Let's Face the Music

What I've been thinking about this week:

1. Love and Romance
2. Don't be ridiculous, of course I haven't! 

What I've really been thinking about:

1. Crabbit and thrawn farmer(s).
2. Glitter balls and disco lights. 

I can't believe we're halfway through February already. The first few weeks of the year have flown by and I can just about see Spring at the end of the tunnel that is a Scottish winter. 

Of course, for some people halfway through February means only one thing - posting on Facebook/Twitter/Insta how much they love their significant other/best friend/dog (when the rest of the year all they post is what a pain they are). 

💖(I'm not really hard hearted)

At least at the Spittal we're consistent - we moan about each other 365 days a year we rub along day to day, laughing at each other's jokes and the absurdity of life, and getting on pretty well. To be fair, I think I'm harder to live with than Ivie is (and, as Kenny at the Creebridge told me the other night, I should be happy with my lot since I'm punching above my weight as it is).

As well as not winning the pony club quiz at the Creebridge last weekend, I had a night in Glasgow with some friends to watch Strictly. In the car on the way home, we were discussing Scottish words that are common in the North of England (where the friends I was with have both spent time living). They'd heard of crabbit but thrawn was a new one for them both. But more of that later. 

The other thing that marks mid-February at the Spittal is the start of lambing. It's started a wee bit early this year but, so far, Ivie's still getting a full night's sleep and is more or less on an even keel. Except one night last week when the dog was particularly unenthusiastic about carrying out her last ablutions and getting the **** to bed. 

First lambs of 2023

Let me tell you the secret for getting the dog to do what she needs to do. All you have to say is, "Let's go disco!" and she'll perform (it's a long story which basically involves my reluctance to stand outside shouting "pees" and the flashing light setting on my head torch. Don't judge me. Sometimes I have to make my own entertainment). 

• Guess how keen Ivie is to stand outside going, "Let's go disco!" 
• And have a guess as to how long he will stand outside in the dark and cold while the dog sniffs every blade of grass instead. 

I think you can guess the answer to both of those questions, as well as seeing how well 

they illustrate the definitions of crabbit and thrawn. And we're barely at the start of lambing; it's only going to get worse.