During the spring/summer (hah!)/autumn I tend to wear one of a choice of fleeces; I have a black one, a bright green one and a pale cream (almost white) one. Which one I wear tends to depend on the weather. I looked out this morning and the sky looked a bit grey but it was dry, so off I went in my cream one (and before dickiebo gets the wrong idea, it was worn on top of my clothes).
By the time I parked the car, the rain started.
I have never managed to master the art of using a stick, carrying a handbag and an umbrella, but as a friend says, I am a drip-dry person.
Last Sunday, when I was shaking the minister's hand at the end of the service, I apologised for my absence and explained that it was due to a rather nasty fall, but that I was all right now.
This morning as I was sat in my pew, someone came to tell me that there were flowers for me and that I should collect them after the service.
They turned out to be a beautiful bunch of roses in assorted colours.
I am just so touched.
Sunday, 31 August 2008
Saturday, 30 August 2008
Shopping
This morning a phone call from TBSITW led to a trip to a near by small town which has a really good fishmonger; my eyes were out on stalks as I surveyed all the merchandise. In the end I settled for some broken haddock fillets and a smoked haddock fillet with which I plan to make a kedgeree.
Now that I know the extent of fish which they stock, I shall decide on a recipe beforehand and then go and buy.
After that we went on to the big supermarket which starts with T. It was actually rather fun to go round it with TBSITW - much better than on my own.
After that we came home and had a small glass of Manzanilla, nicely chilled out of the fridge.
So, having had a brief rest it is now off to the stove!
Later:
when I went to pay for my shopping in T@@@@, I could not find their credit card, so paid with my other one. I knew I had had it out at home to update the details on Amazon, so expected it to be beside the computer.
Oh, no.
So, I did a real search and still could not find it (and yes, I did empty my bag and my purse completely.
So, of course I had to report it lost. That's it now stopped and a new one should arrive in about a week.
Not a problem, but a bore.
So that dealt with, I made a kedgeree with the fish I bought earlier. It is my daughter's recipe, shamelessly stolen!
You will find the recipe on my recipe blog.
Now that I know the extent of fish which they stock, I shall decide on a recipe beforehand and then go and buy.
After that we went on to the big supermarket which starts with T. It was actually rather fun to go round it with TBSITW - much better than on my own.
After that we came home and had a small glass of Manzanilla, nicely chilled out of the fridge.
So, having had a brief rest it is now off to the stove!
Later:
when I went to pay for my shopping in T@@@@, I could not find their credit card, so paid with my other one. I knew I had had it out at home to update the details on Amazon, so expected it to be beside the computer.
Oh, no.
So, I did a real search and still could not find it (and yes, I did empty my bag and my purse completely.
So, of course I had to report it lost. That's it now stopped and a new one should arrive in about a week.
Not a problem, but a bore.
So that dealt with, I made a kedgeree with the fish I bought earlier. It is my daughter's recipe, shamelessly stolen!
You will find the recipe on my recipe blog.
Friday, 29 August 2008
The Spare Room
On the recommendation of Nice Lady Doctor, I have just read The Spare Room by Helen Garner; Nice Lady Doctor was most disappointed that the book failed to make the Booker long list, and I can now see why.
In some ways it is an easy book to read as it is relatively short, but in other ways it is anything but easy. It deals with the way a lady takes in an old friend to stay in the eponymous spare room. This lady turns out to be in denial of the fact that she is in the last stages of cancer, and is now exploring some of the world of woo, with IVI Vitamin C which causes her great pain (which is supposed to be due to the vitamin C grabbing hold of the cancer), and then later coffee enemas.
The friend who cares finds life more and more difficult and even more difficult as she has to cope with the denial.
This is very much a story of friendship under adversity.
It is not an easy book, but it is beautifully written and is very thought provoking.
In some ways it is an easy book to read as it is relatively short, but in other ways it is anything but easy. It deals with the way a lady takes in an old friend to stay in the eponymous spare room. This lady turns out to be in denial of the fact that she is in the last stages of cancer, and is now exploring some of the world of woo, with IVI Vitamin C which causes her great pain (which is supposed to be due to the vitamin C grabbing hold of the cancer), and then later coffee enemas.
The friend who cares finds life more and more difficult and even more difficult as she has to cope with the denial.
This is very much a story of friendship under adversity.
It is not an easy book, but it is beautifully written and is very thought provoking.
Thursday, 28 August 2008
The Scotsman
It has been a quiet day today. My lovely cleaning lady went down to the near by baker for some rolls for me to save me taking the car out - I don't know whether we have a lot of visitors or whether some people are using our small residents' parking area as a public car park.
Today is Le chef's birthday, but not a significant date, so I sent a card but have not seen him.
I seemed to take some time to catch up with the blogs I read, but also I have ordered The Scotsman ( a Scottish National Newspaper). I tried to give it up as the quality of the paper has gone steadily downhill over the past several years, through changes of owners and changes of editors.
Still, there columnists whom I really enjoy (and I hope that Fordyce Maxwell returns more often).
After so long without doing a cryptic crossword, I am finding it quite difficult to get back into the swing of it.
So, what is happening about my reading?
And my jigsaws?
Today is Le chef's birthday, but not a significant date, so I sent a card but have not seen him.
I seemed to take some time to catch up with the blogs I read, but also I have ordered The Scotsman ( a Scottish National Newspaper). I tried to give it up as the quality of the paper has gone steadily downhill over the past several years, through changes of owners and changes of editors.
Still, there columnists whom I really enjoy (and I hope that Fordyce Maxwell returns more often).
After so long without doing a cryptic crossword, I am finding it quite difficult to get back into the swing of it.
So, what is happening about my reading?
And my jigsaws?
Wednesday, 27 August 2008
Book Review etc.
Today I went to visit daughter to "child sit" her younger son while she and M went to Knockhill racing circuit . M had been given a voucher for The Morgan Experience, and daughter wnted to go along too. Before they left they provided lunch of soup and home made bread.
When they returned daughter showed a video of M in the car (unfortunately, unlike television with multiple camera vantage points, she had only the one), but still you could see the speeds that he reached.
Wow!
However, what I want to write about now is the book I have just finished reading.
If you like books about crime that are not romans policiers, if you like dark books, if you like black humour,
May I commend to you Christopher Brookmyre.
He started with a "hero" of Jack Parlabane, then left him and has moved on to several others returning to Jack Parlabane. A recent book had a heroine of a MOP (a member of the public as described by Tom Reynolds), overcoming many odds.
This latest book is called "A Snowball in Hell"
btw, I forgot to mention the quirky titles of all his books.
In the latest book his hero (she is too strong a personality to be called a heroine) is Angelique de Xavier - a welcome return for a feisty black police woman from near Glasgow.
This author holds a very sharp pin and uses it to puncture authorities whose pomposities deserve to be punctured, such as newspaper magnates, NHS managers, big banks and so on.
This book, inter alia, applies the pin to reality television from Big Brother to all its illegitimate spawn.
Do read it, unless you are a relation of Mrs Mary Whitehouse.
When they returned daughter showed a video of M in the car (unfortunately, unlike television with multiple camera vantage points, she had only the one), but still you could see the speeds that he reached.
Wow!
However, what I want to write about now is the book I have just finished reading.
If you like books about crime that are not romans policiers, if you like dark books, if you like black humour,
May I commend to you Christopher Brookmyre.
He started with a "hero" of Jack Parlabane, then left him and has moved on to several others returning to Jack Parlabane. A recent book had a heroine of a MOP (a member of the public as described by Tom Reynolds), overcoming many odds.
This latest book is called "A Snowball in Hell"
btw, I forgot to mention the quirky titles of all his books.
In the latest book his hero (she is too strong a personality to be called a heroine) is Angelique de Xavier - a welcome return for a feisty black police woman from near Glasgow.
This author holds a very sharp pin and uses it to puncture authorities whose pomposities deserve to be punctured, such as newspaper magnates, NHS managers, big banks and so on.
This book, inter alia, applies the pin to reality television from Big Brother to all its illegitimate spawn.
Do read it, unless you are a relation of Mrs Mary Whitehouse.
Tuesday, 26 August 2008
Physio, Physio, Physio!
This morning I was at my usual physiotherapy exercise classes, designed specifically for people with breathing difficulties. I have really enjoyed them, and feel that, to some extent, I have hi-jacked them to help with my walking difficulties, which are more of a concern.
After my last fall, which required the attendance of an ambulance with a paramedic and an ambulance technician, my GP referred me to the physiotherapist who deals with falls.
She phoned me yesterday. I really must be more careful how I react when caller display shows "number withheld" because I always expect it to be a cold call, but it is not always so.
So, after I returned from my class, she visited me and spent quite some time assessing my walking and balance. My leg muscles are very weak, and some of that predates even the stroke and goes back to spending about 2 weeks in ITU on a ventilator for most of that time.
