Party Time

Two teenagers just came knocking on my front door, to let me know there is to be a big, all night party next door.  “That’s okay” I said with a strained smile.  One of them said ”Um, we mean LOUD music.”  “No worries” says I with a wince.  At least they had the common decency to forewarn us.  I can still remember the one or two similar parties I held in a different life, and I cannot find it in my heart to begrudge them.  How I shall feel at three in the morning, remains to be seen.  Bless

Later on and the music can be heard at the end of the road.  Thankfully, the walls of our house are pretty thick and the noise level is tolerable.  What a shame there is just rubbish on the telly.

Nasty Little Task

Oh joy of joys.  As surely as Boxing day follows Christmas, so does the cleaning of the cooker ritual.  Is there anyone out there who can abide the awful smell of oven cleaner?  My oven’s glass door is a burnt umber colour and the base is covered with a tar like residue.  Ho hum, on with the rubber gloves and off with all sense of humour for half an hour.  Having spent a large part of my working life doing such menial jobs as well as cooking and managing a kitchen, you would imagine I was accustomed to such a nasty little task but no, I shall never get used to it.  I have not given it up, like the dreaded ironing, but I do it under great sufferance.  I am cooking poached salmon tonight, so the cooker can stay clean that little bit longer.  Pen.

Least Favourite Celebration

In a couple of days, we shall be seeing in the new year.  In our  society, this has become a cause for great celebration.  The thing is; I just don’t get it.  I have never celebrated the start of yet another year.  In the western world, the date was set by the Romans; Julius Caesar, to whit and why we should find this exciting, is beyond me.  Call me a stuffy, old bat but I liken it to Guy Fawkes night…obsolete and pointless.  At least Christmas, though ruined by commercialism, has its roots set in religion. As far as I am concerned, every day I wake, is cause to celebrate, on a personal level. Okay, grumble over, Pen.

GREETINGS

Little Isabella

Florasville

The Snowflake

The Snowflake

The little snowflake felt unique

In every, single way

And did not really want to drop

Into the light filled day.

She hovered, waiting in the clouds,

For just that perfect time,

When everything combined to make

Her destiny sublime.

Then in a flurry of her friends,

She drifted down to Earth.

And turned to slush beneath our feet;

An inauspicious birth.

Penny.

Don’t drink and shop

Terry had a Christmas drink with his employer yesterday and then went shopping with his hard earned pay.  He came home with yet another huge bunch of flowers; I now have three vases filled to overflowing, eight duck breasts and a huge haunch of venison.  I believe he thinks we are feeding the five thousand.  We shall be eating venison for months.  I am not complaining, mark you, I love venison but having a more frugal nature, I would probably have bought a couple of venison steaks.  I was going to leave the Christmas day meat shop for next week.  Any way, we had a couple of drinks and then it seemed like a great idea to go to the 24 hour Tescos to finish our shopping.  Sigh!!!  More presents, an unnecessary new dinner service and a lorry load of food and booze later, we staggered (rode) home in a taxi, poorer and no wiser but definitely merrier.  The moral of this tale is…Don’t drink and shop!  Pen.

Christmas Eve

The fire is roaring.

The dog, he is snoring

And dreaming of when he was fed.

Outside it is snowing.

The candles are glowing.

The children are tucked up in bed.

The mistletoe beckons

And my husband reckons

It is time to cuddle instead.

Soft music is playing

And now we are swaying.

There is nothing left to be said.

Red Devil Number One

I have just finished cooking our dinner.  I have made devilled kidneys with extra chilli peppers and we shall have it with basmati rice.  A lot of people will not eat offal but we love it.  Heart casserole is another favourite.  Finn, my fluffy cat, goes nuts over the scraps.

I had a really lazy afternoon and watched two films.  The second film is called “In Bruges” which was totally brilliant.  I would recommend it to anyone.  The other film was “For Roseanna”  an excellent comedy and an old favourite.

I must finish wrapping presents this evening.  All my cards are posted, which is a first for me.  I usually leave it to the last minute.  The cats are clamouring to be fed now, so I had better obey.  See ya, Pen.

My Old Workplace

I was mooching about, when I came across these photos of my old work place.  I have fond memories of working there.  The work was hard but we were a great team and the job satisfaction was tremendous.  I was the kitchen manger there and often started work at 5.30 a.m. in order to receive my deliveries.  I held the keys to the pub, which I felt was an honour.  I miss the work and the adrenaline rush I got from doing it.I left, in the end, after a silly row.  I continued working for the company until I gave up to look after my partners elderly mother.  I look back now and wonder where all that energy came from and where it went.  Gotta get older, I guess, sigh, Pen.

Unknown (cats+dogs)

Pure Poetry
When God had made the earth and sky,
the flowers and the trees,
He then made all the animals,
The fish, the birds and bees
And when at last He’d finished,
Not one was quite the same.
He said “I’ll walk this world of mine
And give each one a name”.
And so He travelled far and wide
And everywhere He went,
A little creature followed Him,
Until it’s strength was spent.
When all were named upon the earth
And in the sky and sea,
The little creature said “Dear Lord,
There’s not one left for me”.
Kindly the Father said to him
“I’ve left you till the end,
I’ve turned my own name back to front
And called you DOG, my friend.
--unknown

I have started my post today with a poem I found.I think it is really charming.

I had sardines on toast for breakfast.  I try to eat an oily fish every day, because it is supposed to be good for you.  I don’t know about that but it is as good an excuse as any, to eat something yummy.

Finally, I found this Diary of a Cat.

CAT DIARY

Day 983 of my captivity

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.

In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am.

B------ds!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches.

The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe....

for now.

 

See ya, Pen

Here

Well, here I am again.  I have spent the entire day seated at my computer.  I can only say I deserve it.  Tantrums are for small children, not women of my age.  Mind you, I do feel better for letting off steam.  My Christmas tree lights are winking at me, helping to create an ambient atmosphere.  This year, there are presents piled under the tree.  Little Izzy, my grand daughter may not appreciate them, as she is only 3 months old, but I love buying things for her.  She is being weighed today.  She was a tad underweight last week.  I hope she has improved.

Right, I am off for now.  My head aches, my wrist throbs and my bum is numb.  See ya, Pen