If we were having Coffee: I would remind you that there are lots of other coffee mornings all shared and organized By Diana and Gene’O over at,Part time monster
Come on in it is nice to sit and have a chat after all the hustle and bustle of the past few days. I can still entertain you all with tea and coffee from all over the world not to mention all our cakes and muffins and as Paul calls them sweets! Every single one is calorie free! Plus of course we now have spirits and liquors to warm the coldest of you.
If we were having coffee: I would have to say what a busy week this has been, Monday we had our new worktop along under the kitchen window by the sink replaced. Either hubby I had to be there while the workmen were as we wanted to make sure that the work was done properly! As it certainly was not the first time. It was an unadulterated mess! So Monday we took no chance.
I had a scan at 11am so hubby stayed with the workmen and son number two took me for my scan. When we got back hubby had to go and take his mother to another hospital for an afternoon appointment so I was on workman watch!
Well the worktop is done now and I would say it is a near perfect as it can get!
BeforeAfter
If we were having coffee: Tuesday was busy too the gym shopping and housework all go ! Wednesday was the new Pilates with my friend L . We are finding this lesson very hard but excellent too as the teacher is very very good. In the afternoon hubby and I attended the funeral of the wife of our next door neighbour . She was a lovely lady and she will be missed.
Would anyone like another coffee or some cake or even something stronger.
If we were having coffee: I would say that Thursday I had to go to see the Dr about my scan results. No hard or fast news apart from the fact there is a problem with the gallbladder which may necessitate an operation and a possible abnormality with my kidneys…. the Dr is arranging for me to see a specialist about both. ..OH! yes she is also sending me for physio for my kne which I seem to have damaged. OMG I am falling to pieces
If we were having Coffee : I would tell Friday we went to London for a visit to the Houses of Parliament ….
We left home at 13.20pm we walked to the station in what I can only describe as wet rain! We refused to let this dampen our spirits though because we were both very excited about the visit ! Hubby should of gone to the houses of Parliament when he was a young lad at school but for whatever reason he missed the visit …. Then we had an appointment to go in October last year but my sister was on the danger list and so we missed our visit. My sister sadly died.
So we were determined that hubby would make it third time around! We arrived at Waterloo and took the short walk to Westminster where we met by security and and armed policemen ( I still cannot get used to armed policemen though by now I should be used to them.)
Palace of Westminster late afternoon
The above photo is of the Houses of Parliament, late afternoon from the far side of Westminster Bridge. Why have I called it Palace of Westminster , because that is what it is read here.
We were early as our tour was at 16.35 pm so we went to the cafe and had a coffee! Then we went into Westminster Hall and soaked up the atmosphere and buzz.
Our tour guide was called Anna and she was excellent, we went through the central lobby, and along the voting corridors… read here . Then we went to see the royal robing rooms that the Queen uses to dress for occasions of state .
Then we saw the Lobbies and then finally both Houses of Parliament , the Commons and the Lords. Unfortunately we were not allowed to take any photos of these .
It was an amazing tour and we learned so much about our Parliament and the buildings which had been a Royal place. The tour lasted about an hour and a half. Then we walked along the river back towards Waterloo and the Festival Hall. We had dinner at Pizza Express then walked back to Waterloo Station to catch our train home. We had had a great day out!
The Hammer Beam roof of Westminster HallThe front entrance, the window is for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.
Next four photos are taken in St Georges Hall.
We walked along the River to have dinner and saw the London EyeAll that was left of DinnerWaterloo StationOne last look at the Westminster Hall
If we were having coffee : I would tell you that Saturday Core Class was still as hard as last weeks! When I got back from class I visited our new neighbours to meet their new Puppy Inca who is an adorable female Labrador Puppy. My friend Stan ( Jean’s beautiful dog ) will love her! Visit Jean’s and dare I say Stan’s blog at Socialbridge
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Meet Inca.
Then we had a visit from our eldest son.
Would you like another cuppa or something to eat!
If we were having Coffee : I would tell you that today Sunday we are meeting up with the our youngest son and his wife and the Newbie to celebrate our son’s birthday. We are taking the hubby’s Mum. Unfortunately our middle son has to work and our eldest has a prior arrangement that he cannot get out of. It will be lovely for the rest of us to be together though. We are really looking forward to Lunch out….. and the Newbie of course!
If we were having coffee :I am amazed to say that we are almost into the last week of Just Jot it January , organised by LindaGHill it has been amazing and I have met some really great bloggers.