I was most impressed with her, and she is going to have a chat with the other physiotherapist in charge of the respiratory rehab classes, and get back to me. There are other classes which she runs and the next lot are not due to start until January.
She noticed that my left foot is flat (which was a surprise) and suggested an insole to help.
She is also going to refer to to the County Falls Response Service for a pendant alarm (and I would get rid of the other one). The other one was a mistake - it appeared in advance to go through to the same help desk as our careline pull cords, but it doesn't and so going to a separate service will make no difference to the response, except that I won't waste the time of a paramedic and a technician, who might be needed for a real emergency.
After my last fall, which required the attendance of an ambulance with a paramedic and an ambulance technician, my GP referred me to the physiotherapist who deals with falls.
She phoned me yesterday. I really must be more careful how I react when caller display shows "number withheld" because I always expect it to be a cold call, but it is not always so.
So, after I returned from my class, she visited me and spent quite some time assessing my walking and balance. My leg muscles are very weak, and some of that predates even the stroke and goes back to spending about 2 weeks in ITU on a ventilator for most of that time.
I was most impressed with her, and she is going to have a chat with the other physiotherapist in charge of the respiratory rehab classes, and get back to me. There are other classes which she runs and the next lot are not due to start until January.
She noticed that my left foot is flat (which was a surprise) and suggested an insole to help.
She is also going to refer to to the County Falls Response Service for a pendant alarm (and I would get rid of the other one). The other one was a mistake - it appeared in advance to go through to the same help desk as our careline pull cords, but it doesn't and so going to a separate service will make no difference to the response, except that I won't waste the time of a paramedic and a technician, who might be needed for a real emergency.
Monday, 25 August 2008
Bridge, again
It was really nasty and cold this morning, so I wore my fleece to go to bridge. By the time I came home the sun was shining and the temperature was 19 degrees.
There were fourteen pairs there, so one "pair" were ghosts. As usually seems to happen, my partner and I were playing the ghost pair at the first table. So we looked at all the hands that we would have played and bid them.
There was a bit of disagreement about a couple of the bids I made (to put it mildly). However we struggled on and the rest of the hands were fine.
Funnily enough, I think the best hands we were dealt were at the first table.
Oh well....
We finished rather late, but D made me a cup of tea when I got home. She was asking me if I did the Saturday crossword in the Scotsman newspaper and I said I didn't see it now as they changed the on-line version, so I gave it up altogether.
Now she has given me the name of the newspaper shop who deliver, so I am going back to it. It is mostly the crossword I missed, because I feel the paper has gone downhill recently but there is still one regular columnist that I like.
There were fourteen pairs there, so one "pair" were ghosts. As usually seems to happen, my partner and I were playing the ghost pair at the first table. So we looked at all the hands that we would have played and bid them.
There was a bit of disagreement about a couple of the bids I made (to put it mildly). However we struggled on and the rest of the hands were fine.
Funnily enough, I think the best hands we were dealt were at the first table.
Oh well....
We finished rather late, but D made me a cup of tea when I got home. She was asking me if I did the Saturday crossword in the Scotsman newspaper and I said I didn't see it now as they changed the on-line version, so I gave it up altogether.
Now she has given me the name of the newspaper shop who deliver, so I am going back to it. It is mostly the crossword I missed, because I feel the paper has gone downhill recently but there is still one regular columnist that I like.
Sunday, 24 August 2008
Life Returns to Normal
It started off very cloudy, but now the sun has started to come out; there is, however, a cold wind.
It was really very good to get back to Church again after finding it too difficult to face the walk after the fall - every step with my right foot seemed to jar my sore rib. When I said to our minister how good it was to be back and that I had had rather a nasty fall, he quipped "as long as it wasn't a fall from grace". Of course, I had to try to top that by saying "Grace was nowhere near at the time!"
Outside the Church grounds are only 2 disabled parking bays, with a small space in front of the second one. When I got there this morning the first bay was occupied and the non-disabled bay was occupied. It was very disappointing to note that the car in the first bay displayed no disabled sticker, and what's more to add insult to injury was not being used by any of the congregation. It also had been parked right to the front of the bay meaning that it was rather a small space left for the second disabled bay.
I was rather proud of myself that I got in.
I would love to invest in a load of stickers (of the kind that are not too easy to peel off) to stick on the windscreens of cars that are illegally parked in disabled bays. Some people are so selfish.
Anyway,that apart it was a good service. I had expected the Sunday School to be back, but not yet. Two others who live in this block of flats were also there - we usually sit together, but quite often one or more of us is absent. We are all getting older, although the other two are MUCH older than me.
It is a fair indication of how long it has been since I made it to Church that there were two editions of Life and Work waiting for me.
Now that I am home, the sun is shining, which is good to see.
It was really very good to get back to Church again after finding it too difficult to face the walk after the fall - every step with my right foot seemed to jar my sore rib. When I said to our minister how good it was to be back and that I had had rather a nasty fall, he quipped "as long as it wasn't a fall from grace". Of course, I had to try to top that by saying "Grace was nowhere near at the time!"
Outside the Church grounds are only 2 disabled parking bays, with a small space in front of the second one. When I got there this morning the first bay was occupied and the non-disabled bay was occupied. It was very disappointing to note that the car in the first bay displayed no disabled sticker, and what's more to add insult to injury was not being used by any of the congregation. It also had been parked right to the front of the bay meaning that it was rather a small space left for the second disabled bay.
I was rather proud of myself that I got in.
I would love to invest in a load of stickers (of the kind that are not too easy to peel off) to stick on the windscreens of cars that are illegally parked in disabled bays. Some people are so selfish.
Anyway,that apart it was a good service. I had expected the Sunday School to be back, but not yet. Two others who live in this block of flats were also there - we usually sit together, but quite often one or more of us is absent. We are all getting older, although the other two are MUCH older than me.
It is a fair indication of how long it has been since I made it to Church that there were two editions of Life and Work waiting for me.
Now that I am home, the sun is shining, which is good to see.
Saturday, 23 August 2008
TBSITW and Co.
Today promised to be a quiet, boring day, illuminated only by Christopher Brookmyre's latest. However a text message from TBSITW changed that.
She and Le chef are in the process of changing internet service provider and are finding it is not proceeding as easily as they thought (and as it should), so they wanted to access my internet connection.
Of course.
They duly arrived with puppy who has just passed his silver test for behaviour. This was very good as he seemed to have fallen in love with another, rather larger, dog at the class.
I offered sherry all round as I had a rather nice Manzanilla, so we had that first. The puppy was a little bit excited and I had forgotten about the length of his tail, so he knocked over a vase which was down on the floor. It is a fairly tall one which I had filled with vermiculite to give it weight and covered that with turquoise beads to match the partial glaze. A fair bit spilled on the floor, but there was no damage done. Le chef got down on his hands and knees and rescued the whole lot. He made a perfect job of it.
I gave the puppy a soft toy which he proceeded to attack. When he started to demolish it, we reckoned that enough was enough. I shall have to get him something more indestructible.
In the meantime both accessed the internet separately and caught up with the necessary. I know how it feels - if I can't get on every day I start to feel that my arm has been cut off.
After that it it was time for them to leave and for me to have my lunch.
It is a lovely sunny day today and warm again.
Back to Christopher Brookmyre.....
She and Le chef are in the process of changing internet service provider and are finding it is not proceeding as easily as they thought (and as it should), so they wanted to access my internet connection.
Of course.
They duly arrived with puppy who has just passed his silver test for behaviour. This was very good as he seemed to have fallen in love with another, rather larger, dog at the class.
I offered sherry all round as I had a rather nice Manzanilla, so we had that first. The puppy was a little bit excited and I had forgotten about the length of his tail, so he knocked over a vase which was down on the floor. It is a fairly tall one which I had filled with vermiculite to give it weight and covered that with turquoise beads to match the partial glaze. A fair bit spilled on the floor, but there was no damage done. Le chef got down on his hands and knees and rescued the whole lot. He made a perfect job of it.
I gave the puppy a soft toy which he proceeded to attack. When he started to demolish it, we reckoned that enough was enough. I shall have to get him something more indestructible.
In the meantime both accessed the internet separately and caught up with the necessary. I know how it feels - if I can't get on every day I start to feel that my arm has been cut off.
After that it it was time for them to leave and for me to have my lunch.
It is a lovely sunny day today and warm again.
Back to Christopher Brookmyre.....
Friday, 22 August 2008
Books, mostly
I finished "The Mind's Eye" by Hakan Nesser last night. I have really enjoyed all his books so far. The principal protagonist is Chief Inspector Van Veeteren, and the feel of Sweden and the Swedes comes through loud and clear. The book is a real page-turner and I could not put it down until the end.
