Living Between the Lines
A wry look at family life
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There’s a scrabbling and a scratching in the barn…
With the cold weather on its way back and snow threatened once again – I have been making the most of the brief respite by getting the spare beds ready for Christmas guests this morning. We happen to have a small barn in our front garden which we converted some time ago and now use as an office and guest bedroom. With a large family, this additional space is invaluable so, this morning, there was I, trekking outside with a pile of bedding and a bag of cleaning materials. As I made my way along the path, I couldn’t help but remember last year when just a week before Christmas,…
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The Grand Ole Oprey House
More from my lone Californian trip of 1997 I cringe in my seat as Annie leaps to her feet (strangely agile now that ‘Timewalk’ is playing) and proceeds to stamp up and down with the best of them. We are in the ‘The Old Oprey House’ in Los Gatos. It was Annies aunt’s idea to come here. I haven’t mentioned Annie’s aunt before so here is as good a place as any. Annie’s aunt Rose lives in Santa Clara. She is a lovely lady and welcomes me into her house with open arms – literally. I receive the biggest bear hug imaginable as I walk through the door. Keen to…
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‘Roaring Camp and Big Trees’
More from my lone Californian trip: 1997 The drive to Henry Cowell State Park is quite spectacular. Yes, the scenery is pretty amazing but I am not referring to that. As we drive along Highway 17, towards Santa Cruz, in the rising heat of the day, Annie suddenly feels the need to remove her jacket. “Hey Deb, grab the wheel,” she instructs. “Excuse me?” “The wheel – just grab it and keep us straight while I take this off,” There is no time to refuse, the coat is coming off. Leaning to my left, I grab the wheel before it can spin out of control and hope for the best.…
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Head for the Hills! Meeting Grandma
More from my lone Californian Trip of 1997: Part one – the computer store There is one thing I forgot to mention about my new friend Annie. Since inviting me to stay, she has become aware of a problem with her hip. She assures me she can walk. She just can’t walk long distances. She doesn’t see this as an issue and refused to let me delay my trip just because of it. I first realised it may actually be a real issue a day or two ago when we paid a visit to a local computer store. Annie jumped out of the Van and headed off towards the entrance.…
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The Tomb of Dolls
Location: San José The house is low slung and shaded by trees. A couple of rickety chairs sit on the porch and a cat gazes at us with lazy eyes from the shallow roof, as we walk up to the front door. I have been told a few things about Annie’s mother. I know, for instance, that she works nights at the hospital. I know that she has remarried and that Annie’s stepfather is retired and around the house a lot. I also learn that Annie is living in a trailer in the garden at the moment being ‘between homes’. I am however, totally unprepared for what meets me as…
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The Man-Mountain Sheriff and Me
We have been driving for a short time. “I think we need to stop for Gas,” observes my new friend as we chug along Highway 1 just outside San Francisco.
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Would I do it all again?
Sometimes we surprise ourselves by taking a leap into the unknown. Sometimes life throws up an opportunity too good to resist. It happened to me in 1997. One minute I was just a normal wife and mother of five, the next I was flying 5000 miles across the world to meet someone I knew only by virtue of an online writer’s club, by myself. Ok, I know having five children is not classed as strictly ‘normal’ but you get the picture. What possessed me to do such a thing? Heaven only knows. The opportunity arose and with the encouragement of my husband, I took it. To be truthful, when I…
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Birthdays, training days and pond days
As birthdays go mine starts well – some lovely presents and cards and the prospect of a day ‘doing as I please’ once the usual chores are done. I haven’t forgotten the training session I have booked for Flossie this morning but last week’s was so calm and easy I don’t give it much thought. The dog trainer is arriving at 10.30 a.m. I have time to nip into Bishops Waltham and pick up a few bits, post a few letters and be back in time for a cup of tea and a quiet read of the newspaper. Yes, this is going to be a wonderfully relaxing birthday… Neither dog…
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“Click a Treat”
This past week has been William’s. In case anyone has yet to hear – William is our new grandson. Understandably, I have been completely addicted to news of William, photos of William and most importantly, cuddles with William. Even though our daughter, son-in-law and William live a good hour and a half’s drive away, I have managed to see him every other day so far. So, what will be different in the coming week? Well, I will still be addicted to all the above but the new parents will be hitting that longed for patch of normality now. That’s the time when things begin to fall into place and what…
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There are days you will remember forever
Sunday 17th October was one of them. What happens between the time you are bowled over by the birth of your first child and the time you are absolutely overwhelmed by your tiny grandson? There is something amazing about watching your youngest daughter holding her first baby. Somewhere along the line there has been a miracle. This week I met William for the first time. In fact William is meeting everyone and everything for the first time so his world is far more interesting at the moment than mine. I wonder what he thinks of us as we coo and fuss around him? My blog today should simply say, “William Harry…