If we were having Coffee: I would have to say we are all sill waiting patiently for our dear Paul Curran to rejoin us here at the coffee share but until he is well enough and up and running again we shall have to bide our time!
If we were having Coffee: I would remind you that there are lots of other coffee mornings all shared and organized By Diana and Gene’O over at,Part time monster
Come on in it is nice to sit and have a chat after all the hustle and bustle of the past few days. I can still entertain you all with tea and coffee from all over the world not to mention all our cakes and muffins and as Paul calls them sweets! Every single one is calorie free! Plus of course we now have spirits and liquors to warm the coldest of you.
If we were having coffee : I would have to say what a sad week this has been in the music and entertaining world . Both David Bowie and Alan Rickman dying of cancer at the age of 69yrs with just a few days between them.
David Bowie was a huge influence and icon to me in my youth and still was up until his death. His music, clothes, lyrics are what have coloured many decades of my life. Enough has been said about him to fill several books so I shall let his music speak for him!
He was my hero.
Alan Rickman a wonderful actor who went from stage to screen, Shakespeare to the silver screen with ease. Truly,deeply, madly, Die Hard, Harry Potter, Robin Hood Prince of Thieves to name but a few!
Truly he was a lovely man.
If we were having coffee : I would offer you another cuppa or a treat of some kind would you like something stronger maybe it is very cold here today we even woke up to snow and the temperature is a very chilly 2c/ 36 F so come on lets get nearer the fire.
What have you been up to this week . I have been very busy shopping and housework. I have been to the new class of Pilates again and this week my friend L came with me she found it very hard but also excellent so we shall both be doing the course together. As for my core class on Saturday …my that is so hard . I think the two months plus I was away from the gym is taking it’s toll. I am hoping for improvement soon!
If we were having coffee: Sadly I still have not got to see Star Wars yet! I don’t think there is much chance of me seeing it this week either. Monday the men are coming to refit one of our kitchen worktops ( they have made a holy mess of the long run under the window and put an abysmal joint by the sink! Right in eye line as you enter the kitchen). Also I have a scan at 11am and so the hubby will have to stay home and make sure all goes well in the kitchen. In the afternoon hubby has to take his mother for a hospital appointment so I shall be on workman supervision if they have not finished the task! Tuesday is a possible but Wednesday is Pilates in the morning and we have a funeral to attend in the afternoon. Thursday we have an upholsterer coming to fix one of our sofas. I am annoyed about this as we have not had these a year yet and the stitching is coming apart on a part of the sofa we hardly ever sit on!! Friday though I am looking forward to as hubby and I are going for a tour of Parliament !! WOOHOO ! a day in London.
So Star Wars has to wait and goodness only knows when I shall get to see The Danish Woman!
If we were having coffee: I would ask you how your blogging has been this week I have been very busy as it is still January and January means Just Jot It January. This is run by LindaGHill it is hard but I do enjoy a challenge!
If we were having Coffee: I would have to say we are all sill waiting patiently for our dear Paul Curran to rejoin us here at the coffee share but until he is well enough and up and running again we shall have to bide our time!
Welcome everyone to the first If we were having coffee of the New Year 2016. Although the weather has been unseasonably mild the temperature has dropped and the rain has set in and the wind has been really wild. Some parts of the country are having truly severe weather with more to come update … read here
If we were having Coffee: I would remind you that there are lots of other coffee mornings all shared and organized By Diana and Gene’O over at,Part time monster
Come on in it is nice to sit and have a chat after all the hustle and bustle of the past few days. I can still entertain you all with tea and coffee from all over the world not to mention all our cakes and muffins and as Paul calls them sweets! Every single one is calorie free! Plus of course we now have spirits and liquors to warm the coldest of you.
If we were having coffee: I would say come on lets sit down and have a quiet cuppa , a piece of cake and be grateful that Christmas, New Year and all that entails is finally all behind us. I am very lucky in that with all the argy bargy that goes with family and friends at New Year and Christmas I do have them. Although at times I wish things would be more peaceful I should be counting my blessings that I have them to drive me mad, a safe warm home and food and drink! Talking of which what can I get you.
There are many out there who dread this time of the year. They may have been bereaved at this time of the year, homeless, abused or just have so many money worries that all the month of December brings is fear and depression. Sadly a high number of suicides are noted at this time of year.
I have to tell you about Geoff Lepard who gives the great gift of himself to the charity Christmas at Crisis you can read about it here. It is a very worthy charity and it is not only there for Christmas but is working to help the homeless all year round. Hubby and I have donated to this charity instead of buying each other presents on occasion.
