Titivating Again

It was cold at 7am this morning despite having a Welsh terrier tucked firmly under my left armpit and  a needy new bulldog resting nervously against my right thigh.
The weather has turned and the sharp cool of Autumn has arrived .
I contemplated climbing under the duvet from my place under the ancient and now scarred patchwork quilt cover, but decided to get up.
I have not slept under the duvet since my husband left 18 months ago.
I'm sure some friendly psychotherapist would have something to say about that one


The village feels damp and muddy looking and the Day before yesterday I planted out cheerful looking cyclamen in pots and planters on the kitchen wall to brighten things up.
Mr W stopped to chat as I was firming down, he's my age and sports a bigger smile
" Titivating again I see!" he giggled charmingly
Mr W , is always giggling unless he's chatting about his health
I thought it was too good to be true for after a brief titter I listened to a text book and rather comprehensive journey into his recent arthritis experiences.
Trendy Carol tottered past as we talked . I am sure she had a pair of animal print pumps on, she and her husband have been true friends since I started work at the hospice as they have allowed the dogs to take over their very trendy conservatory on the evenings I am working.
At 9pm I find them all sleeping on her expensive garden room sofas surrounded by scatter cushions kicked with gay abandon upon the floor.
She never minds Winnie's more destructive traits.

I had just collected the dogs last night and found a message from the wonderfully named  Kelda Manly who lives in the Still House on Well Street.
" Would I like to attend a House Concert tomorrow night at the Papworth's house down our lane at 7.00pm?"
I have no idea what this concert is all about but of course, somewhat intrigued,  I agreed !

The dogs and I walked around the village before bed last night and I should have thought about sleeping under the duvet again then, as I watched the breath puff out like steam jets from the dogs noses as they breathed in and out the flavours of the Village Green


58 comments:

  1. Anonymous10:37 am

    A nice picture painted.

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  2. Kelda Manly - famous for giving soothing massages. Why not treat yourself to a new duvet and give the other one to a charity shop? I believe that I can understand your instinctive aversion to the old duvet.

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    1. Or you could find a nice woolen blanket to place under your quilt. But certainly rid yourself of the duvet that is siphoning your joy.

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  3. Thanks to Google, I have some idea what "titivating" means - and yes you were. Interesting how we sometimes relate feelings or emotions to things. Items we want to hold onto, but won't use, items that the very presence of which upset us or bring us great joy. Thanks for the glimpse into village life.

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  4. I love when you titivate. Maybe you should buy a new duvet and donate the old one to charity (or have a ritual burning).

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  5. Get rid of the duvet - make it into a bed for the dogs and treat yourself to a nice new one. Your cyclamen's look good. I need to have a titivate around my garden!!! Enjoy your day John. :)

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  6. I understand too about the duvet. Invest in a new one.

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  7. Yes John - chuck that old duvet out - make a real ceremony of it, clear your mind of it. Then go out and purposefully buy a new duvet and a couple of new covers - nice bright cheery ones. xx

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    1. I reread my post and promptly bought another on line. Compete with a new duvet cover set. The pillows I had replaced over a year ago

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  8. Glad you have ordered a new one. A colour that you like, hopefully, too. -Jenn

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  9. Burning sounds good....get it out of the house

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    Replies
    1. What if it was feather-filled? Won't it be a dreadful reeking burn?

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  10. After my top dog passed on( he used to sleep on my head)I couldn't go to bed at all and slept downstairs in the sofa or floor from May until the winter.Eventually I got too cold and reluctantly went to bed,still very sad.Perhaps you could place the quilt at the end of your bed to keep your tootsies warm and place another cheery one on top of you x

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  11. Sounds a bit like a Hyacinth Bucket kind of evening, complete with candlelight supper ?
    Your neighbors sound like kind and caring people, especially Trendy Carol and her husband, helping you with the dogs.
    A new duvet sounds perfect, let the dogs have the old one :)
    Lovely flowers, all bright and cheerful.
    ~Jo

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  12. there's dna in that duvet. get a new one!

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  13. Yes, Trendy Carol has really stepped up and helped with the doggies by sound of it - fashionable and not minding dog hairs on her trendy cushions makes her sound awesome!

    Duvets have become so inexpensive ~ throwing one out can now mean a fun trip back to IKEA!

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  14. Maybe that duvet is as lonely as you and needs YOUR company.

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  15. A house concert sounds intriguing. It brings to mind one of those Jane Austen adaptations where everyone sits around on hard backed chairs while young ladies show off their skills on the pianoforte and an obliging young man turns the pages of the music book for them!

