I came home this Friday evening and began to strip in front of... the washing machine in order to complete my 'work wear' load and set off the washer on it's merry way, as is my usual Friday evening routine. First off was my top and as I pulled it up and over my head, I saw a black soft blodge between my cleavage. I thought...'what the hell is that?' In the midst of panic and a state of horror. While all of this is going on, I'm telling myself; 'it's black fluff, it's black fluff.'
With top in my hands, I brushed at my cleavage and the blodge fell to the kitchen floor. I stared at the blackness hoping and wishing for fluff, but then it's wings unfurled, flapped and then retreated. Horrified at first, I then caught a glimpse of colour. Is that a? Oh thank God, it's only a Ladybird and I can cope with the thought of a Ladybird nestling between my cleavage...just.
I know that technically, it's probably an insect but come on... it's a Ladybird. It flapped a couple of times on the kitchen floor as I spoke soothing words to it and scooped it up in a tissue before relocating it to the patio.
I'm guessing it was suffering from heat exhaustion, not so much from being between my cleavage, but from being under my blouse and under my winter Northface super insulated coat, even though it's still not that cold really. Plus it had to endure an hour's car journey and a brief trip around the Supermarket. Plus, plus, when did it land there? Lunchtime or on the way to the car? I suspect lunchtime when I wasn't wearing my scarf along with said coat.
Poor thing. I really hope it survived to make it to someone else's cleavage.
Sunday, 23 October 2016
Saturday, 15 October 2016
Happy Anniversary
It's early October and the leaves are beginning to get that tinge of gold in them that I love and I'm at the airport awaiting my return flight home after visiting my lovely 'dancing' friends.
It turns out that this is our tenth anniversary. We get on so well, (you know those friendships that you can't remember life before?) Well, luckily for the majority of us, we met a week before JR went in for her hip op and so it's time stamped on the memory of JR and she just has to remind the rest of us.
So, a decade ago, we all happened to book onto a ballroom dancing weekend in the Cotswold's. Two long married couples, one engaged couple and me. I still don't know what possessed me, (gave me the courage,) to book as a singleton and to drive further than I ever had done at the time, (this was even before Satnav,) and to roll up alone and to attempt to 'socialise' for an entire weekend. You know that I do not do 'social'. I like my friends, I love my friends, I can talk to them, I am incapable of small talk to people that I don't know.
But, fate lent a hand and we all wound up on the same round table at dinner on that first night. We all miraculously gelled and somewhere between the parquet flooring and the sequins, a new circle of friends was born.
Ten years, one wedding, one funeral, two baby boys, one baby girl, a miniature schnauzer puppy, two house moves a serious back operation and a renovation later, and we're still in touch.
For the last ten years, I've travelled down to my friends, two or three times a year. I used to drive but then, it became actually cheaper to fly, so now I fly. We even had a trip to NY.
I've learned that you're never too old to make new friends, never too old.
It turns out that this is our tenth anniversary. We get on so well, (you know those friendships that you can't remember life before?) Well, luckily for the majority of us, we met a week before JR went in for her hip op and so it's time stamped on the memory of JR and she just has to remind the rest of us.
So, a decade ago, we all happened to book onto a ballroom dancing weekend in the Cotswold's. Two long married couples, one engaged couple and me. I still don't know what possessed me, (gave me the courage,) to book as a singleton and to drive further than I ever had done at the time, (this was even before Satnav,) and to roll up alone and to attempt to 'socialise' for an entire weekend. You know that I do not do 'social'. I like my friends, I love my friends, I can talk to them, I am incapable of small talk to people that I don't know.
But, fate lent a hand and we all wound up on the same round table at dinner on that first night. We all miraculously gelled and somewhere between the parquet flooring and the sequins, a new circle of friends was born.
Ten years, one wedding, one funeral, two baby boys, one baby girl, a miniature schnauzer puppy, two house moves a serious back operation and a renovation later, and we're still in touch.
For the last ten years, I've travelled down to my friends, two or three times a year. I used to drive but then, it became actually cheaper to fly, so now I fly. We even had a trip to NY.
I've learned that you're never too old to make new friends, never too old.
