Diary summary week ending 8th February 2026

[BushInn1746]

Hello All

A recent visit on 29 January (attachment, taken through the window) from one of several Squirrels that run and play, normally along the tops of my garden fencing and probably into neighbouring bushes and down to the wooded cutting.


Roobarb, don't speak too soon, that usually puts a jinx on it 


Viktoria, get well soon and I hope the cough medicine is working well, was Robitussin any good? 

Have you tried humming?

Humming stimulates NO (nitric oxide) which has natural anti-viral, antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties.

"Humming significantly boosts nitric oxide (NO) production in the nasal passages, increasing it up to 15-fold compared to quiet breathing, by creating oscillating airflow that enhances sinus ventilation and gas exchange. This surge in NO offers benefits like improved blood flow, antimicrobial defense against pathogens, better immune function, and relaxation by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, potentially helping with sinus congestion and promoting overall well-being."

I hum every time after returning from being outside or have to go to places, e.g. Doctors or for food bits, not on the delivery.

I squeezed a fresh lemon and its fibre into mug, took out the pips from the glass squeezer and poured warm water from the kettle (not hot) over it to get the rest of the fibre into the mug, then added a teaspoon of pure honey for a drink.

If the water is hot, it will change the honey into a methyl and it is less beneficial (unfortunately most bought honey is pasteurised so some of the natural goodness has been spoilt).

L.M.,
Sounds like you are multi-disciplinary!  Nurses Uniform one minute then a Dinner Lady in an Apron, serving. Then out visiting. Hope you and the O.H., are keeping well 

Caroline,
I hope your gall bladder is alright! Have they given you a diet sheet or any advice, advising what foods and drinks to avoid and what to eat and drink to try and support a recovery? 

With these immune responses, usually comes inflammation and the rich sugary food, cakes with sugar, any bad fats, sweeteners etc., and drinks over X-mas can be enough to slow any function in anybody over 60.


When they told me in early 2021 that I had, had suffered acute kidney failures due to inflammation and I was going for blood tests every 2 weeks, and the A&E visits for secondary infections (one was 3 infections for the price of 1) ...

I was determined I was going to reverse it and eat a diet to support tissue repair / regrowth.

The A & E Doctor and Consultant both said to me that will take years, most people give up seeing nothing in 6 months and you'll be back here (and I was back for three years).

Four years later, I am sensing a change now but need to be on guard (it is not 2019 state though). Fortunately I became intolerant to sweetener and added sugar (incl fruits - high in natural sugar).

I tried a tiny cube piece (size of a tiny sugar cube), of cake and it was so sickly sweet now, I cannot believe how I would eat a slice, then eat another.

Gillg
The government promised in 2023-2024 that they would not conduct Solar Experiments to make it rain or dim the sun.

But I do look out the window, including dodge the showers for a walk and I do wonder if they have changed their minds.

We all need the sun

Take care all and get well soon, Mark

[Gillg]

Mark
The squirrel that visits us is very bold.  He/she lands with a thump on the patio table and is not in the least perturbed when there are watchers through the windows.  These grey squirrels are not nearly so attractive or appealing as the red squirrels near my sister-in-law's house in the Lake District, I have to say.  They (the grey ones) look a bit more "ratty" to me!

Hooray, we haven't had any rain all morning!  Everywhere looks so much brighter today.  Yes, I know, we mustn't tempt fate.  The forecast seems to be rain for at least another week.

[ThrelfallYorky]

I've been very quiet, had a hell of a week, sitting room had water pouring through the ceiling on Sunday, plumbers fixing the leak Monday, me clearing up in bathroom above on Tuesday, re-fixing my pacemaker check appointment most of week, having trouble getting into my M & S account later, shopping at supermarket through biblical downpour, dodging half a flock of sheep who had all come down from the hills 'cos of the weather, ruined a pair of OH's trousers ironing, spent morning trying to buy another replacement pair..... can't get into Rootsquiz, really fed up. All I need to make the week perfect is cats to be sick all over me.....
Next week must be better..... won't it be?
TY

[Gillg]

Let's hope so, TY.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.

[Roobarb]

TY, get a cup (or glass) of your favourite drink, sit down with a good book or put the telly on and do absolutely nowt! Things will seem better then. 

[Viktoria]

Bushinn ,I will try humming.Thanks.
Feel a bit better today ,I think steam also helps .
The Robitussin states very strongly that it is highly addictive!
As I can’t give up chocolate ——-
It is also for a dry cough and it is not that ,lots of tissues used throughout the day but do get some rest at night .
It will pass.

Just spent almost 30 minutes trying to get into RootsChat!
It keeps telling me there is another Viktoria!
That user name is already in use!
I was getting withdrawal symptoms!

Thanks for all the news folks, hope the problems get quickly sorted .
My little inconvenience with the washer flooding was nothing by comparison .

