Mrs M
@mrsmhere.bsky.social
Yorkshire lass now living in County Durham, UK, who loves dog walks, nature, The Archers, roses and gardening. 😊 Not here to talk about politics.
Met Dad for quick lunch at a place in N Yorkshire, equidistant for each of us. His MIL still holding on in hospital but not expected to recover. Still seems odd to me that Dad willing to leave his wife alone on hospital vigil for a 2 hour round trip for lunch; but then, family is unfathomable!
December 7, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Met Dad for quick lunch at a place in N Yorkshire, equidistant for each of us. His MIL still holding on in hospital but not expected to recover. Still seems odd to me that Dad willing to leave his wife alone on hospital vigil for a 2 hour round trip for lunch; but then, family is unfathomable!
Apologies for the family stuff. I’m v grateful for the kindness I’ve met with on here. And for the v sensible ideas & suggestions.
An evening’s peaceful activity in the kitchen has comforted. I like to have a practice run at the annual Christmas ham. Here it is, ready for oven finishing tomorrow. 😊
An evening’s peaceful activity in the kitchen has comforted. I like to have a practice run at the annual Christmas ham. Here it is, ready for oven finishing tomorrow. 😊
December 6, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Apologies for the family stuff. I’m v grateful for the kindness I’ve met with on here. And for the v sensible ideas & suggestions.
An evening’s peaceful activity in the kitchen has comforted. I like to have a practice run at the annual Christmas ham. Here it is, ready for oven finishing tomorrow. 😊
An evening’s peaceful activity in the kitchen has comforted. I like to have a practice run at the annual Christmas ham. Here it is, ready for oven finishing tomorrow. 😊
Dad now insisting on coming to Durham to visit us while his wife (my stepmother) keeps vigil in a South Yorkshire hospital beside her dying mother. I honestly think my family are all mad. Why would you go on a jolly to Durham while your MIL is dying? Wouldn’t you want to be on hand for your wife?!
Feeling stupidly low today. Sister rebuffs when I suggest even the slightest thing. And now a verbal ticking-off from my Dad on sister’s behalf for “being bossy.” I’m criticised for not doing enough by the aunts, and criticised for being ‘too bossy’ by sister.
I can’t really cope with any more.
I can’t really cope with any more.
December 6, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Dad now insisting on coming to Durham to visit us while his wife (my stepmother) keeps vigil in a South Yorkshire hospital beside her dying mother. I honestly think my family are all mad. Why would you go on a jolly to Durham while your MIL is dying? Wouldn’t you want to be on hand for your wife?!
Feeling stupidly low today. Sister rebuffs when I suggest even the slightest thing. And now a verbal ticking-off from my Dad on sister’s behalf for “being bossy.” I’m criticised for not doing enough by the aunts, and criticised for being ‘too bossy’ by sister.
I can’t really cope with any more.
I can’t really cope with any more.
December 6, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Feeling stupidly low today. Sister rebuffs when I suggest even the slightest thing. And now a verbal ticking-off from my Dad on sister’s behalf for “being bossy.” I’m criticised for not doing enough by the aunts, and criticised for being ‘too bossy’ by sister.
I can’t really cope with any more.
I can’t really cope with any more.
Goodness me, it never rains but it pours. Just heard my stepmother’s mum is very near the end. She’s 90+ and has been ill for a while, so not unexpected. But she’s a dear, sweet old thing and has been very kind to me over the years when nearer relations haven’t. I’m so sad. 😢
December 5, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Goodness me, it never rains but it pours. Just heard my stepmother’s mum is very near the end. She’s 90+ and has been ill for a while, so not unexpected. But she’s a dear, sweet old thing and has been very kind to me over the years when nearer relations haven’t. I’m so sad. 😢
Row with Mr M this morning.
He thinks we should help sister to clear mother’s house and to go through what’s stored and what’s chucked. It’s a big 5 bedroom house with valuable antiques, old family paintings - and all of dead stepfather’s effects. An absolute minefield. No way I’m getting involved.
He thinks we should help sister to clear mother’s house and to go through what’s stored and what’s chucked. It’s a big 5 bedroom house with valuable antiques, old family paintings - and all of dead stepfather’s effects. An absolute minefield. No way I’m getting involved.
December 4, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Row with Mr M this morning.
He thinks we should help sister to clear mother’s house and to go through what’s stored and what’s chucked. It’s a big 5 bedroom house with valuable antiques, old family paintings - and all of dead stepfather’s effects. An absolute minefield. No way I’m getting involved.
