The Postie

 

I shop on line - a lot!  I have at least one grocery delivery a month especially when I want frozen food.  I get most of my clothes on-line.  The list could go on for quite a long time.

Most delivery staff are good but both Sainsbury and the Royal Mail are brilliant.  Sainsbury came Saturday and for £1 my groceries were delivered to my kitchen.  Their delivery staff are always cheerful and helpful.  I'm well organised and ready for them and we always have a cheery chat.

The posties from Royal Mail are always lovely too.  They know mine is a dog free house  and there is a seat by my front door which is good as it takes me a while to get to the door.  My recliner chair can be a bit slow getting me to ground level.  I always apologise and they always tell me not to worry.

I had a little giggle on Saturday as when I went to the door the postie was half way down the drive.  Apparently the cat from Number 12 was lurking.  It is known to all the local posties as it attacks them.  I suppose it makes a change from dogs.  

Who's a lucky girl, then?!

There's nothing I must do today!  Nothing at all in my diary.  I can choose how to spend each and every minute.

I know I will eat and I know there will be a couple of phone calls but basically no-one else is expecting me to do anything and there's nothing really pressing which I have to do.

So today is a luxury!  I could craft, cook, pamper myself.  I could read, listen to an audiobook, knit.  I could stay at home or go out.

I had a tricky day yesterday helping a reconciliation between two women so I feel rather happy about that.  I've got most of the preparation done to lead worship on Sunday.  I've got a dog sitting stint booked but that's not until next week.

These days don't happen all that often.  How would it make you feel?  Would you want to undertake a project, go visiting, or just be?  Does it ever happen for  you?

Using my time

 When I come and look after Holly, I regard it as a sort of holiday.  It's actually more restful than most holidays when I tend to want to see and do things.  When I come here I like to "be" and to be creative.  There's a brilliant craft room here where I can make cards, and there's a porch where I can look at the view and click my knitting needles. 

This time I've been making a blanket for a little boy of my acquaintance.  (I mentioned it in an earlier post.)  I wanted to get it finished as T's granny died recently and I think he needs all the comfort he can get.  I was determined to get it finished for him.  And I have.   But Holly seems to have different ideas about who it is for.  

Dog sitting again

 Holly and I are sending quite a lot of time together this month.  This time her usual human has gone to Turkey to spend a few days with her brother so Holly has allowed me to come.

Don't tell Holly but this time there is an extra incentive - the figs are ripe.  I love fresh figs!  Figs with cream cheese.  Just quartered and eaten with cream cheese.  Nothing as fancy as this picture but I was so keen to eat them that I didn't take a photo.  

Holly is happy too.  Her human asked me to get some cooked chicken to liven up Holly's meals but I roasted a chicken thigh from the freezer.  Holly says I can come again.

Birthday parties

 It's years since I went to a birthday party but two came along almost at once.

On Saturday I went to a barbecue to celebrate a friend's seventieth birthday and next Sunday another friend is hosting an afternoon tea to celebrate her seventy fifth.  S has recently moved back from France and she's using her three-quarter century to celebrate with the friends who couldn't go to France when she was seventy. 

When I was a child it seemed to take forever for a year to pass and I could proudly say, "I'm seven" instead of "I'm six".  These days a decade seems to take about as long as a year took in my childhood.  I think it's great to have a special celebration every ten years on the day when we once again get a zero as the final digit of our age.

For the years seem to pass so quickly now.  Each day is savoured even though it flashes by.  

Annual birthday parties would come around far too often!

Bliss!

 

Annie-The-Home-Enhancer came to my home yesterday, her first visit for four weeks.  I went home for a while to make sure she was OK.  Today when I go home (my dog sitting break ends today) the house will be clean and tidy and WONDERFUL!

Annie set up her business several years ago and my cousin's daughter was one of her first clients.  She lives about eight miles from me so I didn't ask her to look after me initially but I was given a cleaning session as a birthday present.  Life-changing!

When she came I asked her if I could be a regular client and she agreed.  Once a fortnight she cleans and together we set the world to rights.  I sit and we chat.  My main job is to make sure there's plenty of coffee.

I was the first person to call her my home enhancer and she loved that so much she has it on her business cards.  She is as much a professional as I am.  If you want someone to conduct worship I'm OK.  But no-one in their right mind would hire me to sort their house.  Annie truly enhances my home and my life.  

From Bach to Whitacre

 via Mendelssohn, Faure, Saint-Saens and Rogers and Hammerstein!

 

The audience waits

The C of E has some wonderful buildings but they are seriously underused.  Many have just one service a month - and some even less.  The buildings are much loved by their communities and especially by their congregations, but keeping them open, in use and in good repair, is a challenge, to say the least.

