This is part of Ronovanwrite’s Weekly Haiku Challenge.
When the blues attack
Don’t eat too much comfort food.
As spots will erupt!
Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge 351 COMFORT and Erupt.
29 Mar 2021 27 Comments
in #Haiku, #Senryu, #Haiga, #Tanka, #Tanka Prose, #micropoetry, #poetry, #5lines, #Haibun, #Prose, #CinquainPoetry, #Etheree, #Nonet, #Shadorma, #Gogyoka, Poems, Ronovanwrites Tags: cakes, Comfort, Erupt, Food, Spots
IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: Worktops, hospitals, Parliament,and Newbie
24 Jan 2016 4 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: Busy week, cakes, CHAT, chit, coffee, if we were having coffee
Coffee Time
If we were having Coffee: I would remind you that there are lots of other coffee mornings all shared and organized By Diana and Gene’O over at,Part time monster
Come on in it is nice to sit and have a chat after all the hustle and bustle of the past few days. I can still entertain you all with tea and coffee from all over the world not to mention all our cakes and muffins and as Paul calls them sweets! Every single one is calorie free! Plus of course we now have spirits and liquors to warm the coldest of you.
If we were having coffee: I would have to say what a busy week this has been, Monday we had our new worktop along under the kitchen window by the sink replaced. Either hubby I had to be there while the workmen were as we wanted to make sure that the work was done properly! As it certainly was not the first time. It was an unadulterated mess! So Monday we took no chance.
I had a scan at 11am so hubby stayed with the workmen and son number two took me for my scan. When we got back hubby had to go and take his mother to another hospital for an afternoon appointment so I was on workman watch!
Well the worktop is done now and I would say it is a near perfect as it can get!
Before
After
If we were having coffee: Tuesday was busy too the gym shopping and housework all go ! Wednesday was the new Pilates with my friend L . We are finding this lesson very hard but excellent too as the teacher is very very good. In the afternoon hubby and I attended the funeral of the wife of our next door neighbour . She was a lovely lady and she will be missed.
Would anyone like another coffee or some cake or even something stronger.
If we were having coffee: I would say that Thursday I had to go to see the Dr about my scan results. No hard or fast news apart from the fact there is a problem with the gallbladder which may necessitate an operation and a possible abnormality with my kidneys…. the Dr is arranging for me to see a specialist about both. ..OH! yes she is also sending me for physio for my kne which I seem to have damaged. OMG I am falling to pieces
If we were having Coffee : I would tell Friday we went to London for a visit to the Houses of Parliament ….
We left home at 13.20pm we walked to the station in what I can only describe as wet rain! We refused to let this dampen our spirits though because we were both very excited about the visit ! Hubby should of gone to the houses of Parliament when he was a young lad at school but for whatever reason he missed the visit …. Then we had an appointment to go in October last year but my sister was on the danger list and so we missed our visit. My sister sadly died.
So we were determined that hubby would make it third time around! We arrived at Waterloo and took the short walk to Westminster where we met by security and and armed policemen ( I still cannot get used to armed policemen though by now I should be used to them.)
Palace of Westminster late afternoon
The above photo is of the Houses of Parliament, late afternoon from the far side of Westminster Bridge. Why have I called it Palace of Westminster , because that is what it is read here.
We were early as our tour was at 16.35 pm so we went to the cafe and had a coffee! Then we went into Westminster Hall and soaked up the atmosphere and buzz.
Our tour guide was called Anna and she was excellent, we went through the central lobby, and along the voting corridors… read here . Then we went to see the royal robing rooms that the Queen uses to dress for occasions of state .
Then we saw the Lobbies and then finally both Houses of Parliament , the Commons and the Lords. Unfortunately we were not allowed to take any photos of these .
It was an amazing tour and we learned so much about our Parliament and the buildings which had been a Royal place. The tour lasted about an hour and a half. Then we walked along the river back towards Waterloo and the Festival Hall. We had dinner at Pizza Express then walked back to Waterloo Station to catch our train home. We had had a great day out!
The Hammer Beam roof of Westminster Hall
The front entrance, the window is for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.
Next four photos are taken in St Georges Hall.
We walked along the River to have dinner and saw the London Eye
All that was left of Dinner
Waterloo Station
One last look at the Westminster Hall
If we were having coffee : I would tell you that Saturday Core Class was still as hard as last weeks! When I got back from class I visited our new neighbours to meet their new Puppy Inca who is an adorable female Labrador Puppy. My friend Stan ( Jean’s beautiful dog ) will love her! Visit Jean’s and dare I say Stan’s blog at Socialbridge
Meet Inca.
Then we had a visit from our eldest son.
Would you like another cuppa or something to eat! 
