It's life.

 Good morning. I am watching the news reports of that horrific slaughter of innocent people at the Christmas Market in Germany. People are so rightly angry that it was allowed to happen. What is mentioned a lot is for people to take extra care when out and about at busy places. The 'stay safe' mantra is meaningless in these situations. There is only so much you can do to avoid the horrors that are becoming far too frequent. 

I talk about going with your gut instinct. If something doesn't feel right then it probably isn't. But how do your instincts kick in when you want to go out and enjoy yourself. Some people see no danger at all, and will happily go about their business, dealing with whatever comes their way. At the other end of the scale others will cower in fear and never experience the life they only dream about. There has to be some middle ground, between what you are comfortable with, and what you are not. 

Protecting oneself and ones family has to be at the forefront of everyone's thinking. Risk taking is personal to the individual. Some protection can be put into place, as in the case of putting up barriers for the purposes of crowd control and hopefully keeping everyone safe. But there will always be flaws in that. The wicked will find a way in, and the hapless will not see any dangers. 

It's pie in the sky to expect everyone to risk assess every situation. It's almost impossible for anyone to predict what could happen. But we live in a very volatile world, and life as we know it is constantly changing. 

I know what risks I am willing to take, and I base that on which situations I feel uncomfortable in. For me it's a case of fight or flight. Am I in the place I want to be, or should I bail out and choose a different path. My gut instincts tell me. I may not always be right, but a lot of the time I am. 

One word of warning for those who choose to take responsibility for their own lives. If you are going to go against the flow, and swim against the tide, be prepared and have a back up plan. It's much harder to find friends among those who are more likely to be part of a herd. 

My chosen way of life protects me. I have no religion. I ride out the bumps and imperfections, knowing that they won't last. I greet every day with the same optimism. What has gone before has finished, it can't be changed. A new day is a new start. Who knows what it will bring, but I am excited to find out. Bring on 2025. 

Thanks for reading my blog and watching my sometimes rubbish videos. I do my best. 

Uploading the tractor video today. It will be out later. 

Toodle pip.   ilona

Christmas tractors have arrived.

Hello. Just a quick drop in tonight. A tractor rally passed through our village. They were scheduled to come through at 5.30pm, but they were a bit late, due to them making an extra pub stop. People had gathered to see the spectacle and we were all freezing cold by the time they did arrive. They were parked all over the place, we are quite a small village. 

I'll park these six photo's here. There will be more tomorrow, and a video to come. 

Now Mayze wants her nightly cuddle so I have to stop typing.

Thank you for popping in. Have a good Sunday. Toodle pip.   ilona

Trolley dawdling.

 I did an on the spur of the moment visit to Aldi last night. At 7.30pm there were only a handful of people in there. It reminded me of the lockdown nightmare, when I used to go at 9pm, one hour before they shut. it is so much easier to get around the shop without having to dodge the dawdling oap's having a mini conference about which loaf of bread to buy. This is a joke for the sensitive souls who are itching to attack me. 👸👾👿 One person one trolley seems a good idea to me. 

I handed over £71.58 in cash. They always ask, cash or card. I reply, always cash, it has to be cash. She nodded in agreement. There are self serve tills in there, but I don't use them. 

So what did I buy? I won't do a full list, that would be boring. I browsed the alcoholic beverages and as it's Christmas I fancy a bottle of Port. £7.79 was the most expensive item on my till receipt. Chuck in a four pack of pear cider for £2.25, and that's the total of my Christmas tipples. I drink hardly any alcohol these days. My body just doesn't like it. One can of cider lasts three days, even then I get a fuzzy headache. Best to avoid it I think.   

I needed some seeds and nuts to add to my porridge. Walnuts £1.75. Chia seeds £1.39. Pumpkin seeds £1.59. 

A few other must have items. Three pouches of stir fry sauces 55p each. 6 eggs, I now get extra large free range. 4 baking potatoes 79p. 7 pack bananas 88p. Avocado twin pack £1.49. Mangetout 95p. Ready to wok noodles 85p. Carrots 8p. Baby spinach 99p. Scones luxury £1.59. Egg custard tarts 4 pack £1.25. Salted butter £1.89. Dips 99p. Seeded loaf 85p. 

