Snowy pics

Good morning. This is the scene I woke up to on my back garden. Looks like we have been snow bombed overnight. Mau Mau was waiting at the back door to be let in. He has scoffed and is now asleep on my bed. I caught him squatting on the litter box in the spare room, so at least he knows what it is for. I don't have to keep jumping up and down to check that he wants to go out. Mayze is asleep on the table with her back against the radiator. Oscar was in all night and has ventured out into the garden. I expect him to appear on the table outside the window asking to be let back in.  

I am not going to go out and take more photo's, I have enough in the archives from previous posts over the years. No doubt the press will be reporting about blocked roads, villages cut off, and blizzard conditions, as usual. Snow is nothing new, it has been happening for years. So, from the warmth of my house and the comfort of a comfortable chair, I bring you snowy scenes from the past, in and around my village. 

There are no blue skies today. Just white. Maybe some more snow to come. 

Do you remember when I painted the snow in my garden. Diluted acrylic paint in a spray bottle. No plants were harmed. 🌸🌹🌺🌿🌻 

Mayze when she was younger and more inquisitive. She is older and lazy now 😆

I have still got that jacket. It's a disgrace but oh so warm. Skirt over the top of trousers. Haven't had to get that out yet this winter. 

No sitting on park benches until the snow has gone. 

Trees in the park, stark and bare. 

There is a happy sight outside my window. looks like the school is closed. I can see mum and dad with their four small kids having a brilliant time snowballing each other. On their way to the churchyard and park. Brilliant. 

Happy snowday. Stay warm. Toodle pip.   ilona

Spending cash

I'm glad I went shopping yesterday when it was cold and dry. Now it is cold and wet so best to stay indoors. I have been meaning to buy a new map book for ages. I usually keep them until they are falling to bits. The last one I bought was 2017, so six years later I have a new one. 

A couple of hundred quid spent at WH Smiths, Aldi, Home Bargains, and The Range. Fully stocked up with cat food. 

This cold wet weather is driving the cats indoors. Mau Mau is getting brave and exploring new parts of the house. I can close the back door and he won't panic about not having an escape route. This snap was taken upstairs on the landing. He has now found his way into the bedroom and his new favourite place is on the bed. I have just messaged his owner to let him know he is here. 

We have a mixture of snow and rain here at the moment. I was hoping it would stop because I am due to do a Billy walk. We may postpone it until tomorrow. 

Must get on. Things to do. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

International Women's Day.

 It's International Women's Day Whoooopeeeee. 

Eddie Izzard wants to be know as Suzy from now on. He has always loved this name. He has dyed his hair, he has lippy smeared on his face, and wears tight sparkly dresses. If you are not sure what pronoun to use when speaking to someone who's gender is not immediately obvious, here is a guide. Misgendering someone is regarded as a big insult to the person concerned. To help you, I think Eddie/Suzy still has a dick. I always thought of him as a cross dresser. 

I'm not sure what this person is. They could possibly still have a dick, but they definitely have got two large, badly swollen pimples on their chest. Transgender storytimes for children have become very popular, I believe. 

Just so there is no doubt, I am an adult female human, a woman. I have tits and a fanny. Call me what you like, she, her, it, or arsehole. I don't mind which. 

I have to go shopping, I will leave you to mull this over. Catch ya later. ilona. 

My day today

Good evening. My day has been taken up as follows. I went to the Post Office to withdraw some cash, and take two books back that I had borrowed. There is a bookshelf in the office, help yourself. I didn't choose any more because I haven't got time to read a book. I went to the shop to buy milk. I wanted eggs but they didn't have any. My friend was putting her wheelie bin out so I had a quick chat with her. She has not been well but is feeling better now. Her husband is still unwell after three weeks. Wheezy chest, coughing etc. I will stay away until they are both back to normal, and whatever they had has gone away. Today I have been doing some sewing, the small button picture in a hoop. Then I went outside and pulled a few weeds up in between the flagstones. The cats were hanging around waiting for their food. I noticed that there might be a good sunset, so I put my camera in my pocket and went in search of a good spot to take photo's. Here are a few of them. 

