Wednesday 22 April 2015

Now What ?


Now that I’m beginning to find my way around iMac Yosemite I’d like to restart blogging more or less regularly. But what is there to say? A subject would be helpful.

The weather has been very pleasant, thereve been no great upheavals, my bruises are fading, Millie and I have had some gentle walks, the birds are singing and the garden is taking on colour and life again.

naturalised campanulas on the edge of the football field

Paul is coming most Tuesdays and although he’s had a bit of a row with a neighbour about stuffing OUR cattle grid with OUR prunings, gardening has been a joy. The neighbour rents a garage at the road end of our drive and saw Paul unloading a barrow’s worth of twigs into the grid cavity. There’s a field between neighbour and us and we have a fairly good relationship. Neighbour was worked up because he’d been lumbered with a small grandson who obviously had ideas of his own how to pass a  jolly hour or two; I heard grandad hissing “sit down, sit, sit down”. 

I am glad Paul, who gives the impression of being a very gentle man, didn’t let neighbour bully him. Neighbour is the kind of man whose mouth is permanently turned down at the corners and who seems to have an equally permanent bad smell under his nose. Still, he usually admires me because he thinks of me as one of those highly organised and efficient Germans. “I don’t work for you,” Paul told him, “Go and take it up with 'She Who Must Be Obeyed’ instead". Sensible man. Neighbour hasn’t uttered a word.

dandelions, celandines and violets on a bank above the river

There’s been a touch of the melodramas, the dreaded Afib came for a visit. Because I dose myself up the minute I notice the rhythm changing I usually manage to sleep through several hours of an attack; for the remaining hours (ten in total this time) I manage to stay calm and wait for either a return to normal or, after twelve hours, a call for help. I’d been a bit tense for a few days, then a very dear friend of ours fell ill suddenly; there was a debate about cancelling/not cancelling a theatre trip, risking or not risking a journey which could easily end in disaster. As I have the unfortunate habit of feeling obliged to take on the woes of creation, whether creation wants me to or not, the adrenaline levels rose and my heart played ‘silly-buggers’.

Well, I ask you. If you can’t even rely on a ten-years-younger friend, fit and strong and willing and able, to stay upright, whom can you trust? Friend is home again and in good spirits, I am extremely glad to say. He now understands why I hate going into hospital and drag out calling the ambulance service for as long as I can.

daisies

Son and daughter-in-law and stepdaughter came for a short visit over Easter. We see little of family, there are many months between visits, although son and I are on reasonably good terms. But I think I must appeal to son’s kind heart and get him to drive over more often: there are a surprising number of jobs too small for a paid handyman and too difficult for us; in other words, just right for the d-i-y skills of an intelligent chap who can reach those hard-to-get-to spots without climbing on a precariously balanced ladder or breaking his back to crawl into tiny spaces.

In case you think me totally selfish: I quite like to see him anyway.

So there we are. I’ve read a few books, cooked a few meals, saw a few friends, went to the pub, had a drink or two, wrestled with a couple of computers, cuddled the dog, saw a play, read some poetry, argued with Beloved, and got used to not having easy and unlimited internet access. Apparently, there is great danger of becoming dependant on social media and the net. Can’t say I’ve noticed. For a few days it felt strange not to be blogging and reading blogs but the feeling caused me no great anxiety. Still, all of you who have remained faithful to my inconsequential burblings rest assured, I shall gradually get round to visiting and paying my dues.



37 comments:

  1. Oh, you do have a sense of humor. Couldn't stop chuckles here and there as I read your post. It seems to me you do have plenty to write about "life."

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  2. Hi Friko - that was a good antidote to a few blogs with some rum ideas that should n't be read at night and a return from seeing Philip Seymour Hoffmann in A Man Most Wanted by Le Carre ... easier to comprehend than the last movie .. but excellent acting and a really good film. However I transgress .. the weather is lovely Spring is here and it sounds like life is improving in many ways .. and hope will continue to do so .. good to hear the update .. cheers Hilary

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  3. I have three daughters and a son. The girls call most days and I can depend on them if I need anything (although I hate to ask) . My son texts once or twice a month and seldom visits. I wish I saw him more often, but he is busy and can't find the time. That just might be the way it is with sons. "A son is s son till he gets a wife, a daughter is a daughter for all of your life."

    I am glad you got your gardener back.

