One of those days.

So, today was one of those days. Bright and sunny, well the blue sky could be seen for a change. Like a mole I sniffed the air. Cor! *+= that for a lark. It's cold out there and many roofs were still frosted. So this ol' fella decided to stay indoors for the day.
So on goes the computer. Checked emails, not much doing there, no demands for money. Thankfully I don't owe a penny to anyone.
Now to order some compost. Sorry Sir. We don't deliver. This went on and on. Wicks system was playing up, chat etc finally, I was advised to check local store. In the end I ordered some from Ireland, it will be here Monday.

Now to order my roses. Computer, Internet. I lost count of the times I typed in the names & prices. Checked the basket, only odd ones were listed. In the end after tea I typed the whole lot out again and sent it as an email/contact request. Oh well, who knows what's next.

 

Well,, at least you will get it ! Wouldn`t be sure about that here in the US !

 

I love all the online possibilities we have these days, but it's extremely annoying when things don't work! I'm glad you found alternatives.

 

Oh well. Another day along with it's problems. For a long time now, I have been searching for two fonts. Copperplate and Palace script. Granddaughter Chloee found them both in version of Word. Chloee is my computer Tec. How did I wish to pay, monthly or in one go. I'll pay in full. So £59.99 went off via PayPal. I get confused now with the internet as my eyesight is playing up, glaucoma. I later took a nosey around my new purchase. Turns out it's 59.99 per year. NO WAY. All attempts at contacting microsoft drove me up the wall. Phone call... I was directed back to the web page, then onto the merry-go-round. I'm convinced all these companies make you confused so that you give up. Finally managed to send a message, now waiting for a reply.

 

Yes they do.
Sorry for your hassles Mike. I understand the frustration very well.

 

I agree it is confusing. Sometimes updates can change the user experience . I swear my brain cannot make heads or tails of some of this tech stuff . It’s chocked full of this new changes on this or that , up dates or notifications. Generally trying to figure out something on computers is a forced way to learn something new in this changing tech system we are now all subjected to on a daily basis.

Usually I go to Siri or google and ask whatever question I need answers to and specify the answer to be on you tube. At least if it’s a tech issue, gardening, plumbing, changing a tire or whatever, today most of the answers are at our finger tips. Even if the answer provided I need more explanations I am getting better at using the right wording for the answers. One day at a time.

 

So where are we? Oh yes. Friday 9th January 2026, hey! where the blazes did 2025 go to. Well not much we can do about that, except to increase our positivity to keep busy.
I attended Guy's hospital yesterday for my heart valve checkup. Satisfactory results, next appointment twelve months time, unless the old ticker starts to play up.
Wednesday. I was at another hospital. A CT scan had spotted a gallstone. Thankfully the surgeon agreed with me. If it's not broken. DON'T fixit.

Back home. An email from a doctor friend who has a great love for roses. Next the sad news that my best mate had suddenly passed away.

C'mon weather, brighten up. My roses need some TLC.

 

@MIKE ALLEN thanks for the update, some good news but unfortunately very sad news indeed. Glad for the good things, especially your friend with a love for roses. So sorry for the sad news and I hope you are OK.

 

Sorry to hear about your friend's passing. We are past the equinox so, things should be looking as far as sunshine goes.

 

Aww Mike Sorry to hear about your friend. I lost one of my best friends during covid...

Soon be Spring

 

Take care Mike. So very sorry to hear of your friend's passing. Pleased though that all your recent medical checks have gone well .
As Anniekay said, the Equinox has been and gone now so Spring is getting ever nearer and soon your beautiful Roses will be blooming away and bringing much joy to your heart. Keep strong and positive brighter days are on their way to you. xx

 

Thank you so much oreti xx

 

Actually, during Covid lockdowns, and periodically getting the news of losing people I knew - Our GardenStew over here was one of the few sane places one could mentally relax.

I'm not joking, this place has a healing affect, even if current threads aren't talking about anything uplifting. There's still an enormous treasure of past conversations and funny stuff - Which can easily keep a stressed out mind from spiraling.

You all may not have realized it, but each and everyone of you over here - I owe gratitude to on this account.

Yes @MIKE ALLEN , I know exactly how you must be feeling. We've all been there at different times. My remedy is, stay a regular in this community of ours.

 

@S-H Thank you for your input. It really is amazing. Folk who perhaps have never shewn the slightest interest in gardening, when suddenly they are confronted with such a devastating situation that, without their, changing course could find themselves in a soul destroying life style. Actually from out of the blue find an interest i gardening.

Yes. Gardening is so very therapeutic. I wonder why? Earlie in my life. I wanted to be a doctor of medicine. Having little confidence in myself, I simply studied. I read medicine for three years. I got married to the BEST girl in the world, and became a traffic cop! My love of gardening never waned.

So why the connection? To keep it simple. Plants and us, we both have such identical make ups. Check it out. Vascular system, dependency upon light and oxygen and so on. When in a tight spot. What do we turn to???

 

I love plants too Mike, but I always thought it was because I'm a Virgo