I wondered whether my Canal story would fit into the requirements of the Moth Comp. I read it again and find it boring. Is it because i have read it so many times or is it really boring?? Perhaps I could tailor one of my other stories to fit. I shall look at them and see. I don't feel inspired to write something completely new although Patch's story could be !!
11.00 am coffee and mince pie time. perhaps I should cut out the mince pies.
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I read somewhere some time ago {start of a song} that we should use what we have to the best of our ability because if not our prosperity would be wasted. People who have nothing - no clean water, no housing, no food etc wouldn't be better if we wasted what we have. I didn't really understand what it meant at the time but yesterday I considered my position.
I complain that I hate housework and I hate cooking. This is really disgraceful when I consider that I do have a house and should be grateful and should keep it clean. I do have food and should be grateful so shy am I too lazy to cook when I know that millions of people go hungry everyday. Their are children dying because they have no food and I can't be bothered to cook.
My friends tell me that there is no 'should' ,nothing is compulsory but I disagree on this one. I had a friend who was disabled and in a wheel chair. She said that no one should ever dance in front of her. Using the theory of above the able bodied should use their bodies to the best of their ability otherwise we would all be disabled and that wouldn't help anyone. I can't do this does that mean he should never dance like this?
In the past when I have been ill I've thought that I'll be better tomorrow or next week or even in two weeks. Now at 80 when getting out of bed or putting on shoes and socks and struggling I realise it won't get better. It will only gradually get worse.
Daily I am surprised that I am 80. How did I get to be 80. What have I done in 80 years. I read this morning about a woman who wrote half a dozen books and died at 29.
I have just watched a programme about Jazz musicians who achieved so much and died young. So what have I achieved in 80 years.
Everyday I feel older and slower and my aches and pains increase. although I am warm and well fed and really want for nothing when so many people are cold and hungry. What is the point of it all?
"The definition of time: Time is slow when you wait. Time is fast when you are late. Time is deadly when you are sad. Time is short when you are happy. time is endless when you are in pain. Time is long when you are bored. The weather is good when you are in love. Time is always determined by your feelings and psychological conditions, not by your watch. © SYMPA "
I subscribed to the writing magazine Mslexia after a long break. I hadn't been writing very much since I took up gardening. I had a blog called Living and Gardening in Brittany. Previously writing and painting were my priorities. Now that I am back in the UK with no garden to speak of I have returned to writing, hence Mslexia.
After two issues I feel I have to think about style. When I read the stories in Mslexia I see how language has changed. I use laptops and I have a tablet and a fancy phone. I know that the OED adds new words yearly and there is a whole new vocabulary connected to IT.
It's not that that concerns me.
Patch's Story Chapter 4
The Boss tries to clean up the mess. And it is a mess. Plaster and water is not easy to clean up. Anyway what's the point the water is still dripping. She puts buckets down because it is coming from more than one place. The problem is I heard her say, that she still can't find the source of the leak.
She has spent a lot of time on the phone and someone suggested that she should contact the insurance company. I heard her say that she was reluctant do do that. She had changed companies about 18 months ago. The first thing that happened then was we had a fire.
I remember it well. It was New Year's Eve. She had been to a friend's to celebrate and came back to a smoke filled house. Me and my 2 sisters had stayed upstairs so we were OK. There was only smoke damage. Well I say only smoke damage but anyone who knows will tell you that it's no joke. It took days to clean the walls. Her friend Helen tried but it was impossible. The insurance company engaged decorators to paint all the downstairs walls. Then they insisted on taking all her clothes to be dry cleaned because they smelled of smoke and they brought them back in polythene bags.
I know all this because as I have said before, I hear everything. She discussed it with her friends and she decided to call the insurance company who sent someone round to look at the damage. Then it got complicated. I am not sure why, something about, they could pay for this but not that. But it involved many visits from various plumbers, insurance people and assessors. I heard the word expert so many times that I thought if they are experts why can't they find the leak and get it all sorted.
What a situation! Drip, drip, drip, and still surrounded by boxes. I'm OK. I am still able to sleep in my favourite spot but I am worried about her. She seems very upset. Well I don't blame her. The water is turned off and she can't use the lavatory. Not that that has stopped the drip. There is a kind of toilet in the shed. I know because there is a chair with a container under it. I have seen her empty the container. She empties the contents on the compost heap.
Yesterday things got worse. That French man came with another so-called expert to inspect the beams which were now exposed because of the fallen ceiling. He was looking for 'infestation' apparently. The Boss was furious. She told him in no uncertain terms to clear off. At least I assume that's what she said because she spoke loudly in French and pointed to the door.
The next day the French woman came. I didn't understand everything because they kept speaking in French. I know they were discussing dates but why I don't know and still the boxes remain.
I am sitting watching the TV. It's Wednesday so that means PM's question time. I usually start to watch it mainly because I would like the opposition to challenge this selfish, lying and greedy government. They rarely do. Anyway today there is also a budget announcement from the Chancellor so I begin to watch that to. At the same time I am reading the latest edition of Private Eye.
You will deduce from what I have written so far that I am Socialist. That is not an easy admission these days as it often evokes anger and violent accusations. Any way I protect my health by turning of the sound on the TV.
I want to continue reading The eye, I really do, but how depressing it is . It seems that 90% of MPs and Christ knows how many CEO's and whatever men (mostly men) in business and large corporation in fact anywhere there are huge amounts of money involved are crooks. Well there is no other word for it. The things is, what we are talking about really is Tax Payer's money being stolen. It seems that the whole nation that is assuming we all pay tax are being ripped off.
So I hear a noise outside and open the door to investigate. The window cleaners are busy cleaning my windows. My first thought is, is it really a month. How time flies. I go out to warn them to be careful as the builders haven't finished putting in my new French windows and there is a lot of rubble. By the way it is also raining.
"No problem luv," "Don't worry about it," "You take care now,". They are all young men. They always work quickly no matter the weather and are always pleasant.
These Mr Johnson and cronies and all the Men who think it is OK to steal, yes steal from are the salt of the earth and they are the ones who create the wealth which you steal.
