Not the afternoon for a walk. I settled down on the sofa with cats, a cup of tea and the back of the Baltimore quilt to work on. The windy part of the storm didn't arrive until bed-time, and I am sat here (3.30 a.m.) listening to the it tussling with the fir trees planted around the empty house opposite. I can't think WHY they surrounded a house with half a dozen now quite massive balsam type firs, as there would be no light in that house were it lived in (it's not even finished internally), and can only think they planted them out of spite as they didn't get on with the people that lived here before me (think big court action). If they planted them because they wanted to ruin her view, they succeeded and have ruined mine too . . .
I browsed Netflix and hit on a new thriller called "Untamed" which is set in the Yosemite National Park - I thought, at least there's nice scenery even if it's not much good, but it IS good and I hope they will make another series of it. I've two episodes to go.
I have had to contact the Physios in Llandod reference my shoulder, which is crunching something awful and that is apparently NOT a good sign. It was originally an over-stretch at a wrong angle which upset it, and then the MRI scan with my arms above my head for 15 minutes made it worse, plus the hospital bed - couldn't get comfortable. They are probably going to say "no lifting" which is difficult with the little Fair next month - I will have to load the car and unload it after, although I do have a strapping young man carrying it all upstairs for me. I seem to be falling apart this year!
Here's the Chocolate Apple Cake. My cousin and her husband from Hampshire are coming to see me again on Wednesday, and Tam and Rosie will be here too, so it should be nicely fudgey on top by then.
Recipe:
I made a (white) loaf in the breadmaker too. Getting the balance right for my gut at the moment is difficult. White loaf, more veg and the last of the Kedgeree yesterday, plus apples, strawberries etc. Bio yoghurt, with some Kefir yoghurt added to it. I have had bad reactions with Kefir before, so am trying to introduce it slowly to improve my gut flora.
Right, this won't do. Back to bed with Agatha Christie's Murder in Mesopotamia. The classic Poirot whodunnit.
Stair rods here too with the bouncing hailstones but thankfully no wind. I didn’t go out all day and put the heating on to check the radiators are working. There’s a season of Chekhov plays on the Radio and I listened to The Seagull yesterday evening which had been transferred to Palestine after partition. What have we done, what evil do we continue to unleash as a result of our ignorance, and it’s getting worse all the time. Divide and Conquer. Anyway, I loved listening to yesterday’s play and even though I know the ending, the gunshot is always a shock, and so it continues.
ReplyDeleteI’ve had a social weekend, going to see Hamlet at the Minerva in Chichester on Friday night. I went with my friend and as we’d both read the play for A level we had high expectations which were more than realised. On Saturday I went to a concert in Petworth and supper with friends afterwards. A really nice weekend especially as it was S’s birthday on Saturday (and our marriage anniversary last Wednesday) so I needed cheering. But we had a lovely tea party at the care home and T came down from London. Will S make another year. This time last week he was in hospital for five nights and I was there all day from 10 to 8 making sure he was looked after - washing him, feeding him, drugs on time, except as he could not swallow he had them via patch. He was catheterised and on a drip and of course he’s now gone down another level and will not get back. It’s the relentless progressive nature of his illness which seems to be accelerating all the time. I miss him so much but I will see him today straight after yoga. It’s horrid BB, my heart is broken. God knows what I would be like without my healthy lifestyle and the support of my friends. My sleep remains patchy, but I force myself to stay in bed and I focus on the breath and do not stimulate my brain. I remember my mum saying as long as you are in bed resting that is enough. I know you always get up and do stimulating activities in the middle of the night. My Aries daughter is the same, it’s how she managed/manages to fit so much in. Right, must get on as it’s yoga at 9.15 and the village school is back so the traffic along School Lane will be epic. Do you know I have never done a school run in my life. I walked my children to pre-school from three years old, then to Primary school and then they walked themselves to secondary school. Btw Agatha Christie was born on this day in 1890. Sarah x
I'm glad we missed out on the dose of hailstones Sarah. It was a good day to be in and on the sofa looking out on The Weather! I try not to watch any news - though some comes in via Yahoo newsfeed :( It is so worrying and I will have to live in the past as I usually do.