By the way, it is unfortunate that Blogger does not allow for the little circle over the first "a" of Hakan. (sorry, I do not know what it is called, but no doubt someone will enlighten me.)
What I am trying to say is that the author's first name is pronounced H(aw)k(ah)n with the second "a" a short one if that makes sense.
I had intended taking up something more serious after that, but the latest Christopher Brookmyre arrived, and that absolutely cannot wait. I shall post about it after I have finished it.
It is quite amazing that I even found time for getting two washes done, dried and put away. It is always such a load off my mind to get that done soon after my bed has been changed for me, because then I can forget about it for a week or two.
The house manager here caught me once before going down to the laundry room first thing and said "What's the matter, did you wet the bed?". I could not think of a quick retort, but I was all set for the question again this morning and I was going to pretend embarrassment at being found out and saying that that was why I was taking all the bedding down to be washed. Sadly she made no comment. Chiz, chiz as Adrien Molesworth would say.
She also says things like "Did you run out of petrol?" when I had parked the car across two bays. On that occasion I pointed out that it was only for a few minutes while I popped in to the flat to collect something.
I am sure you will understand that I have a very high opinion of her, and enjoy her sense of humour.
By the way, it is unfortunate that Blogger does not allow for the little circle over the first "a" of Hakan. (sorry, I do not know what it is called, but no doubt someone will enlighten me.)
What I am trying to say is that the author's first name is pronounced H(aw)k(ah)n with the second "a" a short one if that makes sense.
I had intended taking up something more serious after that, but the latest Christopher Brookmyre arrived, and that absolutely cannot wait. I shall post about it after I have finished it.
It is quite amazing that I even found time for getting two washes done, dried and put away. It is always such a load off my mind to get that done soon after my bed has been changed for me, because then I can forget about it for a week or two.
The house manager here caught me once before going down to the laundry room first thing and said "What's the matter, did you wet the bed?". I could not think of a quick retort, but I was all set for the question again this morning and I was going to pretend embarrassment at being found out and saying that that was why I was taking all the bedding down to be washed. Sadly she made no comment. Chiz, chiz as Adrien Molesworth would say.
She also says things like "Did you run out of petrol?" when I had parked the car across two bays. On that occasion I pointed out that it was only for a few minutes while I popped in to the flat to collect something.
I am sure you will understand that I have a very high opinion of her, and enjoy her sense of humour.
Thursday, 21 August 2008
Cooking and Cleaning
The weather today (so far) is a bit drier, thank goodness.
I noticed yesterday when making the meat loaf that I thoroughly enjoyed getting my hands stuck in there kneading it, whereas I thought it might be a bit painful for my poor old thumbs. On the contrary, and with the quantity of meat mixture to get mixed evenly together - remember we are talking steak, ham and the breadcrumb/egg mix - it took quite a lot of kneading.
Now I think I might actually be able to make a loaf of bread or rolls myself.
And I always thought it would be impossible.
See, nothing is impossible.
This morning I have sliced the meat loaf into quite thick slices and layered them, 2 at a time, in freezer layering tissue. and put into the freeezer 5 bags of 2 slices.
(and yes to TBSITW, I did update the list of freezer contents!)
My two lovely cleaners are due shortly, so I hope I have time to nip out for a roll and to post a letter
I noticed yesterday when making the meat loaf that I thoroughly enjoyed getting my hands stuck in there kneading it, whereas I thought it might be a bit painful for my poor old thumbs. On the contrary, and with the quantity of meat mixture to get mixed evenly together - remember we are talking steak, ham and the breadcrumb/egg mix - it took quite a lot of kneading.
Now I think I might actually be able to make a loaf of bread or rolls myself.
And I always thought it would be impossible.
See, nothing is impossible.
This morning I have sliced the meat loaf into quite thick slices and layered them, 2 at a time, in freezer layering tissue. and put into the freeezer 5 bags of 2 slices.
(and yes to TBSITW, I did update the list of freezer contents!)
My two lovely cleaners are due shortly, so I hope I have time to nip out for a roll and to post a letter
Wednesday, 20 August 2008
Shopping and Cooking
This morning I got up, showered and washed and did my hair, with the intention of trying to make myself look as good as possible (and, yes, only for myself).
I then got ready to go out and saw the rain.
Ah, the rain..
So, back I went to find my Berghaus rain jacket and put it on. I even had to put the hood on. Aargh. I have a small head (and a big brain, of course), so the hood absolutely flattened my hair even before I got to the car.
Oh well, then. Off I went to the big garden centre to visit the butcher who has a concession there (his shop is fairly local, but garden centre is much nearer). I duly collected the meat I had ordered for the meat loaf from my mother's recipe. I also managed to find a bottle of Worcestershire sauce, but I could not open it as it had one of those pull tabs in plastic.
I shall get my lovely cleaning ladies to open it tomorrow.
While I was there I picked up some raspberries and some interesting wine at £12 for 3 bottles and also a rather nice brown sauce, which looks better than H.P.
I was directed to try a different route there, and found most of it, but forgot about a right turn near the end - on my way back I retraced my steps and was pretty sure I had found the road I should have taken. Missing the correct road meant only that I ended up back on the main road which I was trying to avoid.
I got back to discover the coffee morning in full swing. I don't usually bother going, but felt rather in the need of being looked after, so scrounged a cup of tea and a biscuit.
Then I had to make the meat loaf; it turned out I had too much of the mix, so I steamed one and then, once I had turned that one out, I steamed the second (smaller) one.
There is quite a lot - so if anyone wants some, they had better come soon.....
I then got ready to go out and saw the rain.
Ah, the rain..
So, back I went to find my Berghaus rain jacket and put it on. I even had to put the hood on. Aargh. I have a small head (and a big brain, of course), so the hood absolutely flattened my hair even before I got to the car.
Oh well, then. Off I went to the big garden centre to visit the butcher who has a concession there (his shop is fairly local, but garden centre is much nearer). I duly collected the meat I had ordered for the meat loaf from my mother's recipe. I also managed to find a bottle of Worcestershire sauce, but I could not open it as it had one of those pull tabs in plastic.
I shall get my lovely cleaning ladies to open it tomorrow.
While I was there I picked up some raspberries and some interesting wine at £12 for 3 bottles and also a rather nice brown sauce, which looks better than H.P.
I was directed to try a different route there, and found most of it, but forgot about a right turn near the end - on my way back I retraced my steps and was pretty sure I had found the road I should have taken. Missing the correct road meant only that I ended up back on the main road which I was trying to avoid.
I got back to discover the coffee morning in full swing. I don't usually bother going, but felt rather in the need of being looked after, so scrounged a cup of tea and a biscuit.
Then I had to make the meat loaf; it turned out I had too much of the mix, so I steamed one and then, once I had turned that one out, I steamed the second (smaller) one.
There is quite a lot - so if anyone wants some, they had better come soon.....
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
Exercises, Hair, Shopping and so on
This morning I headed off bright and early (or, at least, early) to my physiotherapy exercise class. I was able to do everything (much to my surprise) apart from the walk exercise. I found that every time I put my right foot down, it seemed to jolt my sore rib, which is, incidentally, a lot better.
After that I headed towards big city when the heavens opened. It was really quite scary driving through such driving, heavy rain. I just managed to keep an eye on the rear lights of the car in front and stayed in position behind him.
Don’t know what I would have done if he were going to London…….
I then went to M and S to try and get a sandwich for my lunch, but there were no disabled bays left, so I went on to the hairdresser to get my hair cut. After I came out, the sun was shining so I went to the supermarket to get a bottle or two of Noilly Prat. TBSITW had bought the last bottle on the shelves the last time she was there, but they had restocked.
Back in the car and heading home, the heavens once again opened, but by the time I got home it was more of a drizzle.
I have just finished reading The Princess of Burundi by Kjell Eriksson. Funnily enough, it was quite some time before I bought it as the title sounded rather twee. However, it is anything but twee (the princesses are fish).
I have long been an aficionado of detective novels particularly romans policiers, having started many years ago with Ian Rankin and his detective Rebus. Fairly recently I moved on to European fiction, starting with Italy and Sicily moving on to Spain, then Sweden with Henning Mankell, who led the way for many others from Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Germany (all in translation, of course). Police procedural novels have much in common whichever country they come from, but the different countries and authors bring quite different flavours to their books.
Then a. called to my attention a French author, Fred Vargas, and sent me a copy in French. I was quite surprised how easy I found it to read. Since then I have read all her works which are translated into English, but have now found some in French available through Amazon and my first is winging its way to me even as I write this.
Le Chef has given me a copy of Madame Bovary in French to read, but I feel I need a bit more practice with the language first.
The Princess of Burundi differs from most of the others by not having a prominent hero so much as an ensemble cast; someone likened it to Ed McBain’s 87th Precinct novels.
Do you remember how I wrote on Sunday’s post that I had walked out of M and S in high dudgeon when the assistant denied that the label saying “2 for £5” about flowers which had been £2.99.
