Visiting Dignitaries

I don't know if you are aware, but Cop 26 is happening in Glasgow starting tomorrow.  Dignitaries from all over the globe are descending on our wee city to tackle climate change.  Greta Thunberg is already here.  Biden is on his way and even Matt Damon, though I'm not sure they are traveling together.  Bummer the Queen had to back out, but understandable due to her recent visits to and fro the hospital.  We've got 120 world leaders and Lord Levi is already here, so we got that covered.  

But my favorite visiting dignitaries have been the friends who feed my soul!   

My best bud Heidi has been a friend for decades, we even moved to Dublin at the same time.  She is one of the greatest souls I know and I'm honored that she lets me be her friend!  She is a slice of home to me because I feel at peace in her presence, never having to prove who I am or even explain it.  She's just that precious to me.  

She has a love for travel that matches my own and is up for adventures of any kind!  So we hit the road.  

Stirling Castle was first up and we got to explore it with her daughter Morgan and Chad.  The three of them were touring Scotland all while visiting me in Glasgow as well.  

I loved this castle.  It was complete with people dressed in period clothing touring us around the castle.  This was the home of Scottish monarchs including Mary Queen of Scots.  The graveyards and garden walks were amazing.

We then headed over to the Wallace Monument for another heart and lung workout.  The climbing felt like 5 miles straight up into the sky, and is where I found these skallywags.  

William Wallace to the rescue.  A national hero here in Scotland and said to be who the Braveheart film is modeled after.  

I created my own shield.  Since Levi can become a Lord, I think I will become a knight in neon armor!

The views on this stunning day were incredible.  

After Heidi, Morgan and Chad toured the Scottish countryside, Heidi returned to Glasgow for some more adventures.  And boy did we have fun!

The first day we set off to go to Pitlochry for Heathergems jewelry.  We decided to stop at the Scone Palace since it was on the way in Perth.

It was the crowning place of Scottish kings.  

There were peacocks everywhere.

Heidi and the Highland cows were discussing the meaning of life.

This wee one, couldn't care less.  

We then decided to head on over to St Andrew's, because it really isn't that far.  It was a bit rainy for the golfers.  

But they were dressed well!

I love the wee town of St. Andrews.  It is stunning and fun to walk around in.

We even found a fantabulous Thai restaurant complete with free beer glasses to tourists.  At least that is how we interpreted it!

On Heidi's last day in our fair country, we got to visit the Mackintosh house.  I've been wanting to go there for a year, and it was well worth the wait.  Besides the Museum nazi's that targeted me and my deviant ways, we had a great time exploring and enjoying the house.  

I can confirm that touching the table is off limits! 

So much of the designs were beautiful, and smacked of Frank Lloyd Wright to me.  Stunning and quite uncomfortable IMHO.  (though trust me, I DID NOT sit down, we would have been immediately evacuated if I had!)

Margaret Macdonald was Charles Rennie's wife and was an artist in her own right.  They met at Glasgow Uni.  It is cool that she was/is celebrated as well as he is.  But they did not gain that fame until long after their deaths.  So true for so many artists I'm afraid.  

These are the exact same iron spindles I have in my house.  I was feeling quite special about it until the guide said that the Macintoshes wanted to change them, but didn't have the time or resources.  I'm just gonna pretend he loved them and kept them for that reason.  Because I do love mine and think they are cool (until I have to clean them, and then I curse them!)

It was so great to see friends and enjoy some travel.  It was a blast.  All while having a bit of a 'chinwag' (a 'chat' in Britain - I find that hilarious and a bit graphic).  

Thanks for stopping by Heidi!  

Okay who is next?  The guest room is ready!

Celtic Kitty

  

PS.  We never did make it to Pitlochry.  Maybe next time.............. 

On the catwalk...

We have had the cats for 2 months now.  Cassie and Freya were indoor/outdoor cats before they came to us and we'd like to get them back to this freer way of living.  So after consulting the google gods, it was determined this is long enough for the in-home quarantine, and now we can try to let them outside.  But of course, we wanted to take it slowly and with a measured approach. 

