Amazon exiles discussion
Don't Kill Snails with Salt ... Creme Eggs & Toasted Teacakes ... Biscuits & Bench Stories, Life, the Universe, & Everything!
I'm holding out for the possibility of there being a World Toffee or Caramel Day! ;o>I've brought my own Teabags with me ... Ringtons Kenyan Gold ... so I'll be wanting just a splash of Skimmed Milk in mine please? ... x
We only use Arla Best Of Both, will that do?
I've never tried it? - but I'll give a go! ... Cheers! ;o>
Well, it's all been kicking off here;
Sipping away quite happily at my cuppa, I heard a Blackbird kicking up a storm but thought no more of it until a second one joined in and I could hear them thrashing around in the bushes, so I went to have a look, hoping it wasn't Phoebe trying to get at the nest just to the side the patio door in whatever kind of climbing plant is there.
Phoebe was, and still is, fast asleep under the curtain by the door.
What I saw in the garden was a Sparrowhawk on the edge of the lawn with its' wings outstretched, covering what I presume was a baby Blackbird. It took one look at me and, with an angry look, flew off pretty sharpish. Its' prey also disappeared into the bush, leaving behind a few dozen grey, downy feathers. There was no traces of blood on the grass though, which I found quite strange. I would have thought that the Sparrowhawk would kill first and then pluck.
I went back to my cuppa then decided to get the laundry off the line, as I couldn't put it off any longer. While I was doing this, I heard a scrabbling coming from between the edge of the raised patio and the chair on the lower level. This turned out to be a baby Starling lying facedown with wings outstretched and legs splayed out. At first I thought that maybe this was what the Sparrowhawk had attacked but it's totally the wrong colour and I couldn't see any injuries on it.
What to do now? It's best not to handle baby birds as the parents will then abandon them. The poor thing was scared and panting madly, fluttering around whenever I got close, so I just put down a small plastic tub with some water in it close by and also some broken pieces of suet ball then carried on fetching in the laundry. A few minutes later, while I had my back turned, I heard it take off.
I reckon the poor little bugger fell off the roof and winded itself when it hit the floor.
Sipping away quite happily at my cuppa, I heard a Blackbird kicking up a storm but thought no more of it until a second one joined in and I could hear them thrashing around in the bushes, so I went to have a look, hoping it wasn't Phoebe trying to get at the nest just to the side the patio door in whatever kind of climbing plant is there.
Phoebe was, and still is, fast asleep under the curtain by the door.
What I saw in the garden was a Sparrowhawk on the edge of the lawn with its' wings outstretched, covering what I presume was a baby Blackbird. It took one look at me and, with an angry look, flew off pretty sharpish. Its' prey also disappeared into the bush, leaving behind a few dozen grey, downy feathers. There was no traces of blood on the grass though, which I found quite strange. I would have thought that the Sparrowhawk would kill first and then pluck.
I went back to my cuppa then decided to get the laundry off the line, as I couldn't put it off any longer. While I was doing this, I heard a scrabbling coming from between the edge of the raised patio and the chair on the lower level. This turned out to be a baby Starling lying facedown with wings outstretched and legs splayed out. At first I thought that maybe this was what the Sparrowhawk had attacked but it's totally the wrong colour and I couldn't see any injuries on it.
What to do now? It's best not to handle baby birds as the parents will then abandon them. The poor thing was scared and panting madly, fluttering around whenever I got close, so I just put down a small plastic tub with some water in it close by and also some broken pieces of suet ball then carried on fetching in the laundry. A few minutes later, while I had my back turned, I heard it take off.
I reckon the poor little bugger fell off the roof and winded itself when it hit the floor.
Ohhh? - I had my Heart in my Mouth as I read that, Grizzly! ;oO... and Phoebe just simply slept on through it all? ... priceless!!! ;o>
Wow GG! It's all go at your place. What an eventful morning!
Peace and tranquillity have been restored - there are two Collared Doves fast asleep, side by side in the middle of the lawn :)
I think Phoebe is a little intimidated by the birds, especially the male Blackbird who must be the dad of the three chicks in the nest - he bounds around on the patio right by the open door, squawking away at Phoebe until she runs off from the doorway and goes upstairs to sulk :)
I think Phoebe is a little intimidated by the birds, especially the male Blackbird who must be the dad of the three chicks in the nest - he bounds around on the patio right by the open door, squawking away at Phoebe until she runs off from the doorway and goes upstairs to sulk :)
Blackbirds seem to make such excellent parents - they can be so incredibly fierce and furious creatures when they think, or they know, their babies to be threatened in any way ;o>It sounds like poor Phoebe must find it all to be quite bewildering?! ;o>
Phew. Glad to see a happy ending. I very rarely see any birds in the front garden, but the large cotoneaster bush has just started getting its red berries and suddenly a load of spadgers have started munching every afternoon.
