Last night I started, after a mid-evening snooze, to have all the signs of an imminent streaming cold. I actually greeted that prospect with rather ambivalent feelings as, for the past 10 days or so I'd had sore, occasionally reddening, eyes and a by now habitual wonky throat. Anyway, I decided to have a nice late-night drink of ginger & lemon, together with my 500mg VitC and a couple of paracetamol, in the hope of "sweating it out".
This morning there was no sign of a cold developing and, for a welcome change, I felt rather more alert than of late! One Swallow doesn't make a Summer but, it's usually a welcome sign; just stretch myself gradually!
Decided to have a go at mowing the lawn, a task long overdue ... especially to clear a way through the mini-wildlife meadow section; this was certainly a task that got the perspiration going, especially scalp-wise. The sun, each time it came out of hiding, was more than my polished pate could take so, I had to don a sunhat; the sunhat ,in it's turn, created a mini steam room on the top of my head.
I carefully showed Helen how to adjust the cutting level of the mower, just in case I couldn't manage but, I am pleased to report that I finished the course with honour and, an urgent requirement to sit down and rest my weary limbs!
- living and frequently struggling with moderate M.E. -
where (bad) health, faith, politics and the joys and troubles of daily life collide.
ME
Monday, August 08, 2005
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Thought For The Day
Today, we have enjoyed each others company and, this evening, imbibed the bubbly which had been set aside for yesterday. After a rather belated start to the day, I did manage, after lunch, to get out for a little walk and, in spite of my knees making their presence felt, didn't feel too bad for the experience.
At 7.00 pm we settled down to watch an episode of Sherlock Holmes (ITV3) but, unfortunately, I managed to sleep through most of it.
On awaking, the Taittinger summoned me to pop it's cork and, thus was our anniversary celebration re-launched ... an accompaniment of the soundtrack to "Kiss Me Kate" had us joining in with joyous recognition! Somehow, the music of Cole Porter always seems to be conducive to a fuller enjoyment of Champagne.
The mood rather mellowed as we viewed the docu-drama "Hiroshima" (BBC1); it really is amazing how a 'neutral' science can be used for both the most humane and the most bestial of purposes. Sadly, human-kind (regardless of geographic location) seems to have a habit of following jingo-istic leaders, rather than ethical values. Perhaps obedience to one's principles, like the path of discipleship to Christ, proves too arduous to follow!
At 7.00 pm we settled down to watch an episode of Sherlock Holmes (ITV3) but, unfortunately, I managed to sleep through most of it.
On awaking, the Taittinger summoned me to pop it's cork and, thus was our anniversary celebration re-launched ... an accompaniment of the soundtrack to "Kiss Me Kate" had us joining in with joyous recognition! Somehow, the music of Cole Porter always seems to be conducive to a fuller enjoyment of Champagne.
The mood rather mellowed as we viewed the docu-drama "Hiroshima" (BBC1); it really is amazing how a 'neutral' science can be used for both the most humane and the most bestial of purposes. Sadly, human-kind (regardless of geographic location) seems to have a habit of following jingo-istic leaders, rather than ethical values. Perhaps obedience to one's principles, like the path of discipleship to Christ, proves too arduous to follow!
Perhaps ...
Is it because it's Sunday and, my beloved has recently returned from Church, or is it the reminder of life's fragility that the Hiroshima anniversary has brought home once more, that has me (out of the blue) quite joyously meditating on the eternal now! Of a sudden, I feel prompted to re-engage myself with the writings of Paul Tillich; not the convulted Systematic Theology, in whose lair I have spent many happy weeks and months whilst youth was still on my side but, rather the sermons and shorter studies with which I may once again be able to educate my current limited powers of concentration.
On my life's journey, there have been many significant literary/philosophical/theological encounters, that have served to enrich and enliven all subsequent experience .... Heidegger, Kierkegaard, Marx, Bultmann, Wittgenstein, Moltmann, Sartre, Camus, Dostoevsky ... many names invade and evade my consciousness at this moment but, words and ideas have always been a cause for great excitement. Perhaps, I can train my limited concentration once more to lead me back into that ecstatic discovery of diverse understandings of the same reality!
On my life's journey, there have been many significant literary/philosophical/theological encounters, that have served to enrich and enliven all subsequent experience .... Heidegger, Kierkegaard, Marx, Bultmann, Wittgenstein, Moltmann, Sartre, Camus, Dostoevsky ... many names invade and evade my consciousness at this moment but, words and ideas have always been a cause for great excitement. Perhaps, I can train my limited concentration once more to lead me back into that ecstatic discovery of diverse understandings of the same reality!
