Friday, December 29, 2023

Here I am back in the catalogue room with my laptop computer. I can still type with both hands. I seem to be connected to the world , but I’m not sure, and I haven’t yet been able to play a reassuring hand of Freecell. People have been messing around in here since I last sat at this desk.

 

   Here are some pictures to be going on with. I can’t remember whether I have shewn you Paradox in her new home:


 She is clearly a happy cat. Below, you see my two newest great-grandchildren, Rachel’s two newest grandchildren, both boys after seven girls. The grownups are the latest parents, Lizzie and Dan -- Dan is holding their son Lennie. And Rachel, who has got her slightly older grandson Freddie.

 

And Freecell seems to be in operation. I have been thinking for some time of replacing this computer – it’s out-o-date and desperately slow. And money is haemorrhaging forth at an alarming rate on my care and the re-constitution of the downstairs lavatory. Maybe I’ve better spend it while I’ve got it.

 

We’ve had a jolly Christmas, as I hope have all of you. Helen solved the problem of access by finding a sling arrangement which allowed two of her sons to carry me down the stairs, and eventually back up. That will be a picture for tomorrow. Life has been somewhat stressful. Wafa is gone, and much missed.  We parted in mutual tears. My current carer is named Abby. She comes from Nairobi and is a better cook than I have had so far.

 

I gave two people on my list Bee Wilson’s “The Secret of Cooking” for Christmas, and on the recommendation of one of them have bought it for myself. I am enjoying it. Recommended.

A bit of knitting, but not much. I had better return to that subject tomorrow, too.

 Wordle: I’ve done it every day. No failures. My current winning streak is 32 – nearly up to half of my maximum streak. In fact, the level has been rather low (=easy) lately. Today was mostly threes, except that Thomas had 2 and Theo 4.

  

11 comments:

  1. Anonymous6:04 PM

    Delighted to see you back with us. The sling sounds a brilliant piece of kit. I'm off to look up that cookery book . JennyS

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  2. Anonymous6:26 PM

    So happy you're back and had a good Christmas. I always think of you and your saying about the switch on the winter soltice.
    Those are two lovely little boys!
    Sarah in Somerset.

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  3. So glad you’re back with us, Jean! It sounds like your Christmas went well.

    I’ll be in Shetland in April for a knitting retreat at Busta House with Janette Budge and have planned two days in Edinburgh on my way home. I hope to be able to see you while I’m there! I’ll be in touch with you as we get closer to the date.

    Happy New Year!! 🎉🪅
    Maureen

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  4. Anonymous11:17 PM

    I am so happy that Paradox is happy. I think about her often. I have six cats and had I lived closer would have offered her a home but not too convenient to fly her across the Atlantic!

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  5. Welcome back! You have been missed. Purchase the computer, these days a decent computer for light use doesn't have to cost an arm and both legs. You will get much use and less frustration.

    Wonderful that Paradox is living the good life! And, Happy New Year from Chicago!!

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  6. So glad to see you again. Also very happy to see the happy cat enjoying her proper place in the universe. Happy New Year to you both.

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  7. Anonymous2:14 AM

    Welcome back after the Christmas celebrations! Very glad you could see your family.
    Wafa seemed quite a gem. What has Abby been creating for you so far?
    I too plan to read the new Bee Wilson book. (I am a fan of her sister as well, the classics professor and translator Emily Wilson.)
    Thanks for persevering to post - it is appreciated by your readers far-flung around the globe.
    Best wishes for 2024!
    Lisa R-R

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  8. So good to see you're back 😊

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  9. =Tamar9:05 AM

    It's good to see you post again.
    The sling sounds good - low-tech, takes up very little space, and reasonably comfortable.
    Best wishes for the new year.

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  10. Anonymous9:08 AM

    You are sounding quite chipper. Family Christmas must have done you a world of good. Best wishes for a healthier 2024.

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  11. Anonymous12:17 PM

    I was going to say the same - you sound quite energetic. You obviously had a good Christmas! Thanks for the lovely family picture! Chloe

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