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  16. You paint an idyllic picture of village life. So different from my days in this cacophonous city. Methinks your thoughts turning to reclaiming the duvet might suggest a measure of healing.

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  17. North Clwyd animal rescue would love the opportunity to have that duvet 😉

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  18. Cyclamen are always so perky!

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  19. Anonymous2:25 pm

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  20. I don't know if someone else said this, get a new duvet and set of sheets. I had to, even after months, I swear I could still smell him. I washed them, yes, a number of times.

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  21. People like Trendy Carol are absolute treasures. Pleased to hear you're getting a new duvet and covers. What colour?

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  22. And it's going to be colder still tonight - down to 3C in these parts (so yours could be lower still) - and I don't even have any heating (long story!) except for an electric blanket and two hot water bottles. Good news is that once tonight is over milder days AND nights due to return for at least a few days, maybe longer. Meanwhile spare a thought tonight for four cold pussies.

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    1. I don't worry over a cold Pussy Raymondo xx

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  23. House concerts were a "thing" in Canada for awhile. I haven't heard of any lately, but they sounded like fun.

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    1. Heidi8:48 pm

      They're a get together with entertainment by a musician, a relaxed and informal affair with refreshments. Do go John, I've always enjoyed the ones I've been to.

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  24. After my x walked out I bought new sheets, pillows and pillow cases, blankets and duvet. I also slept in another room till his smell was gone. Aired everything out. Small steps but it all helps.
    Out with the old in with the New.
    parsnip

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  25. The cyclamen are beautiful.

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  26. Barbara Anne3:46 pm

    Love the cyclamen and another view of village like.

    Well done in getting yourself a new duvet! Have you decided on the ritual burning or donation of the old one?

    Hugs!

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  27. EX-husband! Throw that thing out , go on Amazon and order a new duvet and fresh clean cover. I hate when you wallow. 18 months!? [PS I see you already are doing so, good job!]

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    1. Not wallowing. It was just a comnent

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  28. You have some really great neighbours John just as you are a good neighbour x

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  29. When finances allow get a nice new bed or at least a new mattress as well.
    Wash that man right out of your hair . . .

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  30. Yep, chuck out the old duvet with it's ex-husbands dribble and negative memories. Buy the biggest and snuggliest one you can find and get ready to hunker down for Winter with your furry family. You deserve comfort and warmth ... and fresh DNA.

    Your friendly psychotherapist. xx

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  31. I agree with "A Smaller Life." In with the new.

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  32. Beautiful flowers and a nice newsy post! I agree with others about getting a new duvet. It will make a difference and you can donate the old one.

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  33. I am so glad that you have ordered a new duvet. And loved your cheery titivating.

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  34. pix of the new bed cover when it arrives! you deserve something of your very own!

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  35. It's Kelda Manley btw...do accept the invitation, the music will be good.
    Her parents had the next smallholding down from me when I lived in Caernarfonshire...I got childminding in exchange for grazing for their sheep on my spare fields!

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    Replies
    1. Small world !!!Laurie and Karen are dearhearts!
      Saw them all at the concert

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  36. Well, I had to look up that word.
    And snuggling with doggies seems to be a popular thing when fall comes. My one friend does it too.

    XoXo

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  37. House concerts around my neck of the woods help musicians through the long cold Canadian winter when there are no music festivals to play at. Someone opens up their house, charges 20 bucks at the door, a great fun night of music via a mini concert. I’ve seen some very talented people through house concerts. All money collected goes to the artists, not the host. Ours are BYOB and a snack to share. Hope you enjoy yours!

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    1. It was fantastic and a new phenomenon to me..I'll post about it tomorrow

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  38. A house concert sounds like a good time.

    I'm glad you have such accommodating neighbours to help take care of the dogs. They are worth their weight in gold.

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  39. Trendy C. and I would get on. I love my animal print pumps. I remember buying them on sale and the sales clerk said they were wondering who would buy them and it looked like I'd give them a good home!

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  40. Go buy a new duvet! Or get over it and get down the old duvet. It's damn cold, these nights. More than a two dog night, anyway.

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  41. The flowers look lovely John I cheated I'm a day late and already read about the fun concert glad the new duvet is on the way.

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  42. It's cold here too! The cyclamens look great. I have a few that I've been keeping inside all summer (away from the squirrels) -- I should put them out again. Maybe they'll bloom.

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