Monday’s thoughts

Quotes of the Day

‘While a gentleman is speaking to you do not let your eager attention and visible preference betray the flutter of your heart.’

from John Gregory “A Father’s Legacy to his Daughters”, a popular conduct book of 1774.

‘On the first date, avoid staring romantically into his eyes. Otherwise he will know that you’re planning the honeymoon.’

from Ellen Fein & Sherrie Schneider “The Rules: Time-tested Secrets for Capturing the Heart of Mr Right”, 1995.

Wi-Fi Indoor Plant Sensor Indoor

Did you forget to water the plants? Well, Koubachi is here to change all that. This revolutionary Wi-Fi plant sensor tells you when and how to care for your friendly Ficus (or any other indoor plant). All you have to do is stick the sensor in the soil, download an app, and listen for a notification on your phone! Now, there’s no excuse to let that poor plant die

That’s in the past

For the past ten years I have had to move the washing machine whenever the electricity meter reader has called. It’s our fault for having the washing machine in the corner where it is but there’s nowhere else for it. So I rock it and heave it until eventually the man can stoop down and shine his torch on the meter and read the numbers. This is the tall thin man who called at the door and simply stood there with a miserable look and said ‘Electric’ like it was ‘Open sesame’. He wrote the numbers in his book and without a word turned and headed for the door. My only consolation was that every time he left, despite my ‘Mind the step’ he managed to trip on the little black strip at the bottom of the doorway.

This week a different man called. A jolly little man, more round of body and face. “May I read the electricity meter, please?” So different. I brought him in and began my usual heaving act only to have him shout “Hold it!” “I expect we can manage without all that effort,” he said. I must admit my immediate reaction was that if tall thin man couldn’t see it then surely pleasantly fubsy meter reader wouldn’t be able to see into the space. He instantly proved me wrong by leaning over and sticking his head in the gap. “5432” (or whatever), he exclaimed. “There we are, that was easy – no need to move it. Thanks very much.”

He left with another “Thank you” and, because he took notice of my warning, he managed to exit without stumbling. In the past I had been left with a washing machine to move back into place and a distinct sense of disgruntlement at the world. This time I thanked him profusely as he left and returned to what I was doing with a distinct sense of all being well with the world.

When you visit someone with a job to do, what a difference an attitude makes.

By popular request

“Who are you looking at?”

“OK – you want a photo do you?”

“Well, why didn’t you say you wanted me to face this way?”