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

I like both very much, but I prefer the top one because it is the way I have walked down to the beach in Crosby through the sand dunes, sort of slightly unseen to get to the beach.
 
My painting for today, following the course, Joy of painting. It is ideas. Not copying anyone. It was suggested to do do an extra painting using the colours of the painting you did with the masking/washi tape 'windows'.

I liked the colours of the last one I did. I will see if I can put it in a thumbnail for you to see.

I had no idea of my inspiration. So I made a cuppa and read a story.

Then I decided to do my garden in front of me. Nah, it didn't move me. So, I tore out the picture illustration of the story I had just read. Glued it on the bottom left of the 8 inch canvas.Then got the same old scrap paints as the other day. Gouache, acrylics, watercolours. Applied them the same way just straight from the tube, And spread them with my fingers or used the bottom straight edge of the paint tubes, or the sharp edge for drawing a bit. All the while I was looking at the original canvas inspiration of colours, and shapes. Initially I was going to paint over the face and the figure sitting on the bench. But I changed my mind.

By the way you are not meant to paint watercolours on a canvas, nor are you supposed to mix watercolour with acrylics. But I do what I want in painting. It is just messing for me.

When I pasted the magazine cutting to the canvas, I thought 'Memories'.
I hope you can see the thumbnail because I used colours and shapes from this into 'Memories'.

I would never have painted this painting, nor would I have used these colours if I hadn't done the windows tape exercise in the first place.



 
I think I forgot to post fbs this morning. It was 5.5.

Had another brilliant admin day today. Have also received an excellent risk assessment document from my professional body - so pleased I don't have to write one from scratch. The main hall I hire had basically said I can't hire the hall without one and I was dreading doing it.

Ordered some Perspex face shields and hand sanitsers today. I thought the face shields would be much better than a mask for teaching - much more comfortable to wear all day. I also got another hundred of the plastic gloves from the little shop down the road for £1. So I am feeling that I am making progress
 
good evening all

4.4 this morning

had a lazy day today just doing a few bits in the kitchen and trying a new recipe.

From a misty and soggy start here it is now beaming sunshine albeit with a brisk breeze, I may go out for a walk shortly

Hope your day is treating you kindly

@gennepher - sorry you're feeling so unhappy and repressed by the lockdown status, (somehow it seems to feel worse when the end hovers tantalisingly in view). I hope you soon feel free to enjoy travel outside the restricted circle.
Interesting and pleasing mixed media painting today and I can see that the exercise has paid off in terms of pushing you in a direction you might not have explored.

@Muddy Cyclist - two lovely seashore sketches today, I enjoy how different the light feels in each one. I'm very fortunate that I live near the sea, on the other hand I used to enjoy a forest walk too so I have that to look forward to

art catch up - thank you all for your kind comments on my art work

no 1 - this is the sketch of aquilegia I mentioned making at mum's last week - black biro on A4 typing paper.


no 2 - this sunrise was very pastel and serene - (slightly bigger than A5.)
 
I like both but especially the second one. I think it is the way you have captured the light. There is something magical about it.
 
Thank you very much @geefull

The first is a very competent botanical illustration.

I am looking at the 2nd one on my tiny phone screen. My larger screen iPad is charging...

It looks absolutely beautiful. Those hills are amazing. I love this painting.
 
@gennepher another successful piece of art today, I really admire your adventurous approach at trying something different and imaginative then succeeding to produce an effective picture.
 
That's a very good plant study, one of Mrs MCs favourite flowers. Again a brilliant detailed watercolour, love those hills so much depth.
 
Good Morning and 6.4 greets me today.

Damp start outside here today. I think Daughter, SIL and youngest Grandaughter are coming to sit in the garden this morning so I hope the rain stops.

Take the day as you find it, keep safe.
 
Fbg 6.6

Temp 35.6

It is Blackbird Circus at rush hour in my back garden. I have never seen so many black birds as I have this year. It is the same for the other birds as well - bluetits, greattits, longtailedtits (I cannot put a gap after the first part of that name or this site censors the last word), greenfinches, wrens, and other small birds.

I have no idea how many bird’s nests are in my back garden. The blackbirds alone have four or five nests, or more. I sit out there to do my painting, and I have blackbirds around my feet, on my chair looking at me, sitting on my thatched swing still pulling more thatch off to make more nests. And my poor thatched swing is getting very holey on the top. It is getting a bald patch.

I bumped into blackbirds yesterday trying to get up to the potting shed. There are too many young females criss-crossing the garden. It seems like the females from the first brood this year have stayed, and they seem to be helping feed this next lot of young. Or, they are helping to protect against the magpies with the noise they are making.

When a blackbird bumps into me, and it’s always the females, the young females, they push against you with their feet to sort of take off again.

This has only happened once before in all the years I have been here and it was just one female that stayed from the earlier brood to help the blackbird parents.

Yesterday in the potting shed, I encountered something I have not encountered before. Well I have, but not quite like this.

I have two male blackbirds that have been partners since March this year. In February March this year they were always fighting mid air battles. They did look quite scary. But then, for some reason they became friendly with each other. Maybe they weren’t able to get a female mate. But they fly together, they’re always together, and they have friendly midair play altercations now.

What did they do yesterday afternoon ?

