Catching Up

Thursday, 28th February 2008


Can't believe it's been so long since I blogged. It's easy to let things go, but I really must try to keep up with everything. I'm trying to go out a wee bit more too. but when it's miserable weather I just want to curl up at the fire with my books or watch telly in daytime, which I always said I would never do. Saying that, I still enjoy all my visitors and I'm trying to go to choir practice on a regular basis. I've just finished reading "North and South", by Mrs Gaskell and the "Palace of Heavenly Pleasures" by Adam Williams. I enjoyed it but it made harrowing reading sometimes. It made me look up the history of the Boxer rebellion in China which I vaguely remember hearing about. Funnily enough I saw a film on telly recently called "55 Days to Peking", which had a similar theme. It starred Michael Caine and Ava Gardner. I've started "Half of a Yellow Sun", which seems quite good so far.
Really enjoyed Catherine’s birthday party in the Goth on 2nd February. Hadn’t heard the band for a long time, so I was very impressed with their performance and of course very proud. They looked good too as the boys had new shirts and Margo was lovely in a cream and gold outfit. Lots of people there, whom I haven’t seen for a long time, including Bobby and Arthur’s crowd from their teens. When Arthur started playing “Sweet Caroline” I knew Bobby would join him in a re-play of Wilson Brothers favourites. All their old crowd started cheering and Bobby responded of course. He was in great form. John would have been so proud to hear them singing together in harmony as they used to. Stuart joined in too at times and I see a big improvement in his singing and playing.

On Saturday past, Margo was sleeping here, as the band was playing at The Royal Musselburgh at a golf club dance. Ailie came with three of the Aunties to see Calamity Jane at the Community Centre, then to me for tea. I didn't make a meal or anything, Just put out rolls, cheese, salad stuff, grapes, tomatoes etc. They all helped and cleared up for me. Margo took me to church on Saturday. Peter Mackenzie was giving the sermon and I must say I enjoyed it. His knowledge of History and the Bible is excellent.

Chris came on Monday from Dubai and was telling me all about the huge buildings going up there.One of them is going to be the highst building in the world. She brought me a pretty box with stuffed dates inside which are too pretty too eat. Went to Doctor in afternoon, as I had an infection so he gave me antibiotics and we sorted out my pain relief. Margaret here on Wednesday and Rita in afternoon.She helped me with my knitting and we had a good blether. Today, The two Jeans and Nettie came. They brought home made scones, fruit loaves and marmalade.I think they've made more for the coffee morning on Saturday.

Blustery day

Thursday, 31st January

Really stormy this morning with snow and sleet battering on the windows, yet loads of birds again. Sat in the conservatory to read the paper and the noise made me think it was going to blow away! ( The conservatory I mean, not the paper.) It’s not a conservatory really anyway, too small, but John and I sat there a lot as it’s lovely to look out at the garden no matter what the weather. A day ror sorting out all last year’s photos, printing the ones I want and putting them into the albums I got for Christmas. I have them all in my IPhotos, but I still like to have them lying about to look at. I’d never used John’s digital camera before, but I took quite a few last year. I’m going to make up an album just of him. In lots of the photos he has a bairn in his arms. Oh, dear it gets a bit too much sometimes looking at them and typing this.

Dick took me to my bank in Tranent then to Port Seton to have my eyebrows tidied up. Thought I’d better smarten myself up for Catherine’s 50th birthday party on Saturday. Margo phoned as usual when she got home. She told me that the school for handicapped children which is near hers had a fire alarm and all the pupils had to be brought in to their assembly hall. She said most of the wee souls were soaking, so some of the staff and older pupils dried them off and tried to warm them up . Kay phoned too and she was saying that Robert revels in this kind of weather, splashing about etc. Douglas was on a trip to Edinburgh castle as he’s doing Mary, Queen of Scots at school. Must look out some of the information and pictures I have and legends about her life. Think there’s a tape somewhere of the girls or me singing the ballad, “the Queen’s Marys.”

