My First ever review of a dying year.

As 2018 neatly folds in on itself, smoothing out the pleats and brushing out the crumbs. 2019 stands in the wings waiting to burst forth filling all with hope.

Sorry I don’t believe that, I do not like New Year (there I have said it.) The truth, as I see it nothing will magically change or become better at midnight 31st December..

Nothing will resolve itself, all the resolving is up to us!

Now I have not ever done a review of a year as it passes or a preview of a year to come but 2018 was different.

So this might be my one and only shot at this type of blog.

The year started as it always does, a damp squid. But it warmed up, we had a family in Wedding and a trip to Mexico in April.

Then May arrived as did The Bloggers Bash in my old Stamping Ground of Chiswick.

I don’t know if you know I love The Bloggers Bash.

Here is all the information you need for The Bloggers Bash 2019

In June we visited the Houses of Parliament for PMQs and there was an incident!

Also in June I was nearly at the end of withdrawal from the last of my painkillers. Here is a post about the visit to Parliament and withdrawal here.

Ps. I am totally painkiller free now, no Tramadol or Gabapentin .

In June /July I met a young mum who lives near me who has Macular Degeneration ( not the age related one) and Stargardt disease . She started to go blind at 12yrs old. Now at 26yrs she has two wonderful children a partner and a beautiful guide dog. I go out with her when she takes her dog for its free exercise. As you know Ruby is a retired guide dog . The two dogs get on so well. I have become good friends with Natalie and Ruby is a favourite with her family. She says I help her, I say she has taught me a lot too.

Quala and Ruby, Ruby on the right.

Also in July I badly sprained my ankle…whilst walking Ruby!

September we took Ruby to France for a week, it was a success.

Top picture is us boarding Le Shuttle, second picture is Ruby and Hubby investigating a church in a wood. Here is a blog about a day on that holiday.

October came with Halloween and I did a month of spooky poems. Here is one of them.

Along came November and there was a surprise trip to Mexico.

So December arrived and I went on a course with the Silent Eye which I found truly affecting. I opened my soul, brain and heart to more that can be seen with the eye. Thank you to all who were there.

Here is a post about one sites we visited.

Then Christmas sadly not all the plans came fruition, I did not see my lovely grandsons, maybe this year will bring better times. Hey ho life is life no point in making myself ill.

We had the other lads round and friends too so I think I did a good job of wearing the happy mask.😁

I started this post on New Year’s Eve but time got away from me. So here I am on New Year’s day looking back on 2018. We went out last night and celebrated with friends. I have to say it still feels hollow. But no one likes a moaner or a miserable face.

Onwards and upwards to 2019. I have three resolutions.

1. If I can not change things in my life that are causing me pain I can hopefully learn to accept them and not mope.

2 Take forward what I learned on the Silent Eye Weekend.

3 Blog happily and do my very best to publish a book of poetry this year…. Any helpful tips on this gratefully received.😉

Thank you friends and followers I do love you all.