This vlog shares a cross-stitch project, a walk around my small urban garden, film footage of Birkenhead Park, and my dogs keeping me company while I paint in the art studio. An informal, chatty video, which I hope you will enjoy watching.

Since writing my recent blog post which mentioned the male chauvinism and other bigotries of some 1970's TV shows, and how present-day statistics for domestic violence demonstrate how misogyny still damages far too many lives, America has banned abortion in thirteen states. So much for "the land of the free". America's female population is no longer free to control their own bodies. Apparently, Justice Samuel Alito , who presided over the Wroe vs. Wade case, quoted the writings of the 17th century jurist Mathew Hale , who was known for his part in the trial of  Amy Duney and Rose Cullender, who were accused of bewitching their neighbours' children and who were subsequently killed by hanging. Quite how a dealer in such superstitious nonsense could offer relevance to a 21st century legal case is beyond me. Meanwhile, America has introduced this retrogressive and oppressive law which is really about control - the control of women by men. Consider this: if the anti-

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  Rosie and Jim have a bath! So does Richard, by the looks of things... I hope this little video brings a smile to your face as you watch our two chihuahua x Jack Russell dogs have a canine pampering session. And, yes, Richard did get drenched too.

Because it's Pride Month - and Love is Love. Back in 2020, I   blogged about being made redundant from a place where I'd enjoyed working. I quickly landed a similar job, and have worked there since as a part-time Activity Co-ordinator. Anyway, out of the blue my old job was offered back to me, and without hesitation I have accepted. It's still part-time, which suits me fine, and at a higher rate of pay, and I'll be working with a much more socially active group of people than I am currently. So, to keep the story short, I'm looking forward to starting my new (old) job on Monday 27th. Mum turned 93 this month, and I was finally  able to visit her. I'd not seen her since before the Covid-19 pandemic began, as I wasn't the designated visitor, and then each time I had planned to visit either her care home or the home where I work had a Covid outbreak which meant I couldn't go. Countless other people have been in similar positions, of course, unable to visit

  Jim   Rosie Rosie and Jim have settled in well. They've been with us since December last year. As their confidence has grown, it has been interesting to see their characters emerge. We were told by the animal rescue sanctuary that Rosie was timid. Oh no she isn't! This tiny bundle of fun is the instigator of most games and the creator of much mischief. She loves digging holes in (what's left of) the lawn. For Rosie, anything can be a toy; yesterday she and Jim were enjoying a tug-o-war with a long blade of dry grass. Jim often runs around the house with toys in his mouth, the fluffier the better, and will bring us toys - but really he just wants cuddles. He loves being able to ramble around our garden by himself. Sometimes he just wants to snooze in a quiet spot. He'll do that for a few hours then come bounding back into company and want more cuddles. We've had a few funny comments about them. One small child thought they might be "miniature moo-cows".