In a vain effort to find life again I took off quite early for Tesco. Saturday morning among the masses is often invigorating. It was however, like the misty glinting sunshine, quite peaceful and the healthy ingredients sought were soon found. Healthy, that is those rumoured to stimulate the brain, Bluberries and very dark chocolate for instance, were joined by Flax, Chia seeds and Hemp, the latter for one of my nieces husband's Christmas's, he will probably think it will get him high. He is one of those convinced cannabis is the answer to all problems, from cancer to covid. This, he attempts to prove but he so far has not been successful.
The rest is for my latest health trend, and having paid through the nose for these goods, along with my other calorie controlled foodstuffs, I should look like Charles Atlas by Christmas.
This may not however, be the case.
I had to look twice at these balls hanging on the trees. These trees were only planted a few years ago, 10 maybe, and I do not remember any fruit on them last year, though I could be mistaken. 'Conkers,' all around, at least the outer shells, as it appears some kids have been having a go at them already. The more mature trees all around have certainly passed their fruit onto the public as the mess around their feet reveals. Many a child, and not a few adults, will now be enjoying themselves with such on pieces of string. Entertainment is easy, computers or no.
Having walked home from Tesco carrying a heavy but healthy bag it is almost a delight to walk without any weight attached. Having lost a stone and a half I rather hoped walking would ease, it looks like another stone must go. At least once that stone has gone my old shirts may fit once again.
A sun drenched public garden, with a bit of early haze, is a delightful thing. All were happy apart from at least once screaming child, the fruit of the children's play area at the top end.
The last of the roses blossomed happily in the sun. A large bush, almost a tree, once full now with only this lot left in any decent condition. The volunteers who help the gardners do a great job of keeping these plants going.
The idea was to walk round and energise the bulk, instead I felt my knees objecting. Naturally, this park is on a slope, and to go homewards meant going uphill. I await my lottery win so I can employ a servant to drive me uphill when my knees tire. This however, may be an unfulfilled dream.
I wandered about, as always getting strange looks from women with kids, clearly women who read 'those stories' and listen to 'old women's tales,' and most of them appear neurotic as a result. Even young dad's look sheepish, though that might be because they are not used to doing such work as watching kids.
As I headed towards the gate I saw this man stiing low down and apparently unaware I was approaching. Moving slowly along the path I got two decent shots of him before he felt he had posed enough and disappeared under the bush. Usually Robins are very wary, quickly flitting out of distance and hiding in the tree. This one may have been asking himself what life was all about, or where has the wife gone, or wondering what football was on today. He appeared preoccupied but once he moved he did not show up again to ponder.
I don't think much of this
fountain myself, it's all a bit weird I say. There is a rumour it
represents a kid who drowned in the river. I don't blame him if he
thought they would do this to him!
I kept going when common snense told me to return home, eat and sleep. Common sense is as you know in short supply these days and it failed to appear with me also. Instead I continued up the slope, across the town, passed all the workers still attempting to finish refurbishing the High Street, and noticed the old church had a door open. I peeked in, something was going on, so I entered and enquired off the two young ladies on guard what was amiss? "It's a Ladies Day," they said grinning.
I made my excuses and left!
I wandered into 'Clintons' Card shop and glanced at the horrendous Christmas stock on display, almost none of which was suitable for my needs. However, I purchased three £25 Amazon cards towards the Christmas present stock and was picked up off the floor by the helpful young woman working the till after I fainted when I realised just how much I was paying for this. She grinned as I explained the vast number of women I had to serve in the family and how I was failing to remember the pin number I have used for almost 30 years. A very helpful young woman, not unsual around here I must say.
Heading home I met a young man from the Kirk and we put the church world to rights, OK I mean we grumbled a lot, and then were joined in our grumbling by one of his old workmates, so our grumbling widened to include much of the local world. In all, this was a very enjoyable imitation of a group of gossipping old women. I then headed home much to my knees relief and now await the Scotland football team playing Israel for the (I think) ninth time in 3 years! The draw for competitions must be changed I say.
