h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Rick, I've taken a lemsip max as I have a few left over from the last cold I had! After they have finished I have got a box of Boots' own lemsip. There is no nearby shop here.

I'm off to the settee now and to the comfort of a woollen rug.

I've been listening to CFM all evening. And for the last few weeks. There are carols throughout the day.

Hi team,I trust you all had a merry Christmas,I pulles the last of my parsnips out of our small raised bed after seeing a chef on TV a few weeks ago claiming that parsnips are better after good frosting,although many of the top foliage leaves had withered the parsnips were fine and roasted with the Christmas dinner were wonderfully sweet,even though I still have over a dozen left over,parsnip soup/stew anyone

My younger brothers cancer treatment is really knocking him about at the moment and he is still having weight loss,after the chemo and radio therapy his throat has become all ulcerated and really sore so he cant seem to eat and keep anything down at the moment and he is finding it almost impossible to swallow even liquids,is this normal for this type of treatment?? I have know idea.

Polly I do hope your back is improving whilst you are away.

Come on Folderol I think we all could do with a little of your bubbly enthusiasm at the moment

Hi you two - I am now a bit frustrated, having already replied to you with a somewhat lengthy load of chat and, going back to check I had covered a few things, clicked ona wrong key and lost my reply. So here goes again!!

Trust you both had a good Christmas. Ours was super - all the brood and partners, good walk around the local area, down by the river, along the railway walk and through the village that was so quiet we walked inthe middle of the road. Trad dinner that got a bit raucous - too much cava and rioja - and playe4d games - 'Articulate' - till about 1.30.

They all left yesterday so we watyshed 'South Pacific' which neither of us, surprisingly had seen.

Today off to a fabric warehouse - that 'll be fun!! Then off to the RSPB reserve at Sandy for a long walk. It's their HQ and has lovely woodland and hethland walks. Don't see much birdlife, ironically, esp at this time as there are too many people.

Sorry to hear of your brother, Rikki, but he and you and yours are in our prayers. Let's hope that things will improve in the new year, for him and for your job situation.

And, Polly, sort out that cold hot lemon and whisky and honey - more w than the other things - is what I reconmmend. I also hope your back hets better quickly. Reminds me of a chap who worked with me in thebank. I was his line manager, and he was a lovely, chatty Welshman with lots of stories of life in the pithead pay office and as a lad int he valleys. He had a bad back and one morning came in late. As I was his line manager, he came up to me and said,

'Sorry I'm late, Graham, but I had a bit of trouble with my back...I couldn't get it off my bed!'

How could I reprimand him?

Have a good new year both of you and don't get too drunk

Hello dear Rick and dear Folly.

I pray that you have had two happy days with your loved ones.

Rick, it is heartbreaking news about your brother. He is struggling with illness and is in very obvious discomfort. My heart-felt compassion and well-wishes go out to him. I have a close friend in Somerset who is battling with bone-marrow cancer. He was diagnosed a year ago with it. He has been through similar discomforts as your brother. He has been off his food for various reasons throughout the year.

As Folly said-we both shall mention your brother in prayer.
The Lord knows who your brother is and what he is going through. Many ask why God 'allows' such sadness and pain. God does not want us to suffer at all but it is mankind's 'lot'. Since the 'Fall' in the garden of Eden man has been subject to pain and sadness and fears etc. And so has all of nature. When man' fell' so did nature 'fall'.

God does work in some very strange ways. But His ways are not our ways-- most thankfully! We will never have all the answers to God's ways until Eternity. Out of suffering can come glory. Suffering is an awful things to either feel or witness. Yet God is forever with us during that suffering. His own Son suffered too. His ONLY beloved Son suffered horribly for each of us that we might have Eternal life. God never promised us an easy life here on earth. But He has given us an ability to use our love and compassion towards those who need our love and help in times of deep distress. My Christmas day was absolutely lovely this year~~~yet I had to have a long quiet cry on my own. I was remembering my parents and brother. Each suffered in tragic ways. Each loved their Saviour yet they died so very sadly, particularly my brother John. Their deaths, and more importanly their lives, have taught me many lessons. I have many weaknesses and faults but through my loved ones sufferings I have been given a gift from God. That gift is compassion, and I have been given the chance to use it within my church~~~and outside in the most peculiar places. I have masses of love to give away. So I give it away to outsiders. It gives me the greatest joy to see others benefit~~but I have the Lord to thank for such a gift to such a wreck as I!! Now, I am not trying to show-off at all, Rick. All I'm saying is that the Lord so very often uses infirmities (be it ours or someone elses) to give Him glory.

Rick, maybe all that I have written either doesn't make much sense or seems cold and uncaring at this moment in time. But I do fimly believe that God doesn't want anyone to suffer. It is NOT His will that we should suffer. But sadly it IS our inheritance.

May I, if it is permissible, send my warm wishes to your brother and his family. I shall mention him in prayer here at home quietly, and within my home-group.



