JUSTICE

Good evening Bloggets. Hub and I are having a debate about something featured in our news. A man in the UK today has been given ten years behind bars for driving a truck and killing four people. So, if you don’t know the story, let me tell you what happened.

 

A lorry driver was driving at speed when he decided to scrolled down his music list on his phone, only one hour after he signed an agreement with his boss that he wouldn’t use a mobile phone whilst driving.

 

A camera in his truck showed his eyes were almost closed whilst looking down for seven seconds to his music choice! It was then when he plunged into a car, crushing it to a third of its size. Killing a Mother and three children.

 

So, he got ten years today. My Husband thinks that he should have got longer. Me, I’m indecisive on the matter. 1 he didn’t go out to purposely kill anyone and 2, he already has a lifetime sentence with the knowledge of what he has done. My Husband says he should get a lifetime because he has taken four lives, but he didn’t take a gun to them, yes he drove irresponsibly a killing machine and gosh, yes he has destroyed so many lives, not only those he killed but those around the family who loved the poor people who died. But he got ten years and hopefully he will never drive again and for sure he won’t work as a lorry driver as well as his life will be changed forever now. So, I think ten years is enough, and I pray that it will make people think about using their phones in the car, and it’s not only about using your phone for making and receiving calls, but all the extra things you can do on them now days.

 

Some people think because they are not talking on their phone, so they will be OK, well let this story be a lesson?

 

In Leeds in the UK today, a road was closed to the public because of a huge amount of motor bikes and scooters driving up and down the road at speed. Helicopters were used to track the trouble as well as all other emergency vehicles. Firstly, how much has this cost our services, and secondly the bikes were recorded for social networks, so these people have not killed anyone, but to me what they did was worse than the above lorry driver. He was obviously a stupid arrogant man. Whereas these bikers set off to cause disruption. They will get a fine. Not enough in my opinion.

 

Now this story is horrific. A Mother and Father of a tiny baby didn’t collect the treatment the child was meant to receive so neglect, right? Well the baby had bite marks on her. It was said in court today that the baby died and it was shown that the baby had ointment rubbed on her and put in front of the gas fire which was turned up high so that the baby would warm up and look like she had died much later than she actually did. What did they get? Four and a half years and six and a half years. This makes me furious. Sick to the stomach. For me, they should be given life. They did what they did because they wanted to. They planned everything. She will be out as will he within ten years and have more children, to kill them too? It’s so very wrong. Our justice system is wrong.

   

BOO POETRY

Ghost House

Robert Frost

I Dwell in a lonely house I know
That vanished many a summer ago,
And left no trace but the cellar walls,
And a cellar in which the daylight falls,
And the purple-stemmed wild raspberries grow.

O'er ruined fences the grape-vines shield
The woods come back to the mowing field;
The orchard tree has grown one copse
Of new wood and old where the woodpecker chops;
The footpath down to the well is healed.

I dwell with a strangely aching heart
In that vanished abode there far apart
On that disused and forgotten road
That has no dust-bath now for the toad.
Night comes; the black bats tumble and dart;

The whippoorwill is coming to shout
And hush and cluck and flutter about:
I hear him begin far enough away
Full many a time to say his say
Before he arrives to say it out.

It is under the small, dim, summer star.
I know not who these mute folk are
Who share the unlit place with me--
Those stones out under the low-limbed tree
Doubtless bear names that the mosses mar.

They are tireless folk, but slow and sad,
Though two, close-keeping, are lass and lad,--
With none among them that ever sings,
And yet, in view of how many things,
As sweet companions as might be had

 

HALLOWEEN

The day has arrived. That day which only comes once a year. (Halloween)

You either dread it, cope with it or love it.

 

With our shopping disaster, the other day, I’m behind in my pumpkin soup… But thanks to Tesco coming to my rescue, today a pumpkin has arrived. When teen saw it as he ate his lunch from work, he chuckled. “Mum. Seriously? How big is the soup going to be?”” Well, it is a small one, in comparison to what Teen and Shamrock picked the other day, but I joked and said your pumpkin has had a baby. (Hope that is the only thing having the baby?)

He took a picture of it and I’m sure it is featured on his facebook page along with the one he carved last night at Shamrocks house. His sounds great, he even managed to make sure the pumpkin had pupils as he said he carefully carved the eyes. He is very artistic as a child at school his art was always remarked upon by his teachers as being years ahead of his school pals but sadly it’s something that he has left behind as shows little interest now.

 

I don’t like soup on the same day of making it, so I will make it today but we will eat it tomorrow. I have my treats for the little monsters who may come, and I hope they are little, as I don’t like teens coming to the door. And when kids just turn up knock on the door and say nothing? Just obviously stand there with masks on? I get so cross I just close the door. But what is worse, is when teens come to the door not even dressed up? What is the point? I call them beggars… Thankfully we don’t get many of those here.

 

I think Teen wants to give some treats out, thankfully he has tradition passed down to him by me. Gosh I used to really dress the house for every occasion. I don’t really bother now, but at least I have some treats for those who may come tonight and for those who don’t, I’m sure Teen and Shamrock will enjoy them.

 

So how about a real ghost story from England?

William Terriss was a dashing 19^th century actor he was murdered at the stage door of the Aldelphi theatre in London. The Matinee idol had drawn thousands of people to his performances in popular melodrama. At the time of his death, he was portraying Captain Thorne in “Secret Service”. He He spent the afternoon of Thursday 16^th of December 1897 playing whist, at his West End club, before taking a taxi to the theatre at about seven in the evening.  As he entered the building, a man rushed across the street and stabbed him.  The killer was another actor called Richard Prince, he was arrested and sent to a Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum.

 

Terriss was said to have re visited a baker he used to frequent, rattling the door with a top hat, a frock coat and grey suit, the bakers was demolished and is now Covent Garden underground.

 

He has also been seen many times in the theatre and when he is seen, he just seems to disappear into thin air. From what I can gather, he was also in a play where there was a murder and the play was based around Broadmoor.

