TARRAGON & THYME

 Everything is okay. Thank you for all the good wishes, and I apologise for not getting back as yet.  Unfortunately real life has got in the way. I have managed to get over the infection.  As soon as the antibiotics had finished I then had substantial pains again.  We wondered whether I was sensitive to something, and so as part of trying to locate which item if any was causing an issue, I started off with milk. We normally have full fat milk, and so have changed this for the Red top.  What a difference within a day and I have been far more comfier than I have been in a long while. After gall bladder surgery apparently you can end up with sensitivities to different foods, and have to gradually reintroduce them.  Just one of those things.   I am currently getting ready to go down to Cornwall sometime this week.  I have a whole host of jobs to do before I go, which I am slowly working my way through, but am slowly getting there. I can only do s...

It has been lovely from really early on this morning.  I woke at 6:30am and then nodded off back to sleep again. I seem to be doing that a lot just recently.  At the moment, the birds are singing their hearts out, the sun is out and despite living in the town, as it is Sunday it is not as noisy as it usually is.  Even the 60+ year old parrot who lives a couple of doors down is out in the garden.  Singing his heart out.  His owners, put him out regularly in the good weather.  He talks to himself and mimics various noises he hears and it can be quite entertaining listening to him. I am sorry I have not been around for a few days; unfortunately I have had a slight hiccup following the gall bladder surgery and have sustained a severe infection.   I was having an awful lot of pain in my left hand side, across my stomach and part of my right side which was tantamount to the discomfort and pain sustained just after the operation.  It was worrying fo...

I was shattered yesterday I think predominantly down to the change in hours and went to bed earlier than I normally do.  It was a fitful night's sleep but at least I got to rest which is the main thing. Have been out for a walk again this time with a friend to put the world to rights, and to enjoy the lovely weather and nature and her company.  Just the sound of the birds singing and watching all sorts of insect life enjoying the good weather can be a balm for the soul, and in many cases is all that is needed to restore mood and hope. OH had delivered me down to where we walk, so I have not over-extended myself.  He also came to collect me, but before going home we also walked Her Highness Missy.  I am now sitting for a while, and  enjoying a cup of coffee; a speciality coffee that my step-son bought me for mother's day including an individual Cafietiere.  The coffee is from the Bob Marley Plantation and very nice it is too.  These days I cannot drink ...

Beautiful sunny day again and I ventured out with OH for a walk with Missy. First time this week.  It was lovely and everything is starting to grow and bloom.  We saw that many different coloured Bees Orangey middle Bumble Bees, and different species of butterflies it was enchanting to watch them fluttering around and enjoying the warmth of the day.  I had an ulterior motive for going out as I am eager to go for a forage and I wanted to see what is available. Some of them are not quite ready; but will be in the next few days or so.  I shall be getting some nettle tops to process and to do things with for my pantry but more on that for another day.  I will need to start stocking up on sugar again as I have plans for making some wines making use of whatever I can get hold of including nettles.  It will be lovely to get the "wines" and "beers" on the go again! On the way back we called at another local shop and I topped up on some bits I needed.  Normally...

It has been another lovely Sunny day here in Peterborough.  I ventured out today into town for the first time in over six weeks.  I am a little stiff as a result but the small walk will do me good.  OH took me and fetched me where I normally toddle in under my own steam. So gently does it. Hardly anyone was wearing face masks, but I still chose too as OH and myself are categorised high risk as a result of long-term medical conditions and I am mindful of keeping myself as fit as possible. I still think that we are not quite out of the woods yet. My step-daughter and her children have had Covid very mildly from all accounts, but as we have been nowhere near and kept ourselves to ourselves, this has not thus far impacted on us.  Also, I am trying to keep myself as healthy as possible.   I did do a little carrying of items back from town today, which I should not have done, but I had run out of certain items that I like to keep on my Pantry shelf, namely, Arrow...

 Last night, i.e. Tuesday evening, I managed to settle down enough to actually pick up one of my UFOs i.e. my socks which I have not touched for well over a month, despite the best of intentions.   Indeed I have a few items that I want to get finished all of them knitted and once they are done there is the crochet.  I had not picked up the crochet as some of the wool is not where it should be and is not easily accessible at the moment, although this is the craft of choice I would have picked up first otherwise.   However, the sock is a form of discipline for me in that I will get them finished and then hopefully some more knitted in due course once some of the other stuff is out of the way with.  However it very much is a journey of discovery.  The pattern just uses two needles and the way things are working out the whole sock appears to be knitted in one fair go, i.e. the right leg cuff, back of right leg, heel, sole/toe where you have to do some...

Am slowly getting there.  The pain killers have stopped, although whilst I have some left I am still taking them at night so I end up getting a good night's sleep. I am still having to sleep on a lot of pillows although am gradually getting more comfy and lower down the pillows.   The dressings are off and the four small scars are healing nicely apart from a little residual bruising on one of them. After a while I do not think that you will be able to see them at all.  The scars are neat and starting to itch though which is driving me slightly crackers.  A lot of the swelling has gone now it is just down to nature to heal inside a bit more and then hopefully I can start exercising a bit and try and lose a bit more weight.  Slowly, slowly catch a monkey it will happen in time.  I am still watching what I eat and in reality, I am not eating as much as I used to and I do not seem to have the appetite I did before.  I am specifically trying not to eat...