My head is spinning, not sure if I should be writing this on this page or my PublishedByMe page... so will have it on both!

As of this moment, I have up and running a small, but out there TShirt shop! MaddocksPublishedByMeSpreadshirt Shop! I am awaiting replies from two newspapers! 37 books in kindle for Peter Maddocks and now, also four in paperback!!!

Wish I had started all this years ago, 30 years ago maybe.... But then, as they say, better late than never eh!

Another two books in the pipeline for paperback, one in edit, another in the post!

Was going to write about trip to Swansea today... it was damp, but not cold at all, could have done with it being a bit cooler, all the shops had their heating on and they were stifling!

The police were out in force with a young woman, on the street, drunk and swearing, and making a nuisance of herself!

The podiatrist was first on the list this morning though, to check on my poor little toe, well its much better now, re bandaged, but clean and dry etc, he clipped a bit more of the.... debris, which hurt a little, then encased my foot in tape etc, I think that's why it hurt more afterwards, being squished into my shoe with all the wrappings!

Have been on here for too long today.... off now before I sink in too far...

TTFN amigos
Marian
mas mañana!

Me and a random gecko last year.... he is so cute!!!

Just a detraction from today! Had two things to do today, one, podiatrist, two, flu shot!

Flu shot first, doctors.... Nope, in the community hall, okay, get there.... Nurse not there, been an accident and she is held up!  So, off to podiatrist in nearby health centre, which looked amazing, very modern and fresh and abstract building!  Up stairs... as if 'walk in' podiatrist isn't funny enough, they put the department up stairs!!  yeah yeah.... I used the lift!  Elevator to my friends and family over the pond of course!

Hours wait, coffee time! Back up... Once in with the wonderful doctor, anyone who has to touch strangers feet closely deserves a gold medal in my book!

Spent a long time, answering questions, health, meds etc, then to the reclining chair, the chair of torture.... I was owing, and moaning and complaining, as she began to clip away at my very sore and poorly toenail... I used to be one of those people, who actually think they're feet are okay.... I do, I did! ;-o

Anyway, she eventually hit blood, found an ulcer and very bad bacterial infection... which was why my toe was turning red, all the way to the knuckle... do toes have knuckles?  Well you know where I mean!

She cleaned it up, iodine'd and wrapped in gauze.... I limped away, with instructions to get anti biotics, the dressing changed on Friday with local nurse, and a return next week for a check up with her!

So, off to the doctors... er, again, as I had originally gone there if you remember for the flu shot! I was told I could wait and see a doctor as they're last patents of the morning were in, as I was walking in, I was held up by these two tiny little ol' ladies... very tiny, in height and stature, so I walked slowly behind them up to the desk... they wanted they're flu shots!  yes, them too, gone to the wrong place, anyways, they sat down, and then so did I waiting for the doctor.  I gave up after half an hour, took the 'girls' aged 88yrs, and 91yrs.... to the community centre for our flu shots!  And then dropped them home.... on the way to do the shopping!!!

They were so lovely, repeating everything they said, a few times, and more again, one of them was a winner at Eisteddford!  Back in the day of course! But a celebrity in her time.... that was the 91yr old!

I came back exhausted, limping, with an aching arm [flu shot], so made some chilli jam!

TTFN
Marian

ps, oh and prepped another book for paperback! oh hum...... ta dah!

A Poem By Patience Strong

I remember a thousand things when I remember you: the firelight glowing on polished oak; a table set for two...the gleam of lamps in a rain-washed street; the shimmer of wet leaves. The smoky grey of November nights. The blue of April eves.      A meeting under a station clock. A song, a smile, a dance.  The muted sweetness of violins: the music of romance....A country walk and a cottage tea; a window with a view.   I remember a thousand things when I remember YOU.

TTFN
Marian

Spotted this big monster in the garden yesterday morning, zoom in on above if you can!  The Pale Tussock Moth...

And after seeing what this pretty furry little thing is like now, I dread going into the garden to see it after it emerges as the moth itself!!  OMG it looks like a vampire moth!

