Looks Like Tonic Water...

could be working. I drank a small amount at bedtime and there was an improvement.

So I'll see how the experiement goes.

Yesterday, I had to use two walking sticks when I went outdoors but it helped to take more weight off the legs when walking but it gets a bit more awkward having to carry two instead of one when doing some tasks.

I found some more nice yogurts on offer, I would be reluctant to pay full price but half its quite a bargain, I think I have forty eight in the fridge now. But they are used as quick snacks and often at breakfast instead of milk. It seems a lot but not when often I have two each day. Some are fancy so can be more like a desert. I may have said before, yogurt until recent years would not have been on my shopping list.

Then again I think they have been improved up on over the years and the range of flavours and how they are made has changed.

The Sun Has Got His Hat On...

but I've nowhere to go specifically. I won't go for the sake of it. Though as I write I may make the effort and try to think of somewhere to go on Thursday/Friday. Thinking cap on...If the weather is ok and I feel up to it I may go to Darlington South Park. It holds memories of childhood, picnics with Mum and Dad, in later times car rides taking Mum there, in recent years it was upgraded and improved so they say. But I haven't seen it. So I don't know how much is the same or has changed.

I have discovered there is a free proms in the park on July 6th starting at 7pm so I may take a blanket, something in the rucksack. Take some photo's and video's. Taking part are:

The Royal Signals (Northern) Band

Hurworth Concert Band

102 Battalion Reme Pipes and Drums

405 Squadron Air Training Corps of Drums
      with guest vocalists

PLUS The Last Night Party Colours and Standards Sunset Ceremony(depending on the public transport I may miss the last part of the event)

I'll pack my rucksack with some snacks and drink, there is a bus that goes past the park which will save me having to walk. There is a café in the park so who knows, I may have a tea and perhaps an ice cream as a treat. Perhaps I'll take some photo's.

I had another troubled night with sleep interrupted. I did manage to get some this morning. Found the following which may explain why. Arthritis. Too early to say if it will work but a remedy mentioned quite a bit is the drinking of tonic water because of added quinine which is said to help stop or reduce leg cramps and a variety of similar problems.

It got off to a reasonable start. I have my fridge in some kind of order and am starting to use up its contents.

I had a healthy breakfast(well, it was eaten more at lunchtime)banana, blueberries, strawberries, cherries, oaty cereal, a kind of fibre stuff you sprinkle on meals and semi skimmed milk.

Just have to decide what to have later.

I have some food refuse bagged up and ready to be throw out. I may have a look out for an hour later in the afternoon. I have may do what I have been doing for some time. Most of the food is ready and just needs placing on a plate or in a roll. And now I usually have some boiled eggs or potatoes ready.

I just cook extra at the time.

I am at a concert tomorrow and have to possibly face the fact the person who messed me around towards the end of May with that trip to Newcastle/Gateshead. Not sure what the reaction will be as I have avoided getting further involved. It is not a lie when I say I have not been well and getting around has been difficult, on top of that I had my problems with the Housing Association that caused stress.

I will make it clear that I am unable to do anything too strenuous so future trips he plans are out. And any future trips I do manage will remain known only to myself.

After tomorrow night in the next three months there is only one show I wish to see at that venue between July and September. Hopefully, it will improve in the last quarter of the year.

I think I am finally getting it together.

Sunday I Would Have Liked To See My Friend...

and attend the Steam Punk event in the Hartlepool area on board an old ship called HMS Trincomalee Gingerbread Mam had some new items in her range of beautiful cakes, sponges and drinks. The weather stayed fine too.

But I hope to catch up this weekend in the Yorkshire market town of Northallerton. I still have a lot of food to get through but am getting near to possibly doing some home baking and one of the new special items available for the Steam Punk event has intrigued me...alcoholic cupcakes...

I found a website with some great recipes, see here just move down the page a little...

On Sunday I hope to afford and come home with some of my friend's Ginger Beer the image may have to be rotated.

Its a little different to what you get in the shops and has more care taken over it so it is special.

If there was room, today was a great day for reduced top quality meat and fish at the supermarket but I came away with some lean lamb mince and a pack which contained two mini chicken breasts with a couple of sausages, bacon and gravy(half priced)so they'll do me a few meals.