I had a truly lovely Christmas day. I was at church in the morning even though I was feeling quite unwell. Then my daughter and son-in-law picked me up at 11.30am. We spent the day in their gorgeous little cottage (that my son-in-law has been working on for weeks [sometimes until 4-5am] in order to get it all decorated, new beds, fireplaces etc etc etc). We went for a lovely walk at mid-day which made us very hungry! We ate dinner at 4pm with some lovely wine. And drank Bucks Fizzes all day!! I totally relaxed in front of the fire and loved every moment.

Yesterday I spent the day with 3 church friends (plus dog and cats) 40 minutes away from here. It was another lovely relaxing day. Today I feel very ill again. It's a bit like a cold with lots of aches and a constant headache. I must take another horrid lemsip!

I pray that you are both well. And relaxing fully.

Rick, I would love some of your parsnips please! I haven't bought any this year. I don't bother for myself yet I love them.

I must check to see when these boards close again. Probably on new year's eve.

Many warm and kind wishes to both of you. And to your families.

Christmas love, hugs, and kisses,

Polly and Pixie (who still isn't eating properly).

XXXX

Please forgive my 'preaching'. I do it 'cos I care.

Thanks for that message to Rikki, Poll. I join in with oyur sentiments entirely.

Re your parsnips, Rikki, aren't they the best vegetable ever? I love 'em.

I have a wonderful recipe for Butternut squash 'bisque' (soup to you and me) which includes potato, but when I do it I put in parsnip instead and it is ab-so-lute-ly brilliant. So sweet and scrummy. yum yum). Trouble s the squash season is about over now - although they do keep a hell of a long time. So you'll have to grow some more, Rik, and try it next year. If you want I'll send the recipe - it's in the 'Soup Bible'.

Just booked a day inLondon for our wedding anniversary (38, if you must know!) on Friday. Going to the Wildlife photographer exhib at the Nat Hist Mus. We go most years and it is superb. Then to the Geffrye Museum in Shoreditch - actual living rooms through the ages from 1600 up to date. A friend recommended it and it sounds interesting. A packed lunch in between - we're tight fisted, you see!

All followed by a Pizza Express or something similar to celebrate

But before then, on Tuesday I have an endoscopy to look forward, re my proatate problem. Looking into my bladder, so you can imagine the route the camera goes in .

Happy New Year to my two virtual best friends

Hi Folly.

I hope that you both have a wonderful day next Friday in London. The exhibition will be lovely .How long is it on for? Take care when travelling to and fro. And 'Well done' for 38 years. Congratulations.

I would like the recipe please.

I will pray about the endoscopy. I've had 2~~one down my throat and one up my bottom. But maybe yours is elsewhere?? Oh golly. Will you be mildly sedated? I would have thought so although I wasn't for the one in my rear end. And I wasn't given enough when I had the other one done! Look here~~~~just lie back and think of England or something.

Seriously though, Folly, I shall pray about it. And you can think of us two (Rick and me) making soup with parsnips. It's an interesting thought.

Thanks Poll. If you can get up to London, the exhibition is on till the end of April and it's well worth the effort.

I'll scan the recipe and then post it on here in the next few days.

Yes, I'm afraid the endoscopy is 'somewhere else' and he says it won't hurt but I can imagine it just be a tad uncomfortable and the anticipation makes me squirm.
Did I say that, on 6 January, I have a root canal on a bad tooth to look forward to? The dentist says it shouldn't hurt but be prepared to sit in the chair for up to an hour and a half with my mouth open. Now I don't knwo about you, but those sucker things don't cope with my saliva so I think I'll be gagging a lot along the way.

All in all, a good way to start the new year. The trip to London had better be good!

Thanks for the offer of prayers. As you know, it is always a help just to know people care and are thinking about you. Your brother will know about that, I'm sure, Rik.

Love to you both

Night night

Good afternoon to both of you.

Folly, maybe you had better not think of me and Rick making parsnip soup whilst you are holding your mouth open for 90 minutes! You might end up with saliva everywhere!

As for the 'other place', well it does sound horrid I must admit. But I'm sure it will not take too long. After all, the periscope hasn't far to travel really. Would you like Rick and I to go along with you and hold your hand?

I've been at church this morning but came straight home (not tea or coffee) on account of yet another cold and cough. I was up at 4.30am drinking lemsip. What are the proportions in the whisky and sugar drink?

You may be right about the soup, so best I lay back and think of England

Re the other thing, I'm hoping the consultant's nurse will hold my hand

A measure of whisky - however you like it - a spoon of honey and 3/4 full the cup with hot water. Add either more honey or sugar to taste, or, in my case, more whisky - and a drop more, a dop of risky and hum sunny....

Very good luck for tomorrow, Folly. I shall be thinking of you and your rather delicate procedure. Do please tell Rick and I all about it afterwards. We'd love to know the details.I'm sure that the nurse will keep a close check on things.

I should have been at the hospital today but I'm not well enough. I rang the hospital first thing this morning and was told that I wasn't the first patient today to cancel an appointment due to illness and the like.

Love to you, and to Rick.

XXXX

Good morning Folly and Rick.