If we were having Coffee : I would tell you that today Sunday we are meeting up with the our youngest son and his wife and the Newbie to celebrate our son’s birthday. We are taking the hubby’s Mum. Unfortunately our middle son has to work and our eldest has a prior arrangement that he cannot get out of. It will be lovely for the rest of us to be together though. We are really looking forward to Lunch out….. and the Newbie of course!
If we were having coffee : I am amazed to say that we are almost into the last week of Just Jot it January , organised by LindaGHill it has been amazing and I have met some really great bloggers.
If we were having Coffee: I would have to say we are all sill waiting patiently for our dear Paul Curran to rejoin us here at the coffee share but until he is well enough and up and running again we shall have to bide our time!
For now everyone Be well and happy!
If we were having Coffee Original idea from parttimemonster.
And of course the
IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: WEEKEND COFFEE SHARE
over at Part Time Monster and Gene’O’s
Love to you all
If we were having Coffee : Gym, laundry, and JuJoJan
09 Jan 2016 24 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: cakes, coffee, Family, friends, gym, if we were having coffee, JusJo Jan
If we were having Coffee: I would remind you that there are lots of other coffee mornings all shared and organized By Diana and Gene’O over at,Part time monster
Come on in it is nice to sit and have a chat after all the hustle and bustle of the past few days. I can still entertain you all with tea and coffee from all over the world not to mention all our cakes and muffins and as Paul calls them sweets! Every single one is calorie free! Plus of course we now have spirits and liquors to warm the coldest of you.
If we were having Coffee: I would say welcome and do come on in , find a seat and help yourselves to what ever you fancy. It has been a very busy week with Just Jot It January nearly into it’s third week and all organized by the extremely talented Linda G Hill over at Life in Progress . It has been very interesting and not without it’s trials! Worth checking out so many talented people joining in!
If we were having Coffee: It has also been a very busy week in the real world too where I have been busy getting back to normal after Christmas and New Year! Back to Pilates, this term with a new class and instructor. The new instructor is very different to the previous one, but I do like her so watch this space. Also it was back to core class. After two months off it was extremely hard! Still I am determined to get back into my routine and my gym buddy L is up for it too!
If we were having Coffee: I would ask you would you like another coffee or something to eat? Today is a busy Sunday as we have the hubby’s mother coming over and we are taking her out to lunch. Not only that but I have a coffee morning with the girls I used to work with . There is a monthly Sunday Morning gathering at one or the other coffee shops in the town. It is always a noisy and fun affair with lots of news and catching up to do!
If we were having Coffee: It has been a busy week with our middle son finally deciding to sort out the many boxes he has been storing in our garage for years! This has involved him making many trips to the local municipal dump! Unfortunately for me he has found lots of his clothes that he had thought he had lost and so who has been suckered in to washing drying and ironing them??? Well he does have the biggest brown eyes!!
If we were having Coffee: I would have to say we are all sill waiting patiently for our dear Paul Curran to rejoin us here at the coffee share but until he is well enough and up and running again we shall have to bide our time!
For now everyone Be well and happy!
If we were having Coffee Original idea from parttimemonster.
And of course the
IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: WEEKEND COFFEE SHARE
over at Part Time Monster and Gene’O’s
Okay hugs to you all until next week! xxxx
If we were having Coffee : First one of the year!
03 Jan 2016 16 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: cakes, CHAT, coffee, if we were having coffee
Welcome everyone to the first If we were having coffee of the New Year 2016. Although the weather has been unseasonably mild the temperature has dropped and the rain has set in and the wind has been really wild. Some parts of the country are having truly severe weather with more to come update … read here
If we were having Coffee: I would remind you that there are lots of other coffee mornings all shared and organized By Diana and Gene’O over at,Part time monster
Come on in it is nice to sit and have a chat after all the hustle and bustle of the past few days. I can still entertain you all with tea and coffee from all over the world not to mention all our cakes and muffins and as Paul calls them sweets! Every single one is calorie free! Plus of course we now have spirits and liquors to warm the coldest of you.
If we were having coffee: I would say come on lets sit down and have a quiet cuppa , a piece of cake and be grateful that Christmas, New Year and all that entails is finally all behind us. I am very lucky in that with all the argy bargy that goes with family and friends at New Year and Christmas I do have them. Although at times I wish things would be more peaceful I should be counting my blessings that I have them to drive me mad, a safe warm home and food and drink! Talking of which what can I get you.
There are many out there who dread this time of the year. They may have been bereaved at this time of the year, homeless, abused or just have so many money worries that all the month of December brings is fear and depression. Sadly a high number of suicides are noted at this time of year.
