Try again!

Not much to report on my venture into the land of blogging and I'm not sure if the coming year will be any better.
It's been a year of highs and lows but as 2013 comes to a close I remember to count my blessings.
If anyone reads this, I wish you a very happy new year. May it be filled with good health, love and laughter.

A Visitor

Just look at who has come to stay with me this week!
Ruth has dropped him off and it's just the two of us until she comes back to collect him on Saturday.
Such adventures we will have!

Bit of a problem

Yesterday, there was the worst thunderstorm that I can ever remember. I was saying 'ohh' at every crash and every flash, both of which seemed to be overhead but the dog curled up in his bed and went to sleep.
Today started with beautiful sunshine and I visited the festival's craft fair and spent time admiring everything and being amazed at the talented people there are.  Then more rain etc this afternoon - I hope this doesn't mean that summer is over.
The only problem now is that tv doesn't have a signal so I'm wondering if that's anything to do with yesterday's storm.  Never mind, I guess that I can survive without it and the family are back home on Tuesday so they will be able to sort things out.
No photos either as the computer refuses to play!
Everything is out to get me!!!  (:

Rested and relaxed

The days have slipped by in a quiet blur and I have enjoyed the quietness of this place. Add to that of course the glorious summer weather, sunshine, sunshine and more sunshine. I know that in parts of the UK the heat has caused problems but here north of the border, it has been perfect with only a couple of days when it really was too hot to be outside, even in the shade.  Moss has been sensible and found a cool spot each day to snooze away the hours until the family are back home and I have eaten lots and lots of ice lollies!
I have visited the local town (the bus fare gave me a shock as I travel for free when I am at home) but the scenery along the way and the town itself with its nooks and crannies gave me value for money!
I have taken some photos but have still to upload them but I'm sure that I can find something here to brighten the written word.

How about this for the local Primary School?  Looks more like a castle but was built with money left by a local man who went to America, made his fortune and wanted to do something to help the village children have an education.  A good use of his money.

              

A quiet moment

Early this morning whilst having a cup of tea, I watched the birds in the garden.  If you look closely you will see two birds enjoying their breakfast.
Watching is very restful and something that I can't do when at home because the birds that used to come into my small garden/yard all seem to have disappeared. A scarcity of birds is a problem in many parts of the UK.

I think that I might take up bird watching whilst I am here north of the border!

Next week

On Tuesday I will be back north of the border! I am looking forward not only to seeing the family but also a time of complete rest-peace and quiet too. A time just for me!

There may be some photos to liven up the written word because I'm sure that daughter Liz will give me a refresher lesson on how to down load some photos.  I will probably need more than one lesson - so watch this space.

Memories

Memories come in many guises and the best one today was posted on my daughter Liz's blog - Life at the Gables. Thanks Liz.

The photo you see posted there is one of my favourites, taken without  her Dad's knowledge. We were out and about at Lossiemouth beach, a place that her Dad loved.

All those years ago - memories that tug at the heart, memories of love.

A new arrival

Sometime early this morning my great niece gave birth to a daughter - making me a great - great aunt! With the wonders of technology, I have seen a picture of her and of course she looks beautiful. 

The little one may have some health problems (we await news of the test results) so I would appreciate your thoughts and prayers that all will be well. Whatever the outcome the new addition to the family will be surrounded with love.

North of the Border

Here I am with what is known as 'the Scottish Office' - the part of my family who are north of the border! This place is so relaxing with it's wide open spaces of sky and beautiful scenery, I feel as though I have been here for days instead of only thirty six hours.
As usual, my s-i-l John is head chef and I am provided with what he once called 'waist widening dinners' - this was placed before me last night and I had to join in the evening walk around the village to try and work off some of the calories!

