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... the sky is baby blue, and the just-unfurling leaves ...
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Jam Lady



Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2501
Location: New Jersey, USA
PostPosted: Fri Jan 12, 18 3:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

This morning's temperature is 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Raining. And the snow is all gone.

I don't trust Facebook. Yes, you "own" what you write, what pictures you post BUT Facebook can use the information / images how they want. Information can be sold. The company is not running from the goodness of their heart. He wouldn't be 1% of the 1% unless there was tremendously valuable income coming in.

Call me paranoid. Question is - am I paranoid enough. Especially with the certifiable lunatic running the country.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Sat Jan 13, 18 9:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

You are probably careful enough Jam Lady, but nobody can be completely sure of things with the lunatics running the asylum as seems to be the case with both our countries at the moment. I use FB for messages, and we do use it to advertise our company, but I have no information about myself on there. I too was brought up to be cautious.

Hope your tyre fitting goes all right Gregotyn. It is the sort of thing we tend to get other people to do for us as tractor tyres aren't the most accommodating things in the world. Good luck with it. Be nice to have your tractor going again.

We are taking MIL out for tea this afternoon to celebrate her 92nd birthday, so only breakfast for us otherwise today.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Sat Jan 13, 18 10:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Tyres suitably fitted on Thursday and I have collected the newly shod wheels this morning, MR. I left my trailer there for the tyres to be loaded only to see the originals on the load too. It appears that to get rid of tyres you have to pay, probably more than the "new"-second hand tyres are worth, I will bite the bullet when I am feeling flush. This morning later they will be attached to the tractor and I will become mobile. I thought of going to work on the tractor but 15mph average is an hour out of my life I don't want to spend getting cold, and being overtaken by every timber lorry ever made-it is our felling season round here. There are usually 3 that I meet going to the woods each morning around the 4-5am mark and often catch up with those who loaded last night on a not too bad for overtaking road, but only in the overtaking places, and they are few and far between. We have a hill round here called Happy Valley, (I call it the "Wiggely Bank), which is a hill of sharp corners from top to bottom of a mile or so. The empty timber lorries going up, go faster than the loaded going down!

I don't think your man will be leaving the US in a hurry Jam Lady. He seems reluctant to come here and we are supposed to be close allies. In the next breath I understand why he doesn't come here, as the reception may be rather hostile. Any one who governs by computer must have some problem in my opinion or is it just me behind the times. I don't know what Twitter does or Facebook, come to think about it. I don't have a telephone now of any description, and the library is my main source of communication. It is strange but I enjoy my own company and am happy alone, but not anti social. There are times when I go to friends'; off again at the end of Feb to a 40th birthday party-I remember the boy just after he was born-I was always the 'uncle' both he and his big sister never had, and I always spoiled them-still do when I can...and their children. I play Father Christmas for them, but think the eldest at 6 may have twigged me! I have a natural big white beard anyway, but use the very hot nylon one supplied, along with the wig and 'red' kit, all good fun! The children's grand parents are my friends from playing badminton with the husband.

I seemed to have acquired a couple who live opposite to me now with a horse and they do things for me.Well it is why the tractor is going. The lad drives a timber harvester and is mechanical and wants my tractor 'to go' so he has got it going! Today the new (second hand) tyres go on and a general service, filters, grease and so on. I will report on Tuesday how I have singlehandedly ploughed and cultivated the whole of Wales, not the Arms Park of course!

Jam Lady



Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2501
Location: New Jersey, USA
PostPosted: Sat Jan 13, 18 2:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Two things, Gregotyn.

Lay the tires down on the ground, fill with good soil, and plant potatoes. It's a popular technique over here, admittedly with car tires.

I make tire planters by cutting the side wall (do it on the valve stem side) and turning the tire inside out. It is a struggle with car tires so I imagine a tractor tire would require the strength of Atlas.

Secondly, the orange haired lunatic does not do anything whatsoever on a computer. I gather he twitters on his phone.

Yesterday it was uncomfortably warm at 62 degrees Fahrenheit. Tonight it's supposed to go back to the low teens.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Sun Jan 14, 18 8:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

The only times we have taken the little tractor out on the road; top speed 12 1/2 mph, we have had the truck driving behind with the hazard warning lights on, so 15 mph with timber lorries zooming around may be just as scary Gregotyn.

We are in our timber cutting season too; just we have been busy with firewood so not too much cut yet. I have birch to cut this month for besoms, but log sacks have got in the way. With any luck I will clear our big orders for a week or two next week and can do that before the next round.

If you can't get rid of the old tyres easily, they would make good planters even as they are. Good for things like potatoes and carrots that need good depth of soil. Where you are I don't suppose it matters if things look a bit 'rustic'. We have a couple that we rot down sawdust in. I sometimes use it for compost on the garden if I run out of stuff from the compost heap.