Finished reading “ Rose of Sebastopol”. Enjoyed it, as the background was the Crimean War. Like all wars. All about power, possessions and politicians. We never learn from history. Later on more history, as programme on BBC4 about Neville Chamberlain trying to negotiate with Hitler, the presenter saying that he was the first person to introduce “ Summitry”. There was a lot more to Chamberlain than I used to think. Sad man though.

Central Heating

Tuesday, 29th January

Couldn't believe it on Saturday morning when I realised there was no central heating. Just about to phone one of the boys when I remembered I pay maintenance so the Gas Board said someone would come at some point . I was on tenterhooks as Jonathan was coming for a mini Burns supper with his four aunties (his dad’s sisters) Gas man duly arrived at 4pm, but the job couldn't’t be done till Tuesday. However he brought a fan heater and I had two other heaters, plus an open fire in the living room so it was reasonably warm when the girls arrived about 5.30. They had told me they would bring food so and sure enough they brought haggis puddings suppers from the chip shop, and we toasted the Bard in Irn Bru etc Later they washed up and cleared everything away. We had a great night, as I’d loads of poems and songs typed out, so everyone was able to contribute something. What a laugh when Bobby arrived to see how the heating was doing and of course was kidding them on, quoting Burns etc.


On Sunday was at church. Bobby wanted me to come to his afterwards, but Gavin was coming to take me to theirs as they were having a wee Burns supper and haggis and Douglas wanted to recite the address. He then played the piano and showed me the guitar chords his pal had shown him.He wants Uncle Arthur to give him lessons.

Monday was the girls' birthday.Can't believe they're now forty five. Makes me feel really old. They both phoned. Helen came for lunch and caught up with all the news. Gave me a lift to my friend !sabel’s in afternoon. We were laughing at this couple I know slightly, who have a reputation for nosiness. They were hanging back watching me getting out of the car and putting off time to see where I was going. When I did go in the gate the woman hurried up to ask who I was visiting. I'm afraid I was a bit short, as I just said " A friend", Honestly, some people
Evening was at Brunton with Jean to see “Elizabeth. the Golden Age” Wasn’t as good as the first Elizabeth, though some of the scenes were pretty spectacular and costumes were lovely. Bobby was our chauffeur for the evening!

Tuesday was miserable day weatherwise again,but loads of birds in the garden, mostly sparrows and starlings, and of course my lone robin hopping about. On the grass in the community centre recently I was surprised to see a flock of oyster catchers pecking on the grass. I’ve never seen them off the shore. It’s amazing the variety of birds that frequent my brother’s garden such as finches, gold crests, loads of bluetits, coal tits plus the usual varieties. Whether it’s the food he mashes up for them or living near the tower that attracts them I don’t know.Chris came for lunch.She’s off to Dubai on Thursday to visit her son and family

Electrician arrived, thank goodness, so that’s the heating and hot water going again.

Robert Burns and Seamus Heaney

Friday, 25th January

Well there was certainly “a blast o’ Januar wind “ today ( to quote our birthday boy Robert Burns). I was nearly blown over going down the path this morning and was glad to get home out of the cold. Thank goodness for central heating and double glazing, though I know we should be more conscious of the environment. Imagine how cold it must have been in Burns’s time, especially if you were poor, like him. In one of his most tender love poems/songs he tells his love he'll shelter her from “The Cauld Blast”.

I was asked if I would sing at a Burns lunch at the “Disability Resource Centre” on Thursday at the Community Centre, as I had been there to see my niece, who is disabled because of a tumour on the brain. First time I had sung solo since John died, but Helen went with me and I took along copies of songs and asked everyone to sing along as they were well known and cheery ones. When I see Catherine and others like her who are quite young and so helpless, it makes me feel so humble.

I was delighted to read in the Scotsman that another of my favourite poets, Seamus Heaney, has written a poem in praise of Burns and in his style. I remember reading one of his poems "Mid-Term Break" to an S3 class and some of the girls burst into tears and I think some of the boys were struggling . Like Burns, some of his poems could be very moving.

