Hello Dear Hanna,

I am sorry you feel that you need to go off the forums due to some concerns you have...You are a huge inspiration to a lot of people here...

Would you be able to contact BB by email and voice your concerns their or give them a ring and have a talk about to them about it all....You are very valued here..and it’s sad that you’re feeling this way.....Im sure BB will be only too willing to help you...

It’s going to be another hot day today...I’m waiting until 8am so I can finish ofI my lawn...I got only not quite half way and the heaven opened up and gave me a well needed shower 🚿....The raindrops feel like ice drops on a hot day....

I hope you and everyone listening here has a good day today...and manages to keep themselves and their fur babies as cool as possible..

Love, care and hugs everyone...💜🌹🕊🤗.

Grandy..

Hi Grandy

Thank you for coming by, that's nice of you. I have been talking to a lady I meet up with here when we walk the dogs about my concerns, she is a counsellor for another organisation but is taking a look here.

Grandy you're in a small town so hopefully safer, but this virus is looking nasty. I don't know what face mask you use but it's good to get something better than a surgical face mask. A P2/N95 mask that loops over your ears is better, the chemist's here have them or I'm sure Ebay does.

Also you can wear one surgical mask over another if you're in a crowded place.

Cloth masks aren't so effective.

It's best to have a few and rotate them every couple of times. Keep them in a clean place where the air can get to them.

Some people here are wearing face shields in the supermarket but the P2 are pretty good, just not pretty!

How did you go at the shop?

Take care of yourself, hot days ahead I think too!

😊🐶👍🐕😷😷😷

Hi Hanna, Grandy and all,

Just dropping by to say hello. It has been a while since I have been connected here.

I hope you all manage to keep well and stay safe.

It is interesting to see the variety of different masks, shields and eye protection people are using. Some of the clothe masks are very pretty and creative.

My sister wears a mask sometimes when we go walking as she says it helps immensely with her hay fever. They are great also when I am using the ride on mower in our back yard, creating a dust storm!

Hanna, hope you are able to find some answers to your concerns.

Kind regards from Dools

Hi all,

Well I've just had my first ping! Apparently I checked into the service station where I got petrol a couple of days ago the same time as someone with covid. I guess this is going to keep happening from now on. I have to monitor for symptoms.

I've been tired out all day! Anyway, whatever, but keep wearing your masks people! Glad I just paid and went out again! 😯👍

Hello Hanna,

Oh that's not good to hear... though at least you know you have taken all the precautions to protect yourself & thankfully with such a short exposure time it is very unlikely you will need to worry... are you able to get the RAT tests in your town or would you have to go to a testing station...

I hope future pings are as rare as hens teeth for you lass...

Hugs

Paws

Hi Paws

I'm late posting as I took Sam out. I thought of asking the library to order that van Gogh book but I know they have limited funds. What did the book decide was wrong with him? Was it some firm of epilepsy? Did they conclude he shot himself?

I've probably been close to people with covid in the supermarkets, there's no escaping it these days..

It would be great if we both read the same book and discussed it like we did with that Abc show where the family lived through different times in the past! We had some fun chats!

I'm hot and need a cool drink.. Hugs! 💕🐶😷👍💝

Hello Hanna,

Yes covid is everywhere... we even have it in the nearby little village where I get my milk... the general store is having to run reduced hours as staff are off...

The authors didn't offer a diagnosis... they wrote about the various diagnosis he was given in his lifetime... what people who knew him thought & they detailed what was known of his behaviour throughout his life... they also wrote about the various opinions that have been given over the years.

They made a very good argument that he was actually shot by accident by a youth... the authors devoted a chapter to it... too much to write all the reasons here... but some points were... apparently the youth being from a well off family was staying in the same village on his holiday & like other boys he tormented & played pranks on Vincent... the youth got about in a buffalo bill wild west outfit which included a real handgun... the only one known in the village... doctors confirmed Vincent's wound was from a handgun... the youth & his father left the village later on the day Vincent was shot... despite searches no one found any of Vincent's things he had with him when he went out to paint... nor was the gun located..

