A very rainy day here. Damon is to show up very soon, as usual I am concerned until he drives and honks twice in the drive way to barking Katie and whining Miskey. Always a merry arrival.

I am so grateful that my beautiful and lovable sneakers friends are well and busy as bees. Do you realize how different we are and yet totally connected and in tune with each other? How great is that?

My mashed potato’s will need to be reheated and my broccoli was never steamed yesterday but that will be done while we heat up the rest of the food. Thanksgiving dinner revisited! John bought a special wine for dinner. Now in truth, I really can’t tell the difference much in wine. Damon and John can taste things I just don’t understand. I am not sophisticated when it comes to wine.

I will phone our daughter to see how she is today. Sometimes I think she enjoys the drama of being in pain and ill. I know that is unkind but I don’t mean it in bad way. I understand some people have an uncontrollable need for attention and sympathy. It controls her life.

All our leaves have fallen now. Except for the blackberries. What amazing vines…some as big around as a garden hose and covered with long needle like thorns. Scary plants. We have a local herd of goats that can gobble then up. Various people actually rent this herd to help clear blackberry vines. Might be a good idea but Katie would be hysterical, seriously!
And now back to this thanksgiving dinner…….blessings to you all dear sneakers.
Patsy☘️ & John & Katie

All charged up but time for bed.
The city of Plymouth is a rather bleak place since it was heavily bombed during the war and by the time the rubble was cleared it was early 60’s when architects were crazy about modern grey concrete blocks and square buildings. It is, to be honest, a soulless place, more so since lockdowns have put so many small stores out of business but as I walked, or actually got blown, back to my car after lunch, I took this photo on my phone as a red double decker bus gave me a smile.


Back to windy moors and woods tomorrow!
Nite, nite
Jackie 🥰

Wow, I found myself locked out and have spent hours trying everything until I decided the only option was downloading the MFP app. So at least I can get in to our sneakers group on my phone and will work on getting back on my tablet another time. 🤨

We had a crazy storm in the night with 100 mph winds in places. I did my best to walk with George and Betty on a lower section of the moors but although they had a great time because they are short and stubby, I came close to getting knocked over a couple of times plus it was freezing cold, so back home!

I need a coffee after all the concentration needed to fight my way into MFP so will hopefully return later. If not, you know what’s happening again!

Jackie 🥰

We had snow overnight. Not much so far but enough to let us know old man winter's back! After reading about the gale force winds in the UK JACKIE I'm very glad you are in one piece. Trees down and three people killed I believe.

SANDY, money IS the root of all evil! My long gone friend Annie used to say "well, give me some root".

Does anyone know how long shingles last? My face and forehead are now clear and my scalp is almost there, but I have very itchy/painful ankles and legs. I've had this dreaded lurgy since the beginning of September. Between 2 bee stings, shingles, 2 molars pulled etc its been quite a memorable year and to crown it all, my ancient iPad gave up the ghost this morning. Nothing at all, dead as the proverbial dodo after being charged all night. Worse things at sea as my Mum used to say!

Lots of people on the phone yesterday including Maria who went with 9 family members to see the ballet The Nutcracker in Toronto. Proof of vaccination needed and masks in hand etc.
Oh and Mikes Sandy phoned full of advice on age related matters, mainly me falling over if I don't get a walking stick. I think she was feeling lonely though because .later in the evening I found she had invited Mike over for supper after work. He usually phones to say goodnight near bedtime. I don't think Bean will get to see him today because after a brief lull the snow will be a full day event.

All for now and I hope everyone is waking up safe and sound.

Anne.

Just as I feared, I couldn’t get back to the Sneakers yesterday and it’s now just taken forever even having downloaded their App to my tablet. Back to “if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it” because to my mind whoever fiddled with the website to “improve” it has made a total mess of things.

The wind died down in the night so I checked for damage in the garden first thing but the worst problem is an old rose trellis blowing over, no doubt in shock at the strong wind coming from the east rather than our usual south westerly. A temporary job has been done with wire, pliers, smoke and mirrors until a major refit takes place.
I took George and Betty round the neighbouring village then on to the fields housing the ancient Neolithic burial chamber with barely a human or dog in sight then back home to create a large pot of bean and chorizo casserole since I actually remembered to soak the beans overnight. It’s been slowly cooking in the oven for a couple of hours and smells wonderful, if I do say so myself. 🙃

Anne, for some reason I do think shingles can be a long process, even when invisible, but I’ve no idea how you find out for sure. I’m betting you won’t particularly want to be visiting your nice GP but can you book a telephone consultation? Complaints locally from a couple of people needing to talk to their GP, they’ve been offered dates in January! Our problem is so many new houses being built with no additional infrastructure and no plans for more!
Sounds to me like Sandy is trying to become a caring daughter-in-law so watch out Mike!

Sandy, how sad that friend is concentrating on a few dollars she would rather not have spent on others rather than the pleasant get together. Funny, when we paid our restaurant bill for Friday’s lunch we split it equally without comment other than to remind each other of a time long ago when we met up with another group of ex colleagues and one individual created such a terrible fuss because her dessert was cheaper than everyone else’s we made a pact never to invite her again! As I always say, it’s only money!
That’s a beautiful photo of the boys and I imagine they will be best friends forever.

Oh dear Patsy, Katie is definitely a diva isn’t she and doesn’t care how bonded Damon and Miskey might be. Betty is the same… me, me, me!! Had a phone call from my friends who recently adopted their black 10 week old Labrador Bonny and it seems even a pup that stayed with mum and siblings for possibly twice as long as Katie was allowed, is clingy and a little bit concerned about the outside world so a personality trait to somehow overcome. I’m not sure they have the patience you and John demonstrate so watch this space!

I hope you are feeling better today Lin and your sinuses are behaving. Another quiet day at home might be a good idea.

I made the mistake last night of watching a couple of episodes of The Crown, series one and am now wondering at what point in the story can I break away. Of course, because I’m old enough to remember, there are one or two jarring time shifts, never mind the script writer’s imagination running riot, but I can see the entertainment value and why so popular!
I’m still getting used to my Smart TV that had a mind of its own!

Dark outside well before 5pm so time to draw the curtains and contemplate a log fire.
Take care everyone. A new Covid variant amongst us, masks and social distancing ordered (not that I ever dropped them!) and our poor Boris worrying about cancelling Christmas 2 years in a row!

Jackie 😍

It's a winter wonderland here. That lovely time when the trees are full of fluffy snow and everyones house looks like a Christmas card. I watched "Father Christmas is back" on Netflix which was filmed in my old neck of the woods. I think I recognized the pub which was named The Pipe and Glass but changed for the movie. The Christmas Eve Party in the pub brought back some very happy memories! Then I followed with something which is very unusual for me, still feeling a bit gooey I watched "Christmas at the castle". Anyway the two shows made me feel a little more in a christmassy mood.

LIN I wish for you freedom from those dreadful sinus's you suffer. Is it to do with where you live? I ask because when we lived in Derbyshire Michael suffered the same and it cleared up never to return when we moved here.
That's so true what you said about Katie Lin. She is simply defending that which is hers. I think if I lived with you PATSY I'd do the same! She has such a good life with her Mom and Dad.
JACKIE should be climbing into her Jim jams about now. Please stay upright in the those gale force winds, I remember them well,
and SANDY it sounds as if the "friend" who objected to paying for visiting friends meals is either extremely poverty stricken or simply a cheap skate lacking in taste.

And on that note I must phone one of MY friends, goodnight all, pleasant dreams,
Anne.