Arthur came along to have breakfast with me this morning and brought his guitar to let me hear the songs he’s singing at a Burns Supper tomorrow night. John would have enjoyed hearing them. He was pleased that I had managed to sing again,as were the girls when I told them, but I couldn’t go back to doing it on a regular basis.

Out and About

Tuesday, 22nd January

Just can’t seem to keep up to date. Everything I do nowadays seems to take ages, and I feel so drowsy all the time. Must go back to the doctor to find out what’s making me so sluggish. Think I need medication adjusted again. Where was I anyway ? Last week I decided I was going to try to get more fresh air, so Thursday I went for a walk and popped in to Harlaw Hill Day centre. Haven’t been in since John died as it reminds me so much of how he enjoyed playing his accordion there. However, I was fine and enjoyed a blether with Julie, Fiona and Fiona’s mum and of course some of the clients. In the afternoon I walked up to the shops to buy some odds and ends. Pretty stiff when I came home, but felt I had achieved something. Sandra had put the two books she had promised in the door - “Cranford” and “ The Rose of Sebastopol” . I’d just finished reading “The Night Watch” by Sarah Waters, which I enjoyed.

Friday I managed to visit Nan and Jerry. Arthur was off work, so he gave me a lift and I got the bus back. The bus stop is just outside their door. Sharon had postponed my appointment for me, so I managed shopping etc in afternoon. Saturday, had long lie. Just getting dressed when Dick and Joyce arrived, then Arthur with a new padlock for the gate. Later Margo arrived with Jonathan who was staying the night, which was great. He sorted out my videos and dvds and put the ones I want to keep on the bookshelves in John’s room. Of course we had a look at some of them and one was of him which was on STV at the premiere of the first Harry Potter film at Ocean Terminal. He looked so sweet, with his black cloak and specs, holding up his book for the camera.

Sunday, Church in morning then Margo came for him with Ailie and Keir so we all looked at the video again plus some old ones of Burns suppers, birthdays etc. I was OK watching them as it was good to remember the happy times, with John playing with the bairns and us all having great fun.

Monday, Ray arrived with Anna’s wedding photos, which were lovely. She’s a beautiful girl. Helen came in afternoon with our niece Karin. She’s staying at Port Seton first, then coming to me tomorrow night.

Haven’t done much today, except some shredding and organised the cupboard in the study. Finding it very cold.

New Year photos

Family party 2008

Wednesday, 15th January,

Fun and Games

Great day on Sunday, with everyone here for our annual family party. We seem to be expanding all the time (not with more grandchildren, or great grandchildren, but with the big boys’ girl friends). Robert, Douglas and Kay arrived first and the boys were high as kites, but calmed down when asked to help to put out wee nibbles, move chairs around etc. I’m always amazed how Robert can help so much as he’s only six. He reminds me of Stuart at that age. Helen arrived, then all the rest of the big ones, then Margo so there was some teasing going on.We all said Keir was like his grandpa as he was wearing a collar and tie. Once as many as possible squeezed round the table Catherine started dishing up the soup and everyone settled down. Later they helped themselves to Helen’s stovies, chilli. etc. and I was told to sit back and do nothing. Robert was desperate to help put the cream on the trifle, but I think half went in his mouth!

We had to have the old games, jokes etc and Grandpa’s magic tricks, which included the disappearing act with the blanket, and played “Ducky Ducky, Quack Quack”. I think the best one this year was Bobby doing a form of charades called “Bumspeak”. Only he could carry it off and we were all falling about laughing. I couldn’t guess any at all, but the bairns caught on quickly especially Douglas. They all cleared up, hoovered etc and made me a cup of tea before they went home. Again I feel so blessed and know that John was there at the heart of things. I can see him in them all.

Later I watched “Lark Rise to Candleford” and the final episode of “Sense and Sensibility. Lovely!

Monday it was the day to meet my friends from Ross High at Longniddry Inn so had another good day.
Tuesday things really caught up on me, as I felt exhausted all day.
Today, realised I’d forgotten to put out recycling boxes, so it’ll just have to do till next time. Rita here in afternoon.