Things are on the up here at The Retreat House, after the amazing Tuesday with the beautiful daughters. Firstly, clearly the visit had energised me no end, and the stairs seemed easier and I felt less breathless. Then thoughts of Spring emerged as both girls intended to have a room for the old blogger to stay in by that time, which really makes the exploring of Newcastle and Duns and the coast more enriching. Then a FB debate with an old school friend, who emigrated to Australia years ago and made a pile of money, breaks out as we virtually discuss the merits of our respective positions on masks and vaccines. As it happens we disagree, but we do agree a friendship so long will not be compromised by a difference of opinion. Rick regularly visits Dorset, and we've spoken about catching up many times, but it never happened. This time they've purchased a fine cottage in West Dorset, with plenty of space for guests. Yes, this Spring that could well be his old blogging friend, ever the trouble- maker as he so kindly puts it! So, Spring is pregnant with possibility, as the Equinox brings the light and warmth needed by these places, as we shake off the lethargy of winter, which so far has been very mild after last year's persistent snow. Though, of course there's plenty of time for snow hereabouts, being the North Pennines.
Meanwhile more reflections and practical actions after yesterday's visit and before: The special vitC ordered in bulk from Planet Organic, is due midday today, plus wood ordered by elder daughter yesterday sometime this afternoon. All of which in the middle of U.K. Column News at 1pm, but that's life sometimes. A tragic literary event ocuured this morning, when My Family and Other Animals is finished ... such a wonderful book and a classic of life in Corfu, whilst the other classic still going Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance continues to educate and inform. Fortunately there are other books, including great novels to read to pass the time while the chest infection passes as the Immune System is weaned from the home oxygenation machine, sometime soon and normal life may resume, not least with visits to the daughters and the old school friend. The way to peace, as readers must know by now is never to talk about it but live and breathe it as if it's already there. Positivity makes all the difference, not to physical immortality, but to the Soul which continues eternally ... maybe!
As lunchtime approaches, the fridge is investigated for meals and ingredients brought by the two daughters. Yesterday's Crab Salad was delicious, with spinach and scrambled eggs. Elder daughter being on a Keto regime, so here we go ... after the crab, today's lunch is to be cod and the rest of the spinach, whilst the Cullein Skink needs eating tomorrow lunch time perhaps? Soup left over from younger daughter's creation we ate yesterday for lunch may do for tonight, with an egg.Younger daughter being a baker of high standard meant tempting ginger cake with proper custard yesterday lunchtime, and a sneaky portion last evening with ice cream, which was fine, until the taste buds demanded a home-made chocolate cookie, then the other one, a usual trap, leaving some indigestion at night. .. again! Other reflections, rather banal, are the weather forecast and football results. The forecast today was light cloud and indeed there was no rain, but Sun emerged throughout the day nevertheless. Now football results are hardly the stuff of philosophy, but anyway this ex-Southampton supporter keeps an eye on their results, as well as the team local to me when I lived with the daughters and their Mother, and even went to St James' Park for the game sometimes. I suppose in the world of duality and samsara, where your blogger currently plays the game of Life, nothing is too mundane to illustrate the non-dual philosophy. Tomorrow Dave comes to visit for lunch. He's a Buddist in training, so he'll not be sort of books to borrow or dialogue with one who more or less identified as Buddhist, before Dao, K and the formless appeared. The Camino reinforced this position and that's more or less the position today.
So, that's Wednesday on the way, just the fire to set, supper to cook and a shower before food. The wood delivery is still awaited but there's still plenty, and as for supper maybe the soup from yesterday's lunch. And no dessert.
No comments:
Post a Comment