They are the sweetest cats, yet are still a bit skittish.  They are getting used to the house, but still jump when hearing new noises.  This past weekend was lovely weather, so we thought it was time to try the back garden.

Since we do not want to lose the cats, we bought a harness and leash to help with the transition.  

This should be easy, right?  I mean it can't be harder than bathing them after the first 24 hours since they climbed up the chimney.  Right?  

Step 1 - get the harness on Freya.  

Step 2 - keep trying to get the harness on Freya.

Step 3 - Freya is making it quite clear that she DOES NOT want the harness on
                Freya.

Step 4.- can we do this without a harness on Freya?

Stwp 5 - Take control and GET THAT HARNESS ON FREYA!!!!!!!!!!

Step 6 - I'm sweating, exhausted and done with this venture.  But the g@d$%mn harness is on the fu&*%ng cat!!!

Step 7 - take a break and dress our wounds!

Okay, so this is not going as anticipated.  But Freya is saddled up and ready to go, so let's try the back yard.  

She is curious outside, but really more scared than anything.  She hides under the table and really is unsure that this is an adventure she wants to partake in.  We take her down the steps to the grassy area.  And while she likes this better, she still is leary.  

As Levi walks her around on a leash, which she clearly doesn't understand, she tries (and fails) to jump up on the stone wall.  Then she tries to hide under bushes.  Then some noise happens, she gets spooked, runs hard, slips out of the harness, and bolts right to the back door.  Indicating that while this was 'fun', she's completely done!

Levi and I are both quite happy she didn't run away, we open the back door, and call it a day.

SUNDAY

Now Sunday is an even more glorious day that Caturday was, so we have decided that it is now Cassie's turn.  We are one day smarter and totally ready this time.  

We get the harness on quite quickly and are feeling more confident than ever.  We decide that today we are going to let Cassie wear the harness for a couple of hours before we go outside.  This must have been our issue yesterday.  Right?

Once it's time to venture out.  Cassie is pretty good.  She also doesn't understand the leash, but is LOVING being outside.  She is sniffing, roaming, and clearly enjoying her experience.  

We walk her to the grassy area, where she goes to bushes and meanders through the wee backyard.  But she isn't loving the leash.  I've figured out this much, cat's don't like leashes.  I mean, who would? 

She quickly decides she wants it off.  She immediately flips and turns and is out of it in a matter of seconds.  Then she is off, and NOT towards the back door.  

OH SHIT!

She is up on the stone wall and ready to jump over to our neighbors when I grab her in mid air to retrieve her.  Back into her harness she goes.

And just as soon as the harness is on, she has it off!  

WHAT?

So we played that game a few more times until I gave up!  She has now purrrrrfected the art of escaping from the harness.  

So in the house you go Houdini.  

I'm done with this catwalk.

I can't say it was anywhere near successful, but it was maybe worth a try?  Nothing ventured, nothing gained?  

Oh well.  we shall try again another day.  

Kitty & her kitties -  Freya and Cassie 

Lord Levi and his Papa

 

So my father arrived in Scotland around a week ago and it has been great to see him again. He got here a day late because of delays but that's okay, he got here and that's all that matters; I opened the door and let him in while helping out with carrying the bags that he brought and took them to his room. We showed him to his now readied room and he got all unpacked and settled. 

For the first day, we just talked and caught up and planned the next days, he and I decided to go to Glencoe to visit my land and also up to Stirling castle. The thing is we didn't have day trip food so we had to do a little shopping that night. 

   The next day we went to get the car we were going to rent to get to the locations, it was a long walk and a confusing maze of a city, but we got to Europcar and got our Skoda that runs on diesel. Very good mileage and controls. The problem was papa driving on the left side of the road, it took some getting used to but he eventually got the hang of it and we were ready to go to the castle tomorrow.  

