Saturday

I love Dolphins which is why I have used this graphic today.  Water, Dolphins, what could be more peaceful.

I think we in Britain could do with some peace at the moment.  With another near bomb disaster on Thursday and a man being shot dead by police yesterday....... we seem to be living in a world gone mad right now, a world I am sure our parents, even ourselves, could never even have envisaged.

It looks at long last as though we might get some rain, most probably tomorrow and it will be nice not to have to water the garden.  I feel for our friend and neighbour, Margaret, though. She and her husband , Brian, open their garden to the public once a year in aid of our local hospice. Tomorrow is opening day. Those of you who think my garden is nice should see hers, it is like something from a magazine! Over the years they have raised thousands of pounds to help sick and dying children.  Obviously, if we get heavy rain, people will not attend and Mike is hoping to get photographs so that I can share with you.  Well, I am sure Margaret will rise to the occasion whatever the weather.

Talking of the garden, our little local nursery is selling plants very cheaply.  Because of the very cold Spring and the late start to the Summer, this is the first year I remember when Roy, the owner, has had a glut of plants. Usually the greenhouse and forecourt are empty of summer bedding by now.  Five boxes of plants for £10. Cannot be bad. I saw them on a little drive out yesterday morning and  I was tempted by Marigolds and spent all of yesterday afternoon planting up tubs of those, a real bright splash of colour which really glow on a dull day such as this.  Of course, snails like Marigolds very much and must think we have provided them with a take-away meal so I shall now be on snail watch.  We have thousands of them here and all attempts to rid ourselves of them has failed.

As you know, I am not doing my journal every day now. I should have explained that I will not be visiting journals every day either, it is just too much.  I spend much longer reading journals than I do writing mine.  So expect a visit from me every other day or every couple of days. I wanted to explain that so you would not think I have deserted you!  What with looking after Nathan and jobs being neglected around the house, I simply had to cut down my computer time.  Take this morning, I logged on to find over 250 items in my mail box and this happens on a daily basis, sometimes there are more than this.  So I end up on the computer for hours and hours because I do not want to miss anyone out or delete something by mistake.  I want to get back to being more active, enjoying my garden, keeping the house in reasonable condition and helping Becky as much as I can.  I know that you will all understand.  Journals have the habit of taking over our lives and there comes a time when you simply have to put the brakes on.

As I mentioned Becky, I am asking for your thoughts and prayers for her at this time.  As you know, she has been suffering severe back pain.  She saw the midwife last Wednesday and when the midwife realised how bad it actually is she made an appointment for Becky to see a specialist on Monday afternoon.  So please send out your good thoughts that this specialist can recommend something that will ease her pain.  She still has five weeks to go.

Now I am off to do housework. Yes, there is a price to pay for cutting down on journal time!