The Tenth Edition of Our Newsletter

Edition 10 Monday 25th May 2020

Welcome to the Tenth Edition of our Newsletter

It’s been a funny week, weather-wise, we seem to be going from one extreme to the other. I blame my husband Tony , for creating a beautiful seating area at the top of our garden, his ‘solarium’ and of course, it’s not been sunny since!

I have received a suggestion from a member that perhaps we should have a ‘letters to the editor’ page. Where you can give feedback on articles, comment, say what you like or don’t like or just let us know how you feel. This could hopefully create a discussion forum. Please let me know if you think this is a good idea.

Send in any articles, jokes, interesting news or anything you might be of interest to other members – especially any tips on keeping busy or any community news. I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has contributed to this issue.

Please send any contributions to Karen: [email protected]

From our Chairperson, Franca

Hello All

So the Government is relaxing lockdown a bit on Thursday 28th May.

Having listened to ‘The Plan’ I'm not seeing much change for me in Phase 1 at least. I still can't see my grandchildren as they are too young to understand social distancing. Other than that I'm not tempted to go and queue for hours at a garden centre and I have enough places to walk near my house. Meeting up with one other person outside but maintaining social distancing doesn't appeal to me. It would all feel so contrived.

I hadn't thought about it before but part of socialising is being quite near to the person you are talking to. However it is a start and it is good to see that things are moving cautiously. Unfortunately I don't see the situation getting back to normal until a vaccine is found. Who knows when we will all be able to meet up again face to face but we need to stay positive and look forward to the day when we can.

Stay safe

Franca

Music in Our Time This is a regular item so if you have a relevant piece of music which reflects either the season , an event or our wonderful land, please email [email protected]

Music to help you relax by Alan Malloy

Members of our Music Group were asked to nominate a favourite piece of music which helps them to relax. I hope you are able to listen to these suggestions. I have attached links to each of the pieces, courtesy of YouTube; apologies for the adverts at the start of each piece!

Dance of the Blessed Spirits (7minutes) This was composed by Christoph Willibald Gluck for one of his most well-known operas ‘Orfeo ed Euridice’. The piece of music which precedes this dance is the frenetic: ‘Dance of the Furies’, so the serene ‘Dance of the Blessed Spirits’ is a wonderful calming respite. This piece is played on the flute by James Galway. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVuzqPKESHw

Cantique de Jean Racine (6 minutes) This piece was composed by Gabriel Fauré and translates as ‘Chant by Jean Racine’. Fauré was nineteen when he composed this and it won him unsurprisingly, the first prize in a composition competition in Paris. This is one of Fauré’s most popular pieces. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERYOe6KBvGo

Barcarolle from Offenbach’s ‘Tales of Hoffmann’(4 minutes) Jacques Offenbach was a composer, conductor, cellist and impresario, who composed almost 100 operettas, but arguably his most famous, ‘Tales of Hoffman’ was never finished. This short piece, sung by the Russian soprano Anna Netrebko, is a fitting testament to his genius. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u0M4CMq7uI

Flower Duet from Lakmé (5 minutes) Lakmé was one of a number of scores which made Leo Delibes famous. Some of his other works, Coppélia and Sylvia have been used as ballet scores, however Lakmé is considered his greatest work. Lakmé and her maidservant Mallika sing this duet while gathering flowers by a river. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Qx2lMaMsl8

Nocturne in C sharp minor (4 minutes) This solo piano piece was published after Chopin’s death. He wrote the piece in 1830, but it wasn’t published until 1870, 21 years after his death. It was dedicated to his sister, Ludwika. This music is credited with saving the life of Natalia Karp, who performed this to the Commandant of a concentration camp - on hearing her play this, he spared her life and that of her sister too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqpPRj6UZqc

Che Farò Senza Euridice (4 minutes) This is another wonderful tune from ‘Orfeo and Euridice’. The opera is full of tragedy: Cupid gives Orfeo permission to journey into Hades to bring his dead wife Euridice back to the ‘land of the living’ on condition that he does not look at her until they are back on Earth. Of course, Orfeo does look at Euridice again - and she dies…In that moment, crushed by his grief and loss, he sings “Che Farò Senza Euridice?” (What shall I do without Euridice?). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1B85UQT4AY

Karen’s Crafty Corner

Please remember to send in your craft ideas!!

A homemade no-sew face mask

This week’s craft idea is by Yvonne McDonald

'Homemade face masks can help to reduce the risk of transmission in some circumstance, but safety Please remember the following: precautions are still important.

