comments from caledonia

  So, one evening I decide to order myself some more hold up stockings from my favourite supplier, FALKE in Germany. (I am in France.)  I confess to getting a little confused on the web-site as it has been some time since my last order and web-sites are not my favourite wandering places....However, I managed - found what I wanted despite seductive offers of other things - and duly ordered four pairs of hold-ups.  As always I paid using Pay-Pal...so far, so good. Proud of myself for I had even remembered to have one of my mobile phones next to my laptop in order to receive the necessary code..My French address was clearly stated on the order - and was recognised. But then a very long silence, no delivery via La Poste, no news from any local delivery companies.    I look again at my order and its confirmation - there I spot the initials of a delivery service unknown to me.  Then I remember that favourite place for deliveries of online orders which are then collected by clients is my loca

  Imagine my surprise, nay disgust, when I spotted that there was a smidge of mould in the bottom left corner of the - usually spotless - white china butter dish. A few days ago I spotted mould in my butter dish. It is a standard butter dish,  white porcelain with a lid, it can house a 250 gr block of butter with room to spare above - fits nicely from side to side, though. Yes, I was alarmed and - naturally - started to blame myself.   Had I used a dirty knife to cut into the butter?   I do have 'butter knives' but they are made for the small, silver individual portion butter dishes - of which I have one.   And, of course, I do not distinguish between the butter that is on the breakfast table and the butter I use for cooking...though the utensils to cut the butter obviously differ....And yes, I use the knife with butter on it to spread the butter on my piece of bread - and re-use it if I have not taken enough butter first go... We shall quickly pass over the use of the 'but

  This is the heart of our dead oak..... there were many tears as it came down..