I agree it would be nice if there were some good shows on that were worth watching & talking about... about the only show I'm watching with any regularity is The Curse of Oak Island on SBS... it's what I call a fairy floss show... nice but no real substance... I only started watching it last year which I think was season 5... a pair of brothers lead a team that are trying to find a rumoured buried treasure on an island off Canada & to find out what really happened on the island in past times... it's full of people coming up with often wild & wacky theories as to what the treasure is & who buried it... but it does include some interesting archaeology of what appears to be an early European presence there.

Thankfully a cool change came through here late today... I hope it makes it up your way & breaks your hot spell.

Hugs

Paws

Hi Hanna

We’re in for a warm week this week, and mask mandates have just been introduced here. We still have very low case numbers but plenty of exposure sites, so I’d say true numbers aren’t being captured yet and an explosion is imminent. In big city someone was working in a “massage” parlour for a week infected! I’d call that very close contact!

You mentioned Monkey Grip on Paws’ thread. I haven’t read it but it looks good, so I’ve popped it on my list. It will be hard to get books while isolating, but I know there’s a street library somewhere around, so I’m going to ride my bike and find it :)

Best wishes to you and Sam there. It’s lovely that you have a river and a dog park to enjoy ♥️

Hi Katy,

I hope you stay cooler than the main city in your state is forecast to be this week!

This Omicron thing is looking nasty here, the hospital system is clearly not coping. Double vaxxed isn't doing it for anyone vulnerable. You're fortunate being younger, but this virus seems random. It's not a good time to get sick and need hospital care.

Days here are all the same as in this state there is so much virus you have assume people have it! Today is rainy and it's not possible to spend much time outdoors so it becomes challenging to find things to keep occupied.

I don't know how you'll find Monkey Grip if you get to read it. I was young and in Melbourne close to the time she writes about so I can relate to much of it, but the drugs I can't and I don't think that open free love kind of lifestyle seemed to work. She's an interesting writer and I enjoy her books, I guess she is one of our most famous Australian writers. Monkey Grip was incredibly unconventional when it came out and is still talked about a lot. She's a friend of Tim Winton in your state. She's had an unusual life. I hope you try the book!

I'm trying to decide whether to go back to music with the virus situation, I don't know what the Con here will decide to do now. I was hoping to do some classes through U3a here but I think they're going to be cancelled because nobody is going to want to sit inside in a group!

I'm hesitant about even going to the library now 😯

So it's rather ground hog day again here after 2 years of the same... We were just enjoying being able to go out a bit more and now this!

My friends on the coast are the same and trying to avoid indoor places as much as possible.

I'd love to be able to relax indoors again and go to a restaurant indoors!!!

I remember I liked Deborah Levy's book Hot Milk and Kazio Ishiguro's Never Let me Go.

I think you like books about relationships?

I hope you find something good to read. Keep us posted on how things are over there! What a time to be opening up, but I don't think there's any way to keep this out. I wish they hadn't just let it rip here though in NSW.

Sam's wet dog food has been unavailable for months due to covid, I had 1.5 cans left and amazingly Petbarn had two trays in stocks here, I don't know how they managed to and paid $100 for them, Sam's overjoyed at having tasty dinners again and I'm living on 2 minute noodles for the rest of the week!

Stay well over there

👍🤗🐶🐕💖😷😃

Hello

38 here today, so all the animals have lazed about, and so have I! Spent most of the day with a book and now the power has gone out while I was trying to watch the tennis. Bummer! Are you watching? Millman v Zverev …

I’ve just had a nice Greek salad for dinner, and will go for a walk once it’s settled. Not sure about taking Storm as she’s puffing already from the warmth of the day. How does Sam manage in the heat? I think some dogs tolerate it better than others. Storm isnt very good for going out anywhere above low 20’s really.

Guess I should find candles before it gets dark too!

Hope you’re well. Hope our friend Paws is going ok too.

Hugs, Katy

Hi Paws, I thought I had replied to you I am sorry, or maybe I did on your other thread... how are you and how is Woofa? Your van Gogh book sounds good, nice that you enjoyed it after ordering it! I haven't heard of that SBS show, what's it about? I watch SBS World Movies quite often as they often show something good that otherwise I wouldn't have seen.