******************************************

Please click on this link to support 'For the love of Claire' A friend who died last week, too young, leaving a life un-lived, a family lost without their mom, a whole future to a great many people changed forever.

TTFN
Marian

My beach!  Well it could be, for all the people that are ever on it!

Beautiful and serene looking isn't it.... Foot steps in the sand and all that!

Feeling a bit head achy now, so will make it short!  I flew down to the post office this morning to post off a new book, paperback, and all done by little ol me!  Looks fantastic! I wore some new trainers recently bought from local supermarket, they have rolly bottoms, if you know what I mean, supposed to help exercise back and glutes, I didn't think they worked after yesterdays walk, but after todays.... Yes, they do!  My glutes are definitely aching! Am wondering if they are the cause of my head ache though now, as I write?  Because it is my neck that's giving me the head ache!

Okay amigos...

TTFN
Marian

Eclectic Blog today.. the photo above taken Christmas 2007 near Castrill, when we stayed in a wonderful cave house, all over Christmas and new years.... -9 OMG, it was freezing outside, but in the cave house, wonderfully warm... and once the sun was up, the ice melted, it wasn't so bad, fresh!

Today had a lovely walk with Pip to the park, squirrel watched, Pip was on her back legs like a ballerina pirouetting... just her tutu missing, she was also drew-ling, not sure for the taste of squirrel or the fun of the chase!! Which neither the squirrel or I would give her the chance to do!  You kind of forget the cute little things are rats with tales!!

And this afternoon I hung out the shower curtain after a wash, lovely sunny day, nice breeze starting to blow, out on the line it went, flying high as a kite, came back in doors, and found after five minutes that nice breeze was bringing rain!  Back out, grabbed it back in, so it had an extra and unexpected rinse!  Oh and yes, the rain lasted two minutes and the sun came back out! Sods law right!

I made Crunchie over the weekend, or cinder candy or honey combe! Whatever you call it, it came out rubbish the first time and wonderful the second!  The first the recipe, said to add water to the soda, but that just didn't do work for me!  Still second time lucky... now I really am all sugared out after last weeks two lots of candy floss from the fair!

I was surfing my own Blog, looking for something else and came across this poem I wrote on my first birthday without my Mom, and just wanted to post it again...



The poem below by Margaret Mead 1901-1978

You can go without regret
Away from this
familiar land,
Leaving your kiss
upon my hair
And all the future in your hands....

TTFN
Marian

Kate and Tony on their Wedding day in Las Vegas[baby].....

Beautiful.... both of them....

We had a great weekend down, no, over in Leighton Buzzard,  we arrived mid day ish, and after unloading our bits in the hotel, we walked into the old down centre, sat outside in the wonderful sunshine and had a couple of lattés as one does!  Then a stroll around town and back to the hotel.  Early evening I drove us to a favourite pub of mine, been there a million times, we got a table, drinks, ordered from the menu, the main course arrived first, then with a confused face another waiter brought the starter, thank goodness it was a garlic share bread thingy, the salad which should have accompanied it, didn't, and the cost was higher than it should have been, so when the manager arrived to take our plates before we had even finished I queried it, he said he would check, came back saying the salad hadn't been charged for anyway, so not to worry, I said that made the cost even more confusing, he went off in a huff to check the till, came back ten minutes later with his tail between his legs and six pounds in his hands for me!  The bar person had made a mistake... Thank you sir, very much!!!

We were up and out early Saturday morning, after a bit of a noisy night, so quiet, on the ground floor previously turned into a karaoke nightmare!  Franco and I picked up Barry from the railway station near Luton airport, I got lost going there!  Been there a hundred times, but wasn't thinking I guess, not having driven for ages either, was just confused.com!!  Anyhow, there we were at the station in our finery!  Looking just a tad out of place, had a coffee and met Baz, we came down to Hemel through Harpenden, where Barry was born, doing a fly by of the wonderful old hospital which is still standing!  Then to the restaurant, we were a bit early and after a quick drink we went for a drive about and came back at 12:30, although, after being so early we were then a little late!!!  We had a whole area to ourselves which was nice, the table was dressed for the occasion, there were 11 of us, I must admit, it was nice when Tony said, "we're at the end," him and Kate, and pointing to the chair next to him.... "Mom, your here, everyone else can sit where you like!"  Now I know what my Mom must have felt like when Franco and I got married in Vegas, but, it really is the greatest experience, its just an amazing place and a never to be forgotten day! Us parents can feel a little detached though, and when Tony said that, well, it was nice, if you know what I mean...

