WRITE CHOICES AND ASPIRATIONS

ON A BAD DAY

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 13:45:00 +0000

This was actually written on a bad day last year but I'm procrastinating from writing an article and I enjoyed re-reading this today. (on a good day)

ON A BAD DAY (I have good days too).

I wonder why I thought anopen fire was so appealing. Shovellingcoal from a coal bunker my wrists feel like they are having a disco, thumping,pounding. Hauling the 20 kilo plasticbag of Hotmax across the gravel seemslike dragging a grizzly bear. Anynotion of flinging it (Hotmax, not grizzly bear) up to my shoulder is longgone. Improvisation comes into play,with scissors and the log basket. Twohandles sure as hell help, when your fingers are swollen and you just can’tgrip anything with confidence. Half abag becomes easier to handle. Don’t careif it looks bad, I put it just behind the door in the hallway. If it stays outside and gets wet, the“Hotmax” disintegrates to something similar to stodgy porridge. Logs would be good, but the logger just tipsthe trailer and drives off. Stackingisn’t a problem but splitting them is, on a bad day. A husband seems like a good idea but I’ve hadtwo of them and still ended up splitting the logs.

The fire heats the waterfrom a back boiler. I could use theimmersion heater but then my bills would spiral. I could also flick the switch and turn onthe electric radiator but again, it’s too expensive to think about and I hatethe dry heat that comes with electricity.

I had planned on swimmingthis morning before starting work this afternoon, but know how painful thatwould turn out to be with every stroke. So I’ve swallowed some anti-inflammatory pills and heated the lavenderbag to wrap round the area of most pain.

At least I can still type onthe laptop; my wrists can rest on the front facing.

The wind is rising, whiskingthe fir trees and silver birch that rumba outside my window as tiny birds clingto the fat balls . The current littlefella looks so cute, delicate claws, yellow breast and that sinister black maskacross his eyes.

I’ll tie my hair back,because even brushing hair becomes an ordeal on a bad day. My right ear itches yet it’s easier toscratch using my left hand. Evenfastening my trousers hurts like hell. Anything that involves slight pressure becomes a challenge. Today’s battles have included the insideplastic ring pull on the olive oil and the top of the milk bottle. Trying to avoid polka dotted clothes becomesan art. Assume the position of a bearhug and pull gently. There! I’ve won!

This afternoon I’ll pick upthe van that serves as a mobile post office, drive it to its destination andstruggle with the rear doors before climbing out and lowering the rear tailgateby hand.

I’ll turn and face thepublic with a smile and ask them how they are as I listen to their comments onthe weather and their aches and pains. Strange, but the ones who wear pain, rarely complain; their couragewarms my heart.

Once they’ve all gone I haulup the tailgate, defying the hot irons shooting up my arms. Working day over. Tomorrow will be better.

OPEN YOUR EYES

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 22:30:00 +0000

I suppose I am luckier than most. Live in an area where traffic is minimal and such things as beautiful sunsets are commonplace.

I don't often see a junkie waiting for his next fix or expect to witness drive by shootings which are becoming a regular event in some cities.

What I do see is beauty all around.

It's in the lichen clad branches

And the yellow gorse

And for the romantics among us there is always the beautiful sunset.

All such simple, natural sights, that cost nothing and yet so many are blind and simply do not see.

Nature is wonderful. Embrace it.

Where did summer go?

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 21:54:00 +0000

The heather is out, the lambs are all as big as their mothers. Kelso tup Sale this Friday.

Really hope it stays fair for them. All that work should be rewarded with the sun on everyone's back.

A real storm kicked off today. Thunder, lightning, the lot.

Ive even more photographs of the blackies up around Muircleugh. Such a lovely spot.

Summer has pulled up the duvet and rolled over, autumn is here with it's first biting wind and glorious colours. Heading to the Highlands this weekend so should get some great snaps en route. Watch this space. Meantime here's some more sheep.

I hate Computers!!

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 22:48:00 +0000

Well not so much the computer as the will it wont it work scenario.

Most important thing to work when out on the van is the online services. Today I had that worst of all thingy, "an intermittent fault." In other words for most of the day my online services were down. Which meant that I was unable to my job properly. Being told by the help desk that a lot of problems had arisen throughout the country today didn't really make me feel any better. Sure Jack Bauer never had this problem with his satellite.

Maybe I should join CTU. Any chance of a job Jack? Oh bugger forgot the series is all finito isn't it?

Wish I could not work and just watch Wimbledon. Wonder how England will do at the footie. wont be watching, absolutely loathe the game and all the hype that goes with it.

But Scottish rugby is fairly flying the flag right now. Well done boys:)

Beautiful Poppy

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 22:51:00 +0000

Bad Driving

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 22:32:00 +0000

I drive a lot. Most of it from an LDV Mobile Post Office van (with no air con, who would design such a thing?)

