Birds are welcome

When I moved here 22 years ago the back garden had nothing in the borders. All open plan, everyone from the surrounding houses could look across and I had no privacy. The boundary was marked by small concrete posts and wire, which were put in by the builders 60 years ago. 

There was one conifer hedge at the bottom of the garden, which I have kept. I didn't have any money to pay for fencing, and the thought that it would deteriorate over the years and would need replacing was something I didn't want to have to deal with. 

So I planted bushes between me and the neighbour on one side, and the hedge half way across the lawn and down the side to make a private area at the bottom. The neighbour on the other side eventually put up a fence to separate us because he wanted to secure his garden. 

Years later and my bushes have grown. I keep them trimmed to about 6ft. Now I have the pleasure of watching the birds flock to the garden. 

There is a trend to rip out front gardens to provide parking places for two or three cars. Block paving is replacing grass, wood and bricks are replacing hedges. Very sad for the wildlife, and not at all pleasing to the eye. 

The hedgehogs are still coming for food. At 9.30pm I put out the kitten nibbles. The first one arrives five minutes later. I am sure they can smell them. Then one or two others join in the scoff. In the morning the plates are empty. 

Overcast today so far. Will it brighten up later? We shall see. 

Toodle pip.   ilona  

Shopping, walking, and eating.

I did my main shop at Sainsbury's yesterday, just for a change. A much bigger store, too big in fact but it's interesting to browse. I thought I might buy some dry kitten food, if the price was right. It wasn't, too expensive. 

Today I went to the Retail Park to mainly get some cat food, and a few other things. A bag of Purina One in a 750g size is £5 at Home Bargains. It is £7.50 at Sainsburys. I get the pink bags of kitten food. The cats like it, the hedgehogs like it, and the birds like it. I get through quite a bit of it. 

The weather has been a lot better today. This afternoon I went out for a walk. I couldn't resist getting my camera out and taking a pic of these cuties. They were running a few yards ahead of me on the edge of a field.  

This caught my eye in a hedge bottom. First of all I thought it was a football, it was so big. looking more closely it's like a huge mushroom. 

Won't be long now before they start the harvesting. 

Tea tonight was a pan of mushroom and broccoli soup. It was blooming lovely. The secret ingredient here is a slice of Danish Blue cheese. 

Now I'm going to have a half hour chill, and watch a video. Toodle pip.   ilona

When help is needed.

 A story. The first part of it you may have heard before, it now has a sequel. When I was in my late fifties I went part time in my job because I wasn't enjoying it very much. Making the most of my time and enjoying what I do has always been important to me. Driving has always been my hobby and being paid for it was a bonus. I decided I could manage on less money so I cut my working hours. 

About that time I was doing a bit of dog walking for people in the village. They gave me a couple of quid here and there, and I was managing quite well on that little extra. I joked all the time about not being able to afford things, and buying yellow stickers to survive. It was no hardship for me, I looked on it as a challenge.

I was walking Ben, a gorgeous German Shepherd. His owner worked full time so I took him out most days. The owner, who I shall name Flo, became a good friend. She had a friend called Ava, who also became my friend. 

One day I found a carrier bag full of groceries at the house when I went for Ben. It had my name on it. Ava had left it for me, because she is a kind lady and wanted to help. I was shocked and embarrassed that anyone would think I was destitute and needed a food parcel. After all, I deliberately made myself skint. If anyone was going to help me, it was going to be me. I take full responsibility for living my life how I see fit. I knew that in a few months time, when my bank balance was at rock bottom, that the State Pension was going to kick in, and I would be able to pull myself back up again. 

I almost refused to take the bag of groceries home, but had second thoughts. Ava had been kind enough to go shopping and put it all together. I couldn't hurt her feelings by refusing it. I thanked her and the incident was forgotten. 

Fast forward 14 and half years. Ava had to leave her house, and the village, and move to her daughters house about a year ago, which is about twelve miles away. She was diagnosed with cancer and couldn't  go through the treatment without the support of her daughter. Ava's house has been sold so she will stay with her daughter. 

Yesterday Ava came to the Coffee Morning. She doesn't drive and relies on her daughter for transport. I haven't seen her for a long time. She was always very loud and sometimes her raucous laughter was a bit too much for my ears. Thankfully the treatment has worked and she has had the all clear. It was a delight to see her back to her old self. As raucous as ever, enjoying the company. Back in the village among friends for a couple of hours. 

I reminded her about the food parcel, of which she had forgotten. I have always been reluctant to accept any help. I still don't expect people to help me, being the stoic person that I am. I will always manage. Except when Janet helps out with feeding my cats. The cats come first. 

I don't want to put anyone in the position of being embarrassed like I was, by offering gifts. I am no longer skint so I can now put back into society. My mission now is to help where I can with donations, money or gifts, preferably anonymously. If it puts a smile on someone's face then that is my reward. It's enough. 

Thank you for popping in. Toodle pip.   With love, ilona 

Not excited

 Why don't I feel excited about this? More destruction of our green and pleasant land. Have they finished the HS2 project yet, or has that been abandoned. Now they want to pour more money down the drain. 

The Peak District is a National Park, enjoyed by visitors from all over the world. Now they want to turn it into some kind of tacky concrete Disney World. It sounds horrific. The sooner the financial crash happens the better. Just stop trivial spending. Look after the infrastructure we already have. Stop the greedy drug pushers destroying people's lives, get homeless people off the streets, and put money into the NHS. Oh and build more prisons if you have any spare cash, because the crime rate is sure to go up. 

I do wonder where the politicians get their brains from. Wait a minute, they are delivered in the form of a massive pay packet. 

Raining here. Where is the sun?

Toodle pip.   ilona

Keeping up

 Good evening. After my mammoth fact finding and truth seeking session yesterday, I've only gone and done it all again today. There is so much information out there. It's a shame to let it go to waste, when I could be expanding my catalogue of experts, stored for future reference. Staying ahead of the game is the name of the game. There's nothing more satisfying than discovering all the pieces of the jigsaw are fitting together perfectly. The rogue pieces which don't fit in anywhere can be discarded. To be able to spot the lies is a bonus, and saves time for more important issues. 

I've never heard of Ice Cube before, worth an explore I thought. Tucker and Ice make the perfect interview. Two quick witted minds bounce off each other. Ice has a way of getting straight to the point. Clever dude. 

Robert Malone sings the praises of Christine Anderson. He says she is a true hero for fighting for the people in Europe. I have to agree with that. 

The people that matter are beginning to form alliances with each other. Andrew Neil supports JK Rowling. Glenn Beck is doing sterling work.

It looks like the Daily Telegraph are slowly coming round to a more honest way of reporting. Ivor Cummins is putting out some really interesting videos. I've just watched a discussion about the dark side of banking. 

Anyway, must go, the hedgehogs will be lining up for their supper, or is that breakfast if they have just woken up. 

Catch ya later. Toodle pip.   ilona