meganiwish

Sorry, Dr Shoe, I hadn't noticed the date on your original post, but we obviously agree. The trouble is people think online isn't real life, but for many it is their life, apparently. You know the childish retort, 'Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me'? It might be more properly said, 'Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can break my heart'. I'd just always urge people to handle their words as carefully as they can. I know most do. I include the link to Orwell's essay for those who can be bothered.https://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/orwell46.htm

Universe

Hi Sharon and Sangue, Sharon, what a lovely tale, you obviously enjoyed yourself. I love the care you put into thinking about your swimming outfit. You know how they used to have bathing machines back in the old days? We should campaign for something similar, a sort of fitting room on wheels on the beach, with a full length mirror so we could check we looked right before going down the steps into the water. I could do it if it was made sort of formal. I agree with Sangue, a floaty blouse would feel wonderfully floaty in the water and would feel completely different when you got out, all clingy. Sangue, my washing machine broke nearly two years ago and I've never been able to afford to replace it, so I do my laundry by putting it in the bath and treading up and down on it. I sometimes think it might be easier to wash my clothes by having a shower in them, but I don't always want a shower at the end of the day. I suppose I could put them back on in the morning and shower. Now, how would I go about laundering my bedding? Oh, I would most certainly jump straight in if I had a private pool, but I'd need to have goggles to stop me fretting about my contacts. Look forward to hearing from you both soon. Regards, Megan x

Et avec souliers et bas de couleurs opposes, ca me parait bien aussi. But there's beautiful hosiery these days that could pass as bare to all but the closest examination.

I must admit, I agree wholeheartedly with Dr Shoe. Punctuation was developed because writing makes it difficult to give many of the nuances you can pick up in speech. I don't mind people getting it wrong, but I do mind sloppiness or carelessness because misunderstanding can create bad feeling. Your list of tips reminds me of Orwell's list of advice for writing decent English (Politics and the English Language, 1946): (i) Never use a metaphor, simile or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print. (ii) Never use a long word where a short word will do. (iii) If it is possible to cut out a word, always cut it out (iv) Never use the passive where you can use the active. (v) Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent. His point was, think before you write (or speak). Don't expect the words to do the job for you, you can't trust them. Sangue, you write beautifully. (vi) Break any of these rules rather than say anything outright barbarous.

Hyacinth

Wellllllllll!

Half

Roundhead

Seawater tears, sweat and blood too, sea here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seawater

The chemical composition of seawater is astonishingly close to that of human blood.

Yes, but sweating's not as poetic a thing to do as weeping lol

So we look wistfully at the home our ancestors forsook and when sad or moved weep seawater tears.

Hi Sangue and Amanda, Sangue, you're right, a bit of dryness gives some 'friction' to help things move along. Amanda, I think Pacific and Potrero Hill means you needed to be wearing flowers in your hair. Did you meet some gentle people there? I find it hard to be unhappy by the sea. It looks, smells and sounds different every time. I think it was Betjeman who said something about how everything's going on on the land but the people all look at the sea. Megan

Hi Sangue,

What a shame you didn't feel able to take advantage of the little pond, as it sounds like your poor feet could have done with the relief. I wonder if wearing the shoes wet around your home might help them to fit better.

We're having what counts as a heatwave here 28^oC, about 8o^o F. I went down to the seafront this afternoon and did have a little paddle in the edge of the waves. There were some young people there frolicking, but really I'm past the age for frolicking.

I hope you manage to sort out your shoe problems. Your heels are meant to make you feel good, not bad.

Hope to hear from you again soon.

Regards, Megan x

I hate those dreams that are so vivid they still seem real when you wake up. Most disturbing. It seems harsh that you aren't allowed open toed shoes at work. Is it a safety issue? I wonder if you can get some device like a shoe tree that you could use to stretch the places where there's most pressure.

I'm still on my first car atm. A 2001 Buick Regal LS with a 3.8 V6 automatic (sadly, as I want to learn to drive a stick)

In the 2 years that I've owned it, I have replaced the brake pads and rotors, the fuel filter, the gas cap, the radiator (twice), five tires from flats and leaks, the serpentine belt, the belt tensioner assembly, the water pump, the intake manifold and gaskets, all vacuum hoses, all oxygen sensors, the air filter, the battery, and the front passenger side window motor. I've been in 1 wreck in which the bumper, the front left quarter panel, the hood, and the left headlight assembly were replaced. Things that are still broken include the rear passenger side window motor, the pop-out cup holders, the window lock switch broke off, the odometer, the spare tire has a leak in it, the A/C doesn't work, I have to use a screwdriver to flip a switch on the underside of the steering column to release the key every time, and one of the engine mounts is cracked.

I can't wait until I get another car, which I would love to be a 2005 or newer Mustang in manual, though anything with A/C and cup holders is an improvement.

A/C and cupholders! Gosh, you young people want everything lol. My very first car was a little green 1976 mini called Sukie (because the registration was SKE 617 P). So much water leaked in that it had it's own climate. Scraping thick and solid ice off the inside of the windscreen in winter was fun. By the way, never use aerosol de-icer inside the car.

Hi everyone, Hope you're all keeping well. Gosh, what a sudden change we've had in the weather. It seems like it's been cold and miserable for so long and suddenly yesterday summer got here. It was the first day since October that I've slept properly barefoot and the first day since November that I didn't have a hot water bottle. Well actually, I did, because I realised when I'd got into bed that it was still in there from the night before, but I hadn't heated it up. And it was lovely. It wasn't cold, just room temperature, but being cooler than me it felt like sleeping with my feet in water, a really comforting feeling. It's an even warmer day today, so I'm going to try it again tonight. There were people on the beach this afternoon, but no-one in the water, so I didn't feel I could brave it, though it looked blue and clear and inviting. I bet you'd have led the charge, Sharon :-) Well, just wanted to keep in touch. Hope to hear from you all soon. Megan x

http://www.elegantsteps.co.uk/products/SoleMates-High-Heeler-Stiletto-Heel-Stoppers-%26-Protectors-.html

For those who mentioned grass and grates as problems I saw these in the Guardian Magazine. I can't imagine that you'd want to wear them all the time as they look a bit strange, but it seems like they pop on and off fairly easily and could be worth keeping in your bag for difficult moments.

How can I get my 10 post in if I can't view the forum selections?

You'll be able to see them now that you've made your first post here. Welcome.

A suite ballet

Hi Sangue, You couldn't have picked a more perfect time. And you 'uploaded' your picture perfectly. To start I was reading Bronte with the howling storm, then Yeats with faeries tripping across pools of dew, then looking at Van Gogh's yellows and purples. Gosh, what a post! I especially liked 'lightning greened grass'. Ooh, send me a message next time, I'll hop on a plane. I've missed you. I thought we'd lost you. I don't want to spoil your picture with a longer post, I want to keep it with me, so I'm going to leave it here and look forward to hearing from you again soon. Megan xx

Down your way I believe the excess messages are culled by Norman invaders spearing them in the eye

Yes, safety glasses for visiotrs are available on request at the tourist office

Megan : I tried sending you a message but your box was full.

Thank you. I've just deleted loads of stuff. I was still getting messages from people, but maybe that was because they were replying to ones I'd sent, so I assumed the computer just tucked the excess ones away somewhere, down the back of the sofa or in an old biscuit tin (cookie jar?). I can be a bit dim sometimes.

That's very kind of you, Bubba136. I'll keep it in mind. x0

Torque wrenches rust

True, but that doesn't make them any easier