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

[gennepher]

As an addition to your post @gennepher

Those little tips & tricks we learn during our driving careers .

For the bikes I used to pay attention to the front wheels of cars, a warning that the car's going to deviate without warning or , as you point out the opposing way to how they indicate.

Near the end of our road is a bend, that you can't see around if turning right until you are halfway across & turning into the left hand lane

However the road it's on has shops all along it, which it's possible to almost use like a mirror.
A tactic I employ elsewhere too, usually when stuck in traffic behind a van or bus.

I like & find it helpful to know when traffic in front is on the move so I can be ready to go too

I'm sure we all have multiple examples of local 'blind spots & challenges ' we've overcome in similar ways .

Tte benefits of experiences learned or shared .
A quality that seems missing for far too many drivers today .

A motorcycling quote that rings true

"There are old bikers
There are bold bikers.
But there are no old bold bikers"

And an advert for "think bike" that still resonates.

"Ride the roads you know,
As well as the ones you don't"

Gist was a twist on the motorcyclists yearning to enjoy the travel adventures of riding new & unexplored roads

A warning not to be complacent, & take the same care tegardless, no matter how close you are to home .

Which I rather liked reminding myself of at times

Yes @jjraak I use reflections on car and shop windows for extra information a lot, I am always on the alert for something that appears to be acting out of character so I'm not surprised....

Often I do not turn right in busy traffic but I turn left take the next right turn and go round the back of the houses and come back on the main road, it is usually so much quicker and it is also less stressful. I never turn right when there's a blind bend for the simple reason I cannot hear the traffic as it is coming to the bend. And so I do the above safe option, or occasionally it might mean I drive to the next roundabout, go around and come back. And usually it is much quicker to do that..

So many things I do, for safety, which are second nature... I don't really think about it... and probably would not be able to explain a lot of them to you.

 

[gennepher]

Fbg 9.1
Nighttime wildlife
Badgers Thor & Willow
Thor & Willow - came in the garden at 4am.
This is the time they usually come in. I assume they must be wandering elsewhere during the night and this is possibly where they call on their way home. Because their home is in the woods on the back of me.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFUY41Rod6d/?igsh=MTJ2MXZ5cTV2dGRhbQ==

Same vid on TikTok
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGdAwsRRP/

Creative...kaleidoscope...this is in the front room, another view of the pile of stuff Midnight knocked over.

My HRV is higher than normal but within normal range, and my resting pulse is higher than normal and far outside normal range.
The app tells me "Your body is out of balance, and you need to plan a quieter day today."
Really?
I have no intention of having a quieter day, I have stuff to do. I have so fallen behind in everything, with hospitals and appointments.
The app warns me that my emotional feelings might not reflect what my body needs.
I am going to assume I am fine, have enough spoons, and I am going to achieve what I want today which isn't a lot. If I crash, then I will know the app was right.

Have your best kind of day....
Take care...

 

[dunelm]

Good morning everyone on a decidedly damp start to the day here in the dark and dangerous north. 5.6 this a.m. A brand new task was invented by The Girl In The Bubble yesterday - sorting out the box of assorted crayons, colouring pencils and felt tips accumulate over several years. This was followed by a bout of pencil sharpening then, once satisfied she got on with the important task of writing down the names of everyone in the family and the names of her friends. It’s interesting to observe how rapidly human minds develop yet locked into underdeveloped bodies that frustratingly won’t perform like an adults - reaching up for things on high shelves, carrying heavy objects etc. Just little people, very capable minds in frustratingly uncooperative little bodies. No thoughts yet about today but happy to engage in whatever comes along, a walk maybe in a wee while if my lower back get’s it’s act together and stops with the “poor me” routine. I can get some eggs from the butcher. I noticed last night that the birds who visit our garden are a tad fed up with recent service so I will refresh the bird feeders. Mind you, Chris Packham reminds us that birds have been good at foraging ever since birds invented themselves which was at least a year before the first garden centre began offering a bewildering array of stuff that we beforehand didn’t realise that we needed or wanted. Anyhow, art bit - a bunch of trees. Hope you decide to have a good day. I will make koffy and do a bit of reading.

 

[Krystyna23040]

6.5 this morning.
We had a wonderful weekend with our grandchildren and of course daughter and husband and Bonnie.

Isn't it funny how you can wake up in the morning and your brain presents you with the solution to your problem.

When we tried booking for Christmas 2026 at the Victoria all dog friendly rooms were fully booked. So we needed an alternative but the problem was finding somewhere as good because we all love Christmas at the Victoria.

Woke up Sunday morning and the words shepherd's huts floated in my consciousness. Of course, the Victoria were building self-catering shepherd's huts that were dog friendly. Would they let us book one with the Christmas package. Yes, they would. We are all so happy now.