Nice and cool here before a hot week coming up, oh yuk! I'm not doing much, Sam has great plays at the dog park. Don't know what is happening with music, one of the women in the office has come down with covid I heard today, she has been off work two weeks and apparently very sick and unable to get out of bed for 3 days, she's about 40 and caught it from her kids, she's double vaxxed. Still not at work, but anwering the phone from her home. There is a meeting tomorrow of the music teachers to try to work out how they will manage music teaching with Omicron but probably Zoom so I can't do it.

I duck into the supermarket and briefly into the library, but otherwise avoid any crowded places. 

Sam played with a couple of kelpies and assorted other dogs today, they all had a wonderful time and he comes home and crashes. I haven't seen Rosemary for weeks, the house is all shut up and the front gates locked, I see her car go out sometimes and that's the only way I know she's alive basically. I don't know how her husband is. It's a shame and I might put a card in her letterbox and ask how things are, I havent been able to speak to her since well before Christmas.

I hope you have picked up from how you were feeling recently, not being able to sleep or bad dreams is unpleasant!

Big hugs from us here! oxoxoxox

Hi Katy and everyone

How are the pets going in the heat now? It's going to be hot again here this week, I wish it wasn't, it's been so lovely and fresh and cool here the past few days.

I have been watching some of the tennis it's great to watch! I watched the Kyrigos/Dembedev and last night Barty etc. Great games.

I have a sore arm as I got my Pfizer booster moved forward, since they let this thing rip here almost everyone has someone close to them with it. One of the women where I do music has been off for 2 weeks with it she must be about 40, caught it from her kids and apparently couldn't get out of bed except to get to the toilet for 3 days, I spoke to her on the phone and she still sounds dreadful. I was hoping to wait for 5 months but decided it was too risky so moved it forward as the chemist had a cancellation and otherwise was fully booked for weeks. He said he's doing about 80 a day.

I have an OT finally coming to check the house on Friday. She sounds nice over the phone.

I hope you and everyone are staying OK.

I'll be glad when the heat is over, pleasantly warm is nice but summers are becoming scary.

💕🐕🐶😷🏖️⛲⛵🍉🐳🐟

Hello Hanna, wave to everyone,

That is great news that you finally have an OT coming out... did your nice doctor organise that for you?

Ahhh so that is where my lovely cool weather has gone... you pinched it 😊 the last couple of days have been about 35 & it is expected to stay in the 30s for most of next week... the aircon is such a blessing... but I wish it reached the bedroom...

I'm yet to make an appointment for my 3rd jab... though I need to get on to it as we even have covid running rampant in the little village where I get milk... it seems to be everywhere... my sister told me one of my nieces has it... thankfully she is double jabbed at least...

It sound like Sam has a wonderful time playing with the other dogs... it is such a pity Rosemary keeps everything locked up & he can't play with Molly anymore...

Stay cool

Hugs

Paws

Hello Dear Hanna, Paws, Katy and everyone...🤗..

Thats great news about the OT coming out to see you...about time!...

One of our volunteer workers got COVID, has been cleared and coming back on Monday...she says she feels so lethargic since she contacted it...but wants to try working again....

Much cooler weather here, but it’s not lasting long, the hotter weather is returning mid next week...This cooler few days have been nice..

I have my booster in April unless my Dr. moves it forward... My friend is getting hers at my Drs office in February as this is the only place where boosters are available...

I ended up packing my jig saw puzzle away...it’s been nearly 3 months, maybe more and I’ve been unable to connect more then a dozen pieces together 😂..maybe I’ll try a 250 piece puzzle first....I think I was being over ambitious trying a 1,000 piece...

I think it’s beautiful the way Sam plays with other dogs at the park...They all seem to have fun together...are the other fur parents talking to you?..while your dogs play with each other...

I do hope your niece with COVID will be alright...as well as everyone who has it...The after effects seems to last longer then virus itself....

Sending Hugs, Both human and fur hugs to everyone..🤗🧸🤗💜, As well as my love and care..

Grandy..

Hi Grandy and everyone

Very full day here and all this week... Yes got talking today in the dog park with a woman who happened to go to my old high school so that was nice. There is quite a friendly crowd there now.