I am in the potting shed and there is a tremendous racket on the roof of the potting shed. I haven’t a clue what it is. My hearing is distorted anyway but I don’t know how a hearing person would have heard this. So I go out and there are the two friendly male black birds stamping on my potting shed roof. They look at me, I shoo them away.

I make myself comfy in the potting shed again. I have made myself another cup of tea. Then it starts again, the stamping on my potting shed roof.

I get up again I go out again and I glare at them and the two friendly male blackbirds look at me. I shoo them away again.

I make myself comfortable in the potting shed and a few moments later, the horrendous noise of the stamping on my potting shed roof begins again.

The nearest object to me is my stick, so I am banging with my stick on the potting shed roof underneath the blackbirds stamping on my roof. It takes a few moments but eventually they go, they give up.

I feel like I’m in a block of flats and the tenants upstairs are making a horrendous noise.

No wonder worms come to the surface when birds and seagulls stamp on the ground.

Right, I am going outside now. The sun has come out and I’m going to go and try do my painting, if I can find room in this melee of blackbirds.

Take care.
 
5.6 this morning. Did the dog walk early as it is supposed to rain shortly. Very grey and misty but quite warm at the moment.

Now am catching up with the coffee and the newspaper and Suduko.
 
Just like the dunes near me - loads of little paths through them, down to the sea.
 
Good morning everyone from and indecisive morning in the dark and dangerous north.

The wonder wheel of big juicy steaks, a few green things and some home made herb stuffed flat bread came in at 5.1 this am

A box of strangeness has appeared in the house, all contents stamped with the name Nuby - with an umlout. Funny looking silicone plates, strange drinking vessels, brightly coloured strange shapes that have the word ‘spoon’ on the package so that you don’t have to guess. (Yes you dopey spell checker - coloured - with that nice comforting letter that does nothing. Thank you Mr Johnson, shut up Mr Webster.

If you missed out on a slap up feast on St Joseph’s day then Happy Father’s Day to everyone who is a father - proudly out there or still wandering round Borisland. Daughter is calling round this morning at some point to stand in the drive for socially distanced hugs using litter pickers.

Big shout out to the wonderful artists who contribute so much. Have the very best day that you can have. Remember, it’s always the right time somewhere so just learn every way of saying “cheers” and the yard arm is yours to command. Koffy calls.
 
Good morning everyone from a blustery and damp Breckland with no planes so far. 5.2 first up today then slept until 7.15. Clearly suffering from the variables. Doubt very much if 25k plus steps will be a good idea today so bg levels will float like a helium balloon. LC/GF chocolate cake and cream seem to flatten the sombrero and leave a nice flat line with added bonus that it tastes similar to food. Roast lamb with baby carrots and mayhap (Catweazle anyone?) a local? new potato as an OMAD seems like a plan. No doubt if I searched hard enough I could track down some red wine to dampen things down since (much) exercise probably wouldn't be sensible. I like the word sensible but am often allergic to it in large doses. @dunelm Nuby? At what age can I expect my 2nd childhood to commence, please?
 
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When preparing for 2nd childhood, you will find lots of strange and wonderful ideas here:
https://nuby-uk.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw...wBiSmdzCnwudZCNb3hromnj4Als-qGwUaAlCLEALw_wcB
 
Update: So, gen Z have gone to war with Millennials. Nuby seems perfect for our best hope - Gen Alpha
https://www.theguardian.com/society...ennials-and-gen-z-here-comes-generation-alpha
https://www.theguardian.com/comment...ennials-beware-generation-z-is-on-the-warpath
Us old gits need to keep our heads down, hung in shame. White, whiney and wine-y - perfect summing up of boomers (White, in denial and Gin-y?) as well.
 
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Afternoon, you lovely people.

an FBg of not quite good, not quite bad
very much Goldilocks land of 6.1

Breakfast 2 poached eggs, low carb bread and some low salt/sugar Baked beans
replenished the beast with in, for a short while.

health wise feel GOOD.

Breaking out of the holding pattern of late.

Been out and about a lot more of late.

Yesterday cemetery with Niece.
we SD and did the elbow greet.
felt odd, but nice to see she was physically ok

So off we went.
sat in car diagonal front N rear.

her mum & dad first for flower laying.
a gentle moment, a time to reflect and a leisurely walk around the gardens



then to the cemetery next door to my Mum & dads grave , her gran & granddad
a little flower arranging, and a moment of silence each,,,a nice moment.

then a little chat while standing graveside, and the cracks showed,
her eyes brimmed and the sobs came and any will i had to keep strict SD, melted.

A gentle hug, much missed over 3 months, seemed to set us both back to a more normal time,
when the closeness & love of family was a given.

A sad moment indeed, but when shared with those who KNEW the loss,
a moment to treasure.



We had a sedate day, no rush, so when caught in traffic, just observed how normal it all looks in London

The journey took us through Barnes, by the river.
PACKED with drinkers, supping ale from the pub opposite doing a roaring trade in Takeaway (to the riverside, drain & repeat)..a touch concerned, for sure but in all honesty.... would i have joined them, and kept MY SD going..maybe.

Back to hers and the attention of her 4 cats for a cuppa.
an easy chat, many thanks both sides for the day.

Ps. SD went well all day, until we spotted this cow who seemed to think she owned the whole pavement...

 
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