Carelink

I have just been issued with a Carelink Alarm Pendant. This emergency help system is run by the Brighton & Hove Council to enable people who are elderly or disabled to live independently. It means that when my family are away and I am in the house alone I can call for assistance if I have a fall or am taken ill at any time of the day or night. Kind neighbours and friends have agreed to have keys and the council staff will notify the keyholders so that someone can come to the house. If needed the staff will arrange for a doctor or an ambulance or the Police to come. There is a fee. Well worth it for peace of mind, but I hope I never have to use it.

www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/carelinkplus

Mothering Sunday

A lovely sunny spring morning. So nice to be remembered with phone calls, chocolates, beautiful flowers and some very up-market talcum powder from my friend in Tokyo. Such a lot of nice things to be thankful for.
I am deep in a Dick Francis thriller. Almost sorry when I get to the end it is so exciting. I am having a lazy day.
Just going to make an omelette verte for my supper and then perhaps watch one of my opera DVDs. As my daughter said what a decadent life I lead.

Mothering Sunday

Oxford DNB

Today's on line entry for the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, which I look at most days, is extremely topical.
Arabella Hunt, a musician, married a young man named James Howard in 1680. It turned out that this young man was, in fact, a woman. The marriage was annulled on the grounds that two woman could not contract a valid marriage with each other. Both partners were declared free to marry, so long as they married men.

Outings

I lead a giddy existence these days. Yesterday morning I went to the hairdresser at the bottom of our road. That end of the road has been closed for a time as I'm told they are going to put in a pedestrian crossing. Because of this the traffic was whizzing in all directions. I am not able to see so well these days so I asked a nice young man to tell me when it was safe to cross. He saw me safely across the road. I find young people very patient and willing to help. Then in the afternoon Mike took me on my usual trip to the hospital for a scan. I now wait to see if the consultant thinks I need another injection.
Today Mike and I went to Seaford for coffee with my friends. We had an enjoyable morning. Elizabeth has been emptying her loft and we came home with a lovely little chair, just right for Lloyd when he comes. We already have one small chair so now the two little boys can have one each.
I love words. I was describing a character in a novel and said "She was very deedy". This was a favourite word of my mother's and meant she was very earnest, very serious said in a slightly perjorative way. Does anybody still say it?

Outings

A Beautiful Day

The weather today has been bright and springlike. I went shopping this morning. It becomes more of an effort these days to climb the slight rise as I make my way homewards but the sense of achievement is worth it.
It has certainly been a different day from the 8th of March 1947. We were married 65 years ago The snow lay on the ground and it was so-oo cold. Everyone else was wrapped up warm in their winter clothes while Don and I nearly froze to death.
A buff envelope arrived today from the Inland Revenue. That is one of the many occasions when I miss Don. As I was married to a Tax Inspector I was told for years that I didn't need to worry my pretty little head with such things. Latterly I did receive some instruction. How I wish I had paid more attention! However, the letter was just to tell me my new tax code. I hope it is right.