December 2008

View from my front step 2.12.08

1st December 2008
Well here we are the final month of the year 2008. I remember the build up to the millennium that doesn’t seem that long ago, its rather frightening how the years fly by. I have started organizing Christmas but its taking a great deal of effort to get motivated. I was so happy to post my overseas cards before the last posting date. Missed the surface mail again this year so I must get myself a reminder as its quite expensive otherwise. I expect there will be a many tightening their belts this year with the increase of fuel, food and utilities. I know I am very careful with electricity but I wont be skimping on heating as that is asking for trouble. But I have turned the thermostat on the central heating down a degree for the time being and wear socks and sweater in the house. My youngest son Stuart had his Fortieth Birthday last week, it seems incredible to me that I have three children over Forty. But still its only a number, all three look much younger than their age. I have stopped counting years its irrelevant, its how you look and feel that matters. Keeping the body and brain active is important ,if you don’t use it you will lose it. I try to pace myself but sometimes thing take over and then I have to stop, have a couple of days chilling, then I am up and out again.
I have been shopping for Christmas gifts it is so difficult for me as I agonise over what is suitable for any given one. I should start earlier and I used too when the family was at home and I was working full time, but now I have little interest in shopping. Thursday I found my way to IKEA in Ashton Under Lynn what a journey, the rain was pouring down and I was on the motorway for ages. The directions I had confused me and after taking a number of wrong turnings I eventually saw IKEA miles from where I expected it to be. Enjoyed the mooch though, it took me  hours to walk around the store. Bought eight items unique to IKEA and enjoyed a  light tasty meal, so I was happier on the way home. I have lots of Christmas Outing and Parties in the weeks leading up to Christmas , just hope the weather holds up. We have had some really bad frosts and it was very foggy for 24 hours at weekend.

2nd December Look what I woke up to this morning, snow 4 inches deep. It was certainly a surprise the weather bureau hadn’t prepared us for this. It was lovely snow , powder dry just like we used to have when I was a child. I really enjoyed clearing it off the drive as it was so light and easy to shift. By lunch time the rain had reduced the roads to a mush and I think by morning the snow will have gone.

Armistice Day

The Birthday Boy

November
On the 6th I drove up to Harrogate to see the family. It was cold and wet but I enjoyed getting to know the car. The electronics are so different from the previous model I will have to learn one thing at a time. This drive I concentrated on the lights, heater, wipers and radio. Kept my speed below 50mph in spite of the erratic gestures from other driver as they whistled past me. I will master the cruise control and the trip meter next time I take a long drive. I am looking forward to opening her up and seeing what she can do.

On the Sunday I attended our Area Conference as I was Topics Contestant once again. No way am I going to win as there are so many brilliant speakers in our area, but its good experience, I enjoy the challenge and the company and lunch was excellent. Monday I spent ages in Staple photocopying Guidance Marking and Judging sheets for our local contest on the 17th its all new to me but I am learning. In future I will do little and often to build up a supply gradually it was just too stressful, you only find out the drawbacks to the job as they occur. We run three contest a year for Speech : Topics and Evaluation. Winners go forward to Area then compete at District level and on to the National Conference, this year to be held in Dundee Scotland. Last year it was in Blackpool and most of us went for the weekend and had a great time.

I was finally discharges by my Orthopaedic Consultant, my elbow has been fully mobile for weeks a bit sensitive at times but none the less feels good. I don’t want any form of interference unless its warranted.

This week has been quiet. The weather has turned quite cold and the icy wind is vicious. Although it was lovely and sunny yesterday, it was a joy to be out. I swept up most of the leaves on the garden what a task I was glad the wind had died otherwise it’s impossible to gather them together. I have a Suck/Blow machine but it is so heavy I prefer to use a brush and shovel.

