Author: anniesleath@hotmail.co.uk

……because Andrew came home and we’ve been carousing all evening…….

…. and so, it’s very late…..

I will, naturally, sober up at some point and recount all our ‘doings’ from yesterday and today. But this evening, suffice to say, we have done nothing but chat, chat, chat and then, when John had had enough and took himself off to bed, Andrew and I stayed up to watch ‘An Audience with Adele’ (on repeat) and sang our hearts out, re-wound the programme to chat through it some more, and then sing some more until was rather late in the day. All fuelled with a touch of wine (Andrew) and a snifter of brandy (me).

Oh, my! Such a lovely evening. I’d quite like it on repeat too.

Anyway, we have had a good couple of days one way and another, and we are grateful for sons.

And, something else on repeat, is, according to Susie Dent: ‘latibulate’ (17th century): to hide in a corner until the situation improves.

Yep! I seem to be doing a lot of that…..

Take care everyone. God bless.

‘Omicron’. That’s the latest. Heard of it? A new strain of the COVID virus that is rather good at spreading, apparently. Where is it? Abroad, at the moment. What are we doing about it? Flights from half-a-dozen African countries were suspended today while the government sorts out hotel quarantine for incoming travellers. Ay up – it’s on its way, then!!

The World Health Organisation has recognised the new variant as ‘of concern’. Scientists are worried. Their advice is to wear a mask. Here’s a sample of what they are saying, but with my emphasis:

‘Please please wear masks. This new COVID-19 variant of concern is really worrying.‘ Doctor Julia Grace Patterson, Chief Exec of Every Doctor UK.

‘Omicron is airborne and is more transmissable than Delta. We all need better-fitting, high-filtration masks, worn indoors (especially on public transport).’ Trisha Greenhalgh, Professor of Primary Care, Oxford.

‘Please don’t be stressed out about the new variant. We’re still waiting on more info & same steps to avoid COVID. Get vaccinated (& boosted), if you’re going to social/work events ask that everyone has done a negative home test (LFT), & wear masks in crowded/indoor spaces.‘ Professor Devi Sridhar, Professor & Chair of Global Public Heath, Edinburgh Medical School.

OK, that’s it. Just thought I’d flag that up since few people are wearing masks now, and it looks like we might need ’em a bit more than we thought. Not that I am obsessed, you understand, but still……better to look silly and be safe than sorry, don’t you think?

Spread the word on masks. Don’t spread COVID.

Now that I’ve got all that off my chest, on to today….. another wonderful one. I was keen to be up and about this morning because we were looking forward to my cousin, Janet, coming over for lunch. She was scheduled to play table-tennis with the U3A at the local Methodist Church Hall this afternoon, so it seemed sensible to have a little get-together beforehand.

It was delightful. Janet is such easy company that the conversation just flowed between all three of us. John particularly enjoys her company and was in his element. No fear of there being a stilted conversation when I am out of the room. Just so relaxing.

We had a light lunch of jacket potatoes for a change, which went down a treat. We haven’t done that in a while so it made a really nice change to enjoy wholesome food in good company.

I do so enjoy entertaining guests, relaxing together and laughing alongside each other. Laughter is such a good medicine that we always feel tons better for having exercised the giggle-box and thus lightening the load. As always, grateful for the enjoyment, whenever and wherever we can get it.

The uplift in spirits across lunchtime helped me sail through the ironing this afternoon and on into the evening, before both John and I both thought we would make our way up the wooden hill. We are both tired – but, I have to say, my sleep pattern has been improved so far by the black-out blinds in our room. Hallelujah!

Hang on to your hats though, folks, as the East Wind doth blow this weekend. It’s going to be corker with Storm Arwen, the first storm to be named in the 21/22 season, making her way across the northeast in particular and bringing severe gales and a red weather warning for that area. It will be interesting to see what tomorrow brings.

I had a look out of our attic window tonight to gauge what was happening here, and was delighted to see that, although it’s raining, it’s all calm so far, with the Christmas Lights twinkling away after this evening’s ‘Switch On’. Ahhh….. Christmas is coming!

