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Showing posts from June, 2025

Another Great Dog

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  Martyn's Dog Nala

My youngest great niece

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  Eliza aged four months

Flight delays and confusion LHR ATL SRQ

 Mixed messages from Delta My Sunday 29th LHR - ATL  flight will take off two hours later than originally scheduled. This means I will not be able to make the scheduled ATL-SRQ flight. I am getting mixed messages from Delta as to whether they will/can re-schedule it. (Attempts to phone Delta are hopeless -  the wait time to reach an agent is 12 hours!) I trust that when I check in at LHR the agent will work her/his magic to get me into SRQ on Sunday as planned; or if a Monday flight is the only option they will afford me a hotel stay, This note is FYI   NO SUGESTIONS PLEaSE! On a world scale this is a mere inconvenience.  I comfort myself with the knowledge that I've never not gotten home; and that Cooper is in good hands jmp

Ex Communication ( are you trying to reach me?)

  For reasons beyond my ken, messages on What's Up/Regular 'phone  are not reaching me. Ne'er mind.   If 'tis urgent please use Facebook Messenger jmp

High School Proms have crossed the Atlantic

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When I completed my High School education I, alongside my peers, simply left.  No fanfare, no ceremony. Now the American style Prom has reached the "fairest isle". Some of the young women arrived in a Tractor  (as in Tractor/Trailer) The young women arrived in splendid gowns. Some were tapered:  the students learning the art of taking short steps in high heels. As for the young men?    So awkward, so uncomfortable as they wore suits for the first time ever. A bit later two girls emerged from the venue with a school teacher.    One of them was sobbing. She had been deliberately snubbed by a class mate:  "She wouldn't even look at me" With permission from the teacher I put in my two cents worth: "I am glad to look at you.  You and your friend look totally gorgeous in your beautiful gowns". Oh the pains of adolescence.  Oh the wonderful teacher who listened with understanding ears and wise words.

Cooper's Digs

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  He is staying at  https://baysidepetresort.com/    It's like a Hyatt Regency for Cats and Dogs. He sleeps in a glass fronted room like these My friend Ashley visited today, not to see Cooper, but to deliver extra food. The word from staff is that Cooper is doing fine.  He has lots of play buddies. "But of course", I wouldn't have thought otherwise. I miss him so much, and flirt shamelessly with the dogs I come across in my walks.

Oscar (4) meets his great Uncle John

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 Of course, a visit with Nick and Lel (Leslie) was vital.  There wasn't enough time to enjoy them at the party which celebrated their fortieth wedding anniversary. Oscar, their grandson was there. As many a four a year old would do when meeting a stranger held me at arm's length. Then I put on my silly act.  Having done it once, Oscar insisted that I should repeat it - almost ad infinitum. The ice was broken. Then he decided to join me on the sofa for some tlc, or maybe to gaze in awe at my super-sized belly.

Harbour House Restaurant: Bristol UK

  On the menu for lunch today. The Cornish fishmonger smoked mackerel on toast. Almost seventh heaven for this lover of mackerel No photo' .    Eating was more important than photographing.

Great-Nephew Riley (4); son of Jamie and Clare, enjoys a post breakfast ice-cream

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Not Amsterdam Not Paris

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Morning Coffee in Bristol U.K.

With my niece Clare, her husband Jamie - (BOSS shirt) ; Chris - partner to my niece Cheryl (the photographer)) at

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  Breakfast at the Lock Inn Cafe on the Kennett and Avon Canal.  Great to watch the Canal Boats. The Inn at Night.  The decor features antique business signs, coincidentally  including one of Brooks Dye Works (and Laundry) where  my Mum worked after she left school - 1930 ish

I wept openly

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One of the front desk clerks is named Marian.  I assumed that he is of Spanish origin. I was entirely wrong, He is Ukranian.    My tear ducts went into overdrive. There and then at the front desk I wept for Ukraine and her people.  

Back in my home City My heart has never left Bristol U.K!

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  Glad to be here. My American friends Joe and Ruth (siblings) too. They are charmed by the harbourside area of Bristol.  The weather is perfect

19th - 29th June

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My Nephew Nick and his Bride Lel (Leslie)

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  Forty years ago.  ( I assisted in the Anglican marriage ceremony in Bristol U.K.)  Very soon the clans will gather to rejoice in this anniversary.   I hope to be there.