Homemadei.e. Wash face your masks hands can thoroughly help to beforereduce putting on and taking off. the risk of transmission in some circumstance Avoids, buttouching safety your precautions eyes, nose and are mouth still at all times and store use important. Store used face masks in a plastic bag until you’re able to wash them.’

Wash your hands thoroughly before putting on and taking off.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth at all times .

Store used face masks in a plastic bag until you’re able to wash them.

Materials you will need (picture 1)

A square of cotton fabric approximately 50cm x 50cm – it doesn’t have to be new – a bandana, a man size handkerchief, or any oddment of closely woven cotton fabric. You could cut a square from an old sheet or an old cotton shirt.

You can adapt the size of the face mask by using a smaller square of fabric.

2 Elastic bands

Instructions :

1) Fold the top and bottom edges of the fabric square to meet at the centre (picture 2). 2) Fold this in half lengthwise. 3) Fold the sides in to overlap slightly at the centre (picture 3). 4) Thread each side through an elastic band – if it is too long then double it. Tuck the end

of one folded side inside the other to hold it in place (picture 4). 5) Turn it over and you have an instant no–sew face mask

6) Open out and fold all the corners to the centre (picture 2). 4 7) Fold two of the edges inward so they meet in the middle. Unfold and repeat with the other side (picture 3).

8) Unfold two of the centre tabs (picture 4). 1 2

3 4

These no-sew face masks are ideal for non – sewers, but if you want to try to sew one there are plenty of ideas on the internet. My favourite is site is Hobby Lobby and there is an easy to follow video. Here are some I have made! Just copy the link below

Karen https://www.google.com/search?q=hobby+lobby+mask& oq=hobbylobby+&aqs=chrome.4.69i57j0l7.8216j0j7&sou rceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 5

Each week we will be publishing a member’s

Desert Island Disc choices

This week it’s Morley Meinertz’s selection

There are so many songs one would like to include which move me - too many for this exercise. I love songs and lyrics and am moved by those rather than music itself although I do like solo instrumentals which seem to actually speak words.

1) The first song I remember and still love is "When you wish upon a Star" which I heard at the first film I ever saw 'Snow White'. My brother took me to a local Community Hall where we sat on wooden benches and I have a feeling the entrance fee was put in a jam jar.

2) My second choice is the first song I ever learned to sing was literally on my father's knee "Molly Malone" - most of my antecedents are Irish and I have a great fondness for them and the country.

3) As a child, we visited other family members at Saltcoats each summer. Every night a very serious looking man sang on a band-stand 'If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living shall not be in vain'. It was a big joke for us every night and although I haven't heard the song since, I remember it and the situation well.

4) My aunt from Harris used to sing a song at parties called 'Glendora' - she sang it in Gaelic but it translates about a Highland man visiting the big city, who falls in love with a shop window model. As a child, it appealed to me and I remember it well but I have never met another Highlander who knows this song.

5) For two years, school holidays were organised in an Aberdeen school (my initials are carved into the wood at Marschal College Tower). There were a few teachers with us but the older teenagers (probably 17/18 year olds) were the monitors. At night we danced to current pop tunes and us younger kids were highly amused and touched in our young hearts, as two of the monitors fell in love and danced every night to the Everly Brothers 'Devoted to you'. I can still picture them - they seemed very grown up to us 13/14 year olds and I think of them any time I hear that and any other Everly Brothers songs. I would like to think the romance lasted but probably didn’t.

6) Aged 17/18 my girlfriend and I went to London for a holiday with her much older brother and his friend who employed a young chap who was talked (perhaps bribed) into taking us to local clubs where we learned to do 'the Nod'. On our return we centre- staged in ‘The Lindella’ in Glasgow (where Lulu started her career) showing them all this new dance (basically shaking your head a lot). The Beatles 'Twist & Shout' was the one that stands out for this occasion.

Morley’s Desert Island Discs continued

7) My first wonderful taste of opera came from the 1962 comedy film ‘My Geisha’ starring Shirley Maclean who sang (mimed) 'One Fine Day' from ‘Madame Butterfly’ and that has remained my favourite opera (proper) and aria of all time.

8) Since then my taste in opera has widened and was re-stirred by Pavarotti at that Italian football match where he sang ‘Nassum Dorma’. Since then, I have been hooked on him and, in my opinion, his ever unequalled voice.

The favourite to be saved from the waves would be ‘One Fine Day’ sung by my favourite female opera star is Maria Callas and I would sing along with it as loud as I could for no-one would be able to hear and complain!

