Friday 8 November 2019

Water water everywhere.

When I switched on the television for the News over my breakfast this morning I must say that on hearing about flooding in Yorkshire I went straight to the window and drew back the curtains.   Thankfully it was well South of here.   My sympathies lie with the people of Worksop, Derby, Sheffield and the surrounding area - the situation looks terrible and I hear tonight that one lady has been swept away and drowned.   Never under estimate the dreadful power of water.

The people in Bellerby - the village featured on the News at the last deluge on July 30th - just a mile from where I live are still not back in their homes and one or two premises in Leyburn where I live are still not habitable.   My bedroom has a mildewed wall - according to the builder it was an old and totally worn-out soakaway and I had it replaced at once but the whole episode was probably exacerbated by the fact that my patio flooded and the water almost came into my house.
The decorator has been and is going to treat it and redecorate.   I have passed the problem over to him and now I can relax and forget about it, whether it is cured or not. 

And therein lies the problem I touched on briefly earlier in the week.   One's fragility.   Living alone and ageing are not good bed-fellows.   Some days I cope very well, manage to get a lot done and feel rather proud of myself.   Other days something goes wrong early in the day and I feel pretty helpless and have to give myself a good talking-to.
Yesterday for example began really well and everything went according to plan until the freezer played up.  (My fault of course).   That is up and running again and nothing had thawed out, so all's well that ends well there.   In addition I found the booklet and read up on the settings so things should run smoothly.

Today I didn't feel like going into town early (it is Market Day) but I wanted cheese from the cheese stall and Russet apples from the greengrocery stall (they really are delicious) so I made the effort.   All went well and I was pleased with my progress until, when coming out of the Deli I heard this voice calling me and turned to see the girl from the check-out running down the street with my debit card - I had left it in the machine. How stupid do I have to get before I need more help?
No - I must not think like that but sometimes it is hard not to.

But - Onwards and Upwards!   Friends are coming to stay the night tomorrow night - all is ready and all I have to do in the morning is to make a new soup - Sweet Potato and Red Pepper (I will report on whether it is worth making or not) and then at the last minute create a new salad I have discovered in a magazine - leaves, pear slices, toasted walnuts and crumbled blue cheese with a honey and whole grain mustard dressing. I am looking forward to tasting that.   Watch this space.

22 comments:

Judy A Smith said...

Having read your blog for sometime now, I must tell you that I am in awe of your energy, your quick wit and mind and your interest in the world around you. There are so many people who are no where near your age who are not even close to your abilities or accomplishments. We all have those crazy moments of forgetfulness,from the youngest to the oldest so don't worry too much about it. Reading your blog is a really nice part of my day so thank your for your efforts.

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

The lady who works in our village shop tells me that cards are left in their machine every day of the week so I wouldn't worry about it too much. My boss at work once did a small experiment in asking every member of the team to remind her of something that needed doing the next morning; it was the older members of the team who remembered while all the younger ones forgot.

Martina said...

Your salad sounds delicious. Don’t let forgetting your card bother you. I have a friend two decades younger than you. She is very intelligent but often forgets her cards, loses her wallet etc. She has a favorite saying “I may be responsible, but I am forgetful”. The good news is that many nice (as John Gray discussed) people find what she forgets and return them to her.

RunNRose said...

I second Judy Smith's post. I think it's incredible what a busy life you lead,and, besides that, yours is one of the best blogs. Every day I look forward to reading about your day. Thank you!

Bovey Belle said...

I kept seeing bits of the news about the dreadful flooding - and bits on my news feed online too. One bit was about Meadowhall in Sheffield, and people being trapped there. Gosh - not a good outlook as 'tis a bit low-lying if I remember rightly.

I do daft things too - thought I had lost my debit card today when letting my son have it so he could credit my account - then I found he'd put it back in my little cardholder out of order.

I made myself do some City Driving today so I don't lose the skill - I was glad to have done it (after it was over!)

Those recipes sound good - let us know how they worked out.

Carruthers said...

I think one does daft stuff like the bank card thing at any age. I guess when one is older one might be tempted to blame one's age but one isn't necessarily right to do so. I'm not "old" but I once lost my bank card twice in one month and had to get replacements. There is also the case of the lost key, the ladder and the back window.

Morning's Minion said...

I've noticed for years that when I commit one silly 'blunder' it seems to trigger several others. I suspect that often we have a mental list of things to do, get ahead of ourselves and feel a bit foolish when someone has to pick up our pieces!

