Food on brain...

If YOU are on fluids and not hot fluids either, what would YOU be thinking about, YOU see.. YOU are same as HER.. now SHE is thinking of recipes!  Poor ole thing, well, at least SHE will be very slinky if SHE goes on at this rate.. no food today. Grim, I call it.

SHE is thinking about Tomato Sauce.. reason being that SHE bought several tins this morning as tinned tommies were on 'special offer' at big store down road, tinned tommie specials are always a good deal as WE use them a lot in YumYum HQ.

SHE used to make it like I guess most folks do.. olive oil, onions, garlic, tins of good tomatoes and seasoning..  December 2005, SHE went to stay with MY greatest fan, Zaira, in Rome.

Zaira cooked seafood in tomato sauce.. simple dish but what was this.. tomato sauce tasted completely different to 'normal' tomato sauce.. so Zaira gave HER recipe.. and read carefully... there were NO onions in sauce, Zaira explained one or other, never together.. and YOU don't chop tomatoes, into a bowl they go and YOU squish them into a pulp with your fingers.. such fun!

"Thank YOU Zaira".

SHE went on to explain that for seafood YOU use garlic and parsley or oregano, but sauce for pasta is usually made with onion and basil which makes it a sweeter sauce. That a Neapolitan cook would take out crushed or halved garlic before finishing sauce but that a Calabrian cook would probably leave it in..

Who knew these facts?  SHE didn't that is for sure but SHE gets lots of compliments on 'Zaira's Tomato Sauce' that is for sure.

SHE makes own Ricotta Cheese from Goats Milk... oh, heavenly stuff.. so simple to make, milk, salt and lemon juice or white wine vinegar, strainers and muslin or cheese cloths..

SHE used to go to Lina Stores for their Ricotta but HER's is as good.. do YOU live in London?  Lina Stores, 18. Brewer Street, London W1, is in Soho.. SHE and their staff are getting old together, 'Nonna' used to run shop, now son and her grand-daughter run it.. great food and fabulous choices of pasta, salami, etc plus dried stores.

Coffee.. Do YOU drink it?  Algerian Coffee Shop, 52. Old Compton Street, London W1, a quick hop from Lina Stores sells every possible blend / variety of HEAVENLY coffee and has been doing so for well over a hundred years in same location.. also some teas, sugars and, of course, coffee makers, such nice people and YOU can buy minute amounts or KILOS!

I am off to b-e-d.. I have a new routine for sleeping, as I would in wild, for twelve hours a night, at first I squeaked but between YOU, ME and front door, it suits ME..  I have a quick mini-snack'et and then off I go.. I don't think SHE will be far behind ME either.. dismal evening here, chilly, damp.  SHE was supposed to be having supper with Lollypop, aka Anne Beddo but SHE called and told her about no food and sore jaw, they will reschedule for next week.

Yawn...

GeeGee Parrot.
July 31st, 2012.

Stefano replies...

OK.. Stefano, who owns restaurant in Italy, has sent email saying that he reads MY Blog but not all every day.. well, he is a VERY busy man, he has to buy and cook food, people to greet, sleep, eat.. don't worry Stefano, WE are jurst delighted to know that YOU visit MY Blog sometimes and that YOU enjoy style of writing and that it makes YOU larf..

But this leaves 'Italian mysterious-unknown Lone Reader' ... Caroline has husband, household etc, etc and has never mentioned anything about reading MY Blog, Laura very busy teaching HER country folk how to speak our weird language.. Laura speaks English as if she WERE English.. amazing!  She is not deaf, she has all nuances in right place, clever gurl.

So.. who is it?  Like game of cat and mouse.. WE will never know but yesterday stats showed that final total of Italians reading was EIGHT!  Goodness ME.. There were no Russians or Chinese Readers,  they are probably glued to televisions watching 2012 Olympics.

Sigh.. another day with no solids.. sounds as if SHE is a baby.. SHE woke up with infection where molar came out, back to Dentist who cleaned it up, applied antibiotics and told HER to rinse with warmed ( boiled) water with lots of salt and not to eat anything solid.. SHE will be very slim if this not eating lark goes on.. 27 hours last week and same this week.

So what does SHE do?  SHE reads cookery books.. I would find that torture but SHE reads them like most people read novels!

Most beloved friends Tom Lampson and Bob Dundas took HER to great restaurant in New York City and totally by chance someone has jurst given HER restaurant's cook book..  if YOU don't know it and YOU are in city, go and try it this week as they have deal on..

THE RED CAT at 227. 10th Avenue, NYC makes scrum.. YOU know word, say it with ME now.. scrummydumptious food.  They have special offer on this week for lunch and dinner.

Thinking of places SHE has lurved to eat over years gone by reminded HER of one place very close to where WE live, long gone now, but oh, it was such a sweet place, it was called La Popote on Walton Street.. run by Luigi and Adie, short for Adolf, who ever since La Popote closed has worked as a 'steward' at very famous Men's Club in St.James's called 'Whites'.

SHE used to have their little Souffles.. fairy food, so light.

Another place in Walton Street which SHE ate in A LOT as SHE knew owners very well was called San Martinos.. delicious Italian food.. one could and did dream about those thick Veal chops...

And, of course, San Lorenzo in Beauchamp Place. Which is NOT same for longest time as Mara, wife of Lorenzo, had a stroke and was not able to be there as before but in 70's and 80's.. it was precisely four minutes walk from front door to restaurant.. Bagna Cauda.. need I say more?  Mara now dead... end of era.

YOU all know SHE has gardens don't YOU and all gardeners get dirty and hungry.. so on way home about three months ago SHE was walking between bus stops and saw doors open of Pizza place, has passed it for years, never been in, always looks to be busy, this time SHE went in.. I regret to say looking very dirty.  Did charming man behind counter flinch and wave HER out of his place, not a bit, he smiled and said "washroom is at back"..

Coming out with clean face and hands, SHE asked for 12" pizza with tomato, anchovies, capers and oregano.. and a glass of tap water.. last of big spenders!  Oh, heavens-to-Betsy, to think SHE has walked past this place for 'how many' years.. never knowing that BEST Pizza in town was a jurst a wall away from HER..

OK folks, don't panic, here's name & address, 'PIZZA@HOME, 350. Old Brompton Road, London SW5.  Go and tell them " The muddy gardener sent us".. they'll know exactly who YOU mean!  Such crisp, thin, tasty things... sigh.

Apple for ME.. Warm water and salt gargle for HER.. poor ole bat.

GeeGee Parrot.
July 31st, 2012.

Mini post to keep YOU up to date..

Dentist appointment @ 11.30.. oh dear, a large hole where molar used to be.. which SHE left behind on dentist's tray.. no sixpence under HER pillow tomorrow morning, that is for sure.

SHE sends HER apologies and says SHE feels not at all 'with it' and so is going to bed, best place to be if not feeling great. Kind dentist gave HER an enormous amount of sedative to numb jaw..

And is not able to eat any solids until tomorrow.. another reason to go to bed..

SHE will catch up with YOU tomorrow.. but jurst wants to tell YOU all.. that lone Dear Reader in Italia has jumped up to FOUR Dear Readers in Italia!  

Oh.. power of written word!

GeeGee Parrot.

July 30th, 2012.

When is 'Foreign' food no longer foreign?

Hello Dear Readers..

Have YOU absorbed 'foreign' food into your life or do YOU eat only food from your own country?

Hugo and Constance had both had exposure to many different cuisines before SHE was born and SHE mostly ate Malaysian food until family came back to England in late December of 1953.

Back to England, with rationing still in force and no exotic fruits.. with a climate that was cold and wet, it was all a bit much for small little girl of not yet two and a half years old to take in..  English food was mostly certainly foreign to HER in December 1953!