I wouldn't necessarily want another book as I have always wanted to read the Bible from cover to cover and I imagine all life is there in one way or another

Things - well, if I am honest I would probably take a mirror - my mother always said "Make the best of yourself and then forget about it".

Morley and her friend Marion

Morley

Please email your 8 record choices and your book and luxury item you would take to your desert island to Karen. [email protected]

Short Story by Charles Robb I belong to a writing group in Tain and we were presented with a photograph and some notes and challenged to write a story regarding the photo. The group met for two hours every second Thursday. We had roughly an hour and a quarter to write a story and then three quarters of an hour to read our stories and comment. I managed to write a short story and as I finished early I wrote what I call a flash poem. Each Thursday prior to next meeting one member would be appointed to choose three words. At the next meeting three unusual words would be presented. The members would try to insert the one or all three chosen words into the story or maybe none at all depending on story subject. I think the word transported was one of the words presented but unfortunately I cannot remember what the words were as I have cleaned up my notes on this story and forgot to note the words.

Charles Robb

These are the notes that accompanied the photograph:-

An obvious illusion but quite a clever one. A lot here about how comforting many people find the sea, the noise of it, it’s smell, it’s constancy, it’s intractability in the face of human beings who are clearly unable to fully master the wave and would surely lose in the smallest of battles. Taking the picture at face value, follow her footsteps out from the scene and along the sand. Where has she come from? Why would she choose to lie herself down on the beach in this way? Perhaps it’s a dream, or a wish. Perhaps it’s a metaphor for choosing to step out of life, or merely the need to go to sleep and wake up washed clean, ready to enjoy the day. Think of all the tales of mermaids and mermen, selkies, kelpies. Any number of other myths the world over tying human beings to water, it has such a powerful hold over our imaginations.

This is the photograph that inspired Charles’s short story and poem

Wake Up Call

By Charles Robb composed on 3rd December 2019 at Tain

Marion just had a very heavy lunch so she thought, I will go for a walk along the beach. It was quite a long beach bay shaped with cliffs at the very far end. The tide was very low. So she walked along the edge of the sea picking up shells here and there discarding those which were not worth keeping.

Marion was an artist who used the bits and pieces, flotsam and jetsam as part of her art. She had been walking some time, it was very hot as the sun was beating down so she went up the beach where the sand was dry and warm. She put her bag down and using it as a pillow, lay down and looked up at the sky where seagulls were flying about. The sound of the gentle lapping waves and the hot sun made her very sleepy. She did not mean to, but fell into a deep sleep

She felt transported to a world under the sea, she felt like a mermaid, swimming in, under and around the long strings of kelp, now and then a lobster or a crab would appear. She disturbed a shoal of small gobies as she swam close to an underwater cliff edge looking into nooks and crannies. In one deep crevasse of the cliff she came face to face with a large ferocious looking conger eel. Swimming quickly away she darted through the kelp and seaweed to a sandy patch in a clearing of the kelp. Marion was 20 feet under the water and rays of sun shining through the cloudy water full of plankton which were floating past, fish eggs, all kinds of small creatures and jelly fish. It was wonderful, the contrast of the kelp and the sun creating shifting shadows as the kelp moved in the tide with small and large fish appearing here and there. The exhilaration of the freedom of being weightless, moving up down and doing body rolls it was absolutely thrilling. She could see the dark murky depth as like a fog as the milkyness of the water limited her vision.

Almost at once she felt the water getting colder at her feet but she kept on moving swimming along. All of a sudden a cold slap of water hit her on the thigh and waist. She woke up with a startle, the tide had come in. A big wave had washed over her almost to the waist which made her jump up very quickly feeling very silly and soggy.

Turning around looking to the sea she thanked it for a dreamy insight into underwater life. She was not a mermaid after all but the dream had really been eventful.

It had been an unusual wakeup call.

This is the poem by Charles Robb that was

inspired by the photograph On The Beach By Charles Robb 3rd December 2019

I walked along a sunny beach Nothing on my mind The reflection of the blazing sun Almost made me blind

As I walked along the sand The heavier my legs became My legs became heavier and heavier And almost made me lame

I moved up the beach The tide was far away Just beginning to come in So, on the beach I lay

Tired as I was I lay my head On my bag as a pillow Watched the gulls floating by And listened to the sounds of the sea

To such sounds I fell asleep Out of me there was not a peep All of a sudden I felt a cold slap A wave of water hit my lap

The tide was in I woke up Perhaps next time I will be careful where I nap

Charles Robb

Have you got a favourite poem or

maybe one you have written yourself?

