The cottage is cold. Night shifts mean a day in bed and lighting the fire is a luxury rather than a necessity.
It’s five pm, and the winter dark has descended
It’s cold.
It’s my last night tonight which I’m grateful for.
Then a weeks holiday, which I’m also grateful for
I’ve scheduled in operation dogsnot removal and the week so far looks dry.
Using my Christmas vouchers I’ve booked tickets to see The Kite Runner and renewed my membership to the Storyhouse and in ten days I’m London bound to take Nu to see Backstairs Billy for her Christmas Pressie. I suspect the comedy will be gentle and nothing more, but I’m looking forward in seeing national treasure Penelope Wilton and Luke Evans in the flesh so to speak.
Nu’s between houses, so I’ve booked a hotel near Covent Garden for a snip, which I’m glad about.
On the home front, I’ve informed some of the TCA of my intention to resign at the next trustee meeting. It’s not a decision I’m doing lightly, but comes on the back of some complaints we’ve had about the sponsorship of the Hall windows, which state they’ve been waiting too long for results to appear.
Bureaucracy and listed buildings is a nightmare journey to navigate, and work and college can’t get in the way of that. College come first, and work second.
So something has to give.
I will tell the committee that I will continue as a general volunteer and will continue to run the Flower Show.
I feel better that the decision has been made.
And so dear reader, I share my merge news with you over a cold kitchen table.
The room is scented with thyme as hand tied bunches, lie in small heaps with the veg
I need to have a hot shower before work and a strong coffee
Night times in hospices can be conspiratorial places
With honesties shared in the confessional dark.
Poetry. Sheer poetry at the end of this post.
ReplyDeleteAgreed!
DeleteI love Penelope Wilton. What a treat for you and Nu. Onward and Upward for 2024 my friend. Jackie
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it was a difficult decision to step back from the TCA committee, but with all you have going on, a wise one. I bet you feel a weight has gone from your shoulders. I hope the night shift is quiet and easy, and then you can enjoy some well earned rest. xx
ReplyDeleteYou already do enough village activities, so stepping back from the TCA was inevitable. No guilt trip, please. Sometimes you have to put yourself first to achieve what you need to achieve. For you, not just your community. And you are giving fair warning. Remember a baton, having been picked up, then has also to be passed on.
ReplyDeleteIf I was a troll I would say heating is not an expensive luxury when displaced by other expensive luxuries.
ReplyDeleteAnd I would agree
DeleteI believe you have figured out one way to slim down. Life obligations that don't have to be taken on at this moment.
ReplyDeleteLike someone said a weight off your shoulders.
Fan heaters aren't expensive to buy or run and heat a room quickly. I use them instead of lighting the fire if I'm not going to be in the house for long, such as getting up in the morning before going to work. I don't like my dogs to get cold.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.netatmo.com/comfort-guide/fan-heating#:~:text=Electric%20fan%20heaters%20are%20very,short%20space%20of%20heating%20time.
DeleteAnd they go to work with me so they're not left in the cold house.
ReplyDeleteMinesleep well all cuddled up warm together
DeleteKeep warm..and sane.
ReplyDeleteof course they do 😄
ReplyDeleteDifficult decisions at the beginning of a new year. Ultimately, personal needs must come first.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a very good New Year resolution.
ReplyDeleteThe Kite Runner is my favorite book. I hope the play lives up to it.
You've made some wonderful plans so hope the weather and trains will allow all to go on schedule with no irritation needed!
ReplyDeleteYou've also made some good decisions as "something had to give' and finishing school is numero uno.
Do they sell 'mattress warmers' there? They are wonderful on cold nights or days when you need sleep. For gaytime, many layers of clothes and hot foods and beverages.
Hugs!
Please make that last sentence read 'For DAYTIME, etc, but, of course, whatever! Wink!
ReplyDeleteThose last two lines could be the first two lines of your book. Which I hope you write.
ReplyDeleteHey ho
DeleteSometimes lightening one's load is a good thing. :)
ReplyDeleteI had to look up Backstairs Billy on Wikipedia to learn what the play is about. Although you're probably right that the humour will be gentle, it will be a treat to see Penelope Wilton as the Queen Mum and Luke Evans as her faithful gay butler.
ReplyDeletePenelope Wilton was wonderful in After Life and Luke Evans brings totty to anything he's in. I can't wait for your review which I suspect will be full of laughter and spunk x
ReplyDeleteYou've got your priorities ordered and that is important. University is key to your future. Enjoy your upcoming time with Nu.
ReplyDeleteYep, let the folks who want to see faster progress put shoulder to the wheel and make it happen!
ReplyDeleteOn the subject of bed warmers, we have what here is sold as a heated mattress pad - delightful for cold nights when the dogs can't quite cover the whole bed to warm it.
Ceci
Smart move. Petty bureaucracy is a killer of the best intentions.
ReplyDeleteJohn I seem to have skipped from down memory lane to 2024 with ease, Your chick's survival against the odds, your piggy adventures - it brought tears to my eyes as I relived it all with you. Avery good 2024 to you dear one.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your older posts! I didn't quite realize how much of a farmer you were!
ReplyDelete