WELCOME 2007 and HAPPY NEW YEAR READERS
Well this is my first blog of 2007. I shall probably spend all of January and most of February writing 2006, then i'll get it right for a while before relapsing in April again. Thank goodness we don't use cheques anymore, God I used to waste so many cheques writing the wrong date.
Let's hope that in matters of health for my and the people I care about, 2007 is a better year than 2006.
I am still keeping my resolution that I made at the end of 1999, not to make new years resolutions, so nothing to write in that regard. My pillow beckons and the night draws to a close. Tomorrow (later today actually), I am driving up to Dickens Heath to see mom for her Birthday. Jennifer is driving back from her boyfriends place in Oxford via mom's, so a mini party. James can't make it as he is working, and Hannah is apparantly going to Cheltenham Races with her boyfriend, so she won't be accompanying.
James is, (seasonally appropriately), skating on thin ice having decided to phone me to wish me HNY, even though I specifically asked him not to do so. Not funny. Not Clever.
Only a short blog, medications induced sleep is winning.
Sunday
Thursday
Christmas is over at the Reeley Houshold for another year MIL has gone home with FIL (Fiancee In Law), Mom has gone home with Sister, and I may even turn off the Christmas Lights. The tree this year was quite small and may just go back in it's box, as is. I had some great gifts from people, and obviously some thought went into them. Good job I wasn't relying on the christmas elves to stock up my underwear or sock drawers - nothing doing. I had some great jumpers, and an excellant selection of quirky books, great for knowledge growth and also dipping into for entertainment. Winner of the Most Unexpected Gift prize must go to my son who managed to surprise us with a pair of goats. Runner up in this category is my sister who bought us a vine, in a vinyard. I read the small print, and I don't think that they expect me to go and do the weeding. If they did, I think I would send the goats! I even had a call from my brother this year on Christms Day,albeit as Dr Who was about to start, so I must confess to cutting him short, MY BAD!
Apart from the uncertaintity about Yvonnes Lump, (we may have to go private again), it has been a most excellent Christmas, not perfect because of the lump, but all together most excellent.
Next Christmas I would like to spend in the Maldives, alone, with me, my wife, my meds and a laptop to write. Ah, no commercialism, and pure bliss.
Mom's birthday next week (2nd Jan), so a trip up to Redditch for Lunch I think. I'll see if the twins can come with. May post a photo or two yet.
Apart from the uncertaintity about Yvonnes Lump, (we may have to go private again), it has been a most excellent Christmas, not perfect because of the lump, but all together most excellent.
Next Christmas I would like to spend in the Maldives, alone, with me, my wife, my meds and a laptop to write. Ah, no commercialism, and pure bliss.
Mom's birthday next week (2nd Jan), so a trip up to Redditch for Lunch I think. I'll see if the twins can come with. May post a photo or two yet.
Couple of different subject matters for todays post. Wry Interest and Health. First the wry interest:
Well, I thought that nothing much would take me by surprise, in a pleasant way. This standard from the British Standards Institute BS 6008 proved me wrong. ISO 3103 would appear to be the same standard but regulated by the International Organization for Standardization. I suppose if I stop and think about it logically it shouldn't really suprise me, but I always supposed that 'Standards' would be more for things like bricks, or glass or other tangible objects and measures. I suspect that this is my failing and not that of the standards organisations. In reality anything that could be made in a repetitive process should have a standard methodology, it just never occurred to me that a cup of tea was any such thing.
ISO 6668 then gives us a standard for preparing coffee, and I should imagine that any number of odd things that we do day in and day out can also fall under the auspices of the standards bodies.
Okay, off to check ISO6668, I'm a tad thirsty.
Now the Health:
Just come back from the GP. Good news and bad. The blood sugars have stabilised at between 7 and 8 prior to eating and he is happy about that (as I am !), BP still a little high at an average of 150/90, and I am suffering weight gain (1 stone added in 4 weeks)as a side effect of the Avandamet. A bit of fine tuning and so an Update on my daily meds.
Avandamet (4mg rosiglatazone, 1000mg metformin) twice daily
xenical (120mg orlistat) thrice daily (New for me!)
aspirin 75mg mornings
perindopril 4mg mornings
amlopidine 5mg mornings
doxazosin 4mg night
simvastatin 20mg night
oxycodone 5mg twice daily (pain killers at last!!!!!! :-) )
Net result of all the meds is a general feeling of queasyness, an 'upset tummy' most of the time, some cracking headaches and let's just describe me as 'loose'. But the upside is that the Blood Sugars are under control and the BP is down from where it was, ( i was getting 200+ over 100+), that has to be good for my long term health. It'll be interesting to see how things go with the fine tuning that the new meds will bring. My GP also managed to get my opthalmic appointment bought forward at the local hospital, and now I have an appoinment tomorrow. Now that is what I call service.
Well, I thought that nothing much would take me by surprise, in a pleasant way. This standard from the British Standards Institute BS 6008 proved me wrong. ISO 3103 would appear to be the same standard but regulated by the International Organization for Standardization. I suppose if I stop and think about it logically it shouldn't really suprise me, but I always supposed that 'Standards' would be more for things like bricks, or glass or other tangible objects and measures. I suspect that this is my failing and not that of the standards organisations. In reality anything that could be made in a repetitive process should have a standard methodology, it just never occurred to me that a cup of tea was any such thing.
ISO 6668 then gives us a standard for preparing coffee, and I should imagine that any number of odd things that we do day in and day out can also fall under the auspices of the standards bodies.
Okay, off to check ISO6668, I'm a tad thirsty.
Now the Health:
Just come back from the GP. Good news and bad. The blood sugars have stabilised at between 7 and 8 prior to eating and he is happy about that (as I am !), BP still a little high at an average of 150/90, and I am suffering weight gain (1 stone added in 4 weeks)as a side effect of the Avandamet. A bit of fine tuning and so an Update on my daily meds.
Net result of all the meds is a general feeling of queasyness, an 'upset tummy' most of the time, some cracking headaches and let's just describe me as 'loose'. But the upside is that the Blood Sugars are under control and the BP is down from where it was, ( i was getting 200+ over 100+), that has to be good for my long term health. It'll be interesting to see how things go with the fine tuning that the new meds will bring. My GP also managed to get my opthalmic appointment bought forward at the local hospital, and now I have an appoinment tomorrow. Now that is what I call service.
Sunday
Call me a cynic, but everything about this, especially the way it is worded, strikes me as a con. I haven't worked out quite how yet.
http://www.steorn.net/en/technology.aspx?p=5
Phrases like 'certain technologies' raise my suspicions in a certain way. ;-)
When I went to school I was taught the First Law of Thermodynamics, which is one of the most important fundamental principles of physics. In any process the total energy of the universe remains constant. Energy is never created or destroyed, it just changes form, so if their claim is true, where are they getting the free energy from? If they are putting out more energy than apparantly they are putting in, then they must be sucking it from somewhere, and so, by the laws of physics:
The Steorn Machine [May] Suck
I have spotted this website on free energy that you find of interest:
http://amasci.com/freenrg/fnrg.html
http://www.steorn.net/en/technology.aspx?p=5
Phrases like 'certain technologies' raise my suspicions in a certain way. ;-)
When I went to school I was taught the First Law of Thermodynamics, which is one of the most important fundamental principles of physics. In any process the total energy of the universe remains constant. Energy is never created or destroyed, it just changes form, so if their claim is true, where are they getting the free energy from? If they are putting out more energy than apparantly they are putting in, then they must be sucking it from somewhere, and so, by the laws of physics:
The Steorn Machine [May] Suck
I have spotted this website on free energy that you find of interest:
http://amasci.com/freenrg/fnrg.html
Call me conspiratorial if you will, but..
We sat down to enjoy Strictly Come Dancing Final last night, and a few things dawned upon us. For the past few weeks one particular contestant seems to be have been consistently marked a little higher by the judges than his dancing actually merited, this was most obviously the case in the Argentine Tango last week when he was, in our opinion the second best dancer, not the first. We also note that the judges words can be just as choreographed as the dancing and can be designed to lead the voting public. The editing of the programme can be used by the makers to install a subliminal view, for example in two films by supporters of each dancers, if the volume used by the maker was a little louder for one dancer than the other, that would have an effect on your interpretation. I could go on and on but wont, to us the whole thing smacked of manipulation and took the shine off it. For these reasons I would not vote.
My views on the final three contestants are :
Emma should have been in the final, but wasn't, possibly due to the above. Great shame.
Matt Dawson has come on the most, has improved the most, has danced the most entertainingly and fully deserved to be in the final. Lillya Kopilova (forgive spelling please) is just the most beautiful and talented partner and was perfect for Matt, there seemed real chemistry between them.