Please send your poem to

[email protected]

Pets Page

This week’s Pet Story is by Ruth

Zoophobia

Much has been written over the past weeks on the joys of pet ownership. Foolhardy of me of me, therefore, to raise the spectre of zoophobia - the irrational and morbid fear of animals.

As a child, I was completely terrified of all creatures great and small. (I found singing That Hymn in praise of their existence very problematic. I was happy to go along with all things bright and beautiful and the little flowers that opened bit. I just wished the Creator had left it at that). My poor parents attempted to address this fear - deeply shameful as it was - by introducing a tiny - probably very sweet - kitten into the household. I spent that day locked, panic-stricken, in the bathroom - until I was sure that the monster had been removed from the premises, never to return. For me, the kitten was quite literally the (rogue) elephant in the room. Family shame deepened. I think my father believed there was some connection to my other disability - being left-handed - a hitherto unknown affliction in our family history. (Having my hand tied behind my back was another failed cure).

Thankfully I was rarely invited into other people's houses. We were an immigrant family, displaced from rural Angus to the mean streets of Croydon. Mixing with the natives was frowned upon lest we be contaminated by their pagan ways. (They seemed to think it O.K. to cook food, listen to the wireless and use electricity on a Sunday). And anyway, they couldn't understand a word we were saying. On the rare occasions we were forced to mingle, I required total assurance that no animal would be present. A small caged bird or a single fish in a bowl the limits of my tolerance. Even they could induce violent shaking fits. The daily walk to school was a life threatening safari - every cat or dog encountered was the emotional equivalent of a sabre- toothed tiger or a charging rhino.

Scroll down the years and I had children of my own - none of whom had inherited the zoophobic gene - (and only one was left-handed), all of whom desired a pet and were unwilling to be fobbed off with a stick insect.

Zoophobia by Ruth Continued....

The cat came first; more foisted upon me than chosen."The cat hates moving" the neighbours said as they drove off with the removal van. "She's yours". The cat was as unimpressed with the situation as myself, although she was yet to discover that during the next 16 years of her life with us, she would be subjected to 5 more moves.

We managed to cohabit. She proved to be self-sufficient and undemanding preferring the outdoors. She kept my brassicas free of pigeons and the house a rodent no-go zone. A utility animal.

The puppy came next, (a struggling son in need of a friend, the left-handed one, naturally). I chose a small one, to minimize the hazard. Again I coped. Having house trained the children I managed the same with the dog. The son thrived and soon I found that the dog - as with other things, such as paper rounds, - became my responsibility. The dog and I progressed from delivering the freebie papers to increasingly long walks. We became walking companions. Another useful creature.

Over the years, the children left home. I think the cat valued the increased peace and quiet. The dog shared my loss. The cat continued to live largely outdoors and fulfilled her chores. The dog and I walked. We didn't converse. People we met on our walks would stoop down and hold a one-sided conversation with the dog which always puzzled me. (I rarely merited more than a brief comment on the weather). I have never attempted to hold a conversation with a strange dog - conversations with humans can be stressful enough. (I confess that sometimes my zoophobia has a tendency to encompass the human animal).

The dog and the cat lived long lives and inevitably died. I did miss them. I do miss them. I did not attempt to replace the cat or the dog. Or the children. I had learned my lesson when, in younger years, attempts to replace absent fathers went well awry. Shortly after the loss of the animals, I remember in the middle of one wild, wintry night while sitting reading in bed (I have yet to master the art of using the bed for sleeping purposes rather than reading) - alerted by a slight noise, I saw a large, hairy spider on my bedroom wall. Instead of the expected adrenalin-fuelled panic, I felt a surge of joy, happy in the knowledge that I was not the only living creature in the house that night. A partial cure, perhaps although I have never greeted subsequent spiders with such enthusiasm. I remain wary, treat all creatures with suspicious caution but am prepared to concede that there are some tolerable - even pleasant - ones in the world.

Zoophobia by Ruth Continued....

During a recent traditional lockdown activity - (sorting out the dusty boxes on top of the wardrobe) - I came across a poem I had written a good few years ago when the cat was ageing. I doubt if I will come across a similar item concerning a geriatric spider.

The Cat - who grows old.

The cat has moved indoors since she retired. Her occupation, now, is sleep. She took some time to readjust, gliding through the house with regal dignity, assessing the potential of each room.

She knows which window sill will catch the morning sun; the safest bed; the sweater drawer that's rarely closed. She waits for me to light the evening fire - for her, or so she thinks. She claims it for her own, turning a disdainful back on me without the slightest hint of gratitude.

