Messymascot's faith in humanity and ginger safe haven

[jazzy]

Good evening all. I'm having some issues either with my phone or the app and I can't reply to individual posts. So hope you are all OK. I've enjoyed today's chat about ghosts and forests. I'm a definite love the light nights person. The more daylight the better. I'm also a believer in ghosts, probably because I believe there is an afterlife. Never seen one though. I've been dreaming about my Mum loads recently while my Dad hasn't been well. I am convinced she's checking up on us to make sure we are looking after him!

@jazzy I was appalled by Zouma's behaviour. I can understand why people might not want to have pets but being deliberately cruel to animals is a serious personality flaw. I know I eat meat but I try to buy as humanely as possible. Free range chickens and eggs, local farms. All of that. Your hunting and shooting fraternity make me sick. So glad we didn't sign him. Never thought I would agree with old Sourpuss Souness but he was bang on yesterday when he was talking about it. I didn't have him down as an animal lover.

Just me and Mr F in tonight so we're going to have a curry. I honestly think curry is my desert island food. I could eat it every day! I'm also going to have a go at making pilau rice thanks to The Hairy Bikers recipe I found. I'll let you know how that goes. I've also discovered something called Zanzibar curry powder. The flavour it gives to the curry is so nice.

@Armaghtoffee I read Chariot Of The Gods years ago. I feel I may have to revisit it and read it again since it has been mentioned. I've got three unread books at the moment so need to read them first before I get anymore. One girly book _ where The Crawdads Sing, one educational - a history of Trade Unions and the last one - Dave Grohl's autobiography.

Enjoy your evening folks x

Yep in complete agreement anje.

You don't need to be an animal lover to find Zouma's actions despicable and inexplicable.

Also a massive curry lover . On the boat the veggie selection was a bit limited so I asked if they could cook Mrs J a veggie curry the following evening. Most of the cooks are Indian and she had one of the best crries she's ever had. I tried some and it was sensational.

Yeah the Von Daniken book is very thought provoking. I read about 5 fiction books when I was away and time to look for another now - I love reading in bed in winter.

Hope everyone enjoys their Valentines evening.

 

[jazzy]

I had two experiences of "sommet" in the weeks after Nikki passed. Plus a few that could be filed under "Maybe". One defied the biology of a plant, and the other confounded medics, then nurses, then a doctor.

For 18 months whilst she was being cared for at home, I would do the washing up, circa 2.00 pm. She knew that, cos I would say to her to shout louder or call me if she needed anything. In the kitchen, I would look out on a non descript piece of the front meadow while doing the dishes.

Anyrate, a few days after she passed, (October), I was doing the dishes, looked up, and in full bloom was a plant I had never seen before. Anywhere else, front or back, I could have missed it. But it was directly in my eyeline. I had never seen it before, (20 years of mowing), but literally, could not miss it. It was one slender stem, topped with a load of white buds, each had a blob of blonde on them. Nik was slim, pale skinned, and blonde.

I looked it up. It is called Yarrow, and its a kind of heather. And according to English folklore, back in the day, "fair maidens would pick yarrow, and put it under their pillow to find their true sweetheart".

Its also called the "nose bleed" plant. More of that reference another day, but the plant, Nik, Sommet, saved my life a week or so later.

edit. Yarrow flowers in June. Not October and November.

I'm convinced that this was a message to you.
The same thing happened to my wife.
A week after her sister suddenly died from Pancreatic cancer her favourite Rhododendron gave just 1 flower . It had already bloomed that year and should never have been in blossom that time of year.

 

[roydo]

Definitely being sent a message from Nik, just letting you know she is always there with you.

What happened the week after Roydo?

I have long been a martyr to nosebleeds. Small ones, last a few minutes, and thats that.

