That was August that was

It's been a gentle month.  Some of the time it was too hot to do anything and sometimes I wasn't too bothered about doing anything so I didn't.  These are a few of the things I did.

Worst first.  Annie-The-Home-Enhancer went away on her holidays so she wasn't here for four weeks.  I welcomed her back with very open arms!

I went swimming three times. Early in the month I couldn't walk much but I've improved as the month has gone on.

I studied some Shakespeare on-line with the WI.

I'm taking a service tomorrow but that's the only Sunday worship I will have led.  I took a Home Communion to a housebound lady and arranged for others to join us which she greatly appreciated.  I also conducted a funeral for which I was requested.  Funerals like that are always an honour.  

I had a couple of lunches out with friends.  And I went to the Bomber Command Memorial with a women's group.  

I did nine nights dog sitting.

I went to two birthday parties: one was a barbecue and the other afternoon tea.

That was July

 

This has felt like a long month but the end of it came in a rush!  These posts are (inevitably) lists and very self-centered but they are helpful to me for looking back.

It's been a lovely month weather wise and my garden is flourishing.  (I'll do a garden post very soon.)   Jack has been twice.

I've taken services on three Sundays.  I've also hosted four on-line services.  

I've had a go at water colour painting and will have another go soon.  I've also done on line courses on Google maps, iPhone usage, and American current affairs, 

I went swimming just once as, unfortunately, I've had several days in pain but am OK now.  

I had a glorious breakfast out.  This is a treat for myself and a cousin when my car needs servicing.  Then she makes lunch at home but we are both too full to eat much!  And another friend and her husband invited me to their house for lunch.   I had a trip to our local ice cream parlour and we had a tasting.  It would have been rude to refuse any of these invitations..  

Now, what will August hold?

An average sort of day

 When I asked for ideas for posts, writing about an ordinary day was suggested.  Yesterday was a pretty ordinary day so I wrote this post over the course of the day.

I've been awake since around 02.30.  I couldn't find sleep but that's OK.  I just laid in bed and listened to a familiar audiobook until 04.00 when I let myself get up.  The first two or three hours are spent writing my journal, reading other people's blogs, sorting my finances, checking emails etc.  There's also time for a bit of peace and quiet with God as I can be pretty sure there won't be any interruptions.  Before 07.00 today I had also made arrangements for some dog-sitting next month.

07.00 is time for for chat with Jack or, more accurately listening to Jack.  He tells me about what he did yesterday and what's he's planning today.  Today he's toddling off to Mablethorpe for a few days so we won't be chatting until Monday.

After that I am ready to make a proper start to my day - sorting the kitchen, tidying the sitting room and the rest of the round of domesticity.  

Today I had hoped to go to Brigg but it's raining so I'm stopping at home.  The ironing will get done, I'll phone a couple of friends and I'll work on a crochet blanket I am making for a small boy of my acquaintance.  There are very few children in my life and I treasure each small person.

One of our local clergy is leaving this Sunday so the rest of us took her out for lunch.  It's great to see each other socially but sad to say goodbye to C who has been a really good vicar.  And after that I tried to do a detailed examination of the back of my eyelids but they wouldn't stay shut.  

Then I decided to collect garden produce.  This will be tasty over the next few days.  

I had a very good lunch at the pub so I won't need much this evening.  Instead I shall spend the evening getting on with the crochet, having a video call with a cousin, watching Miss Marple (currently available on BBC iPlayer) and mulling over the day.

I've done nothing exciting today but I've thoroughly enjoyed what I have done.

God is good.  

Q is for Quite close to home

I'm hoping to go on a cruise some time in the next couple of years so I've decided not to go away for holidays whilst I am saving.  In the mean time, I am having days out "quite close to home".  (OK, I'm being "creative" about my alphabet!)

Gardens at Gunby Hall

I'm a member of the Scottish National Trust, which might seem a bit odd for a Lincolnshire Lass like myself but the National Trust would charge me £91.20 while the Scottish National Trust asks only £62.40.  I can use my Scottish membership at English properties: the only thing I don't get is a members' handbook.  I'll cope!

The lake at Clumber

There are only two suitable National Trust properties "quite close to home" with Gunby Hall being 36 miles away and Clumber Park being 44 miles.  I say "suitable" because there is little point in my going to properties where I can't use my trundle truck.  I have visited both this year and will probably go back.

Far Ings Nature Reserve

I'm also a member of Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and visit some of their reserves.  These are usually free to visit although some charge parking.  And I've visited other nature reserves too.

Sunflowers at Baumber

Then there are privately owned properties like Baumber Walled Garden.  That's free but no picnics etc allowed.  That's fair enough - they have a cafe and need to make their costs somehow!

