Nine Feet Underground

An extra hour's sleep, in theory and almost in practice.  I was woken today by the sound of E coughing.  On the positive side I still heard her even though I was blocking out sound, and not only that she was fine, just a normal round of coughing. I went back to bed, but couldn't get back to sleep so got up, and showered. Going to meet a friend for a coffee at around 11, but before then I have washing to put on and a few of the usual daily chores to do. Back from a great coffee and catch-up with a good friend. She's looking well and doing OK, which is good to see.  Lots to talk about as we've not seen each other for a couple of months, maybe more. Time flies, etc.  We both had some films, books and other recommendations to share, one of the many delights of catching up with people.  There's not much that beats spending time with friends.  Before heading our separate ways we visited the local Asian foods superstore which has some really interesting food on sa...

This is not the Saturday you are looking for.  I've got shopping to do, both for food, a card for E's birthday in a couple of weeks and a couple of DIY items. Naturally, I visited the bread stall in the market and had a chat. Apparently, last week they had almond and chocolate croissants (combined) and they were very nice. I said I'd like to try one, so they're ordering more for next week, though I did say I might not be there. They said  that's fine, we'll eat them, as they did the last batch! Got all my chores underway before a good friend dropped in to see E and have a chat. I haven't seen her for a long, not since before covid, and see we ended up chatting for a couple of hours or so.  It was good to catch up and she was looking well. I think E enjoyed seeing her, as much as anyone can tell. Another highlight of the day was the arrival of a copy of Jarvis Cocker's book 'Good Pop, Bad Pop', signed for me by the man himself at the Idler Festiva...

A busy Friday ahead, so probably not a great deal to say. We will see. Still getting used to the fact that I'm here not there, but I just have to get on with it. The uncertainty and unpredictability of life is tough on all of us, and I'm grateful for all the support I get.  I know it's especially tough for Q as she never knows how long I'll be around for and plans are vague. This week's poem by Emily Dickinson seems appropriate: Much Madness is divinest Sense - To a discerning Eye - Much Sense - the starkest Madness - ’Tis the Majority In this, as all, prevail - Assent - and you are sane - Demur - you’re straightway dangerous - And handled with a Chain - I rather like it. Son #1's gf arrives today as there's a big Halloween party happening this weekend, and so I think I'll be home alone(-ish) on Saturday (tomorrow) night. Standard end to the day, let the weekend begin... Lady Blackbird / 'Feel It Comin'' / (Single) [[Lady Blackbird has an ama...

(I am torn between two worlds) Got up early today as I need to go shopping before work, unless I want to go without food (though perhaps that would be a good answer for my cholesterol levels).  Slept like a log last night (do logs actually sleep? Guess it comes from the expression 'Let sleeping logs lie', probably 😉), achieving 94% sleep efficiency and over 3 hours of deep sleep, both of which are records. The carer arrived, K is still working (thought she was on holiday, but not until tomorrow) and E was coughing a lot with a lot of stuff bubbling in her throat. We moved her and encouraged her to try and spit it out, but that's not something she can easily do. She cleared her throat somehow. Neither drowning or waving. For today, at least. I'm back from shopping with an oat milk flat white (get behind me satanic coconut milk, you are banished!).  The guy on the till is walking with a crutch and I asked him if it was getting better. Turns out it's not as he has bee...

An early start to the day and an early end to my plans for this week. I had planned to remain in Liverpool until the weekend, but will be departing soon for home, to be there as E begins her palliative care journey.  I stopped only once at Warwick services, to answer the call and grab a coffee, preferring to be home as soon as possible to be there to support those that need it. Not long before the end of the journey, the community matron called to update me with news on E. I was hoping to get home before he left, but I missed him by about 20 minutes. The news? E is stable and it hasn't been necessary to give her any more palliative care meds. She has a slightly raised temperature, but last nights meds seem to have brought things under control. Once I get home I can see for myself.  E  looks a bit warm, but settled. Her cough is under control, much better than it was last night. The focus shifts back to work, while things are stable. When I meditated this afternoon I disco...

