Welcome and come on in. Let’s get settled with a cup of tea or coffee and then we’ll see how our weeks were. Personally I have had a good week despite (or perhaps because of) the unrelenting rain.
If we were having coffee I’d tell you that I was thrilled on Tuesday when I received an email that the story I had written was being accepted without change. Remember a few weeks back I told you that I had been asked to write for the university. The project is writing a book of nursing heroes. Everyone knows of Florence Nightingale and perhaps Edith Cavell but there are so many unsung, everyday stories of the above and beyond in nursing and we are looking to find these. A couple of undergraduates are doing the literature search, a couple of postgrads are scouring the hospitals and talking to nurses and I’m one of two creative writers who are going to write up the findings.
If we were having coffee I’d tell you that the doctor called me in after a blood test and told me my cholesterol is sky high. He wanted to put me on tablets which I refused saying that I would try diet before I tried anything else. I have three months to turn things around. It was the incentive I needed to become fanatical about what I eat and already I have lost several kilos, which I hope is also taking some cholesterol with it.
If we were having coffee I’d tell you that we have booked a cruise to New Guinea in February. Probably a stupid time of year to go as it will be so hot and getting into cyclone season but it is so nice to have something to look forward to. We may also regret it as we have gone as cheaply as possible meaning that our cabin could be small with other drawbacks but we decided worth the risk.
If we were having coffee I’d tell you that the Christmas season has started. I have had my last dance lesson for the year and possibly the last social as well. Parties are starting – Mum and I are going to the Chemists Xmas Party. It is one of Mum’s favourite events of the year and obviously a lot of other elderly people because this year the chemist shop is sending a bus to the retirement village to bring the people in. We also have the carols at the retirement village coming up which is always a lot of fun. Roger is wishing that like last year we could have escaped Christmas as I am dragging him to several functions that I think he’d prefer not to have to attend.
If we were having coffee I’d tell you that my favourite coffee shop Jaspers has sold. I’m happy for the now ex owner as she was struggling after her husband died. I’m sorry though that the new owners are not keeping on the girls. A horrible time of year to have uncertainty. We had a farewell party for them. It is like a family member has gone. They cried with us and with others when we lost our pets and partners and were always ready with a smile and a chat. And on top of that they made great coffee. I hope the new owners know what they are doing.
© irene waters 2017
© irene waters 2017
Bundy our cocker spaniel is finding it difficult to understand. He is a true creature of habit and since it has closed for a couple of days he is refusing to walk further than Jaspers. Hopefully our routine can soon return to normal minus the friendly staff we were used to. I hope the new owners like dogs.
If we were having coffee I’d tell you that the rest of the time I have been writing, editing, reading and doing just ordinary stuff. Now it is your turn. How was your week? Has your weather been warmer/colder, wetter/drier. Have you read any good books or seen any good films? Thank you for dropping in for coffee, it is lovely to see you. Thanks to our host eclecticali who is our host of the weekend coffee share.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
Congratulations on your story!
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Thank you.
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Irene, I’m so happy for you with your university writing project – how wonderful to be recognized for your skill and your nursing interests. And very sorry to hear about Jaspers. Like Bundy, I’m not one to welcome change when what I had worked well. Have fun during your holiday social season.
I recently read the classic Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton. What a tragic story and so much of what happened to South Africa in the last century remains the same, though I believe that Nelson Mandela brought some progress. Also read Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. It’s a brilliant post apocalyptic story that is heavy on character rather than technical sci-fi stuff, and a timely warning about how false prophets can take hold of a frightened community.
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I agree. I don’t like change now as much as I used to. I read that many years ago and I wonder if much has really changed underneath the surface. It is so hard to change mindsets overnight. Hopefully for the African people their life is better. I’m quite starting to enjoy the post apocalyptic story now so I will put this one on my list.
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Cool writing gig, doing the write up about the nurses. Congratulations on that and the story. I hope you can get your cholesterol down. I’m sure you know that exercise is as important as diet for that task. Sad about the coffee shop. Hopefully the get’s equally as nice people in there, but it seems that keeping the old staff would make the transition easier.
Have a great week.
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I’m convinced I can get the cholesterol down. I do a lot of exercise already but am aiming to up it a bit. I know what I have to cut out – its just a matter of being fanatical.
Sadly the new folk at Jaspers have replied to some comments on facebook that have not put them in a great light. Still I am going with open mind when they reopen.
Hope you have a good week.
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Congrats on the story, that is wonderful. Traveling is fun any time of the year. We leave for our family Christmas vacation soon, so exciting.
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Thanks re story. It gave me a big buzz. Where are you going for your family vacation? Have a lovely time.
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This year we are going to try Christmas at The Mayan Riviera in Mexico. It should be interesting because although the 7 & 4 year old are excited about the pool and the beach they are terrified of the idea of sharks, haha. I will share pictures when we get back.
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Look forward to the pictures. Sounds like fun. Hope the kids fears are unfounded. Happy Christmas although I think you say happy holidays.
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Congratulations on the story!! That sounds like such a cool project!
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Thanks. It should be a fun project. Thanks also for taking on the coffee share and giving us a home.
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