Mark Ramprakash has improved, his Latin dances were very good, but I think (despite the views above) that Karen Hardy won it for Mark. If you watch her performances, she really sells them, she manages to keep herself facing the judges and between her partner and the judges far more than Lillya did, (thus keeping the focus on the professional not amateur dancer) and she smiled and sang and danced with gusto and cheered the audience along - great, great tactics. I can see why, in addition to her great talent, she wins so much. Consumate professionalism.
I am not carping about the result, that would be churlish, I think Matt was the better celebrity and Karen the better professional, either couple therefore could be viewed as worthy winners.
We sat down to enjoy Strictly Come Dancing Final last night, and a few things dawned upon us. For the past few weeks one particular contestant seems to be have been consistently marked a little higher by the judges than his dancing actually merited, this was most obviously the case in the Argentine Tango last week when he was, in our opinion the second best dancer, not the first. We also note that the judges words can be just as choreographed as the dancing and can be designed to lead the voting public. The editing of the programme can be used by the makers to install a subliminal view, for example in two films by supporters of each dancers, if the volume used by the maker was a little louder for one dancer than the other, that would have an effect on your interpretation. I could go on and on but wont, to us the whole thing smacked of manipulation and took the shine off it. For these reasons I would not vote.
My views on the final three contestants are :
Emma should have been in the final, but wasn't, possibly due to the above. Great shame.
Matt Dawson has come on the most, has improved the most, has danced the most entertainingly and fully deserved to be in the final. Lillya Kopilova (forgive spelling please) is just the most beautiful and talented partner and was perfect for Matt, there seemed real chemistry between them.
Mark Ramprakash has improved, his Latin dances were very good, but I think (despite the views above) that Karen Hardy won it for Mark. If you watch her performances, she really sells them, she manages to keep herself facing the judges and between her partner and the judges far more than Lillya did, (thus keeping the focus on the professional not amateur dancer) and she smiled and sang and danced with gusto and cheered the audience along - great, great tactics. I can see why, in addition to her great talent, she wins so much. Consumate professionalism.
I am not carping about the result, that would be churlish, I think Matt was the better celebrity and Karen the better professional, either couple therefore could be viewed as worthy winners.
Saturday
Christmas has now formally arrived in the Reeley Household. I know this because Mother In Law (aka Mil) has arrived and is esconced in an upstairs room. Welcome Mil
In England we tend to think of this time of year as Christmastime, and generally wish each other a Merry Christmas, and I happily follow this convention.
Reading blogs and looking at the news recently I see a trend in Britain to pander to the whims of minority groups. Some authorities have banned decorations or other formal events that are based on Christianity. I think that is utterly stupid. Whether you, or I, are a practising Christian or not, the country is basically a Christian country by a majority of over 90% (so I have read). When I was bought up in the 50's I was taught a simple rule, 'when in rome' so why can't these few minorities 'suffer' our Christian ways and let the majority (over 50 million) enjoy or suffer Merry Christmas and not have to endure 'Happy Holidays'.
My Jewish friends have Hanukkah, and the African Americans I know have Kwanzaa. My readers who are pagans have Solstice and the followers of the ancient Roman Empire have Dies Natalis Invicti Solis which also falls on the 25th of December. I don't pretend to understand what any of these various festivals are about, what I do know is that on the last Saturday before CHRISTMAS in Britain, the only people not out shopping are driving in cars to find a parking place so that they can go shopping.
I have a plan. Yvonne and I will get in our car and go and get in the traffic jam. She will then go out and shop for one hour, by which time I will have been able to move the car exactly 30 yards forward. She will then return, put her shopping in the boot, change places with me, and I will go and shop for an hour. We will repeat this process until we have bought all that we can. We will then nip out of the traffic queue and head home to wrap, of fill the larder, or freezer as required. No parking fees. This works because we are British, and British people queue. I just plan to exploit that concept. That is because we are British, and British people are adaptive.
In England we tend to think of this time of year as Christmastime, and generally wish each other a Merry Christmas, and I happily follow this convention.
Reading blogs and looking at the news recently I see a trend in Britain to pander to the whims of minority groups. Some authorities have banned decorations or other formal events that are based on Christianity. I think that is utterly stupid. Whether you, or I, are a practising Christian or not, the country is basically a Christian country by a majority of over 90% (so I have read). When I was bought up in the 50's I was taught a simple rule, 'when in rome' so why can't these few minorities 'suffer' our Christian ways and let the majority (over 50 million) enjoy or suffer Merry Christmas and not have to endure 'Happy Holidays'.
My Jewish friends have Hanukkah, and the African Americans I know have Kwanzaa. My readers who are pagans have Solstice and the followers of the ancient Roman Empire have Dies Natalis Invicti Solis which also falls on the 25th of December. I don't pretend to understand what any of these various festivals are about, what I do know is that on the last Saturday before CHRISTMAS in Britain, the only people not out shopping are driving in cars to find a parking place so that they can go shopping.
I have a plan. Yvonne and I will get in our car and go and get in the traffic jam. She will then go out and shop for one hour, by which time I will have been able to move the car exactly 30 yards forward. She will then return, put her shopping in the boot, change places with me, and I will go and shop for an hour. We will repeat this process until we have bought all that we can. We will then nip out of the traffic queue and head home to wrap, of fill the larder, or freezer as required. No parking fees. This works because we are British, and British people queue. I just plan to exploit that concept. That is because we are British, and British people are adaptive.
Wednesday
Well all the preparations for Christmas are more or less done. Primarily, I have all the drugs I need (meds I mean!) to see me through. Looking forward to having loads of family across and it will be a couple of days of feasting. There are people that I won't see on the day, and that is of course sad, but thoughts can always be of those that aren't with us.
Here are a few words fashioned into a fiction that I am working on. It is along the lines of my Short Story 'A Storm In The Night'
Alone With Me
Henry looked across at Catherine as she sat brushing her hair in front of the mirror. That her reflection couldn’t be seen didn’t seem to matter to either of them. He loved the way that she slowly brushed her hair, one section at a time, ensuring that the brush went to the very ends without a snag or tangle. When she had finished brushing, Catherine would sit and pull out a number of Alice bands and select just the right one for her mood. The strange thing was he could never work out her mood from the colour of her band.
After brushing her hair, Catherine would usually cleanse her face with that wonderful makeup from the specialist makeup supplier based on the Isle of Wight. Henry always had to make sure that there was a good stock – and often kept a weather eye out for special deals and collections that promised so much value for money. To be honest, he quite liked using some of the products himself – especially for shaving. Not that he would ever admit it to anyone of course. Just he and Catherine knew, and Catherine would not dream of embarrassing him by letting little secrets like that out. Of that he was quite sure.
He had picked up a bit of a bargain for her just the other day, and wondered if she would spot it. Some nail foil that would give her a magical super shiny polish on her nails, it would go so well with her dark purple hair band. He had carefully put the small foil kit in her makeup drawer at the dressing table – she always preferred to find her surprises rather than be given them.
Catherine completed brushing her hair and opened the drawer that housed her Alice bands. Catherine picked out a few, one at a time, and placed them on the dresser surface in front of her. She seemed to narrow her choice to a burgundy or a green, giving Henry a moments disappointment, that he quickly hid behind a mask of neutrality as he looked across at her.
“Silly,” Catherine said, “I am only teasing. You know I will go for purple – I could not let pass your present, now could I?” Henry got up and walked across to her, bent forward and kissed the crown of Catherine’s head, the scent of orange blossom and lavender strong in his nostrils, after tones of vanilla followed him as he returned to his seat and watched once more as his wife completed her toilette.
“Hmm that was a lovely kiss; I don’t know what I did to deserve that, but thank you. I do love that after shave you have on to day. Is it Xeryus?”
“Yes, my Love, I was going to go with the Dolce today, but somehow, felt I wanted something more passionate in aroma. Xeryus does it us every time. But it seems a shame to just use the one scent. The Dolce is great for everyday use, you know, like when I am in the office and not going to see you.”
“But darling, you do see me at the office. We so often have lunch together, or even a morning breakfast snack. And I do so love it when we rid up to the escarpment and look across the valley, holding hands. It is as if we were King and Queen of the whole world and that we were looking down on our dominion. Gods, you and I, Gods”
“Yes my love, I know, but I save the Xeryus for other special occasions, such as now, when it is only you and I, and no one else to share our moments with. “
Henry arose and left the bedroom and headed down to the dining room. As he passed the landing window he looked out and saw Mrs Mitchell unloading her supermarket shopping from the boot of her small car. In the dining room, Henry opened the globe and selected a fine Caribbean dark rum and two tall glasses. He went to the freezer and filled the glasses with ice, before pouring the rum over, about half filling each glass. A quick slice of lime in each glass, and then he topped up with Vanilla Cola for him, and Cherry Cola for Catherine.
“Thank you Darling” she said as she took the glass from him, turning back up the hallway to return upstairs.