  

So the next day we did go to Stirling Castle, actually last year Mama and I (and Jackson) tried to get into it before, but they were filming a movie and we couldn't get into it. So this time they luckily were not filming and we went in. We got to look around and speak to some women dressed up as some maids. We listened and learned a lot about how the Scottish murals and quilts hung around the castle would tell stories and tales. One was about hunters hunting a Unicorn and it eventually being killed because it was distracted by some pretty women. So yeah the stories are something you'd hear from a children's book but supposedly accurate. So the castle was pretty cool and we got to see dining halls, dancing halls, and some opulent rooms for the royalty. After the castle, we headed home and hung out for the rest of the day, and played some cribbage.

  The next cool place we visited was my land in Glencoe that I own. A 2-hour drive filled with Toto, Blue Oyster Cult, and a bunch rest stops later we made it. We got out, stretched, and then went to the desk and asked for a map of the land, which we got and orientated ourselves, then started our walk. There was a deforestation team on site though and we had to maneuver around their trucks and past the cutting areas. After not that long of a walk, maybe 10 minutes, we used google maps to put in the exact coordinates and find the location. The connection wasn't the best when being out in some woods but we found it and I just started gathering sticks and rocks to mark my land. My mom will put in some pictures for you guys to see and I think I did a pretty good job at my marking.

  But yeah that was a great time and now I can say I own land in Scotland and can put "Lord" before my name on legal documents. I recommend getting some land there because why wouldn't you want the title? After that, we just drove back home and I slept most of the ride. It was awesome!

  The week has been great and I am really glad to spend time with my father again.

-Lord Levi of Glencoe 

Dessert first....

 Shouldn't it always be this way?!?!  

We found a Cafe not even 3 minutes away that makes their own slow fused, gelato!  WHAT?  And why haven't we been here sooner?  

It is an adorable diner, right out of the 1950's, but has actually been there since well before.  Established 1924.  Oh my heart just expanded 2 sizes! 

Levi and I ran to get here before they closed on Saturday, arriving too late for food (4:30pm), but just in time for gelato.  Okay - that works for me.  We had 3 choices - I got mint and Levi got Hazelnut.  Levi exclaimed that it would be his favorite place if it was open later.  

I keep singing Crocodile Rock in my head - not even kidding a little bit!  

Now that we had our dessert, we figured it was time to go and find some dinner.  We had decided to go out to dinner at least once a month, which seems rather too long for me, but we haven't even been keeping up with that.  Where is my foodie Jackson when I need him?  But in playing to Levi's passion (anything Japanese), I found Wudon, a Chinese/Japanese fusion restaurant just another 10 minute walk away.  I was excited!

It was an adorable wee place, and full of patrons.

Levi found a drink that made him extremely happy.  But that could have been the sugar buzz - who can tell?  It has some weird marble in an off shaped bottle.  The design was pretty innovative, I'll give him that.

He bought two extra to take home.
  

And the food was spectacular!  Levi with the wanton soup and chicken satay.  

And I went vegan with veggie dumplings and chili broccoli.  The brocoli was the best!

Over all we gave it 4/5 stars and even my recluse Levi, who never likes to leave the house, has already exclaimed how he wants to go back.  

I'd say the Saturday evening out was a major success.  And to prove it, the sky opened up and flooded Glasgow with sunbeams on our walk home.  It was gloriously magical!

Kitty

Retail Temerity

 Ya know, I have worked lots of jobs in my life.  From serving ice cream at BOGO banana split sales, to negotiating million dollar deals in foreign countries in foreign languages.  I've even flipped burgers, and worked directly with the FDA (though not at the same time).  I've worked an inordinate amount of my life with lawyers (what is up with that?), and have managed hundreds of people around the world.

But nothing has prepared me for.......

RETAIL!

How did I never work in this sector?  

Seriously, I think it should be a requirement for all budding professionals and future workers of the world.  Something like a prerequisite to turning 25 yrs old.  

Really, since the education system, IMHO, doesn't really teach all of the right and useful things (like finances, building credit, how to live with others, relationship building, managing a household, etc).  I believe there should be an internship at a retail store that you must pass to get into your next stage of life.  