It was a Saturday, and half time for the footie, so made a cuppa. Nose started bleeding, no problem, but it got worse and worse, like two taps turned full on. I was swallowing the blood, and there was blood everywhere. So called 999 as I was struggling to breath, and talk. They took my BP, and thought their machine was bust, cos it was off the scale. So tried another one, same. Then a manual check, same. I have never ever had a BP issue, and felt fine. Took me to hospital, the bleeding stopped pretty much as I got in the ambulance. At hospital, promptly pewked 2 pints of blood, onto the ward, 3 ECGs, BP taken every 20 minutes, Doctor arrived not 3 hours later to tell me there was absolutely nothing wrong with me, no underlying reason why the BP was off the scale, but if the level of blood in me had remained "normal", I would have been a goner most likely.

Nosebleed plant eh? Makes you wonder.

 

[roydo]

I'm convinced that this was a message to you.
The same thing happened to my wife.
A week after her sister suddenly died from Pancreatic cancer her favourite Rhododendron gave just 1 flower . It had already bloomed that year and should never have been in blossom that time of year.

I have said a few times, we know a lot, but we dont know everything.

There have been other things, but after a while you start sounding like a loon, or someone grasping for some closure or sommet. What I do know is Nik told me she would prove she was right about this stuff, (I was a sceptic), and, including taking her and our dog for a walk a day after I asked her if Guiness (dog) was with her, she kinda has made her point.

 

[Armaghtoffee]

I have long been a martyr to nosebleeds. Small ones, last a few minutes, and thats that.

It was a Saturday, and half time for the footie, so made a cuppa. Nose started bleeding, no problem, but it got worse and worse, like two taps turned full on. I was swallowing the blood, and there was blood everywhere. So called 999 as I was struggling to breath, and talk. They took my BP, and thought their machine was bust, cos it was off the scale. So tried another one, same. Then a manual check, same. I have never ever had a BP issue, and felt fine. Took me to hospital, the bleeding stopped pretty much as I got in the ambulance. At hospital, promptly pewked 2 pints of blood, onto the ward, 3 ECGs, BP taken every 20 minutes, Doctor arrived not 3 hours later to tell me there was absolutely nothing wrong with me, no underlying reason why the BP was off the scale, but if the level of blood in me had remained "normal", I would have been a goner most likely.

Nosebleed plant eh? Makes you wonder.

You must have been terrified!

 

[Barnfred 55]

Good evening all. I'm having some issues either with my phone or the app and I can't reply to individual posts. So hope you are all OK. I've enjoyed today's chat about ghosts and forests. I'm a definite love the light nights person. The more daylight the better. I'm also a believer in ghosts, probably because I believe there is an afterlife. Never seen one though. I've been dreaming about my Mum loads recently while my Dad hasn't been well. I am convinced she's checking up on us to make sure we are looking after him!

@jazzy I was appalled by Zouma's behaviour. I can understand why people might not want to have pets but being deliberately cruel to animals is a serious personality flaw. I know I eat meat but I try to buy as humanely as possible. Free range chickens and eggs, local farms. All of that. Your hunting and shooting fraternity make me sick. So glad we didn't sign him. Never thought I would agree with old Sourpuss Souness but he was bang on yesterday when he was talking about it. I didn't have him down as an animal lover.

Just me and Mr F in tonight so we're going to have a curry. I honestly think curry is my desert island food. I could eat it every day! I'm also going to have a go at making pilau rice thanks to The Hairy Bikers recipe I found. I'll let you know how that goes. I've also discovered something called Zanzibar curry powder. The flavour it gives to the curry is so nice.

@Armaghtoffee I read Chariot Of The Gods years ago. I feel I may have to revisit it and read it again since it has been mentioned. I've got three unread books at the moment so need to read them first before I get anymore. One girly book _ where The Crawdads Sing, one educational - a history of Trade Unions and the last one - Dave Grohl's autobiography.

Enjoy your evening folks x

Forget the Hairy Bikers Anj. Here's my real Indian family recipe.

