Good News stories

[teamsaint]

If I could get away with just three-hour training runs that would be quite impressive, but at my speed nowadays the longest training runs are closer to five!

One doesn’t _start_ with those of course. One builds up. If that makes it any easier to imagine?

It’s just the time involved really, esp as I am still working. I do enjoy longer runs, and have done a few half marathons. Anyway, main thing is to enjoy it, and usually a rigorous hour is what I enjoy and find time for . I suppose a marathon could be a retirement project . Quite a challenge as state retirement age heads upwards !!

[Pulcinella]

Ahem…

I’ve just passed my Grade 6 Music Theory exam.

I’m very happy.

I'm bumping this as I fear it got lost in the other good news of the day.
I'm sure that there are others here who remember Mario's quest and his thirst for musical knowledge, always gratefully received, and it is great to read that after two years of hard study it has reaped rewards.

[Mario]

Very kind of you Pulcie.

I’m slightly embarrassed at trumpeting such a minor achievement in comparison to the achievements of several others on this forum.

Still, it means much to me.

Now, regarding Grade 7, what’s in the syllabus, I wonder…

Well, figured bass, ok,
Suspensions, progressions, ok,
Modulations – ah! Been dying to learn these pesky things,
Constructing a chorale… aaagh!
Navigating a score, this MUST be useful to me.

Seems like another two years of hard work.

To those who are light years ahead of me, you do understand my inestimable respect for you, don’t you?

[french frank]

I'm bumping this as I fear it got lost in the other good news of the day.
I'm sure that there are others here who remember Mario's quest and his thirst for musical knowledge, always gratefully received, and it is great to read that after two years of hard study it has reaped rewards.

Well done, mine host - and well done, Mario Thank you for looking in to share the good news, I'm sure you'll reap much benefit!

[eighthobstruction]

Well done, mine host - and well done, Mario Thank you for looking in to share the good news, I'm sure you'll reap much benefit!

....well done Mario....

[oddoneout]

Very kind of you Pulcie.

I’m slightly embarrassed at trumpeting such a minor achievement in comparison to the achievements of several others on this forum.

Still, it means much to me.

Now, regarding Grade 7, what’s in the syllabus, I wonder…

Well, figured bass, ok,
Suspensions, progressions, ok,
Modulations – ah! Been dying to learn these pesky things,
Constructing a chorale… aaagh!
Navigating a score, this MUST be useful to me.

Seems like another two years of hard work.

To those who are light years ahead of me, you do understand my inestimable respect for you, don’t you?

No need to be embarrassed Mario. Comparisons are odious(or odorous as our family had it), and have no place in personal achievements. Be proud of your efforts, and my congratulations on your success. I hope your efforts on the next stage are equally rewarding.

[Mario]

Thanks to all.

I’m prouder of HOW this was achieved.

Much as I love my country dearly, teaching methods and standards here can in no way possibly compare to those available in the UK – no wonder most foreigners wish to be taught there!

The online teaching service I’m using is

www.mymusictheory.com

Ms Victoria Williams is a delightful lady, based (I think) in Leeds, UK.

Best wishes

[Serial_Apologist]

I just renewed my driving licence online - successfully, I think, although one can never be absolutely sure until the new one arrives or an official email to the contrary. Can't find any records of the last time I did this, or if it was online or by post, so one wonders if one has given consistent details. Luckily I do remember my mother's maiden name, (surely this anachronistic concept of women having maiden names needs to be updated or done away with?); but whether or not Middlesbrough was where she was actually born I have no proof and only the slightest of knowledge - there's no place of birth on her birth certificate - so we'll just have to wait for the fortnight to pass and see. Otherwise renewing this way seems to be a reasonably straightforward process.

[french frank]

Wrong thread but: Le crabapple jelly est arrivé!

I wondered whether the fruit on my ornamental apple tree was edible. As they're not (apparently) poisonous, I thought I'd try using this year's very abundant tiny yellow apples in a jelly - and it worked; not yellow or pale green as I expected, it's pink like rosehip jelly, My jellies are condiments to go with cheese, and two hours after serving it with Tesco's Finest Brie, I'm still here:

[gradus]

Wrong thread but: Le crabapple jelly est arrivé!

I wondered whether the fruit on my ornamental apple tree was edible. As they're not (apparently) poisonous, I thought I'd try using this year's very abundant tiny yellow apples in a jelly - and it worked; not yellow or pale green as I expected, it's pink like rosehip jelly, My jellies are condiments to go with cheese, and two hours after serving it with Tesco's Finest Brie, I'm still here:

A good set, ever tried Myrobalan plums?

[french frank]

A good set, ever tried Myrobalan plums?

Where would I get them? (Yes, any sort of apple has heaps of pectin, so easy to set without lemon or preserving sugar)

[oddoneout]

Where would I get them? (Yes, any sort of apple has heaps of pectin, so easy to set without lemon or preserving sugar)

Cherry plums. They can be garden fruit trees, eg Mirabelle de Nancy, or a feature of country hedgerows as they are often planted for wildlife, landscape or shelter purposes, as well as arising without direct human input.
In my part of the world they are a welcome sight both in spring when they are often the first blossom to appear(before blackthorn in many cases), and then from July when the fruit starts to ripen in an assortment of colours from yellow through red to darkest purple, and with varying flavours. Many are acceptable to very good eaten in hand but otherwise they cook well.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prunus_cerasifera

[french frank]

The builder has knocked off for the week. I have spent the last week living on cheese, Ryvita and fruit (and wine, of course, and coffee) stuck in an upstairs room surrounding by pots, pans, crockery, herbs & spices, macaroni, rice. Washing-up after meals is done in the bathroom.

The weekend looms and I have no cooker, washing machine or kitchen. But ... only two more weeks to go!

[smittims]

I admire your fortitude. My fear is power cuts this winter as we are all-electric. I toy with the idea of cooking over a paraffin heater but blench at the fire risk.

[Pulcinella]

I admire your fortitude. My fear is power cuts this winter as we are all-electric. I toy with the idea of cooking over a paraffin heater but blench at the fire risk.

Pop out to Millets while this is on special offer (but don't forget to buy some gas too). Probably safer than your paraffin heater.

https://www.millets.co.uk/15900930/campingaz-elite-camping-chef-folding-stove-15900930