Been trying, since this morning, to post a comment on an AOL blog but, each time, after inputting screen name & password, I receive the message that the service is "temporarily unavailable". Over a space of a couple of hours it’s understandable but, you’d expect them to get their finger out beyond that time. By now, it’s becoming a real pain.
I shouldn’t moan as, I at least have a life to be getting on with in the meantime. After rain this morning, the sun eventually found it’s way through the clouds and, I managed a brief brisk walk with Helen and Graham. Although exercise doesn’t come easily it’s good to get a little fresh air and a stretch of the lower limbs.
The Balti, which I prepared last evening, proved satisfying to all consumers; once more my cheffish brilliance has been exposed!
“Songs of Praise” from Caithness proved a quite worshipful experience, even the contribution of HRH Charlie Boy, whose advertised presence nearly prevented my viewing of the programme, was surprisingly good! A bit of ‘wee-frees’ Gaelic Psalm singing was a revelation and, “Will your anchor hold” carried me back to those dim-distant Boys Brigade services. The folksy presentation of “I heard the voice of Jesus say” and “When I survey”, conveyed a sincerity so often lacking in more contemporary worship songs.
- living and frequently struggling with moderate M.E. -
where (bad) health, faith, politics and the joys and troubles of daily life collide.
ME
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Saturday, September 10, 2005
From Balti's to Jerusalem
A lazy but enjoyable day and, this despite a predominance of rain. Afraid I didn't get out for a bbw at all, somehow the timetable went all awry; breakfast after 11.00am, a pizza for lunch sometime after 2.00pm and, tea at around 7.00pm. Late afternoon I got around to preparing a Balti for Sunday lunch.
Everything these days starts in the griddle pan; a generous sprinkling of turmeric, coriander, cumin, garlic granules, ginger and assorted herbs are first heated to release the aroma and then a dash of oil. Next I threw in the chopped onion and, by the time it has 'sweated', throw in assorted sliced peppers and a bit of broccoli. Finally, add the minced lean beef; sorry, that's not quite final, once the meat has started browning add a few sliced mushrooms, a tin of plum tomatoes with lashings of coarsely ground black pepper, and a bit of care and affection. At this point I tend to add a bit of crushed garlic and some very lazy chillies and, then the cheating bit.
Add a jar of Balti sauce and, transfer the concoction to a casserole dish (or two) to which I the add a small quantity of gravy. Everything is then ready for putting in the oven for a short while.
If the description/ recipe sounds a little vague, that's because I largely play it by 'nose' (an olfactory form of playing by ear).
This evening, we enjoyed Proms in the Park from Glasgow (BBC4) and the second part of the prom from the Albert Hall (BBC1) before enjoying Glasgow's grand finale (back to BBC4). After that, we recorded "Jerusalem: An Anthem for England" (BBC4) having been very impressed when we watched it a couple of night's back.
Everything these days starts in the griddle pan; a generous sprinkling of turmeric, coriander, cumin, garlic granules, ginger and assorted herbs are first heated to release the aroma and then a dash of oil. Next I threw in the chopped onion and, by the time it has 'sweated', throw in assorted sliced peppers and a bit of broccoli. Finally, add the minced lean beef; sorry, that's not quite final, once the meat has started browning add a few sliced mushrooms, a tin of plum tomatoes with lashings of coarsely ground black pepper, and a bit of care and affection. At this point I tend to add a bit of crushed garlic and some very lazy chillies and, then the cheating bit.
Add a jar of Balti sauce and, transfer the concoction to a casserole dish (or two) to which I the add a small quantity of gravy. Everything is then ready for putting in the oven for a short while.
If the description/ recipe sounds a little vague, that's because I largely play it by 'nose' (an olfactory form of playing by ear).
This evening, we enjoyed Proms in the Park from Glasgow (BBC4) and the second part of the prom from the Albert Hall (BBC1) before enjoying Glasgow's grand finale (back to BBC4). After that, we recorded "Jerusalem: An Anthem for England" (BBC4) having been very impressed when we watched it a couple of night's back.
Problems and Decisions
Still can't get used to the erratic/intermittent connectivity of my main PC (and indeed Helen's laptop) to the internet, ever since we got the new router. It's all rather puzzling how the new wireless laptop shares none of these problems but, the ethernet-wired Pc and Helen's machine, whether wirelessly or ethernet linked, both have a problem.
