tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83559393829490517142024-03-19T04:59:41.392+00:00Trundling through lifeFrugally challengedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222391810215537820noreply@blogger.comBlogger817125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355939382949051714.post-43943448029147028232024-01-22T19:58:00.000+00:002024-01-22T19:58:05.509+00:00F is for Fitness - or not!<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Often in the winter I struggle with the blues but
that hasn't really been so this year. 'Orrible inertia, yes. The blues, no. What I have struggled with is
physical fitness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAJ881UKWAP2tKs0ah3nZSZpjAAcIJ62c1DI0eSnwy09sDfdS8jT9ob7MgMUF-SRXewr9shxZlb_jUcQYWGDAGfjLD1deXVq42Ws8W75V9vQ33Cuo7UJT65wOJ_M1UnrcN_WkRiKukaLVcr3Yjf2bxMAMguxz23PQtm5GohoysszRJkdOIQv-Togjru8/s537/Exhaustion%20001.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="436" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAJ881UKWAP2tKs0ah3nZSZpjAAcIJ62c1DI0eSnwy09sDfdS8jT9ob7MgMUF-SRXewr9shxZlb_jUcQYWGDAGfjLD1deXVq42Ws8W75V9vQ33Cuo7UJT65wOJ_M1UnrcN_WkRiKukaLVcr3Yjf2bxMAMguxz23PQtm5GohoysszRJkdOIQv-Togjru8/w325-h400/Exhaustion%20001.jpg" width="325" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">At the beginning of the year, I
was walking around the block most days but alas! no more. This year the
cold has affected me more than I can ever remember. If I get cold, I take
several hours to get warm no matter what I do.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">And the cold has affected my
joints. The <a href="https://trundlingthroughlife.blogspot.com/2024/01/b-is-for-batmobile.html" target="_blank">batmobile</a> looks very tempting at the moment! On good
days I get around the house unaided but I've needed my stick a few times
recently.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">But, all that is better than the winter blues! I'm happy to phone friends, zoom a bit, sort my stuff and be cheerful. I'm making myself get out of the chair a couple of times each hour and Fitbit tells me I'm doing around 2000 steps on the better days. I'm cooking. I led worship yesterday. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">I may not be fit (to be honest, I'm definitely not fit) but life looks pretty good.</span></p><br /><p></p>Frugally challengedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222391810215537820noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355939382949051714.post-63974368844245357582024-01-19T14:04:00.000+00:002024-01-19T14:04:02.549+00:00E is for Energy Gap<p></p><p><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-yoTD6v4SiI16ngp51Rac296JRGcj-g8vS-ucfKUBOi8ZTbzYmDm0FWhKSYfY4IFyzm19TmV0xgZjqbka9OWqJluLxAzUQwfhSV4hx2TFK4aQOdsOAg9LFBGAD8_Hca1NKd7NenElPrunI6V3yxkmOaMblkfHugQgq-SsTDwcJdcjcbtJivptvL3OPMg/s800/Tired%20woman%20001.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="800" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-yoTD6v4SiI16ngp51Rac296JRGcj-g8vS-ucfKUBOi8ZTbzYmDm0FWhKSYfY4IFyzm19TmV0xgZjqbka9OWqJluLxAzUQwfhSV4hx2TFK4aQOdsOAg9LFBGAD8_Hca1NKd7NenElPrunI6V3yxkmOaMblkfHugQgq-SsTDwcJdcjcbtJivptvL3OPMg/w640-h532/Tired%20woman%20001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I googled "energy
gap" looking for the old advert about snacks to get you through (can't remember which snack!)
but was surprised to find that energy gap a "thing" in physics! I never was much
of a scientist.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">What I am is a woman who is in her personal energy gap today! I feel as though I have been busy this
week. I've visited a couple of friends who are ill or have been in
hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> I've led on-line
worship. I've been to a new sewing group. I've sorted a new bank
account. I've done a day of doggy day care. Come to that, this is
my fourth blog post of the week!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">And I've hit my personal energy
gap. No oomph. No mojo. My get-up-and-go has got-up-and-gone.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I feel OK with that.
There's nothing spoiling. Everything can wait until tomorrow. I
need to give myself a little TLC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soup
from the freezer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A nap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe paint my nails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or maybe not.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">How do you deal with energy gaps?
<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p></p>Frugally challengedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222391810215537820noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355939382949051714.post-4219869355543262732024-01-17T14:45:00.000+00:002024-01-17T14:45:47.562+00:00D is for Ducks<p> </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZrQdeiDw7mu8sx1e00uQBPk7lI_-iJ-a-uHh3svVpCjdh2sgpwFE7G0Wz4r9nJ_jTxWlgvZ3Ln91LquRZixl3KkRPyLEmuyXm-hISAfnDsV8-C0fXBuQ9nm5gszjKtnoyXOHyrL8amt_Ptcl6Ayt8X_S6I6pR7TocZDj7axdK7dhy1gVh7WhqwuLdAM/s365/Mallard%20001.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="262" data-original-width="365" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZrQdeiDw7mu8sx1e00uQBPk7lI_-iJ-a-uHh3svVpCjdh2sgpwFE7G0Wz4r9nJ_jTxWlgvZ3Ln91LquRZixl3KkRPyLEmuyXm-hISAfnDsV8-C0fXBuQ9nm5gszjKtnoyXOHyrL8amt_Ptcl6Ayt8X_S6I6pR7TocZDj7axdK7dhy1gVh7WhqwuLdAM/w640-h460/Mallard%20001.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mallard</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZrQdeiDw7mu8sx1e00uQBPk7lI_-iJ-a-uHh3svVpCjdh2sgpwFE7G0Wz4r9nJ_jTxWlgvZ3Ln91LquRZixl3KkRPyLEmuyXm-hISAfnDsV8-C0fXBuQ9nm5gszjKtnoyXOHyrL8amt_Ptcl6Ayt8X_S6I6pR7TocZDj7axdK7dhy1gVh7WhqwuLdAM/s365/Mallard%20001.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZrQdeiDw7mu8sx1e00uQBPk7lI_-iJ-a-uHh3svVpCjdh2sgpwFE7G0Wz4r9nJ_jTxWlgvZ3Ln91LquRZixl3KkRPyLEmuyXm-hISAfnDsV8-C0fXBuQ9nm5gszjKtnoyXOHyrL8amt_Ptcl6Ayt8X_S6I6pR7TocZDj7axdK7dhy1gVh7WhqwuLdAM/s365/Mallard%20001.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: right;">Not the sort that floats.</div></span><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XpU03Eebg4a2hVMPn4LVvHxoggecOfK15SfIOYeQ6tQXyj7UAF2Enld5pEzW1yHQVCZuwSU8l2wmJXLLz8sthXcSs9FXBMLFxJgLkQF7GIBtN67DwSaLyNNdzLi8WJH64pNFwQS1yShratsN8WStYqL38YiBeeGFVsEwb3R1_xh7kVrVy1hsI45w-Qs/s537/Bombay%20duck%20002.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="289" data-original-width="537" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XpU03Eebg4a2hVMPn4LVvHxoggecOfK15SfIOYeQ6tQXyj7UAF2Enld5pEzW1yHQVCZuwSU8l2wmJXLLz8sthXcSs9FXBMLFxJgLkQF7GIBtN67DwSaLyNNdzLi8WJH64pNFwQS1yShratsN8WStYqL38YiBeeGFVsEwb3R1_xh7kVrVy1hsI45w-Qs/w640-h344/Bombay%20duck%20002.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bombay duck<br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Nor the sort that swims. </span></p><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2l2gV-aCWWK7CEbjKsS0Ht-enTVg4BPZtOlyGdN3jmA2ODBmijEUsjWGE5Z4nXTcbg6CRZc7HqdsB4uExUQHqffcoTBt2PRqc9zUOukADmpPJ6n-oiITq8jBkrvF9KCavsrTL4f3hj4eIudlKs5RXOKwJt5OllmnnFXJLFH6_pXpTkuFXdShTKAneABk/s402/Savoury%20duck%20001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="304" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2l2gV-aCWWK7CEbjKsS0Ht-enTVg4BPZtOlyGdN3jmA2ODBmijEUsjWGE5Z4nXTcbg6CRZc7HqdsB4uExUQHqffcoTBt2PRqc9zUOukADmpPJ6n-oiITq8jBkrvF9KCavsrTL4f3hj4eIudlKs5RXOKwJt5OllmnnFXJLFH6_pXpTkuFXdShTKAneABk/w485-h640/Savoury%20duck%20001.jpg" width="485" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Savoury ducks</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;">But these. <br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;">Savoury ducks are real country food. They are called faggots in many parts of the country. I used to buy frozen faggots until I read their ingredients list! From now on, it's homemade only.