Old though she is, she hasn't let her standards slip. She interrupts her sleep to keep herself in trim, stretching every limb with rhythmic elegance before she cleans herself from head to tail with envied supple grace.

On warmer days she briefly takes the air. Enthroned upon the garden shed, her tired eyes gaze at past stalking grounds where she would hunt and fight and disappear for days on end. All such passions long outgrown. I never find her slaughtered trophies on the lawn where birds now safely land. She glances down at them with bored contempt. Her tail flicks once, dismissively.

I am allowed to feed her now. She prompts me if I'm late, weaving circles round her dish and eyeing me with haughty accusation. For years she's lived her life alongside mine. I never cared. Sometimes I thought her gone for good and sighed with little sense of loss. Regretting only future mice.

She never was a pet. We rarely touched but sometimes, now she rubs herself against my leg submitting to one brief caress before she goes to curl herself again in sleep.

She doesn't fool me with her feigned indifference to age; her dignified acceptance that her life is almost done. I've watched her falter, lose her poise; observed fear flicker in her eyes. I keep my distance, offer only food, a reassuring touch if she allows. Pretending that I do not know - or share - her stubborn, independent pride.

Ruth

All about me! This is a new feature – hopefully a regular one! This was suggested by Franca who has devised the questions. So it only seemed right that she be the first ‘victim’ to

answer them.

Not a lot of people know this but I was very good at ….. Badminton.

My nickname is...... I haven't had a nickname since I was at secondary school when I was called “Big Frank” because I hit the hockey ball so hard.

My best friend is...... My husband, we have known each other for 46 years and as he said recently we still get on even during lockdown.

The bravest thing I've ever done is...... Abseil.

My favourite TV programme is...... The News

My perfect evening is...... Sitting by the open fire with my tea of chips and watching rubbish on TV.

The best thing my parents taught me was...... To fight for fairness for all.

My greatest weakness is...... Pottering in my garden.

If I could pass any law I would...... Impose much higher penalties for those who drop litter and fly tip.

The shop I can't walk past is...... Any charity shop.

The most expensive thing I've ever splashed out on is...... Our holiday to Peru.

The worst job I've ever had is..... Washing celery in Mattson’s food factory when I was a student. . My perfect Sunday is...... Walking the dog and having my grandchildren over to play for the afternoon.

My favourite place in Britain is...... Knoydart.

My last holiday was...... In Tenerife.

I'm currently reading...... The Island by Victoria Hislop.

The best day of my life was...... My daughter's wedding on Dornoch beach.

If I had three wishes – they would be...... 1) That I didn't have cancer. 2) That they would find a successful vaccine for Corona virus now. 3) That child abuse would be stopped.

Would you like to share your answers to these questions? Send in your responses to: [email protected]

A Brief History of Hector Malloy by Rhoda Malloy Episode Ten

When it comes to health problems, Hector has always been his own worst enemy. From early puppy-hood he was a martyr to 'digestive issues', (and so unfortunately were we), necessitating many anxious visits to the vet where we were told that Chocolate Labradors are far more prone to 'tummy troubles' than their golden or black relations!

Due to a variety of rather unpleasant and persistent symptoms, our vet suggested we change Hector's kibble to a hypo-allergenic type containing no wheat or beef, and make sure he followed a very restricted diet!

Talk about an impossible task! With Hector's voracious appetite, his amazing sense of smell and his opportunistic scavenging behaviour, we stood little chance. When out on a walk, before our eyes had chance to focus, he would gobble down plastic bags that had previously contained food, or slyly pick up and swallow a pine cone or a piece of litter. He even managed to chew up and eat a solid plastic reacher with a hand trigger provided by the NHS to help James pick things up after his operation without having to bend over!

Once when James was preparing for a fishing trip when Hector was about 6 months old, he was loading up the car with his equipment, when, quick as a flash, Hector grabbed a large, vacuum-packed plastic bag of sardines which James had bought for bait, and wolfed them down, bag and all!

In endeavouring to restrict his diet, we felt like King Canute facing the relentless, crashing waves of an incoming tide, hopelessly gripping a STOP sign. All Hector's senses were far superior to ours, plus he was infinitely faster and more agile when it came to the inevitable chase.

We finally reached breaking point six months ago when he started being sick every night for a week. Prior to this, he had escaped from his lead in the forest and gone AWOL for half an hour, much to Alan's chagrin. There was obviously a problem with his digestive system, but as he continued to enjoy his meals and snacks, we were not overly concerned. However, on the morning of day seven, Alan opened the utility room door with great trepidation, and was aghast at what he saw. Hector had been sick yet again, but this time had produced two shiny black deer hooves, both pointing intriguingly towards the back door, as if in some sort of a surreal escape plan!

