Month: January 2023

Good. Better. Best. Never let it rest, Till your Good is Better, And your Better is Best.

We learnt this new saying today when Dawn quoted it while she and Peter were round for coffee. We hadn’t heard it before and we thought it was rather good and something to follow, being as we’re currently in the doldrums! Apparently it’s St Jerome – the chap who translated the Bible into Latin in the Middle Ages.

I had hoped to get to yoga class this morning but couldn’t quite manage all the things you have to do before you get out of the door by nine o’clock, so missed it once again. So I’m not even ‘good’ yet! Hoping to do ‘better’ and get there next week – fingers crossed, anyway.

We had a lovely chat, of course, and thoroughly enjoyed Pete and Dawn’s company this morning. Fortunately, they don’t ask much of us, so there’s no rushing around trying to impress. Although I did apologise for the state of the porch which was still bearing witness to the muddy flood we had before Christmas. “I hope that the next time you come, I might have mopped the floor!” I said, laughing, as they went out of the front door. And do you know what? A miracle happened this afternoon and someone had been and mopped the floor……. there are angels after all! Thank you, Peter!!

John shot off to Tudor Grange Sports Centre at lunchtime after we’d said our goodbyes to Pete and Dawn. He’d been referred to another exercise class to help with his breathing. He had a consultation with them and they agreed to take him on for a six-week course. After that, it’ll be access to the gym under his own steam. That’ll be interesting.

Once John was back, I grabbed the car keys and popped over to Linda and Brendan’s to drop the laptop back to them that they’d lent us months ago, when John was in hospital. I enjoyed a cup of tea and half an hour of their company before I went on to the hairdressers in Kenilworth for a haircut.

Home again, and we watched a programme that John had put on, about the American financial fraudster, Madoff – but we both fell asleep watching it as it ploughed on with its documentary.

We are both amused and bemused at our constant fallings-asleep-on-the-sofa-in-the-afternoons, but we are hopeful that our new regime of walking most days will strengthen us up and it’ll be a thing of the past as Spring emerges in a few weeks time.

And, because I didn’t post any photos at Christmas, I thought I’d post one now. We’re keen to start feeling as happy as we were then……. such a good time we had!

Take care everyone. God bless.

I was up with the lark this morning because the roofer arrived not long after 8 o’clock. He was simply tidying up the last few bits and clearing away the debris. There are, however, some roof tiles to replace that were damaged as the work was done, so he’s promised to come back and do that sometime. Now, what do we think folks? Will he be back? What odds are you offering? My money is on him returning – but don’t know when.

John was also up relatively early, too, so that was good. He did a bit of fiddling about with his tax return while I nipped up to the pharmacy to get my prescription. And then, we said, “Shall we go to another park for a walk?” So we did.

I grabbed the picture frame we’d bought yesterday so that we could exchange it for a larger one, and I also picked up the trousers that I’d bought for Andrew at Christmas to exchange them, too. Off into Coventry we went. Did the exchanges and drove to the Memorial Park.

It’s such a long time since we’ve been there. We had no idea what to expect. Fortunately, it was flat and John was able to walk without too much difficulty and we didn’t bless too many benches with our bottoms today. We walked as far as the Aviary and had a little look at the birds before sitting in a sunny corner for a rest.

We then moved on to the coffee shop in the Formal Garden and bought ourselves a cuppa and a piece of cake there. The sun was shining beautifully and it was warm. As I looked over John’s shoulder, I thought it looked lush, almost as if we were in the Mediterranean, with a bright blue sky, sunshine, palm trees and ‘Le Bistro’. What do you think?

We had promised ourselves a McDonalds on the way home, so fought our way through various roadworks cluttering up the byways of Coventry and settled in for a ‘meal in’. At the time you have a Maccy-D’s you always think it’ll be great, but the by the time you’ve eaten it, you always feel like you shouldn’t have. John was excited because they had a strawberry milkshake on the menu – something they haven’t had for ages. Thoroughly enjoyed it at the time and then found it had offered him a little bit of indigestion, if he’d like?

Home again, and John cosied himself on the sofa for a sleep while I popped the TV on for a bit of a rest. Oh! Alright then. Sleep. We were both a-snoozing away for a while.

I had plans for the evening – colour my hair, compile a photobook, change the bedsheets….. but I was jiggered and all I got done was the bed. Yawn….. must be bedtime now.

Take care everyone. God bless.

We actually got ourselves out of the house today. We had a long lie-in of course, despite my best intentions, and then faffed about until lunchtime. We had thought we might try walks in a variety of different parks to give us a change of scenery and a little bit of exercise over the coming days and weeks, so John suggested St Nicholas’ Park in Warwick today, so off we set.

On the way, I said, “Did you pick up a stick, John?” He was dismissive, “Nah, don’t need it,” he said. And he managed very well without it, as we went along arm in arm.

