Home Page
   Articles
       links
About Us    
Traders        
Recipes            
Latest Articles
... the sky is baby blue, and the just-unfurling leaves ...
Page Previous  1, 2, 3 ... 304, 305, 306 ... 423, 424, 425  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Downsizer Forum Index -> Grow Your Own
Author 
 Message
gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Tue Feb 06, 18 3:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

We have hit a cold-ish spell here and it has snowed all morning on and off, but has not stuck to the ground and the sun is shining brightly now as if it is spring/summer. There was no frost as predicted this morning, as I went to work and much warmer than of late, but not hot!

We are in for an 'epic' with the kitten, Cassandra. I am impressed with progress so far I think you may have a friend for life eventually there. Kitty has certainly landed in a heaven if it chooses to stay with you-they say cats select their homes and then rule!
Thank you for the picture of the crank and 'piston' Cassandra. It should work without any problems; being Scottish it would have to be simple and work. My ancestry is Scot. and the thing they liked was something that was easy to operate and didn't need a lot of attention, got on with the job. If it was English it would have knobs and adjustments everywhere. But made in a top year-all the best things happened in 1947-my mother would not necessarily agree, however!

To the main event. The new kitten. Now I know nothing about cats except they don't like me; although I have never been mean to any feline, they are not quite a dog. Dogs follow you to the end, cats go their own way. But junior looks as though with your help it will come to be a member of your 'club'. You will keep us informed regarding its rehab. with you. I suspect there will be some lap competitions for your favours.
I am building up to flying, not my cup of tea especially if you have to get off half way to stretch the legs, airports are not my idea of fun; guess I need a chaperone, we'll see, but don't hold your breath! I thought of sailing round the world but have decided I don't want to be buried at sea, if I 'go' on the voyage, so it is pluck up courage. I should have gone when my neighbour went and had a travelling companion. Her boy has just come back from 2 years is Aus. and another year doing the far East. He is now working for the folks who are building the Hinkley Point as an engineer, but plans to go off again soon, around the world again.
Chaos Shan?-I have moved into my house after living in a caravan for about 18 years, and realise I am living in a corridor, with only one operational room where I sleep and a sort of bathroom-no running water and all that implies. The rest of the 4 bedrooms and downstairs is given over to a long time collecting rubbish-which will/would "come in" (possibly), at some point. To see my kitchen table would give me great pleasure, but it won't happen for around 12 months, especially if I keep on working or opt to go to Australia.

Shan



Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 9075
Location: South Wales
PostPosted: Tue Feb 06, 18 4:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Gregotyn: Have you thought about possibly joining an expat in Australia forum? I would think there would be people on there who fly back and forth from Aus, especially if they have family links. It might help you find a travelling companion. I agree with you about the sailing, although I wouldn't mind being buried at sea BUT I do like to be within a day's sail of land.

No running water? I'm afraid that would more or less finish me off!! Yo are certainly braver than I am!

Yes, chaos is ruling supreme here. Moving some of the excess furniture to Portugal and trying to get the basics to ship over so there is at least a semi-functioning household. Also facing the possibility/probability of a mover to Germany for the next few years. Lots of things to get sorted out either way.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Wed Feb 07, 18 8:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

And I though the woods and garden invading the house was bad! I do see our dining room table now and again, and the kitchen table is only partly covered. Husband went mad yesterday evening and went through some of his magazines, so we can now see more of the bedroom floor. He even vacuumed the newly showing bits of floor as I had been cleaning round the heaps for ages.

It has been cold but mainly dry here, although both yesterday and Monday we had a short snow shower, but nothing laying. Long may it last as it makes it so much easier to get around in the woods. The mud is drying a bit and just a bit crunchy on top, so squashing down nicely. Yesterday I made a couple of besom handles; I wasn't happy with the first one as it has a wriggle in it, so perhaps all right for a quirky one to sell at a show but not one to send away. I got the sawdust out for delivery today and filled 30 log sacks for delivery today as well. Husband and son got a half load cut and delivered and then split some trunks, so a productive day.