Just for you Sass here's my Indian Pilau rice. You need to pay as much attention to the preparation as you do to the cooking.

Start with 12 oz of white Basmati rice which will be enough to serve 4 people with good portions. This needs to be thoroughly washed first to get rid of most of the starch. If you don't do this the rice won't separate properly during cooking. I find the easiest way to wash rice is in a measuring jug, fill with water, give it a good swish round with your fingers. Replace the water and repeat. Repeat about 10 times or until the fresh water stays pretty much clear. Leave the rice soaking in the water for about 30 minutes then drain ready to use. This should all be done about an hour before cooking.

For the cooking you will need the following ingredients.

1 small onion, finely chopped
1 or 2 fresh green chillies, seeds removed and finely chopped.
2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
5 whole cloves
1 stick of cinnamon broken into 3/4 pieces
1 star anise
Half a tsp of ground turmeric
Half a tsp of Garam Masala powder
12 oz chicken stock (I just use a knorr stock pot mixed with hot water)
3 tbs of vegetable oil.

Heat the oil over medium heat in a medium sized saucepan and add the onions. When soft add the chillies and a couple of minutes later add the garlic. Keep stirring for another few minutes before adding the whole and powdered spices, turning the heat down slightly so the spices don't burn. After a further couple of minutes stirring add the rice and mix thoroughly until all the rice is coated with the oil/spice mixture. Then add the stock and bring to the boil. Turn the heat down to very low, cover the pan with tinfoil under the lid to ensure the rice steams, and cook for a further 10 minutes. If you are using an electric hob, I normally have a second ring prepared already at the correct temperature, otherwise you may overcook the rice. Gas hobs are fine. The recipe calls for the same amount of water as rice which will cook the rice al dente. If you like your rice a little bit softer like me, use slightly more water, maybe 14oz for 12 oz of rice.

After 10 minutes (timing very important so make sure you remember set the timer) remove the pan from heat and carefully remove the tinfoil making sure you don't scald yourself as the steam is released. Using a fork remove the whole spices and in the process fluff up the rice. It should be soft and fluffy. It is ready to serve with a curry of your choice.

You can easily turn it into a mushroom pilau by simply frying thinly sliced white button mushrooms in a dry pan and fold into the finished rice. You could also at this stage fold in some chopped fresh coriander leaves which, IMO, further enhances the taste and adds a visual contrast to the yellow rice.

This is a genuine old Indian family recipe passed to us by an old friend of Cal who married an Indian guy. The mushroom and coriander elements are our own additions. Although this is very much an Indian dish it does go well with other foods. For instance, if we were having people around for a BBQ in the summer we would invariably make this as a side dish. My niece used to throw tomato sauce all over it. Sacrilege. lol

 

[Terrarian]

Just another part of my story I've just remembered but I'd just bought a freezer when this Uri Geller thing was done and we included it in the interactive part of the show, it was only a cheap chest freezer from Iceland this was 1998 I think and my freezer only conked out in 2020, never had electronics last so long lol

 

[roydo]

You must have been terrified!

Strangely, no. More of a case of WTF is this all about.

The whole episode did give me a clue about what to do when 999 are busy, and you cant through mind. Hang up. They call you back pronto.

 

[Barnfred 55]

Think I'm going to have to leave the light on when I go to bed tonight.

Top banter though.

 

[anjelikaferrett]

I have said a few times, we know a lot, but we dont know everything.

There have been other things, but after a while you start sounding like a loon, or someone grasping for some closure or sommet. What I do know is Nik told me she would prove she was right about this stuff, (I was a sceptic), and, including taking her and our dog for a walk a day after I asked her if Guiness (dog) was with her, she kinda has made her point.

I agree with you. There are so many things we have no knowledge of that are way beyond our understanding.

 

[anjelikaferrett]

Forget the Hairy Bikers Anj. Here's my real Indian family recipe.

