TOO DIFFICULT BOX

I've come all this way and never had one of these. Just recently, though I've got myself one, and can now recommend them for all households.

You'd be amazed in recent weeks how much stuff - people and things - have gone in there.

I can't quite believe how I've managed for so long without this particular mod con.

It's done a super job of tidying up.

And one feels a great sense of relief to be rid of clutter once and for all, or, at the very least till it may once again prove its usefulness.

Suppose you believe in empowering your kids.

They let you down.

Do you:

a) bale them out, step in and take control to keep them safe and out of further trouble?
b) empower them some more to sort things out in the best way they can and learn from it in the process?

I am firmly of the theory b persuasion.

But I may be wrong.....................

REINE CLAUDE

When I was a boy I could never have dreamed that I would have a gage. I now have two in my orchard. Both seem to love it there. If anything, more than other trees I have planted. One is still a junior - no crop yet. The other has just had its first fruit reach readiness. I was almost the first to spot it. But no. The wasps got there first. But today has seen me claim what is rightfully mine and not theirs, the glorious green globes for which any man would feel a surge of desire. I have claimed probably all up nearly five or six sweet kilos - a hell of a haul. Mainly I've turned them into Reine Claude vodka, assisted by large amounts of sugar and a lot of horrid cheap vodka. In twelve months it will be something special. And I deserve it. Those wasps didn't give in without a fight. I was probably stung twenty or so times. And one especially stubborn little bastard embedded himself in the crook of my arm, where he stung me five or six times. I must admit I had to go running to Missus for some HC45 after that episode, and I was shiveriing for an hour. But the crop came in. And now it is in big Kilner jars, maturing nicely. I can't tell you how pleased I am.

PENCIL

HB point: sharp lines.

RIOT ACT

Our Sovereign Lord the King chargeth and commandeth all persons, being assembled, immediately to disperse themselves, and peaceably to depart to their habitations, or to their lawful business, upon the pains contained in the act made in the first year of King George, for preventing tumults and riotous assemblies. God Save the King!

Imagine that!

Get your megaphones.

SNIPPET

Mate: I don't believe in biology.

Me: What about poo?

HEDGE

A COMPLIMENT

"You're Marmite, H. People either love you or hate you. But why? You challenge people to think. Some people will. They love you for it. Some people can't and some people won't. They hate you for it. That's why."

A dark, dark day indeed.

FTSE

= 5393 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!

HAIKU

Thunder. Power is lost.
So much rain, there are floods.
Trust. Calm after storm.

LUNCH

PPS not any more/