“I would have bought it up to you, you know.” Henry said to her naked retreating back. “And you really ought to wear clothes when the drapes aren’t drawn. You know that Mr Sampson has a poor heart and a view of you passing is sure to bring along his!”
“Don’t mock” She called back as she sat once more at the dresser and prepared to add the foil to her nails – each perfectly manicured and shaped in the square French style, rather than the popular American style, a style so readily adopted by the English girls. ‘A shame’, Catherine had once said to Henry, ‘that these girls today only seem to be educated by Hollywood films, and not by classical French cinema.’
Catherine carefully applied the foil adhesive to her nails, very slowly and very assuredly – ensuring no spillage on her quicks or cuticles. Each nail started off a slight pink, and when the adhesive dried to a clear shine, it was time to add the foil, pressing and ensuring that the foil folded to the very edge of each nail, before pulling off the foil backing to leave behind a high mirror finish – a finish that no mere liquid polish would ever reproduce.
Having completed her hair, her face and her nails, Catherine applied a single coat of liquid shimmer to her lips – no colour, just a very wet looking top coat and turned to look at Henry who was standing in the door way.
Henry turned away – he could not stand to see her looking so beautiful. It hurt him deep into the pit of his stomach, leaving an ache that could never be soothed. Henry turned away and looked up straight into Catherine’s eyes. Catherine was now in front of him in the hallway. He hated it when she did that. She leant forward and kissed him fully on the lips, a slow pressure, heat rising between them as her lips pressed on his, her tongue gently probing, her body – still unclothed – pushing against him as her passion transferred from passive mode. Caring not that the neighbours could see them had they chosen to glance up at the unclothed window at that precise moment. Henry and Catherine kissed and caressed and loved in the confines of the upper hallway, and as they slowly sank to their knees, Henry’s hands sought and found the orbs of her breasts, cupped their weight and gently squeezed.
Catherine slipped her hand under his shirt and rubbed his chest before slowly undoing the buttons and sliding the shirt off his back, and then kissing his slightly hirsute chest in a triangular pattern of manly nipple to manly nipple to navel and then back to a nipple. Whilst her lips worked at his upper body, her hands worked at the waist of his trousers as she sought to free him from their confines.
As he lay naked, he looked up and caught the glisten that was a tear in the corner of her eye, a tear that formed and dropped to his chest, and read her lips as she silently mouthed her love for him. Catherine settled slowly down on him, her readiness finding him with ease, allowing no resistance on him entering her. Henry arched his back as Catherine clenched her muscles to hold him tight, and then with so little movement of her body she silently rocked, relaxing and tightening her muscles in a rhythm that soon had him on the brink.
Henry closed tight his eyes and tried to keep the boiling at bay, her muscles driving him almost into a frenzy of sensation and love and as he thought that failure was upon him she slowed and stopped and her muscles relaxed. She leant forward to kiss him and as he felt her lips on his Catherine raised herself slightly and released him. Catherine turned and gently sat facing his feet, slowly she moved her body back and her head down until Henry could feel her breath slowly stirring the fire that smouldered in his groin, a breath that waned and dissolved like the thinness of a spring mist.
A huge sadness descended on Henry as Catherine once more went from his view and his presence, and 'Once more,' he thought, 'I am alone with me.'
Here are a few words fashioned into a fiction that I am working on. It is along the lines of my Short Story 'A Storm In The Night'
Alone With Me
Henry looked across at Catherine as she sat brushing her hair in front of the mirror. That her reflection couldn’t be seen didn’t seem to matter to either of them. He loved the way that she slowly brushed her hair, one section at a time, ensuring that the brush went to the very ends without a snag or tangle. When she had finished brushing, Catherine would sit and pull out a number of Alice bands and select just the right one for her mood. The strange thing was he could never work out her mood from the colour of her band.
After brushing her hair, Catherine would usually cleanse her face with that wonderful makeup from the specialist makeup supplier based on the Isle of Wight. Henry always had to make sure that there was a good stock – and often kept a weather eye out for special deals and collections that promised so much value for money. To be honest, he quite liked using some of the products himself – especially for shaving. Not that he would ever admit it to anyone of course. Just he and Catherine knew, and Catherine would not dream of embarrassing him by letting little secrets like that out. Of that he was quite sure.
He had picked up a bit of a bargain for her just the other day, and wondered if she would spot it. Some nail foil that would give her a magical super shiny polish on her nails, it would go so well with her dark purple hair band. He had carefully put the small foil kit in her makeup drawer at the dressing table – she always preferred to find her surprises rather than be given them.
Catherine completed brushing her hair and opened the drawer that housed her Alice bands. Catherine picked out a few, one at a time, and placed them on the dresser surface in front of her. She seemed to narrow her choice to a burgundy or a green, giving Henry a moments disappointment, that he quickly hid behind a mask of neutrality as he looked across at her.
“Silly,” Catherine said, “I am only teasing. You know I will go for purple – I could not let pass your present, now could I?” Henry got up and walked across to her, bent forward and kissed the crown of Catherine’s head, the scent of orange blossom and lavender strong in his nostrils, after tones of vanilla followed him as he returned to his seat and watched once more as his wife completed her toilette.
“Hmm that was a lovely kiss; I don’t know what I did to deserve that, but thank you. I do love that after shave you have on to day. Is it Xeryus?”
“Yes, my Love, I was going to go with the Dolce today, but somehow, felt I wanted something more passionate in aroma. Xeryus does it us every time. But it seems a shame to just use the one scent. The Dolce is great for everyday use, you know, like when I am in the office and not going to see you.”
“But darling, you do see me at the office. We so often have lunch together, or even a morning breakfast snack. And I do so love it when we rid up to the escarpment and look across the valley, holding hands. It is as if we were King and Queen of the whole world and that we were looking down on our dominion. Gods, you and I, Gods”
“Yes my love, I know, but I save the Xeryus for other special occasions, such as now, when it is only you and I, and no one else to share our moments with. “
Henry arose and left the bedroom and headed down to the dining room. As he passed the landing window he looked out and saw Mrs Mitchell unloading her supermarket shopping from the boot of her small car. In the dining room, Henry opened the globe and selected a fine Caribbean dark rum and two tall glasses. He went to the freezer and filled the glasses with ice, before pouring the rum over, about half filling each glass. A quick slice of lime in each glass, and then he topped up with Vanilla Cola for him, and Cherry Cola for Catherine.
“Thank you Darling” she said as she took the glass from him, turning back up the hallway to return upstairs.
“I would have bought it up to you, you know.” Henry said to her naked retreating back. “And you really ought to wear clothes when the drapes aren’t drawn. You know that Mr Sampson has a poor heart and a view of you passing is sure to bring along his!”
“Don’t mock” She called back as she sat once more at the dresser and prepared to add the foil to her nails – each perfectly manicured and shaped in the square French style, rather than the popular American style, a style so readily adopted by the English girls. ‘A shame’, Catherine had once said to Henry, ‘that these girls today only seem to be educated by Hollywood films, and not by classical French cinema.’
Catherine carefully applied the foil adhesive to her nails, very slowly and very assuredly – ensuring no spillage on her quicks or cuticles. Each nail started off a slight pink, and when the adhesive dried to a clear shine, it was time to add the foil, pressing and ensuring that the foil folded to the very edge of each nail, before pulling off the foil backing to leave behind a high mirror finish – a finish that no mere liquid polish would ever reproduce.
Having completed her hair, her face and her nails, Catherine applied a single coat of liquid shimmer to her lips – no colour, just a very wet looking top coat and turned to look at Henry who was standing in the door way.
Henry turned away – he could not stand to see her looking so beautiful. It hurt him deep into the pit of his stomach, leaving an ache that could never be soothed. Henry turned away and looked up straight into Catherine’s eyes. Catherine was now in front of him in the hallway. He hated it when she did that. She leant forward and kissed him fully on the lips, a slow pressure, heat rising between them as her lips pressed on his, her tongue gently probing, her body – still unclothed – pushing against him as her passion transferred from passive mode. Caring not that the neighbours could see them had they chosen to glance up at the unclothed window at that precise moment. Henry and Catherine kissed and caressed and loved in the confines of the upper hallway, and as they slowly sank to their knees, Henry’s hands sought and found the orbs of her breasts, cupped their weight and gently squeezed.
Catherine slipped her hand under his shirt and rubbed his chest before slowly undoing the buttons and sliding the shirt off his back, and then kissing his slightly hirsute chest in a triangular pattern of manly nipple to manly nipple to navel and then back to a nipple. Whilst her lips worked at his upper body, her hands worked at the waist of his trousers as she sought to free him from their confines.