In the meantime, just to offer you a COVID sandwich: 50,091 people tested positive for the virus today; 160 people died in the community; 730 were admitted to hospital; 56 people died in hospitals in the last 48 hours.

And for fun, but with that very serious side, Susie Dent’s Word of the Day is now one of my favourites to say:

‘Quockerwodger’ (19th century): a toy puppet; one whose strings are pulled entirely by someone else.

Hehe.

Take care everyone. Sending love to, and prayers for, every single one of you. God bless.

And, if you are so inclined, spare some positive vibes or prayers for John, please. He’s got a dodgy hip and knee now, as well as the breathing difficulties…… going to get on to the doctor/specialists next week – we like to keep them busy.

There aren’t many days when things just slot into place, are there? But today was one such day.

We were up very early, suited and booted, to get over to Michael’s by 9 o’clock, so that we could travel up to Stoke for his Graduation Ceremony at Kings’ Hall. And honestly, everything ran so smoothly, just like clockwork. The journey along the A38 was wonderful – a clear road, clear blue skies and excitement in the air.

We parked beautifully at the Bet365 (harrumph…… of which I don’t approve) stadium, home of Stoke City Football Ground (of which I do approve). We were directed to be right outside the doors so that we could amble inside for ticket-gathering, robe collecting and greeting fellow doctorates. Oh my, those robes…. very Harry Potter-esque. Absolutely spiffing.

Michael met up with as many of his cohort who were attending the event, and how good that looked. They were a wonderful bunch of people and so very easy with one another, thrilled that they had all made it through the thick and thin of the pandemic, supporting each other, to get to this momentous day. And we were thrilled for them.

We caught a shuttle-bus across from the stadium to King’s Hall, where we were ushered to the very front row. Gosh, I was already over-excited but a front row seat? Beyond our wildest dreams. Bliss.

The venue was a very intimate place, beautifully presented and everything well-organised. The speeches were good, and the graduands doffed their caps to The Chancellor as he acknowledged each and every achiever to the rostrum. The relatives and friends of those stepping forward were fair bursting with pride. And what excitement at the end of the ceremony as all the caps were tossed in the air. A fabulous tradition.

Photographs, big hugs, excited laughter and cheering followed. We left Michael to enjoy his time with his friends as we made our way back to the stadium for a glass of fizz and some cake. I had a fleeting thought that I ought to save the fizz for when Michael arrived. It was a fleeting thought….. we toasted him in absentia.

After the fond farewells to a truly remarkable set of people, we made our way over to a pub/restaurant, The Wayfarer in Stone, for a celebratory meal. That was lovely, too. Very nice food and, of course, very good company.

A good journey back home topped off the jigsaw-fit of the day and then, of course, the icing on the cake, the grandchildren arriving home from nursery excited to see us all after our long but blissful day. Gosh, it really couldn’t have been better.

To round the day off nicely, I Zoomed with the College Girls this evening. There is nothing nicer than someone asking you how it’s all gone, and you excitedly telling them all about it, is there? Well, of course I did – I couldn’t help myself. We were very proud parents.

Had a lovely chat to everyone and did manage to allow others to get a few words in edgeways, I think. Such a wonderful group of friends – and Michael’s ceremony made me think back to all those years ago when we first met. 50 years is a long time, and I thank the Lord that we are still there for each other. May Michael’s Uni friendships last as long and be as equally fulfilling.

Here’s us this evening having a good time, as always….

47,240 people tested positive for the virus today. Hmmm…… might be a few more tomorrow after what we saw at the ceremony today. Very few people were wearing masks – even in the ‘Face Mask Zone’ areas at the stadium.

147 people died with the virus today.

46 people died with the virus in hospitals in the last 48 hours.

745 people were admitted to hospital with the virus today.

Sapere Aude: ‘Dare to know’

Motto: Staffordshire University.

Mine, from now on…..

God bless you one and all.

Yesterday, I felt tired for some unknown reason and found myself doing that ‘walking through treacle’ thing again. It had started well, in that I took myself off to yoga and had a good time there, re-adjusting my body, but it seemed to go downhill from there onwards.