I know, in the scheme of things, this wasn't a real problem - but staying at the Victoria with our family for Christmas is a very special time for us all. So all sorted.

 

[JohnEGreen]

Fbg 5.1 this morning.
It’s 4 degrees here and sunny but a little windy.
Have an appointment at the docs today so may be trying out the mobility scooter may have to give the batteries a bit of a boost though.

 

[ianpspurs]

Morning all from where, to use a metaphor, the dog didn't bark overnight and hasn't yet this morning . An interesting Smörgåsbord of posts above ranging from love and concern for one's safety and that of fellow road (and pavement?) users, through determination not to be constrained by "reality" to successfully planning a joyous celebration and two delightful weekends. @dunelm thank you for sharing the latest in the series of what seems to me to be your brown and grey landscape period. Apologies if you see them as something far more momentous. @gennepher thank you for sharing the kaleidoscope and tips on safe/sensible driving. You too @jjraak. I will share two images which seem to me relevant to a theme of positivity and hope in dark times. January will do that to mankind as travel companies know well. Sometimes that fake news meedja can be both true and uplifting: who knew? . Enjoy Monday but don't play the game of dwelling on Pilate's question. If it looks, walks, swims, quacks, eats, lays eggs and behaves like a duck it really is a duck. Life is that simple.

 

[dunelm]

Fbg 9.1
Nighttime wildlife
Badgers Thor & Willow
Thor & Willow - came in the garden at 4am.
This is the time they usually come in. I assume they must be wandering elsewhere during the night and this is possibly where they call on their way home. Because their home is in the woods on the back of me.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFUY41Rod6d/?igsh=MTJ2MXZ5cTV2dGRhbQ==

Same vid on TikTok
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGdAwsRRP/

Creative...kaleidoscope...this is in the front room, another view of the pile of stuff Midnight knocked over.

My HRV is higher than normal but within normal range, and my resting pulse is higher than normal and far outside normal range.
The app tells me "Your body is out of balance, and you need to plan a quieter day today."
Really?
I have no intention of having a quieter day, I have stuff to do. I have so fallen behind in everything, with hospitals and appointments.
The app warns me that my emotional feelings might not reflect what my body needs.
I am going to assume I am fine, have enough spoons, and I am going to achieve what I want today which isn't a lot. If I crash, then I will know the app was right.

Have your best kind of day....
Take care...

View attachment 71406

This kaleidoscope of knocked over “stuff” looks wonderful. Kaleidoscope spectacles would save a lot of time on tidying up.

 

[alf_Josiah]

Good Morening Ladies and Gentlemen and those who survived free fall parachuting with out a parachute.

Blood sugars this morning were 5.6

Lots of interesting chat about observation while driving and also being on 2 wheels.
Hats raised to @gennepher and @jjraak . One of the great things about the IAM, institute of Advanced Motoring and RoSPA is what they coach you to get ready for their tests. They show such obvious common things, but everybody ignores at their peril.
Limit of vision, take use give, the link between vision and stopping distance etc,etc,etc.

Mobility scooters, electric scooters on the road given all the distractions in the cockpit of modern cars and lorries makes me think those who do are candidates for the Darwin awards.

The above 2 paragraphs are of a serious nature, but being a keen motorcyclist, when able. I have seen a few frightening things.

Now unfortunately I must depart this thread, I have run out of time.

Stay safe, stay warm.

 

[dunelm]

Morning all from where, to use a metaphor, the dog didn't bark overnight and hasn't yet this morning . An interesting Smörgåsbord of posts above ranging from love and concern for ones safety and that of fellow road (and pavement?) users, through determination not to be constrained by "reality" to successfully planning a joyous celebration and two delightful weekends. @dunelm thank you for sharing the latest in the series of what seems to me to be your brown and grey landscape period. Apologies if you see them as something far more momentous. @gennepher thank you for sharing the kaleidoscope and tips on safe/sensible driving. You too @jjraak. I will share two images which seem to me relevant to a theme of positivity and hope in dark times. January will do that to mankind as travel companies know well. Sometimes that fake news meedja can be both true and uplifting: who knew? . Enjoy Monday but don't play the game of dwelling on Pilate's question. If it looks, walks, swims, quacks, eats, lays eggs and behaves like a duck it really is a duck. Life really is that simple.

Thank you @ianpspurs and no need for apologies - the world is a subjective place. We like ducks. Lots of species to choose from. The Gressingham ones are OK but we do like the Confit and the Peking.

 

[ianpspurs]

Thank you @ianpspurs and no need for apologies - the world is a subjective place. Wd like ducks. Lots of species to choose from. The Gressingham ones are OK but we do like the Confit and the Peking.

