@dickiebo.. thanks for that, can't believe it is Tuesday yet lol
I can't quite believe the number of adverts in the local papers (rags) with pedigree pooches... sorry designer mutts !
After all what home wouldn't be without a patterjack puppy, or perhaps a sprocker, cockerpoo, pugalier, jackapug and all at such bargain prices starting from £300 and rising upwards for such innovative breeding.
Now most puppies are little eye-catchers when tiny and helpless, but they grow up, need walks, feeding, playing and eventually mature into a healthy full grown (butt ugly) dog.. I have seen a sprocker which looks like a dwarf springer, just the legs were short and bandy.. but this was designed by their (irresponsible) breeders to appeal to the must have buyers.. do they actually care about what happens to their dogs in later life?
Years ago, we bred a jack russell bitch (before they ruined them by giving them kennel club status), good working stock to another working dog and in due course she had three boy puppies, quickly nicknamed - fish, chips and kipper. Well we originally wanted a bitch to carry on the line but were disappointed.
Still Fish was duly picked up by the sire's family as they wanted to have a dog to carry on his father's tasks and he was such a similar shape/size and markings as to be a double. Chips was purchased by a friend, as a working terrier and his life was enjoyed by him and his owner on a farm near where we lived. Kipper became mine, endearing little rough coated boy whose brains were definitely in short supply, and his breeding capacity was marred by having the kit but not the instruction set. He lived until he was 15 and died because he had prostate problems, but he had a long and happy life rabbiting and ferreting.
It was our only foray into breeding and in our concerns for getting homes for the offspring we didn't consider the profits involved in the process. I wish today's so called designer breeders would take a look at the number of dogs waiting for homes in rescue organisations and reconsider their money making scheme.
29 August 2011
Writing Lesson Plans
My bank holiday weekend has been spend writing lesson plans for the forthcoming year, perhaps I spend too much time on them but this is an evil necessity for my PGCE where I need to submit 10 hours per module with at least one observation on it.
My role is changing, from being a workplace tutor, travelling to see individual students we are modifying it to a combination, of taught sessions some 6 hours long (ie. all day sessions) and others for up to 2 hours so I will have no problem collecting the hours required.
However, I am also expected to reflect on my sessions, what worked well, what needs modifying and add some creativity to my teaching.. Hmm that last one is tricky, but I am working on it.
This morning though, a break in proceedings, the sun was shining and the Pond Boys begged me for a long walk so we trekked up Carn Marth and saw the three quarries, the original small Pond Boy quarry, the larger lake quarry and the last one was the theatre quarry... as I type the Pond Boys are sleeping off their exertions while I go back to the lesson plans..
Whatever your bank holiday brings, may you be blessed with blue skies and sunshine.
My role is changing, from being a workplace tutor, travelling to see individual students we are modifying it to a combination, of taught sessions some 6 hours long (ie. all day sessions) and others for up to 2 hours so I will have no problem collecting the hours required.
However, I am also expected to reflect on my sessions, what worked well, what needs modifying and add some creativity to my teaching.. Hmm that last one is tricky, but I am working on it.
This morning though, a break in proceedings, the sun was shining and the Pond Boys begged me for a long walk so we trekked up Carn Marth and saw the three quarries, the original small Pond Boy quarry, the larger lake quarry and the last one was the theatre quarry... as I type the Pond Boys are sleeping off their exertions while I go back to the lesson plans..
Whatever your bank holiday brings, may you be blessed with blue skies and sunshine.
27 August 2011
Saturday Satire : The Drunk
In the USA the police arrested Patrick Lawrence, a 22 year old white male, in a pumpkin patch just after midnight one Friday.
On Monday, at the Gwinnett County Courthouse (Georgia), Lawrence was charged with lewd and lascivious behaviour, gross indecency and public intoxication.
The suspect explained that he was passing a pumpkin patch on his way home from a drinking session, when he decided to stop, "You know how a pumpkin is soft and squishy inside, and there was no-one around for miles, or so I thought there was no-one around," he stated in a telephone interview.