He thinks we should help sister to clear mother’s house and to go through what’s stored and what’s chucked. It’s a big 5 bedroom house with valuable antiques, old family paintings - and all of dead stepfather’s effects. An absolute minefield. No way I’m getting involved.
Went for a brisk stride around the park at Sedgefield to try and get the better of emotions. I do feel a bit better, so it sort of worked.
Very ‘bleak midwinterish’ there today.
Very ‘bleak midwinterish’ there today.
December 3, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Went for a brisk stride around the park at Sedgefield to try and get the better of emotions. I do feel a bit better, so it sort of worked.
Very ‘bleak midwinterish’ there today.
Very ‘bleak midwinterish’ there today.
I wont say anything yet to sister about how angry I feel. But at some point I’m going to. I will tell her that effectively casting me as the Family Cassandra for the past 2 years has been hurtful and harmful to both me and our mother; and that it must never recur.
But I fully expect it to recur.
But I fully expect it to recur.
I feel absolutely furious about how late this all is. Sister spent *months* refusing to hear me, accusing me of exaggerating mother’s deterioration, insisting mother was fine. Sister’s belated lightbulb moment follows relentless stonewalling & undermining of me. All while mother suffering.
December 3, 2025 at 1:54 PM
I wont say anything yet to sister about how angry I feel. But at some point I’m going to. I will tell her that effectively casting me as the Family Cassandra for the past 2 years has been hurtful and harmful to both me and our mother; and that it must never recur.
But I fully expect it to recur.
But I fully expect it to recur.
Text conversation with sister. MH unit considering further section, this time for 6 months. Sister thinks if that goes ahead, mother probably won’t be capable of living independently again. Sister making noises at last about Court of Protection route.
Am grimly biting my tongue.
Am grimly biting my tongue.
December 3, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Text conversation with sister. MH unit considering further section, this time for 6 months. Sister thinks if that goes ahead, mother probably won’t be capable of living independently again. Sister making noises at last about Court of Protection route.
Am grimly biting my tongue.
Am grimly biting my tongue.
My sister has texted asking when would be a good time to ring me about mother. This is ominous as sister never ever rings, only texts.
I’m silly to worry so much and to let this occupy so much headspace, I know. But my subconscious has its own rules and things keep popping in there. 😖
I’m silly to worry so much and to let this occupy so much headspace, I know. But my subconscious has its own rules and things keep popping in there. 😖
December 2, 2025 at 10:08 PM
My sister has texted asking when would be a good time to ring me about mother. This is ominous as sister never ever rings, only texts.
I’m silly to worry so much and to let this occupy so much headspace, I know. But my subconscious has its own rules and things keep popping in there. 😖
I’m silly to worry so much and to let this occupy so much headspace, I know. But my subconscious has its own rules and things keep popping in there. 😖
Mr M and I had a day off and Mr M wanted to go into a very rainy Newcastle. I got soaked to the skin - seems raincoat isn’t north east rain proof. 😖 But we saw the Fenwick’s Christmas window, which was fun! They’re doing ‘A Christmas Carol’ this year. 😊
December 1, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Mr M and I had a day off and Mr M wanted to go into a very rainy Newcastle. I got soaked to the skin - seems raincoat isn’t north east rain proof. 😖 But we saw the Fenwick’s Christmas window, which was fun! They’re doing ‘A Christmas Carol’ this year. 😊
The bare trees in Durham now open up more riverside views than when the trees are in full leaf. Still, I think it may feel like a long winter before we’re through! 🫣
Happy St Andrew’s Day & first Sunday of Advent. xx
Happy St Andrew’s Day & first Sunday of Advent. xx
November 30, 2025 at 10:25 PM
The bare trees in Durham now open up more riverside views than when the trees are in full leaf. Still, I think it may feel like a long winter before we’re through! 🫣
Happy St Andrew’s Day & first Sunday of Advent. xx
Happy St Andrew’s Day & first Sunday of Advent. xx
After yesterday’s rain, a good amount of water tumbling over the weir in Durham city centre this afternoon. Beautiful reflections. 😊
November 30, 2025 at 4:26 PM
After yesterday’s rain, a good amount of water tumbling over the weir in Durham city centre this afternoon. Beautiful reflections. 😊
Reposted by Mrs M
I've only just found out how boring modern pencil sharpeners are. We need to up our game.
November 29, 2025 at 9:36 AM
I've only just found out how boring modern pencil sharpeners are. We need to up our game.