Byres Road, Glasgow, Scotland

Let me start here, I am 100% loving my volunteer job at the British Heart Foundation.  I was almost brought to tears when I first got back to Glasgow, after the summer in GR, when I went into the shop to announce my return.  The managers screamed with glee as we bumped elbows instead of hugs (thx covid), talking over each other about our summer and how the shop has been doing.  The reunion was so very sweet!  The diverse group of people that work here are incredible, and I know, without a shred of doubt, that these are MY PEOPLE!  

BUT.....

............................................some of the patrons are a wild ride in comparison.  

Now here is where there is a book just waiting to be written!  

Phillip is awesome, he comes in and we discuss Eckhart Tolle, and other like minded authors.  Other patrons I recognize as frequent shoppers, but are quiet and on a mission. (we get really good stuff here in the West End and it is wise to check often as our merch turns over quickly).   The Uni kids are back in town and they are fun and vibrant.  All finding hats the last time and walked out each with a new lid and a unique & precocious solidarity between them.  

But wow, we also get some real characters.

The other day I was watching a North Face coat, it was really cute, like new and £25.00.  I have approximately 512 coats to my name, so decided to pass it up.  No sooner had I moved on to another area of the store when an old lady came in (you know the kind that look old then you realize they are the same age as you!), and decided to buy it and brought it to the register.  I wasn't working the till, but was nearby (it's a wee store) and I heard the manager ring it up at £8.99.  WHAT?  I walk over as the lady walks out and say, that wasn't 8.99 it was 25.  To then hear the manager say, I wondered, since she presented the coat with the tag removed and one 'stolen' from another jacket.

What?  You are stealing from a charity shop?  One that raises funds for heart research?  Seriously?

After I told that story at dinner, Levi now asks me every night if I've caught another thief.  (tho that one got away. no is the answer, but I'll keep trying).

Another girl came in high as a kite on something and was literally so strung out, she was like a cartoon character.  She complimented my shoes, my jacket, and how great I looked, then asked me for money so she could buy some shoes.  

Ummmmmm, no?!?!?

The latest guy, came in guns a blazing.  He had a donation that is a Gift Aid (which means that the BHF gets back 25% more of the proceeds or something like that).  The managers must check them into the system and put a special sticker on the bag, it's just not very straight forward.  Volunteers are not allowed any of these privileges. 

I explained that the managers were in a meeting and I wasn't sure how to proceed.  To which he replied,

"I BROUGHT IT HERE BECAUSE I THOUGHT YOU KNEW WHAT YOU WERE DOING!"  (yes, it was that CAPITAL LETTER kinda nasty) "DO YOU WANT ME TO TAKE IT ELSEWHERE?" 

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm, I contemplated my responses in rapid succession in my head.....

    1-HA, you were right, we literally have NO IDEA what we are doing here.  Pause for effect and let the         silence fill the room.  (checkmate)

OR

    2-You can take that shirt worth £3.00 and shove it where the sun don't shine.

OR

    3-Really dude?  I'm a volunteer working for free to better our world and you are yelling at me about a             donation?  No comprendo.

OR

    4-Sorry sir, I'm just a volunteer, let me take some photos of your Gift Aid information and I'll figure it         out later.  Thank you ever so much for your donation to the British Heart Foundation.  We really                 couldn't do this important work for heart research without the generosity of you and all our patrons.

My mid-west niceness, won out in the end and I went with the last one.  Oozing niceties to counter his nastiness.  You know, the Michelle Obama way; when they go low, we go high.  But GURL, I can be an East Coast B#@!% when I need to, so don't test me a second time buddy.  There simply is no reason to be so mean.  

We all have our bad days, right?!?  But maybe, just maybe, we should try not taking them out on people who are giving their time freely in a charitable capacity.  

I don't know, it's just a thought.  

Be kind friends,

laugh often, 

and enjoy the ride!

PS.  I totally get that when someone lashes out at you, it is more about them than it is about you.  And I work to have compassion for the pain they must be in to act that way.  I mean, they must be miserable with themselves if they are treating others this way.   It is just hard to keep this in mind when you are under attack, but I'll keep working on it.