29th November, 2007
“Oh, what a beautiful morning” to quote the song. It’s just such a change from the dreary weather we’ve had all week.It made me feel more cheerful, but my back pain is just wearing me down. No matter what I am doing it is getting relentless, so it’s the doctor again tomorrow I’m afraid (If I can get an appointment.) I’ve so much to do, so hope I get a bit more help. Glad I managed to do most of shopping online earlier in the week.
Managed to Nan and Jerry’s on Tuesday with Kay. She comes in after being at the Pennypit helping at the Adult Basic Education unit. Everyone is telling her she could get a full time job as both boys are at school, but I think she feels this will give her confidence to get back into the workplace. She may decide to do a short teacher training course at Moray House later. Nan and Jerry had gone to such trouble to make us a lovely lunch, with a beautifully set table etc.
At night Jean and I went to the History Society. Very few members there, but we had one of the most interesting speakers we had ever had and she was local. Marie Connachan/Baillie had brought along a cannonball which her husband discovered in the back garden. It was surprisingly small, but very heavy. She’d found out it had been fired at the battle of Prestonpans from the sea or been brought up on a cart from Dunbar by Cope’s army! Seemingly,it was capable of going through three men and a horse. Horrible! This information was given to her husband when he went to Edinburgh castle to enquire about weapons of war. It was also commom practice to go round after a battle to retrieve the cannonballs as they were very expensive! She’s going to send me the website to get more information. She also brought an old cream jug which also had quite a history. Marie is quite an interesting character, with a good sense of humour, so it was an enjoyable meeting.
Margaret came yesterday and helped put up my heavy curtains, so the living room looks quite cosy. Jonathan coming at weekend. Says he’ll help to put up my little tree etc. Rita came in afternoon, then Lilian. She’s been away at Benidorm. She goes there all the time. Not my cup of tea I’m afraid, but at least it’s sunny! Looking after Vincent as Sandra away to London for a few days. Left me another Janet Evanovich book.
Al's Christmas exhibition starting this weekend.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
Douglas's Birthday
Monday 26th November
Quite concerned about Rita last week. Phoned about a knitting question from Catherine and Alex said she was in the Royal Infirmary. She wasn’t feeling well on Tuesday morning and fell in the kitchen, banging her head pretty badly. Woke up in ambulance on way to the Royal. They kept her in and did various tests so she’s back home, but still pretty groggy. Good job Alex and Alan were there when she fell. She didn’t manage to the afternoon tea in the church hall on Thursday but Alex brought her to the Christmas Fayre in the Town Hall on Saturday for a wee while. Bought some stuff from bric-a - brac stall for Douglas to put in with his birthday present and hand knitted Aran jumper for Robert, Lots of home baking too of course and marmalade. Tried to resist tablet, but in vain. Dick asked me to keep Joyce company while he was out in the afternoon,but I felt terrible after walking along as it was so windy and my back was aching. Luckily saw Stuart when I was coming out the gate Gave me a lift and locked up etc.
Yesterday Gavin came to take me to East Linton for Douglas’s birthday. Couldn’t believe I’d left his present bag at home! Bobby arrived the same time as Gavin and I’d so many other bags with goodies etc that I hadn’t picked it up! However he got it when his dad brought me home. Phoned me today to thank me and he seemed most delighted with a sports timer and a magnetic snakes and ladders that I bought for 10p each at the Christmas Fayre!He got Snakehead by Anthony Horowitz from Kay and Gavin. It seems a huge book for a ten year old, although he reads very quickly Afraid Robert was in trouble as he had said the F word in the kitchen in front of his dad, so got a big lecture! Wee soul was very subdued afterwards, but soon bounced back. Enjoyed being with them, but missed John.
Was just home when man came about my new tiles for kitchen. Will be glad when it’s finished.