There were a few naughties as well. Walnut cake. Ice cream mini sticks. Hand cooked crisps. Strawberry yogurt. The cats have treats for Christmas, can't leave them out. 

That's it, I won't need to go now until after Christmas, or even after New Year if I can stretch it out. 

Now I need breakfast. Heating is on, cats are inside. Thanks for popping in. 

Toodle pip.   ilona 

Your rules, my rules.

 I note that a blogger has been accused of writing biased posts. Isn't it so that all bloggers are biased in their thinking, and interpretations of world events, based on what they read and where they read it. There is so much information out there to unravel, it is inevitable that people will reach different conclusions. 

I have been told I am biased.They use that word as a slur against my character. Those accusers are themselves biased, because they get their information from different sources. 

There are some blogs that I skim over and quickly move on. I know the ones to avoid, and I am grateful to those who avoid me. 

When you go into a pub and are confronted by groups of people, some you know and some you don't, isn't it normal to join in with those you might have something in common with? Cliques are everywhere, in real life and online. 

What is obvious to me is that the language used by those who wish to control us comes from the top few who have all the money, and filters down through the ranks via Governments and all media, purely to provoke fear and dominance. This is their weapon. 

No point in fighting each other. You might as well curl up into a little ball and hibernate with the hedgehogs. You can follow their rules, or fight like a trojan to maintain the lifestyle you have now. 

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

Careful, don't fall.

It was a nice day today, sunny, but very cold. I went to get Billy out for a walk, but Carol was out and the door was locked, and I don't have a key. Billy was sat on his bed, in his own bedroom, it's a bungalow. I will have to try tomorrow. Then I went to get Rocky out for a walk. The house was locked so I couldn't get him out. Maybe tomorrow. 

Well I was all togged up for a walk so I went anyway. Just a village walk, three miles. On my own, I always walk the same route. 

I happened to come across my friend Val. I haven't seen her for ages, I asked if she had been on holiday, because I know she likes a winter break with her friends. She said no, she has been in hospital. She had a fall and was kept in for four days while they did some tests. She said how awful it was, and she still doesn't know what caused the fall. From what she said, hospital is a place to avoid. The nurses are run off their feet, there aren't enough of them, and they don't always come if you ring the bell for help. Her bed was next to the nurses station and they kept the light on all night so she didn't get much sleep. She said there is a lack of communication between the nurses and the doctors. One thing she could not fault, the food was very good. 

I keep hearing stories of older people having falls, seems it is quite common. I think it might be down to distraction, not concentrating on what you are doing. The mind wanders so where you put your feet does not get enough attention. I am certainly taking my time when walking about. 

One thing I do is keeping my hands completely free, ready to hold on to a handrail or anything that is in close proximity. That's why I like a backpack. When out and about the camera stays in my pocket until I see something that I want to photograph. I stop, take it out, put it back before I move on. 

I have a cat litter box upstairs in the spare bedroom which Mickey uses. Very carefully I carry it downstairs to clean it, while holding on to the bannister with the other hand. Same going back up. Slowly and carefully. I have never had a broken a bone yet, and I hope my good luck holds out. 

I recorded this video yesterday. If you have been watching these you may have noticed how careful I am while walking outside. I try and pick flat level ground. I see some yoootooobers doing all kinds of balancing acts with their cameras. It is so easy to trip on a rock or a twig. Of course accidents happen, especially if you are not paying attention. 

That's about it for tonight. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

A very windy walk.

It was a windy start to the day, but nevertheless I decided to go for a walk. There was a bus due at 12.30pm going in the opposite direction to the one I sometimes get to town. I quickly packed a few things in my backpack and off I went. The bus stop is at the end of my road. 

I waited and waited, 20 minutes passed and I thought I must have missed it. Better have a plan 'B'. I'll get the 1.09pm bus to town and walk back from there. I didn't really want to do that because I did it last week. Never mind. I dropped something off at home which I didn't need, to lighten the load. Walking back to the end of the road, the bus came along which I originally went out for. Bugger me, I legged it hoping that it was going to stop. It did, to let two people off. They were a bit slow so I was was able to yell, stop the bus. Ha ha, that was lucky. The driver apologised for being late. 

