Here I am sitting at my old (soon to be replaced, I hope) desk. The laptop sits on the keyboard pull-out part that, you just might remember, I damaged in one of my swan dives. TBSITW fixed it, but it is still somewhat wobbly. Anyway, the whole thing, including the open screen, is sitting there, and the screeen covers only the edge of my PC screen. I keep looking up and seeing the PC screen and wondering what I have done wrong that it looks black......
As well as seeing the black screen I now look over it and see, in complete contrast, white flakes falling from the sky and lying over the cars and the car park. I can see one bay where a car has been taken out for a drive and car tracks to indicate movement of vehicles in and out. However, this presents a really cold, dismal picture.
I have a strong feeling that bridge will be a no-go this afternoon, not just for my partner who lives in a small town higher than here and who would therefore have to brace worse weather, but that it would dramatically reduce the numbers as people decide to stay at home, making it much less fun.
Still, there's always my friends and the Scrabble board.
This morning has been spent happily sorting out my favourites list and reading all the blog updates I may have missed. I shall be glad when my MS Office arrives at which time I can transfer my backup pen drive files to it.
I do need to do something about getting rid of a dial up broadband as there are only two USB ports, and I like to use one for the mouse. Mind you, with a bit of effort I might just come to terms in time with the laptop's equivalent.
Well, might, but no promises.
Showing posts with label scrabble. Show all posts
Showing posts with label scrabble. Show all posts
Monday, 2 February 2009
Monday, 15 December 2008
Happy Birthday to You!
Today is Best Brother's 65th birthday, and so TBSITW drove me over to wish him Happy Birthday and even to sing it. He dutifully blew out his candle and made a wish. We took with us, as well as a small gift to mark the event, the Christmas presents for his various grandchildren. We shall see them all over the festive season, but I do like to get gifts by the appropriate date.
I was most disgruntled to note that he is still younger than me, but catching up.......
After that we went to a store that was advertising a good deal on a particular electrical item and this purchase was successfully made. To my amazement, there is now a new Tesco store, and it was rather quiet (which made it more enticing).
Home, James, and don't spare the horses.
By this time I was far too late for the bridge club (as I had known), but was in time for Scrabbleesence made it 6 and so we had 2 tables of 3. Good fun to catch up with all of them again. Once we had had a cup of tea and mince pie, J. came round to have a G and T, with a slice of lemon
I was most disgruntled to note that he is still younger than me, but catching up.......
After that we went to a store that was advertising a good deal on a particular electrical item and this purchase was successfully made. To my amazement, there is now a new Tesco store, and it was rather quiet (which made it more enticing).
Home, James, and don't spare the horses.
By this time I was far too late for the bridge club (as I had known), but was in time for Scrabbleesence made it 6 and so we had 2 tables of 3. Good fun to catch up with all of them again. Once we had had a cup of tea and mince pie, J. came round to have a G and T, with a slice of lemon
Tuesday, 11 November 2008
A Medley of Events
Yesterday afternoon I went to the Bridge club and played with my usual partner. At last the numbers are starting to improve and we had 3 tables. I think I bid and played all right but I made a complete mess of my score card. It would appear that I cannot add, which is somewhat ironic for someone with a maths degree.
Mind you it brought back memories of school when I passed my Higher Maths with an excellent result, but came close to failing the compulsory Arithmetic paper.
In both cases I think it boils down to too casual an attitude when dealing with something simple.
I got home and there was a mug laid out for me and D. went off and made my special extra weak tea. It is always good to see them. Such a pity that I can’t have bridge and Scrabble.
J. who is very elderly (about 90, I think) takes a pride in doing the washing up.
D. noticed that I had had quite a bit of a struggle getting a package of toilet rolls in, so she carried them to the door of the flat – the difficulty was because it was a package of 16 rolls and there was no carry handle.
This morning I was dressed, jacket on and changed into my driving glasses when I opened the flat door to see that the milk was there. I get a delivery once a week on a Tuesday. So, I picked up the milk and went through to put it in the fridge.
On returning to the door, heard my mobile phone and found a message that TBSITW had called and missed me. I quickly picked up my phone and called her at home with no reply.
At last I reached the front door of the building and who did I see but TBSITW! I felt that, as I was now running late anyway she should come in and have a cup of tea.
Bless her, she almost pushed me into the car and waved me away.
I broke no speed records, but arrived at 9.58 for a 10 o’clock start.
I am being expected to increase what I am doing, so I am now varying the order in which I do the exercises, as I often do well with the first half then cannot do well with the rest.
Mind you it brought back memories of school when I passed my Higher Maths with an excellent result, but came close to failing the compulsory Arithmetic paper.
In both cases I think it boils down to too casual an attitude when dealing with something simple.
I got home and there was a mug laid out for me and D. went off and made my special extra weak tea. It is always good to see them. Such a pity that I can’t have bridge and Scrabble.