Cassandra, hope the kitten continues to settle down. I am sure with regular feeding and cosseting it will start to get used to being with you and see the advantages. It might always be a bit wild, but with persistence should get tame enough to live with you. I have never tried to tame a feral cat so can't offer any advice I am afraid.

cassandra



Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia
PostPosted: Wed Feb 07, 18 8:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I have the advantage of being one of those people that others say 'don't put your hand out to our dog ..... oh! I've never seen it be that happy to see a stranger' - animals do seem to trust me and the kitten seems to be no exception.

Today's lunch was wet food once again which tends to capture its attention thoroughly, so I risked patting it with my gauntletted hand with no adverse reaction. I plucked up the courage to remove the gauntlet and patted it again as it was licking the pattern off the plate, and it stopped eating and practically fell into my hand in an excess of affection, purring madly and pushing against my hand for more attention. I let the pushes move it toward the entrance to the pen and it even put one foot on my thigh so as to get further into my hand. In the end I had to stop it all as I was getting cramps from sitting cross legged in a small space. Once the cage door was closed I was once again regaled with hisses and spits and it retired to its cave from whence various comments on my ancestry emerge when I go into the bathroom. I will try for a video or pix tomorrow (not sure how to post a vid here and suspect it would crash the system as they seem to be quite large files).

Shan has a great idea Gregotyn - there are Britishers travelling back and forth on a regular basis - an acquaintance up the road goes back every year - there's dozens of them. Finding a forum that specialises in that would be excellent as a travelling companion is pretty handy if you don't know your way around foreign parts. Both ends of the journey are pretty straight forward, it's the in between bits that can be confusing, especially if you get lost in Singhapore airport which is the size of a small city.

I have been assigned my first driving jobs for next week, and fortunately my first passenger is someone i know and like, so she can ease me into the system.

Shan



Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 9075
Location: South Wales
PostPosted: Wed Feb 07, 18 8:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Cassandra, it sounds like your kitten momentarily forgot he/she was playing hard to get. I suspect that will start happening more often.

Jam Lady



Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2501
Location: New Jersey, USA
PostPosted: Wed Feb 07, 18 3:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Once upon a time I had a skunk for a pet, bought at a pet store as a kit. Born at a fur farm, most likely. Wild, when I got him. Go into his room to feed and he would stamp his front feet and make little rushes at me.

He did tame down quite nicely.

Jam Lady



Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2501
Location: New Jersey, USA
PostPosted: Wed Feb 07, 18 7:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

About an inch of snow this morning, followed by sleet, then rain. Snow sucked up water just like a sponge.I shoveled the front walk. Very wet and heavy.

After lunch Mr Jam Lord went out and plowed the driveway. He was concerned that it would freeze up overnight, solidifying to solid ice.

He came back in 2 hours later. Jacket so wet it dripped when he took it off. Had to change to dry clothes from skin out.

Now sitting in his office with a well deserved cup of hot cocoa and a chocolate chip cookie / biscuit.

cassandra



Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia
PostPosted: Thu Feb 08, 18 5:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Shan, the kitten has definitely forgotten about being a scaredy cat - I popped Billy in the bathroom with us this morning. Billy looks a lot like the cat I assume to be her mother. The kitten thought so too. I opened the door to the cage and she approached the ledge cautiously, then launched herself at Billy, landing in a flop with her back against his front legs and an appealing paw lifted for affection. Billy was appalled, and stiffened up with a hiss. Kitten tried a few more times before retiring to the pen. But I made up for it with extra cuddles. I did indeed manage a video of our encounter but my service is so slow at the present it is taking forever to upload on another site, and I seriously doubt here will cope at all.

It was overcast and the odd drop of rain today - only 3 mm and I suspect that included some from earlier in the week, but humid this afternoon as it became warmer.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Thu Feb 08, 18 7:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

When our cat was a kitten I saw it one day with the older cat next door. Ours was mewing round it asking for attention and older cat was sitting their disdainful of this little whipper snapper. Could be Billy was similarly disgusted by the behaviour of a kitten, particularly it was saying 'Mummy' in cat language. You seem to be doing well with it anyway, so hopefully you will be able to let it out of the cage into the bathroom soon.

