It's Tuesday now and I'm carrying on from Sunday's blog ! It has been very hot and even worse, humid over the last few days, much too hot to sit in at the computer which is in a west facing room, getting sunlight all afternoon and evening. There have been times when I thought I would melt into a puddle of fat - what a nasty thought As there wasn't a breeze having all the windows and doors open wasn't much of a help. The government issued a warning to old and frail people that they should stay indoors and rest, drinking plenty of water at all times. Now I don't very often heed what the government says but I took their precautions to heart and lazed around - well, what better excuse could I have ?The temperature in here in 26o at the present at it's 8.15  in the evening with the windows wide open. This time last week we were complaining about the cold wind- are we never satisfied ? I hope that my readers have lovely sunny days with cool breeze.
Sunday. It's very hot today, much too hot to be out doors. We had days of lovely sunny weather with a cooling breeze last week but that has changed now and the humidity is very high. Last Sunday I was really cold when I stood in the church porch ( I am a welcomer and give out the newsheets.) I have a busy week with meetings on Monday and Wednesday, the " oldies group on Tuesday then going to Liverpool on Thursday morning, shopping will be done on Wednesday - hopefully. I bought a new microwave last week which is considerably smaller than the old one which pleases me as I don't like a lot of clutter on the worktops.
Armed Forces Day

We as a nation do not make a great show of our patriotism as most of you know but yesterday was the Armed Forces Day ever held here. The actual idea happened because some louts - for want of a better and stronger word beat up some soldiers whilst they were wearing their uniforms in a garrison town. Every one was appalled by this and a newspaper suggested that it was about time we Brits showed our support for the armed forces in a more tangible way hence Armed Forces Day. It was a huge event in many parts of the country with marches, brass bands, memorial services and great crowds of spectators. November 11th is the day when we remember those who died during all the wars and that is held in all towns, cities and villages but we have never before " celebrated " our service men who are still engaged in conflicts so this will become an annual event. I, for one, was against the so-called " war " in Iraq as I didn't believe all that the government were telling us and I felt that not enough thought ha been put into what would happen when the fighting was over. Despite those reservations I am very proud of our armed forces and the way they have behaved in Iraq and  Afghanistan.

Typical of my luck - after a lot of messing about and help from my neighbour the new patio set was set up last Monday. Tuesday was glorious but I was out with the " oldies " at the bingo. Since then we have had rain and cool winds so I haven't yet enjoyed the set.

 
The pink flowers that are showing are geraniums that Frank planted years ago, now they are like weeds growing in very nook and cranny. Pretty they might be but they are a nuisance. Another plant Frank put in is Lady's Mantle or alchemilla mollis which is fighting the geraniums for any available space. I think the geraniums will win !

It is surprisingly comfortable and best of all it can be left out in the rain as it dries very quickly In the winter the chairs can be folded up and put away - another bonus Perhaps during this coming week I will get the chance to sit out and relax.
Another calamity happened- my microwave broke, now I don't use it very often but I do find it useful and wouldn't be without one. The good thing is that I can now buy a much smaller compact one that won't take up so much space. I am debating whether to buy a new cooker or get some one in to clean the old one because when the kitchen is painted I want everything to look grand spanking sparkling. Any ideas as to what I should do ? I have chosen magnolia paint for the kitchen/diner ( yes, I know BORING ) with a light minty green ( Pinefrost ) for the cupboards and for the lounge I'm having Welsh Flint- a sort of pale tan as it matches my furniture, curtains and carpet. Although I'm not looking forward to the upheaval I know that I will be very happy when it's done.
Taxes
The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax. Albert Einstein
Income tax returns are the most imaginative fiction to be written today. Herman Wouk
The avoidance of taxes is the only intellectual pursuit that carries any reward. John Maynard Keynes
When there is an income tax the just man will pay more and the unjust less on the same amount of income. Plato
I was surprised to find that income tax existed in Plato's time

The last of my peonies !
I promised myself that I would ring the decorator before I blogged again- well this morning I did and am now waiting for him to come and price the job. It has taken me six weeks to finally make the effort and contact him. Am I proud of myself ?. YES !

 
Bonnie and Clyde enjoying the warm weather
After having the paths and patio jet-washed I decided to buy new garden furniture. I had chosen a green plastic set but when Paul and family were here Chris told me about a very nice set she had seen in line I looked at it and decided that that was the one I wanted. It arrived today and after hours of messing about putting the legs on the table Damian finally got it set up for me. What is it about flat-pack things that makes it so difficult for the amateur to do the job easily ? Fortunately the chairs are folding so didn't need any work done to them. I took some photos but sadly for some strange reason they aren't downloading at the moment. Thank you Paul and Chris, it's great.  Someone came this morning to sort out the damp in the chimney breast so that will be done on Thursday - at long last I've taken the plunge and am getting all those " little " jobs done before I go away  The decorator is coming tomorrow to give me a quote- it's all happening here
At times the TV is a wonderful tool for learning as I found that during WW1 the UK was subject to bombing raids from German Zeppelins. The first raid on London was in May 1915 when 28 people were killed and 60 injured, in September 38 were killed and 124 injured. Cities as far apart as Edinburgh and Sunderland were raided as were many towns along the South and East coasts. The Germans lost so many Zeppelins that the raids finished in 1917 with the total loss of life as 556 people killed and 1,357 injured. Imagine how frightening these raids must have been as Zeppelins were silent enemies unlike the planes in WW2 whose noise was a sure sign of an air raid. It took a while for the newly formed air force to find out how to shoot the airships down but eventually they won. It must have been scary to see one of those huge Zeppelins filled with gas blowing up !
Happiness !
Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory. Albert Schweitzer
Happiness depends on ourselves. Aristotle
Cherish all your happy moments: they make a fine cushion for old age. Christopher Morley
Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family- in another city. George Burns

