Post 270: Dozing the day away.
As much as I’d like to stay alert once I’ve woken up, I just can’t. When it comes down to it I’m not much use around the house or garden — in fact I’m not much use at all.
When I think of how busy I used to be only a year ago, it makes me cringe.
But I’ll have to get used to this third age of life and stick to reading and writing and watching TV.
Big Sis has still got the flu and is at home with a book and an electric blanket. It’s rare she’s ever off work, so I thought I’d text her a bit more than usual to keep up to date with how she is and to while away the day.
I asked her what she’s reading and watching on TV, and instead of a quick response I received a massive missive. There I was, reading her review of what she knew so far about that book, and I was surprised at how eloquent the reply was. I am so amazed at how Big Sis has lifted her game of text replies after years of insanely short flip-phone conversations. It’s since there’s been a smartphone in her hand that everything’s changed.
Whatever it is, it’s brilliant.
My Darling is getting better. The hives around her shoulders are going so the steroids are doing their job. I fed the cat and brought up a mug of coffee to her mid-morning, but by the reaction to my asking what she was up to today, I realised quickly that today was a rest day — a complete rest day.
That suited me, so all I did till mid-afternoon was lie in bed dozing and watching K-dramas on TV. I’m approaching 200 series watched soon, which is testament to their watchability and my huge amount of free time.
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I was thinking the other day about how fragile net curtains are where dogs and frost are concerned. It was when Byron was scratching at the nets covering the cat and the lounge patio doors just the other day, that made me think back to my bedroom at the back of the house, which had three panels of chipped white-painted Crittall windows.
I was always stood or sat looking out at the back garden looking at splendid sunrises or cute cats with my cheapy binoculars or my Zenith camera — I couldn’t afford more, and certainly Mum and Dad couldn’t afford any more either. But it wasn’t what I was looking at that I was reminded of; it was the frozen net curtains on the frost inside the windows that I was reminded of.
To look out or get the windows open on a frosty morning you first had to blow hot breath onto the nets which were stuck fast to the glass — that was the main problem. The other way was to use your warm hands which were sometimes enough to melt away the frost holding the nets tight.
When I was allowed to move across the landing to the smallest bedroom when I was older, I was amazed how that small room stayed so much warmer. I wish I’d known sooner. But it was Dad’s room up until then, it goes to show how I wasn’t told much back then, but the signs of separation were there alright.
It wasn’t till later that the news broke about Mum and Dad splitting up (amicably), but it didn’t change much for me; for a while anyway.
Now all I can think of is the freedom I thought I had as a lad, and how it was really a bit of a nightmare — with younger Bro not knowing how to react to mum and dads secretive ways, or being able to soften his feelings of loneliness and eventual loss; when mum left us all. Loss of a distant Mum who went away on an adventure away from the tiresome family life we all had.
Oh dear. That’s not what I meant to lead on to. That’s a bit too deep and not my story to tell right now — how Mother left young Bro before he was ready to say goodbye.
Anyway, those net curtains had a peculiar smell, as I remember, in that back bedroom. It wasn’t due to the lack of washing them — well, I don’t think it was. It was a weird but not awful smell, and I’ve never smelt anything like it since. Frozen net curtain smell — how strange that I remembered it.
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I waited in vain for the DWP to call and advise me about the form filling I have, or have not, to do. But I did get an email from the Post Office informing me that my new passport will be delivered tomorrow morning before 1:30pm. Blimey, that was quick. That’s just over a week, if I remember rightly. So now I can think about going to far-away places with my new passport.
Last Sunday, while my Darling was at work, I found myself completing an online form for travel insurance. But I didn’t get far. The problem was that on my mobile the website form was clunky, and in the end I wanted to kill the bloody thing after all the data I put in was in the wrong place. Yes — kill the phone and online form.
I’ll leave that till later and do it together with my Darling. The first trip would be a Mediterranean sunny break or a family cuddle-and-cry holiday to the homeland.
Whatever we do will be brill. I just hope we have better luck than last year’s heartbreak. At least the insurance is only for the European continent, so ought to be cheaper. We have the new-style NHS cards for travel — I guess that helps a bit?
Later in the evening, we enjoyed a bite to eat and a few episodes of drama to occupy our thoughts, I think my Darling is still suffering over the SR1 form. It’s hit her hard on top of the two brothers’ deaths. I can’t draw anything out of her and I wish I could.
I would like nothing better than for her to start some counselling to ease her pain. But it’s just not yet possible. Maybe one day.
I received a text from our Volvo friends who asked to pop around tomorrow morning. Yes was the easy answer, and we look forward to a bit of enjoyable chatter. It’s nice to have friends.
I need some sleep, so good night for now.
