tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34133898929843402682024-02-06T19:01:05.553-08:00Blog of a Working WitchChristine Sempershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11063484637680330067noreply@blogger.comBlogger307125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413389892984340268.post-40211310919222268052022-09-14T05:50:00.001-07:002022-09-14T05:50:54.166-07:00The Further Adventures of Betty<p> You would think that a small black collie who likes to stay at home would have a quiet and peaceful life, but Betty seems to manage to be involved in all sorts of scrapes.</p><p><span> For example: last Friday Graham and I were getting ready to go shopping, when suddenly I heard Betty's distinctive distress call in the garden. Not a playful 'Yip!', but a loud and high pitched scream!</span><br /></p><p><span><span> I shouted Graham, who was in the living room, and he galloped out into the back garden to find out what was happening. I was imagining all sorts, from the noise going on - largely involving vast amounts of bloody and possibly limbs hanging off, and definitely an emergency trip to the vet!</span><br /></span></p><p><span><span><span> Suddenly, Graham reappeared with both dogs, thrust Betty into my arms and vanished back outside. I examined Betty carefully, she was now quiet and seemed to be in no distress at all. There were no wounds I could see, and definitely no blood.</span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span> I put her down and she trotted happily around the kitchen, no limping and no signs of any injury at all.</span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span> Tallulah was equally unscathed and seemingly unconcerned.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span> All rather puzzling.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Then Graham was back and told me that apparently the dogs had had a close encounter of the rattish kind.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> We are not sure who did what, but by the time Graham reached the dogs, Tallulah was standing between Betty and a large, but very stunned looking rat - possibly with a broken neck (the rat, not Tallulah).</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Graham got the dogs inside, then went back with a shovel to make sure that the rat was definitely deceased and dispose of the body.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> We do live in the countryside with water and dykes around, so even though we very rarely see any rats (twice in the 40 years we've lived here), there is always the possibility one may stray into the garden.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Anyway, everyone seemed ok, so that was that.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span> Now, I've mentioned before that Betty refuses to walk on a lead - despite many attempts. So in the end, Graham gave up and a week or so ago began taking Betty with Tallulah on their morning walks. Betty is quite content to walk without a lead and follow her mother or Graham. She does prefer them both to be together, and does try to herd them if they are not - such as when Tallulah hares off after a squirrel (the squirrels just run up the nearest tree and are in no danger of being caught!).</span><br /></p><p><span><span> The morning walks have been going fine, with no problems, except that Betty would like to chase any bicycles she sees.</span><br /></span></p><p><span><span><span> Until yesterday morning.</span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span> When Graham takes the dogs for their walk, I have a bath. It is a nice peaceful time when I can read a book, or sometimes write articles for the Newsletter. Graham sets off around 6.45 and is back around 7.30ish.</span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span> But at 7.05 yesterday morning, suddenly I heard what sounded like Betty's distress screaming outside the front door. I thought I must be mistaken, but just in case, I hurridly got out of the bath and threw on a kaftan. I opened the front door. No dog.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span> I tentatively called softly 'Betty?' and round the hedge and into the garden from the public path came a small black collie, who bounded into the house with obvious pleasure.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> I told her she was a clever dog and a good girl for getting home, and could imagine that Graham was going frantic in the woods, trying to find Betty! And dreading coming home to tell me he had lost her.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> If he had a mobile phone I could have let him know that all was well, but instead I had to wait until I saw him and Tallulah heading home.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> We think that Tallulah had chased a squirrel and Betty had chased after her, but somehow had lost sight of her mum. Then she didn't know where Graham was or her mum, so came home.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> We were both rather impressed that she knew the way - and thankful that she was safe!</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>Christine Sempershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11063484637680330067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413389892984340268.post-4893696430438536392022-08-25T03:00:00.000-07:002022-08-25T03:00:11.508-07:00Why, Betty, Why?!<p> Every dog we have ever had, has each had their unique personality. And Betty is proving to be one of the unique est!</p><p><span> For a start: every other dog or puppy we have had, has loved to find holes and spaces in the fences and hedges around our garden, so they can go and explore further afield.</span><br /></p><p> Not Betty! Betty likes being at home. She does <u>not</u> want to go outside of our garden at all!</p><p><span> We have been trying to walk her on a lead, so she can join Graham and Tallulah on their morning walks. But Betty: a) does not want to be on a lead and</span><br /></p><p><span>b) does not want to walk in any direction which is 'away' from the garden.</span></p><p><span><span> She just stands stubbornly, or sits down.</span><br /></span></p><p><span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Q9eo9cGtxkSbXMK9Ke11gZYyvl8eyA8PHB9YNNJegyQGjkQ2eKl0n6bbdix-DnVl3DI3qmDYytrOeh4PEBt7bE6wm-Q84UJtayImwOzw4wrXzoY8uaTDlsLFfYKe9ctJUo2zQf8TgVwI6KbqCsyDimP96piD__TSmjaVW7Zx6y7AZJTZuTmczqwR-Q/s4000/IMG_20220824_092035585.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Q9eo9cGtxkSbXMK9Ke11gZYyvl8eyA8PHB9YNNJegyQGjkQ2eKl0n6bbdix-DnVl3DI3qmDYytrOeh4PEBt7bE6wm-Q84UJtayImwOzw4wrXzoY8uaTDlsLFfYKe9ctJUo2zQf8TgVwI6KbqCsyDimP96piD__TSmjaVW7Zx6y7AZJTZuTmczqwR-Q/s320/IMG_20220824_092035585.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span><br /></span><p></p><p><span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRSn96cVzc_6Fv2_k15Lpye1Ri_17LRrI3lUFtY6TjGSONt9DmG-RkU_KnFC9tTvq2rIz1Okvw2yyNvWu6iGhodgu6Z6Qp5sV7pCZKBxusDc5ZKOAYXNrSTj2mQslMq_c3ey6Evn1LQR9fhGlAAMON332qu8avRF-44A8aLplMD2EDSMQpLDbLMigbg/s4000/IMG_20220824_092214571.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRSn96cVzc_6Fv2_k15Lpye1Ri_17LRrI3lUFtY6TjGSONt9DmG-RkU_KnFC9tTvq2rIz1Okvw2yyNvWu6iGhodgu6Z6Qp5sV7pCZKBxusDc5ZKOAYXNrSTj2mQslMq_c3ey6Evn1LQR9fhGlAAMON332qu8avRF-44A8aLplMD2EDSMQpLDbLMigbg/s320/IMG_20220824_092214571.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span>We have tried taking Tallulah out in the hope that Betty would follow her mum, as anywhere in the house or garden, Tallulah has a little black Betty shadow. But take Betty out onto the footpath and 'NO, NOT GOING ANYWHERE!' seems to be the message, loud and clear.</span><p></p><div><span><span> We have tried carrying her away from the house, then walking back towards the garden</span><br /></span></div><div><span><span><span> We go two steps, then Betty sat down and refused to go any further.</span><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span> Sigh, we will persevere with this.</span><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span> Anyway, Betty's biggest 'thing' at the moment seems to be taking ANY opportunity to get wet.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><span> If there is a water bowl to stand in or fall into, Betty will do so.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> She comes for a fuss and the usual cry is "Betty! Why are you wet?!"</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> When Graham is watering the garden, she will play with, or stand under the jet coming out of the watering can. So she gets watered.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> If there is the slightest hint of rain, Betty will have been stood out in it.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> If there is any wet undergrowth, Betty will have rolled in it.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Her favourite place for sleeping is in the living room hearth. It is tiled so probably feels nice and cool in this weather, so fair enough.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> But there is also a ceramic dog water bowl at one end of the hearth, and inevitably Betty will end up sleeping with her head on the edge of the water bowl.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> And equally inevitably, her head will end up in the water .....</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>Christine Sempershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11063484637680330067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413389892984340268.post-86889433687803762572022-08-16T02:23:00.001-07:002022-08-16T02:23:52.620-07:00A Week in the Life of a Betty<p> A week is a long time in the life of a little dog.</p><p><span> Last week, Betty was introduced to a small part of the Great Outdoors, which proved to be a huge success. The main success, as far as we were concerned was that she quickly picked up that outside is a lovely place to do your toilet stuff, not always, we must admit, and especially not at night (she hasn't yet managed the dog flap), but by far most of the time.</span><br /></p><p><span><span> Now we must also admit that not all of the chicken wire fencing was as taut as it could have been. Particularly the bit into the left hand side of the garden. So it soon became obvious that some of us had learnt to pull the fence down and scramble over it. Still no harm done, Betty and Tallulah were having a great time playing together, and that seems a secure part of the garden.</span><br /></span></p><p><span><span><span> Of course we have had to try and keep the fencing at a level which Betty couldn't get over (....) but Tallulah could. That didn't work out very well. Because when Tallulah goes Boing! over the chicken wire fence, she is followed by a small dog who can also go Boing! over the chicken wire fence. </span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span> We found this out when Graham was collecting dog droppings and found some Betty sized ones near Holda's Hut.</span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span> Then when he went to put some rubbish in the bin in the side garden, he realised that something was chewing his sock - hello Betty. So she could leap all the bits of fencing designed to keep her contained.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span> So that was a waste of time.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Of course the thing is, Betty is growing at a fantastic rate. You can almost see her doing it!</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Each day she seems to be able to scrabble higher up.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> At lunch time (midday meal, dinner time as I know it), Graham brings stuff through from the kitchen into the living room where our table is, loaded on a tray.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Yesterday he put the tray down on the kitchen chair, while he turned the kettle off. By the time he turned back, a small dog had her head in the cheese and was giving it a good and very enthusiastic nagging. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span>This time last week she couldn't have reached!</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>Christine Sempershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11063484637680330067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413389892984340268.post-39193099474572672412022-08-09T01:46:00.000-07:002022-08-09T01:46:57.163-07:00And Then There Was One<p> Well we knew it was going to happen.</p><p>Angela had a hospital appointment in the area last week, so called in to pick up the three sable babies and take them off for new adventures.</p><p><span> So now we are left with Tallulah and our little Black Betty, or Betty Boo. She is a little sweetie (although not as cuddly as Singer, he will be a lovely and loving companion for some lucky person).</span><br /></p><p><span><span> Angela said all the puppies were pretty, but as soon as she saw Betty, said 'That one is Show quality.' which made me feel a bit guilty for picking her as the one we would keep.</span><br /></span></p><p><span><span><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwTnQVyhwx4NH3X1nqzI3kCGAOeAbFUH_InujsEHI9SRMvITOj8KpxNaFxVxS7W2EKC4AhNWFq75003nAdUjkBBTaAK2CKKC_1ysYId9D9AEKymRDrUPTg6yX7TuekHY7PvHP-LUVo_OZ4uBEa2UsaGleXFEScaMHMfFvApVTuoQ691P4WHqC6znUkw/s4000/IMG-20220804-WA0005.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwTnQVyhwx4NH3X1nqzI3kCGAOeAbFUH_InujsEHI9SRMvITOj8KpxNaFxVxS7W2EKC4AhNWFq75003nAdUjkBBTaAK2CKKC_1ysYId9D9AEKymRDrUPTg6yX7TuekHY7PvHP-LUVo_OZ4uBEa2UsaGleXFEScaMHMfFvApVTuoQ691P4WHqC6znUkw/s320/IMG-20220804-WA0005.jpeg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><p><span> We took Betty to be microchipped on Monday. Graham carried her into the vets expecting this to be a quick, in-and-out visit, but it was a bit longer than expected, as all the staff had to come and say 'Aaawwww!' to Betty. </span><br /></p><p><span><span> She was duly microchipped, had a vaccination and was examined by the vet who pronounced her fine.</span><br /></span></p><p><span><span><span> To be honest, Angela had seen her and she would have spotted if anything was amiss. In terms of collies I reckon Angela (from Wicani Collies) is the fount of all wisdom, and probably knows more about the breed than a vet would.</span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span> Anyway, now we are down to Betty and Tallulah, things are a bit more settled, and rather a lot less frantic. There is also a heck of a lot less crap and wee everywhere.