Monday 28 January 2013

Blogger’s Drought


What a lot of blogging mileage there is in weather. Not only here at Friko’s but  on many blogs I visit. It’s weather all the way; it’s got to stop!

We’ve had the remains of the snow, now gone. Whenever I point my camera in the general direction of utterly insane Jay she grabs the opportunity to play the fool. So serve her right that I am actually putting her picture up. 


After the last of the snow we had the flood. Saturday evening Beloved and I very gingerly picked our way to dinner at Sally and Frank’s; drive and field were lethal with a mixture of deep, softening snow, frozen puddles and slippery mud. I was complaining all the way (all of the 250 metres it takes to get to their house) that I really didn’t want to go, that I’d much rather stay safe and warm at home and that people should show consideration for my advanced years and unsteady pins on a foul night like this.  Beloved didn’t take a blind bit of notice. Neither did Sally and Frank when we arrived at the same time as the other guests. The party turned out to be the best antidote for weather induced miseries; how glad I am, that in spite of being a compulsive moaner, I never let it stop me from going out.

This was at seven. When we finally managed to drag ourselves away reluctantly at midnight the snow was practically gone and we paddled home. The next morning the snow had turned into a flood.


Many appointments have had to be cancelled over the past weeks, not only because of the weather but also  because people have been poorly with the winter bugs that do the rounds at this time of year. When Helen rang this morning to say she had a slot for me, I dropped everything and drove over the border to Wales for an hour’s pampering. I believe I have my priorities just right. This is me under a mask. I always thought masks were white and chalky, but then I’ve never had my picture taken on the couch, mid-treament, before.


Sorry about another weather post, like I said, it has to stop, and it will, just as soon as I can think of something a little more interesting. How do you feel about a list of quotations?


47 comments:

  1. It's always great to read your blog -- not matter what the subject -- and another perfect antidote for the weather is a good pampering!! Love the picture...

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  2. You look very fetching - completely unrecognisable, of course - but relaxed with a smile playing about your lips.

    I have no suggestions to make about blogging topics - bone dry here, apart from underfoot.

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  3. Mmm, a facial is SO soothing! Love the photo. You should look at it every time you feel tense or bothered, and it will soothe you.
    Yes, the trouble with snow melting quickly is floodwater, unless your nights are as cold as ours, in which case the water freezes on the road overnight. If there is wind and traffic along with the cold, it freezes in lumps and bumps, like small ocean waves.
    Snow flurries predicted for tonight. So glad we went outside on the weekend to clean up Lindy's yard.
    I'm glad you got out to see people and laugh a little. A great cure for the wintertime blues.
    K

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  4. Having an hour of pampering is certainly as good as going to a dinner party when it comes to bad-weather-antidotes!
    I hardly dare telling you that I was out for a walk in the sun today for my lunch break... In the front gardens I walked past, I saw four cats basking in the sun.

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  5. I just did a weather post. We're all turning English.

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  6. Thank you, Friko. Having no inspiration whatever and feeling surrounded by Dementors, I was about to resort to a weather post. Instead I've decided to do my readers a favor and say nothing at all.

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  7. When the weather is too cold or too hot it becomes an important matter. Here it has been very mild, so not much to talk about.
    I have a document where I write ideas for posts – a post subject on every other line. It is four pages long now – I could give you some titles but I doubt it would help you, since these are recollections of trips, such as – Malta, shopping in Venice, visiting a rum factory in Martinique, a sunny day at the North Cape in Norway, taking the bus to the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, my father’s childhood in Istanbul, a visit to Louisbourg in Cape Breton, Canada, a sunny day at Jimmy Carter’s home in Plains, and so forth, and like this for 4 pages. We went on a trip last week and I did not add this to the list yet. How about giving us some of your thoughts on the books you have read?

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  8. smiles....had snow on friday and ice today...but it will be 68 tomorrow....crazy weather...that facial looks nice...dont know that i would go there (or that it would help me, ha) but i do love a facial massage...

