"The Green Green Grass of Home"

Wednesday, 14th May

Gilbert here first thing. He is going to paint the doors on Friday morning Margaret helped me to empty the cupboards in kitchen, then helped with rest of housework. She’s a real treasure. Rita here as usual in afternoon and we caught up with news. Went a short walk and was just in when Arthur came. We had a cup of tea and sat in the conservatory, then Helen arrived so it’s been quite busy all day. Kay phoned. Gavin’s away to London with his work. and Robert was away a Nature trail to Hailes Castle with the Beavers. Granny and Grandpa Mike were going too, so I’ll be hearing all about it when I see him. Hope he doesn't want me to go next time!

Tuesday, 13th May
It’s unbelievable how quickly the grass has grown! Jim cut it last Wednesday and again it’s nearly over my ankles. This is the fast growing time of course for everything.The
clematis is a fine example as it is running riot up to the top of the lilac tree! Out for a walk later (as the doctor ordered) but my legs were pretty painful when I got home. Phoned Gilbert Taylor about painting the kitchen doors

Monday, 12th May
At Longniddry Inn with retired friends from Ross High, so had a good blether about the old days, schools (then and now), our families, books, politics, local news etc. etc.- as well as enjoying our lunch.! Went to see Jean on way back, then met Sandra who came up for a wee while. Bobby came up later and fixed the trellis at the front as the clematis was falling all over the place!.

Oh dear Oh dear what’s going to happen next in Corrie after Liam’s night with Carla? It’s not back on till Friday too!

Sunday, 11th May.
Stephen’s 29th Birthday. How the years fly in. I’ll never forget that day when he was born. I was being paged all over Ross High to tell me I was a granny!At church in morning, then Margo arrived with Ailie. The band was having some publicity photos taken so Ailie stayed with me till she came back. Took her out a walk but she was desperate to see Vincent at Sandra’s so went in there a wee while. She couldn’t believe he’d grown so much!

Saturday, 10th May
Surprised to receive an invitation to a retirement party from Ross High. I’ve been retired so long I hardly know anyone there now.Anyway it’s nice to be asked and of course Christine will be there and Sandra’s going so I’ll see. I’m not very good at late nights now though!. Meeting fellow “retirees” on Monday for lunch so maybe they’ll be going too. At a brass band concert in the community centre at night with Helen and Chris and Jim, which was excellent.Years ago both the Grange and Lnks pits had pipe and brass bands and John played the cornet when we started going out together. Now we just have the Monktonhall band which won the area championships recently. They played all types of music ranging from the traditional stuff to “Chicago” and some Scottish marches.When A soloist played “Song to the Moon” by Dvorak it was so beautiful I felt the tears running down my cheeks,and it was the same when a seventeen year old boy played that lovely Irish Melody, “The Lark in the Clear Air”.

Friday,9th May
Went with Sandra to Cockenzie for Beryl’s mum’s funeral. which was in the “Auld Kirk”. I’d forgotten how interesting the church is, despite the plain exterior Very small but model boats on the window sills and two large fishing boat lights on either side of the pulpit. Also the fisherman’s banner was on display. The tide was coming in gently on the shore and as we passed the promenade, I remembered the fun I had playing there as a child and then how I spent lots of time there with my own family during the summer holidays.Nobody ever thought about going abroad then! Went shopping with Bobby, hair done etc.Kay phoned with all her news.