</span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span> We have rigged up a fenced off area outside the back door, so that Betty can now get outside whenever she fancies (although 'outside' is HUGE to a small puppy, so that is taking a bit of getting used to). We also hope to encourage her to understand that crapping is an outdoor activity - rather than going upstairs to do it under my chair in the office!</span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span> Tallulah is also encouraging Betty to play with her. Tallulah dangles a toy in front of Betty, until Betty gets hold of it, then gently drags Betty round the room, allowing Betty to have a chance at pulling back too.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Tallulah has been a fab mum, and still is showing to be so.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghz0RI2zDDsI-26kMsL9lB1Z3G4EpeUQTwXGWAjZs5Z0vISRoDuXUKPVryihh7FILaOZ8NrEurqqUKTUAKJAz2AZs5SFhFl7S3fvMZqk5Fff31k8ZcS-OV1Zb7FDSMIMoq_hI8F1au94XAKZ3o_VOGwJwGkRXYh1_c4K_rTehW1opASmsaC52m8VlxA/s4000/IMG-20220806-WA0001.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghz0RI2zDDsI-26kMsL9lB1Z3G4EpeUQTwXGWAjZs5Z0vISRoDuXUKPVryihh7FILaOZ8NrEurqqUKTUAKJAz2AZs5SFhFl7S3fvMZqk5Fff31k8ZcS-OV1Zb7FDSMIMoq_hI8F1au94XAKZ3o_VOGwJwGkRXYh1_c4K_rTehW1opASmsaC52m8VlxA/s320/IMG-20220806-WA0001.jpeg" width="180" /></a></div><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Ooooo is that 'outdoors'?</span></span></span></span></span></span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQcLmVoipah-TQYZIwAC8HRDYHS8RlfMY6Sxm1HkZr2jH8PhXN9A8dqV7i571ip31Xw5bZgzt__Jzt1E3ZvNsi6APiUCxXsZfpBCxqcXSbz8o43YPKSdnVQ0-LH7IEJtnFltlvYHyXqNyA56z4EtuLbaKiZTFATGIjgPE1FwS_fL9dthdMP5tQk_LCg/s4000/IMG-20220806-WA0003.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQcLmVoipah-TQYZIwAC8HRDYHS8RlfMY6Sxm1HkZr2jH8PhXN9A8dqV7i571ip31Xw5bZgzt__Jzt1E3ZvNsi6APiUCxXsZfpBCxqcXSbz8o43YPKSdnVQ0-LH7IEJtnFltlvYHyXqNyA56z4EtuLbaKiZTFATGIjgPE1FwS_fL9dthdMP5tQk_LCg/s320/IMG-20220806-WA0003.jpeg" width="180" /></a></div><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><p></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>It seems a big place<br /><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKR0XMOKusQLCY1MTNJpLoqWGCYUESAUoK_2XI5yqgwhesnDJS2h90S7IiPfNlpktnINd-KgSn-ysBSlMPcqUX3qs-oSj23ZmpVGBTJLH_xBgMToDJ3OzTkHmeJPGSjJqvaIydXeigMoqOwpVnbQDyAyDp7CsBQa1kwAQgs3nrUSnogG0HNbeKpsUk-w/s4000/IMG-20220806-WA0005.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKR0XMOKusQLCY1MTNJpLoqWGCYUESAUoK_2XI5yqgwhesnDJS2h90S7IiPfNlpktnINd-KgSn-ysBSlMPcqUX3qs-oSj23ZmpVGBTJLH_xBgMToDJ3OzTkHmeJPGSjJqvaIydXeigMoqOwpVnbQDyAyDp7CsBQa1kwAQgs3nrUSnogG0HNbeKpsUk-w/s320/IMG-20220806-WA0005.jpeg" width="180" /></a></div><span> </span><p><span><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Can I get over this HUGE step?</span><br /></span></span></p><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs71yTY3VRBUUKpi1W8si-gv0fLsX0q1NErDyC8M9paLFYmDdm4TYQ4HvBN8hquoDnFhFRpIPhNJ_wYCicsVuq742SkORapdyoz7aqdnGkkLQpIQ63DK2BzIDOznj4ppjnV1C1SODatYa2bbpbQll-fiilvsKn4XhaicX20KB92ZfKIUIkdHwhKfNL1g/s4000/IMG-20220806-WA0011.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs71yTY3VRBUUKpi1W8si-gv0fLsX0q1NErDyC8M9paLFYmDdm4TYQ4HvBN8hquoDnFhFRpIPhNJ_wYCicsVuq742SkORapdyoz7aqdnGkkLQpIQ63DK2BzIDOznj4ppjnV1C1SODatYa2bbpbQll-fiilvsKn4XhaicX20KB92ZfKIUIkdHwhKfNL1g/s320/IMG-20220806-WA0011.jpeg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> MUMMY!</span><br /></p><p><span><br /></span></p><p><span><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Christine Sempershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11063484637680330067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413389892984340268.post-25724514960581669082022-07-21T02:50:00.000-07:002022-07-21T02:50:26.505-07:00This is not an excuse<p> Hi folks this is an apology if you have been waiting longer than usual for your order.</p><p><span> But sometimes stuff happens, and sometimes it happens all at once so here goes:</span><br /></p><p><span><span> When we put a Mail Shot out, everyone gets it at the same time, and because they know that a lot of the stuff we sell is of limited quantities, EVERYBODY orders at the same time, so instead of our normal work load, we may literally have ten times the number of orders.</span><br /></span></p><p><span><span><span> This is lovely, and I would not want to put anyone off ordering, but it does mean that we can't get through them all as quickly as we would like to, and therefore some people will end up having to wait longer than usual.</span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span> Now, this last Mail Shot was an update of our own publications, which should have made this very quick to deal with orders. But unfortunately just as we got the Mail Shot in the post, that very week our suppliers decided to deliver our brand new photocopier. Yay!</span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span> Well not quite as Yay! as we were hoping because they brought the new copier, plugged it in and took our old one away. They did not install it on my work pc - which is not attached to the internet for security reasons - nor did they show me how to use it.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span> After several phone calls to our supplier and being put through to the IT department several times, where I explained (several times) they could not do anything remotely to the photocopier as it and my pc ARE NOT attached to the Internet. They finally decided that an engineer should be sent out to do the installation and give us a tutorial. That would be 'in the week'.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Needless to say, no engineer turned up that week, so I rang them again on Monday morning. So it was the Wednesday of the following week when a nice young man arrived and attempted to install the photocopier.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Eventually he got it going and explained the basics of using it to me. It was working lovely so I was ready to start printing books, fact sheets etc on Thursday. On Thursday, the photocopier refused to speak to my pc, nor did it want to photocopy double sided nor collate (put the pages in order).</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> After another phone call the nice young chap turned up again and after consultation with another engineer decided I needed new drivers, which sorted that problem out. But it was now nearly two weeks without a usable printer! And I had a printing list as long as my arm.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Anyhoo I got most of the printing done over the weekend so I only had to put them together on Monday.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> On Monday the big Heatwave started, and upstairs where my pc and photocopier are, was not somewhere you wanted to be!</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> I could only stand it so long, then I had to go downstairs and get in a cool bath. The heat was making me feel quite strange - so I'm afraid that made getting the books together a much longer job than anticipated.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> So if you are still waiting for your order, I do apologise, but we will get it out to you just as quickly as we (me and Graham) are physically able.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>Christine Sempershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11063484637680330067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413389892984340268.post-48220345994420476272022-07-02T02:32:00.000-07:002022-07-02T02:32:46.249-07:00Introducing the Babies<p> Tallulah's babies are three weeks old today, and are already developing their own personalities.</p><p><span> First here we have Sun Dancer, known as Dancer. He has very distinctive facial markings and is a little explorer. He is also the puppy who actually sits and howls when he wants his mum, wants to go out of the cage, wants to go into the cage or is just generally bored. Dancer may well become an escape artist.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Q3Eg8zErwzYgIjOkRS8PTkhEIsCx4VrMbA0nQ4FD5nj90LEiPOPF1L8OVdSWNYbp-Rwt3RIBDTxChlkYwf2BUc08ALzthVzVlUVYWnz9PD4vstQ1J1K9boeRcnbNU0M2mj3Dj_a4bRDBg50fW0uIrswOMBwMJuJIe8UJjHm2Ynhcq2WSIFjonyqmQA/s4000/IMG_20220702_093316254.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Q3Eg8zErwzYgIjOkRS8PTkhEIsCx4VrMbA0nQ4FD5nj90LEiPOPF1L8OVdSWNYbp-Rwt3RIBDTxChlkYwf2BUc08ALzthVzVlUVYWnz9PD4vstQ1J1K9boeRcnbNU0M2mj3Dj_a4bRDBg50fW0uIrswOMBwMJuJIe8UJjHm2Ynhcq2WSIFjonyqmQA/s320/IMG_20220702_093316254.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span> Next we have Dawn Singer (Singer) he is the most placid of the pups (at the moment) and seems very good natured and easy going. He has got himself settled and gone to sleep on Graham a couple of times already.</span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNtNu8iGuBTHOmwIhm9Rv-X_yoD-tHwjYHBYY4eA9ra-xlds4U3Oh-1Tv2hJzrn1_v9C7T2RuZgR4Y0hB1NMmEvk_zNWchmwdl-79l3FkIv8cF9k0EAJ8FbE_SBWd6Y_eruI62x-rBGXRcMvUado6lVo32U4XmcKYg9Ju6lXn8A0w8khHYrmMXoTD5-w/s4000/IMG_20220702_093301532.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNtNu8iGuBTHOmwIhm9Rv-X_yoD-tHwjYHBYY4eA9ra-xlds4U3Oh-1Tv2hJzrn1_v9C7T2RuZgR4Y0hB1NMmEvk_zNWchmwdl-79l3FkIv8cF9k0EAJ8FbE_SBWd6Y_eruI62x-rBGXRcMvUado6lVo32U4XmcKYg9Ju6lXn8A0w8khHYrmMXoTD5-w/s320/IMG_20220702_093301532.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Here we have Morning Glory (Glory) who is the biggest of the puppies and manages to have a feed whenever possible. She seems happy and friendly, but always first to the milk bar! She also seems happy to have a stroke and a cuddle (as long as mum is nowhere about).<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzINb4QDYQO5EE9OHqp_BzjCwAJkbh6RcRyJVqNSMRbPMHio9s4o2WphSc9XarDv7rsRj7L1D4LpCAzT7gY6ynh_rts7Urcw--1YIomuOTNj6SceePK7NAuSCQEd3ADgetwZTClQsWTI1S7d_-M8SOXszecKVQqysdA-XVYpc5lKfmmXoRTgV4V22aw/s4000/IMG_20220702_093241468.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzINb4QDYQO5EE9OHqp_BzjCwAJkbh6RcRyJVqNSMRbPMHio9s4o2WphSc9XarDv7rsRj7L1D4LpCAzT7gY6ynh_rts7Urcw--1YIomuOTNj6SceePK7NAuSCQEd3ADgetwZTClQsWTI1S7d_-M8SOXszecKVQqysdA-XVYpc5lKfmmXoRTgV4V22aw/s320/IMG_20220702_093241468.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Finally we have Black Betty (Betty) who is the only tri-colour of the bunch, the others are all sable (the boys will possibly be shaded sable - having a slightly darker colouring). Betty may well be the weirdo of the bunch also, and probably because we picked her as the one to keep.</p><p><span> She has learnt to make a very odd, deep rumbly noise, not exactly a growl. The first time she did it, she was mooching about in the back of the cage on her own, and everyone stopped and looked at her in amazement.</span><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmB1mwEiR9oaYOvz1pljcCrfKgkReagHdmr6Kg6Aye96j2mrhFmU3GU88rFZzBLPVYolv4M4oiDG634fxQwum8QWdsra6RNZZoOTE4-2sR2Rj3VqcBZUejIyboPYMdMm9gkjgD_wVWxRCIapJtj8Pwqg346pl1gqnG9y0vXIoj0YxMZ0OASK08KWZBA/s4000/IMG_20220702_093224901.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmB1mwEiR9oaYOvz1pljcCrfKgkReagHdmr6Kg6Aye96j2mrhFmU3GU88rFZzBLPVYolv4M4oiDG634fxQwum8QWdsra6RNZZoOTE4-2sR2Rj3VqcBZUejIyboPYMdMm9gkjgD_wVWxRCIapJtj8Pwqg346pl1gqnG9y0vXIoj0YxMZ0OASK08KWZBA/s320/IMG_20220702_093224901.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span>As you can see Tallulah got in on this photo and you can see just how much the puppies have grown in only three weeks.</span><p></p></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div>Christine Sempershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11063484637680330067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413389892984340268.post-62848209904467076132022-06-26T21:08:00.000-07:002022-06-26T21:08:54.515-07:00The Joy of Puppies<p> Ok puppies are gorgeous, they are sweet. They don't so a lot (at two weeks old) except eat, sleep and crap and pee, which in general their mother deals with.</p><p><span> Except on a Sunday morning when we are eating our breakfast and I notice one of the puppies (without eyes open yet) standing near one of its siblings with a sort of look of concentration on its face. A look which every parent of a new baby recognises - with a baby human it is the look they get when you have just put a new nappy on them, and they are concentrating on filling the new one.</span><br /></p><p><span><span> Yes the puppy was having a crap.</span><br /></span></p><p><span><span><span> On one of the other puppies!</span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span> I alerted Graham, who scooped up the asleep, but crapped upon puppy (Glory) and hurried off to the bathroom with her to clean her up.</span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span> Of course Glory had no idea what was going on and awoke to find herself, being washed with water, not something she had experienced before, and began screaming as if she was being murdered. Tallulah shot out of the living room after Graham, who was obviously murdering her puppy and also began yapping and screaming in the bathroom. </span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span> Glory was being extremely loud - I could clearly hear her at the other side of the house, so it must have been bedlam near to. So Graham cleaned her up as best he could then hot footed it back to the living room, where I was handed Glory wrapped in a towel and still screaming. I showed her to Tallulah, who could then see that Glory was alive and began to calm down, as did Glory who could then smell her mum, while I gave her a quick dry and then popped her back in with the others again.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span>I have no doubt that this scenario will be played out in various ways over the next few weeks and months.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span>We love puppies.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Some of the time....</span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p>Christine Sempershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11063484637680330067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413389892984340268.post-9428633621393763952022-06-13T22:30:00.000-07:002022-06-13T22:30:02.217-07:00Babies!<p> We have been waiting, Waiting, WAITING! for our very pregnant Tallulah to have her babies.</p><p><span> In the last couple of weeks her nipples have got big, and she has even developed some definite boobs! Last week she began to leak milk, so we knew (hoped) things were getting close.