Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

Today I screwed up the tattered remnants of my courage and met up with some of my lovely tribe in my lovely friend's woods.

We sat around a fire and shared some of our experiences of the last six months.

Tears were shed...

Saint Kitty

It was the last day of waxing the floor today and the dog gate was at the bottom of the stairs from early this morning. Kitty and I went to the beach, we went up to the hills, we spent time in the garden gym...but STILL she wouldn't settle.

Eventually I gave up at 2.30ish, while finishing the gym (inside) and allowed the whingy-whippet up to her 'daybed' - our bed, suitably covered, from which she is allowed to watch the world go by all day. 

A few minutes later, heading up for my post-gym shower, I realised I had never made, and carefully covered, our bed...grrr! I REALLY didn't want to have to change the sheets today...

In the bedroom Kitty was sitting on the mat on the floor at the foot of the bed, nonchalantly polishing her halo...

On re-reading books...Bilgewater

I am a huge fan of re-reading books...not just once either - my favourite books have been read and re-read countless times over the years...

This is partly, I admit, due to having a terrible memory...

But notwithstanding that, and my general flakiness, something new speaks to me from a really good book EVERY time I pick it off the shelves, dust it down and settle back with a sigh of relief to lose myself in its world...

Take Bilgewater for example...I have been extolling the magnificence of this little novel and the wondrousness of its heroine, Marigold Green (Bill's daughter, aka Bilgewater) for probably twenty years.

This week I re-read it. Again. Loved it. Again.

And this popped up:

'It was just a series of things that were important and beautiful and namelessly good, an experience proof against nostalgia, proof against the distortion of time. An experience one is the better for having had even when the brain grows soft and slow and can't remember whether it has just locked the door or was just about to do so. Or if not why not, or if so why...'

Sorely in need of more of those moments atm...

Post-Francis

Ah, the downside of life right by the sea!

This morning Kitty and I take one look at the wrecked garden and decide to go for a walk...

She is in an exceptionally good mood this week, very chatty and amiable.

We head up to 'Kitty's Field' and I explain that I am a bit short of time...for today is the occasion of my first visit (strictly socially-distanced) for five months, to my old friend in the Care Home. And his 98th birthday!

"Get on with it then!" replies Kitty, "chuck that tennis ball so I can have a good run! I promise I'll bring it back EVERY time, in return for a treat..."

(Kitty's UTI has been dealt with with anti-biotics, hence the good humour and good appetite).

I chuck the tennis ball several times and several times Kitty drops it at my feet in return for a treat. Absent-mindedly I toss the ball without delving into my bag for a biscuit...Kitty just stands there, poised and beautiful on her slender feet, with the seascape behind her - a moment of perfection. She raises an eyebrow - suitably chastened I fish out a treat for her, and then collect the ball myself...

Frabjous Days, still to come

Here is a poem by Fleur Adcock, sent to me by my best mate...

She and I have shared poems, laughter, many good times and some bad for years now - we once sat up most of a candle-lit night, until we remembered all the words of Jabberwocky.

With love from the Borogroves, 

Mimsy

'and once a blue horse' ...

Women writers and Feminist books through the ages

Our local library is sort of open, in a click-and-collect sort of way...

Mind you, when I went to pick up Ali Smith's Autumn, which I had ordered online (and return the books - Elena Ferrante - I had taken out the day before Lock-Down), the chap said I could keep it till the end of September if I liked...

But I have finished it and must order Winter now...

There were dvds for free-borrowing behind him, so I took the new Little Women (which I had only seen twice in January and February). And have now watched again.

Beth died.

Yellow boat

Over the last few weeks the remains of a cadmium yellow fishing vessel have washed up on the beach.

So I have made a little boat...what shall I call it?

"2020 staying afloat" ?