Befriending the Black-eyed Dog
Ma sits alone at home night after night, she’s in constant pain and, occasionally, there are days when she doesn’t talk to anyone. She might - justifiably - grumble from time to time, but she resolutely deals with everything life chucks at her without going under. I have no reason to feel depressed yet September begins with the oppressive sense of the sky falling down on me which also makes me terribly ashamed. However, as I mention in ‘Running Kind’, experience has taught me that punishing myself for perceived failures only leaves me depleted and less able to look after anyone else, so, when Tom heads to the south-east to catch up with old friends, I stay at home to refill the well. I read a lot, I listen to hours of music, I go for a long run and soak up the sights and sounds of the changing season. Not so much an attack from the black-eyed dog, but a gentle reminder that a bit of self-care is not selfish.
Sailing
Our poor boat has languished in the marina for much of the summer, but finally we manage to take Blue Nun for a couple of sails. We spend a gloriously sunny weekend at Longoar Bay where we watch a harvest moon rise above the land and a second tucked up in the Cleddau River away from a very gusty wind.
Our poor boat has languished in the marina for much of the summer, but finally we manage to take Blue Nun for a couple of sails. We spend a gloriously sunny weekend at Longoar Bay where we watch a harvest moon rise above the land and a second tucked up in the Cleddau River away from a very gusty wind.
Running
In a week and half’s time - fingers crossed - I’ll be taking part in my eighth Cardiff Half Marathon, my - gulp - fifteenth half marathon. I’ve also completed over fifty parkruns now. That’s a lot of miles and a powerful reminder of time marching on. I suspect it’s too late now for me to break that 2 hour half marathon, but, hey, I’ll keep trying.
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