That’s Life!

Just when I found my store of sugar free spearmint flavoured gum, having lost it and replaced it, I lost a filling so that’s the end of that. Want any gum chum?
I had a fright yesterday; MTL went to Taunton for a special dental appointment (as opposed to our local dentist). Normally I go with him but as we have our lovely handyman and joiner friend - who are replacing one of the kitchen windows - someone had to be here to make the tea.

Neither of us can bear to be unpunctual so he left in really good time. Ten minutes after he was due for his appointment the receptionist phoned to ask if he had left, as normally he was very punctual. Immediately I was beset with fears and she asked me if he had a mobile. He has - it’s always in the car and he hardly ever uses it. Our DIL gave it to him so we would both have one but we are both dilatory about using them.

The receptionist, sensing my angst promised to get him to phone as soon as he arrived. Meanwhile lovely handyman assured me that at this time of day the traffic to Taunton is all stop–start, interminably. Sure enough after another 10 minutes MTL phoned and all was well. I seem to have spent decades waiting anxiously at the gate for someone to come home. How those gallant wives and mothers of armed forces cope is a mystery to me.

MTL’s foot is better but he still doesn’t feel like trailing round a city so rather than cancel as we did with the ballet in Cardiff, he suggested I invite my pal Margaret to accompany me to a Peter Hall production of ‘The Browning Version and Swan song’ in Bath tomorrow. Margaret is delighted so it should be fun.

Sheila – my new help - comes today which has given me the energy to clean the balconies and do odd bits of spring cleaning. There’s a lot to be said for extra help; I always had it previously but during thirty years with MTL our privacy seemed too precious to squander, but if we stay here – and neither of us can face moving – it is pretty vital now.

Forgive my burbling on. And if you want a truly inspirational post you can’t do better than read Honey
For sheer courage she takes some beating.

Have a good week-end.

Is there anyone there?


What’s going on? When I leave my in-box the latest email sits neatly at the bottom of the column. It always has until three days ago when it was replaced by an email I received in 2006 from my sister in the States reminding me that it was the date of her late husband’s birthday and that it was nine years since he died. How strange I thought and had a long scroll to get back to today. It now happens every time I leave my in-box.

My late mother always believed that her mother – my Grandmother - could always get in touch with her – usually through dreams and my sister and I sort of feel the same way about Mum; blame the Irish in us. Is she trying to tell me something? I have just sent an email to my sister and await her answer.

Life is a roller coaster

Queenie
Reminded me of this song - which seems quite fitting just now.

Too Darned hot!

Keep your Cool

This reminds me of the dear dead days when I used to stay with friends in the Languedoc during a heat-wave. The sun was the enemy and the first up each day had to close the windows and draw the blinds to keep the heat out. If using the stove couldn’t be avoided - immediately afterwards we had to stick pans of cold water on the stove to cool everything down. At dusk we opened the curtains and the windows.

We wore loose floaty clothes in natural fabrics, flat sandals and kept our heads covered in the sun, which we avoided like the plague. Running water, greenery and shade were our allies. At night we preferred to sleep in single beds with cool cotton or linen sheets.

Do you have any tips for keeping cool in a heat wave?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irUlcLVS3FE - URL for video

Michael's Legacy

Amanda Platell was dismissive of any legacy Michael Jackson may have left when she appeared on the Andrew Marr programmme yesterday Watch and learn Amanda!

Amanda Platell



Later in the same programme Carlos Acosta the world famous ballet dancer -frequently compared with Nureyev and Baryshnikov, spoke movingly of his childhood in Cuba. He was the youngest of eleven children and he and all the street kids adored M J's music and his dancing. Although they couldn't understand the words it didn't matter and they all started to brake dance. Carlos's father was so impressed he enrolled Carlos in a ballet school aged nine - unheard of in that milieu. Now world famous in his own right, Carlos says MJ is his hero. and there are many young people all over the world who have been similarly affected

Carlos Acosta
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Signed sealed and delivered




It's lovely - not as lovely as Jimmy's (link's not working -see side bar)Gothic door but more animated.