Saturday 20 February 2021

Back to normal, wh

 ..Whatever that is.   I do apologise that my print size and spacing have gone somewhat haywire.  I have a severe hand tremor which is much worse some days than others and that so affects my presentation.  Under normal circumstances I have my son to correct things, but during 'lockdown' I am on my own.   Still, like everyone else in the Country, we just have to keep calm and carry on until this all becomes a distant memory.

Another wet day here.   The weather map held a little bit of hope today and the Forecaster said the rain would all be in the West and in the hills 'towards the East'.   I can just about see the beginnings of the Pennines from my sitting room window so obviously we are not far enough away from the 'hills' to miss it.   It  is not a cold day though.   I have just had a forty minute Zoom coffee morning with five friends which was, as always, pleasant.   And then I put on my mac and hat and Priscilla and I walked over the road to post our two letters before the collection van came.   Now, at half past eleven in the morning I thought I had time to post before I had my quiche and salad lunch (it looks delicious and was as usual brought by my carer.

So what eventful has happened since yesterday - well not a lot.   I did read an interesting article in yesterday's Times about the recent 'Celebrity Bake Off' programme which I watched avidly from start to finish.   Ed Balls was a worthy winner - his cooking was spectacular, especially his pirate cake.   But the article, by Rachel Johnson, a contestant ,told of how the food that was baked had to go immediately into the fridge so that the dishes were cold by the time the judges tried them.   (one dish was the 'perfect Sunday lunch').   Also the ovens had a nasty habit of switching off!   But all the contestants agreed that Ed was a worthy winner.

I seem to be watching far more television these days - a product of being 'shut in' with no access to friends and family other than Zoom and telephone.   Last evening I watched an hour-long programme on Edinburgh Zoo.   It was fascinating - and all so professional.   Many of the staff had worked there for many years - always a good sign of a brilliant working-environment. I was so pleased to have seen it.   And, of course, to have Monty Don, my hero, straight after - on his last hour of American gardens - was just the icing on the cake.   What beautiful gardens we saw in all different parts of the States - and so many of them open to the public too.  Lucky you over the pond - that is apart from Texas at the moment, where we see from our televisions that Texas is really suffering from a huge snowfall and freezing temperatures - and in an area where such a weather condition is a rarity.   We have had more snow than usual this winter but nothing to compare with Texas - and we always know snow is a possibility.   So commiserations to any Texan readers.

Until tomorrow.....


21 comments:

the veg artist said...

I have a nephew who lives in Texas with his young family. He's pretty resourceful, but even so, we worry. Their houses are flimsy compared to ours - but why on earth would they build for this sort of weather? The earth certainly seems intent on throwing things at us at the moment!

Tom Stephenson said...

Ed Balls seems to be giving everything a try now. I missed him on Strictly.

The Feminine Energy said...

Yes, Texans have a cross to carry as of late... but they're a tough breed. They will rebound. Thank you for your kind words for those in my country who are struggling. ~Andrea xoxo

Ellen D. said...

Glad you are feeling better again. I look for all of my blogging friends each day and always worry a little if they aren't posting! We still have deep snow here in Illinois but the sun is shining and it is starting to warm up a bit (20 degrees F today!)
Stay cozy and safe!

Pam in Texas said...

Thank you Pat, here in Texas we are slowing beginning to thaw out. It has been unprecedented. Now water is an issue in my area as pipes have burst and equipment frozen which has reduced the water supply. We are being asked not to shower, do dishes or laundry.
Distribution points are set up to provide water for folks who have none.
I always enjoy your blog and the comments, thank you all.
Pam in Texas.

Mary said...

Yes, Texas weather is really pounding them with terrible conditions these past few days - they just weren't prepared to face such huge power outages and water shortage etc. from the snow and ice. I hope people I know, including some dear bloggers, are OK - it's hard to get in touch right now.

Looks like everyone, no matter where, will be welcoming spring with open arms this year. . . . .we all certainly deserve respite from the severe winter conditions whether snow, ice, or unusual weeks of rain which have been happening here in the southeast US - we are soggy!

Pat dear, so happy knowing you are doing well and hope your hand issue goes away, or is at least less annoying - your typed words, and beautiful English, are such a joy to read always.
Mary -

it's me said...

So happy to see you posting again.

Heather said...

Just wet and dismal here, but a little milder than of late.
I have a twitchy thumb which leads me astray with the phone or TV remote. Then I have to try and work out how to get back to where I was!
I just can't imagine Texas with heavy snowfalls. I hope everyone is safe there.
Well done on your walk to the postbox. I managed mine without getting too wet, and did a few exercises. Now I am trying not to nod off!!

Derek Faulkner said...

A weekend of early Springtime here in the South East Pat, blue skies and temps. of 14-16 degrees.
Gardeners World returns in a fortnights time, it is much needed, the multitude of cooking programmes drive me nuts.
The drama series entitled Sins, I found very good and quite emotional. It was about a gang of young gay guys in the 1960's and how the new disease Aids crept up on them and they began to die from it.

vic said...

All this extreme weather would be a challenge under normal conditions but with Covid gumming up the works and slowing vaccinations it's just awful.

Here in southern Indiana we got almost a foot of snow (a lot for here) and terribly cold temperatures along with it.

I like you, and many others, I too am looking forward to this time becoming a distant memory.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Oh gosh Derek - Gardeners World has come round quickly. Can't wait!
Can't say Sins sounds a bundle of laughs.
Yes Tom - Ed Balls is a very good cook and has been a real asset to the show. He'll have his own cookery programme next - mark my words.

gmv said...

I look forward to your blog daily. It is a sweet moment or two in my day. At 70 I am learning from you that there is a lot of life ahead and that little daily events are satisfying and interesting to others.

I discovered that the programs you speak about of Monty Don are on youtube available to watch in part or full at my leisure. Of course being American I am interested to see what he found and shows of our gardens here. I just watched one and enjoyed immensely.

Take care now and have a lovely day. Here is Southern California the sun shines but it is cold and windy.

The Weaver of Grass said...

gmv - so glad you found the gardening programmes. Do enjoy them.

Joanne Noragon said...

Three cheers for zoom and friends.

Kay said...

Just popped over from another blog and was stopped dead in my tracks at your header photo. It is lovely! The hills, the sky, the stone fences. I live in the state of Nebraska in the middle of the USA. I live on a farm and we have hills too (but not like yours.) We have fields but no stone walls/fences. And I love seeing the wide expanse of sky overhead. I could never live where I could not see the horizon.
Thank you for my smile tonight.

Debby said...

The stories from Texas are heartbreaking. It's very hard to be prepared for extreme weather when you live in a place that rarely deals with it.

Today, I watched The Dig and it was beautifully done. I went back to read the true story of it and was amazed at Basil Brown. A man who left school, but was so in love with learning that he independently earned diplomas in geology, geography and astronomy. He was really quite a remarkable man.

Librarian said...

Our weather here has been like Derek‘s, warm (or at least very mild) and spring- like with plenty of sun, and right on time for the weekend when we have time to enjoy it, too.

The Weaver of Grass said...

March next week so we can all look forward to better conditions. Thanks for calling by.

Rachel Phillips said...

Last week in February is to be good and then first week in March will be back to cold, frost and snow. Don't get too excited yet.

Susan said...

Going along to get along, we seem to be all in the same boat. Yes indeed. Fantastic that you are walking down the road to post your letters. We, too, can get cold and snow in March. The saving grace is that it seems to melt faster because the sun is stronger. Never has Texas experienced cold and snow like this. The destruction is alarming. I enjoy gardening as well and am looking into Japanese techniques and design.

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