Do you ever read The Conversation online? It's a current affairs/general interest website in Australia and this weekend it hS an article about why it is so difficult to make friends later in life. The comments section is interesting to read!

I've never tried a thousand piece jigsaw I'm sure that would overwhelm me and I'd never finish it! I think you were brave to try!

I do them online sometimes. You could do that using your tablet. There are lots of free sites, one is Jigsaw Planet and there are even 3D puzzles you can do! You can choose to do lots of quite short ones and compare your time to other people if you want. I like doing several different short puzzles instead of one big one! 😊🧩🧩🧩

I did all the housework this morning and shopped, did a pile of paperwork and took Sam to the dog park. He's now passed out exhausted and happy on the floor after playing with a kelpie, a German shepherd, various assorted big dogs of uncertain breed, and a small poodle cross. Gracious!

I hope you enjoy the store this week Grandy and that the other ladies behave themselves for you.

Big hug! 🤗🐶🐕🦊🦝🐱🦌🐁🐨🐥🐾🐾😃

Hi Paws and everyone

I'd appreciate any thoughts... My neighbour who hasn't spoken to me in 2 years late today cornered me over the back fence (he's cut a tree down on his side and that's removed a lot of my privacy - he's married with two boys but he's pretty bogan) -

He wants to come in and cut down a small tree on my side that I like, and he wants to cut back overhanging branches from stuff on his side that's over mine, but I like the privacy it gives and don't want it cut back.

Unfortunately I said ok but I regret it, I was flustered as I was just home and tired. I think I'll put a note in his letterbox tomorrow saying I can't give the ok to cut the tree down as he would have to apply to Housing (this is not my property) and also I don't want the shrubs cut back on my side as I like my privacy.

I don't actually want him in my yard, and certainly not when I am not home. I tend to get very anxious when a man starts invading my privacy... Any thoughts???

I like to be private in the back yard. He's never spoken except now when he wants something. His two young boys are OK kids, I just don't like to feel watched in my garden and cutting everything back will leave me no privacy and take away shade.

Thanks!

I should have told this man that his huge tree at the front has big branches overhanging my yard and roof and he should have these lopped, they are dead branches and dangerous. Housing hasn't done anything about them since I asked them to a year ago and the local mp didn't do anything.

Perhaps I should say in the note that these need lopping?

Should I give him the original note and keep a copy for myself?

I don't want to feel exposed in the back garden, I'm anxious when I feel watched due to past trauma.

Hello Hanna,

I would definitely pop a note in his letterbox saying that housing approval is needed before anyone can cut any of the trees on your property...

Yes I think saying you like & want to keep some overhanging branches... but would appreciate him removing the ones you don't want is a good idea... though if the rules are the same in NSW as here in Vic... he can cut back any branches from his trees which overhang on your side without needing your ok... as long as he does it from his side.

Definitely keep a copy.

Paws

Thanks Paws!

I don't want him coming into my yard, I'm sure people like him think they can push around a woman alone. I like the dense shrubbery and so do the birds and possums.

I can't give permission for a tree to be cut down and if I did let him and any damage was done to the fence or anything else I'd be held responsible.

I leave a note and keep a copy tomorrow!

They have a raised outdoor patio and so if he clears the trees and shrubs they'll be staring directly into my peaceful garden. No thanks, I like my privacy!

I'll photograph the area in the morning too as a record.

You're always helpful, thanks dear Paws!

😊

Hello Hanna,

I wouldn’t like a man in my yard either..and I totally agree with leaving a letter in his letterbox...I really do understand about privacy, it gives me a little sense of peace....

He cannot go into your yard without your permission nor can he cut down a tree without council and housing permission...

Good idea taking copies of your letter...just incase he tries to take advantage of you...

Hugs lovely ladies,,,🤗🤗🧸🧸🌹🌹.

Grandy

Hi Grandy

Gosh it's warm here and I'm wondering if the ladies will go to the dog park or not. Sam had a bad night last night and me too, so we're both sleep deprived today!

I wrote a note to my neighbour and copied it at the library and put it in the letterbox. I said I can't ok cutting the small tree down as he has to ask Housing, I'm just the tenant.

