The joys of going with the flow

Discovered I had very little energy today, so ended up doing a fair bit of computer-related stuff. Yesterday, Mrs. Ottawacker had remembered she had booked herself and Ottawacker Jr. in for hair appointments with Odalia at noon, today, and Ottawacker Jr. would be at his patisserie course and therefore unable to attend. So, I got voluntold to take his place. Thus, at noon, Mrs. Ottawacker and I set out to Salon Elegance to have our locks caressed, coloured (in her case) and shorn (in mine). The things you get told to do.
 
Home, eventually, after having sat and waited for 30 minutes, chatting with Hazel, an octogenarian with a wry sense of humour who started telling me about the cruises she and her husband used to go on. I got dragged away before finding out what the Port of Amsterdam was like when she was younger. Not sure I wanted to imagine some of the scenes, but at my age, it is best to live vicariously at times.
 
In the evening, I took Ottawacker Jr. to his goalkeeping session and had a chat with John, the club coach. I had mentioned that Ottawacker Jr. was a little less enthused by goalkeeping – and had even wanted to play out in the last game. He took it – as did I – that this was a sign of his not being challenged enough. He seems to rate Ottawacker Jr.’s ability very highly – and wants to make sure he is motivated and challenged. I have heard this before in various forms from various people – but it is a hard balancing act to enable him to develop fully as a keeper (and maybe earn a scholarship or a contract somewhere, which I certainly feel he is capable of doing) and to have him develop his friendships and social contacts at the same time. If he stays at the club and has extra coaching, the two are not incompatible. If he changes clubs, he could develop the sporting side better but perhaps at the cost of his happiness. If he stays at the club and there is no change to the coaching philosophy, then who knows what will happen? Tough to know what is right. Anyway, John was very positive and supportive and, at least for the time being, I have done all I can do.
 
After the chat, I went home and cooked dinner – spicy chicken casserole with potatoes and broccoli added in – while Mrs. Ottawacker drove out to get the boy. Late supper. Ended up with a Rosemary & Thyme before heading for an earlier night.