I would like to be sitting out peacefully as the evening cools, but NO chance as pollen levels have been so high that I have had a streaming nose for the first time in 20 years, and despite being on heavy-duty prescription-only anti-histamines. At least my asthma is OK (touch wood) so I mustn't complain. Just another couple of weeks and I will be able to go outside properly again. June is not an enjoyable month for me, especially when the weather is good and I have to look at it through a window.
I have finished the latest Phil Rickman novel which had rather an abrupt ending. Still reading one of his older books on my Kindle though, so no withdrawal symptoms yet (have just read 3 of his in a row).
Yesterday I blew the dust off an unfinished hexagon quilt I had bought a couple of years back to finish. Unfortunately returning to hand sewing has made my both wrists hurt (damaged when I fell over L. Whale some years back) and my sewing hand is complaining too. I shall have to take regular breaks. I'll take a photo tomorrow - it's mostly navy and red prints. I did manage to wash (in the bath) a lovely but shabby old antique quilt which has had the purple fabrics shred and along one edge it has been clutched enough to fray the edges. I used a photo of part of this quilt for my business cards when I was trading regularly.
I can't do any of the jobs that NEED doing - painting windows - can't open them to prevent them sticking; wallpapering - kitchen table piled high with stuff which has been moved so the tiling can be done; starting a new quilt ditto (Heirloom one still on hold) as no-where to cut the fabrics. Gardening - totally out of the question of course. Walking - ditto.
The kitchen is nearly done - the last few tiles will go in place tomorrow and then it will all be grouted. Electrics need finishing off too. I am fed up with having to set the alarm as builder arrives 8.15 ish. This is particularly irksome on nights like last night when I only got 4 hrs sleep, then took my inhalers at 6 and was woken from a deep sleep by the alarm at 7.30. I soon tired of hearing Radio 2 all day long as well. Today and yesterday it was the scream of wheel meeting tile as they were all cut to size (lots of awkward bits in the kitchen). Despite being shattered I can't have a sofa nap in case my name gets called so I can go and answer a question. I can't do a proper meal either so it will be nice to have my kitchen back. I still have to sort rough bits of wall out where the old tiling went up a bit higher, so it will be Polyfilla and rubbing back, and then I can paint. Watch this space for the nearly finished photos (e.g. kitchen all done but not decorated).
Things I am grateful for this week:
The kitchen looks lovely and is nearly finished.
The fledgling Swallows are flying round and round outside as I write this.
The evening sun is on the woodland on the slopes across from our home, showing differing shades of green.
3 young plants to be added to my new herbaceous border.
Some very slight progress with Keith's health problems.
I thought I commented in the last post buy seems to have got lost somewhere. I suffer from Hay fever like you have done since I was a kid. It seem to go for a number of years but lately has come back though I don't really take pills unless I really need them. Bothe of us dislike the summer months when it gets stupid hot and stay out of the sun most of the time. Mind you on Tuesday when I went around the Swindon area where I visited 7 churches I was struggling at the end with the heat. I'm glad I'm not fitting a kitchen or fitting tiles, done enough of that in my time. Hope you get over the hayfeaver
ReplyDeleteI shall be SO glad when the kitchen is done. We still have 3 days before they come and grout and finally finish the electrics. Believe me, I can't wait. I don't do heat as I quickly overheat and sweat like a racehorse! My hair gets saturated which is not nice. Gosh, 7 churches in one day is going for it, and in that heat too. Ah well, the light will have been good.
DeleteI haven't had a runny nose for about 20 years now - instead my asthma was effected and I was on steroids every June. Glad to have an effective anti-histamine now.
It has been so hot today (I used to love the heat but now I am over 60 anything over 25 degrees is unbearable) and my arm is complaining from lugging the watering can back and forth. I harvested the garlic on Monday and straight away planted out more squash and sweetcorn plants and they have all needed several cans today. Then there are the two new trees, the greenhouse, the pots up by the house, my little nursery of new plants, the short rows of salads and newly transplanted kale and purple sprouting broccoli … I am praying that the thunderstorms forecast for tomorrow happen. I cannot sew when it is hot so I’ve been reading too - Cousin Phillis by Elizabeth Gaskell. We had the most delicious supper tonight - a big bowl of salad, the first picking of broad beans, fresh from the farm Cornish potatoes with chives and homemade mayo, local tomatoes with greenhouse basil and feta and mustard and honey dressing. Pudding was ice cream with raspberries watching Sewing Bee. So good to hear about Keith and I am sure the weather will revert to normal for Wales very soon. I am looking forward to seeing your new kitchen, what an upheaval but hopefully you can now say ‘never again!’. Take it easy BB and look after yourself and Keith. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, you have been busy by the sound of things. One indulgence last year was an extra-long hose - the only problem with it is it builds up pressure so when you've turned it off and then disconnect it you get a soaking!
