Nov 2, 2014 – willowdot21

The Meeting Nano Problano

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It had been a long day

As I walked home I was tired.

So I stopped for a rest along the way.

I was lonely and fed up too

I know I have a family and a husband true.

That doesn’t always make things right you know,

To the outside things may look perfect but that isn’t always so.

As I sat there I had a chat with God as I often had before,

Now don’t go telling people that or they will say I am off the loop or more!

I sat there telling him my fears when suddenly a really pleasant man appeared.

“May I sit here ” He asked “you look troubled can I help?”

There was something special about this guy he had a kindness in eyes

A gentle smile, he put me at my ease, he just did I can’t say why.

He asked me what was troubling me and why I looked so sad.

It was so strange because immediately I was telling him openly of all the troubles I felt I had.

I don’t know how he did it but he put me at my ease and let talk for hours,

He listened to me and he did not chide or tease.

There was no anger or irritation in his voice or eyes.

He seemed happy to listen and was not embarrassed when tears fell from my eyes.

He didn’t say much but his presence was such a comfort he made me feel alive.

Quietly he seemed to give me Strength he seemed to make me thrive.

As we sat there and the world went by

I felt a peace return, he made me feel myself again, he made me want to try.

The things that were weighing me down and making me feel so small

Were really not insurmountable, he made me feel as if nothing was too difficult at all.

Eventually I said I really ought to go I noticed the time

He said he would walk with me as his path was the same as mine.

I felt so safe in his company , like I never had before

He made the walk seem effortless as he saw me to my door.

I turned to ask him in for a cup of tea

But he was gone and no one was standing next to me.

Strange, yes it was but I remembered all he had said

And the gentle feeling of his being remained inside my head.

I hope we meet again one day for I shall never forget

The feeling of his kindness and his touch the day we met.

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: PUMPKINS,POPPEYS,HOSPITALS.

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Well hello everyone how are you all this Sunday, come on in we have moved indoors now as the Autumn is well and truly here and Winter is hot on her heels!! We have the coffee and the cakes all ready the fire is all lit! The sofas and armchairs all have their cushions all plumped up! So go on spoil yourselves we have stocked up on hot chocolate now and brought in some good books for you to read too! I can hear Paul has all his guests, who also have moved in here now, so lets see, what have you been up to this week?

If we were having Coffee: I’d say don’t worry about that guy sat over there on the right , he is quite pleasant if you don’t upset him and keep his coffee cup full up! I’d step carefully if I were you the coffee seems to be going straight through him but we do not need to upset him my mentioning it do, we. He arrived last night for Halloween and so far he has made no move to leave. Personally I can’t see he is doing any harm.

If we were having Coffee: I tell you it has been a strange week, one full of house sitting, windows, brief flashes of the Newbie and a visit to a private hospital! Where shall we start? The private hospital yes lets talk about that first. Now the husband needs an operation and it is being done on the National Health. He received a letter asking him to pick an appointment at one of the under named hospitals . One of the hospitals was a private one , after reading that this hospital was meant to be there the husband opted to choose it . It appears that the surgeons who work at the Private Hospitals do NHS work as well and it looks like they can also treat some patient from NHS at the private hospital and the NHS pays.

Well as it is a day operation we thought why not. So we drove to the hospital and it had free parking which totally threw us for a start you pay dearly by the hour at an NHS Hospital or clinic! When we went inside it was like being in the entrance lobby to an expensive hotel. We were greeted and and booked in by ladies in smart and fashionable uniforms . The Husband was asked to have his photo taken for recognition and security then we were asked to take a seat and handed two paper disks. There were soft leather chairs and sofas with glass top coffee tables in the waiting area. There was also a restaurant all set up for dinner with crisp linen serviettes and silver cutlery and wine glasses. Certainly not the hard chairs , WRVS cafe or vending machine you get at the NHS. Though to be fair some do have a good canteen/ restaurant but they are pricey. The two paper discs we had been given were for a complimentary, tea, coffee or juice. You don’t get that on the NHS.

After a very short while the husband was whisked away by a nurse who came to get him to see the specialist. While he was gone I had a good look around from what I could see there was a shop selling handbags, scarves, perfume and soaps , rather like a hotel shop. The restaurant looked absolutely beautiful. Really it was like being in a parallel universe. I am sorry to go on but the difference between private and NHS hospitals is extremely marked. I have had treatment at a private clinic before but I had not seen one like this one!

I have put two photos here to show the obvious differences between the two types of hospitals. We usually have to go to the NHS hospitals so this has been an eye opening experience. I will let you know how the operation goes, we are waiting for a date from the hospital.

If we were having coffee: I would have to say that it has been a very tiring week we have been dashing back and forth between hospitals (albeit posh ones) and the Newbie’s parents house to be there while new windows were put in. The husband kept busy gardening while I did some odd jobs around the house. It was extra good because we got to see the Newbie , he is so cute now and has really found his giggle button. I cannot tell you how much I love that little guy.

Where are my manners, would you like another cuppa or something naughty but nice to eat…. Don’t worry about that quiet guy on the right he is well behaved as long as no one disturbs him!