If we were having coffee: Tuesday after Christmas wehad guests all day which was lovely as they were all surprise guests so I did not need to get stressed out! Wednesday we had a lovely surprise, the Newbie’s dad ( our youngest son) rang us early in the morning to tell us he was taking the Newbie to a Soft Play Barn near us and would we like to join them… we did not need asking twice and we had a lovely time. On our return the hubby was out to lunch with a friend until 2pm then we were off to friends for drinks and nibbles! So we had two extremely social days!!
If we were having coffee: I would ask you did you celebrate New Year. We did we went out to friends and had a lovely time , what did you do?
If we were having Coffee: I would tell you that I am now, like many of you three days into Just Jot January and so far managing to keep up. Now it is never too late to join in the rules and the prompts are here . A big thanks to LindaGHill for organizing these yearly events.
If we were having Coffee: I would have to say we are all sill waiting patiently for our dear Paul Curran to rejoin us here at the coffee share but until he is well enough and up and running again we shall have to bide our time!
Welcome everyone to the first If we were having coffee after Christmas. Although the weather has been unseasonably mild the last two days the temperature has dropped and the rain has set in and the wind has been really wild. Some parts of the country are having truly severe weather with more to come … read here
If we were having Coffee: I would remind you that there are lots of other coffee mornings all shared and organized By Diana and Gene’O over at,Part time monster
Come on in it nice to sit and have a chat after all the hustle and bustle of the past few days. I can still entertain you all with tea and coffee from all over the world not to mention all our cakes and muffins and as Paul calls them sweets! Every single one is calorie free! Plus of course we now have spirits and liquors to warm the coldest of you.
Well Christmas dinner came and went and it was not without a hitch! There was a little stress in the kitchen the Turkey needed to be removed from the oven and turned. Well that was the plan, but that is not what happened! The Turkey rashly threw itself on the floor spilling fat and oil all over the floor, the units and the hubby! Thankfully he was quick thinking and dashed up stairs disrobing as he went! Number two son managed to grab the roasting hot turkey and throw it into a clean pan and we got it back into the oven.
We washed the floor and the units and hubby washed and changed and all disasters were avoided! Dinner was delicious and fun though our eldest lad does have a habit of winding number two son up!
If we were having coffee :
It has been a very busy week, shopping, wrapping presents, cooking and entertaining! Yesterday, Boxing Day we ( sons number one and two, hubby and I and mother in law ) all trooped off to the Newbie’s and we had a wonderful day. From an excited welcome to lots of play and present opening and to round it up a walk to to the local play park!!
If we were having Coffee: I would have to say we are all sill waiting patiently for our dear Paul Curran to rejoin us here at the coffee share but until he is well enough and up and running again we shall have to bide our time!
If we were having coffee:The weather is getting distinctly wintry, fogs, rain, frost and cold so lets all go inside and be comfy by the fire. I can still entertain you all with tea and coffee from all over the world not to mention all our cakes and muffins and as Paul calls them sweets! Every single one is calorie free! Plus of course we now have spirits and liquors to warm the coldest of you.
If we were having Coffee: I would remind you that there are lots of other coffee mornings all shared and organized By Diana and Gene’O over at,Part time monster
If we were having coffee: Again I will have to say there is no post from our beloved Sunday guest contributor Paul Curran. Despite myself , Mark Bialczak and Outlierbabe emailing him there has been no word from him for at least a fortnight. Lets all send him good vibes and hopeful wishes. All Paul’s readers are welcome to join us !
If we were having coffee: I offer you another cuppa and ask you to help yourselves to cakes and biscuits. I am keeping my distance this week as I have an awful cold and cough and I don’t want any of you to catch it so as much as I want to, no hugs or kisses!! I am still struggling and today I have nasty stomach ache.
If we were having coffee:I would tell you that the kitchen is progressing and looking lovely here are some more pictures.
New PaintingNew Blinds openRadiator that matches blindsBlinds closed
If we were having coffee : I would have to say that for many reasons I am sad and unwell so I shall write you all a poem so as not to say too much.
If we were having coffee : I would offer you another cuppa and some cake? Now that is about it for this week. Again this week we have seen more terror and anguish. So beware, be safe and please stay here and take your ease and chat . Thank you all for coming and I will see you all next week! I also hope that we will hear from Paul this week too.
