Author: boomingbanter

When we take our afternoon walk Scooby often meets the kids getting off the school bus. He loves to say hi and so do they. Today was beautiful so we also got to see them having fun in the sun.

On our two mile circuit we saw all sorts of activities going on. Soccer balls were out and so were basketballs.

Some boys were practicing for next years ice hockey season improvising by using roller blades on their tarmac drive.

Other lads had a tennis racket out using it as an alternative to a baseball bat. Hard to imagine why they needed to do that but who cares if it works!

Some older kids had their dirt bikes out while a little girl about five looked on longingly.

The whole neighborhood was busy and full of life. That sunshine really does what ever Mum and Dad hopes for, it gets the kids outside and doing what they do best PLAY!

Blessing # 627 – Fresh Air Fix

While Scooby and I were doing a bit of work on the computer yesterday we were listening to our favorite Ulster radio station U105.

The program was Jerry’s Jukebox and one of the songs played was a hit from the seventies by a group called the Buzzcocks.

The tune Ever Fallen in Love With Someone has been in my head all day. Can’t say it was one of my favorites or if I’d even have been able to remember who sang it but it sure is catchy.

Got me thinking of all the great pop songs back then and also of the absolutely fantastic gear there wore and we copied.

We started the decade with hot pantsuits. My mother loved them not on her of course but on me and bought me many pairs. In particular I remember a lemon one that had a wrap around skirt too. You could do an ABBA trick and whip it off if you were fast enough!

After the exposure with hot pants legs were covered up as we moved to long bell bottoms.

They looked best worn with platform shoes that were beyond imagination in their height and awesomeness and made you walk like a young elephant. They were quite comfortable though and looked particularly ravishing when paired with the cropped tartans that the Bay City Rollers ushered in.

Kids today like our Aaron really have missed out on so much when it comes to fashion. It does your heart good to wear crazy clothes. So colorful and since sugar is on the mind at the minute so SWEET.

Can’t imagine Aaron with long hair mind you! Now Scooby that’s a different story! Those waves!!!!

Blessing # 626 – Shang a Lang!

There is no doubt spring is here. The grass is getting greener by the second. The deer are in heaven grazing on all the sweet new shoots.

They clearly haven’t given up on our yard for lent. Nothing fazes them not even super crazy barking. They’ll be up at the door step soon!

The birds are also going bananas the amount of singing is sensational. From one day to the next they have gone ballistic but it sure sounds happy and good.

Spring also brings its dangers. Last night we had our first bad thunderstorm of the season. Fortunately Scooby seems totally immune to the noise unlike his predecessor. He just slept away.

We had no damage just a lot of ponding but the poor people of Nashville really suffered badly last night. So much destruction and so many lives lost. Very scary indeed.

After the storm the wind brought us bright blue skies so a long walk was in order. To our delight we found the first snowdrops blooming. Definitely promises fulfilled and no turning back now!

Blessing # 625 – First Flowers

This morning on TODAY a world renowned virologist came to the studio to explain about COVID-19.

His message passed straight over my head as I was so distracted by how much he looked like my Dad!

It was like he was paying me a visit from heaven! Don’t you think they look like clones?

My friend Patricia believes we all have twins walking around who look just like us but are totally unrelated. Since she introduced me to her theory I’ve been on the lookout and have to say it’s proven true with examples like todays.

There are some fabulous photos out there of COVID-19 like the one above with the contrast! Helps explain how Coronaviruses got the name. You can clearly see the little crowns or Coronas!

Side by side with the influenza virus, a orthomyxoviridae, you can see small but subtle differences. A bit like that doc and my dad.

Regardless, a few reflections!

One, don’t try saying orthomyxoviridae if you’ve had a few beers!

Second, save the masks for those who need them.

Third, for the love of all that are dear to you wash your paws please!

Finally, put things in perspective and remember that while we worry about this more than three million children are still dying each year of malnutrition. That’s more than 8000 a day more than 300 a minute!

Blessing # 624 – Soap and Sensibility

After being spoiled all of yesterday with treats of all sorts the four pawed persona is in the dog house.

On Sunday morning when we go out early there are few other souls around so armed with rewards it’s our best chance to be free to practice stay and come.

No sooner were we out the door than the lad took off into the yard and despite much enticement he stayed where he was put and totally refused to come.

He was digging into a pile of deer poop! All those lovely crunchies in his bowl and a big Beggin Bacon Strip in my pocket and he wants that! No kisses today thank you very much.

Feeling in need of a treat after the trauma a trip to Half Priced Books was called for. It had been on my mind, since watching the series on PBS, to see if they happen to have the DVD of the Forsyte Saga and bingo they had just one copy!

The thought of tucking into a mammoth session was so appealing it spurred on the change of season.

Down with the Chinese decor and up with shamrocks and bunnies!

Blessing # 623 – Springs Sprung

When we were out yesterday for our constitutional one of our neighbors stopped her car and rolled down the window.