Surprise, surprise !
This is how I felt yesterday
I was in the church porch showing an acquaintance, I used to teach, with a photo of the staff  taking many years ago. We were trying to remember just how many years when I said it was before Damian was born and suddenly this " man " leaned over and agreed with me. I looked up to see Paul, Chris and Stephanie ( from Barry, south Wales ) who were all in fits of laughter at the expression of surprise on my face. They had suddenly decided that they would visit John, Chris's father ( in Liverpool ) and me before they go on a trip to Canada in two weeks time. I could hardly speak as I was so shocked which , of course made them giggle even more. My family seem to take great delight in arriving unexpectedly as just about a month ago Adrian and Gail ( from the Isle Of Man ) came without telling me first. I said to Paul that I was wondering if they were planning to end my days with a heart attack but he insisted that such a thought hadn't entered his head. TG ! It was great to see them and catch up with their news as we didn't get much " chat time " when we were in Barry for Gregory's 21st birthday celebrations. Sunday lunch was an ad hoc meal after a dash to Morrisons for pizza and garlic bread as they were only here for a few hours.
This evening as I finished my meal I had another surprise caller -a priest friend whom I haven't seen for about seven years. Fr. Johnny came to St. Bede's as a newly ordained priest some 18 years ago and he quickly became a special friend but when he moved we lost touch though he came to see me when he heard that Frank had died. I intended to keep in touch but as is the case I didn't ! Johnny is on retreat in a Jesuit house just a few miles away so took the opportunity to visit and renew our friendship. It was THE happiest thing that has happened to me for quite a while.
A not so happy thing was finding damp in the bedroom wall but the dear Blessed St John ( my son-in-law ) tells me that it isn't a huge problem and he will get some one to sort it out very soon. It seems that I need to have air brick put in the chimney breast wall which is on the outside of the house so it won't be a very messy job. Now I must motivate myself and get a decorator in to paint the kitchen-diner before I go away. It is in such a bad state I'm ashamed and dread asking any one to do it - but it must be done so this week I will make a phone call and get it organised. I WILL ! Watch this space, I will do it before I blog again- that is a promise I have made to myself.
Enough of my ramblings.
The weather has changed drastically during the last few days as the temperatures have dropped by more than ten degrees, it is chilly with easterly winds and most of us have the heating on at night- so much for the balmy days of June The news is that it will continue cool for the rest of the week so it sweaters, cardigans and long sleeves again for us. This time last week we were complaining that it was TOO hot - we are never satisfied are we ? At least the weather gives us some thing to chat about 

A sure sign of summer !

These are the Oriental poppies that are in full bloom now. The flowers are huge with papery petals and a deep red centre, they are so big that they soon droop under the weight of the flower. The red ones I have haven't grown much this year as they are in a shady part of the garden, later I will get the gardener to move them to a more suitable place
It is another glorious day here but the temperature has soared to the upper 70s so It is too warm to do much more than sit and admire the flowers. I have come in to blog before this room which is west-facing gets warmer as it is 26os at the moment but will rise as the sun gets to the west.
Tomorrow I'm meeting my cousins in Liverpool for lunch and chat which I am looking forward to as we usually only meet twice a year. I am the eldest of seven grandchildren, four girls and three boys. Brian lives in Canada, Gerard moved to London 20 + years ago and we lost touch with him, John the only one who lives locally is a priest who doesn't think he would appreciate our company I don't know what he means ! Ann, a widow, lives in Manchester, Maureen is unmarried and lives on the Wirral but Jean, a divorcee, still lives here in Widnes. Three of us " girls " followed the family tradition and were teachers like our grandmother, aunts and mothers. Only three of the GGC , all girls have kept up the tradition though my GS, Gregory is thinking about joining the " gang " like his granddad
I got a letter the other day from the Teacher's Pension Agency telling me that I have been overpaid for the last few years but they were unable to tell me by how much until AFTER the 30. June ! The letter was an advanced warning notice - actually I found it quite distressing as I don't know by how much my pension will go down. Fortunately I will not have to pay back any of the money they overpaid. There was an article in the Daily Telegraph yesterday saying that over 90,000 civil servants eg. police, teachers,judges etc. will be affected that number includes 32,000 teachers. After the fiasco of the MPs expenses, the loss of many computer discs with containing personal details of thousands of people this is just another example of the ineptitude of our government and their agencies ( many of which are quangoes ) For those who are lucky enough to live without quangoes here is an explanation !
Quango ;-from quasi and autonomous. They are non-governmental organisations that the government has devolved power to but they get money from the government or should I say -tax-payer? I tried to find out how many there are in the UK no joy ! - but it is more than 7,000.
To add to the various problems I've been having lately, this Friday I found that my watch needs a new battery. A mere trivial problem I know but recently I seem to be having more than my fair share of problems big and small.