Bob's Blog Page 58
You are reading Page 58 of Bob's Blog/diary/dream/story/journey/novelistic memoir.
He is 86 years old and counting.
He is also very much aware that this blog is of no significance whatsoever -
at the time of writing!
Wednesday 1st January 2025.
For the time being Bob has decided to quit blogging. He will respond to any questions. Contact above. Thanks for reading and Many Happy Returns and New Years. Bob.
Friday 3rd January 2025.
That didn't last long did it?
The sight of two large, lively, fluffy foxes ambling about in your back garden, one with a white tipped tail, has to be something worth blogging about don't you think?
Alexa. Relaxing classical. Breathing more easily, breathing more slowly. ZZZZZZ......
Saturday 4th January 2025.
I went to view another flat today (don't tell anybody). It was on the first floor, had far reaching views over Waitrose, balconies, plenty of elbow room, underground car park and a lift. What's not to like? No fluffy foxes!
'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society' what's not to like?
Decided to apply to The Open University for help with my amazing invention (or AI for short). What's not to like?
Fitted another grabrail. Are you sure you don't want a grabrail fitted? No charge if you are older than me!
Sunday 5th January 2025.
Is it OK if I can't think of anything interesting to blog about today? Perhaps you would send me your stories?
Monday 6th January 2025. (Still can't get used to 2025.)
Dear Reader,
Because I have unloaded all shopping duties onto our favourite Angels, I have decided to ditch the evening carers. It maybe that in the weeks to come I will ditch all the morning carers as well thereby saving loadsa money. This has come about because horizontal energy levels have gone through the roof. Or is it early-onset self delusion?
Love and hugs,
Bob
PS I would like you to know that things are moving slowly but positively in the direction of 'Horizontal Gravity' thanks to you. You know who you are.
Tuesday 7th January 1939 whoops sorry 2025.
Today, you may have noticed your favourite blogger turned into an 86 year old wrinkly. One day you may be as lucky! The birthday pint of ale in The Bear with Dan was lovely, the curried muscles less so but hey ho!
Wednesday 8th Januarys 2025.
Yesterday morning, I posted a picture of me in my pyjamas but I decided to delete it yesterday afternoon. I decided it was vain. If you are disappointed you missed it I'll send you a copy. You didn't miss anything!
Eva the Occupational Therapist popped in yesterday, she was blown away with Bob's bathroom modifications for disabled Nannies. She has OK'd the move upstairs but Bob might decide that running up and down stairs (the stair lift takes too long) is too much for 86 year-olds. Bloody exhausting even! Let's have a look at some Bluebells.
Thursday 9th January 2025.
A respite stroll in the low midday sunshine to visit Great Grandmother Annie and Great Grandfather John in Cobham Cemetery was achieved without too much difficulty. In case you've forgotten their story can be found HERE. Annie Byrne from Dublin has been lying there since 7th September 1891 waiting for attention. This is not her but she is nearby and also deserves attention, don't you think?
Friday 10th January 2025.
Spoke to a Virtual Assistant today about my Premium Bond, he sounded virtually human but he was deaf as a post, blind as a bat and thick as two short planks. I'll probably be jailed for discrimination but there you go.
Saturday 11th January 2025.
Dear ERNIE,
Thank you for your reply.
I would suggest that your admission of 'an error' in your website does nothing for confidence and trust required from savers or the reputation of ERNIE and NS and I in general.
Also, your use of a 'Virtual Assistant' is demeaning to anyone who has the misfortune of having to speak to it.
You will, no doubt, be aware that I am 86 but you won't be aware that I am also a 24/7 carer for my wife who is a recent stroke victim and is now a 'virtual' invalid. This for me is exhausting and I don't need emails at 7pm on a Friday or to have to reply to them early on Saturday morning.
I look forward to your response.
Kind regards,
Bob
Don't you get cheesed off with endless requests for reviews? What did you think of your Chocolate Surprise? What did you think of your Coat Hanger? What did you think of your Picture Hanging Eyelets? It seems to me that somebody has got nothing better to do. How about giving me a hand with wheelbarrowing old ladies about? Don't get me wrong, I realise I'm very fortunate to be able to wheelbarrow old ladies about.
Had an email from Nahoko telling me that she has approved conversion of the bathroom into an all singing all dancing wet room. So, no more lounging in the bath. Unless you would be happy to rent out your bath. What do you think? Airbnb (bath and breakfast!).
Sunday 12th January 2025.
Lovely to see our feathered friends return to the garden. For months the feeders were banned while Roland Rat and his friends were at large but now Percy the Wood Pigeon rules the roost once again. How the hell they survive out there with no socks on beats me. He is a wonder of aerodynamic efficiency despite being a fat b*******.
The Amazing Invention (AI for short) took another leap forward today but nobody noticed. It'll happen.
Monday 13th January 2025.
Feeling particularly devoid of energy today. It happens.
Dear Bob,
Please accept £50 compensation for our website balls up and our 'Virtual Assistant's failure to understand English.
Love
ERNIE.
(8pm) Thanks to my favourite readers energy levels have returned although they do say that the fire burns bright just before it goes out. Don't they?
Tuesday 14th January 2025.
I hope your day was a lovely one and that you sleep well. Mine started with another UTI scare (not me) and ended with deep joy. I fitted another key safe for a neighbour who is in a far worse state than me. Are you sure you don't want one? Many years ago I was out in my dinghy off Pagham Beach and the rudder snapped. I made it into a cheese slicer. Not sure what the point of that is but it's a lovely piece of artwork don't you think? A bit like you know what.
Wednesday 15th January 2025.