For some reason some keep flying into my front window about 6 feet away. So far they’ve only been briefly stunned but I’m dreading the day one’s badly hurt.
Pic on my profile, without the birds!
suzysunshine7 wrote: "Confusingly, the U.S. National Confectioners Association lists 13 September as International Chocolate Day....."Anyone can choose to call any day they like international chocolate day, international sausage day, international stock up on toilet paper day or international shoe-polishing day. The fact that some particularly well-funded marketing department has decided that 7th July is international chocolate day should be a reason for every decent person in the world to refuse to buy chocolate on that date. Doing what marketing departments want you to do is profoundly antisocial.
Oops! ... (*hides bag of Milk Chocolate Brazils behind Back*) ;o>I completely agree with you that it is all just a marketing ploy - the post about World Chocolate Day was entirely quoted from something I came across on Wikipedia.
I personally don't mind playing along with these kinds of things though? - as they can suddenly make what might be proving to be a rather boring and ordinary day into something much more celebratory, interesting and fun ... (*quickly pops Brazil in Mouth and tries to carry on looking innocent*) ... Hee, Hee, Hee!!! ;o>
Just to wind our lovely Gordon up? ;o> ...Don't forget that July the 10th is 'Don’t Step on a Bee Day' ... !
And there is even a National Day Day in the US with the slogan ...
"Today is a day, like many other days before it. Tomorrow will be another day" ... !
I was going to declare today 'National Lazy Day' as an excuse to park myself in my chair and do stuff all for the rest of the day, but it already exists and is on 10th August.
I'm counting down the days :)
I'm counting down the days :)
... while Mrs G takes a little time out of each day to continuing with compiling a very ... very ... very long To Do List for you for that day!!! ;o>
I'm completely stuck on deciding what's for Tea tonight? We have a generously filled Fridge and a full Freezer too - but nothing is springing to Mind and so I haven't christened anything yet ...
Had a look at my rota and I'm working on 10th August so, National Lazy Day it will be for me :)
I'm just about to knock together some chilli, and might do some homemade garlic bread to go with it.
Other planned meals, in no particular order, include chicken drumsticks and fries, gammon, mushroom and pineapple pasta, liver,bacon and onions, steak and mushroom pie with roasties and veg and omelettes with salad.
And on Tuesday...... :)
I'm just about to knock together some chilli, and might do some homemade garlic bread to go with it.
Other planned meals, in no particular order, include chicken drumsticks and fries, gammon, mushroom and pineapple pasta, liver,bacon and onions, steak and mushroom pie with roasties and veg and omelettes with salad.
And on Tuesday...... :)
Ohhh you absolute angel, Grizzly! ;o>Tea has now been officially christened all thanks to you ... Omelettes it is and with lots of all kinds of really yummy bits and bobs and wotsits out of the Fridge! ;o> ... ;o> ... ;o>
EDIT : I just got some Lean Beef Mince out of the Freezer to defrost ... tomorrow we will be having Cottage Pie, or a hot Chilli, or herby Spag Bol.
OMG! - they have reported getting two boys out in the Thai Cave Rescue!!! ;oOI have hardly dared to read any news on this Rescue and have been absolutely dreading seeing anything terrible and tragic on it. I just hope to God with all my Heart that they successfully get them all out now.
Another four boys are already well on their way out!!! ;o>
Their hand has been forced though, hasn't it?
The last I heard about it was that they had to take the weather and subsequent rising water levels into consideration.
I really hope that they manage to get everyone else out with the minimum of fuss and no further loss of life. It's bad enough that they have lost a very experienced diver while trying to rescue these boys.
It's not until you hear that they are submerged for about five or six hours to get in and out that you appreciate how far away they are.
The last I heard about it was that they had to take the weather and subsequent rising water levels into consideration.
I really hope that they manage to get everyone else out with the minimum of fuss and no further loss of life. It's bad enough that they have lost a very experienced diver while trying to rescue these boys.
It's not until you hear that they are submerged for about five or six hours to get in and out that you appreciate how far away they are.
Yeah, that's what scares me - the Rain has been heavy for hours now and there is only so much constant pumping out of parts of the caves that they can do. They always knew it was going to be a race against the clock on this once they got started and are apparently bringing the less able and weakest boys out first - and so although they are working as fast as they can it will still mean having to take it at their pace and ability.
My Heart is in my Mouth here! ;oO
A senior member of the Rescue Medical Team has reportedly told Reuters that six boys in total have now exited the Cave!It really is happening ;oO
The Thai Navy Seal Team are only confirming on their Facebook Page that four boys are out already ... but hey? - it's a damn good start, isn't it?
