident judging by the dishes for food and water and the total 'I own this place' confidence.

She's very honoured to be asked, and, as you can see, has cheered up a great deal. She never stays sad for long, or sulks.

I agree about the speech. I wanted to say the same, but hung back due to not wanting to put any pressure on her. I’m glad you’ve suggested it and I hope she feels she can rise to the important occasion.

That’s wonderful news, Fuzzy!

I've just found a draft of Rosie's speech. She needs to lay off the AI a bit...

Good evening, everyone! I must confess, unaccustomed as I am to public speaking, I truly have to pinch myself that I get to stand here tonight. I am utterly and truly humbled and honored to see so many familiar faces out in force, and I want to say, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for making the time.
We've been through a real rollercoaster ride this year, navigating what have truly been challenging, unprecedented times. But tonight, we can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel as we turn a new page together.
This beautiful evening is more than just a ceremony; it’s a moment for deep and meaningful reflection. It reminds us all of the true meaning of this festive season: it’s about community, it’s about hope, and it’s about digging deep. This spectacular display is only the tip of the iceberg, a shining example of what we can achieve when we pull together and stand shoulder to shoulder.
I want to thank the organizing committee, who are, last but certainly not least, the unsung heroes of this community. They've given 110% and have truly gone the extra mile.
But now, the time has come for the moment we’ve all been waiting for! So, without further ado, let’s make some noise, flick the switch, and send a message around the world!
Merry Christmas to one and all, and God bless this wonderful pub! Now, let there be light!

Amusing item of research on the news today (one of those projects you wonder how they got funding tbh) about how cats interact with men and women. Turns out they miaow more and louder at men, the theory being that men are insufficiently attentive to them. Basically, cats have learned to nag them😂

She's writing it now. Which.is hard with fat, furry paws. So far it reads...

Derr wonek fteifs, I em do hsppu ti squish on ths lughs on vegaf of ell the kitto annihuls ib tu Bleesturkin.

I'm not sure its going well.

Idk about AI, has the Staunch Ally been hosting corporate events? Or did she think this thread was a ‘how to manual?
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5453833-people-who-talk-corporate-should-not-be-listened-to-should-they?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=app_share

Gosie is quite competitive.
Some of you may remember her finding a dictionary so she could trounce Geraldine at Scrabble.

I've been to enough committee meetings to be able to look alert during tedious necessary speeches.

Hear, hear, Rosie!
<I've no idea what she said>

I'm glad to have been of service.

I was very relieved today to get rid of the slow cooker (plus a knackered frying pan, 2 dried up glue sticks and a melted microwave thingy - task for the day complete and straight in the holds all rubbish of any type bin) that I hate as the control panel melted last night.

I have two more slow cookers in the cupboard. And a new frying pan somewhere in the kitchen. Four new microwave thingies in the drawer wotsit and about ten more glue sticks so I won't even notice!

Can someone tell my cat he's got a female owner?

I'd forgotten Gosie was the scrabble/dictionary gerbil

There are warmed mince pies, and mulled stuff on the bar. Balrog kept the firework display short so the flying squirrels could get off to bed. They've really packed on the weight for hibernation so they're more waddling squirrels.

Hello everyone, just dashed in to thank you all for the warm welcome messages and to see what is happening in the Bluestocking tonight. I've had a very busy day, culminating in a volunteer session on the Christmas Lights event at my local stately home. Despite wearing two thermal vests, tights as well as socks under my cords and several layers of jumper, fleece and coat, the cold eventually got to me, so a mug of hot chocolate would be lovely, if there is a gerbil around please?

I see you've all been busy too and I'm sorry I missed the Christmas Lights switch on, the tree looks grand. Love the knitted items Myrtle, but what a shame for your poor cashmere jumper. I do hope your interview goes well.

Aah, I'm finally starting to thaw out, starting at my nose and working down. I may just doze off in this nice warm corner for a while....