Friday, 14 October 2016
Blackout
Tuesday evening and I go through my usual ritual; arrive back at home after a stressed out drive through rush hour, chop vegetables, throw said veggies into 'soup maker' along with a little oil and some chicken, throw self in shower, emerge from shower minus the day's layer of grime, put on PJ's and fleecy robe, (the one that you bought for me,) blast head dry in no particular style and throw up in one of those bungee, no snag thingies, by which time I have about 9 minutes to try to catch Jan on the phone before soup will be done and then all I need to do is add broccoli, ground flaxseed and let cool a little.
I eat soup, watch, probably a couple of hours TV and then it's almost time for bed. I was mid way through an episode of Ripper Street when I lost all power. I always have at least a couple of tea lights burning so I could easily find my way to the kitchen, (I probably could have managed in total darkness, but you know, I'm trying to build some drama.)
So, I retrieve my trusty wind up torch which I know exactly where it lives... in the kitchen, and make my way to the garage to follow the instructions which have been stuck to the wall for probably the last thirty years. 'Switch RED mains off, press re-set on new box, turn RED mains on'. After a few attempts at this, the garage light came on. I felt a tad capable/smug.
Forty-five minutes later and a bit further into Ripper Street and I'm once again, plunged into darkness, (apart from the almost dead tea lights.) I grab the wind up torch again and head out to the now blackness of 8.45pm. Next door facing out to my left is on, to my right is off, next door but one to the right is on. After several attempts, I conclude that probably it was a fluke when it came back on last time and this time, it's most definitely dead as the proverbial.
I feel miserable, unsettled but mostly cold. Even though the heat had already gone off before the power outage, this place now feels lifeless, cold, even a little hostile. It's unbelievably dark.
Because I always leave a light on through the night, I know that I won't be able to sleep in total darkness. I carefully place two new tea lights into thick glass tumblers and place them on to slate coasters, there is nothing near by to accidentally heat up. I'm holding the wind up torch in one hand, which is becoming dimmer by the second, and in the same hand, hold a box of matches. I take out a match to strike and immediately drop it into the darkness. I realise this is just how it would happen in a horror movie.
I brush off the horror movie scenario and strike another match, then take myself off to my cold bed. I lay there thinking. It's so quiet but then I can hear motorcycles racing against each other, where are they? How far away? I usually have a fan on through the night in my bedroom, partly for the air circulation and partly for the white noise it generates. There is non of that tonight. Next door's dog, who hardly ever barks, seems to bark every few minutes. I don't think she likes the dark either. I'm lightless and alarmless, I know that I won't be able to settle. Once I've processed how sound seems to travel with a lack of electricity (?) my thoughts turn to; 'what the hell am I going to do with my hair in the morning?'
Literally, what can I do? I realise this should have been the last of my worries and is probably, particularly vain but you haven't seen my head in that state. I may have frightened small children on the way to work, should they be up at that ungodly time. I resolved to take my straighteners with me to work, possibly even leave extra early. I would have to somehow, straighten the side bits and put it up in the bungee thingy.
I was still awake at 11pm, when my fan stuttered into motion. I got up, checked my security light had come on, made sure my porch light was on, and finally was able to set the house alarm. Finally, finally, I can go to sleep.
I rack up a whole five hours sleep and wake to rediscover the wonder of electricity. I rise and turn on a light, switch on the kettle, wet my hair with the electric shower, throw my pita bread into the toaster, dry my hair with my hairdryer then straighten the front with my GHD's, all of this, under sufficient light. I don't think I'd survive without electricity. How easily we take it for granted.
I eat soup, watch, probably a couple of hours TV and then it's almost time for bed. I was mid way through an episode of Ripper Street when I lost all power. I always have at least a couple of tea lights burning so I could easily find my way to the kitchen, (I probably could have managed in total darkness, but you know, I'm trying to build some drama.)
So, I retrieve my trusty wind up torch which I know exactly where it lives... in the kitchen, and make my way to the garage to follow the instructions which have been stuck to the wall for probably the last thirty years. 'Switch RED mains off, press re-set on new box, turn RED mains on'. After a few attempts at this, the garage light came on. I felt a tad capable/smug.
