Hello Hanna, Katy. Grandy, Dools,

Dools I think that worm hole connects here... days & weeks have a habit of disappearing hereabouts too... oh you poor thing having to go into quarantine... though I love you attitude towards it... it won't be easy...

Hanna, Grandy - are either of you in the new lockdown area in NSW?... I hope not as I know how important your op shop/music lessons are to you both & your mh...

Hanna I hope the abc signal came back in time for you to watch this weeks episode of mis-represented... I found it fascinating how so many women across decades & parties all have had the same experiences... though the things they have had to deal with from the men were/are appalling...

Can I swap Woofa for Mr Sam???... cute crinkly ears from the rain sounds much more preferable to the large muddy paw prints that have been walked through my house... (he usually avoids muddy ground, not today)

Stay warm

Hugs to all

Paws

Dools - so sorry you have to isolate and 8 hours of waiting for a test with no loo sounds pretty horrendous!

I'm so.glad you at least have a garden to walk around and sit in and enjoy.

A long two weeks ahead for you!

I figure we will have a lock down here. All the surrounding towns are locked down so we're a bit of an island here at the moment!

I'm just hoping I will be able to get to my music tomorrow.... After that I don't know what will happen.

Very lonely today. Why is it so hard to make friends? The women seem to form cliques and don't welcome anyone new. I know Sam is lonely for company too.

Stay positive Mrs D! One day of quarantine down and 13 to go!

Fluffy hugs from little Sam with the crinkly ears! 🙂💟🐕🌷🍀🎶🦠💮🥀🌺🌴🌼

Hi. Paws

I wish we could put Woofa and Sam together that'd be the tall and the short of it! 🙂

The abc signal stayed off for hours and I missed that show and I so wanted to see it!!!

It was sunny here today but the wind was like ice. Down to minus 3 here tonight 😕❄️

I was soooo lonely today. Why is it so hard to break in here? I feel quite desperate sometimes...

Fluffy hugs from little Sam 🐕🐾💮🍀🏵️🥀🦠🐦🦢🌻

hi Hanna, i think u were sayng there was some ppl coming to ur area or nearby with covid scares? Is everything okay?
I can relate to feeling like it is hard to make a solid friend. Sometimes ppl have different ideas of what friendship entails, and its hard to meet someone who has the same notion of being a friend. I also like to socialise with ppl going out for coffee etc but some ppl don't like that, some ppl think of socialising like going to the gym together (?) going for a walk etc, some like to text some like to call, and all in all it can just be a clash.

-3 sounds horrific, hows ur heater going? I hope u are warm and cosy :)

Hello Everyone,

I'm loosing track of what day it is! Ha. Ha. We have to remember to be Covid tested again tomorrow. I still don't have my results from the first test. My husband is negative though so that is a huge bonus.

Dogs would be so much more entertaining than a cat! I don't know I would like dirty foot prints through the house though Paws. My sister's hair used to frizz up in humid weather, I guess Sam's ears would look a little like that, maybe more curly.

I had a walk down our back garden yesterday for a while. I am so thankful we have a large block. We are close to the highway though, I can tell you the trucks are still running non stop!

We had a black out yesterday so decided to do a jigsaw puzzle by candle light and had snacks for dinner.

I have texted a few friends and no one has phoned. Maybe I will phone them...if they answer we can chat! One of my fellow volunteers who found out we are in quarantine offered to drop off anything we might need and she lives 3/4 of an hour away! Now she is in lockdown that will not be possible, but so kind of her to offer.

I don't know why it is hard for people to reach out and accept others. For all of you who are feeling lonely my heart goes out to you. I do have a couple of friends I can phone so I am very thankful for that.

Sending yo all caring thoughts, kindest regards from Dools

Hello Hanna, Dools, Sleepy, Grandy, Katy & waves to all

Did you manage to have your music lesson today?... How was it in the new building?...

I'm sorry to hear you are struggling with loneliness... covid won't be helping as it limits the things you could join to meet people... have you given any more thought to doing the water exercises you were considering doing?... I would think you would enjoy being in a heated pool given the weather there...