 

Now that’s not really scary, right? Though if a man wearing a top hat frock coat and grey suit rattles my door tonight, and no, that isn’t a euphemism, I think I would faint. Firstly, because men don’t dress like that anymore, and secondly because for me to know what the man was wearing, I would be able to see? Hahaha.

 

 So not scary, but I just wondered, how do we see ghosts wearing certain kind of clothing? Not always what they are buried in. If it was what they were cremated or buried in then I would understand, mind you, there wouldn’t be much left of the material after a cremation, but I would understand, ish, but how does this happen? And as humans on earth, we change our clothes regular, ghosts don’t seem to? I totally believe in ghosts, angels spirit whatever you call the unknown, I wish I understood more and I know we are not meant to, but it would be great if we did!

 

I don’t have the time to look up some spooky poetry right now, but I may post some in half an hour or so, but I can tell you one of my favourite poems again isn’t really scary, but spooky is a poem by Robert Frost called Ghost House. It’s simply beautiful and paints a stunning mind picture.

 

Well if you live alone and don’t want to answer the door tonight, remember because the clocks have changed in the UK, it’s dark at five tonight. So, close your blinds or curtains and lock your doors keeping your lights low so people don’t think you are in. Where I used to live years ago people used to put basket or buckets of sweets out and the kids were so good that they only took enough for themselves leaving goodies for other little ghosties to come after them. I know that not everyone can do that though. Be safe and remember it’s a bit of fun.

 

 

NO REASONS TO SHOP AT MORRISONS

I’m afraid after using all of my strength yesterday, I am worse today than the day before. During the night, I was in so much discomfort. I really feel as if someone with a fuller figure, is sitting on my chest preventing me from breathing. There is a small creature in my throat with very hairy legs tickling the back of my very red throat. I can’t stop coughing so my ribs are killing. I am so fed up as yesterday I was so much better. My eyes are still so painful they feel as if I have been pealing onions today, the hot acid has halved so that is getting better, but gosh the feeling that I am chopping onions is awful. Because I had no more than an hour sleep, I’m so tired and weak. My poor Husband is doing everything today I feel so guilty.

 

This is the most awful thing too. Our shopping was due last night between ten and eleven. Half eleven no shopping. We had no bread, no potatoes or milk and a rather grumpy Teen. He had to be up at six thirty today for breakfast? Nothing. He could have opened beans. But no toast with it and no cereal.

 

Midnight, nothing I went on line and tried to call the shop but they closed at eleven. I sent them an email knowing that they would receive it today, but at least they would get it.

 

We had a busy day going to our friends, so we were tired. At twenty past midnight, I logged onto the shop on line and once again tried to find out somehow where our shopping was? At almost half past, so just before then, we received a notification, no phone call or email, just on the actual shop, to say our shopping was not coming.

 

I was so cross. First thing this morning I called them. Eight in the morning, I couldn’t speak, so Hub took over.

 

He got nowhere, they were awful. So, I tried to talk with them. Oh, my, their customer service surprised me.

 

He told me at 8.05, that he would get onto his depo but the earliest time he could get our shopping to us was tomorrow? I said no way. I wanted it today we have no food in… There was no apology. No exclamation either. If it had been one of the other two shops we use, vouchers would have come free delivery and I am sure they would have delivered today.

 

He said he would see what he could do and get back as soon as he can.

 

Two hours later, no email, no phone call. I called them back. A different guy.

 

He told me that the earliest he would be able to get my shopping was?

Tuesday.

I said no way, we were told tomorrow and that is a day too late? Long and short of it, he told me to wait an hour he would see what he could do?

 

Just over an hour later, man one came back to me. No shopping today, nor tomorrow only Tuesday. I asked him to let me speak to a manager? He asked me to wait, I forgot, the other guy I asked to talk with a manager too, he told me they didn’t have a manager. Man, number one, who I spoke to for the second time that day, said they did have managers and he would see what he could do?

 

He came back offered me a voucher. But still no shopping.

 

I am so annoyed and never expected this of Morrison’s.

 

So, Hub went to our local shop, got potatoes but they are never nice from there, and brought back some chicken too. No bread though. They had none in.

 

I have put an order online from Tesco and it comes tomorrow. But the best thing is, I went back onto Morrison’s and had a look, they have a few slots available for tomorrow, so why could they not offer me that?

 

My fire is on the heating is cranked up and I’m just so sleepy as I said I hate it as Hub is working so hard. Teen back in a couple of hours for an hour then he has to go for a meeting.

 

Our dogs have gone out with June for a walk, bless her, I wish I had half her energy. So Wagga has had fun the past three days, but she stinks like a swamp. Yesterday’s river swim didn’t do her fragrance any good.

 

I think Shamrock is coming around later after work to cut out the pumpkin they picked yesterday.

 

My cosy living room is so toasty warm. Good job Hub isn’t in here he wouldn’t be able to stand the heat. I love it…

 

Until tomorrow, with love x

DIARY OF THE SPOOKY MUD BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Yesterday Wagga was in the dog house. She was a naughty little Wagging one. Teen took her in the car to the riverside for a lovely walk then because I was ill, he kindly went to the shop to buy a cooked chicken for dinner. Well, all very well until on the last leg of the walk, Waggs decided a muddy puddle was worth a wonder through, then because it felt so good on her legs, she took it upon herself to bask in the mud bath!

 

Teen with his youth didn’t think and took her back to the car, no towel. She lay on the floor in the front of the car. He went to the shop and on his return, peering out from the window, was a not so wonderful wagging one with a big smile right across her dirty filthy face, full of mischief.

 

All over his seat was mud and right up the side of his door.

 

Well, bless him, he has pride in his car, so I offered to pay for a car wash from the guys at the local car wash, only trouble is, they don’t speak English, so when Teen told them what he needed, after trying to wash away the mud and failing, telling them he just wanted the front of the inside of the car done, inside, they proceeded to wash the outside. He said no no, and repeated where he want’s washing.

