WELCOME TO WEEK 23!

Welcome to week twenty three!  Amid the violent tempest reported this week, I sat silent.  Although there was no doubt a great deal going on a few miles from my house, I chose not to engage.  It has come to a point where I am shouting, "Stop the world, I want to get off!"  Hence my silence.  Debate seems to be a word that is no longer in the English language and due to a few things I may have said in the past, that were not the same opinion of the person to whom I was talking, anything I have to say in certain circles, is misconstrued, and even if I agree wholeheartedly, and sincerely, I am attacked.  Hence my silence!  Instead, I got on with my life.  After all, change cannot be made without moving on and learning from the past.  Forgive, maybe. Forget, not an option.  Okay, so I broke my silence!

This week, for me, had been calm, and rather busy.  There was an influx of work on Monday, and we saw old clients returning, and some new clients appearing.  "Are you back at work?"  We never left!  Things were becoming more and more like 'old times'.  The word 'normal' has been recreated, and it appears it cannot be used without putting the word 'new' before, and that is something I have tried to refrain from doing.  I do not want a 'new' normal.  I just want normal.  As I re-read my last sentence, I can see those who oppose me 'jumping' to conclusions.  There is little point in explaining my definition of 'normal'.

In other news, my mother has gone from strength to strength.  Her voice is back to normal and her body is recovering, slowly but surely.  She is more mobile.  The response to complaints, however, has been rather less than satisfactory.  It appears to be almost stalling.  It was something that Elise and I discussed during the week.  At the start of the week, a resolution as to how to continue seemed as far away as normality.  However, it was early days, and Monday continued.

Welcome to week 23! Apparently, Monday was the birthday of Brigham Young, (a United States politician and giant figure in the Mormon Church), and Marilyn Monroe.  Had they still been alive, they would have been 219 and 94.  I think both would have been in the category of 'vulnerable', although had Mr. Young been alive, he would probably be considered invincible!  

The weather was rather indifferent, as indifferent as many would

have wrongly calculated my temperament.  However, such as it was, I did not swim.  I walked Monday night, and again on Tuesday evening.  Apparently, Tuesday saw the birth date of the Marquis de Sade, a rather infamous fellow, from whence we get the term, Sadist.  I think that speaks for itself!  Again, this does not pertain to my temperament.  

Work was steady and a break midday would have disrupted the continuity, and that was something I was trying to avoid.  However, we did break with tradition, and on Tuesday took the guys out on a 'works outing'.  It really wasn't a traditional 'works outing', but more of a 'thank you' to our brave, valiant office staff, and Edward.  We were not particularly thanking Edward, but as he and Samantha come as a pair, it seemed appropriate.  We headed for the diner, Jims, which had been closed during the 'demic', and was now open at half capacity.  Blake had recently commented that he 'loved that place', but when we had discussed dinner during a previous week, it had not been open.  We were not the only patrons, thankfully, and sat at a table for six, which was currently the maximum allowed.  The waitress was delighted at having such a large crowd to tend to and thanked us a dozen times for coming into this establishment.  It was a fun evening.  We seemed to be 'far from the madding crowd'.  

I wasn't sure as to whether I was going to hit any disruption on Wednesday when heading across town to get my nails painted.  Traffic was decidedly 'normal' and I encountered a few minor 'hold ups' which made me smile.  Michele and I had a very agreeable chat during my manicure, and I left with purple and lilac nails, adorned with silver anomalies.  I was delighted.  This, too, made me smile.  I turned off the radio on the way back to the office, as this time, I was not interested in opinion.  However, the radio does not talk back...yet....and I can debate to my hearts content!

Among other news, on June 3rd, the future King of England, who would have ruled under the name of Edward VIII, married an American citizen, Wallis Warfield Simpson, after abdicating from the British throne.  Word has it that it was probably for the best, or we would all be talking German!!  I swam Wednesday evening, as it was warm, and I arrived home earlier than usual.  I just wanted to wash the world away, and it was too hot to walk.  