I have to tell you about Geoff Lepard who gives the great gift of himself to the charity Christmas at Crisis you can read about it here. It is a very worthy charity and it is not only there for Christmas but is working to help the homeless all year round. Hubby and I have donated to this charity instead of buying each other presents on occasion.
If we were having coffee: Tuesday after Christmas we had guests all day which was lovely as they were all surprise guests so I did not need to get stressed out! Wednesday we had a lovely surprise, the Newbie’s dad ( our youngest son) rang us early in the morning to tell us he was taking the Newbie to a Soft Play Barn near us and would we like to join them… we did not need asking twice and we had a lovely time. On our return the hubby was out to lunch with a friend until 2pm then we were off to friends for drinks and nibbles! So we had two extremely social days!!
If we were having coffee: I would ask you did you celebrate New Year. We did we went out to friends and had a lovely time , what did you do?
If we were having Coffee: I would tell you that I am now, like many of you three days into Just Jot January and so far managing to keep up. Now it is never too late to join in the rules and the prompts are here . A big thanks to LindaGHill for organizing these yearly events.
If we were having Coffee: I would have to say we are all sill waiting patiently for our dear Paul Curran to rejoin us here at the coffee share but until he is well enough and up and running again we shall have to bide our time!
For now everyone Be well and happy!
If we were having Coffee Original idea from parttimemonster.
And of course the
IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: WEEKEND COFFEE SHARE
over at Part Time Monster and Gene’O’s
Love to you all
If we were having Coffee: The week between Christmas and New Year
27 Dec 2015 29 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: cakes, CHAT, chit, coffee, if we were having coffee
Welcome everyone to the first If we were having coffee after Christmas. Although the weather has been unseasonably mild the last two days the temperature has dropped and the rain has set in and the wind has been really wild. Some parts of the country are having truly severe weather with more to come … read here
If we were having Coffee: I would remind you that there are lots of other coffee mornings all shared and organized By Diana and Gene’O over at,Part time monster
Come on in it nice to sit and have a chat after all the hustle and bustle of the past few days. I can still entertain you all with tea and coffee from all over the world not to mention all our cakes and muffins and as Paul calls them sweets! Every single one is calorie free! Plus of course we now have spirits and liquors to warm the coldest of you.
Well Christmas dinner came and went and it was not without a hitch! There was a little stress in the kitchen the Turkey needed to be removed from the oven and turned. Well that was the plan, but that is not what happened! The Turkey rashly threw itself on the floor spilling fat and oil all over the floor, the units and the hubby! Thankfully he was quick thinking and dashed up stairs disrobing as he went! Number two son managed to grab the roasting hot turkey and throw it into a clean pan and we got it back into the oven.
We washed the floor and the units and hubby washed and changed and all disasters were avoided! Dinner was delicious and fun though our eldest lad does have a habit of winding number two son up!
If we were having coffee :
It has been a very busy week, shopping, wrapping presents, cooking and entertaining! Yesterday, Boxing Day we ( sons number one and two, hubby and I and mother in law ) all trooped off to the Newbie’s and we had a wonderful day. From an excited welcome to lots of play and present opening and to round it up a walk to to the local play park!!
If we were having Coffee: I would have to say we are all sill waiting patiently for our dear Paul Curran to rejoin us here at the coffee share but until he is well enough and up and running again we shall have to bide our time!
For now everyone Be well and happy!
If we were having Coffee Original idea from parttimemonster.
And of course the
IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: WEEKEND COFFEE SHARE
over at Part Time Monster and Gene’O’s
Love to you all
If We Were Having Coffee – August 23/2015
13 Oct 2015 63 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: cakes, CHAT, chit, coffee, great stories, if we were having coffee, New Beginning, Terminal territory
Terminal Territory – a New Beginning
Paul Your Barista
Welcome to Willow’s weekly coffee and tea garden. My name is Paul; I’ll be your barista today. I’m happy to see you have come for a cuppa and a chat. I am delighted to be back at Willow’s serving you, our treasured readers, a cuppa and sweets while we chat. Please come into the garden and make yourself comfortable. Willow fluffed the cushions on the chairs and set the tables in the garden so we can have a cuppa and chat as we soak up the sun and enjoy the beautiful plants. She has also brought out the heaters so we can stretch our outside tea time further into the fall. As usual, I’d be pleased to bring a pot of whatever beverage you prefer – we have a wide range of teas and coffees to satisfy our world-wide readership. Also available is a large selection of spirits for addition to your cuppa or in its place. We can relax amongst the flowers while we discuss the affairs of the week both personal and/or worldwide. How has your week been?
