Celebrations

6th May, 2009.

This is getting really terrible.I'm just not managing to get into the habit of blogging again. Maybe it's because I don't have much to blog about!. Anyway here I go again. Was at my cousin, Agnes's 80th birthday party on 11th April at the Bruntsfield hotel (Very posh) and enjoyed it very much. She was a doctor and when we were both at Preston Lodge, I was always being told I should study hard like her and go to university, but I was too interested in other things then -boys mainly! Not John though, he came later and was worth waiting for.It was Helen's birthday too. Can't believe she's sixty five! We still call her "the bairn". Last week she was away with friends to Liverpool, doing the Beatles tour and had a great time. Next week she's off to New York for Al's nephew's wedding.The reception is in New York Central Park, so I'm dying to see the photos. I'll miss her when she's away, as she usually pops in two or three times a week. Dick and Joyce are London this week.Hope they got on all right as Dick's not been very well.
I'm feeling a bit better, now that I'm off the steroids thank goodness, but still not very great at walking. I'm very lucky, as I can always get lifts.
I was at Margo's on Easter Sunday and Ailie came to stay for two nights. It was great having her. We went to Sandra's on the Monday as she wanted to see Vincent, so we both enjoyed that too. Nice visit from Louise who had been at York and brought me a bag with" Betty's" on it from the cafe, a ceramic butterfly for the fridge and a Maggie o' Farell book "The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox", which I thoroughly enjoyed.I was really taken by surprise with the ending!
Jonathan was here this weekend and It was great having him too. It was supposed to be a study weekend, as his Standard Grade exams start this week, but we only looked at a couple of English papers, but I could tell he will do well anyway. He did his Italian on Monday and has Music on Thursday and English on Friday. Bobby and Arthur here on Saturday sorting out stuff in the hut and Margo was looking for wood to make swords for Ailie for her Highland Dancing. Her Grandpa would have enjoyed making them,but her dad's going to have a bash.
Pleased to hear Carol Ann Duffy has been made made Poet Laureate. Very well deserved.
Monday night I watched a programme on BBC4 called "A poet's guide to Britain" which was mainly about Wordsworth's sonnet "Composed upon Wesrminster Bridge", which is one of my favourites. It was very well done. When I was at London last year, I wanted to stand on the bridge and say it but we couldn't get off the bus!
Yesterday, Kay and the boys came to take me out. We were going to go to Merryhatton, but decided to go to the cafe in Port Seton instead, where we had a lovely lunch,then went to Helen and Al's. She showed us her wedding outfit which is lovely and of course Al will be wearing his kilt.When we came up, Kay helped me to make soup and the boys watched a video of Laurel and Hardy. No matter how many times they watch it they fall about laughing every time! It's a treat to hear them.
Today, I pottered in the garden for a wee while, trimming clematis etc. but I can't do much.It was pleasant sitting in the fresh air though when the sun was out, so had my cup of tea alfresco.
Margo called in on her way to band practice. Gave me three lovely photos of Keir, which were taken by a specialist photographer at school.
Find Corrie quite intriguing at the moment. Wonder if Ken is going to be found out?

Reading in the garden

Tuesday,6th May, 2008

Another bright, sunny day. Thank goodness Jim comes tomorrow to do the garden as the grass is growing so fast it’s nearly up over my ankles. Went up to the shops then to the community centre to find out about the brass band concert on Saturday.Phoned Rae to see how she was and then Chris to tell her about the time of the concert on Saturday. She is feeling much better now.
Decided to tidy out the little “ bus shelter” as John used to call it. He made it for me, so that I would have a shady place to sit and read. Washed the chairs,swept the leaves,then had a seat there and a cup of tea.
Enjoyed reading my Spring issue of Discover NLS. It was packed with fascinating articles and included lots of information about their latest exhibition, “The Art of the Graphic Novel” and an article about SKAMM, the project about training young film makers. Jonathan will be interested in both of these, so I must keep it for him. Also enjoyed the article on Lady Nairne, who composed some of my favourite Scottish songs.
Just got in from Jean’s when Margo phoned, as she usually does when she comes in. Kay phoned later to tell me about her invigilation at the Standard Grade English exam. She is doing some more next week and has managed to fit them in with her other job.Jonathan sits Standard Grade Maths tomorrow. Arthur has just left after having his favourite-a cup of tea and oatcakes and cheese before putting out the re-cycling boxes.