Well, today I got 2 bunches just as good from the supermarket – and at only £1.99 each.
Later, I had to go to the surgery for the asthma clinic run by the Nurse Practitioner. I had hoped for some improvement on last year, but at least it is stable, and people with c.o.p.d. usually deteriorate from year to year.
After that I headed towards big city when the heavens opened. It was really quite scary driving through such driving, heavy rain. I just managed to keep an eye on the rear lights of the car in front and stayed in position behind him.
Don’t know what I would have done if he were going to London…….
I then went to M and S to try and get a sandwich for my lunch, but there were no disabled bays left, so I went on to the hairdresser to get my hair cut. After I came out, the sun was shining so I went to the supermarket to get a bottle or two of Noilly Prat. TBSITW had bought the last bottle on the shelves the last time she was there, but they had restocked.
Back in the car and heading home, the heavens once again opened, but by the time I got home it was more of a drizzle.
I have just finished reading The Princess of Burundi by Kjell Eriksson. Funnily enough, it was quite some time before I bought it as the title sounded rather twee. However, it is anything but twee (the princesses are fish).
I have long been an aficionado of detective novels particularly romans policiers, having started many years ago with Ian Rankin and his detective Rebus. Fairly recently I moved on to European fiction, starting with Italy and Sicily moving on to Spain, then Sweden with Henning Mankell, who led the way for many others from Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Germany (all in translation, of course). Police procedural novels have much in common whichever country they come from, but the different countries and authors bring quite different flavours to their books.
Then a. called to my attention a French author, Fred Vargas, and sent me a copy in French. I was quite surprised how easy I found it to read. Since then I have read all her works which are translated into English, but have now found some in French available through Amazon and my first is winging its way to me even as I write this.
Le Chef has given me a copy of Madame Bovary in French to read, but I feel I need a bit more practice with the language first.
The Princess of Burundi differs from most of the others by not having a prominent hero so much as an ensemble cast; someone likened it to Ed McBain’s 87th Precinct novels.
Do you remember how I wrote on Sunday’s post that I had walked out of M and S in high dudgeon when the assistant denied that the label saying “2 for £5” about flowers which had been £2.99.
Well, today I got 2 bunches just as good from the supermarket – and at only £1.99 each.
Later, I had to go to the surgery for the asthma clinic run by the Nurse Practitioner. I had hoped for some improvement on last year, but at least it is stable, and people with c.o.p.d. usually deteriorate from year to year.
Bridge (mostly)
Yesterday was another fairly miserable, although at least mild, day.
In the afternoon I went to the Bridge Club, where once again I was paired with my partner. I shall be interested to see how we got on when we return next week.
I think she is a better bridge player than I am. I want to get better, and really put my mind into doing so, but I am quite relaxed about the whole thing and can even laugh about unfortunate turns of the cards; while I do chastise myself for getting something wrong, I don't get upset about it, merely trying to remember so that I don't make the same mistake twice.
My partner, on the other hand, is really quite uptight, taking a long time to decide what she is going to bid and what card she is going to play each time. On one occasion we reached a game contract and she played it and made it. When she checked what the previous pair had done with the same hand, she found that they had reached the same contract but had made one trick extra and was almost in tears because she must have done something wrong. She could not see that it might just as well be that our opponents put on a better defence, thus preventing her from making that extra trick.
It is such a shame, because bridge (particularly at our level) should be a pleasure.
After the game, I returned to find the car park completely full. I went to the end and turned and was thinking of parking illegally when someone came out and removed her car. Phew!
I arrived just as the tea was being made and went to get my chocolate biscuit selection as my contribution to the war effort.
After that I went home and had a sirloin steak for my supper, served with boiled new potato and white turnip and steamed cabbage.
In the afternoon I went to the Bridge Club, where once again I was paired with my partner. I shall be interested to see how we got on when we return next week.
I think she is a better bridge player than I am. I want to get better, and really put my mind into doing so, but I am quite relaxed about the whole thing and can even laugh about unfortunate turns of the cards; while I do chastise myself for getting something wrong, I don't get upset about it, merely trying to remember so that I don't make the same mistake twice.
My partner, on the other hand, is really quite uptight, taking a long time to decide what she is going to bid and what card she is going to play each time. On one occasion we reached a game contract and she played it and made it. When she checked what the previous pair had done with the same hand, she found that they had reached the same contract but had made one trick extra and was almost in tears because she must have done something wrong. She could not see that it might just as well be that our opponents put on a better defence, thus preventing her from making that extra trick.
It is such a shame, because bridge (particularly at our level) should be a pleasure.
After the game, I returned to find the car park completely full. I went to the end and turned and was thinking of parking illegally when someone came out and removed her car. Phew!
I arrived just as the tea was being made and went to get my chocolate biscuit selection as my contribution to the war effort.
After that I went home and had a sirloin steak for my supper, served with boiled new potato and white turnip and steamed cabbage.
Sunday, 17 August 2008
Another Baptism in the Family
Today has been an excellent day. My younger brother's son's son was baptised today, so sister drove me to their Church in big city. There were 4 baptisms today, so the Church was really full.
There were so many of my brother's family and my family (daughter, M, and 2 grandchildren made it) not to mention the proud mother's family. Afterwards we all went back to a groaning buffet at the baby's mother's mother's home. This is getting a bit complicated isn't it, so I hope you are paying attention.
I had contributed a bottle of Champagne to help out, but it was probably not necessary as they already had so many bottles on ice. I took a little gift for the baby (just a soft toy), and he treated it with all the contempt a 6-week old baby can muster! I also took a small toy for his big sister, because it is terrible at 4 years old to have your nose put out of joint by a new arrival. Funnily enough I just happened on it - it was a little doll, about 2 inches high, which could hold a message. On its base it said "Sister".
She couldn't really believe that I was her grandfather's big sister (and that my sister is our little sister.)
Sadly, elder son and his family could not go because of work commitments.
I discovered that my brother's wife's sister in law reads my blog! My sister in law had given her the address. I had no idea, but am delighted, and would be glad if they were to comment along with other friends.
I managed to have a chat with many of the people there, but did not manage into the garden.
We were very lucky that the weather held dry as there were black clouds ahead at many times during the day.
After, we went to shopping mall and went to M and S where I got some nibbles and also some crudites with a dip. I was going to buy some flowers as there was a sign above saying 2 for £5, but when I got to the counter I was told that the ones I had chosen were full price - of course I laid them down on the counter and said "Thank you very much. Good bye".
Also on the way home TBSITW took me round to show me where a local butcher is, who has very good quality meat and makes his own sausages, black pudding and so on. I shall certainly try it sometime.
There were so many of my brother's family and my family (daughter, M, and 2 grandchildren made it) not to mention the proud mother's family. Afterwards we all went back to a groaning buffet at the baby's mother's mother's home. This is getting a bit complicated isn't it, so I hope you are paying attention.
I had contributed a bottle of Champagne to help out, but it was probably not necessary as they already had so many bottles on ice. I took a little gift for the baby (just a soft toy), and he treated it with all the contempt a 6-week old baby can muster! I also took a small toy for his big sister, because it is terrible at 4 years old to have your nose put out of joint by a new arrival. Funnily enough I just happened on it - it was a little doll, about 2 inches high, which could hold a message. On its base it said "Sister".
She couldn't really believe that I was her grandfather's big sister (and that my sister is our little sister.)
Sadly, elder son and his family could not go because of work commitments.
I discovered that my brother's wife's sister in law reads my blog! My sister in law had given her the address. I had no idea, but am delighted, and would be glad if they were to comment along with other friends.
I managed to have a chat with many of the people there, but did not manage into the garden.
We were very lucky that the weather held dry as there were black clouds ahead at many times during the day.
After, we went to shopping mall and went to M and S where I got some nibbles and also some crudites with a dip. I was going to buy some flowers as there was a sign above saying 2 for £5, but when I got to the counter I was told that the ones I had chosen were full price - of course I laid them down on the counter and said "Thank you very much. Good bye".
Also on the way home TBSITW took me round to show me where a local butcher is, who has very good quality meat and makes his own sausages, black pudding and so on. I shall certainly try it sometime.
Saturday, 16 August 2008
Lazy Saturday
Went last evening to the bridge coaching class. I did not really feel up to it, but, as she (my partner) had said she would be going, I went along. It was a good training session, but of course, late home, but not too bad as it was just before 10pm.
Slept quite well.
Today is another beautiful day, but having already decided to have a day doing nothing, I felt impelled to carry out a particular chore.
I'll give you three guesses...
...
Yes, you were right first time.
I did my washing. I had found it rather painful to walk and so had let it slide for almost 3 weeks, so I went down and - YES! there was nobody there and no machines in use. So, I put on my large white wash in the big machine. then, seeing there was still nobody there, I put my dark wash in the next machine for a quick wash.