Saturday, August 06, 2005
.... And An Alert
About half-an-hour after our return, from our anniversary lunch, remembered I hadn't fed the fish in the garden pond. When I picked up the food stick container, from the kitchen, I thought it felt rather wet. On returning to the house, I noticed a little pool of water on one of the kitchen work surfaces. Alarm bells sounded, it can't be the combi-water heater that's only recently been replaced but, it was in that general vicinity. Eventually noticed that the slow trickle was coming down the side of the cupboard containing the water heater; further alarms sounded when we noticed the ceiling was wet.
Next thing check the alignment ... aha ... that's where the bath is. Sure enough, the hot water tap, long past it's sell by date had water trickling underneath it. Next we removed the side panel from the bath and, the pipes were wet. It's quite strange really as, ninety-nine percent of the time we only use the shower; perhaps we should be grateful for that! Anyway, the emergency plumber has now been and tightened the tap and put a bit more sealant at that end of the bath.
We had contemplated replacing the bath/ shower with a proper shower cubicle, surely more convenient as we move towards a more general state of decrepitude, and now we feel it has become a matter of some urgency. So, today we have the Feast of the Transfiguration, the Hiroshima anniversary, our engagement anniversary and, a minor plumbing emergency.
Just how much can one pack into a single day!
Next thing check the alignment ... aha ... that's where the bath is. Sure enough, the hot water tap, long past it's sell by date had water trickling underneath it. Next we removed the side panel from the bath and, the pipes were wet. It's quite strange really as, ninety-nine percent of the time we only use the shower; perhaps we should be grateful for that! Anyway, the emergency plumber has now been and tightened the tap and put a bit more sealant at that end of the bath.
We had contemplated replacing the bath/ shower with a proper shower cubicle, surely more convenient as we move towards a more general state of decrepitude, and now we feel it has become a matter of some urgency. So, today we have the Feast of the Transfiguration, the Hiroshima anniversary, our engagement anniversary and, a minor plumbing emergency.
Just how much can one pack into a single day!
An Occasion
Saturday morning saw a nice leisurely start to the day, 'though come mid-afternoon I'm already feeling quite drowsy, having just returned from lunch at the local Brewer's Fayre. A pleasant way to begin our (engagement) anniversary day; the Taittinger is in the fridge chilling and, even the sun keeps peeping through. The little stroll to the Pub was about the limit that my weary limbs could master but, any little expedition accomplished gives me a sense of acheivement!
Heterocon has already commented on a couple of other significances to the day (apart from my engagement to Helen), so I have no intention of waffling on any further!
Tonight, I expect will be just a normal evening for the two of us as we quaff our Taittinger; our two NV grand marques of choice are definitely Roederer and Taittinger. As a couple who have each had a helping of frugality in earlier phases of our life, a taste of 'quality' is not to be scoffed at so, why settle for second best?
Heterocon has already commented on a couple of other significances to the day (apart from my engagement to Helen), so I have no intention of waffling on any further!
Tonight, I expect will be just a normal evening for the two of us as we quaff our Taittinger; our two NV grand marques of choice are definitely Roederer and Taittinger. As a couple who have each had a helping of frugality in earlier phases of our life, a taste of 'quality' is not to be scoffed at so, why settle for second best?
Friday, August 05, 2005
Some palatable truths
Well, Mahmood called around with Beth again this evening and re-installed the wireless network and, hoping I'm not tempting providence, it's working OK now! I've got to admit though, what with the return of my various aches and pains, it has proved a little stressful. The old chicken and egg conundrum comes to mind; do the aches and pains intensify the stress level or, was it subliminal stress restored the muscular and joint discomfort.
God moves in a mysterious way ... 'tis oft said but, if you ask me, I sometimes feel there's nowt so queer as technology!
My wrist supports provided a reasonable degree of comfort during the evening, together with my shoulder holster ... sorry support was the word I was looking for ... although I had to remove them to prepare the evening meal. Tonight's special was a Trout, Peppers, Mushroom and tomatoes Savory Rice dish. As I'd substituted corn chips for a normal lunch, I was certainly more than ready for this meal.
It's really quite amazing how Helen has become so fond of Fish, and the occasional really spicy dish, as neither had featured in her diet before she had the misfortune of becoming entangled with me. Even stranger is the fact that I never really bothered to cook before I married Helen but, now I find it a natural extension of my creativity! To be honest, I often used to wish that we could just take a pill, instead of allowing eating to get in the way of one's more important pursuits. A gradual change occurred when I developed a taste for haute cuisine as a marked contrast to the, bread supplemented, ready-meals that had become a regular pattern.