I have had a lovely healthy salad(added some extra items)celery and beetroot. Most of the usual salad items were there, some thin sliced turkey and did I say(apologies if I repeat myself)some Danish Blue cheese. Never thought you'd hear me say that.

The only missing item were potatoes in some form. I have some fruit for later to snack on. Good that I don't tire easily of salads and fruit.

I treated myself to some more Jersey Royals that are finally on sale at half price.

Two Days Running...

I awoke to the remnants of a dream. Those that interpret dreams probably will have some insightful meaning for such a troubled dream.

One of those deserted world scenarios where no one is about except gangs of undesirables and dogs snapping at your ankles. Other mixed up stuff that was just weird not scary, just weird. 

The suggestion is that my dream means loneliness and getting away from people that I feel society is rejecting me and yet I'd say that is less so. Does analysing of dreams work or is hokum? I don't know to be honest. You can be too obsessed with looking within. And yet it can give answers to problems, difficult one to say what is right or wrong.

I got up and checked when my next hospital appointment is(lost the appointment details)its almost a month away(relief)had a drink of lemon green tea, took my meds and have gone back for a rest.

I will have a tidy up later and throw general rubbish out(food stuff)and put dishes etc...away.

I may have to buy some more fruit later(berries don't last that long)perhaps I should consider canned/frozen as an alternative.

I have read of a wash you can do(1 part vinegar, 3 parts water) then you dry the fruit carefully. It doesn't change the taste but the fruit then lasts longer and doesn't get that fuzziness all over it. Perhaps that's a solution.

Weather doesn't look promising as yet but it seems reasonably warm so that's something.

What's That All About?

Appropriately, on Father's Day I have recollections of my Father being in a dream whilst I slept(don't remember what we were doing though)but the other bit that has stayed with me is that when I went into the passage beside my home, the door and door frame of the one that leads into the back garden was missing and had been stolen.

No doubt some dream expert could read something into its meaning.

The Mousetrap...

So last evening it was my turn to experience the legend it has become in theatrical history. Written by Agatha Christie it has been performed in London's West End for sixty years. I can't say too much about it as that would spoil the pact between the audience and the actors that we must "Keep the secret"

It is obviously one of Christie's first murder mysteries and it shows(in hindsight)a lot of weaknesses that don't add up. I did guess who the the murderer was but not some of the extra information that followed the disclosure.

I have a feeling this plot was extended and improved upon in another story as she became more experienced in writing.

Keeping the secret does mean I cannot say too much at all except the plot involves a newly married couple who decide to run a guest house in the country and the plot revolves around them and their guests. As it is Winter they are cut off soon after the guests arrive due to snow. It does have some stereotypical characters who were probably used a lot in plays and books written at the time.

It was well acted by a cast that are well known to anyone who follow the soaps on tv and the long running BBC radio series The Archers.

The tour(the first of this production)continues around the UK and across the World(I understand it is or has been)touring Australia.

If you get the chance I still think it is worth seeing. It is the first play I have seen on stage in around thirty years.

Not A Good Night For Sleeping...

restless and in pain. More of an annoyance. Did finally get off around 5am and slept for five hours. Today I do my good deed of the day...I'd rather rest and take it easy but someone wants to look at and perhaps buy some fish from an aquatics shop for a new fish tank they have purchased and he asked me to go with him. The only good thing is at present the cost of travelling there and back is free.

I will come home and get ready afterwards and if time allows have either a salad or fruit salad. No need to cook so its nice and simple. Most of the ingredients just need washing. I've already boiled some eggs too. I have some baked potatoes already cooked that I can just heat up or have cold.

The weather(rain and wind)could be better but the pet shop and the theatre are close to the bus stops so I won't have to spend ages out in the open.

I better get myself ready as the bus arrives in approx 40 minutes...

Update:Back home...job done, he purchased some Angel Fish and Silver Sharks...plants to put in the tank, £53 lighter...him, not me.

I'm about to get washed and shaved, change my clothes, make a quick salad(no cooking)then off to the theatre. I must pay attention so I don't get lost in the plot of the story. Not good when its a murder mystery...

Its Only In Recent Weeks...

I have discovered that I have an answer phone service and that the intermittent dialling tone means that a message has been left for me to pick up. Why did no one tell me? Its quite handy to have. Not that many people call me. It would appear I have had it for over a year.

I also went unlisted so only a few have my number. Those who I have given it to, a few that used to have it when it was public and the odd unsolicited number that manages to get through.

