Marty

You had Cookie wrapped round your shoulders?

Gives a whole new meaning to the idea of a Permanent (Micro?)Wave...

Shaving?

Some people consider dogs to be omnivores, not carnivores... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog#Diet Just saying...

You never specified that

Hi, Albert and Page Getting close to my bedtime...

Shark meat is reported to be tasty... (And you can even buy shark liver oil capsules on Amazon) Just saying....

Just as long as you didn't put one in the microwave to dry it after washing it, as at least one old lady is reported to have done... Urban legend..?

How do you know, Gary?

Just to let you all know that I survived Storm Ciara at the weekend, although apparently it caused seven deaths as it moved on across Europe. My only real problem was running into a flood on the road home from the 21st birthday celebration. By the time I saw the sign warning of the flood, I had already driven into it. I suspect the County Council had put the sign up on a dry part of the road, and the flood had deepened after it was erected. Deciding not to drive backwards back out of it, as I worried that the water might block the exhaust if I did, I drove very slowly, in first gear, the 200 yards or so to get through it. I passed two abandoned cars left in the flood on the other side of the road, and panicked twice when the lights dimmed and the engine stuttered, but fortunately the car kept going. A hairy few minutes; it was after dark and there was hardly any other traffic on the road. I thought I may have had to stay in the car until rescued if it had stalled... And now I see the UK Met Office have issued a warning for Storm Dennis, which is expected to bring more heavy rain and strong winds at the weekend. They do say that it shouldn't be as strong as Storm Ciara. Fingers crossed it isn't, but these storms do seem to be getting more frequent and much stronger in recent years...

Good luck, @Valkyrie! My procedure on Wednesday was done under local. I was told I could watch the monitors showing the process of the catheter as they threaded it up my arm towards my heart if I wished. I most certainly didn't wish!

I'm suspecting that there's still one important thread to be woven into this story's fabric... Possibly something involving a one-armed man (maybe even a villainous one-armed man...)

Hey, young Albert! And... Hi to everyone else, as well. All good here. Mad busy, but will try to pop in occasionally. (In other news, I was in for a cardiac angiogram today. The procedure was a bit uncomfortable, but the results were that there's absolutely nothing wrong with the blood supply to the muscles of my heart. )

Size queen...

Niki gives such good advice. Freddie, Jeff and Vee may be good friends, but I think Niki is really the most important person in Simon's life just at the moment. Maybe he should ask her to read his essay...

That means so much to me! I've learned to cope with the seasonal S.A.D. I think the fact that I know what causes it helps, if only because that means that I know it will pass. I also think that the occasional down times are important. They help make me appreciate the up times more fully.

Ditto to what @Parker Owens said. As for the next stanza: The cure is within reach But penance we must serve Until March heads to April And we round the final curve I usually find that by the second half of February the increased day length is sufficient to get me on to that final curve. Well done, Gary! You captured the mood excellently.

Slowly... But a local builder is supposed to be coming over tomorrow morning to give me some advice.

Yep, all's well, thanks. Once I get trough this S.A.D. I should hopefully feel more sociable... But I am starting to notice a slight stretch on the evenings.

But what was it you wrote in this chapter about Simon when Jeff sat down next to him...? Oh yes! It was this: "Simon felt a momentary prickle of embarrassment creeping up the back of his neck. Should he be looking at his friend like this?" Seems like Simon is at least noticing Jeff.... I'm looking forward to reading what the two of them talk about over lunch, without Freddie (especially Freddie) and Vee there to dominate the conversation.

I've been wondering about witness protection program. Still not sure, though. Also considering his excellent fluency in Italian makes me wonder if there's maybe a mafia link. Dunno about being hooked by chapter 5. It's only chapter 3, and I think I may already be hooked...

Thanks, Gary Hope all's good with you, as well. And the rest of the CoTT crew. Been a bit busy for the past few weeks, but I'll try and at least show my face on the odd occasion over the festive season.

Sooner than you might think! Hi, Gary!

House still standing, fortunately. But I suffered a five hour sailing delay on the ferry back to Ireland from Britain as a result of the storm. Only just home. Well after midnight. I'm away to bed...

Looks like Matthew has met his match with Niki... Now Let's just hope that, should Matthew follow through with his "I'll see you in court, bitch!" threat, Aunt Kate will come through for them...