This Too Shall Pass



I slept until 6 pm  
I slept heavily still with my crocs and hoodie on.
I slept with Dorothy watching me carefully as she does before I eventually opened my eyes at dusk 
It’s a habit she got into not long after she arrived

It’s not been a particularly nice day, so I made it a bit better by having a shower, walking the dogs in twilight and by eating  a nostalgic supper of chicken and mushroom pot noodle straight from the pot
Comfort food from the Spar in Dyserth. 

As I walked to the till with my pot noodle and tin of whiskers a boy of around seven asked me if I knew where the cheese was. I showed him and there followed  a rather sweet conversation between us of where the mild cheddar was. He had obviously been sent out by his mother to get something for tea . 
I pointed out a large block which cost over three pounds and the boy told me he hadn’t got enough money 
We searched the shelves together until  I found a smaller non branded block which still he couldn’t afford so I gave him a pound which gave him the extra and smiled to myself when he told the cashier to keep the change when he was 9 pence in credit.

I watched The Repair Shop and had a good cry at the table renovation.
And we are all going to bed feeling just a little bit better.

I’m not going to bang on about the lows of being single.
We all know what they are, and we singletons live with the negatives by generally celebrating the positives when we can . 
The negatives can just creep up behind you when you are unawares , like rainy clouds do in Autumn.
And I hate it when those negatives slap your face hard when you really don’t want them to.

At least I have a nervous bulldog who watches over me carefully when I sleep
Who can ever say that ……? Eh ?

74 comments:

  1. Anonymous8:03 pm

    Amen … it’s tiring too isn’t it? And having no one to say good night and good morning to just really saddens me xx

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    1. Better to be alone and making your own soup than w a person who won't say goodmorning or goodnight and who cares nothing for you. I know from experience.

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    2. Good always to have the first

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  2. Anonymous8:03 pm

    Libs x

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  3. If you could just train Dorothy to stroke your hair, Albert to make soup, Mary to clean the cottage and Roger to fluff your pillows, you'd have it made! But seriously, I hope a good long sleep and a Pot Noodle has helped. Tomorrow is another day. xx

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  4. He who dyseth John's diet shall come to grief.

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    1. It was a one off as no scotch eggs could be found lol

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  5. I hope you found something a bit more nutritious than a Pot Noodle, or you are in danger of feeling worse. I believe that we are what we eat!

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  6. A 7 year old child sent out to the shops alone?

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    1. Anonymous9:14 pm

      Thankfully there are still places in the world you can do that.
      KJ

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    2. Not really. One of the most appalling child abductions and murders in my locale occurred in a so-called rural idyll where everyone thought "it couldn't happen here".

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    3. and the fact remains that the majority of violence and sexual assualt on children happens in their "safe" places

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    4. You obviously haven't seen John's lovely little village. There are a lot less child abductions etc etc now than there ever were years ago, it's just that now we all have access to news from all over our countries and the world. It's actually safer now than it ever was before and children are also a lot more self-aware.

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    5. I thought the sending of a small child to the corner shop was a thing of the past …obviously not

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  7. Yorkshire Liz9:35 pm

    How refreshing the family that allows their child to be a small adult. He will become a credit to all who know him. Ah, the loneliness of single life. I recall a man on tv in an item about later life bereavement saying o e of the things he missed most was "having no-one to do nothing with." Says it all. The onset of dark autumn days make one melancholy.

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    1. Yes , perhaps it’s the longer evenings eh?

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  8. I can't imagine sending a 7 year old to the store alone. Or a twelve year old.
    I"hate" your blue moods, John, makes me feel so sad for you, esp the nasty cold fingers in your hair. And memories best left tucked into oblivion. Tomorrow will be better.

    lizzy xxx

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    1. The cold fingers m always a nice memory

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  9. You did your good deed for the day by helping out that young boy on his shopping mission. The price of dairy has gone through the roof recently due to inflation, certainly here in Canada and I'm sure Britain is no different.

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  10. Anonymous10:14 pm

    I found that down days were sometimes precursors to UTIs....

    ceci

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  11. Like you say, this will pass. Holding that thought is important. We all have off days and this certainly usually exacerbates any sad feelings. I hope you had a good sleep and enjoyed your noodles. Tomorrow is a new day and starting fresh will be good.

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    1. Yes….I watched a film ( so so) made soup and am just about to watch Taskmaster

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  13. Traveller11:04 pm

    “The negatives can just creep up behind you when you are unawares , like rainy clouds do in Autumn.”

    FFS write a bloody book

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    1. I don't mean to pile on, but do have a question or two about your book if you are game sometime?

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  14. Anonymous11:31 pm

    It's the minutiae of life with someone that mum said she missed most. Shared long-standing jokes, someone to comment on movies and tv with, someone to check your back if you think you have an insect bite there. "Someone to do nothing with," sums it up very well. She also said nobody needs her any more. Sadly, her dementia (with sundowning) is now so bad that we couldn't manage her any more and she had to go into care, and while that is in many ways terrible for her and for us, she does enjoy all the argey bargey that goes on and is usually in the thick of anything happening. She looks after the other residents too, even when they don't want her to! :) She feels needed again. Silver lining. Tina in west oz.

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    1. Yes I understand “ someone to do nothing with” very well

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  15. Crocs and hoodie? I guess you were making a fashion statement.

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  16. I'm a widow of three months tomorrow so just getting used to living alone and being lonely. I'm thinking that 'getting used to it' will never come. Alone is hard whichever way it comes. Thinking of you, John and hoping you find someone to share your life. I had a love for 48 years and am grateful.