If we were having coffee:The weather is getting distinctly wintry, fogs, rain, frost and cold so lets all go inside and be comfy by the fire. Paul and I can still entertain you all with tea and coffee from all over the world not to mention all our cakes and muffins and as Paul calls them sweets! Every single one is calorie free! Plus of course we now have spirits and liquors to warm the coldest of you.
If we were having Coffee: I would remind you that there are lots of other coffee mornings all shared and organized By Diana and Gene’O over at,Part time monster
If we were having coffee: I would have to say take me as you find me, don’t get me wrong I am delighted that you have all come. I truly look forward to these gatherings they are one of my weekly treats. The truth is I am not fully recovered from the funeral.May I speak a little of it? Has every one got the drink of their choice and a cake or biscuit, I am having a hot chocolate with brandy.
If we were having coffee: We all arrived on the Monday, while some of the family where clearing out M’s house and belongings hubby and I had the better task ( though in truth it was not a task at all in fact it was a real pleasure ) of entertaining my cousin and her husband. We went for a walk along the river and talked about M and the family, my cousin’s side of the family ( my mum’s) then we started on Grandparents and great grand parents. In the evening we all went for a meal in a local pub, it was strange to feel so happy and to have all brothers, sisters, in laws, nephews, nieces and children tight around us. Why had we left a gathering like this until the night before the funeral…. why?
The day of the funeral was heartbreaking. I accompanied my sisters and one cousin to see M , I could not stay in the room where she was laid out in the coffin. It hurt me so to see the tiny empty shell, all that was left of my beautiful sister. Then it was like an interminable wait until the actual funeral. I was grateful that all three of our sons came they were a great comfort and support. They made the hubby very proud. Nine out the thirteen nephews, nieces and godchildren came to the funeral, a testimony to how much she was loved. The church was full and everyone stayed after for tea and refreshments, so many people and they all had lovely stories to tell us about our sister M.
In the evening we all went out for another meal to celebrate her life. There were more of us there that night and again it was a happy occasion we all told stories and shared memories . I did wander if this was right to be happy after a funeral. Then after some thought I realized that Mary would be so happy that we were all together and happy.
If we were having Coffee : Well another cuppa anyone? I promise that even though I am still reeling from all of the above I shall not mention it again, unless asked I know it happens to us all and that it happens all day every day but it is the first time I have lost a sibling.
If we were having coffee: I would say that the rest of this week after Wednesday have past , shopping , cleaning, going to the gym, cooking. I have made it thus far and no doubt I shall come out the other side and get on with life.
We have also over the last month had a new kitchen installed, it is beautiful and when I can concentrate on it I shall show you it… it is not finished yet.
Welcome dear friends I have been remiss these last few weeks but I have lost one of my beloved sisters. Unfortunately her funeral is not to be held for over another week and I am finding it hard to get back to normal.
M. liked her coffee just as I did, we would often put the world to rights, argue, commiserate, or just sit in companionable silence in either the kitchen or the lounge. I may not of seen her regularly because she did not live anywhere near me but she was always there at the end of a phone or computer. I miss her we all miss her she leaves a huge hole in our lives.
If we were having coffee:The weather is getting distinctly wintry, fogs, rain, frost and cold so lets all go inside and be comfy by the fire. Paul and I can still entertain you all with tea and coffee from all over the world not to mention all our cakes and muffins and as Paul calls them sweets! Every single one is calorie free! Plus of course we now have spirits and liquors to warm the coldest of you.
If we were having Coffee: I would remind you that there are lots of other coffee mornings all shared and organized By Diana and Gene’O over at,Part time monster do join in.
If we were having coffee: I would have to say that I know I have not been posting as often as I usually but there is so much on my mind and happening in my life right now. I have been making an effort to keep up with all your posts, please forgive me if I am not commenting as much as I usually do but I am still here and checking you all out.
Well that’s about all I have to say this week so lets go and see what Paul and his guests are up to. I promise I shall get back to normal very soon, please just bear with me.
Welcome to Willow’s weekly coffee and tea garden. My name is Paul; I’ll be your barista today. I’m happy to see you have come for a cuppa and a chat. I am delighted to be back at Willow’s serving you, our treasured readers, a cuppa and sweets while we chat. Please come into the garden and make yourself comfortable. Willow fluffed the cushions on the chairs and set the tables in the garden so we can have a cuppa and chat as we soak up the sun and enjoy the beautiful plants. She has also brought out the heaters so we can stretch our outside tea time further into the fall. As usual, 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. Also available is a large selection of spirits for addition to your cuppa or in its place. We can relax amongst the flowers while we discuss the affairs of the week both personal and/or worldwide. How has your week been?