(I realise Housing couldn't give a hoot but I don't know this man and what if the fence got damaged, would I get the blame?)

I said I value my privacy in the yard and would get an opinion about the shrubs.. He has never bothered with the shrubs at the front of his place, they're all overgrown... And I said I would prefer a written note about anything instead of over the fence.

I'm too wary of men who intimidate a woman alone, I've had it happen many times, I could be wrong about him but I prefer to be cautious..

It all rather rattled me a bit and I think Sam picked up on that last night and couldn't sleep either!

I wish we'd get a storm to clear the air.

Thank you for your support. I'm just aware Housing would probably blame me for anything going wrong here!

😷👍🐕

Hi Paws and everyone,

Hot again today, big thunderstorms in the evenings and lots of heavy rain... strange summer. The occupational therapist from the hospital has just left. I was hoping she'd be more thorough but I guess with public health they're on a time limit and busy... anyway she will do a report for Housing, doesn't know if it will help or not, she said so often she sees people who need to be moved and all she can do is put in her report and hope for the best.

Anyone been watching the tennis? Glad I didn't stay up last night as it went for five hours apparently! It was great to see Ash Barty win the other night though.

The river here is flooded, I guess from rain upstream, so little Sam had a wonderful swim this morning and we'll try again this evening, storms permitting. He wouldn't stop barking at the OT, she wore a different kind of mask and I think it disturbed him!

Paws are you reading/watching anything good? I'm watching a series on Utube called Not Just Bikes, about how our cities (particularly America) are not friendly for people walking, he moved to Amsterdam to live and it's interesting looking at the different suburbs and all the kids in Amsterdam cycling themselves to school, even just primary school. We used to walk miles as kids, nobody thought anything of it back then.

I hope to have music lessons starting next week, still have to get the bursary application in, I forgot I have to have it witnessed by a JP and can't get one until tomorrow afternoon...

I'm glad I put the neighbour off re the yard, he has never been helpful or pleasant, mows his footpath to a careful line with mine and never does even a foot more, sprays the weeds at the front gutter for his house but never has offered to help me by giving mine a spray at the same time... he's a young fit guy, it would have been nice if he'd offered. So I'm relieved that for the time being I have put him off.

I've been reading I for Isobel by Amy Witting, it's superb, she is an old Australian writer but excellent.

I've also bought the old move The Lion in Winter from Ebay, I remember I liked it, with Katherine Hepburn. Should be fun when it arrives.

How is Woofa these days Paws? There are some good Utube videos on dogs getting dementia... more human contact and contact with dogs they reckon... Sam has been so much better since the dog park.

Hugs from us both here (furry ones from Sam) xoxoxoxo

Hello Hanna,

Hopefully your note will do the trick... asking him to put things in writing is a brilliant idea...

How did the visit from the OT go?...

Back to hot weather here... most of the storms that crossed Vic over the past couple of days just skirted where I am... so we had the thunder & lightening all about... but apart from one very brief downpour... the rain missed us... at least the humidity has gone... that really knocks me even with the cooling on.

Going back to something you said a few days ago... the abc news site often has articles from The Conversation.. everytime I read one I think I should check out their site... then by the time I've read a few more news stories I forget... I might pop there now.

Hugs & pats

Paws

Hi Hannah 🐕Pawsy🐾 Grandy👩‍❤️‍👩 and all ☺

Good on you re writing and copying the letter to the neighbour. Yes privacy is very important I think you did the right thing there.

Hope the OT visit helps get you somewhere easier to be. Sounds pretty hard where you are

Sounds lovely Sam having a swim that'd be so refreshing and just so good and liberating

Nice hearing people are being friendlier in the park too. They took a bit of work by the sounds but it paid off. Sounds like they've thawed somewhat. It'd make it nicer going there I'd think

Hope the music happens I know you enjoy that

Ok take care hun ☺ hope todays a gooden for everyone

🐕🌞👋⚘

Hi paws

Your post came just after I had posted! Very hot and humid today. How are you going? How's Woofa?

Sorry I'm preoccupied with a possible offer of a unit back where I used to live, but it's not definite yet and complicated by moving costs, my health, all sorts of things, and I still have to enquire about other housing here, so I have some huge decisions to make.