We like, or more accurately have bean known to like, the Cassoulet ducks. Young Blanc (not the ex-footballer now Saudi League manager) does his best, bless him.

 

[Annb]

8.3 today at 04.00. Dropped to 6.5 fairly rapidly and then up again after breakfast.

Heart still juggling around a bit - stopping the new pill didn't help so took it again this morning. BP is pretty low though (for me very low) at 153/59. Maybe that's why I feel a bit strange today. Don't like bothering with BP monitor but I am supposed to check it a couple of times every day, in case it goes too high. Just decided to check it today because I was feeling so odd.

 

[ianpspurs]

8.3 today at 04.00. Dropped to 6.5 fairly rapidly and then up again after breakfast.

Heart still juggling around a bit - stopping the new pill didn't help so took it again this morning. BP is pretty low though (for me very low) at 153/59. Maybe that's why I feel a bit strange today. Don't like bothering with BP monitor but I am supposed to check it a couple of times every day, in case it goes too high. Just decided to check it today because I was feeling so odd.

Hug for the juggling around heart but it seems prudent to take the new pill. Also a wise precaution to monitor BP but is there any advice on how to deal with low BP? Take care.

 

[Lamont D]

7.2 this St Yates Day.

And of course the ceremonies in Poland, which should frighten everyone.
If you have never seen the horror of what happened over eighty years ago.
It does make you think. I assure you.

Another awful night, Mrs L has adopted a cough, which is aggravated into a record breaking snore.
And her pain threshold seems to be waining, so I have eased her comfort and an extra (as allowed) pain-killer.
So that Mrs L can have a more restful sleep. Some smelly candles and background music, to help relax her. And of course tea. So fed and watered, I now have a bit of time to finish what needs doing including my first visit today. I'm knackered.

Apparently another storm hitting us today!!!
But it's just wind and rain and baltic. It is freezing and fed up of this weather, not getting enough outside time of garden time. The lawn (the grass) is covered in debris from the last one and the weekend. And it is too cold even with a lot of layers on. I can feel how cold it is in my arthritic hands. I would tell what temperature it is but.....!

Keep warm and safe.

 

[gennepher]

Well, it looks like the app was right.
My body is out of alignment.
I went out early shopping, and did the food shop. Checked all dates of the protein et cetera and I have 7 days plus fresh food, meat, cheese, fish, and veg. Probably about 10 days for the veg. I got one of those Lidl bargain boxes of veg and fruit for £1.50 for 5 kgs. The only fruit was a plum. A massive perfect cauliflower, sweet potatoes, and more veg that I do eat. It looks like there will be cauliflower soup every day for the next week! All the veg was the best quality I have seen in one of Lidl boxes for a long time.
I have a little soup maker which makes 250 to 300ml individual portions of soup. I always make fresh veg soup, no meat no fish or even pulses. I love soup freshly made. With the cauliflower I'll probably make a few extra portions of cauliflower soup and freeze them, then I can ring the changes with a different soup each day.

By the time I put everything away, I was tired. So I put my dinner on, and put my feet up for a short nap, but problem was I slept solidly for three hours, and nuked my meat I was cooking my dinner.... usually I put foil around the meat in the Remoska and if it cooks a little longer it doesn't matter at all, but it did this time. I need to find that silver foil, I put it away recently when I was tidying up, and was going to label the plastic box when I'd made a cup of tea, but I didn't get round to it.... I was putting various sundries in some colourful matching plastic boxes (I have bought just recently) that I did not use very often. I was going to put them on top of the fridge. I know there are a couple of other boxes that need labelling so when I wake up fully I'll find those boxes and label them all. I might have another nap first, I am lovely and warm and cosy here.... the black 'electric' fur blanket is asleep on top of me..... he says go back to sleep....

I've got a flask of tea here so I'll have a cup of tea before I get up feed the stray cats and lock up, and shut the curtains to keep them warmth in.

 

[Krystyna23040]

Many years ago now, Tom was cycling to work in Stornoway. It was a drizzly kind of day, but not heavy rain. He was wearing a bright yellow cycling cape and should have been easily seen. However, just within the town limits, a taxi pulled out of a side road just as Tom was directly in front of it. It rammed into him full on. Luckily, he wasn't badly hurt, although his bike was. That driver just "didn't see" him. Maybe too busy looking right and left. The bike was ruined so he couldn't cycle to work again. Probably just as well.

That's exactly what happened to me. White van man shot out of a side road and wiped me out.

