Gavin walked into the bedroom and stared at the array of shoes on the floor. All different shapes and colours.
“What on earth are all these for?” he inquired of Sharon.
“They’re to take on holiday,” she replied.
“Oh my God,” he said. “It’s absurd. You’ll never even get them into one suitcase. And anyway, where are you going to wear them in Icleand?”
“I can’t go without my shoes,” said Sharon.”
He flounced out of the bedroom and left her to it.
Thankyou for all your good wishes yesterday when I posted that my cancer may be back. I have had a terrible night and yesterday the itch nearly dorve me insane.it is out of this world. I am trying to keep it quiet this morning but I suspect it will get worse as the day wears on.typing makes it worse but I am still trying to type because I want to keep my life going as much as I can. I especially want to keep my blog going.
We have no idea if this really is my cancer back but the feelings are the ame. However, we are hoping that it is something else. I have got past the ten years in remission pint and normally you don’t get it again after so many years. However there are exceptions, sadly. I am at eleven years since going into remission.
It was s huge shock to me yesterday when the doctor suggested that my cancer may be back. I never expected that. I am scared and I am suffering so badly right now and getting hugely distressed with the itch.
I woke this morning as if into a nightmare.
Will keep you informed. But thenkyou for all your good wishes.
https://blindwilderness.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post-new.php?post_type=post&answer_prompt=2119
I have met two famous people in my time, though I am not sure if they were famous in any other countires than the U.K.
One was the comedian Ken Dodd. He of the wild sticky up hair and the tickling stick. I met him and talked to him before the performance at the Buxton Opera House in Derbyshire. I can’t say that I had even liked him that much from watching him on the television, but my mother liked him and we had tickets for myself and my husband and for her. She had to travel from Lincolnshire however and she decided not to at the last minute. Prior to the performance, Ken Dodd was out on the pavement just chatting to people as they arrived. We went to speak to him and he was lovely. Never expected him to be like that. We told him about my mother not coming in the end and he immediately quipped,
“I hope you gave the ticket to someone else then.”
Naturally, at the end of the performace, we had to buy one of the famous tickling sticks. We gave it to my mother who kept it proudly in her kitchen.
The other famous person whom we met was once again at Buxton Opera House. This was Fredie Starr. He was utterly hilarious in his performance and at the end he was sitting at a table in the foyer and there was no one with him, but I went up to him and chatted and then I gave him a big kiss on the cheek. I think he enjoyed it but he was really funny to talk to.
On both of these occasions I felt lucky to have met and chatted with these two people.
In the heat of life
Sometimes the summer rains fall
Bringing peace and calm
Singing fills the air
As the earth comes back to life
I hear the doe calling
Sea of deep longing
I swirl around crazily
Looking for a hand
I haven’t been on my blog all day today because I had to talk to my doctor as the itch that I told you. About the other day got worse. The upshot was that he thinks my cancer may be back. This was a terrible shock to me, and I have been feeling so ill that I just couldn’t post today.
I really hope that I might be able to post later or tomorrow.
Please send some good vibes to me. I do feel terrified.
Alone
In my dark night
I listen for the sounds
That once I used to know and love
I wait
Silent
And then I hear the nightingale
Singing in the darkness
I too can sing
With him
Seeing in the dark
She found the purest of gems
Never seen before
Woff woof woff
I don’t like that man Guy I don’t think. I’m not sure wehther he’s worse than Arthur Itis or not. Arthur Itis comes and does things to your legs and makes them stiff and hurt, but Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Well that is what Dad told me. So that is why we have fireworks on November 5th. And lots more days too cos everyone wants to have them all the time. And big bonfires too. Well I don’t like that man Guy because it means I have to bark and I can’t stop and it makes me tired. Don’t get me wrong, I love barking. You ask Dad and Mum. But this has gone beyond a joke. I am just tired of it. I’ve got to bark tonight now, as well. And Charlie has to cheep too because he has to cheep every time I bark. We’re all tired out and Mum and dad are getting bad tempered.
I don’t think we are having much for dinner tonight and in any case I can’t eat it while there are fireworks going on. I can’t stop barking to eat. I expect dad will give me some kibble and pouch later but it will be really late.
Oh well it will soon be Christmas according to Dad. It’s getting cold in the mornings now and it will get a lot colder Dad says. So I am glad I’ve got a big thick coat.
I’d better go now cos I’m interrupting my barking
Woof woof woof
Clumber Park is about 40 miles away from where I live. It is a huge Park owned by the National Trust. It has a big lake in it and pleanty of places to walk and for the dogs to run. I have been on many days out to Clumber Park in my lifetime, which is long, and it all began when I was child and my uncle took me there along with two of my cousins. I still have a lovely photograph of a Day Out there when I was about nine or ten and my cousins were a bit younger. We went to the cafe there and there was a huge log outside which we could sit on all in a line. It is a good photograph of all of us, me, my cousin David and my cousin Suzanne, my uncle John’s daughter. My Auntie Rosemary was there too and all of us looked very happy.
In adulthood my husband and I often used to combine it with a trip to Sherwood Forest which is in close proximity to Clumber Park. In Sherwood Forest is the Great Oak which is the oldest oak tree in the country. It has a hole in the middle of its trunk and it used to be possible to stand inside it but I am not sure if that is allowed now. I think it has ropes around it now. Once again, there are many walks in Sherwood Forest and it is supposed to where Robin Hood and his Merry Men hung out. Not forgetting Maid Marion. Who knows if this is really true or if it is folklore. Robin Hood was meant to steal from the rich to feed the poor and he was seen as a vagabond who did good. Not far from there there is now an airport that has been called the Robin Hood Airport. I am not sure where you can fly to from there, but I think that it is growing slightly.
On the way to Clumber Park and Sherwood Forest there is an old school that has been turned into a tea shop and we always used to stop there and they did some delicious cakes and tea or coffee. I used to love going there.
I am not sure if I have said everything that there is to say about Clumber Park and Sherwood Forest. I do remember my and my Mum going on a Mystery Tour one time and we boarded the coach with no idea of where we were going, and that was the fun part. We ended up at Sherwood Forest and it was a great trip.
Once again it is just a distant memory now and I will never go there again, but it certainly sticks in my memory a lot.
I am really struggling at the moment with the itch that my cancer produced in me. Even though I am in remission, my skin is very badly affected all these years later. I am itching intensely all over my body and have tried to stay calm and keep going. On Friday we contacted my doctor but he knows nothing about me as he was not involved in the beginning and I have changed medical practices. Even though we explained about things, and that we know that peripheral polyneuropathy caused itch like this and that gabapentin should be prescribed as it is nerve pain, he wouldn’t do anything more than tell me to pu cream on it. What? All over my body. Yes. The damned cream doesn’t work of course and today I am in agony. We can’t get a doctor to look at me and on friday all he would do was tell my husband to take a photo of my skin and send it to him. How the hell can he diagones like that?
I have not slept for two nights. I am done in but in many ways wish that I could just write and write and write because it takes my mind off it.
I don’t know whether I will get the Murder Mystery done today or not. I want to, but don’t know if I can type enough.
Please bear with me reagarding the Murder Mystery, those of you who ar reading it.
We just have nowhere to turn today, it being the weekend. Also we don’t know what to do tomorrow to make the doctor listen and actually do something.
