Thursday 2 September 2021

Lazy

 My order from Tesco has just arrived.   A nice delivery man has just helped me unpack it.   He was sporting a jolly, colourful mask and a matching hat.  And - as they all are - he was very jolly and also helpful.   They   came absolutely on time.   No wonder people are turning to them rather than trailing in to the shops at this time.   I have used them for many years and shall continue to do so.   Now that my carer supplies my meals (chicken and leek pie today (home made) with mange tout, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower cheese and new potatoes.) I only need a delivery about once every three weeks.   Owing to my BET it happens sometimes that I accidentally erase things I want ed(Pringles) so L, just down the road, does the sweeping up at a local shop for me.

The Tesco man took it all out of the boxes and put it on the work surface and even offered to put the tins away in the cupboard but I have the rest of the day in which to do it.   I should be doing it right now - this is a bit of displacement therapy.

And after I have done all that (cupboards and fridge have already been wiped out) my next job is to check my notes for Book Group on Monday when it is my book 'A Farewell to Arms' by Hemingway.  My notes are ready for my presentation but it is a couple of weeks since I wrote them so I need to look at them again.

It was m y Hairdresser''s this morning, as it is every Thursday.   My taxi couldn't take me so my son stepped into the breach.   I tried to save him the full journey by dropping me early and not going into town but he wouldn't hear of it saying he didn't want Priscilla and I crossing a busy road where there was no crossing.   I explained to him that I had been crossing the road alone for about eighty five years and that when most drivers see me with Priscilla, if there isn't a crossing, they stop and let me across.   But he was having none of it and insisted on taking me right into town.   I should be pleased that he cares enough to insist I suppose.

It has been a lovely day here today; the sun has been out until about half an hour ago - and a very warm sun at that.   Schools round here go back next Tuesday so there are children around but never many - I fear they are mostly at home on their ipads rather than out in the fresh air - a completely different way from how things were when we were young but it was always so wasn't it?   Life goes  on and things change.

Winter draws on - I had an invitation from our surgery today to book my flu jab.   I rang and listened to music for what seemed like an age but eventually a Receptionist answered - she was lovely (called me darling)- and two seconds later my appointment for my winter jab was booked at the beginning of October, so that's another useful job done.   And, as I say above about life going on and things changing - how different from when I was a child.   Our village and the next village 'shared' a doctor - Doctor Harrison.   He was a most-respected figure in the community (the Vicar, the Doctor and the Headmaster of the senior school) and what he told us to do we did.   I may have told you before but it bears retelling.   I had chicken pox when I was about four I suppose and it was hardly possible to put your finger between the 'scabs'.   One day my mother was trying to change my vest when Doctor Harrison called.   She had me sitting on the kitchen table next to a clean facecloth and a bowl of warm water.   She was gently dabbing each one and easing the vest off.   He asked my mother to move so that he could look at the state of my body - he took hold of the bottom of the vest and whipped it off in one fell swoop.   I remember it as though it was yesterday!

Can you imagine a doctor coming round to look at chicken pox now?   The role of doctors in our society has completely changed hasn't it?

Well sorry for rambling on - better close today's post before you drop off to sleep with boredom.   See you tomorrow.





23 comments:

JayCee said...

I remember catching chicken pox whilst on a camping holiday with my family and my cousins. Nights spent trying to sleep in a tent, itching and covered in calamine lotion. Horrible.

Heather said...

I don't think I ever had chicken pox but did have everything else.
How lucky we are to have such caring sons - mine would have insisted too.
It has been very cool here today thought the sun did put in an appearance during the afternoon. I woke up during the night feeling cold as I only had a thin quilted bedspread over me and had to find another layer to put on the bed. Tonight I shall be sleeping under the duvet again.

CharlotteP said...

Your doctor's tale made me wince in sympathy.
Things have changed so much, and so quickly; I'm struggling to keep up with technology, but at 61, I dare not give up!

busybusybeejay said...

Never bored with your posts.

Bettina Groh said...

I had chicken pox when I was 4 or 5... probably got it nursery school... and passed it on to my grandmother. She was really really ill.... now I've had the shingles vaccine so that's something I don't have to worry about!!

Mary said...

