- The campaign for the General Election has officially started in England this week. You could say election fever has gripped the nation, but it’s the sort of fever that makes you want to tuck up in bed with the covers over your head. The campaign so far (and I’m sure it will continue thus) seems to be a succession of party leaders sniping and making snide remarks about each other. No one in the country has a clue who will come out on top, and it certainly looks like it’s going to be another hung parliament. I’m just praying that the disgraceful UKIP don’t get a look-in on any coalition.
—————————————————————————————————————————- - Yesterday,I joined the gym. No, I didn’t think I would either, but apart from their beautiful pool being just soooo inviting, I’ve been feeling generally blobby and lacking in energy, which I put down to being just a teeny bit heavier than I was this time last year. I keep reminding myself that I’m carrying the equivalent of several bags of sugar around with me all the time, and that’s why I’m feeling tired.
I’m taking my first class today, Yogalates, which is the evil son of Yoga and Pilates. I’m a little nervous – will all the others be young and fit? Will it be a bit too punishing for me? Will I make an absolute berk of myself (I usually do…should be used to it by now)? I expect I’ll live through it either way, and I’m looking forward to a good swim and perhaps, a relaxing steam, afterwards.
——————————————————————————————————————————– - I’ve been trying to tidy up the garden, but it’s so bloomin’ windy, it blows my eyes to the back of my head every time I venture out. It’s been like this for days now. At the moment the sun is out and through the window it looks quite tempting, but having just got back from walking the dog, I know that that fierce wind bites right through to your bones. Nope, I’m just going to stay here in the warm and look through the window at all the new weeds popping up and thumbing their noses at me.
———————————————————————————————————————————- - Lunching with a friend tomorrow. We are ‘ladies wot lunch’. We don’t see each other often, but when we do we like to catch up over a glass of wine and some yummy food. This is one of the great pleasures of retirement! I can’t eat too much though, as I have my regular yoga class in the afternoon. This is another reason I would like to lose a couple of inches from my waist…a spare tyre does get in the way of a good deep forward bend a bit!
———————————————————————————————————————————- - Easter weekend is coming up. The weekend of chocolate. I remember when I was little, on Easter Sunday we used to get chocolate eggs in pretty boxes, or wrapped in fancy cellophane. Now all the eggs seem to come with some chocolate bar or other, in boxes that are basically, just a bit more garish advertising.
Of course these days chocolate is the only thing that springs to mind for many people when Easter is mentioned. We should however, spare a thought to it’s origins. Don’t get me wrong, I am not religious at all, and don’t believe in all that stuff, but it doesn’t hurt to be a little generous to those who do now and again. At the very least we should take the opportunity to remind ourselves that such barbarism as crucifixion should not be allowed to take place anywhere in the world here in the 21st Century. As I was, I am sure you will be shocked, though not surprised, when you hear that yes,some terrorists groups still find it acceptable retribution. You may guess who. Whoever wins that General Election, we must hope that, together with all the other world leaders, they intensify their efforts to stamp this out. Soon.
Today
Whatever a day might bring…..
Thirsty Thursday – Won’t you join me?
Having a nice, proper, cup of tea today. By proper, I mean not from a manky old teabag, and not spoiled by the addition of milk. As you know, I love tea, and have a pretty big selection in my cupboard, but more often than not I just grab a bog standard teabag like everyone else.
When we visited the tea plantations in Sri Lanka, we were told that the tea in our Western teabags pretty much consisted of the sweepings from the floor in terms of leaf quality, and I must say that when I do make the effort and opt for something like an Orange Pekoe, that does become pretty obvious. ‘Real’ tea is light and refreshing and not in any way bitter.This morning’s cuppa is made with tea that my daughter brought back from Malaysia for me. It’s described as ‘An exquisite flowery Pekoe with a delicate aroma’ and it is, and there is no need for anything else in the cup, just pure tea. Lovely.
Many people I know find it hard to take tea without quantities of sugar. I’ve seen people heap three of four teaspoons of the white stuff into just a small cup. Ok, hands up, I used to do the same, that’s how I was brought up. As a child mum put sugar in my tea, and it was all I knew. But many years ago now, I came to my senses, cut out the sugar (it wasn’t easy at first, but worth the effort) and got my taste buds back. I can now appreciate the infinite subtle nuances in the flavours between different types which makes it worth the effort of making a proper brew. It’s just like the differences you find between wines.
