This year is fast fading and what a year! I have to admit that I have struggled in the last few days as London went into the new Tier 4. It all happened so fast and we have had a decision to make, though I know we are luckier than a lot of people. My youngest son's girlfriend was due to come to us for Christmas. She is on her own (parents in Japan) and after the first lockdown ended she formed a bubble with us. However, my husband is Type 1 diabetic and worried about things. If she came she would have to stay for at least two nights as neither she, nor us, have transport. She lives in London, but not local. The decision has been made that my son will spend Christmas with his girlfriend. I am putting together a box of home made bakes, plus their Christmas crackers that I made myself.
During the stress of all this I started getting dreadful toothache - like over senstivity, but much worse. The pains went into my sinuses, my head and neck. I had to resort to painkillers which took the edge off. I phoned my dentist on Monday and got an emergency appointment for today. I ended up with two appointments whereby I had fifteen minutes at home to shove some food down myself before going back (porridge, was the quickest!). I saw a specialist in Endodontics. She is a miracle worker! After tests and x-rays she drilled into a crown to clean the area, put antiseptic on and pack it. She says that one of the nerves has died and the other is dying but inflamed, hence the pain. I have to go back in January for root canal treatment, but I am pain free and can eat and drink without going through the roof in agony. I am so grateful.
I thought I might get a chance to do some live carol singing as the choir I belong to was asked by a church if we would do that. It all went downhill when first we went into Tier 3 and some of the singers lived in Tier 2, so it was cancelled. Little did we know that just two days later we would end up in yet a higher Tier. I have missed singing so much. We are hoping singing might happen in the summer term, but that's so far away. I did do a voice part for the virtual choir (I have given the link at the bottom for the YouTube video), but other than that I have had to make do with with some Live Facebook concerts where I could join in with Christmas carols (and I had mince pies and mulled wine to toast them with!)
Though everything got on top of me.,I'm determined to enjoy Christmas. Everything is done and ready, save making my mince pies and a cake - not a traditional cake, but a vegan one! Apart from the Quorn Roast, which is vegetarian, not vegan, everything else will be vegan (and some turkey for the one meat eater who will be here!)
On the writing front, I am so pleased that I have finally finished my Christmas Novella. It's been at least three years in writing, but I love my characters. This is the first draft. I know there is still a lot to do, but the fact that I have finished the story is a point of satisfaction.
I am still waiting to hear about the publication of the anthology which will contain one of my lockdown poems. My first novella-in-flash didn't make it to the next stage of the competition, though I was told that it was enjoyed and has much to recommend it. I intend to submit elsewhere now, but ultimately if I can't find a publisher, this is one that I would consider self-publishing.
I had a short story highly commended recently too, and this may at some stage appear in an anthology. I've had many rejections of poems and short stories - not unusual! I have written few poems in this time and have been unable to meet my writing buddy for several weeks. Instead, I have been buying books! I had a nice collection of three books from Valley Press a few days ago, the last part of subscription, as well the current book I bought from them called Glass Work Humans, a collection of stories and poems by Paul Cowan Tom Gillespie and John McKenzie, all Scottish! I've began reading it today and am really enjoying the collection.
I am hoping for a few books for Christmas too.
With a new year coming I am starting to think about new ventures. I love writing my travel blog, though at times with lockdown it hasn't always been easy, especially during the second lockdown when I wrote a blog a day for NaBloPoMo. I had to be resourceful. Strangely, I have walked and taken more photos this year than any other, and I am waiting for the green light to start proper travel. I have a long list of places in the UK I want to visit, and walks I want to do.
My plans haven't go further than that - planning for travel. It's the main thing I want to do.
This will probably be my last post here before Christmas (and probably New Year), so I'd like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas, however you are able to spend it. Let's hope that next year is a much better one for us all.
No comments:
Post a Comment