All smiles she asked me « how’s Scruffy doing ». Scruffy indeed! Scooby was deeply offended!! So it was this morning, when the others were sound asleep, we got out the comb and started to untangle a few knots.

It’s a painful process so it was rewarded with a car ride which is high on Scooby’s most favorite things list. We had to make a run to the local free store as Aaron had again brought back a big box of buns last night.

As we were driving we shared secrets. Mine was that I’m starting to get a Marie Antoinette complex delivering all these cakes. He said not to worry since they all have French names people would understand and not be offended! He just begged that when it come to hairstyles any inspiration from her majesty was to be avoided.

We took a spin past the little cottage and he advised it was too much for a Queen to undertake and the area was not up to scratch since there were no pooches at all to be seen.

Under his guidance though we sniffed out a delightful hidden treasure of a neighborhood also close to the town center. That will be our focus from now on!

All we need to do is find the right Scruffy and give it a lick of paint and gloss!

Blessing # 622 – Groomers Guide

Today started out beautiful but the north wind soon returned and put my poor daffodils in deeper jeopardy.

The little buds are well through the ground let’s hope this doesn’t stamp them out after all their early efforts.

After a coffee and chat this morning with my buddy Lori I did a little house hunting. A sweet but sad looking little home has been on my mind. Built in 1901 it’s seen better days but after a roam around today and a peak through the windows I’m going to arrange a visit inside. What do you think of it? Isn’t it kinda cutzy cottagie?

Fired with plans the next stop was Restore to look for ideas and bargains that might work for this flip and then on to Goodwill for some treasure hunting.

Found a few little lovelies but also had an embarrassing incident. When I turned over one item it turned out to be two! The top came crashing to the ground. Absolutely mortified but what can you do except say sorry and make a fast retreat.

By now the appetite had been well wet and as luck would have it today was the first of the famous Friday fish fries held throughout lent by our local Catholic Church.

We got there at five thirty and already five hundred people had arrived. By the time we left the number had risen to close to one thousand. It’s such a great community feel and no wonder so many turn out you just cannot beat piping hot fish and chips with all the trimmings you can eat! Liking Lent a lot!

Blessing # 621 – Smashing Stuff

This morning just after five we got a call from school to announce a two hour delay! This was fortuitous for a certain young man who had worked a full day yesterday and needed some shut eye as we all did.

So alarm off and back to sleep till seven. There wasn’t much snow but it was like Siberia when Scooby and I stuck our noses out for his job.

No sooner were we back in and Aarons lunch made than the phone rang. School cancelled for the day! Well at least lunch is done for tomorrow.

After Zumba I hid myself in the basement with Scooby and got on with the tax. Aaron slept and Krishna ripped up paper! Such was the progress that all the planned tasks for this week were completed a day ahead of schedule.

So when my friendly Irish voiced cyber helper asked me what he could do for me I was a tad abrupt with him. He got the message and for thé first time I realized it’s written as a message too!


Just as I was reflecting that perhaps the lack of sugar was starting to show already the door bell rang and There stood a young man with a big bouquet of flowers. Better still another lay in a huge box on the door step! Was the cypher hunk really that sorry?

Well no. They were both from our dear Patricia in Switzerland who had tried to send flowers for my birthday last week and they didn’t arrive. Well they sure arrived today in abundance and are divine!

Blessing # 620 – Sweet Surprises

Fasting if you hadn’t noticed is getting a lot of press. It’s the latest weight loss trend. Not sure it’s a good one but maybe works for some.

Fasting is as old as he hills and practiced in all religions. Today is the start of we Christians longest fast Lent!

Historically this was treated very seriously and people had only one meal a day. Today it’s more of a personal challenge rather than a community event.

Since it lasts forty days it’s a good time to break old habits. They say it takes about six week to form a habit so six weeks abstinence should help restore a soul back to its original state! That would be about seven pounds off please!

My usual downfall happens when  I’m watching TV of an evening and ice cream finds it’s way into a bowl or peanuts pop into my palm.

Recently breakfast has been torpedoed too with Aaron bringing gone all these pastries and baked bombs.

So it’s off with the added sugar, desserts, snacks and all yumminess. As Aaron wisely said yesterday we’ll see how long that lasts!

When it’s a challenge though it’s easier to stick to don’t you think than just telling yourself your going to do it! Very purifying! Some limits though to what a body can bear!

Blessing # 619 – Clean Up

It’s shrove Tuesday and by rights we should be eating pancakes at Church. Instead, since it’s Aarons day off, we are having a family outing to a new restaurant called Aladdins at his request.

Its next door to where he works and very trendy. There is also the draw that one of his best friends works there and so do lots of good looking young ladies!!!!.

The decor is lovely and what’s most interesting is they are catering to all the new diet trends like keto, high protein and gluten free. They have very fine cutlery that gives it a high star rating for me and the napkins are recyclable. All in all all in Millennial!

We each had something different so we could taste and try. Yummy. Especially loved their hot sauce.

Wouldn’t recommend anyone coming too close tomorrow though as they may be overcome by even more garlic fumes than normal!

Blessing # 618 – Arabian Knights