</span><br /></p><p><span><span> On Friday morning (10th of June) Tallulah was definitely very restless, moving around the house but not settling. We did wonder when we popped out to do a quick shop, if we would have babies when we got home. </span><br /></span></p><p><span><span><span> But no, just a very pleased to see us Tallulah.</span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span> As the afternoon wore on, she again grew restless and began nesting in various places upstairs and down.</span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span> She tried the sofa, her dog cage, upstairs in every room, downstairs again in various places around the living room. Eventually in the evening she wandered upstairs again and we could here her nesting in the games room (where we have our gaming pc's) under the spare bed.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span> Getting on towards 9pm Graham went upstairs, just to check on Tallulah, as things appeared to have calmed down and gone quiet. When I heard him shout 'Chrissie! Babies!'</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> I hurried up to join him and saw two squirming puppies, obviously very newly born. But Tallulah was doing all the necessary things she was supposed to do: breaking the birth sacks, washing them to stimulate breathing, chewing through the cord and eating the afterbirth.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> We were gobsmacked and took some photos to send straight to Mike.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> We stayed with her for some time, then went back downstairs as she seemed to be doing fine.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> At about 11pm we went up again, and two more babies had appeared. Again mother and babies all seemed to be doing well, so we left them to it and decided to try going to bed. Even though, like children on christmas eve, we were too excited really to think of sleep. We left the landing light on, so there would be enough light to see by should anything need doing.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> We hadn't been in bed long, when Tallulah decided to change location and appeared in our bedroom, carrying a baby. So Graham went and fetched the other three. We all settled down and things went quiet, and Graham and I managed to fall asleep for an hour or two.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> When we awoke we found that sometime during the night, Tallulah had had another two babies, but saddly at the same time she had laid on two of the puppies and they were dead, when she stood up. I felt so guilty that two of the babies had died, but when I spoke to Angela later, she said it was something that every breeder would experience sooner or later. It is never easy, but it happens.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span>So we still had four very vocal live babies.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> In the morning we moved mum and babies downstairs into the puppy cage, so that they can't roll all over the place as they seem to be determined little explorers. I've been surprised how much the puppies move about!</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> We thought originally that we had one boy and three girls, but it might be two and two, hopefully we will be able to get a proper look as they grow a bit.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> And from the amount of licking Tallulah does, they are going to be some of the cleanest puppies ever!</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvvhQ-UqrHoZUJL4w8MLHCfrmgWInTa7Ykv6QDD8hX_gHsWOO4cyI7hEbCQmpTVq30o2YLUEU3Jdx1lMqgir9jFwH_Ry86FcYdarvZEoFDvryiyvF3xZCumhejSyWB19aHmUzxMihjJv6PwZpjCbZv1AHy5F2xTGKcxDkBd_P3Q5Lv1XEg9XTnlohGQ/s4000/IMG_20220611_112930543_BURST002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvvhQ-UqrHoZUJL4w8MLHCfrmgWInTa7Ykv6QDD8hX_gHsWOO4cyI7hEbCQmpTVq30o2YLUEU3Jdx1lMqgir9jFwH_Ry86FcYdarvZEoFDvryiyvF3xZCumhejSyWB19aHmUzxMihjJv6PwZpjCbZv1AHy5F2xTGKcxDkBd_P3Q5Lv1XEg9XTnlohGQ/s320/IMG_20220611_112930543_BURST002.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfIobsEhTZNCFCUSo9h6YsTIq9rLxeT_Hj4OS-Fy62LbMYGkAqKSWatiWcWGdbx-nTzEZEtkoU87O_z0FT4GP-DsFRUWOEU1ZwgJfGxmMRv7ja3fIK3e9V21qThgx1HMkjv5depRZMNJ1q5rU23mxYJ5ZPZshyLj3x2tBtd01wu4EHbexoQ0DdIrDsQ/s4000/IMG_20220611_110602207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfIobsEhTZNCFCUSo9h6YsTIq9rLxeT_Hj4OS-Fy62LbMYGkAqKSWatiWcWGdbx-nTzEZEtkoU87O_z0FT4GP-DsFRUWOEU1ZwgJfGxmMRv7ja3fIK3e9V21qThgx1HMkjv5depRZMNJ1q5rU23mxYJ5ZPZshyLj3x2tBtd01wu4EHbexoQ0DdIrDsQ/s320/IMG_20220611_110602207.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChX6tbgqnfHj7vtWv-dqEnQOU7XWYGhKX8kC1IdbCibdowW4BgB6APDe4pd8Cr9kYPcem-MQzT66tW6FgrVn7vrWjkEBaMObKynsbgekvVH42A_SADU-zINfJxpN0-o5AduVDHMfKPPkSmj0rbo8wJlC_R_4FL77W6wmKZ4wcbctFPPKr1L--WXoHLw/s2040/IMG-20220612-WA0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2040" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChX6tbgqnfHj7vtWv-dqEnQOU7XWYGhKX8kC1IdbCibdowW4BgB6APDe4pd8Cr9kYPcem-MQzT66tW6FgrVn7vrWjkEBaMObKynsbgekvVH42A_SADU-zINfJxpN0-o5AduVDHMfKPPkSmj0rbo8wJlC_R_4FL77W6wmKZ4wcbctFPPKr1L--WXoHLw/s320/IMG-20220612-WA0007.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><span>Mike took the bottom picture on Sunday when he visited with Cherise and Eden, who had been longing to see the puppies!</span><p></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>Christine Sempershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11063484637680330067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413389892984340268.post-61595741370749442672022-05-31T06:00:00.000-07:002022-05-31T06:00:11.279-07:00Yes I have been Crocheting<p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yes I have been busy with the crocheting over the last few months, but it has taken me a while to get used to taking photos with the new camera/phone thingy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I couldn't get the blasted thing to work, no matter how I pressed the button. It would zoom in and out, and when it did deign to take a photo it would be dark or wobbly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So eventually I asked Mike (feeling an idiot for not being able to get the damn thing to work when 'it is sooo easy!') It turned out I was stabbing the button too quickly! You have to let your finger rest a tad.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> So here we have the first offering, which is a yellow shrug/shawl using a 'pineapple' pattern which I really wanted to try. Graham had bought me several enormous balls of this bright yellow wool, so it seemed appropriate to try. </span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span> This is a pattern I found at The Spruce Crafts called Pineapple Doily Shawl. Now I went wrong a few times when I was trying this. There was much swearing and pulling back of the pattern. </span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span><span> I suspect I still didn't get it right as it seems much fuller than the illustration on the web site, but I think it turned out ok, and is definitely wearable.</span><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnW5a6nXKg7odoSGYNtF5fhWoQeccBBo7duneOnFZ_F0EdJpRUH2LN4sob7JnY237KQaQPT-kOD-_LezftluJ3nBHWSP4qtqLqFrM2bEQcudlYh0gZu39EfHUpz1NeKAdXWxNeiut5Kl5USao7p9QoSGmCZPwJ6OcL-8Jayp_WE4ksHV29koxm42RAw/s4000/IMG_20220525_130741047.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnW5a6nXKg7odoSGYNtF5fhWoQeccBBo7duneOnFZ_F0EdJpRUH2LN4sob7JnY237KQaQPT-kOD-_LezftluJ3nBHWSP4qtqLqFrM2bEQcudlYh0gZu39EfHUpz1NeKAdXWxNeiut5Kl5USao7p9QoSGmCZPwJ6OcL-8Jayp_WE4ksHV29koxm42RAw/s320/IMG_20220525_130741047.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQamqp8iAB9ZWIpNLQ3XdYYkUnqZqAF1KxIwi-mwhqTXTTZEfPOCYXW3rJNna3R9YZkkM7Iy5zrtjwTY1OwmDEj84a9Ii_liqRCHa-oytR_6v5QammmQHbEMEXXWglelenZP1R3oVjNDVoizyyyOUBpV0GdUF-GgaqIDhU4UCVnuMnTnPy7V5vSQSjTA/s4000/IMG_20220525_130756816.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQamqp8iAB9ZWIpNLQ3XdYYkUnqZqAF1KxIwi-mwhqTXTTZEfPOCYXW3rJNna3R9YZkkM7Iy5zrtjwTY1OwmDEj84a9Ii_liqRCHa-oytR_6v5QammmQHbEMEXXWglelenZP1R3oVjNDVoizyyyOUBpV0GdUF-GgaqIDhU4UCVnuMnTnPy7V5vSQSjTA/s320/IMG_20220525_130756816.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>This next one is a variant on a Boho style 'vest'. It is basically a round shawl with a couple of holes in you can poke your arms through. I couldn't find exactly the pattern I wanted, so I decided to have a go and see what happened.</p><p>One of the problems I have with most patterns is they are designed for skinny little lasses, and I am of generous proportions, so they are never going to be wide enough. But this one (modelled here by Graham) does fit and I am chuffed with it. It is mainly a sort of 'fishing net' pattern, lots of loops of chains, with the next row of chains joined to the middle of the previous row loop. Increasing was a bit of an experiment, but seems to have worked out ok.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPiZpc65ETYMeRUheu1DJ6LjsTnJAFdpkn7WqMlSupAIa2hWn8BQtFj6nWywplOqpNT-MnpS9vtSldNMI7t7Y-UshFj2deyW9dRhoXrlth0YkZU8O5lwFqaY8-HdPNinSCFnrtlN7lDjBWcLeA7ktIMg1RuMUxrix2Fvw-VBxcbH0vZVmvWHycnbdHJQ/s4000/IMG_20220525_130625266_BURST000_COVER.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPiZpc65ETYMeRUheu1DJ6LjsTnJAFdpkn7WqMlSupAIa2hWn8BQtFj6nWywplOqpNT-MnpS9vtSldNMI7t7Y-UshFj2deyW9dRhoXrlth0YkZU8O5lwFqaY8-HdPNinSCFnrtlN7lDjBWcLeA7ktIMg1RuMUxrix2Fvw-VBxcbH0vZVmvWHycnbdHJQ/s320/IMG_20220525_130625266_BURST000_COVER.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>This is one of my latest projects, a fun shopping bag, and is based on free patterns found at Attic 24.</p><p>There is a pattern for a Crochet Bag, which is lovely, but for me was a bit too big diameter at the bottom - and I think I might have been using too thick wool as well which made it even bigger. So I used the idea and made my variation on it. </p><p>The bottom is nine concentric circles, then to make the sides, when you have got the bottom the right size for you, just crochet round without increasing, and you will make a tubular shape. I did increase slightly on a few rows as I wanted the top to flare out a little bit. The two handles are just strips 5 stitches wide, make them as long as suits you, and make them the same length (obviously).</p><p>I have decorated the bag with flowers which is another pattern from Attic 24, Triple Layer Flower. I made some flowers with just one layer, some with two and some with the full three layers of petals.</p><p>I found it surprisingly quick to make.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9HbUSPR9IeMEKOXHlZ8CFkQadc35N9zJU7deQ3mbn0KFjHxGWnZjcO83HAvdY9Iio0nx9QNizv37k3MfjRhhukPLq6PCpQZmuyRgsppNOhtkB9VJR_LJc6A5mj-O_0wcb94dNZL5JgsNy3hOLPAnHDqRu9Hz2mCWrAoKBg9TYqm5C1nWIFydaPn8Jw/s4000/IMG_20220525_130409659_BURST001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9HbUSPR9IeMEKOXHlZ8CFkQadc35N9zJU7deQ3mbn0KFjHxGWnZjcO83HAvdY9Iio0nx9QNizv37k3MfjRhhukPLq6PCpQZmuyRgsppNOhtkB9VJR_LJc6A5mj-O_0wcb94dNZL5JgsNy3hOLPAnHDqRu9Hz2mCWrAoKBg9TYqm5C1nWIFydaPn8Jw/s320/IMG_20220525_130409659_BURST001.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>And just in time for the Platinum Jubilee I have been crocheting some decorations. So here we have a string of bunting made in red, white and blue. These are a very simple Granny Triangle and it took no time at all to make a pile of them which I joined together with a chain stitch ribbon</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicU5j5Mx6hAvlFvw2wugqGJAh0BvAWFOTV-CHe1jBSe3R5p1k0FGWlWR8iZVWPG48k1fF4_maNzyVxtNjCvbCnqhm8LIklpHdq66ToDeMhQ92ZMsmRuiAjN6Apw4WOgVpAuqS8qmQhhYDN9vgAh7heBlX5QS9GdAOH_Xl50ckm6KPUbLCR5prw3YnujQ/s4000/IMG_20220531_130336818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicU5j5Mx6hAvlFvw2wugqGJAh0BvAWFOTV-CHe1jBSe3R5p1k0FGWlWR8iZVWPG48k1fF4_maNzyVxtNjCvbCnqhm8LIklpHdq66ToDeMhQ92ZMsmRuiAjN6Apw4WOgVpAuqS8qmQhhYDN9vgAh7heBlX5QS9GdAOH_Xl50ckm6KPUbLCR5prw3YnujQ/s320/IMG_20220531_130336818.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Finally I decided to have a go at a sort of Union Flag. Which actually turned out to be more fiddly than I expected. The central bit is Attic 24's Triple Layer Flower again, with the four arms made up of single colour flowers. For the triangular pieces I used the central part of a Triangle Motif from thechillydog.com The 45 degree red and white bands are my own bits of 4 stitch wide red ribbons, bordered by double crochet (English treble) on all sides</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAm1x0dL0vr1dpkc1UC8hieTAprwvWeHfzNCx6529FvNcaS5jwS-Q-3eg--ulTWJn3tzdc43GpOz_dX3w6Qk8MzgRHyCHLM68bMWyRcYeK1TUrjVAQeGKBaV1WV8kVRDLHWCt4_3nWWO-FsSQCl7FK068C_dH3Dpm2jt_IhXZZskgLvYTcTm4Y5zxpiA/s4000/IMG_20220531_130011959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAm1x0dL0vr1dpkc1UC8hieTAprwvWeHfzNCx6529FvNcaS5jwS-Q-3eg--ulTWJn3tzdc43GpOz_dX3w6Qk8MzgRHyCHLM68bMWyRcYeK1TUrjVAQeGKBaV1WV8kVRDLHWCt4_3nWWO-FsSQCl7FK068C_dH3Dpm2jt_IhXZZskgLvYTcTm4Y5zxpiA/s320/IMG_20220531_130011959.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /></div>I know it isn't exactly oblong, but I think it gives a recognisable impression of the flag, which is what I was after.<div><br /></div><div>So there you have it, a variety of crochet things, which were all fun to do - and I have loads more I want to have a go at!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Christine Sempershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11063484637680330067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413389892984340268.post-9326790247942742722022-05-13T05:28:00.002-07:002022-05-13T05:28:56.231-07:00The Joy of a Letter<p> A couple of months back, just after my birthday actually, I received a parcel of a couple of books.</p><p><span> A friend of ours (originally a customer, but now friend too) had sent me them, as she knew that I study and collect folklore, particularly connected to flowers, plants and trees.</span><br /></p><p><span><span> She didn't know it had been my birthday, but I noticed on the enclosed paperwork, that she had ordered the books on the date of my birthday.</span><br /></span></p><p><span><span><span> I was really surprised and delighted to receive the unexpected and thoughtful gift, so obviously I wanted to thank her. However I knew that she had been going through a time of particularly bad health, linked to an ongoing medical condition, and was therefore in and out of hospital. So rather than try and catch her on the phone, I decided to send her a card, with a 'Thank you' message inside, which I duly did, and thought no more of it.