THE GHOST OF MRS PEPPERPOT BY FIONA CUMMINGS

One of our Bloggets did make me laugh yesterday as she wrote something that totally amused me.

“asking your child to go and get their sibling for their dinner is just asking them to stand next to you and scream their siblings name.”

 Haha, it’s funny to me as it does happen. My Mum used to tell me to get my Dad for his dinner and I used to do just that. Shout Dad. Like my Mum could have done something similar like shout his name but I did it for her and the oddest thing, she never questioned it or said I said go not shout?

 

I find myself saying things my Mum used to say, things/phrases I used to dislike immensely. Words that really used to get on my goat. See, there’s one of those sayings. To get on one’s goat, what is the origin?

Well it means to be annoyed or to be annoyed with someone. I heard it came from America. I also read that it has something to do with racehorses. Apparently, they kept goats with horses to keep them calm. When a goat was removed, the horse became angry.  Now that to me sounds like a little story but it could be true.

 

Take a gander is another one. It means to take a look. So, what is a gander? Well from what I know, and that could be considered limited so if I am wrong let me know? A gander is a mail goose…. Geese have long rubbery necks and they can stretch and bend anywhere to have a look at something. I read somewhere that one kind of goose can fly as high as 30,000 feet! Wow, that’s crazy. I think it’s the Bar headed goose. I wonder why they need to fly that high?

 

We have loads of geese on the nearby lake. When they fly over they are amazing, easy targets for the sick individuals who kill them. Cowards. I believe in Carma. That’s all.

 

We went to the pub quiz last night. And guess what? We won. Oh, my goodness you may say. Those who have been following our disastrous results in or local ish, pub quiz will know we don’t do winning. Every week we used to come last. Then a new group started and we came second last, then for the past six weeks, we have come middle for diddle. (Another Saying) so, first?

 

You may ask yourself why and how? Good question and a easy answer. We haven’t eaten high quantities of fish and other brain foods; the answer is simple. There were hardly any groups as the England football game was on TV. Hahaha. So, there were only three groups. But, the team we beat were the team that used to win every single week. That was until, a teachers group came and beat them. And they came second. Then they started coming near the bottom. And last night, they came last again. Something very odd has gone on there. Every single week for a year they won. And not just by a few, but they almost got 100 per cent. Like 77 out of 80.

I did say almost. Smile!

 

And then to go from that to coming near last every week or like last night, last? Basically, I used to say quite loudly too, they must be cheating I mean the questions that were asked were so difficult and obscurer. Well every week they won and got the money which was, is, a small amount. £10.

 Every week they kept the money. Since they haven’t been winning, another group have won once and put the money in the charity box and the teachers when they win, keep it. Hahaha. That’s fine, that’s what it’s for, so last night, we win, and guess what? Wait for this, not that it would have made a difference, but it was for fun. I kind of wish it was every week. As people can get quite serious. Hub has always said if we win we will put in the charity box but having said that, the couple we go with haven’t agreed to that… I guess they think it’s a pointless conversation because we have no chance of winning, until last night because there were only three teams. The group that always used to win, there are about four or five of them in that group then there is a table with three an then us four.

 

So, at least eleven of us, it’s a pound each player but last night was free. I wasn’t sure why, as we could have all still paid £1 even if the winning prize was for £5, the pub still would have made a profit. There was no supper either because of the small turnout. Haha. So, oh, my, we decided to go to Taco Bell! Well Hub wasn’t impressed. He hates that kind of food.  

  I adore it.

Now I had to fight last week for him to get his burger knowing there wouldn’t be veg food, so this week I was less likely to agree for another burger place.

 

Well our neighbour had a few drinks so couldn’t drive leaving his wife to do so. Oddly they don’t ask us. Smile.

 

It’s a drive through place but there is also a restaurant. So, our neighbour said he will go to the restaurant as he didn’t know what he wanted as has never had food from such a place before. I said he will have to do the drive through, but no one would listen. Out the car he got with Hub. Two minutes later, she said. “Oh. Their coming back already looking rather gloom. Turned out you couldn’t go to the restaurant and they were closing. But the drive through was still open. Well she drove right through it missing the speaker. So, she couldn’t reverse so had to try to get him to do it. He did ish. But he realised that you have to use your car to activate the speaker or something from the start not once missed the speaker. So, reversing didn’t help.

 

He got out to do it manually. Then all panicky. He realised he’d lost something. I was worried for him thinking wallet? I was about to suggest calling his mobile as we would hear where it was if that was what he lost? No, it was his plastic cigarette thing. Well I couldn’t help but laugh when he asked his wife was she sitting on it? I replied if she’s smiling she is…. No one laughed but me and I realised it was getting rather tense. Hub was nudging me. I can’t help it I found it so funny my poor neighbour was in such a state as lost his vaporiser…. He was out the car even asking the girl behind the drive through as if she would have it? Well that just tickled me a bit more. I guess it was a hot night and a full moon not only that but a blood moon. At least I didn’t start to howl.

 

Thank goodness he found it…. I enjoyed mine but hub ordered just cheese fries. Well he tasted them I tried one as he was disgusted by the flavour. I said they are not yours but our neighbours… no one would listen. Long and short of it, five minutes later, “Oh, there’s some chips in a plastic tub…. Oh, they have some kind of cheese on!””