We had a lovely meal, and afterwards we went outside and had some great family photos taken, the sun shone, and we all had fun with everyone trying to organise the photos!  Tony thank goodness seemed to know exactly what he wanted to do, brought a tripod for his camera too!!  That's my boy!

Tony and Kate left their car there, and we drove them back home, where we all met up again, to relax, see the wonderful Wedding photos,  and of course, more food!  Franco and Dave, my boys dad spent most of the time chatting, which is good!  But strange!  But good!

Tony and Kate opened Wedding gifts, ours does not arrive until this week!!!  So can't say what that was, but can't wait to see if they like it, hope so!!!

We were the last to leave, and the hotel was much quieter that night!  The hotel was okay, don't get me wrong, but I don't think the 'hotel inspector' had paid a visit!  You could reach the toilet from the bed!  as in without leaving it almost!!!  And the kettle was resting on a tiny shelf right over the back of the TV!!!!  Still, there were no ghosts and as the hotel has been there from the time of the Doomsday book, that was a bonus!  The staff were friendly and the place was very clean, I should hasten to add!!!

All that time on the road really makes you aware of bad drivers.... people who ignore lights, signs, yes, we both got road rage, pretty bad!!  Not to mention the cost of coffee on the way there!  Coming back we stopped at a popular, although now rapidly diminishing chain of road stop restaurants, I very stupidly chose 'The American Style Breakfast'... well!  It was all I could do to not comment to the manager about that!  And those of you that know me, know I do tend to speak my mind, but I just though what's the point!  It was pancakes, bacon, eggs and maple syrup, well in the states, the pancakes are the size of the plate, and usually about 6 or more of them, layered with bacon and syrup, no eggs, well not that I had had anyway, but what showed up in front of me for £7.00 were two pancakes, side by side, the size of the palm of my hand, two tiny curled up and dry pieces of bacon, and half an egg scrambled! The pot of maple syrup was actually quite big, and considering here in the UK, that's the expensive product, I should have been pleased!  so for the past few days I have had pancakes and maple syrup for breakfast each morning, a habit I should discontinue I know! 

Can't believe it was nearly a year ago I was on holiday here, well with friends in Aylesbury, and then early October Franco arrived here!  A year already!!! Can't believe it...

This morning had a wonderful experience, Pippa and I were up on the top patio bit, near the forest, and a fox walked up the neighbours path, through into our garden and came forward towards where I was standing!!  He didn't look up, didn't see me or Pip, he got to about 5 foot from me and said "well, look at you!"  and he looked up, stood still for a moment, then flew off, well, ran off... up through the trees and into the forest up the top of the garden... as I say, a wonderful experience, remember two years ago, when I was staying at my moms, I was walking back to her house, and in the middle of the street, just like me, I came face to face with a fox... 

This week I have got another book on kindle, a children's book for Peter Maddocks, also waiting for proofs, from two different companies, to see which was is the better, and I have now published my book in paperback too!!!
 
And on this note I say say adio amigos...
and
TTFN
Marian

Tony and Kate are back from their Wedding in Vegas, can't wait to see them! The Wedding web-caste was wonderful, looking forward to seeing the photos now, but especially them...

Now, to totally change the subject, and its going to be a weird subject amigos!  I spend so much time at night awake, despite being so tired all day!  I wake from my many and very varied dreams, I seldom have a lucid dream, so as far as I am aware whilst dreaming, its life, not a dream, however bizarre, however weird, and where it is I am, is very much real to me!