Sunday was Armistice Day but I wasn’t up to standing out in the cold all morning on the Town Hall Square for the Remembrance Day Service. So I watched it on TV it was from the Cenotaph in London . Tuesday was the 11/11/11 Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month and at the Eleventh hour I hope everyone honored the minutes silence in Rememberance. I always feel sad thinking off those young men and women serving in the armed forces in the conflict zones around the world. Away from their families and friends for long periods and especially those are injured or never return. I have travelled through the Europe’s Battle Fields, visited the War Graves and stayed in Ypres to hear the Last Post played at the Menim Gate. It was a very emotional experience and it saddens me to hear of what is going on today.

Go visit Ypres http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~dccfarr/introduction.htm

I have been writing a lot lately. It comes over me periodically and I spend hours studying the dictionary and thesaurus for evasive wonderful words to use. Poetry is still going strong WriteOutLoud has a new venue in Sale Trafford and the Hebden Bridge night is growing in popularity. I love it.

Finished knitting Ryan` s pullover for his 6th Birthday It looks good now that its stitched and pressed. He will have a big Birthday parcel from me, as I have got him Books a Game and lollies. His birthday is so near to Christmas and he has almost everything that is in the shops now. He is a little sweetie and I love him lots, where do the years go. Bye for now.

Fiat Punto Grande my `Snow Queen` is now mine.

Just to let you all know I have my car. I love it and its a dream to drive. All thanks to Mr. Mark Beach of Lythgoes (the boss) who intervened on my behalf and within 48hours the car was collected from where-ever it was being held and delivered to me.I couldn`t be happier. It is a top of the range car and full of electronic gear so I will have to study the handbook carefully before I go any distance. I am so pleased too that I chose white, it looks so special and it will be easy to find in any crowded supermarket car park. Bye for now

So sad, no car.

Today is Monday 27th October and my new car has still not arrived , I am so disappointed I have waited patiently for nearly 13 weeks.. So far no one at Lythgoes Fiat Car Dealership can tell me where my car is or when I will get it. I have been given so many dates, promises and excuses that I now have no confidence in anyone at that dealership, their customer service sucks. I was informed in August that the car had not been ordered, which they soon denied, but it does make you think! I know I will feel more comfortable if I went and cancel my order, as much as it grieves me as I so wanted this car, but I do not trust them and do not want to deal with them any more. Been rather busy again these past weeks, drove over to Slaidburn in the Forest of Bowland with Betty to a Promise Auction to raise funds for the local church, only to find it was the wrong date, we both read the literature too. Any way we had a walk around the village met up with some friends and had a very enjoyable meal before returning home.
Dorothy and I have booked our holidays for May we are going to Venice on the Eurostar travelling with the same holiday firm ptgtours Rail & Culture, who went with to New England. I am so excited now we have made the decision to go, in spite of the economic situation that is troubling everyone. Physio have discharged me as my elbow is now ok. I have to see the Consultant on the 6th Of November and I feel sure he will say the same. Went into Manchester to see a play at the Central Library Theatre called the Glee Club a comedy drama it was exceptional I should go more often I really enjoyed it.. Saturday Muriel and I attended a Brass Band concert by Wingates Brass Band, they are so so excellent, I do enjoy live music its so uplifting and its good to see quite a few youngster in the band too. The BBC Young Musician of the Year Peter Moore was featured playing his trombone. The theme for the evenings was `Music from the Movies` I had fun watching the two young Percussionists dance around at the back of the band hitting all the right notes on a multitude of instruments throughout the concert. Have attended four Poetry Reading Rounds recently. It was National Poetry Day last month and this month National Reading Week the main events being in Libraries. My favourite poem that I chose to read was Birches by Robert Frost. I will post it so you too can enjoy reading it. Bye for now, I need a good nights sleep if I am too tackle the Car Showroom Guys tomorrow morning.


http://www.ptg.co.uk/ ptgtours Rail & Culture `Italian Vintage`
http://www.wingatesband.co.uk/ Wingates Brass Band
http://www.poetry-online.org/frost_birches.htm Birches by Robert Frost