The weather was balmy, the sun was shining and the coffee shop was open. Had a lovely little walk and then called into the café where we ordered hot chocolate and a toasted teacake for John. and a chamomile tea and coffee cake for me. It was lovely.

We took ourselves for another little walk stopping by the riverside, before we set off home, to watch the fishermen as they dipped their rods, catching the occasional fish. We enjoyed ourselves and were pleased we’d made the effort.

On the way home, taking the scenic road along the ‘Leisure Route’, we called in at Hobbycraft in Coventry to buy a frame for the jigsaw I’d done of the family. “Oh, bother! I didn’t take the measurements!” I exclaimed as we drove there. No worries, John thought we’d be able to tell the size. And we were able to tell, exactly what we needed. Except we forgot to take into account the bit of border you need to make it pretty. It’ll be another trip into town tomorrow then!

Once we were home, John watched TV and I toddled into the garden with my RSPB checklist to see if I could spot any birds. I had planned to get up early to do this little bit of bird-watching, but I was too lazy. I thoroughly enjoyed looking out for the birds but by mid-afternoon I think they were having their afternoon siesta so didn’t see that many.

And there we are. An evening meal, a spot of evening TV and the day is done. Weary, because we seemed to pack a lot in. We chuckled to ourselves that we’d had ‘a busy day’. I really can’t wait to be back on top form – all this post-Covid lark is irritating me now!!!

Take care everyone. God bless.

Blogging is a bit hit and miss just now. Wiped out by Covid for most of January, I thought I was on the mend and had three days in a row this week where I thought we were on the up. Ha! So much for that hopeful thought!

I had a horrible headache and wobbly vision on Thursday; felt washed out on Friday; and not a great deal better today. Although, I have to say, that Michael bringing the children for a short visit to our house this morning cheered us both up.

John is feeling a lot better Covid-wise and has tested negative for the dreaded lurgy, but he’s not feeling wonderful. It’s often the way at this time of the year. And, of course, he is totally fed up of being an invalid. We can’t decide if the lethargy comes from not doing anything very much, or from feeling under weather and not wanting to do anything.

For example, Centre Stage have been putting on their panto. I was disappointed not to have gone to see it last weekend, but promised myself that we’d make it this weekend once we were feeling better. But when it came to it, we had no energy to get ourselves out of the door this evening. Arrgghhh!!!

Ah well, we keep plodding on and are sure things will look up soon. The nights are drawing out and the weather is just a bit warmer so we’ll welcome that and trust that we settle on an even keel as the Spring arrives.

John had a hospital visit yesterday and took himself there, leaving me in bed to snooze on. Mid-morning, however, I was delighted to hear the door go, footsteps come up the stairs and see Paul pop his head round the bedroom door. He had come to keep me company for a hour or so until John got back. How thoughtful of him. Very much appreciated.

The trip to the hospital wasn’t a great success though and John came home disappointed. He had been hoping to get shot of his plumbing works and undergo a trial yesterday, but they hummed and hawed and finally sent him away telling him they’d need to discuss his case further with the consultant. So hard to deal with and live with.

In the meantime, the roofers have been clattering about above us, knocking old mortar from the ridge tiles and re-setting them anew. They have more or less finished, and will come back on Monday to tidy up the last bits and pieces. We’re not sure when the scaffolding will come down though and we’ll have the satellite dish working again. Watch this space.

Flowers from Graham and Gail to cheer us up this week though…..

Take care everyone. God bless.

We had a lazy morning. John stayed in bed until lunchtime and came down looking a bit bleary-eyed. But he is ‘better’ in the sense that his Covid test was negative today. I haven’t done a test but am feeling better, too.

I sat and watched a bit of the Australian Open Tennis that we’d recorded last week, chuckling like billy-o at the antics of the veteran players in the doubles, and it cheered me up no end.

After lunch, I sat at the computer to set up the Quiz for this evening. I wasn’t sure how we were going to fare, but it worked out well. Putting the quiz together though, took me ages – a lot longer than usual, and I felt quite tired by the end. John, meanwhile, was working on his computer, too, trying to get the accounts done for submission to HMRC. Will he manage it in time? That’s the question. Covid has put it all back, so maybe not…..

We were delighted to welcome the Original Kenilworth Sleaths, who came for tea this afternoon. Paul had texted on Sunday to say they were coming, which we were thrilled about. However, as the week wore on, I realised that I wasn’t yet up to catering for them and suggested we have a Fish ‘n Chip supper. ‘No worries,’ Paul texted back, ‘I’m bringing the ingredients and I’m cooking.’ Well, how very lovely!

