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Hello, Elle!
Well now, in 1a, I was not keen on "chow" for "said goodbye".
But it does resemble "ciao", I suppose.
But I have not explored the word.
Chambers knows that "sp" is an abb for "sine prole", but it is new to me.
I sort of reverse engineered it.
I had "s?p", and looked up Chambers and there it was, and then assumed that "one" was "i".
Other than that one, it was fairly straightforward for me.
But, on another day, I may well have to work hard on a puzzle that others find easy.
Sally could probably borrow a bullock's hide.
Once she meets the choir I am sure they will have a spare one somewhere!

Hi, Rusty!
Goodness, I am having trouble staying awake......I do not know why I am feeling so tired?
I haven't particularly exerted myself today.......?
I battled on for little while with that puzzle, but I did not make a lot of headway.
Just one query though....
12a: Article is worked on (9)
I have "realistic" as an anagram of "article is"?
but what is the definition here?
Does realistic mean "on"?
I do not get this?
I checked with Anne B......but she was no help!
Perhaps I am missing something?
Beef in Black Bean Sauce for dinner...courtesy of Sainsburys!
Easy ...just microwaved!
Nice for a change!

Hello, Elle!
Yes, if something is "realistic" it is "on".
It is that simple.
Don't over complicate things.
It is a neat simple clue.
Have you given up on the puzzle?
I had Tayto crisps for my tea!
Very nice and no cooking involved!
It is meant to be colder tomorrow.
A slight chance of snow for us, too!

Hi, Rusty!
No, I have not totally given up on the crossword - I do so hate to be beaten!
I have had it sitting next to me on the sofa, whilst I have been reading.
Every so often I will take a look and ponder a clue!
I rather like "aggregation".......and "bad egg"!
But I think I am now flogging a dead horse....
Time to put it to bed, so to speak, and admit it has me beat......
No shame in that....after all, I have done my best?
I am just nearing the end of my book...
It will have to be another re-read for me, as I still haven't chosen any "new" books from Amazon.
What are you reading at the moment ?

Hello, Elle!
No, today the setter beat you, but tomorrow is another day!
It is a tussle after all, and you can't always win!
I am not reading anything, but I have three books ordered.
One on Ireland, one about Soviet war heroines, and one on horse racing.
I will order several more for my Christmas present to me.
I see Laura Trott has started training again after having a baby.
Good news!
I like Trotty!

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, indeed it is .....as Scarlet O'Hara said in "Gone with the Wind".
You have quite a diversity of interests there, in your choices of books!
I shall try to make some decisions tomorrow...I have quite a bit of money in my Amazon account so can afford to splash out.
I need to stock up for reading over the festive season!
( Although quite when I shall have the spare time for that, I am unsure!
Grandchildren will be abounding!)
Our next job is getting the tree and decorations down from the loft.......
We really must try to find alternative storage., but we just don't have enough cupboard space!
I have a lot of cards to write, too!
But before we get to Christmas, we have our son's fortieth birthday on Saturday - and also our 45th Wedding Anniversary to celebrate!

Hello, Elle!
Yes, I read books on many topics.
I get a bit of an education that way, I suppose.
45 years is a long time wed, Elle!
Well done to your husband and you!
Is it this Saturday, the celebration?
I managed 17 years.
I am divorced many years, and my ex-wife died during the summer this year.
I just have a wee Christmas tree, Elle, and I keep it in a drawer!
I still have Christmas cards up from last year.
I like to see them, but the young ones think I am mad!
I wouldn't say they were terribly wrong, either!
Have you read all Miss Peckwitt's books now?

Hi, Rusty!
Our Anniversary is this Saturday, yes.
And our original plan was to go out for a romantic meal to celebrate.......but now our (elder) daughter is coming for the weekend, so I think that plan might have to go on hold!
We are looking forward to her coming, of course, and shall love to see her.......but I am not sure that going out for a candlelit dinner for two, plus one's 37 year old daughter, is all that romantic?!
We shall postpone, I think!
Yes, I do remember your (ex)wife's dying this Summer - it was a hard time for you then, constantly waiting on news from the hospital and always needing to be in touch.
And it is a good few years now since Babs died, too, isn't it?
Time seems to move so much faster as we grow older!
Obviously an illusion, but a somewhat worrying one, I think.
Mrs Peckwitt.......now there's an idea!
I have read all the short stories about her personally, but she wrote several novels, too, didn't she?
I remember reading a very moving story about a young boy who was adopted.
I shall investigate and see what else she wrote!
Thank you - a good idea!
Goodness, look at the time.......I am away to my bed!

Good morning, Elle!
Still dark here but it is cold!
You can have your meal at any time, but your daughter's visit is special.
I think your family are much more important than a date on a calendar?
That's my tuppenceworth!
A good idea to investigate Miss Peckwitt's novels.
They were very popular!
I encountered problems on the Golf Channel website earlier.
Just could not connect with it, only an on screen message.

"Error", "Too many redirects", it stated, "try clearing your cookies".
So I did, from "the beginning of time" and all is well now!
Right, off for my paper, now!

elle
I loved "The Kashmir Shawl" by Rosie Thomas, "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" by Lisa See and "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet" by Jamie Ford. Just ideas.

I'm currently investigating the lives of people in 18th and 19th century Banffshire (and Aberdeenshire). 1695-1700 was one long famine. Imagine having the choice of eating your seed oats or starving. No potatoes or turnips then.

Well done for 45 years