Bits and bobs plus a touch of emotion

Townswomen’s Guild is proving the place to go... I keep selling books there. Yep, last week I sold a copy of my Fiction in Miniature and received two orders for the doggy tales. I’ve had to have a reprint on Feline Capers so I feel I’m doing well. The TG Chairman, Margaret, was the one who bought the volume of short stories which she held up to show the members. She told them they had an author in their midst and related the info that I had once won a WI National Award in a short story competition. The applause was thunderous... well maybe not actually thunderous, but there was some hand clapping which left me a bit swollen headed. One of the nice things is that they want me to autograph their purchases which affected the emotions more than the sale.

Emotion has played a big part in my life recently. Last week Joe and I saw the radiologist at our local hospital. The news wasn’t what we expected. Medical opinion is that surgery is no longer on the cards. Apparently the cancer has spilled over to where it shouldn’t go which means chemotherapy is the only way to control it. Although shocked Joe showed remarkable philosophical spirit and I am so proud of him. We are expecting an appointment for chemotherapy to start in just under a two weeks. It will be carried out at the hospital nearest to home and for that we are truly grateful since it will help on the travelling front.

So, ‘life as normal’ advises the district nurse, which means we can still go out to lunch on a Saturday. Last weekend we dined out at a Miller and Carter restaurant which overlooks the reservoir in Sutton Park. We had a table with a view of the lake and I watched as twelve men sailed their model yachts. From where I sat it was quite a spectacle and I did try to capture the scene with the iphone camera. Not very good but here is the best one.

I know springtime is the normal time to organise the house, or in my case the cupboards, but I have to do it when the mood hits me. It certainly hit me last weekend. I have reorganise d, sorted, packed, stored or rehoused computer stuff, chiffon and woolly scarves, photographs (of which there were many), stationery and correspondence. And I feel better for it. Let me see, what else can I organise....

Hope you all have a wonderful week and don't do anything I wouldn't do!

Animated-gifs.org 

Another book sold... and other matters.

I’ve sold another book. Yeah! At this rate I might have to get more printed! Okay, it was only Feline Capers, the smallest of the lot, but it’s still a sale. The TG Chairman had been told that I’d written something about cats and was eager to make a purchase for a relative’s birthday. The relative is apparently mad keen on cats. Actually I thought it was daring to buy something she hadn’t seen but who am I to quibble?

It’s not long to stepdaughter’s wedding  ... 3^rd November ... in Australia. It’s very sad that illness prevents her father going to the wedding. Thankfully one of her English friends will be there and we will, of course, be there in spirit. I’m thankful that the whole affair is to be video’d so we can at least see the whole affair. We have sent our respective speeches and Rosanne has promised not to open them until the day. Hopefully someone will read them for us. It’s not usual custom for a stepmother to prepare a speech but there was so much I wanted to say to her on her big day. Nice stuff, mushy in parts, but generally letting her know how much I care and how proud I am to be her stepmom.

Joe went for an MRI scan and dozed off in the tube! He was told that under no circumstances was he to move so I guess nodding off was the best idea. He’s very brave. And now it’s gone quiet. One minute life is like a helter-skelter with unexpected and unplanned twists and turns, and then we hit a lull while we wait for a letter or phone call to tell us what the next step is. We’re getting through it okay, although Joe is beginning to feel housebound. Maybe I should hire a troupe of dancing girls to cheer him up. 

I’ve only had to miss a few engagements (willingly) so it’s not the end of the world. Since I couldn’t attend the WI Federation’s Annual Council Meeting I was reimbursed for the lunch I didn’t have, but there was no need to reimburse me for anything at the local WI’s AGM. I’m only a dual member there so it wasn’t important. I must try to attend the AGM at my own WI since that one has priority; however it’s not until the second week in November so there’s time yet to think about it. However, I did make the lunch with some TG members ... a casual affair at the local pub.

Prince George was christened on 23 October and on that day we attended the funeral of a neighbour. We’ll always be reminded of both occasions simply because of the date. Our neighbour, Mary, had a fall and was admitted to hospital with a broken femur. She was doing well and due to come home when she suddenly went into relapse and died. She was 93 years of age and leaves Bill, her husband aged 97. They have a good family who visit daily and we keep an eye on things from our house. Of all the neighbours in the road they made the most contact with us ... two of the most cheerful pensioners I know.

Ending this with a few animal gifs. Hope you all have a good week and don’t overdo the Halloween celebrations. 

A SHOPPING EXPERIENCE

It’s not very often I get to mix with younger people but when it happens I feel quite rejuvenated. Let me tell you about one such day:

On a recent visit to one of the local shops the door was held open for me by a very polite young man. I thanked him, and he replied ‘Chivalry isn’t dead, it’s just dormant’. I was astonished and impressed (although I tried not to show it) that this had come from a young man. And you know what.... it made me feel very feminine.

(Picture courtesy of http://www.debretts.com)

On the same day I visited a nearby supermarket, one big enough to sell books. Naturally, being a bit of a reader, I stopped to look at the latest publications. Whilst I was browsing a young woman in a wheelchair came by; she pointed to a particular book and asked if I had read it. I hadn’t. ‘You should,’ she said. ‘It’s a true story about a cat. I’m sure you would like it.’

The book in question was: A Street Cat Named Bob,’ by James Bowen, which I understand is a best seller and about to be made into a film. I can’t wait to read it. Yes, I bought it. Well, it was on special offer, at a price I couldn’t resist. Now I’m wondering if the lady was in sales and advertising ‘cause she sure sold it to me.

That wasn’t all. Whilst talking, we were joined by another young woman who began to rave over another book. The conversation got quite animated, the three of us itching to get our bit in before the others.... have you read.... did you know.... the story concerns.... etc.

It was rather an enjoyable though unexpected encounter and I left the store feeling quite revitalised. It wasn’t until I got outside that I remembered what I went in for in the first place.

I’ll let you know about the book!