These Foolish Things....

Just because it makes me feel good!

watched Waynes world again today, for the first time in years! so heres my best bit(above)

Also,a piece of useless information for you; when I was in high school, my favourite Teacher (art no surprises there) told me that in her student days, she shared a flat with the members of Queen! Fancy that!

I'm Loving....

I am totally loving this biography of Patti Boyd Wonderful Today it has me completely hooked, it takes us through her marriage to Beatle George Harrison, the drugs, drink and rock and roll of the sixties, and her passionate relationship and marriage to Eric Clapton, all peppered with fabulous anecdotes of the pop stars of that time, Patti comes across as a woman simply seeking love, but who as a model in the sixties and the circles she mixed in,went on an extaordinary journey and came out the other side as a survivor, I am about two thirds through it and cannot put it down!

I do love a good book! 

Ms Parker....

Afternoon

When I am old, and comforted, And done with this desire, With Memory to share my bed And Peace to share my fire, I'll comb my hair in scalloped bands Beneath my laundered cap, And watch my cool and fragile hands Lie light upon my lap. And I will have a sprigged gown With lace to kiss my throat; I'll draw my curtain to the town, And hum a purring note. And I'll forget the way of tears, And rock, and stir my tea. But oh, I wish those blessed years Were further than they be! Dorothy Parker

You say Tomato.....

I am ridiculously and irrationably happy!

The reason?....I am growing tomatoes! When my Dad was in better health, he grew tomatoes in his greenhouse, they tasted heavenly!. I am in constant pursuit of a tomato which will taste even half as good.I have tried every kind of tomato that sainsburys tell me are extra special only to find they were only extra expensive ! but alas...the perfect tomato has evaded me. Until now.My brother and his wife grow a lot of their own produce, I mentioned to him that if I had a greenhouse, I would surely grow my own tomatoes, it was at this point, I was alerted to the fact that you can actually grow tomatoes outdoors!!!! Oh my! what a revelation was that! So my good old Bro arrived the following week with six very robust and healthy looking plants, which he advised me with an air of expertise that Percy Thrower would be proud of "stick them in the garden" I followed the aforesaid instructions (many weeks ago) and Lo! very soon, they grew, despite the utterly ghastly weather we have had this summer. As soon as I am awake, rain or shine, I am out in the garden looking at my tomato plants.

They now have green tomatoes on them!!!! I am bessotted! already I am thinking of freshly sliced wholemeal bread, lashings of butter, finely sliced home grown tomatoes and ground sea salt and black pepper! Really, what more could you possibly want?

Because I know youre in there.....

When I was a little girl, I thought my Daddy was invincible!

Next month my Dad will be 82, its an age I did not think he would reach, some years ago he was devastated by a stroke, which robbed him of much of his movement, as time has gone by his health has deteriorated,he has little movement, he sits in a chair all day long, My Mother tends to most of his needs, we have wonderful carers who come in early morning to get him out of bed and dressed, then every evening to put him to bed.Last year he had a long spell in hospital as a result of a water infection plus pneumonia, since then he seems at times very confused, this more than anything, I struggle with. My Dad was the funniest, warmest man you could wish to meet, my memories are of a very proud hard working man, who found humour in most situations, a man who loved to take a drink of beer, which has now been replaced with orange soda,who had such a quick mind, he and my Mum never missed doing the daily crossword in the newspaper, but now he sits and watches old re runs on the tv.All day.

We have nurses come in weekly,because when he was in hospital he got such bad bed sores, they still need attention, one year on. They are kind and caring, and everyone talks to my Dad as though he is five years old, not me. Occasionally, he is very rational, and I see it, that sparkle, that dry sense of humour, sometimes he and I exchange glances, and I know what he is thinking, I work really hard at treating my Dad as normal as I can, he can remember events from 50 years ago very clearly, but cannot tell you what he had for his lunch, short term memory loss, the Doctors say.

Some days I go in with my key, the news is on TV, he is gazing at the screen, I want him to shake his head and call the politicians names, as he used to, and tell me how he would do this or do that! but instead I go in and tuck his rug around his knees, and he looks at me and says " Oh hello Gena!" and I see the sparkle.... and I say " hello Pa, whats this rubbish you are watching then?" and we smile....because I know you are in there. 

Calling all Typepad bloggers!........

Can anyone help me with a little typepad problem?

Lovely Phyllis from Shabby in the city made me the above most beautiful banner, does anyone know how to center it on a typepad blog? another problem I have, and believe me I have been tinkering with this one for months!, is, how do I add items on the sidebar, other than photo albums and typelists? I wanted to add a pic and a link to Phyllis other blog Sunnyhuckle designs but I just cannot seem to do it! I know it is possible because some of you typepad gals out there have allsorts of amazing stuff in your sidebars! I have checked the help guide and am no further forward.

I am so rubbish at this blogging at times! please help me girlies!

Beautiful York!

Lucy and I had a fabulous time in York, I have been many times, but this was Lucys first, so we tried to fit in as much as possible, The picture above is of the beautiful York Minster, we also visited the Castle museum, which is lovely with cobbled victorian streets and shops...

We walked for miles! we visited the ancient streets filled with all kinds of gift shops, called The shambles. Our Hotel was superb! it was like an English country house, complete with Drawing room and library, where after a hard days shopping you can take afternoon tea and read the papers!

I think we may just have to go back in the Autumn!