COLD DARK ROOM

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Found several versions on the internet, this was one of the cleanest.

Reply letters to My Truelove​

12 Days of Christmas gifts.​

Dearest Bill,
I went to the door today and the postman delivered a partridge in a pear tree. What a wonderful thoughtful gift! I couldn't have been more surprised.
With deepest Love and Devotion,
Sara

Dearest Bill,
Today the postman brought your most wonderful gift. Just imagine - two turtle doves! I'm delighted at your very sweet gift. They are just adorable. I will have to get a cage for them.
With deepest Love,
Sara

Dearest Bill,
Oh! Your third gift arrived! You really went too far, I think. I don't deserve such generosity - three French hens. They are just lovely, but I must protest - you've been way too kind.
Love,
Sara

Dearest Bill,
Today the postman delivered four calling birds. Now, really, they're quite nice, but now I have 10 birds and nowhere to put any more....so please, no more birds!! But, thanks.
Affectionately,
Sara

My Darling Bill,
What a surprise! Another present....and not a bird this time! Wow! Today the postman delivered five golden rings, one for each finger. You're just too extravagant, but I love it! Frankly, all those birds squawking were beginning to get on my nerves, but the rings are wonderful...and so quiet!!
All my love,
Sara

Dear Bill
When I opened the door there were actually six geese a-laying on my front steps. So you're back to the birds again, huh? Those geese are huge! And it was bird poop that they were laying, complete with a large count of coloform bacteria. Where will I ever keep them? The neighbours are complaining. The police came by with a formal complaint, and I can't sleep through all the racket. I guess I have my own noise-makers for the New Years Eve celebration tonight.
Please stop. NO MORE BIRDS!!
Cordially,
Sara

Bill:
Happy New Year...to some people. It hasn't been so happy with me. What's with you and those dumb birds? Seven swan’s a-swimming. What kind of practical joke is this? There's bird guano all over the house and they never stop squawking. I could not sleep all night and I'm a nervous wreck. You have gone too far, bird brain. STOP SENDING BIRDS. NO MORE BIRDS!! GOT IT?
Sincerely,
Sara

OK Wise Guy
I think I prefer the birds over this. What am I going to do with eight maids a-milking? It's not enough with all those birds and eight maids’ a-milking, but they had to bring their cows. Have you ever smelled a yard full of cow patties? Their piles are all over the lawn, and I can't move in my own house. Leave me alone. NO MORE OF YOUR "GIFTS".
Sara

Bill
What are you? Some kind of freak? Now there's nine ladies dancing...right in the smelly you-know-what and tracking it all over my house. The way they've been bickering with the milk maids, I hesitate to even call them ladies. You'll get yours, buddy.
Sara

You rotten piece of cow patty
What's with the ten lords a-leaping? I have threatened to break their legs so that they can never leap again. All 23 of the birds are dead. They've been trampled to death by the leapers, the dancers, and the cows. At least, I don't have to worry about them any more. However, the cows are mooing all night having gotten diarrhoea. My living room is a sewer! The Local Council has summoned me to give cause why my house shouldn't be condemned.
I'm filing a complaint to the police about you!
One who means it.

Listen Brainless
Now there's eleven pipers piping. And they never stop piping...except when they're chasing those maids or dancing girls. The cows are getting very upset and are sounding worse than the birds ever did. What am I going to do? There is a petition going around to evict me from the neighbourhood.
I hope you're satisfied, you rotten, vicious swine.
Your sworn enemy,
Sara

Dear Sir
This is to acknowledge your latest gift of twelve drummers drumming which you have seen fit to inflict on our client, Miss Sara Truelove. The damage, of course, was total. She was found beating her head against the wall to the beat of the twelve drums. If you should attempt to reach Miss Truelove at Happy Glen Sanatorium, the attendants have instructions to shoot you on sight. With this letter please find attached a warrant for your arrest.
Cordially,
Law Firm of
Sue, Pillage, and Plunder

I have actually read a mystery book inspired by it, that is when I first heard of it. Just can't for the life of me find the exact book. Tried to google it, but apparently there are multiple!

