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Hi, Rusty!
Yes, a lot of supermarkets have food containers in which one can place donated food for the homeless …...and there is advice about which foods are most suitable for donation.
I think these food banks are a very practical way to offer help, besides contributing money.
If every shopper just placed even one or two items in the box, it would help .
There is a food box for pet food, too, in one of our local shops....and we also put in dog and cat food to help the animal shelters.
I hope your weather holds out, so that you and Miss L-B can make it to the Pine Cone tomorrow!
But you can always go locally, if the weather worsens, can't you?
I remember you said that the Asda cafe is a good one.

Hello Elle and Rusty!

Very hard frost here this morning, somewhere in the region of minus 4 in the night, and grass still quite white with frost now at almost midday!
BUT, at long last we have sunshine and blue sky - a nice change from the dull days we had recently.

Yes, I am still taking it easy, not by choice but more so because my
back does not want to heel! It is three months to the day since
I hurt it and still I am limited in what movement I can do and how
long I can stand. Made an appointment to see a GP (new to me, as mine retired 20th December) next Wednesday and will ask for
prescription for another back Xray - I want to know precisely what
is wrong still.

My English friend is still here and that is nice - He will be leaving
end of the month and return late March, but in the meantime, I
shall miss his company. My husband and I first met him and
his mother for something like 25years plus, so we know each well and get on nicely.

Otherwise, nothing special to report except I am constantly losing weight at present and without any apparent reason. Something else
to mention to the GP.

How are you both? I tend to be rather silent at present as end December/ January is not a nice time for me anniversary wise - at least I am not alone this year during this period.

Hope you both and your families are faring well - I do keep an eye
on the PCT and do try and keep up with your news, but don't have
much to contribute - well, nothing that is bright and cheerful!

Hello Pigale

I think you have a lot to contribute and I enjoy your postings!

I am sorry about your back. I have had only minor problems in that area but it took a long time to heal.

I have started a 500 piece jigsaw - the Flying Scotsman. Not an easy one as it is mostly a green engine and blue sky.

We had the first snow of the winter on the Cheshire/North Wales border this morning - not very heavy and now it has turned to rain!

Good afternoon, Elle!
Another frosty day here, but no snow.
We have food bank trolleys at our ASDA.
They are kept well filled by the customers, which is pleasing.
La Bamba and me had a fine time at Pine Cone.
Roads were not slippy, which was good.
Another win for Sloane Stephens!

Hello, Pigale!
Nice to hear from you!
Your weather sounds a bit like mine.
Blue skies and hard frost!
Backs can take quite a while to heal.
Be careful when you venture out in case the pavements are slippy in this frosty weather!
Company is good to have, especially as we age.
It is a good idea to mention your weight loss to your doctor.
I had lost weight last year when I had my annual health check but my doctor was not concerned about it.
He says I am healthy!
So, that'll do for me!

Hello Jigjag!

Thank you for your kind words!

I have a couple of 500 pieces jigsaws, one picturing the inside of
a typical English old pub, together with black labrador laying in front
of an open fire! I am looking forward to start it, back allowing!
I am not very good at doing jigsaws sitting down, so it means leaning
over the table - not too recommended at the moment.

I am sure this back problem would have healed some time ago were
I still 20...........which is certainly not the case!

We are threatened snow sometime next week at various times, but
I don't think it will amount to much - I remember many years ago
when this region had a lot more snow than of late, sometimes
up to 50 to 70 cms! This happens no more nowadays. Global
warming? You wouldn't think so view the present negative temperatures!

Glad to see you have recovered your table for jigsaws!

Hello Rusty,

Nice to hear from you too - I have not ventured out much recently,
but will have to next Wednesday for GP appointment. Luckily my
friend will still be here and will accompany me - it is almost half a
mile away, but no hills, so that's good.

Many people tend to lose weight as they grow older, and it is
considered a good thing by GPs, but my loss has been too important and too rapid, so we'll see. I wonder if one of the new tablets I now
take for the heart could have anything to do with it? The timing would
be right. GP will know I hope.

Glad your doctor says you are healthy - try and stay that way for as
long as you can!

Good afternoon, Rusty!
I have just come in......
It is a lovely day here ...sunny and bright, but very cold early this morning.
When I went out with the dog at 8am., it was only minus1, but this afternoon has reached a high supposedly of 6C (although I have my doubts, as it doesn't feel that warm!)
I am glad that you had a good time with Miss L-B at the Pine Cone.
Sloane Stephens is doing well!
I see that Maria Sharapova has put out Caroline Wozniacki;
Angelique Kerber and Petra Kvitova are still in.
There is very limited coverage - Highlights only - all weekend and next week on BBC2.
I look forward to catching some of it!




Hello, Pigale!
I think my weather is somewhat similar to yours... bright and sunny but frosty in the early morning.
Yes, I think you are wise to have another back Xray to see what exactly is going on.
Also to check with your (new) GP about your steady weight loss.
I wonder if you have had any thyroid tests done ?
An overactive thyroid gland can accelerate your body's metabolism, which would cause unintended regular weight loss, and also give you a rapid or irregular heartbeat.
Best have a good check up., and get everything set to rights!

Hello Elle,

Nice to hear from you (says she as it is she who has been absent from this thread!)

Thank you for the advice about the Thyroid - Don't think they checked it in hospital, but they may well have done so! They
gave me so many tests etc.... Heart beat seems Okay though, but I'll mention it to GP -

I am somewhat anxious about seeing someone who does not know me from Adam! I was so used to my previous one whom I knew both medically and personally - gave English lessons to both his sons as well as to his wife who wanted a refresher course.

Hope both you and your husband (and family) are all Okay?

Hello, Elle!
Been a fine day here, too!
Sloane is going well!
I watched her match highlights on YouTube.
And her interview!
No messing with Sloane!
She told one reporter who asked an inappropriate question, "Mind your own business, girl!"
She also thinks the world of Judy and Andy Murray.
I found this illusionist on "Asia's Got Talent".
She's called "The Sacred Riana", and she's a bit scary!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhSFwEFXZ2Q