Grandpa's magic tricks

Monday 29th October

It was great fun at Kay’s yesterday watching the bairns all playing together. Robert actually had his party on Friday for his little school friends, but this was a little grown up party with Nan and Jerry and Kay’s friend Jenny and husband Nick with Eve (nine)and Millie three, so that made seven wee ones altogether(counting Jonathan who is fourteen). Ailie loved looking after little Millie and there was lots of laughter and great excitement when Robert blew out the six candles on his birthday cake! Didn’t know that birthday candles doubled as sparklers nowadays. Kay had made a trifle and they were teasing me about the one I made at New Year when I put the jelly and custard in the wrong way round!

One of Robert's presents was a magic set, so he was trying to do some of the tricks. Then, of course they all wanted to do the ones like Grandpa used to do. Jonathan was trying the one about rubbing the balloon on his head, then sticking it to the ceiling, but he couldn’t quite manage it. Funny, coming home in the car he said he kept wondering where John was and thinking he would come into the room at any moment. I was thinking that he WAS there actually, because I can see him in every one of them
and it gives me a warm feeling knowing that they remember all his magic tricks and how he was able to make toys and repair anything for them that was broken. Arthur came later. Had cup of tea. Talked about car etc. In the morning when he was here we had a good blether about songs.

Ray couldn’t manage today. Going to phone to arrange another day. Chris here for lunch.Glad I have lots of soup in the freezer, as it’s so handy - and tasty. Going to try carrot and coriander this week instead of my usual broth or lentil.

Helen came in. Showed us a lovely jacket she got on ebay. She seems to have a knack for getting bargains, but I think I’m too wary about taking a chance. I read in one of the letters in my “Oldie’ magazine that women in my age group should be more adventurous in their dress and wear plunging tops (to show off the wrinkles?), slinky black trousers, sleek silver trainers, long earrings, floaty scarves etc. Can’t picture myself somehow!

Walked along to see how Joyce and Dick got on at the Radisson.They enjoyed it and saw lots of folks they knew. It’s lovely to see Dillon curled up before the fire again. Lucy followed me along and was waiting at the gate to follow me home. She gets more human every day!