I have spent some extra time in the hospital this week. I have an infection that is related to my dialysis and it is proving difficult to address. We’re currently using intravenous antibiotics and have just added a round of oral antibiotics. The infection is under control but is not disappearing as quickly as the doctors would like. The initial visit entailed spending the night waiting in emergency – which then stretched well into the following day – actually about 3 pm before I got home – that’s a story. The antibiotics cause diarrhoea and so on the way home, I had to get off my handicap bus when he stopped to pick up another passenger. The bus would not wait, of course, so I called for another pickup and explained what had happened. They have a policy that they do not pick up after 2 pm for same day calls as it is their busy period – which left me stranded at a mall many miles from home. @#$%^&*! I ended up taking a taxi home. Oh well – insult to injury.
So, I’m limping around feeling bad for myself when my friend John (name changed) drops by to visit. He has picked up some TP and bread for me as I can’t get out – he is a kind soul and always asks if I need anything when he is out. He sits down with a serious face and tells me that he has just come from a meeting with his employer and they are putting him on medical leave. He has been diagnosed with testicular cancer. It is early days yet as the diagnosis just came Friday so much testing has yet to be done. He has honoured me by explaining that he hasn’t told family yet. I have had and beaten colon cancer and we talked about the emotions involved and options available.
I explained to him that I have been told that cancer treatment is very personal – everyone reacts differently. For me, the treatment was completely pain free. It was the side effects that really knocked me for a loop. There are days when I would not go through it again, and days when I would. Each time I consider it I come up with a different answer. My best advice to him was to take it one day at a time by asking himself:”Do I have what I need to get through today?” When the answer is yes, then proceed. In the end it is actually amazing how little we really need.
Suitcases and food
Would you like another cuppa? Perhaps a sweet? Anyway, we spent some time discussing this and John went to leave. He went out my back door which leads to a small private deck and a set of stairs down to the parking lot. Sitting on the deck were a suitcase, boxes and plastic bags. John asked if they were mine. I told him they were not, that I was surprised, and asked if they were there when he came in. He said they were. We checked out the suitcases and boxes and they were all canned food and pasta and pots and pans and cleaning supplies – almost all new. Even the suitcase looked new.
We carted the boxes, bags and suitcase inside. There were no personal clothes or goods with the shipment. Mysteriously, there was one small transparent clamshell fresh food container that had been scrubbed so clean as to appear brand new. Written on the tag was “”Deluxe Fruit Salad – Large” We checked through everything and found canned goods, cereal, some towels, pasts and the like. It’s all piled neatly on my floor now except for a big can of Puritan Beans and Wieners, a package of spaghetti and the mysterious clam shell – which are sitting here on my desk as I write.
After some discussion, John and I have come to the conclusion that one of our mutual friends – Frank – must have left the goods there. Frank is as mysterious as the clam shell. He has a room here in our complex but says he spends time at a rehab centre sometimes in Kingston – about a 2 ½ hour drive from here. One day he showed up at my door with the most delicious homemade soup that I have ever tasted – soup he made himself. Another day he dropped off two seemingly random used books – no explanation other than he thought I might like them. He asked me to help him one day with his computer – a used computer he had gotten as a gift. It worked fine but wouldn’t hook to the internet – we have cable here. I was able to determine that the problem was in the wiring in the wall, not the computer and he had the manager get it fixed. It was about that time that he started dropping off things.
Anyway, John went and peeked into Frank’s window and although the bed and dresser were there, all personal goods appeared gone. I’m not exactly sure what to do with all of Frank’s stuff. There are a few items, like partial boxes of cereal that I will have to eat. I suppose I’ll wait for a few weeks to see if Frank comes back.
On that note, that’s about all we have room for this week, so it’s time to settle in with another cuppa and enjoy the garden. Sweets anyone? I hope you didn’t mind the story today, and that you found it a bit more positive than last week’s story. Please join me in thanking Willow for her invitation to tea. We are all happy that Willow is back and honoured that you all dropped by today to visit. I hope you’ve enjoyed yourself and the conversation and please look around at Willow’s other posts while you’re here. Willow is over there serving her guests and chatting it up. Let’s go see how she is today. Have a great week. We look forward to seeing you back here for sweets and beverages of your choice again next week.
