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What was your fasting blood glucose? (full on chat)

geefull said:
good evening all :)

4.3 today

the promised rain has stayed away so far so we were able to cut the grass at mum's when we went to pick up her shopping list :)
We also got the green stuff we strimmed down raked up ready to be despatched so I think we've got our quota of walking done for today ;)

Hope your day is treating you well :)

@gennepher - I thought the foreground of yesterday's pastel was very effective and today's digital painting has some lovely subtle colour variations and quite an 'impasto' feel :joyful:

@Muddy Cyclist - interesting sketch no 1 and I look forward to seeing how you develop it in your painting. Number 2 is also interesting but quite sobering, regeneration can seem so fragile when it begins.

Art catch up -
inspired by Paul Steven Bailey. He has a way of handling foreground that I like.

View attachment 41963

no 2 - sunset evening, the sea was very calm and quite a muted reflective blue grey :)
View attachment 41964
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Thank you for the compliment on yesterday‘s painting @geefull
I think the bottom 2/3 of my pastel was probably more successful than the dark clouds.

I am still not entirely sure of my today’s digital painting, but I learnt a lot about the effects of the different tools.

I looked up Paul Steven Bailey you mentioned for your first painting. His foregrounds appear simple but they do look very effective. By the way what size of your paintings? I keep forgetting to post the size of my pastels, they’re mostly half an A4 sheet of paper. Your foreground gives the painting its depth.

Again with your second painting I really love the way you achieve that green patchwork effect on the fields on the hills. You’re very successful with your skies and your sea. It is a lovely painting.
 
SlimLizzy said:
Ps.. nice to see the cats back..x @jjraak i do enjoy her company, but circumstances have changed. When we moved out here we were thinking 4 years minimum, since Covid -19 its looking likely we will be back in UK for the winter...and what will she do then? She has some health issues, so if sent to a "sanctuary" they might put her to sleep. Taking her with us is simply not an option, we would probably be back in France before her quarantine (£££) had finished. and probably traumatise an exceptionally nervous animal as well. Its possible someone else is feeding her besides me, after all she has apparently been around here for some years, but I have no way of finding out without a much better command of the language, and house to house enquiries in the neighbouring villages. At least three are within easy cat travelling distance. Its begining to worry me.
Click to expand...


Ah, I hear that re the cat.

We get it Everywhere we go.
And I try to rationalise with Lauren,
That while we haven't changed the world, we have for our stay changed and improved life for one or two while we are there.

Would we be better off ignoring, and making life as hard as possible, to tougher then up.?

A decent point.

Ours is that that moment of succour, where they rest safe, be fed and without worry of harm,
Might just give them the chance to recoup, and move on
and face a tough life with renewed strength,

Until the next kind human appears, to take them to the next stage in their existence
And so it goes

And you are your cats link, so worry if you must, but be proud you cared, when others didn't, and when many expect you not to.

This is the caring side of humanity
where we Rebel, and care for those less able.
 
@gennepher wow that is impressive I can see why the hours were use during up with all that detail.

@geefull getting better all the time, like both of these especially the work and shadows in the hills, second one is amazing so many folds and colours so much depth in those distant mountains.
My hills in my daily painting suddenly look very flat.

So based on yesterday's sketch this is on the west side of Sherbrook Cannock Chase looking North towards Shugborough Hall. I may have another attempt at this view as I'm unhappy with the golds of the Valley I think I need to revisit the spot and get some photographs. The heathland is very patchy with bracken, bilberries, Heather and new grass and I have not captured it. Watercolour Canson Cold Pressed paper A4 about 2 hours.
IMG_3328.JPG
 
Went a two hour Mountain Bike Ride today, after yesterday's 4 hours it hurt and my Bottom Bracket started creaking so Bike in for repair. Interestingly the bike shop insist that bikes are left with them 5 days before the Bike Tech guy starts work on it. According to the shop owner that is how long they have been told the virus could survive on metal. So for five days I will have to ride my full suspension bike which will be fun but it's been in storage as wheel bearings need replacing, should be ok for a week though.