I could read your lovely posts all day long - they are never boring Pat!
Yes life changes with each generation I guess - still think we were part of the best one!!!!
I've never had chicken pox or any of the childhood diseases - was always told I could be a carrier though so did go ahead some years back and get the shingles vac just in case. We are hoping to get the 'flu shot soon and then COVID #3.
Bless your son, what a good man he is. Our son has not been in touch for 5 years now since he married a terrible woman - we don't know where he is but we could certainly use his help now we are getting older. More than that though, we would just like to know he is safe. . . . .he was a lovely boy and young man. Our entire family misses him so very much - he cut all ties, and broke my heart.
Take care dear Pat - especially at the cupboards etc. I've pulled a muscle in my thigh from bending down to organize kitchen stuff a couple of days ago - it really hurts!
Mary x

Anonymous said...

Always enjoy your posts - have followed you for many years, but only recently leaving a comment. I so enjoy your routines and learning about your life and views on things. You have much to offer including stability in an ever-changing world, and a great attitude to challenges. Warm wishes to you Pat...from Pam.

Ellen D. said...

You've had a busy day then! I love to hear your reminiscing and never find you boring! Rest well tonight!

Tasker Dunham said...

Everyone over 70 used to get regular a home visit from the doctor just to check how they were.

Jan said...

I remember our family doctor coming to the house several times in the 1950's when I was ill as a child. He would sit on my bed and ask "How are you my darling."
I clearly remember one time he brought me an orange and told me it would be good for me. It's not hard to know where the phrase "bedside manner" came from.

su-zee said...

I can remember the Doctor calling in the 1960's. I was a very sickly child. The house would be tidied up before he came! My mother treated him like God and always did what he said.

Debby said...

I remember the doctor making house calls when I was very young. Those days are long gone. I did read about one doctor in a remote place who still makes house calls and considers it a vital way to 'learn' his patients.

Sometimes I look at life around me right now, and try to guess what it is that my grandchildren will look back at years from now, and say, "Do you remember back when..."

The world is always changing.

Joanne Noragon said...

My doctor came to see me at home with measles, in the forties, and sent me to the hospital!

Red said...

I enjoyed your "ramble on". Our doctor would get several small schools together to give them shots. I'm not whining but those old needles really were big. they were sterilized and used over many times.

angryparsnip said...

I so love your "ramble on" so enjoyable to read.

Cro Magnon said...

When I was small doctors were still private, and for some reason we continued with that arrangement. His name was Dr Sommerville, and he called me 'Face-ache'. He had a giant stuffed Bear in his surgery, which would lift a tumbler to its mouth as if drinking. Voila!

Derek Faulkner said...

I can't imagine my doctor being in his surgery, let alone coming to my house, things have changed a lot now since Covid.
Apparently we might actually see some sun in the next few days, that'll be nice.

Librarian said...

Your posts are never boring, Pat!!
Of course your son insisted on taking you all the way to the hairdresser's. You would have done the same if it was the other way round, wouldn't you!
It was a beautiful sunny day here yesterday, too; the second in a row. So welcome to see the September sun after a mostly grey, wet and chilly August.
Like you, my Mum is very happy with her groceries delivery service. The delivery person usually brings it all up the three flights of stairs, and sometimes they even have a minute or two for a friendly chat. She also tips them generously, knowing that their job is physically demanding and not well paid.

Bonnie said...

It is good that you got your flu jab booked. I need to schedule mine soon as well. Will you be getting the "booster" Covid shots there? We should be getting them here but it has to be eight months after our last Covid shot. I did not get chickenpox until I was in my twenties and had my two sons. In fact, they got it from me! That was a miserable time for all of us!

Sue in Suffolk said...

How lovely to have so many good people to lend a hand when needed,
Have a good day - dull and grey here in Suffolk - Yet Again!

Anonymous said...

We absolutely love your blog - have read you for many years. You have a knack of choosing such interesting subjects and you NEVER ramble on! A day without you would be a poor one.
Wendy (Wales)

flowertotmum said...

Keep on rambling my love. I love to hear about it and find it so refreshing to hear all about your days.
ftm

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thanks for that booster to my ego folks - I needed that in a week when anything that could get in a muddle did so.