Funny-peculiar Friends!

Working in Miami in 1979 (or thereabouts!) 

What a good job I have a sense of humour. Throughout the Lockdown several friends who normally rely on e-mails for keeping in touch resorted to long telephone calls. Yes, they were much appreciated by this 81-year-old. Although the conversations began with their wanting to know how I was getting on, it quickly became clear that they wanted to talk about how lonely and bored they were.

They all know that I live on my own and that my neighbours are either out at work or, like me, disabled. Which leaves me very much on my own. And some of these friends even had the temerity to say that as I am on my own any way, I am used to it. Really? Maybe they should write down and read what they are going to say before they make phone calls!!!

Passing lonely hours with Crosswords

During this lock-down crisis I am sure more and more people are taking to crossword puzzles.

If you haven’t tried them, please do. The easy ones really are very easy. And with practise you can quickly improve and find yourself wanting to try slightly trickier ones. When you are a beginner nobody minds if you ‘cheat’ by looking at the answers. After all, if you don’t know the answer how will you learn without looking it up? You never know, you might become so good at them you end up being able to win competitions!

Over the years I’ve progressed from small ‘quick’ crosswords up to cryptics. Not always successfully – it depends whether I can get onto the same wavelength as the setter.

Another problem I have is knowing or having knowledge of several other languages. I’ve lost count how many times I have puzzled over an answer which fits the number of letters but isn’t the right answer. Yup, try fitting an English word across a Spanish word. Don’t work.

Happy crosswording!

Living in Isolation

Thanks to Corona Virus most of the countries affected are either in lock-down or about to be.

Looking back into history and Britain’s Great Plague of 1666 there was only one way that died in London – the Great Fire of London. (Ironically William the Conqueror took over Britain in 1066). 600 hundred years later.

We should think ourselves lucky that we CAN stop the spread of the virus. But only if we pull together and obey the rules.

As I live alone and am used to isolation, it isn’t too much of a problem for me. Of course I do have the universal problem of grocery shopping. I was fortunate in that I had a grocery order delivered a couple of weeks ago and already had my April delivery booked. Today I received notification that I can only have 80 items. Going to be difficult deciding which 80 to take bearing in mind that I haven’t been able to get a May delivery booked.

I suspect that I may have to break ‘the law’ and go to the supermarket this weekend.

If you know of any old and/or disabled people who may need help please, please, please give them a hand.

Wind or Rain?

Which do you think is the worst? For me it is the wind. Even tho’ I have a Rollater (what’s that? Popularly called a walker – except that it has wheels, so it don’t walk!) walking in wind is still a problem. The wind blows it all over the place.

So, as you can guess, gale force winds equals to me (and others) being housebound. Obviously the food cupboard is well stocked but there are some items that have to be replenished. I am now in the habit of checking the weather forecast to check the wind velocity and dashing out when the wind is ‘breezy’.

Help from the neighbours? Four flats per floor – me and the lady at the other end are disabled and two flats in between are occupied by workers.

On Monday I am meeting with someone from the County Council Adult Social Care Team so that they can assess my needs. But….

The meeting is at Age UK’s Laburnum Centre so that we can use one of their private rooms. Part of the discussion centres around the fact that I live alone. I assume there is free parking at the Centre whereas my nearest car park – next door – costs. Ergo Costs: Council – zero; OAP – 2 taxis.

Watch this space for progress report!

A FREE book for Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day! From today until Tuesday I am giving you a free crime novel!

DEATH OF A COPYCAT is set in Sunny Florida (where I used to live) and where English travel write, Trudi, now lives. When a member of the Writing Circle dies the local Sheriff chooses the stranger as the culprit. Fortunately Detective Ricardo Gomez doesn't agree. Along with help from Trudi and her friend Lucia he discovers who-dunnit. And it was almost too late for Trudi and Lucia.



https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005T258S8

FREE KINDLE BOOK - Dirty Deeds in Downdene

My pressie to you lovers of Cleo Marjoribanks the cockney millionaire who lives in the New Forest. The second book in the series - Dirty Deeds in Downdene - will be free from tomorrow 9th January for FIVE days only.

In this book Cleo gets mixed up with golfing crowd after an estate agent is murdered. Yes, her close friend DCI David 'Steaming' Kettle is trying to solve the mystery with what he terms as interference!

As well as making new friends with some lady golfers, the golf club secretary tells Cleo she isn't welcome there as she is a 'whore'!!! Read it to find out her response!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008ORNGCU

Merry Christmas - Happy Holidays!

Whatever your beliefs, I am sure that over this festive period you will be celebrating something. Maybe a birthday or two so - Happy Birthday.

Personally I am very happy that 2019 is almost over. It hasn't been a good year as I've been on the sick list for most of it. I needed surgery and the NHS came up trumps - they paid for it to be done privately. I think it was due to my age. I reached 80 in April. No, no celebrations but I did received two greetings cards with the age on them!

Recovery from the surgery has been slow, but I am getting there - as they say. I am now hoping to be fit enough to do some cruising in 2020 - watch this space!

All the best for 2020 - and here's to a peaceful New Year. Lots of love to you all.