</span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span> Then yesterday the lady rang up and the first thing she said was how nice it had been to receive my 'thank you' letter. 'It was so nice,' she said, 'That I read it over and over again!'</span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span> I, of course, said that she was welcome and felt very touched that my simple note had meant so much to her.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span> When I thought about it afterwards though, I realised how letter writing and sending notes, had become far less common than it was only a few years ago.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Although Graham and I do write regularly to several friends and also send out a Newsletter to all our current customers whenever we send out a Mail Shot. I also try to make sure that anyone who puts a note in with their order will also get a little hand written note in reply.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> But perhaps we are becoming the exception rather than the rule.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> I thought about how nice it is to receive a letter, note or card. Anything, to be honest, which is a bit of personal contact through the post, rather than the normal bills or adverts. And also how nice it is to be able to re-read a note or letter, and keep a really good one to be savoured several times. We always put cards that we receive up on the mantlepiece, so they can be seen and also give us a warm glow when we look at them.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Judging from our friend's reaction, it made me think that I ought to make the effort to drop a note to more people.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> I know we may feel in constant contact with people through social media, but there is nothing like opening an envelope and handling a letter or card. An email card just doesn't have the same effect - to be honest a written note and a card whether bought or home made, looks like a bit more thought and effort has gone into it.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span> It doesn't cost a lot, but it does feel nice to receive one and know that someone, somewhere has taken the time and trouble to think of us.</span><br /></p><p><span><br /></span></p><p><span><br /></span></p>Christine Sempershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11063484637680330067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413389892984340268.post-67717843866006410862022-04-11T06:01:00.000-07:002022-04-11T06:01:11.137-07:00To Everything There is a Season<p> And is had come to that time in a certain lady dog's life when she was in season.</p><p><span> Tallulah was (we hoped) ready for mating (again)! So we were going to visit Angela at Wicani Collies to see if this time we might end up having some puppies.</span><br /></p><p><span><span> Of course this kind of thing always happens at the wrong time.</span><br /></span></p><p><span><span><span> Angela was really busy as her current litter of puppies was just at the point of being ready to leave for their new homes, so Angela had visitors arriving all week to collect their special puppies and take them off on their new adventures, but she made time for us to visit twice, to be sure that Tallulah was well and truly mated.</span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span> We visited first on Thursday, then went back on Saturday afternoon for the second mating.</span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span> Graham had told out butcher that we were visiting our collie breeder friend and the butcher had immediately gone to his freezer and presented Graham with a sack of bones, 'Oh' said Graham a bit surprised by the quantity, 'I was just hoping for a carrier bag or two.' </span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span> 'I haven't finished yet ...' said the butcher vanishing out freezerwards again.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> So we went to Angela's this time with a sack and a half of good butcher's bones.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Angela had warned us that she might have a visitor from Northern Ireland picking up a puppy, so we weren't that surprised to be greeted with a kitchen heaving with activity when we got there.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> As we opened the door a puppy tried to escape and had to be gently propelled backwards. We made it inside to find two puppies, their mum, Angela, the visitor, us and Tallulah (on a lead) all milling about. Keith greeted us from behind the door into the next room (staying out of the bedlam while he could, I think.)</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> As soon as possible, Angela, Graham and Tallulah vanished outside for the mating, but Angela was soon back as she had brought Sigil, Tallulah's boyfriend, for me to see. Sigil is absolutely beautiful (well, all Angela's dogs are beautiful!). He is a dark sable colour, with a lovely, friendly personality. He came for a cuddle and a kiss, then off he went with Angela to go and do his duty.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> When Angela had gone, and there were just me, Keith the dogs and the visitor, in my head (as I didn't know her name) the visitor immediately became 'Talky Woman'.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> She needed no help to make conversation, well it wasn't exactly conversation, as you only had a chance to get a word in when she paused for breath - Keith tried a few times, as did I. But Talky Woman needed no help filling in any silence either talking to herself, to her phone or to her puppy (a pretty little tricolour girl).</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Talky Woman went on for some time. It appeared that she was hoping to say 'Goodbye.' to Angela before she left, but whatever was going on in the mating area, was going on a looooong time.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> This was a mating of epic proportions.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Poor Keith kept desperately saying, 'I'm sure Angela won't be long.' and gazing hopefully out of the kitchen window.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Oh then mother dog decided to be noisily sick. This is the way wolves feed their weaned puppies, and she felt her weaned babies needed dinner.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Keith looked at me, as he knows I can't do sick - I would just join in - but I was carefully examining a photo collage of lots of lovely Wicani collies on the wall away from the sick. Keith was trying to keep the puppies away from the sick, while looking for something to clean it up with, until mum dog got fed up and decided to re-eat it herself.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Those photos were really good, so many lovely dogs, none of which are here, la la la la la, I sang in my head.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Keith fastened mum dog into the puppy cage, to try and avoid a re-run of the sick scenario, and said 'I'll just see what's going on.' and made a break for the freedom of the outdoors.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Talky woman seemed to dry up without a full audience and started playing with her phone, while the little tricolour girl played with my fingers.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Keith came back with instructions that the carrier bag on the table was full of the paperwork and puppy accoutrements that Talky Woman needed and Talky Woman announced that wherever she had left her husband it was now snowing, so maybe she ought to get off and pick him up.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> It was around then that Angela, Graham and Tallulah came back, and Talky Woman and her puppy, eventually went so she could get back to wherever she had to catch the ferry to Northern Ireland from.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Keith said afterwards that often the husbands don't like to be involved in any of the doggy stuff and especially any mating, they will go off for a walk or stay in the car, or in this case be dropped off miles away to wait in the snow!</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> We promised Angela that any questions or worries we had, we were to ring her - so I suspect she may well regret that as this is a brand new adventure for us all - before we went off to the car.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Then Graham quickly ran back just to ask how long a dog is pregnant for. Angela told us it is around 60 days, but her dogs are often a few days early.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> So I have counted the weeks on the calendar, and a possible due date is marked in.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span> </span><br /></span></p>Christine Sempershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11063484637680330067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413389892984340268.post-53912483067588982482022-03-27T00:26:00.002-07:002022-03-27T21:08:37.594-07:00Why Do We Change the Clocks?<p> On the 27th of March this year we put our clocks forward one hour for British Summer Time (BST).</p><p><span> We don't question this, we just do it. But I started to wonder: why do we do it? Is there an advantage to getting up an hour earlier and having a longer light evening?</span><br /></p><p><span><span> I know we are told it is because you can do more stuff in the evening. But you haven't lengthened the day, there are still the same amounts of daylight available whether it runs from 6 am to 8 pm, or 5 am to 7 pm.</span><br /></span></p><p><span><span><span> Our ancestors didn't change their clocks - they didn't have any clocks to start with. They got up when it was light and went to bed when it was dark. So what o'clock you called it wouldn't make any difference.</span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span> So it is pretty obvious that putting the clocks forward in Spring and back again in Autumn must be a fairly recent thing. Oh and incidentally, why do we have the clocks forward longer than back? As we put the clocks forward in March, logically they should go back in September, but no! we have to wait until the last Sunday in October!</span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span> Personally I love the longer nights. I can't wait for the clocks to go back in October, because that means the magical nights are back, and Samhain is upon us!</span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span> So I had a look on the internet and what I found really surprised me.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> It was in 1916, only just over 100 years ago, that Germany changed their clocks during the first World War, in order 'to save energy'. Europe and the UK followed this within weeks. WHY!?</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> This means that until 1916 Britain ran continually on Greenwich Mean Time, and obviously had no problems doing so.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Actually changing the time by an hour only gives an 'advantage' for a very brief time and only in certain latitudes. Go further North and in Summer the sun never sets (this is very much the case in Scotland - not that much further North) where the Simmer Dim gives twilight nights during the Summer. And go towards the Equator and there is very little difference between day lengths in Summer and Winter, so no point in changing the clocks.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> I remember when I was at school we stuck to BST for a couple of years as an experiment, but the Government found that there was little if any advantage to this. </span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Also these days we often live 24 hour lives, so BST really is irrelevant.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Personally I blame Ben Franklin.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> In 1784 Benjamin Franklin was staying in Paris and was fed up with the way the Parisians took ages to get going in the morning. So he wrote a joke to a friend about changing the clocks to try and get the Parisians up a bit earlier, and suggested this should be enforced by ringing church bells and setting off cannons in the streets.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Saddly it seemed someone took his suggestion seriously!</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>Christine Sempershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11063484637680330067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413389892984340268.post-14160846723278269292022-03-04T03:23:00.001-08:002022-03-04T03:23:48.950-08:00 Witches and Gamers<p> There are two subjects which always make me prick up my ears when they crop up in the media and they are Witches and Witchcraft and computer gaming and gamers.</p><p><span> And the main reason is because both subjects are dear to my heart, and both seem to be treated like pariahs. Very often the casual references to 'Witches' seems to be as a pejorative term, usually of a woman - 'Oh, she's a right witch!' which seems to be both a humorous and acceptable comment.</span><br /></p><p><span><span> Let me tell you here and now, this is not acceptable, and would not be seen as such if you were to substitute the word 'witch' for any other religion or race.</span><br /></span></p><p><span><span><span> You cannot make these remarks casually these days without being seen as prejudiced in your outlook - but apparently the memo about this also being the case for Witches, hasn't got passed around yet.</span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span> And so to computer games and gamers. This is another subject where casual prejudice still seems to be the norm, and yet the vast majority of people in the UK use a mobile phone - yes, this is a form of computer - and use computers in their work and at school, college and university.</span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span> They will happily spend hours playing with a mobile phone, or at their desk doing work, or homework. Yet the time you spend computer gaming is somehow seen as 'wasted' time.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span> When we were stuffing envelopes for our latest mail shot we had the radio on and a woman was be-moaning the fact that her teenage son preferred to play computer games, than go outside and ride his bike etc. She then said that he was restricted to 90mins computer gaming at the weekend - and she wondered why the kid didn't want to give up any of his precious gaming minutes to do something else?!