Oh. Hubs fries…. Well our neighbour ate them. Sadly, he didn’t enjoy his supper she did as did I. for the next two weeks there is no pub quiz. Just think of all the fun we will miss out on. I guess it was a situation where you had to be there. and, have my sense of humour, as no one else found the event funny. That was after our neighbour announced to the pub.

“what is the record for getting the anagram?”” as his wife got it in about one minute. The quiz master replied. Four and a half seconds. Bahahaha. Who counted the half? So, then he the neighbour replied.

“Well we haven’t beaten the record then.”” The pub went quiet. I cringed. I said to his wife. Oh, my God. He’s mortifying.  But amusing and just him. I wouldn’t swap him. He is so funny though when it comes to the anagrams. He gets all positive he gets what the answer is… then he whispers the answer. And it’s totally unrelated to the correct answer. And it’s the way his wife replies to him.

“How the hell can it be that when there is no P in the anagram or L?”” Oh, he says now I know what it is, and he gives another answer equally as stupid. It’s her way of speaking to him. But he gets other answers and he is very clever he just doesn’t get anagrams. As I don’t have a clue of geography. I’m not even sure of which part of England I live in. Is it Scotland? Smile.

 

But we won how? Because there were only three other groups. Because there wasn’t a cash prize this week. And because we had our funny neighbour’s wife, she’s really good I would guess the best out of the four of us. Hub just doesn’t care. Me and her are really passionate about it. I guessed all the pop questions. She guesses the actors. Hub and our neighbour guesses the sporty ones and as for the general knowledge? Well there is nothing general about it.

 

Hub working at home today I’m sitting outside it’s beautiful the house is too hot. Where we have our table, it’s so lovely there is a breeze from the long corridor that goes along the side of our house.

 

My dogs are by my side chilling, how do they cope in this heat with that fur coat on?

 

Remember when you are walking your dogs to think of their poor pads on their feet? Imagine your souls of your feet on hot concrete and tarmac is worse as the tarmac melts and gets in between their pads on their feet and sets hard. Each time they put their feet on the ground they burn. A dog won’t complain they do to please us. It’s up to us to be responsible and caring. Also taking them for a walk in this heat? Please be careful they don’t always know when to stop. Our dogs are due to go out tomorrow. I am not sure if they will yet, depends on the weather. If it’s too hot, it’s so dangerous.

 

My baby is about to go to work. He’s hating his job. I’m telling him to stick to it. Until at least he knows what he wants to do in life. he wants to be a teacher but doesn’t want to do the study for the next three years. He wants to be a Personal Trainor but again it’s study that costs so much money and when you qualify, it’s rubbish pay. He would be brilliant at both. But right now, his boss wants to promote him to manager. Right now, he’s assistant manager.  His girlfriend keeps telling him of jobs that he would hate but pay well according to her. Now, firstly they are driving trucks. Secondly, I don’t believe the hours are correctly, I have never heard of a job that pays £15 for only four hours per day? And what a waist of a brain also in the future God forbid, he may have my eye condition. I pray every day not, but if he has experience in management, he will be able to go into a job that will be OK for someone who can’t see as well. If he drives a truck, what job will he do?

 

Sham came around last night, she’s so funny she couldn’t reach the cupboard to get a dish so BW got one for her. How do short people do this kitchen thing? Hub said that his ex-had a step to get to high cupboards, I guess I should get one for Sham. Bless her. Then we lost my pepper. She was laughing at BW and myself as I haven’t been able to find that for two days. Now this is where it did get crazy. BW. “Mum, you have 39 salt and pepper pots in your cupboard. All display, why the heck do we not have a pepper pot with pepper in it?”” I do I replied. I have just lost it. Well, Sham kept saying, it doesn’t matter. Hahaha. But it did matter. Where was my pepper pot? BW was looking all around the kitchen the work tops the kitchen table cupboards and no pepper pot. I was sad as it was a set my salt was is, on the table, but with no pepper… it’s the only working pepper pot I have in the house I use it for the table and cooking. It grinds the pepper I love it.

 

Well BW and I were like bee’s buzzing around the kitchen. It was nowhere. Sham looked for the first minute, then chilled. She’s not bothered about things like that, it does bother BW and myself. It’s not a case of it didn’t matter, it’s a case of I have it so where is it?

 

Well suddenly Shamrock said in a surprised voice. There it is… no way it wasn’t there before. And when she showed me where it was, I said no way, not a chance, I have cleaned that worktop twice today, BW said no Mum, it wasn’t there when I looked and Sham agreed as that was where she stood preparing her food. She said there’s a ghost in this house.  I think there is.

 

It’s the weekend. Enjoy your time off work if, you are off work. To Lucas and Magdalena, have a great holiday in Poland. Xxxx

   

 

 

A GAY DAY BY FIONA CUMMINGS

A beautiful Blogget and friend said to me yesterday something I wanted to share with you as it’s a great way of thinking about poetry. Some people like horse racing, some like playing football and others like poetry. Without the horse you couldn’t watch or participate in horse racing, without a ball you couldn’t play football and without a poet you couldn’t enjoy poetry. Each to their own everyone is different this is what makes us all well, us. Ourselves. If everyone was the same, what would our world be like? Because what is the same, same as what? Who would decide what we would all be like? What if it was someone totally different to the person we are now? what if we all became mean? I know of people who are angry, selfish, nasty and vindictive. Would we want to be them and what would our world be like if all humans were like that? Thank God we, as in the three of us, don’t have anyone in our world like that now, we used to have, but we binned them. But what if that was the person we would become?

