HEllo ED, TY for the Mallard. Shopping with Sandra must be difficult. I guess that she really wants the things that she knows she cannot eat. It must be hard for her. I know that if I was told not to have salty things I would find it hard. I do enjoy a sweet treat now again. Have you considered grocery shopping on line? It may avoid the temptations and arguments. You just order the things that you need. I have not tried it but my daughter Sarah loves it. She hates going to the supermarket. She calls it the Stupid Market. I haven't tried on line shopping. However like Sarah, if I need to go there I have a list and stick to it. Usually for cat food and cleaning products. The corner store, although a bit expensive, provides me with the food I need. All organic. And also provides me with friends that I bump into. This morning was almost like the Monday Morning Coffee Club. 6 of us arrived at the same time so we sat down and chatted. A great start to my day. Enjoy your new day.

Hello ED, TY for the Peace Dove. How did your daughter's visit go? Did she bring the dog? Eating wool? It does amaze me that people bring their ill behaved dogs visiting. Hope has wisely decided not to bring her sausage dogs here as they want to kill cats. Sarah, Arja and Grace all have dogs however they, the dogs, stay outside as the house is a sanctuary for my cats. I am having a quiet day at home. Enjoy your day.

Field Mouse ty x

Watered the second Poppy.

❤️.•* ­⭐️ARIA( Margaret)⭐️*•.? watered the Sunflower, and spotted a Mallard feeding on the Bird Mix!

splashed--It is aa dull misty looking morning and its 9,the calm before the storm as tomorrow we are supposed to get a winter storm--snow and blowing snow and cold temperatures. Kevin has planned to come over tomorrow so I can get some groceries I need. He will stay over and leave for work on Fri morning from here. My day at the hospital went well, first came the bloodwork and that went well and I can hardly see where she put the needle in so all good there,Next came the vascular surgeon,he was in a goof mood and cheerful,his nurse practitioner was also working so I really got the whole treatment. My staples are out he was a little annoyed that the vac dressing was to late to be of use but I don't go back until Jan so progress is made. As I was sitting ready my book waiting for the next appointment,one of the girls I talk to in there asked if I wanted something to drink--so she made me a nice cup of tea. The appointment with the onocologist went well and everything is fine with all my tests. Don't go back until May there. Have a good day and yes the charity shop is not all second hand ,a lot of it is new and I have given some of that as gifts.                                                                                                                 

Privet Ed, spasibo za myshka. I think that you were a F/L friend of Lyuba in Moscow? She was teaching me Russian and I studiously wrote everything down in the notebook that I am referring to now. I also taught a young lad from Russia and he helped me as well. Strangely I did not get to learn colours. I was thanking you for the white mouse (myshka). I must look in the op shop to see if we have a Russian language book.  Re. Charity shop Christmas gifts, it is a great idea. Many of the gifts that my family will get from me came from my shop. Brand new and still in original sealed packaging. I would much prefer that the money I spend on gifts go to charity rather than huge corporations. That could be your selling point for next year. Then they have a whole year to find gifts. It was my last Art group for the year today. Sad. We meet again first week of Feb. next year. I managed to do a lot of my water colour painting. Nearly there. Had to stop to let it dry. I plan to visit Mum on Saturday and take her to her Art group in the village. I will do some more work  on it there and hopefully introduce Mum to wet on wet painting. Kharosheva dnya. (HAVE A GOOD DAY.)

Field Mouse tyvm

Morning splash--Dull and only 5 so I guess I dash fromonne door to the next and don't tarry outside today. I start with the vascular surgeon and I think he should be happy the incision is healeed and the last staples can come out. Then on to bloodwork and finally a meeting with the onocologist(thats just to touch base and keep me in the books.I have a feeling that a lot of people will give to the charity shops but heaven forbid they get anything to wear.Puzzles and books are okay and the occasional kitchen gadget but most people that is as far as they go--Unless of course you are in that level that requires you to shop in thos stores. Off to get busy before I go--Have a good day.

Hello Ed, I started to learn Italian when Hope and I went to Europe. Hope was reasonably fluent in French thanks to her education. We, or perhaps I decided that I should learn Italian. Hope and I parted for a little time when we were in Italy. She had fallen for a man and that was not a part of my holiday plan. So I travelled alone in Italy for a while. On the whole most of the Italians that I met were so happy that I was trying to learn their language. A receptionist at the hotel that I was staying in gave me morning lessons. Now I must really go to bed. Buona notte!