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  4. It sounds like you have quite a bit going on. I love the comment about the friend 10 years your junior.
    And I have a suspicion you went out and positioned those daisies, they're so perfectly placed.

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  5. No Blog-ligtions, my dear! It is my pleasure to enjoy your company. Why DO we worry about EVERYTHING, even at our won peril? Frankly I hope to change my spots.

    You can only perceive real beauty in a person as they get older.
    Anouk Aimee



    ALOHA from Honolulu,
    ComfortSpiral
    =^..^=

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  6. You'll find a subject--indeed you've found several here. I'm glad the Afib passed off, Friend is OK, and perhaps most delighted of all that Paul is familiar with Rumpole! Happy spring to you both, and Millie, too.

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  7. Lovely wild flowers, Friko...Happy Spring.

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  8. "In case you think me totally selfish: I quite like to see him anyway." I laughed.

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  9. Paul is a very wise man. You sound like you have kept yourself engaged in many interesting activities. I'm sorry the Afib acted up. I know exactly what you go through. It is so unsettling. Anxiety only makes it worse. That is so easy to write, but so hard to do.

    I just got a pacemaker ten days ago. I'm learning how to adjust to that. I had no Afib. It was discovered had a problem that used to be called sick sinus syndrome. It is now called tachy brady syndrome. I'm still healing, but I'm doing better.

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  10. I simply love your pretty pictures, especially that first one. But I concur about the wisdom of staying out of hospital, so I'm hoping that your Afib behaves. :-)

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  11. Sounds like Paul handled the situation with Neighbour really well. Hut ab!
    Good to know your friend is well again, and your "visit" from Afib is over for now.
    I don't think it sounds selfish that you would like to see your son more often; that's only natural, isn't it. And while he is there, he can bloody well do the odd little job for his mother - nothing wrong with that! When Steve was still alive, every year when we arrived at his Mum's place for our annual Yorkshire holiday, she had a list ready for him, and we were always happy to tackle it together; she put us up for several nights and we had free meals at her place, after all.

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  12. What a beautiful bank with the celandines violets and - yes dandelions. I was not far from your part of the world this weekend and it is specially delightful!

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  13. What a great newsy post, thoroughly enjoyed here in s.e. FL USA. Your sense of humor is wonderful.

    Glad you're ok and your friend too, and that Paul handled the neighbor just right.

    Have a great day ~ FlowerLady

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  14. So pleased to read your post
    and can relate to most you share.
    My son who lives in Thailand is with me 4 more days
    here with me 3 weeks.
    Will miss him so when he leaves
    it seems he is more helpful in many ways
    then my 3 girls.
    Please keep sharing.

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  15. Your daily life, and all the situations you find yourself in are more than enough to write about. You NOTICE things others may miss - the things that go un-talked about simply because people don't see them or care to notice. I do enjoy your posts very much, whether they are about Paul and the garden, Millie oot n aboot, the theatre, poetry or your stories. You are very gifted as a writer. Have a wonderful day and get your Son there more often. lol

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  16. Being the sort who has little taste for high drama (apart from that which can be contained within a theatre) I quite enjoy your sharing of ordinary life. I especially enjoyed seeing the dandelion this morning. We have them, of course, but our "Texas dandelion," a different species, is more abundant and not so memory-laden.

    I'm glad the afib came and went, and that Mr. Grumpy Neighbor decided that discretion was the better course of action. I smiled at your mention of how useful a son can be. It's only been a week or so that I noticed some new signs popping up in my neighborhood, advertising a service called "Rent-a-Husband." I presume the same sort of household chores are the point. I can't imagine renting one to have him lounge about, drink beer and watch sports on the television. :)

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  17. I can't tell you why I love this post so much -- I don't know why but some just resonate and this one does! So many dear little gems -- like "She Who Must Be Obeyed." I haven't heard that in years and it brings back memories and of the time a colleague and I bought our boss a Rumpole sweatshirt with that saying. She Who Must Be Obeyed was not all that amused! We survived! (Because we obeyed!)

    And to see spring waking up in your hamlet is wonderful. I'm glad you've been mostly OK and able to handle it when you aren't. And that son is coming. We have the same issues with Rick and Greg. They like to visit now and then but not so good on the sweat equity! And I'm dying to hear about your play. We've been watching Wolf Hall over here and Broadchurch and I think of you!

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  18. Your life sounds normally challenging and you are facing these with equanimity. Good for you! You live in such a lovely rural area and are lucky to have such long standing friends.

