Y is for YMCA

As we walked away from church on Sunday, an elderly gentleman and I were discussing what we were having for lunch.

"I'm having salmon with new potatoes and salad" I said.

"I'm having YMCA" he said

"YMCA?"

"YMCA.  Yesterday's Meal Cooked Again."

I rather liked it and I giggled a bit on the way home.

But it made me think about weird names for food. Some proper names for food are weird. One reader commented that her husband didn't believe there really was a dish called Bubble and Squeak.  I asked how he could make himself eat a Hot Dog. 

But it's the informal names for dishes which are the most fun.  I've just eaten a bowl of Whatever Soup, so named because it includes whatever happens to be in the fridge.  Others call that Bottom of the Fridge Soup, Bung It In Soup or Iffits Soup.

Any ideas from you?

X is for Xmas preparations

 I don't often write Xmas instead of Christmas but when it comes to X in a second round of alphabet posts, I'll take what ever I can!

I start preparing for Christmas on 26th December when I note what I have given and received each year.  On 26th December 2023 I made a list of the people I would like to give things to this year, and I've been revising it throughout the year, adding ideas for gifts or crossing them out.  The vast majority of the presents I give are home-made so I often start  in January or February.  I reckon if I haven't got my cards made before the end of July, they're probably a lost cause!

You have seen some of the things I have made this year: poinsettia wreaths, partridge and pear, and my Christmas cards.

I've got a few projects in progress - but you'll have to wait for future post to see what they are!!

W is for Willoughton and Walesby

St Andrew's Church, Willoughton

 For nearly fifteen years I was Vicar of Willoughton.  It was one of the five parishes in my group.

Today I have taken a service at Walesby.  I go to Walesby a few times each year, sometimes to lead and sometimes to be part of the congregation.  I have no "formal" relationship with Walesby, I am not their vicar.

Only a minority of Willoughton residents came to church but everyone knew me as the vicar.  Sunday by Sunday I lead worship in the various churches in the group.  They knew they could call on my services when there was a wedding or a funeral.  I would attend as many village events as I could.  

St Mary's Church, Walesby.

I take services at Walesby only when invited by the Priest in Charge.  She looks after eleven parishes and needs help every Sunday but there is a Non Stipendiary Priest and several lay ministers helping her most Sundays.  Today the NSM was away so I filled in.  I don't take weddings in that group and take only very occasional funerals when asked to by the Priest in Charge.  I don't live in the group and I attend very few events there.  I am free to accept invitations anywhere I want, and I fill in for clergy who are ill or on holiday.

I take services on one or two Sundays each month but I am free to say "No" when invited.  Eventually I will no longer lead but I will still be in church, in a pew, grateful for the love of God shown to me through other ministers.  

126 sleeps

 My Christmas preparations are gathering momentum at the moment.  The mojo will doubtless leave before long but for the moment, I'm taking full advantage.

Apart from "personal" Christmas gifts, I like to give to organisations.  This lot is going to the Women's Institute.  I seem to make a few every year, but this is my best batch yet.

An elf at work

Elf hoping not to be recognised.

 I have been recruited by Santa!

He visited my house during his off peak season and left a note saying that he knew a few children who would quite like the scarves I knit but would I make some a bit smaller., please.  He even left me some sparkly red and green wool for a stripe in each scarf. 

Who could refuse a request from The Great Man?  So I donned my elf kit and set to work.  

These are the first two waiting for his approval.  

They may help me to stay off the naughty list. 

V is for vegetables

 Five a day, thirty a week, plant consumption is SO important.  I usually manage both those targets but I have to do a bit of planning to make sure I hit the second.  The thirty can include not just vegetables but also fruit, nuts, seeds, herbs, edible flowers, spices and some grains.

A couple of times each month I pick up a Waste Not box from Lidl.  They are brilliant value and they often contain items which I wouldn't normally buy but, as I consider myself honour-bound not to waste anything from these precious boxes, I eat them.  I'm not keen on pears or padron peppers but they were in last week's box so I am eating them.  Some things, eg large quantities of potatoes, I give away, knowing that the recipients won't waste them either.

My freshest vegetables are from my garden and this year it has done me proud.  In this bed I've got tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce, courgettes, beetroot, leeks, and broccoli.  There are some French marigolds in there too

And I grow runner beans amongst the flowers.  Jack says he doesn't approve but I think he may be coming around to my way of thinking.  If not - tough!

The sweet peas have been flowering since 27th June with at least a vaseful each day and plenty to give to friends

U is for Unknown

 

Life is full of little mysteries.  I suppose the classic is, "Why does the toaast always fall butter side down?"   And if there is a scientific explanation of that "fact" please don't tell me as I doubt whether my brain could cope.  

Why does Blogger do such peculiar things to my posts?

Why do unexpected visitors arrive when I'm having a duvet day?

Why do so many socks/gloves lose their mates?

Why does the washing line choose to break when there white sheets on it?