Hello Sleepy... as always nice to see you here...

Hello Dools - you must have the eyes of an eagle to be able to do a jigsaw by candlelight... I've tried that once & gave up... How lovely of your co worker to offer to drop things off for you... especially from such a distance... it brightens my day hearing about people like that... I will keep my fingers & paws crossed you don't have to wait so long in the queue tomorrow.

I have Woofa sitting on my lap keeping watch out of the lounge window... a kangaroo hopped past in the paddock next to us... he bravely barked at it from inside & then retreated to my lap for safety... it has been a rare sight lately... we used to have a mob that daily moved through that paddock, from the state forest across the road down to the creek... they have been missing for the last year... it's just been the odd wallaby & smaller critters.

Stay warm all

Hugs

Paws

Hi paws and Dools, Katy Grandy sleepy

Home late and lots to think about.. Freezing here it was minus 5 this morning...

Excuse me if I talk tomorrow. Paws lovely to hear about Woofas antics! Hugs 💖🍀🥀

Hello Hanna and everyone...

Just popping in quickly to say hello to everyone...

It sure was cold this morning...we got -6..I have a large stainless steel bowl I use for my fur babies outside drinking water....It was about 1/3 full....and frozen solid..😂😂...unbelievable.....going to be wet and cold over the weekend....

Take care everyone,

Grandy..

Hi Grandy, Sleepy, Paws, Hanna and all,

We had a virtual heat wave here yesterday compared to most of you by the sounds of it, we reached 5 degrees here! I am thankful we still have wood left for maybe a week. I could have a scrounge around in the garden and see what else we could cut up and use.

We are off for another covid test today, hopefully it won't be longer than the almost 8 hours wait we had last time. The biggest hassle is needing to urinate. There is a mobile toilet at the testing station...that could be kilometres away while waiting in the queue of cars. Some people had to wait 14 hours here in S.A.

Paws, we have occasionally seen kangaroos in our yard. I came home recently and 3 were near the front door, looked like they were wanting to visit us! So cute.

I didn't go outside yesterday! Will make sure I do so tomorrow.

We have a few jigsaw puzzles here to keep us busy. It was hard to find the pieces by candle light, gave us something to do.

Cheers to you all from Dools

Hi. Paws and Grandy Dools Katy Sleepy everyone

A wet and cold day! Sam is turning into a cat dog he just wants to sleep on the bed all day in this weather! Hard lock downs in the surrounding towns so no chance of driving to the other big town next week as I was planning.

My teacher who I will call G is a very sensitive guy. Last night he had been very upset about his elderly dog who is now having trouble getting up out of bed and walking. His other dog died at home last year while he was waiting for the vet to come.

I don't think he has any support. He is a sweet kind guy but has been wounded by something and I'm not sure what yet. We've been opening up to each other bit by bit over a long time. I think like me he is very alone.

I have told him he can phone me any time if he wants someone to be with him if he is worried about his dog.

I don't think this guy is used to having anyone close to him in his life. His parents are dead and his siblings live far away. He is very shy and quiet and kind.

I don't know how to encourage him to even just meet up with me for a coffee outside of the lesson. We talk for hours. I think he is very easily scared and it's taken a long time to get him to trust me. He is a sweet man.

So here I am feeling lonely and he is lonely and I don't know what more I can do. We text a bit. Maybe that's all he can manage. I care about him very much. We have a lot of laughs together.

I guess the ball is in his court but any suggestions are welcome! He's probably the sweetest man I've ever met. Hmmm.

How do I risk suggesting we have a coffee together outdoors or do i leave things as they are?

💮🐾🐕🎶🥀

Just to add-

I'm happy if it's just a sweet friendship but I'd like to move it out of just the lesson times plus 3 hours of talking there afterwards! But this guy is anxious.

It's taken nearly a year to get us to this stage. I'm thrilled I got us this far as for a long time I wasn't sure if I could get him comfortable enough with me. So that's lovely.