As he lay naked, he looked up and caught the glisten that was a tear in the corner of her eye, a tear that formed and dropped to his chest, and read her lips as she silently mouthed her love for him. Catherine settled slowly down on him, her readiness finding him with ease, allowing no resistance on him entering her. Henry arched his back as Catherine clenched her muscles to hold him tight, and then with so little movement of her body she silently rocked, relaxing and tightening her muscles in a rhythm that soon had him on the brink.
Henry closed tight his eyes and tried to keep the boiling at bay, her muscles driving him almost into a frenzy of sensation and love and as he thought that failure was upon him she slowed and stopped and her muscles relaxed. She leant forward to kiss him and as he felt her lips on his Catherine raised herself slightly and released him. Catherine turned and gently sat facing his feet, slowly she moved her body back and her head down until Henry could feel her breath slowly stirring the fire that smouldered in his groin, a breath that waned and dissolved like the thinness of a spring mist.
A huge sadness descended on Henry as Catherine once more went from his view and his presence, and 'Once more,' he thought, 'I am alone with me.'
Monday
All the NATO Phonetic words are in the following short story, which is 300 words long exactly. It was written for a competition to encourage good communication skills.
“Oh Papa” Juliet cried, “You know that Romeo and his brother, Oscar, are on their way here from India to continue the dance training. Oscar has your duty free whiskey, which was a bit difficult for him to carry considering he is travelling in his Salvation Army uniform. You must see him, Papa, you must, though I love Romeo dearly, I can’t bear that awful dance.”
“Juliet, my child, hush now” Mike replied, “Victor has already telephoned and informed me that I need to get to the Delta Meridian Hotel in Quebec to meet Charlie for a round of golf, assuming the X-ray on my leg is clear that is. Dancing lessons with Oscar are out of the question.”
“Papa, you should consider suing Charlie, that silly Yankee, for dropping that kilo weight on your foot. You have been in plaster since November and I want you well for the wedding.”
“Your Momma echo’s that view Juliet, but it would be bad for business. We do so much business on the golf course, and Charlie is key to that. I really value his contacts, suing him would not be in our best interests, and anyway it was only a small break and soon healed”
“Oh Papa, I shall still have to Foxtrot with Romeo at the wedding.”
“You do not have to suffer anything my precious. I shall send you to Lima to practice the Tango, you can stop off at Sierra Leone on the way, I need to get the Zulu Chief’s agreement on the Alpha Project and he is there for an African Business Unity conference. You can flatter him into a signature for me, and then go off to Lima. We can then let Romeo know you two will Tango at your wedding. Perfect”
“Bravo papa, Bravo!”
“Oh Papa” Juliet cried, “You know that Romeo and his brother, Oscar, are on their way here from India to continue the dance training. Oscar has your duty free whiskey, which was a bit difficult for him to carry considering he is travelling in his Salvation Army uniform. You must see him, Papa, you must, though I love Romeo dearly, I can’t bear that awful dance.”
“Juliet, my child, hush now” Mike replied, “Victor has already telephoned and informed me that I need to get to the Delta Meridian Hotel in Quebec to meet Charlie for a round of golf, assuming the X-ray on my leg is clear that is. Dancing lessons with Oscar are out of the question.”
“Papa, you should consider suing Charlie, that silly Yankee, for dropping that kilo weight on your foot. You have been in plaster since November and I want you well for the wedding.”
“Your Momma echo’s that view Juliet, but it would be bad for business. We do so much business on the golf course, and Charlie is key to that. I really value his contacts, suing him would not be in our best interests, and anyway it was only a small break and soon healed”
“Oh Papa, I shall still have to Foxtrot with Romeo at the wedding.”
“You do not have to suffer anything my precious. I shall send you to Lima to practice the Tango, you can stop off at Sierra Leone on the way, I need to get the Zulu Chief’s agreement on the Alpha Project and he is there for an African Business Unity conference. You can flatter him into a signature for me, and then go off to Lima. We can then let Romeo know you two will Tango at your wedding. Perfect”
“Bravo papa, Bravo!”
Sunday
It doesn't really matter, but I thought that I would fall into the 'let's publicise the blog' trick. So I googled and found a number of sites that were supposed to help you publicise your blog and so I did all the necessary stuff, added html code to my blog, added adsense codes and similar, changed my home page, clicked on over a hundred blogs. Pinged this and pinged that. I saw some great blogs, that is true, and some truly awful ones. Many many blogs about Iraq and American politics, most of which didn't atract my attention, few blogs kept my attention beyond 10 seconds, hardly any blogs had me reading below what was initially displayed on the first screen. There is a lot out there, but little of it is of interest to anything more than a closed or select group, and I know that my blog falls into that category. C'est la vie.
The effect on my traffic was nil, no extra viewers, readers or subscribers.
That is of no surprise to me, like all these schemes offering ways to make money that are little more than falsehoods and lies, the schemes to increase traffic and make money at the same time seem the same, a different twist, but still the same.
It seems that 'Adult' sites have the most traffic, and if you want publicity or to make money, your chances increase if you go that route.
It seems therefore that my traffic will stay at the levels it is, I shan't take this blog the adult way.
The effect on my traffic was nil, no extra viewers, readers or subscribers.
That is of no surprise to me, like all these schemes offering ways to make money that are little more than falsehoods and lies, the schemes to increase traffic and make money at the same time seem the same, a different twist, but still the same.
It seems that 'Adult' sites have the most traffic, and if you want publicity or to make money, your chances increase if you go that route.
It seems therefore that my traffic will stay at the levels it is, I shan't take this blog the adult way.
Thursday
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| From Sunday 10th d... |
Monday
Very up and down at the moment. The next book (book#3) is formulating in my head, but I am keen not to fall in the 'lets make the muslims baddies' trap, yet that is what seems to be what people want. I have some great ideas sewn in the mists of history that I want to persue, but - well, no but's !!! That is what I shall do.
I shall publish a few snippets on this web as I procede. If you look at the archive, there is already a floater for an early chapter that introduces some characters. They may well be a red herring though, just a diversion to pull you away from the intended plot.
Up to Mother's at the weekend. Quite a tiring drive, but the Civic aquitted it self beautifully - more than can be said for my tired frame which complained.
Into the office again today, albeit briefly. Passengered up to Brum for a meeting by the NEC. Horrible weather and horrible journey - glad I was not driving, but something obviously upset me - I was quite unwell when I got back. Bloods and Glucose where okay tho'.
Another long session with the Optician on Saturday, more fine tuning on the contact lens front, still a cylinder value mismatch to my prescription. Back into town midweek to pick up yet another set of lenses. It looks as if I am getting there finally, as we are leaving it 4 weeks until the next appointment.
Talking of appointments, the Doc arranaged an Opthalmic session for me the hospital (GRH) - they can't see me until the end of February. A week short of three months away - that is terrible when you consider how much I am struggling to actually focus on anything.
And finally the appointment has also arrived for the diabetic nurse at GRH, that is early January, so that appears to be good news. At least it looks as if I will be able to go there with stable meds.
I shall publish a few snippets on this web as I procede. If you look at the archive, there is already a floater for an early chapter that introduces some characters. They may well be a red herring though, just a diversion to pull you away from the intended plot.
Up to Mother's at the weekend. Quite a tiring drive, but the Civic aquitted it self beautifully - more than can be said for my tired frame which complained.
Into the office again today, albeit briefly. Passengered up to Brum for a meeting by the NEC. Horrible weather and horrible journey - glad I was not driving, but something obviously upset me - I was quite unwell when I got back. Bloods and Glucose where okay tho'.
Another long session with the Optician on Saturday, more fine tuning on the contact lens front, still a cylinder value mismatch to my prescription. Back into town midweek to pick up yet another set of lenses. It looks as if I am getting there finally, as we are leaving it 4 weeks until the next appointment.
Talking of appointments, the Doc arranaged an Opthalmic session for me the hospital (GRH) - they can't see me until the end of February. A week short of three months away - that is terrible when you consider how much I am struggling to actually focus on anything.
And finally the appointment has also arrived for the diabetic nurse at GRH, that is early January, so that appears to be good news. At least it looks as if I will be able to go there with stable meds.
Thursday
A day off and then back in again. It is strange, and a little interesting, how my stamina has been wiped out. Before the diabetes came on I would be at my desk by around 0530, not leaving until around 1600. Quite a long day. I would then go home cook dinner and then perhaps watch some TV, do some book research, or even some authoring.
Now I get to my desk at around 0700, and by 1200 I am shattered and the last thing I want to do is cook dinner and then perhaps watch some TV, do some book research, or even some authoring. All I want to do is collapse in a heap. I have no staying power.
Now I get to my desk at around 0700, and by 1200 I am shattered and the last thing I want to do is cook dinner and then perhaps watch some TV, do some book research, or even some authoring. All I want to do is collapse in a heap. I have no staying power.
