Crosh Cuirn

The information here has been edited from a description of a Crosh Cuirn at the Manx Museum. I'll be including a mention of a crosh cuirn in the story of Honey Hill Farm.

A crosh cuirn is a traditional Manx protective charm, often hung above doorways to prevent evil spirits from entering homes on May eve. It is a wooden cross, made from twigs of mountain ash (rowan) bound together with sheep's wool gathered from the hedgerows. The rowan tree was seen as having magical powers which made it a powerful charm against evil spirits, but only if broken by hand and not cut with a knife.

Traditionally at May eve (the beginning of summer and end of winter), crosh cuirns would be placed over the doors of cottages and cowsheds to stop evil spirits from entering. They would also be tied to the tails of cattle, to stop the cattle being bewitched. 

Most people no longer believe in ill-spirits and witches being about on May eve, but many still put up crosh cuirns every year. It is probably fair to say that they are now seen as a symbol of Manx cultural identity, rather than anything else.

Re-starting 100 Days

 

The 100 Days challenge slipped by un-noticed. My mind was focused on re-opening the shop, getting the VAT returns in, stock taking and other end of financial year stuff. 

I don't know how many days I had managed to do, but it definitely made a difference. In the past, I might well have thrown up my hands and said "Another project on which I failed to deliver." Whilst it is true, there are no real consequences to stumbling in the 100 Days. It just delays the completion of the book. Another reaction might have been that if I couldn't do it perfectly first time, then I never would, and it would be best to give up.  But not this time. This time, I'm simply going to say the previous attempt was a practise, and now I'm ready to go.

The first of May, the first day of summer, is the first day of my 100 Days. 

I Am Relieved

We've just heard the Government press briefing. Despite a few new cases of Covid, and one of unknown source, we are not heading back into lockdown. Ninety four percent of the most vulnerable people have been vaccinated, and seventy percent of adults have received at least one vaccination.

I'm so relieved!  

I'm also relieved money is flowing into the business account. On Saturday morning, I'll need to take a trip to the bank to deposit money.

We're reached a lovely number. Seventy percent of adults have received their first vaccination. This figure has been reached before the younger adults have been invited to book appointments. I very much hope the figure continues to grow, and as many as are able to receive, do.

100 Days of Writing

That's 7 days of writing done. The goal is a minimum of 10 minutes each day. It's not turning out that way. The least amount of time I have spent is 25 minutes. Most days, it's closer to an hour.

My pen is making marks on paper, very little, probably none of it, is finished prose. I'm doing research, fleshing out characters, plotting the timeline, adding dates, and dreaming up new ideas. 

When I was only writing on a Saturday, it felt rather disjointed, and I'd have to cudgel my brain into remembering where I had reached. It's much less effort this way, and of course, progress is being made at a much quicker rate.

Buttons!

Over the weekend, the Beloved and I have counted loads of buttons from the shop. Between us, it came in at 8 hours of work.  I've seen buttons I didn't know we had.  But I'm now a little sick of buttons.

A Trip to the Beach

It was glorious. The sun was shining, the water was so blue, and all my cares melted away. I love going for walks beside the sea. 

There might also have been an ice cream too. 

Maternity Care

I hadn't quite realised how often The Jane would feature in my story. The Jane Crookalll Maternity Unit opened in 1939, and then closed in 1992. Maternity services moved a little way along the road to Nobles Hospital. It moved again in 2003 when the new Nobles Hospital was build.

There was a statue of a stork on the roof of The Jane. The rumour was if you turned and saw the stork when you were leaving, you would be back within the year.

If a mother needed a C-section, she was moved to Nobles Hospital for the operation. In my mind this equated with loading the mother onto a trolley and pushing her along the road. Apparently, they used to use ambulances for patient transfers.

The Protagonist's Parents

The goal was to write, research, and plan the novel for at least 10 minutes for the next 100 days. This evening's '10 minutes' lasted 70!

