It's curtains!

It's not that I'm in the dog house after yesterday, but I suspect it's 'curtains' for me.

In fact, I'm certain!

What a difference it makes when you block the light out of the bedroom. Blinds on their own just don't cut it. I'm converted. I had a great night's sleep.

It's also curtains for Roxanne's friend by the sounds of it. It's amazing how life styles change from individual to individual. Some lives are filled with such violence on a regular basis. It's almost unbelievable...it's only a football game!

Actually, she is also talking about her brother who ended up with a shattered cheekbone during a fight.

Thank goodness I'm a wimp and don't feel the need to prove myself physically.

As a youngster I grew up amongst gang warfare. It was terrible but we just got used to it. It was the way it was. It was normal.

I'll always remember one man being set on by a group with 'knuckle dusters'. It wasn't a pretty sight and I felt so sorry for him. Because I was young, I knew I was safe...such things only ever happened to adults or 'big boys'. It never ocurred to me that one day I'll be a 'big boy'.

Fortunately, I've only ever been beaten up once. Back in the good old days they knew when to stop...otherwise it would have been 'curtains' for me.

Today is different. Even defenceless innocent and gentle old men and women are being targeted.

If I'm good, perhaps Bev will have pity on me today!

I wonder what ouch! is in French?

After work I was drenched walking home, so I decided to drive back to pick Bev up (she works till 4:30 now). My star is rising...especially when it started throwing it down again.

I notice that the curtain finally closed for Michael Jackson today. In forty minutes the whole thing will be televised.

I was saddened to hear of the death of Karl Malden on July 1st. He was 97 years old and I still imagine him in his fifties.

I was even more surprised to find out that Patrick McGoohan had died in January. Where on earth have I been? Even prisoners get the latest news, so how come this one missed me?
I checked it out online and sure enough, he's definitely gone.

I had a look at the Times Obituaries Online to get up to date. There are a few good books there...take note family as it'll soon be Christmas and I have sufficient aftershave.

The three I like the look of are...Obituaries in Depth, Great Victorian Lives and Great Lives (20th Century).

As I'm a reasonable man, I'll post suggestions over the coming months.

You'll have to pass them on Juli as you are the only family member to read my blog.

If they are more than the £10 I like you to spend on me, you can possibly club together.

If I get another pair of socks, it'll be curtains for you! Not you Juli, but anyone with socks in mind. So yes, it could be you too.

les fusibles ont grillé

The fuses have blown.

Bev and I are not in the best of moods so let's hope we don't blow any fuses. Work is particularly stressful for me at the moment and Bev has been told her hours at work have to increase.

I woke to see the trailer in our drive. Mike was going to drop it off tonight. Never mind, it's best to have it early. Hopefully I'll have picked up the tiles in time for him to take it back with him.

I managed to pick the 108 pantiles up and also another 50 old bricks to match the ones I've got already. David Cuthbert directed me to the skip just around the corner from him. They had renovated the house and had no need ot them so there I was, happy to take them off their hands.

On the way back I witnessed another perfect double rainbow. It was absolutely fantastic.

No sign of Michael, but at least it's ready for him.

I was going to surprise David and turn up in France next week, but the price of the flight suddenly shot up. I've still booked a week off and will build the front wall instead. That'll be another job finished...or well on the way!

Just wished Juli a happy birthday. She's so tired after her trip to ikea that she's going to to bed early without doing anything special. I never thought I'd see the day.

I've advised she do something simple that she's never done before. It's people of my age that need the early nights.

Off to bed now (only joking). Going to help Bev do some work in the front bedroom...curtain rail or something!

Wimbledon Final 2009

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?

No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep and cows.
-WH Davies

That's exactly what we were doing fifteen minutes ago.

After two weeks of Wimbledon without a drop of rain...including a record-breaking final, we nip out for a walk and get caught in a downpour.

We scurried to the nearest cover and stood under an oak tree and stared into the sky to guess when it would pass. I don't know if sheep or cows actually talk to each other, but we did.

I once saw a sheep standing under a horse for shelter. They seemed to get on well but I bet not two words were spoken between them. It was no fluke. We passed them often. They were genuine buddies. Soul mates to the end.

Hard luck Roddick. It was a tremendous effort and you should have won it. I think you increased your fan base...as you do each time we see you play.

Well, there goes another day...a historic one in terms of tennis and a unique one personally.

Philip Larkin the poet once said that days are where we live and they are to be happy in. I've lived in this day...the 5th July 2009, and I'm happy.

I wonder what happened in 1909, 1809, 1709 and 1609? They probably went to church, and had a long nap afterwards, but I bet they never followed it with a quiche salad and watched a Wimbledon final on TV! I'm now about to have a Mars bar...get in there! Isn't life good when we can have a treat now and then?