Lawrence went on to say that he pulled over to the side of the road, picked out a pumpkin that he was appropriate to his purpose, cut a hole in it, and proceeded to satisfy his alleged need. "Guess I was really into it, you know?" he commented with obvious embarrassment.
In the process of doing the deed, Lawrence failed to notice an approaching police car and was unaware of his audience until Officer Brenda Taylor approached him.
"It was an unusual situation, that's for sure, "said Officer Taylor. "I walked up to Lawrence and he's just banging away at this pumpkin."
Officer Taylor went on to describe what happened when she approached Lawrence.
I said, "Excuse me sir, but do you realize that you are having sex with a pumpkin?"
He froze and was clearly very surprised that I was there, and then he looked me straight in the face and said..... "A pumpkin? S H I T..... Is it midnight already?"
On Monday, at the Gwinnett County Courthouse (Georgia), Lawrence was charged with lewd and lascivious behaviour, gross indecency and public intoxication.
The suspect explained that he was passing a pumpkin patch on his way home from a drinking session, when he decided to stop, "You know how a pumpkin is soft and squishy inside, and there was no-one around for miles, or so I thought there was no-one around," he stated in a telephone interview.
Lawrence went on to say that he pulled over to the side of the road, picked out a pumpkin that he was appropriate to his purpose, cut a hole in it, and proceeded to satisfy his alleged need. "Guess I was really into it, you know?" he commented with obvious embarrassment.
In the process of doing the deed, Lawrence failed to notice an approaching police car and was unaware of his audience until Officer Brenda Taylor approached him.
"It was an unusual situation, that's for sure, "said Officer Taylor. "I walked up to Lawrence and he's just banging away at this pumpkin."
Officer Taylor went on to describe what happened when she approached Lawrence.
I said, "Excuse me sir, but do you realize that you are having sex with a pumpkin?"
He froze and was clearly very surprised that I was there, and then he looked me straight in the face and said..... "A pumpkin? S H I T..... Is it midnight already?"
26 August 2011
Arghhhh
It's Friday, I have been rained on over the last three days incessantly... while walking the dogs.. needless to say they don't care but when you only have a finite amount of time available in the morning and that when two black labs get very wet they take a bit of drying and therefore some things I do in the morning, like breakfast, has to be sacrificed.
It has been not much better when I have got home, they look expectantly at me in the hope that another walk is in the offing, sometimes I take them just across the road and play ball with them until they start to puff... it is very hard to wear Jasper out he is very athletic, but poor Murphy starts to get tired quite quickly as he is more stocky - please note I don't mean fat - they are just different builds.
Still a long weekend lies ahead of me, and next week is going to be a lovely week with some much needed holiday although not as much as I would have hoped.
It has been not much better when I have got home, they look expectantly at me in the hope that another walk is in the offing, sometimes I take them just across the road and play ball with them until they start to puff... it is very hard to wear Jasper out he is very athletic, but poor Murphy starts to get tired quite quickly as he is more stocky - please note I don't mean fat - they are just different builds.
Still a long weekend lies ahead of me, and next week is going to be a lovely week with some much needed holiday although not as much as I would have hoped.
23 August 2011
Introducing you to :
Pete's Blog
A man after my own heart, living off the land, living frugally and living life kindly... all things I aspire to in my own way.
Our allotment dream is still there, it's getting hold of one without having to drive miles to get to it which in winter would be impossible to get to every day. However, we are able to enjoy the fruits of our labours in terms of runner beans, and enjoy the sweet scent of Sweet Peas.
I use freecycle locally, both to give and to receive. I hadn't heard of freeconomy before but will be sure to check it out along with the book/cd/dvd swap... after all when you have heard/seen/read it before will you really watch/listen/read it again ... please note that books once adopted by me very rarely leave the premises.. after all a book is for life, not just for that Summer read ;-).