Welcome to Willow’s weekly coffee and tea garden. My name is Paul; I’ll be your barista today. I’m happy to see you have come for a cuppa and a chat. I am delighted to be back at Willow’s serving you, our treasured readers, a cuppa and sweets while we chat. Please come into the garden and make yourself comfortable. Willow fluffed the cushions on the chairs and set the tables in the garden so we can have a cuppa and chat as we soak up the sun and enjoy the beautiful plants. She has also brought out the heaters so we can stretch our outside tea time further into the fall. As usual, 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. Also available is a large selection of spirits for addition to your cuppa or in its place. We can relax amongst the flowers while we discuss the affairs of the week both personal and/or worldwide. How has your week been?
Well, my week had a few rough moments but things seem to be improving now so all is good. In preparation for writing this post I was pondering restarts and realized that I had told a trucking story while guesting over at Mark’s, about the very first time I pulled into the terminal with my new truck, starting a new job – and my thoughts and feelings. You can read it here. I realized that the very last time I was in that terminal was an interesting story as well and thought I might tell it here, if you’re interested. It actually happened in the second week of October some years ago and it marked a new beginning.
After 6 years of working for the company in Maine I was offered a position with a home town company doing really interesting work – hauling all the stuff that no one else wanted to, or could, haul- oversized, nuclear, overweight, multiple extra axles, escorted, military weapons, biohazards, etc. The company was a specialized carrier – meaning they did what no one else would or could – and elite outfit. No two loads were the same and a lot of thinking went into each load – the reward wasn’t for getting it there the fastest but rather the safest. My forte, so I switched companies. I had worked for them for about 3 months when I had an accident and rolled my truck – just body damage, no load damage or injuries, and while I was waiting for repairs to be done I drove a company truck for a few months.Then one day in Massachusetts, my dispatcher told me to come back to the yard in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia empty- a very rare occurrence. I was in one of the highest density transport corridors in Eastern North America (Boston- New York) with an empty flatbed and I was going to drive 1,000 kilometers (about 660 miles) empty? No, there was something going unsaid here. I told Jennifer – the dispatcher – that I would need money for fuel and food. Typically, I would draw an advance when I had a load aboard but heading back empty I need the cash now. We used a number of fund transfer systems, but most commonly a system called Comchek. They had an account at Comchek and if I wanted funds they would authorize release for whatever the agreed upon amount would be and give me an authorization number. With that and their account number, I could pick up the cash at any Comchek agent – which was virtually every truck stop in North America – and it was debited from their account. Jennifer hesitated and told me to call from Dysart’s – a truck stop in Bangor Maine that we all used prior to turning east to Canada. Flashing alarm bells went off in my head – it was irrelevant where in the universe I was, Comchek was centralized- if I couldn’t get money in Mass, I couldn’t get it in Maine. I had just enough fuel to get to Dysart’s but then would have no money for food or fuel. Typically, I ran close on cash and this didn’t bother me – it was a minute’s work to get cash anywhere 24/7 with a Comchek number – but apparently that was no longer an option.
I grumbled but walked out to the truck and climbed in to head out to Bangor. The trucking part was old hat now and I enjoyed the feeling of the big diesel rumbling as speed built on the interstate. The trailer was empty and followed neatly behind, ever vigilant. I could feel all the normal vibrations and taste the smells that constituted the personality of the truck. It was home now and I was comfortable and alert here. Surprises were rare and easily handled with the experience I had accumulated over the past 7 years. During that time there had been some exhilarating moments, some very sad moments and some excruciatingly hair-raising moments of unparalleled terror. All of it used to shape and guide future behaviour. I was a part of this world now and it a part of me. I could glance at a truck and tell you how heavy he was loaded, if the driver was new or just didn’t care or if I was looking at a professional. Feeling a little under the weather I plugged in Red Sovine’s Teddy Bear to have a pity party – I would never admit to the other drivers that I listened to Red’s music, but when I was down it helped.
Would you like another cuppa. We have adult beverages to add to that if you like. And perhaps a sweet or two? We are going to have some fun here, so get ready. The 239 miles to Bangor passed uneventfully as I pondered Jennifer’s cryptic comment. I used to assess customers’ ability pay for the company and I could smell a cash shortage a long ways away – and this had that stink. Sure enough when I called the office from Bangor, the owner came on the phone and told me to bring the truck back to the yard. I explained that my fuel tanks were empty – perhaps enough for 20 miles and I had no food. Mike – the owner- would give me no more info but just insisted that I find a way back with his truck. He got very blustery and reminded me that I had his equipment and any attempt on my part to do anything other than return it to the yard would result in him taking legal action. That was so out of line – my being an employee driving for him for many months at his request when I was where and when he asked me to be- it was clear to me that they were going bankrupt. He had gone to a route response, without considering the impact of his words. Hmmm, that gave me information and offered options that I didn’t have before. I told him I would get back to the terminal and we disconnected – in many ways.
