All they’re good for

Posted on July 16, 2009 by oldgreypoet| 6 Comments

While the kettle boiled for my second coffee of the day I sorted out the shelf in a cupboard where I lodge my pills and potions, popped the morning doses, including a new one, evil-tasting on the tongue, containing a cocktail of vitamins and minerals ‘specially formulated for the over-50s’.  Not sure I can remember being fifty now, events, yes, but not what it felt like.

Feeling chill I wandered into the living room to give the heating a nudge, then upstairs to fetch a nice warm snuggly sweater.

And then I looked out of the little window, over the garage and on to the houses opposite and the trees beyond.  There’s a valley side behind them though you can’t see it this time of year for all the verdant leafage.

You’d not much enjoy it, anyway.  Not today.  There’s a dank, unpleasant grey mist over everything, and valley tops are only attractive if you can see them.

Perhaps. Well, they’re attractive even if you can’t see them, I suppose, at least as much as the sound of a one-handed clap in the forest is, with no-one to hear.

Funny thing, the memory as you get older.  Some things are so clear you could cut your nose on them.  Others fade away like cheap snapshots, fit only for a moment’s reclaimed brilliance on the fire. As with my nice warm sweater, it can sometimes feel as though that burst of flame is all they’re good for.

Cilfrew

Cilfrew

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6 Responses to All they’re good for

  1. Jim | July 16, 2009 at 11:48 |

    Dour and dreary today? But the writing is lovely.

    Thanks, Jim.

  2. Shirley, in PA | July 16, 2009 at 13:07 |

    I didn’t realize the weather in Wales had changed so much. Last week you said it was hot, and today you need a sweater. Is this typical? I relate to your comments regarding memory. I can recall moments from my childhood with absolutely clarity, but walking into a room with a purpose which escapes me quick as a wink happens on a regular basis. Sigh. :)

    Weather here changes quick as quick, Shirley… That’s probably why we Brits find it so endlessly interesting… :-)

  3. Bonnie | July 16, 2009 at 15:11 |

    I’ll take some of your sweater days right now John.

    I like the picture, wonder if they know of the sliding tile? :-)

    Graham’ll fix it when he gets home, Bonnie! It’s not a serious thing.

  4. Wayne | July 16, 2009 at 16:05 |

    Love your discrition of memory. May I steal the bit about cutting your nose on it.

    Sure thing, Wayne, watch out for your fingers!

  5. Kate & Jim | July 16, 2009 at 23:06 |

    Chilly here too, this morning, John. Had a light jacket on while it rained. This afternoon? Shorts and a t-shirt! Mid 80′s with humidity! The ‘little old lady’ that I work for kept playing with the heat and then the A/C! lol

  6. Maureen | July 17, 2009 at 14:59 |

    How’s Graham?I am in isolation as I got too close to someone who has swine flu and don’t want to spread it about if I have it.Ho hum only 3 more days.

    He’s fine, thanks, Maureen, after two slight downs caused by electronic toys (mobile and handheld) breaking/breaking down. Hanging on to ground anchors rather today, to avoid being blown away in the Somerset gales.

    Sorry to hear abt yr isolation and hope it’s bearable. Good for you, though, not spreading it.