I admit to feeling scared. Very scared. You can’t force doctors and nowadays they don’t bother with people so much as they used to. My old doctor would have been here straight away.
Surely if someone hhas had serious cancer, they would care enough to do the things that need doing even into remission.
Apologies for this rant.
https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2025/11/09/
Thank-you Alice for providing us with this word prompt
This word makes me think of the observance of Remembrance Sunday which is coming up for us next weekend. Many events will be taking place as we remember all those who have given their lives in some way. Both in the past and even more recently. On this day our town will be almost completely cut off and traffic will not be able to move around within it as various groups march in parade to the town’s War Memorial. I guess this will be the case in many towns in England. Most people wear their red poppies on that day, but some wear white ones as they don’t like the association that goes with the red ones. Some won’t wear any at all. During the morning there will be a two minute silence and even if you are going round the food store or any other store, everything will stop for that two minutes. For those minutes we remember those who have fallen in all the wars both past and present.
I have a special memory of Remembrance Sunday because in 2019, my Mum had just got into what was to be her death bed. The National Health Service had delivered it to her house the day before Remembrance Sunday and we had to try to get across town to see her. However, with the streets being closed off, we were unable to drive easily there. We did eventually get to the end of her road but it was blocked off by a man standing there. However we told him what was going on and he did let us through. My Mum was very alert on that day and was watching it all on the television. For this reason I don’t like Remembrance Sunday any more. It might sound selfish but that is how it is at this moment though of course I do care about all thos who gave their lives.
Scent of pine
Darkest green
Dappled ground
Rest by streams
Buzzards call
High in sky
Gentle breeze
Ruffles hair
Spring has come
Forest
Your darkness holds
All that I am, have known
Hiding in you I am safe, held
Spellbound,
Magic
Plays joyfully, dancing, twirling,
Until I am dizzy,
Lost in your world
Entranced
When Susie got to Ron’s, they sat talking about the new development regarding Diane.
“It’s just getting worse and worse,” said Ron.
“It is,” replied Susie.
“Well it wasn’t her boyfriend who did her in,” remarked Ron.
“No,” said Susie. “But how could he leave her just like that?”
“We’ll probably never know,” said Susie.
“I’m going to talk to Janice again,” said Ron. “She’s the one who seems to know quite a lot about what has been going on. Especially with that grand piano man. I’m wondering if he’s had anything to do with it all.”
“Yes, no one seems to have thought about him,” said Susie. “And don’t forget that the vicar was in there one day. I suppose he’s got some kind of an interest in music and singing. He certainly wanted to form a kid’s choir, it seems.”
“From all that you’ve told me, a lot of the people involved in all of this, especially the murder victims, had something to do with Ivor, the grand piano man.”
“That’s true, now you mention it,” agreed Susie. He knew Jessie because her grandson went there to learn music. He knew Libby because she was having an affair with him, according to Janice, and it seems that others knew about that too. And he knew Diane because she wanted to help kids and sent one of Jessie’s to him too. He would have known Andrea for the exact same reason. They’re all tied in together.”
“Good Lord,” exclaimed Ron. It’s very involved isn’t it. But if he was the murderer what motive did he have?”
“I wonder if it was anything to do with the vicar as well,” said Susie. “Were they in it together?”
“Who knows,” said Ron. “But we can’t solve it ourselves. It’s up to the police now. I just hope there aren’t any more murders.”
“That’s why we’re all scared to death,” said Susie. Realising her accidental pun, her hand flew to her mouth.
“Oh, I didn’t mean……” she said.
“Don’t worry,” said Ron. “I know what you mean.
“Anyway I’ve got something important to tell you. You know that me and Tom are thinking of selling up back in LIncolnshire and buying one of those cottages in Lower Bottomly. Well, Ivy is thinking of buying the other one. She’s not happy about staying in Tugswell now, and she says she’s not close to anyone now and our friendship is good and we get on well together, and we have the dogs too.”
“I think you do well to do that,” replied Ron. “But I hope you won’t forget about me.”
“Oh, never,” replied Susie. “It doesn’t take long to drive from Lower Bottomly to here and I don’t want to lose our friendship either.”
“Phew,” said Ron. “I was getting a bit worried.
“It’s strange,” said Susie. “This tragedy seems to have drawn us all closer together in friendship. It’s even brought me and Mrs. Tingwell a bit closer.”
“Tragedy sometimes does that,” said Ron. “But it would have been better if it had never happened.”
“Oh agreed.” said Susie.
They sat for a while and then Ron offered her something to eat.
“I think there’s some quiche left over in the fridge from last night. There’s a bit of salad too and I’m sure Janice wouldn’t mind us eating it.”
“That sounds really nice,” replied Susie.
Ron busied himself with getting the quiche out and onto a plate, along with some salad, and making some tea. Then they sat and ate it.
“It’s the writing group tomorrow,” said Susie. Shall I come and pick you up?”
“Oh yes,” replied Ron. “It will be something different to do. They’re a friendly group too.”
“They are,” said Susie.
“I’ll do a bit more writing tonight,” said Ron.
“I won’t have time to do too much more,” said Susie. “Me and Tom will be going out with the dogs and Ivy tonight as usual. And I’m sure Tom will want to talk about all the practicalities of getting the move going.”
“It’s a big decision,” said Ron.
“You’re right,” said Susie. “But we’re dead set on it.”
When it was time for Susie to go home, Ron gave her a squeeze on the shoulder and thanked her for everything.
“You’ve brought some light into my life,” he said.
“Oh you’re welcome,” replied Susie. “And you’ve brought light to mine.”
They agreed that Susie would pick Ron up just after lunch the next day. Then Susie got into her car and drove off towards Tugswell. Just out of curiosity she drove the long way round and went past the grand piano shop. Nothing looked really out of order, but the light was on and she could see Ivor sorting out some sheet music. She began to think deeply about what she and Ron had been talking about. She must talk to Ivy and Tom about it.
Link to Part 57
With thanks to Linda G. Hill for the prompt
As I never get outside now, the one thing I have enjoyed doing is smelling some earth brought in to me from the garden. Well, to be truthful, I wasn’t really able to smeall it that well. It was a bit of a performance. At first our gardener put some into a plant pot holder for me but it was so big that I couldn’t get my face and nose anywhere near the soil. Also the plant pot holder smelled a bit weird too. So then, our cleaner put some into a bamboo dish for me. Once again, it was too deep and I couldn’t get my nose near to the soil. I got a vague whiff of it, but sometimes I imagine smelling the earth again. I think that I am outside in the garden underneath some bush or something where it is nice a damp and turning the soil over. Mmmmmmmm. Wonderful. If only I could actually get out there and do it. There is something wonderful about the soil and you don’t appreciate it until you can’t smell it any more.
Am I allowed to have another go? Well I’m going to take one anyway. Another thing that I have enjoyed recently is smelling the last rose of summer. We have a beautiful climbing rose that goes all over our garage wall. It is yellow in colour and it is the last one to bloom. Once again our gardener picked me one and it was brought in to me. I say one, but there were a few on the one stem. Sadly I didn’t get close enough to it to smell it properly. I need help to get it close to my nose, and I just managed to get the scent of it a little bit as it was placedon the chest in the bedroom near to me. The scent did occasionally waft into my nostrils but I would have loved to have had it near to my nose so that I could smell it properly.
Both of these things satisfy my desire to have some contact with the world beyond my window. The outside coming in to me.
