I won’t be surprised if you don’t! It’s nearly two years since my last post from this site, and I thought it was finally time to restart (or give up all together!).
The last two years have been quite eventful, even taking account of the pandemic. My health started to play up – again. Then my gallbladder declared war on the rest of my body, resulting in several nights in A&E over several months. I gradually moved up the list, from routine, to urgent, to very urgent, but this was during the first lockdown and understandably, surgery was only for emergencies. Thankfully, I had it removed in July last year, but that has caused a few issues which are only now showing signs of settling down.
Then my mother passed away early last year. She had been deteriorating with dementia, but fortunately managed to stay in her own home until a few days before her death. Looking back, it was as she would have wished. We witnessed my father’s last years in a home with Alzheimer’s, and as anyone who has experienced it will know, it is incredibly painful. Perhaps worse for the family than the individual. Mum was desperate to avoid a similar fate, and with a suitable care package, she retained a degree of independence to the end.
It was a mixed experience for me. A few of you know Mum and I had a far from easy relationship, and her passing made me think about many things, some of which were difficult. The lockdown soon after her passing gave perhaps a little too much time for contemplation. But I’ve put a lot of things to bed, and it’s time to move on.
I also had to move home, and the pandemic meant I couldn’t sell Mum’s house, so have ended up living there temporarily, which was never part of the plan. I’m still here, now planning to put it on the market and make my next move. I am in the pleasant position of having no ties now, I can go where I want (well, where I can afford). The problem that creates is I have too much choice, and keep on changing my mind! I need to make a decision; soon.
There have been better things going on as well. Some of you know I’m an author as well as a reader, and in the time since my last post, I’ve published three novels and two novellas. I’m currently working on a couple of new projects, and writing has given me a real focus during the last year of lockdown and shielding. Being an introvert, I haven’t found the restrictions particularly hard, though I know many have.
I think that’s me up to date. I hope you’re all well, and have survived the last eighteen months in good health. I’m ready to start posting more regularly again, and it will be the usual mix of reviews, history, health, and the occasional surprise. As always, it will be great to hear from you all. Stay safe.