Well, my week had a few rough moments but things seem to be improving now so all is good. In preparation for writing this post I was pondering restarts and realized that I had told a trucking story while guesting over at Mark’s, about the very first time I pulled into the terminal with my new truck, starting a new job – and my thoughts and feelings. You can read it here. I realized that the very last time I was in that terminal was an interesting story as well and thought I might tell it here, if you’re interested. It actually happened in the second week of October some years ago and it marked a new beginning.
After 6 years of working for the company in Maine I was offered a position with a home town company doing really interesting work – hauling all the stuff that no one else wanted to, or could, haul- oversized, nuclear, overweight, multiple extra axles, escorted, military weapons, biohazards, etc. The company was a specialized carrier – meaning they did what no one else would or could – and elite outfit. No two loads were the same and a lot of thinking went into each load – the reward wasn’t for getting it there the fastest but rather the safest. My forte, so I switched companies. I had worked for them for about 3 months when I had an accident and rolled my truck – just body damage, no load damage or injuries, and while I was waiting for repairs to be done I drove a company truck for a few months.Then one day in Massachusetts, my dispatcher told me to come back to the yard in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia empty- a very rare occurrence. I was in one of the highest density transport corridors in Eastern North America (Boston- New York) with an empty flatbed and I was going to drive 1,000 kilometers (about 660 miles) empty? No, there was something going unsaid here. I told Jennifer – the dispatcher – that I would need money for fuel and food. Typically, I would draw an advance when I had a load aboard but heading back empty I need the cash now. We used a number of fund transfer systems, but most commonly a system called Comchek. They had an account at Comchek and if I wanted funds they would authorize release for whatever the agreed upon amount would be and give me an authorization number. With that and their account number, I could pick up the cash at any Comchek agent – which was virtually every truck stop in North America – and it was debited from their account. Jennifer hesitated and told me to call from Dysart’s – a truck stop in Bangor Maine that we all used prior to turning east to Canada. Flashing alarm bells went off in my head – it was irrelevant where in the universe I was, Comchek was centralized- if I couldn’t get money in Mass, I couldn’t get it in Maine. I had just enough fuel to get to Dysart’s but then would have no money for food or fuel. Typically, I ran close on cash and this didn’t bother me – it was a minute’s work to get cash anywhere 24/7 with a Comchek number – but apparently that was no longer an option.
I grumbled but walked out to the truck and climbed in to head out to Bangor. The trucking part was old hat now and I enjoyed the feeling of the big diesel rumbling as speed built on the interstate. The trailer was empty and followed neatly behind, ever vigilant. I could feel all the normal vibrations and taste the smells that constituted the personality of the truck. It was home now and I was comfortable and alert here. Surprises were rare and easily handled with the experience I had accumulated over the past 7 years. During that time there had been some exhilarating moments, some very sad moments and some excruciatingly hair-raising moments of unparalleled terror. All of it used to shape and guide future behaviour. I was a part of this world now and it a part of me. I could glance at a truck and tell you how heavy he was loaded, if the driver was new or just didn’t care or if I was looking at a professional. Feeling a little under the weather I plugged in Red Sovine’s Teddy Bear to have a pity party – I would never admit to the other drivers that I listened to Red’s music, but when I was down it helped.
Would you like another cuppa. We have adult beverages to add to that if you like. And perhaps a sweet or two? We are going to have some fun here, so get ready. The 239 miles to Bangor passed uneventfully as I pondered Jennifer’s cryptic comment. I used to assess customers’ ability pay for the company and I could smell a cash shortage a long ways away – and this had that stink. Sure enough when I called the office from Bangor, the owner came on the phone and told me to bring the truck back to the yard. I explained that my fuel tanks were empty – perhaps enough for 20 miles and I had no food. Mike – the owner- would give me no more info but just insisted that I find a way back with his truck. He got very blustery and reminded me that I had his equipment and any attempt on my part to do anything other than return it to the yard would result in him taking legal action. That was so out of line – my being an employee driving for him for many months at his request when I was where and when he asked me to be- it was clear to me that they were going bankrupt. He had gone to a route response, without considering the impact of his words. Hmmm, that gave me information and offered options that I didn’t have before. I told him I would get back to the terminal and we disconnected – in many ways.
So, I was in Maine, 450 miles from home with empty fuel tanks, no money for food and the company was bankrupt. No problem. My previous employer, the company in Maine, was about 100 miles away on the route home so I gave the owner a call. I knew that the two companies did business with each other and that my current employer owed Dale – my past employer – for a number of loads, likely $10,000 USD or more. When I got Daleon the phone, I told him I had a deal for him.
