At least it’s lovely and cool, and fresh, in the early (for me that is) morning so. I thought I’d go out and test my energy levels. Out of bed by 9.20AM, slightly against my better judgement, decided to tackle the lawn today. About 35 minutes into the task (of mowing) a dose of the wearies caught me out. So, I cleaned up the mower, brushed out the soggy mats of grass from behind the blade and, that was it. Several soggy mounds of severed grass are sprinkled around the lower section of the lawn, looking from the distance like off-colour molehills. If my energy returns, I’ll clear them up later but, I doubt whether I’ll get around to any more cutting!
Anyway, I suppose I ought to count that as an achievement, even though it’s a half completed task. By now I’m quite used to setting my sights a little lower, whatever I tackle!
- living and frequently struggling with moderate M.E. -
where (bad) health, faith, politics and the joys and troubles of daily life collide.
ME
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Morning has broken ... (and almost dispersed)
A mere eleven hours in bed last night/ this morning, things are definitely looking up. Various minor discomforts kept me awake for some of the time but, once again a good proportion of the night was handed over to the care of Morpheus. It seems a long time now since I was able to manage (or perhaps I wasn't) on four or five hours sleep. Still, it's no use wailing over spilt lactiferous liquid.
It seems like a beautiful morning out there and, Helen has ventured off to do some craft work at the Acorn Centre and will be heading off for a walk with Cathy this afternoon. Meantime, I'd better get on with the preparation of some lunch; see what I can do with some Salmon fillets and a jacket potato!
There was a time, not too long ago that I enjoyed a walk without having to worry about conservation of (limited) energy; who knows, perhaps 'ere long I shall be restored! Here's hoping and praying.
This is the day the Lord has made and, I will attempt to rejoice in it.
It seems like a beautiful morning out there and, Helen has ventured off to do some craft work at the Acorn Centre and will be heading off for a walk with Cathy this afternoon. Meantime, I'd better get on with the preparation of some lunch; see what I can do with some Salmon fillets and a jacket potato!
There was a time, not too long ago that I enjoyed a walk without having to worry about conservation of (limited) energy; who knows, perhaps 'ere long I shall be restored! Here's hoping and praying.
This is the day the Lord has made and, I will attempt to rejoice in it.
Monday, September 05, 2005
Something Fishy
Twelve hours in bed, incorporating at least 8 or 9 hours sleep and, I should be feeling all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. At least I know I’m awake; the only disruption of the night was the usual night sweats and a minor, ‘Gaviscon’ treated, bout of reflux.
One of the White Cloud Mountain minnows has been looking far more pale than I feel so, treatment is under way in the aquarium. It seems to hang in the plants far more than the expected norm but, each time it emerges into the open space its co-inhabitant soon sets to a process of harassment. The problem is, the only solution would be total isolation and yet, somehow that would seem to go against their normal communitarian habits. It seems like the temperament of fish is just as fickle as that of humankind.
One of the White Cloud Mountain minnows has been looking far more pale than I feel so, treatment is under way in the aquarium. It seems to hang in the plants far more than the expected norm but, each time it emerges into the open space its co-inhabitant soon sets to a process of harassment. The problem is, the only solution would be total isolation and yet, somehow that would seem to go against their normal communitarian habits. It seems like the temperament of fish is just as fickle as that of humankind.
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Katrina impromptu
An impromptu response to a BBC News Special:
By now we're all used to scenes of catastrophe on our television screens, even to some extent immune to the impact but, somehow the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina still hits one extremely hard. The dilatory response of the federal authorities strikes one as so appalling, in this most powerful advanced nation. The tales of warning signs unheeded and, the way the tragedy has highlighted the enormous wealth gap will, hopefully, lead to some serious conscience stirring in matters of redistribution of wealth and resources. Perhaps that's just wishful thinking, greed and asocial personal wealth accumulation are such an integral priority to the American way of life. Free-market economies are devised to send the weakest to the wall! It is strange how a quirky act of nature has brought politics to the fore!
By now we're all used to scenes of catastrophe on our television screens, even to some extent immune to the impact but, somehow the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina still hits one extremely hard. The dilatory response of the federal authorities strikes one as so appalling, in this most powerful advanced nation. The tales of warning signs unheeded and, the way the tragedy has highlighted the enormous wealth gap will, hopefully, lead to some serious conscience stirring in matters of redistribution of wealth and resources. Perhaps that's just wishful thinking, greed and asocial personal wealth accumulation are such an integral priority to the American way of life. Free-market economies are devised to send the weakest to the wall! It is strange how a quirky act of nature has brought politics to the fore!
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Homecooking!