So, I was in Maine, 450 miles from home with empty fuel tanks, no money for food and the company was bankrupt. No problem. My previous employer, the company in Maine, was about 100 miles away on the route home so I gave the owner a call. I knew that the two companies did business with each other and that my current employer owed Dale – my past employer – for a number of loads, likely $10,000 USD or more. When I got Daleon the phone, I told him I had a deal for him.
“Dale, I am here to make your day brighter.” “More likely you want me to help you, you mean.” Dale could be so cynical. “Well, I may end up getting some benefit, but you will come out the big winner, guaranteed.” “What do you want Paul?” “Mikey is going bankrupt and no one but you and I know yet. I know he owes you and you’ll never get your money – unless of course you have something of his.” “What do you mean Mike is going bankrupt? He has two of my loads right now.” Ahhh, the stakes grow. I explained my request for fuel and food and Mike’s surreal response. “So what do you think that means Dale?” Dale was no man’s fool and had dealt with other companies for years. “You’re right, he’s losing it. What do you propose I do?” He knew I wouldn’t be on the phone to complain – I had a plan or I wouldn’t have called. “Well, you send me $100 for fuel, $200 for food and travel expenses and I will deliver to your yard one tractor-trailer that is the property of our common friend Mike. There is no way he will be able to get at it being as he is in another country and you can hold it as collateral against any money he owes you. If one of your guys will give me a lift to Dartmouth so I can get home, I’ll be happily on my way and you can be assured of getting paid.”
There was a long pause on the line while Dale processed this. “You mean you would sell out Mike?” “Dale, I am obeying orders – he told me to find my own way home and left me 450 miles away with his equipment and no money. I promised him I would get home. He just assumed I would bring his truck with me but if I have to sell it to you for the amazingly low price of $300 then that is what it takes. He has other creditors who would be interested too, I’m sure – it’s just that you’ve been good to me before, so I am offering you this amazing deal first.” Honestly, I should have made a living selling used cars. Ha! “Done. But how do I know I can trust you?” “Come on Dale we worked together for 6 years, you know you can.” “Right. OK. Here’s an authorization number for $300 by Comchek” as he rattled off a number, “When will you be here?” “Give me 2 ½ hours and you will have $100,000 worth of collateral; Don’t mention this to anyone until I am in your yard – if Mike gets whiff he could have the State Troopers stop me. That would be bad for both of us.” Ahhh, co-conspirator of mine,
With a spring in my step, I crossed to the fuel desk, gave them the Comchek number and received my $300. I put in $100 worth of fuel (less than ¼ tank), grabbed somesandwiches to go and headed down the Airline (Route #9) for the terminal.
The truck was purring along, not even caring that it was headed for purgatory through no fault of its own. In fact it felt surprisingly jubilant. I pulled into the same now-familiar yard on a late fall afternoon with the leaves changing in rural Maine. There was a light breeze as I parked in the line-up and grabbed my already packed suitcase to step down from the truck. Dale was standing waiting for me as I crossed the lot and I held out the keys and then dropped them in his out-stretched hand. “There you go sir, as promised, one tractor trailer for the princely sum of $300. The best deal you ever got.” “Tom over there is going to Dartmouth as soon as he is done his paperwork, you can ridewith him.” “Thanks Dale. Oh, and Mike will likely try to steal this back so you should have one of the mechanics remove a critical component or two.” Dale just nodded. That was the last time I ever saw him or the terminal yard where so many memories had been made. It felt like a cheerful parting.
Not long after Tom and I headed out to home. With only 350 miles to go, we took turns driving and chatting and we were in Dartmouth in the wee hours of the morning. I had my girl friend pick me up from the industrial center where Tom was delivering and we dropped my paperwork from my last load at the office and then went home to sleep. The next day, bright and early I called Mike. “Hey Mike, I’m back. Thought you’d want to know.” “Where’s the truck Paul?” Apparently he paid attention to what was, or more specifically wasn’t, in his yard. Ha! “Well, remember I said I didn’t have any money and you wouldn’t send me any?” “Where’s the fucking truck Paul?” “So”, I continued,” I ran it until it was out of fuel and I had to leave it in a safe place, because you know you wouldn’t send me any money for fuel for your truck.” “The fucking truck Paul, the fucking truck –WHERE IS IT?”
