Friends and foes

Well, it's a case of more of the same (weather) around here!!

Thanks! to the friend who topped up my bread and spread supply - too bad she couldn't stop for a coffee, but the only un-slushy place she could find to park was on a yellow line ... so I gave her the wherewithall to get one in town instead as a little thank-you, with stern instructions to take 20 minutes out and relax .... it is always the busiest of people who find time, and she certainly fits that description. (Two friends rang as soon as the snow fell to ask if I was OK, and I was encouraged by their concern. I don't like to bother people so would only ask if I was really up against it)

The friend I did ask was another who offered and she knows me a bit better so it's easier for her to find what I need. Otherwise, thank heavens for Sainsburys online and other such .... my usual solution, and in some ways more efficient than doing it in person anyway (they can reach the top shelf!) but this time I had mis-calculated on those two items.

Otherwise I am not doing anything particularly exciting - reading by the fire. One of my resolutions in this study-free year was to read some of the many books around the place, so I am doing just that. At the moment I'm reading Lawrence Rees on the Nazis (from the TV series) and Maeve Binchy's Firefly Summer. One can only take so much of the Nazis .... and definitely not just before bed .... The Maeve Binchy will leave a much-needed space on the bookshelf (the other one counts as history so I will keep that).

It makes more sense to read the fiction, though I need to start studying again, as I don't get the same sense of achievement. I've come to the (reluctant) conclusion that I have far too many books, and the priority as regards disposal is the fiction, as unless it is exceptionally good I won't want to read it again anyway. Fortunately I have a new home ready and waiting for it as a local professional sells books from her practice to provide flowers for one of the local Abbyfield houses where she is on the management committee. I get the books out of the house and bring beauty and colour to someone else's life, and that is a most positive thing to do. I prefer to support small ventures like this rather than the 'big fish' of the charity world, and with an ageing population there won't be the resources around to provide the little extras that make such a difference to people's wellbeing.