and just like that it is Friday again

Back to normal service, ie a bit of this and a bit of that. Life continues to be hectic and I am almost always tired. Last week was not the best week and I feel a bit rubbish. I can sympathise with the wee cygnet on my photos, too tired to swim along with his siblings and needing a bit of a ride. 

Alistair was pushed down the stairs at school by one nasty piece of s**t. He is fine now but was quite shaken. While I generally agree with re-inforcing positive behaviour policies, the consequences of bullying and/or hurting another child are surprisingly minimal. On this occasion and due to the severity of the incident, the unrepentant assailant was taken aside by the community police officer so hopefully this made enough of an impression to stop further incidents. Alas, I fear not. A lucky collateral of the incident was that the tannoy announcement to call for a first aider was considered enough of a disruption to warrant extra time in any ongoing exams, so Annie got extra time in hers. You know, there is a silver lining and all that... James meanwhile had his bag grabbed in the gym changing rooms by another boy, who put in the shower area and turned-on the tap. I was relieved that James' school iPad was not damaged. He had one broken by another boy, who thought it was funny to throw it on the ground and stomp on it. I kid you not. It is brutal out there if you are different. 

On to more positive things. Nature has been putting on a marvellous show this last week. Honestly, I can almost see the plants grow. Everything is green and luscious. If there was a colour to be assigned to each Month, May would be green. I try to be more mindful on my walks and have extended my reach a bit. We are so very lucky here in my neighbourhood. It takes 5 minutes to get to the canal, then it is possible to walk along waterways and through parks for miles. I explored a newly re-opened path parallel to the Kelvin walkway but on the opposite side of the river. It was absolutely breathtaking (and green). The midges are loving it, too.  

I got my bike out and cycled down to the opticians earlier this week. Back when there was no pandemic, I cycled to work every day and I miss that short burst of activity first thing and last thing. My bum did not thank me. I suppose I have to gradually build up my saddle tolerance. Although of course there is not much of an incentive to cycle because I don't have to go anywhere. I don't like cycling enough to do it for fun but the bike is a great mode of transport for short distances.

I am the proud wearer of my first pair of varifocal glasses. Still getting used to them but today I noticed moving my head quickly doesn't make me dizzy so probably nearly there. I could get by without those glasses and having them is a real treat, not a real necessity. So nice though being able to chop onions or read a book and look up and chat to somebody or glance into the garden without having to take off the readers (and see everything in focus).

Sam's moving date is nearly here. Next week, he will relocate to York. Richard will drive him and a van full of stuff down. His new flat is unfurnished and he has been scavenging furniture from friends and us. We are not allowed to leave our local area except for essential travel but I assume relocation to another city for work is considered essential enough. In any case and judging by the FB photos that everybody around me is posting, staying local and not meeting friends/family inside is at best ignored. Frustrating for those of us that do care for public health. I look forward to visiting him in York sometime soon. 

Annie killed a mouse. She woke up to find it injured next to her bed. She sent a text at 3:26 am asking for help (with photo of mouse attached). I saw it in the morning. I don't know why she didn't call out for us, or call on the phone. Maybe she didn't want to frighten the injured mouse. In the end, she decided she had to put the mouse out of its misery. I didn't want to ask for details but I know a pint glass was involved. Poor Annie, having rubbish parents is not fun. Jack, or designated mouse exterminator was too late to help, too.

I have started sewing jeans shorts. Well, I am using pink needle cord but it is a jeans pattern alright. I might go and finish the fly now.

Thanks for visiting! 

P.S. Maybe not so used to the new varifocals just yet....I liberally dusted Alistair's pizza with mixed spice instead of mixed herbs... don't tell him but I rinsed the toppings under the tap, scraped the tomato sauce off and started afresh. He didn't notice the notice the fain whiff of cinnamon coming from his dinner.