On the trails this morning I passed a couple with young lad of about 5 walking. Dad was on phone texting or social media, mom was on phone doing the same, both had ear plugs in. Young lad was shuffling along looking proper fed up and kicking everything in his path. As I passed I said to the lad "have you heard the Cuckoo?" "What's a Cuckoo?" He asked. I explained it was a bird and made the sound, he said he could hear it, was not really interested and his mom and dad had not even acknowledged I had spoken to him. I do wonder why are they bothering to walk on Cannock Chase and I was surprised that a child of 5 or 6 did not know what a Cuckoo sounded like, maybe I expect too much.
 
dunelm said:
For those living in London, @jjraak et al. I have just received this email. May be useful:

As the Government eases lockdown and we start to reopen London, we want to help you plan your journeys.

If you have to travel, consider including walking or cycling if you can. To help plan your walking or cycling journey, take a look at our:
• Digital cycle map
• Walking tube map journey times
• List of walking steps between stations

We're working closely with London boroughs and the City of London Corporation, changing town centres, building new cycleways and creating low traffic neighbourhoods across London. Some streets are being converted to walking and cycling only, with others restricted to all traffic apart from buses. This will also create more space for social distancing and help reduce road danger. In addition, more Santander Cycles will also be available at key areas.

In line with the Government advice, everyone who can work from home should continue to do so and we would still ask you to continue to avoid public transport, where possible.

We thank you again for all your help as we work together to keep everyone safe.

Yours sincerely,

Chris Macleod
Director of Customer and Revenue
Click to expand...

Cheers @dunelm

Wouid I presume that got sent on by another?

Seems odd the dangerous North
gets message re London, but Londoners don't,?
But that mixed up chaos is the tale of the responses so far

I use city mapper for the bikes..tells you as I imagine that one does, how many bikes left and next docks etc..very useful.
Also next bus time etc

The walking map we had. Know most areas we would go, but always handy when in Lesser known parts of town.

Appreciated the share.

For those driving into town, DO BE CAREFUL.

Plastic guards are now on many roads to delineate temp cycle lanes.

Many lanes are smaller, usually one lane for cars...been caught out with that ",local knowledge" nipping into the bus lane out of hours, haha. To find the lane is blocked off for cycling, then having to creep back into traffic

And the cycle lanes are busy, so due care when turning left, all

Not sure how this is elsewhere but here if you hit or get hit by a cyclists you are presumed at fault .
Plus your car gets a dent but cyclists may get badly hurt.

Cheers fella.
 
jjraak said:
Ah, I hear that re the cat.

We get it Everywhere we go.
And I try to rationalise with Lauren,
That while we haven't changed the world, we have for our stay changed and improved life for one or two while we are there.

Would we be better off ignoring, and making life as hard as possible, to tougher then up.?

A decent point.

Ours is that that moment of succour, where they rest safe, be fed and without worry of harm,
Might just give them the chance to recoup, and move on
and face a tough life with renewed strength,

Until the next kind human appears, to take them to the next stage in their existence
And so it goes

And you are your cats link, so worry if you must, but be proud you cared, when others didn't, and when many expect you not to.

This is the caring side of humanity
where we Rebel, and care for those less able.
Click to expand...
I know that the two other english couples who have holiday homes here put out food for the cats, but ofc they went back to UK for lockdown. It might be similar in nearby villages. Far less scrounging opportunities. and probably like that in winter too.

edited for spelling
 
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Muddy Cyclist said:
Went a two hour Mountain Bike Ride today, after yesterday's 4 hours it hurt and my Bottom Bracket started creaking so Bike in for repair. Interestingly the bike shop insist that bikes are left with them 5 days before the Bike Tech guy starts work on it. According to the shop owner that is how long they have been told the virus could survive on metal. So for five days I will have to ride my full suspension bike which will be fun but it's been in storage as wheel bearings need replacing, should be ok for a week though.