I came down after half an hour and put the quick wash onto a long spin.
By this time both the other washing machines were in use...
After a couple of minutes someone else came down, only to find no washing machine.
Oh the guilt at using two machines!
At least it was a nice guy who stayed and chatted until my spin was finished.
Now at last it is all washed, dried, ironed and put away,
so now it is a lazy Saturday....
Slept quite well.
Today is another beautiful day, but having already decided to have a day doing nothing, I felt impelled to carry out a particular chore.
I'll give you three guesses...
...
Yes, you were right first time.
I did my washing. I had found it rather painful to walk and so had let it slide for almost 3 weeks, so I went down and - YES! there was nobody there and no machines in use. So, I put on my large white wash in the big machine. then, seeing there was still nobody there, I put my dark wash in the next machine for a quick wash.
I came down after half an hour and put the quick wash onto a long spin.
By this time both the other washing machines were in use...
After a couple of minutes someone else came down, only to find no washing machine.
Oh the guilt at using two machines!
At least it was a nice guy who stayed and chatted until my spin was finished.
Now at last it is all washed, dried, ironed and put away,
so now it is a lazy Saturday....
Friday, 15 August 2008
The Albatross Strikes Again
Went out this morning to go to big garden centre for two or three things and to get some meat as well as to order lean ham and round steak minced together for collection next Wednesday.
When I got to the car, I could hardly believe my eyes.
The roof,
The windscreen,
The driver's window,
The front offside door.
All plastered with the stuff.
It was as though someone had placed a bleeper on my car calling the albatrosses to overfly and let go.
So, the first thing I had to do was to go to the car wash. On the way, I noticed quite a few people look at my car and start laughing.
Okay, clean car and off to the garden centre. Did my shopping and had a cheese scone with Lemon Refresher.
Back home in time for a cup of tea and a chat.
When I got to the car, I could hardly believe my eyes.
The roof,
The windscreen,
The driver's window,
The front offside door.
All plastered with the stuff.
It was as though someone had placed a bleeper on my car calling the albatrosses to overfly and let go.
So, the first thing I had to do was to go to the car wash. On the way, I noticed quite a few people look at my car and start laughing.
Okay, clean car and off to the garden centre. Did my shopping and had a cheese scone with Lemon Refresher.
Back home in time for a cup of tea and a chat.
Thursday, 14 August 2008
Finally and very briefly...
In the days of our youth, when I went with my family to Church, the above words used to fill me with dread, "briefly" was not the word I would have used as he seemed to go on for EVER!
However, this post is not final but shall be brief.
I am still having some discomfort from my rib, but at least I had a good sleep last night. The lovely cleaners have been and my flat looks lovely and clean.
Today's project is jigsaw and reading.
Outside the sun is shining and it makes you feel good to be alive. Somewhat reluctantly I have placed an order with T**** home delivery for tomorrow as I am not ready to tackle a shop.
I hope to do a bit better on Tuesday when I next go to big city.
However, this post is not final but shall be brief.
I am still having some discomfort from my rib, but at least I had a good sleep last night. The lovely cleaners have been and my flat looks lovely and clean.
Today's project is jigsaw and reading.
Outside the sun is shining and it makes you feel good to be alive. Somewhat reluctantly I have placed an order with T**** home delivery for tomorrow as I am not ready to tackle a shop.
I hope to do a bit better on Tuesday when I next go to big city.
Wednesday, 13 August 2008
She really is TBSITW.
This morning she came round and cut to fit two more photographs for a photo frame which holds 5 small photos; she has done brother's grandson and granddaughter holding her new baby brother, one of herself holding the lab as a puppy in her arms and another of the two dogs in their cage in the back of the car (before one had sadly to be put to sleep recently). She also fitted, in a larger frame, the photo of elder son's 2 children - NB to elder son - I still wait for the photo of you and daughter in law!!!!
After that, she really looked at the issue of a new computer desk and at the same time looked at how much room there would be for it (not a lot, I have to say.) At the end, she has mended the one I broke and it now works, so I am certainly not replacing it - thank goodness as I really couldn't get my head around it.
And THEN she listed all the food in my freezer and its date and which drawer it was in. All this in return for a ham and tomato sandwich for lunch.
I may have mentioned that I didn't feel up to going to my physiotherapy exercise class yesterday and phoned to cancel. In the afternoon the Senior Physiotherapist called me back and we had a very good, productive chat. I was explaining how my GP had referred me to the physiotherapist who is part of the Falls Response Team, to which she said that I might be quite disappointed as the exercises were liable to be like the ones I am attending just now.
I said I would really like someone to look at my walking in bare feet as, since my stroke, I think I roll outwards on my left foot and that this might be most of the cause of my falls. We discussed that the Neurologist was going to refer me for physio when I lived at my old address, but I was moving very shortly and so was he - to the opposite end of the country. I think that, after that, it just fell by the wayside. Perhaps this fall will bring a good result. The Senior Physio is going to have a chat with the Falls Response Physio and also with the Neuro Physio. This is excellent.
After that, she really looked at the issue of a new computer desk and at the same time looked at how much room there would be for it (not a lot, I have to say.) At the end, she has mended the one I broke and it now works, so I am certainly not replacing it - thank goodness as I really couldn't get my head around it.
And THEN she listed all the food in my freezer and its date and which drawer it was in. All this in return for a ham and tomato sandwich for lunch.
I may have mentioned that I didn't feel up to going to my physiotherapy exercise class yesterday and phoned to cancel. In the afternoon the Senior Physiotherapist called me back and we had a very good, productive chat. I was explaining how my GP had referred me to the physiotherapist who is part of the Falls Response Team, to which she said that I might be quite disappointed as the exercises were liable to be like the ones I am attending just now.
I said I would really like someone to look at my walking in bare feet as, since my stroke, I think I roll outwards on my left foot and that this might be most of the cause of my falls. We discussed that the Neurologist was going to refer me for physio when I lived at my old address, but I was moving very shortly and so was he - to the opposite end of the country. I think that, after that, it just fell by the wayside. Perhaps this fall will bring a good result. The Senior Physio is going to have a chat with the Falls Response Physio and also with the Neuro Physio. This is excellent.
Tuesday, 12 August 2008
Food, Glorious Food.....
... and so on. I mentioned last time that the organic veg box was for someone else and I missed out on what I should have received.
Well, this week they have certainly made up for it, sending:
3 oranges, 4 apples, 2 bananas and 2 kiwi fruit,
Potatoes, carrots, onion, white turnips, beetroot, cabbage, 2 courgettes plus 1 which is either a large courgette or a small marrow
6 eggs
Today I am still rather sore and still not sleeping well, so I thought that making myself useful would make me feel no worse.
So, I cleaned out the cupboard which had held all the bread making ingredients and the other food cupboard.
I found rather a lot that was out of date, so that has gone, and now that both cupboards have been rearranged, I can find things!
I have also made a potato salad and cooked the two beetroot that TBSITW gave me.
I found yesterday’s bridge a bit difficult as I was partnering the lady who runs the Monday afternoon sessions. Unfortunately, her ideas conflict with those of the person who has been teaching us and I had difficulty letting go of what I had only recently learned and mastered and taking on board something new.
Well, this week they have certainly made up for it, sending:
3 oranges, 4 apples, 2 bananas and 2 kiwi fruit,
Potatoes, carrots, onion, white turnips, beetroot, cabbage, 2 courgettes plus 1 which is either a large courgette or a small marrow
6 eggs
Today I am still rather sore and still not sleeping well, so I thought that making myself useful would make me feel no worse.
So, I cleaned out the cupboard which had held all the bread making ingredients and the other food cupboard.
I found rather a lot that was out of date, so that has gone, and now that both cupboards have been rearranged, I can find things!
I have also made a potato salad and cooked the two beetroot that TBSITW gave me.
I found yesterday’s bridge a bit difficult as I was partnering the lady who runs the Monday afternoon sessions. Unfortunately, her ideas conflict with those of the person who has been teaching us and I had difficulty letting go of what I had only recently learned and mastered and taking on board something new.
Monday, 11 August 2008
re: Botheration!
I always keep receipts. (Probably!)
I remember printing off my receipt from Comet online, but could I find it? No!
So, I took the bread maker back to Comet this morning and they couldn't have been better. The Customer Services girl checked on-line and found a record of my purchase.
She then took me to look at the only other one of this make which they had on stock and it was on display.
No stirrer on this one!
Perhaps somebody else had the same problem as me and they replaced the stirrer from the showroom.
I got the offer of another brand, but declined saying that I would prefer to have the purchase price refunded and go away and think about it.
I rather think that a bread maker is not really worth the trouble for one, especially as I don't necessarily eat bread every day.