As we all know being rudderless is not a great position to be in. So, to avoid being swept along with the wind or the tide always carry a spare rudder. Simples.
This year is the 30th anniversary of this web domain name, I was walking to work one day when this amazing idea (or AI for short) came to me. 30 years later it's still an amazing idea. I reckon!
Thursday 16th January 2025.
This time tomorrow I should have my socks blown off with my new Hisense 240w Soundbar and Subwoofer. It'll be delivered by Yodel with a rolling road Logo driving the wheels of a Yodel delivery van. Exactly like my Amazing Idea will look like when it's been built. Nice to have something to look forward to.
Saturday 18th January 2025.
Apologies for missing a day's blog, hope you weren't too disappointed. I was trying to work out what was the point of living when you are old, wrinkly and incapable. I've discovered that the answer is listening to your favourite music via a Hisense 240w Sound bar and paired Sub-woofer. There are many things in life that you look forward to which turn out to be disappointing but not a Hisense 240w Sound bar with a paired Sub-woofer. It will blow your socks off Gina!
Sunday 19th January 2024.
Perhaps you've got one already. What do I know? Apologies.
This week we will find out if Innovate UK will trust me with loadsa tax payers' money to develop my Amazing Invention. Stranger things have happened.
Monday 20th January 2025.
It's about time you had an update on Great Gran's (to be) situation. Still coping and still hoping. Coping with frustration and humiliation and hoping her left leg, left arm and left hand will come back to life. She's been issued with a 3 pronged walking stick which needs plenty of concentration and plenty of 'catchers' around just in case. Not a great design but Great Grumps (to be) is working on it.
He took the MG Duster for a respite blast around the country lanes yesterday, ended up with a respite brunch at 'Stones Throw', thanks to Maddie, Phoebe and Tim. He returned suitably respited with plans to build a marble stepped staircase leading down to a beautiful sunken garden with an ornamental fountain cascading into a babbling brook surrounded by beautiful trees, a myriad of flowers and soft grassy banks with views to the sea in the distance. A place where you can feel the sun on your cheek (not too hot) hear the birds twittering in the branches and sense fragrancies from long ago.
Get the picture?
Tuesday 21st January 2025.
No need to 'drill baby drill' if you 'drift baby drift'. But what do I know? I know I've got to find a replacement carer for me, any offers?
Wednesday 22nd January 2025.
On the way back from The Ability Store Bookham, having bought another grabrail and test drove an electric wheelchair I found myself knocking on the door of Cossins Care Home, can't think why! I was welcomed with opened arms like a long lost son and shown around every nook and cranny. It also included a conducted tour around the 3 and a half acre garden by Mannie the gardener. Mannie also introduced me to the chickens and invited me to a fish and chip lunch next week. I felt at home. Is that possible?
Thursday 23rd January 2025.
Hip! Hip! Hooray! Lottie is eleven today! Happy Birthday Lottie.
About 57 years ago back in 1968, when I was working for Boeing on the 747 at Everett, Washington State I had a 1962 Ford Galaxie with a Sub Woofer sound system like you wouldn't believe. I used to drive to work up Highway 99 listening to Perry Como singing 'The bluest skies you've ever seen are in Seattle'.
Today I was again blown away with my Sub Woofer listening to Perry Como singing 'The bluest skies you've ever seen are in Seattle'. Memories!
This is Marcia, Julia with Raggedy Anne and Gina. If you really want to know the full story click HERE.
Friday 24th January 2025.
'We can now confirm that the assessment process has been completed and unfortunately Innovate UK is unable to fund your application on this occasion. We recognise this will be disappointing and we thank you for taking the time to apply to this competition.'
Phew! I can die happy now.
Saturday 25th January 2025.
On a sunny day like today I think of you and a knickerbocker glory. But mostly a knickerbocker glory. Sorry about that.
Sunday 26th January 2025.
This doesn't show the intense pink of the early morning sunrise but you get the idea. The apple tree must be at least 60 years old as it was well established in 1971 when we moved in.
You may have noticed the feedback from Innovate UK I got on my amazing idea page. It would seem that others also think it is an 'amazing idea' - as I always knew they would.
Assessor No 1 'This is a simple & potentially game-changing concept for tidal-based renewable energy generation'.
I've decided I can thank my Irish great grandmother Annie Josephine Byrne who's been lying in Cobham Cemetery since September 1891 for the inspiration.
Monday 27th January 2025.
Today is Holocaust Memorial Day and we should all remember and reflect on what happened. I was 6 years old 80 years ago so I had no idea of what was happening but I do remember the fear in the minds of all in 1940 when Hitler's Army's were poised to cross the channel. There is no way I would compare that fear to going into a Care Home, either voluntarily or involuntarily, but the fear is there nevertheless, regardless of the lovely people who work in Care Homes. Is that unreasonable?
Tuesday 28th January 2025.
It's a Happy 25th Birthday today to Ivan. Have a great day Ivan Robert.
Grandfather is reflecting back when he was 25! There is a prize for guessing where the picture was taken.
Thursday 30th January 2025.
No winning entry. The place was Madeira Drive, Brighton. The groyne in the background is now the Brighton Marina.
Memories. Alexa, play the music.
Friday 31st January 2025.
The Kodak Brownie 127 that took the picture 60 years ago!
How can that be?
Seems like yesterday!
But who took the picture?
Alexa, George Shearing Lullaby of Birdland?
Bob's Blog Page 58
You are reading Page 58 of Bob's Blog/diary/dream/story/journey/novelistic memoir.
He is 86 years old and counting.
He is also very much aware that this blog is of no significance whatsoever -
at the time of writing!