Ci Defaid 🏴 🇮🇳
@cidefaid.bsky.social
Retired software architect/developer. Interests: family, food (& wine), travel, music, physics, nature.
I fostered for the Border Collie Rescue, so my fosters were BCs or BC mix. When Misty Blue was foisted on me; I quickly discovered she was definitely not a BC; probably a catahoula. She was a learning experience; totally un-BClike. Sweet, but I admit I was relieved when she got herself a good home.
January 3, 2026 at 5:40 AM
I fostered for the Border Collie Rescue, so my fosters were BCs or BC mix. When Misty Blue was foisted on me; I quickly discovered she was definitely not a BC; probably a catahoula. She was a learning experience; totally un-BClike. Sweet, but I admit I was relieved when she got herself a good home.
Last evening, we went for pizza at a place that lets children make their own pizza. These two girls are totally enjoying the experience [Hair nets and aprons were provided by the restaurant]. I let the restaurant make my pizza and it was excellent, BTW.
January 2, 2026 at 6:04 AM
Last evening, we went for pizza at a place that lets children make their own pizza. These two girls are totally enjoying the experience [Hair nets and aprons were provided by the restaurant]. I let the restaurant make my pizza and it was excellent, BTW.
One of my all-time foster favourites, Tad, looking in intense anticipation for a ball to be thrown. He's a very affectionate and intelligent boy, who fitted well into his new family and excelled at nose work.
January 1, 2026 at 7:22 AM
One of my all-time foster favourites, Tad, looking in intense anticipation for a ball to be thrown. He's a very affectionate and intelligent boy, who fitted well into his new family and excelled at nose work.
The year 2025 is drawing to a close, and already, as I write, it is 2026 in some places, so I wish everyone a Happy and Prosperous New Year. May the year 2026 bring you and yours joy and happiness.
December 31, 2025 at 12:06 PM
The year 2025 is drawing to a close, and already, as I write, it is 2026 in some places, so I wish everyone a Happy and Prosperous New Year. May the year 2026 bring you and yours joy and happiness.
After many, many years, a picture of the main college building at Aberystwyth still brings back good memories. The photographer has found a very interesting angle and caught a rare sprinkling of snow, too.
December 30, 2025 at 11:04 AM
After many, many years, a picture of the main college building at Aberystwyth still brings back good memories. The photographer has found a very interesting angle and caught a rare sprinkling of snow, too.
So our new kitchen is almost complete, but as always, there are those little details… The wall socket the extractor fan should plug in to has been covered by the cabinets. Ducting has also to be installed. I've done a run through and made a list of all the details remaining.
December 28, 2025 at 7:22 AM
So our new kitchen is almost complete, but as always, there are those little details… The wall socket the extractor fan should plug in to has been covered by the cabinets. Ducting has also to be installed. I've done a run through and made a list of all the details remaining.
The carpenter has finished the major work of our kitchen; only fittings and small stuff remain to be completed, so it was time to clean out all the packing materials allowing us to reclaim the bedroom where it was all kept. Massive relief!
December 27, 2025 at 11:47 AM
The carpenter has finished the major work of our kitchen; only fittings and small stuff remain to be completed, so it was time to clean out all the packing materials allowing us to reclaim the bedroom where it was all kept. Massive relief!
Chikoo, our building dog, is all grown up and well looked after. Here she is just relaxing after a morning spent socializing and sniffing around. She greets me almost every morning as I going for swimming.
December 26, 2025 at 5:35 AM
Chikoo, our building dog, is all grown up and well looked after. Here she is just relaxing after a morning spent socializing and sniffing around. She greets me almost every morning as I going for swimming.
Here's a photo of mushroom chilla from a couple of days back as I am so tired and lazy after too many late nights that I simply warmed up leftovers for breakfast today.
December 25, 2025 at 4:51 AM
Here's a photo of mushroom chilla from a couple of days back as I am so tired and lazy after too many late nights that I simply warmed up leftovers for breakfast today.
Last evening, the watchman came and delivered these coconuts. They have grown on the trees in our building's garden. As fresh as they can possible come.
December 24, 2025 at 4:35 AM
Last evening, the watchman came and delivered these coconuts. They have grown on the trees in our building's garden. As fresh as they can possible come.
Today I was dead tired after a late evening with family, but still had to go and "baby sit" the ongoing work at our new place. On the way out, I passed one of our building cats, sleeping soundly on a chair.
December 23, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Today I was dead tired after a late evening with family, but still had to go and "baby sit" the ongoing work at our new place. On the way out, I passed one of our building cats, sleeping soundly on a chair.
The Club usually serves a thin "nibble" with their Jasmine tea, so this must be a Yuletide special.
