Friday 10 September 2010

1. All animals are born with an equal claim on life and the same

rights to existence.

2. All animals are entitled to respect. Humanity as an animal species

shall not arrogate to itself the right to exterminate or exploit

other species. It is humanity's duty to use its knowledge for the

welfare of animals. All animals have the right to the attention,

care, and protection of humanity.

3. No animals shall be ill-treated or be subject to cruel acts.

4. All wild animals have the right to liberty in their natural

environment, whether land, air, or water, and should be allowed to

procreate. Deprivation of freedom, even for educational purposes, is

an infringement of this right.

5. Animals of species living traditionally in a human environment

have the right to live and grow at the rhythm and under the

conditions of life and freedom peculiar to their species. Any

interference by humanity with this rhythm or these conditions for

purposes of gain is an infringement of this right.

6. All companion animals have the right to complete their natural

life span. Abandonment of an animal is a cruel and degrading act.

7. Animal experimentation involving physical or psychological

suffering is incompatible with the rights of animals, whether it be

for scientific, medical, commercial, or any other form of research.

Replacement methods must be used and developed.

8. No animal shall be exploited for the amusement of humanity.

Exhibitions and spectacles involving animals are incompatible with

their dignity.

9. Any act involving the wanton killing of the animals is biocide,

that is, a crime against life.

10. Any act involving the mass killing of wild animals is genocide,

that is, a crime against the species. Pollution or destruction of the

natural environment leads to genocide.

Author Unknown

I saw this on another blog today and had to put it here - reasons are:

Dear Miss Millie had her eye removed 10 days ago after we took a second opinion from a good vet. The original accident was our fault but the treatment meated out to MM was inadequate if not down right negligent. The fact of the matter is that if I had not had the intelligence to contact the Blind Dogs Association on Yahoo I would not have known what to do - thank God for the internet. They have been a tremendous support mechanism as has my daughter and husband and some friends - other friends just seemed to see it as a chance to sort out my life for me - strange way of helping I thought.

Anyway enough of that Miss Millie is doing so well no that she is out of danger - her sense of humour and stubborness have come back and she took Jessica down to the lakes yesterday and brought her back up to the house. She is currently mapping her way around the property and becoming a real handful again.

Caleb went back to school and is horrified that he has to do homework (I am only 5 and a half nana I am not prepared). Here you inspect their books each evening and correct their mistakes and he had to sign a contract of rules regarding behaviour (as each child does in France) and this was countersigned by his mother.

Jess is still on the look for a horse and may very well have found one - hooray. She is off this afternoon for a riding lesson bless her and the lovely Mike (yes I do mean that) has taken her.

Mike is fighting wasps nests, hornets nests and barn roofs for a pastime at the moment and I am getting ready for another exhibition which was sneakily sprung on me damn it.

We are all looking forward to seeing Phil and Gemma next week and I must press on as I now have to vacuum.

Miss Millie

Well its the 25th of August and unfortunately Miss Millie has had another two incidents with her eye and after consultation with the vet it looks as though she may very well loose the sight of her remaining good eye.

I am now looking into retraining for her and us so that she has a good life without sight. Everyone is really upset but we will manage and there are so many good websites with very useful information and as long as she can be alive and happy without sight then this is what will be. Day by day again as is normal for living here I'm afraid.

Another day another surprise

Here we all are together just 5 weeks ago lets hope we get to take another happy picture soon.

Well Millie decided to role over this morning and take a layer of skin off her damaged eye. Vets in the afternoon.

I went to the dentist and came out in a state of shock 1,416.80 euros for two crowns - no bloody way. Its just 600 euros for each crown - in the UK £300 fitted. Here they want to saw off my teeth remove nerve and root canal and then insert metal (not gold I might add) posts at the cost of 202 euros per tooth - oh and they have to do both even though one is not loose. After much rooting around on the internet I found out why they need to do the two and saw off the teeth - if they try to remove the tooth where the crown is set so well it will snap the tooth off.

Everything I have read is contradictory to what they want to do so I will be holding off until I get further advice.

Millie came to the vets with me and Caleb and now has to increase treatment to 8 times a day with eye washes in between - here is hoping that its successful. Of course I had to burst into tears in the vets (who was rather shirty with me) and blubber "monsieur j'adore la chien". He rubbed my arm rather embarrassed and said she has been lucky so far I am sure she will be okay. Its so sad to see her - but hey her appetite is back and today the lovely Danny (ginger cat) came to see her and she greeted him in her usual manner - no you do not want to know - lhasa's can be confused.

