REFLECTING Tomorrow is Labour Day. The end of summer. The nights are drawing in and there is a definite chill in the air. I have been to three tea parties in the past few weeks. A chance to wear pretty frocks and partake of dainty sandwiches followed by fresh scones, jam and clotted cream . So civilised! So summer!
EXERCISING Well-being is a topic much covered online, from dietary modifications to lifestyle changes often promoted by enthusiasts with little medical training. What I know for certain is that if I do not move my body, I stiffen up. I also know how easy it is to discover that the entire day has gone by and I have been too busy to do much more than sit at my computer or my sewing or my knitting or pottering about my kitchen. So I started to record my “steps” on my phone. It is very rewarding to watch the day’s total number of steps creeping up as I make the effort to take a walk. Then, after Christmas, I started practising Tai Chi after a long break. Had stopped when my hip needed replacing and because my arthritis was affecting all my joints. With the help of my instructor I am slowly improving and I feel so much better, physically and mentally.
GARDENING Sadly bindweed has crept in from next door and is very busy strangling my clematis and the plants along my fence. To rid myself of the creeper I would have to dig up every plant then find every single bindweed root. AND then i would have to go next door to ensure they did the same. Since this is not practicable, I shall limit myself to tackling visible stems and pulling them out.
KNITTING & CROCHET Currently I have been making poppies for Southend’s “poppy appeal” (click here). But then I went a bit mad this week. First of all I found a new Cygnet variegated DK yarn online called “Breen” which is coloured to simulate Fairisle when knitted up in stocking stitch. Then after placing my order, I popped into my local knitting shop to drop off some poppies and spotted the colourful Boho Spirit variegated yarn which I just could not resist. It would be perfect for a Christmas gift: wristwarmers or a signature scarf. Now, of course, I have too much yarn and not enough time. Last night, i set the poppies aside and made a start on the Breen scarf.
This morning I have pulled twenty rows of knitting undone. Am trying out a new pattern for a triangular scarf and am not happy with my work. I had found the Cygnet scarf pattern online and it actually is in Garter Stitch. The effect of the variegated colouring is still very pretty.

READING I discovered Richard Osman’s “Thursday Murder Club” when it was first published, so I approached the book with no pre-conceived notions. I enjoyed the book. I thought that Osman wrote with sincerity and he handled the subject of ageing in general and Steven’s dementia in particular with sensitivity. So I was very surprised by the adverse reactions of several of my friends. “Oh, I am not reading it. The book is only selling because Osman is a TV personality” from one. And “My husband says it is a load of rubbish so i shan’t be reading it” from another. Mmmm!Well, the first book may have sold because Osman is recognised from his TV programmes BUT Books two, three and four would only have sold if readers liked what they were reading. And it is not a load of rubbish! It is a story. It is fiction. And it is fun.
WATCHING Now, the question is, shall I watch the film? Will I be disappointed with the film adaptation? Right now it is very difficult to avoid all the advertising hype about the film. The line-up of actors cast to play the main characters is impressive but I did suspect that American Piers Brosnan was cast with an eye to attracting an American audience. If I watch the film, will the actors live up to my imagined perception of the characters? Or will I be disappointed?