We were incredulous! Fearing there may be two more lurking somewhere in his stomach, steadfastly refusing to be digested, we made an emergency appointment with our long-suffering (but extremely well paid) vet, Lucy, where he suffered the indignity of having his temperature taken and his belly palpated. She examined him with a mixture of curiosity and admiration, saying that this case was a very definite first for her.

Hector continued...

After declaring him to be hoof-free, she could see that we were at the end of our tether with Hector's eating-mania, and hesitatingly suggested a muzzle. We had considered purchasing one on numerous occasions, but had always decided against it. We could not bear the thought of him being viewed by everyone we met as a vicious, dangerous dog. However, something had to be done to protect our sanity and Hector's alimentary canal, so reluctantly, we bought one.

Hector at 3 years

Just for fun

Last week’s ‘Guess the Object’ was, of course, a pencil sharpener!

Many thanks to Anne Fenech

Can you guess what this object is? Answer will be in next week’s

edition!

Thanks to Rhoda Malloy for this interesting photo!

Just for fun

Continued Here is the answer to last week’s puzzles

What day would tomorrow be if...

...yesterday was five days before the day after Sunday's tomorrow?

Answer: Saturday.

It's best to work backwards: "Sunday's tomorrow" is Monday.

"the day after Sunday's tomorrow" is therefore Tuesday. "five days before the day after Sunday's tomorrow" is therefore Thursday. "yesterday was five days before the day after Sunday's tomorrow" yesterday was Thursday, making today Friday. Therefore tomorrow is Saturday.

Imagine a bottle recycling skip, empty other than one lonely bottle.

Every hour, on the hour, people come and put bottles into the skip.

The first hour, at Noon, one person came and put a bottle in.

One hour later, two people placed a bottle each into the skip An hour later four people placed a bottle each into the skip.

This doubling of people continued until 11pm, when the skip was finally full. When was the skip exactly half full?

Answer: 10pm.

The skip started with 1 lonely bottle.

At Noon: 1 person came along and added a bottle, making the total 2 bottles.

At 1pm: 2 people came along and added a bottle each, making the total 2 + 2 = 4 bottles.

At 2p m: 4 people came along and added a bottle each, making the total 4 + 4 = 8 bottles.

At 3pm: 8 people came along and added a bottle each, making the total 8 + 8 = 16 bottles.

Therefore the number of bottles in the skip is doubling every hour, as it was full at 11pm, it must have been half full at 10pm.

Even more fun......

Can you solve these puzzles? – answers will be in next

week’s edition

My first is in bridge, but not in ridge. If four kittens can catch four mice in My second is in awake and in mistake. four minutes... My third is in danger, but not in ranger.

My fourth is in flange and in orange. ...how many mice can twelve kittens My fifth is in spline and in nine. catch in twelve minutes? My last is in river and in diver. My whole likes the darkness. What am I?

For info – spline is a mathematical term By changing the third letter of each of the words below, can you make another valid word. By changing the third letter of each of the words below, can you make You haveanother to change valid word? each word such that the third letters will reveal a ten letter word when read downwards.

Therefore,You what have now to change reads KRZSAPROKD each word such will that be athe real third word. letters will reveal a ten letter word when downwards? BAKE CURE Therefore, what now reads KRZSAPROKD will be a real word. MAZE PEST BAKE NEAT CURE ROPE MAZE PORT PEST FOOD NEAT POKE ROPE SODA PORT FOOD POKE SODA

Graham Mewha shared in these jokes –

Does anyone know if we can take showers yet or should we just keep washing our hands?

I never thought the comment,' I wouldn't touch him/her with a 6ft pole’ would become a national policy, but here we are!

2019 stay away from negative people. 2020 stay away from positive people.

The world has turned upside down. Old folks are sneaking out of the house and their kids are yelling at them to stay indoors!

Charles Robb sent this in – it was sent to him by a computer enthusiast

And Pat Webster sent in these 3 jokes

Following on from Franca’s ‘Highlights of the Week’, Nettie Mewha has sent in her highlights! Why not send in your highlights of the week?

Reading Franca’s highlights of the week, I really could sympathise. One day seems to roll into another with very little to distinguish them. However, we have found it is the little things that make the days different.

Saturday – I get to do the cooking. Meals are Graham’s thing and are what make his days. This week I really fancied lemon meringue pie. It’s probably a couple of years since I tried making one, simply because gluten free pastry is something I feel I have never mastered. Maybe it was because I had unlimited time? Or was it lots of xanthan gum? It came out perfectly! Great day.

