Z and the Sage were Alarmed

The day didn't start well. I'd woken a couple of times in the night - the last couple of nights I've had a pillow in the bed to rest my leg on and give it some support; this works but then I turn over and my hip wakes me. However, I was pleasantly asleep and dreaming pleasantly when a burglar alarm went off. After a while, i realised it was ours. I got out of bed and peered out of the window. I didn't know that the alarm, which was replaced a couple of years ago, had flashing lights. Quite impressive. "It'll be a mouse," remarked the Sage. "Mm, or a spider," I agreed. I stomped into the bathroom for a robe and went downstairs and the Sage, not bothering with such a nicety, followed.

Of course, when it was time to get up I felt heavy and drowsy, but I did various jobs and left for school. Later, I went to the funeral of an elderly lady who had lived in the village for many years with her husband. She was large and heavy and suffered from diabetes and circulatory problems for some time, and for the last four years she had been afflicted with dementia. Her husband had looked after her lovingly. Back in February, when about to help her into bed, he felt unwell and realised he'd had a stroke. He still managed to get her to bed and the next morning got her breakfast. Then he called the doctor. Far too upsetting for her to have the drama of them both going to hospital in the middle of the night.

He made a good recovery, but had to admit that he couldn't cope while he was convalescing, so she went into a local nursing home. Actually, when I had dinner with friends last weekend the other guests were the couple who own that place. Peter said that the care that Peggy received could not have been kinder or more supportive and, once she'd settled down, he was happy that she was in the best place, close enough for him to visit every afternoon. They were married about 60 years. At the funeral, one of their daughters gave the eulogy, lovingly and movingly - at the end there was applause which is something I haven't come across before, but it was quite spontaneous.

There were lots of people there, and I'd already called on Peter at home and saw him again for a hug, so I didn't go to the bunfight afterwards, but went to the newly-opened garden centre nearby - it's only resited in fact, still under the same ownership. One of Al's customers has taken on the cafe there - she already has a small bakery business and Al and Dilly always buy one of her cheesecakes for celebrations. I went to order lunch and we had a chat, and when she brought my food she said, apologetically, that she recognised but couldn't place me. "I'm Alex's mother". "Of course, I knew I knew you."

I love being able to introduce myself as *member of the family's* mother or wife or granny and seeing someone's face light up.

I still felt pretty stupid all day after the disturbed night; had a migraine this morning and had to search for names at the meeting this afternoon. I had a nap around 6 o'clock and am better now. Didn't help that I aimed my contact lens at my eye and only realised an hour later when I wanted to look at something, that I'd evidently missed. I found it on my computer keyboard this afternoon. I wonder where my spares are. I've certainly got some.

Oh blimey - a programme about The Doors is on and I just caught myself singing along. Showing my age All Over Again.

Dull post. Sorry. If you got this far, my sympathy, but I don't think it'll get better with rewriting. Tomorrow, Z will be decorating the church for Harvest Festival which gives you something to look forward to. Heh.

Still watching the last few episodes of The Wire. I'm probably the last person in the country who is watching it not to have got to the end. Don't tell me what happens.