Forty-five minutes later and a bit further into Ripper Street and I'm once again, plunged into darkness, (apart from the almost dead tea lights.) I grab the wind up torch again and head out to the now blackness of 8.45pm. Next door facing out to my left is on, to my right is off, next door but one to the right is on. After several attempts, I conclude that probably it was a fluke when it came back on last time and this time, it's most definitely dead as the proverbial.
I feel miserable, unsettled but mostly cold. Even though the heat had already gone off before the power outage, this place now feels lifeless, cold, even a little hostile. It's unbelievably dark.
Because I always leave a light on through the night, I know that I won't be able to sleep in total darkness. I carefully place two new tea lights into thick glass tumblers and place them on to slate coasters, there is nothing near by to accidentally heat up. I'm holding the wind up torch in one hand, which is becoming dimmer by the second, and in the same hand, hold a box of matches. I take out a match to strike and immediately drop it into the darkness. I realise this is just how it would happen in a horror movie.
I brush off the horror movie scenario and strike another match, then take myself off to my cold bed. I lay there thinking. It's so quiet but then I can hear motorcycles racing against each other, where are they? How far away? I usually have a fan on through the night in my bedroom, partly for the air circulation and partly for the white noise it generates. There is non of that tonight. Next door's dog, who hardly ever barks, seems to bark every few minutes. I don't think she likes the dark either. I'm lightless and alarmless, I know that I won't be able to settle. Once I've processed how sound seems to travel with a lack of electricity (?) my thoughts turn to; 'what the hell am I going to do with my hair in the morning?'
Literally, what can I do? I realise this should have been the last of my worries and is probably, particularly vain but you haven't seen my head in that state. I may have frightened small children on the way to work, should they be up at that ungodly time. I resolved to take my straighteners with me to work, possibly even leave extra early. I would have to somehow, straighten the side bits and put it up in the bungee thingy.
I was still awake at 11pm, when my fan stuttered into motion. I got up, checked my security light had come on, made sure my porch light was on, and finally was able to set the house alarm. Finally, finally, I can go to sleep.
I rack up a whole five hours sleep and wake to rediscover the wonder of electricity. I rise and turn on a light, switch on the kettle, wet my hair with the electric shower, throw my pita bread into the toaster, dry my hair with my hairdryer then straighten the front with my GHD's, all of this, under sufficient light. I don't think I'd survive without electricity. How easily we take it for granted.
Saturday, 24 September 2016
Miss Jones
We're in the last quarter of September and it's that uncomfortable time when you begin to detect a chill in the air, yet it's not quite cold enough for the heating to come on. I'm leaving for work in the pitch dark at 5.30am and it's pitch dark again by 8pm, in just a few short weeks, it will be lights out by 5pm.
Pretty tired this week but on Thursday, it was time to donate blood again. My pin prick test to check iron levels, (were they prick your finger, squeeze out some blood, suck up a droplet and launch it into a solution to see how fast it sinks.) was interesting, I think it has 15 seconds to sink, light weight droplets float casually at the top of the solution, devoid of iron, just where they dived in. Well, my droplet sat there for an age, just as I was timed out, apparently, (I didn't see,) but the droplet started to fall right on the bell, according to the nurse. Either it did or they're desperate for blood. Anyway, I donated all 470mls then slept like a log, despite the sore arm.
I've just discovered Richard Ayoade in "Travel Man: 48 Hours in New York". I know he's been around on TV for a while but I've never actually watched anything he was in before, he's very funny, has that really dry sense of humour that I love. It would be a hoot to travel with him.
I had a lovely day off on Friday, quiet coffee and read first thing, managed to find myself the Holy Grail of jeans in Gap, with 60% off. How long have I been looking for jeans with absolutely no, or just the faintest hint of stretch? True, blue, old school jeans that give the tiniest bit to your body. Jeans that don't cling on like Spanx. Anyway, rather that schlep around the mountains of denim tugging at each jean leg I passed to measure stretchability, I asked an assistant who right away took me to 'Sexy Boyfriend Fit'. Has the barest of stretch but when they're on, you can't feel it. For the first time in years, I don't have jeans clinging to my legs. They feel great on and I feel great in them.