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  9. Quotations? When I would then miss your wonderful curmudgeon rants? I smiled and commiserated when I read this, Friko. Yes, we ARE all subjected to the late January blahs. :-)

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  10. What , as in "Show me your quotations and I'll show you mine " ?
    You first .

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  11. Nothing like a good old moan about the weather, I think. I'm a bit of a quotes person myself - I love them. Glad the dinner was turned out well in spite of the ice and the puddles.

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  12. I could happily go and lie there and be pampered, never had that experience but I sure would like to try :-) Diane

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  13. Hi Friko .. now I want to know if the 250 metres includes the 200 metres of your driveway ... but the weather has been pretty extraordinary ... it's now blowing a gale - thankfully we don't get flooded here - but Eastbourne can be cut off - I tried to leave one year ... and couldn't - just went home and phone Newport Pagnell and my godaughter and said - I've had it .. I think I left the next morning!!

    Delighted you had a fun evening though, Jay looks fun and that trip over the border looks relaxing ... wonderful - cheers Hilary

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  14. "When it rains, it pours."
    OK, scratch that.


    “Everyone talks about the weather, but no one does anything about it.” ― Mark Twain
    No, not that one either.

    “Tut, Tut, looks like rain” ― A.A. Milne
    Damn!

    “A lot of people like snow. I find it to be an unnecessary freezing of water.”
    ― Carl Reiner
    I have to have a good quote within me...

    The sun did not shine. It was too wet to play. So we sat in the house. All that cold, cold, wet day.” ― Dr. Seuss
    That's it. Sorry, Friko. The weather is all I have right now.

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  15. YOu cannot get a spa treatment and attend a dinner with friends and complain about the weather. Just too much fipping and flopping there. Weather here has melted all the lovely snow into mud and by the end of the week warm enough to be out in the garden.

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  16. Never had a facial myself and I think it's high time to change that. Otherwise, it's the weather. At least it's not the usual stuff for me. I thought spring in January was a good enough reason.

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  17. I think when the weather is always grey and depressing, there is nothing else to do but complain. Good for you for going out, although driving on dangerous roads can cause quite a bit of anxiety. I hope that getting your facial and being pampered dashed away all your blues.

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  18. My goodness - I am almost 69 and have never had a facial - you look positively blissful - so may have to think about an appointment. Hmmmm - would my husband agree to my going to Wales for one??? Sounds perfect to me.

    Cannot believe the amount of rain and snow you have received. No wonder our northwoods is without - all has skipped across the pond to England.

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  19. You have the right idea. Complain and write about the weather all you want, but just make sure you take some time for pampering. I need to do the same! I really think a facial and massage are in my future. You have convinced me. You look very happy and quite relaxed with those cucumbers on your eyes.

    I too am wondering if my husband will let me go to Wales for a facial.

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  20. You do have your priorities right. It's great to see you pampering yourself!
    Di
    X

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  21. You have such a blissful smile, Friko - your skin looks absolutely dewy! Soon enough winter will be gone. It's finally snowing a bit here, too - but not much.

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  22. Pampering is especially lovely when it's cold outside. I've only had this done once, but when I told my sons I'd had a facial they howled and told me not to call it that. That's when I learned there is a newer obscene meaning for the word, and now I don't know what to call it.

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  23. You do whatever you want to with your blog, Friko as I will with mine, it is always such a pleasure coming here and, as of today, lying flat on your back, getting pampered.

    yeah I can relate to the whiny bits. And I'm always WRONG.

    XO
    WWW

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  24. Pampering looks like just the "thing" - and don't you look relaxed under all that goo? Gosh, you folks have had your weather woes, haven't you? We've had record "no snow" - a bit the other day, some cold, today it was unseasonably warm at 50 + degrees. Not at all typical for the Chicago area.

    I may need a spa treatment!