 

Well first he was told £50 but he was   confused by this as it said on the board £45 was the most expensive deal they had. Then a man told him £20. But Teen told them after they finished, he asked for the mud to be removed. You would think it would be obvious? They then told him it would be another £5 to do that. On top of the £20. Confused? Teen was, and obviously, the car wash men were too. So, Teen paid the £25 and then another man brought him £7 change. Hahaha. Long and short of it is, it cost me £18. The most expensive dog walk I have paid for. Haha.

 

That was yesterday. Today was today. I decided to leave Wagga as we headed off to our friend’s house. We were to go in our town, to the train station, where Waggatail just will not work. And she still stunk from yesterday’s naughtiness, so I asked Teen as he was off work, if he fancied babysitting Waggatail? He said yes to my delight, though I hate leaving her but because she won’t work where it’s busy, she would be coming as a pet. Little Fella all suited and booted ready with harness to go with a big smile I’m sure telling, teasing the Wagster. “I’m going because I’m the golden guy who just gets on with work…. You’re staying at home… In, bed, bad girl!!!””

 

So, my faithful white cane. I didn’t like leaving her but really, though she was washed and sprayed, she still stunk and we were going to our dearest friend’s house.

 

The train journey was packed. Hardly room to breathe. But our lovely Hanz picked us up and on our way for a fantastic visit. Oh, and the best most delicious lunch from the best Fish & Chip shop ever. I had a vegetarian option with my chips and I think I was feeding my cold today as I could have eaten for Britain. Well, I think I did, which is so unlike me of late my eating has been so little. I have not been able to face food for weeks, I serve my evening meal and only can eat half each time. I made up for it today.   

 

Teen called me Half way through the day to tell me of Wagga’s wonderful time. Shamrock and him took her for a walk along the (Dunnnnn’nnnnn dunn’nn dunnnn’nnnn?)

Riverside….

All I heard teen tell me over the phone was. “Mum. She, can’t, swim.””

Oh, heck? Son? No? Why?

 

Well after that, they took her back home and Shamrock hosed her down Teen dried her off and they left her

 in my lounge,

 with my new rug.

 And new sofa cushions. But thankfully as they were about to leave the door, Wagga cried. Pitifully. So, they put her in the car and took her for lunch. Hahahahaha.

 

I’m not joking either. They ate outside and the lady brought the wagging one a blooming plate of chicken? I turned to Hub and said. Oh, no, heck I hope the one thing that Waggatail does so very well. Lays under the table so good in restaurants, hasn’t now been spoiled with the prospect of a plate of chicken? Teen said it wasn’t just chicken chicken, but it was chicken breast.

Needless to say, Wagga had a fantastic day then the kids went to pick their own pumpkin and you should see the size of it? Teen said they got the biggest one. Pumpkin soup on it’s way…

PUT A STAMP ON CHURCH

I just heard something on the radio about church, forgive me if I don’t get this one hundred per cent correct but for the first time in a century, it’s shown that the Church of England have one million less people per year going to church and at Christmas time, the stats are up more of us go, three million more than years ago. Some churches in the UK have only four people attending on a Sunday and there are something like one hundred churches with believe it or not, post offices in them and three hundred which have shops inside of them.

 

So, why are less of us going to church? And why do some people feel the need to go only at Christmas? I can only speak for myself but there is something very special about a church at Christmas. Firstly, there are candles and there aren’t in general the rest of the year not the places I have been to anyway.  I love the smell of candles in church. It gives it that kind of time gone by feel, this is why I don’t like modern buildings as churches. Though I do like modern idea’s. I loved it when I went to America and after a talk by a fantastic Pastor, we all headed into a room full of sunshine and we ate homemade soup with delicious sandwiches. Long tables filled the room and cheerful people came to talk to us. We were made to feel so welcome. And left with a feeling in my opinion what everyone should feel like when they leave church, a feeling of belonging and wanted. Important too and in a close family of other people who frequent church.

 

I dislike it when we leave a church feeling beat up about something, perhaps something we have been told we are doing wrong? Maybe we are lectured about doing more?  I was quite surprised by our church last Sunday, a collection of shoe boxes were asked for. This is where people fill shoe boxes with items in for children and near Christmas, they get sent to parts of the world where children normally wouldn’t get a Christmas gift. All very well, but, it was said that if we didn’t have a shoe box, we could pick one up from the back of the church. Very nice. How kind of someone bringing all the boxes in from home… I’m sure it was a great idea to clear out some cupboards and rather than clutter up their recycle bins, they can bring them to church to do some good. Here was my problem with it all. If we were to pick up a box, that by the way would be given free and cost nothing as we get our shoe boxes free when we buy shoes, our church asked for a 50p contribution. Really? So not only are the congregation expected to fill these boxes, but pay for them too? I really felt that this was a dreadful request.

 

Our church is very friendly, there are some lovely people there, and they are trying to get the young people to attend. By doing this, I just hope they don’t forget those who have been loyal to their church for years. Sunday was really like a children’s party. Fun and games. And the games I’m not quite sure what they were meant to teach the children other than come to church and play?

 

I felt for those who didn’t have smart phones as we were all asked to take out our phones and link our names with colours on the phone and the screen at the front of the room. Somehow www and dot com doesn’t feel right for me in a church.

 

What makes a lovely church environment to me is the great hymns, time to reflect, a jolly person talking to us. A feeling of belonging and nice stories true stories about how people have been helped in our local area. Our church does do tea and coffee afterwards this is nice time for people to have a chat. I do like that. As for churches having post offices and shops in them to get people in? Will this really get them to attend church on a Sunday? So, Molly needs a stamp. Wow, this is a great post office, I must come to church on Sunday? No, that really won’t get people in, a coffee shop may, as they can see leaflets or posters saying what events the church is hosting whilst they sip on a cappuccino, but not whilst you are hurrying around buying things.