 

[Krystyna23040]

A brilliant article @jjraak
Because I am profoundly deaf and I've had no hearing most of my life while driving, I have always moved my head constantly while driving. It was just something I did to be safe and aware and take everything in. I have been driving since I was 17 Years old.
I think I'm probably aware of everything in the article, but didn't know the technical terms for it.
There are several higher accident spots on the A55.
At least two of them are near me and they are where the so-called blindspot is at the rear passenger side of the car, where you a see a car coming up alongside you, and then it just vanishes and I am looking all over for it. By the way, I have noticed this for many years in other situations. And it's usually when I need to move over into that left lane. But obviously, I do not do so because I don't know where that car is. The mind does not register that car once it hits that blind spot.

My solution was to come off a junction earlier, which is only a few hundred yards before this slip road, go partially round a roundabout, and come down back on the left lane into the same slip road, but I do not have to cross two lanes now.

Now I have read this article, I am understanding a lot more, and I will try that slip road where that blindspot is again where a car appears to vanish, knowing a lot more after reading this article.

A friend of mine who I used to give lifts to, commented on me looking around all the time for the road conditions cars et cetera. She would tell me off saying you don't need to do that. Stop looking around you've turned onto the road, you don't need to keep looking around anymore just look straight ahead. As you can guess I stopped giving her lifts, she would not shut up about me looking around. Most distracting. And in any case, I had told her do not talk to me when I'm driving because I need to take my eyes off the road to lip read you, and I am not doing that again, she did not listen to me... another reason why I stopped giving her lifts. I have always looked for indications on a car that is not going to do what the indicator says it is going to do....and more.

A lot of drivers are too intent on having conversations to the passenger or to their mobile phone, even a hands-free one, that their attention cannot be 100% on the road.

Thanks for posting this, I have saved it and I'm going read it again tomorrow

It is interesting that my new car has a light in the wing mirrors each side that comes on when there is a car in the blind spot. Very useful

 

[gennepher]

Good morning everyone on a decidedly damp start to the day here in the dark and dangerous north. 5.6 this a.m. A brand new task was invented by The Girl In The Bubble yesterday - sorting out the box of assorted crayons, colouring pencils and felt tips accumulate over several years. This was followed by a bout of pencil sharpening then, once satisfied she got on with the important task of writing down the names of everyone in the family and the names of her friends. It’s interesting to observe how rapidly human minds develop yet locked into underdeveloped bodies that frustratingly won’t perform like an adults - reaching up for things on high shelves, carrying heavy objects etc. Just little people, very capable minds in frustratingly uncooperative little bodies. No thoughts yet about today but happy to engage in whatever comes along, a walk maybe in a wee while if my lower back get’s it’s act together and stops with the “poor me” routine. I can get some eggs from the butcher. I noticed last night that the birds who visit our garden are a tad fed up with recent service so I will refresh the bird feeders. Mind you, Chris Packham reminds us that birds have been good at foraging ever since birds invented themselves which was at least a year before the first garden centre began offering a bewildering array of stuff that we beforehand didn’t realise that we needed or wanted. Anyhow, art bit - a bunch of trees. Hope you decide to have a good day. I will make koffy and do a bit of reading.

This is a great painting @dunelm

 

[gennepher]

Morning all from where, to use a metaphor, the dog didn't bark overnight and hasn't yet this morning . An interesting Smörgåsbord of posts above ranging from love and concern for one's safety and that of fellow road (and pavement?) users, through determination not to be constrained by "reality" to successfully planning a joyous celebration and two delightful weekends. @dunelm thank you for sharing the latest in the series of what seems to me to be your brown and grey landscape period. Apologies if you see them as something far more momentous. @gennepher thank you for sharing the kaleidoscope and tips on safe/sensible driving. You too @jjraak. I will share two images which seem to me relevant to a theme of positivity and hope in dark times. January will do that to mankind as travel companies know well. Sometimes that fake news meedja can be both true and uplifting: who knew? . Enjoy Monday but don't play the game of dwelling on Pilate's question. If it looks, walks, swims, quacks, eats, lays eggs and behaves like a duck it really is a duck. Life is that simple.

Thanks @ianpspurs

 

[gennepher]

This kaleidoscope of knocked over “stuff” looks wonderful. Kaleidoscope spectacles would save a lot of time on tidying up.

They most certainly would @dunelm

 

[Lamont D]

It is interesting that my new car has a light in the wing mirrors each side that comes on when there is a car in the blind spot. Very useful

I went to the door mirror manufacturer in Russelheim, Richter and Schaffenacker(?) Gmb.
Back in the nineties, as we had a couple of issues with the mirror glass and the housing paint colour.
Trying to get out of the freebie trip (yeah) my excuse was I only fit them to the bl...y door.
Didn't work, and had myself with the design engineer. So educational.
Modern glass (mirror) had a differential line, to offset glare and blind spot on the posh ones. The aerodynamics was really interesting

Happy St. Yates day.