 

I’m so not adventurous when it comes to mountain climbing, interested in searching through caves or studying geography. But someone out there is. Why should I say to them now all that will stop and you must write for eight hours per day, have the odd meeting give the odd talk and write for others trying to find words that they want to read? Clean your house every single day pick up dog muck and think about what on earth you are going to have to iron in what order of needs as well as what to cook for two totally different kind of eating habits? Why should you be like me? So, that great saying again. Each to their own, but then to my next subject.

 

My friend and our Blogget Kelly put on her Facebook posting the other day a debate about people who are gay.

 

She was outraged that a florist had refused to make flowers for two guys who wanted to marry. This man had bought flowers from her shop for ten years. She thought of him like a friend. But one day he came into her shop and asked her to make flowers for his and his boyfriends wedding.

 

The lady was angry as it’s totally against her belief that two people of the same sex should marry. “Marriage is between two people of the opposite sex.”” She’s a Christian and it’s against her religious beliefs too!

 

The conversation mainly supported the shop keeper’s decision but the story has caused outrage apparently. One person said the same thing happened at a baker. The baker was happy to sell the person cakes, but totally refused to bake their wedding cake. For the same reasons. The baker wasn’t saying you can’t buy from me anymore, just the principle of baking a wedding cake was wrong as far as they were concerned.

 

Someone made a valid point. You can have a friend for ten years. One day you learn that they have had images on their computer of children that isn’t appropriate and you learn that they in deed are a paedophile. But they ask you to bake a cake with a child on for their birthday. Would you? One day someone may come into your bakers and you have just learned that they are hunters but you are a vegetarian and they ask you to put a hunting dog and a Deer on a cake, would you? You are a Christian and, on their cake, they want a devil. I mean where does it stop, your child has been ran over by a speeding car, the person wants a racing car on their cake…

 

I guess what I am trying to give you today words to think about, we are all different and we are now living in a society where our opinions are simply unacceptable. Freedom of speech is even interfering with freedom of what we think about, we are already being programmed to try to make our minds all think the same and it’s wrong.

 

Going back to the florist and bakers, they did offer other contacts who would have arranged the flowers or cake, but the people just made a huge issue of it all and took it to the press. Why? Just know that your belief doesn’t have to be theirs. And theirs doesn’t have to be yours. Try fighting for something that matters. Something where there is no choice. Make choices happen that are not out there already.

 

  

OPEN MY DIARY CHECK OUT THE NEWS BY FIONA CUMMINGS

It’s 6pm. It’s been a long 24 hours. I went to bed about ten to seven this morning for just over two hours. Got shower, did some work then put on my glad rags and went to one of the lady’s house we meet up with every few weeks.

 

It was so hot we all sat in her garden. She prepared some food and some much-needed Earl Grey tea.  It was a lovely time I spent with my friend Rita. She’s so sweet. The lady who’s house it was is very accommodating. You never come away from her hungry. Unfortunately, one of the ladies couldn’t be there as she had to work. When I returned home, I had moments before my shopping was due. A cold drink was required.

 

So many phone calls to answer. When I was out, my phone never stopped. Ringing and pinging! It rang first then pinged to say there were messages. After my shopping arrived, I rang the people. Two calls were jobs I had to do and three were regards to our next adventure.

 

I then checked my email. Gosh, I don’t know if it’s because I went out or do I normally get this much attention? It’s as if people knew I was out so had to bother me by emailing stupid requests. There were a few emails though I was happy to receive. Time spent talking with a friend in India, and then my door bell rang. I had arms full of washing. I was about to hang out. Plonked them down, ran to the door. I heard a very velvety voice say. “Thank you Darling!””

I was about to ask what for?

Then to spare my blushes, he said a parcel for you.

Well I wasn’t expecting anything. And it was a throw for my new sofa which isn’t here yet. All fine, only I received a throw for it yesterday too. I checked my Amazon account and it looks like I have ordered two. They are not the same this is so unlike me. I really don’t know how I did that. Two completely different sellers. Oh, my, they are both enormous too. Oh, well, if I have to wash one, the other will do. So, the sofa isn’t without some kind of cover. My Hub will go mad he hates throws. As do I, but I also hate scratches on the leather. You should see this one with our dogs?

 

My Son stayed at Shams last night, he started work at 5am and he came home whilst I was out then going straight to the gym. Where he is now? your guess is as good as mine. He told me not to cook dinner he would sort it out so I guess they have gone to the pub to eat.

 

Hub due in at almost nine. I wonder where he’s working tomorrow? His dinner is in the oven and I shall have a warm bath waiting for him, not hot as it’s too hot out there and in the house, but a relaxing temperature. I have ironed his shirt for tomorrow, so he’s ready to go.

 

We have loads of delicious strawberries for after dinner. I’m making him Moussaka. He loves it. I make it with lamb.

 

So, I’m up to date with my emails from you, I have answered the clowns who wrote to me today. I have filled in forms that are needed to be returned asap and I have made phone calls to companies/organisations as well as written one paper out of two I need to do.

 

The house is tidy and my work is done for the night. It’s too hot to work.

 

Forgive me if I have told you this but my yoga classes start on the 2^nd of July. Oh, I’m super excited. I wonder if I will be the most challenging person she has ever seen? Haha. Bending is a thing buried in the back of my mind.

