In the three hours I have been up today I think the weather has changed at least a dozen times. I almost slept in because it was so dark. Much of our country is suffering from very severe flooding and in some areas homes have been evacuated. I don't know how the beck in my son's village has fared. I rang him before I went to bed last evening and the beck had not reached the top of its banks then so let's hope it has stayed that way overnight. Eventually it got light here and the sky was black, then the dawn sun broke through on the horizon but a moment later it was pouring with rain. When I came in here to look at my blog the sun was shining but within a minute there was a heavy blizzard. Now the sun is out again.
Did you watch the Inauguration of President Biden (how good to be able to say that)? I did as I have watched those of previous Presidents. I find it fascinating mainly because it is so very different from the way we do things over here. For example can you imagine Lady Gaga singing the National Anthem at a serious ceremony here? But, my goodness, what an amazing voice she has. And I also noticed the hair - how natural all the womens' hair looked - just like I have said several times over the past few weeks about clothes - the whole area surrounding 'fashion' has changed for the better I think don't you?
When I was in hospital in October with my broken hip a young Medical Student came to see me and asked if I would be willing to be interviewed by him every couple of months or so for a study he was doing. I find this sort of thing fascinating and so readily agreed. He rang me yesterday - our third chat which lasted about a quarter of an hour. We discussed how my hip was (very good), how my mobility was (poor but owing entirely to the weather and the fact that I just cannot get out for my regular exercise walks), how my state of mind was (good I said - and helped a lot by daily blogging - if I cant talk to friends then I can chat to them on our posts and that is the next best thing I am sure you will agree) and then the subject of my Benign Essential Tremor came up - not at all dangerous, quite common amongst older people and, when it affects one's hands - very irritating. He asked what medication I took (Gabapentin) and then said that there was evidence that it was one of the few things that seemed to be improved by a daily dose of an alcoholic drink! So do I start having a sherry each day (I am not a drinker - only very occasionally do I have a drink) or would such a thing become a habit and lead to my becoming dependent on it and developing into something more?
Wall to wall sunshine outside but a bitter East wind blowing. Thelma - if you are reading this it will be blowing even more strongly where you are so keep warm.
See you all tomorrow.
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31 comments:
A cold one here, so a cheerful wood fire going in the other room. It will be another gray day. I was not able to watch the inauguration yesterday, because I had two boys homeschooling, watching the evening news after all was said and done was wonderful. It is hard not to feel optimistic.
I enjoyed watching the inauguration, it was especially nice to see everyone wearing face masks, not something you see a lot of our MP's doing. Fascinating to see how spectacular the whole event is, over here the new PM gets voted in, nips round to say hello to the Queen and that's it. Lady Gaga is a great singer, I'm a big fan of hers, and good to see JLo singing a Woody Guthrie song.
Dry and sunny here with a cold wind.
A very windy day here, with fast moving clouds and sun in between. Also, it is rather warm for January - 13 Celsius!
Your mention of flooding reminds me that I want to get in touch with my family in Ripon, see how they are getting on. My mother-in-law (88 years in March) lives not far from the river.
The inauguration address was rather touching. I was relieved to see everything went smoothly with no dangerous or aggressive incidents. And how nice was that, when the two couples were chatting and laughing on the steps?
We are all realistic enough to know that the problems are still very much there, but it was good to see that change finally taking place.
Don't worry about the drinking. Most people, myself included, are able to have one drink and stop at that. I think you'd know by now if you were the sort of person who couldn't stop.
I wonder how much blogland will come up in the responses of other people? It certainly adds to a sense of communication.
It was a happy day here yesterday in the US. I hope the beginning of many to come.
Bonnie in Minneapolis
Yes Pat I'm cold..... The little cat has been dancing around the lawn in great excitement with the strong winds. And yes I agree about the natural hairstyles, it was the first thing I noticed. Maybe a little colour here and there, no hats though and loose hair flying around in the wind. There is hope for me yet as I never visit the hairdresser.
As the Guardian put it, we have been holding our breath for four years for America, yesterday, we started breathing again, though not till Biden had taken the oath and we were all on firm ground.
I don't think a sherry each day would lead you to become dependent on it. My father liked a drop of whisky each evening and was never much of a drinker.
Our weather has been very varied too. We've had almost everything - wind, thunder, hail, rain, powdery snow, more rain and sunshine. Now it is just cloudy but calm.
I do hope your son and his family are safe from flooding, and feel so sorry for those who are not.
Pat you will be fine with a swig a day!
I hardly drink at all but about 3/4 evenings a week I have a measure of whiskey, masses of ice and all drowned in coke - gorgeous!
Yes, it was refreshing to see the ladies brushing the hair out of their faces just as you or I would. These are real people. People I could comfortable have a chat with.
And how about a sherry every other day? :0)
Well, I'll pitch in my own 'booze experience.' My doctor put me on a statin drug to help cholesterol control. I didn't get along well with it. Sore joints and muscles, etc. I repair clocks and things for a living (retired now but still can do it). My finger sensitivity and acuity is important to me. We decided that a 'pour' several times a week might be helpful as there is evidence supporting it. I've never been a drinker, but it worked! Now, I'm taking half the smallest pill dose for my statin and the cholesterol has dropped decidedly. So, if I liked wine, it would be great. Unfortunately, I don't. So I get the stuff down, but there's no pleasure in it for me. But it is being helpful. I'd give it a go if I were you. You won't become a lush in a month or two - and you'll know whether it is being helpful by then. Cheers!