Constance was born in Madras and although she was sent to England and France for her education, she cooked Northern and Southern Indian, French and some Malay food extremely well,  Hugo knew North West Frontier food, he had spent WW2 up on frontier with 12th Frontier Force Regiment and for him and his youngest child.. oh.. hotter was best!


One day in late '50's Hugo and SHE had early lunch in small Indian restaurant in Seymour Place, London W1.  Man came to take their order and asked another waiter in his language to bring jug of water to their table.


Hugo smiled at his daughter and then spoke in foreign language to this man.. who squealed with delight and clapped his hands.. much banter was bantered, next thing cook was out of kitchen and clasping Hugo to his chest..  out of all Indian restaurants in London to go into, they had walked into one where cook was soldier from HER father's old regiment.. They ate there A LOT until restaurant closed.


Family moved to East Kent when SHE was mid teens, Constance knew family that owned Whitstable Oyster Company.. oh, SHE has very happy memories of really fresh Oysters and their juice.. 

There is scrummydumptious food to be found in all sorts of places, there is a chain of small Chicken Restaurants called El Pollo Loco and SHE knows 'all is well' if SHE has a side dish of their Guacamole and White Corn chips and a plate of Chicken..

SHE has travelled a lot throughout America but has not had much opportunity to visit the south, so when invited to Charleston, SC, SHE was very happy to go.. Hostess had to fly back unexpectedly to New York but that was ok, SHE found Charleston to be an enchanting place, scale and buildings reminded HER of houses in Sandwich, Kent and food was delicious..

In England, variety of Tomatoes grown is not HUGE like in America, but finally Seed Merchants are beginning to bring in Heirloom Varieties.

So when season is ending and there are a few green tomatoes left, usually they are made into chutneys and certainly, until very recently, WE did not grow varities of GREEN Tomatoes.. but with title of film to mind, off SHE went in search of Fried Green Tomatoes.. and SHE found jurst heavenly food at JESTINE'S on Meeting Street in Charleston..  They were SO sweet to HER..  Where was SHE staying? Was SHE having a good time in their town.. Had SHE never eaten these before, truly!

They were wonderful.. both staff and Tomatoes!

They sent HER to an old naval place called THE FLEET on Concorde Street for supper.. good thing that SHE had to come home.. otherwise SHE would still be there, eating in those delicious places, meeting charming and hospitable people who were only too happy to recommend another place to 'go try'.

Say Paris and SHE thinks of le Restaurante du Marche, 59. rue Dantzig.. speciality Duck.

Mention Haut-Cagnes and it is Josy-Jo on rue Planastel that comes to mind and their exquite lamb..

If YOU have been concentrating whilst reading MY Blog, YOU will be aware that SHE lurves to cook all different 'types' of food and YOU will remember that there have been fights in el cantina over what food gets cooked and when.

But one thing that SHE has never yet tried to do or make is what Constance made as centre piece for HER 24th birthday dinner party.  Buffet table beautifully laid, cutlery and glasses polished.. SHE had wanted to do an arrangement of flowers but Hugo said "Constance has a surprise for you, no flowers needed"..

Guests invited for pre-dinner drinks at 9.30 in evening.. oh, WE are talking Spanish dinner time..  SHE went to bathe and change, came up and Hugo asked if SHE would like a glass to start HER evening off.. He went into yumyum hq to get a bottle and SHE followed him.. and squealed wirh delight!

For there was one of HER mother's masterpieces..  a SUGAR CRYSTAL dish full of fruit.

Dear Readers, YOu may not know what this is.. YOU take sugar and YOU boil it until it reaches a certain temperature, then YOU take a spoonful and working onto a greased upturned bowl or plate, YOU spin moltent sugar like glass.. have to work very quickly, backwards forwards, covering bowl to make sugar crystal bowl which will hold fruit or sweets..

SHE has never seen anyone else do it.. it could be as ancient as mid 1600's when cooking was getting very fancy..  maybe it is 'Foreign'..  Maybe, one day SHE will do it herself..

Foreign food?  All food, as long as it is cooked properly is YUMYUM to ME!

GeeGee Parrot.
July 30th, 2012.

ITALIA.. I have a ONE loyal Dear Reader, I wonder who YOU are?

Faithfully.. Stats chart on MY Blog show ONE Dear Reader in Italy..

SHE sends MY Blog by email to three people in Italy, Laura in Milano, Stefano in Somma Lombardo and Caroline in Paola.. MY beloved Zaira is travelling with Marie-Therese so WE know it is not her..

So, which one of YOU is it that reads MY Blog?

WE would lurve to know.. Is it Laura or Caroline teaching English to Italians or is it Stefano cooking delicious meals in his restaurant.. how near are YOU to Milano Airport Stefano?

OR, is it none of YOU but some unknown Dear Reader who reads MY Blog very day laughing to themselves and thinks "crazy English"?.

Where do YOU read MY Blog, at work, at home, wirelessly whilst YOU are out and about having an expresso somewhere.. always interesting to know who one's Dear Readers are, some of YOU have become Followers and sign on as such.. and some of you send HER emails and tell us what YOU are a'doing.

WE like hearing what OUR friends are doing, Patsy in California is helping an elderly relative for a few weeks, Lynne, also in California, is due to come to London to finalise sale of her company, Rosamund in Germany is busy with guests and builders.. hope it goes well Ros.

Sam is on Islesboro, an island of coast of Maine for summer months and expecting eleven people to stay.. eleven, yes, YOU did read it correctly! BiBi staying with daughter and family in California, hope they made it up to The French Laundry to eat great YumYum?

But good days come to end, bed time for us Dollies.. SHE has Dental appointment in morning, molar to be extracted. So glad I don't have teeth.. I hope YOU take care of yours?

GeeGee Parrot.
July 29th, 2012.

'OLD BAY' & SHRIMP..

WELL.. WOW is all that I am able to say!

Dear Readers.. I was last heard of carrying on alarmingly because it was past one o'clock and there wasn't much such sign of lunch.. "dire straits" I thought, "pretty poor show and shabby behaviour to have to put up with on a gurl's birthday.. no yumyum.." sigh..

Anyway, I flapped MY way to YumYum HQ's door jurst in case in time to see HER assembling 'une batterie de cuisine' (cooking equipment for those of you who don't speak French).

Saucepan, vinegar and water with salt, tall red and yellow tin from Spice shelf, there was already covered bowl sitting on work service..

Gas lit, water mixture boiled, spice into water and suddenly.. I felt VERY ashamed and very small.. for what did Mama tip into boiling pan.. yes, those of YOU who are cooks know what is a'coming.. SHRIMP!

Tall red and yellow tin gave game away.. for most good cooks all around world recognise tin of 'OLD BAY' Seasoning.. jurst all YOU need is half a cup of white wine vinegar, half a cup of water, 1 tablespoonful of Old Bay, a teaspoonful of salt and Shrimp..

SHE combined first four ingredients, brought them to boil, added Shrimp, stirred gently, put lid of saucepan on, lowered flame and steamed them for about five minutes..

And in fridge, made last night whilst I was asleep, was bowl of Aioli.

What a birthday treat.. Mama eats soft bits, I get crunchy bits.. like Jack Sprat and his wife!

And treats continue.. for I know what is for supper but that is for a latter post.. now it is time to curl one foot up and have doze on top of sitting room door, SHE is going to watch Olympics..

WE do do other things apart from eat in this house but they are not nearly SO exciting!

GeeGee Parrot.
July 29th, 2012.

Martha Stewart's Magazine 'Towel' Rugs..

Hello Dear Readers.. oooh, grey skies and rain is a'falling.. bit dismal for poor cyclists trying to break world records, isn't it?

