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.

Singing in the Rain.. but the Wrong Bus!

And very good Greetings to YOU all.

Yeah.. Joanna and ole J-J are in Moscow visiting their son Stephane.. staying in small hotel which has WiFi and WE got looong email from her this morning..

Now this was such lovely treat to hear from her as during her recuperation she has not posted on her excellent Blog, 'La Vie en Rose' for a very long time, nearly two whole months, but this gives YOU, Dear Reader, plenty of time to read all her Posts so that YOU can be up to speed on the life of Joanna, ole J-J and the boys.. she ends up with seven boys.. eh, jurst think .. EIGHT men in one house with one, very brave, woman.

And without her and Debbie, aka Ellie Goaty person, there would be NO 'Parrot Tales' by GeeGee.. jurst think, what boring life WE would have.. no, let us not think such hideous thoughts.

Joanna had, if YOU are a follower of her Blog and remember, knee operation, she says that although operation was only in February ole norty knee is recuperating well and doing work like knees should.. this allows her to walk up flights of stairs AND down again.. one forgets that coming down on norty knees is the worst.. ouch.

Anyway, they safely made their way through Paris (France) and are now in Moscow, going to St.Petersburg. Perfect time to go, fresh, not too hot, NO Mosquitos.. for lots of water in St.Petersburg, they don't call it 'The Venice of The North' for no reason.

What are YOU doing today? Here, in deepest Knightsbridge, SHE was lolling about.. after years of getting up and going to work at hideous hours, SHE occasionally starts HER days slowly, takes it easy, I stick wing up and confess that I thoroughly approve of this, it means more time is spent in thinking about breaking of MY fast in yumyum HQ, SHE had two eggs on MY bread, fancy that, the cheek of it, but then curried favour with ME by cutting off most of egg white and giving it to ME.. so delicious, I LURVE egg whites..

Title of Post is clue.. to fact that SHE went wrong way, to go to wood merchant YOU turn LEFT at corner, SHE went straight on up to Sloane Street, posted Peg's postcards in Letter Box, turned right onto Sloane Street and caught number 22 to Piccadilly, changed onto number 38 bus, read newspaper (most depressing about state of various Nation's Finances) and got off at Dalston Junction.. HeeHeeeee...

As SHE got off bus, SHE felt small pit-a-patter of rain drops.. walking along major street SHE was mighty glad that SHE had brought BIG umbrella.. as crossed over and passed first fruit stall.. heaven opened and God started washing London, North East London to be precise.

SHE smiled at nice smiley Fruit Stall seller and said "washes fruit for YOU", he laughed and tossed HER a Mango, they are old friends.. for, yes folks, SHE was in The Ridley Road Market..

Looong Street Market full of all things YOU do and things YOU don't want.. wonderful fruit and vegetables. PAKS, this is HUGE shop full of every type of body, face and hair product imaginable.. SHE stocked up on favourite hair shampoo and body oil, PLUS new bottle of Black Seed Oil, marvellous for ole gardening hand which gets bit stiff and swollen sometimes, well.. if SHE will garden without gloves, WHAT can SHE expect?

Also has fabric and wool shop whose name has escaped MY soft tissue in head.. diddly-diddly, SHE LURVES this shop, full to brim and attic with fabrics of every description, SHE worked for many years with major Silk Company, knows a little bit about silks.. here they have mind-glowingly sumptuous laces and brocades.. to dream over.

Also within shop are helpful, nice assistants, but best of all of them is Carmen who taught HER how to knit.. sweet woman, so generous.

SO there SHE was.. jurst like in that old wonderful film.. raining is a'raining like Monsoon rain and SHE's a'trotting up middle of street, skipping over giant puddles, as happy as Master Larry Lamb, smiling and calling "hello" to stall holders that SHE knows, stops to chew fat with Vyonne, lady from Camerouns, who sells most extraordinary handbags. YOU want colourful handbag, YOU go to Vyonne.. SHE has had several from her as presents for friends, pretty things. HER very smart week-end 'carry-on' case with wheels came from Vyonne, perfect size, perfect price.. £25.00!

At top of market is one of HER favourite shops.. yes folks.. drum roll time....