The afternoon strolled past me and the evening found me glued to TV programmes. No amount of chivvying myself up could get me off the sofa.

John, on the other hand, was busy. We had bought black-out blinds for the bedroom and, having fixed one up the other day, the second one beckoned, so he got on with it. I was exceptionally pleased. How wonderful to be able to sleep without the moon lighting up the bedroom. Who knows? A good night’s sleep might be in the offing more often than before. Let’s hope so.

This morning I was determined not to let the world overwhelm me, so I got up early, breakfasted and then took myself a lovely walk in Katherine’s Woods, which I haven’t done for months. It was lovely, because not only was the walk itself very enjoyable, but I bumped into an old colleague from work, and we walked together for a while.

Once home, I had promised myself that I might nip up to church, where there was a service this morning. I no longer go to church on a Sunday due to the incidence of COVID in the village, but a friend I was talking to at yoga yesterday suggested the Wednesday service, where there are about half a dozen congregants. So I girded my loins and went. Very intimate and a short service, so it felt good. Body and soul knitted together over the last day or two – just got to capture the mind in the net now.

John has felt very tired today, struggling to get going and ease himself through the day. We did, however, have a very successful afternoon. A while ago, he had attended an eye clinic to see if they could do something about the double-vision that he has. And yes, sure enough, prisms were prescribed and seem to do the trick. Today was a check-up to see if stronger ones were needed, before the final decision of changing the lenses in his glasses. Yep, a slightly stronger one was prescribed and John was told to trial that until January whereupon, if successful, new lenses could be ordered. This is what I call a result.

This evening was Quiz Night and great fun. Regrettably, John was too tired to continue half-way through, so he abandoned ship and went to bed. We did have a giggle though. A great quiz that caused lots of debate – which often resulted in the correct answers! Now there’s a first. We were delighted with our ‘scores on the doors’ tonight.

I haven’t really watched the news today but there seems to be tragedy all around us in one guise or another, and particularly the story of migrants drowning in the Channel. I think it was only a matter of time that this happened, because it such a dangerous thing to do. How desperate must these poor people be? Terrible waste of life.

COVID is still rife of course, but no-one is talking about that. The newscasters just drop the figures out as matter-of-fact as you like, and then move on. Who cares if thousands are poorly and hundreds are dying? Certainly not the British Public by the looks of it.

43,676 people tested positive for the virus today; 149 people died in the community; 49 people died in hospitals in the last 48 hours; and 722 people were admitted to hospital in the last 24 hours.

Each number is a proper and real person. Ouch.

Take care everyone. God bless. Mask up!

Well, that’s exciting!! John bought me a new wireless keyboard for the computer for my birthday. It’s lovely – and I managed to set it up all by myself!! Technophobe? I don’t think so – not any more!! Hehe.

Another glorious day, with the sun streaming in and glittering through the treetops in the garden. Fabulous. I intended to get out for a walk this morning, but I was faffing about with washing and a spot of shopping for Mum – and opening parcels that had arrived over the weekend full of Christmas presents to wrap. All very exciting.

John was up at a reasonable time too. He had an appointment with the nurse at the surgery, just at the time that I was planning to get over to Michael’s to help out with childcare for half an hour if it was needed, while an electrician was in the house. So John stayed home this morning to do his bit of faffing about too.

As I returned home to get ready to visit Mum this afternoon, John and I crossed paths like ships in the night as he sailed off over to Michael’s to try and mend their tumble dryer. He had had success with ours yesterday, so he was hopeful for a good result today, too. He’s not sure whether the ‘fix’ has worked, but no doubt we’ll find out in the fullness of time.

Mum was well this afternoon, albeit a bit tired. I forgot to take a photo of her this time though, mostly because I was busy tidying things up for her. Her bed hadn’t been made. No-one was quite sure why not, but several people put their heads round the door to establish exactly what needed doing. Mum fretted about it for a good while, embarrassed that I should see such a mess, until finally, one of the staff came in with the requisite bedding and did the deed. Much to Mum’s relief.

I spent a fair bit of time sorting out Mum’s wardrobe, too. It also seemed to be in a bit of disarray today, including housing a few outfits that weren’t Mum’s. I had noticed that one of her cardigans had buttons missing the last time I went, so I took some buttons along and she chose some that she thought would do, and I sewed them on for her.