I've been very quiet, had a hell of a week, sitting room had water pouring through the ceiling on Sunday, plumbers fixing the leak Monday, me clearing up in bathroom above on Tuesday, re-fixing my pacemaker check appointment most of week, having trouble getting into my M & S account later, shopping at supermarket through biblical downpour, dodging half a flock of sheep who had all come down from the hills 'cos of the weather, ruined a pair of OH's trousers ironing, spent morning trying to buy another replacement pair..... can't get into Rootsquiz, really fed up. All I need to make the week perfect is cats to be sick all over me.....
Next week must be better..... won't it be?
TY

I do hope you are managing, so much at once to deal with , I have had a dickens of a job replying, apparently I am trying to use someone else’s identity ,a Viktoria!
Just joking — when things like that crop up it makes  me realise just what a lifeline RootsChst really is .Many thanks .


The Fire Brigade can sometimes help,especially pumping out .But it is a bit late I can imagine for that
But it is the damage isn’t it, hope your house insurance covers that for you.

Treat yourself ,you deserve something nice after coping with so much.

A dull damp day ,cool too.
So much to do I am spoilt for choice!
I might prioritise and put my feet up to watch Countdown !

Sincere good wishes that you can put all those real problems behind you and have a good rest .
Why do big problems never come alone!

A dull rainy day ,again!
 But no flooding here ,other places sadly not so lucky .
Really hope all gets sorted T,Y.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Viktoria.

[BushInn1746]

Hello All

Gillg, The Squirrels love playing along the fences  and to me they are less of a nuisance than the pigeons.

But a neighbour had a gap in their facsia and they were in their roof.


TY,  The weather has been "biblical" here today as well and been so overcast grey that it feels it has not really got full daylight and the showers on and off all day.


Roobarb, I needed a few bits from Aldi, so I walked in the mist and a shower coming home with my rucksack and picked up my bits, plus 4 bottles of Pinot Noir  and also saw their Cheese & Onion Crisps whilst there.

I can see the appeal of a glass  and a good book, with today's weather.

A very small Red Wine and a few Squares of Dark Chocolate and the occasional small packet of crisps are my only 'wicked pleasures'.


Viktoria, The best chocolate for the heart, I hear is Dark Chocolate and the higher percentage of Cocoa and the less added sugar / sweetener the better it seems. My 90% Cocoa Butter 100g bar has carbohydrates which sugars at 7g. 

Two squares off the bar is probably only 0.7g of added sugars and I am okay with that tiny amount.


The very occasional small packet of Crisps don't fall within the cook from fresh category and the recommended food list.

My required salt has to come from Cheddar Cheese, a fermented dairy product. (But not a processed cheese).


I had a nod from a US Scientific Research Lab that a Dry Red Wine in the Petri dish, 'neutralised' Corona Viruses and things were so desperate, I told the Consultant in 2024 I was 'going to continue medicinal amounts of dry red wine' as a personal Trial and he had also heard that there might be a benefit, but no human trials had been conducted, so could not agree or disagree, regarding it being helpful or not for a new long-term digestion and bowel trouble/pain.


When I bump into the Winter infected, or the afflicted, the symptoms come back within 12 to 24 hours, then I have certain foods and drink strategies to fight apparent infection of the digestion system!


My GP Surgery prescribed a P.P.I. (Proton Pump Inhibitor) medication and my Consultant almost barked in an excited voice down the phone "YOU DON'T NEED THEM STOP THOSE TODAY" they might control your pain, but seems they will depress vital nutrients in your attempts and dietary changes to make any improvement.

Take care all, Mark

[Viktoria]

Well I am finally back in RootsChat but when I meet the other Viktoria who has caused me so much trouble——well !

I keep waiting to hear on the news of an association between Peter Mandelsson and Vladimir Putin !
I mean,nothing will surprise me now!
P.M’s tentacles are very widely spread it seems ,what a scumbag and an utter disgrace.
He and Andrew thingimabob should be locked up together.

Hope all are O.K.
I know there is illness but we are relatively safe by comparison and that is a great blessing I feel.
Night night .
Viktoria( the real one ,not that imposter).

[BushInn1746]

Hi Viktoria and All

Good to hear from you and glad you got back on okay.

I don't comment on politics.

I hope your cough &c., has greatly improved!

Be careful with steam, I put about 2 drops of Olbas Oil in hot water to try and clear sinus problems, but not steaming water. Some decongestants are not recommended for some illnesses and health conditions, despite us using them for years and surviving reasonably well  !

60 deg C. and above is classed as scalding, so please take care even with hot water.

It sounds like the 3rd WW started in my digestion system this afternoon there were wizzes, water going down a plughole noises, whining, and what sounded like an exchange with enemy artillery with noises which sounded like explosions inside the belly  . Then a ceasefire.

Just had a mug of tea and they recommenced the battle  by the sounds of it.

One of the doctors' of mine is a Black Doctor (Advanced Nurse Practitioner, I looked her up and seems she also assisted the Surgeon in the Operating Theatre) she is super helpful to me and she knows how to examine you like the good old Family Doctors did and she had her stethoscope out listening from the chest down almost touching my man bits

She commented very noisy digestion.

Next thing, I was on the 2 week cancer pathway, due to the other gastro related symptoms I had.

But had the Virtual Colonscopy Scan and been given the Clear. My word, any dignity that I thought I had, just disappeared on arrival. I suppose it is like that for female examinations and giving birth.

When a room goes quiet, someone piped up once, my Sister has a digestion system that sounds like yours.

Almost quiet on the Western front again 

Take Care All, Mark