 

As for the world cup, I can’t believe Germany have been knocked out? Beaten by South Korea.

 

England play tomorrow, I don’t hold much hope for that game. But you never know.

 

News, in Manchester an inferno has raging blazing fires for the forth day. The army are on standby.

 There are warnings in England, as temperatures are to intensify.

5 Waitrose stores are to close say John Lewis. This is so sad.

Next month the moon is going to turn blood red. A total Luna eclipse

In Britain a survey claims that Brits are at their happiest when they first walk through the door from work. Hahaha.

OK, this comes with a gross warning.

A 57-year-old man looses feeling in his legs after a huge 2 LITRE Poo.

Oh, my goodness…. How? actually, I don’t want to know.

Well on that note, I shall go for now leaving you with that pleasant thought…

 

FAMILY LIFE BY FIONA CUMMINGS

It’s half past eight in the evening. My brain has just played a very odd trick.

So, I know it’s night time I looked to the window and saw pitch black. But I now know after thinking about it, it can’t be black. It doesn’t get dark until ten. Though I looked to my window today and saw the sun, but moments like this, I have to ask myself, did I?

 

I know I can’t see day and night because sometimes when I am trying to get to sleep, my bedroom no matter if it’s past the pumpkin hour, or it it’s deep winter, in other words, black. My room is white, or I should say, my brain is telling my head it’s white. It’s actually black.

Am I making sense? It’s like this morning I was sure someone was stood at the bottom of my bed. But no, no one was there, not from this world any way, and normally if I have seen things that can’t be explained in the real world, I know they are things I can’t even think about. Today it was this awful Charles Bonnet syndrome. It’s awful. I suffered really badly from it when I first went blind, but after 20 years, wouldn’t you think I would know what what is now? people who don’t know about this syndrome could quite easily think they are going mad. It’s awful and as I have written about before, when I went blind, it was always bad men usually the same person and he would just appear or stand behind a door. I had to tell myself I can’t be seeing anything, I’m blind, and it took years and years before I learned about this awful syndrome.

 

It’s your brain that sees, not your eyes. Your eyes are windows. Tools. So, if you lose your vision quickly, then your brain takes a long time before it catches up with reality. But what I don’t understand is, why is it that we always see horrible things, never nice?

 

Anyway, my eyes are pretty useless. To not be able to even see day and night. It’s boring. I’m sick of it already.

 

Our anniversary that’s my Husband and my wedding anniversary, we got some lovely cards from some very special people. You know who you are, but once again, you have not forgotten. We really appreciated your thoughts. All cards were from friends. And two of them weren’t even at our wedding, but if we were to take our wedding vows again, you would be invited for sure.

 Only one person is out of our life now who we loved and that is because she died. My first wedding, heck, my ex and myself used to say each anniversary, how many people have died since we married. We had a wedding video made and we used to watch it from time to time and feel sad for those who’s faces were on there who are no longer with us. But for my now and forever Hub, only one person has died, my Mother in law. And that is really sad. I wish she was still here. I know Hub misses her too and was just talking about her yesterday. I got on with my ex mother in law very well though  I hated the way she treat her Son, my ex!

 I got on very well with Hubs Mum too. I wonder what kind of Mother in law I will be? I guess it depends on who BW marries. It must be very hard to be a good mother in law if you can’t stand your daughter in law? But if you love her, then surely, it’s easy to be a good MIL.

 

My Son asked me the other day what kind of Grandmother will I be and what kind of Grandfather will his Dad be? When I told Hub, he laughed. I told BW my answer.

(old)

Haha. I have a feeling I won’t be old, but no matter we will love our grand babies. We will never be a big family, as I only have one child, but I hope to show that child/children love respect and be there for them to do the Granny things. I even am buying things when I see them like old fashioned games. Today I bought one called beetle. You throw the dice and make up the body parts. The first one to make the beetle, wins. To have all the limbs.

 

I buy the old-fashioned stuff as I have a feeling that everything in the near future will all be electronic. No imagination and no sitting down times communicating with a board game. I fear the values in life are really dying, but it’s up to us to keep them or try to bring them back. If you start from your young child, then they know no different. I am sure that my Son and his wife will have their modern life, and that is where grandparents come in, a total contrast. I can see Hub teaching them music with his piano and reading stories to them. Something I couldn’t do with my Son as I can’t really read Braille not good enough to read stories, and I went blind at a time when my Son needed those stories. So, our Grandchild/children, will have their stories read to them. Again, another important time for a child’s progress in life. one thing I don’t want for my grand child and never wanted for my Son, was to go to bed with heavy thoughts.

 

I know Hub will be a practical Grandfather. He will also make sure his babies are financially rich, whereas me, I will be the fussy loving Granny.  One thing my Husband won’t be is one of those Grandfathers who go to the garden with their Grandchild and pick veg for the pot, hahaha, gardening isn’t his strength. I will always remember a few weeks ago when he said in a real grumbly voice. “I hate gardening.”

He didn’t have a rake, said or grasscutter in his hands, but a statue. I told my brother in law and we did laugh.

 

I do wonder if my brother in law’s daughter will have her babies around the same time as our Son will have, then it will be lovely to get together for a family day out. I love his daughter, she’s such a lovely girl.

 

I adored my Nanna. Sadly, my Grandad died at the same age as my parents died when my Son was a baby. So, my Grandad died when I was one and my parents died when my Son was a year. Weird.

