VOTING - PUTTING AN 'X' ANYWHERE BUT THERE!

My emotions were heightened today by what I saw on my ballot paper.  There were six prospective Westminster politicians.  Yeah, I know I live in a democracy; my head accepts what that means, but my heart did not like what had moved into the political frame in this area, this time, and for  a general election. I had truly hoped we were far enough away from the 'madding crowd' to remain uncontaminated   by such extreme views. I felt deeply offended that one person seeking votes for  beliefs and policies, which I generally find abhorrent,  was described as living within spitting distance of my space, actually impinging on it, and was wanting to introduce such horrible divisiveness into what has, in my many years here, been a calm open-minded and friendly area. 

I voted and my cross definitely did not go into the box alongside the candidate representing all that was alien to peaceful co-existence.  I trust that there are a lot of other voters out there who placed their votes elsewhere.

THE RETAILER'S END GAME

Why do head office administrators of shops to which I give my custom feel they have the freedom  to use my custom to bombard me with services I do not want.  Where I live choices are very limited and you have to operate with what is available.  We have three chain stores. None ‘super’ by today’s supermarket standards elsewhere.  Bar this limitation, I would demonstrate my displeasure with this chain by voting with my feet.

I can live with getting information on special offers in store. I can live with finding non food items in a small general food store, such as small electrical goods, socks for kids and  men. There are ladies tights, oh, and refrigerators.  When in need, it is surprising how useful these things  can be, especially when other little local shops are closed.   As a matter of fact, I do not mind receiving emails of whatever the week’s offers might be in the shop.  However, I do balk at getting emails by the retailer asking me to allow the retailer to make my last will and testament!

 






 


Two services for which we do have a sufficiency of choice are, solicitors and funeral directors.

WAFTING INTO 2014 AND FAREWELL TO THE TANK

What have I done so far since the last weeks of 2013 wafted away and  2014 blasted in. 

I have felt weary, tired, but definitely not fed up; I am not affected by the long dark days at this time of year.  What I am affected by, I believe, is the relentlessness of the festive expectations that are manipulated by commercial interests.

 For heaven's sake, Christmas trees hanging from store ceilings in September, all dressed up with their tinsel and faux parcels! I was pleased our town's street lights were not switched on until the 7th November 2013. That's weeks behind the lighting up in major cities. The lights are pretty, a gentle tradition to brighten up the darkness.

Then there's the need to get packages and well-wishing correspondence sent by mid October if you want it to definitely arrive in time for mid December in the Antipodes and the Americas, we're told, notwithstanding the blatant profiteering of the mail system; the costs of posting anything have soared.  There are leaflets telling you what can and cannot be sent and where whatever it is, can and cannot be sent. Added to that, there's a memory test, you are interrogated by the teller as to what is in the parcels and packages.  It is almost like airport security. My gift package of two mini Xmas puddings was checked against an explosives list!!!! 

We travelled on Christmas Day, 25th December.  It's rare to share the road with many cars on this day.  This year was an exception. People had taken note of the severe weather warnings and delayed their journeys.  One of the few businesses open, a Brewers Fare restaurant, was quiet when we arrived before the lunch rush. We were looking for restrooms and a hot drink.  The staff were so accommodating, finding a space for us to sit and have cups of coffee, then giving us takeaway drinks for the journey. 

On lower ground it poured with rain. Up high, there was some snow; the snow ploughs and gritters were busy at work, we passed four. 

At The Portrait Gallery Edinburgh

When we returned home, it felt so good slipping back into my own bed for the first time in 2014 and drifting off to a relatively restful sleep.

This week, we have waved cheerio to our  liquid petroleum gas (LPG) tank, a garden feature for far too many years. I got to connect the lifting chains.

The hydraulic lifting mechanism was a fine bit of engineering.  It took quite some time to complete the manoeuvrings both sides of the fence. Once on the lorry in the right position, our tank had to be strapped securely into place.  Regulations prohibited the vehicle to be driven off till the remaining LPG was drained out of the tank into the fixed white one on the trailer. 

A morning and two mugs of tea later, (for the driver) a signature on a receipt for the tank's removal, the job was completed and the driver was off to pick up the next tank.

Click on the pictures to make them bigger.