We had a really enjoyable time and John and I were able to sit back to be fed. Marvellous. Paul cooked a very tasty pasta dish with turkey and then for dessert we had the option of fruit salad with ice cream, or hot cross buns. “…….or Hot Cross Buns and ice cream,” grinned John. Freddie concurred. “Yes! I’d like hot cross buns and ice cream, too!” he squealed. So that’s what they had! Hot Cross Bun Ice Cream Sandwich. Nice, apparently.

After the family left, we were on for Quiz Night. It was really good fun, although just before 10 o’clock John was saying he was planning to abandon ship and go to bed. We persuaded him to stay on for the last couple of rounds and I think he was glad we did, because those rounds turned out to be amusing and he was on top form with his puns and comments, making us all laugh.

However, by 10 o’clock we were both very tired and so we didn’t stay for chatting late on into the night. All in all, a day in which ‘normality’ started to reassert itself. Good-oh. Who knows? We might be on top form next week. Fingers and toes crossed.

Take care everyone. God bless

There’s something very evocative about the lyrics to that incredible song, Space Oddity by David Bowie, isn’t there? You can almost feel the emptiness of space and the eeriness of the connections being cut. ‘Your circuit’s dead, there’s something wrong. Can you hear me Major Tom?’

And indeed, our circuits are dead and there’s something wrong today. We can feel the emptiness of the space and the eeriness of silence.

And here’s why……the scaffolders arrived this morning to set up in readiness for the roofer to come and mend the ridge tiles. One of the chaps knocks on the door and says, “We’re going to put a plank down just above your satellite dish. Keep an eye on your reception and let us know if it goes off.” Yep, OK! Switched the TV on. Kept my eye on it. All seemed well.

Pahahahaha!!! Until this evening, of course, when we find we can only get BBC1 and the programmes we recorded yesterday or previous to that. The connection is cut…..

Hey-ho. A phone call to the scaffolders tomorrow and maybe they’ll be able to sort it out? Or maybe we’ll be without our fabulous selection of TV programmes for a week….who knows? Lordy! Whatever will we do?

Anyway, today was a better day. I actually got up and had a shower relatively early this morning and John was also out of bed by about 10 o’clock. We were expecting guests.

Pete and Dawn called in for a coffee and, boy, how good it felt to see them. We had a good old chat for a couple of hours and felt that civilisation may now be within reach. Mind you, no sooner had they left than I promptly fell asleep in the armchair. I was exhausted.

We lazed about until about half past three, recuperating from the morning’s exertions, and then I suggested we go to Kenilworth. I wanted to exchange a Christmas gift before the receipt quite ran out; we needed some bread and cat food; and I had a party dress to take to the cleaners.

The trip was good and uneventful – although, having parked in Sainsbury’s and walked up the Warwick Road to Robert Dyas and the dry cleaners, I found I had to take it very steady. No speed-walking for me just yet. I left John in the car.

When I got back, we both went into Sainsburys to get the few groceries we needed. John found it hard work but was pleased he’d made the effort.

At home, we remembered that we were supposed to be saving electricity for an hour or so at tea-time, so we lit candles and John had a well-deserved snooze. Looks lovely and cosy, doesn’t he?

Take care everyone. God bless.

In the absence of doing anything much of note in January, other than lay low with Covid and crawl back out of the black hole that enveloped us, I did manage something nice. A happy family jigsaw!

We’re still looking for the missing piece….. but what a picture, eh?

Christmas was nice – we had a lovely time at Paul and Harriet’s, singing our heads off to carols on Christmas Eve; stuffing our faces with Christmas Dinner and all sorts of other goodies on Christmas Day; whooping at all the gifts we exchanged; drinking delicious wines and fizz; playing chess and generally being competitive. Lovely.

On Boxing Day, we had a note from Jack, who was looking after Rio, to say that the cat ‘was off his food’. We came home a day earlier than planned and set to work on saving the cat. The vet looked mournful and gave us all the options, suggesting it was probably a forlorn hope. Andrew (whose cat it is) didn’t want to give in and said, “Let’s try for a bit longer.” This resulted in us spoon feeding the cat, hourly, for days on end. However, I am pleased to report that Andrew’s perseverance paid off and the cat is still with us.

Just as I succumbed to Covid, early on in January, Paul and Harriet had to make the painful decision to take Mac to the vets for one final time. Upsetting for everyone concerned but he just wasn’t himself any more.

Upset over the cat, the dog and then in the throes of Covid, I lay in bed, shooing John out of the room every time he came in. Regrettably, germs were clearly in the air, so a week later John succumbed, too. Fortunately, Andrew was here and looked after us. John went to the hospital to be infused with antiviral drugs and we’re both on the mend, but its been a very long haul. We have lost most of January and are still in recovery.

Thank you to all the lovely folk who have checked in on us and sent get-well wishes, brought gifts to the door or sent them in the post, wondered where the blog was and offered us help should we need it. Very much appreciated and the love felt.

Take care everyone. God bless.