The smell of the earth
Sends me into ecstasies
I am of the earth
My moan today is about food delivery people arriving early.
We have to purchase all our food from various food stores in the U.K. The main ones that we use are Tesco and Ocado. Our latest delivery with Ocado was disastrous because they arrived early. This often happens with them. We book a delivery slot which mightt be one until tw, or two until three, and fit it in with our schedule. Regularly the delivery person either texts or rings up wanting to come early. As disabled people life is hard as everything has to be done slowly and in a certain order. We can’t manage disruptions. So, the other day, once again, Ocado texted to come early. We said “no.” However, despite that, they still arrived early. At the time my husband was stuck upstairs in the bedroom with me, as the stair lift people were servicing the essential stair lift. So we had two men in the hall which is quite narrow, and there was nowhere for the food delivery person to dump the food, osme of which was frozen stuff and some needed chilling immediately. The delivery person was really nasty when my husband shouted out of the bedroom window that we couldn’t accommodate the delivery right there and then. Not only did we have the men servicing the stair lift, but our cleaner was arriving too. Because my husband was upstairs with me, he had left his wheelchair near to the stair lift in the hall. It blocks the hall completely as the hall is so narrow.
In the end, we did get the delivery from a very surly man who resented us telling him he oculd only deliver between one and two p.m.
My moan is people who refuse to fit in with our needs even when they have been clearly stipulated.
Have you got any moan today? Please feel free and come on in.
One day
All will be peace
Earth’s labours at an end
For now the wild winds roar and rage
Hurling
My soul
Into a dark vortex of fear
Swirling me round and round
Dizzy I cry
Bring peace
Some days just seem to sip the sunlight
Playing around the edges of the clouds
Like a promise that one day there will be light
Yet what would light be without the dark
Even clouds have their beauty
Creating a magical pattern in the sky
And a shining that surpasses all
What would pure brilliance be
Without the shades
So like the day
Let us sip the sunlight
And in the darkness wait in patience
Here is another seaside resort that I have visited on a Day Out. In fact, I guess I have had about three or four days out in Scraborough, some when I was a child, and some as an adult. I have also speant a week in Scarborough when I was in my late twenties. It is situated on the beautiful North Yorkshire coast facing the North Sea. It is an amazing place to visit. It has two beache, North Beach and South Beach.
I remember a day out with my parents and my brother and sister in Scraborough when I was a teenager. We went in our old car, and to this day I am surprised that we ever got there. My mother packed up tomato sandwiches with salad cream on, and they tasted like heaven. We never had much money when I was a child and a teenager, and so our pleasures were simple. However, my brother almost ruined this day out. He had seen movies on the television where people had gone running into the sea to swim and ride the waves. He was determined that he was going to do the same and had taken his swimming trunks with him and a towel. However, my parents tended to just enjoy walking along the sea front not doing anything in particular. We were at the South Beach which is flat and is a beautiful sandy beach, glorious in the summer. My brother was chafing at the bit to get into the sea, but my parents wouldn’t stop walking and so my brother became mardier and mardier and angry too. Life was miserable. Until…..eventually my parents stopped and we went down onto the beach. My brohter immediately got all his clothes off and he had his swimming trunks on and he went running off into the sea. We couldn’t really see him as the sea was quite a long way out, but eventually he returned, looking sated. He was in a much better mood after that.
The South Beach is very different to the North Beach, being at sea level and there, there are many different kinds of shops. Of course there are the usual fish and chip shops and most people eat them straight out of the paper, sitting on a bench or a wall or something. There are shops that sell bars of rock with the name Scarborough written through them. There are some amusements and various other things. My parents were never very interested in the shops but just enjoyed looking at the scenery. For me, that constituted happiness.
The North Beach is very different and above it is a high cliff. There are terraces on the cliff and you can sit on them and look down on the sea. When my husband and I speant a week’s holiday there, we were walking along one of the terraces high up on the cliff, and we found a beautiful Garden For the Blind. It was really taken up with this garden.the plants and flowers in it were specially chosen for blind people, having a beautiful scent or a particualr feel about them. They appealed to the sense of both touch and smell. It was a beautiful place and so peaceful. There was a seat in there where you could just sit and take it all in. I remember us sitting for quite some time in there, plus we had a good walk around it.
The place where my husband and I stayed was a Guest House and it overlooked the sea from the top of the cliff and it was truly amazing. There is a massive park in Scarborough down at the South end called Peaseholme Park. It has a big lake in the middle of it and again, lots of different flowers and plants. We visited it one evening and although it was a little chilly, it was enchanting.
Scarborough is a very historic town, and it has an old ruined castle on the top of the cliff, but we never visited it at any point. I am not sure why but we didn’t. What we did visit on our week’s holiday was a church at the top of a road called Paradise. Buried in the churchyard there was Anne Bronte of the Bronte sisters. Emily Bronte was a famous writer and came to fame with her novels. Anne’s grave is very beautiful and when we visited it, it was covered in flowers. It was a very stiff climb up there and we had to stop to get our breath. We stopped at a place called Halfway. Halfway to Paradise we said and laughed. At the top you could look out to sea again and it was reather wild up there. As we climbed up the hill there were many fishermen’s cottages lining the street. So quaint and colourful. Along part of the South Beach are the fishermen’s boats. It is very obvious that this is a fishing town.
It seems a very long time ago now, that we visited Scarborough either for a Day OUt or for a holiday, but, given the chance, I would go again.
With thanks to Alice for this prompt
It was a dark, cold, rainy November night. ‘Kath had been gradually becoming weaker and lacking in breath. She couldn’t complain. She had had a good innings – ninety three years to be exact. Exactly a week earlier she had been helped into the Mational Health bed that had just been delivered. There it stood, in the middle of her living room. She hadn’t wanted it. She hadn’t wanted to get into it, but she had no choice. It was a special bed, she had been told. Specially made to prevent pressure sores developing. Once in the bed, she declared that she hated it, but then suddenly, she started wobbling around on it and began laughing.
“It’s like the waves of the sea,” she declared.
As the week went on, she weakened even more, and the doctor said that it wouldn’t be long now.
“I’m not dying,” she announced. She’d always thought that she could defeat even death. Throughout her life she had defeated everything and won. She truly thought that she could win over death. However, this was her time. Though she couldn’t accept it, here it was.
Early on that Saturday evening, her son had called the nurses, saying that she had suddenly worsened. They arrived, and it was obvious that Kath was beginning to finally slip away. At eight thirty in the evning she lost her fight for life. As she died, tears came from her eyes. This time, something had won over her.
With thanks for this word prompt
Teresa wasn’t exactly one of the girls at the college who attracted attention. Although that was not exactly true. She did attract attention simply because she was both rather fat, frumpy and certainly not pretty in any way. She had a strong personality, but that made no difference to what the other girls thought of her. In her dark blue skirt and top and her clumsy shoes, she looked nothing at all to her contemporaries who all loved to dress according to the latest student fashion.
It was the end of term, and the college ball. Everyone was excited about this, as the boys from the university were always invited to this event. The girls all spent a lot of time in considering what they might wear and how they would do their hair. No one talked to Teresa about it. However, she quietly thought about what she was going to do.