Juli is on the phone speaking to Bev. Gonna make a few phone calls myself if she ever gets off the phone (could be hours). It's good to talk I suppose!

A rare photo of me at the activity yesterday...

Maggie and Naomi making the ice-cream pots...David and Wendy's extension. Just look at the length of where the folding glass doors are going...

Pot luck

Okay, it's a lovely day and I've spent too much time looking at blog templates. The one I like best doesn't seem to function very well so I'll give up for now and perhaps try later.

I'm getting everything together for David to take to France then I'm off to Bridgford to work on Wanda's path. What happens after that is anyone's guess. I didn't want to have too many things planned.

It's Saturday!! Yippee!!

Dropped in on a bit of a party...recreating a village fete... so we played some games and chilled for a few hours. Actually, chilled isn't the word as we sizzled in the sun.
I took a shine to 'Splat the Rat' and 'Limbo Dancing'. It was all good clean fun and the rat didn't feel a thing! The ice cream was delicious (thanks Naomi and Maggie). It was good to see the family there too.

While we were there Serene called to say she passed her exams. Not quite sure if that makes her a lawyer or solicitor, but I'm really very pleased for her...five years is a long time studying and she was worried that she got a few case studies mixed up in trying to answer one of the questions.

Called by to see Wanda and cut the slabs. She was up to her neck in gardening and welcomed a sit on the garden swing for a chat with Bev. Afterwards, we dropped back at David's with the grinder and the other things heading for France. He's all ready and raring to go!

Our last stop on our way home was to David and Wendy to see the progress on their extension. It looks fantastic and it's not even finished. Wendy has commisioned me to paint two 6' panels so we loaded them into the car and made our way home after a tour and drinks.

I'm absolutely burnt to a frazzle and very tired. The heat has sapped all my energy.

Pics to upload but not tonight. I'm too tired to even think. Want my bed...now!

Friday is special

We invited David and Eileen over for a meal last night.

Venison steaks were on the menu which incidentally weren't dear (deer!) Oh deer (dear!) thanks to the cull on the Estate of Belton House earlier in the year and the generosity of someone we know who works there.

We were all tired as its been a heavy week, but we still enjoyed the evening and it was nice to have them around. David is off to France at the weekend so we also firmed up some plans on what we'd like to achieve before the end of the year.

We washed all the pots so as not to wake up to them. I was surprised at how quickly it was all back to normal. I still had time to read a few pages of my book which is taking my interest at last.

The thunder storms didn't arrive through the night as expected so Bev was out this morning with the hose on. She also moved the furniture around in the living room (don't ask!)

Today is Semi-Final day at Wimbledon and I'm stuck here at work. I feel like I'm missing out. It isn't fair! They are showing it on the big screen...upstairs! I was moved downstairs last week. I'm also out this evening so I won't even catch the highlights. I'm left with the impression that I'm not supposed to have any treats today. All work and no play. Everyone else can enjoy themselves, but not me. Yes, I'm sulking!

At least I can take comfort in the fact that it's Friday. It's always nice to have the weekend ahead of you.

Came across this and loved it...

Dear Mr. Darling, Please find below my suggestion for fixing Britain 's economy.
Instead of giving billions of pounds to banks that will squander the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following plan. You can call it the Patriotic Retirement Plan:

There are about 20 million people over the age of 50 in the work place. - Pay them £1 million apiece severance for early retirement with the following stipulations:

1) They MUST retire. Twenty million job openings - Unemployment fixed.
2) They MUST buy a new British CAR. Twenty million cars ordered - Auto Industry fixed.
3) They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage - Housing Crisis fixed.
4) They must send their kids to school / college /university - Crime rate fixed

It can't get any easier than that! P.S.. If more money is needed, have all members of parliament pay back their falsely claimed expenses and second home allowances.

NOW THAT'S BETTER... someone that I don't particularly get on with has put the tennis on the pc just behind me so I can keep in touch with developments. Now why didn't I think of that? He's not a bad chap really!

Work eventually came to an end and I arrived home in time to see the best of the tennis. I had to abandon plans to go out. What else could I do?

It was a thriller. Well done Murray for giving your all. Well done Roddick for winning. I had a sneaking feeling last week that his serve would see him through...and it did! He's a great player and I really like him as a person. He deserved his victory.

He gets my support to lift the trophy.

All is not lost. I understand there will still be British representation on centre court during the final...the net!

Just thoughts

That large grinder is a brute! The kick on it always surprises me. I've just got the slabs to cut for Wanda on Saturday and it can go with David to France...forever! I'm pleased that I ticked off a few more jobs last night. It was worth the effort.

The last person I spoke with last night other than Bev was Juli who is still hankering over one of my paintings shown on a recent post. The best things come to those who wait Juli, and you'll be waiting a while yet. Those paintings are hanging on someone's wall somewhere in the world.

