Quiet Time

 Sometimes it’s nice to be away from the dogs.

Life is like a permanent kindergarten visit when they are always about.

Constant neediness, noise, motion and squabbles.

And of course, those are the very reasons I have them,

But just occasionally they can be exhausting and occasionally you have the need for silence 

Total silence without burbs, farts, itches and barks.

And I went to sit in the churchyard for a while

Where it was cold and quiet with only the chirp of hedge sparrows for company.

I wrote this blog in my head as I sat there. 

I’m having a grown up day today, which means that I’m going out to dinner with my friend Colin. 

It was his birthday a few days ago and he was fed up  at being alone on a work night, so I’m taking him out to dinner in Chester and will wear something ironed.

For the past few weeks have been exploring the knotty subject of self awareness in college and have been using the concept of the Johari Window in the look at self which is an interesting  if not a bit clumsy psychological  romp in itself. It’s always interesting to see yourself as others see you, especially when there is a real  I see moment to be had.

I’m not good in asking for things I want off people 

It’s a fear of rejection that takes precedence 

But I’m getting better at it

We are all a work in progress 

A Snooze in the Afternoon

This is the simple jug I bought from Sainsbury’s yesterday . It’s robust and pleasing and suits the daffodils which I’ve now filled it. Tulips will look good in it too. 

I took the dogs to Colwyn Bay Promenade first thing and bought daffodils from a little florist in the town before meeting a friend for brunch. 

I think brunch is the go to eating event popular with people now. I love it much more that a late dinner out , not that I’m invited out late much anymore . 

I popped in Eirlys’ beef casserole, wrote up some college notes and that’s it for the day.

A recent blood test showed I’m a bit anaemic so a crafty little snooze-Ette  is the order of the late afternoon 

It’s cool , but I cover me and the dogs in a throw and soon all of us will be asleep on the trendy couch .

Organic hot water bottles for each other

I will light the fire later.

Ps fire roaring , curried fish soup for supper, 2 hour chat with friend Nige on the phone 

Now settling down to watch crap tv

Food

 In my book and in my family Food can often be a metaphor for affection

I’m meeting my friend Colin on Friday and he’s a been a bit low as of late. 

We are going out for supper.

Today I cooked a huge beef stew thickened with left over mash potato.

I left it cooking on low for hours, so tonight the meat fell apart as it should for the best comfort food.

I’ve plated a bowl up and wrapped it in foil . 

I will take it around to Eirlys tomorrow morning. I can’t believe it’s been eight weeks since her husbands funeral. Food is always a good gift when grief is involved .

I skimmed a small bowl of gravy from the casserole and let it cool on the garden wall  before taking it up to Albert who has been under the weather today .

He finished the lot 

I was going out to a forensic talk on serial killers in llandudno tonight but couldn’t justify the 30 quid ticket cost ! Having said that I bought a pair of wellies and a reduced priced jug from Sainsbury’s this afternoon. 

The jug is perfect for daffodils 

Radio

 

Last night, as I was driving home after college I listened to a little gem of a radio programme on radio 4

Set in a northern city school File On Four learning to survive , was a gentle, but honest look of how an inner city school deals with a population ravaged by the financial crisis .

One sequence, had me geared up at Bluebell’s wheel 

It was the moment the school organised a “day in pyjamas” 

The children and staff all turned up in nightware, which was not just a bit of fun , but a crafty way for the senior teacher to see which children needed a proper fitting set of pyjamas later in the year.

“Of course we provide the new Pj’s “ she added “;but only after they won them in a raffle” 

And it was that lie that really broke my heart just a little.

What a wonderful head teacher

What a fantastic bit of documentary radio and

What a lesson learned 

He Used To Be Mine -

Planting Out

 

I took the iris and lilies my sister donated to the TCA down to the pond this morning and submerged them in a space I found beyond the little jetty. 

I checked with Nick who was one of the TCA that spearheaded the pond if I had done ok then came back home to shower all of the dogs, all of whom had acquired a real doggy pong.

Not surprisingly it was taking a neighbour to Dyserth for a doctor appointment that sealed their showers, the neighbour opened the passenger door window and poked a nose through when they thought I wasn’t looking.

I’ve been washing bedding and throws all morning.

Tuesdays , I’m in college 6pm until 9 but will get the library early to catch up on my workbooks and journal.

I’m tired, as my rhythms  are all out after nights 

Goodbye Jennifer

 

Jennifer Aldridge died rather fittingly with a glass of Prosecco in her hand and her sister, Lilian by her side, but all rather strangely this happened off screen as her son Adam burnt the carrots for a family dinner, and husband Brian shared a cheese cracker with Justin Elliot .

I was so surprised I had to stop the car on the Promenade in order to listen 

Angela Piper has played Jennifer since 1963

A year after I was born

Jennifer always reminded me of my sister Ann in a way. 

A fierce mother, a community stalwart, popular , and funny 

She visited me today with lilies and iris for the village pond 

And left on the patio table was homemade marmalade , cheese and chutney 

It’s nice to be looked after 

Web Page

 

I’ve not had much free time over the weekend but I’ve knuckled down and made more than a start on the Community Association web page, which I’m pleased about.

https://trelawnydcommunityassociation.blogspot.com/

That’s one less thing to get done. I have yet to expand the page suggesting the hall is an ideal venture for a “ do it yourself “ wedding. We’ve had a few of those over the years and they have proved to be quite delightful.

There is nothing I want to see at the cinema this week. 

Spielberg’s homage to cinema and his family is on next week but this week’s offering of Babylon has left me somewhat cold.

My book club book arrived Three Hours By Rosamund Lupton 

I will give that a go