 

It’s just my opinion, we are for sure doing something wrong. And of course, God is everywhere so for those who can’t get to church or don’t want to, that doesn’t make you a bad person. But church is a great start to meeting new people. Where ever you are right now, may peace be in your heart. X

FRIDAYS DIARY BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Today we say hello to Estonia, Chile, America, Netherlands, Australia, Canada, Portugal, France, Germany and of course the United Kingdom.

 

I am sitting in my lounge, it’s lovely and quiet, apart from my Waggatail  chomping on her toy, trying to get her treats out of it, and the constant ringing in my ears. I had a dreadful sleep if any at all? My ribs are killing with coughing, well at least it’s a reminder to say I still have ribs under the mass of the Fi?

 

I feel really sick; my chest is hurting with trying to breathe my head is the worst headache I have ever had and my eyes feel like there is hot acid pouring through them whilst someone is kicking the living daylights out of them.

 

I have to think about dinner tonight too. My Son bless him, made me some good old tomato soup. Out of a tin of course, but still it was so lovely and welcome though I feel truly sick, I have moments where I could eat a scabby lettuce.

 

A joke, we have a saying in England where we if hungry could eat a scabby horse. It’s gross that, isn’t it? Well I don’t eat anything with a face so in my case it is the above I could eat…

 

I wanted to stay in bed all day as seeing our friends this weekend need to be better. I’m going to have some hot orange juice. I’m not keen, but it is good for you if you feel like you have flu.

 

Poor Little Fella last night, bless his crispy paws, haha, he had the face on after he got back from the vets. Goodness knows what they did to him, I think they maneuvered him quite a bit and he is a very sensitive dog. He clung to Hub last night making sure his Dad wasn’t going anywhere without him. 

 

Gosh, not sure how long this blog is going to be as right now, I just want to get the person who is hammering my head and lock them in a cupboard. My dog is hyper today too.  She is bringing me all of her toys. I have three on the sofa and one I just knocked off the top of my lap top and the other is on my knee. So, five toys, take a hint Wagging one, Mummy isn’t well. I wish I knew why dogs never got colds and so on, they are amazing.

 

I had a little pup around here the other day, he was only ten weeks. Gosh, he was like a little vacuum cleaner. It’s hard work being a puppy walker I bet? It’s different if you have your own pups, but when you are responsible for another pup who is going to be a working dog, I bet it can be stressful? It’s really like having a baby again, isn’t it? So, cute though. My Son fell in love with it. I have a feeling it’s going to be a fantastic guide dog, already the little cutie is sitting for his dinner waiting for the say to eat and though he is playful, when it was time to be calm in his puppy walker’s arms, he lay there so well behaved. Waggs wasn’t as keen as Teen, she really doesn’t like pups an yet loves other dogs, but the pup was not taking any rubbish from Waggatail. He was barking, OK, then he ran away, but still had his bit say first.

 

My friend is onto her sixth pup now. Amazing. She wanted a gate fitted so no one could see the pup in the garden and she has had the most ridiculous quotes and one place told her she would have to wait eighteen weeks? Crazy, this is a garden gate, not the gates into a secure prison? As for the price, she was quoted by one company, as if they were the golden gates to heaven!

 

 

Kids today, I was telling my Son before I would hate to be his age now. I have said it for years; they are a totally different kind of human now. Speaking with friends, no one can agree why they are different, some don’t agree that they are saying we were like them when we were young, but those are parents who have children almost thirty or older. Parents who have kids who are under 23 are all in some kind of agreement that our kids are from a different planet. Having said that, today my Son has taken Waggatail out for a walk along the river, and he made my lunch… Is it the calm before the storm? I must say stories of late, about people he went to college with, gosh, I’m one of the lucky Mums. Hub and I have done something right, but gosh, it has been the most difficult job I have ever done in life.

   

News today?

In Exeter UK fire men and women are battling a blaze which has ripped through the oldest hotel in England.

 

Again, in the UK a couple had to pull over after buying their brand new car as their dog in the back was showing signs of distress. To their shock, they found a five feet corn snake. Oh, my? That is crazy.

 

Our good old NHs. Well apparently, it only claims half of overseas charges so they are now sending in squads of debt collectors into the hospitals to get the money. Not sure how that will work? They have probably had their treatment by then?

 

I have read for years that talc is bad for ladies. A woman has just won seventy million dollars against Johnson & Johnson as she claimed that the powder gave her ovarian cancer.

 

What ever you do this weekend, be safe and smile. Know you are loved and needed as well as wanted.

DIARY OF NEWS VIEWS AND THE LITTLE FELLA BY FIONA CUMMINGS

So, before the news and my views, our LF didn’t come home with Hub but the good news is, he did come home a couple of hours later. One of Hubs colleagues kindly brought him home.

 

Even better news, our dog is a fake…   apparently, there is nothing wrong with him? So, the first tests showed something on his elbow, now they say he has a bone longer than the other. But nothing too serious. Thank God.

 

Dinner wasn’t too successful tonight, I seriously couldn’t be bothered. I ended up doing a savoury rice with the turkey. I added a sauce on the turkey that was rather strong with garlic. Hub wasn’t keen. Teen ate it… Didn’t say much.

 

My eyes are burning hot and I still feel ill. I took advice from one of my Bloggets. Dear Donna and I’m drinking lots of fluid. No, not vodka, I would rather have a cup of tea. I’m drinking Orange juice.

 

Going to see our besties soon looking forward to that. It’s been too long.  And meeting with another great friend in a few days. Like the busses. I always say this. Nothing for weeks and weeks then two or three come together.

 

Okay, before a hot chocolate and TV time with Hub, some news. I get asked a lot from my American Bloggets to give a report on news from the UK as they say, and I know this to be true, as when I was in the US, I was shocked how limited their news is.  Now don’t expect world breaking news, I try to avoid the awful stuff and report on slightly different news to what is making the headlines as the headlines is simply murder.

 

Nissan have agreed that they will be continuing in their car manufacturing in Sunderland. Great news for England, great news for the North of our country you would hope that the Labour party, who are allegedly for working class people, would be pleased, but no, the idiots have to stick their stupid noses in to the reason why Nissan have decided to stay and not leave the UK. I am sure they would have been delighted for the cause if they had sold out to the new cars being made abroad. I have voted Labour all of my life, but that was when Labour really were for the working class and not for any other nationality but British.