Helen's laptop has to be wired-up at the moment as, the new wireless card has blown. I sometimes think it's a wonder that anyone bothers with these darned machines. It's great when they're working though.
*************************
Having done the recent Elvis VHS to DVD transfers, the beloved thought it would be good to get hold of a copy of "King Creole" on DVD.
It sure pays to shop around; I came across the following prices (for the same edition) - Tesco.com £11.99, Sendit.com £9.99 and Play.com £5.99 (the latter two both postage paid). You can't start to imagine how difficult it was to decide which supplier to use!
Helen's laptop has to be wired-up at the moment as, the new wireless card has blown. I sometimes think it's a wonder that anyone bothers with these darned machines. It's great when they're working though.
*************************
Having done the recent Elvis VHS to DVD transfers, the beloved thought it would be good to get hold of a copy of "King Creole" on DVD.
It sure pays to shop around; I came across the following prices (for the same edition) - Tesco.com £11.99, Sendit.com £9.99 and Play.com £5.99 (the latter two both postage paid). You can't start to imagine how difficult it was to decide which supplier to use!
Friday, September 09, 2005
Words by way of an apology for their absence.
The day has raced away and, it seems like no words are forthcoming. Basically, the last couple of days have borne a theme of tiredness. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not falling asleep all the time, it’s simply that I’ve been lacking sufficient energy to permit myself to seriously tackle any project and, today that seems to have included blog entries.
I suppose the combination of mowing the lawn a couple of days ago and, having an early morning yesterday, requires a bit of overcoming.
So, this is a brief entry to apologise for not having posted one!
I suppose the combination of mowing the lawn a couple of days ago and, having an early morning yesterday, requires a bit of overcoming.
So, this is a brief entry to apologise for not having posted one!
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Physical Jerks (who grind you down)!
Following on from a necessary early emergence into the world of the day people, tiredness is creeping up on me but, I strive to regain a sense of alertness. Still, it was worth it to get the doctor’s appointment out of the way.
My beloved chauffeuse, on return home, had a quick turn around before heading off to see Beth. Meanwhile, Cathy is here sorting out a few more belongings to take to her nearby home.
No matter what programme’s on Radio 2 today, it’s inevitable that reference is made to the final test match of the current Ashes series. At least it makes a refreshing change from football talk. It seems such a long time since England had a team that didn’t become a source of embarrassment.
During my childhood there was always a real enthusiasm for cricket, especially in the few years I spent in Yorkshire and, I even found myself getting enthused although, in later years, my games/PE teachers did their best to ensure I would never have any interest in sport.
In my early teens, whilst living in Sunderland, I attended football matches more from a sense of tribal loyalty than any interest in the game. Our school game (at Bede Grammar School) was Rugby, which I never understood despite being thrust in to play hooker, or something like that, in our games period. Rugby wasn’t on the agenda at Thirsk Grammar, where my first year at secondary school was spent and, our bully-boy teachers never took the trouble to explain the rules or purpose of the game when I moved school.
Similarly, these same Loughborough trained thugs, held me under water at the swimming pool … “all our pupils swim”… even though there was no swimming pool near the previous school. That was the beginning of a phobia about walking near water be it stream, river or lake, which lasted until I was in my early thirties.
PE was always a bug bear, puny child that I was, and I used to get “punished” for not being able to do press-ups etc. It wasn’t my choice to be non-athletic, nor to have fascist PE instructors.
Incidentally, school days can be the most hellish of one’s life. Admittedly, a village school which I attended for a couple of years had PE/games lessons that I enjoyed; country dancing was our method of exercise there, much more suited to my temperament and disposition.
In a similar manner to the ignorant PE thugs, on the academic side at the same school my examination phobia went totally un-noticed and, as a result I left this high achieving school with two 'O' levels. By the time I reached the grand old age of 28, I went to University as a mature student and, there they recognized my difficulty at coping with crowded examination halls and, arranged for me to do my exams either alone or with a couple of other phobics. As a result I left there with a very good Upper Second honours degree.
One wonders just how many lives are blighted by the schooling system.
My beloved chauffeuse, on return home, had a quick turn around before heading off to see Beth. Meanwhile, Cathy is here sorting out a few more belongings to take to her nearby home.