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Lincolnshire has a strong tradition of pork-based dishes. When I was a little girl one of my favourite meals after the pig had been butchered, was pig's fry. There would also be haslet, stuffed chine, "scraps" as well as more recognisable pork recipes. Our sausages are wonderful but the items labelled "Lincolnshire sausage" or (even worse, "Vegetarian Lincolnshire sausage"!) bear little resemblance to the offerings made by my grandmother or, indeed, by local butchers today.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Good, old fashioned food. Local specialities. Can't beat them. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Ducks are made of pork, pork liver. bacon, onions and breadcrumbs with lots of herby seasoning and baked. I then make a rich onion gravy and cook them a second time in the gravy before serving them with carrots, potatoes, cabbage - the vegetables which grandad grew.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">A feast fit for a King!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>Frugally challengedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222391810215537820noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355939382949051714.post-15523634218785623182024-01-16T05:07:00.001+00:002024-01-16T05:16:28.887+00:00C is for Cranford<p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Anybody else love theTV adaptations of the classics? I find that a good drama series really inspires me to read or, more likely, listen to, the original book. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQJyXXv682ivZkUtu6lZeA8539wSDYHzNtuIU1QJHes_ybdkErWyyD8HGUWVhuSLrv9mYhlOrD0sEOQlUpDQoqr3FOG28T02jStH26oKBd5KyAGzJCkZnsDS1EtvYg-QYn3qXIpjABQ-UkjEGqxNmlIZuun-j58dZCXn5hSRxStO-_AK-IuAvjOUZYWg/s423/Cranfor%20002.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="297" data-original-width="423" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQJyXXv682ivZkUtu6lZeA8539wSDYHzNtuIU1QJHes_ybdkErWyyD8HGUWVhuSLrv9mYhlOrD0sEOQlUpDQoqr3FOG28T02jStH26oKBd5KyAGzJCkZnsDS1EtvYg-QYn3qXIpjABQ-UkjEGqxNmlIZuun-j58dZCXn5hSRxStO-_AK-IuAvjOUZYWg/w640-h450/Cranfor%20002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Over the years I've read The Forsyte Saga, Nicholas Nickleby, Vanity Fair and many, many more. Until they are brought to life on the small screen so many classics look too boring to leap onto my reading list </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I loved the TV adaptation of Cranford and rewatched it recently. With a cast including Judi Dench, Imelda Staunton and Julia MacKenzie, it was bound to be good! I got an audiobook read by Prunella Scales and it is now my bedtime favourite.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">But I can hardly believe how different the TV series and the book are. The televised version is actually a conflation of three books: Cranford, My Lady Ludlow and Mr Harrison's Confessions.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Mrs Gaskell's "Cranford" has no real plot. It was written as a series of short pieces about some spinsters and widows who work very hard to keep up an appearance of "gentility". It's about a changing society and strong aversion to change. Threats to the established order must be fiercely resisted - and they are! The lack of a plot doesn't matter: what I enjoyed is the insights into mid-Victorian provincial life.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Have you been inspired by classical adaptations?</span></p>Frugally challengedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222391810215537820noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355939382949051714.post-52844382208470611862024-01-14T05:17:00.001+00:002024-01-14T05:32:52.639+00:00Precious things<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMW4dcUzm8Z9sFte3DQ-LnB7II6Cx55TIiOpYr2I6tqCcOgg3BThDDDvxtVLGQjMt0_Rs7ZWIdO6uicjWCTA_SSWWUv8TAxGgjnV_vcGEabvMIw25YSSauTKmJ42vj8_F4GFEHZw3dt59XWx8DIPivdYkWiz7ME2onXkwDTGMusz-YXQbmzn0S4Ct9zMo/s4032/240113%20green%20purse.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMW4dcUzm8Z9sFte3DQ-LnB7II6Cx55TIiOpYr2I6tqCcOgg3BThDDDvxtVLGQjMt0_Rs7ZWIdO6uicjWCTA_SSWWUv8TAxGgjnV_vcGEabvMIw25YSSauTKmJ42vj8_F4GFEHZw3dt59XWx8DIPivdYkWiz7ME2onXkwDTGMusz-YXQbmzn0S4Ct9zMo/s320/240113%20green%20purse.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">I've been sorting some of my paperwork and that's no small task! Some things need lengthy attention, some are very easy just to sling in the bin. Some can be scanned and stored digitally but for some things, the paper they are written on is so precious that I will never throw them away. </span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="text-align: justify;">I found this little purse, green but very clumsily sewn in yellow thread, and it was in my memory box. I remember my Mother putting a few coins for the cloakroom in it and tucking it in her bag each time she went out in evening dress. It might not look very special to you, but it was the first present I made for Mummy after I started school. </span><span style="text-align: justify;">It was only after she died that I looked inside it and there I found this little note, written on a tatty piece of paper but so dear to her that she kept it for fifty years until she died eighteen years ago. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_d1b5qaCoNmh_FUDS0rQCqJV1WP0BgYjoW8j0JCDszKs_Z62EH11YygwRNq1CpyhIDTxoQEgEquO03MBsOeuW0qfPdjtzyG01FXo8Vwa-wcRFTQCprUnefVjXarpcW5FKK4ZmzaGREte3TRKWCyW5L6UbqFZxkOmNqzXFEO01kCLfUUj9ekq5rGpZHU0/s1584/240113%20To%20Mummy%20with%20love%20from%20Mary.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="1584" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_d1b5qaCoNmh_FUDS0rQCqJV1WP0BgYjoW8j0JCDszKs_Z62EH11YygwRNq1CpyhIDTxoQEgEquO03MBsOeuW0qfPdjtzyG01FXo8Vwa-wcRFTQCprUnefVjXarpcW5FKK4ZmzaGREte3TRKWCyW5L6UbqFZxkOmNqzXFEO01kCLfUUj9ekq5rGpZHU0/w640-h160/240113%20To%20Mummy%20with%20love%20from%20Mary.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">As I go through my possessions it's wonderful to find things like this. It makes me so grateful for a secure, loving childhood. And it moves me to pray and thank God for the love and kindness which I have received throughout my life. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I hope you have many little things which move you to prayer too.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Frugally challengedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222391810215537820noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355939382949051714.post-86517869699913288912024-01-13T06:58:00.000+00:002024-01-13T06:58:15.826+00:00B is for Batmobile<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7RzGSLxD3ZfuAI4418IOyPSk7dJDy32SQzCUMmntFFh_4dsK5K5eudP6a2SBwPNsCOERETEKC_Xp8kpgP2bL8AqbD_OrF8bgwB2T5qWhXuqtZx0GIsnbMeuk6yEFpRYLyC1AI4IY_6nopEtbk3tnmN7Pejh8fV3GNS4CuK0fdWtQtEqkTxnPVsJmth4/s334/Batmobile%20001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="334" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7RzGSLxD3ZfuAI4418IOyPSk7dJDy32SQzCUMmntFFh_4dsK5K5eudP6a2SBwPNsCOERETEKC_Xp8kpgP2bL8AqbD_OrF8bgwB2T5qWhXuqtZx0GIsnbMeuk6yEFpRYLyC1AI4IY_6nopEtbk3tnmN7Pejh8fV3GNS4CuK0fdWtQtEqkTxnPVsJmth4/w640-h414/Batmobile%20001.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">No, not that Batmobile!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TVT2CyzzCoKRDumgNPkbBSkuIM8Wb-Kf9sP9lXIs5ZaPQq3ZS9RmJ56-qet_mZ4tsOyBAii1Sg4WCtw6w6Qygcx8e99WTrA68_6qgs0uVLvKfDKV4Ra__g8qoJh-3g2W-gMWnUh66zor8ac-jvFLsEl619oNe_ZLQUkaCbJnaPL-c7pRN7P7QVd4zVw/s4032/240110%20batmobile.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TVT2CyzzCoKRDumgNPkbBSkuIM8Wb-Kf9sP9lXIs5ZaPQq3ZS9RmJ56-qet_mZ4tsOyBAii1Sg4WCtw6w6Qygcx8e99WTrA68_6qgs0uVLvKfDKV4Ra__g8qoJh-3g2W-gMWnUh66zor8ac-jvFLsEl619oNe_ZLQUkaCbJnaPL-c7pRN7P7QVd4zVw/w480-h640/240110%20batmobile.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This Batmobile!<br /></span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">When this
three-wheeled rollator entered my life I thought it looked as though there was
a bat hanging from the frame so, inevitably, the contraption became Mary's
