Monday 3 May 2010

Dirty Girl

My flat is a tip. I am wading through teetering piles of paper, mostly study notes, bills and election leaflets. I ran out of hoover bags about..err...1998 actually and the dog has shed me a new carpet. There is stuff congealed on the cooker that seems to be sprouting tentacles and the fridge won’t open in embarrassment.
And it’s a bank holiday which means we woke to lashing rain and howling winds.
By midday the sun has made an effort and although there is no difference to the temperature, outside looks less arctic. Apart from that wind......As I watch a pigeon is blown backwards across the garden with a slightly baffled look on its face. I suit up for a brisk, bracing walk pulling on long johns, a big cardigan, extra socks and a rain coat and square my shoulders bravely harnessing up Grace but outside I am hit across the face by icy sodden blasts and my resolve dissolves. I whimper. Grace looks at me with disgust but I am defeated and retreat back into the warmth of the living room with its towering piles of detritus. Perhaps I could set fire to some for extra warmth?



(image from internet)
Dad skypes from Lusaka and we have the ‘Zambia’ skype conversation
‘....Can you see me?..’
‘Yes..no ..now I can..’
‘..... I’ve lost connection...Can you hear me?’
‘Yes..no ...now and now and...oops lost video..can you see me? ‘
Repeat to fade.

He is heading to Pretoria for his treatment next week which is both exciting and terrifying. Six weeks of tenter-hooks for us and tender bits for him. With the World Cup kicking off flights to visit him are exorbitant and impossible so I am going to check on the costs of sending myself by registered post.


We, Grace and I, are up to Bath again tomorrow and so with rather a lot of reading and marking up to be done I can see that the spring cleaning isn’t going to happen today. Perhaps when the sun comes out for real and the birds (and the pigs) start flying the right way round.

(I have to say so myself but isn't this the greatest photo of the hound to date!! )
'This Dog Has My Heart' (c) T.Bush 2010

4 comments:

The Bug said...

Oh that Grace is a cutie!

I really really really hate to vacuum. It's the number one household task that I will put off until the 12th of never. Sigh.

Good luck to your dad - still praying for him.

tam said...

Oh, that Z, or Tz Skype conversation is soo frustrating! Holding thumbs and sending love for your dad's treatment. And that is one heart stealin lurve hound. Sweeet!

Lindsay Jane Sedgwick - writer said...

She's a beautiful dog! She looks just like the one that Roxy has fallen in love with. She just took off across the green and attached herself to his side and walked along with him. (Did I mention I got a dog? Three weeks ago. Has stolen our hearts.)

Thanks for your comment earlier this month. I dunno how to find out if comments have been posted and only decided to scroll down today and found I'd got one. From you! Thank you!! When are you coming to Dublin!!!!!!!??????

family Affairs said...

How is your dad doing? How are you? Waiting for your next update.....lots of love Lx