The bus turns around at the end of the route, and I set off through the gate on this footpath. There are no cows out in the fields now, all tucked into the sheds.  

It was chuffing windy, but surprisingly quite warm. 

I see the farmer has been installing new gates, and posts with wire fencing along the edge of the field. 

I'm not sure if the top of this tree has broken off in the wind. 

Somebody has been removing all the lower branches from these trees. It looks like they might have been fouling the electricity cables but they are not that close. 

I called in to see my friend June, as her car was parked outside her house. We had a good natter, but then I realised that I couldn't stay too long because it would soon be getting dark.

A track takes me through a farm. I have done this route many times before. Ooooh look, a decorated tractor. It has tinsel on the sides and a Christmas Tree on the back. I see a mention on our village page that there will be a decorated tractor run on Saturday and it will be coming through our village. I will go out and look for that. 

It was dark the last 20 minutes of the walk. Yes, I remembered to take a torch with me. I was glad to see the lights of the village. Eight miles is enough for me. 

Mayze is waiting for a cuddle so I must clock off now. It is pouring down with rain, I can hear it. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona
 

Not just for Christmas

 Hello. A good start to the morning. The bin men have been and emptied my red bin. It is the last collection before Christmas. It used to be the done thing to give them a Christmas tip, along with the Postie as well. I don't know if people still do this. I know I used to put a tenner in an envelope to show my appreciation of their continued service. 

Christmas is a time for giving, but I don't see why it shouldn't be spread out over the whole year. I didn't hand over an envelope today, I did what I usually do. Three operatives, three bars of chocolate. If I am in the house when they come I have the chocolate ready to dash out and pass them to the driver. Usually the same crew, they are a good bunch. Usually men, but we sometimes get a woman as well. I used to be a bin lorry driver so I know what a hard physical job it can be. 

I plan to make a visit to the Farm Shop this week. I will buy some special preserves to give to my village friends. I won't be trawling the shops in town. I am hopeless at choosing presents for people. 

The wind outside this morning is very gusty. I think someone is messing with the weather. Pumping stuff into the atmosphere. It must be something to do with those drones that have been sighted. All rather blurry out of focus pictures. Makes you wonder if there is something going on. Maybe they should start shooting them down. That might solve the mystery of what is causing this chaotic weather. 

Anyway, less of the pondering. I am thinking I might go for a walk. 

Catch ya later. Toodle pip.   ilona

Standing up to AI

This video is a year old. I am reposting it to show how AI, Artificial Intelligence, is attempting to take over every word we say, and every thought we have. The powers that be are crawling all over the internet, and adding their own spin on even the most innocent of yoootooob videos. I get notifications by email when new comments appear, even on older videos. This prompts me to check all the comments so I can make adjustments when necessary. Delete and block those which I feel have no value and are posted to cause disruption. If you only watch them here on the blog you will not see what goes on behind the scenes.   

Here I am speaking about my own life and how it may have affected my decision to not marry and remain single. Innocent enough, but now I find that yoootooob have added an AI generated summary. This is what it says. . . . . 

AI-generated video summary.

This video features a person reflecting on their single life while taking a walk. They discuss their past relationships, including both positive and negative experiences, and how they've come to embrace their independence. They also share their thoughts on the challenges and rewards of being single, and offer advice to others who may be considering a similar path.

Notice how they say, 'a person', and refer to me as 'they'. I am sick of all this gender neutral stuff. I am female, a woman, I was born that way and will always remain so.   

Here is a link to the notification. 

I checked out the FAQ. 

Can I turn off, edit, or remove AI generated video summaries? Answer, no but I can submit feedback. I won't. 

How do AI generated video summaries work? Answer, AI generated video summaries give you a short basic summary of a youtube video. The summaries are created by large language models, LLM's, they aren't written by youtube creators or other humans. 

So then I click on learn about generative AI.  A new page opens. 

If you can work your way through that, it is full of instructions of how a content creator can grow their channel, increasing their page views, monetise their channel, and make money out of it. 