Okay nothing strange in what I have said so far, but the other night, asleep, I asked myself "if I am in a strange dream, and I die, will I stay in that dream?"  Then I woke up!  And wondered again, if I die in one of my really weird, strange, scary dreams, would that be where I would stay!!!  I mean, of course not, but I don't like the idea of a strange dream being the last thing I take with me from this world!!!

See, you warned you it would be a weird thing to say.... answers on a post-card please! And I will leave you to debate this amongst yourselves!

TTFN
Marian

Oh well, apart from a possible depressing photo above its also very small!  Which I suppose is the same thing!

Mmm, been 10 days since last post, time seems to be passing at a rate of knots! Today went to Cardiff with a friend, she needed company and directions, so I gave her both, she had a whole tonne of forms to fill out for a new job she is starting next week, and from there we hunted down another place she is having a three day training thingy, then it was to town, to Neath, we had a coffee, sitting in the lovely sunshine at the Roundhouse, a quick trip to her house, then back home about 4pm, long day!

And tomorrow we're meeting up with friends from Alhuarín!  This will seem strange, seeing friends from there, here!  Looking forward to seeing them, they live here half the year and near our house in Alhaurín the other half!

Wednesday more blood tests, others were two weeks ago, the receptionist at my doctors knows me by name already! How very sad!

Think I have lots to tell, but am too tired to think now, must try and write stuff down when I think of it.... the other night I couldn't sleep with things to add to my next book!  So not having pen nor paper, I spoke into my mobile, using the voice recorder thingy, when I played it back the following morning I sounded really creepy, like something from a horror movie, I was whispering and sort of growly!

Hope I can instil that feeling into my book!

Over now, and very much out!
TTFN
Marian
ps sorry if this post sounds a bit strange, I am feeling a bit strange! ;-0

Is this a really freaky photo?  Where my Dad grew up on 9th Av, NYNY....

Seem to be having another spell of orphanhood, [oh real word!!!] thought spell check would underline in red!!  The other day, woke up from afternoon siesta, can I still have these now I don't live in Spain anymore?  Yes of course I can, in fact need to more these days!  So, I woke up and my very first instant thought was 'must phone mom'... 2 and half years later, and I still have this urgent need to call her, infact, as time goes by the need is greater... I wish she had been here, visited with us in this house, these mountains, these towns, back in Alhaurín and the coast I could always see us there, sad enough it was, but at least she felt near there...

So to a brighter note before everyone empties a box of kleenex!  Pippa's vocabulary is now so good, so great, we actually have to spell some words out in front of her!  Incredible!  The mere mention of 'biscuit' 'dinner' 'lets go up'[the garden], are but three, its like talking in front of a small child when you don't want them to know what's about to happen!!!

Yesterday down at our local beach, trying not to take too many photos, repeats of that is, Pippa decided the sea gulls were sitting targets on the other side of a dip on the beach still full of sea water, she ran straight in, then stopped, and like Bambi proceeded to jump up in the air in a panic, because the water was so deep; she was totally soaked through, she came back to us to show how wet she was before shaking herself free of the excess water, but not enough, so got covered in sand and dirt and more water! Such fun!  When we got back I had to hoist her into the bath tub, and shower her down, towel her off, and still she thought it would be added fun to rub her coat further dry by running and rubbing all along the sofa, and into both bedrooms to make use of both beds!  Arh, my baby girl!

Went to Bridgend Designer outlet, so I am now going to be suitable dressed for my Sons wedding!  I cannot believe I am saying my Sons wedding?  He is still my baby, and no way am I old enough for him to be getting married!

I've opened up a new facebook page, for the books I have published,

https://www.facebook.com/PublishedByMe

Same name as my Blog for the same thing, just another place to put it all out into the world!

TTFN amigos
Marian

Art Deco Dressing Table

Check out my Art Deco dressing table!  Its a cracker isn't it?  Picked it up at the market this morning, went for our months worth of meat.... and saw this on our rounds!

How much do you think?  come on have a try..... two big beautiful drawers then the two little side drawers, space between and at the back beneath the top shelf glass sliding doors no less!

It has a sticker on the top, I went over the store holder and said, well whispered really, didn't want anyone else to shout out their bid!  "Is that really free?"  he said yes!  It was free, nada, gratis, nowt and nothing!  Paid a tenner delivery charge... What a bargain eh!

