Thursday 16 January 2014

In case you didn't notice (and why should you?)...

...I've been away. Not from home, but from the blogosphere, because my computer refused to log onto it, and I had to pay an expert to restore it. I've missed it, but saved a lot of time whch, sadly, I haven't used wisely at all. But during my enforced absence, one or two things occurred to me - as they do - as being bloggable. In no particular order:

1. The only New Year Resolution I've managed to keep: I now understand the offside rule. For years, people have been trying to explain it to me, with the help of pepper pots and cutlery strewn round the table. Now, with a jar of mango chutney as the opposition who must be in the way when the ball is passed (I know. You're already impressed, aren't you?), all is clear. Ish. If you to want to understand the offside rule, I recommend chutney.

2. There's a woman who can foretell the future by throwing asparagus in the air and seeing where it lands. I intend to try this, but using carrots. Asparagus is too expensive (and too delicious).

2. Sue Monk Kidd's new novel - The Invention of Wings - is  brilliant.

4. Taking almost new unworn clothes (which I've had too long to send back) to Oxfam isn't quite as painful as I thought it would be.

5. Taking excess books to Oxfam is.

6. The American series 24 is totally addictive. A boxed set received as a Christmas present has had us riveted for the past week.

20 comments:

  1. Thought you'd decided to stick to your New Years' resolution and blog less. Thankfully, not the case.

    1 I'll never understand the offside rule, chutney or no chutney.
    2 What a waste of vegetables.
    3 I'll look out for Sue Monk's book.
    4 Finding said clothes is even less panful.
    5 As above, but with books.
    6 Never seen 24. Am I alone?

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    1. I hadn't evenheard of 24, Maggie, but it is BRILLIANT!

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  2. Maggie, you're not alone. I have not seen 24, either, and do not have the slightest idea what it is about.

    Frances, I did notice your absence, and also noticed the "test" blog post that read simply "Hi Rob". Now of course I am intrigued by this mysterious Rob, and hope you will enlighten us to his identity.

    No New Year Resolutions for me. I love my life the way it is, and don't see the point in changing anything deliberately - there will be enough changes over time which I can not influence, so I'll look at these and see where life will take me in 2014.

    Foretelling the future with asparagus does indeed seem a bit of a waste, but depending on where they land, I guess you could still use them afterwards.

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    1. Mysterious Rob is the computer man. Indispensable!

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  3. I've never understood the 'offside' rule either. I played Rugby, where to pass the ball forwards was a hanging offence.

    I wouldn't bother trying to foretell the future; it'll come along by itself in time, and will always be 'correct'.

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  4. I know I'd save time if I stopped blogging, but like you I doubt I'd use it wisely.

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    1. You'd probably fit in an extra novel, Patsy. But I know I wouldn't. Sigh.

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  5. We recently discovered 24 too and are also addicted. I absolutely love it. Every episode brings in yet another twist.
    And I have had the same offside struggle for about forty years. Perhaps the chutney will make it all become clear.
    I really enjoyed The Secret Life of Bees, so I would love to try The Invention of Wings and hope I love it just as much.
    Welcome back to Blogland, Frances. x

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  6. I've never seen 24, but always wanted to and I too know the offside rule (my son explained it to me in his footballing days). I have put the Invention of Wings on my wishlist! x

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    1. Teresa, a fortnight on I have a horrible feeling I'm going to have to reach for the chutney again, because the OS rule is fading rapidly.

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  7. I've never been remotely interested in the offside rule (or anything else to do with football) but we loved the first series of 24 and have never managed to see another! I've read SMK's The Secret Life of Bees and The Mermaid Chair so I'd love to read Invention of Wings.

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    1. Rosemary, I have to be a bit interested in the OS rule as I'm surrounded by football fans. But I draw the line at trying to understand the rules of bridge (husband's hobby). That's going to take more than chutney...

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  8. I learned the offside rule when I was a linesman (now, I believe, called an assistant referee) many many years ago. I was going to say that, once learned never forgotten. But I was wrong.

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    1. But does it affect your life, GB? I'd stick to croquet, which (from my brief, painful acquaintance) is all offside.

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    2. Thank heaven it doesn't Frances. I don't have the slightest interest in football and haven't had since my amateur linesman days. As for croquet being offside after my performance this week I'm inclined to agree with you. Bridge, on the other hand, is a wonderful game (and the only card game I ever really loved).

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    3. I daren't try Bridge, GB. I don't think I've got the right kind of brain

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  9. Welcome back, could u please suggests a diabetic version of the off side rule!
    I love conversations like these.

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    1. Marmite? Try Marmite (it's good for most things).

      Thank you for the welcome. Appreciated.

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