Tuesday 9 March 2021

This and that.

 What a twenty four hours it must have been for the Queen. I am by no means a Royalist but I do think the Royal Family has been 'trashed' over the last few days and a lot of it quite unnecessarily.   I think of the dignified way in which Princess Anne cleverly managed to extricate both Peter and Zara Phillips seamlessly, no doubt knowing the kind of life they would live if they stayed 'within' the Royal family, I can't help thinking more thought should have been put into all this fiasco.   Now that I have got that off my chest I shall not mention it again.

What else has happened today?   Not a lot really.   I have walked round the block with Priscilla but, in spite of doing it most days - unless it is raining or very windy - I am not finding it any easier to do.   I am hoping that when the warmer weather arrives I may find it easier, but at present it is not the case.   Any minute now the Student Doctor who is monitoring my case is due to ring and I can't say any great step forward has been made since he last rang.

What else have I done today?   Had a chat with M my neighbour, who kindly always pops out when I walk past - and keeping social distance -  stops for a chat.   I do appreciate it.

Read a couple of chapters of Elizabeth von Arnim's 'Elizabeth's German Garden'.   It is one of my favourite books and when I have nothing to read I tend to read it again.   von Arnim was a friend of Vita Sackville West and also a friend of HG Wells (I rather think more than a frriend).   It makes for pleasant, untroubled reading.

My lunch - from my carer as usual- was smoked salmon with a hard boiled egg, cole slaw, beetroot and a simple salad.   I microwaved a jacket potato to go with it and it was all delicious.

Well tomorrow is another day as they say.   Sleep well.

28 comments:

Ellen D. said...

Glad you got out for a walk. The Spring weather will lift your spirits once it gets here to stay! I am heading out for a walk in my neighborhood as the weather is warmer here today. I fell 2 weeks ago and it has taken me this long to nurse my knee back into shape. I won't go too far but I have to start again or I will get all stiff. You inspire me to get out there!
Stay safe!

Rachel Phillips said...

Why did you have a baked potatoe? Would a round of bread and butter not have done?

Derek Faulkner said...

Is the food part of your care package, or simply something the Carer provides as a friendly extra.

Heather said...

I think I want to kidnap your carer! We had a beautiful day today. A chill wind but lovely sunshine, but tomorrow could be very different. Wet and windy is forecast.
Don't worry about your slow progress. The fact that you are persevering is good and I am sure that some real warmth in the weather could make a big difference.

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

Unless the weather man has got it very wrong, I don't think you'll be walking far for a day or two. Nor will I!

Barbara Anne said...

Today is the birthday of Vita Sackville-West, born near Sevenoaks in 1892! I imagine she'd be amazed to still be remembered.
Hope the doctor had good things to say to you and am glad you're getting out and about with Priscilla as weather allows.

Hugs!

Anonymous said...

Because she fancied it...

Pipistrello said...

I've recently read 'Expiation', which I just loved, and hope to get my hands on 'Elizabeth ..'

CharlotteP said...

It's good to have favourite books you love to re-read...visiting old friends.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Rachel because I just love baked potatoes - I buy McCains frozen jackets and one only takes five minutes in the microwave.
The food, Derek. is not part f my care package but my carer started bringing me the odd lunch and wouldnt take any money - eventually I had a serious talk with her and said I wouldn;t accept them unless she let me pay her. Now she brings me one each day and I pay for them. Incidentally she is a private carer and does not work for any companyI

Tom Stephenson said...

I hope you thoroughly enjoyed your potato, Weave.

Lynn Marie said...

Possibly we're all getting a bit too invested in your meals! But please don't stop telling us about them - they sound great!

Anonymous said...

Rachel Philips must be the food police - you certainly don't need to explain why you dared to have a baked potato when in her opinion a round of bread and butter would suffice!

You have what you like dear, it's nothing to do with anyone else.

Rachel Phillips said...

At least I got to hear about the frozen jackets. For me a baked potato takes at least 1 hour. Thanks Weave. I'll stick with bread and butter.

DUTA said...

It seems you've got yourself a chef for a carer. Good for you!

Susan said...

As you state, building muscle and strength after a surgery is important. Protein intake along with exercise is the key. Do you need more protein? (Whole eggs are one of the best sources of protein.) I'd ask the doctor for a recommendation for building muscle and strength. You are very motivated and the doc should support your request for guidance. If he can not provide guidance, I'd seek a second opinion.

Anonymous said...

Since I have been working to build stamina after a debilitating illness I have been very interested in your walks around the block. One thing I have found helpful when progress seems slow or non-existent is to think back a couple months; even though I am frustrated to be tired after walking around the block, actually I was unable to even attempt such a distance at the beginning of the year. Perhaps you would see more progress if you similarly expanded your time frame?

ceci

Joanne Noragon said...

Marvelously uneventful, I would say.

Librarian said...

Your carer is a true gem, as of course you know.
Maybe you are not feeling that there is any progress, but sometimes just maintaining the status quo is hard work, and always better than going backwards.

Derek Faulkner said...

That's an excellent arrangement that you have with your Carer Pat and one that gives you good food each day, well done.

the veg artist said...

I think it's great that you have such a varied diet. I had an aunt who descended into a way of eating that was dreadfully sad. She would buy a sliced loaf of bread, packets of sliced ham, and make the whole lot into sandwiches in one go. When she had eaten her way through that, she would buy more bread and ham and do the same thing. Over and over.

Jean Winnipeg said...

One of my favourite books is Elizabeth von Arnim's Enchanted April. I loved the book and the movie was a delight. I have not come across her book German Garden, I will have to see if I can see it anywhere.

Derek Faulkner said...

Pat, did you ever read the book "Portrait of a Marriage" - the story of the marriage of Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson, written by their son Nigel Nicolson. I've had it since it was published in 1990 and have read it a couple of times, it's really great.

Debby said...

You sound a little down today, and I am sorry for that. You are such a sturdy soul and you are working so very hard. The fact that you're up and walking about is a good thing though. I know plenty of folks who simply decline after a bad fall. But look at you! Perhaps you need a walking buddy to chat with as you move. Don't be discouraged. For what my opinion is worth, I think you're doing great!

JanF said...

Your carer is amazing. I wish my mother could have had someone like that. Is she hired privately and is the lunch part of the arrangement?

Northriding said...

Like Jean Winnipeg I can recommend The Enchanted April and a lovely film, I think starring Miranda Richardson, Joan Plowright and Josie Lawrence

it's me said...

Elizabeth’s German Garden is one of my favorites too. I bought my copy in Paris at the little independent bookstore Shakespeare and Co. so I treasure it for that reason too.
I love the descriptions of your meals. You do have a nice variety. Since I cook most of mine I’ve gotten lazy and narrow in my selections. I detest all the cleanup of a complicated meal.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Regarding my lunches. My Carer is a Private one - not attavhed to any company. She just started bringing me the odd lunch and wouldn't let me pay for them. I insisted. She already cooks for her partner and for his mother who lives nearby and she just started bring me one every day. Now I pay her an agree sum each week.
Interesting what you say Debby - I was a little down yessterday. I had a strugge to get round on my walk and felt worn out. Today I felt very fit whenI walked round and it made all the difference.
Thanks fr that recommendation Derek.
Thank you for that advice Anonymous.
Rachel - I have McCain's Jackets - frozen. They only take 5 minutes in the microwave but I always feel it is too extravagant to put the oven on for an hour if that is all I am cooking although I do agree they are better.

Thanks everyone for stopping by.