On the night of the ball, all the girls appeared looking wonderful, but suddenly Teresa appeared and everyone gasped. She looked transcendent. Her hair was long and golden and hung beautifully down her back, shining in the lights of the ballroom. Her dress was also gold in colour, and shimmered. Her face looked totally different, with make up that the other girls would have died for. Indeed, she hardly looked like Teresa at all. Suddenly everyone was crowding round her telling her how beautiful she looked. Teresa could hardly beleive it, and for once, she was the centre of attention.
I am not sure what went wrong when posting a poem last night. I think it came out all wrong on my post. I always write my poems first, then send them to my blog via email which usuall works just find. It didn’t last night though. I didn’t realise until this morning. It seems that something or other kept on putting the words “greater than” at the beginning of each line. However, being blind, I can’t see if that is what is actually written there. Sometimes voice over reads things that aren’t there.
Anyway, apologies if it did do that. It really isn’t easy when you are blind and have had not prior training in how to do things. For me, I have had to fathom everything out and I certainly was no teccy person before going blind. There was so much that I didn’t know about WordPress and how it works even prior to going blind. Duh. I need a teacher.
Ah
She said
Embrace me
Delightful one
Rest lightly on my tongue
Hear my squeals of delight
Rising to the very skies
Oh how could I ever reject
The wondrous joys that you offer me
Oh sweet temptation don’t ever leave me
I see
Colourless days
In oceans of glory
A vast sea of nature’s beauty
I swim
Towards
A place that is waiting for me
Where rainbow colours glow
Arching in skies
Of love
Susie didn’t want to leave Jeremy’s shop, but eventually she had to. It had been nice going there, and even though she nnow had the hope of a new future in front of her, she didn’t want to go back to a place where her next door neighbour had been murdered. She hated the atmosphere in Tugswell now, and she realised that moving could take quite a long time. It might not even happen until after the winter. She hated the prospect of a winter in Tugswell and the possiblity of being cut off there. The only good thing was Ivy. At least they had each other now, and even the prospect of visiting Mrs. Tingwell seemed quite acceptable. She would have to talk to Tom that night about the future. The idea of moving to the valley was only in its infancy. There was a lot to be worked out.
When she got home she sat down on the settee and Bessie and Nellie joined her. They cuddled up to her and she was so glad of their company. She looked forwards to the walk that evening, and even though it was beginning to get a bit colder, she loved the beautiful fresh air. Her newfound friendship with Ivy made her feel good, and to think that if she and Tom moved, Ivy would probably be able to move with them. She worried a bit about Ron, but she would still be able to drive over to see him, and she could take him to the valley with her. He too had become a good friend.
As she sat dreaming, she suddenly realised that she ought to be finding something for Tom’s dinner. She took a look in the freezer and found some pork chops which wouldn’t take too long to cook in the oven. She turned the oven on and then put them in. Pork was one of his favourites.
They all enjoyed their walk that night, and Susie told Ivy to pop across to her in the morning. Ivy agreed to do that, and Susie went to bed feeling somewhat more relaxed. Tom, too, seemed a little lighter, and gave her a peck on the cheek before they went up to bed.
In the morning Susie was pleased to have Ivy’s company. At the moment she didn’t feel like being alone. She needed to keep her mind off the murders. Ivy began to tell her a little about her life, and all the holidays that she and her husband had enjoyed.
“We were so happy,” she said. “I never expected that I would end up alone like this.”
“It’s sad,” replied Susie. “I would hate to be without Tom.”
“He’s a good one,” replied Ivy. “You’re lucky.”
“I am,” said Susie.
Suddenly there was a knock at Susie’s door. When she went to open it she saw Mrs. Tingwell standing there looking a little bemused. She invited her in, and she sat down on the settee with Ivy.
“What on earth is the Matter?”asked Ivy.
“It’s Diane,” Mrs. Tingwell managed to get out. “They’ve found her boyfriend.”
“What?” Susie and Ivy chorused together.
“Yes,” said Mrs. Tingwell. “He’s in Brandswell with his sister. Apparently he and Diane set off on holiday and they had a row and he left her and went to his sister’s.”
“Oh my goodness,” said Ivy. “So is he under suspicion now of murdering Diane?”
“No,” said Mrs. tingwell. “She was murdered after he left for his sister’s. The police still don’t know who the murderer is.”
“Oh my God,” said Susie. “This gets worse and worse.”
“I think they’d been to the opera house and they were meant to be staying at an hotel for the night and then they were setting off on holiday the next day. They had a row, and Diane was left on her own in Bottonly Spa, and she went to the hotel where they were booked in, but she must have gone out for a walk and that was when it happened. Someone must have got to her. Someone who knew her movements.”
“Who on earth could that have been?” Asked Ivy.
“It’s a small place,” said Mrs. Tingwell. “It could have been anybody and Diane knew quite a few people.”
Once again they all fell silent. Ivy was sat shaking her head and Mrs. Tingwell played with the buttons on her cardigan.
Eventually Susie said she would make the inevitable cup of tea.
“What on earth is going to happen next?” Asked Ivy as they sat drinking their tea.
None of them knew. All that Susie knew was that she must go and see Ron. Eventually the little group broke up and Susie told Ivy that she was going to see Ron and would be back later.
“Will you be alright?” she asked Ivy.
“Yes, but I do want to see you later.”
“I’ll be back,” said Susie. “And we’ll be going for our walk.
They parted and Susie got into her car to drive to Ron’s.
Link to Part 56
Woof woof woof
Dad couldn’t wake me up this morning because I had been all night barking at fireworks. It was real good. I tried to catch them but I couldn’t. Dad told me I was silly but I don’t think I was silly. Mind you, I was a bit silly because Dad gave me my dinner and I couldn’t eat it for barking. I just couldn’t stop. Dad kept trying to get me to eat my dinner and I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t even eat a sizzler. Charlie heard all the fireworks too and he was chirping like mad. What with all the big bangs outside and me barking and Charlie cheeping it was a bit noisy in this house.
I feel sorryb for some poor doggies though because they don’t get excited like me. They get terrified and it’s not fair. Mum is right. It should only happen twice a year. Then it would be more special anyway.
I think Magda is coming today and aman to service the stair lift. I think Dad should put me on the chair to the stir lift and let me go up on it to see Mum, but he won’t let me. I think Mum cries because she can’t see me. It’s all the fault of that man Arthur Itis. He has made my back legs weak and I can’t climb stairs any more. Mum is real upset because she can’t come downstairs.
I hope I can take Magda for a walk again today. She says I can wee for England. Mind you, she is Polish so I don’t know if I can wee for Poland too.
I think we are getting another food delivery today. I might get something but I don’t know. I help Magda to put things into the fridge. She tries to push me away but I just go back again. I have to help, you see.
I had better go and check everything now. There might be some cardboard boxes that I’ve hidden away. I have to make sure they stay hidden.
Bye for now
Woof woof woof
I said a short time ago that I might start a new series entitled A Day Out. Well here it is.
I haven’t done it before now because I discovered that it is impossible to do without making the post really long. However, I am going to try again and hope that this one doesnt come out too long. We’ll see.