Yesterday and today, I've been writing out character sheets for the protagonist's parents. A while back, I had realised I'd fallen into the Disney trap - kill off the parents to make it easier for the protagonist to move unencumbered. Instead, the parents are working half way around the world. They love their daughter, and are in regular contact.

The 100 Day Project

The 100 Day Project is a free, global art project. The idea is simple: choose a creative project, do it every day for 100 days, and share your process online.

Most people started on the 8th of January this year. I'm starting today.

My plan is to commit to a minimum of 10 minutes of work on my novel each day for 100 days. This should propel it along a bit further than just 1 hour on a Saturday.

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That's my first day done. Whilst waiting for dinner to be cook, I started working on the character of the protagonist's dad. He is Dr Richard James Quayle. Tomorrow is the turn of the protagonist' mam, Susan Quayle, nee Cowin.

Migraine

Migraines are rather weird things. One came over me yesterday. At 5pm, I was pretty much fine, by 5.45pm,  I was concerned I was going to be able to stand. Thankfully at that point I was right beside the car, and was able to hang on to it. The Beloved bundled me in, and drove me home.  

Driving into the sunshine brought pain.  The Beloved  dropped the sun visor, and that was useful. Then I had a brainwave, I could wear my face mask over my eyes. By wearing it upside down it covered eyes, nose and mouth.

A rather interesting thought came to me at one point, I was still able to think, but didn't have the ability to translate these thoughts into words. 

A couple of years ago, a migraine suddenly descended upon me whilst shopping. The supermarket has an in-store pharmacy. The Beloved took me to the pharmacy and asked for migraine medication. The pharmacist wanted me to take paracetamol as a first stage. I disagreed, and tried to explain what I needed. During this time, I was sitting slumped in a chair, eyes tight shut against the bright lights. My words were very few, and rather slurred. That's when I wondered if I might be able to bi-pass words, and use signs. This worked, and The Beloved translated my signs to the pharmacist. 

After a lot of dithering, he agreed to give me the drugs I needed. The Beloved went to finish the grocery shopping; I remained in the seat. In the 15 minutes it took him to return my symptoms had reduced to the point I was able to speak again.  I asked for the pharmacist, and purposefully choosing multi-clausal, polysyllabic words and phrases thanked him for his care. I also let him know I was off to bed, and would sleep for about 2 hours, and would then be fine once more. The look on his face was priceless. It's not often people get to see how quickly the correct medication works.

Wildflower Verges

In Rotterdam, they started sowing wildflower seeds in the city. It was beautiful, and brought a much needed boost to insects, and especially bees.  Various areas have followed suit, and former grass verges have sprouted fantastic colours.

I've decided to join the throng, and sow wildflower seeds in my front garden. There's an oval planting area, currently with a few weeds. These will be dealt with. Pansies will be planted, Then wildflowers and poppies will be sown. 

There's a potted fuchsia in the back garden. Perhaps I'll add it into the mix.  I'm hoping for a riot of colour this summer. 

Breathe In, Breathe Out

Well! That explains a great deal.

Over the last few days I started coughing, and become a bit breathless. I look my inhaler at 3pm, and just a few minutes ago, and there was no relief, none at all. I check the inhaler, and it's all out of nice lung calming medicine. No wonder it wasn't working!

Being a vaguely sensible person, I have spare inhaler in the sitting room (and a second one at work). Two little puffs later, and I can breathe again.

Breathing is nice. I recommend it. Do it.

Death By Baptism

There are times when I have very vivid dreams. They might be contact poison slugs, or baby hedgehogs loose on the floor, but my best dream of recent years can best be described as 'Death By Baptism'.

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The scene is a medieval town. There are cobbled streets and crocked buildings, and strange, unexplained deaths. During the day, the streets are quiet, but at night very pale individuals can be seen.

The town has been having problems with vampires for a few years, but now, there is a new wave of vampire attacks. They aren't just killing for food, or pleasure, but instead, they are recruiting.