Pop over and visit Pete sometime.
A man after my own heart, living off the land, living frugally and living life kindly... all things I aspire to in my own way.
Our allotment dream is still there, it's getting hold of one without having to drive miles to get to it which in winter would be impossible to get to every day. However, we are able to enjoy the fruits of our labours in terms of runner beans, and enjoy the sweet scent of Sweet Peas.
I use freecycle locally, both to give and to receive. I hadn't heard of freeconomy before but will be sure to check it out along with the book/cd/dvd swap... after all when you have heard/seen/read it before will you really watch/listen/read it again ... please note that books once adopted by me very rarely leave the premises.. after all a book is for life, not just for that Summer read ;-).
Pop over and visit Pete sometime.
22 August 2011
Stithians
We went to the Stithians Steam Rally yesterday, blessed with blue skies, sunshine and any amount of steam engines, lorries, cars you could think of. My personal favourites were the minatures, the love and attention these were getting from their owners had to be seen to be believed and one even had a minature organ attached to it. As soon as I download the pictures from the camera I will put them up.
We decided to leave the pond boys at home, but there were plenty of other dogs there and I think they would have enjoyed it so next year they are going to go to.
I don't think we saw half of what was actually there, and some of the displays we missed because we were watching the parade of tractors.. yep you heard correctly tractors such as john deere, massey ferguson and some much older ones than yours truly. We originally went to the ring to watch the vintage motorcycles, but they were running behind schedule.
My back was well and truly aching by the time we left to go home after 6 hours walking around the show ground and that was on top of me having taken the dogs for a run in the morning so I didn't fancy doing much last night.
Next weekend sees the start of SOH and the football refereeing season.. deep joy. Still I checked our fantasy football teams after the first week and he was 11 points ahead of me... this week tells a different story
Sage : 51 points, position 114248
SOH : 50 points, position 115480
I don't think we will be challenging for the top prize, but we have a £5 stake on which team comes top..
We decided to leave the pond boys at home, but there were plenty of other dogs there and I think they would have enjoyed it so next year they are going to go to.
I don't think we saw half of what was actually there, and some of the displays we missed because we were watching the parade of tractors.. yep you heard correctly tractors such as john deere, massey ferguson and some much older ones than yours truly. We originally went to the ring to watch the vintage motorcycles, but they were running behind schedule.
My back was well and truly aching by the time we left to go home after 6 hours walking around the show ground and that was on top of me having taken the dogs for a run in the morning so I didn't fancy doing much last night.
Next weekend sees the start of SOH and the football refereeing season.. deep joy. Still I checked our fantasy football teams after the first week and he was 11 points ahead of me... this week tells a different story
Sage : 51 points, position 114248
SOH : 50 points, position 115480
I don't think we will be challenging for the top prize, but we have a £5 stake on which team comes top..
20 August 2011
Saturday Satire : At the Races
A punter was at the horse races playing the ponies and all but losing his shirt.
He noticed a Priest step out onto the track and blessed the forehead of one of the horses lining up for the 4th race.
Lo and behold, that horse - a very long shot - won the race..
Next race, as the horses lined up, the Priest stepped onto the track. Sure enough, he blessed one of the horses.The punter made a beeline for a betting window and placed a small bet on the horse. Again, even though it was another long shot, the horse won the race. He collected his winnings, and anxiously waited to see which horse the Priest would bless next. He bet big on it, and it won. As the races continued the Priest kept blessing long shots, and each one ended up winning. The punter was elated. He made a quick dash to the ATM, withdrew all his savings, and awaited for the Priest's blessing that would tell him which horse to bet on.
True to his pattern, the Priest stepped onto the track for the last race and blessed the forehead of an old nag that was the longest shot of the day. This time the priest blessed the eyes, ears, and hooves of the old nag. The punter knew he had a winner and bet every cent he owned on the old nag.
He watched dumbfounded as the old nag come in dead last. In a state of shock, he went to the track area where the Priest was.
