Category Archives: Something different

Back to the Vegetables

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Today, feeling stronger, I returned to my usual job of packing vegetables.

There was lots to do and the old muscle memory kicked in as I filled poly bags with salad and other leafy veg, labelled them, distributed and counted what was going where.

The sun was shining, although it was bitterly cold, and I was well-prepared – I took my Christmas-present hand-warmers with me and they were a god-send in the cold packing shed.

Later this afternoon, there was a bit more running around and I am now lying in bed considering what painkillers to take and how strong.   I am beginning to think that I probably over-did things today. I must learn to say no and to pace myself.  Flossie can’t stay forever picking up the pieces.

Still, I have Monster with me lying on my bed.  He came indoors soaking wet, so I dried him off and I took a quick picture of his audition for the Nativity.

No one is talking to Pepper (again). She tried to kill a duck.  Not our best day then.

So How Old Is He?

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When Daisy and I first met Monster in April 2018, we were told he was approximately 2 – 4 years old.  Our Shetland vet at the time and I disagreed with this estimate and thought he was more like 6 – 8 years old as Monster was one big confidant cat who did not look like he had just been around for a couple of years.

Meet n’ Greet – Day 1 at the SSPCA – on his throne

Does this look like a 2 year old cat to you?

First day at home

I don’t know. I suppose Monster could’ve been 2 – 4.  He had been a Tom cat (swiftly neutered by the SSPCA) and certainly built like one.

So that brings us swiftly to 2026.  By my calculations, we’ve had Monster for 8 years (of total joy, obviously) so at best he is 10 – 14 years old but these days we are all noticing that Monster is getting increasingly stiff when he gets up out of his many beds and I think he might be older than we were told – more like 16.

And I know there are supplements like Yumove for cats but they are all fish-based and he absolutely loathes all fish so I am not sure what the answer is.

Help Needed, Please

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I need your help.  Between us, I think we can succeed.

I was in my shed, looking for a book that I had inherited from my mother’s bookcase, when I came across a small leather and gilt bound book.  I have had it for a while and never looked in it so didn’t know what was inside.

The book belonged to Marion Alice Barnard, also known as Polly.

This is John Singer Sargent’s sketch of Polly in preparation for the painting, Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose.

This is Polly’s birthday book and there are some fascinating names in there so of course I am now busy transcribing it.  Most of the names I’ve worked out but there are a few I could do with some help, please.

(yes, John Singer Sargent)


Anyway, so here goes…. (ones in red are the ones I need help with)

Leonard Barwick (at the top)
****** Barnard – possibly Anne? (there is a Mary Anne in the family tree)
Ellen Terry (yes, The Ellen Terry).

N (?) Eyton Roller – is that an R or W (famous cricketer). Looking at it, I am now thinking that’s a W.
Ethel Margaret Baumer
Sybil Baumer

Mary Alice Miles
C (Charles) Trevor Roller (I think I’ve just worked that one out)

Absolutely no idea G. H Tallwood?

Again, no idea – Jennie Seloces?

Dear God, help me now….
Alfred …….
Ellen Vincent
J.M. Barrie (as in Peter Pan)

A close up if that helps.

L Barnard or L. C. Barnard?

First initial for Buchanan, please.  J. B. Buchanan?

Mary Miles?

A. J. Boyd or an F.

Agnes Daden Caffin or Naden or Baden (according to Ancestry.com it’s Haden). I suppose that could be an H.

A difficult one – I think it is M. Wedgwood 1827, or maybe not or even W. Wedgwood

Go on, knock yourself out.

Lily Millet (wife of Francis Davis Millet, artist who died on Titanic)
Barre J. Bacon or Blare or ? J or S?

What a superb find.  I am all of a quiver and not quite sure if it should be sent somewhere.  I can’t believe that little book has been sitting in my bookshelf, ignored and full of amazing names.

A Dog Walk on the Beach

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We have a major storm arriving soon, so to the make the most of the bad weather approaching, I took the dogs for a walk on Reawick Beach with some friends and their dog, Harley.

Reawick beach is different from our usual beaches as it has red granite sand.  It is always nice.

With lots of shells too – a good and varied supply.

  

Although not the biggest of Shetland’s beaches, we had it to ourselves and walked up a down a few times, while Harley had a tennis ball thrown for him.  My lot ignored that but enjoyed the new sniffs and smells that were everywhere.  Next time, I want to take my big camera but, for them moment, it is too heavy for me to lug around.

Not gonna lie, but I think I might’ve overdone things a bit now, I realise but at the time walking along a deserted beach with friends and dogs was perfect.  I have managed to make another sheep this afternoon because I must keep going on that front too.

The cruise ships start to arrive at the end of this month and then it will be full steam ahead on the visitor front, espcially in Lerwick where I hope my sheep will sell and travel the world.

So I’m having a bit of a lie down now and will regroup to find my last gasp of energy required for supper, writing two weeks’ of the diaries, a shower and bed.

Though I may forego the Diaries, just this once, especially if I start typing rubbish, which is definitely a pissibolity!

Home Now

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Well, I’m back home now with a much-needed cup of tea, two Tunnocks and Marcus Aurelius (who came along for the journey just in case I needed him).

The whole procedure (caudal epidural steroid injections) all overmy lower back) wasn’t as bad as past times and I had some sedation which helped sufficiently, and I made my feelings very clear when it didn’t.  Only my lower back was treated but there will be investigation into my shoulder/neck/arm pain at a later date because I cant have injections in both sites simultaneously.

So now I am resting in my cave for a few days – Flossie has taken the helm.  I have a headache and started the steroid flushes but those are both to be expected and I am not concerned.

Thank you all for your kind words of encouragement, sympathy, thoughts and prayers. I felt you were all very much in the room when I needed you most.