On the trails this morning I passed a couple with young lad of about 5 walking. Dad was on phone texting or social media, mom was on phone doing the same, both had ear plugs in. Young lad was shuffling along looking proper fed up and kicking everything in his path. As I passed I said to the lad "have you heard the Cuckoo?" "What's a Cuckoo?" He asked. I explained it was a bird and made the sound, he said he could hear it, was not really interested and his mom and dad had not even acknowledged I had spoken to him. I do wonder why are they bothering to walk on Cannock Chase and I was surprised that a child of 5 or 6 did not know what a Cuckoo sounded like, maybe I expect too much.
Click to expand...
Child would only know a cuckoo if it had been pointed out as worthy of notice. Blame the parents. Plus not so many cuckoos around.
my grandchildren dont seem to be interested in nature either. to my great disappointment, although they do enjoy adventuring into the woods, climbing trees etc
do like the detai lon your trees.
 
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SlimLizzy said:
Child would only know a cuckoo if it had been pointed out as worthy of notice. Blame the parents. Plus not so many cuckoos around.
my grandchildren dont seem to be interested in nature either. to my great disappointment, although they do enjoy adventuring into the woods, climbing trees etc
do like the detai lon your trees.
Click to expand...
Thank you.
I do agree regarding Parents and input into children, worrying and sad.
 
Muddy Cyclist said:
@gennepher wow that is impressive I can see why the hours were use during up with all that detail.

@geefull getting better all the time, like both of these especially the work and shadows in the hills, second one is amazing so many folds and colours so much depth in those distant mountains.
My hills in my daily painting suddenly look very flat.

So based on yesterday's sketch this is on the west side of Sherbrook Cannock Chase looking North towards Shugborough Hall. I may have another attempt at this view as I'm unhappy with the golds of the Valley I think I need to revisit the spot and get some photographs. The heathland is very patchy with bracken, bilberries, Heather and new grass and I have not captured it. Watercolour Canson Cold Pressed paper A4 about 2 hours.
View attachment 41965
Click to expand...
It can take longer doing a digital painting than a real life painting so to speak @Muddy Cyclist
But I'm still learning the tools, and what they do in that particular app. I've got quite a few different digital painting apps and consequently there's a lot of learning to do.

It is difficult to capture everything that you want to on that heathland with that variety of vegetation and plants. Like you said, some photos might help you to capture the colors and detail.

But, I think that your mind's eye is probably your best camera, because you know the feeling you want to get from the whole scene. It's not always about accuracy, although I get your point about trying to capture the essence of the variety of the vegetation that is there.

I think you're being hard on yourself with this painting. There's a lot of detail in here The framing of the trees invite you into the rest of the landscape. I like it very much.
 
Good Morning and 6.3 for me this damp morning.

Tesco Forage today, off now well before the OAP shopping hour which is to be avoided at all costs in my opinion. Meeting Daughter and Grandaughter for a walk after lunch.

Take care, stay safe embrace your day.
 
gennepher said:
I think you're being hard on yourself with this painting. There's a lot of detail in here The framing of the trees invite you into the rest of the landscape. I like it very much.
Click to expand...
Thanks for you encouraging comments regarding yesterday's painting.
 
Fbg 6.8

Temp 35.1

I was doing one of those nights where I was waking up every hour. Finally I went to sleep at 3:00 a.m. when I made a cup of tea put my aromatherapy diffuser on with rose and jasmine essential oils etc etc

So woke up at 6. I got three hours sleep so I think that will do me for now.

Cat is being pestiferous. He wants food so he's trying to grab my phone off me. So, I had about to see to his lordship now.

The sky is an even dull grey. Everywhere is eerily stil. Not a leaf is moving...

I think I had better get moving before this cat actually eats this phone...

Take care

Have a good day.
 
Muddy Cyclist said:
Good Morning and 6.3 for me this damp morning.

Tesco Forage today, off now well before the OAP shopping hour which is to be avoided at all costs in my opinion. Meeting Daughter and Grandaughter for a walk after lunch.

Take care, stay safe embrace your day.
Click to expand...
I agree, Pensioner Coronavirus Hour is to be missed at all costs. Here they stand in groups talking in the aisles, social distancing is not practiced by many of them. It is definitely an intense social meet up hour for many of them.

I hope you have a good shopping expedition.

The cat has just bitten my phone....
 