“Dale, I am here to make your day brighter.” “More likely you want me to help you, you mean.” Dale could be so cynical. “Well, I may end up getting some benefit, but you will come out the big winner, guaranteed.” “What do you want Paul?” “Mikey is going bankrupt and no one but you and I know yet. I know he owes you and you’ll never get your money – unless of course you have something of his.” “What do you mean Mike is going bankrupt? He has two of my loads right now.” Ahhh, the stakes grow. I explained my request for fuel and food and Mike’s surreal response. “So what do you think that means Dale?” Dale was no man’s fool and had dealt with other companies for years. “You’re right, he’s losing it. What do you propose I do?” He knew I wouldn’t be on the phone to complain – I had a plan or I wouldn’t have called. “Well, you send me $100 for fuel, $200 for food and travel expenses and I will deliver to your yard one tractor-trailer that is the property of our common friend Mike. There is no way he will be able to get at it being as he is in another country and you can hold it as collateral against any money he owes you. If one of your guys will give me a lift to Dartmouth so I can get home, I’ll be happily on my way and you can be assured of getting paid.”
There was a long pause on the line while Dale processed this. “You mean you would sell out Mike?” “Dale, I am obeying orders – he told me to find my own way home and left me 450 miles away with his equipment and no money. I promised him I would get home. He just assumed I would bring his truck with me but if I have to sell it to you for the amazingly low price of $300 then that is what it takes. He has other creditors who would be interested too, I’m sure – it’s just that you’ve been good to me before, so I am offering you this amazing deal first.” Honestly, I should have made a living selling used cars. Ha! “Done. But how do I know I can trust you?” “Come on Dale we worked together for 6 years, you know you can.” “Right. OK. Here’s an authorization number for $300 by Comchek” as he rattled off a number, “When will you be here?” “Give me 2 ½ hours and you will have $100,000 worth of collateral; Don’t mention this to anyone until I am in your yard – if Mike gets whiff he could have the State Troopers stop me. That would be bad for both of us.” Ahhh, co-conspirator of mine,
With a spring in my step, I crossed to the fuel desk, gave them the Comchek number and received my $300. I put in $100 worth of fuel (less than ¼ tank), grabbed somesandwiches to go and headed down the Airline (Route #9) for the terminal.
The truck was purring along, not even caring that it was headed for purgatory through no fault of its own. In fact it felt surprisingly jubilant. I pulled into the same now-familiar yard on a late fall afternoon with the leaves changing in rural Maine. There was a light breeze as I parked in the line-up and grabbed my already packed suitcase to step down from the truck. Dale was standing waiting for me as I crossed the lot and I held out the keys and then dropped them in his out-stretched hand. “There you go sir, as promised, one tractor trailer for the princely sum of $300. The best deal you ever got.” “Tom over there is going to Dartmouth as soon as he is done his paperwork, you can ridewith him.” “Thanks Dale. Oh, and Mike will likely try to steal this back so you should have one of the mechanics remove a critical component or two.” Dale just nodded. That was the last time I ever saw him or the terminal yard where so many memories had been made. It felt like a cheerful parting.
Not long after Tom and I headed out to home. With only 350 miles to go, we took turns driving and chatting and we were in Dartmouth in the wee hours of the morning. I had my girl friend pick me up from the industrial center where Tom was delivering and we dropped my paperwork from my last load at the office and then went home to sleep. The next day, bright and early I called Mike. “Hey Mike, I’m back. Thought you’d want to know.” “Where’s the truck Paul?” Apparently he paid attention to what was, or more specifically wasn’t, in his yard. Ha! “Well, remember I said I didn’t have any money and you wouldn’t send me any?” “Where’s the fucking truck Paul?” “So”, I continued,” I ran it until it was out of fuel and I had to leave it in a safe place, because you know you wouldn’t send me any money for fuel for your truck.” “The fucking truck Paul, the fucking truck –WHERE IS IT?”
I was enjoying this far too much. “Well Mike, I knew you would want it safe so I left it all locked up in Dale’s yard.” “Bring me the fucking keys Paul.” “Well, Dale’s yard is quite small and he needed to keep the keys to move it when he needed to. I thought you would be happy that the truck was safe Mike.” Bwahahaha!
On that note, that’s about all we have room for this week, so it’s time to settle in with another cuppa and enjoy the garden. Sweets anyone? I hope you didn’t mind the story today, it seemed to mean a new start for me- a Fall new start as so often happens in life. Please join me in thanking Willow for her invitation to tea. We are all happy that Willow is back and honored that you all dropped by today to visit. I hope you’ve enjoyed yourself and the conversation and please look around at Willow’s other posts while you’re here. Willow is over there serving her guests and chatting it up. Let’s go see how she is today. Have a great week. We look forward to seeing you back here for sweets and beverages of your choice again next week.