Jess is making a late supper, Caleb is starving and Mike will not eat this late oh dear here we go again.

August where has it gone

This is a picture taken by Michael of Kerghennec a local chateaux (contemporary art exhibitions are held here).

So its the 22 August (a Sunday). Well after a hectic painting spree at the end of July the young French visitor arrived to stay for 2 weeks for practice in English conversation. Nice young man - difficult circumstances for him as his parents and siblings could speak very good English but were unable to hold conversations with him in said language - least said soonest mended. We took him on beach trips and local chateaux trips and to the zoo and he enjoyed his time with us and Caleb improved his French.

Now I have my oldest friend's daughter and her boyfriend staying for a short holiday which is much more enjoyable - just 4 days - but of course they brought English weather with them. Any way Caleb is enjoying the company. On the day they arrived my front cap (on my teeth) finally gave up the ghost and collapsed and I now have to find out how much it will cost to replace here.

Jess has been on a horse hunt and may hopefully have found a lovely mare who is a Percheron/Spanish cross of 6 years of age (I think) and is just what she is looking for. We were all very sad to see Zeus return to his winter home in Moreac but hope to have him back in the Spring as a companion for the new arrival. Mike had a whisky, I had a good blubber and Jess was very good. Riley the donkey is now with a dear friend of ours and having the life of - yes - Riley. He has a goat for company and only sings 2 or 3 times a day.

Jess has been helped in her horse hunt by a very good friend of ours who gave up valuable time and very sensible suggestions - Claire and her daughter Heidi have been a really great help indeed.

Yesterday evening my dear lhasa apso decided to leap excitedly at Poppies face as they were going out to have a pee (Poppy is one of the other dogs). Poppy hates this and bit Milly - unfortunately catching her only seeing eye - Jess took her straight to the vet and if we are extremely lucky she will be okay but its very sad - Jess is applying eye drops religiously and we can only hope for the best.

Well its time for bed lots to do tomorrow.

Sunday 31 July 2010 23.07

Well we managed, Mike and I, to decorate the hall, the entrance foyer and doors and jambs and the place looks rather good. Necessary to next decorate the front room.

The donkey is going to move to a new home as soon as possible and is all in all just a sad little chap who needs constant company - donkeys are not meant to be alone.

Our French guest arrived today with his parents - what extremely nice people and Antoine is absolutely sweet and we are really taken with him as his attitude is so lovely and we hope to be able to build his confidence in speaking English over the next 2 weeks. Caleb has been great with him - wonderful new person to play games with - and so has Jess and Mike. Thankfully our good friends Claire and her daughter Heidi were able to come over and help with any necessary translation.

Well I am absolutely knackered and am going to bed. Have made a decision after seeing a very good exposition of quilts in Rostrenen with dear friend Nicola that I will make for my close friends and family from now on as I am finding it rather defeating at the moment to make and not sell items. We are hoping to join the association of quilters as there is a lot of really good work being done and it will be lovely to be able to use some of my hoard of materials.

Is this not the best way to spend an afternoon and early evening - yes. I did paint the 2nd coat on two of the doors before I left for the beach with the family and just have the other side to do tomorrow.

Really must press on with the work though and can only hope that I get it finished in time. I just love watching the children on the beach - one young family with the grandmother were having the best of times and the little toddler (a boy) just could not be kept out of the water no matter how many times he fell in. I love the way the people say bon appetite just as you are about to stuff your face silly and a man held a crab for Caleb to pick up and told him how to hold it - such patience for an unknown child. Caleb deposited it rather quickly into the water on its back as he said thats where its hardest and it would not hurt him.

We came home and did the usual chores of washing wetsuits and so on and now I must go to bed - I went down and had a cuddle with Zeus (Jessie's horse). Ah well off to bed loads more to do tomorrow.

Sunday 25 July 2010

Well yesterday was so busy. Lets put it this way have a young chap coming to stay for 15 days next weekend. Suddenly you see the house through someone else's eyes. So just 11 doors to paint and their door jambs and the front entrance hall and hallway and the front room could do with redecorating - damn.

Okay so started on 2 of the doors his bedroom and the bathroom. Worked in the garden pruning trees and weeds. Cleaned up changed bedroom, tidied up my utility room and workroom, made necklace - very strange one.