 

[jeff kushner]

Been a busy morning at the Nook. Rocky racoon came over at 6am....he got on the roof in 5 seconds but he left really fast when I got the slingshot out. Ollie the Owl was close by, chanting his approval.Sorry no pics
Then we watched the 10 point Buck push his girls back and forth across the backyard for 2 hours

and look who is sleeping in the backyard, Fanni Fox! We joke because the WILD animals come here to nap!


Deer foxes raccoons oh my! LOL

 

[Ray--Opo]

Good afternoon/evening all.
I hope you're all well and recovered from Xmas.

I ended up cooking another lunch for my nephew today to use up the veg that was left after Xmas Day. It was ok. I managed to knock a jug of gravy over as I was serving it up, which made a heck of a mess on my kitchen floor. I'm certainly not a domestic goddess!

My car is playing up, with the engine warning light on again. I hope that's not going to be an expensive fix. I won't be going far in it until I can book it into a garage.

Does anyone have plans to celebrate the New Year?
Mine will be pretty quiet, but that's ok with me. We have weather warnings for rain and wind on NY's Day and temps are set to drop, by the end of the week so not a great start to 2025 especially for people travelling home. Let's hope everyone stays safe. Poor Peru is taking a battering at the moment

Lola is taking it all in his stride, business as usual for him. Sometimes I'd quite to be a tortoise .

Lyn, if your fluid levels are fine in your car. Most of the time it is a loose gas cap or a oxygen sensor.So don't worry about driving to the repair shop. If it is a oxygen sensor. It is not something that you need to change soon. Many people never get them fixed. Depending on the year of the vehicle. As long as that engine light is not blinking. If blinking that means you have something important going wrong.

 

[Lyn W]

Lyn, if your fluid levels are fine in your car. Most of the time it is a loose gas cap or a oxygen sensor.So don't worry about driving to the repair shop. If it is a oxygen sensor. It is not something that you need to change soon. Many people never get them fixed. Depending on the year of the vehicle. As long as that engine light is not blinking. If blinking that means you have something important going wrong.

Thanks Ray. It was blinking when it first came on. When I drove from my sister's house later it had gone out, but did come back on the next morning. The garage I use is closed until Thursday so not driven it since.
The lambda sensor was changed in Oct., so if it's that then the garage will have to put it right. Time to look for a younger model I think.

 

[Lyn W]

Looks like the high winds and rain are going to ruin many of the outdoor celebrations for NY's Eve in the UK
Edinburgh in Scotland has already cancelled it's annual street party which people travel to from all over the world. It's going to be impossible to keep people safe. Hopefully the indoor events will be OK.
I wonder if London will also cancel the big firework display?
Such a shame because months of planning goes into these events.
Maybe they'll just have laser light shows.

 

[Lyn W]

Good morning/afternoon all, and happy last day of 2024! The year has flown by.

I'll be having a quiet night because my nephew has decided to stay home instead of coming to me. He has more TV channels and the weather will be awful by then. I have invited him to stay but he won't. I could spend it with my sister's family but don't want to drive with a dodgy car in a storm. So I'll be quite happy to stay home, and enjoy a few glasses of fizzy wine.

I'd better go and start my list of NY resolutions - there'll be a lot of them! So have a good day. TTFN

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

I am not feeling very festive. I guess it hasn't settled in yet that the year is truly ending.

Some government budget cuts are coming into effect for me as a student starting next month, so that is bringing the mood down a bit.

It is prime time to apply for summer jobs here but summer still feels far away. I was going through my weather diary. It is likely Edward wont get outside for another four months.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Some government budget cuts are coming into effect for me as a student starting next month, so that is bringing the mood down a bit.

I meant to say next year, not next month

 

[Lyn W]

I am not feeling very festive. I guess it hasn't settled in yet that the year is truly ending.

Some government budget cuts are coming into effect for me as a student starting next month, so that is bringing the mood down a bit.