 

The official figures for UK gross domestic product in the third quarter appeared to vindicate Brexit supporters who have argued that leaving the EU would inflict little or no damage on the economy.

Well that is what I have said all along, just give it time and all will be well.

 

I’m so sad for the dreadful earthquake of late in Italy. It’s disastrous.

 

Now to our birds. Swifts spend ten months per year totally airborne.

Did you know that spending a long time in space can add two inches onto your height?

A compound found in Broccoli, cabbage and avocado has been found to slow the signs of physical aging.

Why can’t it be in bread, chocolate and crisps? Gosh I would look soo’oo’oo young!

 

Now I was reading this ridiculous story, see if you see what is wrong with this?  A man was having sex in a park frequented by children during the day! He was charged and has a night time curfew for ten weeks…. So, let’s break this down? He has sex during the day, so he is not allowed to go out at nights?

O

K

 We really do live in a crazy world. Chop it off without any anaesthetic. Fine him and use the money to go towards more security camera’s.

 

The mail contraceptive injection, is almost as effective as the female pill.

A study has found that cranberry juice won’t prevent urinary tract infection.

Just what we have been told for years will help that problem. Hmm.

 

The worlds wildlife has fallen by 58% in forty years. This is dreadful.

 

A team of astronomers believe that strange signals emanated from a cluster of stars are actually aliens trying to tell the universe they exist.

What a load of rubbish? No, if aliens do exist, and I truly believe they do, they are not going to wave a flag to tell us all about them? Why would they? We would just kill them. For their sake, I hope they stay up there where they are now, unless they can eliminate  all man and keep or save the animals and make this earth the beautiful place it once was. Peaceful pleasant and perfect.

A beautiful whale has been washed up in England and today it was cut up and removed. What a blooming shame. Someone Hub was talking to today, says she has seen it and it looks like part of its tail is missing and could have been clipped by the propeller of a boat? I love wales and they were my passion to save before my now beloved elephants. Or Ephulumps as I called them when I was a small child.

 

So, there you have it. Smile. Hopefully I will be back tomorrow stronger and feeling better than I do right now. But before I go,

Never tell me the sky is the limit, when there are footprints on the moon.

THURSDAYS DIARY BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Good afternoon Bloggets. As we say here, I’m loaded with cold. A sore throat and screaming ears. This affects my breathing and my eyes. Typical, since I didn’t go to the hospital for my eye check up, my eyes have been killing. I’m sure it’s because of my cold though. It’s making me so sleepy.

 

 A busy morning out and about then back home to face the chaos in my kitchen. I had a easy meal yesterday, home made chips and mini chicken Kiev’s for the family with beans a real kid’s meal and the day before, I ordered delivery Pizza for the four of us. So tonight, I think I will have to be back in my kitchen looking like I’m a proper wife and Mum again or my family will wonder where I went? Though pealing and chopping vegetables doesn’t right now appeal. It’s turkey for their meat. I made a midi Christmas dinner three days ago. Teen said when he saw what it was, he got so excited. Hub said it was the best dinner he has had in ages. So at least the meal went down well, I hate it when I cook and people just eat it, don’t get me wrong, nine times out of ten, they say thank you, they are very polite, haha, but sometimes you spend hours in the kitchen for it to be gone in ten minutes and forgotten in twenty minutes. Mind you, twenty hours? May not always be a good thing as could linger for all the wrong reasons? I haven’t managed to poison anyone in the forever and a day that I have been cooking. How? Goodness knows as I hate cooking and I rarely set timers, in fact what am I talking about? I never set timers. I look at the time sometimes, but the rest of it, it’s a skill I picked up from my Mum she never timed anything either. Hub thinks it’s amazing how I can do a Sunday roast with meat veg mash and roast potatoes along with Yorkshire puddings and not time anything it’s all ready in time and all hot. I can’t explain how I do this, but to me it’s all I have ever known. Obviously when it comes to the big Christmas turkey, then that has to be weighed and timed, but that is a mammoth job I leave to my love.

 

I had a lovely afternoon yesterday a coffee and a chat and last night I went to bed early, early for me is half ten. I wanted so badly to sleep. I failed. It was about half threeish this morning before I started to drift off. Then Hub was up today at quarter past six. He had to be somewhere for half eight. Then a few visits to factories or something, it wasn’t clear when he was telling me, I just know it was seven when he left the house.

 

The past two days it’s been so calm outside. Even sunny. Not typical of the weather in the UK at this time of year, but how long will it take before typical is forgotten? I mean, for years now we seem to have warmer autumns and winters and cooler springs. We are heading towards two seasons rather than four like we had when I was a child.

 

Teen has a day off today and he is out to lunch with his pal.

It will be sad when Hub gets home from work as he will be coming by taxi on his own. Our LF is at the tissue expert, about his leg and then staying overnight at a member of Hubs staffs, , house. As she lives closer to the vet’s that we do by about an hour.

 

I’m totally dreading the outcome. Every time my dogs go to the vet, if it is for something other than a check-up, it has been last legs or bad news. Never we can go with a problem and be told it’s OK it will heal.

 

He has been fine of late but not what I would call perfect.  He is happy, but dogs never tell you when they are ill because they always want to please and it takes a lot for them to tell you otherwise. If it is really bad news, LF may have to retire. He is two we haven’t even had him for a year yet. Hub says don’t worry, we are not giving him up, but to have to retire at two? And no way Hub will get another dog. We have lost two in two ears they had to be put to sleep, and if we have to lose another because of medical reason? He said he needs time to adjust and thinks we will have to learn to use our white canes more. Oh, my…. It’s funny as that is all I used for over a year but once you have a guide dog, it’s like handing over your mini car and driving away in a Rolls Royce

What would I know about that? Haha, well as for the mini I did used to wear them.  Now before my Bloggets get scared, we are not quite at Halloween yet, don’t worry, my days of mini wearing are long gone. And when they were here, they didn’t last for long…

 

I have loads to do and little energy to do it in so I best dash for now and get started. I have a speech to write for someone and it has to be sent off by tomorrow so I will give you some quotes, random quotes you may have read before on my blog page.