So, I moved the microwave over to where the bread maker had been and the kitchen looks so much bigger already.
Almost time to set off for bridge......
I remember printing off my receipt from Comet online, but could I find it? No!
So, I took the bread maker back to Comet this morning and they couldn't have been better. The Customer Services girl checked on-line and found a record of my purchase.
She then took me to look at the only other one of this make which they had on stock and it was on display.
No stirrer on this one!
Perhaps somebody else had the same problem as me and they replaced the stirrer from the showroom.
I got the offer of another brand, but declined saying that I would prefer to have the purchase price refunded and go away and think about it.
I rather think that a bread maker is not really worth the trouble for one, especially as I don't necessarily eat bread every day.
So, I moved the microwave over to where the bread maker had been and the kitchen looks so much bigger already.
Almost time to set off for bridge......
Sunday, 10 August 2008
Botheration!
I recently found my Morphy Richards breadmaker with a burned out heating element, so I ordered a new one, this time a more expensive version. I did not realise until after I had unpacked it that it differed from my previous one in one significant way - it had a spindle which collapsed after kneading so that the loaf would not have the rather large hole which other brands have.
This after noon I went to make a loaf and had the flour all measured out in a bowl, then added the water to the pan. I had already noticed that the spindle collapsed very readily, so I hoped that having to cope with the pressure of the water, it would stay upright while I added the rest of the ingredients.
However it didn't, and what is more, even with the water in the pan I could not get the spindle to stay upright at all.
Basically, this is hopeless, and so I shall have to take it back to Comet tomorrow. One good thing is that Comet are usually very good about dealing with returns.
But no bread!!!!!
This after noon I went to make a loaf and had the flour all measured out in a bowl, then added the water to the pan. I had already noticed that the spindle collapsed very readily, so I hoped that having to cope with the pressure of the water, it would stay upright while I added the rest of the ingredients.
However it didn't, and what is more, even with the water in the pan I could not get the spindle to stay upright at all.
Basically, this is hopeless, and so I shall have to take it back to Comet tomorrow. One good thing is that Comet are usually very good about dealing with returns.
But no bread!!!!!
Update re Fall
Well, last night, once again, I did not sleep well; every time I turned over onto my right side I was awakened by the discomfort. I have a palm (hand not tree) sized bruise over my ribs on the right side and I am uncomfortable from there right round to my back. I am conscious of it particularly when I breath in or cough or sneeze. However you will notice that I say discomfort, not pain, and I mean it.
However, I am left feeling somewhat "wabbit" today and intend having a quiet day and doing nothing.
Life is such a bore sometimes, isn't it?
However, I am left feeling somewhat "wabbit" today and intend having a quiet day and doing nothing.
Life is such a bore sometimes, isn't it?
..and another one bites the dust.
Sadly, Secrets and Subterfuge has withdrawn her blog from the public domain. Looks like she had a spamming stalker, so she was quite right. I shall miss reading her stories of herself (007.5), the mini-spies and Cyberdog 1.
Saturday, 9 August 2008
Furniture
Having, quite accidentally, broken a desk which I have long argued didn't actually require to be replaced, I asked TBSITW and Le Chef to come over and measure up the size options that would have. So, okay, I have been doing some searching on the Internet and have got myself completely bamboozled.
At some time in the not too distant future I am going to get rid of my 3 drawer filing cabinet and downsize to a 2 or even 1 drawer; the 2 drawer allows for 2 lots of suspension files and is of the same height as the matching desk. The smaller one has one drawer for suspension files and 1 smaller one above, and fits under the desk.
Bet you have all fallen to sleep by now.
But there is worse to come!
I have always fancied a corner desk, gaining a lot of work space. However, most do not allow for adding either filing cabinet.
Anyway, TBSITW was amazed (and no doubt the rest of my family will be too) that I have ordered nothing yet. She is coming over on Wednesday to talk about it with me (she is always a steady pair of hands). She is also going to help me sort out my freezer contents list as it has got quite out of hand.
She brought over some sweet peas freshly picked this morning in the rain and also the beetroot from the garden that she forgot yesterday. She also brought me a Wasgij jigsaw and took away one I couldn't seem to get my head round doing.
Finally, I have been somewhat overwhelmed by the number of messages of sympathy over my stupid fall. Thank you all so much.
At some time in the not too distant future I am going to get rid of my 3 drawer filing cabinet and downsize to a 2 or even 1 drawer; the 2 drawer allows for 2 lots of suspension files and is of the same height as the matching desk. The smaller one has one drawer for suspension files and 1 smaller one above, and fits under the desk.
Bet you have all fallen to sleep by now.
But there is worse to come!
I have always fancied a corner desk, gaining a lot of work space. However, most do not allow for adding either filing cabinet.
Anyway, TBSITW was amazed (and no doubt the rest of my family will be too) that I have ordered nothing yet. She is coming over on Wednesday to talk about it with me (she is always a steady pair of hands). She is also going to help me sort out my freezer contents list as it has got quite out of hand.
She brought over some sweet peas freshly picked this morning in the rain and also the beetroot from the garden that she forgot yesterday. She also brought me a Wasgij jigsaw and took away one I couldn't seem to get my head round doing.
Finally, I have been somewhat overwhelmed by the number of messages of sympathy over my stupid fall. Thank you all so much.
Friday, 8 August 2008
The Best Sister In The World
As might be expected, I had a somewhat restless night last night; every time I moved or turned over in bed I kept lying on one sore bit or another.
Yesterday afternoon I went through to the residents’ lounge hoping to find the exercise group having a cup of tea (and to scrounge one myself). In fact, they had almost finished but D, bless her, got up and made me a fresh one and even gave up her armchair so that I did not have to try and get up from a seat without arms.
I told them about my fall; some had seen the ambulance but not the person who had required it.
One of them pointed out to me that my car was abandoned rather than parked. It was still within the parking bay - just – but at quite an angle. This morning I was not at all keen to do anything about it, but took it out to visit the baker and get some rolls. I have now parked it beautifully.
Shortly after that, I went to visit TBSITW for lunch of soup and a sandwich. The soup was a rib-sticking roe venison one with vegetables and pieces of the roe meat in it. The sandwich was ham plus lettuce freshly picked from the garden and white beetroot grown in their garden and cooked. Absolutely scrummy!
I discussed with her my need for a new desk and 2-drawer filing cabinet, and she and le chef are coming by tomorrow to measure for me.
I discussed with TBSITW my continuing feeling that I am coming to the end of my driving life, and would rather give up before I am forced to do so. I have to try to renew my driving licence in November, and my Motability lease expires in January when I would otherwise get a new car.
I can get an electric scooter or wheelchair also through Motability and this would serve much of my needs; the biggest difficulty would be visiting my daughter and two grandchildren as there is no other realistic way of getting over to visit her.
It is difficult.
My sister supported me in my decision, but I haven’t discussed it with the rest of my family.
Anyway, plenty time yet.
I returned from TBSITW bearing goodies: lettuce, beetroot and garlic, all from her garden, not to forget a bottle of Noilly.
When I got back, the usual suspects were having tea, and so I joined them, then came back home.
Yesterday afternoon I went through to the residents’ lounge hoping to find the exercise group having a cup of tea (and to scrounge one myself). In fact, they had almost finished but D, bless her, got up and made me a fresh one and even gave up her armchair so that I did not have to try and get up from a seat without arms.
I told them about my fall; some had seen the ambulance but not the person who had required it.
One of them pointed out to me that my car was abandoned rather than parked. It was still within the parking bay - just – but at quite an angle. This morning I was not at all keen to do anything about it, but took it out to visit the baker and get some rolls. I have now parked it beautifully.
Shortly after that, I went to visit TBSITW for lunch of soup and a sandwich. The soup was a rib-sticking roe venison one with vegetables and pieces of the roe meat in it. The sandwich was ham plus lettuce freshly picked from the garden and white beetroot grown in their garden and cooked. Absolutely scrummy!
I discussed with her my need for a new desk and 2-drawer filing cabinet, and she and le chef are coming by tomorrow to measure for me.
I discussed with TBSITW my continuing feeling that I am coming to the end of my driving life, and would rather give up before I am forced to do so. I have to try to renew my driving licence in November, and my Motability lease expires in January when I would otherwise get a new car.
I can get an electric scooter or wheelchair also through Motability and this would serve much of my needs; the biggest difficulty would be visiting my daughter and two grandchildren as there is no other realistic way of getting over to visit her.
It is difficult.
My sister supported me in my decision, but I haven’t discussed it with the rest of my family.
Anyway, plenty time yet.
I returned from TBSITW bearing goodies: lettuce, beetroot and garlic, all from her garden, not to forget a bottle of Noilly.
When I got back, the usual suspects were having tea, and so I joined them, then came back home.
Thursday, 7 August 2008
Yesterday.....
Think Beatles.
