HOUSEHOLD TIPS NOT FOUND IN WOMAN'S WEEKLY

[Stanley]

Tiz, I knew about proof reading backwards but have never come across upside down! That jumbled paragraph is amazing, Like Ian I could read it quite easily....
Two very good tips!

[Tizer]

Here's another - keep your doors and windows locked. The Telegraph today quotes a report saying that burglaries of occupied properties have increased and are now at 58% of the total. It's not only a greater risk of losing your valuables and, perhaps more importantly, cherished stuff* but a greater risk of violence due to encountering the criminal. I guess we should be expecting this news, considering the present breakdown in society and greater aggression.
`Half of burglaries in Britain now take place while householders are inside their homes, as thieves become emboldened by police inaction. Figures show 58 per cent of burglaries happen at occupied properties, as campaigners said criminals no longer fear being caught in the act.' LINK
(*Mrs Tiz's parents were burgled and lost loved items that belonged to their parents, including granddad's WW1 medals.)

[Marilyn]

Our security doors are always locked even though our solid doors are always open to catch a breeze.
Mind you, we have nothing worth stealing!

[Stanley]

I wonder how many burglaries are unreported if a householder doesn't need a Crime Number for the insurance claim? We have been brainwashed into thinking that police won't respond anyway. This could apply to many other 'minor' crimes.....

[Stanley]

Cutting back by half on the amount of ground coffee I use for my daily brew was a good move. I simply put less water and milk in the pint pot and it is as good as ever. And of course it has halved the cost of the coffee! We get into habits and every now and again it's a good idea to look at what we are doing. That's today's tip, have a review every now and again.

[Tizer]

As we eat more and drink more we just get used to the larger amount. Less then seems unsatisfactory, when really it used to be fine. The same applies with spicy foods. Many people now don't know what good quality potato tastes like, or even meat and fish. All they taste is the spice and many younger people probably don't even realise that these foods have their own taste if you buy decent quality.

[Stanley]

Very true. I used to call regularly at a farm near Srathaven and tried to time it so I was there for dinner. A favourite was 'Skinny Tatties' which was washed but not peeled Golden Wonder spuds boiled to perfection. The table had a big bowl of these, a dish of butter and one of salt. You had a fork and a sharp knife. What you did was spike a tattie, peel it, dip it in butter then the salt and eat it. Golden Wonder was not a commercial potato but they always put a few rows in for the house and some Kerr's Pinks as well just for a change. You could tell the difference.
At another farm in East Yorkshire I went to Mrs Bramley always offered two sorts of beef, Angus and Hereford, there was a difference there as well.

[PanBiker]

When surrendering yourself to expert medics in hospital, make an effort to stay as long as they want you.

[Tizer]

Some of our potato varieties have a lovely yellow colour due to the presence of natural flavanoids which are antioxidants and beneficial for our health. There are big differences in the flavour and sweetness of carrots too. I wonder how many people in Britain now know the flavour of swede. It's in Cornish pasty but even that tends to be laced with pepper these days, unless you buy real Cornish pasties - if ever you happen to be on the Lizard peninsula go to Lizard village and buy one from Ann's Pasties. It's hidden in a house down a side street but you can find it by following the queue. When coaches of elderly Northern trippers reach Lizard they know to head for Ann's Pasties. The word has spread over the decades!

[Stanley]

When surrendering yourself to expert medics in hospital, make an effort to stay as long as they want you
Even when you know they are wrong? (How thoughtful of you to remind me of that episode....)
Golden Wonder had a golden tinge and they taste wonderful. Remember Golden Wonder crisps? They were called that because originally that was the potato used to make them. Surprisingly enough, Kerr's Pinks had a blush of pink to them!

[PanBiker]

Generally it's a good tip Stanley and will work for most folk. I hope you feel that you can stay the course this time.

[Stanley]

Didn't need to 'stay the course'. They never started playing silly legal games, just got on with doing the job. That's why, after general anaesthetic and almost an hour on the table I am at home writing this. The same surgeon who operated before came to see me and told me they had taken on board my warnings about low Sodium levels and also the BP reading they took of 116/76 and pulse of 78. He said he was impressed! Fit as a butcher's dog!
By the way, they let me walk into the theatre and left my teeth in, small matters but indicative.

[Marilyn]

Likely it took them longer to put you to sleep and wake you up than it did to do the op. The rest of the time, they were chatting about the cricket!

[Tizer]

Tip of the day. If you get any skin growths or blemishes that need removing see your GP earlier rather than later. They now have creams that can be applied daily and remove the problem in a week or so and that save you having to have surgery. I've had the creams in the past but now left a few too long and had to have them cut away. No pain in that but the cream is easier and you can get it straight away instead of having to wait for a surgery appointment!

[Stanley]

I don't think so Maz. If there's one thing they are good at it's thoroughness!
That's always good advice I think Tiz and I would add that if the GP tells you he suspects something from very slight evidence unnoticed by you, listen to them. I am sure that a key factor in my experience is the fact that Hassan picked up the tumour early, it was commented on by the surgeon.

[Marilyn]

Whatever....
( I've seen dozens of these ops, Stanley...)

[Stanley]

Not a bad idea to make sure there is a bag of common salt in the cupboard. It looks as though it will come in handy soon for thawing ice in the backyard!
(Margaret tells me they have 38C and no wind in Perth......)

[Stanley]

When it gets cold, forget about fashion or how you look. Dress to keep warm!

[Marilyn]

I have a similar outlook when it hits 40C. ( chuck the bra!)

[Stanley]

[Cathy]

I'm always happy when I come home, it means no watch, no shoes and especially no bra. Bliss

[Tizer]

Walking alongside a cycle lane the other day I saw a man cycling towards me and wearing baggy shorts. The day was wet and windy with the temperature about 6 degrees C. He was cycling fast and his shorts were ballooning up so everyone was treated to a view of his thighs. Not very aerodynamic, I thought. But worst of all, think of all that bitterly cold air going up his shorts!

[PanBiker]

One good reason to wear Lycra shorts, or leggings when it's cold. There's gear and the right gear. Maz will probably have something to say.

[Marilyn]

You just want to hear it again, don't you Panbiker. Yes, you have lovely legs and look better than most in bike shorts. ( I bet your ears have tinged pink now).
My hubby used to have lovely soccer players legs...until they hacked into one of them trying to find enough vein for his triple heart bypass..

[Stanley]

The nurses always comment on my legs and feet, they are about 30 years old.... I put it down to genes and all that bike riding when I was a lad......