Will Rogers, (ACTOR)

“If there are no dogs in heaven, when I die I want to go where they went.””

 

Embrace every circumstance, own every fault, share every joy, contemplate every mystery, walk in everyone’s shoes, heal everyone’s heart, adore all Gods, preserve everyone’s dignity and speak humbly of yourself speak candidly so that you cannot be misunderstood       and let every syllable treat those who need help.

MY DAD BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Memories of Dad

 My Dad, there isn’t a day goes by when he is not on my mind for even three seconds. Some days much longer. He was so different to any of my friends Dads. He was 47, when I was born. Friends had semi cool Dads, drunken Dads, lazy or hard. My Dad was neither a drunk, or lazy, and he certainly was far from hard, and cool? My Dad? No’noo’noo But my Dad was one in a million. He was unique. I have come close to a lovely gent similar to him, but only one and he was about 50% like him. The other 50% belongs to Dad.

 

  He was a minor and worked down the coal mine since the age of 14. My parents couldn’t have children so I was adopted along with my Brother and though my brother and I shared no blood with each other or our adopted parents, we were treat with more love than we would have ever received from our so called natural parents.

 

My Dad loved to put a bet on the horses, but money was short so a pound a day was enough for him to fix his addiction. He was a hard worker, he did long shifts at the mine and extra ones to get as much money to feed the continued debt they got into because of my vision. They lived to save my sight and to me it was no coincidence that three weeks after I went blind, my Dad died and five months after Dad my Mum died. Okay, Dad had cancer, but he had it for seven years before he died. Mum was a heavy smoker and was ill all of her life, again, she died when she did at that time, cause of death pneumonia. And I suspect great neglect by her me to some degree, I could have done more, my three visits each week weren’t enough, and for sure neglect from the NHS!

 

But my Dad, he was such a kind man. He worked in the house because my Mum was unable to do certain things, Dad worked right to the end. He had a   smile on his ever so cute face, he had a proper Daddy face. His giant hand would reach out for mine at the dinner table. I would say. “Dad, I can’t eat me food with one hand!” A squeeze and sometimes he would serenade me too. I never knew what to say or which way to look, whether to laugh cringe or just say. “Daa’aad.

 

He loved in his youth ballroom dancing and used to try to teach me some moves, hunched up now with age and graft, his limns were not quite the same, but in his head, he was still the championship ballroom dancer of Ashington 1921.

 

His singing voice wasn’t what it was, if it ever was, I don’t remember my Dad ever being able to sing in tune, my Mam used to make me laugh saying he sang from the back of his throat. I used to think, it was better than singing from his foot, surely? Haha.

 

My Dad had ways of speaking to people. Everyone was his honey or hinny.

Everyone was his friend.

Everyone he had to please.

He was a warm man, caring beyond belief and he was genuine.

 

People who were not used to the way in which pit men spoke in Northumberland, wouldn’t have a clue what he was saying, but not only that, he had his own well, I believed they were his own words for things. He and I could have a full conversation using words that had not even come close to the English dictionary. He had phrases rhymes and songs that no other Dad would have. He had a connection with a time un be known to me or anyone from my generation or the one before mine. Some would say he lived in the past. And sadly he is in my past, though his time on earth with me I will never forget.

 

I was reminded today of some funny things my Dad said. One day we were in a furniture shop called M F I. His car wouldn’t start so he and I went into the shop and he asked the girl on the desk if he could use her phone to call the R.A.C to come and fix his car? He asked the girl in his typical not only accent from Northumberland, but using pitmen’s terminology. But as soon as he got on the phone to the R A C, the telephone voice came out.

And what was to follow was so funny because his correct English was mixed with what he could never get away from, his slang.

 

Dad

“Excuse me my Dear. Can you please help me? My car has conked out

It’s kaput

Sorry my Dear? I can’t hear you. I’m a bit corned beef….

(Slang for deaf. Deef?)

Oh, where am I? I’m in the car park of M I 5….

 

Well we all started to laugh. The ladies behind the reception were creased trying not to be obvious. Tears ran down my face. As my poor Dad left the shop in an embarrassed manner, I followed. Remember I was partially sighted at the time; I went straight into the huge glass window. Closed. Of course. Slam, my face planted itself into the glass. Hahahaha. What to do now? What will the ladies be thinking, as at the time I didn’t look as if I had sight problems didn’t have a dog or cane, what will they be thinking. Well, I found the door and ran towards my Dads car where by Mum was sitting in the passenger’s seat, smoking of course. Looking at me… I was still red with laughing at my Dad and the shame of doing a face plant into the window. She told me in a not impressed voice that Dad was fixing the car. Oh no? I knew what with too, his only tool. Dad and mechanics didn’t go hand in hand. He had his head under his bonnet of the car, the front was all open to be fixed by my Dad banging away at whatever, he didn’t even know, with a hammer… Goodness knows what he was doing? Anyway, the R A C did come and we got home.

 

Another memory was when he took me food shopping not long after I got married. I needed a frozen Lasagne. He asked me to repeat what I wanted so he could find it for me? I did he went off to ask the lady who was kneeling down sorting out boxes.

 

Dad

“Excuse me honey. Can you tell me where the (Latzy arna) is please?

    Well, that was me done again. I was away laughing. Cringing. As the lady asked him what? He repeated the word, looking at me and then running off again in a huff shouting in his quiet voice. “well I don’t know what this foreign muck is?”