 

Hub just called me from his hotel bedroom. His colleagues have all gone for a picknick. Hub chose to stay in the hotel and have a meal. He is working though; this job means he works most nights until late.

 

He is staying in an enormous room. It has two, double beds… why? One for him, one for The Little Fella? Oh, heck, I hope not… our last dog Long Chops, she would have been on the next bed. I am sure I have told you before but for new Bloggets, she was a huge black retriever/German Shepard. All black but for one small white mark on her chest. She was so beautiful. Long hair a huge tail. Massive eyes. The best guide dog anyone could ever wish for and full of personality.

 

Hub and I stayed in a beautiful hotel. The room was described to us on our arrival. The pictures on the wall and the cream leather sofa. Well, Hub ordered canapé’s

. the waiter came to the door. Hub opened it. I sat in an armchair. He went to put the tray on the coffee table. I walked to the sofa as that is where we would take our tray from the near by table. It was a two-seater, perfect for us both. Oh, my days.

There she was, our black beastie girl spread out across the cream, sofa… she didn’t even bother to get off at the arrival of the waiter. I was mortified. The guy left. I was red. I turned to Hub who was my boyfriend at the time and took his hand. I placed his hand on our girls back. She still didn’t move. She then started to snore. Quite comfortable. He was shocked. “Oh, heck, no, please.”” He got her off and we did our best to remove any black hairs from the cream sofa.

 

Our dogs know we can’t see but sometimes forget. Like if I tell my dog to get into her bed 9 times out of 10 she will, but then stubborn mule steps in and if she doesn’t want to, she won’t. she also knows I can hear her bells around her neck on her collar. So, she keeps still not to make them ring.

 

The other night my boy told her to get into bed. He said Mum, you should see her. She’s standing on the rug, just staring at me. But not moving a muscle. As if like a statue. She didn’t want him to hear her so he wouldn’t know where she was so she could stay in the sitting room and when we are all safely upstairs, she would climb on the sofa. It must be confusing for our dogs, as they do know we can’t see, that is why they move when we approach them. Also, they put toys into our hands. And then there is a sighted one thrown in the mix! Smile.

 

OK, I’m going to groom my baby and then take her for her pollutions before closing the house for the night to come. Until later with love.

 

 

BATTLE OF THE BURGERS, BBQ'S AND BLOOMS BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Well I come across some very strange situations. Today a post asking any good names for a werewolf?

Em. Norm?

As I write this my eyes are closed. I am falling asleep. My fingers are just about moving, and my head is nodding off as I type then in shock I learn that I have written some words without realising what I have written as I have fallen asleep.

 

I had to leave that blog and do something. My son came in from work. He told me to go to bed for an hour. No, I feel too guilty sleeping during the day, problem is, then I can’t sleep at night so ends up I just don’t sleep.

 

Well I cooked a very lazy dinner. Vegetarian burgers, with huge mushrooms and haloumi cheese with salad, all in a giant bread role. Nothing else. Gosh it was so filling. BW loved it, and then we had strawberries. They are so sweet at the moment. Strawberries that is, not vegetarian burgers.

 

I’m outside now, it’s a beautiful evening. During the day, it was far too hot. Now there is a very gentle breeze.

In the air I smell BBQ’s, burning wood, sweet flora, freshly cut grass and different kinds of cooking from all over the world, as in our avenue of all sorts, well, there are, all sorts. We are a huge mixing bowl.

 

 In my opinion, BBQ’s always smell much better than what they taste like. The smells of summer. Hmm. If only we had a peaceful garden. The traffic is just ridiculous. Don’t they know how to go on a different road? Oh, my, thousands of cars, trucks, busses, lorry’s and so on fly down our road and as for helicopters? Police services? It’s awful an yet the birds still they sing.  Only just though, as we can hear them. I say we, as in the royal we? Smile. As it’s just me, I did have my dogs out with me but I have had to send them in as Waggatail has brought all of her toys outside and the two of them have gone mad and now I have to try to find them all. As they are no help to bring them in. Call themselves guide dogs? Haha.

 

I have been on doggy day-care all day as Hub left the Little Fella here as in this heat to do six hours by train and an hour’s journey by taxi to sit in an office all day? Especially when tomorrow he will do half that journey again. So, starting at half five in the morning, and I hope to goodness the taxi comes on time tomorrow, they will travel by train for three hours and an all-day situation but I think tomorrow it will be in a much bigger room and night-time, he will be in a hotel. Did I tell you what LF does in the hotel rooms? Strips the bed. Only if Hub dares to step into the bathroom without him. Seriously, he causes no damage, but when Hub comes out of the bathroom, the bed is all off and LF sits there with a big smile feeling very proud of himself. It’s like the lady who looked after him before we got him, she was a boarder. Came home after walking her dogs to get him for a walk. Or had he been on one already? May be, anyway, she couldn’t open the kitchen door where she left him. Luckily, she had one of those hatches you lift up to serve food? Well, LF had lifted the full carpet and there he was, sat as proud as punch right in the middle of all this carpet.

 

He's such a good boy, but he has, well shall we say, issues!

 

Hubs still not well but putting on a front. He sounded terrible on the phone. I wish he would go to the Doctors for his blood test? I can’t force him.

 

As I was on my way back in earlier today, I was coming back with a man…. That shouldn’t sound as bad as it does… he didn’t step over my doorstop. We spoke and said goodbye. And as he was chatting just before leaving, I told him to be careful not to click his trousers. Bahahaha. This is sounding worse.