Norty rain, it has got plenty of other places to fall down, how about almost anywhere over United States of America where huge areas are under drought conditions.. but no, it rains on OUR Olympic Parade!

Do your beloveds get up to 'no good' when they at home because their plans change?

SHE was planning to go and chew fat with beloved Perfumer friend Angela Flanders and buy bunches of delicious smelling 'Stocks', I know.. very strange name for a beautiful flower.. but from being very bright and sunny, it is now cold and wet, wet weather changes plans.. so SHE climbed up to ledge where I am forbidden to ever go and brought down lot of magazines..

There was ONE particular magazine SHE was looking for and there it was.. an old back issue of 'Martha Stewart's Living.. in which there is an article on how to make floor rugs out of towels.. she made several for friends years ago and SHE had recently turned out towel cupboard and found several that would be perfect to make a WASHABLE floor rug to fit OUR kitchen..

How about that! Something to keep HER out of trouble and 'back home on ranch' for a while.. I lurve to be entertained and this certainly looks as if it will do trick!

Now, if only SHE knew how to get photos onto MY Blog I would be able to show YOU end result.. jumping gun slightly there, SHE hasn't even started!! But bear with ME, I'll keep YOU posted.

HEADS UP..

Greetings to TWO Dear Readers.. Rosamund in Germany and Barbara in Cincinnati, Ohio.
They emailed Mama and sent ME best wishes for MY Birthday.. "Thank you both very much".

And Cousin Bruce actually wrote directly to ME in MY comments Box.. Yub-a-dub-a-doo Bruce!

Now.. what about that lunch? It is now several minutes past the time of one o'clock.

GeeGee Parrot.
July 29th, 2012.

Guerlain, Caron and Angela Flanders.. extraordinary Perfumers!

Perfumes.. SHE lurves them and has HER favourites. In last post I told YOU that SHE worked for Revlon International, when SHE worked for them Charles Revson had jurst died but company was massive and a great employer. SHE worked very happily for them for nearly five years.

Only reason SHE left was SHE was 'poached' by one of best Perfume 'houses' in world.. yes, Guerlain. SHE loved Revlon skin care but wanted to work with perfumes as well, so joined Guerlain, in those days HER English boss was Michel Vincent, a VERY charming Frenchman.. I know YOU know SHE has sooofffttt spot for Frenchmen..

HER favourite perfume by Guerlain was and still is 'JICKY' which dates from early 1800's, a deliciously unusual fragrance. SHE was with them for several years, then something happened and SHE wanted to change HER life. This involved changing jobs as well..

SHE found a delicious perfume by Caron, it was called 'Bain de Champagne'... oh, I lurved this smell, sadly it is no more.. discontinued, at least in England.

But do not feel too sorry for HER because SHE has had secret up HER sleeve.. 'CASPIAN' is HER secret.. one Sunday back in 1985 SHE was in East End Flower Market called Columbia Road. (it is off Hackney Road and is on Sunday mornings ONLY from 9.00 am until 2.00 pm). And SHE saw an enchanting window display, upon entering this small shop, SHE found delightful woman with gloriously goodly things.. woman's name was Angela Flanders as was name of shop.

They became friends and over years, Angela taught herself Art and Science of Perfumery and developed a mighty fine 'nose' as WE call it in Perfume Industry.. Fast forward to July 7th, 1993.. HER birthday and Angela came to party at home bearing large bag of delicious fragrant treasures..

Angela had made whole range of 'CASPIAN' for HER as a present, people always ask HER.. "what perfume are YOU wearing?".. it is sold in Angela's shop in Columbia Road.. along with large range of other delicious perfumes... too many to mention by name but NOTHING like YOU will find elsewhere.. Google Angela for I believe she is now on Web.

Better still.. Go to Columbia Road and find this exquisite shop, tell Angela that GeeGee's maman sent YOU, go and sniff and find yourself a treasure.. she makes men's colognes as well..

Then stroll through Columbia Road Market and smile.. yes, because it is real.. Pilot said he thought it was a film set! But no, it happens every Sunday unless Christmas Day falls on a Sunday. Flowers, Herbs, Plants, Bulbs.. market has street shops selling good stuff, there are excellent places to eat.

But best shop in street is Angela's.. purveyor of HER favourite perfume.. And if YOU did go and have a lovely jaunt at Columbia Road and knew what SHE looked like YOU would surely see and recognise HER.. for today, Sunday, is Flower Market day!

And today.. is also MY birthday!

GeeGee Parrot.
July 28th, 2012.

Revlon 'treatments' by HER..

Goodness ME.. there really is no peace for those of us who like to practise siesta snoozing.

I was unaware that when SHE was out this morning an packet of large nail files were bought.. and was not at all suspicious when invited to join HER in bathroom, I thought SHE was going to wash HER hair or play with washing machine.. how wrong was I!

Suddenly, I was upside down wrapped in a towel and SHE was molesting MY feet with an emery board, actually, I must confess I knew MY claws were a trifle too long.

Now I know how Debi-in-Sheffield must have felt when she gave her a pedicure, but at least she wasn't trussed up in towel and laid on her side with feet sticking out, MY dears, how undignified can one be?

SHE is very good at doing feet and hands, back in dark ages, aka 'The Seventies', SHE worked for Revlon International and in those days if you wanted to do any course, they were delighted to train you.

SHE knows how to do all 'that' stuff, dying hair, doing highlights, pedicures, manicures, facials, waxing, etc.. luckily MY claws are only things SHE gets to fiddle with.. I take care of rest of MY person with trusty friend ole Beaky Beak.

SHE took various small brown bottles out of boxes and has gone into YumYum HQ.. and is grinding dried Mint, Orange Peel and Sage together with Baking Powder, Himalayan Salt, essential oils of Lemon, Mint, Myrrh with tincture of Myrrh.. oh, I know what is happening, SHE is making a new batch of her tooth powder.

SHE is fussy about HER food and equally fussy about what cleanses HER skin and teeth.

I surely hope YOU are too?

GeeGee Parrot
July 28th, 2012.. day that Knightsbridge was silent.. no cars on Brompon Road, only bikes!

CRAB RISOTTO..

Howdie folks.. here in deepest Knightbridge it is mid day yumyum time aka lunch.

And finally I got to see reasoning behind HER putting ole Crab shells and empty claws into a HUGE pot with herbs and peppercorns with water, onto stove to boil.. "how strange, we've had all meat off them, why is SHE doing this, not a great smell, who knows what goes on in 'cooking' department of HER brain sometimes, it might be something delicious, better hold ole Beaky shut as don't want to make idiot of self".. and Dear Readers.. what a very good thing I shut Beak.

For two days this hubbled-and-bubbled like some witches brew.. strange smell.. luckily SHE has strong extractor fan in YumYum HQ and fragrant candles from Angela in other rooms to burn.. more on Angela in next Sunday's Blog, be sure to read about her, one of London's most fabulous treasures!

Back to witches brew.. yesterday whilst perching on Goosie Head in HQ, I looked over at cauldron and saw that level of liquid had dropped considerably and all Crab bones and shell had disappeared from cauldron, all that was left was 'greyish' water.

This morning WE rose early and shared a soft boiled egg and toast.. I flew off to digest it on bathroom door, SHE bathed and left house.. in search of string.

Came back home saying that there was none to be had in the quantity SHE wanted but by now it was time to cook.. and guess what?

Oh, Holey Moley.. yeah, now I get what grey water is, it is Crab stock for Crab Risotto!

Such simple ingredients.. olive oil, onion, arborio rice, stock, french aka pole beans, crab meat and seasoning.. a dish made with attention and love.. a scrummydumptious meal.