Confronting Him, he demanded, 'Father! What happened? All day long you blessed horses and they all won. Then in the last race, the horse you blessed lost by a mile. Now, thanks to you I've lost every cent of my savings!'.
The Priest nodded wisely and with sympathy. 'Son,' he said, 'that's the problem with you Protestants, you can't tell the difference between a simple blessing and last rites.'
He noticed a Priest step out onto the track and blessed the forehead of one of the horses lining up for the 4th race.
Lo and behold, that horse - a very long shot - won the race..
Next race, as the horses lined up, the Priest stepped onto the track. Sure enough, he blessed one of the horses.The punter made a beeline for a betting window and placed a small bet on the horse. Again, even though it was another long shot, the horse won the race. He collected his winnings, and anxiously waited to see which horse the Priest would bless next. He bet big on it, and it won. As the races continued the Priest kept blessing long shots, and each one ended up winning. The punter was elated. He made a quick dash to the ATM, withdrew all his savings, and awaited for the Priest's blessing that would tell him which horse to bet on.
True to his pattern, the Priest stepped onto the track for the last race and blessed the forehead of an old nag that was the longest shot of the day. This time the priest blessed the eyes, ears, and hooves of the old nag. The punter knew he had a winner and bet every cent he owned on the old nag.
He watched dumbfounded as the old nag come in dead last. In a state of shock, he went to the track area where the Priest was.
Confronting Him, he demanded, 'Father! What happened? All day long you blessed horses and they all won. Then in the last race, the horse you blessed lost by a mile. Now, thanks to you I've lost every cent of my savings!'.
The Priest nodded wisely and with sympathy. 'Son,' he said, 'that's the problem with you Protestants, you can't tell the difference between a simple blessing and last rites.'
19 August 2011
Quest
Where to go on holiday for a short break in November? up to 7-10 days
Important Requirements
Happy to Consider
Where would you go, any personal recommendations please let me know
Important Requirements
- Warm Sunshine
- Close to Beach
- Close to Amenities
- Good hotel/apartment
- Not too Expensive (I looked at the price of Cape Verde and winced)
Happy to Consider
- Self Catering
- Fully Inclusive
- Half-Board
Where would you go, any personal recommendations please let me know
18 August 2011
Sweet Peas
I had not long picked the flowers, pretty much a daily task, before I took this picture. I can still hear my dad telling me to pick the flowers but stupid me liked to see them on the plants in the garden - not realising at the time that if you don't pick the flowers the plant goes to seed. So now I make myself, and put them in a small vase which helped to make the smell of boy dogs in the living room much nicer ;-)
I will let them go to seed eventually, but not for a little while, I would like to enjoy my flowers for a little bit longer.
17 August 2011
Home Grown
This week we were able to pick a couple of beans, already long enough to be eaten and with some new potatoes, cabbage and lamb made for a delicious dinner.
14 August 2011
13 August 2011
Saturday Satire : A Lawyer Dies
A lawyer died. At the same moment, the Pope also died.
They arrived at the gates of heaven at the same moment.
They spend the day in orientation, and as they're getting their heavenly vestments, the Pope gets a plain white toga and wings, like everyone else, and the lawyer gets much finer apparel, made of gold thread, and Gucci shoes.
Then, they get to see where they're going to live?.
The Pope gets what everyone else gets, a replica of a Holiday Inn room, and the lawyer gets an 18 room mansion with servants and a swimming pool.
At dinnertime, the Pope receives the standard meal, a Manischewitz kosher TV dinner, and the lawyer receives a fine and tasty meal, served on silver platters.
By this time, the lawyer is beginning to suspect that an error has been made, so he asks one of the angels in charge, "Has there been some kind of mistake? This guy was the Pope, and he gets what everyone else gets, and I'm just a lawyer and I'm getting the finest of everything?"
The angel replied, "No mistake, sir. We've had lots of Popes here, but you're the first lawyer we've ever had."