There’s a second #Advent processional service at the cathedral tonight at 6pm if you’re local and interested. 😊 Arrive early. xx
#Advent service at Durham Cathedral this evening. Beautifully sung. The nave was so peaceful despite the hundreds and hundreds of people present, quietly waiting. Could imagine what it was like in medieval times, in the winter dark, lit only by candles.
May all in need feel Christ’s blessing. xx
May all in need feel Christ’s blessing. xx
November 30, 2025 at 12:22 PM
There’s a second #Advent processional service at the cathedral tonight at 6pm if you’re local and interested. 😊 Arrive early. xx
Reposted by Mrs M
Other work by the Ladybird artists
‘Farmyard at Dusk’
Artist: Ronald Lampitt
‘Farmyard at Dusk’
Artist: Ronald Lampitt
November 29, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Other work by the Ladybird artists
‘Farmyard at Dusk’
Artist: Ronald Lampitt
‘Farmyard at Dusk’
Artist: Ronald Lampitt
#Advent service at Durham Cathedral this evening. Beautifully sung. The nave was so peaceful despite the hundreds and hundreds of people present, quietly waiting. Could imagine what it was like in medieval times, in the winter dark, lit only by candles.
May all in need feel Christ’s blessing. xx
May all in need feel Christ’s blessing. xx
November 29, 2025 at 7:58 PM
#Advent service at Durham Cathedral this evening. Beautifully sung. The nave was so peaceful despite the hundreds and hundreds of people present, quietly waiting. Could imagine what it was like in medieval times, in the winter dark, lit only by candles.
May all in need feel Christ’s blessing. xx
May all in need feel Christ’s blessing. xx
Bread time! 😀
Homemade loaf with natural yoghurt in the mix for colour.
Homemade loaf with natural yoghurt in the mix for colour.
November 28, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Bread time! 😀
Homemade loaf with natural yoghurt in the mix for colour.
Homemade loaf with natural yoghurt in the mix for colour.
Today’s #gardening job: aerating a very waterlogged lawn, on heavy clay, to help with drainage.
I’m mulling over possible future options for managing the wettest areas; but location (right outside the back door) makes it tricky… 🤔
I’m mulling over possible future options for managing the wettest areas; but location (right outside the back door) makes it tricky… 🤔
November 28, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Today’s #gardening job: aerating a very waterlogged lawn, on heavy clay, to help with drainage.
I’m mulling over possible future options for managing the wettest areas; but location (right outside the back door) makes it tricky… 🤔
I’m mulling over possible future options for managing the wettest areas; but location (right outside the back door) makes it tricky… 🤔
A milder day today weather-wise, so more bulb-planting. Very intrigued to find my bidens plants still flowering, despite snow, frost and wind. They seem to be hardier than I thought. 😊
November 27, 2025 at 4:55 PM
A milder day today weather-wise, so more bulb-planting. Very intrigued to find my bidens plants still flowering, despite snow, frost and wind. They seem to be hardier than I thought. 😊
Daylight doesn’t last long here at this time of year! I’m having a race against time (and weather) to get my tulips and the last of my other spring bulbs into the ground before the winter arrives. It’ll be worth it for mood-boosting early spring flowers. 😊
November 25, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Daylight doesn’t last long here at this time of year! I’m having a race against time (and weather) to get my tulips and the last of my other spring bulbs into the ground before the winter arrives. It’ll be worth it for mood-boosting early spring flowers. 😊
It’s only November but I’m already dreaming of summer. Here’s a reminder of Heavenfield, Northumbria, last June. xx 😍
November 24, 2025 at 6:02 PM
It’s only November but I’m already dreaming of summer. Here’s a reminder of Heavenfield, Northumbria, last June. xx 😍
Cryptic text from my sister. I’ve no idea what she means and she’s refused to explain. I don’t think this is very kind when she knows I have an anxiety disorder. 😔
November 23, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Cryptic text from my sister. I’ve no idea what she means and she’s refused to explain. I don’t think this is very kind when she knows I have an anxiety disorder. 😔
Happy Stir-up Sunday everyone. xx
November 23, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Happy Stir-up Sunday everyone. xx
Long and much needed walk in Cassop Vale this afternoon. Peaceful countryside. A little snow lingering in the hollows.
Ideal de-stresser. 😊
Ideal de-stresser. 😊
November 22, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Long and much needed walk in Cassop Vale this afternoon. Peaceful countryside. A little snow lingering in the hollows.
Ideal de-stresser. 😊
Ideal de-stresser. 😊