It is prime time to apply for summer jobs here but summer still feels far away. I was going through my weather diary. It is likely Edward wont get outside for another four months.

I always feel mixed emotions at this time of year - inevitable really to look back and look forward at the same time. The weather is also depressing. Lola wandered out earlier today to have a quick look at his garden, but he soon turned around and headed to his heated hide.
I also dread some of the government decisions coming into force in 2025, not so much for myself but for the wildlife and planet when they start building millions of homes on our green belt areas. Meanwhile all I can do is look after my garden visitors.
I worry about the sort of world we are leaving for youngsters like yourself.
Meanwhile I suppose getting through another year unscathed is always cause for celebration

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

On a kind of lighter note, what kind of rulings do you have around New Years celebrations or have they changed in anyway?

Here are some things relating to the Finnish new year:

• Here you can shoot fireworks from 6 pm 31.12. to 2 am 1.1. Many think that this time frame is too long animals.
• The emergency services may also define specific timetables, exclusion zones, restrictions, guidelines and advice on the use of fireworks. These exclusion zones usually include zones with dense population like city centers.
• Fireworks are prohibited during a grass fire hazard/forest fire warning or in times of high winds.
• Many cities have given up public firework displays.
• Then there are a bunch of rules that are more or less complied with: "Fireworks should be lit outdoors in a place where they do not pose a danger to people or animals. By law, the use and possession of fireworks is only permitted to persons aged 18 or over. The use of goggles is also compulsory. Fireworks must not be handed over to minors or to persons under the influence of alcohol, reminds Tukes, the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency."

 

[Lyn W]

On a kind of lighter note, what kind of rulings do you have around New Years celebrations or have they changed in anyway?

Here are some things relating to the Finnish new year:

• Here you can shoot fireworks from 6 pm 31.12. to 2 am 1.1. Many think that this time frame is too long animals.
• The emergency services may also define specific timetables, exclusion zones, restrictions, guidelines and advice on the use of fireworks. These exclusion zones usually include zones with dense population like city centers.
• Fireworks are prohibited during a grass fire hazard/forest fire warning or in times of high winds.
• Many cities have given up public firework displays.
• Then there are a bunch of rules that are more or less complied with: "Fireworks should be lit outdoors in a place where they do not pose a danger to people or animals. By law, the use and possession of fireworks is only permitted to persons aged 18 or over. The use of goggles is also compulsory. Fireworks must not be handed over to minors or to persons under the influence of alcohol, reminds Tukes, the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency."

I think there's a law saying fireworks cannot be set off after 11 pm except on 5th Nov (bonfire night) and NY's Eve. There is also a safety code and an age restriction but nothing that's enforced. When fireworks are available in the shops they can be heard at random times, day and night for weeks
When I spent Xmas/NY in Amsterdam about 2003, they only sold fireworks to the public on the day of NY's Eve when they were to be used. Sounds great to me.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

I think there's a law saying fireworks cannot be set off after 11 pm except on 5th Nov (bonfire night) and NY's Eve. There is also a safety code and an age restriction but nothing that's enforced. When fireworks are available in the shops they can be heard at random times, day and night for weeks
When I spent Xmas/NY in Amsterdam about 2003, they only sold fireworks to the public on the day of NY's Eve when they were to be used. Sounds great to me.

Here it is only 31.12 to 1.1. when they are allowed to be fired nationally. I don't know what the selling limit is but there is one. Some cities have this end of summer celebration when it is also allowed. Otherwise you need a permission 5 days before firing. The enforcing bit differs a bit locally.

 

[COmtnLady]

On a kind of lighter note, what kind of rulings do you have around New Years celebrations or have they changed in anyway?