Mind you, I cheated with this one, instead of getting the pot out, I just put a heaped teaspoonful of leaves in a tea strainer and poured the boiling water over it and into the cup. Probably not the perfectionists way, but is ok when it’s just me. You’ll notice I did drag the posh china out for the occasion though. Well….you can’t drink proper tea from a mug now, can you?
Cheers!
Wake up, it’s Wednesday!
Here’s a bit of Soca to get you going with a smile this morning.
I first heard this in Tobago a few years ago. We were at a beach party drinking copious amounts of rum punch and dancing in the sand on the most beautiful secluded beach you’ve ever seen. I was particularly happy as, somewhat amazingly, I’d won the limbo competition (prize….more rum…) It was a perfect day and hearing this reminds me of how much we danced and laughed and generally had an amazingly good time. It’s been making me dance and laugh and sing along ever since, I defy you not to do the same! Enjoy…
A ho hum week in song…
Written as part of the Daily prompt challenge – ‘Playlist of the Week’
Well, I saw this prompt and thought ‘yeah, that’s doable’, although when I came to think about it, last week wasn’t a particularly cheery one. Nevertheless, I think these five songs are fairly representative, in a rather literal way!!
- Walking the Dog – Rufus Thomas: well, I do that every day, rain or shine, bad foot or no, otherwise Suki starts climbing the walls!
- Give me Novocaine – Greenday: Had an injection in my foot on Friday, and I now have an attack of the Shingles, not in anyway related but both really ouchy!
- At the Car Wash – Rose Royce: Yep, went there with husband in his car, not mine. Mine is still mangled after the prang I had the week before. It needs a bit of Novacaine too 😦
- Born to Lose – Ray Charles: Sat and watched the Australian open final in its entirety on Saturday morning (well, I had a badly foot!). Was really hoping Andy Murray would do it this time, and he was playing superbly for a bit, but eventually had a melt down, and was ‘bagelled’ in the last set (6/0) d’oh!
- So Tired by The Kinks – works on two levels – I am indeed very tired, thanks to the Shingles virus and some strong painkillers, and also tired of waiting for a parcel to arrive…
Hope your week was a better one!
Luscious Words Wednesday
My occasional series of delicious words (ok, I’ve only done it once before so maybe not a series, but I’ve got good intentions…) taken from the Oxford Dictionary.
Cheeky glowing fishy photo from Google Images.
My yummy word for today is:
‘Luminescence’
Meaning ‘The emission of light by a substance that has not been heated, as in fluorescence and phosphorescence:’
Say it slowly, and feel how it starts with a pout, has a smile in the middle, and ends with a soft sigh.
Just the idea of something that produces it’s own light is fantastical and mysterious. It makes me think of deep sea creatures and glow worms (not that I’ve ever seen a glow worm, but I’m sure Disney uses them a lot in his films).
I do know a few people that have a certain glow to them (in a good way, not the ones that work in Sellafield or somesuch, like Homer Simpson) My friend Barbara, who died some years back, and who I miss a great deal, always seemed radiant from within, and had a glorious naughty twinkle in her eye. I wonder if she still keeps her hat on to go to the loo….. ahh..that’s another story..
I’m not sure if I glow. I try and be warm and smiley. I’m probably a bit cheeky, and sometimes I am definitely incandescent with ire, which doesn’t seem to be a good thing. Perhaps it’s something I can work on, or perhaps it’s something some lucky attractive folk are just born with, or perhaps even, it’s not something I should aspire to anyway. Maybe you can enlighten me!
Sometimes – James
Here’s one for you. This is one of my favourite songs, one that always makes me sing and dance about even on grey Monday’s like today. I love the imagery of the lyrics and was very disappointed with the video which, despite looking like a lot of fun to make, I don”t think does it any justice at all. Let me know whether you agree.
Pieing Solo
Christmas eve eve and I’ve been baking mince pies. It’s strange baking christmassy goodies on my own. Up until now my daughters have made the mince pies. It’s been their thing for years. Initially, when they were small, they played with the pastry by my side, stuck their little fingers in the filling, and basically got flour everywhere. As they got older they started seriously helping out. Cutting the pastry circles and spooning the filling in carefully so as not to get burnt bits stuck on the outside of the tin. They cut out holly leaves, and santa faces (sort of – they have never quite mastered them!) as decoration, and eventually were able to make them way better than me.
