Winter - fuck, it's cold

The romantic idea of being holed up in a log cabin until spring comes has always appealed to to me. The trouble is that I don't function terribly well in the winter - the drop in temperature seems to have a detrimental effect on my brain and body (what's new?).

We are never prepared for a cold snap in this part of the world and all through the winter I am haunted by my dad saying - "Have you got your vest on?". No dad, I haven't worn a vest since I was three, I am 45 and you are in the land beyond vests so leave me alone.

I do like winter though. I love to walk on a stormy coastline in the depths of winter and love those days when the sky is lead and the rain is beating against the window. The cosiness of a soppy film, hot chocolate and central heating doesn't have the same appeal on the balmy nights we enjoy in the summer.

Anyway, winter is here. Autumn buggered off fairly early and we are suffering the pre-Christmas doom and gloom of constant drizzle and high winds. I am longing for some snow this year (rare in Cornball) and someone to share a log cabin. Better buy some vests then.

The Gin House Rules

I hate rules. Rules usually tell you something that you can't do but occasionally a set of rules are required to keep an establishment running smoothly.
Six months ago the dynamics of our house changed and the Feckers and I have just decided that we need a new set of rules to abide by.

Together we made ten new rules for living in the Gin House and they are stuck to the fridge....

1. Please make an effort to have as much fun as possible.

2. Only laughter will be tolerated.

3. Do not be selfish with your music - turn it up so that we can all hear it.

4. Sing at least twice a day.

5. Make mem a cup of tea, now!

6. No giggling after 4am and not before 10am.

7. Friends should be confined to 20 decibels and can only come in if they have brought goodies with them.

8. The chocolate in the cupboard is always mem's.

9. This house is yours so always be yourself.

10. There will only ever be LOVE in this house.



I would be interested to know what your own Gin House Rules are and whether they work or not -rule number 8 seems to be failing miserably!

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The Allowance

I could let you hold my hand,
if I so choose.
More than a childish cling
the start of a joining.
This I would allow

I would let you,
pull me in,
wrapping your arms around me,
vine-like and safe,
this I would allow.

I may let you kiss me.
A gentle kiss,
no more and no less,
soft and exploratory, this
I may allow.

And I would let you
hold my face
as you kissed my neck
little by little.
This I could allow.

I might then let you look
into my eyes.
Just a glimpse,
a brief encounter that
will let you know
just how much more
I would allow.

The Noo Noo

When I am upset, crying over a soppy film, missing someone, pissed off with the world or just plain cold, I dig out my noo noo.

I have heard that some people call their noo noo's something else (very silly, a noo noo is a noo noo) but essentially they all do the same job. Whether they are a raggy old pair of slippers, a holey blanket, a favourite pair of socks or flanelette pajamas with a rip in the crutch they all give us a bit of comfort when there is no one else around for a hug.

Mine takes the form of a rather eccentric cardigan that I knitted about ten years ago. Not fit for public consumption because of its tendency to grow larger every year, I throw it on when I feel that I need a cuddle, or some comfort.

I'm sitting here now wearing my noo noo because the rain is pounding outside and I can't get to sleep and was just wondering what your noo noo is and don't tell me you haven't got one.

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Pin money

My fingers are sore and my nails are now non-existent but sometimes making a bit of extra money can be fun....



A long time ago I used to make jewellery for gifts. With a bit of persuasion a friend suggested that we do the same again only on a bigger scale.
We have raided bead boxes and button tins to make our recycled jewelery and there is something very satisfying from turning something old into something new.



Apart from more holes in my fingers than a strainer we haven't got enough hours in the day to keep up with demand. Whoo hoo!

(This was a vague attempt to tell you why I have been awol from your blog - did it work?)

Merka shouts its answer

Every newspaper and discussion program has been talking about it 24/7 for weeks and this morning I am almost sick of the phrase 'an historical event' but America has yelled its answer.

I stayed up until I was sure, a couple of matchsticks propping open my eyes until the first declarations came in. The predicted landslide was coming to fruition and it wasn't long before McCain admitted defeat.

I am not a political creature but this election seemed to be calling out to the rest of the world. America was no longer prepared to be duped by shiny teeth and lies and maybe we are all ready for Mr Obama's 'change'.
Election promises have often been found to be lacking in the following years of term but if America's new head honcho gets off to such a resoundingly positive start then maybe the petty squabbling, scandals and back biting can be put to one side for the good of a nation that definitely needed a kick up the ass! I am just hoping that the one wearing the big boot can stretch across the Atlantic and give us a poke as well.

pee ess - Debi has highlighted a global message board at Avaaz, go HERE.

Ghost

It was Halloween but we didn't see it at first. The kids all walked by the window and none of them saw it.

And then the sun started shining - and we looked.....


Was there something there, or were we imagining it? Was this some kind of ghostly impression or did the window just need a good clean?


If you moved around a bit, it looked like a feather-like impression on the glass, a breath of something that had only been there for a micro second.

It was only when one of us held a black piece of paper up behind it that all became clear....




The poor pigeon had been captured at the moment of death, its last flight etched on the glass and it lay not far away.
We made it a shoebox coffin and thanked it for the wonder it had left behind. I expect it will be gone by tomorrow.