For Breakfast

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  Poached Flounder Poached Eggs Overtoasted Crumpet I have a friend who mocks the idea of fish for breakfast, but confesses that he likes bagels and lox

Chilli and Steak

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  Chilli from Publix Supermarket; with Rib Eye Steak

A Massive Storm Last Night I call it the "Cooper and Tater's Delight Storm"

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Leftovers for Breakfast

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  Mashed sweet potato and bacon

Contented

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Burned Offering

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  I put a Sweet Potato in the Air Fryer this afternoon, intending to eat it with Bush's Baked Beans Then I went off to the Park where Cooper met Hank, his boyfriend. Hank (partly Staffordshire Terrier) and Cooper can't get enough of each other. In truth Hank's family were about to leave the park.  As they saw us arrive they reversed their plans  so that our boys could have a lengthy love fest. When we arrived home my sweet potato was nothing but a burnt offering.    No fire thank goodness, because air fryers don't admit much oxygen.

The Mystery Postcard Senders

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  Mailed from Cologne in March Received in Sarasota in May BUT WHO WERE THE SENDERS? The initials baffled me, though references in the message clearly shewed that they knew me. I contacted three friends but 'twrant them. My brain light went on two weeks ago.  The card was from my friends Geoff and Paula Buerger. We chatted briefly tonight. They'll soon be off to Scotland and Ireland.  When they get home we'll have a proper chin wag.

How He Loves the Femur Bones A new treat for him

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My Bed Covered with Semi-folded Laundry

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  Now where can I sleep tonight?

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Bacon

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I couldn't get them at the Hospital

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  But  Cooper is loving the Femur Bones which I bought at a local store: "The Butcher Block"

At Sweet Rest after Play Time

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Every Time I look at Cooper I am happy!

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Fried Eggs and Tomatoes; Baked Cod; Cheese

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Dirty Water After Rinsing Cooper's Leash

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  He loves to roll in the mud, without or with his leash

Tidy Kitchen Day

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  The rule:   "As many surfaces you have, the more thy are covered with stuff"    'Twas that which stirred me to clear the clutter from my kitchen I discovered canned goods in three different places; two half used bottles of soy sauce; a spice rack which isn't set out in alphabetical order but bears vintage or antique spices, some in unopened bottles. I pulled a Wayfair portable semi-pantry out to discover this tater.  The storage of a tater under the pantry! Now the trick will be to put things back where they belong. Ahem!

My Gentle Cooper Maravillos

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  This is   Medellín a four month old Golden retriever.  Inoculations over, his mother, her sister and their mother (legal immigrants from Columbia) brought him to the 17th Street. Dog Park for his first outing.  Naturally they were concerned about his first encounter with another dog. It was with my gentle Cooper.  He was so sweet with this wee pup. So much so that Medellin and Cooper had some runs together; and even a wee bit of play COOL COOPER!

Free At Trader Joe's Today (Boxed in a 'bus)

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Back on line

 Problem MAY have been no more than overloads on the cell tower. Good diagnosis and restoration by Geek Squad

Two weeks from yesterday

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 NOTE    I am having router problems at home.   This comes to you via Starbucks! I hope to be back to normal on Saturday Off to blighty yet again, mostly to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the marriage of my beloved nephew Nick and his equally beloved wife "Lel". I assisted in their Anglican ceremony all those years ago. Two days in the air.  Eight days in Bristol. Life is good. Delta SRQ - ATL     Virgin Atlantic ATL to LHR. Today's been the day to fuss around with details June 19th will be the day to take to the Air. My eight days in England will be those to connect with my dear family members; and with beloved friends from Seminary Days.

Always at Bayfront Park on Tuesdays (17th St Park is closed on Tuesday mornings).

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  A lovely walk this morning.  It's a half mile journey, so it's good for my right leg - walking increases the blood flow a bit. Saw once nice guy, never got his name.  He races yachts with electrically powered sails at Benderson Park.  Our weekly greeting is "so it's Tuesday". Then it was Toska.  She walks with energy.  For the longest time we simply smiled, then we said "hi", then we chatted. We like each other. One day she was walking with a friend. Because the friend was there I felt free to launch into humour.  "Toska" I said, "if you were not married and I were not gay I'd want to date you".  We saw Ted.   Always amiable.  Always glad to see Cooper. Always ready to tell me of the latest adventure with his wife.  Most recently a cruise from Miami to Rome. Cooper and I take pleasure when we see Toni  (Antoinette).  She had a stellar career in the USAF.  Her life took a wretched turn when she was widowed at a ...

Waste Not

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  Trader Joe's   Lobster Bisque with my leftover Cod

Hasselback Potato, and Baked Cod with Lobster Dressing

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What is this Green Stuff?

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  Grass at the 17th St Dog Park.  After a drought we had three rainy days - life redivivus