Turkish Food Centre... run by lovely Leila. Purveyor of Almonds, Barberries, Humous, Pink Stuff, White Mulberries, Wild Garlic in Goaty Yoghurt, Pomegranate Syrup, Orange Water, Rose Water.. is YOUR mouth watering? And best selection of dried herbs and spices in London.

Fruit and vegetables beyond description, little Cucumbers (sweet to eat), FIERCE Chillies, un-waxed Lemons and Limes, flat Peaches that resemble little doughnuts, POMEGRANATES! Beans of all varieties, peppers of all colours and degrees of 'hotness'..

Turkish Delight.. don't worry Dear Reader, SHE didn't break old Wicker Trolley.. or bank account.. with all these, SHE took jurst few things vital for OUR and our guest's well-being. Smiled 'hello' at Leila and went back out into rain..

Scampered into Kingsland Shopping Mall for couple of items, then ole Wicker and SHE trundled back to Balls Pond Road to catch number 38 bus. Remembered jurst in time to get off on Piccadilly, changed to number 22 and came home.

Oooh, such treats, Goaty Ricotta Cheese, boxes of Humous and Pink Stuff.. what a delicious sight for small foodie like ME..

And I got to sit on HER lap, WE all ate supper together, such a treat, YOU will be pleased to know I behaved beautifully.. no bits of anything on carpet.. I had had treat earlier when Barbara and Peg came home, SHE made pot of spiced Tea (Twinings) and SHE gave ME a slurp.. much to Barbara's surprise! yes, I LURVE Black Tea.. favourite is Lapsang.

SHE is ready to go out and about, I will partake of doze whilst SHE goes to Library and Bakers.. hopefully I will tell you about the Peter Ting bowl when SHE comes back.. the sight of Design Centre reminded HER of The Tale of Pomegranate Bowl..

GeeGee Parrot.
May 11th, 2012.

Doing The Okey Cokey..

'Put your left arm in, take your left arm out, put your left arm in and shake it all about'.

Listen to ME.. in NO way am I responsible for state of 'Dottiness' in OUR home, SHE is way over twenty-one years of age, loooong way over, poor dear.

I must say that I was starting to feel very sorry for Miss Mimosa and Mister Tommies. I saw HER putting them out in morning and bringing them in at night and thought to self "poor plants, they won't know whether it is Christmas or Easter".. until, on this morning flap flap, I saw.. oooooh, new very healthy looking growth on Miss Mimosa and all Mister Tommies are looking happy and smug, with tiny little flower buds already forming.

So I guess doing 'The Okey Cokey' suits them.. they spend days outside with Orange Trees and Herbs to chat to, they get rain water instead of cold tap water, then jurst before it starts to get cold and dark, SHE brings them into house, Miss Mimosa goes onto saucer behind bathroom door and Mister Tommies go on floor near to hall radiator.. snug and warm places to spend cold nights.. "NO, norty Jack, you are not allowed to bite these little people, go away".

SHE is measuring window ledge outside bedroom, it needs block of wood to make ledge all one height. SHE will put plank on top of block to make even ledge then WE have BIG pots of Leaf Scented Geraniums (Pelargoniums if YOU garden in Latin).. SHE makes sponge cakes with a scented leaf under cake mix.. try it.. very special, lovely friend of Constance, Mary Ireland, used to make HER one for tea when SHE came home at end of school term.. BIG treat..

Now SHE is off to store to buy what is need and will make ledge ready for 'Phoebe's' plants, is awaiting telephone call from lovely Alison to say that they are ready to be collected..

I get to have peaceful doze on perch, think about pleasant 'things'... oodle-the-doodle, I know what SHE hid in meat drawer in fridge.. HeeHeeeee.. MY favourite sausages!

GeeGeeParrot.
May 10th, 2012.

BLACKBERRY READER..

"THANK YOU".

Yes, reading MY Blog stats this morning, I see that there is lone Dear Reader reading MY Blog on their Blackberry.. I thank whoever it is for enjoying MY frivolous scribblings enough to take trouble to read posts on that small screen.

Now must get up and do flapflap into yumyum HQ to make break fasting movements, take Goaty Milk out of fridge, etc, etc.

I bid YOU "Adieu" and hope that YOU enjoy your day. I will write again later..

GeeGee Parrot.
May 10th, 2012.