How are we all doing ?

Hi Denby,I break down if people are nice.

It demoralising.I read and write everyday and will continue to do so.I couldn’t cope without books although I have had to get rid of a lot lately.

I find it sad that our young generation don't read books for pleasure, it's all YouTube. Tiktok, Instagram. One Christmas we bought our eldest grandson "1984" which is turning out to be more prophetic than even Orwell could have predicted. I don't think he touched it let alone read it for pleasure. Me I love a good book, mind you I worked for a good part of my life at a book printers so was never short of a good book.

Sorry I didn't really want to repeat myself but I replied first time around and it seemed to go down a black hole and then reappeared later. Possibly a good story line for a book maybe.

Cheer up all. Our daughter and son in law have never chosen to have TV. Our grandson, nearly 7 now, has got really fluent in his reading in the last few months. They have been reading a chapter a night of the WHOLE box set of Dr Doolittle [not exactly modern!] for bedtime for many months. Sometimes he'll sit and read to himself even when we are there. Forever coming out with amazing science or ocean facts he has read.

I picked up a boxed set of CS Lewis Narnia recently. I asked the lad if he minded second hand books, and he doesn't. I have checked with mummy and daddy that he is around ready to enjoy these himself. So he will get those wrapped up for his birthday and our cash will go on other things, maybe music lessons. Not a complete mini-geek, his Saturday class is Musical Theatre.

Overall I have to agree not enough reading though, sadly. And Jacaranda07 part of my old job in a publishers was proofreading...

Yes I spent my last few years at work as a proof reader. I served my time as an apprentice compositor way back in the late sixties so have always been close to books. Everyone panicked when the ebooks were introduced but that seems to have settled down a bit now. I could spend a day browsing in a bookshop. You have restored my faith in young people, may they continue to enjoy reading throughout their lives.

Hi Denby,That is good to hear.We never had a tv when I was young and I don’t think it did us any harm.We could read before we went to school and the love of books has stayed with us.John took a quick detour yesterday on our way shopping so I could see where a house was that I had seen on line.I had put this location out of my mind as I thought it would be too dear but a couple of places have come up there recently.Interesting that you have done proof reading too.Mum worked as a proof reader for a newspaper and latterly freelance.

Hello Jane, I often think that one important fact that can get overlooked is the neighbours, good neighbours are priceless. In the moves we have made we have always had good neighbours, of course they move as well but I count my blessings with our good fortune.

Changing subject back to proof reading I had to go through an education book for secondary school children and it was supplied in page form from the publishers who just wanted us to go through an basically check that the illustrations and text looked okay and in position. Wasn't supposed to read or worry about the content but they had a double page spread on George Stephenson the railway innovator. However they managed to spell his name Stevenson. Not bad for teaching our children historical facts, we had to get their permission to change it! Take care, Chris 

Hi Chris,Good neighbours are so important.I am on first name terms with all the neighbours in our row of 7 houses.My next door neighbours do make a great deal of noise with machinery and I won’t miss that.Just as well you checked the spelling.Mum’s maiden name was Stevenson of the Robert Louis spelling but no relation.I’ve found it spelt with a ph further back but am a bit stuck researching that side of the family.

Hey Jane, so good to hear you focussing in on your next home. You've given so much, working so hard clearing your current house, Its time for you now.x I hope you find your perfect location. I've always (3 property buys) discovered the area I wanted first and somehow the right house has become available. Happy house hunting. Hx