</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> How many minutes is Eastenders on the TV during the week? How many minutes do people 'waste' watching news reports when surely once a day is more than enough?</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> When I told Graham about the remarks, he said 'It might be a generational thing.' Implying that the parents didn't understand computer games as the youngsters did.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> I gave him a look.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> I will soon be 65 (on the 17th of March if anyone is interested ) and Graham is older, and we both regularly play computer games.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> In fact we have been playing computer games for years. At first on the old Sinclair Spectrums, with games that came on audio tapes and took upwards of 15 minutes to donwnload.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Our son, a civil engineer, plays computer games with his mates.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Our daughter-in-law, a business woman, plays computer games with her mates.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> They also do lots of other things, as do me and Graham, but computer gaming is something we all do for relaxation, for fun and to keep up with mates who we may or may not see at other times.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> The computer gaming industry is one of the largest industries in the world. It is bigger than the film/movie industry.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> It generates more revenue for the UK than any other industry including tourism.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> In fact Dundee is the biggest computer gaming area in the world. Bigger than silicon valley in the USA. There they produce some of the top computer games in the world and companies there are full of bright, intelligent people playing, devising, creating, making and selling computer games.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> It has been found that playing computer games keeps your reflexes sharp. Working out puzzles keeps your brain active and learning anything new including computer games, will also stimulate your brain to keep making new connections.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> And also many computer games include a social aspect. People are encouraged to work co-operatively, to work through special areas in groups, or to join communities where they can find others to talk to and play with.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Graham and I work from home, and like many other home workers a whole week can pass when we see nobody. </span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> But we can go online at any time of the day or night and play World of Warcraft and there is always somebody there to talk to.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> I would suggest for anyone who is feeling isolated or lonely, or who wants to visit worlds of the imagination and have their own imagination stimulated - get a computer, get online and go gaming!</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Lok'tar ogar! As we say.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>Christine Sempershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11063484637680330067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413389892984340268.post-4857635823115798992022-01-22T00:03:00.000-08:002022-01-22T00:03:16.892-08:00Happy New Year!<p> Well I have had a busy time crocheting stuff for various friends and relatives for Christmas, and I must admit I have loved every minute!</p><p><span> The only down side was that I couldn't share pictures of what I had been up to, in case the recipients saw something they would later get as a pressy.</span><br /></p><p><span><span> So for a start, I found a lovely pattern for a HUGE flower*, which I decided was ideal to make into a cushion cover. And I used the same colours to make a flat back to the cover. I loved making it so much that I made LOADS of different colour ways, and tried to pick ones I hoped the recipient would like. </span><br /></span></p><p><span><span><span> For example I made one for our friend Angela, who breeds Wicani Collies and I picked colours which are all found in her lovely dogs. Including a sparkling white which reminded me of Bridie's beautiful shining mane/neck ruff.</span><br /></span></span></p><p><span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLlPJTj0Iv1bKFc70rbDx9BaFcmpSwf1_6V9hw_pB91mxPrF-AN7IBpEu9j9GrDJcJY5Ypv42E-b_7FFOlMlg2K4ae1NGy78SKnSg_-CQ7_NvKGcRrSrRY80l_aIQdXmlt7SJa7JAqZ02D_sgqpkxytNTxau_fKNZz0piHwIf50_-02xuwn3iIeglJrQ=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLlPJTj0Iv1bKFc70rbDx9BaFcmpSwf1_6V9hw_pB91mxPrF-AN7IBpEu9j9GrDJcJY5Ypv42E-b_7FFOlMlg2K4ae1NGy78SKnSg_-CQ7_NvKGcRrSrRY80l_aIQdXmlt7SJa7JAqZ02D_sgqpkxytNTxau_fKNZz0piHwIf50_-02xuwn3iIeglJrQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6AEm90nHjsBCw1TgztUYqfQwZwvtwkRdDYeyVqcKWywr6WaNo12v_NMdJhoVtVvc-_UXh2nuFhNf0U9Wtye1A1iMazGMX6bWB0L3Im8CIHxzU8qyIt1YvvRz6TNXArQWulQgsLc1jeZP74wzFmclhh3GTQliGKvye2BGN51rGpHQgcw3C0sgJaNlC5g=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6AEm90nHjsBCw1TgztUYqfQwZwvtwkRdDYeyVqcKWywr6WaNo12v_NMdJhoVtVvc-_UXh2nuFhNf0U9Wtye1A1iMazGMX6bWB0L3Im8CIHxzU8qyIt1YvvRz6TNXArQWulQgsLc1jeZP74wzFmclhh3GTQliGKvye2BGN51rGpHQgcw3C0sgJaNlC5g=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span>These pictures show the fronts and backs of just some of the cushion covers I made. Of course they were all sent out with a nice plump cushion inside.</span><p></p><p><span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhodHE9uOSKdCKUI9GQjkR7M81-bD33YYUpUgg-1EN6S_e_hUUXkIUw6Q0BZcUa5nQj8K7mSJrZAa_pztBzEEr43dZ-RdeUg8R-eWJ1Fi379qpnKmplKMdvsvwVIgSvoZbrzesYPTmncq8a8SeixkUFrFI_hiOYWqNEqOe2DTwgsH3gUPrGWqDn2JksGg=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhodHE9uOSKdCKUI9GQjkR7M81-bD33YYUpUgg-1EN6S_e_hUUXkIUw6Q0BZcUa5nQj8K7mSJrZAa_pztBzEEr43dZ-RdeUg8R-eWJ1Fi379qpnKmplKMdvsvwVIgSvoZbrzesYPTmncq8a8SeixkUFrFI_hiOYWqNEqOe2DTwgsH3gUPrGWqDn2JksGg=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span>This is an octopus hat I made for Cherise, Mike's wife. It was very complicated as I had a picture from the internet and just a few hints and tips to go on. So I decided the only way to do it was to have a go.</span><p></p><p><span><span><span> Happily Cherise is really pleased with it.</span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span> Then a couple of weeks before christmas I asked our grandson if he would like me to make him a bedspread. He said yes and drew me a picture of what he wanted and told me the colours he wanted too. Then asked if it would be ready for christmas ... I had to tell him no it wouldn't.</span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span> However I wanted him to have it as soon after christmas as possible, so my christmas 'holiday' was spent mainly crocheting squares. </span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7H-gh2jwRKs6X--K6m9eybSicM8wn-8Z76KfPuNRD6N19Fwl-WgDVgjCau18cBWl0XQSZ6K813RAkW9LgY4uabUyboprnTbU1m_NQFkpNXwShyNpfhWTkFOSLyg4hcjumQt4KCOOYFsQMNJpRMehqagNQvRPB3TWZwB3KqfEbp7NR4_nIKUd4Bu7lew=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7H-gh2jwRKs6X--K6m9eybSicM8wn-8Z76KfPuNRD6N19Fwl-WgDVgjCau18cBWl0XQSZ6K813RAkW9LgY4uabUyboprnTbU1m_NQFkpNXwShyNpfhWTkFOSLyg4hcjumQt4KCOOYFsQMNJpRMehqagNQvRPB3TWZwB3KqfEbp7NR4_nIKUd4Bu7lew=s320" width="180" /></a></span></span></div><span><span><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div>As you can see from the finished article, I used the circle to square pattern, as that is nice and easy, but can give a good variety of colour variations. I got the bedspread finished on New Year's Eve, so it was ready to give Eden as a New Year gift.</span></span><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span>*HUGE Flower can be found at Bianca's Crochet Palace, Crochet Flower 3D Granny Square</span></span></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span><br /><span><br /></span></span></span><p></p></div>Christine Sempershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11063484637680330067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413389892984340268.post-5019656592680270332021-12-20T00:05:00.000-08:002021-12-20T00:05:28.559-08:00Rosy Garland Necklace<p> I fancied seeing if I could make a flowery crocheted necklace, and here is the result:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvTABuueindOBK3pWDoy4R890hmLaRYaRQMS9Jgyez7SovHLFkkVh4I4ADAgx16bT6uymBYAc34QwV89Uttyh9plhIkn17mppnc5a1s_zz5YHKIe5Tx5lCZtzLhiV8xnAdwi4qAF6c7EJ/s4000/IMG_20211121_190302533.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvTABuueindOBK3pWDoy4R890hmLaRYaRQMS9Jgyez7SovHLFkkVh4I4ADAgx16bT6uymBYAc34QwV89Uttyh9plhIkn17mppnc5a1s_zz5YHKIe5Tx5lCZtzLhiV8xnAdwi4qAF6c7EJ/s320/IMG_20211121_190302533.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>I started off making roses in various sizes. The original rose pattern I found at Rahooqa as part of a rose necklace.</p><p>These roses are really easy to make:</p><p>Chain 65 and into the 4th chain from the hook do a dc *ch1, miss 2 ch, (dc,ch2,dc,ch1) in next st. Repeat from * to end. In last ch do a dc. This makes a row of 'V' stitches.</p><p>Row 2: 6 x dc into 1st ch2 sp, sc in next ch1 sp. do this 6 times.</p><p>(7 x dc into next ch2 sp, sc in next ch1 sp) 12 times</p><p>(9 x dc in next ch2 sp, sc in next ch1 sp) to end.</p><p>Leave long tails at both ends, use this to sew/weave in and fasten the rose. Roll up the rose with the biggest petal on the outside, and sew it together with one of your long ends.</p><p><br /></p><p>I made roses of different sizes simply by varying the number of stitches in the first chain. So there are a couple which are worked in a ch 45, and another couple in a ch 25. And I used shades of red and pink for them, whatever I had to hand.</p><p><br /></p><p>A leafy chain is used to fasten all the roses together into the garland shape and it is done in green. Start off with a simple chain of 17 stitches, then make a leaf. I did this by continuing with another 5 chains, then making this mini chain into a ring of 5 with a slip stitch. Ch1 then into the little ring you've just made do 2 x 1/2 dc, 2 x dc, 2 x tr, then a chain3 picot ss back into the top of the treble just made, then 2 x tr, 2 x dc, 2 x 1/2 dc and ss back into the starting ch. Do another 17 chain then make another leaf.</p><p>Then ch2 and ss into the back of a rose, I had to work across the back of the rose with slip stitches and made another leaf when I got to the other side, then a couple of chains and join in another rose. I just continued in this manner, making leaves between the flowers until I'd got all my roses added in. </p><p>This ended up making quite a chunky necklace, which is fastened simply by knotting the ends of the start and end chains together.</p><p>You could simply use it as a decorative garland or even stitch it around the neck of a jumper.</p><p>I quite enjoyed making this and I have a few more ideas for making different necklaces.</p><p>I think the next one I try might be based on peacock feather 'eyes'.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Christine Sempershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11063484637680330067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413389892984340268.post-67559097318377175822021-11-23T03:29:00.001-08:002021-11-23T03:29:07.252-08:00When is the Festival of Samhain?Every day I try to put up some interesting magical or occult info related to the date on my Facebook page. And I must admit that this post was inspired by a lady who was extremely critical that I had put the 16th of November as Hecate Night, as she told me that this festival is timed by the Moon and made it quite clear that I was wrong and as she put it 'facts are facts'.<div><span> So I thought I would write about something every Witch and Pagan is aware of, the date of the festival of Samhain. The simple answer to this question is that the festival of Samhain is: the evening of the 31st of October, known today as Halloween.</span></div><div><span> But Samhain is a Celtic festival, and the Celts used a lunar calendar, based on the New and Full Moons. this is one of the reasons the the Full Moons have been given names through the centuries, and these names vary depending on the beliefs and farming practises used by different cultures and at different times in history.</span></div><div><span> The Full Moon nearest to the Autumn Equinox is still known as the Harvest Moon and the full moon which follows it is the Hunter's Moon. And the Hunter's Moon marks the feast of Samhain.</span></div><div> Now this is all well and good but Full Moons fall on different dates each year by our current solar, Gregorian calendar. So the <i><u>nearest</u></i> Full Moon to the 31st of October could be up to a fortnight before or after this date. So that gives you a whole month (moonth) when you<i> could</i> choose to celebrate the festival of Samhain.</div><div><span> There is also the added complication when we take into account the change of our calendar from the Old Style Julian Calendar to the New Style Gregorian Calendar.</span></div><div><span> These two calendars were and are massively out of sync with each other. To move to the Gregorian calendar in 1752, was done in the UK by simply printing calendars with Wednesday the 2nd of September, being followed the next day as Thursday the 14th of September. This meant that it looked like 11 days had been excised from the calendar and did lead to rioting in the streets of London, with mobs demanding the return of their 'lost' days'.</span></div><div><span> Now actually the UK was quite late in adopting this calendar and it had been in use on the Continent for some time. So if you were a merchant passing between Europe and Britain, you were used to swapping between calendars as they were being used in the different countries.</span></div><div><span> So to return to our question: When do we celebrate Samhain? If we celebrate on the 31st of October, by the Old Style Julian Calendar the 31st of October would fall 11 days later on the 11th of November.</span></div><div><span> So the answer to the question is: we can celebrate Samhain on a full Moon that falls between around the 15th of October and the 14th of November, or the 31st of October, or the 11th of November.