So, I manage to get days out, usually just for the cost of my petrol and I take my picnic and flasks.  

And my knitting

Then I sit and people-watch and doubtless people smile when they see a dotty old lady knitting, and I hope they see the kindly smile on my face too.

P is for plans

 

I love making plans!  They may not get carried through, but dreaming and working things out and writing them down passes a lovely hour.

I have fairly long term plans (eg go on a cruise), medium term plans (Christmas gifts to make), amd plans for the month to come.

So, what does August hold for me?

I need to have minor surgery (which will be inconvenient) and I need to plan how I can manage any potential difficulties.  I live alone so it is important that I think things through as thoroughly as possible

My garden is looking better than it has for several years (the alterations last year made things tricky) so I'm planning to spend time out there.  (Thank you, Jack.)

For various reasons I need to cut back on grocery spending, so I need to plan meals and shopping very carefully.

I've booked several courses with the Women's Institute on line learning hub.  Some are "crafty", some are to make me think.

I've got just one booking to lead worship this month, but that needs prayer and planning.

And, most importantly, I'm planning on a lovely month.

L is for Living My Best Life

Living my best life!  I suppose it's a bit of a cliche.

I have a file called "Living My Best Life" on my computer and I write in it every morning.  It helps me monitor my health (How many steps?  How much do I weigh?), my finances (how do I spend/save/give my money?) who I have seen (or telephoned?) what have I done?  Most of all, it is a reflective journal encouraging me to write down my thoughts and concerns each day.

I started to keep a journal during the pandemic when I needed to have a sense of control over those endless months.  I chose to declutter, to lose weight, and to make plans, both short and medium term.  I noted my phone calls and zooms so that I could remember the thoughts and concerns of others and phone back as needed.  And I found I enjoyed doing it.

I've read lots of articles about how our seventies are among the happiest times of our lives and I am finding that to be true.  I have leisure time and friends to spend it on.  My income is reduced but I spend and save carefully.  I'm getting older but the aches and painbs are mostly under control.  As I said in this post I want to go on a cruise which means I need to save money and guard my health.  

Are you living your best life and what helps?

Hare today, done tomorrow.

 "Hare-Brained Hare"

   

I love the Lincolnshire Wolds!  We are not a very popular tourist spot but many of our villages are lovely.  

When I go out in to the Wolds, I think myself very lucky if I see a hare. They are not prolific breeders like rabbits.  A farmer once told me that a healthy hare population is a sign of good husbandry.  They don't like land which has been over treated with pesticides or fertilisers.

I think a good life is a bit like a hare. I don't mean I am ever tempted to try out agricultural chemicals on myself, but I don't want to beat myself up with the pesticide of driving myself too hard, nor yet over-apply the fertiliser of  self-indulgence.

So, what has this hare done in June?

One of our regular clergy has been ill and a volunteer minister (who normally does a lot) has gone on holiday so I have been in action every Sunday as well as taking a funeral.  I also run a weekly worship time on zoom.  

A friend has been here for lunch and sampled several culinary experiments.  She was VERY polite about them!

I've had several medical appointments and established that although I am in fine fettle I may need cataract surgery before long.  And I've started to work out a suitable daily exercise plan to keep myself in said fettle!

I've had three meals with three different friends whom I haven't seen in ages.  I also went to a very sumptuous bring-and-share afternoon tea when we had a talk by a food writer.  That was wonderful!  Church ladies do rather good afternoon teas.

Jack has been working his magic so it would have been very ungrateful not to get out in my garden as much as I can.

PS  The Hare-Brained Hare is a Wrendale design by Hannah Dale who lives not far from me.  https://www.wrendaledesigns.co.uk/

I may!

 

I may have been away from this blog a lot but I think I have done a lot this month.

I led worship at three different churches.

I hosted three lunches at home for friends and took three cousins together for a pub lunch to celebrate their birthdays.  All three cousins have birthdays in May or June.

I did five on line workshops with the WI.

I went swimming once.

I made a couple of Christmas decorations.

I had my annual health checks and it appears that I am still alive.  Always good to know.

I had a five night holiday staying with my nephew near Worcester.

I had a day on a canal boat with two friends and their dog.  This was very interesting - they have just bought a solar powered narrowboat with all mod cons.  Even the dog approves as they now cruise silently with not even the chug of the engine to disturb him.  (Very daft dog!)  Solar power even runs a washer/dryer as well as a fridge, freezer and everything else regular narrow-boaters could want. 

I went dog sitting for ten days.

And somewhere along the line, found time to breathe.  I hope to repeat this feat in June.