After the Gap triumph, I headed to a different Starbucks to meet up with Tracy. We talked for 2 hours, had a great catch up. There is a saying which I can't remember just now, but I think it ends with 'old friends are gold.' And it's true, I'm amazed when I find 'new' friends but old friends are something else, by the time you add up all of the matches, hatches and dispatches, laughing, dancing, crying, it all equals pure gold.
So after the catch up, I headed to Jan who had 10 month old Everly for the day. I was only calling in for half an hour but was probably there for an hour after cuddles, walks around the garden, butterfly spotting and feeding Everly her bottle. I am completely in love with her. I think she likes me but she seems to like everyone :)
After a quick grocery shop, I headed home and Bee arrived 10 minutes later, then, off we headed to watch "Bridget Jones's' Baby". After being deafened by the adverts and trailers, the film finally started thank God. I have to begin by saying that I adore Renee. Initially, I didn't think it was as good as the original, I thought there was a lot of coasting off the things we loved about the original and I thought it was just going to be passable, as was the second edition, however, the final third of the film won me over, absolutely hilarious. You have to go and see it.
Love you. Miss you x
Pretty tired this week but on Thursday, it was time to donate blood again. My pin prick test to check iron levels, (were they prick your finger, squeeze out some blood, suck up a droplet and launch it into a solution to see how fast it sinks.) was interesting, I think it has 15 seconds to sink, light weight droplets float casually at the top of the solution, devoid of iron, just where they dived in. Well, my droplet sat there for an age, just as I was timed out, apparently, (I didn't see,) but the droplet started to fall right on the bell, according to the nurse. Either it did or they're desperate for blood. Anyway, I donated all 470mls then slept like a log, despite the sore arm.
I've just discovered Richard Ayoade in "Travel Man: 48 Hours in New York". I know he's been around on TV for a while but I've never actually watched anything he was in before, he's very funny, has that really dry sense of humour that I love. It would be a hoot to travel with him.
I had a lovely day off on Friday, quiet coffee and read first thing, managed to find myself the Holy Grail of jeans in Gap, with 60% off. How long have I been looking for jeans with absolutely no, or just the faintest hint of stretch? True, blue, old school jeans that give the tiniest bit to your body. Jeans that don't cling on like Spanx. Anyway, rather that schlep around the mountains of denim tugging at each jean leg I passed to measure stretchability, I asked an assistant who right away took me to 'Sexy Boyfriend Fit'. Has the barest of stretch but when they're on, you can't feel it. For the first time in years, I don't have jeans clinging to my legs. They feel great on and I feel great in them.
After the Gap triumph, I headed to a different Starbucks to meet up with Tracy. We talked for 2 hours, had a great catch up. There is a saying which I can't remember just now, but I think it ends with 'old friends are gold.' And it's true, I'm amazed when I find 'new' friends but old friends are something else, by the time you add up all of the matches, hatches and dispatches, laughing, dancing, crying, it all equals pure gold.
So after the catch up, I headed to Jan who had 10 month old Everly for the day. I was only calling in for half an hour but was probably there for an hour after cuddles, walks around the garden, butterfly spotting and feeding Everly her bottle. I am completely in love with her. I think she likes me but she seems to like everyone :)
After a quick grocery shop, I headed home and Bee arrived 10 minutes later, then, off we headed to watch "Bridget Jones's' Baby". After being deafened by the adverts and trailers, the film finally started thank God. I have to begin by saying that I adore Renee. Initially, I didn't think it was as good as the original, I thought there was a lot of coasting off the things we loved about the original and I thought it was just going to be passable, as was the second edition, however, the final third of the film won me over, absolutely hilarious. You have to go and see it.
Love you. Miss you x
Miss Jones
We're in the last quarter of September and it's that uncomfortable time when you begin to detect a chill in the air, yet it's not quite cold enough for the heating to come on. I'm leaving for work in the pitch dark at 5.30am and it's pitch dark again by 8pm, in just a few short weeks, it will be lights out by 5pm.