I wish I could track them like Robert can track his quotes.

I woke to a bright blue sky and lay there listening to the sounds outside. There are birds chirping, cars passing and the sound of a train.

I remember as a youngster laying and listening to the sounds of ships being built and the clink of bottles of milk being delivered. I'll never hear those again.

As a teenager I remember laying and listening to the cries of foxes and the faint sound of a train in the far distance while at schoool in Gatton.

I've woken up to the sound of babies screaming, dogs barking, chickens clucking, mice scratching, workmen drilling, birds singing, postmen knocking, letters dropping, cats screeching, music playing, people laughing, crying, shouting, giggling and sighing... and a few times to the sound of cars crashing.

What a blessing it is to hear.

As I thought about these things, I concluded that everyone who is up is going somewhere...work, doctor, hospital, toilet, kitchen, visiting, walking, shooting, garden, solicitors, prison, to find, to prepare, to look after, to finish. For me, it was to sit here and type my thoughts before they are lost in the hubbub of life. Karen reckons there's no such word as hubbub!

What a blessing it is to be going somewhere and doing something.

It's been such a busy daythat I was unable to finish this posting. I guess that's how it is sometimes.

A good day all in all.

Tired and more than ready for bed.

Think good!

It was too warm last night. The windows were open to entice a breeze but to no avail.

However, something delightful wafted through. No, it wasn't those nasty little mosquitoes...can't call them delightful. It was the sound of solo, duet and quartet singing accompanied by a variety of instruments from the garden of the house at the back of us. It was like a breath of fresh air lasting up to 11:00pm.

I do believe there is nothing finer than live music performed amongst a small gathering. It reminded me so much of my student days when we used to visit each other's flats with our guitars. What a life that was.

My thoughts drifted to one time when Bev was heavily pregnant with Juli. After college we travelled with the class on a rickety old bus to Wales to watch John Webster's play...The Duchess of Malfi.

Although we didn't get back until the early hours, the memory of a live performance...even though only a little music was played, is something that is treasured. It's special, unique and personal.

The last time we saw a live performance was to see 'A Show of Hands'...the best acoustic group you could ever wish to see. We wanted so much for David and Eileen to have come. They would have loved it.

Anyway, a line or two from Webster's play came to mind yesterday as it relates to work.

'If by chance some curse'd example poised near the head, death and destruction through the whole land spread'. I know it's a bit unkind...but that's how I felt. Today I feel a lot better. Things are rarely as bad as you first think.

It must have been a negative experience altogether yesterday because another line came to mind from the play as I identified an individual that fits it like a glove. I swear it's the first time I've tied someone to the line, although if I think about it now, there are a few that come to mind.

The Duchess, speaking to Bosola says..."Thou dost blanch mischief; Wouldst make it white. See, see; like a calm weather at sea before a tempest, false hearts speak fair to those they intend most mischief".

Well, that's ******* to a tee!

On a positive note, she has some very good points which probably outweigh the bad. Who am I to judge anyway?

As Bev watered the veg and plants this morning, everything seemed just...if I could spell the word idylic, it would be the word I'd choose, but it doesn't look right. Life is so good. If I could just steer clear of being negative, I'm sure I'll reap the benefits.

Okay, the challenge for today is only to think good of everyone I come into contact with.

Hopefully ****** will be off sick today. Oops, sorry! Okay, starting NOW!

There you go. It wasn't so bad. My working day has come to an end and I've been positive throughout. I was surprised at the heat which hit me on leaving the building. It surely has to be the hottest day of the year.

Another surprise came when I learned Murray had already played and won. He's now in the semi-final.

I love the fact the GB are still in it. I can appreciate the passion Murray displays most of the time and he's done fantastically well to become number 3 in the world. He isn't my favouite player however. Roddick, Nadal and Hewitt are all better to watch...especially Nadal who has a great presence and temperament.

When all is said and done though, I have to back Murray playing against any of them, regardless of his bad temper and impatience...not that I'm criticising him you understand.

It looks like Roddick and Murray in the next round (not finished yet).

I'm off into the garden to trim the ivy and cut the grass. Perhaps I'll have time to cut a flagstone for the patio, then it's reading a few blogs, sorting out the menu for tomorrow (I'm cooking), and reading a chapter or two of 'The Children of Freedom' which is losing its battle to keep my interest.

I can't believe it hasn't rained during Wimbledon yet.

I'd like to end today's post by wishing Florrie all the best. Florrie Asher is the only 90 year old in the world that I have the privilege of knowing. Her birthday is today and I hope she had a memorable time.

I can honestly say that my thoughts towards her have been nothing but good all the years I've known her. Not one single negative thought. It's got to be a first, but that's really down to the kind of person she is.