The first picture is of Mike and Caleb at the Aquarium in Brest in the tropical area.

My dog Miss Millie (above) was spotted on Friday doing what she could to further Anglo French relations with the long haired small dog across the road (yes she is in heat and sneaked out - oh dear) the speed with which she returned makes me think there was not a lock if you see what I mean - only time will tell.

I believe that the plum trees just have not had enough water as their fruit already looks like prunes. The mirabelle is fine and the pears are surviving well - the kiwi fruit is fantastic and has so many fruit on it I will take pictures later.

Well I must go as we have to go to exhibition and take down items. Love to all.

24 July 2010

Sat in bed until 8 knitting homespun Prairie Shawl - will put free range flowers on it when it is finished. Got up, went to La Poste for a friend and dealt with a fonctionaire bless him. Came home and had lunch and am now waiting for paint to dry on two doors and am plucking up courage to tidy up utility room and work room MUST MUST do this today. Ah.

Celia has not received her present for her birthday and I am pissed about that really I am - lets hope this does not go missing.

Well must dash and tidy workroom. Everything in garden is looking somewhat thirsty after so much watering too.

23 July 2010

Well what can I say - its a good thing that the weekend was spent with my dear friend Jill - I jokingly call it the Maison por Artistes Retrait and its true. The 20th (Tuesday) started fine I got up at 7 and thought I will just slip on my housedress (long black and covers everything) at 3.05 I was still in it.

9.15 Claire arrived with a request for Mike to look at the car - Mike drove her back in the 4x4 (with Jess) I was looking after Caleb and trying to get a parcel in the post for dear Celia for her birthday.

9.30 Phone call from another friend could they use the internet to just allocate a part having changed provider Orange had cut them off - okay come over at 1.30.

10.00 Phone call from another friend who was departing urgently for the UK could we please have his donkey (permanently perhaps) and could we get it NOW.

10.05 rang Jess informed her and Claire and her agreed to go and get said donkey with the horse box.

10.15 still trying to get package ready for the post. Phone rang again a friend from England was having trouble with La Poste account and could I please put some money in the account for her (I owed her some from the sale of her goods which are stored in our barn after she left for the UK).

10.20 realised that Mike had gone off with the joint account card so no chance of doing the La Poste job.

11.00 having tried without fail to put photo in package, in frame, took it out and then thought I will not be able to get this done before 12.00 when post office shuts so started to clean kitchen.

12.00 made lunch for Caleb and myself and Mike (which I put back).

12.30 Mike arrived back with Claire and her daughter and son, Jess then made sandwhiches for people. Another friend arrived to request assistance and the person needing internet access also turned up - it was manic.

1.30 people went to get donkey, leaving me to clean up the mess and try to restore order in my front room and the rest of the house (which is larger than I would like). Hung out 5th load of washing and thought at last and then another phone call from friend in the UK had I done posting of money in the bank - no I explained why. Mike had picked 3.5 lbs of cherries which I then had to de pip and make into jam the next day.

At 3.05 I got changed took parcel to the Post Office and as I arrived back there was a very loud donkey with an accompanying dog - could we look after this until the daughter who lives in Brittany could get it - bugger bugger bugger I thought can it get any worse.

Anyway situations then calmed down everything now resolved - extra dog picked up the next morning. Donkey still noisy and very badly mannered - Jess's horse very pissed off with extra 4 legger on property.

Aha peace at last. Wednesday okay jobs done 6 pots of black cherry jam made and 2 pots of gooseberry jam after lovely conversation in Intermarche with two older ladies who helped me find pectine (I managed in French yipee).

Yesterday all hell broke loose again as Mike decided that it would be a good day to deposit a kidney stone. Richard came to our rescue and helped out with the French language, doctor sent an intern to administer injection for Mike. Richard went to the pharmacy with long list of medications, he then went to doctor for explanation of how things should progress - bless him and then nurse arrived and Mike given medication - during the course of the day he was very sleepy but not in pain and after muscle relaxant given he managed to pass said kidney stone at 7.30 last night. Nurse arrived ready to give next injection but no need she was pleased and as she had been so lovely we gave out a pot of jam as a gift.

Friday grandson has told me he is not standing next to me for his health and can I please finish blog. Love to all. Bye for now.

