WHAT ATTRACTED YOUR ATTENTION TODAY?

[Stanley]

Funny you should mention that Maz. Many years ago my grand daughter Jess gave me this Coalbrookdale cast iron doorstop but it never got used as I tended to keep the kitchen door closed to stop Jack and my other dogs roaming round the house during the day. This meant that there was no point opening the kitchen window as there was no air circulation. That's changed now, the doorstop is being used, the kitchen window is open and we have better ventilation. All change! And better for it.

[Wendyf]

My 70+ photocard driving licence has finally arrived from the DVLA! Whoopee, I now have photo id though it doesn't look a bit like me....who is that old lady?

[Big Kev]

Mine looks like the 'wanted' pictures on Crimewatch...

[Stanley]

It can be a bit of a shock can't it Wendy! And yes, mine always looked like custody photographs.
When Daniel Meadows was a hard up snapper in Nelson and Barlick he got a very good trade going in passport pics for the Asian community. After a few complaints he always printed them a shade lighter, they liked that.
My grand daughter Jess can't remember giving me the doorstop. Question is, is my memory better than hers, I am investigating!
How much better I feel today after a good dose of bed.

[Cathy]

Stanley it’s amazing what a few small changes can do.
In your bathroom , hang a trailing plant in a corner (yes it can be artificial ), and get a few new bright hand towels. Some cushion covers and tea towels in brighter colours than you are used to having. A plant or two and a small mirror or two , here and there. A colourful scarfe hanging by your entry door.
It creates ‘new energy’ and it’s all good.

[Stanley]

I'm taking notice Cathy. Not too sure about plants, but I am looking at everything with a fresh eye. One thing I have noticed is that I am paying more attention to myself...... I tell myself this is good.

[plaques]

I now have photo id though it doesn't look a bit like me....who is that old lady?

Mrs P had this cunning plan. Because we haven't been able to travel to our friends in Northumberland she suggested we send photographs every month so that when we do actually do go it won't be such a shock to them. Peter Pan here thinks its a complete waste of time. Well he would wouldn't he.

[Tizer]

Cathy, do you think Stanley's eyeing up a lady friend on the quiet?

Plaques, we never jumped on the selfie bandwagon, sending pics to friends frequently. Now, even in lockdown, I'm reluctant to start for the same reason as Mrs P!

[Cathy]

No Tizer I don’t. But thinking about it, you do have to watch the quiet ones... Oh no, that’s me.
Just offering ideas to introduce a bit of new life into Stanley’s home.

[Stanley]

This morning's change in life style is in the time line, I didn't waken up this morning until 05:30. Usually I am just coming in after my walk. Very strange, I must have needed it. So routines have been ditched for the day and shall play it by ear, I have nothing to consider only myself of course. Looking ahead it will be interesting to see what time I waken tomorrow, is my body telling me something?
Surreal conversation about gold digging, I predict that you will just go on as normal!
No I am not entertaining any thoughts about relationships, that would be a change too far!
I regularly send my friends a pic when I haven't communicated or seen them for a long while.
It's raining.
That's about the limit of what I have noticed so far. On with the day!

[Tizer]

I've often warned about the danger from giant dams around the world and especially the Three Gorges dam on the Yangste River in China. Here we see the first signs of what's coming. This time it has `only' killed hundreds of people and caused hundreds of thousands to be evacuated. With climate change melting the Himalayan glaciers we'll one day see the dam collapsing and that will result in a tsunami (and that's not too strong a word) that will race down the Yangste through cities and drowning millions of people, not to mention all those who will be displaced from their homes and those who die from the resulting famine and disease.
`China floods: World's biggest dam nears capacity' LINK

At the same time, in the USA, we have this, which is bad enough now but also will get worse as climate change progresses. We'll see wildfires like this in many other countries.
`California fires: Governor asks Australia for help' LINK
`More than 12,000 fire-fighters battle the blazes that have killed six people...Among the 560 fires are some of the largest the state has seen...More than 12,000 dry lightning strikes started the blazes during an historic heat wave..

[Stanley]

I have to agree Peter on both counts and suspect that there is a common factor in many of these dangers, exploitation of natural resources without sufficient attention paid to consequence and risk. This even applies to wildfires. There have always been natural wildfires but due to land development humans are encroaching on these natural fire risks such as the Bush in Oz and the canyons behind large cities on the West Coast of the US.
Am I on the right track?

[Tizer]

And only now has Donald Trump declared that wildfires burning through homes and devastating precious forestry in California are a major disaster and he has released federal aid. LINK He'll claim that he's saving California but the real story is that until now he has been withholding emergency funds and telling state officials: "You gotta clean your floors, you gotta clean your forests — there are many, many years of leaves and broken trees and they're like, like, so flammable, you touch them and it goes up. I've been telling them this now for three years, but they don't want to listen..."The environment, the environment", but they have massive fires again."

[PanBiker]

Under normal circumstance anyone babbling away like that would be sectioned.

[Whyperion]

Trump tends to throw words about in the hope that some are relevant, stick , and increase his popularity. Ones that dont are dropped.


Fires - too obvious - excess water from China to be used to douse dry bits of California ( are there any spare tankers about not filled with oil? )

[Stanley]

The election news from the States cheers me up. I hope the 'experts' are right and that Trump is on the slide.

[Marilyn]

Swamped with “mental health” and “domestic violence” adverts of late. Some fragile relationships must be doing it tough.

[Cathy]

Yes we are, I hope it’s doing some good by alerting those who can help.

We are also being swamped by adverts for Men’s Jocks. What’s that all about?

[Stanley]

What exactly is a 'jock' in Oz Cathy?
What attracted my attention was the arrival of Ian in the back yard with a gift of a bag of pears from their tree. I see stewed pears in the near future. I also made a small request for him to keep his eyes open for some 1/8" mild steel rod for me. I am without any stock! (He isn't as isolated as I am.)

[Cathy]

Haha. In Oz ‘Jocks’ means men’s underwear.
Lots of tv ads for jocks made from bamboo, at the moment. Even Father and Son matching ones. Is that cute or weird?

[Stanley]

Is there a difference then between 'jocks' and 'budgie-smugglers'?
Jock in the UK leads me directly to athletic supporters commonly known as 'jock straps'

[Cathy]

These Jocks come in Short Trunk, Long Boxer Brief, No Chafe Undies Long Leg, Classic Brief (Budgie Smugglers), Extra Absorbency, Relaxed Fit, and Fitted Trunk.

Take your pick Stanley

[Marilyn]

Budgie Smugglers are the bathing suits. Not much difference between Budgie Smugglers and Jocks, except the fabric...

[Stanley]

Amazing what you learn on OG.....

[plaques]

Aussie men are famous for being keen on sports especially surfing and fishing its said they are very big with their tackle down under.