I should add that it was delicious.
The weather was glorious yesterday so we went out and about, making the traditional visit to Brodie Castle (tea and cake anyone?) and then to the fantastic viewing point over Findhorn Bay. The beauty and the the silence of the surroundings is better than any tonic.
Liz took some self portraits, but we laughed so much I doubt they will be worth showing to any one else. I might scrapbook one of them for posterities sake! I don't like having my photo taken at the best of times but had to 'pose' whilst Liz played with he new pocket sized camera.

Half-Term

My daughter Ruth and her The Boy Child have arrived to spend half-term with me.

There will be a birthday to celebrate.
There will be other family members to see.
There will be fun and laughter.
It doesn't look as though we will have the weather to go with it, but you can't have it all.  

Better late than never

Time flies by! Thank you if you dropped in for a visit and I'm story if I haven't replied to any of your requests. The minor health problem continues to be a nuisance and it makes me feel very 'under the weather' and sometimes more than a little miserable.  Poor me - compared to the problems of some people, I am fit and healthy! Life has also thrown up a couple of upsetting things but they are not for public viewing and in time they will be resolved I hope.
Two bright spots on the horizon are the half term holiday and the visit from my youngest grandson and then in the first week in June, a trip to Scotland to see my almost grown up grandson ........ He is after all much taller than me!
The weather is unsettled for the time of the year and I long for some sunshine - not that I'm one to sunbathe but the warmth is good for the 'old bones'
I trust that if you pop in for a visit, your day will be filled with love and laughter because we all need to be loved and laughter is said to be the best medicine.

Tea break

Just a quick stop over.  I have spent a couple of hours cooking things that will go into the freezer so I think I have earned a cup of tea. It's a beautiful sunny afternoon and fairly warm too - long may it last.
Spent time this morning with my sister, chatting over a late breakfast in the coffee shop - that was good as we haven't done that for ages. We are both retired but seem to live very busy lives, which is better than being bored I suppose! My b-i-l joined us for the second round of coffee because he had been to a Mens' Breakfast at 8 o'clock.
Yesterday evening it was the meeting of the ladies from the community and we all were shown how to decorate an egg. Amazingly we all managed it without breakages!  I must take a photo(just incase it does get broken)
A second cup of tea calls.
Enjoy the rest of your day.

Another week

Yes, another week - already April.  Where does the time go?
The Easter weekend saw me busy in church with some thoughtful services and a beautifully decorated church on Easter morning.  Wonderful - but guess who forgot to take her camera? I will remember the array of flowers but it's our Minister's last Easter with us before she retires and it would have been nice for her to have some photos as a reminder of the day.
We are officially in British Summer Time - the custom of altering the clocks which I dislike as I tell myself that I have lost an hours' sleep!
The weather hasn't moved into anything like summer yet, not even sure it knows that Spring has been. The sun has been shing today but still very cold.
No photos to add at the moment - I tell myself that I must do better.
If you have dropped by, I hope that all is well with you and yours.

Another week

Didn't manage to post last week (maybe it was the week before?) but here I am again trying to write something that might interest a casual browser.
Do people browse?  It's rather like reading othere peoples' mail and not answering!
The last few days have brought snow (ugh) and bitterly cold winds but I am thankful for a warm home and lots of comfort.  My thoughts have been with the poor souls who have been without electricity for days.
I spent a few days with family - unfortunately the youngest member had chicken pox so all plans were postponed.  On the good side it meant lots of cuddles under a lovely blanket (thanks Auntie Liz) and time to watch the wonderful film 'Beauty and the Beast' more than once.
Yesterday I met up with other family members and braved the weather, travelling to Cheshire to see my great neice, aged 9, in her Dance Concert which was most enjoyable. The stars of the show turned out to be the three year olds who under a little supervision performed their version of the Sugar Plum Fairy!  Needless to say they probably received the most applause.

Today has been Bookclub meeting. 'Cold comfort farm' was declared to be a book worth reading, a book with more than one laugh out loud section.  The choice after Easter is Hilary Mantel's 'Bring up the bones.' - don't think there will be much humour there!
Hope the above caption fills your day.