Pretty tired this week but on Thursday, it was time to donate blood again. My pin prick test to check iron levels, (were they prick your finger, squeeze out some blood, suck up a droplet and launch it into a solution to see how fast it sinks.) was interesting, I think it has 15 seconds to sink, iron deficient droplets float casually at the top of the solution, just where they dived in. Well, my droplet sat there for an age, just as I was timed out, apparently, (I didn't see, the droplet started to fall right on the bell, according to the nurse. Either it did or they're desperate for blood. Anyway, I donated all 470mls then slept like a log, despite the sore arm.
I've just discovered Richard Ayoade in "Travel Man: 48 Hours in New York". I know he's been around on TV for a while but I've never actually watched anything he was in before, he's very funny, has that really dry sense of humour that I love. It would be a hoot to travel with him.
I had a lovely day off on Friday, quiet coffee and read first thing, managed to find myself the Holy Grail of jeans in Gap, with 60% off. How long have I been looking for jeans with absolutely no, or just the faintest hint of stretch? True, blue, old school jeans that give the tiniest bit to your body. Jeans that don't cling on like Spanx. Anyway, rather that schlep around the mountains of denim tugging at each jean leg I passed to gauge stretchability, I asked an assistant who right away took me to 'Sexy Boyfriend Fit'. Has the barest of stretch but when they're on, you can't feel it. For the first time in years, I don't have jeans clinging to my legs. They feel great on and I feel great in them.
After the Gap triumph, I headed to a different Starbucks to meet up with Tracy. We talked for 2 hours, had a great catch up. There is a saying which I can't remember just now, but I think it ends with 'old friends are gold.' And it's true, I'm amazed when I find "new" friends but old friends are something else, by the time you add up all of the matches, hatches and dispatches, laughing, dancing and crying, it all equals pure gold.
So after the catch up, I head to Jan who had 10 month old Everly for the day. I was only calling in for half an hour but was probably there for an hour after cuddles, walks around the garden, butterfly spotting and giving Everly her bottle. I am completely in love with her. I think she likes me but she seems to like everyone :)
After a quick grocery shop, I headed home and Bee arrived 10 minutes later, then, off we headed to watch "Bridget Jones's' Baby". After being deafened by the adverts and trailers, the film finally started thank God. I have to begin by saying that I adore Renee. Initially, I didn't think it was as good as the original, I thought there was a lot of coasting off the things we loved about the original and I thought it was just going to be passable, as was the second edition, however, the final third of the film won me over, absolutely hilarious. You have to go and see it.
Love you. Miss you x
Pretty tired this week but on Thursday, it was time to donate blood again. My pin prick test to check iron levels, (were they prick your finger, squeeze out some blood, suck up a droplet and launch it into a solution to see how fast it sinks.) was interesting, I think it has 15 seconds to sink, iron deficient droplets float casually at the top of the solution, just where they dived in. Well, my droplet sat there for an age, just as I was timed out, apparently, (I didn't see, the droplet started to fall right on the bell, according to the nurse. Either it did or they're desperate for blood. Anyway, I donated all 470mls then slept like a log, despite the sore arm.
I've just discovered Richard Ayoade in "Travel Man: 48 Hours in New York". I know he's been around on TV for a while but I've never actually watched anything he was in before, he's very funny, has that really dry sense of humour that I love. It would be a hoot to travel with him.
I had a lovely day off on Friday, quiet coffee and read first thing, managed to find myself the Holy Grail of jeans in Gap, with 60% off. How long have I been looking for jeans with absolutely no, or just the faintest hint of stretch? True, blue, old school jeans that give the tiniest bit to your body. Jeans that don't cling on like Spanx. Anyway, rather that schlep around the mountains of denim tugging at each jean leg I passed to gauge stretchability, I asked an assistant who right away took me to 'Sexy Boyfriend Fit'. Has the barest of stretch but when they're on, you can't feel it. For the first time in years, I don't have jeans clinging to my legs. They feel great on and I feel great in them.
