Honestly! If it wasn’t so sad it would almost be funny. After visiting Auntie Joanie last week I really didn’t think she’d still be here, especially since the medics had warned the family to think in days rather than weeks, but it seems she’s perked up a bit! In the general hospital she was sinking fast but it seems that some tender loving care in a pleasant environment has definitely made life more bearable for her again. Perhaps all your good wishes, both here and sent to me privately and for which I thank you, have reached her somehow. Ultimately there will be no miracle recovery because the odds are so heavily stacked against her but it seems that Auntie Joanie isn’t ready to let go just yet.
I’m grateful, too, for the suggestions for my treadmill playlist. After some trial and error I have discovered that it’s hardcore that does it for me! How tragic is that!! The fast, insistent beat, which would drive me crazy in real life, is absolutely brilliant for keeping me up to pace. The speed sessions have really helped my long runs and I’m knocking three and four minutes off my best times. Don’t think that Team GB will be calling on me any time soon, though. Running has been very important to me in times of emotional upheaval and it’s given me time out this summer from worry and disappointment. I ran ten and half miles this morning (before the torrential rain came in again) and once I’d settled into the rhythm I reached that blissful state when thoughts just come and go without hurting or causing pain. Can’t say the same about my legs which are aching today.
Encouraged by Tom, who has been thoroughly enjoying his OU music course (A214) I have signed up for a creative writing module, A215. As well as doing some learning for learning’s sake I’m looking forwards to stepping out my comfort zone a bit and trying some different creative forms. In a way it’s also an opportunity to set right what I sometimes think of as an old mistake when I rejected reading English at university in favour of European Studies and German which I naively believed would make me more employable. Ha! What a lot I had to learn! I might have been employable but for work I didn’t really want to do. Rejecting what you love for something you believe might be practical seems an entirely ludicrous way of doing business now with the benefit of hindsight.
Whilst I was making my mind up about the OU course I took some soundings from the lovely Novel Racers who were enthusiatic in their recommendations. Congratulations to b who got a distinction for A215 this year and I’m glad to have Fiona's company as she has signed up too. Congratulations, too, to Novel Racer, Lucy Diamondwhose novel , Over You, is the the Lovereading top ten. Well done all.
Image is a monoprint, 'By the Cliff Edge' by Tom Tomos
Comments
10.5 miles??????? Good god woman- that's from here to town ....yikes the very thought leaves me out of breath!
You have more company on A215! Not having done any for two years I thought it was time to get back to OU...and I just didn't want to do any more science at the mo so thought ...aha I really fancy that ......
I am impressed with your running distances!
I just loved reading this post. It was full of wisdom, and some fun, too.
Tom's print was the perfect entryway to what you wrote.
xo
And, wow, I'm so impressed by your running - I thought I was doing well, doing 10 minutes on the running machine. :-O Clearly, I'm not am I? :-)
Glad to hear that Auntie Joanie is a bit brighter :-)
10.5 miles, I'm seriously impressed, I find driving that distance exhausting. You can tell I come from a small place.
Good luck with your creative writing course too.
I'm glad Aunt Joanie has rallied a bit. Hospices are wonderful places. May her remaining days be peaceful and pain free.
xx
I think 10 miles is amazing. I couldn't run one mile!
Very glad to hear about your aunt and envious of the OU course, perhaps I should keep something like that in mind for when I stop work.