Handmade Parade 2013

The theme this year was Myths, Mysteries and Mayhem, in four sections Earth, Air, Fire and Water. More words than that are I fancy not necessary. Click to enlarge images.

Tail

A cardboard fish tail, about three feet long and painted blue with silver scales, hangs from the fireplace. A blue fish on a stick poking out of the coal scuttle. Paints and sellotape, the stapler and strips of silver paper lie about the table. Must be the Handmade Parade tomorrow.

Pieces

L is away and I dream she falls with a crash through the rotten floorboards of an old house. I call down the hole. And call and call.

Then I dream of my first woman love, kissing the soft skin of her neck. She has come back for me.

Tomorrow the hospital and I have decided writing will be the way to deal with it, writing in my blue notebook on the train home. A place to put the pieces. Then here.

Don't Want

Fresh green leaves tremble, wonder if they got the season right. Tom Ravenscroft plays curious music on Radio 6 Music, always a little reminiscent of his late father John Peel. I drink a glass of the Wine Society's French Full Red. I ponder my refound ability to enjoy alcohol, which is entirely thanks to my refound ability to sleeeeep. Even when I am working. Even when my mother is languishing in Watford General. I never got there last weekend - stolen cable caused signal non function at our local station and I was unable to set out, so barring a repeat of that or some act of God or Godzilla, I shall go on Monday. Today's report from my sister is that my mother is VERY confused, almost ga-ga. I of course don't want to go/ don't want not to go/ don't want to feel I have no choice but to go/ don't want to be dealing with this/ don't want...

Rough With The Smooth

Kefalonia was dreamy. Sun was hot, sea was blue and wavy, sand was gritty, and I slept like a baby and relaxed completely.

Then I went to visit my mother last weekend (was it only last weekend?) Then on Monday evening she had a fall, and - has broken four bones in her foot and bruised her knee, is on the geriatric ward in her local hospital, and has became rapidly much more confused than she was before (which was only slightly). My sister is at the front line and on daily visiting duties, tonight sounding exhausted and discouraged. I am contemplating a there and back in a day visit on Saturday - 8 hour round trip on trains.

Follow The Sun

Off to Kefalonia tomorrow in search of sun, sea and sleep. Currently watching the wood burner die down for the night and have just put hottie in my bed. Hard to believe tomorrow we'll be arriving in 25 degree heat! I can't remember a more timely holiday.

Seeya!

One Track

Still in pursuit of better sleep, I seem to be expending all available online communication energy on the Sleepio site at the moment. Chatting about Sleep Restriction, reassuring novices about the Quarter Hour Rule (if you haven't gone to sleep after quarter of an hour - get up), encouraging each other when we have setbacks and feel like the walking dead. I have also been appointed a greeter, to welcome newcomers to the programme, for which I now get free access! And in the Graduates' Common Room, we even chat about other things than sleep - the progress of spring in the different corners of the world where we live; global warming; health problems!

Sometimes I get six hours' sleep and feel a lot better but still all too often four or five. There is progress though, but it's subtle and you have to maintain a very positive, determined and long view to stick with this programme. Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye (not forever...)