Joanne Noragon said...

I count it a good day if I remember what I'm doing. Don't be so hard on yourself.

Cro Magnon said...

I always feel so sorry for people whose houses are flooded; it causes such devastation, which lasts for ages. I agree with you about Russets. I remember my wife telling me that the girls were given them once at her school; no-one ate them as they thought they looked 'funny'. What a waste!

Rachel Phillips said...

Given its geographical position it is a wonder this area of South Yorkshire does't suffer from flooding every year. It owes its wealth to its rivers and its part in the Industrial Revolution which otherwise would have passed it by.

Margaret said...

I think you are doing amazingly well to manage alone. My elderly mother is coming up 90 and is almost blind and very deaf. She has lived with me for 28 years since my father died but I retired at 65 so I could care for her full time. Keep on keeping on!

Librarian said...

Like the others here have said, we all have our "daft" moments when our mind is elsewhere and we forget or lose something. So good of the shop girl to run after you with your card! You are a nice and kind person, and so people are drawn into helping you, such like the young man you say helps loading your shopping into your car.
You lead such an active life and manage things that many younger than you can't do, so hold your head up high and be proud of yourself!
The flooding must be terrible; I am glad my relatives in the Ripon area are not affected, but I feel sorry for everyone who is.

Mary said...

You are amazing! Don't let yourself tell you otherwise. :)

Penhill said...

I think we have all left our card behind on at least one occasion. I think you manage very well and at least you seem to be able to afford help when needed. Hope you have a good weekend, the salad sounds lovely.

Heather said...

We all have those slip ups from time to time, and have had them before becoming old! I had a big blip last week over a telephone scam which I almost fell for. All is well thank goodness but it did take it's toll on me for a day or two.
I feel for those unfortunate souls who are flooded, and the family of the lady who was drowned. It is all so dreadful.
Your menu for the weekend sounds delicious as usual - enjoy yourselves.

liparifam said...

Please don't be so hard on yourself! I recently dropped my driver's license at security in the airport and didn't realize it until I was at the gate - thank goodness I just happened to realize it and had time to race back and find it before boarding my flight. Have lost more credit cards than I can remember. Have left my phone in Ubers and shopping carts and other places. Can never find my keys. Forget appointments and show up for others on the wrong day. I was feeling down on myself, thinking it was all age-related, but then realized that everyone I know - of all ages - does the same things! And I definitely remember doing similar things when I was younger. In my 30's, I once threw away a tax refund check, asked for replacement, then lost that one and had to call the IRS for a third! In my 40's, I showed up at work twice wearing un-matching shoes (it's a long story, LOL)!!! Life is challenging at all ages; I think we just start becoming a little paranoid about losing cognitive function as we age...

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

I don't think age has to do with walking out without your card! My twenty-three year old accidentally walked out of a fast food restaurant without her small purse which contained all of her i.d. (there were extenuating circumstances, but it can happen to anyone!). I think that you seem remarkably capable. My own mother went completely downhill by the time she was in her early seventies. Everyone is different - your desire to get together with friends and do social things that like is invaluable, in my opinion. -Jenn

pam nash said...

Here in my part of the universe, we watch flood situations closely. The last really bad one (2 years ago) caused so much damage, people are still repairing their homes. The house next door to me had 3 feet of water inside. Thank all the gods and goddesses, I did not. Living alone and growing older is a challenge in many ways. I find the loneliness to be the hardest. Some days work better than others and the better days are still in the majority. All is well.

Anonymous said...

You are remarkable for your age or any age in fact. We all have glitches but you have fewer than most. That is why it affects you more ... because you are unused to it. You have a wonderful life and long may it continue.

Amanda said...

If you're having issues with your freezer, here's a trick I've learned, living in an area with frequent power outages. Put a cup of water in the freezer (I use a disposable cup) and let it freeze. In the US we put a quarter, a bit thinner and lighter than a pound or Euro coin, on top of the ice. If anything goes wrong, as long as the coin hasn't dropped more than halfway down, your food should be okay. Low tech, but it works.

The Weaver of Grass said...

What a lot of interesting and useable poits you have all made to thie post - far too mjany to comment on but every single one of them worth noting and keeping in mind. So thank you one and all.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Sorry obviously I mean 'points' and I do know there is no j in many!!