Next, it was the hearing aid palaver. Fitting new batteries and giving them a good clean. It was no wonder she couldn’t hear me – I don’t think there’s been anything done to them since the last time I went. I had broken one of Mum’s hearing aids the other week and asked the staff to refer her for a home visit from the audiologist. Nothing has happened yet and I am wondering if they have forgotten.

All in all, although people are still being very kind to Mum, I was wondering if they are short-staffed. I asked one of the staff and she said she didn’t think they were, so I am at a loss to explain why things weren’t quite so ship-shape today. Anyway, I’ve sent a letter to Manager with a few queries and we’ll see what effect, if any, that has….. and also see what explanation there may be for a rather disorderly day.

44,917 people tested positive for the virus today. 45 people died in the community and 886 people were admitted to hospitals. The NHS reported 12 people having died in the last 48 hours.

Susie Dent’s Word of the Day made me splutter over my cup of tea this afternoon and guffaw loudly. See what you think:

Word of the day is ‘hingum-tringum‘ (19th-century Scots): feeble and barely presentable; just about hanging together.

Stay safe everyone. God bless.

Had another lovely day – we were invited over to Paul and Harriet’s for Lily’s 16th birthday party. I girded my loins beforehand and spent the morning in bed, just watching the blue sky and the clouds scudding over, and the shadows of the trees and leaves playing on the wall of our bedroom. Bliss.

John got up and made me a cup of tea, which I promptly ignored, having fallen back to sleep again. I think I might have to be careful here – this is becoming a bit of a pattern and he’ll stop making me one soon……

Before the party, I went to a Yin Yoga session with Jaime, and John sat and watched the Grand Prix, so we were both quite chilled by the time we toddled off to Kenilworth.

It was a lovely party with most of the family there and Lily, reluctant, but bearing up, allowed us to film the ‘happy birthday’ singing while she cut her cake.

The spread that Harriet put together was absolutely delicious, and the cake was something to behold. We enjoyed some grand family chats and some marvellous playtime with the children – here’s Thomas enjoying Uncle Paul’s company.

We played ‘Pass the Parcel’ and danced to music and chased up and down the corridors and up and down the stairs until it was time to go. Fabulous. Just the sort of party I like. John, however, hid for some of it in the conservatory. Michael went to find him – but no, thank you, a bit of quiet time, away from the rowdy party, was just what he needed. It was all a bit mithering, to be honest……

The boys, Freddie and William, had the most wonderful time just before we left, having taken the glow sticks that they’d won in the ‘Pass the Parcel’ game up to the bath with them, where they watched the effects of water on the light that shone out. Wonderful.

The adults had a great time too, playing a boxing game on a virtual reality machine in the lounge. That was exciting – and they were good at it too!!

“Are you happy to go, John?” I asked, as everyone got their coats and chattels and were making for the door. “Yes,” he said, relieved that he could come home and rest his eyes. He’d enjoyed himself, but he felt rather tired by the end of the day.

So we’re home and ready for bed now. But thank the Lord for such blessed times. Oh, and by the way….. my toothache has gone.

40,004 people tested positive for the virus today. 61 are recorded as having died and 881 people were admitted to hospitals.

Take care everyone. God bless.

And I am grateful to Susie Dent for this:

A reminder of the word ‘nod-crafty’ (17th century): given to nodding the head with an air of great wisdom when you actually don’t have a clue/tuned out a while ago.

Hehe.

We have had a lovely day today. We had no plans, so when Michael suggested they come over and we go out for brunch this morning we were game. I mooched about for a while, cooking and cleaning and so on, before we met the Sutton Sleaths at Oakes’ and John had a little snooze on. He was still tired from his recent exertions in London.

He was looking forward to his day because there was the Grand Prix Qualifying and lots of rugby to watch. I was looking forward to just wafting about with ‘me list of jobs’. But not only did we have a lovely brunch out, but the Kenilworth Sleaths joined in with our celebrations of my birthday this afternoon, too, and everyone gave a great rendition of the ‘Happy Birthday’ song.