 

I went on to explain, the rose in the pot is so nasty spikey and will rip his trousers. Guess what he turned around and said to me?

“How do you know it’s there, but hang on, how do you know it’s a rose?””

 

God give me strength.

 

I explained because I blooming put it there. He replied, I wouldn’t even know it was a rose. Bahahaha. Heck, one of my neighbours did say a couple of weeks ago it needs a good watering. What on earth does it look like?

 

OK, round two. I have fed Boy Wonder, soon Hub will be in. Well if you count the dogs, round three.

 

Oh, I wish we could have smelly telly. Where you could smell what I smell. The army of roses and other foliage is battling with the worlds cuisine.

 

I shall go for now but tomorrow is another day and a totally different subject. Again, thank you to everyone of you who have written and I will get around to answering your emails.

 

 

 

 

 

DIARY OF THE LETTER L BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Good afternoon Bloggets. Well today I would like to say hello to you all wishing my old school pal Judy a very happy birthday, as well as my on-loan Niece never to be returned Hannah a wonderful birthday. My school friend has reached the big 5 0 today, can I just say at this point, I was very mature at school. Not sure where I went wrong after then, and she was many years my senior…. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

 

Hannah on the other hand is half of that age, 25 today. And today is mine and my darlings wedding Anniversary. He told me the other day we were the best decision he ever made. And I can tell you our wedding day was the best gift he could ever give me in fact, the best gift anyone could ever give me then now and forever.

 

Our day didn’t start off very well. Hub goes out to sit and wait for his taxi to get fresh air as after those few moments he’s in transit or an office all day. So, twenty pasts five this morning, the birds were just cleaning their teeth. The taxi was booked for 5.25am. half five nothing. He called the company and the answer he was given. It’s on it’s way, just coming over the bridge… em, what bridge? Seriously.

Five minutes later, I called them. He then told me it wasn’t his fault the driver was late. It’s up to the drivers if they want to turn up!

Say what?

Their self-employed and if they don’t want to pick people up, it’s their fault. Last week drivers dared to have a day’s golf and didn’t tell the company. Well sorry, but if you book a taxi, you expect it to turn up.

It’s up to the person on the desk to chase whatever up making sure there is a driver going to turn up. We booked it last night.

 

So, the car came at 5. 43am.

His train was at 6am and it’s a fifteen-minute journey into our town to the station.

 

Thank God he had his tickets though, so no need to go and buy them, but that did add stress as if he missed his train, that would be a fortune flushed down the drain. But as a person who is blind, we book assistance. You are supposed to turn up twenty minutes before your train as the amazing staff are not waiting around just to assist you to your correct train. 40 seconds Hub got to his seat before the train pulled away. A lot of running and unnecessary stress. Something he doesn’t need in his life right now.

 

OK, I always find people who just blow my mind…. So, yesterday we had to give our email address to a gent. This was an important email we had to sort out. We were sitting with the guy in his office when he sent the email through. When it didn’t come, we made sure he had the correct spelling of the start of the email. As the last part is easy. Googlemail.com

Well he had spelled it wrong. Correct spelling, we gave him. Still no email. Today I called him. We together went through the first part, then he asked me about the second half. I said googlemail.com

Oh, he answered, that’s where I have gone wrong…

Me, at last we are getting somewhere.

Him. Now wait for this one Bloggets.

And I quote.

“I put an L, in .com.

Whh’aa’aa’aat?

An L, in .com?

Don’t you mean google?

No, he replied with such glee he now knew the correct email address. An L, in .com…

Take me out of here?

 

Anyway, we got the email, all sorted perhaps the guy is a sausage short of a BBQ, or there’s a tile missing from his roof, but he’s a lovely guy, so I forgive him.

 

It’s too hot, I went out earlier and I can’t stand it. Children are playing in the nearby school I feel for them and I hope they have suntan cream on.

Today is 28°C

 

Our gardens are so very dry. I always get a little anxious about watering our garden as knowing my luck, our neighbours will be out there silently sunbathing and I will hose them down…

 

(Poppies Fifi not people)

 

I expect our Son will be tired when he gets in from work as Sham stayed and he was up and down the stairs all night. I don’t know what he was doing. Getting her a drink? Food? Not sure but no sleep that I am sure about. She isn’t working today so can lay in. she left at half six when he left for work.

 

He said where he works there’s no air conditioning. Where he used to work, it was broken and the guy who I have just been talking to, said his office is lovely and cool in summer, only trouble is, it’s freezing in winter as the heads managers, don’t know how to work it…

 

Abroad just don’t seem to have this problem. It just works. And yesterday, oh, boy, I was about to hang out my Sons washing, he came and shouted. No Mum please put it back I will put it in the dryer. Em, no way it’s far too hot in there. Anyway, half and half. Most of the items got hung out and the rest in the dryer, oh, boy it was like a sauna!

 

In our news today. In Birmingham a woman who was a hoarder has been found dead surrounded by 82 Chihuahua’s

Oh my, vet care? Propper food? Hygiene? Noise and mess?

 

In Scotland, a priest knocked down four people as they were heading to a funeral… All four in hospital.

It’s not funny. Is it?

Thank God they are OK… Pardon the pun

 

Apple admits MacBook’s break too easily and will fix them free.