After the Gap triumph, I headed to a different Starbucks to meet up with Tracy. We talked for 2 hours, had a great catch up. There is a saying which I can't remember just now, but I think it ends with 'old friends are gold.' And it's true, I'm amazed when I find "new" friends but old friends are something else, by the time you add up all of the matches, hatches and dispatches, laughing, dancing and crying, it all equals pure gold.
So after the catch up, I head to Jan who had 10 month old Everly for the day. I was only calling in for half an hour but was probably there for an hour after cuddles, walks around the garden, butterfly spotting and giving Everly her bottle. I am completely in love with her. I think she likes me but she seems to like everyone :)
After a quick grocery shop, I headed home and Bee arrived 10 minutes later, then, off we headed to watch "Bridget Jones's' Baby". After being deafened by the adverts and trailers, the film finally started thank God. I have to begin by saying that I adore Renee. Initially, I didn't think it was as good as the original, I thought there was a lot of coasting off the things we loved about the original and I thought it was just going to be passable, as was the second edition, however, the final third of the film won me over, absolutely hilarious. You have to go and see it.
Love you. Miss you x
Saturday, 17 September 2016
Here Miss!
I'm here, I'm alive. I'm two weeks back to work and I've survived. It took 90 minutes this evening to travel 18 miles to get home after leaving this morning at 5.30am and I'm clinging on to the bright side. Don't ask me what exactly this bright side is, because I really haven't put that much thought into it, but let's just say I have a fixed smile on my face, everything is fine. Everything is fine.
After crawling to our home town, I had to go to the pharmacy to pick up my blood pressure tablets, which should have been ready days ago, and they probably were ready, but I didn't know that until I called them this morning to chase up, as I only have two days left and I hadn't received the text message to say that they were ready, like I should have. The queue to the counter, was beyond the door, not the fault of the staff and everyone was patient, but something is going horribly wrong there and it was not what I needed after the journey home.
So, prescription collection eventually completed and then grocery shop, I came home to vent to the only person I have here, and she's not there on the other end of the phone. Such is life, you've got to laugh.
Anyway, it's the weekend, two whole days of relative freedom.
Also, I think my sense of humour is on life support. I know that my humour was always an acquired taste, but you know I was funny. I can't remember that last time I made anyone laugh.
It's now Saturday and after waking at 5.30am for no apparent reason, I decided to rise at 6ish. It's a beautiful day and after my morning coffee ritual, I came home to do some hard core gardening for ninety minutes, I think I'll be sore tomorrow... more sore.
It's only 16 degrees but it's a beautiful day, blue skies, brilliant sunshine, actually broke a sweat in the garden. A few leaves have started to fall and it won't be long until I'll be wearing a jacket for my coffee to ward off the chilly air.
The highlight of my day... M&S Frankincense & Myrrh Christmas candles have arrived in the outlet next to coffee, so, this officially heralds the arrival of Autumn, i.e. the run up to Christmas. Not looking forward to Christmas this year. Anyway, I love the scent and by January, I will be officially sick of it, but until then, I'm just going to enjoy.
Hope it's sunny with you Col x
After crawling to our home town, I had to go to the pharmacy to pick up my blood pressure tablets, which should have been ready days ago, and they probably were ready, but I didn't know that until I called them this morning to chase up, as I only have two days left and I hadn't received the text message to say that they were ready, like I should have. The queue to the counter, was beyond the door, not the fault of the staff and everyone was patient, but something is going horribly wrong there and it was not what I needed after the journey home.
So, prescription collection eventually completed and then grocery shop, I came home to vent to the only person I have here, and she's not there on the other end of the phone. Such is life, you've got to laugh.
Anyway, it's the weekend, two whole days of relative freedom.
Also, I think my sense of humour is on life support. I know that my humour was always an acquired taste, but you know I was funny. I can't remember that last time I made anyone laugh.
It's now Saturday and after waking at 5.30am for no apparent reason, I decided to rise at 6ish. It's a beautiful day and after my morning coffee ritual, I came home to do some hard core gardening for ninety minutes, I think I'll be sore tomorrow... more sore.
It's only 16 degrees but it's a beautiful day, blue skies, brilliant sunshine, actually broke a sweat in the garden. A few leaves have started to fall and it won't be long until I'll be wearing a jacket for my coffee to ward off the chilly air.