Nowadays, my beloved finds it hard to find a restaurant that can compare favourably to my culinary delights! Unfortunately, it is all too rare an occasion that I feel I can cope with dining out.
Anyway, I trust that you can see a degree of uplift in my spirits; this is the day the Lord has made and, I rejoice and am glad in it!
God moves in a mysterious way ... 'tis oft said but, if you ask me, I sometimes feel there's nowt so queer as technology!
My wrist supports provided a reasonable degree of comfort during the evening, together with my shoulder holster ... sorry support was the word I was looking for ... although I had to remove them to prepare the evening meal. Tonight's special was a Trout, Peppers, Mushroom and tomatoes Savory Rice dish. As I'd substituted corn chips for a normal lunch, I was certainly more than ready for this meal.
It's really quite amazing how Helen has become so fond of Fish, and the occasional really spicy dish, as neither had featured in her diet before she had the misfortune of becoming entangled with me. Even stranger is the fact that I never really bothered to cook before I married Helen but, now I find it a natural extension of my creativity! To be honest, I often used to wish that we could just take a pill, instead of allowing eating to get in the way of one's more important pursuits. A gradual change occurred when I developed a taste for haute cuisine as a marked contrast to the, bread supplemented, ready-meals that had become a regular pattern.
Nowadays, my beloved finds it hard to find a restaurant that can compare favourably to my culinary delights! Unfortunately, it is all too rare an occasion that I feel I can cope with dining out.
Anyway, I trust that you can see a degree of uplift in my spirits; this is the day the Lord has made and, I rejoice and am glad in it!
Much ado about non-connectivity
I've just gone back to using a wired link for my laptop as, it has a habit of connecting to lower powered wireless networks in the vicinity and, an inability to connect to mine. As my concentration is rather poor, I decided it was best to have someone else set it up for me but now, I am finding the frustrations at it's non compliance with a reasonable utilitarian expectation, almost intolerable.
Perhaps the decision to go wireless (though currently re-wired) was a costly mistake! I'd previously set up a home network, without any problems and, that was when I was a newbie to the world of PC's; this is a salutary lesson about reliance on others, I'm not even sure about what to undo!
I've not been struggling with it all the time since my previous blog as, in the interim, I'd fallen asleep for 3/4 of an hour. I'm really only writing this to prevent too much internalization of my tension and frustration! Sorry!
Perhaps the decision to go wireless (though currently re-wired) was a costly mistake! I'd previously set up a home network, without any problems and, that was when I was a newbie to the world of PC's; this is a salutary lesson about reliance on others, I'm not even sure about what to undo!
I've not been struggling with it all the time since my previous blog as, in the interim, I'd fallen asleep for 3/4 of an hour. I'm really only writing this to prevent too much internalization of my tension and frustration! Sorry!
Why?or less
With such a super-abundance of wireless networks in our vicinity, it seems mildly ironic that I'm in a perpetual struggle with our own router - having to repair and re-connect with an amazingly high recurrence of such necessity, or could it be that this fertile wireless terrain is causing the problem?
As a newcomer to the wireless world this becomes a major concern, alongside concerns regarding the number of unsecured networks within such a narrow range. Anyway, ours not to reason why ... ours is to do ... when a connection is available! The loss of connection proves extremely frustrating when one suddenly loses the connection whilst trying to "send" an e-mail, via web-mail, only to find that the message itself has been lost by the time one returns from the disruptive "cannot find server" screen.
This morning, the aches in my upper arm muscles, elbows and wrists have returned and, I'm hoping it's just a reflection of present tensions rather than the neurological condition I'm beginning to suspect. Perhaps this is a warning that I need to rest, having spent a full 90 minutes free of duvet-dom! Strange thing is, I felt fine until I had a shower but, following the shower .... a discomfited fatigue seems to have set in.
I'm preparing this on a fully wired PC, having temporarily given up the struggle with wireless. Time to rest!
As a newcomer to the wireless world this becomes a major concern, alongside concerns regarding the number of unsecured networks within such a narrow range. Anyway, ours not to reason why ... ours is to do ... when a connection is available! The loss of connection proves extremely frustrating when one suddenly loses the connection whilst trying to "send" an e-mail, via web-mail, only to find that the message itself has been lost by the time one returns from the disruptive "cannot find server" screen.