Do YOU cook these delicious things, Dear Readers? Important trick is to remember to add stock slowly so it is absorbed a little at a time.. try it.. and see what I mean.

"Burp.. oh, I do beg YOUR pardon".. I gulped MY helping in record time and am now heading for a siesta.. such a good invention.. dooozing on one leg on top of sitting room door, Daffy Duck to keep ME company.. it is a good life for a small Grey Parrot.

GeeGee Parrot.
July 28th, 2012.

Portrait of an African Grey Parrot in Ink and Crayon..

By Beak or Claw.. I have to get HER to find out ( aka learn) how to post photos onto MY Blog! SHE must be sent to Apple School and taught how to do IT.. all these photos YOU are not seeing, how do YOU manage, uh? I must say YOU are very patient with HER.. how long has WE been writing MY Blog, since December last year and not ONE photo have any of YOU seen of ME, I must say, YOU are a loyal crew!!

Dear Readers.. Not only will YOU be able to view picture that Poppy.. must give small person her real name otherwise YOU will all get very confused.. drew of ME today.. also funny photo of ME standing on Faith's head, but photos of all other cast of 'characters' who appear in MY Blog.

Faith reminded HER of Tale of Dagga-the-Parrot and HER very much beloved Madge and their bath time.. this happened way back in early 90's.

Madge was Peter's mother, hence Great Grandmother to Poppy and Freddy, and she lived in Kenya. She and HER were very close, SHE jurst adored Madge and I think I can safely say whole world knew Madge felt same about HER, on one of her visits to England she was having a bath, bathroom door was open and who should fly in to pass time of day with his ole friend but Dagga-the-Parrot.

Madge had had an African Grey herself and adored us Parrots. But even she was slightly surprised when her ole avian friend flew up on edge of bath and proceeded to preambulate back and forth 'chatting' to her whilst she bathed.. licking water off her fingers and allowing her to play by dropping water onto his head and ole Beaky, daft bird! He jurst lurved Madge.

THEY both did.. SHE died in 1994, those of YOU who have read all posts of MY Blog will know Dagga-the-Parrot died in 2004, WE know up in great playroom where Parrots fly free and hang out with friends, that they spend time together, it was probably Darling Madge and Hay Darling who welcomed him.. It comforted HER knowing two of HER most beloved women, HER Aunt and Madge, would take care of HER much beloved bird after he died.

YOU could see photos of him as well.. doing strange things and.. eating Christmas Cake!

B-e-d time for US Dollies, have YOU all remembered that it is MY birthday on Sunday? LOTS of emails please, large Carrot Cake would not go amiss either, I wonder what SHE has planned for ME. I will be eight years old. Good night, sleep well wherever YOU are.

GeeGee Parrot.
July 27th, 2012.

A face like a Pansy..

Good evening Dear Readers..

Well, I experienced something new today.. Yup.. I met a small person, she is aged six!!

Heavens to Betsy, I had NO idea humans came that small! With longest, slimmest arms and legs I have ever seen.. Poppy, for that is her name, is eldest child of Faith and Tom, Faith is daughter of Michele and Peter who live in Kenya.

SHE knew both Peter and Michele before they met and married, in fact, SHE was at party when they met.. so SHE has known Poppy's mama since Faith was 'bun in Michele's oven' and now Faith has one in hers.. Hello, are YOU still with ME?. Keep up YOU at back there.. no slacking and not reading of cast of characters in MY Blog!

Faith and Poppy were in London today on 'gurl's jaunt' to London to pick up tickets for The Games, meanwhile back home on ranch Freddy (Poppy's younger brother) and Tom having 'Boy's day'.. doing such exciting things as mowing lawn etc..

I was on sofa doing MY magic twirls.. these always make folks larf.. when I spied bowl of fruit, unprotected by human hand, on low table infront of sofa.. it only took a quick flap to land on table, one foot on pile of books, other foot clasped fruit bowl and ole Beaky sank into delicious ripe Nectarine.. yumyum.. juicy fruit!

Poppy asked HER for a pen or pencil and blow ME down but this small person sat and drew ME.. jurst like that! Then coloured ME in with crayons.. SHE hasn't ever drawn ME..

I was mighty proud.. and I hope Faith and Tom are as well.. although I didn't have a nibble of small person, mind YOU she looked delectable, very pretty in red and white summer frock.. She is such a charming small person, SHE has met her before but as she is getting older she is getting such a beautiful face.. best not to nibble.. best to make friends so WE will meet again.

Nice to meet children of children of old friends.. even though it made HER realise how old.. whoops, don't say it that way.. rude GeeGee.. indeed kinder to say how many years SHE has known Peter and Michele.

So, although I know her name is Poppy but to ME she will be 'Pansy' because she has a pretty litle heart shaped face jurst like flower of that name.

Peter and Michele, I hope you are very, very proud of Faith and Tom's family.. SHE is and SHE is jurst a friend. Indeedy, a very old friend.

GeeGee Parrot.
July 27th, 2012.

Good morning everyone..

Hohoho.. well, what a day yesterday was, huh? Action packed movie.. steamed Crabs.. homemade Mayonaise, apparently jurst thought of that that made Joanna's mouth water!

We went to bed VERY early, there was no chance of staying awake to watch television, yes, I know 'it' was all happening here in London last night with world's top athletic teams in town.. but WE were too tired. Day had been very hot and steamy, jurst like it gets before change and sure enough, what do WE have here today? Grey skies with threat of rain, so much moisture in air that it feels damp.

Faith is going to be in town today to collect tickets for Games.. she has two young children whose names are Poppy and Freddy and a bun in oven.. get with it, it means she is pregnant! SO SHE has suggested that they come here for a light lunch, I have never met any small people before, I wonder if they are tasty, heehee, "do YOU like children? Well, I don't think I would be able to eat a whole one, but I could try".. a little Beakful here and there.. ummm, yummy.

Might have to share that Crab? How much do WE like this woman?

On a serious note.. SHE was incredibly touched by comments, emails and texts that SHE received yesterday, some friends have been SO supportive, they know who they are.. "thank you" for being sweet to MY mama.

Next.. SHE has met up with an Italian friend recently, bad idea.. WE knew SHE was booked to stay with MY greatest fan, aka Zaira, in Rome but now it appears SHE is heading off to a lake called Como! And I have a very sneaky suspicion that California is wiggling its' norty fingers at HER in a 'come hither fashion'.. another visit at Aviary, sigh.

SHE got an email yesterday from dear friend in Dallas, SHE asked ME to tell YOU, Diane, that SHE is sending YOU genuine 'snail-mail' letter which will explain all.. hope that makes sense?

Oh.. before I forget.. I trust this is NOT too much information for YOU but Camera Capsule has 'appeared'.. exactly 23 hours to minute of being swallowed! Houston would have been proud of such precision!

Now it is time to break-fast and flap-a-wing into YumYum HQ.

I wish to say "privet".. "good morning" to MY very large Russian audience, it is extremely pleasing to see that people of all different nationalities find MY Blog worth reading.. perhaps it is because they know about Fandango'ing and using facial muscles to keep 'everything' up, yes folks.. let's all shout 'IT' together, IF YOU DON'T USE IT, YOU WILL LOSE IT!

GeeGee Parrot.
July 27th, 2012.

Je suis une 'Film Star'!

I lie.. but it is a great title!

SHE is one who has been doing "camera, action, splice and print" today! Eight of clock this morning SHE was IN hospital talking procedure through with sweet Betsy, this had meant leaving house early at 07.15, getting up at 06.45.. was I involved in this, certainly not! WE parrots need OUR beauty sleep and I was still in land of jungles when SHE left house.