Tuesday
Back into the office yesterday for the first time in 2 months. It was quite strange, but good to see everyone again. But Lordy Lordy, after 5 hours I was completely shattered. My arms felt bruised, very odd.
Disquieting reading in the internet today about the new drug regime that my Doctor put me on. According to Washington Post there are side affects with Avandamet that are scary. The data sheet for Avandamet Avandamet also lists a strange side effect - Unexpected Injury. What the hell is that? I never knowingly injure myself, and I am sure that virtually all my injuries over the years have been unexpected.
Despite the scares and the concerns I can report that since dropping 500mg metformin + gliclazide and going onto Avandamet (1000mg Metformin and 4mg of Rosiglitazone) my blood glucose levels are averaging higher at 5.9 rather than 5.3 and the SD is higher at 1.2. Mode value also increased from 5.9 to 6.2. The spread of readings has gone down from 6.4 to 4.1
So I can expect fewer complications and a gradual settling. I have not had a Hypo since moving to the new regime, and my eyes do seem more settled and less prone to variation across the day.
But having had reported reduced liver function (partially the reason for giving up alcohol)and sharp chest pains, reading the Washington post report is unsettling! I have added 5lb to my weight since going on to Avandamet, and that is in only two weeks. But I guess that the risks and side effects of the Avandamet far outweigh the risks of untreated diabetes.
I shall live long!
Disquieting reading in the internet today about the new drug regime that my Doctor put me on. According to Washington Post there are side affects with Avandamet that are scary. The data sheet for Avandamet Avandamet also lists a strange side effect - Unexpected Injury. What the hell is that? I never knowingly injure myself, and I am sure that virtually all my injuries over the years have been unexpected.
Despite the scares and the concerns I can report that since dropping 500mg metformin + gliclazide and going onto Avandamet (1000mg Metformin and 4mg of Rosiglitazone) my blood glucose levels are averaging higher at 5.9 rather than 5.3 and the SD is higher at 1.2. Mode value also increased from 5.9 to 6.2. The spread of readings has gone down from 6.4 to 4.1
So I can expect fewer complications and a gradual settling. I have not had a Hypo since moving to the new regime, and my eyes do seem more settled and less prone to variation across the day.
But having had reported reduced liver function (partially the reason for giving up alcohol)and sharp chest pains, reading the Washington post report is unsettling! I have added 5lb to my weight since going on to Avandamet, and that is in only two weeks. But I guess that the risks and side effects of the Avandamet far outweigh the risks of untreated diabetes.
I shall live long!
Friday
Learned a new word today and it's a corker. I shall have to use it in my next book. Oh course, as I have an immature streak, I had great fun with it. The word is WENIS. When I shake my hand, my wenis wobbles. Fantastic! Go on, google it.
My sister Angela had a great idea this week, what with my wobbly eyes and all, and sent me some talking books. I have struggled writing and I have almost given up on TV, so hopefully this will give me a real diversion from the introspection I have been forced to enjoy.
Saw Doc to day, excellent news, no change in the meds, so back into the office on Monday. He has referred me to the Opthalmist at the Gloucester Royal Hospital (GRH), basically he is a little concerned at how my eyes are still fluctuating a load. For good measure he also referred me to the diabetic specialist nurse at GRH too. I am unhappy at having loaded on a stone in weight even though I have moved over to a slightly more healthy diet than the already heallthy diet that I was on.
I have holes in my skin in each hand. Boy cat decided NOT to come in and was off being territorial. No way would we be able to sleep with any of the cats out, so it was upto me to go and get him. He did not want to be got, hence the holes in my hands. Great.
Cold came on suddenly last night, but then I have been feeling the cold all week, so to actually get one should not be a surprise.
Enjoy your dreams, I love mine.
My sister Angela had a great idea this week, what with my wobbly eyes and all, and sent me some talking books. I have struggled writing and I have almost given up on TV, so hopefully this will give me a real diversion from the introspection I have been forced to enjoy.
Saw Doc to day, excellent news, no change in the meds, so back into the office on Monday. He has referred me to the Opthalmist at the Gloucester Royal Hospital (GRH), basically he is a little concerned at how my eyes are still fluctuating a load. For good measure he also referred me to the diabetic specialist nurse at GRH too. I am unhappy at having loaded on a stone in weight even though I have moved over to a slightly more healthy diet than the already heallthy diet that I was on.
I have holes in my skin in each hand. Boy cat decided NOT to come in and was off being territorial. No way would we be able to sleep with any of the cats out, so it was upto me to go and get him. He did not want to be got, hence the holes in my hands. Great.
Cold came on suddenly last night, but then I have been feeling the cold all week, so to actually get one should not be a surprise.
Enjoy your dreams, I love mine.
Thursday
Yvonne and Hannah were out yesterday evening to see PINK at the NEC near Birmingham. By all accounts a fabulous show from an exceedingly talented young woman. That gave me the opportunity to catch up with some recorded TV programmes. Not very successfully though. Despite having (now) 4 different value contact lenses, I was unable to get the right value to be able to sit and see the TV comfortably. The trouble is that the eye lens changes retroactively to the (fluctuating due to diabetes) blood sugars, but I don't know what the lag between high or low sugar levels and the eyesight changes. I also don't know if low sugar cause near or far sightedness or vice versa. I just know that I could not readily watch TV and that at the time my bloods were okay.
And so little more work done on the next novel, and no work at all done on updating the website for the new novel due out tomorrow. I have given some consideration for a new cover for my first novel Dubai Dream, but come to no conclusions yet, apart from that it could do with one.
And so little more work done on the next novel, and no work at all done on updating the website for the new novel due out tomorrow. I have given some consideration for a new cover for my first novel Dubai Dream, but come to no conclusions yet, apart from that it could do with one.
Tuesday
My first two books have taken in Dubai, Margarita Venezuela and Gibraltar. All very different but still places many people would visit. For variety, I would like to weave Cuba into a novel. It is strange to me that the US condemns Cuba as part of the axis of evil. Former US Secretary of State John Bolton, speaking to the Heritage Foundation in 2002, a right-wing political think-tank, singled out Cuba for particular criticism, saying that the country's threat to the US was consistently "underplayed".
"(Cuba) has at least a limited offensive biological warfare research and development effort (and has) provided dual-use technology to other rogue states," he said.
Codswallop said Andy Reeley speaking to any one who cared to listen via his Blog in 2006.
Having been to Cuba and engaged with the ordinary people, I come away with a sense of irritation with the US government. This is in no way an echo of what the Cubans themselves think, no, they all seem to be amused that the Americans don't want to visit their Island Paradise, no this is more my personal reaction to what I see at the populace level. In that my books have good old fashioned goodies and baddies, I shall find it challenging to incorporate Cuba and its people in a negative or bad way; and to show them as good would probably be dismissed by the supposedly knowledgeable (of these matters) as mere unenlightened rhetoric. From my brief investigation into what went on, all I see is a small bunch (Around ten, that is all) of American Gangsters pillaging the Caribbean Island for their own purposes, and then having amassed huge fortunes, having the financial clout to sway (or is that buy?) American political decisions. That was in the fifties when a bunch of locals ( = terrorists ) stood up for themselves and the people and revolted. A revolution is not a terrorist attack. They are completely different. Cuba has meddled in the odd foreign affair here and there, but from what I can see, that is in response to a (from the Cuban perspective) view of opposing an unjust oppressor, ie, to the US ‘Rogue States’.
I know life is actually quite hard on the Island, but I am sure it would have been an awful lot better if the US Govt had just let them get on with it. Anyway, end of rant. ( I could blog about it for thousands of words, but I will stop. Now. Honest)
So how to bring in all the good aspects of Cuba without the usual anti rhetoric. I don’t want to do someone having a holiday or getting married there, too predictable. I shall have to get my thinking hat on. It will need to be sympathetic with the flow of my story arc, and it will be a little difficult to bring in Edward or Geraldine due to the nature of the Department (Organisation is a better word) that they work for.
When I was last in Cuba, we stayed away from the main touristy bit, and stayed in the Guardalavaca area of Holguin, and yes we got out of the resort and went into local villages and met people and spent time with them. It just reinforced our love for the people and the island. We were fortunate, having elected to stay at the Paradis Rio Del Oro, and being able to negotiate an upgrade to the Garden Villas (see the picture.) We were exceptionally well looked after by the whole staff, but especially Julio (who butled for us) and his wife Yudith who did restaurant bookings and other front of house stuff. It really is a superb hotel, and is probably amongst the best on the island. Well worth a visit.
"(Cuba) has at least a limited offensive biological warfare research and development effort (and has) provided dual-use technology to other rogue states," he said.
Codswallop said Andy Reeley speaking to any one who cared to listen via his Blog in 2006.
