It's been a few weeks since I've felt able to write a blog post, and I have to admit I've missed it, as well as reading all my blogging pals' posts.
As I mentioned in my last blog, one-handed life takes on disproportionate difficulties, the worst being that I've had four online writing courses to keep up with. Of course I don't have to produce papers and assignments myself, but I have to give feedback on everything they do, plus answer questions, give advice, counsel them on their emotional and psychological issues with keeping deadlines, wipe their...no, sorry, I don't mean that, but you get my drift. I sometimes feel like a guidance counsellor as well as a writing skills teacher. And all of this with one hand. I'm exhausted... 😆
And then there's the mounting dust in the corners being exponentially inflated by dog hair (I thought spaniels didn't shed – I was wrong), a problem I'd forgotten about. When my beloved Sindy passed on eight years ago, it was a good two years before I stopped finding her hair trapped in folds, under mattresses, and in the weave of my rugs. Now I have a small golden mutt whose hair is providing cohesion for dust bunnies gathering under the table and in the cracks between the floor boards. Hoovering is quite a mission with one usable arm, I can confirm, so I've been postponing it. And it shows. I get tired just looking at it. 👀 😄
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| Sindy |
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| Zoe |
So the time and opportunity for blogging and social media in general has been quite curtailed. However, in a more exciting vein, and leaving aside all the maintenance, gardening and boat work I haven't been doing, in two weeks we'll be setting off to take my Vereeniging to her new home. It's going to be an adventure, that's for sure. I'm hoping my wrist will be more functional than it is now, but luckily, there are only four locks in the entire 190 km trip, so we'll manage, I'm sure.
Now we are gathering necessary equipment, fuel and supplies. The only uncertainties are the weather and the tides on the Schelde, but we have timetables, phone numbers and names, thanks to my lovely friend, Voirrey Johnson, whom we might even see coming the other way. It will be a journey for the records, and worthy of a blog post or two, at least.
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| Home for the last year and a half. I won't miss that tree! |
Enjoy your weekend allemaal. I hope it's a good one for you, and I'll be back soon!
I always find your blogs a very comfortable place to be - perhaps a little more comfortable than you do currently, with only one one useable arm. Thank you for sharing - and for letting me be one of the writers who has gained from your care. xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely comment. Thank you so much. My blog is very much my happy place on the internet, so I’m glad you find it comfortable too :)
DeleteYou probably mentioned it before and I've forgotten. Where are you moving Vereeniging to. Or, since I'm addressing a language teacher, to where are you moving Vereeniging ;-).
ReplyDeleteDon, she’s coming to Sas van Gent, about 20 kms north of Gent on the canal to Terneuzen. And either way, your language was just right. :)
DeleteOh dear, you really have been laboring under difficulties. I hope you wrist is better very soon. It sounds like a lot of work with the writing courses, and no wonder there are a few dust bunnies running about. Good luck for your trip, and I hope you find it enjoyable and picturesque.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Trish. I just take my glasses off…haha. Then, I don’t see the dust bunnies ;)
DeleteOh, Val, I'm so sorry you are stil going into life's battles one-armed. You are simply amazing in all you accomplish - especially one-handed. And a little dog hair and dust doesn't add up in the measure of joy that your sweet Zoe brings. Looking forward to hearing about your epic trip! (Steph)
ReplyDeleteAh, thank you so much, Steph. You’re always so kind. I hope you’re doing okay, my friend. I know you have so much on your plate. Who’s amazing? You are!
DeleteI do hope you can go back to being two-handed very soon, Val. We don't realise until something like this happens how reliant we are on 'both' hands. Good luck with the move, I hope all goes smoothly.
ReplyDeleteI know, Cath. I never, ever realised how much I depended on both hands even for my balance. Thanks for the good wishes. I shall keep them for the trip.
DeleteHoovering dog hairs with one arm must be quite an art! Zoe looks a cute character. Best wishes with the journey to your new home.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Mike. Zoe is a poppet.
DeleteThe dust balls that appeared in my home I at first blamed the previous owners for. :-) Skeeter is an expert shedder.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry for your one-handed state. Also, for not at all keeping up. Still in the world and I am always glad to see your travels on the fbook. Take good care of each other. Zoe will be excited when you've returned.
Ah thank you, Gina. I wish I could blame the dust balls on Zoe's predecessor, but I can't pretend. It's been eight years since Sindy died...and she was black. :))
DeleteThank you so much for the good wishes. I'll think of them when we leave and I will definitely be posting about it. Zoe is staying with my daughter, so will be very happy, I know. That will be a weight off my mind.
Hi Val - it's great to see ... and I'm happy to catch the news ... sounds like in a few weeks life will be almost back to normal ...good luck with Vereeniging's move - and being out on the water. Take care, relax, laugh and be happy ... cheers Hilary xoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Hilary!
DeleteWhat's a little dog hair between friends? My mum used to say she swept the room with a glance - good advice when you are one handed. I know just how inconvenient that is but at least I was retired and not having to cope with preparation and marking. Oh Val, I was exhausted reading about it! Good luck with your move to Sas Van Gent with Vereeniging - how exciting it will be to see her in her new home. xx
ReplyDeleteOh I love that, Rebecca. ‘Swept the room with a glance’ is brilliant! I shall be using it with some aplomb in the coming weeks. 😄
DeleteWe are very excited about the move, so I’ll definitely be posting about it, complete with photos 😄
I so wish your wrist would hurry up and get better, Val. Good luck with moving the Vereeniging; exciting, as you say. Look forward to seeing the photos I know you'll take!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Shirley. I hope it gets better soon. It’s a terrible nuisance.
DeleteHow wonderful to read of your progress. Your strength shines through and makes all things seem possible. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHow kind of you to interpret my observations this way, Fran. Thank you! You are an example of strength to me, you know! Xx
DeleteOh dear, your trouble with Zoe's fur sounds all to familiar and yes, Spaniels do shed, as you belatedly remembered. My Suzi who we lost last September was a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, as was her predecessor Jasper. Your Cindy looked a fine dog.
ReplyDeleteOur new pup, being a Poodle is not supposed to shed but we keep finding little clumps of wool around! The trip to relocate your boat sounds great, hope all goes well, I'm sure it will, and you're able to enjoy it, pain free! David.
Thank you, David! She doesn’t shed as much as Sindy, but it’s more than I was expecting. I’ll definitely be posting photos of our trip. Many thanks for the kind good wishes!
DeleteGood luck with the trip, Val! ðŸ§
ReplyDeleteThank you, Aiden!
DeleteBeautiful blog
ReplyDeleteHi Vallypee, Nice to see your post again. We get busy and quite naturally blogging gets affected. The same happened to me as well. And in my latest post, I have a beginning that is very similar to yours! Wish you all the very best for the journey, and looking forward to reading your posts.
ReplyDeleteAh, thank you, Pradeep. I am back from my journey now and will catch up with you too. I’m very glad to see you again.
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