DeleteWe avoided the thunderstorms (did you?) but got a goodly amount of rain and it's still raining a bit out there. Much needed though the farmers I saw making hay this week probably won't agree.
That sounds a lovely summer meal. I never feel very hungry when it's very hot.
I've never read Cousin Phillis - you will have to report back.
Sorry that you can't enjoy the cool evening breezes. Hopefully the pollen goes away soon.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing the pictures of the quilt you are working on.
God bless.
Photos tomorrow Jackie. No cool evening breezes tonight - just rain, which the garden needed.
DeleteHaving lived through a number of builds and remodels I am in complete sympathy with the upheaval of your kitchen. Fortunately I've not had to put up with many hired-in workmen as either J. or H. have done most everything very competently. Meals of sandwiches and tinned soup become tiresome rather quickly, and of course once the work is finished there is the sorting and placing of all that kitchen gear which I find mind-boggling. It WILL be finished--the cats can come out of hiding and domestic peace will have a chance.
ReplyDeleteWe used to do as much of the work as we could ourselves. Keith did tiling, and any wood working, and I did decorating and still do. NOT employing anyone to do paper hanging after I read of price by one company - if it's £300 a roll to buy, that's how much it is to hang each roll! Sounds crazy to me.
DeleteI've managed to scratch cook meals, but nothing taking any length of time. I want to make a pizza and will have to work out how I can get the breadmaker working - probably NOT in the kitchen - for the base. Still have under-sink stuff to put away and then there's all the counter top bits.
Hooray for the kitchen nearly finished. Hope the pollen count will be lower for you very soon.
ReplyDeleteGood news about Keith.
It's early days yet for K's medication and I worry that this is as good as it gets. That's what not sleeping well does for you. I am looking forward to some dull days to quench the pollen. If we get the Thunderstorm, then I daren't step outside at all.
DeleteMany are finding their allergy reactions worsened since the pandemic. Has our isolation contributed?
ReplyDeleteNope! It's nature - pollen is released MUCH MUCH more on hot sunny days, so all those grey days that led up to the hot spell meant more limited pollen. Then it gets to high temps and bright blue skies and all the pollen gets released very quickly and we all suffer more.
ReplyDeleteI cannot wait to see your new kitchen! I really love that despite your struggles, you still find a reason to be grateful. The world could take a lesson. I know I could.
ReplyDeleteSome days I could complain for Wales, but not much point to that! I take a leaf from Sue in Suffolks' book and try to find things to be grateful for. They are many.
DeleteI normally don't suffer with pollen allergy but I have this year. Tears streaming, I think most people think I am crying over something! Hoping that everything will come together, it will eventually of course.
ReplyDeleteWe had a cooler overcast spell and then a really hot blip and the grasses released their pollen all at once. I for one am glad it is cooler and am welcoming the rain. Something to be grateful for!!
DeleteI can't wait to see your finished kitchen :-)
ReplyDeleteHayfever has been pretty bad for all sufferers over most of the UK this year hasn't it. Even Alan is having a tough time, and his is usually pretty mild. I used to have to have a monthly steroid injection to keep mine under control, but I don't need them at all since I stopped using milk products. I do still get hayfever for a couple of months, but it's so mild that a Beconase spray is all I need to use now.
The sun came all at once - and so did the pollen. The grass doesn't release much when it's overcast but sunshine - YAY, let's get 'em! My hayfever used to be the typical nose and eyes sort, that stopped with the menopause and it began to affect my asthma/breathing instead. I have spent many Junes on steroids to keep it under control. This is the 2nd year I haven't had to after being prescribed stronger anti-histamines. Touch wood. Did get a runny nose last week when it was so hot, but had half a different pill that I used to be prescribed, and that works perfectly. Glad yours is mild again now.
DeleteYour landscape photos esp header are so beautiful. The scooter search sounds hard. Is there any kind of service w your National Health Care to help provide and pay for a usable scooter? I do think they need pavement, not going to work on a flea market field.
ReplyDeleteThe elaborate chair, whoever uses it, it looks like it is very well used, the cushions look quite aged. The ''bishop'' needs some new pillows.
The ducking stool gave me a panic attack/ anxiety attack! Like waterboarding torture. How awful that it is still existing, even as a cruel artifact.
How is kitty Genghis and his donut collar?
love
lizzy
From what we know, you have to buy your own scooter. We have been provided with a Rollator, which helps with your balance when walking, and has a seat to rest on. By the time we got that, Keith was needing a wheelchair to get about any distance outside.
DeleteI think "the Bish" needs an upgrade in the cushion department too!
The Ducking Stool is not nice, I agree. Lucy Worsley recently got to try one out for the tv programme she was making - they just put her waist deep - that would have been bad enough. I'd be a gonner within a minute as I can't hold my breath these days.
Ghengis is completely healed. He is amazing. He bounced back from having his teefs done and the big wound on his side was healed in 8 days! The donut came off permanently after 4!