SHE came back at about 9.30am with huge contraption around HER waist attached to big black box hanging from HER shoulder, box all flashing blue and yellow lights with green on steady.

SHE had swallowed camera at 08.45 and Betsy said "as YOU have had nil by mouth for almost 24 hours, I want YOU back here at 5pm as it should have gone through all your digestive tract by then".

"Food Betsy, when can I eat or drink?" SHE asked, nice Betsy said "not for another three hours, this gives camera chance to get down into the intestines without food coming along and interfering with camera".

SHE got back, let ME out of cage, WE went to YumYum HQ and SHE gave ME boiled egg and bread.. then SHE went to bed.. thinking SHE would sleep for couple of hours and not think how tummy thinks throat has been slit and how dry mouth and poor ole throat are..

I parked on top of bedroom door, had a quick natter with Daffy-Duck and WE both went to sleep.

Waking up at 12.45!! Hurray.. yumyum time at O'K corral.. who got to YumYum HQ first? Never seen HER cook Buttered Eggs so quickly! SHE was kind and put a big forkful onto MY plate and WE settled down to blissful food.. Frothy coffee.. lovely-jubbly Nespresso machines!

Day passed with HER telephoning and talking with friends who were sweet and had called to find out how SHE was a'doing.

4.50pm.. back at clinic in hospital, belt and receiver handed over.. nurse said for HER to speak to HER GP to get him to bring forward HER Consultant's appointment. Discs with potographs went straight to tech guys at 5.15pm, photos will be spliced together and video made of camera's journey though HER tumtum etc.. clever, very clever stuff!

Back home via HER North End Road Market Fishmonger.. Three large Native Crabs.. oh foodle-the-doodle.. I LURVE Crab and am amaaazing at cracking shell, I get ole Beaky in on act and crunch, here is crab meat!

SHE steamed them, made SCRUMMYDUMPTIOUS mayonaise and WE both ate very happily. With plenty more for tomorrow's lunch.

Now those of YOU who are awake, alert and concious are, I know, thinking "where is norty camera?".. It has not 'appeared' yet, is all I was told! YOU don't want to know.. too much information!

GeeGee Parrot.
July 26th, 2012.

TRUST & CONFIDENCE..

Oh ho. Here I go.. It isn't 'rocket science' that when a colleague or a friend tells you something that YOU don't immediately open mouth (or beak) and blab about it, isn't it?

And I know YOU know what I mean.. they don't have to tell YOU "this is confidential" .. one knows when one has 'hot potato' in ear as it were, example comes to mind, dearly beloved gurlfriend had a new grand-daughter, who was kind enough to be born on HER birthday!

Now did SHE blab it about? NO and neither did SHE tell people baby's correct name, YOU know why SHE zipped mouth? This is why.. because SHE LURVES friend and is very honoured by friend's trust that she would NOT blab it about.

So when a (so-called) friend blabbed like proverbial canary, SHE was shattered..

But as they say "REVENGE.. MY dears.. is a dish best eaten cold". And in this case it will be very well chilled but mark these words.. SHE may not instigate all hell breaking loose over 'friends' life but it will happen, oh yes indeedy it will, for OUR ole friend Karma has several ways of coming back and biting blabbers very sharply in what they sit upon.

'Friend' contacted HER within last couple of weeks in 'all-false-smiley-jokey' email and SHE replied "... suffice to say that people who live in glass-houses should not throw stones".. interestingly enough, SHE has received no response to this email.

Now, if YOU or WE received this, YOU can bet last Brazil Nut in packet that WE would pick up telephone asking "what on earth do YOU mean, what has happened?".. But no, in fact, silence is deafening, WE think they maybe suddenly remembering SHE is privy to lots of very gory details of their life, likes of which would delight a newspaper such as The Daily Mail..

As they say "Dish best eaten cold".. ME, well I like to imagine a very large sword hanging over their head on an old, very frayed thread..

SHE has years of confidences inside HER, does SHE think about them? No, because the are not HERS, they are only to be talked about, if ever, with that person who trusted HER with them.

Are YOU trust worthy Dear Reader? I think nicest thing a friend can say is "I trust you".

GeeGee Parrot.
July 22nd, 2012. 

Cupboards and their contents..

I am in LURVE... oh, sorry Dear Readers.. "GOOD MORNING".

No, SHE has not introduced ME to some cute feathered man. Something else happened, are YOU ready, then I will begin.

Yesterday was a better day, SHE was much happier as Doctor Geoff has, it appears, taken it upon himself to sort HER medical situation out.. BLESS THAT MAN.. and that beastly virus appeared to be less beastly, SHE was sneezing and either cold or hot but at least SHE didn't have such evil pains in head or throat any longer.. but although sun was a'shining SHE had sense NOT to go and do work in garden, what to do?

Well, as I am sure YOU will agree, there is always a cupboard or drawer to be gone through. So whistling ME up in order to keep HER company, SHE went into YumYum HQ, aka kitchen. SHE assembled HER trusted cleaning products, wonderful PURE soap liguid from Green Mountain Soap Company in Alabama, USA.. yes, I AM recommending their products, baking powder, couple of lemons, rough sea salt, wire wool, sponges and old face cloths and baby strength sterilisation fluid.

Everything came out of fridge, shelves, meat and vegetable boxes, dates were checked, bottles were washed. Everything back.. clean fridge.

Next cupboard under sink.. oh, what treasures! Now YOU don't know this but I jurst lurve open cupboard doors.. it was a bit of a squeeze but I could tell SHE was happy as SHE didn't mind ME standing on door peering into cupboard as SHE pulled everything out! Nothing to throw away, found roll of 'Press & Seal' which is great product! Washed shelves, quick rub dry, everything back.

Upper cupboards. HER medicine and vitamin cupboard, done two weeks ago, all out of date stuff had gone to Chemists with old batteries. Dried store cupboard immaculate, this is where different flour and pasta are kept. Herb and spice cupboard done three weeks ago. Bottle and tinned goods cupboard, this contains special oils, vinegars, Tabasco (both green and red), tins of sardines, tuna etc, all checked and wiped.. so far so good!

Last one.. bad one. Oh MY goodness ME.. what do I see? What a mess.. oh well, start at top shelf and work down. Does anyone need 3 jars of Tahini paste? Out of date Cream of Tartar, Baking Soda, What is a 'lost' tube of Wasabi Paste doing in here? Unopened, out of date bag of Walnuts, ugh.. probably very nasty, chuck, chuck, rubbish bucket fast approaching full!

SHE got down off stool and put a large bag on work surface and smiled at ME, I was now standing on top of fridge getting a closer look at these proceedings and said "We will have some of this for lunch, I have some frozen Beef stock, this will be delicious".

SHE wiped bottles that were going back, climbed onto stool, washed shelves, replaced bottles, closed and wiped door, job well done!

SHE took folding stool out of kitchen, came back, took a box out of frosty-freezer and removed two brown 'ice' cubes. Meanwhile I had flown onto 'Goosie Head' MY perch on kitchen wall. Goosie Head came from Arkansas in 1996 when SHE went to stay with Suzan in Pine Bluff and they went up for a weekend to Hot Springs. SHE reached up, took down a saucepan and lid, took onions and garlic out of a basket, knife and chopping board.

Butter into saucepan on low heat, garlic and onions crushed and sliced, butter seasoned, in went garlic and onions, bag of 'stuff' found in cupboard cut open, SHE poured a cupful into saucepan, stirred, lid back on, kettle on, brown 'ice' cubes into jug, poured on boiling water, more stirring.

SHE reached up to a hanging wall rack and took down a glass jar of Barberries.. I jurst LURVE these.. large spoonful went in together with a good shake of mixed herbs. Brown 'ice' had melted, SHE poured it into saucepan, stirred and turned off heat!