Deebi, lovely of you to come by and I'll get back when I am less preoccupied! 💝

Grandy, I am thinking of you all, big hugs 💕

Best wishes to all 🙂👍🐕💞

Hello Hanna,

I'm glad to see you have decided against going back to where you used to live... I remember all the reasons you moved from there... plus I was worried about you moving back to somewhere that doesn't have all the services you need especially with your eyesight issues...

I know you are quite capable to search for a suitable place where you are... but housing should be doing that for you or offering assistance... it's wrong that you have to do that without any help... sometimes it's helpful just to have a different set of eyes looking over a place... I wish I could help.

It's good to hear music will be starting soon for you.

I remember The Lion in Winter... but then I like all of Katherine Hepburn's movies... especially those she did with Spencer Tracey...

A cold front swept through last night so Woofa & I are enjoying the cooler weather today

Hugs

Paws

Hi Paws and everyone,

I'm not too worried about Housing helping Paws, they don't and I will take my time to look around and find out what's available, preferably with another housing provider if at all possible, there are a couple here.

I need some advice on a tricky topic. I have got chatting casually with a couple of women on different occasions, once out walking Sam by the river and once at the dog park. Unbelievably after only having a friendly casual chat, one woman asked me home saying she was Bi at once - I said no!!! - and another took my number as we thought we had musical interests in common and would maybe catch up for a cuppa sometime, and then promptly sent me text messages asking for a physical relationship etc etc...

I've never ever had this happen anywhere before. I detest it, same as I would detest a guy doing this when I just met them being friendly (asking me home, sending blue texts). So I got chatting with a new woman yesterday in the dog park with another woman, this woman asked for my number so we could meet up sometime as she knew someone I had known ages ago. Well she started texting me quite late last night, saying could we meet up and I might find her fun, I might get a laugh, etc. This afternoon she sent me pictures of flowers and saying she hoped I was happy, we should meet etc.

I got really anxious this was happening again and finally sent a careful text explaining I was friendly but nothing more if that was meant - I was happy to be friendly but was concerned if it was anything more. (I am not interested in a relationship at my age, only friendships).

Now she's sent back a huffed text saying she's offended and she's not gay and why do I stigmatise gay women? I texted back I don't stigmatise them, I just dislike them hitting on me instantly the same as I don't like a guy doing it.

Silence from her now. Apparently she is offended. I honestly didn't know what to make of the texts quite late in the evening after I had long gone to bed.

Has anyone else come across this behaviour from women who are in their 70s? Both had been married with kids. This one is single and I thought the best thing was make it clear at the start I was just friendly and no more, in case of another misunderstanding. Now apparently she's offended.

What am I supposed to do???? Anyone got any ideas? I've had terrible assaults in the past, so this behaviour in particular makes me extremely nervous.

Thanks!

Hello Hanna,

I wish I knew how to advise you... I agree it is off putting (to say the least) to be propositioned like that regardless of the gender of the person doing it...

I've never had it happen... but I don't get out to places where I will encounter strangers in a social setting...

Apart from making your position clear (as you have done) I can't think of what else you can do...

Hugs

Paws

Hi Paws

Thanks, I wish I could laugh it all off but I actually found these two (not even just one!) women behavingike this quite unpleasant.

I just didn't know what to think when this new lady texted so late etc etc, and thought I'd best make my position clear just in case!

Oh dear, life is getting complicated these days. I don't know what else I can do. Perhaps I inadvertently embarrassed her?

I spoke to a friend in coastal town about it, and she said she'd find women doing this unpleasant too.

I guess I've now somehow upset this lady who was just being friendly!!!

On top of that, bees in the neighbour's tree are attacking Sam whenever he goes outside.

What next I wonder????!!!

Hello Hanna,

I don't think I could laugh it off either... it's all a bit too creepy.

I would have reacted the same way with the 3rd lady if I had already been hit on by two other women... you could text her explaining... but that might not change anything...

If your sure they are bees & not wasps you can Google apiarists in your local area... usually they are happy to come & remove problem hives at no cost.

I hope Mr Sam isn't allergic to bites...

Hugs

Paws