 

And that’s all for today Bloggets. More later. X

 

 

 

 

 

THE MAN IN THE MOON BY FIONA CUMMINGS @PoetryByFionaCummings

THE MAN IN THE MOON

BY FIONA CUMMINGS

 

In the night so black the moon plays

As the stars dance after their sleep during the days

The shadows of the moonlight chase

A child wonders about the man in the moons face

Who is he?

He scratches his head in thought

How can the moon be made of cheese?

Such a lesson he has been taught

The mystery of our sky does please

Stretch up high and pick out a star

It’s hard to believe they are so far

A white owl flies over the trees

Will he take a chunk from the cheese?

The little boy grass to his knees

Starry eyed looks up to the eve

Finger like shapes stretch from the trees

And night sounds can be heard

A fox, a night bird?

A book of intrigue

 His tiny shoulders drop

As signs of fatigue

Start to read

Flicking pages

Different stages

Of the bedtime blanket

Feasting on a   banquet

Of inquisitive questions

But who will answer and listen to suggestions

A book from the night of achilds passions

To be a rocket man is his ambition

  But so many answers still missing

Chapters untold

Books still to unfold

He hopes to find the answers soon

Who is the man in the moon?

 

© Fiona Cummings

 

NO NEED FOR A DAUGHTER BY FIONA CUMMINGS

4 nil to England. Excellent. Even though  a few of our players have been tackled without repercussions by the other teams, we are still winning the football today against Panama.

 

Before half time this is the result. Anything I guess can change, but I hope not… I hate football mainly what it stands for the amount of money that is given to players is really against what I believe in, but when it comes to World games, I’m England all the way.

 

I’m sitting here waiting to go out with Hub. My Son came home about noon, he said Mum can I pick you out an outfit? I let him. I loved what he picked, just wasn’t keen on what it looked like on me. Bless my boy, he was full of compliments. His words were so sweet. One thing I love about him, he’s honest, I know if he says something looks good, it is, where as if something looks bad, oh, boy, he doesn’t mess with words. He’s like me, it’s black or white chalk and cheese.

 

I am wearing a sleeveless dress, something I would normally wear with some kind of jacket or cardigan. I have some very very thin cardigans but today Boy Wonder said no Mum just the dress. He gave me confidence I lack in and I do feel fine. Even though arms are on display that are normally kept for the dark.

BW said my arms are very shapely. I replied. “Yes, love but the wrong shape”” He hugged me and said Mum I tell you, you look absolutely beautiful. I said. Who needs a daughter? He’s so cute. So, I’m wearing this dress which is kind of satiny it’s lightish blue with white flowers and has a bow belt. It kind of comes out from the waist. It’s just, to the knee. Again, I like things to go to the floor. Smile.

 

We are going out now to do something rather different and exciting. It seems to be the month for it. Did I tell you what our Son bought his Dad for Father’s Day? A Microlight experience. Oh, there he will be up in the air, he’s so excited for it, our boy is driving us and it will happen next month.

 

It’s a beautiful day and going to be a beautiful two weeks. Our roses are so sweet. We were in the garden before, and it’s funny because the football is on TV, the road is so quiet.

 

BW went to his black-tie event last night. He met one of my most loved actresses’.  

Sherrie Hewson.

 

By the way, it’s now 5 0. Whoop whoop.

 

 Hub hasn’t been well for a couple of weeks, but still bless him, he’s going out. I hope after today he will feel a bit better. I’m trying to get him to go for a blood test, but he won’t.

 

On that note, I best find my shoes, and I will chat to you later.

It’s later, and I’m back. A successful day. Hub still unwell, but he has a very busy week again at work. We have had a lovely day. And it’s even better as England won the football 6 1. Next game will be a little more challenging though.

 

I hope you have had a lovely weekend.

OUR SHOES BY FIONA CUMMINGS

Good afternoon Bloggets. It’s boiling hot here and we are expected to have a very hot weekend with the start of next week to be even hotter. I’m melting right now. Boy Wonder has no air conditioning at work or even a fan so he wasn’t too pleased to see the man with the sun hat on! Having said that, he has a fifteen-minute walk to work and back after parking his car, so if it rains, it wouldn’t be good!

 

I’m sitting with a cup of tea from a teapot Mr. Clock bought me years ago. I think it’s a Japanese teapot, with a cane handle and the handle you pour from is like a basket handle or handbag, in other words, it’s not solid. But, surprisingly, it’s very easy to pour from and I am grateful for such a lovely gift.

 

Hub working from home today, so not seen much of him apart from handing him cups of tea and coffee. And even that, he was on a phone call. This seems to be the thing now, Friday’s is phone day. He got up today at half seven. No transport to work why so early? Well this is his new job, loads to do. His journey to Newcastle my home town was really good, his staff were very professional in Hubs words he had to deliver. What ever they were.

 

I have just had a man at my door from St John Ambulance. Wanting money but now days it’s all done by card. I don’t like giving my details on the door step about my bank, so I took a card and I will make sure I will set up a direct debit monthly as I know such a service is a gift for us. They go into schools now and are trying to teach children the basic first aid. I really feel this should be on the educational curriculum, but it’s not and the service get no funding for such things from our Government. After watching the program Ambulance, which follows a particular team in one area for only 12 hours, wow, seriously, the work the Ambulance guys and gals do, is nothing short of heroic!