I had thought that they would just keep on going? - but maybe it is all proving to be much more challenging than we could possibly be able to imagine?According to the latest reports and a Press Conference just given by the Governor of Chiang Rai that is it for now and the next stage of the Rescue will be taking place in 10 hours time.
Perhaps the water levels have risen up too high and in too many parts of the tunnel now to try to keep on going? I can't believe just how incredibly brave those lads are all being?! - not that they really have any other choice, but still, I'm sure that I would be a complete nervous wreck by now ;oO
I'm guessing that they only have a certain number of divers who have any familiarity with the route, dangerous as it is, and those divers now need to be rested so that they are able to go back in.
Yeah, there is a quote by one of the Team that they are also out of Oxygen as well - so it must have taken an awful lot more of their current resources than was anticipated just to get those four boys out. It has also been suggested that some, if not all, of them were sedated at some point to help complete their Rescue - which would obviously have made it all the more of a nightmare and such an exhausting challenge for the Rescue Team to manoeuvre them and carry them out.
I'm just in awe of it all ;oO
Delicious Omelettes for Tea last night - M&D really enjoyed them ;o>The Chilli for tonight is simmering away nicely in the Oven.
YAYYY!!! - a fifth boy is out! ;o>And a sixth now - they seem to be an awful lot slower today? I hope they really can pull this Rescue off ;oO
What a day?!! - a fantastic Royal fly-past by the RAF and the wonderful news that all 12 boys and their Coach have been rescued at last!!! ;o>
I am going to celebrate this Good News Day with a large Port & Lemon ;o>
That Lancaster passed over Peterborough on its' way down for the fly past - what a great sight that was :)
I’ve got photos of the Lancaster and a Spitfire in a display over my sister’s house many years ago.
Was there no Hurricane with them, Lez?
Those three aircraft together make up the Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight.
Those three aircraft together make up the Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight.
Grizzlygrump wrote: "Was there no Hurricane with them, Lez?Those three aircraft together make up the Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight."
No, not that day. Don’t remember why. I think there was a Hurricane with the Lancaster and a Spitfire for the 40th Dambusters commemoration, though the original raid was all Lancasters. The Derwent dam was a couple of miles from our Sheffield house and we saw them flying over. They made a helluva row!
Today is ... 'National Simplicity Day' which was apparently founded in honour of Henry David Thoreau, who was born on July the 12 in 1817. Thoreau was an advocate of living simply and wrote a number of well known books on the subject.An Awareness Day website says ... "In the complicated world that we inhabit today, where mobile phones, laptops and other modern day gadgets mean that we very rarely experience true peace and quiet to gather our thoughts, what better excuse to leave the technology at home and experience the feeling of truly being in the moment?"
Several websites that suggest we do this by phoning or texting friends to pass this on or by sharing it in posts on Social Media sites ... ;o> ... ;o> ... ;o>
It is also ... 'National Different Coloured Eyes Day' ... and ... 'Paper Bag Day' ... and ... 'Eat Your Jello Day' ... and ... 'National Pecan Pie Day'
Did you know ... That the fear of Friday the 13th is called Paraskavedekatriaphobia?
suzysunshine7 wrote: "Did you know ...
That the fear of Friday the 13th is called Paraskavedekatriaphobia?"
That sounds like one of those Greek Philosophers to me :)
That the fear of Friday the 13th is called Paraskavedekatriaphobia?"
That sounds like one of those Greek Philosophers to me :)
No, I know about triskaidekaphobia - fear of no. 13, but not one specific to the day.
I'm so glad that I don't suffer from it because I'd really struggle to be able to pronounce and spell it without Copy & Paste - LOL!!! ;o>
Is there a word for fear of a new collar?
Yep, it's come round again - time to try and put a new collar on Phoebe. This normally results in days of studiously ignoring the new collar which is sat on the coffee table until I think I can pounce on her to get it round her neck and fastened before she rips me to shreds and makes her escape!
In the past, I've taken off her old one first so I can set the new one to the right size, but this time I've just gone for it, hoping that the size is OK and managed to get it round her neck while she was asleep in her bed.
I now have one VERY annoyed cat sulking somewhere in the house with two collars on. When she finally forgives me, I'll try and get the old collar off, though this might take some time :)
Yep, it's come round again - time to try and put a new collar on Phoebe. This normally results in days of studiously ignoring the new collar which is sat on the coffee table until I think I can pounce on her to get it round her neck and fastened before she rips me to shreds and makes her escape!
In the past, I've taken off her old one first so I can set the new one to the right size, but this time I've just gone for it, hoping that the size is OK and managed to get it round her neck while she was asleep in her bed.