Whilst wandering the empty streets on a pleasant, sunny afternoon, I bump into Rupert Giles. (It turns out Rupert isn't his real name, it's Jason Giles. He changed it a while back because he thought Rupert sounded more dignified.)

We start talking about strange occurrences, and fail to realise just how the light levels have dropped. We are entering twilight, and the undead are becoming restless. Rupert steals a car, and we get in, a tactical retreat is demanded. Rupert shouts, "No seat belts today. If you are going to die, die properly."

We bounce along the cobbled streets with a growing army of vampires behind us. The car can't handle the cobbles, and a hill. It splutters and dies. The vampires are gaining, and we desperately need a safe place to spend the night. One door is open, just a crack. We duck into the house, and try to bar it behind us.

The old rule of vampires needing to be invited in to a building no longer seems to apply! There's major shuffle as are followed into the house. Later we find that this is the place where a new breed of vampires is being created and so naturally they don't need permission to re-enter their home! 

We learn various techniques in how to despatch a vampire when your stakes have been destroyed and only wooden lollypop sticks remain. I declare my longing for  chopsticks, but then puzzled over whether they would work as bamboo is a grass, not a tree. Can you get wood from a grass, or can it only come from a tree?!

But back to wooden lolly sticks... stab the vampire with a long bladed kitchen knife. This will first cause shock at being stabbed, then mirth at it being a stabbing rather than a staking. Whist there's laughter slide the wooden lolly sticks along the blade of the knife, then quickly remove the knife. This leaves only the wooden sticks in the heart and the vampire becomes dust. 

Things get a tad tricky when you are dealing with an off-world vampire from Gallifrey. Thankfully the time vampire wasn't too bright and ventured for the information 'two hearts' . That one took multiple starlings to find both hearts. 

In the calm in the eye of the storm people found their way to the house on the hill and plans were drawn up. Of one group were very gentle preachers. They did not want to engage with violence of staking. Thankfully there is a toy shop in the village, and there is a range of super-soaker water pistols, well more like assault rifles with a backpack water supply. 

The preachers blessed the water,  and we head out onto the mean streets for a bit of preaching to the heathen vampires and also some baptisms. 

It was at this point I woke up. Lucid dreaming is something I can often do. It might be the right time to see if I can slip back into a world where death-by-baptism is a thing, along with lolly stick stakings. 

I'll let you know how it goes. However if you see me and I smile not at you, but your jugular, be a tad wary.

Big Boat, Big Money

Sailing Yacht A, the largest sailing boat in the world is currently in Douglas Bay. It's a wee bit big. Here's what it looks like against the Tower of Refuge, and also with a smaller yacht.This boat cost over £300 million to buy.

One of the games the Beloved and I play is 'What would you do if someone gave you X amount of money?" My first purchases are almost always the same, 3 pairs of shoes made to fit me perfectly. Then I stray into such areas as paying off the mortgage, buying houses for our children, and renovating our house.

Currently my next impulse would be to choose some Manx charities, and top up their incomes to compensate for the dip caused by Covid. Then look at local businesses that have been hit hard.

I'd also like to look at buying larger commercial premises - somewhere with good parking, on the major bus routes. It would have a much larger shop floor, a space for lessons and tutorials, a huge storage area.

There are many other things I would do with that amount of money. But, it ain't mine, and it isn't likely to ever be mine.

No Buy March

 

At the start of March, I decided not to buy anything except for consumables, and presents. I would not worry about emergencies. If one came along, it would be dealt with. 

My No Buy March was great success. Nothing bar consumables and presents were bought. This, along with lockdown, resulted in £500 less being spent in that month. To help keep track of things, I kept a record of things I wanted to buy... 'wanted' is not the right word.... things I was considering buying. The items I decided to buy are new socks, a fitted sheet, a glass jug (to replace one that broke), and a leak-proof bowl (so I can pack my breakfast and eat it at work). After chatting with the Beloved, we decided to buy a new mattress.