Having been to Cuba and engaged with the ordinary people, I come away with a sense of irritation with the US government. This is in no way an echo of what the Cubans themselves think, no, they all seem to be amused that the Americans don't want to visit their Island Paradise, no this is more my personal reaction to what I see at the populace level. In that my books have good old fashioned goodies and baddies, I shall find it challenging to incorporate Cuba and its people in a negative or bad way; and to show them as good would probably be dismissed by the supposedly knowledgeable (of these matters) as mere unenlightened rhetoric. From my brief investigation into what went on, all I see is a small bunch (Around ten, that is all) of American Gangsters pillaging the Caribbean Island for their own purposes, and then having amassed huge fortunes, having the financial clout to sway (or is that buy?) American political decisions. That was in the fifties when a bunch of locals ( = terrorists ) stood up for themselves and the people and revolted. A revolution is not a terrorist attack. They are completely different. Cuba has meddled in the odd foreign affair here and there, but from what I can see, that is in response to a (from the Cuban perspective) view of opposing an unjust oppressor, ie, to the US ‘Rogue States’.
I know life is actually quite hard on the Island, but I am sure it would have been an awful lot better if the US Govt had just let them get on with it. Anyway, end of rant. ( I could blog about it for thousands of words, but I will stop. Now. Honest)
So how to bring in all the good aspects of Cuba without the usual anti rhetoric. I don’t want to do someone having a holiday or getting married there, too predictable. I shall have to get my thinking hat on. It will need to be sympathetic with the flow of my story arc, and it will be a little difficult to bring in Edward or Geraldine due to the nature of the Department (Organisation is a better word) that they work for.
When I was last in Cuba, we stayed away from the main touristy bit, and stayed in the Guardalavaca area of Holguin, and yes we got out of the resort and went into local villages and met people and spent time with them. It just reinforced our love for the people and the island. We were fortunate, having elected to stay at the Paradis Rio Del Oro, and being able to negotiate an upgrade to the Garden Villas (see the picture.) We were exceptionally well looked after by the whole staff, but especially Julio (who butled for us) and his wife Yudith who did restaurant bookings and other front of house stuff. It really is a superb hotel, and is probably amongst the best on the island. Well worth a visit.
Monday
Just had the new book GIBRALTAR ROCK proof back from the publishers - it looks stunning.
Meanwhile, a short story that you might enjoy.
A Storm in the Night, by Andy Reeley
Henry looked across at Catherine as she slept bathed in the soft light from moonbeams gently shining in from the picture window. Catherine lay on her back, her lace-enclosed bosom gently rising and falling as she took breath. There was a barely audible purr escaping her as she slumbered. Henry could see Catherine’s eyelids flicker as she dreamt and Henry wondered what lands her mind was in, what delights she thought of, and what memories her sleep plundered to make her dreams and night time wishes and hopes.
Silently the clouds gathered across the sky, thin wisps beginning a quiet obscuring of the gibbous, almost full moon. The white porcelain moonlight that poured into the room showing Catherine in all her glory and beauty began to fade and thin. Henry watched Catherine’s outline melt into the darkness, and all too soon he could see only inky shapeless blackness with only a slight purring to denote her presence. Henry smiled as he thought that even her snoring was a matter of beauty. Where many a woman would snort or burble, Catherine lay serene, a mere barely discernible feline rumble the only escapee from her sleep. Catherine slept the sleep of the just and the beautiful and Henry basked in her beauty and love, proud that she had chosen him as her life partner and lover.
Henry, his eyes having now adjusted to the gloom, softly left the bed and padded to the window, drawing the heavy patterned drapes, shutting out the silent war as cumulus and nimbus clouds battled for control of the night sky – only the occasional star daring to show through the almost total vaporous domination. Henry slowly walked back in the darkness and released the drapes at each side of the bed, drawing first the closures on Catherine’s side, then the end and finally shutting out the world behind him as he returned to his side of the Tester. Now in total darkness, Henry felt a warm and comforting feeling, the world was shut out of their room, the room was shut out of their bed, and all they need concern themselves with was each other. Henry slid his hand down the bed, seeking Catherine. He found her fingers almost immediately, and as he touched her, Catherine’s hand gently took his and she sleepily whispered her love for him, her voice soft and velvet like, her words sinking into his memory as the night took its final devastating prize.
The early morning light was too dim to register; Henry could only see small grey lines that were the gaps in the bed drapes. Catherine was now silent as she lay beside him, no purring escaped to dance and weave around his ears, no breathe could he hear. Her hand was cool and unresponsive to his touch and Henry knew that her battle was over, that her suffering and torment of pain were now gone and that his Catherine had been released. A huge shudder racked his body as he took in a gulp, a single large tear drop formed before escaping and gathering momentum as it ran down his cheek, dropping and showing the way to the others that would surely soon follow. He sat up, not really knowing what he was to do next. He had long prepared for this day, made plans and arrangements so that Catherine would not worry that her passing would cause a panic. And now the day was here the plans and preparations had disappeared – stolen from his mind in the night, just as surely missing as his lovers’ life force was now.
He pulled back the drape at the side of the bed leaving behind the vacant shell of humanity that was once such an important part of his life, swung out his legs and looked up. Catherine stood smiling at him, wearing her beautiful lace nightdress that he had bought her as the illness took hold. She had wanted to look her best for when the doctors called to attend to her. Catherine looked cherishingly at him, her image the only brightness in the room, and as the warmth radiated from her a peace took hold of him and his tears of sadness dried.
“It will be alright my Love,” she said, her voice soft and comforting to his ear, “our suffering has finished. My Darling Henry, I cannot express enough my love for you, my gratitude that you lay there night after night, just holding me, praying for me, wishing that the pain would go. Oh my Love, I would have perished many months ago if not for your strength and caring and love. Without you, there would have been nothing to hold back the darkness, no lovers’ tears to wash away the pain and upset. My Darling, I now know that The Good Lords’ angels helped with your ministrations and with their wings they helped lighten the burden that was me and I too thank them and the Lord. Now my pain is gone and I no longer dilute your strength. You no longer have to help me bear my suffering and my pain. I will have your love and comfort with me for all time, and know this my darling, I will wait for you for all eternity my love, cherishing and nurturing your love, and one day my Darling, one day we will once more walk hand in hand in the garden of our dreams. Once more I will be able to feel the passion of your warm embrace, once more we will kiss under the bough of a mossy lime tree, laughing as squirrels gather nuts for a winter’s store.”
Tears slowly started to trickle once more from his eyes, becoming a small river running down each cheek, dipping in their path to meet his mouth, leaving a slight salty tang as they cracked the dryness they found there. He put his hand out to touch her, to hold her one last time, but could not reach her; she seemed to be so far away, yet looked so close.
“Goodbye my Love, I will always, always have your love. Without you my life would have been barren and empty.” His words seemed hollow and wrong. He could not seem to say what he wanted, what he felt. His mouth just opened and closed, no more words could he form.
“Goodbye my Love” and as she uttered her farewell she dimmed and merged with the gloom in the corner of the room. The warmth that he had felt in her presence began to fade, the coolness of the early morning beginning to make its presence felt. All that lingered was her memory. He felt a slight soreness, almost an irritation in his hand. He opened his fingers to rub at or scratch, to take away the distraction, and found only a surprise. In his hand was a small gold cross. He had no idea how it got there. Her voice quietly came into his head:
“My Darling, take this gift as a token of my love and always have this with you and keep it between you and those who would do you harm, for it has the power of my love for you within it”.
He looked down at the small gold gift and sank to his knees, sobs racking his body, his grief too much to bear, inconsolable in his loss, he cried and cried, tears falling in a salty rain, his hand gripping the small golden symbol through the pile of the carpet as he lay sobbing.
Meanwhile, a short story that you might enjoy.
A Storm in the Night, by Andy Reeley
Henry looked across at Catherine as she slept bathed in the soft light from moonbeams gently shining in from the picture window. Catherine lay on her back, her lace-enclosed bosom gently rising and falling as she took breath. There was a barely audible purr escaping her as she slumbered. Henry could see Catherine’s eyelids flicker as she dreamt and Henry wondered what lands her mind was in, what delights she thought of, and what memories her sleep plundered to make her dreams and night time wishes and hopes.
Silently the clouds gathered across the sky, thin wisps beginning a quiet obscuring of the gibbous, almost full moon. The white porcelain moonlight that poured into the room showing Catherine in all her glory and beauty began to fade and thin. Henry watched Catherine’s outline melt into the darkness, and all too soon he could see only inky shapeless blackness with only a slight purring to denote her presence. Henry smiled as he thought that even her snoring was a matter of beauty. Where many a woman would snort or burble, Catherine lay serene, a mere barely discernible feline rumble the only escapee from her sleep. Catherine slept the sleep of the just and the beautiful and Henry basked in her beauty and love, proud that she had chosen him as her life partner and lover.
