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. 

Lunch Date

Yesterday was booked as a lunch date with a friend so regardless of the drainage problem I decided to keep the appointment. Lunch consisted of a starter of mushrooms covered in cheese and served with peppercorn sauce and garlic bread, followed by a trio of fish (sea bass, salmon and cod) neatly arranged on one of their wooden serving boards, with bowls of delicious chips and mushy peas. In other words, we had fish and chips! Sorry there's no picture. I did take one but it didn't pick up the yummy look of the meal.

On the journey to my friend's house I stopped driving to make way for a funeral procession. It was similar to the above but not quite the same. The lead car, accommodating the funeral directors, was followed by a team of four black horses drawing a Cinderella style black carriage. They trotted in unison, lifting their legs with each step, just like those that perform in a show ring. Bringing up the rear were four limousines with, I would say, about ten people in each.

Inside the carriage was a pure white coffin adorned by a single stem red rose. Other flowers were on the top of the carriage. It was wonderful to see and I did so wish I had a camera handy. I don't usually go gooey-eyed at passing funeral processions but this one was so moving.

Since I was the one holding up all the traffic to enable to procession to have a trouble free journey up the narrow road (lined, of course, with cars) the driver of every funeral car saluted me as they passed. I assumed, since the coffin was pure white, that the deceased was a lady. Whoever she was, she had a splendid send-off.

Now, you're not going to believe this but the man from UK DRAINAGE came while I was out. Various tests were made and ............ he said .......... he couldn't find any evidence of a blockage.

He thought maybe whatever caused it might have gone away all by itself. That's not the end of the matter, he is going to come back with a specialist plumber to make further tests and maybe divert one of the pipes. Apparently three bath loads of water were sent down to see what happened ... but nothing did.

As for reliability .... the man from UK DRAINAGE kept my guy informed by phone of all appointments. Not a bit like SEVERN TRENT who spun cock and bull stories such as blocked phone line and didn't come back to us (several times) when they said they would.

As I speak the washing machine is ON. Fingers crossed......