Paul had also video-called this morning with Freddie alongside chorusing ‘Happy Birthday, Grandma!!’ That was followed by Freddie wondering, “Did you invite me, Grandma?” Well, I hadn’t invited anyone, because I wasn’t sure if they’d all be busy on a Saturday, but if Freddie was keen to come over, who was I to argue?? So he came, brought the family and a gift which he had chosen – a very swish little shoulder bag, just right for carrying my phone around in. I was very pleased, because the last one I had was a gift from Gail and Graham, probably ten years ago now, and it’s absolutely worn out.

Michael and the family brought me a fabulous bunch of flowers and Michael insisted on paying for our brunch, so I was doubly-spoilt.

We had a lovely time with the family for a few hours before they all shot off to be doing other things and I was delighted that they had been able to come. While they were here, I opened birthday cards and other parcels and was thrilled to have some great gifts. How very thoughtful my friends are. Thank you one and all.

All in all, a very nice day, thank you, topped off with ‘Strictly’ this evening.

Still a lot of COVID cases about, with 40,941 people testing positive for COVID today; 150 deaths in the community and 881 hospital admissions.

And I hear in the news the BMJ reported that in the first global study of its kind: ‘mask-wearing is the single most effective public health measure at tackling Covid, reducing incidence by 53%’. Results from more than 30 studies from around the world were analysed in detail, showing a statistically significant 53% reduction in the incidence of Covid with mask-wearing, and a 25% reduction with physical distancing.

Common-sense tells you that mask-wearing is effective, doesn’t it? But it’s good that data bears this out. Do you think anyone is listening?

Take care everyone. I am grateful for my blessings and wish goodness for you all. God bless.

We drove down to London yesterday on a visit to John’s Uni friends. Nige and Ann offered to put us up overnight, which we gratefully accepted, and John went out with all the men with whom he was at Leeds University. He had an amazing evening and thoroughly enjoyed himself. Gosh, I was so pleased for him, and he was pleased for himself, too.

We had both been a little anxious about the event, what with one thing and another. Not least the travelling to and from the restaurant – going on the Tube; walking up/down hills (maybe) or even walking a distance on the flat; getting tired (perhaps) halfway through the evening and spoiling the fun …… and so on.

But, it all turned out well. The only fly in the ointment was the circuitous route the SatNav took us to get to Nige and Ann’s house, which took us along Tottenham Court Road and into the ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) with a fee to pay. Ah, well, we really didn’t mind. We were keen to get there and it shaved a good fifteen minutes off the journey.

Ann took Nige and John in the car to the Tube, on which John managed to get a seat, it wasn’t too crowded and half the people were wearing masks. On arrival at the other end, Nige was very good in establishing which way the pub was so that John didn’t have walk too much out of the way. And they all managed to get to the restaurant in one piece, where they picked up the pace on passing bottle after bottle of wine along the table, apparently.

John was delighted to see old friends, some of whom he hasn’t seen for a good few years, and thrilled to catch up with all their news. It sounds like it was a wonderful evening.

I had a brilliant evening, too. Ann and I had a ‘girls night in’ with some super food that Ann cooked, a bottle of Prosecco and lots of chat over a wide range of topics, including politics (which I never normally touch on) and books, which was manna to my soul. Oh, heaven.

This morning, we lazed in bed for a while before trotting downstairs just after ten o’clock, where we found Ann in the kitchen with a full English breakfast on the go. Marvellous. Luxury. Just what the doctor ordered.

I had suggested that we would probably leave around midday. However, we were chatting so much that it was almost one o’clock before we waved our goodbyes. We had had a really lovely time.

On our way home, we called in on Christiana, Mike and Alexander for an hour. That was lovely, too. In fact, it was just right. Alexander was down for his nap(!) so we had adult conversation for much of our visit, and then, because Alexander hadn’t actually gone to sleep, he came down and we had a fifteen-minute window of cuteness as he showed us his most charming behaviour.

He made us laugh with his conversation and, in particular, when he picked up one of the remote controls, that he knew he wasn’t really supposed to have, and let out a little excited, ‘ooooOOOOooooOOOOoooo’, his eyes shining brightly with anticipation.