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  19. Through thick and thin you always seem to keep your wit and have given me more than a few chuckles as I read this on a sunny but very cold morning. So glad Paul is back, obeying she who must be obeyed (a phrase sometimes applied to me :) ) and those things in your life you can control, you are! Something I need to work on.

    Your celandines are gorgeous. Ours are just starting to bloom and among my favorite signs of spring.

    Your

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  20. sounds like life continues. and what of Gardener? has he retired completely now? perhaps you should try meditation to help control the afib. there are many ways to go about it.

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  21. Well, that was quite a lot of catching up - bruises, computer, dog and nasty neighbour - really quite a lot! I haven't been around much and have to say that I miss dropping by for a visit. Things are bound to settle eventually and I'll be back, but until then, I'll stop by when I can.

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  22. Friko, I am glad that your Afib subsided, and that you and your new Mac are getting along pretty well together.

    Your descriptions of various parts of your daily life are so well written. I could picture each situation very well.

    I'm now wondering if there might not be some story writing potential in the 'play" between your unpleasant neighbor and his grandson. With gentle, but steady Paul as a character, too. Good fences, cut branches. Even a lovely dog named Millie and your own good self might make appearances. Weather could also be a character.

    xo

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  23. My DIL is handier with tools than my son is--LOL! They're very good to me and I am blessed to see them often.
    You had no trouble at all chatting us a post--that I most thoroughly enjoyed. Welcome back. :)

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  24. i enjoyed catching up with the little ordinarinesses of your everyday life, Friko and you had me chuckling several times. Glad the AFib didn't lead to a trip to hospital and that Paul has the nous to hand your neighbour so well. Enjoy your garden at this most beautiful time of the year.

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  25. Your posts are certainly not "inconsequential burblings" to those of us with heart rhythm and other problems that sometimes keep us less active than we'd like. It can be a lonely business dealing with such things. Hearing from you, and your positive interest in the world around you, is very stabilizing to others and to me.

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  26. I'm with you kid. I have found an author or two I like and am not likely to appear in social media any more often than the proverbial groundhog. Garden stuff also keeps me busy. None of our children show up to do much around here. I wonder who has those helpful children anyway?

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  27. How splendid that your neighbour is convinced that you're a force to be reckoned with . And , of course , he's quite right !

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  28. She who must be obeyed..........gotta love it!

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  29. Here's a topic I'd like to read a post about: how'd you meet Beloved? I'm not sure I've encountered that tale here on this blog...(I could've missed it, of course!).

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  30. Staying out of hospitals is a very good philosophy. Another one is trying to avoid doctors’ offices – they are depressing. Next week I have to take my husband to 4 different doctors, and even though it is sunny here and going to be 80 degree F (26.6 C) I am depressed already!

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  31. Delighted the Afib was a failfib. Miss your regular chatty and always interesting burblings and of course you are my friend :)

    XO
    WWW

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  32. I enjoy hearing of your doings - which are not unlike my own -- gardening, dogs, a bit of this, a tad of that . . . stay well, Friko!

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  33. All the little flowers are looking bright and cheery. another blog friend has Yosemite and is having all sorts of trouble, temporarily I hope. I read your previous post too and have to say I have similar reactions when I've managed to injure myself. Everything seems fine at first, then as the week progresses I get sorer and stiffer. Like my mum used to say, things are often worse before they get better. I hope you are feeling less sore and stiff by now.

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  34. I always enjoy getting caught up with your doings but am sorry to hear the heart has been erratic again. Your right to monitor yourself closely and not panic. I hate to spend time in hospitals - they can make you more sick! I have a dear friend going for a knee replacement tomorrow. She is supposed to be back home in 2 days - they prefer to discharge rather than chance that the incision gets an infection from inside the hospital. Nothing blooming here - we got 8" of new snow last night. I'll have to enjoy photos of your wildflowers and garden.

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  35. So everything goes back to normal. I don't see my son very often either maybe in average all 2 months, but he has never time to do anything because he is so obsessed with his 4 year old son and swirls above him like a helicopter, which gets on my nerves ! Fortunately Mr. G. has a friend same age as our son who always helps when we need somebody to fixi things in the house.

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  36. So glad your computer is up and running again. The blue campanulas are beautiful & I enjoyed the humour in your description of Neighbour.

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Comments are good, I like to know what you think of my posts. I know you'll keep it civil.