I had a really lazy day yesterday, feeling I had earned it after such an unaccustomed late night.
I have just started Homecoming by Bernhard Schlink, author of The Reader and it promises to be another excellent read.
So, anyway, I had my evening meal. There has been some debate here over whether this is dinner, supper or tea. I tend to regard dinner as a more formal meal usually taken in the company of others and supper when I eat on my own. Lunch is a meal eaten at mid day. High tea is an old Scottish custom and involves something like fish and chips and peas with some bread and butter on the side.
So there!
So, after I had finished my meal, washed and dried the dishes and put them away, I started to prepare for bedtime.
This involves shutting down the computer, removing the three stuffed toys from my bed and putting them on my bedside stool; removing the 2 cushions from my bed and putting them on my super duper typist chair; removing the day blanket from my bed, folding it and putting it on my bedside stool.
Thus my ‘study’ is converted into my ‘bedroom’. I went through to the living room to read for a bit and then returned to my bedroom to close the curtains and take my medications It was not yet bedtime at all but I love to have everything ready and just quietly read before going to bed an hour or so later.
Then I noticed that the ‘num lock’ light on the keyboard was lit, so I hadn’t switched off the computer. So I leant across the cushions and started the ‘start, shutdown’ process when I lost my balance and fell. With that I knocked the monitor onto the floor and broke off the holder for the piece of wood that pushes to left or right for left hand or right hand use of the mouse.
So then I tried to get up.
And tried.
And tried.
And tried.
In the end I had to admit defeat and call for help; the Careline people sent for an ambulance and a lovely paramedic and technician arrived. They got me on my feet and sat me down on my chair and took my obs. Both they and I agreed that I did not require to go to hospital, but they said I should see my GP as perhaps I needed a zimmer frame. One of them even got the monitor and put it back
Then they saw my face.
I said that my GP had already referred to the County Falls Response Service, but that I had heard nothing from them. The men asked if I owned the flat and I said that my son did. Ah, apparently the Service attends only home owners.
?????
I didn't like to put wtf here, but saw that jobbingdoctor gave
wtf = what on earth.
(This reminded me of Computing for Dummies which gave
RTFM = Read The Manual)
I think that, even if I had had a zimmer it wouldn’t have stopped me falling as I would have let go to bend over. The big mistake was to bend over at all and this is a lesson that I really need to learn. I cannot bend sideways at all, especially to the left.
I had to get up in the middle of the night to take more pain killers and slept not too badly considering.
This morning I am a bit sore but very lucky to have survived another fall with no fractures. Even the computer is in full working order.
And my 2 lovely cleaners have been and picked up all the stuff that went to the floor along with the monitor and also re-hung one of the curtains which was hanging off the rail.
I had a really lazy day yesterday, feeling I had earned it after such an unaccustomed late night.
I have just started Homecoming by Bernhard Schlink, author of The Reader and it promises to be another excellent read.
So, anyway, I had my evening meal. There has been some debate here over whether this is dinner, supper or tea. I tend to regard dinner as a more formal meal usually taken in the company of others and supper when I eat on my own. Lunch is a meal eaten at mid day. High tea is an old Scottish custom and involves something like fish and chips and peas with some bread and butter on the side.
So there!
So, after I had finished my meal, washed and dried the dishes and put them away, I started to prepare for bedtime.
This involves shutting down the computer, removing the three stuffed toys from my bed and putting them on my bedside stool; removing the 2 cushions from my bed and putting them on my super duper typist chair; removing the day blanket from my bed, folding it and putting it on my bedside stool.
Thus my ‘study’ is converted into my ‘bedroom’. I went through to the living room to read for a bit and then returned to my bedroom to close the curtains and take my medications It was not yet bedtime at all but I love to have everything ready and just quietly read before going to bed an hour or so later.
Then I noticed that the ‘num lock’ light on the keyboard was lit, so I hadn’t switched off the computer. So I leant across the cushions and started the ‘start, shutdown’ process when I lost my balance and fell. With that I knocked the monitor onto the floor and broke off the holder for the piece of wood that pushes to left or right for left hand or right hand use of the mouse.
So then I tried to get up.
And tried.
And tried.
And tried.
In the end I had to admit defeat and call for help; the Careline people sent for an ambulance and a lovely paramedic and technician arrived. They got me on my feet and sat me down on my chair and took my obs. Both they and I agreed that I did not require to go to hospital, but they said I should see my GP as perhaps I needed a zimmer frame. One of them even got the monitor and put it back
Then they saw my face.
I said that my GP had already referred to the County Falls Response Service, but that I had heard nothing from them. The men asked if I owned the flat and I said that my son did. Ah, apparently the Service attends only home owners.
?????
I didn't like to put wtf here, but saw that jobbingdoctor gave
wtf = what on earth.
(This reminded me of Computing for Dummies which gave
RTFM = Read The Manual)
I think that, even if I had had a zimmer it wouldn’t have stopped me falling as I would have let go to bend over. The big mistake was to bend over at all and this is a lesson that I really need to learn. I cannot bend sideways at all, especially to the left.
I had to get up in the middle of the night to take more pain killers and slept not too badly considering.
This morning I am a bit sore but very lucky to have survived another fall with no fractures. Even the computer is in full working order.
And my 2 lovely cleaners have been and picked up all the stuff that went to the floor along with the monitor and also re-hung one of the curtains which was hanging off the rail.
Wednesday, 6 August 2008
BRIDGE!
Yesterday, I got back from my exercise class feeling somewhat the worse for wear (we had no class last week, and it showed) and sat down at my computer, as you do!
The telephone rang and it was the secretary from the bridge club saying had I not got the message on my answering machine? Well, I use BT1571 and my current phone doesn't flash a light to show that a message had been left.
Anyway, the purpose of her call was to ask if I would like to play that evening as someone was looking for a partner.
Would I?
You betcha!
I had never met the lady before, but we had a good chat about the conventions we use, and then we were off!
I can't remember much about the hands but my overriding memory was that I kept getting hands with less than 6 points (meaning I couldn't bid).
However, on one particular hand, I opened 1 No Trump and the player on my left doubled.
Now I really don't like playing in No Trump, and 1 No Trump is the worst possible contract as it means that the points are probably evenly distributed.
Anyway, after all that, I made it!
And I bet the player who doubled bitterly regretted it as it gave us over 500 points (instead of the 90 had he not doubled).
All in all it was a good night, but, boy, you keep coming up against pairs who have played together for years, often married couples, and have reached a complete understanding over their bidding.
The telephone rang and it was the secretary from the bridge club saying had I not got the message on my answering machine? Well, I use BT1571 and my current phone doesn't flash a light to show that a message had been left.
Anyway, the purpose of her call was to ask if I would like to play that evening as someone was looking for a partner.
Would I?
You betcha!
I had never met the lady before, but we had a good chat about the conventions we use, and then we were off!
I can't remember much about the hands but my overriding memory was that I kept getting hands with less than 6 points (meaning I couldn't bid).
However, on one particular hand, I opened 1 No Trump and the player on my left doubled.
Now I really don't like playing in No Trump, and 1 No Trump is the worst possible contract as it means that the points are probably evenly distributed.
Anyway, after all that, I made it!
And I bet the player who doubled bitterly regretted it as it gave us over 500 points (instead of the 90 had he not doubled).
All in all it was a good night, but, boy, you keep coming up against pairs who have played together for years, often married couples, and have reached a complete understanding over their bidding.
Tuesday, 5 August 2008
Reminiscences prompted by a Comment
When I was reading a.'s comment on my post about The Thunderbolt Kid, I was taken back in time to the Bay of Pigs fiasco.
Now this is not going to be a political blog, but the late President Kennedy and former Prime Minister Tony Blair have something in common.
Both were good looking men while in office. Both were much admired for their political savvy, but turned out to be more style than substance.
It is tragic that boyish good looks can so influence the country's choice of premier.
Anyway, back to what I was going to say which was that that was the era in the early years of my marriage, when we had our first television - which we rented as we couldn't afford to buy one. Also, as the town we lived in at that time was in quite a deep valley, we got our TV signal via a receiver on the summit of a hill which was then sent to us by cable. The cable was the only source of a signal for the whole town. This was long before the days of Cable companies.
It served to bring us the news from the BBC (no other news stations available), and the early days of Dr Who. I do remember my eldest son hiding behind the sofa when that was on!
Now this is not going to be a political blog, but the late President Kennedy and former Prime Minister Tony Blair have something in common.
Both were good looking men while in office. Both were much admired for their political savvy, but turned out to be more style than substance.
It is tragic that boyish good looks can so influence the country's choice of premier.
Anyway, back to what I was going to say which was that that was the era in the early years of my marriage, when we had our first television - which we rented as we couldn't afford to buy one. Also, as the town we lived in at that time was in quite a deep valley, we got our TV signal via a receiver on the summit of a hill which was then sent to us by cable. The cable was the only source of a signal for the whole town. This was long before the days of Cable companies.