We are glad we went.

We had a good journey home, despite the snail’s pace on the M25, and were home in good time. John snoozed all the way back, ostensibly listening to his book on Audible, but which he will have to re-listen to, as he missed most of it.

The cats greeted us when got in, having been ably looked after by Jack overnight, in our absence. What a good thing it is to have a young man who is happy to feed and pet our cats while we are away. Blessings – this being one of them – for which we are very grateful.

44,242 people tested positive for COVID today, which brings the cases to a 13% rise over the last week. Well, the schools are back aren’t they? And the people most affected now? 5-9 year olds…… Heaven help us.

157 people died with the virus today, which brings the total for the last week down by nearly 5% which may be encouraging.

827 people were admitted to hospitals today, which again brings the total for the last week down by 4.5%. Hope on the horizon?

In hospitals 48 people died in the previous 48 hours. Again, not quite so many as last week.

Take care everyone. May blessings find you in unexpected ways and lift your spirits and feed your souls. God bless.

I think I must be a nocturnal person. At night, my mind races and I think I can do it all. ‘Tomorrow, I’ll do this, that and t’other. I’ll get up early and get on’, I promise myself before I go to sleep. I write list of things to do. Hahahaha. The very next day, the morning dawns and…. yep… I’m still lazing in bed, cosy as you like, thinking I’ll just have ‘five more minutes’, which turns into half an hour, and then an hour. And so the day drifts on and the ‘getting on’ drifts away.

John’s not much better. He, too, has great plans, only to find them disappearing fast as daytime TV and previously recorded programmes pull him in and then send him off on a snoozing holiday.

We both do some things, but not as much as we’d like. Those bloomin’ sofas have a lot to answer for!

However, despite our treacly existence, we did manage a couple of things today. John successfully put up a black-out blind in our bedroom. We have wanted one for ages – actually, since we moved into that room about eleven years ago, in fact. When I bought the roman blinds, I made the mistake of not having them lined with black-out material. They are fine for waking you up in the morning when the sun comes up; but they are little b*****s when there’s a full moon. It’s as bright as day in our bedroom then, and you really can’t get to sleep. So it’ll be exciting to be able to sleep in a darkened room…..

I, on the other hand, tackled the cleaning of the freezer in the shed. A while ago I had switched it on in readiness for the ‘just-in-case’ Christmas dinner I was buying. Only to find that door had been left open and, by the time I checked it, it was full of ice. I defrosted it and left the door open to do so but, with the freezer being in the shed, it naturally attracted snails and spiders and autumn leaves. So I rolled my sleeves up to oust the squatters and bleach it to within an inch of its life, so that I can be confident that food in there will be safe. Fingers crossed for me, folks, when I check it out tomorrow.

John also had a life-saving phone call with George W this afternoon. John’s Outlook account for his emails was on the blink and he needed an expert to talk him through the processes to restore it. Not sure where we’d be without dear George. I know I say these things all the time but, honestly, we are just so blessed to have such brilliant friends and friendships.

This evening, I was about to continue with a treacly existence and slouch in front of the TV. However, John encouraged me to do my hair and a few other bits and bobs before succumbing to the lethargy threatening to overtake me. I was grateful for that, because I felt better for having ‘got on’. But, really, life does feel like treacle at the moment.

We had a fabulous little video clip of the Sutton Sleath children this evening – didn’t half make us chuckle. Michael had taken a cardboard box and made holes in it. He then had some kind of pop-up toy that he poked through the holes, as in the game ‘whack-a-mole’, for the children to whack down. Oh, my goodness! They were giggling their little heads off, and so were we. The anticipation in their little bodies of where the toy was going to pop up next, was wonderful to behold. It was so lovely!! Regrettably, I have yet to establish how to upload a video to this blog, so I can’t share those exquisite moments with you. But it makes me smile just think of it now!

38,263 people tested positive for the virus today; 201 people died in the community; 778 people were admitted to hospital; 59 people died in hospitals in the last 48 hours.