Took MIL out for tea to a local tea shop yesterday. They did us very well and MIL had a good time, which was the important thing. We have a doggie bag of sandwiches and cakes we didn't eat, and DIL took her scone home as she didn't want too much. She had lunch which was a mistake.

It isn't too cold here Jam Lady, but the wind seems to be from east or north east, which is a cold direction for us, so a little bit nippy round the ears and such like.

Jam Lady



Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2501
Location: New Jersey, USA
PostPosted: Sun Jan 14, 18 2:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Insane weather. Friday night when I went to bed the temperature was 60 degrees Fahrenheit. When I got up Saturday morning the temperature was 32 degrees Fahrenheit. That's a 28 degrees drop in 10 hours. At bedtime last night it was 19 degrees Fahrenheit, following on a windy day. And today's morning temperature is 14 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter is definitely back.

cassandra



Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia
PostPosted: Mon Jan 15, 18 4:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Sorry for the long absence, as MR says I am fine and busy at present. My New Year was marred by breaking yet another tooth (old age, and poor dental services in my youth) and I have had to hunt around for a solution which has taken up a bit of time. Still no dental work, but at least I can now pay for it which is nice.

Glad to hear you all survived the Arctic blast, - it was a doozy wasn't it! here we have had the odd hot day, mostly mild and yesterday it was so cold it was snowing again not too far away. The bushfires have so far kept their distance and the one day that was full of dire threat turned out to be a squib so not chance of a bushfire when it is pouring with rain!

Last time I was here I promised pictures of my doings, so here are some to keep you amused.




This is the vest I have been labouring over - it actually fits which is pleasing, and there is sufficient yarn left for me to knit a matching tam'o'shanter which is presently in progress.




these are the various colours I have derived from the rose I stole from vera's garden (I do have formal permission now so not really stolen)

And this is what I have made for her, after adapting a pattern designed for 8 ply wool to suit the 5ply (Bluebell crepe) I was using


cassandra



Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia
PostPosted: Mon Jan 15, 18 4:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Bother - hit submit instead of going back to the post - anyway, there is sufficient left over of that to make a matching scarf so I am doing that at present.

I found some fabric at the tip so am adapting that to make sort of Victorian gown which is far too posh for a spinning woman but which will be adequate for local dress-up heritage days. I am not trying for period authenticity (it will have a zip at the back so that would be pointless) but have adapted a pattern from the Bargain Centre.






A false underblouse will render it a little more modest, so I have dyed some broderie threaded with ribbon to adorn that.

The problem of where to set up the machine so I have access to the 'form' and the iron has been resolved by the purchase of a treadle Singer yesterday which I am presently servicing (and getting very greasy in the process!). It came compete with manual and various attachments for zigzag, pleating, gathering, rolled hems and goodness knows what-all so will provide hours of exercise and enjoyment.

I like the sound of these neighbours Gregotyn - I agree full formal agreements will be desirable but if you can reach such an agreement it will suit you both very well. Fingers crossed for you!

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Mon Jan 15, 18 7:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Glad you have been able to unearth the computer again to visit us Cassandra. How are you getting on with the dress, or is it on hold until the sewing machine is working?

I am still spinning my tops; nice mixture called 'Blaze' at the moment which is spinning up to a sort of rust and orange colour, but a bit more subtle, and I have some brown and dark green that I will ply together to go with it.

Not very downsizery, but we bought a coffee machine yesterday, supposedly for my birthday present. Have got it working, which is good, as they say it can take a few goes to get it to your taste, and I have had my first cappuccino, so looking forward to a real coffee with my breakfast.

Weather here has decided to be wet and windy, at least it is quite windy and think it is raining, but rather hard to tell. Today with either be husband and son rebuilding a chainsaw if weather bad, or working in the coppice if dryer, and me doing more log sacks if they go to the woods.

gz



Joined: 23 Jan 2009
Posts: 8577
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland
PostPosted: Mon Jan 15, 18 10:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

You have been busy Cassandra!

Beautiful dyeing and hats.
I love that dress..looking forward to seeing the finished article ...on you of course!

My friends near Georgetown were 1k from the fires,but luckily the wind was taking it away from them..they didn't even smell the smoke.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Tue Jan 16, 18 7:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Weather here was awful here yesterday so had a household day. Husband and son were trying to clear out one of the rooms while I did a load of washing, sorted some of the clean stuff and finally got round to making biscuits.

cassandra



Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia
PostPosted: Tue Jan 16, 18 8:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Gz it may be a bit of a wait as I have to get the machine started. I discussed various options for a drive belt today with sundry folk, but once I buy a pair of pantihose to make a spare one, I still have to get it to sew forwards. It presently only runs in reverse. I suspect this will mean stripping the grease out of the innards, cleaning up the teeth of the thingy the cam rests on, and repacking it. A messy job that has not yet excited me enough to do it (in the kitchen which I suppose is the traditional place to do up engines when I think about it).