J. who is very elderly (about 90, I think) takes a pride in doing the washing up.
D. noticed that I had had quite a bit of a struggle getting a package of toilet rolls in, so she carried them to the door of the flat – the difficulty was because it was a package of 16 rolls and there was no carry handle.
This morning I was dressed, jacket on and changed into my driving glasses when I opened the flat door to see that the milk was there. I get a delivery once a week on a Tuesday. So, I picked up the milk and went through to put it in the fridge.
On returning to the door, heard my mobile phone and found a message that TBSITW had called and missed me. I quickly picked up my phone and called her at home with no reply.
At last I reached the front door of the building and who did I see but TBSITW! I felt that, as I was now running late anyway she should come in and have a cup of tea.
Bless her, she almost pushed me into the car and waved me away.
I broke no speed records, but arrived at 9.58 for a 10 o’clock start.
I am being expected to increase what I am doing, so I am now varying the order in which I do the exercises, as I often do well with the first half then cannot do well with the rest.
Monday, 15 September 2008
Bridge - and Scrabble
Today there were very few of us and so our leader got us to move round in turns. She then had a great time laying into everyone for their mistakes. She got my partner totally stressed out and another lady who is a good player replied when told the whole point of the game was to enjoy herself said "Well, I'm not enjoying it!" I must admit that, while I am happy to learn new things - and have even taken home a note of a very useful tip, I am totally relaxed about the whole thing and I do enjoy it. This is very much not to say that I don't try very hard to win.
I have a very competitive streak.
We went to look at the board for last Tuesday's scores, but they were not up, so we shall have to wait till tomorrow.
In the end we finished early and I arrived back at the ranch in time for a game of Scrabble - the first for a long time.
I have a very competitive streak.
We went to look at the board for last Tuesday's scores, but they were not up, so we shall have to wait till tomorrow.
In the end we finished early and I arrived back at the ranch in time for a game of Scrabble - the first for a long time.
Tuesday, 4 March 2008
Et Cetera, Et Cetera, Et Cetera........
.......(with apologies to "The King and I")
Mothers' Day concluded fittingly with a telephone call from younger son, making a full set of contacts from my children.
Monday meant another visit to the Bridge Club where I discovered (as expected) that my partner and I came 6th equal out of 7. Played with a different partner yesterday and feeling quite handicapped without my hearing aids - left them at home, and by the time I realised that, it was too late to go back to get them. So no hopes for doing any better this week. But it is still great fun.
Came home in time for a cup of tea with the Scrabble crew. They miss me, and I miss them, but not enough to give up the Bridge Club.
Both yesterday and today the sun has been shining, but the wind is still cold. When I got to the car at about 9.30 am there was ice on the windscreen, but it was the slushy kind which came off with one sweep of the wiper blades.
Went to the big city for a hairdressing appointment, but arrived at the mall early to look into obtaining new spectacles. A chemist shop which deals with spectacles had a stand in the doorway giving two free times for today, both much later on, so went to one of these multiple outlet places, where I could be seen right away.
Very interesting getting my eyes tested as, although my prescription has not changed much, she pointed out that my pupils were somewhat dilated and did I have trouble with glare. Yes, May get driving glasses coated. Wonder if the pupil enlargement could be due to one or more of my many prescription drugs. She also noted that I had the beginnings of cataracts, which was not news I ever wished to hear. Although the operation is simple, I am rather afraid that the NHS will not provide it until you are severely sight impaired.
However, with apologies to "Gone With The Wind", I'll think about that tomorrow. After all, tomorrow is another day.
Mothers' Day concluded fittingly with a telephone call from younger son, making a full set of contacts from my children.
Monday meant another visit to the Bridge Club where I discovered (as expected) that my partner and I came 6th equal out of 7. Played with a different partner yesterday and feeling quite handicapped without my hearing aids - left them at home, and by the time I realised that, it was too late to go back to get them. So no hopes for doing any better this week. But it is still great fun.
Came home in time for a cup of tea with the Scrabble crew. They miss me, and I miss them, but not enough to give up the Bridge Club.
Both yesterday and today the sun has been shining, but the wind is still cold. When I got to the car at about 9.30 am there was ice on the windscreen, but it was the slushy kind which came off with one sweep of the wiper blades.
Went to the big city for a hairdressing appointment, but arrived at the mall early to look into obtaining new spectacles. A chemist shop which deals with spectacles had a stand in the doorway giving two free times for today, both much later on, so went to one of these multiple outlet places, where I could be seen right away.
Very interesting getting my eyes tested as, although my prescription has not changed much, she pointed out that my pupils were somewhat dilated and did I have trouble with glare. Yes, May get driving glasses coated. Wonder if the pupil enlargement could be due to one or more of my many prescription drugs. She also noted that I had the beginnings of cataracts, which was not news I ever wished to hear. Although the operation is simple, I am rather afraid that the NHS will not provide it until you are severely sight impaired.
However, with apologies to "Gone With The Wind", I'll think about that tomorrow. After all, tomorrow is another day.
