LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT!

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT!   I knew the minute I saw him...

Yes, the sun was streaming in through the bedroom curtains, porridge was in the pan before I had time to think smoothy, toast, or anything otherwise, and that happy Valentine's greeting of 'do you want me to clean your boots,' melodiously fell on my waking ears. And when I got downstairs, there he was in his walking regalia, rucksack at the ready.

Valentine's Day - a walk in the countryside, who could ask for anything more. Then when we stopped for a cuppa and a bacon butty, it was, have you got a tenner love? I ask you, where's the romance in that. But, just as I had resigned myself to that, ah, bless, I know he loves me without red roses, excuse that more women than me have told themselves, the situation was in sight of redemption.

We had reached Elsecar, and the Antiques Fair. This is it, I thought, this is where he says, if you see a little something you like I'll treat you. Not! But I did end up buying a tin mop bucket as a prop for the play I'm in at the Acadamy Theatre in April. And, he did carry it all the way home, which was sort of gallant, if you know what I mean. Not quite a Knight in armour, but close.
Such is love!

Other news - I had a little trip out with my drama group friends on Thursday evening. We went in a minibus, to the theatre in Cleethorpes, where Up The Resistance was on. Now, as this is the play which we are rehearsing for at the moment, it was fun to see what the other am dram group made of it. So, it was a bit of a spying mission, but fun all the way. They were really good, so I think we shall have to up our game. I've never been to Cleethorpes before, but in the dark we could have been anywhere. I couldn't see the sea. On the run in we did pass a huge industrial site, all lit up for miles, but it wasn't exactly illuminations.

I've prepared my A Poet in Crete for Kindle this week, too. It will be available any day now.

My lovely man.

Well, I do hope your Valentine's Day was as wonderful as mine. (Or even better). Talk again soon.

Love and hugs,

Jane x

Christmas in Birdwell 2015

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY READERS

Christmas 2015 is over, and we are hurtling towards the start of 2016. David and I are still eating up leftovers from Christmas Day and Boxing day. Today, would you believe, for lunch we had left over Christmas pudding, warmed up, soaked in brandy and topped with ice-cream. Well, yes, it was delicious. And for tea we have a choice of turkey or pork, again.

It has been a meat fest week, so, full of protein, booze and biscuits (chocolate ones) we are... you guessed it... looking forward to New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day. More buns and more bubbly! And this time, it's roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, followed by left over mince pies I suppose.

Well, isn't that what Christmas is all about. Filling the larder, stacking the fridge with 'just in case' food, and binging like you've never eaten for weeks. That and feeding as many faces as bounce over your threshold. It's been a very HAPPY CHRISTMAS. We have sung carols, praised the Lord, prayed for unfortunate souls, and fattened ourselves up till our jeans won't fasten, bra straps are on the very last hook and eye, and jowls are beyond lift and firm cream.

So, my first New Year's resolution is to enjoy every last bite of Christmas cake, get to the bottom of the Celebrity choc box, make sure there isn't a drop of Bailey's left in the bottle, and settle down to an afternoon sleep. And after that...

NO MORE CAKES, SWEETS OR BISCUITS! At least until the next celebration, which hopefully isn't until Valentine's Day.

I'd freeze it but the freezer is full.

Anyway, the lethargy has meant that I have been able to put my mind to my writing. Today, David and I are preparing my booklet, A Poet in Glenridding, to publish to Kindle. Following on it's heals will be A Poet in Crete, and then I will get to work on A Poet in Barnsley. In between all that there is my novel to get right.

And when I'm not doing all of the above, I will be learning my lines for the Take Two Drama Group's next production - Up The Resistance. To be performed in April.

PLUS - I do believe there are words to write for the Christine and Jane double act, Spring do.

Lord! The energy I'm using up, I may need all that cake after all.

I am truly sorry for all the people who have been flooded out over Christmas. What a mess! Yorkshire, Lancashire. If you are one of those people, my heart goes out to you. So many lovely homes have been affected. David and I have such a lot to be grateful for.

I wish everybody all the best for 2016
Love and hugs,
Jane x