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Good afternoon, Elle!
Dull but mostly dry here.
Just home from Pine Cone.
It was as busy as I've ever seen it, which is good!
My son was here earlier.
Have the rest of the day to myself!

Good afternoon, Rusty!
I am glad you managed to fit everything in.... your son coming to do the jobs, as well as your getting out with Miss L-B to the Pine Cone!
I have just been out with the dog.....
The Sholach Christmas trees are again for sale in Crystal Palace Park.
I did not go as far as the site where they are erected......but saw a notice on the main gate of the park.
They are grand trees, but very expensive.
We have a quite realistic - looking 'Canadian Pine' artificial tree.
( It does the job nicely!)
Goodness, it is chilly.... the fog has mostly lifted, but the dankness remains.
I am indoors to stay now for the remainder of the day.

Hello, Elle!
Miss L-B and me had a fine time.
My son was just measuring up.
He has parts to buy etc.
A long journey for the Sholach trees!
I have a fine artificial tree, too.
It is a very small one, more of an ornament, really.
I think I am home for the evening, too.

Hi, Rusty!
It is good that you and Miss L- B enjoyed your time together!
What was your son measuring?
What are you planning to have done?
I spent the morning ordering this and that online...nothing 'strange or startling', but a number of fairly prosaic things that I would normally get, but that were cheaper because of the Black Friday Sales.
I think I did well!
I thought today's crossword a lot easier than yesterday's puzzle ?

Hi elle

How much are the trees at Crystal Palace? One can get potted Nordman Fir at ASDA (and will be able to at Tesco) for £20 or £25. I can't carry the £25 ones. If looked after they live to be planted out- I have them from the last 4 years, the takest is about 8' now. Its middle branches have been eaten by deer but it's still OK. If I couldn't have a real tree I wouldn't have one at all!

How are you now, pigale? It must be very sad not to have any family at all.

Hello Rosalind!

I am definitely better though, I have to admit, not 100% as yet.
I don't always complain on the PCT for fear of becoming a bore; but
it does seem to take a rather long time to heal, be it the back or
the tiredness after the stents ops - It would probably take a lot
less time if I were 20!
And to think I am back to hospital on the 5th December for yet
another stent (or two?) - I sure hope that will be it finished for
the time being anyway!

December is not a good month for me, not only because of lack
of family, but also because of sad anniversaries, but again I don't
want to spoil it all for the happy folks, so try not to mention it - except when asked.

Hang on to your family Rosalind!

PS - Forgot to say, I am very rich Ros, because I have very good
friends, even though they don"t live exactly next door!

Pigale

Should the stents not give you a bit more energy, after you've reovered? But if your back hurts.......are you down to one kind of morphine now? I've only ever had two doses and in both cases "10 mgm morphine" were among the nicest words I ever heard! Sorry about the sad anniversaries. We used to have a small ritual for getting through one of them but have stopped now.
I'd like to make things up with my sister but I doubt she'd want to.
Please call me Ros!
I seem to get away with just ticking the Captcha box so far

Hello, Ros,
According to the Sholach website, this is how they work out the prices of their trees....

Prices:
Nordmann Fir from £10 per foot up to 8ft
9ft £95.00
10ft £110.00

Norway Spruce £7 per foot

I didn't have a tape measure when I saw some on display last year........but I would never have paid the prices asked!

Yes Ros, I too get away with just ticking the Captcha box; have not
yet had to count buses, shop fronts or whatever, thank goodness!

No, I am still on two lots of morphine - one low dosage patch for
the muscle pain after my bad fall on the terrace a year or so ago
(my doctor does not want me to stop it quite yet, and neither did
they at the hospital for some reason) and one 5mgm morphine
tablet 4 times a day, spaced every 5/6hours - 6hours is better, but
it depends on what time of the day I get up - I have to have 4 tablets
a day, so its arithmetic every morning making the timetable!

It is sad when one does have family and can't be on speaking terms -
It's almost worst than having no family at all. At least, I know where
I stand. We all had great times all together when everyone was
alive, and now I am the only one left (though not the eldest) but
I do have nice memories - though they hurt at times.

My poor back is in 'a mess' I think as I have had vertebrae
'accidents' three time now, plus that nasty fall on the terrace
which upset every single muscle in and around the back. I don'(
think it could cope with yet another upset, so better be careful!
But what does one do with "automatisms'?

Anyway, are you getting organised for Christmas, or is it too early
for you? The Christmas madness seems to start earlier as the
years go by! Not so much here yet, but it is catching up!