Here is a quote. . . .  

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a type of AI that can help you create content. It can help you be more creative, productive, and knowledgeable. Generative AI is a type of machine learning model.

And so it goes on and on. Note the use of the word 'model'. They used that a lot when Big Pharma were insistent on everyone getting the new treatment. Computer modeling will be taking over the world, it is already half way there. It needs to be stopped now because there will be no going back. 

Yoootooob are miffed because I publish raw videos with no fancy bits, no editing. They want all content creators under the same umbrella, because their business is all about control. Stray rebels who hover around the edges, like me, are despised. I prefer to remain on the outside looking in. I am human and have a brain. It has served me perfectly well throughout my life. 

People must make their own minds up. Kids walking around addicted to their smart phones is an indication of where it is all going. 

Thanks for popping in. Please excuse the mishmash of fonts and text size. Difficult to get it right when mixing copy and paste into it. Toodle pip.   ilona

Mayze and Billy

It's cats and dogs day today. Mayze cat yells for her dinner and I fetch it from the kitchen and serve it to her on the table next to her bed. 

This afternoon I took Billy to the park for a change, we went in the car. I thought it might be a good opportunity to get some nice photo's of him. Did he pose for the camera? Did he heck. He was so excited he couldn't sit still for longer than a couple of seconds. I took bird seed for the ducks but Billy wanted to eat it. The ducks were a bit nervous about coming too close. 

He didn't like walking through the middle of the wood, didn't like all the leaves on the ground, prefers a proper tarmac path.

Look at the camera Billy. I have tied his lead to the hogs leg. Nope, not looking. What's that over there. 

Sit on the steps with me Billy and we'll take a selfie. Nope, cant be bothered. I want to go over there and chase that squirrel. 

Hurry up. Let me go and chase that squirrel. No Billy, you have to stay on the lead. It's the rules. 

Why have you tied me to this wheel? You're not going to leave me here are you? 

Have you finished yet? I want to go home. 

Ok Billy, we can go home now. I hope you have enjoyed your trip to the park. Spose it's been alright. I much prefer the smells around the village though. 

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

The Ropewalk at Barton.

I like to visit The Ropewalk at Barton once a month, to see if there are any new exhibitions in the galleries. At this time of the year there are a lot of Christmassy gifts for sale. Let's take a look at what's on offer. These hand made treasures are miles better than the mass produced stuff that comes in a box from the other side of the world. 

Quirky ceramic bowls with lids. 

The small box gallery is a haven for personal gifts to please everyone. 

Gorgeous hand crafted glassware. 

Beautiful bags, hats, purses, and hot water bottle covers. 

This is interesting. A fishy wall hanging made from driftwood. 

A wooden, stained board, with hand made sculptured butterflies. 

The Ropewalk is a quarter of a mile long. It has a coffee shop, five galleries, a shop, 15 artists studios, a sculpture garden, and a live theatre venue. 

 The museum is an ever growing archive of artifacts, literature and photographs that document Hall’s Barton Ropery from its origins set in the eighteenth century through to its final conclusion as a ropery business in the latter half of the twentieth century.

The Ropewalk Museum presents a wonderful insight into the life and conditions of the Ropery workers and their families and what it was really like to be a part of an industry that has served to become central to Barton upon Humber’s rich heritage.

Hall’s Barton Ropery exported its ropes throughout the world and played an integral part in both the First and Second World War efforts, specifically supplying the United Kingdom and United States of America naval fleets with important ropes and shipping warps.

The foundation of the Hall-Mark company itself dates back to 1767 when the Halls, a wealthy ship-owning family from Hull, first became involved in rope making in Barton.

I hope this has been interesting for you. If you are heading for the Humber Bridge you might want to take time out and visit Barton on Humber. You could easily spend a day there, lots more to see. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodlepip. ilona. 

A walk and a pussycat.

Good evening. It's getting late so I'll just jot a few notes down tonight. 

News of The Old Rectory at Claxby. The reserve price was £150.000, it sold for £435.000. I hope it went to some nice people who will renovate it back to it's former glory. 