End of the week

The week, as usual seems to have flown by - maybe it's because I am getting older!
This morning saw me at the coffee shop to meet my sister and my great neice for a catch up chat. That took care of an hour or two. My g-neice is pregnant and looks very well and seems to be organised for the coming months.
Then I had a surprise - a nice one - I chose a World Book Day book for my young grandson and when I went to pay for it, the manageress said there was no charge for her regular customers.
Now I am back at home with the afternoon before me.
I think I will choose to be 'lazy' because a long running minor ailment is making its presence felt. This might be the perfect time to catch up with my reading.  The chores can wait!
My sister and husband are coming to lunch tomorrow but they won't mind a dusty/untidy home as they will be more interested in food and family time! :)
Enjoy the weekend, whatever you are planning.

I've posted twice this week! I'll keep you guessing as to when it might happen again.

A fresh start

Another long absence! Is it because I feel that the computer is in control or am I still a bit of a dinosaur and prefer to play with pen and paper?  The answer is prbably a little of both!
Bear with me.............
This morning meant a trip to that well known coffee shop for the weekly Book Club. A highlight of my week. Mary (our leader - a lecturer at a local university) works us hard but is encouraging and says that we know more than some of her students!!  That does wonders for the confidence.
This morning we looked at 'Ozymandias' by Shelley which led to a very interesting discussion.
Read it and see what you make of it. Apologies if anyone reading this is a University graduate in English!!
As for the rest of the week ......... a team meeting tonight at church to look to what happens once our Minister retires.
Tomorrow I plan to visit an old neighbour , a lovely lady in her 85th year, almost housebound but always cheerful.
Wednesday is a 'working' day as I have a sermon to prepare.
Thursday ....... not sure yet
and Friday means meeting with the house- group to talk and then lunch with a friend.
Saturday is always a trip to the coffee shop and this week I will collect the next book for the Book Club - 'Cold comfort farm'  Anyone read that?

Don't kow when I will be here again - my life is fairly mundane and I would't want to bore you.
Take care and enjoy your week.

Food!

I enjoyed the lunch time gathering on Wednesday - good food and company. The snow was very much in evidence at Daresbury which made the village look even more picuresque than usual.
This seems to be a week of 'eating out' because this evening I am at a very smart hotel called Hollins Hey (is that counted as advertising?) for the annual church family dinner.  Everything seems to happen at once!
More snow has been forecast for this evening so I doubt there will be too many posh frocks on show - most of us are of an age for warmth and sensibility!

Good morning

Thanks again to those who have called in to say hello.
I have a lunch date later with my sister, brother in law and a cousin at a comortable pub in the lovely village of Daresbury. Thankfully the snow has cleared so that we can make the journey there.
Thought you might like to see the small selection of the books I have yet to read! At the last count, I had 15 others on the shelf - not counting a few on the Kindle. I also have more book tokens to spend although I am trying to hold off buying any more for a little while!

Thank you

Thanks to my daughter Liz for phoning me and (slowly) telling me how to sort things out.  Thanks too to Rhona for the suggestion on how to try again.
So here we are, Monday morning - snowing and grey but I can't complain too loudly when I see the weather forecast for other parts of the country.  If you are living in one of those areas, then take care when out and about.

My chores are done for today so I have time to finish answering the lovely letters from friends around the world.

A fresh start

Here I am, trying to get to grips with the technology and not having much success.
My photos seem to have disappeared and the page headings are changing all the time.
I guess you will read this blog purely for the entertainment value!

This Moment

Hello 2013

I was full of ideas for blog posts.
The Norovirus struck and that was it.
I missed visiting the London branch of the family pre-Christmas.
I spent a couple of weeks feeling exhausted.
I still tire easily, even now, but have high hopes to be back properly within a week or two.
In the meantime, here's a photo or two from Ruth's camera.

 My grandson and great nephews playing together, 21st Century style.

This morning's sunrise.