An Interview.

Today is the day of my first ever interview as an author.

I am very very nervous.

The interview is at 11 and will be by Hannah Murray of Talk Radio Europe, for her book programme.  I will be so glad when its done, unless I make a total mess of it.... aarrgghh... not sure I can even remember what my own name is at the moment.

We now have some limited access to Cyberspace, but the lifts are still down. Captain Moth spent yesterday permanently attached to the phone trying to get it sorted.And he is spending this morning rehearsing me for the interview.

We had a strong sea fret yesterday evening, and this morning it monsooned again. No thunderstorm though, thank goodness!

It will probably hold off till we get the lifts fixed, and then strike.

Jennifer and I visited Maggie yesterday.   She was delighted to see us, not that she knows us now, but she loves a visitor - the more the merrier.  And we were very merry - we laughed a lot together.

A Lightning Strike!

On Monday afternoon - a hot Bank Holiday - I noticed that people were running from the beach and the Green.  It had suddenly begun to monsoon - torrents coming down - the balcony awash in minutes - all the BBQs on the Green extinguished. And one of our geraniums was swimming desperately in its pot which had turned into a lake.

The phone rang.  It was Captain Moth to tell me he was on his way home from the savage wilderness of Hampshire (another detectorist day).  As I picked up the phone, there was the loudest clap of thunder I have heard. I saw no lightning but there must have been a strike as on that instant my internet went down, and when the Captain came home he found he could not open his garage door.    And the next day we found that it had put all the lifts out!

The Internet engineer doesn't come till Thursday - when I hope to be able to publish this blog.  Monday was a Bank Holiday, which does not help.

Jacks rang as soon as I had put the phone down on the Captain to say how scary it all was.  It was a very violent storm.

In Brookfield Park

Friday evening Captain Moth and I had a walk in Brookfield Park - we were looking for the Longhorn Moth, but it didn't turn up.  Lovely evening though.  Park full of wild flowers and the scent of blossom.  And we found this sculpture, new to me.

I felt old and in pain though.

Jean and I had a good morning on the doors - doing return visits - managed two hours - that is good for us.   We spent one hour at the house of a very hospitable Irish gentleman who always asks us in for a cuppa.

On Saturday we went to meet Catherine and Rob for lunch at The Selborne Arms.   It used to be our local, many years ago, when we were young marrieds. living in Alton.   Now Rob and Catherine are soon to be young marrieds - their wedding will be in August.  And it has a later set of memories too as many years ago, in our expat days, we went there with Jackie, Bruce, and Mike.

Selborne was lovely then. And its lovely now.   And it was a sunny day - a bit too hot, if anything.

I found the perfect card for young Lacey, my youngest sister's first granddaughter who arrived this weekend. Must get it posted with present (cheque) enclosed.

The Moth Whisperer

Spurge Marble, Lobesia occidentis (a rare micro moth)

Captain Butterfly is morphing into Captain Moth. It is fascinating, the world of Moth-ery.  And so many moths are so tiny that unless you see their photos you can't appreciate how lovely they are - little artworks in lace.

Silver-ground Carpet, Xanthorhoe montanata

Thistle Bell, Epiblema scutulana (a micro moth)

My youngest sister Pen is about to become a grandma again - this time to a granddaughter - so an exciting time in the family.

We - Captain Moth, Terry and me - went to Paul's Bat talk at the Wetland Trust on Monday night.  Poor Terry is not too well at the moment and did not join us on the Bat walk.  And I just managed the walk but had to sit down and miss the session at the Bat Pond.   Jackie did not come, not feeling up to Batwalking.   So we are all getting older and older and oh dear. ("Speak for yourself" I seem to hear the Captain saying indignantly.)

Jean and I were out doing return visits on Tuesday - had a lovely morning together. And I saw Maggie Wednesday afternoon. She was very happy to see me - not that she knows me now but she does love a visitor.

I am stuck at home today until my worryingly expensive medicine arrives.  Not that I mind having to stay in. Unlike most women I am a real homebody and have always loved being at home, and also, as usual, I am so tired.  The thought of showering and dressing is looming before me like a trip up Everest.

I dreamt last night that a James Bond/Avengers style villain had captured us (don't know who the "us" was, there was no-one else in the dream really), and left us to suffocate. I was hoping it would be a slow drifting into sleep, not an awful struggle for breath, when it began to dawn on me that I was not suffocating and I could get away. So I went outside in the dark and there was someone, or something, there to rescue me.

