Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Sleet

The ladies behind the counter in the charity shop shriek a little when the manager tells them it is sleeting outside. I confirm the truth of his statement but reassure them that it is so light that it is barely noticeable,

Monday, January 30, 2012

Chill factor

Unwilling to put the heating on when I am alone in the house, I pull a fleecy dressing gown on over my sweater and trousers. Immediately I can feel my legs and hand start to come to life again as my body warms up.

Homework

I glance at the assignment but computer coding means little to me. The results, however, seem to make sense as a basic game pops up onto the screen and I am invited to make a selection..

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Coffee

He buys the largest frothy coffee. As we chat about his future I am relieved that we have found our way back.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Surprise

'It's raining,' he says, hearing the heavy patter on the garden table. But when he looks through the window he sees snowflakes falling amongst the raindrops.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Caller

The lady from the bank is charming when I explain that I can't talk and promises to call back tomorrow. Although I know she will want to sell something, I am relieved that she doesn't pressurise me at that moment.

Celebration

Tiny cupcakes. The glitter sprinkled on the icing  resembles sparkling crushed strawberry.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Caught out

'We won't see anyone I know,' I say, leaving the house in old clothes and with little make-up on my face. As we search for a parking space at the supermarket we spot a friend and bump into her by the vegetable section.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Fire alarm

Just as the meeting is ending the fire alarm rings out with unfortunate timing. We must vacate the new building, to stand in a cold and rubble-strewn car park as the important visitor takes his leave.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Bubbles

A lavender-scented bath, warm but not too hot, offers bubbly respite from a challenging day.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Shopping

Disney's disappearance leaves another dark hole in the shopping centre, but outside the panpipe musicians play on.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Chili sauce

Hot is no substitute for sweet in this house, so we quickly locate the bottle and send it back with the grocery delivery man, whose van is blocking the road.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Once a year

Catching up over coffee in the park: shabby chic, daisies and ducks.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Sensitivity

The dental hygienist sprays my tooth with water  and the pain jumps unbearably. She completes the cleaning by hand.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Chinese

A successful driving test is celebrated by an expensive chicken feast from the Chinese takeaway.

Laptop

The laptop takes an age to install updates and restart, causing a knot of anxiety to form in my stomach which is only relieved when my desktop is visible again.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Outside

The coffee shop is crowded so I unexpectedly take my americano to a table outside. It's too cold to concentrate on people watching.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Ambulance

An ambulance stands in the middle of the pedestrian area, near Marks and Spencer. I go for a coffee and then wander round the corner to visit some charity shops. When I return, I am dismayed to see two ambulances and a paramedic car.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Blood pressure

The doctor chides me for not recording the checks I have done at home, but smiles when her machine shows that the medication appears to be working. I leave with a piece of paper in my hand.

An upset

The anger, triggered by something inconsequential, rises to a whirlwind of fury. Afterwards he is all smiles and we tend our wounds.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Maps

Using Google maps to plot the distance between a bus stop and a destination, I follow the route in detail and realise that it is further than I can now walk. I doubt whether I shall be making that journey on foot.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Window cleaners

Outside the window cleaners talk loudly in heavily accented voices, but I can't make out what they are saying. When I open the door later I find the wheelie bins left in disarray.

Moon

The full moon shines briefly down on us from a circular hole in the blanket of thick dark cloud. A moment later it is gone.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Premonition

Waiting at the bus stop I suddenly find myself thinking about someone I haven't seen for a couple of years. Thirty minutes later I bump into her in town.

Acceptance

Revisiting an old song for writing inspiration, the lyrics no longer flood me with sadness.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Wind blown

A white picket fence, flung across the pavement, bears witness to the ferocity of the wind in the depths of the night.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Coffee break

Over coffee we dissect a story in the news and regret that we can not predict its outcome.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

A visit

The wind howls and rain is buffetted on to obscured glass as the vampire searches for a vein. Two attempts later there is surprisingly just enough blood in the test tube to be sent off for testing.

Monday, January 2, 2012

Sunshine after the rain

Half a swirly lemon cheesecake, a gift from a friend, shines out at me when I open the fridge door.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Doom and gloom

The new year descends upon us in a dark mist of rain, a reflection, perhaps, of sadness which has crept too close in the last few days.