Henry, his eyes having now adjusted to the gloom, softly left the bed and padded to the window, drawing the heavy patterned drapes, shutting out the silent war as cumulus and nimbus clouds battled for control of the night sky – only the occasional star daring to show through the almost total vaporous domination. Henry slowly walked back in the darkness and released the drapes at each side of the bed, drawing first the closures on Catherine’s side, then the end and finally shutting out the world behind him as he returned to his side of the Tester. Now in total darkness, Henry felt a warm and comforting feeling, the world was shut out of their room, the room was shut out of their bed, and all they need concern themselves with was each other. Henry slid his hand down the bed, seeking Catherine. He found her fingers almost immediately, and as he touched her, Catherine’s hand gently took his and she sleepily whispered her love for him, her voice soft and velvet like, her words sinking into his memory as the night took its final devastating prize.
The early morning light was too dim to register; Henry could only see small grey lines that were the gaps in the bed drapes. Catherine was now silent as she lay beside him, no purring escaped to dance and weave around his ears, no breathe could he hear. Her hand was cool and unresponsive to his touch and Henry knew that her battle was over, that her suffering and torment of pain were now gone and that his Catherine had been released. A huge shudder racked his body as he took in a gulp, a single large tear drop formed before escaping and gathering momentum as it ran down his cheek, dropping and showing the way to the others that would surely soon follow. He sat up, not really knowing what he was to do next. He had long prepared for this day, made plans and arrangements so that Catherine would not worry that her passing would cause a panic. And now the day was here the plans and preparations had disappeared – stolen from his mind in the night, just as surely missing as his lovers’ life force was now.
He pulled back the drape at the side of the bed leaving behind the vacant shell of humanity that was once such an important part of his life, swung out his legs and looked up. Catherine stood smiling at him, wearing her beautiful lace nightdress that he had bought her as the illness took hold. She had wanted to look her best for when the doctors called to attend to her. Catherine looked cherishingly at him, her image the only brightness in the room, and as the warmth radiated from her a peace took hold of him and his tears of sadness dried.
“It will be alright my Love,” she said, her voice soft and comforting to his ear, “our suffering has finished. My Darling Henry, I cannot express enough my love for you, my gratitude that you lay there night after night, just holding me, praying for me, wishing that the pain would go. Oh my Love, I would have perished many months ago if not for your strength and caring and love. Without you, there would have been nothing to hold back the darkness, no lovers’ tears to wash away the pain and upset. My Darling, I now know that The Good Lords’ angels helped with your ministrations and with their wings they helped lighten the burden that was me and I too thank them and the Lord. Now my pain is gone and I no longer dilute your strength. You no longer have to help me bear my suffering and my pain. I will have your love and comfort with me for all time, and know this my darling, I will wait for you for all eternity my love, cherishing and nurturing your love, and one day my Darling, one day we will once more walk hand in hand in the garden of our dreams. Once more I will be able to feel the passion of your warm embrace, once more we will kiss under the bough of a mossy lime tree, laughing as squirrels gather nuts for a winter’s store.”
Tears slowly started to trickle once more from his eyes, becoming a small river running down each cheek, dipping in their path to meet his mouth, leaving a slight salty tang as they cracked the dryness they found there. He put his hand out to touch her, to hold her one last time, but could not reach her; she seemed to be so far away, yet looked so close.
“Goodbye my Love, I will always, always have your love. Without you my life would have been barren and empty.” His words seemed hollow and wrong. He could not seem to say what he wanted, what he felt. His mouth just opened and closed, no more words could he form.
“Goodbye my Love” and as she uttered her farewell she dimmed and merged with the gloom in the corner of the room. The warmth that he had felt in her presence began to fade, the coolness of the early morning beginning to make its presence felt. All that lingered was her memory. He felt a slight soreness, almost an irritation in his hand. He opened his fingers to rub at or scratch, to take away the distraction, and found only a surprise. In his hand was a small gold cross. He had no idea how it got there. Her voice quietly came into his head:
“My Darling, take this gift as a token of my love and always have this with you and keep it between you and those who would do you harm, for it has the power of my love for you within it”.
He looked down at the small gold gift and sank to his knees, sobs racking his body, his grief too much to bear, inconsolable in his loss, he cried and cried, tears falling in a salty rain, his hand gripping the small golden symbol through the pile of the carpet as he lay sobbing.
Saturday
Saturday, and off to the opticians for my ever changing eyesight test. I now have three different prescription lens' (-1.25, 0.0 and +.5) Most days I can now actually see something, but I do struggle with reading anything most days. Diabetes is rather like a farmers milking machine. It sucks.
Well now, hasn't the news been interesting this week, former spy poisoned by radioactive pellet. Oh I just have to include that in my current novel, truth is stranger than fiction sometimes.
The main story that I have for my Geraldine and Edward arc #3 continues apace. I am moving more into the ongoing relationships that surround them and establishing their central roles. Geraldine will now be full time in the department and Edward will be on walkabout much more. I think in this novel I will introduce more of the background of the department and perhaps explain why the department is housed in GCHQ but is not government and definately not GCHQ, MI5 etc.
But mustn't give too much away here. Book #1 was a very sensual love story, book #2 evolved into a series of personal relationships that came under threat, resolved only after tradgedy but due to Edwards job.
I found the story easier to write in book #2 and feel that is the natural way forward. We shall see.
Well now, hasn't the news been interesting this week, former spy poisoned by radioactive pellet. Oh I just have to include that in my current novel, truth is stranger than fiction sometimes.
The main story that I have for my Geraldine and Edward arc #3 continues apace. I am moving more into the ongoing relationships that surround them and establishing their central roles. Geraldine will now be full time in the department and Edward will be on walkabout much more. I think in this novel I will introduce more of the background of the department and perhaps explain why the department is housed in GCHQ but is not government and definately not GCHQ, MI5 etc.
But mustn't give too much away here. Book #1 was a very sensual love story, book #2 evolved into a series of personal relationships that came under threat, resolved only after tradgedy but due to Edwards job.
I found the story easier to write in book #2 and feel that is the natural way forward. We shall see.
Wednesday
These new meds are working, the BP has dropped into the target zone, but the price is heavy to say the least. Stomach cramps and a very real need to be near the facilities. Irritating that I don't seem to be losing weight as a result, at least give that if I am going to suffer the trottings!
Writing is at a pause, I don't feel like writing whilst I am like this. I have plenty of ideas, just not sure when I will start weaving again. I've written chapter one already, it's just the other twenty or so before the end!
Despite it all, I have managed to tidy the garage enough and put the car away each night - so now the burglars might think I'm out, when in fact, I'm in. Interesting times, interesting times.
Writing is at a pause, I don't feel like writing whilst I am like this. I have plenty of ideas, just not sure when I will start weaving again. I've written chapter one already, it's just the other twenty or so before the end!
Despite it all, I have managed to tidy the garage enough and put the car away each night - so now the burglars might think I'm out, when in fact, I'm in. Interesting times, interesting times.
Monday
I love driving this car,
it is so difficult to accept that it is being powered by diesel. It has a very healthy 0 to 60 of around 8 seconds and returns 30 plus to the gallon. It looks stunning too, especially as I've now had privacy screen added to the glass. I wonder if I could fit some Knight Rider lights to the front? Probably could but definitely shouldn't!
Complete change of meds from Doctor (I consider myself lucky, my GP is just so good, I happily trust my life in his hands), so now my body has to get used to the new meds. Back to the horrible constant headaches, sicky feeling and metallic taste. BP has dropped into the 130's from the 150's, so that is a good thing. Hopefully back into the office soon.Still getting utterly cheesed off with the changing eyesight. I now have three sets of contact lenses all with differing strengths (-.5, 0 and +1.25) On some days I have to use all three in turn as my eye sight changes. Well done D&A for helping me through this.I think that virtually the last of the leaves came down last night, so if I manage to convert enough sugars to energy, I'll be leaf clearing this morning. Oh what fun.
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| From My Car Pictures |
it is so difficult to accept that it is being powered by diesel. It has a very healthy 0 to 60 of around 8 seconds and returns 30 plus to the gallon. It looks stunning too, especially as I've now had privacy screen added to the glass. I wonder if I could fit some Knight Rider lights to the front? Probably could but definitely shouldn't!
Complete change of meds from Doctor (I consider myself lucky, my GP is just so good, I happily trust my life in his hands), so now my body has to get used to the new meds. Back to the horrible constant headaches, sicky feeling and metallic taste. BP has dropped into the 130's from the 150's, so that is a good thing. Hopefully back into the office soon.Still getting utterly cheesed off with the changing eyesight. I now have three sets of contact lenses all with differing strengths (-.5, 0 and +1.25) On some days I have to use all three in turn as my eye sight changes. Well done D&A for helping me through this.I think that virtually the last of the leaves came down last night, so if I manage to convert enough sugars to energy, I'll be leaf clearing this morning. Oh what fun.