Quite concerned about Rita last week. Phoned about a knitting question from Catherine and Alex said she was in the Royal Infirmary. She wasn’t feeling well on Tuesday morning and fell in the kitchen, banging her head pretty badly. Woke up in ambulance on way to the Royal. They kept her in and did various tests so she’s back home, but still pretty groggy. Good job Alex and Alan were there when she fell. She didn’t manage to the afternoon tea in the church hall on Thursday but Alex brought her to the Christmas Fayre in the Town Hall on Saturday for a wee while. Bought some stuff from bric-a - brac stall for Douglas to put in with his birthday present and hand knitted Aran jumper for Robert, Lots of home baking too of course and marmalade. Tried to resist tablet, but in vain. Dick asked me to keep Joyce company while he was out in the afternoon,but I felt terrible after walking along as it was so windy and my back was aching. Luckily saw Stuart when I was coming out the gate Gave me a lift and locked up etc.
Yesterday Gavin came to take me to East Linton for Douglas’s birthday. Couldn’t believe I’d left his present bag at home! Bobby arrived the same time as Gavin and I’d so many other bags with goodies etc that I hadn’t picked it up! However he got it when his dad brought me home. Phoned me today to thank me and he seemed most delighted with a sports timer and a magnetic snakes and ladders that I bought for 10p each at the Christmas Fayre!He got Snakehead by Anthony Horowitz from Kay and Gavin. It seems a huge book for a ten year old, although he reads very quickly Afraid Robert was in trouble as he had said the F word in the kitchen in front of his dad, so got a big lecture! Wee soul was very subdued afterwards, but soon bounced back. Enjoyed being with them, but missed John.
Was just home when man came about my new tiles for kitchen. Will be glad when it’s finished.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Books
Tuesday, 20th November.
Pretty miserable weather or gey dreich the day. Must really try to keep up to date with my blogging, as Christmas is approaching fast and there will be so much going on. I’ve decided to do most of my shopping online and I’ve got most of the family’s presents already. Books arrived today from booksfromscotland.com which include “Maw Broon’s Cookbook” and “Doh ray me, when a was wee” I believe Maw Broon’s is ahead of Nigella Lawson’s in the cookery book stakes! Some of the old recipes of course are considered unhealthy nowadays.but it’s a very entertaining read with old adverts, comments etc. The other one is a compilation of childhood rhymes and songs from all over Scotland, which is also very good. Many of them are still well known round about here, but there are others I don’t know including this one which is sung to a well known tune
BETTY BETTY
Betty Betty show us your leg
Show us your leg show us your leg
Betty Betty show us your leg
An inch above the knee
(I’m sure John would have liked singing that one to me!)
Talking of legs Ailie was asking her Mum about the Commonwealth games and saying she would like to start training in a sport. Margo is going along with it and to encourage her told her that I was a school champion at running (I kid you not) and of course she ( and her brothers) laughed in disbelief. When they were here on Sunday they asked if it was really true, so we hunted through all my memory boxes (of which there are many) but couldn’t find the certificate I won. It will be somewhere, as I’m a compulsive hoarder. I did have a shot at dancing along with a DVD they had brought with all the moves, but I didn’t last 2 minutes! Kay says Douglas is keen to start training too! It’s lovely for them to have dreams.
Enjoyed “Cranford” on Sunday night but not sure if Mrs Gaskell would approve.Must read the book again (if I can find it) and compare.
The results of the Lterary Quiz were in the Times on Sunday and we had three wrong, two of which were modern versions of stories from ancient texts. One was from Ian McEwan’s “A Child in Time” and another from Christopher Fry’s “ A Phoenix Too Frequent.”.We’ll have to change our ideas a bit and not rely too much on the classics, but it was good fun doing it anyway. Finished reading “Fire in the Blood” but I wasn’t impressed. Not nearly as good as “Suite Francaise” . I see a film has been made of “The Jane Austen Book Club”. Wasn’t very great either.Liked “To the Nines” by Janet Evanovich-very funny. Reading “The Piano Tuner” at the moment. Got these from Sandra. She was away for a couple of days, so asked me to look in on her new kitten. He’s a delight-so tiny,and so mischievous.
