Blog- chit chat and this and that

SEPTEMBER. Autumn is definitely with us but when the sun is out, it is still quite hot but I have noticed the nights drawing in. it seems to have come round quite quickly but I do like the season so please be one of 'mellow fruitfulness'. 

it has been busy so far, lots of writing and new projects coming along and a few days for trips out and visiting places and people. As you can see from the pic at the top of the blog, Market Harborough was a target this month and spent a lovely time there. Visited again the museum and library. The museum is fascinating and I'm getting old enough to remember some of the things on display! The replica Roman helmet based on one discovered at Hallaton  is beyond what you might think, silver and gold over an iron helmet and it is beautifully engraved and embossed. The library and museum is based in the old Symington's Corset factory but I remember the 'Symingon's Table Creams', 'Dandelion' coffee and packet soups. A diverse business!

And earlier in the week I met up with fellow author Patsy Collins, at a location suitable for us both, RHS Bridgewater. We were both suitably windswept - but it was so good to meet up and have a chat about writerly and other things.

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NOVEMBER. Yesterday was the day in the UK when Remembrance Services were held up and down the country; in churches and at cenotaphs those in uniform were present and honoured and so were all those servicemen and women from previous conflicts who gave their all for us, those who never made it home. My grandfather served in WWI and my father in WWII. My Dad was nineteen when he signed up having been a member of the Territorial army before that. In Dad's village were two young men, friends from school, only one returned - that was my father; his friend was killed six days before the war ended. I think always of him at this time, and of the plaque that is in the village church where both were choirboys. 

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DECEMBER. Christmas Eve! Here we are, about to celebrate Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ and all the other festivities and celebrations associated with this time of the year. I will finish putting up my Christmas decorations today - I have a door wreath to finish - working in the floristry business in another time has certainly given me skills that are extremely useful! And then it will be on to food preparation for tonight and getting the turkey cooked for tomorrow. We are hoping it will be a quieter Christmas than last year, all of it was spent at Preston hospital where my father-in-law had been taken after wandering off on the 23rd December, so from the phone call to dashing over to Garstang where the police and emergency services were waiting for us, the next two weeks were hectic, and not a period to be remembered for any good reason, except that we came through and we had strength to cope. Faith gives that. So, please accept my Christmas wishes to you for a happy and peaceful Christmas season and a bright new year. Here's looking forward to 2026! 

AND FROM NEXT YEAR the NEWEST POST WILL BE AT THE TOP! I'm hoping that's easier to navigate.

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