As lockdown protocols begin to ease in England, I suspect there’ll be individuals pondering how to diplomatically backtrack on their lockdown suggestions of “Let’s get together for a beer when this is all over.” In some cases, notions tendered to people disingenuously; foolish promises to acquaintances whose company they’d rather avoid. A friend falling into…
Tag: family
Count To Ten, Gary!
The strain of being a full-time carer to my mother hit me yesterday evening, when I’d an unacceptable meltdown when my plans to watch the live rugby league game were derailed. Aspirations of unwinding in front of the Leeds Rhinos v Wigan Warriors game departing down the same avenue where Lord Lucan disappeared. The source…
Scream If You Wanna Go Faster!
Yesterday morning I took my mum for her second COVID jab. With Maggie suffering a stroke not long after receipt of the initial vaccination, I raised questions regarding potential jeopardy levels from a subsequent injection. Fears calmed by assurances there’s more risk to the octogenarians’s health by declining the coronavirus countering serum. Consequently, as West…
Respite
As I commence this prose, my brother Ian’s just left our mother’s home where he’s been providing me respite from carer to our mater. Him affording me a break from the caring role a huge fillip for his elder sibling. Another boon was my notoriously clumsy brother left the matriarchal gaff without breakage. An achievement…
When Maggie Nearly Met Lizzie
As I prepare to wax lyrical, my Saturday morning soundscape is Led Zeppelin’s ‘Stairway to Heaven’ accompanied by the sizzle of frying pork sausages. This gratifying aural backdrop augmented by the sound of my kid brother Ian chopping veg to add to the casserole he’s cooking for this evenings potlatch. Footnote – To clarify Led…
Run Maggie, Run
Following an upbeat bulletin from physiotherapists, within the last couple of hours my mum (Maggie) has exuded an esprit which’s understandably been missing of late. This infusion of verve manifesting from news her mobility, impacted by a stroke nine weeks ago, has improved enough she can now dispense with her zimmer frame indoors. After a…
Jonah?
The thin gruel provided from living a COVID lifestyle wears particularly heavy today. A mood that’s diminished further from just witnessing England cricketer Jonny Bairstow losing his wicket in India. My fellow Yorkshireman holing out in the deep while six runs short of what would’ve been an accomplished century. Although, on a positive note, as…
You Know It Makes Census
As decreed by god and the Wakefield Curtain Twitchers Society, I’ve just completed the UK census, relaying my mum’s property occupancy details. Among the queries answered were residents academic qualifications, their employment history and whether we think TV’s Simon Cowell is a t**t….. For confidentiality reasons, I’m unable to disclose my answers to these inquiries;…
Tie A Yellow Ribbon
It’s been a while since she’s trodden the hallowed halls and chambers of casa Strachan but, after six and a half weeks of being hospital in situ, my mum is scheduled to soon return to her home of 32 years. My maternal forebear returning to what will become a newly adapted residence to cater for…