So, I live about 30 miles away from the east coast of England. The nearest seaside town to me is Cleethorpes, and Humberston is three miles away from Cleethorpes. It is an amazing place in my opinion, and my husband and I have been there often. There are beautiful sand dunes there, and before I got my cancer, we used to love to take the two dogs that we had then, Jade and Asha, two rought collies, onto the sand dunes. From there you can look out at the North Sea, and far away in the distance you can see two forts. It is possible to get to the forts but only at certain times, for it is easy to get cut off by the incoming tide. It is also possible to watch the boats going past that are bound for Rotterdam in the Netherlands. They ail from Hull which is up the coast a bit, and at this point they are travelling very slowly. For me, I find them fascinating to watch, wondering who is on board, and where they are bound for in the Nethdrlands, and why they are going there. I have never been on one of the boats myself, although my mother and my sister did do the trip.
The main reason that we used to go to Humberston, apart from to walk the dogs on the sand dunes was to sit and look at the big lake which had all kinds of water birds on it. We could sit there all day watching and never tire. There always seemed to be something going on with the birds.
To get to the lake we had to go through what is called Humberston Fitties. This consists of chalets that some of the owners live in all year round, apart from at Christmas. They are allowed to live there almost all year, but for about three weeks of the year they have to find somewhere else to stay. The chalets are cute and very individual. Some are really quirky. The people who live there have formed a community all of their own, and it is like a little village all on its own. There is also a caravan site which is part of Humberston Fitties, and that has been there for many years. In the past, many people from my town would go there for a summer holiday as it was cheap and by the sea. The caravans were nothing like they are today. In those days when I was a child, they had no facilities and were very primitive. My mother and I went for a holiday one time and it was so primitive that we didn’t even stay one night there. We were unable even to make a cup of tea and my mother decided that that was it. We were going home. Nowadays the caravans are streamlined and have a large living space with every amenity and huge picture windows. I wouldn’t have minded spending a holiday in one of those but we never did.
In 1953, sadly, Humberstone was completely flooded as the North sea came inland during a terrible storm, and people lost their lives. That storm has never been forgotten.
There is a large country park in Humberston, but we have never been in there. I regret it now, because now, I am unable to leave the house, but I hear that it is a great place to go.
Of course, there is the usual chippie, or fish and chip shop to those that don’t know that word. We always used to go and get fish and chips from there and sit eating them in the car. Mmmmmm. They were lovely.
Just up the road from Humberston is the Pleasure beach which consists of various rides etc. Again, we never went there and then one time we discovered that it had closed down. I am not sure if it has opened up again but I think it might have. It had a roller coaster and various other attractions.
All in all, I feel that Humberston is a great place to go, but for us, the main attraction was always the wild life. It was lovely also to walk on the sand dunes with the breeze in our hair.
One memory that I have is of when I first went into remission from my cancer. I wanted to become as normal as possible, despite having to walk with two sticks or canes, and gradually going blind. I was determined to recapture my old life before cancer, again. I wasn’t sure if I could do it, but my dream was to take the two dogs on their leads onto the sand dunes. To me, that constituted being normal again. So one day, we parked the car by the lake, and I got the dogs out and took them on their leads along a roughish track that was quite narrow, through high grasses at either side of me, and with holes in the ground, which was sandy. The dogs were so excited and were pulling on their leads, and I was very wobbly on my two sticks and I was unable to actually see the ground that I was walking on because of my growing blindness. However, much to my amazement I managed to do it. I took the dogs for a walk on my own for the first time since being diagnosed with a serious and advanced cancer. I was exhilarated and thought that the only way was upwards now, but sadly, it didn’t work out like that. My body and eyesight deteriorated and it was the first and last time that I took the dogs onto the sand dunes.
My memories of Humberston are beautiful ones and I am glad that I got to go there.
I should really be posting some pictures of it, but, being blind, I don’t know how to do it. But you can always look it up for yourself if you want to. It is Humberston in Lincolnshire, England. Enjoy.
I dream
Of soft feathers
As I lie on my bed
Like them I float to the ceiling
Dancing
So light
I dream myself out of this pain
Is it an illusion
My eyes closing
I sigh
Life used to be fast
Before I was stripped laid love
Now it is HUMDRUM
Each day is the same
Excitement is not my lot
Sometimes my mind goes
Absent Without Leave
What is life without a mind?
I better find it
Ah, I found it here
In the middle of WordPress
Amongst my good friends
There once was a woman called Bren
Who showed up again and again
With a great big trombone
That she carried alone
And now she’s outside Number Ten
There once was a flea that turned white
And had a real terrible fright
He spied a big can
That wasn’t fake tan
But that said it would kill fleas outright
We’ve had it for weeks now, but tonight is the night – or meant to be. That damnded man Guy. He’s responsible for all this. Hope, our dog, is going mad. It’s not that she’s frightened of them, but she’s excited by them and refuses to stop barking and jumping up in the air even in the kitchen. She’s going mad. We’ll have this all night now and then again at the weekend. Hubby is trying his best to get dinner but he can hardly do it for the flippin’ dog. We can’t blame the dog though.
I wish they’d ban fireworks except for on two days of the year. Bonfire Night and New Year’s Eve.
The bangs are so loud now that they seem to shake the house. And the smell in the air is atrocious. The bangs are really horrible and make your ears ring. Not mention your head ache.
Groan over.
Susie was glad of the opportunity to go to Jeremy’s. She loved the atmosphere in his shop and the cat purring away on the window sill was the icing on the cake. She loved animals of all kinds, and this cat was so homely. She also found Jeremy quite amusing with the one strand of hair which simply refused to stay put and that always gravitated towards his forehead. His glasses completed it all and he was constantly pushing them back up his nose, trying in vain to make them stay on the bridge of his nose. He was always pleased to see her and she felt sorry for him that he no longer got many customers. For herself, she would far rather have a proper book in her hands than reading off the internet. A book was solid, and the feel of it was comforting. She had lovely memories of curling up in the window seat at her parents’ home, reading a book. Sometimes she would read with a torch under the covers at night. Yes, books were definitely good friends.
As expected, Jeremy was pleased to see her. He gave her a warm smile as she walked in.
“Good to see you again,” he said. “Tea?”
“Do you have to ask?” laughed Susie.
“Not really,” said Jeremy. “I wondered if you fancied some lemon tea today. I’ve got a new tin of it. It’s very refreshing.”
“Oh yes, I do like lemon tea,” replied Susie. “It’s ages since I had any.”
Jeremy disappeared and Susie got two chairs out from under the stairs. The cat was, as usual, purring happily and could almost have been singing. Susie went and gave the cat some strokes and the purring got even louder. She laughed.
“You’re a funny boy Tiddles,” she said. Tiddles purred louder still.
Jeremy was soon back with the tea and they sat down together to enjoy a good chat.
“I’ve been down into the valley,” said Susie. “Vera lives down there, and me and Ron went yesterday to get away from all the drama in Bottomly Spa with all the murders, and it was so lovely.”
“I agree. It’s a wonderful place,” replied Jeremy. “And what have you to tell me on that score?”
A cloud came over Susie’s face as she said,
“Oh Jeremy. Did you know that the last murder victim was Diane, my next door neighbour?”
“It hadn’t clicked with me,” replied Jeremy. “Oh dear. How awful for you.”
“It certainly is,” said Susie. “And so much has happened since we came to live in Tugswell that me and Tom have decided to move. There are two nice little cottages for sale there and we hope to try to buy one of them.”
“Oh goodness me,” said Jeremy. “Oh but what a good idea. And I’ll be able to come and visit you and Tom as well.”
“Quite,” replied Susie. “That will be lovely. You can come and have a meal with us. Maybe a nice Sunday roast or something.”