This morning, the aches in my upper arm muscles, elbows and wrists have returned and, I'm hoping it's just a reflection of present tensions rather than the neurological condition I'm beginning to suspect. Perhaps this is a warning that I need to rest, having spent a full 90 minutes free of duvet-dom! Strange thing is, I felt fine until I had a shower but, following the shower .... a discomfited fatigue seems to have set in.
I'm preparing this on a fully wired PC, having temporarily given up the struggle with wireless. Time to rest!
Thursday, August 04, 2005
A Compliment Returned
Some 45 minutes ago, I started my evening blog only to find when I attempted to publish I encountered the fabled "cannot find server" screen. This time I was attempting the posting on the wired PC. Four hours ago, I attempted the same thing on my laptop ... this time wireless and the same thing happened! Perhaps there's a problem with the new router but, as you can imagine, by this time I'm feeling rather peeved having totally LOST two postings.
It really is rather ironic considering that, in both cases, I'd been describing what a good day it had been. Started the day on a positive note, after a non too early arising, even managed a trip into town for a couple of monetary transactions. It's not really that often, these days, that I can be such an intrepid adventurer!
M. came around this afternoon and finalized the wireless network set up but, now I'm waiting to see just how efficacious the move to wireless has been! (Current problems affecting both "wired" and "wireless" machines !) Anyway, I'll take some of those misgivings back if this posting works.
This evening Helen and I settled down to watch "Beetlejuice", I'd forgotten just how brilliantly entertaining this movie was! The viewing was aided by a bottle of smooth and plummy "Los Robles Carmenere", Curico, Chile 2003. The fact that this wine is produced for Traidcraft (Fair Trade), added an extra nuance to our appreciation!
We watched part of the programme (BBC1) examining the Mafia links of "Ol' Blue Eyes" and, I also remembered to set the video to record Sinatra's 1970 Royal Albert Hall Concert (BBC4).
Helen's head hit the pillow about one hour ago and, as is her great gift, immediately entered the land of dreams. No matter how exhausted I may be, or have been, the Sandman always delays his visit.
Anyway, I'd best forget my earlier moans, they go totally against the general tenor of the day. This was a good day, and I rejoiced and was glad in it ... well, most of the time! I started the day on a positive note (as recorded by Heterocon) and the day strove to repay the compliment.
It really is rather ironic considering that, in both cases, I'd been describing what a good day it had been. Started the day on a positive note, after a non too early arising, even managed a trip into town for a couple of monetary transactions. It's not really that often, these days, that I can be such an intrepid adventurer!
M. came around this afternoon and finalized the wireless network set up but, now I'm waiting to see just how efficacious the move to wireless has been! (Current problems affecting both "wired" and "wireless" machines !) Anyway, I'll take some of those misgivings back if this posting works.
This evening Helen and I settled down to watch "Beetlejuice", I'd forgotten just how brilliantly entertaining this movie was! The viewing was aided by a bottle of smooth and plummy "Los Robles Carmenere", Curico, Chile 2003. The fact that this wine is produced for Traidcraft (Fair Trade), added an extra nuance to our appreciation!
We watched part of the programme (BBC1) examining the Mafia links of "Ol' Blue Eyes" and, I also remembered to set the video to record Sinatra's 1970 Royal Albert Hall Concert (BBC4).
Helen's head hit the pillow about one hour ago and, as is her great gift, immediately entered the land of dreams. No matter how exhausted I may be, or have been, the Sandman always delays his visit.
Anyway, I'd best forget my earlier moans, they go totally against the general tenor of the day. This was a good day, and I rejoiced and was glad in it ... well, most of the time! I started the day on a positive note (as recorded by Heterocon) and the day strove to repay the compliment.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
A Few Words before the Sandman calls
The salmon dish proved satifactory, served with a large jacket potato and then, the rest of the evening was spent with visitors (more details of which can be found on Heterocon's blog).
By this time, I'm getting a little weary despite my late arising; I am bearing witness to colliding letters on the screen in front of me! So, if brevity is the soul of wit ... this should be heading that way.
Just set up the video to tape "Hiroshima, Mon Amour", I last saw it in the early 60's, when I was living in the metropolis. I'm just curious as to whether it has lost any of it's New Wave power?
Bed calls me and, I must obey. Goodnight one and all.
By this time, I'm getting a little weary despite my late arising; I am bearing witness to colliding letters on the screen in front of me! So, if brevity is the soul of wit ... this should be heading that way.
Just set up the video to tape "Hiroshima, Mon Amour", I last saw it in the early 60's, when I was living in the metropolis. I'm just curious as to whether it has lost any of it's New Wave power?
Bed calls me and, I must obey. Goodnight one and all.
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