I have just had an interesting afternoon
Some villainous looking bloke came cold calling offering tree felling , garden work etc
He had pie key practically tattooed on his forehead .
So ( whatever was I thinking of) I showed him a raised bed I wanted removed .
Yes says he  quoting a price I can do it right now .
I have just finished a job nearby . Hmmmmm ok (what am I crazy )
I will get my man sez he  ( his son )
Up comes the son a lanky lad who is clearly a sandwich short of a picnic poor boy .
They had disturbingly  little equipment ( one shovel ) which the son seemed puzzled as to how it worked .
Nevertheless dad set to with gusto shovelling earth for all that he was worth .
I loaned him my spade and a wheel barrow.
Son immediately tipped the said wheel barrel over .
However after a few tries he got the hang of it .
Our conversation was bizarre . He confided to me the son was single at 16 but soon to marry .
What I exclaimed  that is ridiculous he's far too young .
I married at 14 he said ( he was 30 so that figured )  that's what WE do .
They both wore huge rings reminiscent of oversized knuckle dusters which they claimed were solid gold even taking them off for me to feel the weight !
They requested tea ( with fIVE sugars ) and bikkies .
I told them they all their teeth would fall out
They told me their favourite dish was rabbit .
I asked them if they were poachers ( they treated this joke with the distain I usually reserve for unfunny  ones on another forum which shall be nameless )
I didn't like to leave them alone ( I'm fond of that spade )
They told me they had horses and went to Appleby Fair ( an event I hate ) and another more local one . Had I even been ?
What !
Do I look like Grandma from my big fat gipsy wedding ?
Make that great grandma ( Grandma is only 32)
Clearly I need to do something about my wardrobe .

Eventually  dad ran out of steam and they more or less finished up ,well more less than more .
He needed to do some shopping .
I resisted the impulse to inquire where he shopped for rabbits .
( we are defenceless old pensioners after all )
The garden is now reminiscent of the Somme but I really can't blame them for that .
Everything is wet and claggy
Most of the raised bed is gone .
And it was an experience to say the least
Next time they come calling I will hide behind the sofa .



 

Too right ! 

Quote from: muddy on Yesterday at 11:41:56 PMI would not like to be hugged by a stranger but ....I get lots of hugs and the physical touch of another sentient being is very important .
That is why people love their pets especially dogs who give love so unconditionally .
They care not for looks or riches .
Even cats by their warm and comforting presence give people a nice feeling .
The warm of another living being .
It's sad though that so many people never get hugged .
Old people because they are alone , young people because they are not loved enough .
British people are not known for being physically affectionate when I married my latin American husband I found it charming how physically affectionate his family was .
We all need to be hugged .

I don't think I would like to be hugged by a total stranger either, Muddy,   but I suppose it could also perhaps depend on the circumstances?  And as you say,  it is very sad some people never have any affection shown to them.   
I used to work in care,  and not everyone had family to visit them.

I also agree about us loving our pets and how they  freely give us their company and affection  -  without moaning about missing the football!!   

Quote from: klondike on February 04, 2026, 04:48:43 PMThey don't look like they are on the rocket science course. Must be brain surgeons I suppose.

 

I would not like to be hugged by a stranger but ....I get lots of hugs and the physical touch of another sentient being is very important .
That is why people love their pets especially dogs who give love so unconditionally .
They care not for looks or riches .
Even cats by their warm and comforting presence give people a nice feeling .
The warm of another living being .
It's sad though that so many people never get hugged .
Old people because they are alone , young people because they are not loved enough .
British people are not known for being physically affectionate when I married my latin American husband I found it charming how physically affectionate his family was .
We all need to be hugged .

Quote from: klondike on Yesterday at 11:13:30 PMSounds weird to me.

Some men go to prostitutes for sex,  do you find that's weird?  Maybe others only want a hug?

Apparently it started when she was going through a bad patch herself a few years back,  and was sobbing, and her friend held her, and it helped her to calm down and feel better.

After that she started learning Reiki -  (I used to do that a very long time ago)  - and that taught her all about 'energy,'  and  found that that human touch was a powerful thing. 

She met people going through traumas or others who struggled with loneliness, etc,  and it appears her business is doing well.
I suppose if it brings comfort to those in need,  it may be better than taking drugs!

Sounds weird to me.

Don't forget that mouse will need a battery if you find it stops working.

Quote from: Raven on Yesterday at 10:53:58 PMWould totally wig me out. I'm not one for hugging, but there's a childhood reason for that.
Animals though, I was always hugging my dogs.

Yep,  me too.  

Would totally wig me out. I'm not one for hugging, but there's a childhood reason for that.
Animals though, I was always hugging my dogs.