This cargo vessel, the Samira, is in the North sea at this moment in time. It was built in 2004 and sails under the flag of Netherlands. It is on it's way to Dordrecht. As checked on Marine Traffic. 

And the sun is going down. 

I have just checked where my yacht is. ILONA is moored at Lemwerder near Bremen Germany. That's a coincidence my German brother lives at Bremen. It's a long way from home. It's home port is Sydney. I wonder if it will come back to the UK again. I saw it in 2012 when it was moored up in London for the Olympics. 

Time for me to wind down. Almost bed time. We'll catch up tomorrow. Toodle pip.   ilona

Howzit going.

 Good morning. It looks like a good start, the sun is shining. I am just popping in here before I start my day, to let you know how 2023 is progressing for me. An update on my 'No Comments' rule. It has taken the pressure off me to sort through the comments into wanted and unwanted. It is a relief that I don't have to read bitchy and negative comments. On the other hand I do miss the followers who come back time and time again, just for the entertainment value, for the social aspect with like minded people. Nobody has to agree or disagree with me. Even if the comments were open there is no compulsion to send a comment. I read lots of blogs, and most of the time I have no comment to offer. As I have said before this is not a forum, I am not offering a platform for debate. 

I have removed the Followers list from the sidebar. It has remained the same for a long time. I don't mind if it goes up or goes down, people have a choice, they can read or not read. I like things to be simple. If something is not working for me I change it. A year ago someone fell out with me and I fell out with them, big time. There was a lot of things we didn't agree on. We haven't spoken since. It's was a  relief to remove the tension in that relationship. We might start speaking at some point in the future. 

I see on a lot of blogs that people are worried about all sorts of things. Worry seems to dominate their lives. Worrying about something that you have no control over is futile. As you know I watch what is going on in the current situation. I am not worried, in fact I am quite fascinated by it all, that's why I write about it. I could be watching a shock horror movie for a couple of hours and know that it will probably have a happy end. With real life there is no ending, and who knows which direction the story will go in. I am optimistic that if we stick together we can find a way through the mayhem. 

I get on with my daily life while all the drama is going on in the background. I can dip in and out of it when I feel like it. I do not worry about the future because life will come to an end for us all eventually. I take each day as it comes, and promise myself that I will make the best of it. No doom and gloom, just accept that I cannot change what is going on in the world, but I can change my life in my own bubble. 

The idea that people should take a medical procedure to keep everyone else safe, was alien to me. If everyone did what they thought was best for themselves, then there would have been no bullying, and no threats. The blame culture is on overdrive. It all boils down again to personal responsibility. 

There is no need to start that conversation again, things have moved on. And it will keep moving on, to the next crisis. It is what it is. 

Time for brekkie. I've got some of that kefir left to put on my cereal. Don't think I will be buying that again. I have some sewing to do, I have to feed the birds, and feed the cats. Then my time is my own. I might go out.

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona  

A treat for my guts

It's gone ever so dark outside, and it's only 5pm. I fear the heavens are going to open any minute. Glad the dog walk is done. Billy doesn't like rain and neither do I. 

I'm on with my next arty project. It will be buttons in a hoop. Something to play with on the craft table.   

I picked up this bottle of kefir drink the last time I was in a supermarket. I have often wondered what kefir is, now I know. It's like cottage cheese without the lumps. Supposed to be good for my guts. I'm not sure I like the taste very much. I tried a swig straight from the bottle. This morning I put it on my Multigrain Hoops, walnuts, seeds, and raisins. It was alright, nothing to rave about though. I wonder how much of it I have to drink before I feel any benefits. The bottle is a handy size. I will wash it and reuse it to take a drink with me when I go out.