“Oooh that sounds wonderful,” said Jeremy.
“We’ve just got to sell our house back in Lincolnshire and then we’re away. I’m hoping that no one gets in before we do, but the estate agent said that there hasn’t been any huge rush to buy any of them.”
“Well it’s coming on winter,” said Jeremy. “Not a good time of year for house sales around here. Everyone is thinking of the terribly cold winters that we get here, complete with snow and snow drifts.”
“I don’t mind all that,” replied Susie. “It kind of adds to the magic of the place, though being cut off in the valley might be a bit challenging.”
“The atmosphere is awful in Tugswell right now. There are police all over the place, and it’s not known where Diane’s boyfriend is. There were signs of violence inside her cottage, and everyone is putting two and two together.”
“They will,” commented Jeremy. “But nothing is proved until it is proved.”
“True,” said Susie.
They sat drinking their tea and Jeremy asked Susie when they might get together again and look round one of the churches and see the architecture.
“I’ll ask Tom,” replied Susie. “As long as it’s not a creepy church again.”
Jeremy laughed.
“Sometimes I think all churches are creepy,” he said. “I’m not much of a one for religion either. It seems to breed some queer types in my opinion. Maybe I’m too biased but there you are. Look at that vicar for one. What on earth is he up to?”
“I don’t know,” replied Susie. “He certainly is creepy, and he doesn’t like women at all, and I’ve wondered what skeletons he’s got in his cupboard.”
“You do right to ask,” said Jeremy. “It seems to me that there are links between all of the murders, and one of them is religion or contact with a religious person.”
“Oh Jeremy,” gasped Susie. “You’re right. I’d never connected it all before.”
“Well think on,” said Jeremy. “And just keep away from that vicar.”
“I will,” said Susie. “And I’ll ask Tom when I see him tonight if we can all meet up again very soon.”
Link to Part 55
https://blindwilderness.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post-new.php?post_type=post&answer_prompt=2113
We are asked today if we need time.
As I am in my dotage, yes, I do feel that I need time. Life seems to have passed by so quickly and each year seems to go faster. It is quite frightening. None of us wants to die, or at least I don’t think we do. I find it really frightening when I realise just how old I am now. I suppose getting cancer when I was in my sixties didn’t help much because that took years out of my life, and life was never the same again. It didn’t weem long at all until I was in my dotage. I hadn’t expected it. I considered myself quite young when I got cancer.
I think when we are kids, we don’t even think about getting old, but when I think back, I realise just how many years have passed. I was a kid and now I am old. Help!
I suppose as human beings we do need this elusive thing called time. What is it anyway? It is a way of separating off days, hours and minutes, in order to make things manageable. It is a human construct. Sometimes it seems as if time is passing slowly, and sometimes quickly. Sometimes it seems to drag. But always, it is there. This weird thing called time.
When I was a child in school, the Queen came to our town. Of course all us school kids lined the streets waiting for her car to appear. We were taken by the school to a particular spot, and all the kids were getting all excited. I couldn’t understand it. I didn’t feel excited at all. I suppose I was intersted or maybe even curious, but definitely not excited. We seemed to be waiting for ever, then the excitement seemed to grow as the black shiny car approached. The kids near me were cheering wildly and waving flags. I felt stupid. I don’t know why. I just couldn’t join in with it. As the car was about to drive past us, i looked downwards in confusion, and when I looked up again, I just about saw the Queen looking all regal. The thing that I noticed the most about her was that she was absolutely plastered in make up. I hated it. I don’t hink I will ever make a Royalist.
The sun
Made patterns, danced
On the cold ground, trees swayed
To the rhythm of life, the breeze
Fanning
Embers
Left in autumn’s deadening wake,
Soon would come singing, joy
Bursting out, Spring
Appears
Magic
Moments dancing
Round my head, gyrating
Pulsing, setting my soul on fire
I come
To rest
Silent in one of those moments
Lost in wonder, awestruck
But soon it goes
Moment
When Susie got up the next morning she felt much happier. Tom had agreed that moving to the valley would be a good thing to do, and she couldn’t wait for him to return to Lincolnshire to start the process of getting their house on the market. She began to make plans in her head for the cottage that she hoped they would buy. The only problem was getting the house sold before someone else bought the cottages. When she saw Ivy that morning, she invited her in for a chat.
“I’m really excited about the possibility of moving to the valley,” she said to Ivy.
“It’s a lovely place,” replied Ivy. “I think I told you that me and my husband used to go there a lot. We had some good times there. Of course I was a bit younger then and we could both walk a long way. We used to climb some of the hills round there. It seems to have an atmosphere all of its own.”
“That was what I detected,” said Susie. “It’s very different to the rest of Bottomly Spa.”
“It’s making me think about my future too,” said Ivy. “I’ve lived here a long time, but it will never be the same again. It will always hold horrible memories for me. And really, there’s no one here whom I’m close to any more.”
“Errrm, Ivy,” said Susie. “Would you consider buying one of those cottages? We would still be living near to each other and we could just continue as we are now, taking the dogs out together.”
“Oh Susie,” gasped Ivy. “I’d not thought of that. I wonder if it’s possible?”
“I don’t know,” said Susie. You know your finances and if you could manage it.”
“I don’t see why I couldn’t,” said Ivy. “I have some savings, and then there would be the money from the cottage here. They don’t fetch a bad price here in Tugswell.”
“There you are then,” said Susie. “How about we ring up the estate agent and ask how much the cottages are and find out if there has been any interest in them yet?”
“Oh what a good idea,” said Ivy. “We can’t get our hopes up if they are far too expensive.”
“I’ll ring now,” said Susie. She looked on the internet for the number of the estate agent and rang it.
“Can I help you Madam?” asked the voice at the other end.
“Errrm, I hope so,” said susie. “You have two cottages for sale in Lower Bottomly. I’d like to know how much the owners are asking for them, and if there has been much interest in them.”
“Oh I can help you there Madam,” said the voice.
The man gave her the price of the cottages and told her that they both needed just a little bit of work on them, but not too much, and that so far there hadn’t been a rush of interest in them.
“Have you got another house to sell?”he asked her.
“Yes, back in Lincolnshire,” replied susie.
“Well maybe you could stay in touch with us and let us know how it is going.”
“I’ll do that,” said Susie. “Thankyou very much for the information.”
Susie relayed everything to Ivy, who expressed astonishment that the cottages were so reasonable.
“I’m really interested,” she said.
“Let’s seal it with a good old cup of tea,” said Susie with a laugh.
She went into the kitchen to make the tea, returning with both tea and chocolate biscuits.
They sat chatting for a long time, until Susie said that she really ought to go to see Jeremy.
“I’ve not been to see him and I want to tell him what’s been going on.”
“You do that,” said Ivy. “We’ll meet up later as usual. I feel so much better now. We’ve got a bit of hope for the future. Not that I’ll ever forget poor Diane, but I couldn’t go on living opposite to where a murder victim lived.”
“I know,” said Susie. “But we’ve got a plan now.”
They said goodbye to each other and went their separate ways.
Link to Part 54
https://blindwilderness.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=54750&action=edit
For the Daily Writing Prompt we are asked what our lives will be like in three year’s time. My response to this is, in short, I might well be dead in three year’s time. Being sick, and approaching the end of my life, I may not be here. So I will write about what I would LIKE my life to be like n three year’s time.