Batmobile.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 13.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">So much language
surrounding disability is boring and/or condescending. "Mobility
scooter" sounds very dull, even though many children would love to whizz
around on one. <span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1419;">There was once a rumour that the late Professor Stephen Hawking would deliberately run over people’s toes, including the pedal extremities of the (then) Prince of Wales. When asked about it he said it was a "malicious rumour" and he'd "run over anyone who repeats it".</span> I don’t toe squash deliberately, but I call my scooter my trundle truck which seems to suit it. TT's can be fun!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 13.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1419;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">My Batmobile is purely for indoor use when I am
feeling more than usually decrepit, so few people have ever seen me use it. The black thing is a bag which usually
contains my flask. Which contains
coffee. Honest!</span></span><span style="font-size: 22pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p><br /></p><p></p>Frugally challengedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222391810215537820noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355939382949051714.post-39375131220793269302024-01-12T12:57:00.001+00:002024-01-12T12:57:45.573+00:00SO COOL!<p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I am not much of a one for pimping and preening. When everyone else was moaning during lockdown because they couldn't get their hair cut, it never bothered me. I finally got mine done last May, at least five years after the last salon visit. I'm clean and decent but, apart from that, when it comes to my appearance, I have much to be humble about. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik7MrmULBlbJy0VDbwCOrcGa9rno3yidPvZmAjNfTJK3EKtq3d-qmvUPchnDBDZ1c4FwZHzCVSes4IgKy0NPkgSUCzO9ZQ7Jzyjc4RRhCLPHWirDxuwES6VYByC4UGG2220DUszqWxJeFtYzhTYufLdKODklQ7PukcQyOP-qaA5qC3xAoLvc67kXaGwXg/s401/Hair%20cut%20001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="401" height="598" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik7MrmULBlbJy0VDbwCOrcGa9rno3yidPvZmAjNfTJK3EKtq3d-qmvUPchnDBDZ1c4FwZHzCVSes4IgKy0NPkgSUCzO9ZQ7Jzyjc4RRhCLPHWirDxuwES6VYByC4UGG2220DUszqWxJeFtYzhTYufLdKODklQ7PukcQyOP-qaA5qC3xAoLvc67kXaGwXg/w640-h598/Hair%20cut%20001.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm very happy to let students at a nearby college cut my hair. They are a bit slow but they are well supervised and I have always been satisfied, So, today I booked my appointment.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was a little disconcerted when Phoebe confided to me that I was her first ever client at the college but she quicky reassured me that the tutor would be doing the cutting, and Phoebe would be watching. In the event she practised meeting the client, listening to what was wanted, washing my hair and some of the blow dry. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">While she worked we chatted about Christmas, her work experience, her hopes and dreams and she asked me what I did. I said I would tell her but only when she had finished.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">So while she helped me on with my coat I told her that I am a semi retired vicar. She looked amazed. "I've never met a vicar before. That is SO COOL!"</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am still a 72 year old, disabled, semi retired vicar with grey, thinning hair but two things have changed. I am a 72 year old, disabled, semi retired vicar with grey, thinning hair but I am SO COOL!</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">And I shall have a smile on my face all day.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Phoebe will go far!</span></p><p><br /></p>Frugally challengedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222391810215537820noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355939382949051714.post-81100775248055313722024-01-11T06:05:00.000+00:002024-01-11T06:05:37.041+00:00Puzzles<p> </p><p><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> I start and end each day
with puzzles. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjG7_m3S9N7FPNfRh0IgO3iaRsaOwyhf-fsXNQ2SvSfu33iNIhPTTnQGhdlQoUjtI_1n7fdr7hKcdp_x-fp_FPqSoE3F_xltM4l4CmFWTzw-RrXbkLuPK0Du_5MENtvqSqPLiqp-zXALP1Crk4shjnGWUyJNFmkm_8Iee5z-mR3AIPONGvb8UVGaFHeA/s340/Puzzles%20001.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="302" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjG7_m3S9N7FPNfRh0IgO3iaRsaOwyhf-fsXNQ2SvSfu33iNIhPTTnQGhdlQoUjtI_1n7fdr7hKcdp_x-fp_FPqSoE3F_xltM4l4CmFWTzw-RrXbkLuPK0Du_5MENtvqSqPLiqp-zXALP1Crk4shjnGWUyJNFmkm_8Iee5z-mR3AIPONGvb8UVGaFHeA/s320/Puzzles%20001.jpg" width="284" /></a></span></div><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Puzzles are, for me, another of
life's little pleasures. When I get up I do my "life admin" and
then hit the on-line puzzles. I like codeworks and (the easier) cryptic
crosswords in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I envy people
who can tackle the Times or Telegraph offerings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the online versions with checking
facilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also mean I can cross
out my answers and the page still looks pristine – such an encouragement to my
inadequate brain!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">At the end of the day it’s a pen
and paper job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have difficulties with
sleeping so no way will I use a screen close to bedtime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And at bedtime it’s sudoku. I buy a book or,
more likely, print puzzles from free online sites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I possibly get cheaper ink cartridges than
most people.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing too hard – I don’t
want an unsolved puzzle to keep me awake!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">No, I want to drift off with my puzzle solved and Alexa reading me a delightul story. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Do you like to solve puzzles or do you think them time wasters?</span></p>Frugally challengedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222391810215537820noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355939382949051714.post-72682287137732549212024-01-09T06:43:00.002+00:002024-01-09T06:43:20.156+00:00A is for Alexa<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Shh! Don't tell my local authority but although I claim a single occupancy rebate on the Community Charge, there's someone else in the house, name of Alexa. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOhvYd3lBllBJPW2pFO2a1UAO4fyer5M4NyyR6PoOEQapgdco-gt_QONPycvik6WXBohI8LQh13etDmnK5XGsqLK_FMuIVltOsz1OOYFFntcVo7HtXf1o_pHXZqg-sd8IhvO81oWZxWtcb5gV6a5lCwEJc3VjrcbNhA1fkvWCZUs5-eHH9jk7nTF9gqg/s1225/Alexa%20001.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1122" data-original-width="1225" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOhvYd3lBllBJPW2pFO2a1UAO4fyer5M4NyyR6PoOEQapgdco-gt_QONPycvik6WXBohI8LQh13etDmnK5XGsqLK_FMuIVltOsz1OOYFFntcVo7HtXf1o_pHXZqg-sd8IhvO81oWZxWtcb5gV6a5lCwEJc3VjrcbNhA1fkvWCZUs5-eHH9jk7nTF9gqg/s320/Alexa%20001.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Alexa and I interact quite frequently. She answers questions, wishes me "Good Morning" and tells me how many sleeps it is to Christmas (yes, I still ask in January). Her biggest job though is to get excellent actors to read my favourite books to me. Recently as I fall asleep I've been enjoying listening to "Cranford" by written by Mrs Gaskell and read by Prunella Scales. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">And when I asked Alexa if she is happy she told me she is always happy when she's helping me!