 

The rain is here. Yesterday was much better. No wind at all. Here is a walk and talk video I made. Warning - topical subject. 

Dinner tonight is a portion of stew I made yesterday. No cooking tonight. 

Tattybyes for now. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Something abstract

I think I've found my arty mojo. Once the idea popped into my head, it took me two days to make this. The black plastic is from a sign making friend, it is an offcut. I have lots of them, all odd shapes and several different colours. They have been hanging around for two years, waiting for me to do something with them. I was on the verge of giving up. 

I drilled some random holes with no particular design in mind. I used coloured embroidery thread to sew it onto a piece of cloth, a bit like a flannel. They come in a pack of four different colours, meant for cleaning the kitchen. Then I added the buttons. I stretched it over a board and laced it at the back. I took this photo before I put it behind glass in the frame. 

The frame I picked up ages ago at a charity shop. It's dark grey shiny plastic. 10 inches by 12 inches. 

 

This is an idea to try to see if it works. I rather like the simplicity of it. I might make some more. 

It was a nice afternoon for a walk today. No wind so I was able to make a walk and talk video. I will upload it tomorrow. Now I'm going to make some soup. I have broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower to use up. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona 

That's handy.

Mr Handycock is going to find it difficult to talk his way out of this one. With his leaked WhatsApp messages being splashed all over The Telegraph by Ms Oakshott. It's only just started, there are more to come. 

Breaking News: Associate Editor, Camilla Tominey, reveals how The Telegraph came to the decision to publish Matt Hancock’s WhattsApp messages as part of The Lockdown Files. ‘In the interest of openness, transparency and accountability, the public has a right to know what went on behind the scenes'. The Telegraph has been handed more than 100,000 messages linked to Mr Hancock's time as health secretary at the height of the pandemic.

 Photo from Davos in January. Retweeted.  

All friends together. 

Let's see where this is going to take us next. Interesting. 

Catch ya later. Toodle pip.   ilona 

Sad Khan calls ULEZ protestors far right

I wasn't going to post today, but seeing this video tonight makes me want to blow a gasket. This man is the pits, how he ever got voted in as Mayor I'll never know. 

What the heck is going on, far left far right, what a load of bollocks. The man is a prize puppet following orders, just like the rest of them. Matt Handycock is squirming now that his secrets are being spewed all over the internet. 

I have contacted my MP again with a couple of questions, and his response was to quote again from the official manual, splattering it with insults and derogatory remarks. With the exception of a few MP's they are all in it for the money. 

I think we are headed for dark times. It's up to those of us who have a basic understanding of common sense, and who are neither right or left, to say, up yours, we are not doing it. 

I hope your day has gone well. Have a happy Sunday. Toodle pip.   ilona

Art Gallery visit.

I needed to get out of the house yesterday, so a trip to town filled the gap. The 20 21 Art Gallery is undergoing a change over of exhibitions in the main gallery, but there was something to look at in the two smaller galleries. 

After reading the blurb I couldn't quite work out what these paintings were about, and the titles didn't make much sense to me either. However, they are colourful and bold so I like them. 

To see more of Kay's artwork click here for her web site. 

This exhibition was very unusual. Large scale canvases of computer generated pictures created from photographs. David Carruthers took photo's of lightweight almost transparent pieces of silk fabric, while wafting over them with a gentle flow of air, giving a crumpled effect.  

This gallery area was not the best place to show them. With large windows on both sides the reflections spoiled the photographs. These last two are on large scale screens, and show movement on a loop lasting a few minutes.  

I was mesmerised by this one and drew up a chair to watch it. It starts with a black screen with the white flimsy fabric appearing on the right hand side and floating across to cover the whole screen. It was very surreal. It hit me straight away what it is about. I imagined that this is what you see moments before you die. The white fluffy clouds carrying you off into the black universe. Of course everyone will see something different. I almost set the camera to record, but I thought that was a bit cheeky. It's a shame that the reflections spoil it. I have found a video clip of this on Davids web site. It's in landscape, but I think it works better in portrait.  

