Although this post says Friday, it is actually into early Saturday morning. I don't go to sleep very early, I have a little nap in the afternoon and that gets me half way through the night.
I haven't been out and about very much, Tim picked me up yesterday to take me to a doctor's appointment. I seem to have had a few appointments lately with doctors and hospitals - fibromyalgia being the main complaint - and having lived for a while in a place where every doctor's appointment had to be paid for, I have become very appreciative of our National Health Service, in spite of all its imperfections like quite long waiting lists for non urgent operations.
In the news there has been quite a bit of 'looking back' the last couple of days. It was the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana's death, and that reawakened the controversy over her funeral and the fact that Princes William and Harry had to walk behind her coffin. Prince Harry having recently complained at doing so everyone is now denying that it was their decision they should.
There has also been quite a bit of reflecting on the fact that it is 50 years since homosexuality was decriminalised. My goodness I thought, that's a long time. I remember when I was a child, perhaps 11 or 12, friends of my parents were invited to visit the Old Bailey by someone they knew who worked there, and they asked if I would like to join them. I think some care and attention should have been paid to the case we were going to see. As it was, their friend just flung open a court room door, we stepped inside and the trial going on was that of two homosexuals - for being homosexual, which beggars belief now in the 21st century.
Needless to say, I was confused and couldn't understand what it was about, and I recall now that the couple who took me seemed very uncomfortable. I don't know what they told my parents when we got back.
Quite a lot has been made of the fact that it is 100 years since the Battle of Passchendaele. The battle lasted 103 days and the weather in Flanders was the worst in the region for 30 years, Within a few days the heaviest rain for 30 years had turned the soil into a quagmire, producing thick mud that clogged up rifles and immobilised tanks. It eventually became so deep that men and horses drowned in it.
The allies suffered 325,000 casualties and the Germans lost between 260,000 and 400,000.
So apart from my visit to the doctor, the last few days have been pottering about, knitting, and watching tv.
The allies suffered 325,000 casualties and the Germans lost between 260,000 and 400,000.
So apart from my visit to the doctor, the last few days have been pottering about, knitting, and watching tv.
I hope you are marking progress with the fibromyalgia, and glad you've got NHS. After numerous tries, the Republicans in Congress were unable to repeal or replace Obamacare (they do have to stand for re-election, after all). So we are safe, but we really need universal health care as you have. On the topic of sexuality, the President decreed that transgendered persons in the military (15,000) must get the boot, but there will be delays on that. His justice ministers have also decided that gays and lesbians will no longer be considered protected under our Civil Rights statutes. Talk about beggaring belief in the 21st century! We ought not to forget that Mr. Trump is in the White House solely because the Electoral College choose our President, not the voters, and few seem inclined to move towards democracy.
ReplyDeletePaschendaele! What a story. One I've never heard of, being an American without much study about European history. Fie on fibromyalgia!! I've had an unending bout of vertigo, which may do me in. I got really unbalanced trying to hang venetian blinds today. Ahhhh, the joys of old age. You sound wonderful. I always enjoy reading your posts -- when I actually make myself sit down and read them. Shame on me.
ReplyDeleteThank you friends for your interest and kind comments.
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