Author: laranettle

I went to the Blood Bank on Tuesday. I was 30 minutes early – I figured I was better off going in early than sitting outside stressing. And they took me right in 🙂

I filled in a mountain of paperwork, had a fingerprick test to check my haemoglobin (135, much higher than the 120 minimum – not bad for a breastfeeding vegetarian!), and then I was whisked into the collection room. They stuck a piece of plumbers pipe in my arm, and in 6 minutes and 45 seconds, I was done.

So, I walked in a quivering wreck, and I walked out a champion.

I’m so proud of myself, it’s ridiculous.

Last link before I crawl into bed – stuff you can do with a digital camera that isn’t related to art.

“Stupid as it sounds maybe if more people had a duck in their lives we wouldn’t be all so mad at each other.”

He still describes himself as a duck hunter – and he “doesn’t see Frank as a duck, he’s my buddy”. I hope one day he works out that it’s bad manners to shoot your buddies…

About two decades ago, I decided that I should give blood.

It’s really quite impressive, my procrastination. And I’ve been thinking about it ever since. Once I even went with a friend, just to watch, and see if I thought I could do it. It didn’t work.

Meg posted something about giving blood recently, and I clicked the link.

And then I filled in the form.

And yesterday, they rang me.

I made an appointment for Tuesday, 1.50pm.

It’s time for me to get over the needle phobia, once and for all.

Nearly three years ago, I knit a cot blanket for little Lara, the first born child of my ex-flattie, and lovely friend, Anna.

It was made from Cleckheaton Country, in the most garish colours I could find, a basic feather and fan stitch pattern.

I loved it, Anna seemed to love it, and now it’s serving her second daughter, Ursula.

And today, I have seen it copied*.

Scroll down to the last picture, notice the blankie draped over the green cot in the background.

More pictures here.

*Of course they copied me! How impertinent to suggest that someone independently had the same idea at the same time 😉

Dr Who casting scandal.