On my last birthday, I decided not to buy any new clothes (unless it was an emergency), apart from underwear. There was a wibble at Christmas, and I bought a dress and wrap. Two items in nine months, not bad.

Covid Update

We are starting to make tentative steps out of lockdown. At the weekend, we were able to meet with friends and family outside. Garden centres have now been allowed to open, and there has been easing on the restrictions builders face. Little by little, we are edging out way out. 

Next week, schools will re-open for students who are taking assessments for grades, and for the children of key workers. It is hoped all children will be able to return the week after that, and also that shops will be able to re-open.

Some interesting vaccination statistics have come to light. 90% of the 45,000 people in the Phase One group have had at least one vaccination, with 15,000 having had both. By the end of April, almost every adult who wants will have had their first vaccination. By the end of June, everyone (who wants) in Phase One group will have had both injections, and July for the rest of the population. Hopefully by that point the vaccines will have been deemed safe for use with children toon.

Caramelised Onion and Camembert Pastry

 

A very simple recipe. Take some home made gravy, and add it to some sliced onions. Caramelise over a low heat until the onions are beautifully brown and delicious. Set to one side and allow to cool a little. Cut the Camembert into cubes, and unroll the pastry onto a baking sheet.  Spread the onions onto the pastry and top with cheese. Bake at 200C until the cheese has melted and the pastry has been cooked.

It was good, very good. 

However, it could be better. The pastry puffed up at the corners and sent the cheese running into the middle. I'm going to make this again, but instead of putting toppings on a sheet of pastry, I'm going to first make vol-au-vent cases. The hot onions will be added to the cases, and topped with cheese.

"Leftovers" Blanket

 

Way, way back in the mists of time, I was making loads of hats from chunky yarn, I decided to crochet a blanket to use up the ends of balls. It sounded such a great idea, and an excellent way to force myself into random. But the problem is, I don't actually like random. I like pseudo-random.

I was crocheting away, using the hook I had on hand. Some questionable yarns were included in the blanket, and well, I wasn't liking it. I decided to restrict it to cream-white through to dark grey, greens and purples. This was way better. However, there was a problem with my tension, caused by using the wrong hook.

Boring story cut short, I'm frogging the blanket and re-working on a better hook, and eliminating a few yarns that crept in.  It's looking so much better!

Afternoon Tea in the Garden

 

The Covid restrictions have been eased slightly, and up to ten people are able to gather outside, provided  people from different households remain at a distance. This afternoon, Cat came round, and we had tea in the garden. 

It was blissful, utterly blissful. We haven't had anyone round for three months, and it's been wonderful to sit and chat.  We were wrapped in blankets as it was a little chilly. But, I'm looking forward to Tea in the Garden many other times this year. 

Bye Bye DVDs

 

More DVDs have been decluttered. One of the cupboard in the sideboard is now free of DVDs. This is going to be used for jigsaws instead.

As I was choosing which DVDs to keep, I started thinking about the last time I played them.  I know we haven't used the television and DVD player this year. Part of me is thinking that if we don't use them in the next year, then perhaps we don't need the television, DVD player, or the DVDs. But that's a bit too advanced thinking for the rest of the family.

There's one section of DVDs we haven't yet looked at, the box sets. Many of the films and television program DVD we have said goodbye to are readily available online. I wonder about the box set ones, are these available. If they are, do we need to keep the physical copies if we can use download them as needed.

A Spring Declutter

 

The Spring Declutter has begun!  And I'm feeling great.

Today, I'm in the sitting room. Half of the DVDs stored in the coffee table have been checked, and the ones we no longer want to keep have been boxed up ready for donation once the charity shops re-open. One (of four) drawers in the sideboard have been decluttered. 

A Holiday!

 

I am so looking forward to my Easter holidays!  Some of us as still working during lockdown, and having time off is incredibly important.

There's grand, high, wonderful plans. There's decluttering to be done, cleaning and tidying.  There's craft stuff, and baking.  It's going to be great.