Having felt quite jaded for most of the day, it didn’t help when the ‘new’ router once again lost its connection on the Ethernet wired PC and, lost a wonderful spontaneous blog entry into the bargain. The strange thing is the wireless connection on my laptop doesn’t have this problem but, my wife’s wireless laptop experiences the same problems! We never had any of these problems with the cheapest on the market ‘wired’ router.
Moan out of the way, my erstwhile jaded day improved at around 5.30pm when I got on with preparations for tomorrows dinner. It’s truly wonderful, the spark of brightness brought into one’s day by the griddle pans sizzle as one throws in a few chicken breasts, sliced onion, mushroom, assorted peppers and tomatoes onto the preheated spices and herbs. The coarsely ground black pepper adds a saliva producing savour to the overheated kitchen, especially when it’s accompanied by the extra sizzle of lashing of lemon juice. It’s amazing how, in the hands of yours truly, these random ingredients are harmonized. Toss the griddle pans content into a rich stock, et voila … two casserole dishes of main course to tide us over the next couple of days.
Next, the par-boiled potatoes are prepared in a garlic, coriander, cumin and herb laden water. At the appropriate time, strain them off and shake and bruise the edges whilst adding a sprinkling of garlic granules, Italian seasoning and Garam masala … leave them to relax until tomorrow’s immersion into the specially spiced olive oil.
Oh, the joys of home-cooking, especially when it’s mine!
Moan out of the way, my erstwhile jaded day improved at around 5.30pm when I got on with preparations for tomorrows dinner. It’s truly wonderful, the spark of brightness brought into one’s day by the griddle pans sizzle as one throws in a few chicken breasts, sliced onion, mushroom, assorted peppers and tomatoes onto the preheated spices and herbs. The coarsely ground black pepper adds a saliva producing savour to the overheated kitchen, especially when it’s accompanied by the extra sizzle of lashing of lemon juice. It’s amazing how, in the hands of yours truly, these random ingredients are harmonized. Toss the griddle pans content into a rich stock, et voila … two casserole dishes of main course to tide us over the next couple of days.
Next, the par-boiled potatoes are prepared in a garlic, coriander, cumin and herb laden water. At the appropriate time, strain them off and shake and bruise the edges whilst adding a sprinkling of garlic granules, Italian seasoning and Garam masala … leave them to relax until tomorrow’s immersion into the specially spiced olive oil.
Oh, the joys of home-cooking, especially when it’s mine!
A Night's Slow Journey Into Sleep
Friday evening, went to the local Brewer's Fayre with ma belle amoureuse. I enjoyed my Lamb & Rosemary Suet pudding with mash potaotoes, peas and carrots though, I must admit, by the time I was finishing it off the cumulative effect of the salt used in the cooking was becoming a bit cloying. Strangely, for a one time salt lover, I never use salt in any of my preparations, preferring a subtle use of herbs and spices to draw out the flavour.
Second mistake of the evening was to have a decaffeinated coffee (1 sugar) on return home; that combined with the aftertaste of my meal produced an unpleasant bout of reflux. After that, the evening improved as we enjoyed a bottle of 'Rocca Colmontano, Marche Bianco IGT, 2003' whilst watching an episode of "Midsommer Murders".
Suddenly, as I got upstairs, shortly before 11.00pm exhaustion and general dis-ease overwhelmed me. Tried various ways, whilst still fully clothed, of lying down and variously contorting my body to find a degree of comfort. By 1.30am I felt sufficiently energised to go and clean my teeth, get undressed, apply medicinal ointments and, get myself into bed. A generally unsettled feel crept up on me once more and, after a few twists and turns - this way and that, gave the effort up as a bad job and found myself heading PC-ward. Better to write about discomforts than it is to put up with them; at least it seems to help!
Second mistake of the evening was to have a decaffeinated coffee (1 sugar) on return home; that combined with the aftertaste of my meal produced an unpleasant bout of reflux. After that, the evening improved as we enjoyed a bottle of 'Rocca Colmontano, Marche Bianco IGT, 2003' whilst watching an episode of "Midsommer Murders".
Suddenly, as I got upstairs, shortly before 11.00pm exhaustion and general dis-ease overwhelmed me. Tried various ways, whilst still fully clothed, of lying down and variously contorting my body to find a degree of comfort. By 1.30am I felt sufficiently energised to go and clean my teeth, get undressed, apply medicinal ointments and, get myself into bed. A generally unsettled feel crept up on me once more and, after a few twists and turns - this way and that, gave the effort up as a bad job and found myself heading PC-ward. Better to write about discomforts than it is to put up with them; at least it seems to help!