Muddy Cyclist said:
Went a two hour Mountain Bike Ride today, after yesterday's 4 hours it hurt and my Bottom Bracket started creaking so Bike in for repair. Interestingly the bike shop insist that bikes are left with them 5 days before the Bike Tech guy starts work on it. According to the shop owner that is how long they have been told the virus could survive on metal. So for five days I will have to ride my full suspension bike which will be fun but it's been in storage as wheel bearings need replacing, should be ok for a week though.

On the trails this morning I passed a couple with young lad of about 5 walking. Dad was on phone texting or social media, mom was on phone doing the same, both had ear plugs in. Young lad was shuffling along looking proper fed up and kicking everything in his path. As I passed I said to the lad "have you heard the Cuckoo?" "What's a Cuckoo?" He asked. I explained it was a bird and made the sound, he said he could hear it, was not really interested and his mom and dad had not even acknowledged I had spoken to him. I do wonder why are they bothering to walk on Cannock Chase and I was surprised that a child of 5 or 6 did not know what a Cuckoo sounded like, maybe I expect too much.
Click to expand...
Beggars belief that you would go out into the countryside and not enjoy the experience and discuss what your senses are showing you with your children.
 
Good Morening Ladies and Gentlemen and all who woke up today.

A manageable 7.5 this morning, oh the joys of excessive fat.

Are we aware national bin day has arrived, such are the temporary constants in life. Bunting to not put out, jelly and custard not to be consumed.
Well folks I hope your day starts well and continues well.
I must now depart from this site and drink koffy while contemplating how to meet up with my pals chaos and mayhem staying within the rules.
 
jjraak said:
Cheers @dunelm

Wouid I presume that got sent on by another?

Seems odd the dangerous North
gets message re London, but Londoners don't,?
But that mixed up chaos is the tale of the responses so far

I use city mapper for the bikes..tells you as I imagine that one does, how many bikes left and next docks etc..very useful.
Also next bus time etc

The walking map we had. Know most areas we would go, but always handy when in Lesser known parts of town.

Appreciated the share.

For those driving into town, DO BE CAREFUL.

Plastic guards are now on many roads to delineate temp cycle lanes.

Many lanes are smaller, usually one lane for cars...been caught out with that ",local knowledge" nipping into the bus lane out of hours, haha. To find the lane is blocked off for cycling, then having to creep back into traffic

And the cycle lanes are busy, so due care when turning left, all

Not sure how this is elsewhere but here if you hit or get hit by a cyclists you are presumed at fault .
Plus your car gets a dent but cyclists may get badly hurt.

Cheers fella.
Click to expand...
@jjraak - bit odd but I hold a semi-permanent photo ID oyster card - they are issued to war veterans on application (those veterans in receipt of war pensions). Very handy as I used to transit through London quite often when I worked and Mrs Miggins and I like to visit for walking tours and meeting up with friends.
 
dunelm said:
@jjraak - bit odd but I hold a semi-permanent photo ID oyster card - they are issued to war veterans on application (those veterans in receipt of war pensions). Very handy as I used to transit through London quite often when I worked and Mrs Miggins and I like to visit for walking tours and meeting up with friends.
Click to expand...

Ah ha..that would explain it.

I too have the oyster, 60 has some benefits, though for now the times of use have been altered.
Previously anytime, for now not during rush hour, so post 9 am I believe.

Wonder if similar email will be sent to all ?

Anyway, thanks for clarifying.

The strip walking times I hadn't seen, so kept that.:D

Enjoy your day :)
 
Good morning crew from the land of overnight rain and all day blue bins. Today the Libre showed 4.3 as an fbg. I know that is not "real" but finger pricks have never matched A1c either. The Libre is easier and far more motivating in the same way as Fitbit over reports steps but definitely motivates. Ultimately, A1c will give me a calibration and since I don't use insulin or hypo sub 3.7 the accuracy is not crucial. I also operate within a fairly/very narrow range of menus since the F part of LCHF/keto doesn't boil my bacon for the most part. Coming on five years non diabetic 6 monthly lab tests and weight back around the pre bulk up for higher level sport. I don't like the textbook version of this WOE and have serious concerns about potential side effects but hopefully careful screening and supplementation for those issues is working. (Spinach powder is the new black). Walking song for today

Give it beans today gang. (2 pages of posts appeared after I typed this so no idea who needs hugs or praise.)
 
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