Pi

Pimms await

St Peter's Church serves a population of about fifty at Normanby but they get about twenty to twenty five people at their monthly Communion service.  Some of those worship only at Normanby but most travel to whichever village has a service that day.

soloists

So, yesterday, Claxby Community Choir gave a concert at Normanby.  Claxby is less than a mile away.  The two villages share a village hall but each has its own church.  

The concert was wonderful.  It was just over an hour and we heard music ranging from Bach's composition of 1732 to one of Eric Whitacre's compositions for his virtual choir during the pandemic.  We had four soloists, including a cellist and incredible verve from the conductor and her husband who was also the accompanist.  I was seated in a not-very-convenient part of church so my pictures aren't great - sorry about that.  

And it was followed by Pimm's and strawberries.  Pretty good Sunday afternoon!

A special day

                                    

I used to make the twenty four hours from Friday evening to Saturday evening very distinctive.  I called it my Sabbath.  It began with a special meal, included times of prayer and was marked by solitude.  

The habit largely fell by the wayside during the pandemic but I want to regain it.  So, on Friday I sorted the house to make it a sanctuary of calm.  I wasn't very interested in food as I ate at lunchtime but next time I will have a light lunch and make sure I can enjoy my supper.  A special meal  with a properly set table and candles makes a definite start to the ritual.

Then an evening spent crocheting.  I'm making a blanket for a little boy whom I hardly know but I hear about him regularly, and as I crocheted I prayed for him and his family, then my prayers widened for children everywhere.  Then they moved inwards again as I thought about my own childhood.

A calm evening led to a calm bedtime and a good night's sleep.  

Saturday I settled again to crochet but I listened to an audiobook, enjoyed the quiet and the time to think.  That verse from Browning's poem, "Rabbi Ben Ezra" kept going through my head.  It reflected the tone of the whole period for me.

Grow old along with me!

The best is yet to be,

The last of life, for which the first was made:

Our times are in His hand

Who saith “A whole I planned,

Youth shows but half; trust God: see all, nor be afraid!”

The first day of the month

 

December is the most distinctive of all the months but, at least for English children, August is pretty special too.  A whole month of no school stretching out in front of them.  That could either be wonderful or awful, depending on how each one thinks of school.

My schooldays are long gone, but I still have a whole month to enjoy.  Thirty one days to use as I please.

My plans include a little bit of dog sitting.  Holly Dog has sent an invitation.  

I've got three summer schools to attend on line.  That isn't as onerous as it sounds for each is just one hour a day for a whole week.  Two are on Shakespeare and one is hand embroidery.  All are run by the Women's Institute.  I've done several Shakespeare courses before and these two are on Hamlet and Measure for Measure.  

I've got two short courses too, on drawing and journalling.  These are run each month and are very relaxing.  

I'm hoping to swim if my legs are OK.  I miss my mermaid sessions when I can't go.  

I've plans for several meals out with various friends and relations.  Nothing fancy but fish and chips just might feature.  

I've been invited to a seventieth birthday party for a dear friend.  

And in between times I shall relax, knit, crochet, maybe go out for a few days. 

And maybe write a few blog posts too.  

An average sort of day

 When I asked for ideas for posts, writing about an ordinary day was suggested.  Yesterday was a pretty ordinary day so I wrote this post over the course of the day.

I've been awake since around 02.30.  I couldn't find sleep but that's OK.  I just laid in bed and listened to a familiar audiobook until 04.00 when I let myself get up.  The first two or three hours are spent writing my journal, reading other people's blogs, sorting my finances, checking emails etc.  There's also time for a bit of peace and quiet with God as I can be pretty sure there won't be any interruptions.  Before 07.00 today I had also made arrangements for some dog-sitting next month.

07.00 is time for for chat with Jack or, more accurately listening to Jack.  He tells me about what he did yesterday and what's he's planning today.  Today he's toddling off to Mablethorpe for a few days so we won't be chatting until Monday.

After that I am ready to make a proper start to my day - sorting the kitchen, tidying the sitting room and the rest of the round of domesticity.  

Today I had hoped to go to Brigg but it's raining so I'm stopping at home.  The ironing will get done, I'll phone a couple of friends and I'll work on a crochet blanket I am making for a small boy of my acquaintance.  There are very few children in my life and I treasure each small person.

One of our local clergy is leaving this Sunday so the rest of us took her out for lunch.  It's great to see each other socially but sad to say goodbye to C who has been a really good vicar.  And after that I tried to do a detailed examination of the back of my eyelids but they wouldn't stay shut.  

Then I decided to collect garden produce.  This will be tasty over the next few days.  