"We must end this uncivil war, that pits red against blue, rural vs. urban, conservative vs. liberal. We can do this, if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts."
January 2022 will give a clearer picture of how things develop after a dozen or so years of an ever deepening divide. We're hopeful, but bracing for a return of the financial strain of 2008-2016... higher gas, energy, food, and other costs with no pay raises, fewer jobs and higher interest rates.
Hope sunny weather arrives for you soon!
I hope the flooding will subside and all will be safe where you are!
I keep going back to watch parts of the Inauguration ceremony as it was very moving for me. I just watched Amanda Gorman again as she read her poem and I was uplifted by her meaningful presentation. And only 23 years old! You cannot believe the relief I feel. I am hopeful again but realize that we all have a lot of work to do here.
Peace!
Nice to be involved with the medical student research training.
I don't think a sherry a day is going to turn you into an alcoholic! Enjoy it and see if it works.
I was thrilled by this inauguration. We couldn't watch it since we don't have a TV, and our closest son is of the opposite political persuasion so it would not have been fun to watch it with him. But I did so enjoy listening. I agree about Lady Gaga--kind of a surprise, but she can certainly sing. She's from my state so we're proud of her. I also loved the young poet, and hearing people speak with kindness and civility. What a blessed change. Thank you for caring about our woes over here. I think rough times are still ahead for us, but there is at least a glimmer of light.
So good to visit with you this morning Pat... We did watch a little of the inauguration.. I'am so pleased to have Trump gone... no more Trump drama.. I could use 4 years of no drama.. just try to get things back to normal ... whatever that is.. Ofcourse i'am not in love with Biden.. he's way too liberal for me but he's not Trump... and thats what i had to choose from... We will probably be over run with immigrants which is truly the only thing i ever agreed with Trump about.. But thats nothing new.. We've always been overrun with illegal immigrants.. I don't mind immigrants but they should have to come in legally and follow all the steps to citizenship.. We are after all a country made up of immigrants.. Whoops don't get me started...lol I watched the inauguration until they started talking about Black Lives Matter... so tired of hearing about that i just turn it off.. Our temps and weather here start of pretty chilly in the morning but fair by afternoon.. even the nights are not getting bitter.. Some rain expected over the weekend.. Have a good day Pat! Hugs! deb
I was told to have a shot of whiskey before bed. I think it was good advice, I’m as tarp as a shack. 😀
I do enjoy reading your blog everyday and I'm so glad you are doing well. I have to admit that I didn't watch much of the inauguration. I'm so very weary of the politics on both sides. I hope things will be better, but it remains to be seen. It's been a very long time since we had a president that I could really get enthusiastic about.
I’m with those who say a small drink would be fine. I drink a glass of wine most evenings with my dinner, but now and then give it up for a month or so. I feel no different whether I am drinking or not but then two glasses is my limit even in social occasions. I’m confident you would not become addicted to alcohol and it would be wonderful if it helped you medically, pity you can’t get it on prescription.
I am sorry to hear about all the flooding your country has had recently. I do hope it will subside soon. I truly enjoyed the inauguration yesterday and I am thankful there were no problems during it. President Biden already got to work yesterday afternoon signing many documents to help deal with covid and to help return us to our previous positive involvement with the rest of the world. He is a man that is good at reaching out to others in kindness and healing especially with those that don't agree with him. He has many great challenges right now but he will approach them in a positive and honest manner.
The USA has a very different culture to the UK I think. It often gets masked by the fact that both countries speak English.
My mother in law swore by a tot of brandy to get her going; but because she was drinking it for medicinal reasons, she always drank it out of a spoon, never from a glass.
Certainly a glass of sherry or wine would not lead to an addiction. Go for it, say I!
My husband is a recently retired G.P. so I asked his opinion on alcohol and Benign Essential Tremor. Absolutely not recommended! was his reply. Apparently there can be lessening of the tremor for a little while after alcohol but then there can be a rebound effect of even worse tremor. When he asked who is recommending it and I replied a Medical Student he said there is the operative word - STUDENT!
Interesting how variable your weather is. Here, we get a large system which stays for a few hours or a few days.
Biden taking office is positive for the USA. The ceremony was excellent and thankfully a safe experience for everyone. Being part of a research project sounds interesting. Will you get a copy of the findings? A glass of alcohol every so often sounds fine to me. My late Uncle lived to almost 100 and he drank martinis in the summer and brandy in the winter. Every day at 4 PM he toasted something.
That's a lot of weather for one day. Maybe because there's so much less land area to absorb it?
I see what you mean Weave! One sherry a day won't harm.
Thank you anonymous - I shall take your husband's word for it.
I myself had to take Pepto-Bismal on Inauguration Day. *bleh* The media would have you believe that the whole country was happy Biden was elected but that's simply not true. 81M people voted for him but 74M voted for Trump, so it's basically half-and-half... almost. He's already making blunders and hasn't been in office for a week yet. God help us the next 4 years!! ~Andrea xoxo
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