Exhibitions

Jill Fitzgerald, Patsie Fear, Cristi Gibbons Molard

Creations Uniques Textiles et Papier

Galerie Tremel, 22570 Gouarec

17 - 25 July

Mon-Fri 14-18h

Weekends 11-18h

So another exhibition week begins. I have spent the weekend with my dear friend Jill Fitzgerald O'Connor and spent time with Cristi - have been well informed on the reasons why Monsieur Sarko is not good for the country and now understand a little more why people are aginst him. I have met the most generous people who forgave my rather inadequate French and liked my work a great deal what more can a body want - good company, good food and a good time. The weather is balmy and its lovely to be home again with my family - Caleb is as gorgeous as ever and everyone had cleaned up for me so just trying to update the blog now and hopefully post a picture.

I managed to purchase some rather nice items from a sale and have now hanging on the line a provencal wool filled quilt (double sized) in the most amazing yellow chintz with tiny roses on one side and plain yellow on the other. As soon as the camera is ready I will take a picture and try to show it to you.

I have finished the Initial for dear Celia's pillowslip and now need to post it out to her for her birthday together with picture of the family group. Bear (the collie) is finding the weather rather warm and Miss Millie is wearing a pair of Caleb's outgrown pants as protection as she is on heat - Poppy is somewhere else in the cool. The hens are waving their wings in front of their faces to keep cool - almost.

Well I will post again as soon as I can.

Monday 25th April 2010

So our dear grandson went back to school today and I realised I only had 3 working days to get cardboard looms sent up for small children, make some arty bags myself and generally get my proverbial backside into gear for an exhibition called Fil du Insolite at Branderion on Saturday and Sunday. I am meeting my dear friend Jill on Friday at 1 so I must get on - you know how it is you just take ages getting your mind back into gear to be creative - I would take to the drink but it was too early.

Yesterday was good at Jess's command (just joking - request) we went to the Troc and Puce at Loudeac and I found - yes you guessed a material stall and I am now very happy to report that I have added to my material stash - expect lots of bags to be made - ah well needs must.

I worked on the garden over the last week. Mike made some wonderful curved metal arches for the runner beans and my greenhouse has been over run by mice so my plants are now on the veranda where the mice cannot climb. Swedes planted and salad leaves sown.

Jess has taped up the field ready for the horses and we received this morning the electric tape from our dear friend Vanessa in Huelgoat (it took nearly a week to get here I might add and its only a 1 1/2 hour drive away).

Mike has been tiling like mad - all the fiddly bits and has been as patient as any human being can possibly be bless him. So on with the melee and as soon as this weekend is finished I will be painting and continuing gardening and getting ready for the next exposition in July. Nice to be busy.

Ah on the new French licence front we turned up the week before last on a Friday to find that the office had been shut with no notice - turned up last Monday completely new staff who could not be more helpful and we now have a sheet so that Mike can have a medical so that he can tow trailers and caravans (I must make the appointment tomorrow). On the caravan new Carte Gris front - all done at the same office with no problems yipee.

Helping Killian with his English on Wednesdays and Estelle with her English on Saturdays - I just help them go over their schoolwork. I was so thrilled today as when I went to pick up Caleb in the playground Killian came over and double kissed me - so lovely.

Ah we also went to Katy's last Thursday evening with Caleb - Mike, Caleb and myself - Jess unwell. We had aperos and then we had a meal of thinly sliced steak, chicken and mushrooms - you placed them on the lava stone hot plate on the table and cooked them yourself together with sausages (pre-cooked) and endive and ratatouille. Caleb had the most wonderful time cooking his own food and spoke in French to Katy quite a lot - little devil - he likes her so he feels comfortable talking in French to her I think. We came home late - we walked past the church which was lit up like a Christmas light and Caleb had a piggy back all the way home with me whilst Mike walked in front with Caleb shining the way with a torch it was very good and very relaxed.

So I really will have to learn how to post pictures on here so that I can show you photos. Love to anyone reading this.

Sunday 11 April

We are all feeling rather jaded today - Jess is feeling decidedly unwell with a cold and I am somewhat tired. That said although its not as warm as yesterday today Caleb and Mike went fishing and caught 2 small fish and 2 medium fish.

