TV Day

Today I finally succumbed to the virus that has been making me feeling so peculiar. After five days I still have a sore throat and a cough that threatens to turn my insides out.  So I have taken the day off to be ill for only the second time in about 16 years. It feels like time has stopped still, that I am left on the platform whilst the train speeds by, but looking about I discover it is quite an interesting place to be.  I have spent the afternoon spaced out in front of the TV. I gawped at the Megacities, pondered with some amazement the science of our Brave New World and switched off quite a lot of rubbish.  I don't like being off sick but I want to get better so that this cough stops hurting.   So here I am.  Just waiting, watching and coughing.

Autumn

Autumn is late this year.  I can remember a Novembera decade ago when the trees were already bare, the russet leaves piled high in crunchy heaps for children to toss into the air.  This year, in Sheffield, our pavements are treacherous, layered with a magnificent golden carpet.  I hesitate to stride lest I slip and fall.

But, it is a glorious time of year and a season of life to be treasured. A time to for the world heave and change, bend in the winds, before settling down for winter.

Princess Elizabeth

Princess Elizabeth is looking very regal now.
Determined to hold her head up high she is in complete command of her besotted subjects. Just five weeks old she is already turning her head and following movement with her eyes. She will copy me to open and close her fingers.

With the luxury of partial detachment I am fascinated by the changes I see in her every week. Other members of the Granny Club agree that spookily, babies seems to be doing things sooner than in the distant past of Our Day - that's its not just wishful thinking. Such is the speed of accelerated evolution.

However, wind still makes babies cry and food makes them quiet although the rule these days is that they sleep on their back with their feet to the bottom of the crib.

But baby talk, silly songs and pacing the room haven't lost the magical power proven by generations. Granny knows.

Fright Sprite

That's my girl! Just how I feel these days when I catch my reflection and not far off how I look either.

All the time she seems to be thinking, weighing us up and maybe wondering how she came to be here and how she is going to get back into the nice cosy place she came from.

"Help!" She's calling out - "Somebody get me out of this crazy world." And that's before she's started listening to the news.

Never mind, Lizzy. Just you concentrate on the serious of matter of What Goes In Must Come Out, that's all: Data In, Data Out. You'll soon get the hang of how the world works. Maybe.

Family photo

Little Lizzy Mullen with her proud parents .

It's a big deal to start a family nowdays. If not the traditional accident that brought many into the world it takes a brave decision to take a break in a career and forego freedom.

The sudden responsibility for a helpless infant is a a reality check and the distressing fact that babies cry destroys the dream of ideal parenting.

Rosy and Phil are doing just great, working together and sharing the good and not so good moments too. Lucky Elizabeth. Lucky parents.

Tom's time

It does not seem so long since my Tom was tiny.
Just as surely as a burning candle marks the passage of time so our children measure our lives as they grow. Tom is now 33 and finally approaching the end of his studies, a self inflicted discipline that has necessitated some frugality and a great deal of debt.

So now his sister's child has arrived safely into this world our attention is turned to Tom as we wait with baited breath for the outcome of his labour. As many people are willing you on and wishing you well as you head towards the finishing line on your own marathon journey. No pressure... Just do it.

From home to home

I have lived here for nearly seven years and now it is time to think about packing my bags. I

would like to be able to pack my home into my bag and take it with me. I always thought I would end up doing just that and maybe I will. But it will need to be a pretty enormous bag as I have a lot of home to take with me. Am I leaving home or going home? It feels like both. I want to go back to Liverpool. My children think it is their city but I was there before they were born.

But I won't be going anywhere until I find someone suitable to take care of my house and love my little garden. I'm not leaving it for just anyone. Applicants please note that you will also have to look after the hill, the chapel and the new community centre. And be nice to my excellent neighbours. And organise the summer fair.