Kay here today and lifted down my Christmas card box as I want to take stock to see what I need.I have lots left from last year.Also brought me some shopping and helped organise the stuff from the kitchen cupboards. I’m really pleased with the doors on the units.They were so shabby before, but they look like new now. Chris came in from invigilating and she too was impressed. I gave her the painter’s phone number, as she’s thinking of having hers done.Choosing worktops and tiles now. It will be nice when it's all finished but I find coping with decorating etc a bit much now. I told Kay if I mention having anything else done to remind me of the muddle I've been in. Bobby came in on way home to put out recycling boxes. Loads of papers as I forgot about them last week. We had a good blether and a laugh.
Pretty miserable weather or gey dreich the day. Must really try to keep up to date with my blogging, as Christmas is approaching fast and there will be so much going on. I’ve decided to do most of my shopping online and I’ve got most of the family’s presents already. Books arrived today from booksfromscotland.com which include “Maw Broon’s Cookbook” and “Doh ray me, when a was wee” I believe Maw Broon’s is ahead of Nigella Lawson’s in the cookery book stakes! Some of the old recipes of course are considered unhealthy nowadays.but it’s a very entertaining read with old adverts, comments etc. The other one is a compilation of childhood rhymes and songs from all over Scotland, which is also very good. Many of them are still well known round about here, but there are others I don’t know including this one which is sung to a well known tune
BETTY BETTY
Betty Betty show us your leg
Show us your leg show us your leg
Betty Betty show us your leg
An inch above the knee
(I’m sure John would have liked singing that one to me!)
Talking of legs Ailie was asking her Mum about the Commonwealth games and saying she would like to start training in a sport. Margo is going along with it and to encourage her told her that I was a school champion at running (I kid you not) and of course she ( and her brothers) laughed in disbelief. When they were here on Sunday they asked if it was really true, so we hunted through all my memory boxes (of which there are many) but couldn’t find the certificate I won. It will be somewhere, as I’m a compulsive hoarder. I did have a shot at dancing along with a DVD they had brought with all the moves, but I didn’t last 2 minutes! Kay says Douglas is keen to start training too! It’s lovely for them to have dreams.
Enjoyed “Cranford” on Sunday night but not sure if Mrs Gaskell would approve.Must read the book again (if I can find it) and compare.
The results of the Lterary Quiz were in the Times on Sunday and we had three wrong, two of which were modern versions of stories from ancient texts. One was from Ian McEwan’s “A Child in Time” and another from Christopher Fry’s “ A Phoenix Too Frequent.”.We’ll have to change our ideas a bit and not rely too much on the classics, but it was good fun doing it anyway. Finished reading “Fire in the Blood” but I wasn’t impressed. Not nearly as good as “Suite Francaise” . I see a film has been made of “The Jane Austen Book Club”. Wasn’t very great either.Liked “To the Nines” by Janet Evanovich-very funny. Reading “The Piano Tuner” at the moment. Got these from Sandra. She was away for a couple of days, so asked me to look in on her new kitten. He’s a delight-so tiny,and so mischievous.
Kay here today and lifted down my Christmas card box as I want to take stock to see what I need.I have lots left from last year.Also brought me some shopping and helped organise the stuff from the kitchen cupboards. I’m really pleased with the doors on the units.They were so shabby before, but they look like new now. Chris came in from invigilating and she too was impressed. I gave her the painter’s phone number, as she’s thinking of having hers done.Choosing worktops and tiles now. It will be nice when it's all finished but I find coping with decorating etc a bit much now. I told Kay if I mention having anything else done to remind me of the muddle I've been in. Bobby came in on way home to put out recycling boxes. Loads of papers as I forgot about them last week. We had a good blether and a laugh.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Windy Weather
Thursday 8th November
Back still not much better. Resting a lot, but feel I must try to go out a bit. Managed to go to the Brunton on Tuesday night as Jean and I had tickets for “Atonement”. Arthur took us up and we met Phemie an Bill who brought us home, so that saved Arthur coming back. Enjoyed it, but we always feel the quality of sound in the Brunton is not very good when a film is being shown. I suppose it wasn’t really intended to be used as a cinema.It’s OK when it’s a play or musical programme.