Not sure what the weather is doing here at the moment. It looks cold out; slight frost and clear, but we are threatened with rain overnight, then alternating mild and cold. It might rain or snow or something.

The firewood processor had a nasty happening yesterday morning while husband and son were cutting a load. A hydraulic line blew quite spectacularly apparently. We hope that is all that is wrong, so they have a new hydraulic line and hope we can get on, as we still have loads to deliver and log sacks to supply.

Shan



Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 9075
Location: South Wales
PostPosted: Thu Feb 08, 18 11:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Cassandra... I have always thought kittens were a bit like goslings. A bit of hissing but in the end, they quite enjoy a cuddle.

I have been somewhat worse for wear. Gastroenteritis. Just managed some dry toast and I'm hoping it stays down.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Thu Feb 08, 18 3:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Weather coldish and wet!
I am a brave boy, Shan. I carry water from wherever I am at the time and wash at home in a kettle full and at work using a kettle full and some added cold. And my nice neighbours lend me their shower occasionally and I have a shower after swimming on Wednesday afternoon, when over 60's get a free swim exclusive to them. The most annoying thing is that there is an 80yo. plus old boy who goes and does around 30 lengths. I on the other hand have had more than enough if I get to 16 lengths, a length is only 17 metres! I keep telling folks not to smoke, but I am only preaching due to doing it for 50 years, and look where I am now- done for! So I get power washed twice a week and do hand wash, the rest-not ideal, but working on improvements.
My current problem is cutting and chopping enough wood for the sticks. This years lot are going faster than ever before and they are in the new improved larger net. I wonder if I should wet a few bags and reduce my customer base!-only joking.

I have a large double bed which I share with my magazines and Sudoku books, MR. These have become a favourite present for Uncle David, from those who do me at birthday and Christmas. There are also a few tools on the bed as now and then I do a bit of wood carving, but it is not the ideal place-no clamp down vice or it would be perfect! And of course I always breakfast and eat diner in bed. I do the washing up at work too, before 6 am usually! My official start time is 7am., but I always give them a bit longer. I move slower now than I did.

I am very impressed with your kitten training and rehab. progress Cassandra. You appear to have a new friend. I am not heavily committed to cats, but that's no reason to be anti, which I am not. They are ok I just don't want one. But it looks like a new member of your household. You are lucky if you have that rapport with animals, Cassandra. I have always had to build up to that sort of thing, where animals eventually come to me. I must give the fear factor off, and they avoid me. In the next breath I had some fun with 2 spaniels today at work and it did me good, animals are therapeutic they say!

Now that is good of you Shan to suggest the travel companion for the trip I want to make to Aus. I have to get a passport first, and then see if they will allow me to travel, having had a few problems with health, but I guess if I start to make the enquiries I will get the answers. I think the best solution would be to go back with the friends I have out there when they go back. They will be here in early May and we meet up in Chipping Campden. I would come back Vancouver way as it is easier on the planes they say, wind pushes you home! When I went to the States, it took 2hours less coming home! Courage needed to make the decision first. Portugal is a country I could live in' had 2 holidays there and although hot not so hot that I couldn't cope. And the people were so friendly and helpful, but only to be expected if you are there to spend money on holiday, many have a good understanding of, and speak English too.

We are doing hydraulic pipes all the time, MR. Not a job I like and avoid if possible. I always worry that I haven't done the tightening properly, too much is as bad as too little with hydraulics. Our machine is calibrated, but it is a bit hit or miss for me. I had planned on more wood cutting when I get home but the weather has gone so wet, that I don't think I will be able to get the wood to cut into the shed and keep it dry. I will have to content myself with chopping the blanks I have and then go "abungling",-my term for netting up. They are flying off the shelves-I'm having some problems keeping up-think I said that on Tuesday.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Fri Feb 09, 18 8:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Hope you are feeling better now Shan. Go gently for a bit as it really takes it out of you.

