Exercise ?

Now it’s 2026 I want to get more exercise. I want to put the past few years behind me and try and make a new start. I’ve been stuck in my world of problems for too long.

I tried table tennis over the last few months, but my health isn’t good and I do struggle with movement and motivation. I have stopped going out as much as I used to, I find myself making excuses, will the ground be too slippery? Can I walk that far? I know I’m losing strength in my muscles and I really need to do something now before I give up completely. I’m not that old, but my body is acting like it’s 10 years older.

I guess this is my new years resolution. Even if I don’t do as well as I want I will try.

Waiting..

We will call you at 3pm.

So I stood in the kitchen, next to the phone at 3pm, it was on charge and I didn’t want to miss the call. It’s cold in the kitchen, but that’s where my charger is..

Half past 3, still no call. I had been trying to do a few stretches as I have been too sedentary since I had to scrap my car. It aches when I move and that’s clearly not good for me. A few upper body stretches and push aways from the kitchen counter.

3.45pm, did I get the time wrong? I started playing a game on my phone, I like Mahjong. Maybe they would call at 4pm?

Now it’s 4.06pm.im not impressed, if you promise to call you should make it. Maybe the caller is ill. In that case send a text to alert the recipient!

At least I got a bit of exercise.

Grotesque

What to write about? My writing group have decided to write something about the word grotesque. I hope I can create something that is in a horror/comedy style.

I think by including a character that hides it’s appearance might be part of the scenario. It will have to be well described so you can visualise what is going on. I’m not brilliant at writing dialogue, but I feel there could be a conversation. Maybe like in the children’s story of red riding hood, or beauty and the beast? Somewhere between the two? I’ve got a couple of weeks to come up with a story or a poem….

Thinking laterally I suggested mime. (I won a funny face pulling competition at school once!).

Restless legs

I’m sleep deprived again. I get into bed and my legs twitch and itch, feel sore and uncomfortable. After tossing and turning for a couple of hours came downstairs and slept in my armchair. It feels like having sheet and duvet resting on my legs makes it worse, but as it is cold in my bedroom I have to cover my legs up….

This seems to be happening more regularly and I decided to see what I could find out. I have Parkinsons disease and wondered if it was anything to do with it?

I’ve heard of restless legs syndrome so Googled it. Here’s the answer:

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, is a neurological disorder causing an overwhelming, uncomfortable urge to move your legs, often with crawling, itching, or aching sensations, especially when resting in the evening or at night, with movement temporarily relieving the feelings. It’s a common, often unrecognised condition linked to dopamine issues in the brain, low iron, or other conditions, leading to sleep disturbances and daytime tiredness, but it is treatable through lifestyle changes or medication.

Reading that makes sense to me. I think I’ve realised this is the cause.

Cat window

I don’t notice this everyday, but this is a ginger cat window that I designed soon after we moved into our house. My friend, who was actually a carpenter, made this leaded glass window for us. It’s a really unique piece of art and I love it on a sunny day when it really sparkles. It’s about 30 years old now.

If I could I would design another window to sit in the window at the top of the stairs. I like the idea of a really gothic idea with vine leaves and a black and white cat stari6out of the window. Perhaps I will draw or paint the idea.

Snow!

Snow is falling. The road is covered by it and since we live on a steep hill cars are coming up but doing three point turns because of it. I’ve seen at least 5 reversing lights through the front door window so far tonight. I think it was gritted during the initial snow fall, but they haven’t come back and it’s 11.45pm now.

It’s worrying because this is the main route ambulances take up to the hospital. We don’t get a lot of snow in the winter so I thought it was worth taking a photo. I hope it clears up soon. Another car just turned up the street then turned round and one crept down the hill very slowly. We just aren’t used to snow in this country.

Witch doodle

One of my doodles of characters for the play.

Last summer I was helping produce a play called the Six Towns. It was for the  Penkhull Mystery Play on a Saturday in July.

Not that many people saw it because it was outside on the church green. As it was on a windy day the voices of the performers were lost to the audience. Our retelling of the story will be slightly longer and will also be inside with microphones. It was successful in July so I hope it does equally well in February and helps raise funding for the Mystery Play coming up in July.