The highlight of my day... M&S Frankincense & Myrrh Christmas candles have arrived in the outlet next to coffee, so, this officially heralds the arrival of Autumn, i.e. the run up to Christmas. Not looking forward to Christmas this year. Anyway, I love the scent and by January, I will be officially sick of it, but until then, I'm just going to enjoy.
Hope it's sunny with you Col x
Friday, 16 September 2016
Paranormal
You know that I have a, what... fascination? Interest? ...in the paranormal. Let's just say that I have an open mind. My Mum once told me that, whilst washing up in the kitchen one day, at the family home in Liverpool, she felt a touch on her shoulder and heard the name; 'Babs', my Granddad's pet name for my Mum as she was the baby, this was around 1949, 1950, after he had passed away. It was Granddad's voice she heard.
One night after school, long before Jan was married, I was eleven or slightly older and some discussion at high school triggered the conversation between me, Mum and Jan that evening over dinner. I heard how Jan and Mum, after visiting Auntie Peg whilst she was ill, had driven away in a taxi watching Auntie Peg, at the door, waving them goodbye... surrounded by a halo of light. Mum and Jan had not immediately wanted to say what they saw, but later, it had come out, and they both had witnessed this strange glow.
That night, Mum sat in the chair by the window in the living room and Jan and I were kneeling beside her, I don't remember what we were looking at, a book of some sort. Jan and I both, instantaneously saw a figure walk past, behind us. I just saw the lower half of a woman, imagine maybe Ginger Rogers, 1940's, a confident woman striding past wearing a just below the knee skirt, maybe pleated, which cascades behind on every step.
Jan and I looked at each other. Mum must have asked 'what?' and whatever we described, Mum sprang into action with both Jan and I scurrying behind her. Mum checked every room like the lioness she was, there was no one living, to be found.
Jan and I have discussed this night many, many times before, but never before have I asked her what exactly did she see?
I am in no doubt what I saw, this week, I asked Jan what exactly did she see, she said she saw white and old, like clothing from The Railway Children, a woman. Our accounts don't match exactly but in that instant, we both saw something.
In the last couple of weeks, I've started to watch Celebrity Ghost Stories. I have had to stop watching at bed time. I came to realise that while I am open to the paranormal, I only apparently believe in friendly visits from loved ones, not from angry spirits who wish to do harm, which is what most of these stories consist of.
The one exception is Loretta Lynne, her story was wonderful and what an amazing lady.
One night after school, long before Jan was married, I was eleven or slightly older and some discussion at high school triggered the conversation between me, Mum and Jan that evening over dinner. I heard how Jan and Mum, after visiting Auntie Peg whilst she was ill, had driven away in a taxi watching Auntie Peg, at the door, waving them goodbye... surrounded by a halo of light. Mum and Jan had not immediately wanted to say what they saw, but later, it had come out, and they both had witnessed this strange glow.
That night, Mum sat in the chair by the window in the living room and Jan and I were kneeling beside her, I don't remember what we were looking at, a book of some sort. Jan and I both, instantaneously saw a figure walk past, behind us. I just saw the lower half of a woman, imagine maybe Ginger Rogers, 1940's, a confident woman striding past wearing a just below the knee skirt, maybe pleated, which cascades behind on every step.
Jan and I looked at each other. Mum must have asked 'what?' and whatever we described, Mum sprang into action with both Jan and I scurrying behind her. Mum checked every room like the lioness she was, there was no one living, to be found.
Jan and I have discussed this night many, many times before, but never before have I asked her what exactly did she see?
I am in no doubt what I saw, this week, I asked Jan what exactly did she see, she said she saw white and old, like clothing from The Railway Children, a woman. Our accounts don't match exactly but in that instant, we both saw something.
In the last couple of weeks, I've started to watch Celebrity Ghost Stories. I have had to stop watching at bed time. I came to realise that while I am open to the paranormal, I only apparently believe in friendly visits from loved ones, not from angry spirits who wish to do harm, which is what most of these stories consist of.
The one exception is Loretta Lynne, her story was wonderful and what an amazing lady.
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