Sounds as if you need to get a bathroom sorted out Gregotyn. More for comfort than anything, because it sounds as if you keep clean enough. I must admit that having a supply of hot water is something I really like, although do regard it in some ways as a luxury. When we camp I usually heat some water so I can have a warm rather than cold wash, although last year we had one show where it was so hot cold water was rather better.

Husband and son managed to sort out the firewood processor yesterday, but it took a long time. Managed to do the load promised and put another load on for this morning. In the meantime I went up to work on the birch again. We have some people from the coppice group cutting that coup at the moment, so they very kindly cut a few trees down for me. The sap doesn't seem to be rising particularly at the moment as the stumps only weep slightly, not pour sap as they do at sap rising time. I managed to get quite a lot of tops cut, and now have several heaps plus some tied up, so need the truck up there to get it back to the yard. It was nice to have someone else up there and is making the woods come alive again.

Look forward to hearing about progress with the kitten Cassandra. Jam Lady, is it usual to have skunks for pets, as I thought they could be rather unpleasant if upset?

Shan



Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 9075
Location: South Wales
PostPosted: Fri Feb 09, 18 8:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Thank you Mistress Rose. Feeling a bit battered. Chest is sore from things coming up instead of staying down but at least no nausea today and I had a good night of sleep last night!!

Good that you managed to get the firewood processor sorted. It's astounding how these things always take longer to fix than expected.

Gregotyn: I'm afraid I'm spoiled. I like the luxury of 2 hot showers a day. Living in a humid country for a while, I got into the habit of multiple daily showers and now I feel odd if I don't.

cassandra



Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia
PostPosted: Fri Feb 09, 18 9:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Take care of yourself Shan, if you have the flu we got here in Oz (which I gather is currently rampant in the UK and US) it is not to be messed about with, and one form does include Gastro symptoms. If you remain feeling ragged, get to the doctor tout suite! A friend's husband was laid up for almost two months and came close to dying a couple of times.

I am reliably informed by someone with experience with Ferals that mine can not possibly be a feral - more likely dumped and living wild, so heading toward ferality but more easily reversed. While that does explain the relative ease of her taming, it takes the shine off a bit haha.

She is certainly as game as Ned Kelly - met the dog today and stared him down. Dog is also to be commended as he lay down so his head was at her level and did not lunge at her. I was very impressed with him and told him so. In the early days i roused at him to trying to plunge into the bathroom and he had translated this as 'thou shalt not enter the bathroom even when invited', so it took some persuasion to get him in far enough to close the door and give access to the kitten, but it worked out in the end.

The kitten is free to leave its pen, it chooses not to. And since Billy has to have access to the bathroom I can not leave the pen open all the time as I would rather it not have the full run of the house until further canine lessons have been achieved.

She and Billy are also spending more time together - more interesting to her than to him.

I had no idea you could keep a skunk as a pet JL! I'm not sure I would want to run the risk of a negative reaction to the sorts of stressors my house seems to provide, but it would be a pretty thing to have about the place.

Feeling very tired for the last couple of days, no idea why, I suspect the changeable weather and recent humidity.

Shan



Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 9075
Location: South Wales
PostPosted: Fri Feb 09, 18 11:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Thanks Cassandra. I am feeling much better although my tummy still sounds like a concrete mixer... can't be taken out in polite company! I had a rotten head cold over Christmas which lasted about a month and now this. Both have coincided with flights. Just shows... humans were never meant to fly!

As for your kitten, sounds like you are making leaps and strides! Well done and don't let anyone tell you that your kitten is not a feral tiger! Definitely don't let the kitten hear anyone saying it either.

JamLady, I would love to see photos of your skunk if you have any. I love hearing about unusual pets.

Post new topic   Reply to topic    Downsizer Forum Index -> Grow Your Own All times are GMT
Page Previous  1, 2, 3 ... 304, 305, 306 ... 423, 424, 425  Next
Page 305 of 425
View Latest Posts View Latest Posts

 

Archive
Powered by php-BB © 2001, 2005 php-BB Group
Style by marsjupiter.com, released under GNU (GNU/GPL) license.
Copyright © 2004 marsjupiter.com