They arrived at the gates of heaven at the same moment.
They spend the day in orientation, and as they're getting their heavenly vestments, the Pope gets a plain white toga and wings, like everyone else, and the lawyer gets much finer apparel, made of gold thread, and Gucci shoes.
Then, they get to see where they're going to live?.
The Pope gets what everyone else gets, a replica of a Holiday Inn room, and the lawyer gets an 18 room mansion with servants and a swimming pool.
At dinnertime, the Pope receives the standard meal, a Manischewitz kosher TV dinner, and the lawyer receives a fine and tasty meal, served on silver platters.
By this time, the lawyer is beginning to suspect that an error has been made, so he asks one of the angels in charge, "Has there been some kind of mistake? This guy was the Pope, and he gets what everyone else gets, and I'm just a lawyer and I'm getting the finest of everything?"
The angel replied, "No mistake, sir. We've had lots of Popes here, but you're the first lawyer we've ever had."
10 August 2011
Aghast
I must admit to waking up yesterday morning and hearing the news of the unrest in the UK with 'well I told you so' - it was always going to happen at some point in the near future with every well meaning do-gooder saying we have to support young disenfranchised people in attaining well-being.. never mind telling them that life will not consist of a lifetime of benefits and handouts but will require them to put in hard work and more hard work.
Now they think that the world owes them a living, they survive on benefits and handouts they don't try to get a job and many of them involved in gangs where survival means having bigger knives, more weapons etc no wonder our country is in rack and ruin.
Time to get tough, name and shame the criminal thugs that make life difficult and dangerous, who wantonly destroy other people's livelihoods and raid shops for goods which no doubt will end up being sold to provide highs to a smaller number of people.
Stop tying the hands of the people who protect us, namely the police, give them the powers they need (and the wherewithall to contain the problem) if that means water cannon and rubber bullets then so be it.. let us reclaim the peace that this country prides itself in and if they don't want to live in this society where we value hard work and community spirit then the door to elsewhere will be opened for you.
Now they think that the world owes them a living, they survive on benefits and handouts they don't try to get a job and many of them involved in gangs where survival means having bigger knives, more weapons etc no wonder our country is in rack and ruin.
Time to get tough, name and shame the criminal thugs that make life difficult and dangerous, who wantonly destroy other people's livelihoods and raid shops for goods which no doubt will end up being sold to provide highs to a smaller number of people.
Stop tying the hands of the people who protect us, namely the police, give them the powers they need (and the wherewithall to contain the problem) if that means water cannon and rubber bullets then so be it.. let us reclaim the peace that this country prides itself in and if they don't want to live in this society where we value hard work and community spirit then the door to elsewhere will be opened for you.
09 August 2011
Monday Dawns
Sigh.. another weekend done, and little to show for it..
Still I got two lots of washing dry and ironed and that has to count for something.
I have had a chance to walk the dogs without getting drizzled on and we had a walk over the fields which is a pleasure.
The new camera is working well, just need to fathom how to get the pictures onto the PC so I can load them on here.
Busy week at work for me this week, I have five full days of work - yes I might even have some money for a holiday in October this year ;-)
Still I got two lots of washing dry and ironed and that has to count for something.
I have had a chance to walk the dogs without getting drizzled on and we had a walk over the fields which is a pleasure.
The new camera is working well, just need to fathom how to get the pictures onto the PC so I can load them on here.
Busy week at work for me this week, I have five full days of work - yes I might even have some money for a holiday in October this year ;-)
06 August 2011
Saturday Satire : 10 Marriages
10 Husbands, Still a Virgin A lawyer married a woman who had previously divorced ten husbands.
On their wedding night, she told her new husband, "Please be gentle, I'm still a virgin."
"What?" said the puzzled groom.
"How can that be if you've been married ten times?"
"Well, Husband #1 was a sales representative: he kept telling me how great it was going to be.
Husband #2 was in software services: he was never really sure how it was supposed to function, but he said he'd look into it and get back to me.