I've wanted one like this for years...

Had some rain this morning, but once at the market, beautiful sun shine, all the way...

TTFN amigos
Marian

My beach!!!

Received an email today with the 1940's census for the states.... downloaded my Aunt Gloria and Dads from then, and checked out their home back then... tried to take a photo of it, but it came out bad, so left it for now, might upload it another time...

But got me to thinking how long I have been trying to find my brother[s], I know, I know, here I go again, I've mentioned numerous times a brother in the states and another in Japan... I suppose I can mention the mother of the American brother can't I?  I mean, I Blog so much it might get picked up?  He would be about 53years old at this time, Ummm don't ask!

So, his mom, Marlene E nee Ballamy, they married in Navada around 1960, I have absolutely no chance of the Japonese one, he was born when my dad was about 19 or 20 and a G.I. in Japon!  so he would be about 67!!!  I don't know why, but I don't think either of them are alive now... even the younger one....

Tony and Kate are getting married in less than three months!  I can't believe it, my baby!!  They are getting married in Vegas, keeping up a family tradition, that's Franco and I, my dad with Marlene, and now Tony and Kate!  Brilliant!

One of my cousins in the states, asked me today too, when was I coming over, so, there is no doubt now, we need work!  Franco's offer of employment must arrive immediately, and although I have a few, problems shall I say, I will have to put them to one side, and get a job, we need the money, I have too many plans, too many wants and needs, and maybe if I can work through the pain barrier, it might not be so bad on the other side!  I have up'ed my intake of painkillers, from four eight, well the instructions say its okay... so, there!

Now, to my publishing site, new book to show off with !
TTFN
Marian

Pippa down at The Quays last week, looking all cute and angelic!  Only we know the truth you little diva!  Next doors dog, just tried to get into our back patio just now, there is a gate between it, and the garden, which now the poor thing cannot get through!!

But he was crying and scratching, so I had to give in and take him to his mommy waiting on the other side of the wall!  He is so cute, getting bigger every day, soon, he will be too big to get through the hedge???  We think?

These pipes are across the beach, where we nearly got trapped!  You see the moon up there too?  Its going to be a full moon soon, that's good, just checked the moon calender thingy, the Moon was being full as I wrote this, so now its a full moon?!  I thought there was just a sliver missing, and on another site it does say the moon will be completely full in 8hours and 34 minutes, from now. 20.01!! So thats 04.34 then... I'll set the alarm!! So it is tomorrow which I thought, and now I am rambling away to myself tiredly... And then at the end of the month a blue moon, when we get a second full moon in a calender month!!

Better go....
Too much for my brain this late in the day, another book been finished, woke up with an idea in my head for another of my own! Think I am going to get a cheap Dictaphone for these middle of the night ideas I keep getting!  Did have one somewhere....

TTFN amigos...
Marian

Let the games begin!

The 2012 Olympics are about to start... all around the world people are poised to support their countries...
and I got to thinking about them all!  People happy, people ill or sad, people being harmed in some way by strangers or family...  People alone, people making love...

Heavy thinking for such a night, I suppose one I will always remember, as not around for the last one, and may not see another... as in the UK might not 'win' another chance to host them I mean!!

Okay amigos, here we go....


TTFN
Marian
 

After a long day this morning, if you see what I mean, came home, slept, ate and continued the long day this evening too!  Went down to The Quays, a new development in our village, which leads you down the estuary and to the sea... it took a while to get to the beach, and the tide was just starting to come in, we had seen the river starting to fill on the way down, litterally!  It was like a mini tsunami as the water flowed in and up....

As we stood the water just poured in over the beach and the ripply sand from this mornings tide, the sand looked like it was covered in something from a distance but was just the shade...

Pippa above keeping a look out at some other dogs further up the beach!

We let her off the lead and she ran about like a whippet!  She is now sleeping!

A water spout thing above, not sure what it was, or where it was coming from, but up came the water any how!!  met a man just up by here, chatted about Spain, and for a while we were back speaking Spanish!  Bizarrely.

