What’s the Story in Dalamory

Oh how full of toil and trouble they are – (at least the ones I read yesterday were.)  I am back to wondering what we are supposed to do with the information, speculation and horror that is disseminated as news these days. Still there is hope after all. Last week one of the gossipy “writers” had spoken with some pride of walking out of a pub without paying for drinks. She was taken to task by at least two correspondents this week. I did not write in myself, but then I could go on and on for ages about declining standards, prurience, compassion overload and so forth. So I guess basically that I am lazy at heart. I shall satisfy myself by trying to smile at people today.

It has been said that the definition of being old, is someone who is ten years older than yourself. If that is the case, yesterday I was at least ninety. All being well, today will be better.

The Indian Summer has arrived. We even have seasons of mist and mellow fruitfulness.

Autumn.

Have been addicted to reading an old novel of a favourite author of mine – Susan Howatch (1978 – The Rich are Different). It is leading me into the vagaries of the Wall Street stock-market crash in 1929. Despite all my best efforts I still don’t understand it. It all sounds suspiciously like spurious gambling and greed to me.

Into Oban today – the town seems quieter already, even though the sun was shining. Last week was all holidaymakers and bizz with loads of tourists wandering around in the rain, so it is quite a contrast. “Dalamory” however was a hive of activity when I got back: people cutting grass, washing cars, hanging out washing. And everyone had smiles on their faces. Personally I am hoping for an Indian summer.

Quiet evening planned. The ways of the world as reported in the media are getting to me. There is too much detail on horrible crimes and too much speculation on the dire state of the economy. And what about Terry Wogan leaving his breakfast show at the end of the year? To be replaced by Chris Evans of all people.

No shortage of shoppers at Livingstone yesterday. But left to my own devices I would have been well and truly lost. Just as well I had a couple of minders. It is nice to actually see the goods in real life for a change rather than just viewing pictures on the net. But……  it is easier to shop from home. Yes – laziness personnified. I am not sure which is more ecologically sound given that there are delivery vans running about all over the country. No matter, time for bed.

Misty came shopping yesterday, real fashion stuff. She got a red tartan, lined coat and kagoule (with its own hood – detachable thankfully). The assistant complimented her on the fit and on being an early bird, ie just in time for all the new winter stock.

Misty had a haircut yesterday – so why does it make her all jumpy after the event.

The slightly warmer weather recently has triggered a series of memories. Me, walking down a road in South London on the way home from school. I am wearing a gingham dress. The dress is pink and check  and is part of the summer uniform of the school I used to attend. It was early in September round about 1956. I vividly remember how hot it was and how I felt in some way superior to the poor new girls who had been decked out in gym slips, blouses and ties (the then winter uniform.)  At the same time I was a) cross at being at school in the lovely weather; and b) not looking forward to the dreaded gym slip later in the month. I always did look like a potato sack.

Happy days?
Well, some of them were.

Have now finished reading through Michael J Fox’s new memoir for the second time. It is entitled Always looking up: The adventures of an incurable optimist. It taught me a lot about American politics, Parkinson’s Disease and being hopeful.  There was also an interesting section on religion. One of his sayings that I rather like is this:

Happiness grows in direct proportion to your acceptance and in inverse proportion to your expectation.

He is talking about the situation he and many others find themselves in with serious illness. There is nothing he can do about having the disease – you get it and that is that. But you do have a great deal of influence on outcomes by the choices you make about how to handle it.  Incidentally, there are a lot of interviews with him shown on youtube. Well worth a look.