Friday
Things are definately looking up, I have had the prelim artwork for the new book from the artist. It has a lovely retro feel to it which I like.
Very upset at the final spooks this weeks (series 5 finale) - it has completely scuppered my next book (the one following Gibraltar Rock) - the location scenario is exactly what I was going to use, it wasn't going to be ecowarriers, but, it was still to be the thames barrier. Bumflaps! Mind you, I did enjoy the final episode of spooks, but I wish that they hadn't decided to use the same scenario as me. That means I have to go to plot B now, and that has had me lying awake these past few nights trying to work out the storyline into the different scenario.
Perhaps I could plant a nuke on the Canary Islands, and threaten to nuke the island and cause the tidal wave that will destroy the East Coast of the USA - nah, too obvious and trite.
Tuesday
Well the saga continues. Health is not as good as it should be, but I shall not let it get to me. BP still stupidly high despite three tablets that are supposed to bring it down, and it is now 6 weeks since I had caffeine.
The new book (book 3 of Geraldine & Edward) - The story moves on apace. I think I 've managed to get the first chapter more or less in the can (bad metaphor, I know, sorry), and I think I know where it is going to go. Book 2 is safely at the publishers, so hopeful that it will be out in time for Christmas, if not, then there is always Valentine's day!
Weather has not been as promised, drizzle and damp grey nothing of a day, not th egales and torrentials we were assured would be here to day. At least gales have something about them, they are happening, you can feel alive in a gale. Not todays dull weather, just about fits my mood I guess.
The new book (book 3 of Geraldine & Edward) - The story moves on apace. I think I 've managed to get the first chapter more or less in the can (bad metaphor, I know, sorry), and I think I know where it is going to go. Book 2 is safely at the publishers, so hopeful that it will be out in time for Christmas, if not, then there is always Valentine's day!
Weather has not been as promised, drizzle and damp grey nothing of a day, not th egales and torrentials we were assured would be here to day. At least gales have something about them, they are happening, you can feel alive in a gale. Not todays dull weather, just about fits my mood I guess.
Thursday
boring boring boring
It is so boring when your eyes play you up, and I mean no disrespect to any one who is challenged eyesight wise. I am used to being able to see. Used to being able to watch TV or a Film on DVD, used to reading teletext, used to being able to see what I am doing on the computer.But this bloody diabetes is really mucking up my eyesight. The opticians have been really Good (D&A!! excellent), and have been trying to react as quickly as they can with contact lens. But even that isn't easy. Because of astigmatism, I still need reading glasses. And I am struggling getting the lens out of my eye. God I wish it would settle down. Bloods today were 4.1 (which is okay) and 147/86 (which is not).I have all these ideas for my next book, and I can only play with them in my head as the eyesight is so bad to day.Boy cat went to vet today for XRays - he is struggling getting up the stairs. He wailed all the way in the car, and girl cat was freaked by the whole thing and hid from me for ages.Quite frankly it has not been a good day!
It is so boring when your eyes play you up, and I mean no disrespect to any one who is challenged eyesight wise. I am used to being able to see. Used to being able to watch TV or a Film on DVD, used to reading teletext, used to being able to see what I am doing on the computer.But this bloody diabetes is really mucking up my eyesight. The opticians have been really Good (D&A!! excellent), and have been trying to react as quickly as they can with contact lens. But even that isn't easy. Because of astigmatism, I still need reading glasses. And I am struggling getting the lens out of my eye. God I wish it would settle down. Bloods today were 4.1 (which is okay) and 147/86 (which is not).I have all these ideas for my next book, and I can only play with them in my head as the eyesight is so bad to day.Boy cat went to vet today for XRays - he is struggling getting up the stairs. He wailed all the way in the car, and girl cat was freaked by the whole thing and hid from me for ages.Quite frankly it has not been a good day!
Tuesday
It's gone, the book, to the publishers, that is
Well I proof read it one final time and packed it off to the publishers - I just hope that they got it okay, and that they are able to do the necessary. Really struggled with my eyesight since, BP up high and the sigars are low, so the excitement is obviously not good for my health.Jennifer has moved back to Gloucester today and starts her new job as Assistant Manager at the Bumble on Monday. It's good to have all my children (Hah!) back in the same town as me. I shall be taking Yvonne over to Jen's flat tomorrow, she hasn't seen it yet. Be interesting to see what she thinks of it. Hopefully James will be there too.New book plot is beginning to take shape. Hopefully I can rough out the story before the year end, leaving me 2007 to do the writing.
Well I proof read it one final time and packed it off to the publishers - I just hope that they got it okay, and that they are able to do the necessary. Really struggled with my eyesight since, BP up high and the sigars are low, so the excitement is obviously not good for my health.Jennifer has moved back to Gloucester today and starts her new job as Assistant Manager at the Bumble on Monday. It's good to have all my children (Hah!) back in the same town as me. I shall be taking Yvonne over to Jen's flat tomorrow, she hasn't seen it yet. Be interesting to see what she thinks of it. Hopefully James will be there too.New book plot is beginning to take shape. Hopefully I can rough out the story before the year end, leaving me 2007 to do the writing.
Monday
Well I spent Sunday doing nothing on my writing. Nothing tangible that is. I mucked up taking my contact lens out basically it felt like it had welded itself to my eyeball. I couldn't get a grip on it, and then I lost it. It felt like it had gone round the back. Oh the pain. Lot's of eye ball washing with saline solution, but couldn't find the bloody lens. I later found it on the floor, so obviously it had come out, but all the poking and prodding gave me blurred vision . After that cleared, I thought it best not to strain my eyes too much and had a day off the computer. So no writing, but plenty of thinking. I had ideas flowing through my imagination this week. I know where I am going to take Edward and Geraldine in the next (third) novel, and I am quite excited at the prospect of bringing the monarchy into play for the first time. With respect to my other new idea published elsewhere with the working title of Conception (not), I mentalled out the next couple of chapters too. That could be quite an exciting option too. Today though, I really need to get Gibraltar Rock off to the publisher. One final proof read....
Saturday
It's been a longish day. We were off relatively early to Worcester (about 30 miles from home). We need to try a particular brand of mattress and that is where the enarest stockist is. Turned out to be a bit of a wasted - the mattress was nothing like as good as we had been led to believe. However, it gave us an opportunity to have a look around Worcester Shopping centre - seemed to have changed a lot since I was last there, but all in all quite enjoyable. Finished off feeding the seagulls by the river. We did try to feed the swans but the gulls caught the bread in mid air!Back in the car after a pleasant half day in Worcester, but my lord - doesn't the place suffer with traffic!
Worked some more on final editing for Gibraltar Rock - the new title for my new novel, hopefully out in time for Christmas. Had one major moment when I noticed that all the 'Daddy' words had changed to Long Levens. WHY? For goodness sake! For some completely inexplicable reason Word just seems to have taken it upon itself to do a search and replace. Thank goodness I noticed. Somehow:-
'Longlevens, can you pass me the baby powder' doesn't quite seem right!
Blood sugars seem okay today, but the old BP still too high. The meds for the sugars now seem to be working but the BP ones, even though they were upped yesterday, still don't seem to be bringing it down. Never mind!
Just watched Strictly Come Dancing - I think Brendan is setting himself up for a fall. We shall have to see how the public voting goes, but he annoyed me, and I'm public, and generally he is one of the pro's that I like.
Tinkering with the web page as the cats cower and hide from the bloody fireworks - God I HATE THEM!
Worked some more on final editing for Gibraltar Rock - the new title for my new novel, hopefully out in time for Christmas. Had one major moment when I noticed that all the 'Daddy' words had changed to Long Levens. WHY? For goodness sake! For some completely inexplicable reason Word just seems to have taken it upon itself to do a search and replace. Thank goodness I noticed. Somehow:-
'Longlevens, can you pass me the baby powder' doesn't quite seem right!
Blood sugars seem okay today, but the old BP still too high. The meds for the sugars now seem to be working but the BP ones, even though they were upped yesterday, still don't seem to be bringing it down. Never mind!
Just watched Strictly Come Dancing - I think Brendan is setting himself up for a fall. We shall have to see how the public voting goes, but he annoyed me, and I'm public, and generally he is one of the pro's that I like.
Tinkering with the web page as the cats cower and hide from the bloody fireworks - God I HATE THEM!
Friday
Well it's been a year since I blogged. That is partly because I forgot my log in details, partly because of personal issues, and partly because I was busy working on a new book. Well the new book is finished, well in final edit, and the various issues that stopped me blogging are resolved. Today, however, I am concentrating on trying to improve my website, www.reeley.co.uk, so I will blog further with what I learn, and also about my new book.
I am, as they say, blogging once more.
I am, as they say, blogging once more.
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