I’m trying to get back to posting every day, but I’ve just realised that I only have 32 minutes.
Julia went back to work today after her Maltese holiday, and found that the rhubarb has faded badly. On the plus side three of the nest boxes have newly hatched broods in them, so the winter of renovating the boxes has paid off. (All the new ones we made were sold off to raise money for new seeds and tools).
Meanwhile, it was the first blood test for a month (a reward for passing the test regularly). There was a staff shortage and, according to the phone conversation I overheard, there was a queue of 33. There had been a queue of 18 when I got there. It took an hour for me to be seen to, so someone was in for a long wait…
Looking at it with a positive slant, I had a book with me.
I loaded this with a minute to spare, and then had to edit to add a title and add categories/tags. There’s nothing like good organisation, as my mother used to say. And this was nothing like good organisation.
I used to carry books with me everywhere I went, and sometimes now find I am somewhere without one–and I don’t even use a smartphone, so have no excuse. Oh well–part of it is not having a pocket big enoiugh to fit a paperback in, I think, and not always having a carrier bag of some sort.
Now that I’m wearing cargo pants (in the twilight years of my fashion sense) I theoretically have enough pockets to carry a book, but often use the pockets for other things. Aman needs camera batteries and spare handkerchiefs).
Those are handy. I have an old Swedish bandolier belt that I used to wear to travel, but the pockets are smaller than those needed for that. I think I used to always be doing something like knitting, back deacdes ago before it got trendy again, and had books there. These days I just read all night pretty much, and use the being-out time for either working or social–but I think I’ll stash a paperback in a jacket pocket nonetheless.
A paperback in a pocket is always useful. 🙂
We have a first-come-first-served system at our medical centre now. Many people get there just before the phlebotomist starts work at 8.30 so there is always a long queue then. If you have to go to work it is necessary to turn up at that time, but so many people who don’t have other appointments or jobs to go to also attend early and they are the ones who cause the long queues. I have found that, if I have a free morning, the best time to arrive is about 10 o’clock as I can be seen straight away.
Yes, I have to admit muttering under my breath about people who seem not to need to be there quite so early (though I suppose some are under orders to get it done before attending a clinic) and people who overtake me on my way to the ticket machine (some of whom actually seem to treat it as a race). If you are so competitive that you have to barge a man with a walking stick out of the way it’s going to take more than a blood test to sort your life out. 🙂
I was seen within minutes of my individually appointed time for my blood test today. There are benefits to living in a small town.
To be fair, if I did it via the GP I could have an appointment, but that would involve missing work and being inexpertly punctured by a variety of enthusiastic though inaccurate nurses. 🙂
Title or not, wonderful to read about the broods.
Yes, it’s good news.
Your final para reminds me of John Eales’s nickname
I couldn’t think of the nickname to save my life so I had to look it up. It’s true what they say – nobody’s perfect. 🙂
Jackie’s nephew, John, was once given an award by Dean Richards. When asked his name, John correctly answered “John Eales”. After getting him to repeat it, Richards replied: “You’re not big enough”
An anecdote to be treasured. The rugby connection explains why the petite Mrs Knight is able to move concrete blocks so easily. 🙂
His Dad, Bill, played first class rugby, for Northampton, I think.
A good team to play for. We often used to take the kids to see them. Didn’t know about the Eales connection.
NHS hospital queues are only going to get worse!
Yes, and it’s the fault of people like me. 🙂 I’m the cause of my own Catch 22 situation.