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  25. I do add a paragraph about the weather in my posts also. It seems a very natural thing to do since it is such an important part of my life having to go out in it with the dog so much and on my bike. I do have to say that I don't get pampered enough and am totally in the mood for it. You are brave to post your photo while undergoing it. xox

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  26. I'll be that felt good!
    No weather blogs here - but then, we don't have much weather to notice.

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  27. Yes, the snow has smelted, you're smiling (the first photo), your mood is great and it's time to pampering yourself!

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  28. Hello:
    Far braver, in our view, than travelling the short distance in uncertain weather for dinner with your friends, is to be on that bed with eye patches. Wh knows what could happen??

    Yes, the subject of the weather is becoming a little tedious. There are only so many ways of saying "lovely pics".

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  29. I do believe you're smiling, Friko. Lovely to see.

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  30. o wat een mooie foto op de bank ,geweldig.

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  31. I'm on and on about the weather, I'm boring myself. I'm staying with youngest daughter for the moment, and she is a beauty therapist with her own home salon business. Why oh why on earth aren't I up there on her table with patches on and looking as serene and pleased as you??! Things are about to change around here, oh yes.
    (I still like your weather photos you know) ;)

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  32. I love that last photo, Friko! I'm glad you had a lovely evening with friends.

    Rain or sun, one needs to vent now and then. I for one, whine even when the sun shines and the skies are blue. I guess that makes the us likes more human! ;-)

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  33. Yep....I checked...we have weather here too!! Ha!\
    Glad you had a good time when you went to the party...me? I missed our party...sick in bed! Argh!
    Be well and looks like you might need an ark...get to building
    Hugs
    SUeAnn

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  34. I would have enjoyed the evening with friends...but travelling miles to have someone dollop stuff on my face is out.

    I would sign this as myself....but the system doesn't let me...

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  35. our activities move around the seasons we have, and so is our blog. but cheer up, it won't be long and we will be talking about our garden and summer activities.

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  36. Oh my
    the pampering I have thoughts of
    but hate to go out in the cold or rain.
    You have the right idea :)

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  37. Alle und alles hier warten auf den Frühling. Würde gerne einmal über´s Wetter bloggen. Danke für die Inspiration.

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  38. Will they be quotations about the weather? Or pampering? Love the photo of you under cucumber!

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  39. The weather is of consuming interest to us all. Perhaps this it is why it can get tedious. How we get through the day, what we wear and indeed whether we go out to dinner in the al fresco cafes that line our streets in the summer evening or stay home in case of an inclement afternoon snow storm matters much. How easy it is for you to pop over to Wales for a facial. Me? I just go to Moonee Ponds. Christine

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  40. Hallo Friko,
    interessant zu sehen, wie schnell Euch das Hochwasser erreicht. So etwas geschieht bei uns am Rhein mit einer größeren Zeitverzögerung – mindestens 2-3 Tage. Ich hoffe, Ihr wohnt nicht so, dass die Überschwemmung Euch erreicht. Hochwasser bei uns am Rhein sieht durchaus idyllisch aus, wie die Natur unter Wasser gesetzt wird.

    Gruß Dieter

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  41. Considering you have a drought, you are faring well. Now I am inspired to do a bit of self-pampering too. Dianne

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  42. Funnily enough I have been fancying a facial recently, but haven't found where to go yet. Looks lovely and I bet it smells good too! Every Blessing Freda at Dalamory (www.freda.org.uk)

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  43. I'm with you when you say enough is enough with the weather. We've gone from flood to snow to floods again and it's getting tedious. I do hope spring hurries up. I too have never had a facial, but you make the experience look temptingly relaxing. What we need now is the 'after' photo. ;-)

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  44. :-)

    I love the slight smile on your face in that picture. You look like a cat who's just had a saucer of cream!

    Pearl

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  45. It seems weather is consuming all our thoughts lately. I'm guilty as well! :)

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  46. Oh, I am all for the pampering. And Jay's name should be Joy. ~Mary

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  47. Yikes! You ARE getting extreme weather! No wonder that January's Lady Gardener has some color. Happy pampering! You deserve it!

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