Friday, September 02, 2005
Elvis and Me
Finished off the Elvis compilation, this morning, with a selection of significant performances ranging from 1956 to 1977. The last performance was quite painful to watch but, so much of the earlier material demonstrated what an amazingly charismatic person he was. Speaking as a mere 'straight' man, I find it far too easy to acknowlege his tremendous sex appeal and charm; it's no wonder the girls went crazy over him whereas, many of the male popstars nowadays would be considered quite ordinary were it not for the particular 'sex-appeal' granted by the simple fact of fame/ celebrity.
Surprisingly, after 1958, I never paid much attention to the Presley canon; perhaps Hollywood over-exposure didn't permit me to take him seriously. On the other hand, I'd already become a bit of a jazz freak by my mid-teens, so perhaps I quite arrogantly dismissed him on the basis of my 'more mature' aesthetic sensibility!. I can't help the feeling though, that Elvis, in those early days was very much his own person and, one sensed that his 'rebellion' mirrored one's own!.
Surprisingly, after 1958, I never paid much attention to the Presley canon; perhaps Hollywood over-exposure didn't permit me to take him seriously. On the other hand, I'd already become a bit of a jazz freak by my mid-teens, so perhaps I quite arrogantly dismissed him on the basis of my 'more mature' aesthetic sensibility!. I can't help the feeling though, that Elvis, in those early days was very much his own person and, one sensed that his 'rebellion' mirrored one's own!.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Digging Up The King
An evening of nostalgia, sorting through some videos and re-compiling some of them. Tonight was the turn for an Elvis compilation, 'There's Only One Elvis', a tribute programme from 2002 (25th anniversary of his death), ' '56 Special' a compilation of Elvis performances from that year and, 'One Night With You' -uncut footage of the jam session for the '68 comeback special.
The early Elvis will always be the 'real' one for me but, for the improvisational set from '68 some of that special spark is once again present.
A wonderful evening!
The early Elvis will always be the 'real' one for me but, for the improvisational set from '68 some of that special spark is once again present.
A wonderful evening!
In Katrina's Wake
Whilst our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by Hurricane Katrina, the news of armed looters points to the shallowness of the veneer of civilization in one of the most powerful developed nations on earth. A further manifestation, of this greed, is the way developers were allowed to destroy barrier islands and wetlands which could have buffered some of the hurricane’s surge.
It is also notable that budget cuts were made to SELA (the Southeast
Louisiana Urban Flood Control Project) at the same time as Tax cuts were being granted for the benefit of the super-wealthy and, an expensively unnecessary war was being fought in Iraq. This is not to say that any new measures would have yet been in place but, it does lead one to question where the Washington administration’s priorities lie!
The following articles have made thought provoking reading:
Waiting For A Leader - New York Times
The Great Flood of ‘05 - Washington Post
Why The Levee Broke - Alternet
It is also notable that budget cuts were made to SELA (the Southeast
Louisiana Urban Flood Control Project) at the same time as Tax cuts were being granted for the benefit of the super-wealthy and, an expensively unnecessary war was being fought in Iraq. This is not to say that any new measures would have yet been in place but, it does lead one to question where the Washington administration’s priorities lie!
For a more positive aspect of human nature, in response to the crisis see the entry "Pouring Ourselves Out ..." on the 'Imitatio Christi' 'blog!
The following articles have made thought provoking reading:
Waiting For A Leader - New York Times
The Great Flood of ‘05 - Washington Post
Why The Levee Broke - Alternet
A New Dawn
Following yesterday’s early emergence from the duvet’s lair, I struggled unsuccessfully for the rest of the day with a general state of fatigue. Perhaps the impending meteorological conditions played their part as, a general muzzy-headedness veered into a nagging headache.
Outside, as the afternoon imposed itself, the sky became darker and, no … that wasn’t in the mind, culminated in the mother of all thunderstorms. Staccato forks and sheets of lightning seemed to be accompanied by a legato of thunder. It certainly was a day that the rains came down!
Today the air is beautifully fresh, sunshine and moderately strong breezes seem to be the menu. Managed a lie-in this morning,, despite the residue of yesterday’s headache, but I’m actually beginning to feel awake.
The postman delivered a welcome packet this morning, from Play.com, so I am currently enraptured by the amazing Mina Agossi. The smile on my face broadens by the minute. What an amazing instrument her voice is!
Outside, as the afternoon imposed itself, the sky became darker and, no … that wasn’t in the mind, culminated in the mother of all thunderstorms. Staccato forks and sheets of lightning seemed to be accompanied by a legato of thunder. It certainly was a day that the rains came down!
Today the air is beautifully fresh, sunshine and moderately strong breezes seem to be the menu. Managed a lie-in this morning,, despite the residue of yesterday’s headache, but I’m actually beginning to feel awake.
The postman delivered a welcome packet this morning, from Play.com, so I am currently enraptured by the amazing Mina Agossi. The smile on my face broadens by the minute. What an amazing instrument her voice is!
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