And Boris Johnson was ticked off in the House of Commons during PMQs today. Heavens, not sure when a Prime Minister was last (or ever) brought to account in such a way. So I was amused by Susie Dent’s Word of the Day, of course. She offers us: ‘circumbendibus’ (17th century): an answer or argument so convoluted and evasive that it isn’t really an answer at all.

Take care everyone. God bless.

Well, yesterday was a great day but by the end of it I crashed out on the sofa. When I roused myself I thought I’d give the blog a miss and just go straight to bed as I was tired.

I’d been up early to sort the cats and dogs out before setting off to collect Michael and Danielle from the airport – due in about 9 o’clock. So I was ready and raring to go before 9 only to find that their flight had been delayed due to fog/mist at Birmingham airport. In the end, I finally met them off the Monorail at Birmingham International at about 11 o’clock. Bless them, they all looked absolutely exhausted.

Back to our house for a bit of brunch and then naps for both Danielle and Thomas. William and Michael fought their tiredness like troopers all day, although William had a few melt-downs at various intervals, having succumbed to his very frayed senses.

We ate an evening meal together, then bathed the boys, popped them in their jim-jams so that they could just be plopped straight into their beds when they got home. I imagine the senior members of the family might just have done the same – so tired were they.

So it was a lovely day looking after the Sutton Sleath family, but everyone, including John and me, were tired by the end of it. John had kept on most of the day too, entertaining the troops, and he went to bed more or less after we’d waved our goodbyes to the Sutton Sleaths, too.

Today was another good day, in that I managed to get a few admin jobs done, as did John, on the computer.

I also attended a funeral online this morning. One of our congregation, Pam, had passed away and I was keen to pay my respects. I nipped up the road to do so as the cortege left their house, and then went online to follow the service. It was a very poignant service too, with one of our senior members of the congregation, Claire, offering a marvellous tribute to Pam’s work in the church over the last thirty years.

This afternoon, I did a bit more tiddling about on the computer, ordering Christmas gifts. Oh, goodness me, I had a ball. There is such a lot to choose from, isn’t there? I know it sounds like I am starting early, but this is what I often do. Get started; feel very pleased with myself; do nothing for weeks on end; then panic buy for everyone else in the week before Christmas….. I am hoping that I actually will spread out the purchasing so that I don’t freak myself out at the last minute this year!!

Today was also a momentous day for our granddaughter, Lily. Sixteen. 16!! Wow! I messaged Paul to suggest we pop over at tea-time to offer our gifts. The answer was ‘yes’ and how would you like to join us for a birthday meal out? Well, we thought we would. It’s only once in a lifetime that you are witness to a beautiful young lady turning sixteen, isn’t it?

We went round to Paul and Harriet’s after the meal for Lily to open her presents and she was pleased with them, so I was relieved. Mind you, she chose things online and sent me a list so I just picked from the list so I don’t think anything was a surprise!

We had a wonderful time there, too. Ellie had made a fabulous birthday cake; there was a great display of balloons and we were in fine voice singing ‘Happy Birthday’. Not only that, but we had a ‘press ups’ competition in the lounge, which Lily won. Gosh that girl is strong! Although, to be fair, Paul probably was on the way to winning and would have won if he hadn’t a) had Freddie on his back for the whole attempt and b) graciously bowed out at the last minute. But great fun and giggles all round.

We gave Ellie a lift back home to Lillington before we set off home. I was pleased to do that because it’s always nice for someone else to take up the burden, isn’t it? Paul and Harriet do the lifts all the time, so it made a change for them to be able to just stay home.

Home again, and John promptly said he was off to bed. His eyes are bothering him, so a good night’s sleep – hahahahaha – with a good lashing of eye ointment might help.

All in all, we’ve enjoyed the last couple of days. The common denominator, of course, has been seeing all the boys and their families. Marvellous.

37,243 people tested positive for the virus today. 214 people died with it in the community; 53 in hospitals in the last 48 hours and 869 people were admitted to hospital.

Take care everyone. God bless.

Love is patient and kind. 
Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.
It does not demand its own way. 
It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 
It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Paul's letter to the Corinthians 13

Love. Yes. That is the answer.