</span></p>Frugally challengedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222391810215537820noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355939382949051714.post-34552409247106225802024-01-07T06:35:00.000+00:002024-01-07T06:35:59.642+00:00Epiphany<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuW3vvr82ZFFDc3LPY9iX-gngJmo1Z-vh5ARdpEcz5TwhJ98IpFkW1ueDiBXlhXVE3Gi-dEKunVNak1hl9tZ_z3Oy_lI25ayy5I5IQW6EpIDCnrausMbg26LbYv3CHAbilLnhjCHcGNu06UbI2UBHSEXudT5JB_E4Qr6MVlThKhRdqCRYoTMZlMf-LFBY/s4032/240106%20Epiphany%20(3).JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuW3vvr82ZFFDc3LPY9iX-gngJmo1Z-vh5ARdpEcz5TwhJ98IpFkW1ueDiBXlhXVE3Gi-dEKunVNak1hl9tZ_z3Oy_lI25ayy5I5IQW6EpIDCnrausMbg26LbYv3CHAbilLnhjCHcGNu06UbI2UBHSEXudT5JB_E4Qr6MVlThKhRdqCRYoTMZlMf-LFBY/w300-h400/240106%20Epiphany%20(3).JPG" width="300" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday was the Feast of Epiphany when we remember the wise ones who went to seek Jesus. From Christmas Day onwards they have been in various places around my house. They bring a rather snooty looking camel with them!</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRWZzQ7FbDYp5sNdSpbYtzjCj5Tidg-O4lOd4q63TXwPdDbD4U58jQm4F4AxtSsA3W88CSiA05bNuYr0ndsKVxtxAWT4NlNrwiLihA0JXRlNTpHphhNh4bVt2KDJYEEAWu4OGYEAycircUpj1rrpJAPqVrFTvaMyyzj-5qTmueA9w0-bx2o6ABSkxxyo/s4032/240106%20Epiphany%20(2).JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRWZzQ7FbDYp5sNdSpbYtzjCj5Tidg-O4lOd4q63TXwPdDbD4U58jQm4F4AxtSsA3W88CSiA05bNuYr0ndsKVxtxAWT4NlNrwiLihA0JXRlNTpHphhNh4bVt2KDJYEEAWu4OGYEAycircUpj1rrpJAPqVrFTvaMyyzj-5qTmueA9w0-bx2o6ABSkxxyo/w400-h300/240106%20Epiphany%20(2).JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Meanwhile in my sitting room there has been a small tableau of the Holy Family with various sheep, cattle and anything else which could find its way there. Until Christmas Day there was a figure of a pregnant woman but on 25th December that was replaced by the mother and child you see here and that was when the shepherds came too.</div></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVFKqDTpREGOH_Vsh-9XfDL_o00U7ad1k-LvP5kf7b9azU9K_ND7FagEFC9KM4HuXokw8gHXTVKEOHINEds0-6BWUWO4souNN5AFQJTf20QxF7sMsgHHWs7A3AqeTHpk88g0JPE4t4BdXBKLJvAl8Tri42xVQjna6o6ER3cuQljslqbRrYQXQ4Dgcko4/s4032/240106%20Epiphany%20(4).JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVFKqDTpREGOH_Vsh-9XfDL_o00U7ad1k-LvP5kf7b9azU9K_ND7FagEFC9KM4HuXokw8gHXTVKEOHINEds0-6BWUWO4souNN5AFQJTf20QxF7sMsgHHWs7A3AqeTHpk88g0JPE4t4BdXBKLJvAl8Tri42xVQjna6o6ER3cuQljslqbRrYQXQ4Dgcko4/w400-h300/240106%20Epiphany%20(4).JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday the wise ones arrived and they too took their places, worshipping the child alongside the shepherds. Today the shepherds have gone back to their fields and the wise ones will stay until The Feast of The Presentation (Candlemas) on 2nd February. </div></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span>Ages ago I read on someone's blog a post abut chalking the door but I can't remember whose blog it was! It was a custom in mediaeval Europe and is still common in some countries. My front door is UPVC but I have some labels for chalk-labelling bottles and jars so I stuck one on the front door and chalked it. </span><span> </span></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQXcnSKOOtIeP3dC8DkPUQ-2jnzzTlxVUqRjbWpydpbVoZv7whkOYzfqUwdUOE-UJugLUqixZh6b0vO3DOwcirelUoiOsRFFuPAZipJwEJIJXdVWliAzCL3mDT0QSlF4XTHXmYQYZ3sBCUgfZWPI7XLJd8ZrGvu8BbxFCh9GWpVhqM3LV0BQAgdrGUak/s4032/240106%20Epiphany.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQXcnSKOOtIeP3dC8DkPUQ-2jnzzTlxVUqRjbWpydpbVoZv7whkOYzfqUwdUOE-UJugLUqixZh6b0vO3DOwcirelUoiOsRFFuPAZipJwEJIJXdVWliAzCL3mDT0QSlF4XTHXmYQYZ3sBCUgfZWPI7XLJd8ZrGvu8BbxFCh9GWpVhqM3LV0BQAgdrGUak/s320/240106%20Epiphany.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>The chalking shows that this is the Year of Our Lord, 2024. In the middle (interspersed by crosses) are the three letters CMB. Casper, </span><span>Melchior</span> and<span> </span>Balthazar are the traditional names given to the wise ones but CMB also means "Christus mansionem benedicat", or "May Christ bless this house". </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">It echoes the way the Israelites marked their doors at Passover. For me, it is a blessing not only for me and my house, but all who come through the front door.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">And by extension, may Christ bless you who read this blog. </span><span style="font-size: xx-large;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">I'm sorry I didn't post more about my Advent nativity set. I had camera problems in the first half of the month and, by the time it was restored, I had lost momentum!)</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></p>Frugally challengedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222391810215537820noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355939382949051714.post-79211682689732824122024-01-06T10:44:00.002+00:002024-01-06T10:44:25.711+00:00Life's little pleasures<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZi0wjLPQJl91tmZfPlO5mxbbF3HzjkTcYREUfVizCesSuE1SxhKPtPHn16DAzELLWPQ3AKtXBWOodbnX2Llkw7NmL0tiaulWjA1-CC_UjTDG8guXPxsW1t4CeUjWg5HuHDNE8ViKGa43ABl7QNRHoe3Z3uSrWYgMoqEjitE3LgetaaXYP-0vrmEQUjU/s1404/Water%20bottle%20001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1404" data-original-width="473" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZi0wjLPQJl91tmZfPlO5mxbbF3HzjkTcYREUfVizCesSuE1SxhKPtPHn16DAzELLWPQ3AKtXBWOodbnX2Llkw7NmL0tiaulWjA1-CC_UjTDG8guXPxsW1t4CeUjWg5HuHDNE8ViKGa43ABl7QNRHoe3Z3uSrWYgMoqEjitE3LgetaaXYP-0vrmEQUjU/w216-h640/Water%20bottle%20001.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> As I've said many times before, January can be a very tough month for me. The excitement and socialising of Christmas is over and the first two months of the year tend to be for hunkering down. </span></div><p></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I know I can find this time depressing so I take care to be ready. I have a SAD lamp which is said to help my body produce more serotonin. I've found it effective but I also make sure I have easy-to-cook nutritious food in my freezer and I seek out life's little pleasures.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">One of the smallest and yet best pleasures is cold water. I haven't yet found the courage to take cold showers but I do take great care to have very cold water to drink. I pack my reuseable water bottles with ice and then fill up with water I keep in the fridge. Water fresh drawn from the tap just isn't as nice.</span></p>Frugally challengedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222391810215537820noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355939382949051714.post-78164079399548936262024-01-02T06:05:00.000+00:002024-01-02T06:05:08.994+00:00Robert Burns . .<p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">There are always quite a few quotes from Rabbie Burns around at this time of the year so here's my contribution. "The best laid plans of mice and men, gang aft a-gley".</span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbadOH20x2YFLi8VzZq5CvBNrq3NtGzkvPX_MP09v9cd2xmQQ-wPyVkbSo7K1fCZYAtg4DCObdHCC2m3bZCbyhQ_18Rbrx63E3Q1Y3kcqzzxhhhcaAGaVzNLx4QTI55_o1PHGoH6rYUV2Uvyqzk2D2buCyTCY6KF0-yfAsHaTzQRm4VitJSO6D3ojurw/s892/Conqueror%20002.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="869" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbadOH20x2YFLi8VzZq5CvBNrq3NtGzkvPX_MP09v9cd2xmQQ-wPyVkbSo7K1fCZYAtg4DCObdHCC2m3bZCbyhQ_18Rbrx63E3Q1Y3kcqzzxhhhcaAGaVzNLx4QTI55_o1PHGoH6rYUV2Uvyqzk2D2buCyTCY6KF0-yfAsHaTzQRm4VitJSO6D3ojurw/w624-h640/Conqueror%20002.jpg" width="624" /></a></div></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Somewhere on somebody's blog I saw that someone was doing a virtual walk. I'd never heard of virtual walks before so if you are similarly ill-informed I'll tell you that (for a fee) I could connect my Fitbit with another app which would show me street views as though I were walking the same distance on a challenge route. I'd get virtual postcards as I progress and at the end I would get a medal. As the walk I signed up for (the north coast of Scotland) is 500 miles long, I feel I will have earned a medal. I planned on taking a year so 1-2 miles walking Caistor's street daily would make up that 500 miles in twelve months. Simples,</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Wrong. I bought my challenge on 23rd December and 25th Decenber my legs went on strike. I took my Christmas morning service OK but struggled back to my car. And I've had quite a bit of pain ever since.