That sounds good. I'll have a go next time. The Hairy Bikers version was very nice though. I'm rating my ability. Similar to your niece Mr F has just chucked barbecue sauce on his fragrant chicken curry with sweet potato and pilau rice. Heathen!

 

[Barnfred 55]

Strangely, no. More of a case of WTF is this all about.

The whole episode did give me a clue about what to do when 999 are busy, and you cant through mind. Hang up. They call you back pronto.

I'm getting little "messages" constantly Roydo. I know I'm probably just looking for them but still. Here's one example of many. Cal and I always used to joke about a missing sock when she's done the washing. Well I was doing a light wash and had a missing white sock. Looked everywhere for it, and had the laundry basket turned inside out. Anyway I did the wash with the odd sock and put it away in the drawer. A week later I'm doing a normal wash and empty the laundry basket again, and there at the bottom is the missing white sock. I swear it wasn't there the previous week. Another time I came downstairs in the morning and found the cushions on the two settees had been swapped around overnight.

 

[anjelikaferrett]

I went to a clairvoyant on Edge Lane once. An Argentinian woman who was about 4 foot tall and had hair down to her ankles It was the Thursday before Easter and I had just broken up with a guy I had been seeing. Kopite - it would never have worked. Anyway I was completely off men after that experience. He looked like Gerry Adams. anyway the first thing the clairvoyant said to me and my mate was "Oh good, I can read you both today. Some days people come and I say I can't read them. come another time. But they never come back because they are dead" Flippin' eck we thought.
Anyway when it came to my turn, she grabbed my hand an shrieked "You must say yes! YOU MUST SAY YES! he is your darling. YOU MUST SAY YES! Not this Saturday, it is Easter. But the next Saturday. YOU MUST SAY YES. He is your darling. You will be married by the end of the year."
On the day she specified I went to a joint stag and hen do in Dewsbury, met Mr F and we got married 6 months later.
How did she know? That was 30 years ago!

 

[Barnfred 55]

Yep in complete agreement anje.

You don't need to be an animal lover to find Zouma's actions despicable and inexplicable.

Also a massive curry lover . On the boat the veggie selection was a bit limited so I asked if they could cook Mrs J a veggie curry the following evening. Most of the cooks are Indian and she had one of the best crries she's ever had. I tried some and it was sensational.

Yeah the Von Daniken book is very thought provoking. I read about 5 fiction books when I was away and time to look for another now - I love reading in bed in winter.

Hope everyone enjoys their Valentines evening.

There's a programme on now about dairy farming which won't be good viewing. I'm not watching it but I saw a bit earlier on the news and it showed a farmhand belting a cow over the head with spade. It wasn't an overly violent blow, it looked like he was using the spade to control the cows movements rather than do it damage, but it still looked absolutely awful.

You like to believe that the farming standards in this country are a cut above, and I'm sure to a large degree they are. But you will always get rogue workers and sadly some rogue farmers too.

 

[Barnfred 55]

I went to a clairvoyant on Edge Lane once. An Argentinian woman who was about 4 foot tall and had hair down to her ankles It was the Thursday before Easter and I had just broken up with a guy I had been seeing. Kopite - it would never have worked. Anyway I was completely off men after that experience. He looked like Gerry Adams. anyway the first thing the clairvoyant said to me and my mate was "Oh good, I can read you both today. Some days people come and I say I can't read them. come another time. But they never come back because they are dead" Flippin' eck we thought.
Anyway when it came to my turn, she grabbed my hand an shrieked "You must say yes! YOU MUST SAY YES! he is your darling. YOU MUST SAY YES! Not this Saturday, it is Easter. But the next Saturday. YOU MUST SAY YES. He is your darling. You will be married by the end of the year."
On the day she specified I went to a joint stag and hen do in Dewsbury, met Mr F and we got married 6 months later.
How did she know? That was 30 years ago!

Was the clairvoyant Cousin It? It may explain the Gerry Addams connection.