Yep, that’s just the sort of thing!
Very partial to their bones too! 
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Never let the devil hear your thoughts.
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The Bernese dogs are lovely - friends of ours have two and the big one is the size of a Shetland pony. They also have donkeys which they walk (with the dogs) round our area on a Sunday. The locals are fairly bemused.
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Which leads me to my tips for the day and ones life.
Get a dog - for walks and love and to break your wallet
Find pleasure in cooking, learning new foods and eating well & healthy
Don’t save money if the result is feeling miserable (cold, unfriendly, etc.)
Tell friends and relatives that you love them while you can (soz, tough day, visited a friend with brain tumors who is struggling through her last few days, on morphine so not sure how much she hears or understands)
Go do something crazy or out of the ordinary once in a while (did curling for the first time a week ago, I was terrible)
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They are indeed Lincs!
If I were able to keep a dog or dogs it’d be Bernese. They have a certain clumsy, blundering charm!
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Very good words of wisdom, especially the bit about doing something crazy. I have thought about just going upto my ( male ) neighbour and just kissing him then leaving. That would turn heads especially his wifes lol, sadly the repercussions might cause problems !
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There is most likely a fine line between crazy and reckless. Of course if your neighbour is good looking then it might be worth the risk.
There is also most likely a fine line between one kiss (peck on the cheek) and another kiss (no details needed but it probably lasts a bit longer). Round where I am in France the peck on both cheeks is a day-day thing - even between two men. So no heads would turn for that.
Blame the heat.
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Hiya, yes you could be rightit may be worth the risk as he is so handsome. I know the French are well into kissing almost anyone lol.
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Yes I think you could be right it might be worth the risk as he is handsome anyway. Who knows he might enjoy it lol.
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30 bob each way on Fiddlers Elbow running at the 3:30 at Kempton park…
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I know what you mean, Ambre lemon does have that “cleaning detergent” association because it’s used everywhere around the home. But I still love the freshness of it, especially when it’s in food or a drink. A slice of lemon in cold water or the smell of lemon zest in baking feels completely different, more uplifting than “detergent.” Funny how one scent can carry such opposite associations depending on where we meet it!
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That’s a great set of “rules,” ageingdisgracefully! I had to smile at the washing one it’s so true, the moment you leave it out and head off for a walk, the rain seems guaranteed. And buying a dress in two sizes just in case is such a clever trick, I might borrow that idea myself. As for letting hubby take care of things, well, that’s one rule I think we can all agree on! 
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Lincolnshire, those are wonderful tips — practical, heartfelt, and full of life. I especially like the reminder to tell friends and relatives you love them while you can. It’s such an important truth, and I’m sorry to hear about your friend’s struggle. That kind of experience really does put things into perspective.
Getting a dog, finding joy in cooking, and even trying something crazy like curling — those are the little sparks that keep life rich and meaningful. I think your list captures the balance between everyday comforts and the courage to step outside the ordinary. Thank you for sharing it. 
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Haha, Lincolnshire, I like the way you put it — there really is a fine line between crazy and reckless! And you’re right, sometimes it’s worth the risk, especially if the neighbour happens to be good looking.
As for kisses, I think you’ve nailed it — a peck on the cheek is one thing, but a longer kiss tells a whole different story. The French way of greeting with cheek‑to‑cheek pecks is lovely though, it feels warm and natural, and no one bats an eye. Maybe we should just blame the heat for blurring those fine lines!
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It mostly is lovely - until its a bloke with a grizzly beard. I like to think I’m open to many things and happy to embrace different cultures. But that one had me hesitating.
Oh, and the etiquette around how to avoid spectacle clash when you are both wearing glasses is another aspect I struggle with. Do you take your specs off or do you tilt your head a lot to avoid spec entanglement?
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I think the French way of greeting is wonderful, and even here, hugging seems to be a thing just lately. I think they both show that you care and appreciate the friendship more than just a hello and smile.
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Strewth, another thing we agree on?
One of the good and polite things that is demonstrated by our locals is to greet the room. In a shop that means simply saying hello to staff and customers as you walk in. In a gathering - party, event, etc, - that means shaking hands or (if you know them) bis peck on the cheeks to each and every person there. And when you leave. I’m pretty sure the locals think some of les Britaniques are quite rude when they barely say hello to people they know and then walk off without saying goodbye. Its all about politeness as well as warmth.
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One thing my parents were strict about were good manners, to remember please and thank you’s, open doors for ladies and greet people in the street with the time of day.
There are very few people I meet on my morning walks that don’t get a ‘Good Morning’ although there are some who deliberately look down or away and never make eye contact. I don’t judge them, and respect their space.
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Things are a bit different these days with the amount of people walking around staring down at their mobiles wearing headphones 
They probably greet each other by text!
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Don’t do today that can be put off until tomorrow
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