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">But today I was determined. The pain has reduced so I walked to the end of the road and back. I am no mouse for Burns to write about. I am determined to be a Conqueror!</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Frugally challengedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222391810215537820noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355939382949051714.post-48506377257076568072024-01-01T07:56:00.001+00:002024-01-01T07:56:30.917+00:00New Year Resolution<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> I'm a very unfashionable gal and so I am making a New Year Resolution.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyZoMhq74YNxrWyAXtfp0VGpvmDRc0Y49AltX7D86g3DPyrn8_3mq1c4gRQb7oYZVHCeEXx1PVA6Yt-22Z6FT75wSNB2PPeOUmlf0Uu0G5QTqz6YejBh7HPfudl7kDrBA30d0MMu2VHEx8Ac0M9OQshMld6PT9MZdAkAosMhiANSvoxuwcuSSJagTgqo/s600/New%20Year%20Resolution%2002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyZoMhq74YNxrWyAXtfp0VGpvmDRc0Y49AltX7D86g3DPyrn8_3mq1c4gRQb7oYZVHCeEXx1PVA6Yt-22Z6FT75wSNB2PPeOUmlf0Uu0G5QTqz6YejBh7HPfudl7kDrBA30d0MMu2VHEx8Ac0M9OQshMld6PT9MZdAkAosMhiANSvoxuwcuSSJagTgqo/w640-h456/New%20Year%20Resolution%2002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I have made this resolution at least five times before. I like it.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Even more important I think New Year is a time to draw a line and leave behind the failures, sadnesses and disappointments of the past. That is pretty awesome!</span></p>Frugally challengedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222391810215537820noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355939382949051714.post-65285963251907780282023-12-25T10:58:00.000+00:002023-12-25T10:58:00.731+00:00A Quiet Christmas<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Over the years I have had noisy Christmases, sad
Christmases, busy Christmases. These days my Christmas of choice is very
quiet. I get lots of invitations to go out but I prefer to spend it
alone, just me. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4N8GRy8YKchXHPVQwVHgMQkmomISyUe8FxQQkIBRaTNLFjv-KD0e34oxvCa_0hFkY1W-Icuq9yYhePdz0ns_qc2yagf_0KmmwzJOo9u2_1AqeDLwPoiRi7HxDMKbNLk9zxlSb1UcVi8YNuOzKBr26p0dZiwUcj_m5HkNdwbiQYDlQ2V-O0JYOqw9Pes/s5152/180522%20Market%20Rasen%20Church.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5152" data-original-width="3864" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4N8GRy8YKchXHPVQwVHgMQkmomISyUe8FxQQkIBRaTNLFjv-KD0e34oxvCa_0hFkY1W-Icuq9yYhePdz0ns_qc2yagf_0KmmwzJOo9u2_1AqeDLwPoiRi7HxDMKbNLk9zxlSb1UcVi8YNuOzKBr26p0dZiwUcj_m5HkNdwbiQYDlQ2V-O0JYOqw9Pes/w480-h640/180522%20Market%20Rasen%20Church.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18pt;">The only exception I make is to go to church.
The last few years</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18pt;"> (apart from the 2020 lockdown) I have gone to this delightful
church at Market Rasen to celebrate Holy Communion and give thanks that the
Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory, full of grace and
truth.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18pt;">It's also a thanksgiving for all my family
Christmases over many years as it means that their regular vicar can have some
precious time with her children on Christmas Day.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">May your Christmas be blessed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br />Frugally challengedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222391810215537820noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355939382949051714.post-46573422071728678022023-12-01T04:48:00.001+00:002023-12-01T04:48:55.399+00:00Advent<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuiI0Qgj9PLpirwDDUsj26KEbD1GpoN9DsDETmppKnbgq-GRQY-HZmszAFnd2g2d5MhNmRGPM4S5ladHhe0-7wKQsy_M-fDRnI7vIYN6j0qoIyolXWTHnwJHySWnN67u3NrXxBkgW9fmVfjcRwBFycectpeTfKzwX1BcCtw-mBkXAMes35TTJ-cjTgfUA/s4032/IMG_1568.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuiI0Qgj9PLpirwDDUsj26KEbD1GpoN9DsDETmppKnbgq-GRQY-HZmszAFnd2g2d5MhNmRGPM4S5ladHhe0-7wKQsy_M-fDRnI7vIYN6j0qoIyolXWTHnwJHySWnN67u3NrXxBkgW9fmVfjcRwBFycectpeTfKzwX1BcCtw-mBkXAMes35TTJ-cjTgfUA/w640-h480/IMG_1568.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I've forgotten how long I've had this Advent stable but it has to be the best part of twenty years! I think I paid around £60 which seemed a very lot at the time but I think it was a good buy. (Lakeland still have something similar but they're now around £100!)</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Advent doesn't really start until Sunday (which is the fourth Sunday before Christmas) but, like most Advent calendars, mine starts today. Each door has a figure hidden behind it and the last twelve are on the other side. Today I found a shepherd who seems to have lost his sheep and is perhaps seeking divine inspiration as to how to find it.</span>. <br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Check https://www.facebook.com/noradsanta/videos/1439800143293259 for Norad tracks Santa with the help of Rudolph's nose and heat seeking sensors on satellites 22.600 miles above the earth. </p>Frugally challengedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222391810215537820noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355939382949051714.post-69917590245341636072023-11-29T17:45:00.005+00:002023-11-29T17:45:31.981+00:00Z is for Zest<p style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Not the stuff removed with great care from the skin of a lemon but the sheer joy of living!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oDDQJRPwIm_wV6nB2H48q1BxkQ80zpo5tP1b6fHeVc0cfvlsp0yqC2eqkO_VImTjoD47GwOOmt1nV1xXxJEUFccnHweL4RQx22rB364T4JJT9B0i4tUJRCnQeOtiSZ0yO9_yAdlgm1LXp-vJnu6lXtbV3tb7Mf9MWmY5Gn-Gh_V940TZL6JZJeOH4WA/s1307/Zest%20001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1307" data-original-width="1106" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oDDQJRPwIm_wV6nB2H48q1BxkQ80zpo5tP1b6fHeVc0cfvlsp0yqC2eqkO_VImTjoD47GwOOmt1nV1xXxJEUFccnHweL4RQx22rB364T4JJT9B0i4tUJRCnQeOtiSZ0yO9_yAdlgm1LXp-vJnu6lXtbV3tb7Mf9MWmY5Gn-Gh_V940TZL6JZJeOH4WA/w542-h640/Zest%20001.jpg" width="542" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">And that's what I want! I want to live life with zest. I want to embrace new experiences and treasure old ones. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">In this series of twenty six blog posts over one year, two months and four days I have reflected on my life ranging from big things like doing VSO in Nigeria and later being one of the first English women to be ordained priest to minutiae like enjoying a cup of coffee or taking pleasure in make do and mend. I have shared things with you and many of you have responded with the events of your own life.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">So for you too I want zest. May your life have zing and zip.