Cor, it's a scorcher!

Tabloids often like to use that headline to describe a bit of warm weather and they would not be wrong today. Husband opened the pool on Friday and since then we've had grandchildren nagging, "Is it ready yet? When can we go in?"

It's taken a while to get the chemical levels right but maybe this afternoon will be 'jump in and freeze' day. It's pretty cold in there. 

Anyway, I spent a lot of last week clearing the garden of dead forget-me-nots ready for summer planting. Not that I have any summer plants yet except two dahlias. There should be four but two of them died so I'm sending a photo to Sarah Raven asking for replacements.

I've left a couple of little spindly things that I think I planted just before leaving. But I could be wrong. Much as I love the sight of buttercups they went in my rampage. They're very pretty but provide cover for the bad boys - bindweed etc. To make myself feel less guilty I picked them for the kitchen.

I'm doing well in my general garden tidying but there's one area I can't face yet, certainly not in this heat: the raspberry patch. Completely over-run with bindweed and other weeds.

I've also got quite of rhubarb to find a use for.

Now, what would you call these?

If you said daisies, I'd agree with you. I seem to have paid money for several pots of daisies. That's what having a posh name does. Fools us innocents. That said, I actually think our grass daisies are slightly prettier. Never mind. I'd like to say I live and learn but I don't.

Having stored away half a forest of bamboo canes I've put another load outside the front gate hoping they'll find a home.

* * * * *

Church yesterday was Pentecost Sunday and the pastor, Jordan, had asked me to say something about it, and then lead into a time of open prayer. That was fine; I was happy to do that. The church is a very lovely and kind family, and always pray with compassion and love.

So yesterday I opened it up and a regular prayed, and then a woman, a visitor started speaking. She said, "I've been sent here today to tell you that tis coming week is going to be momentous, the beginning of the end."  She was quite loud and vehement. "Things are going to be happening. Look out for them. Watch the television news, read the papers, listen out for events. We may have different views of President Trump but he's working for God." At this point one man walked out. She carried on in this vein for a little while then ended saying, "So keep your eyes open for the signs and look out for alien news!"

Normally after someone prays whoever is leading would say, "Amen." I sort of muttered, "urhum," into the mic. I didn't want to be rude.

Afterwards several people told me how upset they'd been that a lovely atmosphere had been ruined.