And did I hear that villain say:  "This is going to save the NHS a fortune" as he tiptoed away, twirling his moustachio?

My Talk

This was the Brief for my talk last Thursday: Initial Call: (2 min. or less) Use the sample conversation.

The Sample Conversation includes Isaiah 46:10:  "From the beginning I foretell the outcome, And from long ago the things that have not yet been done. I say, ‘My decision will stand, And I will do whatever I please.’"

The Watchtower magazine which, in my talk, the householder (one of my sisters, doing a brilliant job) accepted from me, contains a series of articles showing how much of Bible prophecy has already been fulfilled in exact detail.  That gives us confidence that all of Jehovah's wonderful purposes towards the earth will be fulfilled.

You can read it on line if you wish. The article about the Arch of Titus in Rome is very interesting:
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/watchtower-no2-2018-may-jun/arch-of-titus-accurate-prophecy/


Jean and I went out on the field service on Friday and Saturday - we are trying to catch up on our return visits.   And Saturday was the day of our broadcast.   So Jean and did some more returns, then it was back to the Kingdom Hall for a cup of tea, a sandwich, and the monthly broadcast.

I must watch it again, as about halfway through there are some very interesting experiences from a brother who is on the legal team.

Jackie had invited us to supper.  Chicken a la Cooks - followed by a choc-ice and a cheeseboard.  A fun evening as it always is.  And last night the three of us went to see Heather Small at Worthing. She filled the Assembly Rooms, as usual - and there was dancing in the isles - though not by me.  My dancing days are over.

Tonight is the talk at the Arundel Wetland Trust. Bats.  However, it will probably not be the usual foursome. Terry is not well, and Jacks is not sure yet.  We are all getting older and...  well, it doesn't bear thinking about. And actually if we - the damaged children of disobedient Adam  - were not damaged and dying getting older would be completely wonderful.  And there is still a lot about that is wonderful.  I don't think I have ever been happier.

However, I often stop to wonder how I would be feeling now if I hadn't listened to Ruby and Wilhelmina when they called at my door, all those years, ago, with their Bibles and their Watchtower magazines. Thinking about that makes me appreciate the truth more and more  and feel more and more grateful that Jehovah sent his witnesses to my door. 

It was the royal wedding on Saturday - Harry and Meghan.  I saw a bit of it later on the news. The bride looked stunning - her dress classical (a wise choice, will always look good) - and they seem genuinely happy.  They could not have picked a better day.  May is a lovely month in England - my favourite month, along with September. 

Botanical Bea

Handkerchief Tree, Davidia involucrata

While Bea was here we decided we would visit the Highdown Botanical Gardens, which we have been meaning to do for a while. So we went there for lunch on Tuesday.  It was a perfect Spring day - and the gardens, created in an old chalkpit on the top of the Downland, were splendid. We lunched at the little cafe after our walk.  Cottage pie for Bea and Captain, veggie quiche and salad for me.

Handkerchief Tree

There were splendid Handkerchief trees - see the Captain's photos.

On Saturday, Captain B, Bea and Jacks went to the Philip Jackson open day - coming back laden with  homemade cakes (oh, and also having seen some of his great new sculptures).  It was a special day in the congregation so Jean and I were at the Hall for the Field Service and the Branch Visit - the live broadcast. We had a sandwich lunch and a cup of tea there.

I wish I did not feel so tired.

Bea arrived safely back in the North yesterday afternoon.  I am getting back to my routine - got the Butterfly Memberships done, posted them on the way back from Maggie's yesterday - Jennifer joined me so we were able to stay a bit longer than I can on my own.  She is still keeping a diary. She seems to have a few more words on paper than she does verbally.  The human brain is an awe-inspiringly complex organ, easily surpassing any computer ever made.

It seems insane that we are expected to believe it evolved!

Maggie still loves and welcomes the sparkly fan that Captain B bought for me many years ago.  I hope it will continue to visit her as long as she enjoys it.

A Ride in a Spaceship

I arrived at the Hospital for my ear scan expecting it be like the last scan I had years ago - when my knee troubles began I guess.  That had not been fun - about 45 minutes in a tube with all these strange noises clicking and clattering and whirring around me.  But I had prayed to Jehovah to keep me calm - and after a while I began to imagine I was in a spaceship hurtling through deep space on my way back to Planet Earth.