Monday, 3 December 2007
Today
Today I still felt rather wobbly but decided that it would be much better for me to get up and out to the Bridge Club (literally door to door, so no walking) I enjoyed playing and the company, but found it difficult to concentrate some of the time. My partner and I came 5th out of ten last week, so this is rather creditable.
Came back to the ranch in time for a cup of tea with the Scrabble ladies and gentleman. Said gentleman is coming tomorrow to collect my old Christmas tree and take it to a Charity shop, an excellent way to dispose of it.
Came back to the ranch in time for a cup of tea with the Scrabble ladies and gentleman. Said gentleman is coming tomorrow to collect my old Christmas tree and take it to a Charity shop, an excellent way to dispose of it.
Monday, 22 October 2007
....and it was SHUT!
For those of you who remember Billy Connoly's songs, there was a fairly early one about the Buroo (Glaswegian for Bureau, or Unemployment Bureau in fact, where you signed on to get your unemployment benefit), you will remember that it culminated in the phrase of the title (...and it was SHUT!)
Well, today I got all dressed and ready and drove to the Bridge Club, to find that it too was SHUT, in fact not only was there no sign of anybody, but the front doors were padlocked.
So, back home I came with my tail between my legs. Still I managed to get a game of
Scrabble with a good foursome. I won 2 and lost 1, so live again to fight another day.
Well, today I got all dressed and ready and drove to the Bridge Club, to find that it too was SHUT, in fact not only was there no sign of anybody, but the front doors were padlocked.
So, back home I came with my tail between my legs. Still I managed to get a game of
Scrabble with a good foursome. I won 2 and lost 1, so live again to fight another day.
Tuesday, 14 August 2007
Recipe
Yesterday the sun shone and in the afternoon I played scrabble, losing one game badly (came 4th!) and coming second in the second one. One person managed to get all her tiles down in one go, gaining 50 extra points which gave her an unbeatable lead.
At the end, instead of a cup of tea, one of the players produced a bottle of sparkling Perry - a most pleasant change.
Today the sun is trying to shine through an overcast sky, and I am dealing with some of the contents of this week's organic veg. box delivery. I got potatoes, carrots, onions, pointed cabbage, oak leaf lettuce and spinach, so the task today is to make spinach soup. Here is my recipe:
Spinach Soup
Ingredients
2 tbsp olive oil
2 onions, chopped
440g/16oz spinach
2 large or 3 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped to half inch cubes
600ml/20fl oz double cream
1200ml/42fl oz hot water
2 vegetable stock cube
4 garlic clove, crushed
toasted bread, to serve
Method
1. In a saucepan heat the oil and add the chopped onion, garlic and potato for five minutes to soften.
2. Add the spinach, hot water, vegetable stock cube and garlic and bring to the boil.
3. Cook for 20 minutes.
4. Blend the soup, together with most of the cream, with a hand-held blender and serve with fresh brown bread.
5. Add a swirl of cream to each bowl.
At the end, instead of a cup of tea, one of the players produced a bottle of sparkling Perry - a most pleasant change.
Today the sun is trying to shine through an overcast sky, and I am dealing with some of the contents of this week's organic veg. box delivery. I got potatoes, carrots, onions, pointed cabbage, oak leaf lettuce and spinach, so the task today is to make spinach soup. Here is my recipe:
Spinach Soup
Ingredients
2 tbsp olive oil
2 onions, chopped
440g/16oz spinach
2 large or 3 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped to half inch cubes
600ml/20fl oz double cream
1200ml/42fl oz hot water
2 vegetable stock cube
4 garlic clove, crushed
toasted bread, to serve
Method
1. In a saucepan heat the oil and add the chopped onion, garlic and potato for five minutes to soften.
2. Add the spinach, hot water, vegetable stock cube and garlic and bring to the boil.
3. Cook for 20 minutes.
4. Blend the soup, together with most of the cream, with a hand-held blender and serve with fresh brown bread.
5. Add a swirl of cream to each bowl.
Monday, 23 July 2007
Scrabble
When I moved in here, I learned that games of Scrabble were held in the Residents Lounge on a Monday afternoon. My heart sank. I am a bridge player. Sadly, when I was diagnosed with epilepsy, the partners fell away and the offer of games of bridge fell away, but, still, scrabble? This was definitely beneath my dignity, so I declined and did not join in for quite some time. In the end I was persuaded to give it a try and discovered that it was, in fact, rather fun. The matches are needle ones. “It’s not a matter of life or death; it’s much more serious than that”.
As well as being fun, over time we have helped some of the frailer residents to keep going and stimulate those little grey cells as long as possible.
So much for my being an intellectual snob – I don’t always win, by any manner of means. Today out of 3 games, I won one.
Oh well then, how are the mighty fallen….
As well as being fun, over time we have helped some of the frailer residents to keep going and stimulate those little grey cells as long as possible.
So much for my being an intellectual snob – I don’t always win, by any manner of means. Today out of 3 games, I won one.
Oh well then, how are the mighty fallen….
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