I had a very good lunch at the pub so I won't need much this evening.  Instead I shall spend the evening getting on with the crochet, having a video call with a cousin, watching Miss Marple (currently available on BBC iPlayer) and mulling over the day.

I've done nothing exciting today but I've thoroughly enjoyed what I have done.

God is good.  

Annie-the-Home-Enhancer

 

I'm feeling incredibly pampered.  A sense of luxury and well-being is mine.  Annie-the-Home-Enhancer has been!

I now I am very lucky to have some of my cleaning done for for me but, as I am disabled, I don't think I could manage without her.  She comes once a fortnight and today was the day!

Jack thinks it hilarious that I tidy up before Annie comes but I'm a very untidy gal and if Annie had to tidy up, I would have to find where she'd put everything.  Her visits spur me to sort things.  She's been coming since 2018 so she's used to my little ways now.

She arrives with all her own gear - cloths, sprays and even Henry the Hoover.  The only thing I supply is an electric scrubbing brush.  When she goes my home is wonderful.

But she's going on holiday soon so I will have a whole month without Annie.  Bother!

I have no idea!

 A couple of months ago I bought a courgette plant.  I asked Jack to plant it and before too long it flowered.  Jack was bemused by the fruits which started to appear but we left it to its own devices.  I kept looking but none seemed ready to pick.  

This evening while I was making my way around the raised vegetable bed something brushed against my leg.  A courgette.  At least two feet long! How on earth had I missed this!  And I have no idea what variety of courgette this is.  Can you help?  I think it is a grafted plant.  Fortunately I bought just one as it appears to be very prolific.

But while I was outside I also picked my first "big" tomato of the season.  I've been eating cherry tomatoes for several days but this is the first full size jobby of 2025.

And at least every other day I have picked a bunch of sweet peas.

Jack tells me his his own garden isn't doing nearly as well as mine.  Tee hee.  Shame about that! 

But thank you, Jack, for doing such a great job with my garden.  A bacon butty awaits your attention.  And I know you have some brilliant leeks which you hope I will turn into soup for you.  

Perfect?

 

I keep having a little go at painting and drawing bits and pieces.  This piece was from a WI  session a while ago.  It was supposed to be Perfect - Not! but I like my wonky version better.

I think the modern phrase for this is "winging it".  I like that as it reminds me that I get through only by the intervention of angels!  

I've never got my life together and I doubt if I ever will and that's OK.  Thing is though, that I give myself full permission just to do my best with the housework, cooking, blogging or whatever.  And sometimes my best really isn't very good.  So I give myself permission to do what I can.  People seeing me might think they are looking at the blooper reel of my life but I know that they're looking at the highlights!

So, I invite you to raise your half empty coffee mug (forget the messy ring you left behind): raise it to the beautiful chaos that is being human.

Here's to you and me in all our wonderful imperfections!

Is tha one o the frim folk?

 

If you’re not a yellow belly, you’re one of the frim folk, in other words you are from somewhere other than Lincolnshire.  Or as my grandad would have said “Tha’s from t’other side o Lincoln”.

In a few minutes I’ll be having my daily phone call with Jack and some people would find it difficult to know what we are talking about.  You know already that Lincolnshire ducks don’t quack.  But did you know that you too could be a duck as it’s also a term of endearment?  And maybe I would have to duck if that’s what I called you and you fetched me a clout!  And then I might end up beeling (crying). 

It's been ower 'ot bi aife (it’s been very hot lately) and in the absence of a pool to dive into, I’ve been diving into Lincolnshire dialect.  It seemed a better idea than being as mardy as me bum (sulky).  Don’t get frit, though.  (Margaret Thatcher once used “frit” in the House of Commons to taunt an opponent whom she accused of running scared.)

But that name “Yellow Belly” which we Lincolnshire folk proudly use of ourselves, is actually a mystery.  There are many theories about its origin, but no-one really knows.

Down the Rabbit Hole

 

Long time readers of this blog will know that I love going to Brigg.  It's about nine miles from home and it's fully pedestrianised so once I have parked my car I can wander where I like on my trundle truck.

Thee are quite a few shops belonging to national chains like Tesco, B & M, and Boots but there are also independent shops.  

Here's my butchers shop.  Brigg still has four independent butchers which I find amazing.  Newells sells local meat as well as cakes baked locally and a few vegetables.  

Just along the road is Brian's Hardware which sells everything to do with hardware, DIY and gardening!  I even bought my mobility scooter there and they maintain it for me.  

Across the road is Jaylaur's Sewing Studio.  It's been extended quite a bit since this photo was taken but it's as elastic as the Tardis!  They sell fabric and haberdashery, run courses and are happy to give advice.