I was enjoying this far too much. “Well Mike, I knew you would want it safe so I left it all locked up in Dale’s yard.” “Bring me the fucking keys Paul.” “Well, Dale’s yard is quite small and he needed to keep the keys to move it when he needed to. I thought you would be happy that the truck was safe Mike.” Bwahahaha!
On that note, that’s about all we have room for this week, so it’s time to settle in with another cuppa and enjoy the garden. Sweets anyone? I hope you didn’t mind the story today, it seemed to mean a new start for me- a Fall new start as so often happens in life. Please join me in thanking Willow for her invitation to tea. We are all happy that Willow is back and honored that you all dropped by today to visit. I hope you’ve enjoyed yourself and the conversation and please look around at Willow’s other posts while you’re here. Willow is over there serving her guests and chatting it up. Let’s go see how she is today. Have a great week. We look forward to seeing you back here for sweets and beverages of your choice again next week.
Hello everyone welcome to the garden we have a marquee and heaters, all the garden furniture has been washed and I have put out cushions for your comfort.
Well what do you think shall we chance it . Now as always we have tea and coffee from all over the world not to mention all our cakes and muffins and as Paul calls them sweets! Every single one is calorie free! Plus of course we now have spirits and liquors to warm the coldest of you.
If we were having Coffee: I would ask you what has been going on in your world this week, has anything deeply affected you, have you need a sympathetic ear, a shoulder to cry on or just needed someone to make you laugh! If yes feel free to talk it out here with us. We will all help if we can.
Lets join everyone here and all the other “IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEES”
If we were having Coffee: I would remind you that there are lots of other coffee mornings all shared and organized By Diana and Gene’O over at,Part time monster
If we were having coffee: I would tell you just how much I would like to pretend that I have all the time in world this week but sadly my time is very clipped today. We have the mother in law over most Sundays…. for some reason neither of the husbands two siblings seem to see fit to have her over, so most Sundays, outings and Holidays ( as our American friends say, to me Christmas,Easter and bank holidays fall to us. ) Now we don’t mind but it does get a little stressful when there are other things on the cards that need to be organized!….. Enough I am not moaning just stating facts!
If we were having coffee: I would tell you it has been a strange week as I have been under the weather and spent two days in bed with stomach ache. So it has not been a normal week as I was unable to get out and do most of the usual things that make my week normal. I like normal it makes me feel safe anything else tends to upset my equilibrium!
Now I have found a very interesting new blog, on first sight it appears to be a cookery blog but as the posts started coming to my email I discovered that it is also about a very brave and courageous mother of nine children’s account of her life as a foreigner living and married to a man in Saudi, she has amazed and inspired me, also I love her recipes. Do pop over and check out at Lynz real cooking. here is one of her triumphs …go on let’s all have a piece!
If we were having coffee : I would ask what are the big things that affected you in the news this week. As I said I have been out of it most of the week but what has seeped through to me is that the Number of Muslim women who are taking off for Syria to join isis from this country,the UK , is growing . Well okay if these women feel they need to dessert the life they have grown up with over here and want to give up every last vestige of freedom then fine they make their own beds let them lie in them. But they are taking children with them, some very young children too. Apparently these women are doing this mad exodus without their husbands or families knowing ?
It started with young men being radicalized by youtube and social media, then it was young girls and now women with children are up and fleeing into what I can only see as the unknown. Well if young men , girls and women want to leave here and head out to join isis so be it. Now to my mind their actions do not come without consequences if they go they can never return. Let us face it how could they ever be trusted not to turn against us? That said it is not fair of them to take their children with them, what mother can willing take their children into a war zone, a place where women are treated a cheap chattels and worth less than cattle. It pains me to say this but it is wrong . Read here
Right If we were having coffee : Can I get you a top up or perhaps you would like something stronger.
Tomato crop coming onand bigAutumn coloursTidied upWhite rose risingLast splash of Summer
If we were having coffee : I would ask if I can fill up your cup, or glass or get you anything else to eat it is all calorie free!
Let us go and Join Paul and the gang they are all over at Mark Bialczak this week and see what they are all discussing ! It has been lovely as always to have you all here and I hope, as does Paul that you will all join us here again next week.
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If we were having Coffee: I would have to say we are all sill waiting patiently for our dear Paul Curran to rejoin us here at the coffee share but until he is well enough and up and running again we shall have to bide our time!
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