Tarka the Otter Statue Thursday

[Kittykatt]

Triple Dog Dare!

Pick 3 things
Do them
Post your TaDas!

»»—-Cheers! WTG! Ygg!—-««

Don't think about it. Just do it!
~~ I Triple Dog Dare ya! ~~
Good Morning!
»»————　✼　————««

[Kittykatt]

The "Tarka the Otter" statue is a bronze sculpture located on the Quay in Bideford, Devon, created by sculptor Rowan Fawdon and unveiled in 2017. It depicts Tarka from Henry Williamson's 1927 novel and is positioned near the River Torridge, a key location in the story. Tarka is in mid-leap, full of life and movement, capturing the spirit of the character and the natural world described so vividly in Williamson’s book.Visitors are encouraged to stroke Tarka's head for good luck. The statue also pays tribute to North Devon’s rich natural beauty and wildlife, as well as the enduring legacy of this much loved story.

Tarka the Otter is one of the most famous nature novels ever written, telling the life story of an otter in the rivers and countryside of North Devon. The book follows Tarka’s journey along the rivers Torridge and Taw, through Bideford, Braunton, and Exmoor, capturing the region’s stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife. The novel is celebrated for its vivid descriptions of nature and its emotional depth, securing its place as a classic of British literature.

The statue celebrates Tarka’s journey through the countryside and rivers of North Devon, reminding visitors of the region’s natural beauty and biodiversity. Overlooking the River Torridge, the statue provides a great photo opportunity while exploring Bideford’s historic waterfront. The statue is located along the Tarka Trail, a stunning walking and cycling route inspired by the otter’s journey, making it a great stop for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
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[Kittykatt]

Good morning, everyone, and happy Thursday!

Trying to catch up on yesterday's.conversation:

Dogged, I use extra virgin oil oil and butter when cooking. (I also use the EVOIO in salad dressings and I really dont want to have two bottles of oil hanging around as I know I wouldn't use them up in time. Using EVOO for both purposes means there's no waste. . Mixing butter and EVOO gives the wonderful taste.of the butter, but means it can be safely heated to a higher temperature.

I don't play any games on my phone -in fact I've deleted those games it came with , as I have no self control and know once I started I wouldn't be able to stop - so I fortunately I can't give any advice there !

I'm awake early as I didn't sleep well - I'm still feeling from yesterday's revelations. I keep thinking of A's parents - they must either be devastated, or possibly still in blissful ignorance. I'll be seeing DF PM at church this morning and at parish lunch afterwards. I don't know if she wants to talk about the situation any more, if if she wants to put it behind her and move on. Of course I'll support her whatever she decides. I also need to pick up Fred's meds and food today from the vet, so it's going to be quite a full day for me.

Have a good day, everyone!

[Kittykatt]

Today 's list:
Pick up Fred's meds and food from vet, along with Matilda's Laxapet
Remember Petplan!
Hoover car weather permitting
Church, follows by coffee and chat
Parish lunch
6-7 pm Waitrose delivery
Unpack groceries and PA
Supper for everyone

To be continued!

[Doggedly]

Thank you for starting us off, and for the information Kittykatt. I had been thinking that I would have to avoid olive oil as I thought that it spoiled faster and had to used at a lower temperature, but I like your approach.
I hope that the stressful part of your df's revelations are over, and that you can enjoy your lunch.

I'm done for the night. See you later.

Thursday
Cleaned up after dog
Apoquel and treat for Germane
Fresh water and kibble for Germane

[L.Ann]

I use only EVOO and it does fine at a higher tempe at least in my experience.

1-dress and pick up bedroom
2-meds and temp for DD32
3-walk

4-pick up Little Bit
5-doctor appointment for DD32

Events
Thursday-Little Bit 7:40-5
Friday-Little Bit 7:40-5

Weekly House Blessing-
Extra Stuff- work on last Shutterfly book
Little Errands-drop off DM’s driver’s license, send email and documentation to delete DM’s Facebook accounts
Phone calls-

Accomplishments
-stretching and knee exercises
-breakfast for dog and me
-diet site
-dress and pick up bedrooms
-meds and temp for DD32
-walk
-start laundry
-pick up Little Bit

[helia]

I use EVOO too. We also use avocado oil or sesame oil if cooking Asian food. I'm not even sure what a higher temp would be and when I would use an oil for it? We've not had a problem with our oils.

Have a nice walk, L Ann!
Yes, Kitty, hoping the next steps re: the scammer are clear and safe for everyone and not laden with stress. I've never heard of Tarka the otter. Sounds like a nice story!
Sleep well and see you soon, Doggedly.

I don't play games on my phone either. Well, I do have a brainless one - panda pop - but I don't play it very much at all. And I think it's useless for keeping one's brain sharp if that's the goal. LOL! I could probably delete it. The games I mentioned yesterday (New York Times, Microsoft, jigsaw puzzles) I do on my laptop. Oh - except for duolingo which seems to work better for me on my phone.

Last night after dinner, I did get the journal homework set up for my students. It will be due on Tuesday. Dh and I also looked at our calendars for the fall, trying to figure out a time we can get away for a weekend, something small to celebrate our 35 year wedding anniversary last month. Our original plan of Sep. 5-7 has fallen through, partially bc we were too busy to figure it out and partially bc the next 3 weekends I'm traveling or we're hosting dbro -- and it's starting to feel like too much and therefore not enjoyable. We now think we'll extend our stay in Detroit for the half marathon by 1 night. And dh might join me on my trip to IL. We'll travel to Austin, TX sometime this winter.

It was hard getting up this morning. Today is a normal Thursday with payroll prep, on site payroll 11-1, a work out with my trainer at 2-3. More progress on exam prep and getting Mom's PT bill done would also be good. Dh is out at a a work dinner, so I'm on my own for dinner.