</span></div><div><span> But hang on a cotton picking moment! Many modern covens and magical groups have set days of the week when they hold their meetings and rituals, for example on a Friday or Saturday night, so they may well celebrate Samhain on a Friday or Saturday night nearest to the 31st of October, or the 11th of October, or the Full Moon nearest to one or other of those dates.</span></div><div><span> In fact there are some Witches and covens who deliberately do not celebrate Samhain on the 31st of October. This is because they do not want their preparations and rituals interrupting by children out 'Trick or Treat'ing. Instead they may well hold a 'Trick or Treat' party on the 31st of October and pick a quieter night for their rituals.</span></div><div><span> We have to also bear in mind that on the astral planes there is no 'time', there are no 'dates' and no 'calendar' so the spirits will come whenever they are invited to.</span></div><div><span> Some time in the far distant past someone, or some group decided that this time of year was the right time to hold a celebration which became Samhain. This is how all celebrations, festivals and saints days were allocated - and are still being created and allocated.</span></div><div><span> We can each decide when we will celebrate and there are many reasons why we might choose a specific date.</span></div><div><span> There is nothing 'wrong' or 'incorrect' about any of the dates for Samhain, or for any other festival.</span></div><div><span> The important thing is that we hold these celebrations.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><span> </span><br /></div></div>Christine Sempershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11063484637680330067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413389892984340268.post-13923758011558410962021-10-31T06:24:00.000-07:002021-10-31T06:24:42.094-07:00I've Got That Samhain Feeling!<p> Ever since I was tiny wee, I have looked forward to Hallowe'en.</p><p><span> The darker nights, the feeling of magic, the idea of Witches and Ghosts.</span><br /></p><p><span><span> These days Halloween (note the new spelling!) is a much more widely celebrated night than it was when I was a child. The best we could hope for as far as entertainment went, was to hope that one or two of the children's tv shows did a Hallowe'en special. </span><br /></span></p><p><span><span><span> We did not trim up at home, there were no Halloween decorations in the shops. Trick or Treat was unknown.</span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span> I remember one year asking my mum if I could make a swede lantern - pumpkins had not yet reached rural Lincolnshire, so I had to go the traditional rout.</span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span> My word! Have you tried hollowing out an uncooked swede?! After a good half an hour of serious work, I had a tiny hollow in the top which would not even take a night light. My hands were aching and fingers were developing blisters. So no Hallowe'en lantern that year.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span> It wasn't until Graham and I got together that we were able to really celebrate the festival, and boy have we made the best of it ever since!</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><span><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHCKiAx8YrTtOCmUTRDRt-jJ-8G1SYgj4-uhcIV5gCFbZtBg5cjq8H8HbO9N0j7nNp18LWB_GUtxz302HNpOg0_fVwLUO9Nr3gMEhlgpdUdiY4cz7WogBE14o-xP80Ld_7B3El0zNxTrX/s4000/IMG_20211031_130539528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHCKiAx8YrTtOCmUTRDRt-jJ-8G1SYgj4-uhcIV5gCFbZtBg5cjq8H8HbO9N0j7nNp18LWB_GUtxz302HNpOg0_fVwLUO9Nr3gMEhlgpdUdiY4cz7WogBE14o-xP80Ld_7B3El0zNxTrX/s320/IMG_20211031_130539528.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></span></span></div><span><span><span><span> </span><p><span><span><span><span><span>Samhain is the most important festival of the Witch's year. In Celtic times it was a day that belonged neither to the old year nor to the new, so it was literally a day that is not a day, a time that is not a time. Any time which is on the border between things happening, eg the twilight time between sunset and full dark, is known as a crack between the worlds. But Samhain has a full day between the worlds, which gives spirits of all kinds the chance to cross over from their world to ours, and also allows us to make spirit journeys to other worlds too.</span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span> Many old stories and songs speak of strange meetings happening at this time of year. This is the time when the Faery Court, the Seelie Court, rides out. They are looking for people to carry back to elf land with them. They might be looking for lovers or servants, wet nurses for Faery babies, or musicians, or seers.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> This is also the night when those who have been carried off can make their way home, or be rescued by the brave ones.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> This is the night when the Devil rides out too. And when Witches have their special meetings.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span> This is always a night to try some divination even if it something simple like peeling an apple and throwing the peel over you left shoulder. See if it forms the initial of your future lover. Or try the art of mirror gazing, when spirits will peep over your shoulder to show themselves in your mirror.</span><br /></p><p><span><span> You could cast the runes and see what the year ahead has in store for you. Or draw a Tarot card from the pack and see the theme of your next few months.</span><br /></span></p><p><span><span><span> This is always the time to welcome friends and relatives whether they are in this world or the next. Light a candle and raise a glass to 'absent friends', and give them a little nip of wine or alcohol too - the spirits enjoy those vapours.</span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span> Whatever you do tonight, make it fun.</span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><br /><span><br /></span></span></span></span><p></p>Christine Sempershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11063484637680330067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413389892984340268.post-45110715688015835662021-10-29T02:57:00.001-07:002021-10-29T02:57:47.418-07:00Dogs Don't Understand EnglishThe days are getting shorter and the nights longer. And it is certainly a lot darker in the mornings when Graham takes Tallulah out for her morning walk.<div><span> Graham does go out at 6.45 am, which is a bit early for most folks, but he gets back at around 7.30 and then we have breakfast.</span><br /></div><div><span><span> He has been having to take his torch with him recently though, as when they hit the woods, if it is cloudy then it can be pitch dark in there, and he needs the torch to follow the path. Tallulah seems to be fine though, she obviously has better night vision and is enjoying wandering about in the dark.</span><br /></span></div><div><span><span><span> A couple of mornings recently he has missed the turn off he usually takes to bring him back out of the woods and has found himself on unfamiliar ground. This is a combination of the darkness plus the fallen leaves which cover both the path and the surrounding areas so it is more difficult to tell which is path and which isn't.</span><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span> This morning he got properly lost. In a woodland which he has walked for years. But it is a time when all sorts of creatures are making their presence felt, including the Fairy Folk who like to lead travellers off their known routes.</span><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span> He shone the torch around, but there was nothing familiar about where he was. He could have wandered about for hours until it became light enough to actually see where he was. Nor was Tallulah anywhere to be seen.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><span> Graham called for Tallulah and she quickly appeared and ran to him. Graham spoke to her and said, 'I know you don't understand English, but daddy is lost, so if you know the way to the path can you show me?'</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Of course Tallulah does not understand English at all, she is just a dog.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> So she went about ten yards away, then stopped to see if Graham was following. When he reached her, she went another ten yards or so and waited again. They continued in this way for only a short time and they were back on familiar ground.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> So our very clever dog, who of course is just a dog, and knows no English, had shown Graham how to find his way out of the woods and home.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>Christine Sempershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11063484637680330067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413389892984340268.post-47017680719363113082021-10-21T05:41:00.000-07:002021-10-21T05:41:37.341-07:00Mandala Recipes<p> On my last blog I had managed to find the photos of some Mandalas I have been crocheting, but as it was a spontaneous thing, I didn't have the info on the mandala recipes to hand so here we go:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEYpwRd62bVka7Ka3hrrN3TZWwwCtc7UJYPMuhyphenhyphenQdPij_6eC9UH5pF7q1lXKJfmFtjpZuMWq6vi3hMqgiytsLh0FG4gUvYXN9C2h8pJCLoMshYLD8qfpa5iPCSpqBhl4zQHnpT8t0IEF0/s4000/IMG_20210904_123234908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEYpwRd62bVka7Ka3hrrN3TZWwwCtc7UJYPMuhyphenhyphenQdPij_6eC9UH5pF7q1lXKJfmFtjpZuMWq6vi3hMqgiytsLh0FG4gUvYXN9C2h8pJCLoMshYLD8qfpa5iPCSpqBhl4zQHnpT8t0IEF0/s320/IMG_20210904_123234908.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Now, I have two choices about which recipe this one is. Both of the recipes are nice and easy for anyone to have a go at, but I am not sure which recipe I used here. It could be 'A Small Mandala' by Karin Ashammar from Virklust. </p><p>Alternately it might be Crochet Mandala by Annie Design Crochet. I know I have tried both recipes and they are lovely little Mandalas, one only has 8 rows and the other 11.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEWsyi73UoRHTQmN3KcP8Wo6PPRm3Vd8cU0cSDMTvAxkEQdHTYFqCj398aUy54cUsx2dOA1JJxTXL7RuK7RY27WONzS3KFABlA2crgyHz7lxIyx7e67wW4Oo_dwVtIg5C8fNFR-l58-3w/s4000/IMG_20210904_123335210_MF_PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEWsyi73UoRHTQmN3KcP8Wo6PPRm3Vd8cU0cSDMTvAxkEQdHTYFqCj398aUy54cUsx2dOA1JJxTXL7RuK7RY27WONzS3KFABlA2crgyHz7lxIyx7e67wW4Oo_dwVtIg5C8fNFR-l58-3w/s320/IMG_20210904_123335210_MF_PORTRAIT.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>This one is a recipe by Attic 24 and is simply called Mandala. This lady does a lot of interesting small projects and I find her recipes easy to follow. Rather than videos these tend to be photos accompanying the recipes, but she does explain nicely what she is doing.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PaS_wtuuvFCQMCr_q3HxHlnyuoHSdDMmmkg83zRlYdlaYKOgkG2HrCxIe-nNtsjYaMWya-NOCeOzG6y_BBF02p6J4w63Y2YhyphenhyphenW1wrouYWSFBjPZzN3qoa3NSjILsVw0yVFyAX0MZ9HHc/s4000/IMG_20210904_123310971_MF_PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PaS_wtuuvFCQMCr_q3HxHlnyuoHSdDMmmkg83zRlYdlaYKOgkG2HrCxIe-nNtsjYaMWya-NOCeOzG6y_BBF02p6J4w63Y2YhyphenhyphenW1wrouYWSFBjPZzN3qoa3NSjILsVw0yVFyAX0MZ9HHc/s320/IMG_20210904_123310971_MF_PORTRAIT.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Rats I put the wrong info down for this one! I know I should have put labels on them while I was doing them, but I got carried away. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFx41_401Lp-hETUdy5QRnxPCCvdzYyRoFvD96zhqfkPpw86tS45rOG6WB8oWv_-2sLaIiOdigFYTSuDLrJOni8Ay3ZpVVyU9N-RlEBmMki0te-qqw_oAa8HtdeqLvpvt5tfxIYM8kD1h_/s4000/IMG_20210904_123412702_MF_PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFx41_401Lp-hETUdy5QRnxPCCvdzYyRoFvD96zhqfkPpw86tS45rOG6WB8oWv_-2sLaIiOdigFYTSuDLrJOni8Ay3ZpVVyU9N-RlEBmMki0te-qqw_oAa8HtdeqLvpvt5tfxIYM8kD1h_/s320/IMG_20210904_123412702_MF_PORTRAIT.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>This is a really easy pattern which uses seven colours and a size 6 hook. The video is Mandala Stitch Along with Mikey, from The Crochet Crowd. It has 50 rows, but the stitches are really easy and you don't even need to worry about how to put the colours together as he gives a couple of different colour combinations you can try.</p><p>Of course, I rarely have the recommended colours, so I use whatever appeals to me.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_OWswz4LJ9vaTcqGjhgm8JUHby41vRxGdIlb9t7HuD1qOxxfWJWqIVPjvtuJ3tgCtKpaX4CGZQ_d5eDbRguHbPHU4qRFtMiBSATkuqDYIFAbZj579Ww6PTye8LvVxALmTkpnVkFWIGYj/s4000/IMG_20210904_123438970_MF_PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_OWswz4LJ9vaTcqGjhgm8JUHby41vRxGdIlb9t7HuD1qOxxfWJWqIVPjvtuJ3tgCtKpaX4CGZQ_d5eDbRguHbPHU4qRFtMiBSATkuqDYIFAbZj579Ww6PTye8LvVxALmTkpnVkFWIGYj/s320/IMG_20210904_123438970_MF_PORTRAIT.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>This is the biggest of the Mandalas and is called Crochet Mandala Madness (which it really is!). The recipe was created by Helen Shrimpton, but I used a series of videos on You Tube by Esther Dijkstra from 'itsallinanutshell.com' I really would recommend looking at the videos to help you follow what is going on.</p><p>This is a series of 18 videos, and to be honest I only got to row 87 of 111. But I had started with a 4.5 hook when a 3mm was recommended and it had already got so HUGE that if I had carried on I think we could have carpeted the house with it!.</p><p>I really enjoyed doing it as it taught me all sorts, for example the white spiky star bits you have to carry the white yarn along the blue row, to the next spiky star, rather than cutting off and rejoining. Esther Dijkstra demonstrated and explained how to do this very carefully, so I was able to do it (and felt really chuffed that I managed it too!).</p><p>Hope some of this info is helpful</p><p>I am sure I am not the only person who appreciates all the free recipes, videos and instructions you can find on the internet. </p><p>I love experimenting with the colour combinations and finding new stitches to try out, but I've also found that you can make some really interesting pieces using a few basic stitches, but combining them in different ways.</p>Christine Sempershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11063484637680330067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413389892984340268.post-83893302867994640802021-10-08T05:40:00.000-07:002021-10-08T05:40:42.964-07:00Back to the Blog !