A walk on the wild side

Hello. It was a bit windy yesterday. If I want to make a video outdoors it is often impossible because the camera picks up the wind noise. I thought I would give it a go on the other side of a hedge alongside a field. It might give me enough shelter, and it did, until near the end when I walked out onto the track and found the wind still raging. Please be aware that the last few minutes are me shouting over the noise. I really ought to be getting some new equipment so I can make better videos. 

It's still a bit windy today, I might go out, haven't made my mind up yet. 

Have a happy Saturday everyone. Toodle pip.  ilona 

Moving forward

History is a funny thing, we all have history. I couldn't see the point in studying history at school, why would I need to know what happened in 1066, the only date I remember. I sat at the back of the class while Mr Major waffled on, his words went in one ear and out of the other. Years later I took a coach trip of school kids to the site of the Battle of Bosworth. I walked around a field with them, reading the plaques, the teacher explaining what it was all about. To me it was just a field, like any other field. 

Sitting in a classroom learning about what happened a long time ago did not appeal to me at all. I was only concerned about what was happening in my life, here and now. Thinking about what I would do when I left school, exciting times of living as a teenager in the sixties. The importance of living, as opposed to being dead, became my focus for the future. I was intent on living my life in the best way I could, and that did not include continually revisiting the very distant past. 

Some may say we learn from the past. That might be true in some circumstances, where humans have made a complete and utter balls up of things. I have made a few bloopers, where I've thought I won't do that again, and blow me down, I did. History has a habit of repeating itself. We should learn from the past, but often we don't. We can't go back and rub out the past, it happened, it's gone. 

My blog covers about twelve years of my life. In that time I have moved on. Someone asked me for some more videos showing my bargain hunting shopping, I explained that I no longer search out the best bargains in lots of different places. My circumstances have changed, yes, I still like to get the best I can for the price I can afford to pay. But I do this mainly in one supermarket and one shop now, because for the sake of keeping myself safe I don't want to put myself at risk by being close to others. Also the frugal habits I have learnt over the past years are now paying off, I can afford a comfortable life on my pension. 

It is my belief that being stuck in the past causes a blockage in our thinking, which in turn stifles our creativity. Everything evolves, everything moves forward, and we have to find a way to move forward with it. I remember a saying I read somewhere, what's the definition of madness, doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Things will never be different if people are not willing to leave the past behind and move forward. 

Erasing history altogether is not the answer, what's happened has happened, but as long as people are stuck in a timewarp, the human race will never make progress. I urge you to free yourself of the shackles of time, and strike out in this brave new world. Look to the future with hope, do not look back with despair. 

That's all for this damp Friday morning. Toodle pip.  ilona

Cat wants to come in.

I happened to have the camera handy, a short video. Oscar cat pops up at the window about twenty times a day, I have to stop what I am doing to let him in. He spends a lot of time outdoors but always comes back for food. He is an independent cat, knows what he wants, and it's a waste of time trying to teach him any kind of routine. He wants food, he comes and tells me, and I jump to it. 

I took Heidi cat to see David the vet this morning as she has been vomiting quite a bit. Humans are still not allowed into the building, there is a window open to the right of the front door, check in there, a receptionist sits just inside at her computer desk. Then wait and the vet comes out. Tell vet what the problem is, and he takes the cat inside for a check up. 

Then he brings cat out and tells you what to do next. I have some more liquid medication to put on her food to stop the vomiting, it works up to a point. He also gave me four tablets, with instructions to give her half a tablet if it gets any worse. She has to stay on her chemo tablets for her blood disorder. It is something we have to live with, all we can do is monitor it. Watch her poo, check the pinkness of her gums, and be aware that she could throw up at any time. As long as there is a long enough time for most of her food to go through her and the waste matter to come out the other end, she should be ok for a while longer. 

This was my uncle Stan's chair, Aunty Pat said I could have it when we emptied the house. It was destined for the skip. It's a strong and sturdy chair, I will have a go at tarting it up. The canvases can be removed, I will paint it, and make it look good again. Needs some coloured fabric. 

Thanks to the Walking Group members for checking in yesterday. I think the numbers might be tailing off a bit, but those still taking part are doing extremely well. Anyone who wants to check in, you can go to the page at any time. 

After a wet night I can see a bit of brightness coming over, so I will go for a walk after a bite to eat. Thanks for popping in, Toodle pip.  ilona

Walking group check in. 6 months into the challenge.

Here we go again, the first of the month, and check in day for the International Walking Group. How are you all doing? It's been a mixed bag of weather here in the UK. Too hot to walk, too wet and windy to walk, and too many people about. We have to place restrictions on where we walk, looking for the safety of quiet areas, choosing times and places. I am lucky that I can walk at night under street lights, best time for me when others are tucked up in their beds or watching TV. I can walk out of the village on tracks along field edges, along quiet country lanes, and hardly see anyone. It all takes a bit of organization, and flexibility, to get the miles in. Half way through the year and I am on 521 miles. I'm pleased with that.

So how are you all doing? I know you all have your own targets, some of you are doing the 1000 miles challenge, but whatever you are aiming for it's best to have a target of some kind. That way it gives you something to work towards. I know I keep going on about this, but some walking is better than none. Don't forget, you are doing this for your own health, you are not doing it for me, no matter how much I keep plugging it. Your walking is not for the benefit of my health, I can look after that, it's for your own health. The responsibility for your health is down to yourself, and how much effort you put into it. 

So let's hear it from you, give me the numbers. Tell us how your challenge has been going, the highs and lows. Are you winning, or are you struggling. We are a group, time to support each other. 

A photo from the archives, the wonderful Malham Cove in Yorkshire. It's a magnet for tourists so I won't be going there anytime soon. There is a steep path on one side up to the top, the view is fabulous. 

Now to get breakfast. More blog posts in the pipeline. Over to you. Toodle pip.   ilona

A closer look at Hidden Treasure.

Good morning, grey skies again in North Lincolnshire, but not raining.....yet. I made this video yesterday about how I made Hidden Treasure. Some of you may have read the post and seen the pictures I put out the other day, so skip this if you don't want to see my mush or hear me droning on about it. The choice is yours, dear reader. 

I always take a still picture before I film to check if the camera is set up right. I look a bit washed out against the yellow wall. Roots are coming through, I need to do something with the hair soon. 

I still have some Orkney rope left so another bowl is under construction. This time wrapped with red hairy wool, and stitched together with white wool.

When it gets to this stage I need to decide how big it's going to be and when I should start curving the sides upwards. For the first two I used the colander as a mould. Shall I carry on a bit longer with the flat bottom or start curving now. I might use a bowl with a bigger base, time to decide. 

Last shout out to the International Walking Group members, it's check in day tomorrow. Six months have gone already, are you on target, or are you struggling to keep up. I have passed the 500 mile mark, not by as much as I would have liked though, it's been either too hot to walk in the daytime, or, in the last few days, too wet. Let us know how you are getting on tomorrow. 

Cheers for now. Toodle pip.  ilona