If we were having Coffee Original idea from http://parttimemonster.wordpress.com/
And of course the
IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: WEEKEND COFFEE SHARE
over at Part Time Monster and Gene’O’s
IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: FORESTS AND FARMS
13 Sep 2015 14 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: cakes, chit chat!, coffee, IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: Cars, tea, travel
Welcome everyone this week is a little different we are having coffee today somewhere in France. Don’t worry everything is as it always is with tea and coffee from all over the world not to mention all our cakes and muffins and as Paul calls them sweets! Every single one is calorie free! Plus of course we now have spirits and liquors to warm the coldest of you.
If we were having Coffee: I would ask you what has been going on in your world this week, has anything deeply affected you, have you need a sympathetic ear, a shoulder to cry on or just needed someone to make you laugh! If yes feel free to talk it out here with us. We will all help if we can.
Lets join everyone here and all the other “IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEES”
If we were having Coffee: I would remind you that there are lots of other coffee mornings all shared and organized By Diana and Gene’O over at,Part time monster
If we were having coffee: You can either sit inside this beautifully converted barn, it is so comfortable and beautifully equipped or we can sit outside in the huge garden with wonderful views of the countryside, so verdant and lush, or again you can sit on the farmyard side and see the farm buildings and the orchard, the chickens and the Dove Cote which dates from 1539 there has been a working farm here ever since that date when Francis 1st of France was on the throne and Henry V111 was on the throne of England. In fact they met in France and the event was so colourful with each king showing how rich he was that it was called The Field of Cloth of Gold .
If we were having coffee: I would tell you that we have just come in from a wonderful four mile walk, from the farm through fields some crops and some with cows in to a wonderful forest and it was a real forest not a wood or a copse. There were signs up saying beware traps ( signs in french) and we had to walk through a gate in an electric fence.
View from a picnic table of the lake.
There are deer in the forest , sadly we did not see any …mind you they are big and the males have huge antlers… and they are very nervous ! Well we almost got lost but eventually we found a lake and we sat for a while and took in the view. Then we wandered back and when we got back we had tea coffee and cake of course!
If we were having coffee: Last week we were in Normandy and the weather was amazing we went out every day visiting Cathedrals and towns and villages and some wonderful Botanical Gardens. I lost my phone, I had placed it on the boot of the car ( the trunk if you are an American) and then jumped in the car forgetting about the phone…… bye bye phone. I did not realize until we got back to where we were staying that it had gone… so we had to ring up and block the phone and have the sim killed!! Hassle but it had to be done! Hence my poem about the Lost phone.
Here are some photos of our trip so far.
![IMG_20150911_134055692 [104437]](https://willowdot21.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/img_20150911_134055692-104437.jpg){kind=small}
Botanical Surprises
![IMG_20150911_134250633 [104438]](https://willowdot21.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/img_20150911_134250633-104438.jpg)
Flowers by a gate
Evening lake
Early morning farm
View from the window above the sink
If we were having Coffee: I have to say now that after 4hrs travelling across France in at points torrential rain and the walk this morning I am exhausted and need a rest so I shall love you and leave you all to enjoy I am putting my feet up now and taking in the view so come and join me or wander over to see Paul who is over at Mark Bialczak in Syracuse this week and all this month. Let us see what they are all discussing ! It has been lovely as always to have you all here and I hope, as does Paul that you will all join us here and at Mark Bialczak ‘s again next week.
If we were having Coffee Original idea from http://parttimemonster.wordpress.com/
And of course the
IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: WEEKEND COFFEE SHARE
over at Part Time Monster and Gene’O’s
If we were having coffee: Wet Bank Holidays, Triffids, and Newbie fun!
06 Sep 2015 13 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: cakes, chit chat!, coffee, if we were having coffee, Newby, Triffids, wet days
Hello everyone welcome to the garden we have a marquee and heaters, all the garden furniture has been washed and I have put out cushions for your comfort.
Well what do you think shall we chance it . Now as always we have tea and coffee from all over the world not to mention all our cakes and muffins and as Paul calls them sweets! Every single one is calorie free! Plus of course we now have spirits and liquors to warm the coldest of you.
If we were having Coffee: I would ask you what has been going on in your world this week, has anything deeply affected you, have you need a sympathetic ear, a shoulder to cry on or just needed someone to make you laugh! If yes feel free to talk it out here with us. We will all help if we can.
Lets join everyone here and all the other “IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEES”
If we were having Coffee: I would remind you that there are lots of other coffee mornings all shared and organized By Diana and Gene’O over at,Part time monster
If we were having coffee: I would say it has been a very busy week Monday and Tuesday we were away at a music festival with friends followed by a visit to a house owned by the Rothchild’s, two lovely days indeed even though the weather on the Bank Holiday Monday was awful…… it did not stop raining we still have lots of fun!!
![IMG_20150831_120148186 [233440]](https://willowdot21.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/img_20150831_120148186-233440.jpg)
The rest of the week has been a busy blur too!