Folly, I do hope that yesterday went well. I did mention it in prayer.

I spent yesterday in bed because of a migraine. I was so sick with it. But I'm much better today.

I'd like to wish you both a :

HAPPY NEW YEAR~~~full of better health and lots of happiness. Thank you both for your friendship and love.

Lots of love from me.


Polly

XXXXXXX

Hi team,Folderol I too hope that drill went in painlessly.

Polly I went to tesco's yesterday and got 6 quids worth of spices to make the parsnip soup,but you will also need a blender to make it,here is a recipe from the beeb:

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/3198/spicy-roasted-parsnip-soup

This was very tasty as it almost had an Asian tang to it,NB it made about for portions and can be frozen.

four portions

Thank you, dear Rick. I will copy it out later.



XX

Best wishes for the new year duly reciprocated, Polly - and to you, Rik.

The 'inspection' went well yeasterday. All very efficient - I won't have a word said against NHS!! - and everything explained in graphic detail beforehand. I even had the opportunity to watch the movie on a screen as it happened - but I chose not to to start with .
Rather uncomfortable at first and a few painful twinges, but that settled down once the camera was in the bladder and then I dared look. A bit boring, really - but that's good as it means no problems with the bladder, or indeed the urethra, which they were suspecting.
All over in about 3 mins and then I was dying for a pee - natural, apparently, with these things as the waterworks are objecting to the intrusion - or so the doctor chappy said.
So that was it. Peeing a bit painful yesterday but ok now. Apparently as there's nothing wrong with the bladder or urethra, it must be the prostate gland and the only way to treat a benign enlargement is medication - tablets for life. No hardship, although dear Stout-Cortez has suggeste on the Seasons Greetings MC thread that I should ensure I am regular with them as he's found that forgetting the odd one makes a difference. Good to know there are others around in the same boat.

Now all I have to look forward to is my root canal treatment on 6 Jan - whoopee!!

However, when that's all over, I should be able to pass my MOT with flying colours. I wanted to get back to blood doning, so I can try to clock up 50 before I have to retire from that - in at 30 odd at present.

I'm aware that I have been going on about my health and my new year's resolutions are therefore threefold:
1 TO get healthier and stop thinking about getting old and unhealthy all the time - a positive approach from now on
2 To get fitter by getting out on my bike again - I've neglected it for about 2 or 3 years - I used to be an avid long distance cyclist.
3 Lose 2 stone in the first 6 months by cutting out nibbles, chocs etc

We shall see!!

What are http://your resolutions?

I'm so glad to read that all went well, Folly. I was given the choice to watch my rear-end endoscopy (actually it is not called that but I just cannot remember what it is called. Something like seigmoidoscopy I think). I chose not to watch! Instead I gripped the nurses hand with one hand and the bed rail with the other. And my smelling salts lay on my lap for just-in-case!

I have made one new year resolution. It is that I will try to get back into poetry recitals. I'm going to go voluntary 'freelance' and start maybe with the local hospital where I have had, and will have, treatment. And possibly the little First school nearby.

Time will tell.

I must get out for my shopping!



xx

Good luck with the poetry recitals, Poll. I think they are such gentle, warming things where everyone feels 'bonded'. Mind you, I've only been to a few, including an evening with John Hegley who comes from nearby Luton. He was so funny - on and on about spectacles and his dog. Wonderful stuff. The other I remember is a friend at church who is heavily into poetry - other peoples and her own - and does her bit at social evenings. Delightful.


I bet you don't mind a bit being disturbed by Pixie during the night as you said ont he Seasons Greetings thread. You like it really

I know you know I like it, Folly. I would miss him if he didn't snuggle up to me each night. But he will lie so close to me! Anyone would think it was my bed.

He's a rootin' tootin' puss.

Poll, I missed the deadline to reply toyour limerick about going over the road - early closing day today, 6 o'clock. So here's what I penned:

Go for it Poll; you'll feel better
Don't wait till they send you a letter
Just pluck up your courage
Get your car out the garage (pronounced garridge, like you're not supposed )
But mind that man with a red setter


(I know you don't need to drive to go over the road, and I know there prob isn't a man around with a red setter - but I had to say something

Hope you - and Rik, have a good evening

Thank you, sweet Folly. The truth is that I wouldn't dream of going over the road! I shall watch the goings-on from my window instead (but I don't think I want to!). Tonight is an emotional evening for me. I shall go to bed early. Maybe watch a dvd first ~~~~some of'A Picture of Britain' with David Dimbleby. I thought it was a most beautiful series.

Have a lovely evening. I haven't got a drop of alcohol in the home so I will just have to settle for tea! It's for the best though. I don't want another migraine.

Take care if you are out and about later. It looks like freezing fog already outside. I was in Lymington earlier and it was jolly cold and damp. I was glad to get home to Pixie and tea.

I must start supper soon. I haven't had lunch yet! Mashed pots, cabbage, carrots, and Waitrose yummy sausages! All washed down with a vintage.........redbush.

Lots of love,

Polly

xxx