Wednesday, November 06, 2013


Trouble with the Elements.

 
Today was a rare day; I didn’t have to get up early (when the alarm goes off at 6.15am) but at 5am I was struggling to find gum boots, torch, big umbrella and keys to investigate the machine gun sound which had wakened me.

 
Funny how one’s brain seizes up sometimes and it takes a while to remember the quickest exit to the garden, where the sun room keys are and where one’s glasses are to see the lock to turn the key.  I was up and down the stairs and all over the house before I finally got out.  Meanwhile the rat-a tat–tat was relentless.
 

One of the workmen had left a plastic plate and a plastic bird house and an enormous drip was causing the noise.  When I moved the plate it all quietened down.

At the other side of the house I think I have a tile missing because there was a wet patch on the carpet of a bedroom and a bucket I placed was half full next day.

 
I’m expecting my handy man hourly but the drips have stopped so I’m not going to panic.  Yet.
I’ve never seen deluges like this.  It’s fine to live on a hill – as long as we don’t get a repeat of the Lynmouth disaster and are swept down to the sea.

 
Lovely news yesterday.  One of our male members had been absent for a few weeks and I was worried; last month one of our men who had recently had a stroke refused to eat and died.

I phoned P and left a message and then heard from him that he wouldn’t be coming to the group as he had met someone and didn’t feel bereaved anymore.  I was happy for him but felt it was a bit hard to just write off the group so suddenly.  He had been a member for well over a year.  The opposite of being a ‘fair weather’ friend.

 
We were mulling this over yesterday and finally our leader said she had something to tell us.  She was the mysterious lady and she had told P not to come as it could be awkward.  I was relieved that P hadn’t behaved with uncharacteristic thoughtlessness and after much discussion we agreed he would be very welcome at our more social meetings.  It is exciting – V is in her fifties, has never been married and has been a carer for much of her life both with her parents and grand-mother.

 
V then came and had lunch with Joy and me and we had a lovely girly gossip.
I’ve been a bridesmaid three times – but never a matron of honour.  Just sayin’.

           

23 comments:

Unknown said...

This enormous drip that was making this noise, was he about 3ft tall, intoxicated and answered to the name of Maureen by chance?

Seriously though hen, replacement tiles, including labour, pay no more than £100. Get a quote first!

kenju said...

That's a great story. I once did wedding flowers for a woman who was marrying for the first time in her late 50's. She was so excited! It is special for him to have found her and vice versa!

Pat said...

Chef: I know Mick will come when he can but he's been with us for years and we never did the quote thing. He and Alastair had a special relationship and we trust him.

Judy: I think once he tasted her apple cake he was a goner.

angryparsnip said...

Except for the Gentleman who died and the leak, what a lovely post today.
I like that part where he was fine and two people have found each other.
Apple Cake and all.

cheers, parsnip

OldLady Of The Hills said...

How truly lovely that a Romance has come out of a bereavement group---It renews ones faith, doesn't t? Oh how lovely to be a Maid of Honor, dear Pat....I'll put some good vibes around that one....!

Pat said...

Naomi: the Maid of Honour is just me being fanciful. Romance brings out my frivolous side and I don't think V has had much fun.

Pat said...

SDC: your comment seems to have disappeared. Yes he was Scorpio and I am Pisces.

rashbre said...

Wow - quite a thriller story and then with a romantic twist. Machine guns and trysts in the same episode...

Pat said...

Rashbre: remind me to ask you to write the blurb if EVER I get my book published:)

Granny Annie said...

I am left with many trustworthy workmen thanks to Ron's research. I also know who to keep away from working for me.

Have you been in your bereavement group a year? Has Alastair been gone that long?

Pat said...

Granny Annie: Alastair died Jan 27 this year so it is about 9 months. I think I have been in the group about 7 months.
I've checked my diary and the first date I attended was April 16.

Exile on Pain Street said...

6.15. An ungodly hour. Why, woman? Why!

What a interesting, O. Henry, twist your story took! You never know what's in store, do you?

Pat said...

Exile: if I have workmen they turn up any time after 8am so I have to be showered, dressed, breakfasted and tidy ready to make their first cuppa. I'm only following MTL's example. The same with my cleaner and gardener. My internal clock wakes me regardless of alarms so there is no point in staying in bed when I know they are coming.
Its amazing what one can get done at that time of day.
Life would be quite boring if one knew what was in store n'est ce pas?

lom said...

What a sweet story.

As for getting up early I am up for 4 most mornings, I love the quiet and the feel. Early morning feels so different to the rest of the day, plus you can cram so much into the day.

Ms Scarlet said...

That's a lovely story... a romance occurring right under your nose!
As for the rain... yep... I've never seen anything like it. Hope you're watertight now.
Sx

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

Oh boy, the stuff a gal has to deal with when living alone! I know all about it, with all my family overseas. I glad that all's well with you :-)

Aww, I'm happy for V, I know people who've given up lots to help take care of others, and never had a chance at romance.

Sigh. I'm such a romantic fool :-)

Pat said...

Scarlet: not watertight but the wind has shifted so the bucket is empty just now.

GG: don't you just feel sometimes like running away?
I do shouting 'I wasn't meant to do this on my own!

I'm tickled pink at the romance too:)

Pat said...

LOM: 4am is too early. What time do you go to bed.
I was finding it difficult to be both an owl and a lark. I'm more an owk these days.

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

Yes, yes, sometimes I day-dream about running away :-)

LL Cool Joe said...

Ah love is in the air. Find me a gas mask. Sorry just quoting grumpy cat. Ha. I'm not the romantic type but I hope the relationship flourishes and you get to be a matron of honour.

Pat said...

Joey: Grumpy cat sounds fun:)
Its highly unlikely I would be asked to be MOH. Just me fantasising.

Anonymous said...

10.30 - 11 'o' clock, unless I am out then it could be 12-1 '0' clock. I have never slept, even as a child I would play for most of the night and still up and about the next day. I won't say bouncing, I was a sickly child.

Pat said...

giveitanothergo: must have been worrying for your parents.
Presumably going to bed later doesn't help?