The Newbie has been away with his mum, dad and maternal grandparents, and by all reports he has had a wonderful time. He has been very happy, he loved digging at the beach, having dad chase him around the airport. I am very proud to say that he behaved very well on the plane journey out and the return home too! Partly I suspect that Dad wore him out before both flights!
Well now if we were having coffee : I will be asking you about now, if you would like another drink or some cake, or sweets as Paul calls them.
If we were having coffee: I would be congratulating Deborah at Container Chronicles who is celebrating the birth of her new Grandson Jack! WOOOOOHOOOOOOOO! for Deborah!
Come on Sheri I am waiting for a chat and to see what delights you have brought for us this week!
Now don’t forget that Paul my usual guest “If we were having Coffee” poster is over over at the Itty Bitty in Syracuse with Mark, Karen and Ellie B, shall we go and see what they are up to?
You can all breath easy as I have not got time or the wear with all to share any garden news this month , yes I can hear you all sighing a sigh of relief! Just incase any of you are suffering withdrawal effects here is a piccy just for you!
Okay relax I am only joking! But joking aside I have to be off now so:
If we were having coffee : I would ask if I can fill up your cup, or glass or get you anything else to eat it is all calorie free!
Let us go and Join Paul and the gang they are all over at Mark Bialczak this week and all this month. Let us see what they are all discussing ! It has been lovely as always to have you all here and I hope, as does Paul that you will all join us here and at Mark Bialczak ‘s again next week.
If we were having Coffee Original idea from http://parttimemonster.wordpress.com/
And of course the
IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: WEEKEND COFFEE SHARE
over at Part Time Monster and Gene’O’s
If We Were Having Coffee : Shopping, Hospitals, Rain, and the Newbie
15 Aug 2015 27 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: cakes, chit chat!, coffee, Family, friends, hospitals, Mental health issues, the Newbie
Hello everyone welcome to the garden we have a marquee and heaters, all the garden furniture has been washed and I have put out cushions for your comfort.
Well what do you think shall we chance it . Now as always we have tea and coffee from all over the world not to mention all our cakes and muffins and as Paul calls them sweets! Every single one is calorie free! Plus of course we now have spirits and liquors to warm the coldest of you.
If we were having Coffee: I would ask you what has been going on in your world this week, has anything deeply affected you, have you need a sympathetic ear, a shoulder to cry on or just needed someone to make you laugh! If yes feel free to talk it out here with us. We will all help if we can.
Lets join everyone here and all the other “IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEES”
Join in !
If we were having Coffee: I would remind you that there are lots of other coffee mornings all shared and organized By Diana and Gene’O over at,Part time monster
self harm
If we were having coffee : I would have to admit that I have been preoccupied with the plight of my friend’s daughter who has been in and out of a psychiatric unit like a yoyo in the past fortnight. It has been a roller coaster for my friend, her other daughter and for the husband and myself. Trips to and from the unit, not being allowed to see the patient or even call without express permission from the patient . Even my friend could not get any information about her daughter unless she had allowed it first.
My friend has two daughters both beautiful bright young women and I have known them since they were little girls of about 6yrs and 8yrs repectively. So it has been a an awful and deep shock to see the younger daughter now 21yrs fall apart, in what looks like a fortnight. It was even worse for her mum who also had no idea there were any problems.
The sad facts are that she has been suffering for a long time, she has been self harming and covering her misery for ages. None of us knew none of us had any idea.
If we were having coffee : I would tell you that I have had my second eldest sister on my mind too. She has been in hospital since 24th April , she went in to have a heart operation, a double bypass and double valve replacement . Well since then she has developed an infection in the wound in her leg from where they took the veins use in the operation and somehow she has a bone infection in her chest, there has been a long catalogue of setbacks that have befallen her but the fact remains she is still very unwell and any prayers you may have to say for her would be appreciated.
If we were having coffee : I would ask if you would like more tea, coffee and cake? We have plenty and all is calorie free!
Lots of eyes
If we were having coffee : I feel I should lighten the tone of this post so lets see? Monday the husband and I went into town to do some shopping ( clothes shopping ) well we parked a 15min walk from the shops. Not a problem it was a warm day ….. well we only had 2hr parking so half an hour would be walking to and from the shops, leaving an hour and a half to pick, try on and pay for the goods. We accomplished that …. rather rushed but done. On the way back to the car the heavens opened up and boy did it rain. We got soaked to the skin!
Tuesday back at the gym then housework , ironing and trip to hospital with my friend , mentioned above. She and her daughter stayed for dinner.
