Frustration is a flat battery
Up at 6.30am - our help Sheila comes at 9am – do the math. Aware I had no clue for a post, a hint from Sunshine inspired me to photograph my crib scene, then maybe the tree which I finished last night. I opened the curtains and Wowee a snowy landscape – not just the icing sugar frosting we had last month but a winter wonderland. I must just clear the photos already published I thought, and found my battery in the last stages of collapse. That’s six hours resuscitation before I can use it.
Phone call at 8.30 am from S our help who didn’t fancy tackling the hill today. No problem – now she comes twice a week - we positively glisten with polish and brasso. More importantly, C the nurse is due at lunch time to start the third chemo. You don’t get a free week BTW, because two days before the drip starts she comes to take blood. On Wednesday she was so impressed that MTL wasn’t showing any signs of side effects she joked that maybe it wasn’t a real chemo. I suspect it has something to do with MTL’s Scottish phlegm – the grit not the mucous. Long may it continue.
Yesterday I went out for the first time since succumbing to a head cold, walked to the other end of town and managed to buy MTL’s present for me – a handbag - and back for an appointment in under half an hour. I won’t see it again until Christmas day so it will be a bit of a surprise. On the way back, crouched under a shop window I saw a man wrapped in layers of ancient looking clothes. He wasn’t begging and there were no coins on the ground. He had his head down gently stroking his dog. I once saw a programme of three well known people who – for a TV programme, spent a week on the streets of London and they were all affected by the experience. One of the men said he would never now pass one on the streets without giving them something.
I decided to do the same. It was bitterly cold and if it only bought him a tea and a sandwich or some dog food, it would be worth it. He seemed surprised and said something which I couldn’t hear but he seemed to be pleased.
Some photos later DV.
21 comments:
If I ever improve at playing guitar and start a band I'm going to call it Scottish Phlegm. Hope you don't mind.
UB: I'd be thrilled:)
Have you read "Stuart: A Life Backwards" by Alexander Masters? It was made into a BBC drama. It's about Alexander's relationship with Stuart - a "Chaotic Homeless". It's a superb book with a great deal of insights and humour. Well worth the read
Nothing like random acts of kindness to make everybody's day.
Cheers.
How crappy that your battery died, but how wonderful that you showed a bit of kindness to someone who was not expecting any from anyone. ((hugs))
:¬)
xxx
Kim; I haven't read it but I'm starting a new list of things to read so thank you.
Randall; why does one feel self conscious when doing it?
Ponita: battery alive and well- snow vanished;)
Mapstew:)
I'm looking forward to the photos. Take care in the snow.
UB of the Scottish Phlegm band, singing with a growly-gravelly voice.
Can you use the pooter plugged into electricity while the battery recharges?
That man must've blessed you over and over, for that tea and sandwich.
And I hope others follow your example in giving, Pat, not just now but all year round x x
I always worry abut the dogs. A person can go to a shelter but they usually don't take pets.
cheers, parsnip
Judy: the snow has gone. If it is at all slippy I stay home.
GG: I charge my batteries at a separate electric point which are dotted all over the house. It (the camera)only comes into contact with the pooter when I download the photos.
I don't understand it either:)
Yes giving is like a pet - not just for Christmas.
Parsnip: I hadn't thought of where the dogs go but they seem to give each other mutual comfort.
How great that is. Our friend Mikey does well for two days, then he is down for a week. MTL is wonderful.
I'm so sorry about the cold. Hope you feel better by the holiday. Happy holidays to you.
Maggie: I think it's all in the luck of the game and I'm very aware our luck could change any time. Hopefully Mikey is nearer the end of his treatment.
The lady next door brought some throat sweets today which are said to be helpful and which aren't available locally. Her husband had the same problem a few years ago and is fine now. People are very kind
Pleased MTL is doing well.
I am up very early... erm... rather a lot of snow...
Sx
Scarlet: you're right. Can I make myself swap my dressing gown for outdoor clothes to take a photo? Think I'll have breakfast first. Another day we can't shop. I hope you have plenty of stores.
I was organised enough to put a carton of milk in the fridge!
I think it will all be gone by Monday. Wrap up very warm if you go out... sorry for this obvious piece of advice!!
Sx
SO glad about the lack of side-effects, long may that continue. Random acts of kindness are wonderful, I was thinking only yesterday about some I've been on the receiving end of and will never forget. I bet that man won't forget you in a hurry either.
Scarlet: one of my friends freezes milk. Actually I've just been out in my nightie, dressing gown and boots and didn't feel the cold whilst I was taking photographs. It felt great - out in the lane and no-one to see me:)
Queenie: I keep everything crossed the whole time. But heartening news when my next door neighbour's husband went through precisely the same thing a year or two ago and is fine and an old aquaintence in her Christmas card said she had the same, some years back and says time is a great healer. I'm quite glad we can't get out today because MTL planned to go out first thing and I think he should take it easy the day after the drip.
As for kindness I see so many examples the least one can do is
try to spread a little. I'm sounding like Pollyanna - I'll shut up.
Which reminds me, I saw a man and dog sitting side by side on the pavement, backs turned to the road, one day last week. It's the first time I've ever seen man and dog like this. I don't know if he was homeless, he had a sack next to him.
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