A Face Only A Mother Could Love


 I didn’t have time to reply to yesterday’s post comments . 
It was past ten when I finally sat down after working all day.
I’d been on my feet most of that time and before bed, Dorothy gleefully licked my rancid feet until they shone like my chilblains used to when I was eleven and walking home in the snow.

Does anyone suffer from chilblains any more? 
With global warming I doubt it.

I was never cut out to be a buff hero
As a child I had chilblains, a mild stutter and warts on my left hand 
Later on I suffered from prickly heat , late diagnosed dyspraxia and vikings finger

Now I have the bladder of woman that might of borne a dozen children and the kidneys of  an old cat who has licked antifreeze

Oh….And stress psoriasis worthy of an exploded cereal packet in a confined space 

I’m not a catch for sure, but I’m writing this with a bucket of coffee 
At 5.45 am 
Before work on a Sunday morning

Ps I’m colourblind too





88 comments:

  1. Anonymous5:57 am

    Hi John - long time follower from South Africa. Visit GG daily.
    I rarely comment, though. Might I suggest you watch Dr Ken Berry’s YouTube Channel. Search for his name followed by eg psoriasis, kidney problems etc. Through changing your diet - eliminating sugars/refined carbs/grains/vegetable seed oils and, instead, eating plenty of fatty meats, fish, eggs, butter and other dairy (if you tolerate it) with limited low carb, non starchy veg - you will turn your health around and lose body fat, effortlessly and without going hungry! You get to eat without weighing, measuring, counting macros/calories.
    Yes, it goes against everything we have been taught about what constitutes a “healthy” diet - but once you do your own research on the low carb/keto/carnivore lifestyles (they are not “diets”), I am sure you too will be persuaded to try this for yourself.

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    1. I went on this type of diet in May after discovering I was on the verge of diabetes. So far I have easily lost 30 lbs. The big thing is keeping carbs to about 120g a day an d cutting the amounts I eat.. Surprising how much I can still eat. I feel better all around and my A1C level has lowered a lot.

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  2. Gosh, if Mr Right is reading this you might be putting him off. I am pretty sure some of this can be treated, like psoriasis. Anyway as always, you keep your head on and can laugh at yourself. We love you no matter what! [how do you so beautiful chose colors and fabrics for your home if you are colorblind! Amazing.]

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    1. My colourblindness is basic red/green though browns can flummox me sometimes depending on the light

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  3. You also have a heart of gold, a great sense of humour, intelligence, compassion, empathy, the ability to cook amazing food etc, etc. You have a kind face, a warm smile and a twinkle in your eyes. I think I'm falling in love... xx

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  4. Anonymous6:24 am

    It’s your sterling qualities of compassion, personal courage and fabulous sense of humour that matter more than psoriasis… I admit the physical difficulties can sap your strength, but you’re pretty good at pilling yourself back up by your bra straps, aren’t you. XX Virginia

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    1. Today’s post was tongue in cheek although my physical fuck ups are all true ( the psoriasis is on,y in tiny patches)

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  5. Yorkshire Liz6:37 am

    Now look here, you! This is not self pity, this is a nurse knowing too much and looking too critically at the body it inhabits, And by incorrect hard wiring at an early age is far too critical and impatient with itself. By your age, and doing the hard job you do, physically and mentally stressful, let me tell you - you're really not doing so bad, mate. Join the creaking over fifties club!
    Who and what you are, at your age, (younger than me, may I mention) becomes more important than how you are in the bigger scheme of things.
    And that still makes you a special human being and a great catch. Ah, if only I was gay and male I would be straight round to yours with a can of coffee and a Scotch egg.....

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    1. This made me chuckle Liz ,,

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    2. Yorkshire Liz5:20 am

      I should think so. A good giggle at oneself cures most things. Next time I am over to Gladstone's Libray I will deliver scotch eggs in person. You have been warned. ;)

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  6. None of us are perfect John, and whilst your body might have its hiccups in certain departments, you have the soul of an angel. A good angel that is - not Lucifer!

