Here comes the snow!

To go or not to go?

For weeks I have been dithering; should I or should I not take advantage of MTL’s daughter’s visit and nip into the next county to visit our nearest son and his family for a couple of nights? MTL was all in favour as was his daughter. And when the nurse came this week and checked his progress she thought it was fine. It’s all booked and the plan is we see the chemo doctor Monday lunchtime and then MTL drops me at the station to get a train to Warminster and picks up his daughter who has travelled from Norfolk. Then I return on Wednesday – just two nights away.

It will be lovely to see all my son’s family including his two step - grandchildren, one of whom I have yet to meet. The four cats are good value and we usually manage a walk on Salisbury Plain.

We are due to start the second cycle today, our usual nurse won’t be here (but there is a replacement) as she is organising a big event for ‘Help the Heroes’ at our local Marine camp. When I asked her how many cycles there would be she wasn’t sure. It could be six or twelve but maybe the doctor can tell us on Monday.

Now we are promised icy weather and snow and travel may be impossible. So it is in the lap of the gods and I’ll take what comes.

Wine and Roses

They are not long, the weeping and the laughter,
Love and desire and hate:
I think they have no portion in us after
We pass the gate.
They are not long, the days of wine and roses:
Out of a misty dream
Our path emerges for awhile, then closes
Within a dream.

Ernest Dowson 1867 - 1900

MTL was determined, chemo or no chemo, this was going to be a good anniversary and it was. Somehow he managed to get flowers, chocolates, champagne and a most beautiful card - without my knowledge.

We had a quiet, lazy, pottering day with plenty of time to spruce up for dinner at the Northfield. MTL wore one of the new shirts I bought to accommodate his more sylphlike figure and I wore the new jacket he gave me. It is very pretty – black lace on oyster silk and I had an oyster top of the same shade. But then there was the battle of the bulge which has appeared from nowhere, so my new black Basler skirt which I bought in Monique’s closing down sale was a touch tight round where my waist should be and the oyster top lovingly clung to every ripple.

Change to plain black trousers, black top plus the new jacket and the wardrobe malfunction was sorted. Maybe if I cut out the chocolate and horlicks I can lose the couple of pounds which seem to have settled round my midriff.

The Northfield Hotel is just round the other side of the hill but we were surprised to see the road lined with cars and just one space in the car park. Apparently it was the Bridge Club night. They were in a separate large room but the bars and dining room were buzzing with guests. Encouraging these days when pubs and hotels are closing down all the time.

I remembered they had about five courses so stuck to melon balls, consommé, grilled plaice, a luscious chocolatey pud and eschewed the cheese course. After coffee and chocs we came home and had some of the port left over from our Christmas hamper. As usual we had spent the evening reminiscing about previous years and some of the lovely places we have visited. We are still trying to remember the name of the place in the Lake District where we stayed at The Bridge Hotel which had a sort of fairy glen where MTL proposed. It has a b in it somewhere.

The nurse comes today to take blood before the next cycle starts on Friday – so this isn't entirely a free week. Still onward and upward.

PS It was Buttermere.

PPS MTL has gained 2 lbs.

My card to him recalled our time in Venice.

A Beautiful 4 in 1 Anniversary Card

Mood Swings

‘You sound cheerier now.’ Joy said.

I had phoned her to see how she was coping with her new knee. I wondered why – when I visited her last week - she had found me un-cheery. I thought back and remembered I had been pretty down in the dumps last week but I couldn’t think of a good reason for it particularly as I am presently feeling reasonably happy and optimistic. It’s bad enough getting the glooms but one shouldn’t affect others especially when they have just come out of hospital. Must do better.

One of the reasons I felt lost was I didn’t have a good book to read and was desperately re- reading old stuff. At this stage of life, happiness seems to be a good book – certainly a comfort blanket. All is well now. I’ve practically finished the book Charlie so kindly sent me and on my bedside locker, awaiting my delectation, is Rachel’s holiday by Marian Keyes ( Nea introduced me to her and her writing is a joy) and True North by Kimberly Kafka also suggested by Nea. Some of the best books I have read have been suggested by blogging friends and they cover a wide spectrum.

The other night I was reading in bed and started to shake with laughter. MTL asked why I was laughing. I told him I was reading Charlie’s gift – Carol Burnett’s This Time Together and read it to him with tears running down my face. Carol and her husband shared an obstetrician with the Sha of Iran’s sister and were invited to the princess’s house warming party. It was all very formal, they didn’t know a soul and after standing drinking cocktails for an hour on the terrace, they escaped through a beaded curtain into an exotic room furnished with huge silk pillows instead of chairs.

Carol and Joe sank down into the pillows, as uncomfortable as all hell because there was nothing to lean against. They were joined by the Princess and asking if she may join them, sat down between them and didn’t sink to the floor so towered above them. Carol convinced she must have thighs of steel.

They sat all three looking in the same direction as if waiting for a bus. To break the awkward silence Carol started burbling on – with no help from Joe and desperately ended up talking about Rice Crispies which caused my tears of laughter. You’ll have to read it – I daren’t risk breaking copyright laws. The next chapter where Carol brings happiness to a dying child causes tears of another kind.

Do you have a safety net when the outlook darkens? Do share it if you have.

PS Just realised it is 22^nd November 2010 and the 80th birthday of Sir Peter Hall.

Happy Birthday Sir Peter and I hope your wish comes true and someone gives you a theatre. You deserve it after all you have done for the arts world wide and long may you continue with your undiminished fervour.

Sir Peter Hall - 80 today.