But it's The Rabbit Hole which is the most fascinating.  Wouldn't you want to go into a shop with a name like that?  It's the local independent bookshop.

Like most High Streets, Brigg is struggling but I for one appreciate the quality of the goods, the expertise freely offered and the sheer quirkiness of our independent shops.

And there are far more like this in Brigg.  

Better than being at school.

 

When I was at school I was rubbish at sewing, art,  and "sporty things".  Always bottom of the class.  Never sewed a thing of which I could be proud.  Forget painting.  Always last to be picked for a team.

But I've been free of school for fifty five years.  And the great thing is, I don't need to compare myself with anyone else.  My body is a weird shape following a severe motor cycle crash and a bilateral mastectomy but I've found somewhere to swim without feeling self conscious.  I can sew adequately and take really pleasure in being creative with a needle.

So that leaves art.  Shame about that.  I'll never be able to paint or draw.  Or can I?

One place where I have found inspiration is Kirsten's blog "A letter from home".  Kirsten does some lovely little sketches on her blog.  I don't think she'll mind if I say they aren't great art but they are fun and they have inspired me to have a go.  They are so appealing and immediate.

Then the WI has an on line drawing club.  This little drawing (poppies before you ask) was this month's picture and the instructor takes us through it step by step.  We use felt tips which must be the most unintimidating medium ever.  The instuctor is a primary school teacher who has our measure!

And I've just bought my first paint box since I left school and I'm planning on having a crack at water colour painting.  I've found on line classes on painting flowers.  

Maybe I'll find courage to put a few attempts on my blog.  

Ice Cream

 I'm a Companion on the Wolds (COW)!  This is a group loosely organised by the church to offer companionship to women who have been widowed. (I'm just a pastor for the group.) There are about fifteen members and they meet roughly monthly.

Last month we had a very interesting tour around a beehive making factory.  Yesterday we met at a local ice cream parlour where the ice cream is made on the premises.  They have a small cafe where we had soups and sarnies and then we had a talk on ice cream making.  Even better we sampled about eight ice creams.  There was coconut, wold gold, mango, fruit of the forest, tiramisu, rum and raisin and I can't remember the rest.  

I'll be going back!

Hi July!

 

A whole new month!  

31 days of blessings!  

744 hours of possibilities!

44640 minutes to live!

And by the end of the month I will have lived through 2678400 more seconds.  

There are fun things on the horizon.

I think I'm going on a tour of an ice cream factory tomorrow.  I say "I think" because the factory hasn't conformed they can cope with us but I can't think of a better place to go in this weather.  

I'm booked to take services three Sundays.  The last Sunday of the month I am going to a farewell service for a local vicar who is moving on.  She has been really good and she will be missed. 

I'm going to a birthday lunch for a friends, a farewell lunch for the vicar I mentioned above and another meet-up lunch with a friend.

My car has its annual check and service which might not sound very interesting but I have a tradition of going to a nice hotel for breakfast with one of my cousins which is lovely.  

I'm hoping to get my Christmas cards made.  I've been hoping to do that since February!

But the month starts with a visit from Jack.  I have savoury ducks waiting for him and bacon butties are on the menu.  

Christmas in June

 Why wait to have Christmas in July?  Let's have Christmas in June!

Last Christmas my friend E and I decided to have a special day out rather than give each other Christmas presents.  We both have more than enough "stuff" so it seemed like a good idea.

One of the great things about it is that we gave each other the gift of anticipation.  For six months we have talked about our day, thought about it and come up with great ideas.  

We decided to go to Eden Hall, a day spa in Nottinghamshire.  It's many years since I went although E went a few years ago with one of her daughters.  It's about an hour's drive from home.  We decided that a little pampering wouldn't come amiss.  

Neither of us would have spent £119 on the other's Christmas present but this seemed worthwhile.  £119 was the basic cost of the day but I also treated myself to a massage and we each had drinks.  

Will we have a treat as our Christmas presents to each other next year?  Absolutely!

Pruinesence

 

Many words from the winter dictionary won't become part of my vocabulary but I think I could make an exception for pruinesence.  It's the beautiful white covering of frost seen on crisp winter days.  A much nicer term than hoar frost, I think you will agree.  It's easy to find lovely cosy words for the winter but beautiful outdoor ones are to be treasured.  

These days I admire the trees at a distance.  All too often the weather is too snarry for me.  Snarry?  Piercingly, bitingly cold.  It's much colder riding on a trundle truck than walking!  I will watch any snow blossoms from a distance.  And that's not just me being poetic - snowflakes were called snow blossoms (at least in written English) before they were called snowflakes.