No matter what programme’s on Radio 2 today, it’s inevitable that reference is made to the final test match of the current Ashes series. At least it makes a refreshing change from football talk. It seems such a long time since England had a team that didn’t become a source of embarrassment.
During my childhood there was always a real enthusiasm for cricket, especially in the few years I spent in Yorkshire and, I even found myself getting enthused although, in later years, my games/PE teachers did their best to ensure I would never have any interest in sport.
In my early teens, whilst living in Sunderland, I attended football matches more from a sense of tribal loyalty than any interest in the game. Our school game (at Bede Grammar School) was Rugby, which I never understood despite being thrust in to play hooker, or something like that, in our games period. Rugby wasn’t on the agenda at Thirsk Grammar, where my first year at secondary school was spent and, our bully-boy teachers never took the trouble to explain the rules or purpose of the game when I moved school.
Similarly, these same Loughborough trained thugs, held me under water at the swimming pool … “all our pupils swim”… even though there was no swimming pool near the previous school. That was the beginning of a phobia about walking near water be it stream, river or lake, which lasted until I was in my early thirties.
PE was always a bug bear, puny child that I was, and I used to get “punished” for not being able to do press-ups etc. It wasn’t my choice to be non-athletic, nor to have fascist PE instructors.
Incidentally, school days can be the most hellish of one’s life. Admittedly, a village school which I attended for a couple of years had PE/games lessons that I enjoyed; country dancing was our method of exercise there, much more suited to my temperament and disposition.
In a similar manner to the ignorant PE thugs, on the academic side at the same school my examination phobia went totally un-noticed and, as a result I left this high achieving school with two 'O' levels. By the time I reached the grand old age of 28, I went to University as a mature student and, there they recognized my difficulty at coping with crowded examination halls and, arranged for me to do my exams either alone or with a couple of other phobics. As a result I left there with a very good Upper Second honours degree.
One wonders just how many lives are blighted by the schooling system.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
An Evening On My Ownsome
My beloved, on return from the hospital, cleared away the grassy residue from the lawn and, whilst in the garden gathered up a few wind-fall apples and, a generous amount of blackberries from the brambles which are colonizing swathes of the garden.
So that's one less task for me; the only other 'gardening' I did was to re-pot an Aloe Vera, taking care not to destroy the fresh outgrowths from its root system. It's really quite amazing, all the plants we've grown from the puny specimen my wife brought home a few months back. Must have inherited the 'green-fingers' from mum!
As Helen has gone out to her local preachers meeting, and Graham (who usually visits on Wednesday evenings) is out commiting acts of charity, I find myself all on my ownsome. There was a time, non-too-distant, when I revelled in my own company of an evening but, a blissful marriage has changed all that: it's sure got a lot to answer for!
Still, I'm enjoying a bit of surfing (web-wise not marine) and the accompaniment of old fashioned steam radio; it takes one back.
Since I began this blog posting, I've had a couple of 'phone calls, one from Beth making arrangements for seeing her Mum (Helen) tomorrow and, the other call from my brother for a more general chat. Oh, what a busy life we lead!
So that's one less task for me; the only other 'gardening' I did was to re-pot an Aloe Vera, taking care not to destroy the fresh outgrowths from its root system. It's really quite amazing, all the plants we've grown from the puny specimen my wife brought home a few months back. Must have inherited the 'green-fingers' from mum!
As Helen has gone out to her local preachers meeting, and Graham (who usually visits on Wednesday evenings) is out commiting acts of charity, I find myself all on my ownsome. There was a time, non-too-distant, when I revelled in my own company of an evening but, a blissful marriage has changed all that: it's sure got a lot to answer for!
Still, I'm enjoying a bit of surfing (web-wise not marine) and the accompaniment of old fashioned steam radio; it takes one back.
Since I began this blog posting, I've had a couple of 'phone calls, one from Beth making arrangements for seeing her Mum (Helen) tomorrow and, the other call from my brother for a more general chat. Oh, what a busy life we lead!
Making Molehills out of a Mountain
At least it’s lovely and cool, and fresh, in the early (for me that is) morning so. I thought I’d go out and test my energy levels. Out of bed by 9.20AM, slightly against my better judgement, decided to tackle the lawn today. About 35 minutes into the task (of mowing) a dose of the wearies caught me out. So, I cleaned up the mower, brushed out the soggy mats of grass from behind the blade and, that was it. Several soggy mounds of severed grass are sprinkled around the lower section of the lawn, looking from the distance like off-colour molehills. If my energy returns, I’ll clear them up later but, I doubt whether I’ll get around to any more cutting!