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    1. I’m sorry Dianne and I apologise for perhaps indulging myself too much here…

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  17. Life is a quite a pile of good days and bad, of sweet and bitter, grief and joy. In the end we can only hope that when we are looking back, the days weave together to make something beautiful. Hugs, John.

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  18. But are you truly ever alone if you have a dog?

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    1. No , but they don’t quite understand nuances

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  19. Barbara Anne3:43 am

    You're a good man, John Grey. Remember to be gentle with yoursef.

    Hugs!

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  20. Only once have I paid for someone else's check-out tab. A cute elderly lady was scrabbling about in her purse for just a few Euros, so I said to the girl on the till that I'd pay for it. The little old lady was very grateful, but I did wonder if she didn't go around doing it on purpose!!! She possibly got all her shopping free!

    p.s. I think it was last year that I tried a Pot Noodle. I had to throw it away.

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  21. Just curious, have you ever had a woman propose to you? You are a handsome man, hard worker, love family and friends. Treat animals as you would human beings!! I just can't understand why you husband left. Makes no sense to me.

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    1. Lol no proposals by any lady and not from any man ( I proposed to my ex husband)
      He left because he didn’t love me anymore . It’s not rocket science

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  22. I always feel particularly nervous on those fortunately very rare occasions when an unaccompanied young boy (or, indeed, girl) asks me a question in public or for help - and I then can't hurry enough to get passed them. About 20 years ago a boy of around 10 or 11 asked me for help in getting the front wheel of his bicycle straight, which I did, though feeling unsettled all the while, keeping a wary eye on surroundings in case a parent of his or just a suspicious member of the public came round the corner, and accused me of trying to befriend the youngster. Such has become the world of today, alas!

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    1. I understand your comment Raymondo, I do.
      I did make a point of raising my voice so it was very clear I was answering his simple question

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    2. I doubt if many today appreciate just how much the world has changed in, say, the last 50 years, and in some respects for the worse (you'll be too 'young' to remember!). I recall the days when one could safely leave a front door unlocked, even when one was out, and not give a second thought as to whether one might have been burgled. Another instance of showing my age, I suspect.

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  23. I hope that young boy’s home life is OK. You did a good deed. Sorry for the sad times. I’m picturing Dorothy looking deeply into your eyes.

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    1. It’s a dreadfully serious look

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    2. But filled with love, I’m sure.

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  24. Some days being positive just seems to be impossible and we don't even have the energy! Sounds as if you are low at the moment with your health as well as spirits and I hope you feel better very soon. Time for comfort and self care.

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    1. Most of the time I feel ok …as we all do x

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  25. I just walk my dogs first-and then back home make a cup of sweet tea and wrap myself up in a fleecy blanket and let everything pass - tentatively I later appear out of the cocoon and continue x 🐶

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  26. John that was such a kind thing that you did. One pocket full of happiness a day will get us all through times like these. Enjoy your day. Molly x

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  27. Sometimes only a Pot Noodle or a bowl of ramen will hit the spot. I usually have a sneaky pot stuck at the back of the cupboard for some such emergencies. With a slice of bread and butter to dunk in the juices it can be a brilliant little meal.

    I love that the little boy paid forward his good fortune straight away. He will make a good man.

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  28. And a hundred blogging friends are pulling for you. Stay warm, rest,

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  29. Anonymous12:39 pm

    Hi John, I am new at being single after losing my wonderful husband of 53 years just 12 months ago. Our beautiful dog Millie died the day before. How’s that for a double blow.
    Life can be so unfair, some days I cope and others I am a wreck. I have a new puppy, Suki, who is my lifesaver and like your Dorothy, she watches over me while I sleep. Whenever I open my eyes there she is with her beautiful brown eyes keeping an eye on ‘mummy’. You are never alone with pets are you.
    I love your stories John, I don’t respond very often but your writing has me looking for your blog first when I open my iPad, so a big thank you from me.

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    1. I’m very sorry for your losses, and thank you for your kind words x

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  30. There's a lot to be said for a nervous bulldog. It sounds like a nice cozy night, actually.

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  31. I don't have a bull dog, just a cat that like to poke at me in the mornings to rise and feed her. I do worry about being alone some times. manage to fill the void when possible, but feel like those days will pass soon and I will rather be alone as apposed to the other options. The changing of the season doesn't help. It is best to throw yourself into something new. That is what I find myself doing.

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    1. Yes I get that, and I’m doing that….it just that the tide has turned rather too quickly

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  32. Hope you feel better today, John. :)

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  33. Like widowhood John -the negatives creep up on me and I miss David a lot - but most of the time I just count my blessings - 39 years and 23 years - two happy marriages. Another dog would fill a need but no way could I walk a dog now - can't even walk myself so memories all round. Regarding the little boy and the cheese = you are a sweetie.

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  34. Anonymous2:30 am

    Hi John, this is Maura from the old blog Lilac Lane Cottage…the little yellow farmhouse in Kansas. It’s so nice to see that you still have your blog and your sweet fur babies. I’m sorry to read that today wasn’t such a good day for you, I truly hope tomorrow is better. I’m not sure what a ‘pot noodle’ is…but it sounds like something that would be perfect for a rainy day. We no longer live in Kansas…we moved to Arkansas at the end of 2014. Three moves later we are now on a little two acre farm in the Ozark mountains. The adventure begins…again…at our age! Please take good care of yourself and those precious babies of yours. X

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    1. Anonymous5:40 pm

      Nice to hear from you again Maura xx

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