Well, I think I'll settle down for the night, sounds as though a wind may be getting up outside which doesn't bode well for the weather over the weekend. Then again, it doesn't look promising for quite some time looking at my favourite weather site. Its raining too.

I do have a treat for tomorrow night, if well enough, a trip to the theatre to see the touring version of Agatha Christie's murder mystery of The Mousetrap.

Then I have Sunday to recover.

I Think That I Have My Diet Sussed...

Its not much of a summer so far but today I invested in a fair shop but most of it has long expiry dates...lots of fruit, vegetables, cheese and sliced meats. The plan is mainly meals that require no cooking. That can be eaten cold. Or in rolls/sandwiches.

I have all my vitamins/minerals and some fancy tea bags too. I would say in general I am 75% vegetarian and 25% meat, fish and diary.

I may up my cooked meals as we head into Autumn/Winter which will be here soon enough. I hope this pleasure is not closed to me in the future should my health deteriorate further which is possible.  Did I say that my very good friends, I've mentioned "The Gingerbread Mam" and my other friend who stood by me when I had to deal with the Housing Association and introduced me to the music club on the town, have fired my interest again and I'm quite a fan of ginger now...and I also now have in my store some fancy teabags with a variety of flavours too.

When I eat that is proof that my nature is something back to normal. Even if I eat less and have smaller portions. Also, though I have fears(who doesn't)they are being controlled and yes, I do find myself able to laugh and sing again without feeling guilty or stopping immediately because its wrong. All part of recovery process.

My mobility is poor but I have had some relief from pain and am able to avoid the painkillers for now. I will not give in until there is no choice.

One of my followers(another dear friend)who showed great kindness and support, has had worrying times(kept it private)but thankfully there is light at the end of the tunnel and all seems well. You know who you are. Just acknowledging your post.

Have managed to find "our" site again so I will hopefully return again...

How Can I Go Wrong With My Diet...

They say one of the best to follow to avoid illness or staying healthy is to stick mainly to a Mediterranean diet.

As I write I have fresh raspberries, bananas, blueberries, kiwis, strawberries, cherries, apples, melon, tomatoes, swede, cabbage, olive oil, kale, carrots, rice, potatoes, onions, garlic, mushrooms, leeks, asparagus, kale, spring onions, celery, watercress, spinach, beetroot, carrots, peppers, chicken, yogurt, nuts, cheese, eggs, milk, fish and spices. There are frozen and canned items too.

Not really sure I could have much more "good" stuff to choose from. All I need is imagination and the effort to try and do something a little different or cook items in a different way. A lot of the above can also be made into meals or sandwiches without the need of cooking which is even better.

I rarely bother with cakes/biscuits/desserts...just a habit that I seem to have grown out of.

To be honest the word "Diet" has been hijacked to mean losing weight and really whatever we eat is our diet. And unless you have a medical condition that restricts what you are allowed to eat most foods will do no harm and it comes down to portion size, calorific values, exercise etc...whether you want to maintain the weight you are or lose a few lbs.

A current couple of favourite diets at present is the 5/2 diet without trying I think my diet is quite close to this one. Another is called The Caveman Diet. That diet is better to ask what you don't eat on this diet as it seems to include just about every food you can think of.

I Want To Sleep And Am Drifting Between Consciousness...

and being unconscious but am unable to get comfortable. My legs ache. Its going to be a bad night I fear.

I went out earlier for adhesive tape to make a repair on my camera(design fault means a little door on the case won't stay shut)flimsy design and I suspect it will happen again if it was replaced but otherwise it is so good I'm keeping it. I forgot to buy the tape and came home with some fruit and yogurt on offer.

There are still some nice people around(I did not take my shopping trolley and should have)and was struggling with my stick and carrier bags...a young man and woman walked me home and carried them for me.

Its not the first time...in recent years people have shown kindness...

I also found out some news about my housing association(in a roundabout way)and has not seemingly been in the public domain as yet...so interesting times ahead...The HA news would affect all who rent from them over a large area. Possibly interesting times ahead.

I have more food to do me good or least harm(fruit, yogurt and vegetables)I managed to remember the tape later for the repair of the camera.

ETA Almost twelve hours later finally I have some rest with my legs and may get some restful sleep, good job I have no plans or need to go anywhere.