    As for chilblains, a good friend of mine in Dorset rarely puts her heating on in the winter and has chilblains every year.

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    1. I hated chilblains with a vengeance , the pain for those that have never experienced them is excruciating

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  7. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes.
    PS - I had psoriasis on my elbow back in the 80s. My Dad gave me some cream (I think it was some kind of steroid cream) cleared it up in hours. Hours. It never came back in that spot. I don't know what the cream was called but I've never found anything like it again.

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  8. I don't think I dare look at myself as closely and as honestly as that! There are also so many positive and good things about you so it must just not be a moment for dwelling on those. May today be a good day.

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    1. I have t even discussed. My weight in this one ….I can’t laugh at that

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  9. Yet your life is full of love. Go figure.x

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  10. Yes, but you are definitely you...and a generous, giving human being x

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    Replies
    1. What you see is what you get…well almost

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  11. Anonymous7:21 am

    Fit as a Mallee bull, you are then. For temporary skin problems causing an itch, Soov (brand name) is excellent. It is like a coarse talcum powder. I never travel without it.

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  12. I use sudocrem on itchy bits and vicks x 🏇

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    1. May I add - though not for psoriasis as far as I know but on undiagnosed skin problems on us - topical application of diluted cider vinegar or manuka honey or coconut oil x 👳

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    2. Then roast at 250 until done.

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  13. I'm more scale than skin these days... go figure.. I have a left elbow that could scale a fish....the right one is perfect. Getting old is an arse for sure... but it is what it can only be. I am otherwise healthy but could certainly lose 10 lb or so... and that is what I will concentrate on this spring... but I doubt I will be beach ready lol. Chin up my friend...you are a lovely, generous petfather and giving human who writes marvelous tales that keeps me enthralled. I am still waiting for the book title by the way.

    Jo in Auckland

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    1. I’m Back on a diet , my weight is the main objective now everything else seems in order

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  14. You neglected to mention that you are also an excellent farter - trumpeting noxious gases like a coal-fired power station - the noise resounding around the valleys..."How Brown Was My Valley".

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  15. You are far from repulsive darling x

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  16. Ahh, but that kind and loving heart of yours! Money can't buy that, John. I don't give a damn what people look like - it's their insides that I love.

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    1. Hummm I wonder what mine looks like after a half dozen scotch eggs

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    2. I have made my own scotch eggs, and DAMN! They're divine, so that means divine INSIDES!! :)

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  17. And yet we all love you anyway, John!

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  18. Well, those physical er...attributes are duly noted. Now the real stuff, kind to humans and animals alike, has many 'fans' around the world, writes well and makes people want to read what he has written. Has a sense of humour and has created a lovely home which his animals clearly adore, as we his readers clearly adore him, apart from a couple of non-entity toss-pots that is. Hold back on the negatives, big up the positives, and be as kind to yourself John Boy as you are to your friends and family. Your 'fan' Tess x

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  19. We are none of us perfect, but you do have so many good and generous qualities in life.
    Your pets adore you, that is easy to see.

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  20. I adore you too and yes I have started to suffer from chilblains this last two winters. Any ideas for anything which might help. And also if you remember can you or your hospice shop send me another christmas card brochure - \I always buy my cards from you and I have accidentally thrown my booklet away.

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    1. Will do pat , look at this reply in a bit, I will put the link on it

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    2. See

      https://stdavidshospice.org.uk/shop/

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  21. Everyone else has said it all. But here's another post from another imperfect person just to say how much we all value your posts. It would be great to meet you some day. Jxx

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  22. Ha, the only difference is you tell it like it is, and most other people just don't share their various ailments and problems. We all have them, in some form or other. I had chilblains from having to walk back and forth constantly throughout the day through the snow from the main school to my portable classroom. My footwear never really dried out. Had no idea what was happening until my British doctor told me with in a very matter of fact way. I am now going to look up "Viking finger". -Jenn

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    1. They are terribly painful jenn are they not .