<p> Sorry I haven't blogged for a while. There have been a couple of reasons for that.</p><p>One: Tallulah was mated back in August and we had been hoping for the patter of many tiny paws. But unfortunately it was not to be.</p><p><span> I was a bit more disappointed than I'd expected, especially as Tallulah was showing all the signs of being pregnant. But when the due date passed and nothing happened I rang Angela, our breeder friend, to let her know and she told us that once they have been mated, their hormones make their bodies act as if they are pregnant, whether they are or not. So it is very difficult to tell whether they are or not.</span><br /></p><p><span><span> Another reason is that I have been doing lots of crocheting - but most of the stuff I have been doing is for christmas pressey's for various people. So even though I am really chuffed with the stuff I have been doing, I can't show it to anyone online, in case someone who will eventually get one for christmas sees it!</span><br /></span></p><p><span><span><span> And another reason is that we have a problem with photos, in that I have them on my brand spanking new phone thingy, but I don't know how to get them from the phone onto the computer or into my blog, or facebook etc.</span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span> I think I shall have to ask Mike for another masterclass in this aspect of phone ownership.</span><br /></span></span></span></p><p> Now, I have managed to send all the photos on my phone ....... somewhere.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84PScuHoIrht2wlQCTFv5LaguSPfKQxv9BOwGRqqovU-HAOy4Gp21gfL7ghxEENva6L7jQwf3AudYsgam2Kxk_dm1DRZFs0f-cvnI9TZVJlcPCTyP93M4CldDCAgkdv9DBTfFNK-DaOjE/s4000/IMG_20210904_123438970_MF_PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84PScuHoIrht2wlQCTFv5LaguSPfKQxv9BOwGRqqovU-HAOy4Gp21gfL7ghxEENva6L7jQwf3AudYsgam2Kxk_dm1DRZFs0f-cvnI9TZVJlcPCTyP93M4CldDCAgkdv9DBTfFNK-DaOjE/s320/IMG_20210904_123438970_MF_PORTRAIT.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ye Gods! I found one and inserted it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hang on let's try that again!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPf31oSViW7LozsCjF0kn-bis3Ork7XZnevHKFmdbBAqlcRNfh_WaGmqIv2EwV7M0nDURtJ2TJYT0_JEl9jiNxUqrc_0G7S2qH3sEMUxBcIYGMy_suPnbXg-CpggdNz_LyWlGiTrtwTpux/s4000/IMG_20210904_123412702_MF_PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPf31oSViW7LozsCjF0kn-bis3Ork7XZnevHKFmdbBAqlcRNfh_WaGmqIv2EwV7M0nDURtJ2TJYT0_JEl9jiNxUqrc_0G7S2qH3sEMUxBcIYGMy_suPnbXg-CpggdNz_LyWlGiTrtwTpux/s320/IMG_20210904_123412702_MF_PORTRAIT.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have been doing mandalas, but I started small, and then got carried away</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqH91LZ5BRs6C66cKSBCMSfqgUs5pcNeYZo7FBBoO8mD28O4q7Cct_eKaMBTYBckOoupcWLu8OX4FuyVTXV_xZEZUEA6A3P3Tlk5KjvmiJU_iszul30PDl5YdBop_Kh6Xbi1E-SYBOp8xL/s4000/IMG_20210904_123234908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqH91LZ5BRs6C66cKSBCMSfqgUs5pcNeYZo7FBBoO8mD28O4q7Cct_eKaMBTYBckOoupcWLu8OX4FuyVTXV_xZEZUEA6A3P3Tlk5KjvmiJU_iszul30PDl5YdBop_Kh6Xbi1E-SYBOp8xL/s320/IMG_20210904_123234908.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFz5z19l6hAVyY98e3_Dfu68AKw6Md1BaenQyUXBfNf-mn3inxqDYqCB4MYl7Mg-V-Wl9qBAvO9OEEiQzVMAw9fDeYA8iJZZ3PtbJhN0VloKSiCfBpfuRlw23QvQBuJsEzilhLee5RNpp/s4000/IMG_20210904_123335210_MF_PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFz5z19l6hAVyY98e3_Dfu68AKw6Md1BaenQyUXBfNf-mn3inxqDYqCB4MYl7Mg-V-Wl9qBAvO9OEEiQzVMAw9fDeYA8iJZZ3PtbJhN0VloKSiCfBpfuRlw23QvQBuJsEzilhLee5RNpp/s320/IMG_20210904_123335210_MF_PORTRAIT.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS3CJUgIrA5Hmim9cdynYhh1UoMhNtDNGG51PtnVW-5zHqQmFxJachQ1_pUypUGK_nImXofovgx_eSs5I9oaQ0yvfPVDgTNnPO77w5PebL4Gj5WT7Wx7QOIG_fpem_mi5gcGfBlySkl9Mk/s4000/IMG_20210904_123310971_MF_PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS3CJUgIrA5Hmim9cdynYhh1UoMhNtDNGG51PtnVW-5zHqQmFxJachQ1_pUypUGK_nImXofovgx_eSs5I9oaQ0yvfPVDgTNnPO77w5PebL4Gj5WT7Wx7QOIG_fpem_mi5gcGfBlySkl9Mk/s320/IMG_20210904_123310971_MF_PORTRAIT.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Of course the first two should have been the last two in this sequence, as that is the sequence I made them in. Sorry I am totally disorganised because I didn't know I could do that inserty thing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> Right now I know what I am doing, watch this space, there will be MUCH MORE blogging going on very shortly!</span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span> </span><br /></p><br />Christine Sempershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11063484637680330067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413389892984340268.post-62593500233307544312021-08-10T06:03:00.000-07:002021-08-10T06:03:07.993-07:00The Joys of Phone Ownership<div style="text-align: left;"> A week or two back it was our wedding anniversary and Mike's birthday. So we decided to go out 'en famile' and have a meal out at a local pub.<br /><span> Mike and Cherise picked the Fox and Coney at South Cave, which was a good place for a decent meal before lockdown. We, me and Graham, haven't been out for a meal since before lockdown, so this was to be our first meal out for over two years, so, to be honest, we weren't sure what the protocol would be.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span> Anyway, to cut a long story short: we couldn't find out how to get into the pub carpark, and, not having a mobile phone, had no way to tell Mike and Cherise that we were in the village, but couldn't get to them.</span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span> After hanging about for over half an hour, in the hopes that we would see them either arriving, or Mike would pop out of the pub and see us parked up the road, we gave up and went home. We rang Mike as soon as we got in and told him what was what, and he told us when he visited next that they had had a very nice meal.</span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span> </span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span> Graham and I had a free and frank discussion and decided that it probably was about time we gave in and bought a mobile phone, for such emergencies and if the car broke down etc. Also as our digital camera had also recently given up the ghost (which is why I have been unable to show you my Mandala crochet projects), the phone would also act as a camera too.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span> So Mike came last Sunday and between him and me and various bits of bank paperwork, we ordered a mobile phone which we were told would arrive the next day. At the same time Mike ordered a nice case for me to keep the phone safe.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> The next day the phone case arrived, but no sign of the phone.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> At around five pm I had a phone call, supposedly from the company who were supposed to be supplying the phone, who told me, 'Sorry, you can't have the deal, or the phone you signed up for, but we can offer you a worse one at £10 more.' - 'Oh and can you give me your credit card details now....'</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> I replied that: I was unhappy about the new deal, and uncomfortable with giving out my card details to someone I did not know.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> I rang Mike to let him know the state of play, and as I was telling him he said 'F**k that! I'll come round tomorrow and we'll have another go, with a different company!'</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Anyway suffice it to say that today Mike and me have spent the morning in Curry's, with a very nice and helpful young man who has sorted me out with basically the same phone and a cheaper deal than I was being offered on Sunday.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> It would seem that the problem was my credit history. I have bought most things over the last 30 odd years through the business, or with cash and I suspect if I had bought this phone through the business account there would have been no difficulty. But I decided that we should buy it using our personal account, which we are only just starting to use, as it now has a regular income of Grahams pension.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> So, tomorrow Mike will be back to try and teach this old dog the new tricks of using a mobile phone - I suspect I will have to take copious notes!</span> </span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>Christine Sempershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11063484637680330067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413389892984340268.post-81142784537795925012021-07-22T03:16:00.000-07:002021-07-22T03:16:14.818-07:00Death and Life<div style="text-align: left;"> <span> </span>Very often things don't happen as you expect.<br /><span> </span>We all hope that things will run along smoothly without too many hiccups. But sometimes life just goes 'HERE YOU ARE!' and you get a whole load of stuff in your face all at once.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span> Earlier this year Bridie had a bout of illness, not eating, panting, heart pounding. We were really worried. Then we realised she was having a panic attack because she had nibbled at one of her feet until it bled, and surprise surprise, it was hurting!</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span> So she spent the next week or two wearing a sock on the offending foot, got better and we thought no more about it.</span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span> Until she had another episode. Which we also put down to a panic attack - Bridie is a nervous dog, any sudden noises and she will shoot off like a greyhound.</span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span> But we also noticed she was getting slower when walking, and even avoided going out for a walk on a couple of occasions. </span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span> Anyway the not moving, not going out, and also eating less and having to be tempted to eat .... I think you can see the way this was going.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span> In the meantime Tallulah is the life and soul of the party, full of life and curiosity, and at the begining of this week we noticed that she was coming into season.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> I rang Angela, our friend and collie breeder for some advice about the possibility of having a litter from Tallulah, as we had spoken about this a couple of years ago (pre-Covid) when we collected this lively puppy from Angela.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Angela gave me a master class in 'how to spot if a collie might be ready for mating' - apparently there is a four day window of opportunity and you have to be ready to grab it. Now normally Angela would have Tallulah to stay with her, so that Angela could be ready to seize the moment of greatest opportunity. But as luck would have it Angela had a mother collie and puppies in the house and another in the puppy house, and was also preparing for a dog show this weekend, so I was given detailed instructions in what to look out for and ring Angela when things started to change with Tallulah.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> At the same time, Bridie was getting worse. At first we put it down to the heat, as we have suddenly had a temperature jump of around 10%, and gave Bridie a lukewarm bath, which she seemed to enjoy and perked her up a bit. So much so that she had a couple of slices of chicken breast, but no more.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> We had to face the fact that Bridie was nearing the end of her time on Earth. And finally this morning we made that last trip to the vet with her.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> And at the same time when we got home we realised that Tallulah was showing the signs of the door of puppy opportunity opening.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> So I rang Angela to tell her of Bridie's passing, and Tallulah's readiness (we think).</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> So this time it really is one door closing and another one opening and spirits passing in both directions.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Life and death, death and life, two sides of the same coin.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Of course we are mourning Bridie, how could we not?</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> But really the cycle of life death and re-birth could hardly have been pointed out to us more graphically.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PGiaaSHeQ2CXQrmMcYyswzuHA0BWCXW9GBaoLFNTrp7KJYkLVE2hyphenhyphen87i0779ks3TVFmvbfpeEJzoQXH83sYQFQP3Dr3xHWfT0aeppmVJ51Tncr5f355GazWy7DnYZMd3KfhdsB5U0-AO/s800/AA+bridey+may+16+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PGiaaSHeQ2CXQrmMcYyswzuHA0BWCXW9GBaoLFNTrp7KJYkLVE2hyphenhyphen87i0779ks3TVFmvbfpeEJzoQXH83sYQFQP3Dr3xHWfT0aeppmVJ51Tncr5f355GazWy7DnYZMd3KfhdsB5U0-AO/s320/AA+bridey+may+16+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /></span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><p>Wicani White Lace and Promises - Bridie</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Christine Sempershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11063484637680330067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413389892984340268.post-34237893973059348342021-07-12T02:57:00.001-07:002021-07-12T02:57:39.675-07:00<div style="text-align: left;"> Why is it that I don't notice a typo, or a missing price until after I have finished printing the Newsletter or catalogue out?<br /><span> No, let's be accurate here: until well after all the catalogues have been printed and sent out to customers.<br /></span><span><span> I found a good one in the latest 'Even More Gemstones' list when I was writing a lyrical introduction to the beautiful gemstone crescent moons we have just got in: 'There is nothing like being outside at night and seeing the beautiful Moon sailing across the sky. Sometimes we may only catch glimpses as she pees out between clouds ...'<br /></span></span><span><span><span> Yep that should have read 'peeps out'.<br /></span></span></span><span><span><span><span> Sigh. Oh well I suppose it wouldn't be a proper Raven catalogue if it was perfect.