And today I've actually handed over the chairman's stuff - not much actually, I was given a load of out-of-date papers 4 years ago, so I binned them, and most of the newer stuff was on the computer, so I put them all on a disc, as I mentioned yesterday.
What I didn't mention was that the box of redundant papers was behind a chair which I could only push aside *so far* so I had to pick it up at arms' length and with my body twisted. I did it reluctantly, knowing it was bad for my back, but I seemed to get away with it and was still fine last night. When I got up this morning I had bad twinges for a bit, but I'd forgotten about it by the time I went to gather up everything remaining back into the box. I had to move the waste paper basket full of paper. Ow. And ouch. It got better - not well, but better - but I'll be careful for a few days.
I looked after Pugsley and Squiffany for an hour until their father got home from the shop, having left it in the capable hands of Eileen, and then left, with 45 minutes (plus a polite 5 to allow my hostess to be quite ready) to drive 35 miles, 10 of them on dual carriageway. This should have been fine, but a mile from home 3 huge bulk carriers, a lorry and a tractor towing a Land Rover pulled out in front of me. I was pretty indignant that they should use an unsuitable back road, for which they were far too big, but when we reached the main road I discovered that they were too wide for that too. All the oncoming traffic had to pull over on to the verge and a big queue built up behind me. It took nearly half an hour to go the first 6 miles. I'm not too bothered about farm traffic usually, but this was not acceptable, and should have had an escort. We'd all have been stuffed if an equally big vehicle had come the other way. I almost wished it would, for the entertainment value.
The Sage has gone out and I'm listening to the charming Hoagy Carmichael. A-Huggin' And A-Chalkin' made me chortle as ever. I looked for it on You Tube, but no joy - well, some grandad singing it in a home video, but that's all. It's the happy story of the chap whose lovely girlfriend was so big and fat that he got lost while hugging and kissing her, so took a piece of chalk and marked his way. Until he was A-Huggin' And A-Chalkin' and he met another fellow with some chalk in his hand coming around the other side. Hoagy, of course, was the pianist (he sang Hong Kong Blues) in To Have and Have Not, which is one of my favourite films, not least for the pleasure of watching the divine Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall falling in love. If you've never read the Hemingway story it's based (loosely) on, don't. It'll only depress you.
Later - Ooh! - I've found it -
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9 comments:
If you don't think your back's up to hefting bricks around tomorrow, we could have another day off, if you like.
His high point was "My Resistance is Low"
...not Dave's of course..
I'll let you know in the morning if I don't feel up to it Dave, thanks.
Dave and the brick wall - the Irresistible Force next to the Immovable Object?
Mr. Carmichael composed the longest song titie. "I'm a Cranky Old Yank in a Clanky Old Tank on the Streets of Yokohama with my Honolulu Mama Doing Those Beat-o, Beat-o, Flat on my Seat-o Hirohito Blues". My favorite song of his is Ole Buttermilk Sky.
I love the song! And you are right about the potential entertainment value of something large coming the other way. One summer I was passing through Bandon (in Eire) and there was a tractor jam! Really! It was great fun to watch as they desperately tried to manoeuvre around each other!
I've got a regard for Two Sleepy People, but then I was always a sentimental old thing.
They did force a bus up on the verge, but unfortunately nothing actually had to reverse. There was also a speed trap set up, which we all sneered at as we crept past at 12 mph.
Thanks for the chuckle.
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