I was sorry I missed the School sale in the Labour Club as I might have managed to get some shopping done plus supporting the school at the same time.Hope it went well.
Really strong wind today. The garden is quite sheltered and perhaps why there were lots of birds about, starlings mainly but also sparrows and a few blackbirds too and of course my solitary robin. Last year there were two in the garden, which is very unusual as they’re extremely territorial.
Thought I’d try a walk this afternoon as Kay met Ian Wilson in Haddington at the weekend and he told her Catherine goes to the Disability Resource Centre in Prestonpans Community Centre every Thursday, so I could go and see her there. I’m glad I did, but at the same time it was so sad to see how her illness has taken its toll since she was over for New Year 2005. It’s hard to believe she is the same age as Arthur.Gave her photo of John with our four and she was so pleased with it. She kept looking at it and trying to say their names. I was saying to Jean when she phoned later on, I know people are always complaining about the Health service, the government etc, but isn’t it wonderful how people like Catherine are taken care of and have places like the resource centre to go to. The same goes for Harlaw Hill Day Centre. Must go round there some time.
Called into Nettie’s afterwards and had a cup of tea and one of her home made scones. She’d just made marmalade, so she gave me three jars (Yum,Yum) also some Geographic magazines and posters for the bairns. Our Catherine gave me a lift home and also met Pauline on way home from school. She is worried about her mum, who isn’t very well.Bobby going to get me ink for my computer, as lots of people have been asking me for cards with John’s paintings for Christmas. Helen is coming up to guillotine them for me tomorrow.
I know my blogs are far too long.
Back still not much better. Resting a lot, but feel I must try to go out a bit. Managed to go to the Brunton on Tuesday night as Jean and I had tickets for “Atonement”. Arthur took us up and we met Phemie an Bill who brought us home, so that saved Arthur coming back. Enjoyed it, but we always feel the quality of sound in the Brunton is not very good when a film is being shown. I suppose it wasn’t really intended to be used as a cinema.It’s OK when it’s a play or musical programme.
I was sorry I missed the School sale in the Labour Club as I might have managed to get some shopping done plus supporting the school at the same time.Hope it went well.
Really strong wind today. The garden is quite sheltered and perhaps why there were lots of birds about, starlings mainly but also sparrows and a few blackbirds too and of course my solitary robin. Last year there were two in the garden, which is very unusual as they’re extremely territorial.
Thought I’d try a walk this afternoon as Kay met Ian Wilson in Haddington at the weekend and he told her Catherine goes to the Disability Resource Centre in Prestonpans Community Centre every Thursday, so I could go and see her there. I’m glad I did, but at the same time it was so sad to see how her illness has taken its toll since she was over for New Year 2005. It’s hard to believe she is the same age as Arthur.Gave her photo of John with our four and she was so pleased with it. She kept looking at it and trying to say their names. I was saying to Jean when she phoned later on, I know people are always complaining about the Health service, the government etc, but isn’t it wonderful how people like Catherine are taken care of and have places like the resource centre to go to. The same goes for Harlaw Hill Day Centre. Must go round there some time.
Called into Nettie’s afterwards and had a cup of tea and one of her home made scones. She’d just made marmalade, so she gave me three jars (Yum,Yum) also some Geographic magazines and posters for the bairns. Our Catherine gave me a lift home and also met Pauline on way home from school. She is worried about her mum, who isn’t very well.Bobby going to get me ink for my computer, as lots of people have been asking me for cards with John’s paintings for Christmas. Helen is coming up to guillotine them for me tomorrow.
I know my blogs are far too long.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Family weekend
Monday 5th November.
Feel as if I’ve had a “Lost Weekend” as my old back pain still bad. Couldn’t do much and worried about the work being done in the kitchen. Felt drugged up to the eyeballs with pain killers.Family been great of course. Stuart here on Saturday and emptied out the units and the girls here on Sunday. Kay got things things organised, Margo made tea,prepared my evening meal and took the flowers to her Dad. Catherine and Kay had a good blether about jobs in schools etc. and Arthur chatted to me and the bairns.We watched old videos of them when they were wee.They love that.I had mixed feelings watching them as seeing John in them made me love him all the more and miss him all the more at the same time.(if that makes sense).
