If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…we would be sipping some nice Earl Grey and catching up on gossip.
If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…we would talk about AI and how annoying when you Google something the first thing that comes up is some AI answer. You say you have heard that if you put a swear word in the search it doesn’t show the AI response – you try it – it works – and we laugh (and at least for us Mac users, Safari doesn’t do show AI suggestions, thank goodness).
If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…we would say how nice it was to have two long weekends this month thanks to the King’s Birthday holiday at the start of the month and Matariki last week.

If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…we would talk about health and comment that it seems, as we get older, we talk about a lot. I say my foot is so much better, but I still cannot completely shake off the series of colds. You say that is miserable and I say yes.
If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…we would talk about books we have read, things we have watched and things we have gone to. I say I have managed three films on the French Film Festival with one more to go and you say excellent!

If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…I would show you the pretty pink tulips I bought and you say how lovely to see on this grey and wet day.
If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…we would talk about cooking, about The Cook Book Club blog challenge (so looking forward to the next theme of Italy), and about the forthcoming Wellington on a Plate. You say this is making me hungry and I agree so I look to see what is in the fridge….and we decide to order pizza, get some wine, and settle down for the evening.
Entered in what’s been on your calendar? – hosted by Debbie, Jo and Sue and Donna.
Thistles and Kiwis is a Wellington, New Zealand based blog written by Barbara, who likes cats, summer, good food and pretends to garden.
You can find Thistles and Kiwis on Facebook, and also on Instagram @thistlesandkiwis
I’m going to tru the swear word trick 😊
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I have to say when I read it I was doubtful…just be careful though as the use of a certain word can take you to porn…..
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😅
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Exactly my kind of visit and chat. Sorry about those colds, though. I had a series of colds from January through April. What time robbers they are.
On a happier note…love the idea of a French film festival.
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I just can’t seem to clear the colds – as you say – what time robbers they are. The French Film Festival has been fun.
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Wonderful that you’ve done so well with the French film festival!
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Yes – one more to go!
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Saw a wonderful French film this week “The Taste of Things” 2023. Wonderful if you enjoy cooking, but even if you don’t it’s a beautiful love story.
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Oh that is such a beautiful film! The first half hour I think was just watching food prep.
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I know! I loved every minute of it!!!
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I thoroughly enjoyed your post, it feels cozy. Did you happen to see a film called Avignon at the French Film Festival? I’m hoping to see it at some point.
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No I haven’t seen the film – not sure if it was part of the festival but will look out for it as it sounds fun.
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Thank you for the AI tip! I shall try it.
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Do take a little care….watch out for porn sites with a certain word.
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Hi, Barbara – Thank you for the tea and for joining us at WBOYC. And thank you so much for that Google Search tip. I am super excited to try it – both the swear word version, and the Safari version. I am off to check them both out now!
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Do take care with the swear word though! I wouldn’t try it at work 🙂
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It’s a good thing that I’m retired! ❤
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Hi Barbara, I always enjoy having a coffee or tea with you. I selected tea this time. The tulips are just beautiful. I’m sure you appreciated the extra holidays during the month. I’m sorry your cold seems to be hanging around and hope you are feeling better soon. I’m off to try your AI tip! Thank you for sharing with us at #WBOYC? and have a lovely weekend. Sue L xx
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Thank you! I have some very good Earl Grey tea. It was so good to have a couple of long weekends. Thanks for stopping by Sue and your always inspiring blog.
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Early Grey is my favourite! Enjoy your weekend. xx
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The tulips are beautiful, Barbara. They would definitely brighten up a dreary day. I had not heard that A1 doesn’t respond to a search with profanity in it. That is so interesting.
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I read about that approach to Google searches and of course had to try and it worked, but I am not that happy about using some words in searches!
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The irritating AI results for searches are a terrific step backwards. Even Duck Duck Go seems to come up with them which is a disappointment.
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It really is – and so often very wrong too. There should be an ‘opt in to AI’ button.
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They have poured so much money into it that I fear that we are stuck with the consequences, like it or not.
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I’m coming over for WOW this year so will miss Wellington on a plate. I’m still deciding which book to use for our Italian theme… the choices…
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There is just so much to chose from for the Italian theme….I may have narrowed it down a bit but need to make up my mind soon!
My friends and I have our WOW tickets 🙂
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Thanks for swear word tip Barbara! You’ve had a good month and I hope your cold can clear up for you, it’s so annoying when they hang on and on! All the best for July, how fast is time flying by?? Thanks for joining us for #WBOYC this month.
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This cold has been the icing on a health focussed year and not in a good way! I can’t believe July is just around the corner either.
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I’m also usually annoyed by the AI summary. Sometimes it’s helpful but more often I think it just gets in my way. Your tulips are gorgeous – a favorite flower of mine! Hope your cold clears up completely and that you have a lovely July! Visiting from WBOYC today.
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Tulips are one of my favourite flowers too. Thanks for stopping by!
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I always make sure to add australia to my google searches cos I hate the american-centric AI rubbish that comes up. Hubby and i find we discuss our health, our doctors and our fave chemist with friends – hehehehe
cheers
sherry https://sherryspickings.blogspot.com/
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Oh yes – I usually add either ‘NZ’ or ‘UK’ for the same reason 🙂
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If we were having coffee… or even a cup of tea…
We’d be sitting under a bit of shade, somewhere along a dusty trail in Nepal. It’s 33°C, the kind of heat that clings to your skin, and we’d both be sun-kissed and a little tired. But we’d smile anyway, because the mountains are right there, and every step is worth it.
I’d tell you how even though it’s hot, the breeze when it comes feels like magic. That dal bhat never tasted better than after hours of trekking. That the uphill climbs are tough, but the views? Always a reward.
You’d nod, and maybe share how the little moments—the kids waving from a village, the sound of a river, the slow rhythm of walking—are what really stay with you.
We’d sip our tea slowly, let the silence sit comfortably between us, and know that this—sweaty, tired, happy—is exactly where we’re meant to be.
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Handy Ai hack: if you include -AI at the beginning of your Google search query you wont get AI search results, better than adding a swear word 😂
Currently reading Murderbot Diaries cause got tired of waiting for the weekly new episodes of the Murderbot series on Apple TV+ 😂
~B
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Oh thanks! That is really good to know.
Murderbot Diaries – haven’t come across that but like the title 🙂
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