It served to bring us the news from the BBC (no other news stations available), and the early days of Dr Who. I do remember my eldest son hiding behind the sofa when that was on!
Monday, 4 August 2008
Life, The Universe and quite a Bit More!
I got up this morning realising that I had had the best sleep since I don’t know when (about 12 hours!)
So I got up, showered and dressed and made a cup of tea, then I came through to do my “work”, i.e. read my list of blogs.
Half way through I went back and made myself toast with daughter’s lovely raspberry jam, and had another cup of tea.
In spite of that I have been feeling a bit “headachy”, but I think it is the humidity. The temperature is into the 20s.
Off to the bridge club, when I played with someone different, and had a most enjoyable afternoon.
When I came back, the Scrabble ladies had seen my car arrive and had my tea all ready.
Can’t beat that, can you?
So I got up, showered and dressed and made a cup of tea, then I came through to do my “work”, i.e. read my list of blogs.
Half way through I went back and made myself toast with daughter’s lovely raspberry jam, and had another cup of tea.
In spite of that I have been feeling a bit “headachy”, but I think it is the humidity. The temperature is into the 20s.
Off to the bridge club, when I played with someone different, and had a most enjoyable afternoon.
When I came back, the Scrabble ladies had seen my car arrive and had my tea all ready.
Can’t beat that, can you?
Sunday, 3 August 2008
Wimping it!
I really didn’t feel too great today, and went back to bed, where I slept for 2 hours.
I am always sorry to miss Church on a Sunday, but particularly today as a choir from St Petersburg was coming to sing. The minister led a group on a holiday to Russia the other year, and this is how the connection was made.
This year, a group is going to Rome.
Eventually I looked at the mince which looked back at me. Now I usually cook mince with onions and mushrooms, but I had neither in the house. You may remember that I got the wrong fruit bag, but it later became evident that I got the wrong veg bag. There were lots of greens, lettuces, carrots and tomatoes, but very few potatoes and no onions at all!
I can make mince without mushrooms (at a push) but absolutely not without onions.
So I pulled myself together and went to the garden centre for onions, mushrooms, potatoes (Ayrshire), a punnet of raspberries and a lovely loaf.
The weather is cooler about 14.5 degrees.
There was no room to park the car where I usually do, but now I can see it from my window.
I am always sorry to miss Church on a Sunday, but particularly today as a choir from St Petersburg was coming to sing. The minister led a group on a holiday to Russia the other year, and this is how the connection was made.
This year, a group is going to Rome.
Eventually I looked at the mince which looked back at me. Now I usually cook mince with onions and mushrooms, but I had neither in the house. You may remember that I got the wrong fruit bag, but it later became evident that I got the wrong veg bag. There were lots of greens, lettuces, carrots and tomatoes, but very few potatoes and no onions at all!
I can make mince without mushrooms (at a push) but absolutely not without onions.
So I pulled myself together and went to the garden centre for onions, mushrooms, potatoes (Ayrshire), a punnet of raspberries and a lovely loaf.
The weather is cooler about 14.5 degrees.
There was no room to park the car where I usually do, but now I can see it from my window.
Saturday, 2 August 2008
Bridge and Some Memories
Yesterday evening I went to a bridge teaching class again. I am finding this of great benefit; in two weeks I have learned two things I had not really understood before, and now completely understand. Before this I think a lot of my bidding was rather “seat of the pants”, and I am trying to get it into an ordered state.
I have become unused to going out in the evening recently and, as I didn’t get home until after 10 (and to bed about midnight), I feel a bit as though I am not firing on all four cylinders today.
I have also had trouble accessing a number of blog sites this morning, with Internet Explorer throwing me off. When I went back and looked at blogger dashboard I discovered that, for some reason some (many?) sites were being incorrectly identified as spam, but that they were working very hard to correct the problem
I feel deprived.
However, at least there were sites on other hosts, and through dickiebo I found a great one about a rancher in Alberta, Canada. She posts wonderful photographs of cattle and a bull or two.
I also this morning received a long, chatty email from a lady who was in the group who visited China about 10 years ago. Sadly she lost her husband last year, but she has picked herself up and carries on cheerfully.
She has kept in touch with a number of members of that party, and so I hear a bit about them too. It was a wonderful holiday, with a small group (about 20) and I still have warm memories of the people and all the sights we saw all those years ago. Not long afterwards she and her husband came and visited my sister and me and took us out to lunch. Sadly she lost a pearl earring that her husband had bought for her in China. Nowadays I cannot manage to visit her and doubt that she would want to make the visit up north now, but we keep in touch once or twice a year by email. I find writing difficult (or rather holding a pen difficult) so email is wonderful.
Can I get through a post without mentioning a washing? Well not really, but I have washed and ironed 3 table runners of assorted sizes which were crocheted by my late Aunt. It is very fine work with narrow gauge (is that the right term) thread. It manages very well in the washing machine, but I iron it when wet and dry it flat.
I have kept myself out of mischief by devising a spreadsheet to show last Monday afternoon’s bridge scores; someone else has an outline file on their computer but I was given a hand written one to pass on on Monday afternoon.
To nobody’s surprise, my partner and I came bottom!
However, I was so wrapped up in playing around with the Excel spreadsheet that I almost forgot about the washing!
I have become unused to going out in the evening recently and, as I didn’t get home until after 10 (and to bed about midnight), I feel a bit as though I am not firing on all four cylinders today.
I have also had trouble accessing a number of blog sites this morning, with Internet Explorer throwing me off. When I went back and looked at blogger dashboard I discovered that, for some reason some (many?) sites were being incorrectly identified as spam, but that they were working very hard to correct the problem
I feel deprived.
However, at least there were sites on other hosts, and through dickiebo I found a great one about a rancher in Alberta, Canada. She posts wonderful photographs of cattle and a bull or two.
I also this morning received a long, chatty email from a lady who was in the group who visited China about 10 years ago. Sadly she lost her husband last year, but she has picked herself up and carries on cheerfully.
She has kept in touch with a number of members of that party, and so I hear a bit about them too. It was a wonderful holiday, with a small group (about 20) and I still have warm memories of the people and all the sights we saw all those years ago. Not long afterwards she and her husband came and visited my sister and me and took us out to lunch. Sadly she lost a pearl earring that her husband had bought for her in China. Nowadays I cannot manage to visit her and doubt that she would want to make the visit up north now, but we keep in touch once or twice a year by email. I find writing difficult (or rather holding a pen difficult) so email is wonderful.
Can I get through a post without mentioning a washing? Well not really, but I have washed and ironed 3 table runners of assorted sizes which were crocheted by my late Aunt. It is very fine work with narrow gauge (is that the right term) thread. It manages very well in the washing machine, but I iron it when wet and dry it flat.
I have kept myself out of mischief by devising a spreadsheet to show last Monday afternoon’s bridge scores; someone else has an outline file on their computer but I was given a hand written one to pass on on Monday afternoon.
To nobody’s surprise, my partner and I came bottom!
However, I was so wrapped up in playing around with the Excel spreadsheet that I almost forgot about the washing!
Friday, 1 August 2008
Sisters, Sisters...
Today, TBSITW popped over for a cup of tea on her way to the hairdresser (save fuel, you know – too right at the current ridiculous prices)
We had a good chat about our lately departed 3-legged friend, and how much the puppy misses her too.
We also chatted about her recent holiday, with caravan, in Northumberland. They got some good walks. I showed her a cartoon from a recent issue of the magazine "The Oldie" showing a car towing a caravan towing 1,2,3 wheelie bins for recycling waste.
She went into Morpeth for a “shopping opportunity” and brought back a small gift for me. She had read on my blog that I had seen one of these small dishes in the shape of a teapot* to hold a used teabag to save it being dripped all over the floor on the way to the bin.
She had not realised that I had actually bought one, and would you believe it, but she bought the exact same one for me.
“Sisters, sisters, never were there such devoted sisters…”
Of course I missed her while she was away!
* in two dimensions, not three.
We had a good chat about our lately departed 3-legged friend, and how much the puppy misses her too.
We also chatted about her recent holiday, with caravan, in Northumberland. They got some good walks. I showed her a cartoon from a recent issue of the magazine "The Oldie" showing a car towing a caravan towing 1,2,3 wheelie bins for recycling waste.
She went into Morpeth for a “shopping opportunity” and brought back a small gift for me. She had read on my blog that I had seen one of these small dishes in the shape of a teapot* to hold a used teabag to save it being dripped all over the floor on the way to the bin.
She had not realised that I had actually bought one, and would you believe it, but she bought the exact same one for me.
“Sisters, sisters, never were there such devoted sisters…”
Of course I missed her while she was away!
* in two dimensions, not three.
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