Wet and Wild

A wickedly wet and wild day here today! Most of the region is severely flooded. I wish the local Council would just erect a flood wall and stop talking and talking and talking - time for action! 

My fibromyalgia is not a happy bunny as usual - rain most definitely equals pain! Feeling very grateful that I have my heat pad. One of my better fibro buys.

I decided to make the best of the wet weather by resting with my electric heat pad on, sorting through boxes of old photos. I did a bit of long overdue life admin too.

Today’s main Blip is of my late Uncle Tommy’s wedding photo from the 1960s. I was very fond of my Uncle Tommy. Sadly, he died on Christmas Day 2001 of a heart attack. I always think of him at this time of year. My Uncle Robert (on the right) was best man. 

He was an alcoholic most of his adult life (as was my Uncle Robert) and stopped drinking at 55 but passed away at 57. In the two or so years before he died, he volunteered teaching literacy and numeracy to recovering addicts. I would love to do something like that one day.

I always remember meeting many of them at his funeral and they all told me how much they loved him, hadn’t judged them and had made their lives that bit better. I was always very fond of him growing up, he was such fun.

Sadly, his marriage ended in divorce due to his alcoholism but I have always loved this photograph. I think there’s something charming about black and white photography.

I still need to get my daily Duolingo German done. I try and do at least one lesson a day, I absolutely love it. I think I’m addicted to learning. I just wish my fatigue was less.

I had a belated birthday message from a friend who is out in Korea teaching English as a foreign language. He has been such a good friend to me in the (almost) decade we have known each other. I was delighted to hear he’s loving life over there and has met a lovely girlfriend and made lots of new friends. It’s minus 12 there right now and he’s enjoying the snow. We are going to try and do a video call soon if we can work round the seven hour time difference.

Today’s extras are of a tablet holder I got as a birthday gift - I was going to buy myself one for the sake of my neck which is one of my worst fibro trigger points so was delighted to unwrap this. The other extra is of a glittery swan Christmas decoration - thankfully it does not shed glitter as I can’t cope with loose glitter on cards, decorations and the like - gives me the ick! 

I was very sad to hear of the passing of Vivienne Westwood. I have always admired her individuality, creative talent and quirkiness as well as her climate change activism. I doubt there will another like her but I would love to hope that there is an aspiring fashion designer out there who will follow her lead. I was very irritated that her death was the final item on last night’s news! 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Thank you so much for all the stars, comments, hearts and birthday wishes yesterday, they meant a lot to me :) xx