December 22, 2025 at 5:43 AM
The Club usually serves a thin "nibble" with their Jasmine tea, so this must be a Yuletide special.
Early morning panic, because there was nothing in the fridge for breakfast, so a quick Instamart delivery provided the ingredients for a very tasty grilled breakfast.
December 21, 2025 at 4:46 AM
Early morning panic, because there was nothing in the fridge for breakfast, so a quick Instamart delivery provided the ingredients for a very tasty grilled breakfast.
With a birthday *AND* a wedding anniversary to celebrate, we all went out to The Club for dinner at the garden grill. Live music was, for a while provided by this group, whose enthusiasm was considerably greater than their musical talents.
December 20, 2025 at 9:00 AM
With a birthday *AND* a wedding anniversary to celebrate, we all went out to The Club for dinner at the garden grill. Live music was, for a while provided by this group, whose enthusiasm was considerably greater than their musical talents.
So, our carpenter has finished my wife's wardrobe. Kitchen installation is ongoing, but a bit delayed due to sickness. We are promised two new (healthy!) carpenters for tomorrow to complete the work. Maybe the place will be livable soon!
December 19, 2025 at 7:54 AM
So, our carpenter has finished my wife's wardrobe. Kitchen installation is ongoing, but a bit delayed due to sickness. We are promised two new (healthy!) carpenters for tomorrow to complete the work. Maybe the place will be livable soon!
Our kitchen is beginning to take shape. Electricians are drilling and hammering as I write.
December 18, 2025 at 5:47 AM
Our kitchen is beginning to take shape. Electricians are drilling and hammering as I write.
Just fascinated by the reflections of the red lights of the vehicle ahead in the headlight of this car. It looks almost as if it were painted.
December 17, 2025 at 5:05 AM
Just fascinated by the reflections of the red lights of the vehicle ahead in the headlight of this car. It looks almost as if it were painted.
Well, I bought a "stollen" yesterday and to my disappointment there were hardly any raisins, candied peel or nuts. Moreover the crumb was quite dry, indicating an almost complete absence of butter -- which kinda misses the point of Stollen completely. Colour me disappointed.
December 16, 2025 at 4:48 AM
Well, I bought a "stollen" yesterday and to my disappointment there were hardly any raisins, candied peel or nuts. Moreover the crumb was quite dry, indicating an almost complete absence of butter -- which kinda misses the point of Stollen completely. Colour me disappointed.
Senneca was with us from age 2 (estimated) until 16 and was a much loved family member. She readily accepted a role as foster mum to a revolving door of rescue border collies. Gone, but never forgotten.
December 15, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Senneca was with us from age 2 (estimated) until 16 and was a much loved family member. She readily accepted a role as foster mum to a revolving door of rescue border collies. Gone, but never forgotten.
When I grew up, there were "barrow boys" at the open at market, selling all kinds of vegetables. They disappeared a very long time back, but here in Bombay, they are still part of the every day scene.
December 14, 2025 at 4:50 AM
When I grew up, there were "barrow boys" at the open at market, selling all kinds of vegetables. They disappeared a very long time back, but here in Bombay, they are still part of the every day scene.
So finally, our new kitchen has been delivered as a "kit" comprising a total of 47 boxes. Installers are due to come on Monday to start the installation. Much chaos will ensue for the following few days as our carpenter still has work to do for my wife's wardrobe.
December 13, 2025 at 6:14 AM
So finally, our new kitchen has been delivered as a "kit" comprising a total of 47 boxes. Installers are due to come on Monday to start the installation. Much chaos will ensue for the following few days as our carpenter still has work to do for my wife's wardrobe.
After my morning swim, I do look forward to breakfast. Today was shakshuka with mushrooms and feta cheese. Served with wholewheat sourdough slices.
December 12, 2025 at 4:49 AM
After my morning swim, I do look forward to breakfast. Today was shakshuka with mushrooms and feta cheese. Served with wholewheat sourdough slices.
And just like that it's that time of the year when we deck the halls with greenery and images of jolly men dressed in red.
December 11, 2025 at 6:23 AM
And just like that it's that time of the year when we deck the halls with greenery and images of jolly men dressed in red.
The sardarjis next door to the new place have a family emergency; doctors are saying they can do no more for FIL so he is coming home for his final hours. As family stream in they needed place for folks to sleep, so they have been given the keys of our apt for two, three days. All work has halted.
December 9, 2025 at 4:52 AM
The sardarjis next door to the new place have a family emergency; doctors are saying they can do no more for FIL so he is coming home for his final hours. As family stream in they needed place for folks to sleep, so they have been given the keys of our apt for two, three days. All work has halted.