How are we all doing ?

Hi Denby,For years we always got our Christmas tree from an old man a mile or two up the road.He would cut it down and my sister would curse trying to fit into the car.Mum could walk then so it was a nice trip out for us.Several years ago John’s parents gave me their spare artificial tree so that usually goes up.I haven’t bothered the last two years but I shall put it up this year.I’ll have to crawl into the loft to get the decorations but I keep them within easy reach.The loft hatch is small but I can still just about fit through it.Your tree sounds pretty.Love Jane xx

Thank you Jane. You remind me of a few years when someone at work told me about a Forestry Commission plantation a few miles away, when the children were school age. It was a magical outing up a winding lane off the road through the woods to a little clearing. There was a forester's cottage with wisp of smoke rising from the chimney. Off to one side a patch of growing Christmas trees of all shapes and sizes. You would choose the one you liked and the chap dug it out for you. As a result there are I think four, now a great height, growing in glebe land at the side of our old [ie before we moved] church, a contribution to biodiversity as they are winter feeding stations for goldcrests and the like. And being evergreen good for CO2 reduction year round.

Denby

It sounds wonderful.I love a real Christmas tree.John took me down for the Covid booster this morning.I feel a bit spaced out.Reading the information sheet I see it can cause Pericarditis & Myocarditis in rare cases.I have had so many problems with recurrent Pericarditis since the 1990’s.I’m hoping this booster won’t cause another flare up.The sunset this morning was beautiful.Love to you all Jane x

Hi Jane. I miss the smell of a real Christmas spruce. Even the Nordmann ones our daughter has nurtured so well don't have it for me. Ref pericarditis, subject of course to pharmacist's safety ok, would things like turmeric which I find an effective anti-inflammatory for my arthritic knees, help ward it off?? And or good old sustained release vitamin C? Omega oils also make sticky blood less so, thereby warding off clots, could be worth investigating/

Happy Christmas to all, won't be online over Christmas for a while. Need to attend to 86 year old sister and her dementia care etc.

Denby

Hi Denby,I’ve never tried turmeric but have had vitamin C and omega oils in the past.I’m ok as long as I avoid cigarette smoke and strong smells like varnish,certain paints.They will set off the pain.It’s the same if I get a cold.I’ve been left with a fast pulse and some electrical abnormalities.One of the nurses in ICU said there was a problem with my heart during the surgery but I don’t know what that was.I know at one time one of the ventricles was not functioning well.I hope you both have a good Christmas.Thank you for all your support,it means a lot.Love Jane xx

View from the lounge balcony just now.It is nice to see a glimpse of the sun as it’s been  raining non stop.I hope you are all having a good Christmas ? Love to you all Jane xx

Hello Jane, love your photos, I guess taken using your phone? My hand is too wobbly, and I'm not really a mobile user, no signal on Exmoor. But I appreciate the great quality pics they capture. Yesterday rain was torrential here. Lane running like a river. We walked 3 black labs in the woods and got soaked to skin. Me and the dogs rejoicing in the elements, my daughter and g-daughter not so much Today much brighter. We have eaten hugely. Hope you treated yourself to some delicious food, albeit on your own? Last Christmas I was alone because of Covid and I must say it was considerably less work. H xxx

Hi H,Thanks,I take photos on the phone but John has brought round a camera which he is going to go through with me.Good to hear that your daughter and granddaughter are with you now.I wish I could have seen mum but Sarah & I have both been ill.Hopefully we can get to the nursing home soon.I cooked veg and rice to go with turkey yesterday which was tasty.I might do cauliflower cheese tonight.It is less work being alone but I’m finding it harder this year,probably because I’m below par.I shall try and walk down the garden tomorrow if the rain holds off.Take care love Jane xx

It’s still raining here.I’ve been putting cd’s away this afternoon,I think they are breeding I’m running out of shelf space.My sister was planning to visit tomorrow but has been called into work.I hope you are all ok and managing to avoid covid.Love to you all Jane xx