Anyway, I suppose I ought to count that as an achievement, even though it’s a half completed task. By now I’m quite used to setting my sights a little lower, whatever I tackle!
Anyway, I suppose I ought to count that as an achievement, even though it’s a half completed task. By now I’m quite used to setting my sights a little lower, whatever I tackle!
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Morning has broken ... (and almost dispersed)
A mere eleven hours in bed last night/ this morning, things are definitely looking up. Various minor discomforts kept me awake for some of the time but, once again a good proportion of the night was handed over to the care of Morpheus. It seems a long time now since I was able to manage (or perhaps I wasn't) on four or five hours sleep. Still, it's no use wailing over spilt lactiferous liquid.
It seems like a beautiful morning out there and, Helen has ventured off to do some craft work at the Acorn Centre and will be heading off for a walk with Cathy this afternoon. Meantime, I'd better get on with the preparation of some lunch; see what I can do with some Salmon fillets and a jacket potato!
There was a time, not too long ago that I enjoyed a walk without having to worry about conservation of (limited) energy; who knows, perhaps 'ere long I shall be restored! Here's hoping and praying.
This is the day the Lord has made and, I will attempt to rejoice in it.
It seems like a beautiful morning out there and, Helen has ventured off to do some craft work at the Acorn Centre and will be heading off for a walk with Cathy this afternoon. Meantime, I'd better get on with the preparation of some lunch; see what I can do with some Salmon fillets and a jacket potato!
There was a time, not too long ago that I enjoyed a walk without having to worry about conservation of (limited) energy; who knows, perhaps 'ere long I shall be restored! Here's hoping and praying.
This is the day the Lord has made and, I will attempt to rejoice in it.
Monday, September 05, 2005
Something Fishy
Twelve hours in bed, incorporating at least 8 or 9 hours sleep and, I should be feeling all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. At least I know I’m awake; the only disruption of the night was the usual night sweats and a minor, ‘Gaviscon’ treated, bout of reflux.
One of the White Cloud Mountain minnows has been looking far more pale than I feel so, treatment is under way in the aquarium. It seems to hang in the plants far more than the expected norm but, each time it emerges into the open space its co-inhabitant soon sets to a process of harassment. The problem is, the only solution would be total isolation and yet, somehow that would seem to go against their normal communitarian habits. It seems like the temperament of fish is just as fickle as that of humankind.
One of the White Cloud Mountain minnows has been looking far more pale than I feel so, treatment is under way in the aquarium. It seems to hang in the plants far more than the expected norm but, each time it emerges into the open space its co-inhabitant soon sets to a process of harassment. The problem is, the only solution would be total isolation and yet, somehow that would seem to go against their normal communitarian habits. It seems like the temperament of fish is just as fickle as that of humankind.
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Katrina impromptu
An impromptu response to a BBC News Special:
By now we're all used to scenes of catastrophe on our television screens, even to some extent immune to the impact but, somehow the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina still hits one extremely hard. The dilatory response of the federal authorities strikes one as so appalling, in this most powerful advanced nation. The tales of warning signs unheeded and, the way the tragedy has highlighted the enormous wealth gap will, hopefully, lead to some serious conscience stirring in matters of redistribution of wealth and resources. Perhaps that's just wishful thinking, greed and asocial personal wealth accumulation are such an integral priority to the American way of life. Free-market economies are devised to send the weakest to the wall! It is strange how a quirky act of nature has brought politics to the fore!
By now we're all used to scenes of catastrophe on our television screens, even to some extent immune to the impact but, somehow the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina still hits one extremely hard. The dilatory response of the federal authorities strikes one as so appalling, in this most powerful advanced nation. The tales of warning signs unheeded and, the way the tragedy has highlighted the enormous wealth gap will, hopefully, lead to some serious conscience stirring in matters of redistribution of wealth and resources. Perhaps that's just wishful thinking, greed and asocial personal wealth accumulation are such an integral priority to the American way of life. Free-market economies are devised to send the weakest to the wall! It is strange how a quirky act of nature has brought politics to the fore!
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