I think I’ve found my mojo again, which is nice, isn’t it? It’s always a worry when you lose it, in case you can’t find it again, like a hamster disappearing under the floorboards. I remember cleaning out my hamster once (and it could only have been the once because normally I’d plead insanity or a year’s supply of homework when the cage got a bit whiffy until Dad caved in and did it), anyway, I thought I’d put the hamster in its playpod thingy, but when I turned round it was crouched next to me, watching me and I had to risk several fingers trying to catch it again.
My friend, Susan’s, hamster staged a much more spectacular escape (but then it would because Susan led the technicolour, soundaround version of my life). Whereas my hamster was so dull I can’t even remember what it was called, Susan had a gorgeous, creamy-orange bundle of fluffy loveliness called Peachy. Because Peachy was so cute, Susan couldn’t bear to parted from her and when the family went to Longleat, Peachy went too, which was all fine and dandy until half-way round the lion enclosure when they realised Peachy’s cage was empty. Fortunately Peachy wasn’t snarfed up by a lion, although Susan’s family nearly got eaten when Susan tried to make them get out the car to look for her.
Susan and I were friends mainly because we walked to school together. I lived in a then deeply unfashionable Victorian semi and Susan’s family had a swanky new house on the swish estate up the road, leaving me with a nagging suspicion that Susan was leading a far more glamorous life than me. One day, when I had only just stopped drawing pictures of myself on horseback, winning rosettes at gymkhanas, Susan and I were crossing the road on the way to school and, as she turned her head, I saw the biggest lovebite I have ever seen on Susan's butter-wouldn't-melt neck – confirmation of Susan’s secret, sophisticated life. Mind you, I did get my own back a few weeks later when Susan developed a massive cold sore and I told her it was probably the first sign of syphilis from her lovebite, causing the poor girl many sleepless nights.
Anyway, the mojo’s returned because my training for the Llanelli half-marathon is going really well at the moment (famous last words). After a slow start it’s all fallen into place. Last Sunday I had one of those magic long runs when the weather was perfect, I felt good, switched off and flew round. That’ll probably mean that I’ll be utterly crap in a couple of week’s time. Hotel H is busy this week so not a huge amount to report on the writing front except that I’ve now got 22 lines of poetry for my next TMA. Only another 18 to go.
Painting is ‘Craig Cau and the Lake’ (where we are heading tomorrow) by Tom Tomos
Comments
I'm glad to hear the training is going well. I have finally killed all thoughts of the Llanelli half by catching yet another bug and haven't been for a run since Friday. I should be out today, but can't even get up the stairs, let alone up the Preselis. I will be cheering you on gustily from the comfort of my sofa!
Heck, you've made me remember Iused to draw those pictures too....ponies with tons of rosettes on their bridles and me grinning wildly at the judge. Never had the pony sadly.
Poor Susan indeed.
Fabulous to see you've started a new novel. jx
Your friend sounds like the posh bird out of Shirley Valentine, the one played by Joanna Lumley. I'm sure you're nothing like Shirley however!!
Best wishes,
CJ xx
Lovely picture, I wish I was going there, it looks so calm and beautiful.
Best of luck with the running. The only running I do, is in my dreams, and then it's because I'm late or something.
And yay to the returning mojo:-)
I also had a best friend called Susan who was also much more glamorous and worldly wise than me. She ended up marrying a milkman and living in a spotlessly clean house somewhere in suburbia. She didn't have a hamster, though. Or a lovebite, as far as I remember...
JJ, mean of me though!
Suffolkmum, hope you got out for your run, you'll have felt better for it!
Mags, that's brilliant hamster story, respect to the hamster! So sorry to hear you are poorly again.. hope you are getting lots of tlc.
Jane, I'm glad I wasn't the only horsey fantastsist! In reality I was clomping around on series of hired grumpy old ponies!
Crystal, I bet you do a marathon's worth of running around during your day anyway!
Pondside, yes, I think it's time to just make the most of it!
Cait, a touch of Spring is working wonders; new life, snowdrops and - amazing - a little sunshine!
Fp, the dentist didn't agree that I had lost a filling... guess that hole must be my imagination then!!
Debs, see comment one! I did feel guilty about being so mean when I saw her face but it was just beautiful timing as we had just 'done' VD (as we called it then) at school!
Lane, an imagination that needs a little restraint at times! Thank you, all hail to the mojo!
Lampie, I'm glad it did and that you are not cyber-tutting at me!
LBD, er the last time I looked I didn't seem to have that kind of mojo! Brilliant line though! I did see my Susan again about 15 years ago and, probably as karma for my lovebite quip, she continued to have a lovely, fluffy, highly successful life/husband/career/child etc. We haven't kept the contact going!
Kitty, well I'm assuming it's mine now it's turned up but I do know it isn't Muddy Water's mojo which, according to LBD's FIL, is quite a different beast! And you wouldn't want one of those to peep out the pipework at you!
Great hampster story.
Lovely picture again.
Expatmum -!!
Edward... I DO know, unfortunately!
SBS, life writing next so you'll have plenty to write about!