I would like to be able to go back into nature again. That is the biggest thing that I would like. Always, I have been able to find peace in nature, whatever else was going on for me. There is just something about nature that gives such a feeling of connection and peace. I love the seasons and the cycles of nature. At the moment it is autumn, and although I can do it no longer, I love the feeling of the crunching of the dry leaves under my feet. So in three year’s time I would love to feel that once again. I would also love to be able to actually see the birds. As a former avid bird watcher, I miss them so much, and so in three year’s time I would love to see the birds again. I loved to watch the ospreys as they made their way up our country right up into the north of Scotland for their breeding season. They would often stop off here for a week or so and we had a wonderful view of them. I would also love to see the tiny kingfisher again. Such a beautifu little bird.
In three year’s time I would love to be able to drive again. I had to let my car go. My beloved black VW Polo. She was my pride and joy but once I became totally blind and bedfast I knew that I couldn’t hang onto her any longer. But in three year’s time, I would love, by some miracle, to have her back again, and to be able to drive her. I always adored driving and loved the challeng of driving in big cities. I often got lost in them but that didn’t matter. It was part of the fun.
I don’t think there is much else that I want to write about right now, but in short, I would like still to be alive in three year’s time.
November is a sad month for me, as on the 16th it is the anniversary of my mother’s death. As many of you know, she was a difficult mother. In fact she was exceedingly abusive, and as I grew up I learned a different way to the one which she took. However, despite all, I still loved her. Many told me I should cut off from her for ever, but I could never do that. She was my mother. Blood counts for a lot.
The story of her death is a horrible one and the memory of that Saturday night upon which she died is living with me now. Things were happening leading up to her death which wer so painful and I am remembering them now. So at the moment life is rather dark for me.
I am no lover of the month of November, but I do love the autumn and the crunchy leaves. I have asked for someone to collect me some of the crunchy leaves from outside and bring them to me so that I can crunch them in my hands.
A flea once went to a party
And acted all arty farty
His mates said “Get you”
Then bid him Adieu
With a slap on the back that was hearty
Seeing not through eyes
Blinded by your own passions
But with clarity
At dawn
Another place
Calls me through the grey haze
I answer the gentle calling
As dew
Glistens
On leaves
That are about to fall and die
I feel inside a peace
My soul caressed
By Love
I am posting this because I like it
“You…..you……you….. GLUTTON.”
Chrissie was incensed. Tom had always loved his food, but this really was too much. Tom had fallen and needed to be taken to the hospital. A message was sent to the ambulance men, saying
“He’s a big man. And I MEAN big.”
Chrissie flet embarrassed. It wasn’t that she didn’t love Tom, but she despised him for what he had done to himself. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t warned him. She told him his trousers weren’t fitting him any more but he insisted that it was the trousers that had shrunk.
Now, the reckoning was coming.
Woof woof woof
Magda came today but that was after the Tesco man had been. The Tesco man came at the wrong time, but Magda came at the right time. Dad was in a muddle because he had forgotten about the Tesco man but he hadn’t forgotten about Magda.
I assisted Magda today, helping her to clear up. I pinched her box and took it outside. That helped her a lot. She sayd boxes whould go in the bin but I say they are to be played with. She doesn’t understand dogs. Mind you, she has cats and I don’t understand cats. Neither does Charlie because cats don’t like birds.
I am easy going. I like all things. I don’t mind cats or birds. I woof at everything though.
I am not sure if Charlie has got used to the new time yet. He still wakes up and cheeps at the wrong time. I think his body clock is all messed up. I don’t bother about it. I just sleep and wake up when Dad comes into the kitchen in a morning.
Dad keeps buying new counter top ovens. He got one then found out that it might have an exploding glass door in it. So he got rid of it. He used the new one last night but got into a mess with it and was going to buy another new one but Mum stopped him and told him to get used to the one he’s just bought. I think Mum is right and I said I would help him to get used to it. I am not sure if Dad likes me helping though.
Magda was up in Mum’s bedroom most of the time today because Dad wanted her to move some things. I could have helped with that too. I am really good at mloving things. Especially people. I put my nose up their bums and they jump and move. Magda is used to me now though. She just ignores me. I don’t think that is right. No one should ignore me. Anyway I make enough noise to wake the dead. I think I might have done really well on Halloween. I think a loy of the dead were raised. I think they’re back being dead now though.
I had better go because Dad will soon be doing dinner and he will need me to help him. Bye bye for now
Woof woof woof
Just a heads up that my Murder Mystery will resume tomorrow unless I get to write it out today. It has been a very busy day and my mind hasn’t been on it. It will definitely resume tomorrow though unless I do get it done later.
Let’s
Create
A new world
From the ashes
That are at our feet
For they will blow away
To be taken by the wind
And we are left with a clean space
With which to do anything we like
Say Goodbye to ashes Hello new world
Freezing fog freezes
My mind that is half asleep
Come, thaw out my mind
Slowly my eyes open to the morning
I rub away the memories of yesterday
The new day drops into my vision
I greet it with all that I have within me
I rub away the memories of yesterday
A blank page sits before me
I greet it with all that I have within me
What will my life write today?
A blank page sits before me
White unblemished stain free
What will my life write today?
All creation sits in my fingers
White unblemished stain free
Nothing to tarnish the life in my soul
All creation sits in my fingers
I hold it now with holy awe
Nothing to tarnish the life in my soul
Freedom fills the space that I made
I hold it now with holy awe
Ready to dwell in this sacred space
Freedom fills the space that I made
My wings have grown strong and soon I will fly
I hold them now with holy awe
Poised in anticipation of the flight
My wings have grown strong and soon I will fly
Though the world hangs heavy around my neck
Poised in anticipation of the flight
I break through the barriers make this new space
Though the world hangs heavy around my neck
I’m light as a dewdrop within my soul
Slowly my eyes open to the morning
I rub away the memories of yesterday
Susie felt so relaxed at Vera’s that she didn’t really want to leave. It felt like a little haven. She suggested that they take a short walk, and everyone agreed that some fresh air would be very acceptable. As they walked, Susie was taking everything in, and eventually they came to the two cottages that were for sale. Both were in a short terrace of cottages.
“I don’t think they will be too expensive as cottages go,” said Vera. “They might need a little bit of work doing on them, but they could be really nice once it is done.”
“They’ve certainly got character,” agreed Susie. “The sort of place I have always fancied living.”
“And look at the lovely little front gardens,” said Ron. “Think of all the colourful flowers you could grow there. It could be a real cottage garden.”
“You’re really inspiring me Ron,” said Susie with a smile.
“She was beginning to feel a little happier. Maybe indeed she could persuade Tom to consider living in the valley.
“And there are some lovely walks for the dogs round here,” said Vera. “There are all sorts of little nooks and crannies as well.”
All in all they had an enjoyable walk. Susie had started to look to the future and it was just a matter of persuading Tom. She would still be able to go to the writing group, and Vera would be close by too. They could become good friends.
“Fancy an ice cream?” asked Vera. There’s a little shop up here where they make their own ice cream and sell it.”
“Ooh I love ice cream,” replied Susie. Ron also said that he would love an ice cream.
They made their way to the ice cream shop and there were lots of flavours to choose from. Susie had a mint choc chip one, and Ron had a strawberry one. Vera just had a plain vanilla ice cream. They walked along the street eating their ice creams feeling like kids.