I now have one VERY annoyed cat sulking somewhere in the house with two collars on. When she finally forgives me, I'll try and get the old collar off, though this might take some time :)
Oooh? ... Katscreamiscratchiouchiallthewaytoa&ephobia ... ? ;o>My lovely Sooty would never wear a Collar at home as he always managed to lose it whenever I tried and then I started to hear horror stories of Cats hanging themselves and decided to give it up as he was very much an Outdoor Cat for most of the day as well.
However we took him out with us for walks and on Holidays too and he had a Harness that he would very graciously allow me to put on him so that I could put him on a Lead ;o>
I think it really is a two person job where Cats like Phoebe are concerned? - to get it done as quickly and also as painlessly as possible? I would wait until she is in a good mood then throw a thick towel around her encompassing and enclosing all of her Body and hold her securely in it with her Head free - then let the other person quickly put the Collar on and get it fixed comfortably around her Neck.
All you need to do then is to release her, let her have a really good yowl and hiss at you, and put her favourite Treat near to her as a reward and ignore her completely until she (hopefully!) calms down again - LOL!!! ;o>
Phoebe is once more a one collar cat - I managed to pull the same trick twice and catch her asleep in her bed again. Unclipping the old one proved easier than fastening on the new one.
The sulking, however, continues - she has been sat in the garden this morning ignoring everyone and everything, including a female Blackbird who was almost nose to beak with Phoebe and really giving it some verbal to draw attention away from the babies which have now left the nest :)
Just for a change, we are both off work today so we are off to see three of the Grandkids - our oldest Grandson is 19 today so there will be a BBQ in the back garden to celebrate.
It'll make a change for someone else to do the cooking :)
The sulking, however, continues - she has been sat in the garden this morning ignoring everyone and everything, including a female Blackbird who was almost nose to beak with Phoebe and really giving it some verbal to draw attention away from the babies which have now left the nest :)
Just for a change, we are both off work today so we are off to see three of the Grandkids - our oldest Grandson is 19 today so there will be a BBQ in the back garden to celebrate.
It'll make a change for someone else to do the cooking :)
HA HA HA!!! - poor Phoebe will be sleeping with one Eye open from now on! ;o>Oooh, I hope that you all have a fantastic time, Grizzly ... ENJOY!!!
I love this story! - a stray Cat (named Yesim) comes into a Butcher Shop in Turgutlu, Manisa, in Turkey every day to get given several free Meals from the lovely guy who works behind the Counter. He even gets offered a choice of all that is on offer ;o> ...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAXXe...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hqss...
Apparently Yesim (believed to be a male Cat) has been doing this for 4 years now - and, if the Shop is very busy, he is quite happy to patiently join the end of the queue and to wait his turn ;o>
This next week I will be mostly having ... Cauliflower! ;o>I bought a large one as part of an online Shop yesterday - on the same day that my Mum decided to buy a large one instore - and now our Neighbour has just given us yet another one as part of a massive Fridge clear-out as they are just off on holiday to Croatia for a fortnight ... ! ;oO
I think we will start off with Cauliflower Cheese and end up with Cauliflower Soup - LOL!!!
I once smuggled 3 pkts of Knorr cauliflower soup from Austria wrapped in my undies in my case. For some reason you weren't allowed to import food in those days. I was terrified I'd be discovered and thrown in jail in Calais!
Lez Lee ! ! ! ;oO... I would have so loved to have seen you trying to explain them at the Customs Desk ;o>
Hi Suzy, take a look at the Guardian's 10 best Cauliflower recipes, spanish crisp cauliflower looks interesting.
Some extra cash spare this month from back dated payrise so pushing the boat out with some fillet steak tomorrow.
Amazon exiles
Books mentioned in this topic
Ten Poems about Snow (other topics)And So This is Christmas: 51 Seasonally Adjusted Poems (other topics)
The Tiger Who Came to Tea (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Christina Rossetti (other topics)John Keats (other topics)
Joan Aiken (other topics)
I wish I'd known before I went shopping - now I haven't got any so can't properly celebrate :)
Actually, I'm not that big a fan of chocolate, I can take it or leave it but, if pushed, do prefer white chocolate.
It's been a busy old morning here - by half past eight I'd stripped the bed and put on clean sheets, fed and watered the pets, cleaned out the birdbath, put out more food for the birds, got three loads of laundry out on the line and had five big mugs of tea :)
Tried to get as much done as possible before it got too hot - I had all the doors and windows open by 5 this morning, creating a lovely refreshing breeze through the house.
Now I've got all the shopping put away I suppose I'd best get the laundry in, or maybe it can wait until I've had another mug of tea :)