Great excitement when we heard the wild geese calling. Rushed to the door and there they were,flying in formation against a pink sky. Isn’t Nature wonderful!
'And far abune the Angus straths I saw the wild geese flee,
A lang, lang skein o' beatin' wings wi' their heids towards the sea,
And aye their cryin' voices trailed ahint them on the air—'
'O Wind, hae maircy, haud yer whisht, for I daurna listen mair!'
abune = above
straths = valleys, glens
haud yer whisht = keep quiet!
daurna listen mair = dare not listen more
At night I just stretched out and watched telly. Especially liked “Room with a View”. I’ve seen it before (The Merchant Ivory production” ) but the old romantic in me couldn’t resist it. I just love E.M. Forster’s novels and have read them over and over again. He is so good at these social comedies which expose the class ridden. sexually repressed society of the Edwardians.
On Saturday “Scotland’s Music” introduced by Phil Cunningham was excellent and what made it specially interesting was that it started off in the Pans! There he was standing at the Tower, with a group singing “Johnnie Cope”. Not just the music , but the scenery too made this a great programme.John would have loved it. I like Barbara Dickson singing. Much better than Eddie Reader. I noticed Annemarie Allan mentioned in the credits.
Guy Fawkes day today. Met Margaret Hutt last week. She reminded me how all her family used to come to us on 5th November, when we had a mini bonfire, I made stovies and John made toffee apples. Happy days!
Been at doctor this morning. Pain patches increased, so here’s hoping that does the trick.
Feel as if I’ve had a “Lost Weekend” as my old back pain still bad. Couldn’t do much and worried about the work being done in the kitchen. Felt drugged up to the eyeballs with pain killers.Family been great of course. Stuart here on Saturday and emptied out the units and the girls here on Sunday. Kay got things things organised, Margo made tea,prepared my evening meal and took the flowers to her Dad. Catherine and Kay had a good blether about jobs in schools etc. and Arthur chatted to me and the bairns.We watched old videos of them when they were wee.They love that.I had mixed feelings watching them as seeing John in them made me love him all the more and miss him all the more at the same time.(if that makes sense).
Great excitement when we heard the wild geese calling. Rushed to the door and there they were,flying in formation against a pink sky. Isn’t Nature wonderful!
'And far abune the Angus straths I saw the wild geese flee,
A lang, lang skein o' beatin' wings wi' their heids towards the sea,
And aye their cryin' voices trailed ahint them on the air—'
'O Wind, hae maircy, haud yer whisht, for I daurna listen mair!'
abune = above
straths = valleys, glens
haud yer whisht = keep quiet!
daurna listen mair = dare not listen more
At night I just stretched out and watched telly. Especially liked “Room with a View”. I’ve seen it before (The Merchant Ivory production” ) but the old romantic in me couldn’t resist it. I just love E.M. Forster’s novels and have read them over and over again. He is so good at these social comedies which expose the class ridden. sexually repressed society of the Edwardians.
On Saturday “Scotland’s Music” introduced by Phil Cunningham was excellent and what made it specially interesting was that it started off in the Pans! There he was standing at the Tower, with a group singing “Johnnie Cope”. Not just the music , but the scenery too made this a great programme.John would have loved it. I like Barbara Dickson singing. Much better than Eddie Reader. I noticed Annemarie Allan mentioned in the credits.
Guy Fawkes day today. Met Margaret Hutt last week. She reminded me how all her family used to come to us on 5th November, when we had a mini bonfire, I made stovies and John made toffee apples. Happy days!
Been at doctor this morning. Pain patches increased, so here’s hoping that does the trick.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Poem of the month
Thursday, 1st November.
The poet must have been feeling pretty negative, when he wrote the following poem.
November by Thomas Hood
(1789-1845)
No sun--no moon!
No morn--no noon!