Dear Reader.. wow.. smell was jurst mouthwateringly scrummydumptious. Why have I not been privy to this treat before?

SHE explained that I have had something made of similar stuff, SHE has an Austrian friend who taught HER how to make Dumplings out of Coarse Semolina and Egg, I think they are truly yummy but they are treats that WE have on cold winter days.

Down came a small frying pan, SHE took an egg out of bowl. SHE reached up and I stepped down out to HER hand and WE settled on sink, I know.. it is a strange place for a human to perch but SHE likes it there! What was going on.. SHE explained that inside saucepan truly magical things were happening.. and that I jurst had to be a good gurl and wait.. SHE opened up MY bread box and put half a slice on top of fridge for ME.. this is guaranteed to make ME be a good gurl, I can assure YOU!

So I was standing on top of high fridge when SHE took lid of saucepan.. MAGIC had truly happened! Whole saucepan was full of fluffy stuff.. frying pan on heat, egg cracked, egg fried, fluffy stuff onto plate, egg on top.

What can I say? Well, I could say that YOU will probably find interesting things in YOUR cupboards but MY advice to YOU, Dear Readers, is to go and buy yourself a bag of 'Coarse Semolina' and make a saucepan of it immediately, if not sooner!

GeeGee Parrot.
July 22nd, 2012.

A Stomach Ulcer.. who knew?

Oooohhh.. Dear Readers.. such going's on, I hardly know where to start! I suppose from top or beginning is best place.

SHE rang and rang 'that' clinic.. there was NO response, so despite feeling truly gruesome beyond belief, SHE went down hole at South Kensington, popped up, went to Clinic Reception and in a very crokey voice explained about HER throat.

A VERY young and extremely arrogant man said "well, if you do not take this appointment because you say you are feeling unwell, it will be eight weeks before next available date".. SHE repeated him, "eight weeks?.. I don't think so, I will get MY notes transferred and go to another hospital, goodbye" and off SHE went, leaving him with his mouth open.

Got on bus feeling ghastly.. young man called HER on mobile and said "you have to come back here and be examined and if you do not, all your treatment will be cancelled".. SHE got off bus, caught one going back and re-entered hospital in an extremely bad temper, HER head ached, SHE was feeling hot, sick and tired, not a happy woman!

SHE proceeded to tell young arrogant piece of nonsense that SHE had never been so badly treated by anyone in medical profession and that as HER relative was head of a Hospital department in Yorkshire, they would do everything for her and SHE went to leave.. suddenly out of blue appeared a very chic woman who said "what appears to be problem?"

SHE explained and woman said "I have had a cancellation tomorrow at 1pm, please don't eat or drink anything for 6 hours before your Gastroscopy, I will see you then, is that ok?".

Yeah! Holey Moley..

SHE came home, swallowed pain killer, throat syrup and went to sleep, got up, made and drank soup and dived back under quilt.. talk about a nest! All I could see was a bit of hair sticking out at top of bed.. so being of an adventurous nature, I flew onto bed and found a spot where quilt was raised.

HeeHee.. oh, Dear Reader, it gave HER an almighty shock when I nibbled HER leg!

I climbed up on leg, turned left, onto thigh, across waist, onto arm and suddenly there was HER head and a smiley face, SHE said that I was very clever and quite cute.. (quite) uh.

Yes, WE spent rest of day lolling about, or rather I lolled, SHE slept for most of time.

Next day, NO break of night's fast for HER, not even a hot drink.. I felt quite quilty as I gobbled MY repast and thought how hungry and thirsty SHE must feel.

SHE left early, went down hole at South Kensington again and arrived at Hospital. Young arrogant man was all false-jokey-smiley-face.. ugh. Theatre Nurse came for HER at 1pm, SHE filled in forms, answered questions, had blood pressure taken, LOW..

Very nice smiley Doctor Geoff came and collected HER and took HER to mini theatre.. small group of technicians, SHE confirmed to him "No, I am not having sedation", he warned HER that taste of spray to numb mouth and throat was disgustingly vile, nurse fitted mouth guard and off they went..

Down HER throat went all seeing camera on flexible tube, smiley Doctor Geoff said "wow, YOU are amazing, not a gag or retch, well done, I am now in your stomach and interestingly, I can see that YOU have had a massive Ulcer but that it is healing itself! There is some other stuff as well, now I am coming out, it is all finished" and with that, camera tubing was out of HER mouth.

They raised bed up and Doctor Geoff asked her.. "what have YOU been drinking or taking that is different in the last couple of months? Something has caused that Ulcer to start healing itself".. SHE thought carefully and replied "Doctor Geoff, all I can think of is I have been drinking pure Beet Juice, also Turkish Oregano Water diluted in lots of water as is very strong and Swedish Bitters for MY digestion".

He nodded and said "I have taken a Biopsy and also from somewhere else, have YOU noticed a burning or sick feeling / sensation in your throat" again SHE replied "yes, not every day but sometimes I feel sick for no reason".

Doctor Geoff explained what was causing it and then Hannah, charming nurse, took HER to recuperation room saying "stay for as long as you like, I will be in every 10 minutes to check on you and will make you a drink in 30 minutes"..

Such a relief.. such a nice medical team, considerate, everything explained, immaculately clean recup room was quiet, SHE took out HER book and sat.. nasty taste was lessening in HER mouth, it reminded of Bananas in some weird way mixed with something like Bitter Aloes, ugh but it had done its' trick.

Hannah returned several times and then asked HER if SHE wanted a drink.. "tea would be delicious" SHE said.

Doctor Geoff appeared with papers, he said that he wanted HER to have another proceedure within a week, this time SHE would swallow a capsule, they would put a belt around HER waist for 24 hours, capsule is a camera and it would send images to disks on belt, this would go all through HER intestines so they could have exact knowledge of what was there. "How about next Thursday at 08.00am?"

SHE nearly choked on HER tea! He sat down and went through HER medical notes, he apologised for several things that had happened which had been badly done or handled incorrectly and said "this is very new technology and I am pleased that we can do this for you, see you next week", he shook HER hand, gave HER an envelope full of papers and Hannah arrived to walk HER out.

From hating everyone at this Hospital, chic woman and Doctor Geoff and his team had saved THE day!

SHE caught bus and got off at North End Road Market.. for indeedy, Dear Readers, SHE knew exactly with what SHE was going to beak HER fast.. oh yes.. off to Dickenson's HER lubbly-jubbly Butchers and SHE was going to cook HER favourite, yes, Calves Liver.. scrummydumptious yumyum.

And then to bed.. for SHE had not slept well and relief of knowing that SOMEBODY had their eye on 'the' ball aka HER health .. was mighty good.

WE had Calves Liver pan fried with Sage and some Semolina done with Beef stock.

SHE went to HER nest.. I took off in opposite direction for MY new favourite place.. above cupboard in bathroom, where I spent a few quiet hours thinking about things that WE African Grey Parrots think about.. that I was grateful to Doctor Geoff and his team for treating MY mama so well.

Gratitude.. and gratefullness, are YOU grateful Dear Reader? I know someone who is, that is Joanna Darcy, who writes HER excellent Blog 'La Vie en Rose', with her new knee joint.

GeeGee Parrot.
July 21st, 2012.

I scream for Icecream and a Tale of Rotten Luck..

All of YOU are in disgrace.. yes indeedy, I am turning Beaky aside for at least.. ten minutes.

I bet YOU are all wondering what on earth I am moaning about.. well, it transpires that I have been un-educated, as it were, for no one has ever spoken in MY presence about this delicious-ness called Icecream and, I lurve it! Nope, don't care that icy stuff makes MY ole Beak squeak as it is so cold.. give ME that Vanilla-ry stuff immediately, if not sooner!