A parcel had been sitting at the door of the speech therapist who offices opposite us.  As it had been there for a day or two, I had thought about bringing it into our office for safe keeping.  However, it did occur to me that she may come to collect it at the weekend, and she would not be able to retrieve it.  The telephone number to her office went straight to her office, and I was also unsure as to whether she was checking the answerphone.  I looked her up online.  "If you would like a consultation", read the message, and so I filled out the form.  "Reason for consultation", was the only option I had and I wrote in the box.  I didn't actually need to consult with her, just communicate, and I wrote a slightly witty comment.  The response was almost immediate.  It appears that she had been communicating with the delivery people, who were adamant that they had left it on her 'front porch' at her home.  As not only her street address, but zip code differed from the one on the package, it was rather odd that they should have insisted that it was left at her house.  It certainly was not left on a 'front porch', but in a corridor.  She had been waiting for the parcel, and it appeared it contained important materials for her work.  She planned to 'have words' with those in charge, and much as she is one of the sweetest, kindest, most demure (in the finest form of the definition of the word) person I have met, I did not envy the recipient of her wrath.  'Hell hath no fury.....', came to mind.  There is none more intimidating than an Englishwoman abroad, pronouncing every syllable of the Queen's English, nor a speech therapist riled!  Tame (and demure) as we may seem, our venom is toxic!  Perhaps a little strong, but be warned those of you who wish to take on a lady who can correct a disorder!  I await her report!

The week's end finished on a high note.  There had been little time for frivolity during the workday, although we made the most of the 'little' time.  It felt very good to be under a little bit more pressure than we have felt for the past month, and whilst our business usually means it is not good for some, it is what makes the world turn.  At the risk of sounding controversial, it is the 'circle of life'.  Not everything we deliver is 'bad news'.  

I had been emailing one of our clients who had been working from what was the 'comfort' of her home, but longed for the day when she could return to her office.  Every day I had sent a list of projects to her, with a witty note.  At least I hoped it was witty!  My ante-penultimate email of the week to my 'homebound' girl, started with the news that our Governor had announced the implementing of Phase III.  I announced that the last time I had heard of a Phase III was when the Osmond's announced their new album and impending tour, back in the very early 1970's.  I could not help but compare the two.  Although I did not go to the concert, nor buy the album, I have always associated any phrase that starts with Phase with that event!  I had to email again, and my penultimate email stated with, 'today's offering comes with a side order of fries.  Unfortunately, you have to provide your own fries!'  I had to make an adjustment to the email, as there had been an error.  "Sorry....mistake....", I wrote and gave her the update.  "Bet you thought I was going to say I would provide the fries!" was my last line.  An offering of 'smiley faces' in response was good enough for me!

Saturday was glorious.  Hot but glorious.  I headed 'poolside' around one in the afternoon, and there were several people there.  It was okay as my chair was still open.  One by one they left, (not immediately,) and one commented that she would be back.  "I will no doubt be here!" I said.  "I have no doubt you will!" she said back to me.  She explained to her friend that I was a 'fixture'.  It was said in a lighthearted manner, but it was true!  Arriving at the pool and finding it busy was unusual.  Leaving it busy was even more unusual, but I had spent more than my intended time there, due to interesting chats with neighbours.  'Testing the water' was rather an apt phrase for the day, considering our surroundings, as everyone skirted around current events, and no one was dominant.  Opinions were expressed.  However, we headed away from current events, and chatted in general.  Lots of chit-chat. Inane but delightful!

In other news, the problem of the complaint to the hospital, albeit not resolved, took on a new turn.  Both Elise and I agreed that our complaint was not only about my mother, but about protocol, and that needed to be addressed.  I have a plan!  (I know, previously this has not been a good idea, but...!)  Hell hath no fury....a speech therapist I am not, but an Englishwoman abroad I am.  I am woman, hear me roar!  I shall not go into details on this glorious Sunday, where the sun is shining, and the water is waiting, but a new tempest is on the horizon.  Stay tuned for ............. another story!