Here are some things relating to the Finnish new year:

• Here you can shoot fireworks from 6 pm 31.12. to 2 am 1.1. Many think that this time frame is too long animals.
• The emergency services may also define specific timetables, exclusion zones, restrictions, guidelines and advice on the use of fireworks. These exclusion zones usually include zones with dense population like city centers.
• Fireworks are prohibited during a grass fire hazard/forest fire warning or in times of high winds.
• Many cities have given up public firework displays.
• Then there are a bunch of rules that are more or less complied with: "Fireworks should be lit outdoors in a place where they do not pose a danger to people or animals. By law, the use and possession of fireworks is only permitted to persons aged 18 or over. The use of goggles is also compulsory. Fireworks must not be handed over to minors or to persons under the influence of alcohol, reminds Tukes, the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency."

Ours depend upon how dry things are. Pine trees will burn even when wet because of all the resin in them. The general rule is if it is a fire hazard then no fireworks are allowed, but we have gotten quite a bit of snow in the last week, and I don't believe there is any prohibition in place, so setting the landscape on fire shouldn't be much of a problem.

We have a "reasonable time" law, too, though. (Not after most people will be trying to go to sleep.) I do wonder what the critters think. Do the booms get through to the hibernating bears?

Some places are changing to either laser lightshows or lighted drones shows. Those can be pretty to watch and they can make designs not possible with standard fireworks. But real fireworks are better (except I really dislike the loud booms. They're just unnecessary.)

 

[Maro2Bear]

Aw poor thing, but he found the right place to be looked after.

He did.

 

[MaNaAk]

Just gone midnight in the UK!

Happy New Year Everyone !

Natrah

 

[Lyn W]

Just gone midnight in the UK!

Happy New Year Everyone !

Natrah

Happy New Year Natrah!
Did you do anything special to welcome in 2025?
I watched Jools Holland's Hootenanny and the fireworks in London and have spoken to quite a few of the family on the phone but otherwise it's been quiet (apart from wind howling and slamming around the house).
I'm not sure if the plastic corrugated roof on my lean-to is going to survive these SW winds tonight so I won't be going to bed until the worst of it is over.
How's the weather in your area?

 

[Lyn W]

I hope everyone already in January has enjoyed their celebrations and I hope those of you still in December will enjoy yours when the time arrives.

 

[Cathie G]

We're still waiting for the ball to drop on TV in NYC. If I eat my sour crout and beef smoked sausage now I can count on Joe to wake me up to watch it. He's a stickler for tradition. I finally got my second shot in my spine today. The last one got cancelled because the fluoroscope exray went offline. Isn't that something but in truth it didn't matter to me. My son made three wrong turns on the way to the appointment that ended up cancelling so by then I was ready. So today on New Year's Eve I got it. I felt the pressure this time so I have a little bit extra to celebrate this coming New Year. Happy New Year to all of you.

 

[Cathie G]

On a kind of lighter note, what kind of rulings do you have around New Years celebrations or have they changed in anyway?

Here are some things relating to the Finnish new year:

• Here you can shoot fireworks from 6 pm 31.12. to 2 am 1.1. Many think that this time frame is too long animals.
• The emergency services may also define specific timetables, exclusion zones, restrictions, guidelines and advice on the use of fireworks. These exclusion zones usually include zones with dense population like city centers.
• Fireworks are prohibited during a grass fire hazard/forest fire warning or in times of high winds.
• Many cities have given up public firework displays.
• Then there are a bunch of rules that are more or less complied with: "Fireworks should be lit outdoors in a place where they do not pose a danger to people or animals. By law, the use and possession of fireworks is only permitted to persons aged 18 or over. The use of goggles is also compulsory. Fireworks must not be handed over to minors or to persons under the influence of alcohol, reminds Tukes, the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency."

I'm confused about our laws. We're not supposed to let off fireworks at all just leave that to the experts in public displays. And yet I've never heard of anyone ever being arrested for it. Nowadays, people use every holiday as an excuse for setting them off and they're getting bigger and louder. I think the lights are pretty but I try to disguise the noise with some kind of music so my animals can enjoy the evening also. I hope Mr Fre is never one of the little dogs lost because he thought a bomb was getting ready to drop on our home.

 

[Ray--Opo]

HAPPY NEW YEAR’S TO EVERYONE!