All young Laura's fault.. she came to stay and brought some... I was partaking of some yumyum on their supper table one evening and it occurred to ME that both Laura and SHE had happy looks on their faces as they ate this creamy looking stuff.. so I trundled across and stuck old Beaky into HER spoon..

Lordy, what a fright it gave ME, Beaky got such a shock! But then I licked poor cold Beaky with tongue and oooh, pow wow.. delicious, never had anything like it before. I looked at HER and SHE said "it is called Icecream".

Holey Moley... SHE said "do not think nasty thoughts of being deprived, WE don't have this in our freezer, Laura bought it for us as a BIG treat", what a nice thing for Laura to have done.. charming child, lovely manners, WE greatly enjoyed her staying with us and look forward to Barbara and Sarah coming to stay with us next Spring, Barbara is 'mummy' to Laura and Sarah and an old friend from Germany.

Yes folks, I have discovered 'PUDDINGS'.. I knew about Gooseberries, Raspberries and Strawberries, but they are all fruity-tooty and good healthy stuff.. I confess that I am now very partical to a spoonful of Creme Caramel... slurp, it slides down throat very easily, truly scrummy stuff. And I now know that Bartek, HER latest favourite foodie supplier and purveyors of most excellent Breads, also sells most excellent Cheesecake.. sigh.

It is a very good rhing that Bartek is not jurst around corner, WE would get very stout if it were! For it is such a proper 'foodies' shop.. hanging by fresh herbs was a plait of fresh, soft-neck Garlic.. smelling way beyond wonderful! Not like that poor odourless stuff that one sees in shops for the rest of the year one, this a different thing altogether. SHE grows soft-neck Garlic as well but not this year.. dreadful hordes of slugs and snails have decimated her entire crop!

Today they had 'soup' vegetables plaits, SHE has not seen those since SHE stayed in Germany thirty years ago! They consist of a garlic, a couple of carrots, an onion, a small celariac and some herbs, jurst what you need to flavour your soup, a vegetable bouguet garni, as it were.

Enough.. time to put light out, SHE has hospital appointment tomorrow at 1 o'clock, SHE is saying prayers that it will go ahead but SHE has suspicious 'tickle' in HER throat. SHE made brew of Cinnamon, Tumeric and Honey to try and abort whatever it thinks 'it' is but I think SHE has picked up 'de dreaded bug'.. oh dear, SHE will be cross.

Next morning... DRAT and many other rude words.

For SHE woke up jurst before 7 o'clock with very sore and swollen throat, HER glands are up on both sides of neck, SHE ran a fever last night, some wretched sneaky virus has snuck in and struck! No camera down HER throat today, that is for sure. That course of strong antibiotics didn't prevent some filthy viral germ sneaking in.. ggrrrr.

And would YOU believe it.. it is a sunny day! But now SHE has to telephone hospital clinic and tell them about swollen throat.. sigh.. and make another appointment.

GeeGee Parrot.
July 17 th, 2012

OFF SHE WENT...

Greetings from London, where it is, I am afraid to say, cold and extremely wet, ugh.

SHE had to go out as there was only ONE slice of HER bread left in house (not enough to fill gap in that broken tooth). If SHE eats bread, it HAS to be one of two breads, yes, I know, life would be much easier if WE were not SO fussy about what WE eat but WE are... very.

SHE got dressed up in waterproof clothing and whistled up ole Wicker.. Ole Wicker likes a jaunt in rainy weather, it stops him getting all dry and stiff.. jurst opposite to HER, SHE went off looking very strange indeedy, mind YOU, SHE had made an effort and had a little bit of 'face' on so that SHE wouldn't frighten horses and little children but HER get-up was a bit weird!

And so off they trundled in pouring rain to catch a bus to Streatham Hill.

Please don't all shout at once, I am not deaf like HER, "STREATHAM", I can hear several of YOU cry, "what on earth is up in Streatham"? Well, you see, SHE has a thing about certain shops and they are all within a ten minute walk of each other up there.

SHE and ole Wicker catch a 319 bus from The Kings Road, it meanders up through Battersea, through Clapham Junction and across Tooting High Road, to pass time SHE reads books or plays 'WordMole' on HER mobile. Today SHE and an extremely pretty elder woman chatted about equine stuff and so their trip passed quickly.

Sounds dotty but 'good old Peter Jones' no longer sells Washing Soda Crystals but this 99p store does! And they sell washable 'rag rugs', SHE is mighty tired of cleaning that old hall carpet, rag rugs wash in cold water and are very pretty! This store also sells vacuum packed packets of delicious filter coffee for 99p and 3 tins of Marzano tommies sell for.. yes, 99p!

Lidl is purveyor of MY Bread.. yumyumyum, pure Rye with Sunflower Seeds, good stuff! SHE eats this as well, so a good supply for our week has to be purchased each Monday.

Then.. ah ha.. there is HER latest 'find'... aka BARTEK! Where SHE found truly most SCRUMMYDUMPTIOUS type of Bread, it is mostly Rye flour mixed with a little Wheat flour, NO yeast, a sour dough riser, with Caraway seeds. WE are taking several kilos with us to Yorkshire when WE go to stay with t'other Debi.

Poor old dear, SHE came back feeling and looking very sorry for herself! Not good as SHE has yet another surgical proceedure tomorrow at 1 o'clock, throat now has a norty tickle, SHE is not sure if SHE has a cold coming or it is poor old throat being nervous about tomorrow. SHE is not allowed to eat for SIX hours before the procedure.. that sounds a bit grim, whose buttered eggs am I going to eat? I am still fast asleep at 6 o'clock.. sigh.

That norty old St.Swithin, it was dry yesterday, well, here in deepest Knightsbridge it was.. so are WE not supposed to have FORTY dry days and nights? Well, it isn't dry.. in fact it is still pouring down out there.. at HER garden, old slimy slug and snail are having time of their silly lives, munching through anything that SHE planted, NOT a Bean plant anywhere in sight... ggrrr. I like home grown beans and WE ain't got none, WE are both very put out. It is almost almost impossible to see where beds or paths are as Mr. Weedy Weed is knee high... grrr.

SHE has to get it all tidied up as plot contracts are renewed in September and at the present moment, they look as if they've been abandoned!

Here in England, there was a drought, now there is more water sloshing about than is really needed, except reservoirs are now full.. meanwhile in the USA, it is the dryest six month period since records began.. poor farmers, a steer drinks a huge amount each day and of course with no water.. it means grass is not good enough to make hay. The wells are drying up as are streams and some rivers. And likewise with fruits and vegetables.

Those dreadful fires in Colorado, there was hardly any snow in Boston on the Eastern Seaboard, usually they have snow for a six week period.. cold but necessary to top up water levels, there was, likewise, in Montana and Wyoming a very light snow fall... poor people.

Nothing more has been reported about that village in Russia which was so badly damaged with hundreds of lives lost.. animals and humans, it happened at night.. grim beyond belief.

It does not seem right, does it? But this is how OUR world is changing, weather is no longer something WE can take for granted. SHE remembers dreadful droughts in Southern Spain in the 70's, cattle, goats and sheep having to be killed as they were dehydrated and starving.. it is a tough world.

Like old age, it is NOT for sissies. No siree.. and I do realise how lucky I am.. fed and watered, cuddled, allowed to perch on HER head whilst SHE types MY Blog.. taken on trips, I have even got used to taking MY vitamin drops every morning.. I might moan and threaten HER with a nip or two from ole beaky break but HOW lucky am I?

Do YOU realise how lucky YOU are today? Think about it..

GeeGee Parrot.
July 16th, 2012.

St.Swithin's Day..

