A · Book · of · Days

Well most of today was taken up by taking dad for his CT scan at the district hospital. It took nearly four hours by the time we got stuck in traffic somewhat inexplicably - I have done the 10 mile journey quicker ar rush hour - then delayed since one of the scanners was broken. Not their fault but it is a bit tough on an 83 year old who had, at that point been fasting for over 30 hours. He wasn't as bad as last time but was still exhausted by the time we got back and grey and feeble and went straight to bed.

The scanner suite at RBH was much more pleasant than X-ray at Christchurch - light, bright relatively comfortable conveniently located just behind the main foyer but it can't hide the fact that if you are there then it is almost certainly a matter of life and death even within the hospital context. Having lost a parent to cancer I was all too aware that the smiley old lady waiting nearby probably didn't have a Judi Dench hairstyle as a fashion statement and as I waited you couldn't but overhear pleas from staff for scans to be fast tracked - "but it's an aorta " - "I have four aneurysms waiting all urgent...". Almost felt guilty that Dad was using an appointment - given that the acute episode of GI bleeding that they were following up was nearly six months ago now and that even if they found colon cancer it isn't likely they would operate - once you are past 80 it isn't such a big deal. At least there were no really young people. I will never forget when I was visiting my Mum when she was having treatment at RSH and I went across to the canteen to get something to eat and there was a young woman about my age then, with a scarf around her head and her husband and a little boy of about three and thinking that if one of us was going to lose our mum in all fairness it should be him not me. You never know how such things turn out and deals with God tend not to work but I so hope his mum is still there for him.

Prince William has recently become patron of a charity that supports bereaved children and has spoken about how difficult he finds Mothers' Day. Even though I was twice as old when my mother died (and she had lived nearly twice as long as his mother), I find it a sad time too. I used ot love making a fuss of her and since she died I have often thought that it never seems to occur to the politically correct band who object to calling Christmas, that many of us get festivals rammed downour throats that don't concern us but it is much more painful if they did once. Much easier to say I don't celebrate Halloween or St Patricks day or whatever than to deal politely with "What are you doing for Mothers' Day?" Since "Well I shall probably go to the grave" is a bit of a damper.

Obviously you don't begrudge anyone elses happiness and it is easy enough to look away from the stands of cards and gifts in Tesco or wherever but this year, probably due to the credit crunch, I have been deluged with about a hundred emails telling me it is not to late to send my mother a gift or to show her I love her ...but it is it really is you insensitive marketing bastards.

I prefer the traditional name Mothering Sunday rather than Mothers' day. It is a nice reminder that you can mother and be mothered without having or being a mother and feels more inclusive for those of us who rely on our surrogate mothers and children.

Finally a thought for two mites who I am faily certain will be motherless by next Sunday. I fully admit that I was astounded by the level of Jade goody's ignorance when she appeared on Big Brother (the only year I really watched much of), but when you found out about her background it was fairly clear she didn't exactly stand much of a chance (true failure of society and the education system) and really was doing quite well to have been holding down a job beforehand.

Generally I don't have much time for the famous for being famous but she is dying of cancer at 27 leaving 2 little boys who love her and whom she clearly adores and she is selling every last scrap of privacy and dignity in order to ensure that her boys get a good education and aren't reduced to what is effectively prostitution to have a chance at a decent life. I just hope that their interests will be properly looked after. And I hope that those people who have been against the HPV vaccine rethink.

I made it to Somerset for the weekend despite gloomy predictions and the weather so that is encouraging and I may be more over my reluctance to drive out of the comfort zone (I think it was having a "shed" for so long - I was convinced it would break down if It went too far).

Then now with a newer and newly serviced car the weather fairies did there worst. So I set of with blankets, a shovel, and old curtain to provide traction, boots, more spare clothes than you an shake a stick at, hot coffee, jelly babies as well as the AA card and fully charged mobile. None of which I needed though I drank the coffee and the jelly babies are no more.

The snow has cleared in the immediate area (too much salt in the air for it too last long without it being significantly colder), it was hanging around by the time I got to the airport.

I aimed for Bere Regis since I thought I would avoid the shoppers heading for Poole and of course got stuck behind a hay lorry which looked a bit vulnerable. I might have been bale ot get past but the centre of the road was a bit mucky with filthy snow and it wasn't worth the risk of skidding into a ditch so I had to wait about 10 miles before we got to dual carriageway. Fortunately was past by the time the second carriageway was unusable due to remaining snow. Bit disconcerting passing crashed and abandoned vehicles. I was expecting it to get worse but the Yeovil road was clearer and I made up some time.

TBC

My dad managed to break two of my mugs this morning that were part of a toning set (same design in "sweet pea" colours that had cost me next to nothing at Woolies butlooked as if they could easily have come from somewhere fancy at a fiver each rather than for the set. I loved the colours and they were barrel type and felt nice inthe hand even when full and you got a decent amount of coffee in them. Dad has offered ot pay but it isn't the money so much as having to find ones I like as much. And when I do I bet they will cost a lot more... I got such a lot of nice stuff from there for teh kitchen and garden... I don't mind spending money on things where quality counts (I hate fake leather for example) but for things like mugs and bins and plain vases ..and garden lights it was brilliant...

I went in on nearly the last day and it was so sad to see it empty apart from the pick and mix and a few rulers. And some of the staff ..well I swear one woman had been there since I used to be taken to get school stuff - and I am thiking primary school. I know I hated the fact that the "Back to School" signs went up the second the summer holiday started but still....

On that subject I spotted Creme Eggs and Hot Cross buns in Tesco on New Year's eve ... it is just wrong....

Dear Santa... Dear Santa, This year I've been busy! In March I donated bone marrow to calenaldion in a life-saving procedure (300 points). In February I got in line at the supermarket at the same time as someone else and I didn't yield (-8 points). Last Monday I farted in an elevator (-6 points). In April I saved a busload of nuns in Angola (326 points). Last Tuesday I gave oneofthemearas a life-saving blood transfusion (50 points). Overall, I've been nice (662 points). For Christmas I deserve a pony! Sincerely, Mithalwen

Write your letter to Santa! Enter your LJ username:

why is Eomer alone almost equivalent to a bus load of Angolan nuns?

Ah well as I moaned at my father in A&E last night (ok he is the one with the GI bleed but I was the one who had to clear up a house that resembled the battle of the Somme), one day something nice will happen... and now I get a pony ..few decades late but..