Tag Archives: MyShetland

Everyone Bare Nekkid

It seems odd that not 36 hours ago it was blowing a hoolie and snowing but now everyone’s rugs are off and they’re all bare nekkid.

The nicest bit of taking rugs off is seeing just how clean and beautiful they are underneath.

No one looks too thin, which is my main worry this time of year – with rugs on, you don’t know what is going on underneath.

Everyone had a lovely sleep lying flat out in the sunshine too.  I could almost hear them snoring.

And also they told me spring is here by starting to lose their winter coats.

I am lazy and don’t brush anyone until it gets until mid May/June as their winter coats might still be needed.  It could get cold again still.  You just never know.

I am particularly pleased with Vitamoobag.  She looks glorious for such an old lady (32yo) but it doesn’t take much for her to look like a hat-rack, I know that.  At this age, we all just go day to day with absolutely no expectations.

I climbed up the hill back to the house to find we had company!

Comes in Three’s

Bad luck comes in three’s.  That’s the saying and my Monday was no exception.

It began well, and I was lured into a false sense of security as I started the fully-loaded washing machine.

1. It stopped working half way through the cycle – soaking wet clothes and no obvious reason.

2.  I am still stressed about Skippy dying – so that counts in my book.

3.  And, lastly, Pepper refused her breakfast and is back to wandering lonely as a cloud.

Luckily OH got the washing machine going. I know not how (something about the plug) and I can stop worrying about that.  I feel sick when the washing machine dies and would rather have no tv than no washing machine.

Skippy now has a very proficient doctor who is busy diagnosing the problem – possibly battery – and he says Skippy is basically an electric mobility scooter by any other name so hopefully it can be mended (pretty please God – a broken Skippy just makes me hear the words “a total waste of money”).

And as for Pepper – well, she ate her tea – huzzah, but apparently she doesnt like the brand we have so I opened an expensive Lily’s Kitchen tin which she loved and obviously cat food.  I can see where this is going so I phoned the vet surgery and made an appointment for Pepper to have a complete blood count done.  Then, at least, I can rule out anything suspicious and know she is just a bloody-minded wee dug who has me under her paw running around in circles for her and not IBS, pancreatitis, kidney/liver disease, cancer, Addison’s, etc…..

The washing-machine and Skippy I can let go of, but not Pepper.  I think this eating/not-eating has gone on long enough now.  Tomorrow afternoon is the appointment. Taking blood should be fun.

The Dream vs The Reality

This was the dream.

And this is the reality.

When I opened the parcel, a small flat pancake of a bed was inside, but as it was vacuumed packed, I prayed it had potential and would spring/fluff up into the bed of dreams.

“Pamper your cat with our self-warming and soothing Cat Nesting Bed that is finished with a luxurious faux shag fur and mimics the cosy comfort of a mother’s fur coat! Paired with deep crevices that allow your pet to burrow, your fury kids will have a full and restful sleep! The Cat Nesting Bed is designed to give 100% comfort for that Pawfect kip!”

Spring, it did not.

Was it the bed of dreams?  Ummm, not really.

This is their LARGE size.  Seriously?

And this is what happens all the time – ditto for this bed bought to fit a collie.

On the islands we don’t have a pet shop so can’t actually see anything in real life.  I know if I had seen this, I never would’ve bought it.

I am very fed up, on Monster’s behalf.  Off to look at dog bed caves now for him.  Poor old Monster.  He’s not very impressed either.  I don’t blame him.

Sudden thought – It might make a good foot warmer in my shed or a little Lambie warmer.

Help Needed, Please

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.

Bedrest For Me

I’ve been lying on my bed all day being waited on hand and foot by my wonderful Flossie (as I type this, she is cutting up vegetables to roast with a chicken). To fill my day, I have gone through my family tree looking at Data Inconsitency Reports trying to amend errors like having a baby at 14yo or 49 (which is apparently true and not that long ago – 1846).  Poor woman – Fred was the last of 11 children!

Meanwhile, Pepper has proved to be a rotten nurse (and I haven’t seen hide nor hair of Monster either). She has been totally absent all day and was driven home from the neighbours after tea (***sigh ***).  She wants me to apologise to her for being so boring today.  No one is talking to her now, again and she’s been sacked from her job.  And when I think of the undying devotion from BeAnne Duvet who never left my side and bed through 3 spinal operation recoveries, I told Pepper – can you see the bored look on her face?

Flossie also managed to escape, sorry, went for a walk this afternoon and I texted her to take some photos as she went as I had nothing for this blog.

Anyway, it is loveley to see the outside, even through someone else’s eyes.  I know it is not as warm as it looks, hence the rugs staying on as windcheaters.

  

They don’t seem to hold anyone back.

And everyone seems perfectly happy and comfortable so while I am stuck inside, I am not worrying about them.  Just the fact that Pepper is escaping.