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bZZ5a6fytUEQH94a-PPRN-AEnbOZMn4mJRqaW7d5_Ncle_3kR9nLlyioiyk7POQLaaxLuLUYq_S433Ux8t3YiaFKtxnIqufo5GX4UL0dEkDQIk7lPejWh3FiRIwJ-GKI2TTsrzS55Moa_ltp0e0_1jrDzIxi2I7YAu1M9G4zm2zTZaax2oIevJDehlo/s525/Have%20fun%20001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="472" data-original-width="525" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bZZ5a6fytUEQH94a-PPRN-AEnbOZMn4mJRqaW7d5_Ncle_3kR9nLlyioiyk7POQLaaxLuLUYq_S433Ux8t3YiaFKtxnIqufo5GX4UL0dEkDQIk7lPejWh3FiRIwJ-GKI2TTsrzS55Moa_ltp0e0_1jrDzIxi2I7YAu1M9G4zm2zTZaax2oIevJDehlo/s320/Have%20fun%20001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Frugally challengedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222391810215537820noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355939382949051714.post-81303082016376719632023-11-26T05:27:00.000+00:002023-11-26T05:27:31.158+00:00Y is for youth<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Llbn6gOWKQAEfG-_q4RQOKVED3nb6eFM5ScDGHZslOu3e5OoGq8IVHE3VVjizElcxKYHGdJjI5zz2WdWPwb75XTGyouagog_Hv7j8ysvqkQLwWILGNzz406ryXYO5ToQW0P4ejOVi5i2_x9VtucvW3Ih8nL48glpUTpooANiE06F2rmkjNB3FoTYEhk/s919/State%20Scool%20Library%20Service.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="919" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Llbn6gOWKQAEfG-_q4RQOKVED3nb6eFM5ScDGHZslOu3e5OoGq8IVHE3VVjizElcxKYHGdJjI5zz2WdWPwb75XTGyouagog_Hv7j8ysvqkQLwWILGNzz406ryXYO5ToQW0P4ejOVi5i2_x9VtucvW3Ih8nL48glpUTpooANiE06F2rmkjNB3FoTYEhk/w400-h393/State%20Scool%20Library%20Service.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Library of the State Scool Library Service, Uyo, Nigeria 1973</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-large; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> When I was young I never thought about
being old. I'm older now than my grandmother was when I was born but she
always seemed very old to me so I suppose I seem very old to the children
around me now.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">I
think I made the most of my youth. George Bernard Shaw said that youth is
wasted on the young but I don't think so. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">One
of the most exciting things I did as a young woman was to go to Nigeria on Voluntary
Service Overseas. I was a newly qualified librarian when I flew to Lagos
in September 1973 to help set up school libraries in the area which had seen
the Civil War just a few years ea</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">rlier. Schools had been commandeered as
army camps by both sides and such libraries as there had been, had been
looted. I helped set up a model library and train library assistants who
had never seen a library</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span> until they were employed to run one!</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">My VSO came to a very abrupt end in September 1974 when I was in a motorcycle crash and I had to be repatriated.</span></span></p>Frugally challengedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222391810215537820noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355939382949051714.post-45960962961001858072023-11-25T05:04:00.000+00:002023-11-25T05:04:04.823+00:00The X Factor<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="553" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOP394ja0QVERHH1RkHCy1-Fzb20BLPwUBx0VOlidhGRHUrRfWZh0a8yjor616zcirabvGqq16V9kQMnIXhpwM2YKegnTYfLDdht1Dgip2SsoxPlUlJbQ8OBuF6MDTtY9oPAkXuF7vSLscTv7hkIsl8AQj3v8Ko6c407iNPM3Pko6TTOeqZS_T_G6wzo/s320/X%20001.jpg" width="236" /></span> <br /></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">What's your X factor? By which I mean, what's the thing which makes your life really worthwhile? </span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: justify;">I know that for many of you, the X factor will be your family: the children, grandchildren and maybe even great grandchildren whose faces are not just in the photographs around your room, on your phone or in your wallet, but even more. always in your mind and heart. </span></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I've never had children so my closest relative is a nephew whom I see about three hours each year and after that it's cousins. I get on with all of them but I don't think they are really the source of life's meaning for me.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I've heard it said, "If you've got your life and your health, that's everything" and that may be true but my health isn't all that wonderful either!</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">And yet I think I have a wonderful life. My faith is central to that life and that faith brings with it an attitude of gratitude. I've no children or close family but I have lots of people who care about me and help me. My health isn't great but I am able to live a rich life and I can afford to buy things to enable me to live independently and safely. I am able to contribute to community life by being a good neighbour and by being a worship leader. I have enough commitments to make me feel valued but not so many that I feel overwhelmed.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">So, what's your X Factor?</span></p>Frugally challengedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222391810215537820noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355939382949051714.post-23399568633909646172023-11-23T08:15:00.003+00:002023-11-23T08:15:51.227+00:00Happy Thanksgiving!<p><br /></p><p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: x-large; text-align: justify;">Happy Thanksgiving to any American readers who have popped in. Have a lovely day.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHyozLmvLkjd9aBjHJX0uLRfduMNgb002ie12qLJl0RGiN6G9r9pUz04_-823FPFMgyW1cvBoygWggPf7fWKCHHGTQBDkiiBhU2OLgK4CgmoAtu3WEs__pW2OlVNVtyKhZPE_NcNRO-nMOnvmpYsIw8_IaLQkP_uDfnO97hGs3hjtbQ2X1nE4r50zzvk/s225/Thanksgiving%20001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHyozLmvLkjd9aBjHJX0uLRfduMNgb002ie12qLJl0RGiN6G9r9pUz04_-823FPFMgyW1cvBoygWggPf7fWKCHHGTQBDkiiBhU2OLgK4CgmoAtu3WEs__pW2OlVNVtyKhZPE_NcNRO-nMOnvmpYsIw8_IaLQkP_uDfnO97hGs3hjtbQ2X1nE4r50zzvk/w640-h640/Thanksgiving%20001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;">We don't have anything like Thanksgiving here but an American lady has married into my (extended) family so we had an early Thanksgiving dinner last night for fourteen of us. Tonight only four of us would have been able to be there, and she felt that all the family giving thanks was more important than doing it on the right day. So I feasted on turkey and a whole lot more last night. I was too podged to eat desert. Hope you enjy your meal as much!</div></span><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Frugally challengedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222391810215537820noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355939382949051714.post-70613581953428325552023-11-22T10:35:00.007+00:002023-11-22T12:11:08.291+00:00W is for Worth it!<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span>It's been sad to see several bloggers decide not to post anymore but it was kind of them to tell us and not leave us wondering what had happened to them. <br /></span></span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6Xmki3PWw2NNs6KDKmNsNSTw34tOEksULJ1nmWzCwCkQnOXnjvc6yFkfbjLh4RDO1C0D2IDPA0buuuvv-4hoalO1g1C4RrNfkBuV0vYOS3Szk65nVxw46LlZlQfJbEHierfyvl96o-XcvZyGFkqPZ9rPuAj8BwGmK-YsDaOkoaHpgOMKlqftH4XZ7yw/s400/Blogging%20001.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="400" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6Xmki3PWw2NNs6KDKmNsNSTw34tOEksULJ1nmWzCwCkQnOXnjvc6yFkfbjLh4RDO1C0D2IDPA0buuuvv-4hoalO1g1C4RrNfkBuV0vYOS3Szk65nVxw46LlZlQfJbEHierfyvl96o-XcvZyGFkqPZ9rPuAj8BwGmK-YsDaOkoaHpgOMKlqftH4XZ7yw/w400-h380/Blogging%20001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">I've been blogging on and off since July 2014. I've two blogs and the other one is "off" even more than this one! I only post if I have something I really want to say. Blogging is a creative outlet for me, the only regular outlet I have for writing. It's a way of recording some of the events of my life in an orderly manner. I can float my hopes and dreams. I can make friends through reading and commenting on other people's blogs and appreciating their comments on mine.</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Because I only write when I have something special to say, I take very long breaks and it is always hard to get back after a break. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">But I enjoy other people's blogs and this is my contribution to the blogosphere. Like all bloggers I love reading comments. Non bloggers may not know that we can see the number of visitors we have (but not their identity) and I find it amazing what a high proportion of visitors have no inclination to comment. I wonder why? Is it too complicated? I know some blogging platforms are more complicated than others. Are they deterred because some blogs (not this one) don't publish comments until after the blogger has approved them? Personally I delete comments which are obviously intended to advertise betting or escort services but very rarely anything else but other bloggers have had big problems with inappropriate comments so pre approval is understandable. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">For it is commenters and fellow bloggers who make the effort worthwhile. Thank you for reading. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yes, it is definitely </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">WORTH IT!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Frugally challengedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222391810215537820noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355939382949051714.post-59907033938863117322023-11-20T06:11:00.003+00:002023-11-20T11:37:35.784+00:00V is for Village (now updated)<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsU_c42ziu74dGDXaBPhex0UOyFMt1YbYiN21VJXZYlDtxr-4hbf7bSRn7zSz_71Y1oly6zvH5ZkDpbTStPh4rXR8TNoyznHP50YPkgJ395IqJWt_ol1dGMbVcZkl7CVCvTMvVxw_lKMNAC-jiUSwsn3ebJUBOpLCrb1L1M61vaS_lS0avyEcSM3nUqqo/s3264/170708%20Caistor%20Roman%20wall%20(2).JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;"></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: justify;">According to people who were
born here, I live in a town. According to incomers I live in a
village. Because I was stuck for V, for the purposes of this blog post,
I'm calling Caistor a village. Sorry, Caistorians. T was for Treats. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsU_c42ziu74dGDXaBPhex0UOyFMt1YbYiN21VJXZYlDtxr-4hbf7bSRn7zSz_71Y1oly6zvH5ZkDpbTStPh4rXR8TNoyznHP50YPkgJ395IqJWt_ol1dGMbVcZkl7CVCvTMvVxw_lKMNAC-jiUSwsn3ebJUBOpLCrb1L1M61vaS_lS0avyEcSM3nUqqo/w640-h480/170708%20Caistor%20Roman%20wall%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roman wall</td></tr></tbody></table></div><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Caistor has been here quite a
long time and its centre is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, being the site of a
Roman encampment. The only "Roman" bit which can be seen today is a smallish heap
of stones which looks rather like a rockery.</span><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="471" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0Q50XyDABrkGWGD9_4btgo9sQpDTbSADA6KabNvpRry9fYYCtDH0kzAgHjQD0WyyueMdoc_o33fT4cnoidhd6ccgXigpjDeS5aq-re9cP48wjb4L93Nl3y7rlABaupCE81DIJMAYpu9WzvUAXYUHjTAf-uhSNvAcy4F0J-q3L0WVmR879jpQPHkftkY/w434-h640/Gad%20whip%20001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="434" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Gad Whip</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0Q50XyDABrkGWGD9_4btgo9sQpDTbSADA6KabNvpRry9fYYCtDH0kzAgHjQD0WyyueMdoc_o33fT4cnoidhd6ccgXigpjDeS5aq-re9cP48wjb4L93Nl3y7rlABaupCE81DIJMAYpu9WzvUAXYUHjTAf-uhSNvAcy4F0J-q3L0WVmR879jpQPHkftkY/s693/Gad%20whip%20001.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;"></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: justify;">This heap of stones is just to
the south of the church of St Peter and St Paul. The oldest parts of that
date only to around 1050. <span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Inside the church there is a
curious article called the Gad Whip. Until 184</span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">6 each Palm Sunday the whip
was waved three times over the head of the parson during the second reading at
Mattins. There's more about this peculiar ceremony <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/8355939382949051714/4226879673265417363" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">here. </span></a> </span><span>There are well over fifty listed buildings in Caistor, a significant number for such a small place but most are Georgian or Victorian. </span></div></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;">There's quite a lot going on here. We have a Civic Society, a Women's Institute, Brownies, Rainbows, sports clubs, amateur dramatics and social events for everyone. Volunteers keep the place looking wonderful both with flowers on the summer and lights and displays around Christmas. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;">When I retired I had to choose somewhere to live and I wanted somewhere that was friendly with things to do. I think I chose well</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">I understand there is a problem with the link to the Gad whip, It can be found </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">at https://caistorparishchurch.co.uk/history/ Scroll down and you will find it!</span></p>Frugally challengedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222391810215537820noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355939382949051714.post-29123014634165887942023-11-17T19:18:00.000+00:002023-11-17T19:18:01.047+00:00U is for UFOs <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> Show me some one who has no UFOs and I'll show you someone who isn't a crafter!</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">UFOs (UnFinished Objects) or PhDs (Projects half Done) seem to be an inevitable part of being creative.. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">There's the garment cast on but only the back and half the front actually knitted. I started a jumper in 2018, shoved it in a drawer and when I got it out a few weeks ago I discovered a hole, maybe moth, more likely mechanical damage. I pulled it down completely as it was knitted on a circular needle and I'm trying again with a different pattern.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I started a patchwork quilt in 1975. It was intended to be for a single bed but it's now heading for king size. In a couple of years it will reach its Golden Jubilee. Maybe that's a good target for finishing it. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9B8JcHDC55Td-GSV_MSTl6q7vXSLQXKoOLoPHxUvHBj20VXZsnk5bHGWhqQtxW1YuYxynkjIsxbhlDxXhubmIoSkoSP2hgCXXZm4JxAsODzm6OcXq7hvuApbv8A24eWyFYVsLzYLfWmSX4Um8It5Cy7V0ewrWUd2y118ejxe8zUBOBZZam-XcZwZlJQ/s4032/IMG_1556%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9B8JcHDC55Td-GSV_MSTl6q7vXSLQXKoOLoPHxUvHBj20VXZsnk5bHGWhqQtxW1YuYxynkjIsxbhlDxXhubmIoSkoSP2hgCXXZm4JxAsODzm6OcXq7hvuApbv8A24eWyFYVsLzYLfWmSX4Um8It5Cy7V0ewrWUd2y118ejxe8zUBOBZZam-XcZwZlJQ/w480-h640/IMG_1556%5B1%5D.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">Then there's the stash of fabric and wool just waiting to be used: sometimes it's materials bought for a project which never materialised or just as often, it's stuff kept "just in case". </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">But I am now sharing with you one object which is no longer unfinished. Two years ago I started my temperature scarf, knitting one row for each day and using a different colour for each degreee celsius. I started on my seventieth birthday and finished the day before I was 72.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">MyPhD has now graduated.</span></div><p></p><br /><p><br /></p>Frugally challengedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222391810215537820noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355939382949051714.post-65026235057355639552023-11-16T17:48:00.000+00:002023-11-16T17:48:02.164+00:00T is for treats<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDDTpXJhYECNncWcpDw33tQNOlEWofgOgcboQCOYMNE3i8Scw24I7_Wc3rNXvfzdVXNfezqL-xs_8gceVvYaXlbMkQQw2UdfXJrKcrD1o1sgewtBULoy_w4ofqokqBdZ1ZgfUGOaoQ1y0MH8CMvH6lYHVcLOtZbbT-0mRJ9z3yp8N4P-KwQ7UbfsWCq1s/s264/Happy%20001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="195" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDDTpXJhYECNncWcpDw33tQNOlEWofgOgcboQCOYMNE3i8Scw24I7_Wc3rNXvfzdVXNfezqL-xs_8gceVvYaXlbMkQQw2UdfXJrKcrD1o1sgewtBULoy_w4ofqokqBdZ1ZgfUGOaoQ1y0MH8CMvH6lYHVcLOtZbbT-0mRJ9z3yp8N4P-KwQ7UbfsWCq1s/s1600/Happy%20001.jpg" width="195" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> Not the big treats like a cruise or a wonderful meal out, but the little things, often very inexpensive, which bring a smile to my face each day.