Until then, MR, no further progress will be happening on the dress as if I can't get excited about playing with engines, packing the dressmakers form, the iron, the ironing board, the electric machine, scissors, pins, fabric, tapes etc into the ute and driving down to the recreation ground to take advantage of all that space is not going to happen for sure!

Just a bit of knitting today - I am knitting a scarf from both ends as it has a motif at each end that has a top and bottom. I will graft the ends together once it is long enough and all the motifs are done. The plan is that if I can find my book on handkerchief edgings (crochet) I will crochet a lace trim on the ends once I am done. Then I can give it to Vera and get on with my own one.

Meanwhile yet another house has come on the market that strikes my fancy so I am having lotto dreams about that. It is immediately adjacent to another one I have my eye on but presents other design challenges as it is a corner site and oriented in a different direction. I think I need to find another volunteering activity so I can reintroduce a bit more structure in my life as I am flying off in too many directions at present.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Tue Jan 16, 18 2:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Welcome home Cassandra, we have missed you. I hope all is well health wise. We need you to get excited on the dress; It looks lovely material. My mother once knitted a dress, and in her words, my brother and I always got in first. Brother- "It only took me 3 weeks; me-"and the little bit of fur on the collar just finishes it off". Dreadful boys we were, but we all loved each other so not so bad; but I am no longer in touch with my brother as he stole items of mine from my mother's home after she died. I had a collection of silver topped scent bottles which I had left with mother to keep the wife from getting her paws on them, only to find they were to be taken by my own relation!
I hope the engine repair goes well for you-is there any end to your talents? I wouldn't even attempt an engine motor rectification, even if I had a suitable workshop manual. My limit is hanging gates and things like that where there is a little 'leeway'. Electrics need to be precise, take care. I am not sure how you can contemplate a move with all your current commitments.

You appear to have sent the weather this way MR, we are in a snow/sleet/rain situation right now in the middle of the afternoon, with the promise of snow tonight. The wind has got up a bit too. I live on a north/east slope, but under the lea of a hill so home not usually too bad with full force winds.

I too like the sound of my neighbours. He has got my tractor going after about 12 years since I last used it. The plan is that if the barn gets converted for me-2up, 2down they get the rest with a 'few bob' for me. Which is where they want to be, she has a horse and he is a tree feller-using one of those big self propelled timber harvesters. Not my idea of cutting wood, but as they fall the timber and clean up behind themselves a team of men are planting the next 60 years worth of carbon locking softwoods, so not so bad in the end. I always wish it was oak. On my place I have a wayward ash to come down some time and a few self sets are in the wrong place of hardly any size, but against the house so they have to go too!

If this comes off I will retire and enjoy myself!

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Wed Jan 17, 18 8:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Odd that it only sews in reverse as they usually sew both ways. I though that you could reverse them by getting something to the top of its travel and then treadling back the other way, or sometimes moving a lever somewhere. The lever isn't hiding somewhere and in the wrong position is it? Anyway, good luck with the stripping if it is necessary. The scarf sounds good too, and would like to see a photo of it.

Gregotyn, we had sleet showers last night, some of them rather heavy. We had to go to a meeting, and the drive over wasn't exactly pleasant. No snow settled, but looks as if it might be quite cold this morning. Hope your barn conversion works out and you get a nice retirement home.

I forgot to say yesterday that we got called to MIL urgently on Monday. She is 92 and had decided to do some adjustment on the toilet cistern as the overflow was leaking slightly without turning off the water at the valve underneath the cistern (put in by husband when he installed the bathroom suite) as she didn't have the necessary screwdriver to hand. She took the lid off, then a bit of plastic inside and of course water shot up to the ceiling at mains pressure. She got soaked, as did the bathroom ceiling and floor, and it ran down into the kitchen underneath as well, luckily not taking down the ceiling. At that point she got a screwdriver and turned the water off then called her daughter who lives just down the road. She didn't know how to put the thing back together, so called husband. We went down and husband quickly sorted it. Have told Mum to leave things like that alone and be good, but I don't expect she will remember to do so.

Apart from that, did 17 log sacks yesterday. Wind was blowing through the log store, but stayed warm enough while working.

Jam Lady



Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2501
Location: New Jersey, USA
PostPosted: Wed Jan 17, 18 4:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Some rain last night followed by better than 5 cm of heavy wet snow. Decided not to go to my Wednesday morning knitting group.

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