Apparently when they had run out of worms Mike said thats it we will have to go back and when he was putting his rod away in the barn he felt the door being pushed from behind and Caleb was trying to shut him in the barn - "oh damn it grandad you spoilt my plan". Last night when I was sorting out the piles of dry washing on my bed he looked up from under the covers and away from the handmirror he was holding to say "nanna the bags under your eyes are ginormous you had better get some sleep" - bless him.

Lets hope for good weather tomorrow, civil and polite custom between myself and the sous prefecture at Pontivy and then home to more work. I must get around to taking some pictures to put on the blog. I am trying to get ready for more work in the atelier and low and behold another person arrived on my doorstep at 8.45 last night to ask me to help with their child's English language - I will now have to look at theTEFL course I really will.

Friday 9 April - Beaucracy damn it

You have met nothing until you meet a pissy, jobsworth, French sous prefecture who is determined to piss you off at every opportunity. Mike is trying to change to a French driving licence and it is proving difficult due to the fact that the pissy person(pp) is demanding an invoice dated September in his name (which she does not actually have the need for) and we do not have one as we pay by DD at the bank for our supplied services. So today I went to the Mayors office and have now got an Attestation of Domecile let the pp deny him now damn it.

When we go in on Monday it will be the third attempt - I went to the nearest bench on Tuesday after she talked to me like dog shit and blubbed - latent anger I wanted to jump up and punch her in her horrible face.

Anyway the simple fact is that I got into the workroom yesterday, put the wood burning stove on and did some sewing yeh. We are now on the road to recovery craftwise at last.

Anyway will report next week - plants growing well in the greenhouse, sun shining and so on.

Friday 20 March 2010

Well we have had a very busy week. Went to see Liz and Langdon (meanblackdog.com) and the meal was lovely and so was the company thanks guys. Dear Liz and Langdon have adopted a dog at very short notice until his passport is sorted out - such a wonderful thing to do.

Thursday to Vannes and today friends who sold us a De-Diedtrich stove came for lunch and a great chat.

Jess is now very pleased to be a part carer of a horse collected today - lots of mucking out and mucking in if you see what I mean.

Went on the Wii Fit today and in short I am not. That said Mike is and has an age 11 years less than he really is - I do not.

All in all a good week and I am now on the road to full creative recovery and looking forward to producing art quilts for people's homes. The days of spinning and weaving and knitting to sell are over and I am more than content to say so. I have not picked up a knitting needle for 4 weeks - time for a change.

We are all well and happy and what more can one want.

Thursday 11 March 2010

Well what can I say - Mike has managed to get in the way of a falling part of a tree and has hurt his hip but no break just very painful. He had his back turned to the man cutting the tree at the time and apparently the tree (or part thereof) decided to fall on him instead of the way it was supposed to -sounds rather like a dodgy insurance claim to me.

Anyhow that said the Fears are surviving as usual, the hens are laying well and I have spent days shovelling manure into the wheelbarrow and onto the land to have the hens help me by spreading the manure out on the land before I can dig it in - lovely.

Its been blowing a north easterly this week but the sun has been shining through it all. We are thinking of a change of plan and moving out of Brittany to France - more on that later if it all works out - sunshine is needed and there is just not enough up here.

Tuesday 2nd March

Its been one hell of a day it started early I cleaned the kitchen, lounge, changed beds, hung out washing and then tidied my workroom which was the best bit. I found some pencil roving already spun for Em together with matching spun silk which is great and all before 1 pm.

From 2.30 until 6 we were working on an unvegetarian project which I will not go into with a friend and then home for tea and washing up and feeding animals and a bed still to be made and its 21.18 - well its off to do that now - not very interesting I know but busy.

Thursday will be better. Tomorrow will not be as productive unfortunately but I will be with my grandson for the morning and his friend so that will be good.

Happy Mondays 1 March 2010

Well my grandson made my day by placing my glasses on my nose this morning and my lippie (newly acquired) and telling me to put the lippie on as it made me look 13 - he is 5 and I am 58 nearly 59.

I have been contacted by a young woman I met whilst spinning in St Nicholas Market in Bristol last year and of course I was supposed to be spinning some fibre for her and life's little and large events here took over. She told me I was perhaps an inspiration for her to learn to spin which is just what I needed today after Jayne and mine accident last Sunday (21 February) on our way to an exhibition - thankfully we were both unhurt but badly shaken. I have not picked up my knitting needles or the spinning wheel since and Em has made me realise I must.

Well I am off to my wheel again after washing up - thanks Em and thank god for Ravelry and good friends.