We are having a mini heatwave in Glasgow; a heatwave for this time of year anyway. The temperature has reached a dizzying 25 degrees and it is glorious. James put the hammock outside for me before he set off for Ullapool (he has gone there a couple of days ahead of me) and I have spent much of today lounging and reading in it. The garden is blooming, including my favourite plant, the variegated weigelia, with its exuberant pinks and greens. The sky is a powder spring blue with not a cloud in sight. Whilst dozing in the hammock yesterday afternoon I was rudely awoken by a loud retching sound. It was Flora, who was being sick on the grass just beside me. Just beside her was a frog whose back had a rather rough aspect, as if someone had been licking it! I presume that the frog’s skin either tasted very bad or was a little bit poisonous. It didn’t seem to do Flora any lasting damage.
Earlier I had travelled to Airdrie, past familiar landmarks from the years that I used to teach at Airdrie Academy, to visit my lovely Aunt Katy at Monklands Hospital. Katy has always been a very healthy person, in fact Abigail told me that she hadn’t spent a night in hospital since Abigail’s birth, fifty years ago. She spent years looking after Bill devotedly as his health declined. Only a few weeks ago when I phoned her to arrange to meet up, Katy mentioned that she would have to postpone because she had a very sore back. I thought nothing of it, but then heard a few days ago from Julie that Katy has cancer and is very ill indeed. I messaged Abigail to ask if she would like some company at the hospital, because I didn’t want to intrude, and she replied that it would be lovely to see me. When I arrived Katy was very peaceful, drifting in and out of sleep. Abigail was so gentle and attentive to her Mum, adjusting her pillows and giving her sips of water. While Katy slept Abigail and I chatted quietly, when she opened her eyes we talked to her. When I left I said “That’s me away Katy, bye for now” but I’m very sad to say that I don’t think I will see her again.
Earlier I had travelled to Airdrie, past familiar landmarks from the years that I used to teach at Airdrie Academy, to visit my lovely Aunt Katy at Monklands Hospital. Katy has always been a very healthy person, in fact Abigail told me that she hadn’t spent a night in hospital since Abigail’s birth, fifty years ago. She spent years looking after Bill devotedly as his health declined. Only a few weeks ago when I phoned her to arrange to meet up, Katy mentioned that she would have to postpone because she had a very sore back. I thought nothing of it, but then heard a few days ago from Julie that Katy has cancer and is very ill indeed. I messaged Abigail to ask if she would like some company at the hospital, because I didn’t want to intrude, and she replied that it would be lovely to see me. When I arrived Katy was very peaceful, drifting in and out of sleep. Abigail was so gentle and attentive to her Mum, adjusting her pillows and giving her sips of water. While Katy slept Abigail and I chatted quietly, when she opened her eyes we talked to her. When I left I said “That’s me away Katy, bye for now” but I’m very sad to say that I don’t think I will see her again.
No comments:
Post a Comment