No dawn--no dusk--no proper time of day--
No sky--no earthly view--
No distance looking blue--
No road--no street--
No "t'other side the way"--
No end to any Row--
No indications where the Crescents go--
No top to any steeple--
No recognitions of familiar people--
No courtesies for showing 'em-- No knowing 'em!
No mail--no post--
No news from any foreign coast--
No park--no ring--no afternoon gentility--
No company--no nobility--
No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease,
No comfortable feel in any member--
No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees,
No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds,
November!
If today is anything to go by, November doesn’t seem too bad weatherwise. as it’s been lovely most of the day and I’ve been feeling not too bad emotionally, though my back is still pretty troublesome.Still a few leaves on the trees and lots of berries for the birds. Gardener was here, so of course a blackbird and a robin were hopping hopefully around after him. All is now nice and tidy and he planted my winter pansies where I can see them when I am at the sink. I always think pansies have wee faces and I especially like the blue and yellow ones. Had a look at the hyacinth bulbs from last year’s pots which are in the hut. Sat there a wee while feeling close to John Helen arrived. Talked about having doors on kitchen units painted, as they’re a bit shabby.
Went to Sandra’s later to see the kitten. He is just lovely and such a wee cutey. Climbed into a basket,then peeked over the top, scurried about the book case,then tried to climb up a plant.He ended up falling asleep on Sandra's shoulder. Must take the bairns to see him when they come down.
Stephen came in on way home from work. It was lovely to see him. Good blether,then the doorbell rang and it was Arthur. He looks more like Stephen’s brother than his dad. They are going to see Ray Lamontagne in the Playhouse tomorrow. I’ve heard the name, but don’t know much about him. A bit like Bob Dylan, Otis Redding Arthur said.
Not much on telly tonight, so did a little ironing and managed to finish my little hat. Have to wait to measure Robert’s head before I can complete balaclava.
Enjoying reading "To the Nines" by Janet Evanovich - one of the books Sandra gave me. It's very funny.
The poet must have been feeling pretty negative, when he wrote the following poem.
November by Thomas Hood
(1789-1845)
No sun--no moon!
No morn--no noon!
No dawn--no dusk--no proper time of day--
No sky--no earthly view--
No distance looking blue--
No road--no street--
No "t'other side the way"--
No end to any Row--
No indications where the Crescents go--
No top to any steeple--
No recognitions of familiar people--
No courtesies for showing 'em-- No knowing 'em!
No mail--no post--
No news from any foreign coast--
No park--no ring--no afternoon gentility--
No company--no nobility--
No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease,
No comfortable feel in any member--
No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees,
No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds,
November!
If today is anything to go by, November doesn’t seem too bad weatherwise. as it’s been lovely most of the day and I’ve been feeling not too bad emotionally, though my back is still pretty troublesome.Still a few leaves on the trees and lots of berries for the birds. Gardener was here, so of course a blackbird and a robin were hopping hopefully around after him. All is now nice and tidy and he planted my winter pansies where I can see them when I am at the sink. I always think pansies have wee faces and I especially like the blue and yellow ones. Had a look at the hyacinth bulbs from last year’s pots which are in the hut. Sat there a wee while feeling close to John Helen arrived. Talked about having doors on kitchen units painted, as they’re a bit shabby.
Went to Sandra’s later to see the kitten. He is just lovely and such a wee cutey. Climbed into a basket,then peeked over the top, scurried about the book case,then tried to climb up a plant.He ended up falling asleep on Sandra's shoulder. Must take the bairns to see him when they come down.
Stephen came in on way home from work. It was lovely to see him. Good blether,then the doorbell rang and it was Arthur. He looks more like Stephen’s brother than his dad. They are going to see Ray Lamontagne in the Playhouse tomorrow. I’ve heard the name, but don’t know much about him. A bit like Bob Dylan, Otis Redding Arthur said.
Not much on telly tonight, so did a little ironing and managed to finish my little hat. Have to wait to measure Robert’s head before I can complete balaclava.
Enjoying reading "To the Nines" by Janet Evanovich - one of the books Sandra gave me. It's very funny.
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