Sunday - The fun of YouTube, there is lots of choice of Sunday morning Services. The trouble is after Lockdown, if we are ever allowed in a Church building all together again, I would have to get out of my PJ’s and not have a coffee in my hand. I would probably even have to brush my hair as well! The other treat is discovering all the family, all over the world, can have a chat all together, seeing all the grandchildren is so special. Great day 2.

Monday - I watch Graham soldering his rail track, he is finally conquering this new skill. I get really, really excited when I discover I have an uncle by marriage (x 4 generations) who served in the Royal Navy. He served during WW1, including in the Battle of Jutland. This completes the missing years of Naval history of my family, the 100 years of Pax Britannica, plus the two World Wars. Not a bad day at all.

Tuesday – The weekly trip to Morrisons. We find it really difficult trying to remember a list for a whole week. How we miss the days of just popping in for the ‘forgotten’ thing. Like food for the guinea pig, which we are ‘pig sitting‘ for Graham’s daughter who is working strange shifts. What is worse, you have to remember to look like a bandit and use hand sanitizer. To combat the strain of this, and remembering to keep a safe distance, you buy more plants than you need or have room for in the garden. Ooops sort of day.

Nettie’s highlights continued.....

Wednesday - Is it really bin day? We and our neighbours, all at a safe distance, discuss whether it really is Wednesday. We are all getting rather good at putting each other’s bins out on Tuesday s, and don’t anybody ask which colour bin it is. Extra Smarties for the one who can remember that!

Another Ooops sort of day.

Thursday - We got to buy a new vacuum cleaner. The Hardware Shop opened in Alness,

we no longer have to use the brush and dustpan to get up all the beach the dog brings back in her fur. A so, so sort of day.

Friday- We ordered a boat jetty and boats for Graham’s model railway. He has spent the last couple of days drawing pictures of how he wants his scenery to look. The order will be delivered in – July. Don’t these people realise we need something to fill our empty days with. We are feeling creative - now. A frustrating sort of day.

IT Tips from our IT Group Leader Alan Malloy Actually, somewhere along the line we discovered Morning Prayers from Canterbury

Cathedral.

The Dean holds prayers in the garden. As we can’t visit gardens this year this is wonderful, it is the most beautiful garden and each day we are in a different spot.

In addition to prayers and the garden, we have the cats. Our favourite is the one who sits on the table and dips its paw in the milk jug!

Like I said, it’s the little things that make the day’s highlights.

Nettie Mewha

IT Tips from our IT Group Leader Alan Malloy IT Tips Looking at NHS online - www.NHS.uk

The restrictions imposed on us by the Coronavirus around social distancing are perhaps felt most keenly when we feel unwell. It is entirely understandable that we feel reluctant about visiting our GP, either because we don’t want to be a burden or because we don’t want to risk catching anything. However, the recent message from the NHS is that it is ‘open for business’ so if you are ill, do contact your GP. There are times though when we just need advice. The NHS online is an excellent resource which will help you to find health information, medicines, symptoms and provide unbiased and accurate answers to a range of interesting questions. (see Health News)

Feeling unwell? -Where best to go for help and advice. While web browsers like Google and social media sites like Facebook can give us some information, it may be that this is not totally accurate. The NHS website will give you medically correct information. If you suspect you have an illness, use your web browser and type in: ‘Illness + NHS ‘ E.G. Flu NHS . Try it for yourself.

Healthy Living ‘Live Well’ The NHS website also has a useful section on healthy living. Sections include: Eat well. Healthy weight. Exercise. Sleep and tiredness. Alcohol support. 5 steps to mental wellbeing. Each section has several sub-sections. E.G. ‘Eat well’ is divided into ‘Food and diet’, ‘Recipes and tips’ and ‘Digestive health’. Within each of these sections you can find a wealth of information.

Care and support As you would expect, this section provides valuable information and help on a wide range of topics. Examples include: - Support and benefits for carers - Practical tips if you care for someone. - Caring for children and young people

Health News In this section, you can read about the science and latest news about diseases and illness which do not deal in myth or ‘false news’. What is particularly interesting in this section are the oft intriguing statements. Examples include: ‘Western-style diet may impair memory and encourage unhealthy eating’, ’Frequent teeth brushing may be linked with a lower risk of diabetes’ These statements are discussed, with the NHS’s sound advice on each provided.

Do explore this website, as it is a treasure-chest of useful information. 23

TOP TIPS To Stay Safe

Top tips to cope with anxiety from the NHS

Understand your anxiety Try keeping a diary of what you are doing and how you feel at different times to help identify what's affecting you and what you need to take action on.