So I was expecting much the same this time. A ride in a spaceship. However, clearly I don't know my ear from my knee as this was quite different - much more claustrophobic. And also painful on my poor shoulders.

However, it only took 10 minutes which is what I kept telling myself - after of course praying to Jehovah to keep me calm.    So I clutched my panic button to me and gritted my teeth.

"Do many people press the panic button?"  I asked the nice young lad who nursed me through it as I tottered out of the spaceship onto the tarmac (of the Hospital carpark, where the Scan Caravan was parked).  "Oh yes" he said cheerfully.  "Every day.  We've had two already this morning."

Its amazing what Jehovah can do with a natural panicker and headless chicken like myself.

Bea of the North came with us, Captain Butterfly chauffering.

The House of Three Milks Rides Again!

Soy milk for the visiting Bea; goats milk for Mrs Captain Butterfly; and "proper" milk for the Captain himself.  But I am older than the last time the House appeared, and while talking to Bea got in a terminal muddle about the milks - which all ended up in the wrong cups.  And the Captain's stern instructions about making two of the teas in the big teapot, thus economically using only 1 teabag resulted in my having to use about 4 teabags.

We are also The House of Two Teas, as I like Earl Grey but the Captain does not.

Bea of the North arrived on Tuesday - and Jackie joined us later to celebrate with champagne, nibbles and cheese and biscuits. A fun evening.

Today the Captain was away all day being dined at the Golf Club where he was giving a SUSSAR talk:
http://www.sussar.org/

They donated generously, for which we are very grateful as SUSSAR is staffed by volunteers and runs on donations.  And they gave him an excellent lunch - roast lamb with all the trimmings, followed by apple pie and ice cream. 

Tomorrow the Brighton Branch of the family are coming.

Another Review of "Waiting for Gordo"

Here is an Amazon review of "Waiting for Gordo" from a poet whose first novel is just about to be published - J Dean Knight (thanks):

"Sue Knight brings us vividly into the world of diving on this island paradise. Waiting for Gordo is a darkly comic story with disappearances and difficulties aplenty, but with a witty satirical edge sending up a group of affluent westerners who exploit nature for their own pleasure. Until, of course, a terrible revenge is wreaked! I'm not the biggest magic realism fan, hence my rating, but for any reader there is a lot to enjoy here, not least the powerful climax, and the wonderfully evoked environment. Take it on holiday...but maybe only if you're going skiing..."

click here for Amazon purchase

We were out on the work Thursday morning - managed one and a half hours, which is, sadly, my walking limit these days.   Then we went for a coffee at Waitrose, which gave me a chance to do a bit of shopping.   Captain B's alarm clock went off at 5.30...again... 

This morning Jean and I were out, doing return visits - a lot of people not at home, but we had some good calls.  Very hot and sunny - has Spring finally arrived.  After I had taken Jean home I made lunch and fell asleep.  A phone call from Captain B woke me up - he is out Butterflying with his comrades - Mark and Neil.  So I then managed to stagger about getting the fridge cleaned and making his sandwiches for tomorrow.

We are going to Jackie for supper, and Bea of the North arrives on Tuesday.

Littlehampton's Most Wanted

Littlehampton's Most Wanted - aka Jean and myself - were stopped by the Police Tuesday morning.  We had been working in Angmering and I was just driving Jean home via one of her magazine route calls when we stopped at a pedestrian crossing. Suddenly a young policeman on a motorbike drove in front of us with a stern command to stay there.

This is it, I thought.  I am going to get a real telling off - at best.  I was just starting to say "I'm very sorry, officer" wondering what it was I had done, or not done - not speeding at any rate -  when he said "Heavy load coming through, please stay there till I tell you."

 "I thought I had done something wrong" I said.  "What a relief".

He stayed beside us for a bit, chatting, while the queue built up behind us and, I guess, brought the big roundabout to a standstill.  Then he said "When the car with the flashing Police lights has gone by", you can drive on.

"Thanks" we said happily watching this great lorry with a strange bulging, yet hollow, Something on it drive slowly past us, followed by the lights-flashing police car.   We then drove on.

All quite exciting!  Or so I thought until I tried to tell Captain B all about it.   So  I don't know. I am one for routine, not excitement, except in very small doses. And now, in retirement, I have a routine that I love.  That was enough excitement for me anyway.

I got another lovely review of "Waiting for Gordo" - from a real author - so I must remember to publish that in my next blog.