
Looking out of the window
Trying to stay strong
Just getting tired
Need to get along
Finding it difficult
To stay awake
Not blogging much
Staying quiet
Feeling tired.
Goodnight.
Weakness overcomes
New paintings and regular art updates.

Looking out of the window
Trying to stay strong
Just getting tired
Need to get along
Finding it difficult
To stay awake
Not blogging much
Staying quiet
Feeling tired.
Goodnight.
Weakness overcomes

I went out today to the health clinic. My friend helped me out so we went off for a hot chocolate afterwards. We were going to one cafe but the road was closed because some buildings are being knocked down. So we took a side street and ended up at Middleport pottery in Stoke-on-Trent.
The cafe there is in one of the old pottery buildings and overlooks the canal. I’m not sure who painted this mural but it is a delicate one that includes the love birds that appear on willow pattern plates and pots.
We sat near the door in a cool breeze and I enjoyed a rest after walking the short distance from the car park over the cobbled roadway to the cafe. I felt like I could start to recover.

I’d be curled up asleep
The cracks showing
My breath is no purr
More a slurring creak
I’ve been seen by the doctor
Medication prescribed
Now I wait for recovery
Bleugh
Tired and fed up.

Now I’m tired all the time, I try and do things and end up shattered.
I get fed up of having to take tablets everyday. Sometimes they have to be tweaked to adjust how my body copes with things. Currently I’ve stopped one type of tablet and have started on something new. All this takes time to get used to.
Life consists of doing a few things to try and keep contact with friends, but not really being able to cope with day to day tasks. My sister bought me a jar and bottle gripper a few weeks ago. It’s been a godsend because I’ve lost strength in my arms and hands. People of a certain age will have heard of Pansy Potter, the strong man’s daughter. I used to be really strong and, able to pick up heavy weights or open tightly closed jars, what happened to me? I’ve suddenly realised I have got old. I don’t mind looking old, but I wish I was able to get back some of my fitness. I know it’s important to keep moving if you have Parkinsons, but it’s hard when you feel tired. I want to go back in time. I want my life back.
Sorry, moaning over.
Describe your most memorable vacation.

I went on holiday on a wine tasting tour with my relative. Unfortunately I started coming down with a cold on the coach. Soon my nose was red with sneezing and my throat was sore.
Over the channel and into Europe. I slept most of the way. I had thought that I would be able to order some aspirin in a shop, but I made the mistake of asking for it in a familiar way rather than the proper (formal) way with strangers. I got an disapproving look!
Two days of cold with runny nose. I don’t remember much, I couldn’t taste the wine, I didn’t know how to order food. Half of the trip was during a local holiday so the shops shut at midday.
Eventually it was time to come home. I enjoyed the scenery, the friendly vineyards and wine tasting cellars. But I was glad to be back on the coach.
The highlight? Watching ‘ The hunt for Red October’ video on the TV above my seat. It cheered me up and took my mind off the journey.

Ugh!
Gotta bug!
Feeling ill and tired.
Didn’t sleep
Stayed awake
My throat sore
When I swallowed.
Feeling hot
Headache too
I don’t know
What I’ve acquired!
Better be well
I two days time
When singing
I will be
With a choir!

A drawing I did when I was in hospital 6 years ago with pneumonia. Even when I’m not well I still want to do art. I was in for a few days. When the antibiotics kicked in I started to feel better and got very bored, so I asked my hubby (bless him) to bring me a sketch pad and some pencils. It helped that I was in a side room and I had a view out across the valley with hospital buildings, houses and trees. I was a bit annoyed with the thick window frames that blocked a lot of the view but I guess they need to be sturdy. I hope I don’t have to go through that again, but if I do I will be asking for art materials!

Years ago I could draw well and u think I had good skills but now? The real thing I regret about having Parkinsons disease is that my manual dexterity and hand eye coordination are getting worse. I don’t know what the prognosis is but the Parkinsons nurse I spoke to at my last appointment told me that the tablets I am taking do not necessarily calm down the, shaking and tremors I’m experiencing. I thank the Internet for spellchecker because I don’t know if my writing would be OK without it. I can still draw but it takes time and at least I can digitally erase my mistakes. If I draw normally the shakes on my left side mean the sketchbook I’m using jerks around all over the place. So it’s easier to use an easle. My right hand is a bit more controlled if I concentrate hard. But Art is my whole life, if I can’t do it what will I do? I must learn to adapt, take the treatment I am given and hope. But there are other health problems I’m facing. I just have to have more tests…
How have you adapted to the changes brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic?

Yes, I followed the rules, wore a mask, have the vaccines. Used hand sanitiser and kept at a social distance. I have had a mild case of covid and am fine. But I worry that not everyone has followed the recommenations. I got it this year, which means it’s still circulating in the population.
Another worry is that Measles is on the rise again. There is vaccine hesitance that has been passed on to other diseases meaning that there could be another epidemic or pandemic. Measles is a nasty disease and can cause dangerous health issues including death.
Vaccination or inoculations were introduced by Edward Jenner I think? He used cowpox to prevent people getting the more dangerous Smallpox. I think he saw a farm girl or farm hand who had had cowpox and was apparently immune to smallpox. I might be wrong though. Check it out. Science is not always good but I don’t think we would be well off without it.

Eek, I now have an appointment to see what’s wrong with me and I’m scared. I don’t know what to expect or what treatment I’m going to be offered. My world has been spinning now for a couple of years, so I guess resolving it is a good idea, but my anxiety levels are skyrocketing.
Trying to say calm, repeating the word calm in my mind, trying to relax, stomach is churning though. My shaking has suddenly got worse, I feel like I’m a twisting pretzel or Staffordshire knot, I don’t know how to slacken the pressure.
Standing on the edge of a precipice wondering if I will fall or fly. I think this is just going to be a talk about results, but I really am not sure if I can cope.