Challenge your anxious thoughts Tackling unhelpful thoughts is one of the best things we can do to feel less anxious. Watch the video to find out more – see link below.

Make time for worries If your worry feels overwhelming and takes over your day, setting specific "worry time" to go through your concerns each day can help you to focus on other things. Watch the video for more advice – see link below.

Shift your focus Some people find relaxation, mindfulness or breathing exercises helpful. They reduce tension and focus our awareness on the present moment.

Face the things you want to avoid It's easy to avoid situations, or rely on habits that make us feel safer, but these can keep anxiety going. By slowly building up time in worrying situations, anxious feelings will gradually reduce and you will see these situations are OK.

Get to grips with the problem When you're feeling stressed or anxious, it can help to use a problem-solving technique to identify some solutions. This can make the challenges you're facing feel more manageable.

To watch videos on any of the above topics and for more information click the link below.

https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/anxiety/#

This week’s recipes are from

Morley Meinertz

Mushroom Soup

Ingredients Chicken Liver Pate 90g Butter 2 Medium Onions, roughly chopped

1 Clove of Garlic, crushed Ingredients 225g (8oz) Chicken Livers 500g Mushrooms, finely chopped 175g (6oz) Butter 2 tablespoons Plan Flour 2 tablespoons Brandy 1 litre Hot Chicken Stock 2 teaspoons Mustard Powder 1 Bay Leaf 1 teaspoon Mixed Herbs 4 tablespoons Single Cream 2 Cloves of Garlic Chopped Parsley to serve Salt & Freshly Ground Pepper

Method Heat the butter in a large saucepan Method and cook the onions and garlic until Melt 25g (1oz) of the butter in a frying soft but not browned. pan. Add the mushrooms and cook over a Add the chicken livers and fry on a high heat for another 3 minutes until medium heat for 5 minutes, turning softened. constantly. Sprinkle over the flour and stir to Remove from the pan and transfer to an combine. electric blender. Pour in the chicken stock and bring to Add the brandy, herbs, mustard the boil. powder, garlic & seasoning. Add the bay leaf and simmer for 10 Blend to a smooth paste and serve with minutes. hot toast Remove from heat and discard the bay

leaf. Blitz the mushroom mixture with a blender until smooth. Gently reheat the soup and stir through the cream Sprinkle with the parsley to serve. 25

Beat the Boredom!!

Dugald MacAngus has made another YouTube video in his flight simulator. This time his flight is from Dalcross to Loch Ness and back. Click on the link

below to watch his flight.

https://youtu.be/6zNL5ghoinY

How are you ‘Beating the Boredom’?

Please send in your tips to [email protected]

The Red Boat by anon

A man was asked to paint a boat. He brought his paint and brushes and began to paint the boat bright red, as the owner had asked him. While painting, he noticed a small hole in the hull, and quietly repaired it. When he had finished painting, he received his money and left.

The next day the owner of the boat came to the painter and presented him with a nice cheque, much higher than the payment for the painting. The painter was surprised and said “You’ve already paid me for painting the boat Sir!” “But this is not for the paint job. It’s for repairing the hole in the boat.”

“Ah! But it was such a small service, certainly not worth paying me such a high amount for something so insignificant.”

“My dear friend, you do not understand. Let me tell you what happened. When I asked you to paint the boat, I forgot to mention the hole. When the boat dried, my kids took the boat and went on a fishing trip. They did not know that there was a hole. I was not at home at the time. When I returned and noticed they had taken the boat, I was desperate because I remembered that the boat had a hole. Imagine my relief and joy when I saw them returning from fishing. Then I examined the boat and found that you had repaired the hole. You see now what you did? You saved the lives of my children! I do not have enough money to pay you for your ‘small’ deed.”

So no matter who, when or how, continue to help, sustain, wipe tears, listen attentively and carefully repair any ‘leaks’ you find. You never know when one is in need of us. Along the way you may have repaired numerous ‘boat holes’ for several people without realising how many lives you have saved.

Just a thought to end on

Coming in the Next Edition

 Desert Island Discs – could it be you?  More Craft Ideas  More IT Tips  Hector’s next instalment  More of our member’s poems  As well as lots of interesting news and features

I would welcome feedback on your thoughts and ideas about this newsletter and let me know if there are any items you would like to see in future editions, Please remember when sending in items for inclusion in this newsletter, make sure you let me know if you are happy for your name to be added.

Many thanks The Editor (Karen) [email protected]