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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…
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Let there be light
I have been trawling through the files in my archives again and the story below rose to the fore and demanded to be read. Just a timely memory I thought I’d share. I promise not to include too many of these ‘down memory lane’ extracts but sometimes it’s good to look back and remember how it was. The couple in this tale are the same couple who appear in Nappy cakes, picnics and popcorn by the way. Let there be light When I think of the 1970s, I remember the cheerful fashions, wonderful films like ‘The Great Gatsby’ and ‘The Sting’, good music and long hot summers with clear blue skies and of course, being a teenager. …
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Goodbye to Moody Pants, *Welsh Woman and all!
It’s official. The common is not big enough for me apparently. Now where the Boss got that idea from I do not know but ever since the second meeting with the Welsh Woman (she didn’t tell you about that did she?) and the run-in with the two Moody Ladies (nor that either?) not forgetting the fright of the Old Lady with the walking stick… she has been reluctant to re-visit that green and pleasant pasture. Let me elaborate. Some folk are very odd. I had hardly got onto the common and been let of my lead when I spotted a small springer spaniel running around ahead of me. Naturally, I…
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“A HANDbag?”
A handbag? I am calm now. I am much calmer now than I was yesterday and twice as calm as I was the day before but it has taken me a while to reach this state of calmness. Even as I write I can feel the rage begin to bubble up again. Whew! Well, maybe I should explain… A year ago, some ‘chancer’ stole my identity. She opened accounts at various stores miles from where I live or shop, in my name and using my address. She got away with hundreds of pounds worth of goods for which I was then invoiced. I of course disputed the charges and the…
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One Lovely Blog Award
Awards must be just like London buses; you don’t see any for ages and then two come along at once. So it was with me this week. Not only was I told I was to be a BON on Monday, but I also received a ‘One Lovely Blog Award’ from Katie Gates. Thank you Katie! (I discovered an icon for this Award which I have pasted on the site. I thank whoever it was who produced it.) Do visit Katie at Katie Gates: Stories and Opinions . Katie is a very talented writer. Her personal essays are topical, thought provoking and often humorous and I can personally recommend her novel, ‘The…