To show what we're up against my music teacher friend hates him because she thinks he's rude and has not had anything to do with me since she found out we were friends.

He's introvert and shy but doesn't mean to be rude.

So I've lost a friend by being friendly with G. Go figure!

🐕🐾🎶

Hello

I have a curly cat dog too! Freezing and rainy here again…

From what you’ve described of G, but without knowing his past history or what’s going on in his head, I feel I can relate. If he is indeed anxious, then the music lesson setting is a safe and purposeful space, right? Going for coffee is a different purpose and a different space - scary! Well it would be for me. Is there an intermediary and less intimidating option? I don’t have enough details to make suggestions. If you normally chat inside, can you chat outside? Do you have a cup of tea while you chat? Could you bake cake to have with it? Do you see where I’m going? Just gently varying what’s already safe and ok. And if you do suggest meeting up elsewhere, make it such a casual suggestion that it doesn’t require a response, just in case he’s not ready.

Either way it sounds like you both enjoy the current time you spend together, and that’s something to celebrate even if it doesn’t progress beyond that.

Hugs, Katy

Hi Katy!

You and I are on a wavelength here! Yep music lesson is a safe place it's non-threatening for him.

I did say I'd bring us both a take away coffee but he texted back not to worry about him!!!! 😕 There went that idea. I might just turn up with two coffees and tell him he can just leave it if he doesn't want it.??

I've thought of outside too but we'd be where we could be seen by other staff. 😕😕

It's tricky!!!

We have a lot of fun together and a lot of common interests.

I have a friend in the city who's been giving me some advice as he thinks G and I have so much in common we could have a lovely friendship. He's emailed me today that we both would have been adjusting to the new space yesterday and to just keep going slowly and be patient... I'm getting old waiting for this guy!

What do you think of me just turning up with a couple of coffees? My idea was as you say, to ease him into being more comfortable and relaxed with me..

I understand the anxiety he suffers. It's debilitating. I'm thrilled that I got him.to trust me as much as he has. I'm very mindful of being careful not to damage the trust.

Thank you for your thoughts they're helpful and confirm your thinking is like mine.

We do swap DVDs and book suggestions. That was quite a breakthrough!

I think being an outsider myself I have really felt for this man. He's so shy and alone and misjudged. People are cruel.

His music buddy has had a couple of quiet chats to me about how kind G is. I've noticed this friend seems to be the only one who supports G.

Guess I'll just keep going slow!

Any thoughts about the coffees?

Thanks for your thoughts. 🎶🥀

And yes we chat inside the studio (privacy) and lately do mostly talking and much less music lesson! He gets worried and I tell him it's OK it's nice to talk.

He lives alone out of town. Don't yet know what happened to him to be like this. School bullying or rejection maybe...

I don't think he's used to having anyone to talk to.

Why do so many lovely people like you and others here and G get so misjudged and isolated? 💖🎶🌼🐾

I think slow is best, as your friend suggests. I wasn’t sure about sharing, but my ex and I stayed in a safe, purposeful place for a long time. I was surprised anyone would be that patient and I often wonder if anyone will again. Most people, as you say, make incorrect assumptions about shy people, and/or can’t be bothered making the effort.

Im not sold on the coffee idea if he’s said no. Hmmm it is tricky..

Thanks Katy. He might have said no to coffee because he knows I'm poor and in public housing. I might see how things are next lesson. Take it from there.

Yes when I saw how much he was suffering I wanted to be one person who didn't take any notice of it and I hoped to be one person who could help him and make him feel liked and appreciated. And I genuinely liked him and came to care about him. And he seems to find me someone worth talking to and I haven't found much of that around here.

So I hope we're helping each other.

So your ex managed to get you to feel more comfortable in a similar kind of way.

OK well I'll keep taking it slow with this guy. He's gone from being almost unable to speak to talking animatedly and laughing and telling me quite a lot about himself.

We're both listening to or reading Alain de botton School of Life talks.

Thank you so much for your help Katy it's been a real help to talk to you. 💖

I see how much loneliness is a problem here on BB. It's dreadful. At least he and I are helping each other a little bit with that.