 

I have nothing but 100 per cent admiration for our Ambulance workers. They are nurses, social workers, Doctors and sometimes surgeons. Peacemakers and friends to those who need them. As for the people who take the calls? Oh, my, they are so calm and extremely professional.

 

This man said you can pay as little as £3 per month to help to support them. £3 Bloggets, that is a cup of coffee in a café. Once per month?

 

Please understand where my huge passion comes from. Why is it that people things, that save lives, get no Government funding? Like Life guards/boats RNLI!

Take a look at their shop link below, they have some cute gifts you can buy or there is a link to donate. These guys give their free time to us.

 

Back to our St John Ambulance workers, seriously, they really are amazing people. So calm, kind and knowledgeable I really don’t think they get the respect they deserve. One day we may need these people. They may save our lives or a loved one’s life. Please at least give a listen or look at their website? What is £3? Not even half a packet of cigarettes. There link is below too.

 

And finally, talking of life changers. Guide Dogs. Our dogs do what they do because they want to. You can’t force a dog to do something. Believe me, this is why there are dogs who don’t go forward to be fully qualified working dogs. And what does a guide dog do? Gets people who have such poor sight or no vision at all out of the house. Even if it’s for ten minutes per day. What can happen in those ten minutes? People who normally in the house going crazy because they haven’t been out in days, weeks months even years, suddenly with the help of a guide dog, are able to feel fresh air. Get to the shop for a bottle of milk. Feel worth something because they have managed to provide for the family no need to ask their partner now to buy whatever as they can do it. They can call in at the chemist for a prescription. Their partner may be working the hours that the chemist is open, so if the person with the guide dog can get to the chemist in these hours, wow, only someone who has walked in such shoes will understand how important that feeling is. We may meet with someone who just says hello. A person who has recently gone blind within two years, may not have spoken to many people at all, and for a cheerful hello, no one will know how good that feels unless again, they have walked in those shoes. We may go out for ten minutes per day, we may see the same person each day, build up a relationship with just by saying hello, and next thing, they may ask us if we want to go for a coffee? Join a group or gym? And hey, there’s our new friend. Then we meet more friends who ask us if we would like to go out with them somewhere. And then as I have spoken about before, that ten minutes we could take our children to school. We are not at home worrying if the phone rings, our children/child is ill needs to come from school. Who will collect them? I can tell you Bloggets, as a blind parent there is not one per cent of help for such emergencies. If our children are blind, then there is more help, but for us, with a sighted child, no, no help at all. So, we can be at home knowing that ten-minute walk is a phone call away. No stress no worries. We don’t want a taxi driver taking our children to school. We are the parents and we need to know our children are safe at school.

 

That ten minutes’ walk can take us to the Doctors and dentist. If you are sighted please think about your own lives. I have a friend who has been telling me how she has been driven crazy this week without her car. Excuse me? Do you know who you are talking with? You don’t have a car for one week and all hell breaks out? I have never been able to drive. You can see to walk. Get over yourself. Another person I know often complains that she has been stuck in the house all day waiting for a workman to come… one day? Try three years. One day God forbid, you may need a guide dog. Guide Dogs is a charity. Again, only if you step in the shoes of others, will you fully understand where I’m coming from. One day, my shoes may fit you!

   

https://shop.rnli.org/

 

http://www.sja.org.uk/sja/default.aspx

 

https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/how-you-can-help/donating/

 

 

 

 

ONE DAY WE WILL ALL KNOW WHY #PoetryByFionaCummings

ONE DAY WE WILL ALL KNOW WHY

BY FIONA CUMMINGS

As I lay my head upon my pillow

I heard whispers words so kind and mellow

 My dreams sunk deep, into my sheet

Whilst lavender cloaked my being

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing

My hand to my eyes

Such a surprise

The most beautiful yolky sun

Kissed the rainbow above

God sat on a harp

Surrounded by a crowd

Who danced on a marshmallow cloud

Wings did flutter

With beautiful hair, the colour of butter

 Smiles which could be seen for miles

God turned to me and it was then I saw

An image I have never seen before

I floated towards him and sat by his side

He held raindrops in tears I have cried

Waterfalls fell in silver droplets

I felt such relief

Wiped from me was the feeling of grief

It was as if I just knew all was going to be alright

Angels sang dressed all in white

But such a colour I have never seen so bright

Though no need to close my eyes for the light

As there was no pain now

Fingers to my brow

 I struggled to take everything in

Was this happening to me if so how?

How did I know that was God?

He wasn’t as I imagined him to be

It was as if my veins were wires

And I was being lit up to inspire

Though it was this moment I had to admire

And learn from what was before me

An angel knelt on one knee

He said go back through tunnels so black

And storms wild

You have the knowledge now to inform others

We are all sisters and brothers

We all have the same Father and Mother

We need to believe in a better world

Sometimes a speck so grey,

 can mean a globe coloured gold

a tiny stone can turn

it’s then we learn how the rocks were formed

when forests burn

inside we churn

but from that we learn

an angry voice

may have no choice

a factory smoking

can mean people choking

but from this we must learn

an infant’s death

a parent’s loss

is a lesson

don’t fight it with aggression

as time will come when we all must learn

one day we will be back together

in a land that will last forever

some ask if there’s a God

why does he make life hard?

what is the point of grief?

Like a thief

Stolen promises

Thorns on roses

It’s something we just have to learn

I wanted to ask but why?

Then it was as if I fell from the sky

One day we will all know why

 

© Fiona Cummings