It’s been one of those little Christmas traditions. For the past few years as soon as they both arrived home for the holiday, however late in the day it was, and having not seen each other for months, they’d be out in the kitchen giggling together over the mince pie making, while I sat with my feet up for a bit. Of course, they still ended up covering themselves and the kitchen in flour.
So I was feeling a bit wistful this afternoon, all on my own having to make my own mince pies!
Families build their own traditions around Christmas almost without realising. I’m sure I have carried some from my childhood with me, and so has my husband, and blended together they have made our own Christmas’s special, albeit predictable: Watching Carols from Kings on Christmas Eve, opening presents in the morning while it’s still dark outside, Mince pies and Bucks Fizz for breakfast, Christmas music blaring out all morning, and of course crackers, turkey and trimmings, lighting brandy on the Christmas pud, a nap after lunch, Dr Who and Strictly on the TV, then board games until two in the morning or thereabouts.
This year, the girls won’t be home. Both working. So for the first time, as far as we can remember (we traipsed between parents before we had kids), my husband and I will spend Christmas day on our own. I am kinda looking forward to a slobby day, might even be a pj day, but goodness me will I miss my girls. They are coming home the first weekend in January though, so don’t have to wait too long, and we’re having a proper Christmas then. Turkey, presents, mince pies…
Wishing all my friends in this lovely blogsphere a wonderful and peaceful Christmas full of surprises and laughter. xx
What’s yours?
I have to confess that this is a fairly recent addition to my long list of Christmas traditions and Christmassy favourite songs. I hadn’t heard it until about three or four years ago, and since then I have made it my ‘official start to feeling Christmassy’ song, especially this version by the fabulous Mary Margaret. Of course, I have absolutely no idea who Mary Margaret is, it’s just a video I found on you tube, but you’ve got to agree, the girl has talent!!
Anyway, just had to share it with you (the whole world should see it!!). I’d love to hear what song brings the most Christmassy feeling to you.
p.s. this is closely followed in my list by ‘The Little Boy who Santa Claus Forgot’ but I didn’t want you getting all depressed 😉
It’s a goal!
That’s me up there on that parachute, that is!
Oooohhh.,..yay, yay, and triple yay!! Had to just tell you…Today I’ve exceeded my goal as set out in writing 101 challenge a little while ago (you can read my goals here) and got over 220 followers – and it’s only mid November!
Sorry, I’m sure it’s unseemly to get so excited over what may, to some, seem so few, but it only seems a little while since I was struggling to get into double figures. It has been amazing how taking part in a couple of events has helped transform my blog and the way I feel about it. Although I’m spending (too many) hours working away at it, it’s no longer a slog and I look forward to producing new posts regularly as well as seeing what everyone else has been up to.
As I feel like a bit of a winner today, in the time honoured tradition of winners everywhere, I’m going to have to say a few thank you’s:
Ah hem!…
Thanks to Writing 101 for:
*Giving me some great, mind jiggling, prompts
*providing the opportunity to share and get feedback from lots of lovely folk
*getting me in the habit of posting every day
Thanks to Blogging 101 for:
* Getting me to set some goals in the first place
* teaching me to tweak my blog to make it look pretty (ahh..)
* For having a great common room where I’ve met lots more lovely folk.
Thanks also to the ongoing Photo 101 for:
* Setting me new (and frankly, quite challenging) challenges every day
* Helping me reach an even wider band of lovely folk
* And for keeping up my enthusiasm for posting daily.
Of course, its mainly thanks to everyone who has taken the time to read and comment, especially if you clicked on the ‘follow’ button – love to you all mwah, mwah
errrmmmmm…..you’d better not leave… 🙂
P.S. I’m looking for the next 220 now, so tell your friends…!! x
Music for Thirsty Thursday
Thought I’d share this with you today. My lovely daughter took me to see Gogol Bordello live in Leeds a couple of years back, I think I was the oldest raver in town, but absolutely loved it (mind you, was pretty exhausted by the end, after all that singing along!). Start Wearing Purple has been one of my favourite ‘cheer-me-up’ songs for yonks, but I thought ‘Alcohol’ was more apt for my, swiftly becoming regular, Thirsty Thursday slot. Enjoy!
Rebooting 