As yesterday, Q is at work, however, I am too, it being a Tuesday, the main difference is that I'm working in Liverpool. I've taken over Q's dining room table and it's now become the operations hub 😂😂 After my first work call of the day, I discover that my copy of 'In Perfect Harmony' by Will Hodgkinson, as I succumbed to buying it after reading a lengthy extract.  I don't think he'll change my mind about most of the music, but I think the discussion of the times, especially as I was a teenager for some of it, will bring fresh insights and understanding. Can't wait. My phone rings at around 10 and it's the carers.  They have observed a slight change in E's eyes and perhaps she's a little more tired than normal. We need to watch this closely as it's often been a precursor to infection and the carers are usually the first to spot these slight changes. If the situation changes significantly and warrants my presence, then I will, of cou...

Q is at work and I am home alone, well, not quite, I have a cat for company, though she is asleep upstairs. I have the papers to read and also a trip to the campus for coffee planned for a little after 11. The day didn't get off to a great start as I had a text from our GP indicating my blood test results are back and it seems my cholesterol level puts me into a risk category. High enough for them to recommend new medication. I think I'll arrange a call with our GP to discuss, in case there are any lifestyle changes I can make to avoid the need for medication. The message contains the phrase 'risk of a heart attack in the next 10 years' which is a cheery way to start the day. I shall be reading up on the medication later. Time for a trip to one of the coffee shops on campus.  On my return, I ended up chatting with the next-door neighbour, briefly.   I came back with a coconut flat white and an unexpected chocolate twist. I'm not sure who expected it least. Me, the t...

Today begins late in Liverpool.  A late breakfast followed by a drive into the city centre.  Q needs to get some new glasses ordered, we both have a bit of shopping to do, in my case, the priority is buying a copy of 'The Observer'.  We also did a bit of site-seeing and familiarisation with the shops.  We headed  for brunch at a café called 'Ropes & Twines', which comes highly recommended.  'Ropes & Twines' is pretty cool and I had a very enjoyable cheese toasty and coffee, whilst Q enjoyed a latte and sourdough with toast.  Suitably fed and watered, we did a tour of the menus of a  number of interesting restaurants (Indian, Persian, Greek, Turkish, Korean and my favourite, a seafood restaurant (whose menu has a section titled, 'for non-believers'!) and then stumbled across a really cool bookshop called ' News From Nowhere' . After a quick visit to 'News From Nowhere', where somehow I avoided buying a book, we headed  to the car a...

Up early to finish packing and head to Liverpool. For a change, it won't be work that stops me from writing, but the fact I'll be driving for 3 to 4 hours. I arrive not long after midday, and despite having had one stop en route my back is really uncomfortable again. Q suggests I soak in a warm bath, so that's what I do. After the bath in Radox muscle relaxant bath gel, my back does indeed feel better. I have made a note to stop more frequently on the way home, assuming my back is not back to normal as opposed to back to front. After dinner, we spent a quiet evening. Just what the doctor ordered. Steve Hackett / 'The Virgin and the Gypsy' / 'Spectral Mornings' [[Live, this track was amazing, and it's still special in its studio form  ] ]

The usual sort of Friday with some added drilling thrown in for good measure. Today is also the deadline for the end of year self-assessment as part of my review process for the year, so that's going to be a priority too, but the general answer is, work, work, drilling and work. Time to head off to the dentist to be drilled. I'm back, Jack! My tooth is now drilled and filled. My cheek and lips fell like they've swollen up after an unexpected round of boxing.  I'm not supposed to eat for an hour and I'm Hank Marvin. See my moves!  If I meditate that should help. Back to work!  I've finished an submitted my self-assessment, so that's a result.  Time to finish working and start packing for tomorrow's journey north. We made a slow cooker meal, Saucy Sausages (?), and so dinner should be fairly easy tonight. The recipe says to serve with crusty bread, so that's what we've gone for. A typical evening in, watching the last episode of 'Stuck', wh...