Take care of yourself today 💟🌿🌷🐦

You sound like you're managing incredibly well Dools! Jigsaw puzzles are a great idea.

How did you go with the testing? I hope it wasn't another 8 hour wait.

Wet and cold here today. Sam is definitely a cat in dog disguise all he wants to do is curl up and sleep on the bed. I have a cat-dog! 🐺

Hugs from us here! 🤗🦘🦘🦘🦋

Hi Grandy!

Wet and cold here. A huge frost yesterday morning after a freezing night.

This house is a refrigerator... Brrr

Went to the library late this afternoon and it was almost empty and the streets very quiet. People are trying not to go out too much due to the covid. I hope we don't have a lock down.

I was going to go to twon O this week but that trip is off!!!

Hope you and the furs and feathers are keeping warm and snug!

😊🦘🐦💮☔🦢🦓🐮🦉

I love your description of brave Woofa. Paws!

I never got the hydrotherapy unfortunately. They discharged me without it we don't know why. I can't risk the aquatic centre to swim due to the covid risk.

The new studio was a pain - I couldn't get the right key to unlock it, then the blind broke when I tried to roll it up the window and then I spilt my water bottle.

I think we both felt a bit unsettled. I'm learning All you have to do is dream by the Everly Brothers. It sounds better on his guitar but his cost around $1500.00!!!!!

Plus he actually knows how to play 😕

Town is very quiet. Most people trying very hard to do the right thing.

Are the Olympics on tonight?

What's the weather like down your way?

Keep warm! 😊☔❄️🦘🌿🧚‍♂️💌🦴🐄

Hi Hanna, Dools, Katy, Paws and everyone...

You’re not wrong Hanna very cold and wet...Big town O is in lock down, best to stay away, but it all seems to be okay..fingers crossed, you don’t go in lock down.....Very easy for my village to be licked down, only 7 small streets here....

Ive been reading along and as I’m very hopeless where men are concerned I don’t know how to advise you...I think Katey has given you some good suggestions....

I wish that people would do as they are told and stay home, we have seen caravans and cars from other states driving through town W....Sometimes I think that people are just not listening or understanding properly...

Hugs beautiful ladies..

Grandy..,

Hello Hanna, Grandy, Dools, Katy, wave to everyone,

I'm with your friend & Katy in thinking to go very slow with him, especially as the new music place will be unsettling enough for now...

Grandy I'm guessing your furs didn't go outside with you when it was -6, I'm thinking they sensibly stayed snuggled up inside... Did it make it over zero as the day warmed up?

Dools I love the mental image of the kangaroos waiting to visit at your front door... that made me smile... I hope the queues were a lot shorter for you today

Stay warm

Hugs

Paws

Hi Grandy

They turned away people from the city trying to get into one of the towns near here too. These people are so selfish and Thoughtless. Our hospitals here can't cope with a lot of sick people...

I quite enjoyed the cold wet day today... I don't like the summer heat!

What's sad about my teacher friend is how nasty people are because they assume his shyness is rudeness. Poor guy.

Sam is playing his favourite game. I put a treat into a deep mug and he has to work out how to get it out. Keeps him busy for ages!

Are the Olympics on TV tonight I must look!

Keep warm dear Grandy! 🤗☔💐💌🧚‍♂️🐮🐦🦘🌿

Hello dear lovely people,

I'm looking out the window and we have some sunshine and it is about 7 degrees so I will try and encourage myself to get out in the garden for a while today or at least to start with sitting on the front porch where I will hopefully be out of the icy wind for a while.

Hanna, it can be hard to know how to progress with a friendship. I would suggest taking a thermos of coffee, having an extra cup and sugar and just make an offer. With Covid these days that might not be the right thing to do! Hopefully in time G will feel more comfortable with you.

We watched the opening ceremony of the Olympics last night, I am glad the presenters explained what was happening as I was a little confused. I like how the Japanese made mention of Covid, how it is affecting the world and they had a moment of silence for all those who have died of the virus.