If we were having coffee: I have to say that my lovely eldest sister knitted me the most beautiful poppy to wear with pride. She is a very clever lady and she can knit, sew, crochet and her latest talent is scrap booking! Here above are some of her amazing knits!

If we were having coffee: I would say I am glad to see that October has come to a close. It has been a long month in which I have tried to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month with poems and videos some of them very personal. Unfortunately I was unaware that it was also MS. Awareness Month . agwink of Kentucky Angel sent me this comment “This was also MS Awareness month, but we don’t have the press breast cancer has. I hope someday that will change for all of us with orphan diseases.” I do feel very sorry about this and I shall ask you all to think about this, I shall have to think about this one and see if I cannot write something.

If we were having coffee: I ask if you like some Chocolate cake or some of the Cherry Bakewell or maybe a Caribbean or Russian Coffee? Well come on it’s your turn now to let me and Paul know what you are all thinking ! We both look forward to seeing you next week! Same place same time!

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IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: I would ask you if you would like another cuppa, or another cake . ! If we were having Coffee Original idea from http://parttimemonster.wordpress.com/

PLEASE LEAVE QUIETLY SO AS NOT TO UPSET THE QUIET GUY IN THE COWL. HE HAS ASSURED ME HE WILL BE GONE BY NEXT SUNDAY!!

If We Were Having Coffee: Guest Post– Nov.02/2014

Terrorism and Hopelessness

Welcome to Willow’s weekly coffee and tea garden. My name is Paul and I’m happy to be here once again inside Willow’s home where it is nice and toasty, tending to your needs for a cuppa, and sweets. We’ve moved inside to beat the winter cold in the garden. I’d be pleased to bring a pot of whatever beverage you prefer – we have a wide range of teas and coffees to satisfy our world-wide readership. We can relax with a cuppa and calorie free electronic sweets while we discuss the affairs of the week both personal and/or worldwide. How has your week been?

Here in Canada the debate has started over whether the “terrorist” killing in Ottawa was in fact the doings of a sick young man or a terrorist. Our government continues to categorize it as a terrorist action while a great many more thoughtful sources have started a dialogue on our mental health care system. In the name of terrorism, our government has begun making laws that increase police powers and allow evidence to be held in secret. Idiots. The last time they tried that, our Supreme Court struck down the laws as unconstitutional. Besides which, how can anyone realistically make a law forever without even taking the time to understand what occurred? This jumping to action without knowledge or understanding is so typically political it is tantamount to voter pandering. Idiots again. A waste of time and energy that could be better spent understanding thesituation. Sigh.

That was my rant for the post ladies and gentlemen – Thank You for your patience. How does your government handle terrorist occurrences? (After the fact.) Do you think they could perhaps do it better? Would you like another cuppa? A sweet? It’s nice to be here in the warmth of Willow’s while looking out at the cold and rain, isn’t it?

Personally I’ve had some ups and downs this week. On the bright side, a new medication has decreased joint pain and allowed me to walk easier, safer and further. On the down side I have developed a condition called “restless legs” in dialysis which actually got so bad Friday night that I had to terminate treatment early and was left feeling like a wrung out dish rag. I have a consultation on Monday, so hopefully the doctors will be able to suggest a treatment for this problem. It actually didn’t occur to me until right now that the two may be connected – Hmmm – I’ll have to check that out. How’s your health this week – better, worse, no change? Truly good health is a gift that goes uncelebrated until it’s gone. Do you agree with that?

I was sitting outside the hospital on Friday waiting for the second half of a test that required before/after radiological imaging when an older looking gentleman sat down nearby and started a conversation. He was dressed in hospital gowns and flip-flops and seemed like a very cheerful person. There is a psych ward on the fourth floor and it is common that the patients walk around outside, providing they are stable and safe and likely to return to the ward. For this reason conversations sometimes will take surreal directions – it is best to be wary. Anyway, he indicated that he was self-admitted for suicide watch. His story was that he was at home trying to suffocate himself with a plastic bag and found it uncomfortable – the plastic entering his nose and mouth. As a result, he decided to try and invent a more comfortable way to do this and was designing a cardboard insert that prevented the plastic from bothering him while he was suffocating. He was part way through the development of the new technology when he realized just how insane that really was and called the emergency number (911 here) for help. Having told his story he wished me a good day and departed back into the hospital.

During his story the gentleman had mentioned that he had finally received his first pension cheque while in hospital. He was 61 and had recently retired. He had a lot of bills and no money. He indicated how nice it was to have money in his bank account for a change. It was impossible to ignore the correlation between his lack of money and the attempted suicide in his story. He seemed in decent physical health and was cheerful and well spoken. And he had lost his will to live. Any thoughts? Have you ever met someone like this? It was the first time I had had such a conversation and it was thought-provoking for me.

Would you like another cuppa? I think I’ll have a sweet as well. Willow and I are honored that you dropped by today to visit. I hope you’ve enjoyed yourself and the conversation and please feel free to look around at Willow’s other posts while you’re here. Have a great week. We look forward to seeing you here in the garden again next week.

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: I would ask you if you would like another cuppa, or another cake . ! If we were having Coffee Original idea from http://parttimemonster.wordpress.com/