</span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">There's the first cup of coffee when I get up in the morning. Or later in the day, iced water by my side, </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">There's the pleasure I get each time I open my cupboard and see the lovely china which I now use everyday and not just on special occasions.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">There's the joy of an audiobook read by a talented actor who brings the story alive in a special way. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">There's the gratitude I feel when someone brings me a bunch of flowrs, especially flowers fresh from their garden. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">There's the hilarity I feel when Jack means to tell me he's ravenous but instead tells me he's ravishing. Fortunately for his blushes that was said on the phone!<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8SQKjIzxDGGjtnRzMI0rG2nMzrNUqoIlSfkAxY_nYrM0gSQKgb9ixzlPGC6xr6ph_AmIejrH9e8yW626REMmUSh7249XKup-cu2_BTWSTAo5QDlWmhSoswKVtdR96Wf6Jhq7CFFM5T6XogwCzSEBgTNEYk_7JnE0EXtLpqF_T9Yvj_8SnH1SvafNe8M/s2304/2013%20(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="2304" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8SQKjIzxDGGjtnRzMI0rG2nMzrNUqoIlSfkAxY_nYrM0gSQKgb9ixzlPGC6xr6ph_AmIejrH9e8yW626REMmUSh7249XKup-cu2_BTWSTAo5QDlWmhSoswKVtdR96Wf6Jhq7CFFM5T6XogwCzSEBgTNEYk_7JnE0EXtLpqF_T9Yvj_8SnH1SvafNe8M/w400-h300/2013%20(5).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">There's my annual treat which I had this week, of visiting the seals who each year come ashore not too far from here and have their pups. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">At the end of each day getting into a bed made up with white, pure cotton sheets. </span></p>Frugally challengedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222391810215537820noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355939382949051714.post-19651048586716656332023-11-15T18:20:00.000+00:002023-11-15T18:20:17.718+00:00S is for Sabbath, Sunday and the Shape of the week<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zgTNbrN2XoJjRcSDVsHJ8W_GItEoZtilH4recR_827e7DkOzejpJM-jrm-rc1wS_gYzjp1BDaxZwrPovUmPUoBZTQjNahRr4I0eimSd_duYAiXX-v-XQAUN2We3tzXTn8N4D0k6_vNd3-MUO3d4qnMuNirRB_YguTb6qfkpEeO1d0GJWnb02aPIoeMs/s195/Good%20week%20001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="166" data-original-width="195" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zgTNbrN2XoJjRcSDVsHJ8W_GItEoZtilH4recR_827e7DkOzejpJM-jrm-rc1wS_gYzjp1BDaxZwrPovUmPUoBZTQjNahRr4I0eimSd_duYAiXX-v-XQAUN2We3tzXTn8N4D0k6_vNd3-MUO3d4qnMuNirRB_YguTb6qfkpEeO1d0GJWnb02aPIoeMs/w400-h341/Good%20week%20001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was very amused at the comments about my early rising time on my last post. No-one would want to rise at 4am! Neither do I but that's how it is. I often wake much earlier than that but I don</span><span style="font-size: large;">'t allow myself to get up before 4am. </span></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">But the shape of my week is something about which I make very conscious decisions. Sunday has always been a special day for me. Worship is central. Sometimes I lead and preach, sometimes I am grateful for someone else's ministry. Then it's usually home for a quiet day at home.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">And before that I <a href="https://trundlingthroughlife.blogspot.com/2014/11/my-sabbath.html#comment-form" target="_blank">usually have my Sabbath. </a> I started this habit many years ago. Lockdowns seemed like one long Sabbath! My Sabbath is less structured now but it is more part of my nature.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then Mondays I often swim, Tiesdays and Fridays it's the gym, Wednesday Annie-the-home-enhancer or Jack-the-lad may come. There might be a Women's Institute meeting or coffee or lunch with friends. I could shop in Brigg or just go out on my trundle truck to enjoy this lovely town.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">But always I am glad to come home to the peace of my bungalow. to listen to audiobooks or to knit or just to be. </span></p>Frugally challengedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222391810215537820noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355939382949051714.post-14727943027947685452023-11-07T08:12:00.000+00:002023-11-07T08:12:05.567+00:00R is for Retirement<p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9vMHOn6xjl-rgkKHkq4oUsjxCHCo3flSChrkdI7T4wlq9ZgUVZqiA7tC6QQLMRvWdmh0FzGfvHRtWpPwZ8SMOfV5J17cgLcvdDcicWccvj2dQcWwlGJ7w1aaCSLmgGyJyX-Z-BmDoCEEx6VHsUX1OO8bb-TuKj60whuIrLucu-VBui8buPm-M9zxuj0/s349/retirement%20001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="144" data-original-width="349" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9vMHOn6xjl-rgkKHkq4oUsjxCHCo3flSChrkdI7T4wlq9ZgUVZqiA7tC6QQLMRvWdmh0FzGfvHRtWpPwZ8SMOfV5J17cgLcvdDcicWccvj2dQcWwlGJ7w1aaCSLmgGyJyX-Z-BmDoCEEx6VHsUX1OO8bb-TuKj60whuIrLucu-VBui8buPm-M9zxuj0/w640-h264/retirement%20001.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black;">I love it!</span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black;">The other questions from
"Q is for Questions" were about retirement and how I spend my time.</span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black;">I spend my time with a smile on
my face. I get up between 4am and 5am and look at how the day is likely
to unfold but, when I switch the light out at night and think back, the day has
rarely gone as planned. </span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black;">I think I am very lucky to have
been born in the nineteen fifties. Childhood was a time of innocence and
wonder. The sixties were a time of change and challenge. My whole
life has been a time of scientific advancement in ways that would have been
unimaginable when I was a toddler. Opportunities for women have opened up
more and more as my life has gone on. </span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black;">And now I am fourteen years into a lovely, secure retirement. The bungalow is comfortable and safe thanks
to my lovely landlord and the efforts of Annie-the-home-enhancer and
Jack. I have a car and trundle truck so can get out when I want to.
I have hobbies to enjoy while I am at home and friends to laugh with when I go
out. I still lead some worship but am choosing to do that
less. </span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black;">I am able to drop everything
and go out for the day or spend a few days dog sitting. If I would prefer
to be at home, the craft stash provides me with challenges and
entertainment. </span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">And in everything I am secure in the love of God. I am truly blessed.</span></span></p><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeGjz8ijUXznPG7F2bTQmCrpvDizFVzFkSUkBdJJIrL3xBbRKXUTlD3igpQH3iIIb4W3fUPEpBt6Z1gnV9qn30Yku_wnpXHe40PmUPEf3dc5g8X5raL-n47H_k60OCejb-BijvUhaNuxEJeccncUotZMPcTUqjxQ2LCeTckLYP9IHGfHWYbIS1UgL_nY/s257/Retirement%20002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="257" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeGjz8ijUXznPG7F2bTQmCrpvDizFVzFkSUkBdJJIrL3xBbRKXUTlD3igpQH3iIIb4W3fUPEpBt6Z1gnV9qn30Yku_wnpXHe40PmUPEf3dc5g8X5raL-n47H_k60OCejb-BijvUhaNuxEJeccncUotZMPcTUqjxQ2LCeTckLYP9IHGfHWYbIS1UgL_nY/w640-h478/Retirement%20002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Frugally challengedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10222391810215537820noreply@blogger.com6