THE FRENCH LIEUTENANT'S WOMAN!

My title this week has absolutely nothing to do with the 1981 film, nor John Fowles quite remarkable book, nor indeed the oscar nominated actress, Meryl Streep, but all to do with my coat!  I have a black coat, which although not a cape, has a hood, and the sleeves come down in a double flair.  If I venture out of the office, to collect the post, or deposit letters, I do not don my hat, but throw on my coat and pull the hood over my head.  I remember the scene where she stands on the cliff, and each time I wander out in such attire, I think, 'The French Lieutenant's woman!'.  I wonder who remembers the film, outside of my generation, or indeed who has read the book! The book, if I remember rightly, was unique in that it gave you a choice as to which ending you preferred, happy or sad. Perhaps, the concluding month of last year was my happy and sad!

I sat on Christmas Day, fingers poised, but unable to write.  It had been a turbulent week, (somewhat like the sea surrounding our femme fatale and the adaptation of her life,) with early starts, seasonal baking and busy days.  My gingerbread men all had legs and arms, and the mince pies were the proverbial 'hot cakes', flying out of the door!  Delivery men would come in and be gracious in accepting the delicacy, and once tasted would reopen the door and ask for another.  I felt as if I had been successful in my coup!  

The temperature dropped on Thursday afternoon, with the wind starting to gust at midday.  By the time we left the office, it was cold, and finally the temperatures plummeted to below freezing, and fell further into the negative range.  Fifteen fareinheit was the final figure in Austin, although other places saw much lower.  We had conserved our energy, as much as we could, by not turning on our beautiful little orange bags on our stairwell, and I had kept my laundry on hold so as not to drain supplies.  However, our 'grid' seemed to be coping admirably with the excess need, and Christmas lights did not seem to be extinguished anywhere else.  We had not been asked to 'conserve' but I was just being diligent!  Hurray for me!

Walking on Friday morning was a bit of a mistake.  I did not wear my coat, but instead put on something more suitable for sub freezing temperatures.  I should have known the minute I stepped foot outside the door, to turn around and come back in, but I persevered.  "I am going out now, and maybe sometime", was uttered as I opened my back door.  "What are you doing walking?" said a lady, who had approached in her car, and wound down her window.  "Who are you?" I was going to say, but she continued.  "Oh I am sorry, I thought you were someone else".  That would seem obvious.  Did she not care as much if I was not her friend?  If I was mad enough to walk in this weather, then why should she?  Did anyone stop Meryl Streep as she wandered on to that cliff in the storm?  If they did, there would be no film!

At the top of the hill, I nearly called Dana to pick me up.  Despite having a scarf shielding my mouth and nose, and glasses protecting my eyes, I was finding it hard to breath. The cold air was really too much to ingest during the exertion of energy.  Climbing the hill had been my downfall.  If I had only stayed on the 'straight and narrow' so to speak!  I returned home after a ten minute hike and decided enough was enough!

By Saturday, the temperatures had reached freezing, and Samantha and I went shopping, leaving the baby with Edward.  It was bitter outside, but the wind had dropped, and we shopped for essentials, which were plentiful.  Most places were closing early, to allow staff to go home and prepare for their own festivities.

Sunday morning saw a rise in the heat index, and by the time we went to lunch, it was a balmy forty five.  The baby was bundled up nicely, and his carrier covered with a blanket whilst he was transported from car to restaurant, which was but a few seconds.  Lunch was very pleasant, and for a few hours, everything was forgotten and time stood still.

Although Monday was a holiday, we kept to our routine.  The fact that I had postponed my laundry and other things meant that I was quite busy earlier on in the morning.  My walks had resumed and although the water was cold, there was a glimmer of hope that swimming could also resume within a week or two.  I think it was more wishful thinking than a glimmer of hope, but I never count anything out until it is counted out!

The post Christmas week was, as usual, a mix of quiet and tumultuous. "Can you....?" was asked several times a day by various clients, with some finding out their 'key witness' would be in town between the hours of two and three, in the morning, on New Years Eve, or similar scenarios.  It is always the same.  Of course, the actuality is that the 'key witness' will be nowhere near 'town' at that time, but happened to mention that they had been invited to a party, which they really did not consider a viable option, and if they did attend said party, which was probably less than a one percent chance, they would be passing by the venue, which backs on to the road, that backs on to the road, that backs on to the Interstate...!   Then there is the soon to be divorcee.  I may sound cynical, but reality is reality.  "She (or he) doesn't go anywhere. Doesn't have any friends or people who visit or to visit, so will be home all day, each day of the holidays".  Surprisingly enough, she (or he) is not there.  Let's face it, you are soon to be an 'ex'.  Why would she (or he) tell you!  Not the most pleasant of subjects to discuss during such a festive season, but as I said, 'reality'.  Perhaps, like the French Lieutenant's woman, I should give two options!  The happy ending is not that she (or he) is actually there, but that she (or he) is not, which means she (or he) does have friends, people who visit or to visit, each day of the holiday!  Always look on the bright side!

Although I did not wear shorts on Saturday, it certainly was warm enough to do so.  I felt quite warm in my jeans!  Plans for New Years Eve were the usual!  Stay in and hope another company does not have papers to deliver (for whatever reason) to me or my husband, because we would have been at home, with no one visiting!  It is not that I do not want a 'happy' new year, but I am just not 'into' the celebrations.  I do not have an opinion on those who do partake, but have respect for everyone's choice.  I think that the last few weeks have put into perspective that each day is a blessing, and I shall live it to the full, or at least to 'my' full!  

The water was quite cool on Sunday morning. I used my thermometer rather than my feet to find that out!  It was pleasant enough outside, and I enjoyed my early morning.  Perhaps today's heat and overnight 'not so' low will warm it enough for a swim tomorrow.  

I think I must have chosen the happy ending in the book, as I am a 'happy ending' sort of person.  I think most people would prefer the happy ending, although like the soon to be 'ex', I perhaps think I know more than is reality!  I am not sure that the 'coat' will even get 'airtime' next week, as it does not really look like it is going to get that cold, but hey, this is Austin folks!  

All that remains is for me to wish everyone a happy and healthy new year, with the hope that all your dreams come true, happiness and joy come in abundance (if that is your preferred ending) and sorrow is non-existent. (If that is your preferred ending.)  The reality is that the clock is still ticking, time is marching on, and I am finishing out one post and will continue next week with ............ another story!