Heavens to Betsy.. This rain has to stop! Please let it stop!

SHE was due to go out early this morning.. WE broke our nights fast with scrummydumptious buttered eggs, SHE had bus pass and money in pocket, ole Wicker was ready for a jaunt to Balham to go and see t'other Debbie and collect fresh Goaty milk.. SHE unlocked and opened up front door.. outside was a solid wall of water.. cold as well. Ugh..

Change of plan..

No trip to Balham, old age is finally making HER sensible, when YOU have an infection it is not sensible to get wet and have to stay like that for three hours! I am happy to report that antibiotics are working, HER jaw no longer resembles a Hamster's pouch!

But major disadvantage was SHE was here.. under my wing as it were! And got very inquisitive (read nosy) about MY new secret place.. it was MY own fault.. I flapped an arm (wing) and a mass of tissue fell down from top of bathroom cupboard.. I had it all safely stashed away out of sight.. pity, now SHE knows where I spend MY time when SHE is out!

What IS a gurl to do? I bet YOU all have somewhere cosy and warm where YOU read papers and books? Well, as I am fast approaching MY HATCHDAY on July 29th.. do not give that old feeble excuse that YOU didn't know.. I am telling YOU now so YOU have plenty of time to send ME a card .. I am going to be EIGHT!!.. I felt it time that I too should have a snug place.. top of cupboard seemed suitable.

WELL, SHE had a complete hissy fit when SHE saw ME up there! Apparently there is a hole which I might fall down, so now SHE has blocked up the back bit.. less room but it stops HER worrying. And SHE gave me back some of the rolls of tissue..

St.Swithin's Day is tomorrow.. if it is fine, the saying is that it will be fine for forty days.. if it rains, well, more dreary rain for forty days.. SHE is desperate to go gardening.. so much to do, grass HAS to be cut and beds to be weeded, SHE cannot see Gooseberry bushes for weeds!

Oh, I lurve Red Gooseberries.. and WE would like more Roses to make our home smell delicious! Compassion is one of HER favourites, scrummy big up your nose smell and these cut flowers last as well.

Hopefully SHE will be able to meet up with Debbie, aka purveyor of fresh Goaty Milk, at a Farmers Market next week, SHE is not eating cereal so that dreadful Mr.Woe is not in our house, SHE had a stash of frozen milk but milk level is pretty low.. back to black expresso coffee next week!

Time for bed.. WE had a delicious supper of Pork chop and salad with hot beans in it.. YUM.. WE are both tired, so it is B-E-D time for us both.. WE hope YOU are enjoying your weekend.

GeeGee Parrot.
July 14th, 2012. Bastille Day if YOU are French!

DID YOU MISS ME?

Oh.. Dear Readers, I do hope so as I surely have missed all of YOU! But at least it has given YOU all a chance to read ALL of MY posts on MY Blog!! 

I know.. WE have AWOL for two months, not entirely all MY fault, I hasten to add. SHE has been decidedly under several blankets of doom.. no, SHE has been very brave and unless YOU knew what had happened, YOU would not know anything was wrong.

YOU see.. there has been disgusting, sneaky work afoot.. as a result, SHE has been very blue, depressed and dreadfully sad because someone has been telling GROSS fibs, frankly, I hope that whoever it is that did so ends up with all sorts of very horrid AND EXTREMELY nasty things happening to them.. no more, MY ole beak is sealed.

Anyway, final straw is that SHE shattered a molar on her lower jaw! OUCH.. SHE is now on a weeks course of dreadfully strong antibiotics to kill an infection and then... SHE has to be very brave and have poor old tooth extracted.. I am so glad I don't have to go Dentists.. all I do to keep ole Beaky sharp and in good nip, whoops, that was a slip of Beak, meant condition, is to crunch MY way through stiff cardboard.

But on happier note, MY mama aka old dear had a birthday last Saturday! Seventh day of seventh month, SHE is a Witch, well, YOU knew that already, didn't YOU? And to cap it.. Granny Jo's latest grand-daughter was born on HER birthday at 00.12.. twelve minutes past midnight. THAT makes it a very easy date to remember!

What else has been a'going on? Well, not a lot I am afraid to report.. weather has been SO awful that SHE has been unable to cut very long grass at garden, beans all rotted in ground and there is not one cherry, pear or plum to be picked.. the winds blew baby fruit off the trees, only thing that was good, was Asparagus back in May... normally if SHE is blue or sad, a good 'dose of gardening' lightens mood in one afternoon.. not this 'summer', I am afraid.

NO fresh Goaty Milk in fridge.. SHE was unable to go to find Debbie of Ellie's Dairy on Sunday as norty old tooth broke on Sunday morning and SHE was in dreadful pain.. SHE experimented with neat Oil of Cloves.. wwhhhhoooo, it took pain away but woe betide YOU if it touches the inside of lip!

Have YOU all read on 'La Vie en Rose' Blog that Joanna and ole J-J are are living it up in Italy? They are having a wonderful time .. Joanna has figured out how to put pictures on HER blog... well, sometimes SHE isn't the most technically minded.. WE or rather YOU have yet to see any of ME but if YOU went onto Ellie's Dairy's blog YOU will find a couple, go back to December or early January and there I am.

SHE is going to Italy, to Roma to be precise, in September to stay with Zaira.. she, Dear Reader, is probably MY greatest FAN!

No kidding.. We have a photograph, well, WE have several photographs of ME with Zaira, the best one though is of ME standing on her head.. the look of happiness on Zaira's face HAS to seen to be believed! Daft woman, she jurst adored Dagga-the-Parrot and so when SHE wrote that I was 'the new kid in town', she came to stay with US bringing Marie-Therese, who allowed ME to take dreadful liberties with her.. they are an amazing pair, they are Romans, first cousins, such NICE women.

Anyway, SHE has been invited to go to stay with Zaira for a week.. sigh, this means I will have to go to dreaded Aviary but it has to happen, MY poor old mum has not been anywhere 'nice' for four years.. yes, I know WE went to Sheffield to stay with Debi and WE are going back again later this month but I meant somewhere sunny and warm, poor old dear, SHE does love sunshine and hasn't seen any for SO long.

But SHE does have something to look forward to, apart from this trip to Roma.. cousin Bruce is coming to stay in October and the two of them are going to go Ancestor House Hunting.. they know exact locations of where Ambrose Hooper and his father lived, Ambrose was THEIR Great Grandfather, Matthew Slade Hooper was THEIR Great, Great Grandfather.. Pirie Shiel's London house is a no brainer, it was # 3 Burlington Gradens, London W1, but it still needs to be photographed. Pirie was THEIR Great Grandfather on the maternal side, he was Frederick Edmet Hooper's father in law.

Second Cousin Alex Hooper, son of cousin Graham, has put a lock on his family tree research, silly boy! WE bet he doesn't have all the information WE have.. about Matthew being in Constantinople with all the family or Jane Barker Hooper going to Melbourne! Or about William DeMattos starting Hooper Holmes and who Dorothea was! Hahahaa... foodle the doodle to him.

Anyway, SHE has to put this sad stuff behind HER and think of happier things.. I hate it when people are evil and gossip.. suffice to say that 'people who live in glass house should be careful and not throw stones'..

It is time for HER to go and take that antibiotic pill.. WE do apologise for not writing for such a long time and WE hope that all of YOU are well wherever YOU maybe..

WE said a prayer this morning for that village in Russia.. what a ghastly thing to have happened, even more dreadful and absolutely scandalous when it appears that the authorities knew about the leak before the mud, sludge and water hit the village and caused deaths of the animals and hundreds of poor villagers.

WE hope that all of YOU and your families are safe? Please stay that way..

GeeGee Parrot.
July 12, 2012.