Storm Darragh

Storm Darragh began yesterday evening and was raging during the night.  This morning our seaward view showed both clouds and sunshine and a wavy Channel while the landward view was of our garden trees swaying against a dark sky.

I must find a stormy photo of our beach to head this blog.

The Captain has wisely cancelled both his Saturday and Sunday expeditions to The Field.  Or it may be that The Field was closed.  Unfortunately the Sandwich Fairy was not advised in time and there are now two boxes of cake and sandwiches in the fridge.

I am reading The Running Grave, which is the latest Strike book (by Robert Galbraith, aka J. K.Rowling).  Well, I think its the latest.  It is certainly one I have not read yet.  It is getting off to a cracking start, with a vulnerable student getting caught up in a powerful and sinister cult.  

The title comes from this quote from Dylan Thomas: "When, like a running grave, time tracks you down."

Yes. Alas, we are dying from the moment we are born, damaged children of Adam that we are all are, and at my age - in my seventies - time is hurtling along.  Or in Thomas' powerful image, the grave is running at me.  I had my Rheumatology appointment yesterday, driven through a sunny December morning by the gallant Captain Butterfly.

"How old are you, if I may ask" said the young doctor.  My attempt at "39" nearly made the young medical student in attendance fall off his chair laughing. Back to Beside Manners School for him!

However, talking of bedside manners, I was asked whether I was happy with the student being there. And as long as I am asked, I always say yes.  They have to learn after all.

It was fortunate that I had a week's worth of blood pressure results with me, to take to my GP on the way back, as the BP the nurse took was alarmingly high.  Being in hospitals is so stressful. Anyway, she was reassured when she saw the results, which were OK - except for one morning after a night of severe arthritis pain.

And it turns out I am becoming more confused. The blood tests I had done were, for Dermatology (I did not even know they needed them). But the paperwork system seems to have changed re my arthritis appointments and I think I will need to put in a reminder to myself in my May 2025 calendar to chase up my next appointment, along with a blood test form.

Though whether I will still be here in May 2025, who knows?  If the frightening possible side-effects of my crumbling back have come into play by then...  

I need to think about the Kingdom of God, and the amazing prospect of perfect health that lies ahead.  So I hope to do my Watchtower study today, my Bible reading, and catch up with Bruce in SA.  Plus email Bea to ask about how her health is going. Hopefully the answer will not be "downhill".