“It’s good to be a kid at times,” said Vera. They all started to giggle a bit and agreed.
When they arrived back at Vera’s they started to talk about the writing group.
“We’ve had all sorts of people at various times,” said Vera. “Some go and then leave and never come back, and some do leave for a while and then come back.”
“I’m in that category,” said Ron.
“Yes, and we’ll be really glad to have you back,” said Vera. “We once had an ex North Sea fisherman and he wrote some great tales of life on the trawlers.”
“I vet that was interesting,” said Susie.
“It was,” said Vera. “But the only trouble was that he read them out in the most boring monotone voice.”
“Oh dear,” said Susie.
“And then there was a man who had travelled a lot and he was full of tales of his travels. He was so interesting. He was a real character.”
“Oh I hope that we are not too boring then,” said Susie.
“I’m sure you won’t be,” replied Vera with a smile.
Susie and Ron decided that they really ought to be leaving, and Vera gave them both a hug before they left.
“Please, feel free to come any time. I’ve really enjoyed this.”
Susie and Ron assured her that they had too.”
That night, Susie talked to Tom about the possibility of moving to the valley. She told him about the two cottages and the cottage garden that they could create.
“It sounds perfect,” said Tom. “I think if we could sell our house, that would be wonderful.”
Susie felt overcome. She moved over to Tom and gave him a big hug.
“Oh Tom,” she said. “If only we could do that.”
“I’ll contact an estate agent tomorrow,” said Tom. “I’ll have to go over there to show the estate agent round the house and get all the details sorted out.”
“Ooooh Tom please will you?”
“Yes,” replied Tom. “We need something to look forwards to. I don’t care what happens here with the murders. We need to get away from it.”
Susie was so happy that Tom had agreed and she told Bessie and Nellie that they might be moving again. She was sure that she heard them saying,
“What about Jasper?”
“Oh don’t you worry about Jasper. I’ll be bringing you back here once we are settled. We can still have our walks with Ivy and Jasper but not at nights.”
Bessie and Nellie wagged their tails and looked excited.
That evening Ivy was, as usual, waiting for them. There were lots of police all over the place.
“We’ll be alright as long as they’re around,” said Ivy.
They enjoyed their walk that night, but all of them were thinking a lot about Diane.
“I’d love to know where her boyfriend is,” said Ivy.
“Me too,” said Susie.
“I suppose the police will find out soon.”
Once again they glanced at the Catholic Church as they walked past it.
“I’m not going to think about that,” said Susie.
“No,” replied Ivy.
“Me and Tom are going to sell our house back in Lincolnshire,” said Susie.
“Oh you’re not going to leave me just as I’m getting to know you are you?asked Ivy.
“We won’t go far away,” replied Susie. “And we’ll be back often to walk with you and Jasper.
“Well I’m not going to say that I don’t understand it,” said Ivy. “I do. I wish I could move too.”
They walked thoughtfully on, and eventually reached home.
“Well goodnight,” said Ivy.
“Goodnight,” replied Susie and Tom
“I’ll see you in the morning Ivy,” said Susie.
“Please do,” said Ivy.
As Susie and Tom went to bed that night they were contemplating their new future.
“It’s going to be alright Pet,” said Tom
Link to Part 54
I always associate my Dad with the word “turn.” I don’t know if it has the same meaning in countries, but here in the U.K it can mean a little performance of something. Like a bit of a comedy act. My Dad always used to be saying that he would give them a “turn.” He rather fancied himself. In fact he was quite good and very funny. He is dead now, but this is one thing that I always remember about him.
Night has passed again
The light of day is welcome
Freshness through windows
That let in the new day’s light
How wonderful are windows
Shops are calling
Weather is fresh
Find good food
Fishes are waiting
Bread is baking
Smell the aroma
Wide aisles waiting
For your arrival
I’m going shopping
We sat by this same field yesterday
The field offered its soul tonight
Raw, unadulterated,
White with the innocence of promise
Now silent after busyness
A moment of contemplation
A waiting time
When nature can be still, rest,
And in the silent peace
A family
Of Little Egrets wandered
But this was just a moment
Soon the ploughing will begin
New seeds sown
The silence broken
The cycle will begin again
With thanks to Linda G. Hill
I have always been a person who has loved company. I am a people person. I love listening to other people and I love making people laugh. In some ways I used to be the life and soul of the party but in a good way and not an overbearing one. I just loved company. I loved being alone too. My solitude was important to me. I liked my own space, and so I would say that I enjoyed a blance.
However, nowadays, I get no company at all. I receive no phone calls nor visitors and nor can I go out. I stare into the blackness every day, and long for the company that I used to have. I do receive just one phone call eveery Sunday evening and it is as precious as gold. That is the only voice that I hear all week really. I hear the voices of our cleaners, but they are talking to my husband downstairs. They do not talk to me. In fact they do not come to see me in my bed upstairs. If one of our cleaners does come upstairs at any time, I have to disappear into the back bedroom out of the way.
It is very hard to adapt to not having company at all when you have been used to having it. Some days it drives me insane. I never ever thought it would come to this.
Of course, in the past, some company was a little tedious. So not all company is beneficial, but as I always was a very patient person and courteous, no one ever knew if I was feeling rather fed up with some company. I hated gossip and some people loved it. I tended to move away from a group of people if they were engaging in gossip. Most often it is untrue anyway.
So please, if anyone wants to keep me company on here, feel free.
With thanks to Alice for this word prompt
We cannot prove in a scientific sense whether there is an afterlife or not. Different religions and faiths believe that there is one, and many beleive in one even if they do not adhere to any particular faith or religion.
For myself I wrestle with this all of the time. As I am quite old now, I have to admit that I worry about it. In many ways I would prefer to just go into oblivion. For me, that would end all of my present very profound physical and thus mental suffering. Some days I do wish only to sink into oblivion.
In the Christian faith we are told that after our death we will go to a place where there is no more pain, no more sorrow and no more sighing. That is a place where I would like to go. I crave and end to my present suffering which is very great. It is hard to beleive when you are young and fit and halthy that one day you may end up like me. When it happens it is a shock to you. You have to come to terms with it. You have to try to adapt to it, and that is not easy. To this day I still go through a lot of deep grief over the loss of so much of my life.
The Christian faith will tell me that there is eternal life and that this will go on for ever once I am dead. I struggle so much with this. I am a basically very rational being and I have huge difficulties with this one. I will not be forced into any beleif and would resist any attempt to force anything onto me. However, I must say that this does often pre occupy my mind. I wish that I could kknow the answer to it for sure. There are many signs around us that in fact there is something beyond this life. I like to think that whilst on this earth we do get little glimpses of heaven. But what is heaven anyway?
As for my relatives and close family who have now died, I struggle with that too. Where are they now? Have they just gone to dust or do they exist now in some other place? Both of my parents are dead and I ache to know what has happened to them. It is something that I will never know.
So my answer to this question is, I don’t really know.
Running
Through fields of dark
Where the poppies once danced
Amongst cornflowers golden corn
Do they
Still dance
Now that the curlews call no more
The silence of the night
Echoes a world
Once known
Turn
Away
From the pain
Of the darkness
Walk into the light
Blinded by its brightness
What do you see in this world
Is it but a ghost of the truth
Deceiving you into believing
That your walk will now be forever free
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