This is a lovely conservation area, and there is a massive car park, i.e. lay by for five cars!!!!

Ice cream on way back, now exhausted and smelling of sea salt...

TTFN
Marian

Some extremely random photos today amigos!  Above the three that came down, not looking quite so huge now!  It was more the length than the girth that made it so big!  Unusual ring pattern though don't you think?  The color difference is really odd, something must have happened to it when it was a young sapling?

Who knows, its gone now sadly, trees trying to walk just cannot be allowed to happen!

This is a beautiful little 'Forget Me Not' flower, just peeping out from a piece of slate on the steps up to the patio level area a third of the way up the garden!!  Forget Me Not....

And above, in the muffin tins, something I saw on a web site the other week, and at last had a go of making, they look good, and you know, they actually taste very good too!  I made a bit of a rooky error though, I haven't got any of those stone bead things you put on pastry to stop it expanding when you blind bake, so put in some rice, which I saw someone do the other day, a chef, obviously not noticing the paper that was put between the pastry AND the rice!  So, these had a little secret layer of rice, where there shouldn't have been, most of it came out... and I suppose if I hadn't owned up to it, Franco would have been none the wiser!

This morning, I went to town!!!  I feel like I need to get to a meeting of AA, or something similar, as no alcohol is involved of course! But some meeting where I can stand and say "my name is Marian, and I went out alone today!"  then, round of applause, and the meeting rests....

I have been out, to walk Pip of course, most mornings, although a few times less the last few weeks, just too tired... anyway, I digress... I have only driven twice since I came back in February!  Once to see a prospective job location, and another time to come back from dropping Franco off at the station!

This morning I had a great chat with a mate on the phone, got in the car and drove to town!  Parked and had a wonder around the shops, here and there, went into M&S and spent about £150, well in my mind!  Got some groceries from supermarket and drove off, didn't go home, instead I drove to another out of town supermarket!!!  Same brand, just different place, got a few more things!

I just feel so strange still, not knowing anyone when I walk around town, no familiar faces, I feel so, so, oh I don't know...

So, there is a Butterfly count going on at the moment here in the UK, was thinking this morning how I have only seen one butterfly in the garden, and that was back in Marc, and sitting in the sun this afternoon, I saw a Cabbage White!  And then another one, or maybe the same one?  I think it was drawn to the butterfly's on the duvet drying on the line!Which would be the only thing, no butterfly friendly plants to draw them in, need a Buddleia type of thing...

TTFN
Marian

Above our fallen tree, still looks pretty much like this too, garden guy will be back....!  With assistance!

Well, that's another birthday come and gone, why oh why do I have these great expectations on my birthdays!!!

I did work it out last year didn't I, something to do with when I was little I always expected my Dad to mysteriously turn up, really was never likely, especially after he died when I was only ten!

I still wake up all excited "its my birthday!!!!" yeah, the day can be good, usually is good, yesterday on the radio to Tenby they were playing music from the '80's, which really is nearly all the theme tune to my life!  So that was good... Tenby was lovely, then.... its almost like my birthday is over, and what? This awful feeling of disappointment hits my like a wet fish right across my face and a punch to my tummy!

No one else's fault, always mine....

TTFN
Marian

Red red wine.....

Man came about the tree today, has to come back, one man and a tree.... no good, we need scaffolding I think!  We had a friend visiting then man above arrived, then neighbour knocked on the door, Pippa is in 7th heaven!  She is such a diva, I truly believe she thinks everyone just comes to visit with her!!

Just looked to see when I last Blogged, this morning!  Crazy girl I am, had forgotten all about that, never mind eh!  By the way, have colored my hair again, sooooo much better now, what a state I looked!  Scary!

I just can't seem to wake up in the mornings anymore, more tired than usual... I think now I am almost more asleep than awake, or so it seems, yesterday at Frano's Moms for dinner, I could have fallen asleep at the dinner table!  I need more 'wake me up' foods perhaps?

Haven't been drinking any of the above photo in case that's  what y'all thinking!  That was a moonlite night in Spain!  Not a windy night on the Brecons!