Some weeks what I see on the roads has my hair standing on end. this week has been such a week. I've seen a tanker overtaking an artic on the brow of a hill. Anyone coming the other way would have been killed instantly.

Today I saw an artic so close to a double decker bus it's a wonder they didn't touch. it's total intimidation. What happens to people when they get behind a wheel?

I've seen cars causing a total obstruction when they've been a few yards from a safe, off the road parking spot. I've also found myself really hoping that a traffic car was lurking as I watched one wide-o overtake on solid double lines.

Even tonight at the junction near the Melrose Hydro I witnessed one female who had crossed to the middle only to start fiddling with her sunglasses thus causing a hold up while she sorted herself out.

Maybe it's the heat.

Sheep !!

Thu, 20 May 2010 17:54:00 +0000

I've just uploaded a lovely photograph I took today while on my rounds with the Mobile Post Office. The drive across the moor between Stow and Lauder is truly beautiful and I snapped this little lot all vying for shelter under a rather naked tree. Quite sure the ewes are counting the days until their fleeces are removed but the lambs all looked like they were really feeling the heat too. It's been very humid. I have no air con so have felt like I am cooking in a biscuit tin. Everything coming to life but some fields still extremely bare.

Lots of police activity at the bottom of Soutra whatever was going down. Kept to my statutory 50m.p.h. even though the whole world of white van man keeps on sailing by, every one of them breaking the law, everyone driving as though it was their last day. It's all crazy.

What is it about sheep?

Thu, 20 May 2010 17:48:00 +0000

Big Knickers? Not!!

Mon, 10 May 2010 22:28:00 +0000

So the press are waffling about women over 40 wearing fancy lingerie. So? Do they think that once we get past 40 that our minds and bodies suddenly fall into big pants up to our ears mode.

I have never worn boring underwear in my life, so why should it change now? Just don't understand the logic of that one.

I need to get motivated, start writing again. Just feel knackered when i get in from work.

Today was particularly stressful with all sorts of technical glitches. No doubt I will get the flak tomorrow at one particular venue I didn't get to today.

ye Gods there has to be more to life than mumping doesn't there.

Lots of bonnie wee blackie lambs on the road between Stow and Lauder today. There is nothing bonnier than a blackie lamb sitting in the heather.

Shed a silly tear for a baby rabbit today, watched it try to scuttle across the road quite near Denholm today, only to get squashed underneath a van. Poor little mite.:)

I know bunnies get classed as vermin but my goodness they are so pretty.

Nearly Spring time

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 18:21:00 +0000

It's a bit like the lull after the storm. The packages have stopped landing in their droves, the mountains of cards have disappeared and I can put my tape measure back in my pocket. Yes tape measure. It's all these rules about lengths and breadths etc.

And people still get caught out with the large letter carry on. If it doesn't fit through the magic slot (and any card that has a badge rarely does) then it's large letter.

Threats of the return of the white stuff are lingering in the air this evening, but with a bit of luck we will miss it.

Since I started on this round with the mobile outreach service two of my customers have lost their wives and another has just had their wee doggie put to sleep.

I used to see the latter every morning walking by with their little friend tottering up behind them. It is so strange to see them without her. Losing a beloved pet is so painful. It's the little routine they create with walkies, din dins and anything else they think they can get away with .

I had to chuckle today when on a day off I heard the icecream van playing a very loud jingle and my neighbour's dog yowling and yapping along with it. Go Hamish Go!!

I just pray that when I get up tomorrow morning the roads are black and not white. Most of the roads I am driving on are B roads and most definitely not for the faint hearted.

Tomorrow is one of my days for being spoilt by a very nice lady who brings me coffee and a bacon roll. Such amazing kindness and a real character too. It's people like her that make the world a better place.

She is an artist and I just love her paintings. I really wish I could paint, but I have to make do with photography. Wielding a paintbrush is something I love to do but the end result is only for my eyes.

The waft of roast chicken is filling my nostrils as I organise my meals for the week.

There is nothing worse than arriving home, tired and brain dead from making polite conversation with punters all day and then having to decide what you are going to eat.

I can tell you right now that tomorrow night I will be having Cream of Broccoli soup, followed by more roast chicken, roast potatoes and some veg. Tuesday will see what's left flung in a curry and the carcase put into another pan for soup.

Organised eh?

That's moi!! (sometimes).

Which reminds me I must post the books I bought today out to my Norwegian grand bairns. Books over there are very expensive. These ones all look like great fun, with lots of stickers. No excuse about not getting to the post office. It's more about escaping the post office!:wink:

The ewes that I meet on my travels are now getting closer to their happy events. When the salt is on the road the silly things all stand there licking it totally oblivious to the traffic. thankfully heading over this moor most motorists are aware of their penchant for licking the white line!! Not long now til wee lambies are skipping round about them learning all mum's bad habits.