Wednesday Core Lesson at the gym, then take friend’s daughter back to hospital, in the afternoon I met my gym buddy for a coffee and a chat, we arranged to go into town the next day ….. so I could change most of the clothes I had so hastily bought on the Monday!
Thursday after the gym my buddy and I caught the bus into town and took our time I changed my hastily picked goods for more suitable and better fitting ones, she also bought some tops and three pairs of shoes. Then it started to rain and we got soaked …. for me again! We went and had a cuppa and a cake in a department store, by then we had dried out and so had the weather so we carried on to the Apple store where my friend had some queries to sort out! After which we caught the bus home.
Soaked twice in one week, not very fair! So Friday I had the new drive again to the Pilates class, which I found with no problem at all I did not get even slightly lost in either direction and really enjoyed the class. Busy afternoon and evening.
Today was special because the Newbie and his Daddy came for lunch and we had a lovely time with lots of giggling and fun!!
If we were having coffee : I wowuld say it is time for garden round up!
-
- Toms
-
- More toms
-
- Green beans
-
- Yet more toms
and now for from veg to flowers!
Honeysuckle
Lollypop Holly Bush
White Rose
Red hot Pokers
View through the Fuscias
Okay well that is about all there is time for this week so
If we were having coffee : I would ask if I can fill up your cup, or glass or get you anything else to eat it is all calorie free!
Let us go and Join Paul and the gang and see what they are all discussing this week! It has been lovely as always to have you all here and I hope, as does Paul that you will all join us here again next week.
If we were having Coffee Original idea from http://parttimemonster.wordpress.com/
And of course the
IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: WEEKEND COFFEE SHARE
over at Part Time Monster and Gene’O’s
Stream of Conciousness Saturday: Will you be Ready?
01 Aug 2015 13 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: Awards, bikes, cakes, fun, laughing gas, Stream of Conciousness Saturday, The Annual Blogger's Bash
This is part of LindaGHill‘s Stream of Concious Saturday here is the pingbak.
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “ Ready.” Choose one, fact, fiction, poetry or prose it is up to you. Have fun!
Ready
Will you be ready for this, really are you ready for this? I am but I cannot attend the meeting of minds that is The Annual Blogger’s Bash! See here They will be swarming towards the British Library to meet at 11am then mouching off to Pizza Hut! for 12.30.
Some will no doubt be already on their way. There will be awards I have voted, I was ready to give my vote. There obviously is a counter move to stop this event or at least to throw a spanner in the works!! What I hear you all gasp…who would do this . Well if you are sitting and ready for the anwser I shall tell you ! The first distraction tactic is The Prudential London Ride terrifying enough in itself and threatening to bring the entire capital to a gringing halt. The second and in a way laughable distraction tactic is a meeting in Parliament Square Westminster where hundreds of people are planning to inhale laughing gas outside Parliament in a mass protest against a planned government crackdown on ‘legal highs’. …… sounds like the ABBAs and BOOBs might be behind this!
So all I can do as I am unable to attend is to hope that all those attending The Annual Bloggers Bash are ready to have a great time I do wish I was with you all , I shall be in spirit ( Bacardi and coke please) .
Those of us unable to go will expect lots of info, reports and photos!! The other question is , is London ready for three major events? Is the end of the world nigh? read Tangental’s take on things here ( he is a big noise in the BOOB and ABBAs )
So will you be ready ? Have a great time Bloggers I hope to be allowed to be ready for the next one!!
Badge by: Doobster @ Mindful Digressions
Here are the rules:
1. Your post must be stream of consciousness writing, meaning no editing, (typos can be fixed) and minimal planning on what you’re going to write.
2. Your post can be as long or as short as you want it to be. One sentence – one thousand words. Fact, fiction, poetry – it doesn’t matter. Just let the words carry you along until you’re ready to stop.
3. There will be a prompt every week. Linda will post the prompt on her blog on Friday, along with a reminder for you to join in. The prompt will be one random thing, but it will not be a subject. For instance, Linda will not say “Write about dogs”; the prompt will be more like, “Make your first sentence a question,” or “Begin with the word ‘The’.”
4. Ping back! It’s important, so that Linda and other people can come and read your post! For example, in your post you can write “This post is part of SoCS:” and then copy and paste the URL found in your address bar at the top of Linda’s post into yours. Your link will show up in Linda’s comments, for everyone to see. The most recent pingbacks will be found at the top.
5. Read at least one other person’s blog who has linked back their post. Even better, read everyone’s! If you’re the first person to link back, you can check back later, or go to the previous week, by following my category, “Stream of Consciousness Saturday,” which you’ll find right below the “Like” button on Linda’s post.
6. Copy and paste the rules (if you’d like to) in your post. The more people who join in, the more new bloggers you’ll meet and the bigger your community will get!
7. Have fun!
willowdot21 