 

I could write volumes about my Dad. He was so special. He was selfless. Though I don’t see, I still have a photograph of him and myself on my wall. I have not seen the photograph for eighteen years, and his face is fading in my mind, I just pray it will never disappear. One thing that will never leave me is his voice, though that too is becoming more quiet as if from the back of a very large room, but what he taught me will never leave me and that was compassion and to have time for those much older than ourselves. X

WITH HOPE BY FIONA CUMMINGS

WITH HOPE

BY FIONA CUMMINGS

The fear of the unknown

Feeling so alone

No one to talk with

Nobody answered the phone

So much to give

Life to live

But living has been stolen

Words unspoken

I couldn’t breathe

Felt myself choking

Was left to grieve

I didn’t believe

This was happening to me

Was it true

One day I wouldn’t be able to see?

It was a bad mistake

A nightmare

I would shake

It wasn’t fair

The pain I couldn’t bare

And no, there was no one near

To hold my hand

And calm my fear

To understand

To guide me

To say that they will be here

 When I no longer can see

What would I do?

How would I manage?

Even a clue?

Mind full of damage

Heart shredded

Words imbedded

So unkind

You are going blind

Face the fact

My soul was cracked

How would I cope

Hand me the rope?

Ten years of hell

I was guided to the cliff

And just fell

Landed at the bottom

Woke up to smell the blossom

I was lifted by a power

Like picking up a flower

In a garden of discovery

Saw sun, away from misery

Though still my days are dark

And somehow I have lost the spark

I am proud to be a survivor

And want to tell you all

If you are guided to the cliff

Be strong, don’t fall

Hear me call

Hold out your hand

Because I understand

I have been where you are now

I can tell you when and how

What you can do

For you

Together we can do this

Though sight we will miss

A different lifestyle we can face

Life may not be full of gold, satin and lace

But food we will eat

Depression we can beat

And with hope, one day

Our eyes will meet

 

© Fiona Cummings

AMAZING STATS THANK YOU

Wouww’wwza, we have smashed it Bloggets. Views over 150,000

 And it’s not the end of the year yet. I only hoped in a dream that we would reach that number by the end of the year. Thank you for all of your shares and continued loyalty that keeps this blog going. So early stats as normally I share them at the end of the month, but today because of the viewing status, I’m giving you them early. And I know, yawn, I say this all the time, this sadly only shows the top ten countries who have viewed the most, but countries like Portugal, Turkey, Philippines, Poland, Ireland, Spain, France and the other forty plus countries who have popped in to have a read, big hugs to you too and one day I hope you will be one of the countries at the top of the list, mind you, I don’t want to lose the ones I have so perhaps there will be an option to read more stats as for example this week, Ireland have looked 32 times, Portugal 31, Turkey 29, Spain 26 and Pakistan 23 then there has been many more countries who have viewed over ten times this week. So here are the stats in total, and there is a change compared to last time.

  

UK 65288

US 42696

Russia 8199

Ukraine 7167

Germany 4186

Canada 1588

France 1221

Australia 1132

South Africa 791

Japan 699

 

And over ten thousand from all of the countries who are so important. Hugs always. Strength in numbers X

 

Wouww’wwza, we have smashed it Bloggets. Views over 150,000

 And it’s not the end of the year yet. I only hoped in a dream that we would reach that number by the end of the year. Thank you for all of your shares and continued loyalty that keeps this blog going. So early stats as normally I share them at the end of the month, but today because of the viewing status, I’m giving you them early. And I know, yawn, I say this all the time, this sadly only shows the top ten countries who have viewed the most, but countries like Portugal, Turkey, Philippines, Poland, Ireland, Spain, France and the other forty plus countries who have popped in to have a read, big hugs to you too and one day I hope you will be one of the countries at the top of the list, mind you, I don’t want to lose the ones I have so perhaps there will be an option to read more stats as for example this week, Ireland have looked 32 times, Portugal 31, Turkey 29, Spain 26 and Pakistan 23 then there has been many more countries who have viewed over ten times this week. So here are the stats in total, and there is a change compared to last time.

  

UK 65288

US 42696

Russia 8199

Ukraine 7167

Germany 4186

Canada 1588

France 1221

Australia 1132

South Africa 791

Japan 699

 

And over ten thousand from all of the countries who are so important. Hugs always. Strength in numbers X

DIARY OF DINNER UNDER THE RAINBOW BY FIONA CUMMINGS

I have just come off the phone to the hospital where I was to go today for my eyes checked. I was on hold for fifty minutes. Whilst I was on hold, I was given a recorded message of an on line booking form where by I can cancel my appointment. This appointment wasn’t meant to happen. The first one by the time we got it read as it was in print, it was two days over the appointment. Second one came, again in print and we read it and I asked my Son if he could take me it was impossible due to work so I asked my neighbour who is great and she said she could. Then she said she had to take her daughter to our local train station at the same time I was due to be well on our way to the hospital as it’s forty-five minutes away. By car. So I said it was OK she didn’t have to take me, I hate with a capital H, asking for help. But she said it would be alright I felt bad like I was in the way of her plan. Anyway, bless her she still said it was OK. But this morning, she texts to say that she had really bad tooth ache she has had for a couple of weeks now and she had been up all night. The only way she could do what she needed to do was drive me all the way there so I would be a couple of hours early before my time then drive all the way back home to take her daughter to the train station ten minutes away from home, then all the way back it would be crazy and she has had no sleep. So I said it was OK. Then I tried to phone the hospital to let them know I can’t come. Fifty minutes later I was spoken to by a human. In the meanwhile, I was given a message to tell me to go on line to cancel my appointment so I had the address to do that. Talking with the lady trying to cancel my appointment. where eventually she found the section where by she could arrange to send me Braille, we had to go through every disability first though, I have been told but not reassured that I will be sent all correspondence in Braille. No good to me but Hub will be able to read it.  She also told me next time I cancelled I would be struck off and referred to my GP. God help me?  I would never get an appointment then, and they wouldn’t have a clue what to do about my eyes.

