Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist)

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.