Having an away day tomorrow, thanks to family, cheers M!  Off to a seaside town I've never been to before, one that Mom visited with her BF years ago, so no doubt, as in Bournemouth, I will see her there... in my minds eye of course!

Got another book in publication now too, so take a visit over there to PublishedByMe.blogspot.com to check it out!  A Book trailer for last cartoon book too, turn up the volume for that one, expect the unexpected, shall we say!

Puppy next door came a visiting yesterday, in the house, and in Pips bowl, she was not happy and sulked again, for the rest of the evening, I think I may have managed to block up the path little pup was taking, although time will tell, either it worked, or he will get bigger and not fit anymore soon!

I had so many dreams last night about travel, wasn't sure where I was when I woke up eventually this morning!  I was packing cases all over the place! Must check that out...

***If you are packing and unpacking multiple times, it points to an unsuccessful attempt to deal with far too much in your waking life, so reach out for help if you need it.***

Looks like all the 'stuff' I was packing then, each were symbols of the many things I am trying to deal with, and that I must sort out my 'life'case then!

I remember a friend wrote a beautiful letter to me years ago, about a blue bag, which was stretched, the seams darker than the bag where the original color still remained, she was carrying it, and she dropped it, the contents spilling all over the road, but I was there, to help her pack it back into the bag, and the things she couldn't fit in any more I carried for her, helping her with her burden...

After a day of rain on and off the sun is coming out now, so fingers crossed the sun will shine tomorrow...

TTFN
Marian

Today I have borrowed a reading from Facebook!  So many of you may have seen this already, its been shared nearly 200,000 times already!




 

A sweet lesson on patience.

A NYC Taxi driver wrote:

I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes I honked again. Since this was going to be my last ride of my shift I thought about just driving away, but instead I put the car in park and walked up to the door and knocked.. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.

There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard
box filled with photos and glassware.

'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.

She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.

She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her.. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.'

'Oh, you're such a good boy, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, 'Could you drive
through downtown?'

'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly..

'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice.

I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued in a soft voice..'The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.

We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired.Let's go now'.
We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.

Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move.
They must have been expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

'How much do I owe you?' She asked, reaching into her purse.

'Nothing,' I said

'You have to make a living,' she answered.

'There are other passengers,' I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug.She held onto me tightly.

'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said. 'Thank you.'

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.. Behind me, a door shut.It was the sound of the closing of a life..

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day,I could hardly talk.What if that woman had gotten an angry driver,or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.

But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

Above night time shot of the local power station!   Its not this close of course!

And little Pip, standing on the window sill as usual!  Surrounded by hearts and sprinkles!  Awww my baby!

Been very luck with the weather the last few days, we're having a down pour at the moment, but overall its been okay here, we had an 'April' shower this morning when I was coming home from town, but been in the garden cutting back those ever growing brambles, will have blackcurrants in abundance soon! It'll be blackcurrant pie, blackcurrant jam, blackcurrant pudding and just plain.... blackcurrants!!!  I always remember a sweater I had when Mom and I went blackberry picking on Northchurch common, I got the juice on the cuff and the stain wouldn't come out!

Er, yes I was a kid, so a while ago, of course!

I tried a new product to take out my hair color, just temporarily, there was a whole page of why it wouldn't work on the back, which makes me realise now why it didn't work!  I think it took out any dark color I have put in over the years, but left the red!  Took ages to do, ages to rinse, and washed it again yesterday to try to control the huge head of hair I now have after all that product abuse!  But, don't worry folks, coloring it again tomorrow!!!  And will forever more!!!

Neighbours dog got in our garden the other day, he is just a puppy, but already nearly the size of Pippa, beautiful blue eyes, Pippa was horrified, she is fine with dogs bigger than her, but smaller... forget it, she sort of froze while it bounded around her wanting to play, and Pip just kept on turning, until finally snapping at the poor thing!  Managed to collect it in my arms and hand the little puppy back in one piece! No harm done, then Pip was all moody for the rest of the day, diva!

TTFN
Marian