poppy

Heart of Glass ~ Blondie

Wow, that's a real labour of love but lovely when it's finished. Do you do it all in one sitting? ... I can imagine most kids getting fed up with staying still for any length of time. I used to hate standing still while my Mum measured the hem length on dresses she was making for me 😂

asked. 'Wots a Thomas 'ardy luv? Is that Cockney slang for a bit o' argy-bargy like?' I gave up and ordered a potato curry and a large helping of chips. 'Do you do mushy peas, I could go a nice bit of mushy peas ... and another big mug of tea, please, make it hot and sweet?' I'd have to come up with another plan to sell my books, but never mind, in the meantime ...

Just begun Family Ties by Celia Buckmaster, a Dean St Press reprint. The first paragraph leads me to expect I'm going to enjoy it. 😊 Mr. Monsoon was known in the village as "the old gentleman," and nobody minded when he said, "Amen, Amen, Amen," when the prayers got too long on Sunday morning; people knew he had rheumatism, and in any case the Vicar was apt to ramble on and on. He kept the sermons short too by sighing and clearing his throat after a certain time. But when the old Vicar died and a new one came, all this was changed. The old Vicar had always chosen something out of the Old Testament as a text for his sermon, and generally preached about woe and destruction. This was comforting for his congregation, who knew what to expect, and it had suited the tone of his voice, which had been low and quivering and full of poetic emotion. The new Vicar was quite different and spoke about "Conditions in the modern world" in his sermons (with a text taken from the New Testament) and nobody knew what he was driving at. Besides which, he used his normal everyday tone of voice in the pulpit and was apt to say—"And that means You and You and You" (pointing)—which made everyone nervous.

Another cold weather fan here, the older I get the more I hate the heat. I make quite a lot of soup in winter, my favourites are split green pea and ham, and pumpkin soup. Veggie soup is also great, you can throw just about any vegetable you have into it, a few soup bones or some chicken and bob's your uncle!

What are you doing with the girls hair, Virginia? Sounds like it must be pretty stunning 😍

We live in the country with a good supply of firewood available. All our winter heating is by a wood fire and we also have a wood burning Raeburn. During to colder months I turn the hot water cylinder power off and heat the water via the stove and also cook the evening meal on it. I find it saves almost half our power bill. I love the fact that even if the power goes off we still have hot water and food.

movement.' 'Really. Well, what doesn't kill you only disappoints me.' My sarcasm was obviously too much for him and he slunk off into the night, dislodging potato bits as he went and leaving a trail of red stained tea leaves. A furtive looking dog followed him enjoying the unexpected windfall. I fell back into pondering. Who won the stakes for most imbecilic leader ... Bojo or the Tangerine Trumpet? I thought I'd ask Patty. She ...

he made a clumsy lunge at my suitcase, but I was too quick for him. With the reflexes of a pronghorn, I lashed out with my mashed tatties and emptied the contents of my cuppa over his incongruous red turban. Dye formed interesting rivulets down his sly face. He let out a wail, 'Just look at the state of my coat!' Personally, I thought a bit of spud improved his look, but ...

Heart and Soul ~ The Narcs

Walk Like An Egyptian ~ Bangles

in Kent. Ah, beautiful Kent, the Garden of England ... hops and apples, cathedrals and castles, the white cliffs of Dover. I sighed, alas too far away at present. But didn't he visit Edinburgh? Perhaps I could ...

Watch That Man ~ David Bowie

the physique I was aiming for if I was to keep the fair Pythagoras. Which suddenly made me realise I hadn't had any contact with her for hours ... or was it days? It was all becoming a blur. I decided to call her immediately. 'Wha... WHO?' a bleary voice answered. Then 'Do you know what bloody time it is!!?' she shrieked. I looked nervously at my watch ...

Nans are very special. Big hugs Hayley Whale Rider is also a rather lovely film.

A Man Needs a Maid ~ Neil Young

my reverie was rudely interrupted by a rather rough shake to my shoulder. 'Hey mate! ye canae be sittin here aw nicht unless ye're eatin somethin'!' bawled Patty. 'We're no a dosshouse ye ken!' So I sighed and ordered another...

Blue Velvet ~ Bobby Vinton

by the look of it, topped off by an incongruous looking scarlet turban, sidled up to me and opening his coat displayed an impressive collection of ...

Blue Lips ~ Regina Spektor

I remembered the lovely Pythagoras who I'd abandoned back on page 13. First I'd celebrate my winnings with a slap up feed, then I'd go and search for her. A hot shower wouldn't go amiss either, I'd been feeling decidedly itchy since my night in the dosshouse. Bed bugs, I thought, or at the very least, fleas. Putting my afflictions aside for the time being, I spotted a little cafe called The Spunky Spuddy. Just the ticket! I ordered a large plate of ...

the heck! Being broke was worth it if I was finally shot of Clothilde, the she-dragon. Now I could ...

Wow! Those look very complicated, Luna 😊

'Great Scott! This Ladeye is a first edition! I'll give you a fiver for the others, they're a dime a dozen, but this Ladeye! I'll have to get a second opinion. Remarkable ... so rare ... much sort after by gerbil fanciers ... a rare treasure ... ' he trotted away murmuring gleefully to himself. 'It better be good,' Clothhide said through clenched teeth, 'or else!' I began to think longingly of ...

quickly deleted the text and said 'Wrong number.' She looked suspicious but couldn't prove anything so let it drop ... for now. We finally arrived at Wigtown Auction House and wonder of wonders, it was open! There was an odd little man bustling round, dressed in a loud plaid suit and a flat cap, looking very self-important and bumptious. Clothilde marched up to him and ...