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span><span> In the Newsletter I have put a collection of Summer Spells, including the following:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span>A Spell for Happiness</span></h2><span> For this spell gather five small objects that symbolise happiness to you. A sea shell for happy days at the beach, a flower from your garden, a little tassel of coloured wool perhaps, a pretty gem stone, an old paint brush, a coin, a photo of a loved one. Whatever to you symbolises happiness.<br /></span><span><span> Light a candle and arrange your five objects around the candle, not close enough to come to harm, then say:<br /></span></span><span><span> <i>Each of these objects brings a smile</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><i> And gladdens my sad heart</i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><i> These memories of happy pasts</i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><i> All will play a part</i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><i> Bring happiness once more to me</i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><i> Bring joy and jolly company</i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span><i> As I ask now, so mote it be!</i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span> Keep all of these objects in a special treasure box. Find a tiny notebook and write in it why you have chosen each object. Whenever you come across something else which brings you a happy memory, write that down in your book, and if you can, add the object or perhaps a picture of it, to your special treasure box.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span> When you are feeling low, look in your box and handle its treasures, think about the happiness they symbolise. Soon you will find your box is stuffed with happiness, so much so that happiness begins to flow out of you, making you smile more.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span> I wish you happiness too.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>Christine Sempershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11063484637680330067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413389892984340268.post-13745089872527092012021-06-21T01:40:00.000-07:002021-06-21T01:40:23.144-07:00Gathering Fern Seed<p> <span> The magical fern seed, which grants invisibility, can only be gathered at midnight on Midsummer's Eve.</span></p><p><span><span> All evening the preparations have been going on.</span><br /></span></p><p><span><span><span> There was a ritual meal of only white foods: white bread, a chicken breast, white cheese newly made and a single glass of water drawn from the sacred well.</span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span> Then the bathing, by the light of expensive beeswax candles, the curtains closely drawn against the overlooking of others and so that the thoughts could be concentrated on the magical task ahead.</span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span> Chamomile flowers were infused in the water to banish all evil and enhance the psychic powers, especially the gift of clear seeing which will be needed to spot the magical energies radiated by the plant.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span> As midnight neared, it was time to robe, enveloping the body in the special black garment, topped with a hood, so that the wearer can glide like a shadow across the fields and through the wood. One shadow amongst many.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> On the dresser is a stack of seven pewter plates.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> According to the grimoires you maybe need one, maybe seven, so in order that the preparations will not be in vain, seven pewter plates it shall be.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> The night lengthens, all is still in the homes round about, all the residents safely asleep. Except in the cottage where the preparations have been made.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> The door opens and the hooded figure, quiet as a ghost, slips into the night, moving swiftly, silently and with purpose.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> The moon is full, casting bright silver light and black shadows. The figure keeps to the shadows wherever possible, flitting along the country lane and over a stile into the woodlands beyond.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> There is pauses, beneath the gently whispering trees, listening to the sounds of the night. There are no sounds of other footsteps, not even any bird or animal sounds, just the night breeze, gently caressing the canopy of leaves allowing splashes of moonlight to sprinkle here and there.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> The figure moves deeper into the woods.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> There is a place where ferns grow, spread amongst the undergrowth, but tonight of all nights, one will show itself. The figure is certain of this. All the preparations were followed with care, tonight is the best chance for this magical operation to succeed.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Suddenly ahead there is a faint, blue glow. The robed figure halts, feeling the excitement, the anticipation growing. Ahead is where the ferns are growing, tonight may be the night when this magical purpose is fulfilled.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> The footsteps quicken while still moving as silently as possible, through the small patches of moonlight, focused always on the blue glow ahead. And there, where the shadows are deepest, the elusive fern plant reveals its magic. Growing from this leafy plant, on a slender, almost invisible stem, is a glowing, transparent blue flower.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> A flower not of this world.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> In this world, ferns do not flower.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> But a plant echoing the realm of the Fairy Folk. For this night only, for this moment only, the fern is in flower.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Quickly the figure takes the bag from its shoulder and takes out the stack of pewter plates, and with hands slightly trembling with effort, anticipation and excitement, holds the plates beneath the flower.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> How long will they have to wait?</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Not long, as all this must be done within the midnight hour.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> The flower fades and shrivels and grows a more faintly glowing blue pod, a pod filled with seeds. And even as the figure watches, the pod splits open and in a puff of glowing dust, the Fairy seed are sprinkled and fade.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> It seemed that some fell on the plates that were held beneath the now vanished flower. The glow is gone, the fern returns to its mortal state.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Has the operation been a success?</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> With slightly trembling hands, the figure carefully tips nothing from the top plate into a red silk pouch they have brought for this purpose. Each plate is treated in the same way, each plate of nothingness is tipped into the silk bag, until the final, seventh plate is also emptied of its invisible catch into the silk pouch. The pouch is closed tightly and it and the plates repacked into the bag. The figure rises and takes a last look around.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> The moonlight still peeps through the leaves, but the glow is gone from the fern grove, and so to home, slipping into the cottage silently and carefully packing the bag into the dresser, then winding up the stairs to bed.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> In the morning the early sunrise makes it impossible to sleep further, plus the habit of early rising is ingrained.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Was last night a dream? Or did the fern really flower in the woods?</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> The dresser is opened and the silk pouch quickly found. Carefully the drawstring is opened and cautiously a finger and thumb take a pinch of nothing from the pouch, which they sprinkle over their head.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> And in the mirror above the dresser, they see.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> Nothing.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>Christine Sempershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11063484637680330067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413389892984340268.post-22338292026473845842021-06-01T05:37:00.000-07:002021-06-01T05:37:19.069-07:00I Crocheted a Raven!<p> Whatever possessed me?</p><p><span> Well, actually it was another request from a customer.</span><br /></p><p><span><span> 'I know how you like these little challenges,'says he 'So could you crochet me a raven?'</span><br /></span></p><p><span><span><span> In the background, Graham was hissing at me, 'Say no! Tell him we are too busy!'</span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span> As I quite fancied having a go at crocheting a raven, I agreed to do it.</span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span> That was a mistake.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span> This was perhaps the fiddliest item I have ever crocheted. I did find a recipe for a little bird on the internet, but when I tried it out, I didn't like the proportions I ended up with. They were more for a cartoon chick type of bird, with a large head and triangular shaped body. So I put that on one side and started again.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> But the main problems with this project was that I was crocheting with a small hook (3mm which is small for me) and I'd decided to use up some thinner than usual wool, and it was all done in single crochet, black on black.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> There was no contrast, so following the stitches was very hard work for me. I couldn't go fast, because I was having to make it up as I went along.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> When I had finally finished the main head and body shape. I then had to figure out how to make the legs and feet, as I wanted the bird to be able to stand. I had a bit of garden wire, so I cut four lengths of it so that I would have four claws, then the four wires were twined together to make the legs and the joining bit opened out inside the body and stuffed around, to try and make sure the legs would stay in place.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> The tail was made as part of the body, but then I had to make an oval piece to go underneath and between the legs as it didn't look right just pulling the edges together together. Once the body was all together, I covered the legs and claws by wrapping black wool around them and fastening by holding the ends of the wool with the bent over ends of the claws - I'd already scratched myself with the wires and I didn't want anyone else doing that - and a strategic bob or two of glue.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> The pointed beak was a separate piece, as are the wings, and for the eyes I used two haematite beads.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> The finished raven stands about 15cm tall (6") - and don't anyone ask me to make another one, because it is not going to happen!</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> I took the raven outside and stood it on the edge of the bird bath to take a photo.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrGfRY8cz-uESvr3352VZUxrFxduzOi2XDyGCMpQiQEPQq89KNYpxudHM_FEZWLJTff4oBMzCY9vUHPh1KG5TAZx_G4KfsoLeCsS7BrGCRNfeU7sKxOWP_M7XS2fDZMvh7zi7kAy1fd30/s2048/raven+crochet+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1541" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrGfRY8cz-uESvr3352VZUxrFxduzOi2XDyGCMpQiQEPQq89KNYpxudHM_FEZWLJTff4oBMzCY9vUHPh1KG5TAZx_G4KfsoLeCsS7BrGCRNfeU7sKxOWP_M7XS2fDZMvh7zi7kAy1fd30/s320/raven+crochet+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was at this point that I noticed our peony bud had, at long last, opened!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>All of April we have had a very large bud on the peony. We only planted the peony last autumn, so I wasn't sure whether it would flower this year - peonies can be notorious for not flowering, or for developing buds which do not open.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> I had had a look on the internet and it seemed the buds might not open for all sorts of reasons:</span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span>Your peony might be planted too deeply - well we knew this wasn't the case because we'd checked that last autumn (and Graham had actually dug the root up and re-planted it with a growth bud sticking out of the ground), some folks said you need to plant it near an ants nest as the ants eat the waxy substance which seals the bud closed. Some folks said you should pour warm water over the bud - presumably to try and melt this same waxy stuff.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span> Others simply said it needed lots and lots of warm sun to make it open - and this April has been cold, grey and wet. I think we had one day of sunshine near the beginning of the month and that was it!</span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span><span> But over the Bank Holiday weekend we have had sunshine, and the same again today, with some good warmth and that seems to have finally triggered the bud to open.</span><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span><span><span> And it was worth the wait!</span><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Dxc1SI1IRsUGoJGFfOyDJEhOdntQ9jG8a6jrFWblpjIeQWucN0qrMgw3TVbp80qmWOHWt_3cNkQzaW-rFg4WGUbiCiaUy7cQp2udSya_xnnFvvmY1kWIoZ8g5iOT28ZXoGuqrtLXz_qJ/s2048/raven+crochet+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1541" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Dxc1SI1IRsUGoJGFfOyDJEhOdntQ9jG8a6jrFWblpjIeQWucN0qrMgw3TVbp80qmWOHWt_3cNkQzaW-rFg4WGUbiCiaUy7cQp2udSya_xnnFvvmY1kWIoZ8g5iOT28ZXoGuqrtLXz_qJ/s320/raven+crochet+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span><br /></span><p></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>Christine Sempershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11063484637680330067noreply@blogger.com0