End of a Terrible Summer

Poetry Reading

The last week in September was delightful, sunny and warm I was able to get the garden bedded down for the winter. Regretfully I have lost a number of plants due to the cold winds and rain and boy did the slugs and snails have a feast this year. My elbow was a problem again but being my left arm I am able to manage. Started Physiotherapy which was rather painful but persevered and now I have more mobility in the joint. Began knitting again after maybe six or seven years and Ryan watched me knitting premature baby hats for Save the Childrens project that our WI is supporting this year. (Last year we knitted lots of bob hats for the Mission for Seamen). He wanted one but knowing that he wouldn’t wear a hat for long I offered to knit him a sweater, a lovely bright red one ,his choice.
I have been on a shopping spree this month to brighten up my winter wardrobe. It is always a joy when you come across something you like and it fits. I had a good response to my talk at our October WI meeting, I spoke about my childhood and included some poetry too. The following Saturday I attended a Seminar on Speech Construction and was inspired to give a presentation at the end of the day spurred on by my success at the WI. Being Educational Director for our local club is proving to be rather a demanding role, but I will stick it out and hope as I become more experienced it will be less stressful.
My poetry is still a great part of my week. I enjoy writing listening to and reading poems and my style has changed over the past year as I read more diverse poetry. There has been an on going WOL discussion over the summer on what constitutes a good poem, as today there are so many differing styles all equally acceptable. I have entered Andrew Motions Poetry Competition in the Guardian, winners will have their poems on "Love" read by celebrity poets at a Reading later in the year. Crossed fingers. Well my car arrived in Dover on Monday, and it should soon be ready for collecting , ordered on the 23rd July I have been very patiently waiting over 10weeks I do hope I am not disappointed.

Glasgow

Has Doctor Who landed his Tardis in the centre of Glasgow, or is it a Police Box ??

This is the view from the Jury Inn Glasgow " River Road & Railway"

After a very busy week preparing for Speakers on 15th, Dorothy and I had a ride out to Boundary Mill in Colne a huge factory outlet about 40 minutes drive away., to see if we could pick up a bargain. I was very lucky, found two smart jackets, a grey blazer type that will be very useful next summer and a three quarter length in black for the winter. After lunch we called at my good friends Anne and Derek for a cup of tea and chat before heading home. The following weekend I travelled to Rochdale by bus, a place I haven’t visited for many years and I don’t think I will be bothering again. It was a warm sunny day and the crowds where out in the town . I wasn’t at all impressed by the layout of the town it seemed to be a disorganised urban sprawl. The Town Hall is a magnificent building but like most northern towns today the towns infrastructure was depressing. I arrived home having bought nothing which was an added disappointment. For the past year Bolton has been restructuring our Victorian Market Hall and it was opened on the 16th. That was another disappointment for me, my town now has a clone of every other mall in the UK. From a vibrant individualistic unique building filled with a variety of local merchants we now have a number of fancy Boutiques and fashionable coffee shops. Nothing for me, but for anyone under 30years old, less than a size 16 and with a huge bank balance they will be welcome. The six coffee shops within one - two minutes walking distance of each other, will soon be in financial strife.
Enough moaning lets be positive. I had a great reunion in Glasgow with my good friends Leslie and David ,they live in California and are touring Ireland and Scotland by coach until the end of the month.
It was wonderful to see them again, they passed on a couple of trips so we could spend the day in the city . I stayed overnight in their hotel so I could wave them off next morning as the left for the Isle of Skye. It was a short but sweet visit but well worth the effort.
Write Out Loud was featured again at the Octagon Theatre, with poetry and music from guests and our popular open mic poetry session, another successful evenings entertainment.
Went to see the movie “The Duchess” Georgiana the Duchess of Devonshire. It was excellent rather sanitized as an autobiography but that’s what film makers do. The book was better I really enjoyed it and visiting Chatsworth House in Derbyshire was a bonus.
Had a check up at the hospital my elbow is less stiff and the pain more intermittent and not as severe. I have another appointment in November to determine the next course of action.
http://www.chatsworth.org/

An Eventful Week

What a week I have had. Road works on the main road into town have been quite obstructive and seem to be lasting for ages. I have been taking a long detour every time I wanted to go into Bolton. Or been confined to sitting patiently on the bus, still what else would I be doing ? We had an unexpected warm sunny day last week, so I invited Mary my neighbour around for afternoon tea and it was so pleasant we sat in the garden. I regret that we have not had any summer this year , I have had no inclination to sit out at all. Needless to say that was the only day in the past fortnight that we could sit out. Horrendous rain again and poor Wales has come under floods ,Scotland last month and now Wales. Under a very dull grey sky I drove into Yorkshire to visit my son, it did not improve but we managed to walk the dog around Swinsty Reservoir again before the rain caught up with us. My grandson back from his holiday in the sun looked so grown up, he is so handsome and tall just like his father. I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived to find a lounge full of six foot teenagers, when I had last seen them they where children and now here they where fine strapping young men.
Speakers Club has started again, we run from September to May. As Educational Director I have to plan the meetings and arrange assignments for the members. Oh dear what have I taken on, I have great respect for anyone taking this responsibility. Still I think I have overcome a few of the hurdles. It will be a ongoing challenge but I am determined to continue, it will be trial and error but I feel sure the members will be supportive and patient with me. We enjoyed a pre session dinner at a local Chinese Restaurant, not one of my favourite choices but it was a good evening.
On the 11th July this year I fell rather heavily in the hall. I was shaken and it took me some time to recover but there didn’t appear to be any serious injuries,being a nurse I usually can tell. A carpet burn on my forearm and a few bruises on my left side. Elbow ok but bruised and within a week I was feeling fine. Six weeks later I have a haematoma on my forearm and a stiff elbow . My GP thought it was a dislocated elbow,horror of a manipulation was facing me I was in shock.. I went to straight to the Orthopaedic department at the hospital and it was X-rayed, no fracture but a suspected foreign body inside the joint . The fact that I take aspirin daily seemed to confirm the haematoma on my forearm, thought to be a result from the carpet burn that did not break the skin but was bruised. It was suggested I attend Physio to overcome the stiffness and have the elbow and lump scanned . Today my elbow works fine it aches now and then so I am cautious. I have to return to the Hospital on the 11th September .for the Scan . I pray every day that the scan will not show a foreign body that needs investigating. Been out and about promoting Poetry hoping to start new events in the town . On the 17th September WriteOutLoud has a special evening event at our local theatre The Octagon where we have visiting poets and we showcase some of our members. There will be a short open Mic that I will probably take advantage off. Travelled to Hebden Bridge one evening to support a new WOL Poetry event at the Stubbins Wharf Inn, rather a long way but worth it. My friend Anne came along as Navigator as I was unsure of the way, I hope she enjoyed herself, I accept that not everyone is as passionate as I am about poetry. .
Last Wednesday my dishwasher blew up smoke and smells filled the kitchen no surprise as it was maybe 20years old.. Fortunately I have my ex: who is well able to sort my house hold problems out. I need a new dishwasher but its not a priority now I live alone. I am waiting for my new car, it will arrive on the 6th October at Dover en rout from the Fiat Factory in Italy. This will be my third Fiat Punto, a brilliant car that I am happy to drive.

Bolton Theatre http://www.octagonbolton.co.uk/

Read Andrew Motion on Performance Poetry
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2008/08/29/bomotion129.xml

Go look at my new car, click on versions and go to the 1.4 Eleganza multijet,beautiful car.
http://www.fiat.co.uk/Showroom/#showroom/grande_punto_5dr/configurator