TWAHAM

 TWAHAM?  That was April, how about May!  

I used to write the occasional post like this years ago but haven't done so for ages.  So here goes!

April

I made my Christmas cards apart from the inners.

I made strenuous efforts to keep energy consumption low. 

I started a coding course but realised it’s not for me!

I celebrated, very quietly and alone, the thirtieth anniversary of my priestly ordination.

I led worship at three different churches as well as my regular on line commitment.

I got a video doorbell.   I decide that I need to get things whilst I can still learn how to use them!

I did three nights dog sitting

I joined the Scottish National Trust again.   They ask only £62.40 where as the National Trust (for England) would want £91.20.  My Scottish card gets me into English and Welsh properties and, although I won't get an (English) handbook, all the information in it is available on line.  

I hosted a couple of lunches. 

I went to a confirmation for a severely autistic (non verbal) man.  His faith expresed through that service, moved me to tears.  

May

I'm taking a short holiday, staying with my nephew in Worcestershire.

I'm booked for ten nights dog sitting. 

Im booked to lead worship on three Sundays. 

I have thee more lunches to host.

And my garden is coming into bloom!

Bring it on!

R is for Retirement

 

I love it!

The other questions from "Q is for Questions" were about retirement and how I spend my time.

I spend my time with a smile on my face.  I get up between 4am and 5am and look at how the day is likely to unfold but, when I switch the light out at night and think back, the day has rarely gone as planned.  

I think I am very lucky to have been born in the nineteen fifties.  Childhood was a time of innocence and wonder.  The sixties were a time of change and challenge.  My whole life has been a time of scientific advancement in ways that would have been unimaginable when I was a toddler.  Opportunities for women have opened up more and more as my life has gone on.  

And now I am fourteen years into a lovely, secure retirement.  The bungalow is comfortable and safe thanks to my lovely landlord and the efforts of Annie-the-home-enhancer and Jack.  I have a car and trundle truck so can get out when I want to.  I have hobbies to enjoy while I am at home and friends to laugh with when I go out.  I still lead some worship but am choosing to do that less.  

I am able to drop everything and go out for the day or spend a few days dog sitting.  If I would prefer to be at home, the craft stash provides me with challenges and entertainment.  

And in everything I am secure in the love of God.  I am truly blessed.

Such bounty

Is there anything more tasty than the first few saladings from the garden?

 

Thanks, Jack

Another craft

Back in October, when I turned 21-with-49-years-experience, I decided to knit a temperature scarf covering the first couple of years of my eighth decade.  I wrote about it here.   I chose my colours, found a circular needle and started knitting.

I don't knit every day but I try not to get too far behind.  Each different colour represents one degree Celsius in the temperature measured near Caistor at noon each day.  The first colours were very exciting.

And this is my progress from 23rd October to 7th January.  I rather like it.

The Winter Blues

 I don't like feeling sad!  My disposition is to look for the happier things in life.  The comments on my last post reminded me of gratitude journals - I've neglected mine for several months but I dug it out yesterday and it is now back in use.  

Like many people I sometimes struggle in the winter and during this time of minimal social contact I really dreaded January and February.  But I remembered my old Guide motto, "Be Prepared" and did what I always do and googled for advice and information and several sites suggested light therapy lamps or SAD lamps.  I've not got a diagnosis of Seasonal Affective Disorder: I just know I get the January blues.  I felt a little sceptical but I was prepared to give it a try so I ordered one.  Last January was the best I've had in years!  

Each morning I have the lamp on as I check emails, read blogs and drink coffee even before I get dressed.  I had to devise a way of reminding myself to do it but apart from that it really takes no effort.

I've also made a list of treats (zoom with friends for coffee, try a new recipe, manicure my nails etc), one for each day of January.  I've written them down so that if the blues hit I don't have to think too hard.

Does anyone have any other ideas for warding off the winter blues?

Starting my eighth decade

 

A "tactful" birthday greeting

One or two "friends" have been tactless enough to point out that I am in my eighth decade which sound even worse than saying I am seventy!  

First nineteen colours

I decided that such an auspicious year (for me) deserves a special project.  I have admired the weather scarves or temperature scarves made by various bloggers  (Ang at Tracing Rainbows did a really good one) but I decided mine would start on my birthday.  I have a different colour for each degree Celsius and I'm using Jamieson and Smith 2ply jumper weight (which actually knits as 4ply) as there are 92 colours in the range.  (No, I won't need 92 colours but I do like to have a choice!)  I'm knitting it as a tube on a 3.5 circular needle as I found that to be successful for another scarf I knitted earlier this year.  This means that all the tatty ends will be held inside the scarf.

First sixteen rows