 

Anyway I thought I would give the form a go and fill it in. Again, I got to the bottom of it only being able to fill in half as I didn’t know the name of my consultant, it’s in print… Or my NHS number, at least when, if, it comes in Braille, it will be there Hub will read it and I will be able to write it down on my computer and file it. Well, got to the bottom of the form, guess what? My Bloggets who are V.I. P’s will know the answer? It asked for a verification code. And the code was not in print, but in some kind of inaccessible picture so no way I could do it and there was no audio option. Shocking.  So now I will wait. And hope that the Braille will come before my appointment as this is another problem. It takes twice as long to receive your information in Braille than it does in print. And companies don’t make allowances for this.

 

So next time we must go, though I have a feeling it will be into the new year for sure. As I was told that the waiting list is from April. Well if you may remember I was meant to see the consultant last year, but they forgot about me… I wonder if it’s me? So I requested another appointment when I was seeing my GP months ago and this is the result. I guess it’s not my time to be seen. Next time Hub and I will go on the train. It will take us almost two hours each way, but at least we will get there and I know I will come away wondering why? But it’s so important for me to get seen for loads of reasons.

 

Hopefully my neighbour will get her tooth sorted out, there is nothing worse that that pain.  Thank goodness my teeth are fine and I never really have bother. From my neck up I only have eye pain so this I am used to and it’s not every day. I think my head is the only place that doesn’t hurt right now.  

 

Teen has just left for work. I can tell you he is getting fed up with the place now. They work him ten hours per day, he comes home for half an hour break, well, no, twenty minutes as he has only half an hour and driving time takes up the rest of the half hour break. I can’t see him there this time next year. He likes it, but he needs more money and less hours. He wants a job where he knows when he is working like a nine to five job five days a week. Not a job where he is in some days six in the morning and some nights not home till almost nine. Some days he works for seven days in a row one time he did ten. And between eight and ten hours too.

 

Whilst I was on hold on the phone this morning, I decided to play a silly game, asking things like where should I live? And who is my soul mate? The answers were ridiculous. I should live in Budapest and I have never been there and I’m not sure I have any desire to do so, not that I know anything about it and my soul mate was someone who I really don’t even really talk with? Oh my pet name should be? Wait for it? I mean, this really took an imagination, “Strong lady.”” Hehehehehe. Really? Gosh, the way I am feeling right now, I couldn’t even lift a handkerchief. As for my mind being strong?  No.

 

This is day one of me not eating bread. I really don’t fancy my chances. But I have learned that eating bread is bad for your liver and as apparently I have some kind of liver damage, then here goes… If my kidneys were coming back as worrying I would understand as I don’t drink near enough water, but my liver was a shock as I said I don’t drink alcohol, but as I have also said, a bad diet being humungous is also bad for the liver. I never knew how important the liver was I’m always slow at learning about the bodies anatomy.

 

So, what is in our news today? A baker in Ireland have lost their appeal over a gay couple wanting them to make them a wedding cake and the bakers refusing as they are Christians and didn’t believe that gay people should marry.

 

I wonder what will happen now? Will the bakers be forced into making that cake? Haha, I doubt it, who would want to eat it, if they did?

 

 To be honest, I have tried to avoid all news of late as I find it truly awful, but today really confirmed just how bad it is. There is talk of within forty years us living in domes in space and I am sure one day that will have to happen, when we have totally destroyed this beautiful earth we have spoiled, but I think forty years will be too early to be living there. I suspect though within fifty years we will have ended all life on earth by then as humans, we just do not know how to live in peace and we are full of anger and diseased minds.

 

What a perfect life we would have if there was no violence, no war, killing at all and everywhere was safe? And why can’t we have this? I really don’t know that answer but even our Governments can’t live in peace, if they are not involved someway somewhere in wars, they are not happy. I wish I knew that I could send my Son out on his way holiday or work and know that he will be 100% safe from man.

 

One day earth will be dust and then we will spoil space just like I believe we spoiled the last planet we came from, leaving us earth to live on. A beautiful unspoiled land, a new start but sadly had to be inhabited by humans as we call ourselves. That is my religious belief. Who made us in the beginning? We will never know that answer, but I don’t think or believe that we were meant to be on this place we call earth. Rather than the Bible and other religious books, I wish we had some kind of readings that told us to care for what we have or we will lose it, but even then, would we listen? Do we really learn from our past mistakes? As humans we don’t. After this life, do we really go to another land? I hope so? But I hope it’s a land where we take all of our mistakes and perfect it for the next place. Where there is a huge rainbow of all colours, which leads to a pot of gold, meaning the pot is the colour of gold whereby we go to reflect on our past and pray to welcome those who we love who will join us

 

Where rain drops are gentle and sunsets are more exquisite than we can even imagine and snow belongs on the mountains all year around for skiers to enjoy their sport. Where anger is a motion no one knows. We remember the word, but can’t even for a second think how it felt. Where there is no such thing as grief, sadness, total poverty or pain. Greed is what we left behind and kindness is in every breath we take. As for the air, it’s totally clean, pure and there are no vehicles or factories like on earth, to pollute the world we have found ourselves in because on that land, there is a new clean power, perhaps who is our maker. Have I described heaven? If so, I want to believe that is where I am going next, but not for a long time please? Smile.

 

Ghosh a long day in the kitchen today. Cooking with my stupid hob and tiny oven. Really I wish we could rip it out and get a free standing one but we can’t as that would mean changing the kitchen and our next house will have a better kitchen. One that isn’t falling to bits like this one. On the surface it’s fine modern some would say, but those words won’t be mine. The last owner put the kitchen in and now all the super glue is starting to relax. I mean, who would put an extractor fan in that didn’t go outside? The air blows around the kitchen as for the light under it? Good job I don’t need it as the bulb kept going every three to five weeks because he also did all of his electrics. I have given up with the front hall and outside lamp as I must change the bulbs in there six times per year even the electrician has had a look paying him twice with no answer.

 

Dinner tonight for the family is turkey, stuffing, turnip, roast potatoes mushy peas and Yorkshire puddings. I will have the dinner without the meat it will be lovely, but took two hours to make and will take ten minutes to eat. Soul destroying dot com.

 

OK, on that note, I will dash for now and talk later. X