Today I thought it was about time I went a walk over the Humber Bridge, so I left my car at Barton, and did a 'there and back' walk as fast as I could. I was well wrapped up, several layers, topped with the oversize hoodie. I find if I wrap a long scarf twice round my neck, over the top of any coat with a hood, and tie it at the front, it pulls it closer to my head so the wind doesn't get in. The highlight of the walk was seeing a man on a unicycle coming towards me. He must have been cold. I chuckled and he smiled. I saw him again as I was coming back. 

Turnaround point to come back. 

I made it back just as the sun was disappearing. The tide was in. I saw three barges making their way inland to the ports. 

Here is another pussy video. I know many of my readers like pussies. 

I visited The Ropewalk Gallery while I was in Barton. Had a smashing chat with a young lady who was viewing the artworks. I have some photo's of the gallery so I'll post them tomorrow.

Thanks for popping in. Have a good weekend. Toodle pip.   ilona

Christmas lights at the park.

Good evening. Here are a few pics and a video from the late opening last night at Normanby Hall. The entrance to the Walled Garden was a focus for photographs. 

The glasshouses look pretty spectacular. 

Santa's sleigh, but no Santa. Apparently he was in another room within the walled gardens. 

The Hall from a distance. Some of the trees were lit up with coloured lamps. All very spooky. 

The courtyard cafe was open, plus some stalls selling Christmas merchandise, and food. It wasn't very busy. There wasn't enough lighting under that canopy. 

The shop was very quiet. 

Now come for a walk with me and see a bit more. The camera is a bit slow to self focus in the dark. I was a bit disappointed that there wasn't more lights. They just seemed to focus on the Walled Garden, the Hall, and the Courtyard.  In other areas it was pitch black. A torch would have been useful while walking around. 

Thanks for popping in. Have a good weekend. 

Toodle pip.   ilona

What I did today.

No real rain today, except that mizzly drizzly stuff, so I went to town on the 11.30am bus. The Bus Station is next to the Arts Centre so I called in there for a quick chat with Nicky. Treated myself to a Magnum Ice Cream. 

I walked the same route back home as when I found the glass blocks. Didn't find any more. I have been trying to scrape the paint off them but it's stuck fast. I need to get some Nitramors paint stripper. Is that how you spell it. 

Another fly tip I came across. A quick peek in the bags tells me they are full of mainly clothing, some household linen, and kids toys. Shocking to throw them all away when they could have gone to a charity shop. 

Tonight, at 5pm, I went to the park. They have installed some coloured Christmassy lights. I drove there because I had already walked five miles. I took photo's and made a video. I will post them tomorrow. 

Now I am going to relax with Mayze cat and a glass of sherry. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Superyacht News

I am hooked on watching eSysman and his Superyacht Reports. I became interested a couple of months ago when the yacht with the tallest mast in the world unexpectedly sank in a storm. There are still a lot of unanswered questions about that, which may come out when the enquiry is finally conducted. 

These reports are an interesting look at the lives of the richest people on earth. Some of them own multiple vessels. Some reports have a web of mystery surrounding their owners whereabouts and activities. One can only imagine the exchange of enormous amounts of money being moved about when deals, either legal or illegal, take place. 

It's another world out there. The difference between those who have an abundance of wealth at their fingertips, and those who are just scraping by to make ends meet. The divide widens.  

I would like to see a more level playing field but it's not going to happen. It never has and it never will. The push for Globalisation surges ahead. Don't make it easy for them. They will never give up their wealth.

Catch ya later. Toodle pip.   ilona

Queen Mayze

For those who like the sound of a purring pussy, Mayze loves a cuddle. 

Today it was Christmas Party day at the Club. Normally a Coffee Morning, we had it in the afternoon. Lovely food laid out. Christmas crackers to pull and paper hats to wear. Bingo was played, and there were lots of prizes to win on the raffle. It was a hoot. I did my usual acting the fool routine, cracking jokes and generally being very silly. It was all good fun. 

No rain today, I took Billy dog for a walk. Santa has been in the village tonight, travelling around in his sleigh, collecting money for the Rotary Club charities. 

No hedgehogs for a couple of nights. maybe it's time for their winter sleep. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona