“I missed your blog!” said Anthony. I quickly explained we have had my mother come to stay for a few days and being the dutiful son, I had neglected my blog. Rest assured, we still have a few things going on.
In my reassurance to Anthony, I did explain how I had a blog post brewing, all about our frugal living and Rachel’s attempts to dupe me with some cheapo substitutes. As Anthony’s face lit up, I realised I was probably going to lose significant ground on this on-going, somewhat perpetual debate.
Back to this week. I did the above sketch from a photograph and it is of my late father on Tuesday. He died rather suddenly on New Year’s Eve 2015. We had absolutely no warning, he just dropped dead and as you can imagine it was a terrible shock for us all, most of all for my mother. His death was a few days before I started my new job with the blummin’ council and it was not the best of starts in having to ask for compassionate leave before I had even started.
When I showed Rachel the drawing, she immediately recognised my Dad. Unintentionally I have developed this scribble style and I’d like to think it works. Whether it reflects my personality is another debatable question!
I have had a few runs this week, four in total but only 3 or 4 miles each time. Although less than I had hoped for, I was nevertheless reminded each time of the incredible benefits I gain from running, even short runs.
Long story short, I went to a different Parkrun on Saturday (and got a PB!). A group of us had coffee afterwards and naturally we all got round to talking about politics, generally looking to our friend David to shine a light on how any of us could vote. To be honest, I’m struggling on this. I plan to make up my mind once we have had the hustings. I know I can’t bring myself to vote for the long-standing Conservative MP. Although I think he is a well meaning MP who has a good reputation for sticking up for his constituents, nowadays there is far more at stake. He supported Boris Johnson at an early stage and has been generally compliant with his party’s direction. He was also educated at Eton and all-too-easily simply follows the whip without the courage to stand up for what is right. So, I’m seriously looking forward to the hustings.
And then to my mother. Always a chatting kind of person, we think she saves a lot of chatter up for when she comes to visit us; often it’s hard to get a word in edgeways during the first few hours of her visit. We love her for this! I don’t even try to explain why I have a blog, it would just pass her by never mind the added interest of hearing from people all around the world about the delights of trying to ride a bicycle with an indwelling catheter. Thankfully on that subject, I have just passed my first year without that hosepipe inside me. It is encouraging, however, to hear from men all around the world who are wanting to know how to manage such situations and I hope I can be helpful to them.
I have also had a couple of meetings this week about the local charity I am involved with. I’m a trustee/ director there, In a voluntary capacity. It would be so easy to get sucked into the work more and more but I mustn’t. It would eventually expose all of the reasons why I decided to retire and yet I must still do some positive things that aren’t just centred on my own enjoyment of life. I have to have a purpose, a reason. Does this make sense?
So back to Anthony. Blog posts brewing in my mind are:
- Being duped; the merits of substituting upmarket brands with cheap budget versions and whether this makes me a snob
- The weird but fascinating process of making compost
- Looking to have a different Christmas this year
- I have two lots of scans in the hospital coming up this week, to see how the plumbing is working these days. May, or may not blog about this
- Bread making
- Why an endurance race is good
How do these grab you, Anthony?