The lady who lit the cauldron is the tennis player who left or was asked to leave one of the tournaments due to the impact her mental health was having on her. Sorry I don't know her name.

Thankfully yesterday we only had a 2 hour wait for our Covid test, I had packed a full days worth of food and activities! I just continued on with them when I was at home.

I was going to suggest a scenic route home but my husband just wanted to get home.

Being tucked up here at home in isolation and only going out on the highway to get to the covid testing site 20 kilometres away, I am not sure what is going on around us. Plenty of trucks still!

I'm planning a craft, jigsaw puzzle and reading kind of a day with a walk around in the garden.

Cheers to you all from Dools

Thank you Dools I just put a quick hello on your thread!

I missed the opening ceremony I couldn't find it on any channel! Sounds like I.missed something good.

G and I are pretty comfortable now but I wonder if he is anxious eating or drinking in front of someone. He is dreadfully shy and it's lovely now he's relaxed enough to laugh and chat with me. If we get a lock down here we'll be talking via zoom anyway. But yes it's tricky with anxious people like him. Must be hard for him.

We'll were home after a long walk and some grocery shopping. Can't believe it's 3pm already!

Hugs 🛒🚶💕

Hello Hanna, Katy, Dools, Grandy & everyone,

Dools 2hrs wait time is a great improvement on last time... I'm sure it's a varient of Murphy's Law... you had packed enough to wait out a day... if you hadn't it probably would have been a much longer wait... lol

Lots of rain & bursts of hail... we haven't had sunshine for days & days... however when I went to get milk from the village 10km north of me they actually had a break in the weather with some weak sunshine... drove home & it just got greyer & wetter the nearer I got... we made it to a balmy 8 deg... Woofa is holding on, but he will have to go out to puddle eventually...

I spent all of yesterday in bed... not up to facing the world... no reason..

Hanna I'm not watching the Olympics... but I've seen it is on channels 70 & sometimes 72 if that helps...

I hope you & Sam have managed a walk today... the weather looks bleak out your way on the news

Hugs to all

Paws

Hi. Paws!

You just beat me here, I was hoping to message you first!

I enjoyed today we had rain mixed with snow out walking this morning and the river is overflowing from snow in the mountains and it's more like a huge lake and everyone's dogs are loving it - it's lovely to watch them all swimming in the freezing water chasing balls or floating sticks... Sammy was like a puppy again and went in with his coat and jumper on, so I've had some laundry to do!!!

It was so nice we did another long walk this afternoon with more swims for Sam!

He's now passed out on his bed after having dinner. I have a tired dog!

I'm sorry you weren't so good yesterday I think the weather doesn't help. We are getting week after week of rain too. I enjoy it more than the heat but yes it can be a bit dreary.

Thank you for the TV channels! I watch Insiders on Abc24 on a Sunday night do you watch it at all it's rather good on current affairs.

I hope you and Woofas are keeping OK. Hugs from us both here 🌞💕🧚‍♂️🎆🍃🦘🌂

hi Hanna and everyone, sounds like u've all been busy, hope ur keeping well.

no pressure to reply but just saying hello. Have a great week.

Hello Sleepy, Paws, Hanna and All,

Hi Sleepy, how are you travelling? Are you okay? Life can be tough enough and confusing even without mental health issues and Covid chucked on top. Thinking of you.

Hanna, it does sound like the dogs were having a wonderful time. Animals can be so entertaining, great company, comforting to watch and funny as well.

Paws, hope you are doing okay. Bed is a good place to be some days!

I've no idea how to fill my day today so will see where my thoughts and desires take me!

Cheers all from Dools

Hi Dools and everyone

I'm only here for a moment I have to shop and drop off my computer for repairs and I have a letter to write to the local Mp about the cost of lawn maintenance... Dools being in quarantine must be tough and you've been doing magnificently!!!

I used to find interesting talks and videos on utube..

Will come by probably later today hugs! 😊🦘🍃🎆🧩

Hi all

Very tired tonight please excuse me and hope everyone is OK. 😷🦘🎆🧚‍♂️