One of my jobs today was to strip my bed. However, I had to go in one of Keith's two chests of drawers for something and decided I would empty his sock drawer. Then I thought I would make a start on going through his clothes, and seeing what HAD to stay as too many emotions attached, and what could go to the charity shop. One far away in the opposite direction, so none of us would have the shock of seeing his clothing offered for sale. (It will probably be St Michael's Hospice, in Hereford).
Of course, this was quite a big emotional ask and at times the tears ran down my face and I sobbed loudly, but I persevered and there is some good clothing (some new) to help the Hospice out. I did the same with his shoes - just keeping his running shoes as he wore those a lot and no-one would want them, but they have memories of course. I will have to remember to add his walking boots to the bag.
Finally I stripped and remade the bed, with the autumn weight duvet. I should be nice and snug tonight. I may put hooligan cats downstairs as Alfie insists on being on one side of me, and Lulu on the other, and he gets jealous of her and has scrammed me a few times - latest one deep and nasty and needing a plaster still even after 3 days. It does feel very lonely up there without them though.
I also managed to do some more gardening today. I carried on clearing the grass and dandelions from around the other two roses on the far end of the bank. The roots were dug out and all, then I laid down cardboard, some very good horse manure and finally bark chippings. Now I need to work my way along the bank and remove the REST of the grass and weeds and put down cardboard/newspaper and more bark chippings. Progress anyway.
I finished the afternoon sat outside with a late cup of tea, feeling it get chillier as I was busy with my stitch ripper, listening all the while to The Lost Bookshop. Nearing the end now . . .
Next week one of my Romsey cousins is in Wales, so she and her husband are coming to take me out for lunch. I'm looking forward to that. Tam and Rosie are here at the weekend too, so a nice break from being on my own here.