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  23. krayolakris2:09 pm

    Yet you are loved by many! And so kind to people and animals. So inspiring to those of us who have personal struggles. Carry on!

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    1. Inspiring to those with chilblains and deformed fingers

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  24. Age takes its toll on all of us but behind/under every flaw there lurks beauty. In fact, someone once said, a persons true beauty is in their flaws.

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    1. I amused myself in the list , it was and is a humourous post

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  25. I had to google Chilblains and Viking finger as I didn't know what they were. You know too many medical terms! That's why you can label them all. Next post you should list all of your assets! :)

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    1. A sense of humour and no sense of smell

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  26. Anonymous4:37 pm

    Right on cue - another of those "poor me" blog posts written to garner comments to tell you how truly wonderful you are.

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    1. Oh dear! Jealousy is a very real thing I see.

      Jo in Auckland

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    2. Anon, I think you, as always,do miss an ironic post when you read one

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    3. Anon, you are right on cue

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    4. Traveller7:25 pm

      Gotta love Anon’s posts now and then.

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    5. Boringly predictable!

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    6. ...and yet she continues to read. What a strange soul she is.

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  27. I had to look up "Vikings finger." I've heard of chillblains but I'm not sure I've ever understood what they are, either. (Remember, I grew up in Florida!)

    We all have our medical anomalies, I suppose. I'm always surprised by the number of kids at our school who have nut allergies or a single kidney.

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    1. It’s common in Scandinavians ..I have 30 % Scandinavian genes

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  28. Barbara Anne5:20 pm

    Be gentle with yourself, friend. You know we love you inside and out but most of us are far to distant (or otherwise wired) to help with 'all the right places'!
    How did you manage to create such a colorful and well color coordinated home despite being colorblind? Amazing.

    Hugs!

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    1. I think I’m only really colourblind to hues of red and green ( and some blues)
      Never yellow

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  29. Wow, that's a long list. Nobody is perfect, despite some thinking otherwise. My favorite people are always, beautifully imperfect. Just like me! Take care and know you are much loved...

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    1. A man I met once at Sheffield’s reference library was made more attractive by the hole in his green jumper

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  30. Oh I think you are a catch - the wit out does everything.

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    1. It was a silly post from start to finish

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  31. My brother in law has the same affliction

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  32. My dad had that, the finger thing, and had an operation to cure it. I remember visiting him in hospital. I needed the loo and popped to the nearest one. Oh boy, what a mistake, the ward sister asked me where I had been, and lost her rag when I told her because the loo I used (!) was reserved for private patients and not plebs like me. Wow - what a lesson in how to treat people. She was bloomin furious. In retrospect, 25 years later, she had a bit of a hang up. Lol.

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  33. And you are a dog trainer, chicken whisperer, skilled nurse, bright, talented, capable of carrying a conversation, a good neighbor,

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    1. Lol sometimes they are still not enough

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  34. I remember first reading about chilblains in fairy tales and not knowing what they are. To this day I think of them as something 'magical' although I will pass on them.

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  35. My mother had chilblains, attributed to crossing a long bridge in Cleveland, on her trip to and from school in Cleveland in the '30's. There wasn't enough money to take the street car. When she arrived home, her legs were massaged with snow, because that was how you treated the problem--hair of the dog.

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  36. Anonymous4:31 am

    ❤️ my kind of person.

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  37. I had to look up chilblains. It doesn't look like I had them, but I didn't need them. I had enough problems growing up.

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  38. As a child I was prone to chilblains on my ears!

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  39. All I remember about chilblains is that the Roman soldiers use to urinate on theirs and it was supposed to be a cure....not that I am suggesting you do this:)

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  40. I wondered if you may walk uphill more frequently John - Recently I did and I lost a middle bit swiftly x 🏃

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  41. You're such a catch ... no wonder we all love you. ;-)

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  42. No No...it wont work....everyone knows you're gorgeous and you have far too many eyeing you off with dishonorable intent....Nice try !

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I love all comments Except abusive ones from arseholes