Why is it that the smallest sized chocolate bar is called "fun sized"?

Why do I press harder on a remote-control when I know the battery is dead?

Why doesn't the wool on sheep shrink?

When I do a series of alphabet posts why are all the brain cudgelling ones together at the end of the alphabet?  (Actually they are always at the end of the alpabet.  Silly me.)

T is for Technology

 

“One day there will be a telephone in every major city in America.”

 I love that quote from Alexander Graham Bell.  He was such a brilliant man, so forward thinking, and yet even he could not foresee the future.

 Every generation has seen technology move on a little bit more.  My grandmother regarded telephones with suspicion (although she gradually saw some of their advantages), and my mother refused to have anything to do with computers.  So far I’m OK with most “new technology” although the time may come . . .

On Friday I had cataract surgery.  My eyes had been digitally scanned to check the size of the cataract and the size of the lens so that the first could be removed and the second replaced as accurately as possible.  Information about me had been sent digitally so that other health issues could be considered (e.g., the medications I take regularly).  I received a digital print out regarding aftercare. My next-of-kin's mobile number was readily available in the unlikely case of difficulties.

Yes, I know some  technology is intrusive and annoying, and that the human touch is mich more important, but for the most part I would say T is for both Technology and Thankfulness. 

PS.  Thank you for all the kind comments on my last post.  I am fine and tmy eyesight continues to improve.

S is for surgery

 

This is just a very quick post as all I want to do is sit with my eyes closed!  I had cataract surgery this moorning and all went well.  Thank you Jack for taking me amd a huge thank you to the team at Goole Community Hospital who took care of me. 

R is for Remember when

I love to remember when I was a girl.

Sometimes my remembering makes me want those times back, but often I feel glad that things have changed.

 Do you remember waking up in a cold bedroom with ice on the inside of windows?  And a weekly bath and daily all over washes with a rough flannel?

 

Do you remember there being milk delivered to the doorstep before you were even up?

 Do you remember walking to school with your friends and skipping or playing hopscotch on the way?

Do you remember cycling to school and maybe propping your bike against the kerb on the way?   I don't know when I last saw a bike leaning on a kerb.

 Do you remember getting a third of a pint of slightly warm milk (with a straw) to drink at mid-morning?

Do you remember school dinners with liver or a sausage or anonymous meat with cabbage or carrots and mashed potato, followed by rice pudding?

 Do you remember the excitement of school radio programmes?

 Do you remember bread and jam for tea, followed by home-made cake?

 Do you remember going to bed cuddling a hot water bottle (mine was stone!) with all sorts of things piled on the bed just to keep you warm?

 

If you do, I think you (like me) are very lucky.

Q is for Quite close to home

I'm hoping to go on a cruise some time in the next couple of years so I've decided not to go away for holidays whilst I am saving.  In the mean time, I am having days out "quite close to home".  (OK, I'm being "creative" about my alphabet!)

Gardens at Gunby Hall

I'm a member of the Scottish National Trust, which might seem a bit odd for a Lincolnshire Lass like myself but the National Trust would charge me £91.20 while the Scottish National Trust asks only £62.40.  I can use my Scottish membership at English properties: the only thing I don't get is a members' handbook.  I'll cope!

The lake at Clumber

There are only two suitable National Trust properties "quite close to home" with Gunby Hall being 36 miles away and Clumber Park being 44 miles.  I say "suitable" because there is little point in my going to properties where I can't use my trundle truck.  I have visited both this year and will probably go back.

Far Ings Nature Reserve

I'm also a member of Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and visit some of their reserves.  These are usually free to visit although some charge parking.  And I've visited other nature reserves too.

Sunflowers at Baumber

Then there are privately owned properties like Baumber Walled Garden.  That's free but no picnics etc allowed.  That's fair enough - they have a cafe and need to make their costs somehow!

So, I manage to get days out, usually just for the cost of my petrol and I take my picnic and flasks.  

And my knitting

Then I sit and people-watch and doubtless people smile when they see a dotty old lady knitting, and I hope they see the kindly smile on my face too.

P is for plans

 

I love making plans!  They may not get carried through, but dreaming and working things out and writing them down passes a lovely hour.

I have fairly long term plans (eg go on a cruise), medium term plans (Christmas gifts to make), amd plans for the month to come.

So, what does August hold for me?

I need to have minor surgery (which will be inconvenient) and I need to plan how I can manage any potential difficulties.  I live alone so it is important that I think things through as thoroughly as possible

My garden is looking better than it has for several years (the alterations last year made things tricky) so I'm planning to spend time out there.  (Thank you, Jack.)

For various reasons I need to cut back on grocery spending, so I need to plan meals and shopping very carefully.

I've booked several courses with the Women's Institute on line learning hub.  Some are "crafty", some are to make me think.

I've got just one booking to lead worship this month, but that needs prayer and planning.

And, most importantly, I'm planning on a lovely month.