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Looking Ahead


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

Sally Townsend said…
Just the 10.5 miles was it ? hmmm do I admit to being impressed ? too hot to run here of course...
Chris Stovell said…
Sally, I did think afterwards I could have left off the half!
Norma Murray said…
I look forward to reading some of your creative writing.
mountainear said…
A very impressive distance - don't leave off the 0.5. Well done.
Faith said…
Chris, I'm currently reading Betty Shine and have just read a bit about how we all can tap into the network of healing with thoughts, so looks like we did with Aunt Joanie. Glad she is feeling better, poor love.
Glad Auntie Joanie is comfortable - bless her.
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 ......
Cait O'Connor said…
I envy you Chris doing the OU writing course. I have done a couple of writing courses with the OCA but in hindsight think I should have done the OU, I've studied with them in other subjects and they are top notch.
I am impressed with your running distances!
Frances said…
Hello to you Chris,

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
Flowerpot said…
I am deeply impressed by the running Chris - sounds like it's keeping you sane thruogh this really difficult time. I hope the OU course works well - it sounds just teh right thing to do at the moment. And I'm glad about your Auntie. Life is so strange sometimes isnt it?
Fennie said…
Ten and a half and then stopped by the rain! If I could run ten and a half miles - I can't really think of anything more I would really less like to do even in those days when I was a very little bit of a runner myself - I think the rain would be the last of my worries. So I am full of serious RESPECT for someone so athletic. Seriously though, so glad that your Aunt Joanie has picked up. It's all mind over matter really. But it's good that she feels she now has something to live for. General hospitals are enough to kill anyone. I ask myself if I were forced to live 3 months in a bed in a hospital - would I still be healthy at the end of it?
Amanda said…
It's good to hear that your Auntie Joanie seems brighter.
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? :-)
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kate.Kingsley said…
You know, I also find that I run best to music that I wouldn't necessarily choose to listen to whilst stationary. Hence my running playlist consists of A LOT of 80's soft rock and rubbish pop. I live in fear of the day someone stumbles across my MP3 player and thinks that these are my all times favourites songs, loving collected together for posterity! Well done on the 10.5 miles ~ it's a looooong time since i managed anything like that sort of distance

Glad to hear that Auntie Joanie is a bit brighter :-)
Lovely to read that Auntie Joan is feeling a little better and more comfortable.

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.
BT said…
Hi Chris, best of luck with your OU course. I hope it delivers what you want from it.

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!
Expat mum said…
I should do as you do and exercise to music. I was just on my eliptical (arms and legs) watching CNN. Every time an advert came on with music, I found myself working harder and faster.
Wow, so impressed with the running. Every time I think about starting again I look out at the hills and know it would hurt and go inside for a cup of tea. Wimp I know.
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.
Zinnia Cyclamen said…
So glad Auntie Joanie is comfortable, and taking her time. I completely agree about doing what you love, especially at school/uni - my father advised me to do that, I did, it's worked for me, and I pass on his advice whenever I can.
Beth said…
I just saw your congratulations to me! Thank you so much :)

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