It is cloudy and in the 50s now with a high of 70*F forecast.

Next:
- payroll: prep IR D7
- back exercises
- s2s and self care

Later:
- some qt
- reclaim the kitchen
- make the bed
- gather everything and otd by 10:45
- 11-1 payroll: teach IR D7
- home; lunch
- 2-3 work out with trainer
- walk?
- payroll: draft of AR Exam progress
- pay Mom's PT bill
- other things?
- dinner: leftover pork tenderloin, rice, veggie
- after dinner clean up
- duolingo
- update health apps

TaDas!
- up; weighed self
- coffee
- email deletions + weather website

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES
Thu 11-1 payroll: teach IR D7/ 2 - work out with AS/ dh out for dinner
Fri Visit Mom/ dinner date with dh?
Sat 8 - 5K? (I'm not doing well getting to this)/ 10 - coffee with AA
Sun Church/ Visit Mom/ 6 - Host Sunday Dinner?

July Brain Dumps
This Week - House
- clean fridge - wip
- get 2 guest beds remade with clean sheets
- polish kitchen appliances - wip
- possibly, polish stone counter tops
- repot my little orchid

This Week - Deskwork
- pay Mom's PT bill
- ask for reimbursement for Mom's PT bill from the trust

This Week - Errands

General Brain Dump
- progress decluttering clothes - wip
- new phone eventually
- buy queen bed frame + mattress + box springs for dd27's room - wip

MOM
- shelves for her room?
- keep on sprucing up her wardrobe - pants wip
- sign Mom up for the patient portal - PA at the NH
- cancel appointments as they come up: Sept. - geriatrics

Payroll
- AR Exam draft --> off for review
- IR Exam made

Brain Dump - Mom and Trust
- get fire safe box for Mom's documents

[Bama]

Good morning, glories!
Fall is in the air, just a hint but it’s coming.
Leaves are on the ground, I enjoyed a water on the porch while listening to the Bible. I’ve made it to Ephesians! I’m so happy I’ve kept going this long. I started the New Testament in December to read about the life of Jesus and kept going. I admit I haven’t retained much, ask me where a quote is and I’m clueless, but I feel good afterward and it’s a start. My goal is to continue the rest of my life so maybe on the 3rd or 4th round I’ll be able to spot a verse and know where it is found or what it pertains to.
I also started duolingo but that habit didn’t stick. It’s a future goal. Lingo Legend is more of a game so I have options. With so many people here that have English as a second language it would be nice to communicate better.
Dd2 thinks I should go back to school but that seems very daunting to me. I want to learn what I want to learn, ya know? I can’t be bothered with memorizing things I don’t care about lol. That’s my old brain thinking. if I do go back it would be something creative…needle arts, painting, I really want to do everything so end up doing nothing. Right now I have a knock off lego vase I’m working on that has stumped me and made my thumbs sore.
Let’s skip my rambling and move on to greetings!

Thanks for the start, kittykatt. Cool about the otter. There’s so much to learn about other peoples lives and all of the different perspectives. I would have never guessed an otter statue would be so well known. Do you refer to your country as England or Britain or ….? I never know the proper way to address that or does it matter? Our country has many nicknames and all seem ok to use, at least as far as I know.
I’m sorry about the scammer, so many abound these days and with so many ways to scam, who can keep up and stay safe?

Dogged, see you again soon hopefully, after a good rest.

LAnn, hope you’re enjoying your walk and all goes well with the appointment.

Helia, hope you can squeeze in a little getaway and enjoy a nice, chill “girl dinner” tonight.

My day is slipping away quickly so let’s get a list going for motivation and to keep on track. I feel like piddling here and there and that won’t see the results I’d like.

Do:
Wipe down
Vacuum
Mop? Will make that call when I get there

Done:
Bible
Walk dogs
Retrieved ball from briars
Feed inside pets
Pluck Beau, he’s starting to shed soooo much the porch is covered in his fur
Spot clean floors
Breakfast - raisin toast with apple butter, can you tell I’m rushing fall in, coffee
Log meal
Emails

[Doggedly]

Thanks, L.Ann. It's looking like olive oil would be a good one to go with. I hope that DD32's appointment goes well.

Thanks, helia. I finally looked up the smoke points of different oils, and it looks like there is a huge variance depending on whether they are refined or not.
I hadn't thought of duolingo as a game, but putting it that way, it could be a fun way to sharpen my mind.
Detroit might not jump to mind as the dream destination to celebrate important anniversaries, but if it works, it works!

Bama, reading the bible is a big undertaking, but so worth it! Western literature is based on the bible, especially up to mid last century.When I was young, I used the schedule in the back to read the bible over the course of a year. I did that twice, while riding the bus to work. It's hard to stick with when your stuck in the begats, but the schedule that I was using covered one verse from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament at the same time which helped. Of course, that was 40 years ago, so don't ask me for quotes, LOL! WTG on your progress.
It sounds to me that you are doing plenty to keep your mind sharp. And over the years, you have been a source of inspiration for new things to try, as you reported on educational games that you were playing with your daughters.

I need to get some breakfast and then light a fire under myself. I want to do laundry today, and have a phone visit with my db. And can I squeeze in a trip to Costco to activate my new membership? Probably best to leave that for tomorrow, but I suspect that tomorrow will be a busier day than today.

[Bama]

That’s very kind of you, (((Doggedly))).
The begats can feel tedious, although once I recognize some of the names it’s a good reminder of how they’re connected. Still, not my fave.

I dusted and started watching some news. Not a good thing. More tragedy. Pushing myself to stay busy and vacuum, then mop.