DeleteGlad you are keeping your brain going - I'm only familiar with one Chekhov play and that is The Cherry Orchard, which I saw at Chichester Festival Theatre (I used to help organize a small Theatre group when I worked for Price Waterhouse).
Glad you enjoyed Hamlet, and the concert at Petworth. Happy Anniversary for last week. I am glad T was able to come down from London to be with you on Saturday.
I am so sorry to hear that each step is a step backwards, healthwise for S. I remember it only too clearly with Keith. You used the right word - relentless. Sending you the strength to cope with this as it unfolds, as you will need every ounce you possess as time goes on.
I was fortunate that our kids lived outside the 3 miles from school limit and so we had a school taxi service taking them each way, and then on to connect with the coach for senior school.
Holding you both in my thoughts.
Just a thought, check neck and down to bra chest strap level for muscle tension and misalignment....I have that problem and it pulls a (damaged) shoulder out of kilter ...physio work on my neck and shoulder =bliss..and a taller me!!
ReplyDeleteWell, it wasn't helped by a new bra last week either. It was at the Fair and I had to slip the straps off my shoulders and onto my arms. I felt like I was in a strait jacket! My neck is not good either - slight arthritis there from having a 17hh horse roll over me in a fall. Combination not good for either, painwise.
DeleteThat cake is going to be delicious. Look after yourself, you need to be well for your lovely holiday.
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
It improves with keeping. Had a lovely walk to a friend's house this afternoon. Need to get some longer ones under my belt now the crushing heat has left us.
DeleteReally heavy rains here too, all weekend in fact and now with high winds the 'stair rods' are flying in all directions. You've been through a lot in the past couple of years, now your body is complaining. The same thing happened to my Mum when we lost Dad, her health just got worse and worse, but she didn't do much to nip it in the bud. Happily, you have the time to do that.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm inclined to agree with you - the stress has really taken its toll, and with the A. Fib suddenly hitting me, it does feel like losing Keith broke my heart. I am determined to live life to the full though, so will keep doing Fairs, and planning new places to travel to. Fancy a long weekend away down in Devon, to go Church Bothering!
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your shoulder, Bovey. I am bothered with my shoulders now & again and it's miserable! Do you have any sort of muscle relaxants to take? Yes, resting it is the best but also taking an anti-inflammatory is needed also. Perhaps your doctor can subscribe some. That apple cake looks *delicious*!!!!! Thank you for the recipe! Love, Andrea xoxo
ReplyDeleteKeith used to have muscle relaxants years ago, but I have nothing like that. Can't take anti-inflammatories now I have the diverticulosis.
DeleteLet me know how you got on if you try the recipe - it's very easy to bung together.
Hope you get some relief with your shoulder. What is it with women (of a certain age) and shoulders? I know so many friends with shoulder issues. Maybe it's from a lifetime of carrying shopping/ children often on the same side? I put mine down to coming off over a jump over 50 years ago. It's getting worse so I have to be more careful now. No rain here but we've been watching the international weather and keep seeing rain over Wales. However it is very windy sending the sea every which way and dust swirling around the village.
ReplyDeleteThis was my left shoulder - most of the carrying of children and shopping done on right. I think I just stretched it at the wrong angle. That and the MRI scan.
DeleteThe cake looks delicious. I'll copy the recipe, thank you. Maybe I won't mess it up (baking is not my forte). We could use rain. Only had a few sprinkles for August and nothing for September so far. These are our drier months, but this extreme is very unusual. I'm sorry about your shoulder and hope some PT helps .
ReplyDeleteGetting good at baking is down to following instructions, and having the oven the right temperature and just plain practice! Do give it a try as it's a lovely moist cake. Sorry that you too are having such a dry year.
DeleteYou had rain, that sort of put us off going to the caravan ATM, I went round Oxford yesterday visiting a couple of churches and got home before the rain
ReplyDeleteThere's rain and there's rain. The normal sort is livable with - stair-rods best admired from inside the house!
DeletePoured rain here most of yesterday, and there were a few episodes again today. I am just glad it stopped for a bit when we took the car in for its oil change and again when I went to pick it up. Close to 3 inches over the last two days. Must see if we get that series here in Canada on Netflix.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
That's a fair amount of rain all at once. I hope you can find the series on Canadian Netflix as it was very enjoyable.
ReplyDelete