Husband #3 was from field services: he said everything checked out diagnostically but he just couldn't get the system up.
Husband #4 was in telemarketing: even though he knew he had the order, he didn't know when he would be able to deliver.
Husband #5 was an engineer: he understood the basic process but wanted three years to research, implement, and design a new state-of-the-art method.
Husband #6 was from finance and administration: he thought he knew how, but he wasn't sure whether it was his job or not.
Husband #7 was in marketing: although he had a nice product, he was never sure how to position it.
Husband #8 was a psychologist: all he ever did was talk about it.
Husband #9 was a gynecologist: all he did was look at it.
Husband #10 was a stamp collector: all he ever did was... God! I miss him! But now that I've married you, I'm really excited!"
"Good," said the new husband, "but, why?"
"You're a lawyer. This time I know I'm gonna get screwed!"
On their wedding night, she told her new husband, "Please be gentle, I'm still a virgin."
"What?" said the puzzled groom.
"How can that be if you've been married ten times?"
"Well, Husband #1 was a sales representative: he kept telling me how great it was going to be.
Husband #2 was in software services: he was never really sure how it was supposed to function, but he said he'd look into it and get back to me.
Husband #3 was from field services: he said everything checked out diagnostically but he just couldn't get the system up.
Husband #4 was in telemarketing: even though he knew he had the order, he didn't know when he would be able to deliver.
Husband #5 was an engineer: he understood the basic process but wanted three years to research, implement, and design a new state-of-the-art method.
Husband #6 was from finance and administration: he thought he knew how, but he wasn't sure whether it was his job or not.
Husband #7 was in marketing: although he had a nice product, he was never sure how to position it.
Husband #8 was a psychologist: all he ever did was talk about it.
Husband #9 was a gynecologist: all he did was look at it.
Husband #10 was a stamp collector: all he ever did was... God! I miss him! But now that I've married you, I'm really excited!"
"Good," said the new husband, "but, why?"
"You're a lawyer. This time I know I'm gonna get screwed!"
05 August 2011
03 August 2011
The Good and the Bad
Today in 1990 Sam and Teg (my old Jack Russells were born) Teg was first at about 6 in the morning, while Sam lazily hung on for a few more hours until 8.30am. They were the only two in the litter and my Mum who was retiring in the Autumn of 1990 wanted to spend her time raising the pups while also looking after two 18 month old lakeland terriers (Holly and Toby). To this end she gave up smoking and to our amazement succeeded.. we were so proud of her not only because she didn't tell anyone she waited until they asked.
Any visitors to the house were only allowed to see the puppies after they had said hello to the bigger dogs and eventually they were happy to act as a pack -which is a whole other story.
So that is the good
On this day in 1992, in the early hours of the morning my Mum suffered acute heart failure due to her having suffered rheumatic heart disease as a young child in the 1930's. Apparently the heart murmur was hardly noticeable but it cause damage to one of her heart valves over the years and without much notice she complained of being breathless and within a short time collapsed and died. This was our first introduction to sudden death and as a family hit us very hard; our comfort was the knowledge that she didn't suffer and we held onto that fact as our world was shaken.
This year we would have celebrated both her and my Dad's 80th birthday but twas not to be.
Any visitors to the house were only allowed to see the puppies after they had said hello to the bigger dogs and eventually they were happy to act as a pack -which is a whole other story.
So that is the good
On this day in 1992, in the early hours of the morning my Mum suffered acute heart failure due to her having suffered rheumatic heart disease as a young child in the 1930's. Apparently the heart murmur was hardly noticeable but it cause damage to one of her heart valves over the years and without much notice she complained of being breathless and within a short time collapsed and died. This was our first introduction to sudden death and as a family hit us very hard; our comfort was the knowledge that she didn't suffer and we held onto that fact as our world was shaken.
This year we would have celebrated both her and my Dad's 80th birthday but twas not to be.
02 August 2011
01 August 2011
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