There are more pictures on his web site. He also has an Instagram page. 

I have made a start on another arty project. I was wondering whet I could do with a lot of pieces of plastic offcuts. My friend gave them to me after he had finished making some shop front signs. I woke up with an idea in my head this morning. I will make a smaller version of what I have in mind, to see if the idea will work. 

Mixed grill tonight out of the freezer. Quorn sausage, hash browns, Quorn nuggets, and potato wedges, with a generous dollop of Mayo. Not very healthy but I like it. 

Thanks for popping in. We'll catch up soon. Toodle pip.   ilona

On the craft table. Making flowers.

There is another post somewhere on this blog about making flowers out of scrap plastic and knitting needles. I have still got some of those in my garden. I thought it was about time I made some more. I've found an easier way to add spots. Instead of fiddling about gluing sequins to them, use nail varnish. It's less messy and the spots don't fall off.   

I show on the video how to make them. Scrap coloured plastic, wire, and knitting needles. I use hot glue to stick the knitting needle on the back. It sticks immediately and is dry in seconds. 

Why not give it a go, and add a bit of colour to your garden. Ideal for patio pots and borders. Have fun.

I went to the 20 21 Art Gallery today. They are installing a new exhibition in the main gallery. There were two exhibitions in the smaller galleries, which I took photo's of. I will sort them out for tomorrow. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

And for that reason, I'm out.

I have a new fan. Here is my good friend, Peter Jones from Dragons Den. Nice of him to give me a mention.  🙋 😸 😜 😎 😇

I like Dragons Den because it is about people having ambition. People who have an idea, trying to get their business off the ground, or move it to a higher level. It shows guts, resilience, and tenacity, but it is  also a wake up call to those who haven't done their homework. I know it is a show for the cameras, and a lot will be lost on the cutting room floor, but the Dragons do appear to have a human side as they appraise a business idea. It's about emotions, success and failure, something that is part of everyday life that we all go through. 

I have a video uploading, I will post it here later. Toodle pip.   ilona  

Coffee Morning, then lunch.

It was very lively at the Coffee Morning this morning. I had my usual Caramel Latte and a piece of Swiss Roll. I took my doodle notebook with me to show Dave. He always sits there doodling in his own book and produces some lovely artworks. I asked him to do a quick sketch in my book, and this is what he came up with ten minutes later. I might colour it in and take it next week to show him. 

The conversation in our little group came up with the idea of starting up the Crafty Club again. It was suggested we have a meeting to throw some ideas around. A few of us are interested, and if we put some posters around the village we might encourage some new members to join us. 

My lunch today was a chopped onion, a courgette, and some Spanish style grains. served with a piece of quiche. Yummy. 

The weather is very changeable at the moment. It's difficult to know what to do. In or out. It will only be a village walk today with a bit of litter picking to tidy things up.

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

'U' Turn (edited)

Thousands of people followed him religiously. Sung his praises. Videos appeared every day. I was disappointed that he encouraged people to take an experimental medical procedure. Each to their own, people can say what they like. 

Now there is fresh data coming out every day from all over the world, he has had to issue apologies and admit he was duped. So now he knows the real story he is using the data to correct his mistakes. Good on him for coming clean. He could have dropped out, gone into hiding, but no, he is trying to make amends. Good on him. The way the media pushed the official narrative was a powerful message. Take it or die. There was no opportunity to make an informed choice, now there is. 

I'm off to Coffee Morning. It is the first of the month. I hope all walkers are sticking with it. I am recording my miles, but don't have a target for 2023. I am on 151, so that's ok. 

Have a good day. Catch ya later. Toodle pip.   ilona 

Edit.

John Campbell has brought out a fresh video where he apologises for pushing the wearing of masks. He got it wrong, they are useless in stopping the spread of covid. He is now on the way to repairing his trashed reputation, by coming over to the right side. Watch the video here.