Plus ça change…

I found a bunch of old poems today. I have no idea how long ago I wrote them. The paper is yellowing, and other items with them date to the 1970s.

It's quite shocking to see how apposite they remain.

This one appears to be about the attitude of the haves to the have nots. It puts me a bit in mind of the summer riots of last year. Of course, in the late 1970s and early 1980s there were several instances of civil unrest in Britain. The Secondary Modern kids referred to were kids who'd failed an exam aged 11 and only got into the second best schools, while those who passed went to selective schools..

Fairmindedness

Well, there was this jolly decent chap, you see, George his name was,

and he said, well, he said, these Secondary Modern School kids,

They don't know what good for them,

I mean,

We're good enough to let them in on our way of life,

and what do they do?

They smash windows and steal, and do everything they can to break the rules and hurt us.

Some little perisher stole my comb the other day,

I ask you, stole my comb!

I think they should be caned every day, as a matter of course,

Bloody delinquents.

So I said, well George, old boy, I think you're far too easy on 'em.

I'd have the whole bloody lot put in a cage,

and only let them out whe it was time for them to do some honest work.

Family Values - Day 10

Bobby's rather angry that there are supposed to be over 400 pictures in this album, but because only a couple of hundred show up, I can't post any more for this episode.

Family Values - Day 9

In the woods with Bobby. I'd prefer it in a warmer season.

This, That and The Other

This is The Pagoda, a house in Blackheath, not a million miles from the equestrian Olympics. Now my feet are feeling good for the first time in a couple of years, thanks to some steroid injections, I decided to go to the doctor's via Blackheath, passing The Pagoda on the way. They're building some modern monstrosity next door. It might even be in what used to be the generous garden, which has been used in TV programmes in the past.



That's what my hand looks like with the stitches gone. Another scar, just what I wanted.



The other thing of note is the state of my tomatoes. They were bigger than this when I planted them out about 3 months ago. Then the temperature dipped and the rain fell non-stop for two months. The six or so fruit that are just about developing (not even sure if you'll manage to spot them) set before the weather turned, and are still mostly minuscule.



No, climate change is no threat to our food supply, then...

Family Values - Day 8

A smile, I do declare!

Family Values - Day 7

Bobby sings Alex a song:

Double Jointed and the Opposite

Would it surprise you to find these are basically the same thing? It does me.

Hypermobility is the name.

When I attended the pain clinic while awaiting my hip replacement, I was still able to, no, not touch my toes, but actually lay my hands flat on the floor beside my feet - even when wearing four inch heels.

(Yes I could once do this, with ease)

The doctor siad this could contribute to my joint problems, because it meant the ligaments and tendons were not supporting the joints well.

I suppose it's related to my former ability to wiggle my toes independently almost enough to use them for writing.

While trying to find some shoes today that can have a raise put in the left one to accommodate my uneven legs, and custom-made orthotic inserts to help my achy feet, I got chatting to the sales assistant. She is awaiting joint replacement surgery for osteo-arthritis in her hands. Apparently she and her children have been diagnosed with hypermobility,  a genetic condition.

So the thing that makes people double-jointed also causes arthritis, and stiff joints as well as super-flexible ones. Work that one out.

Oh, and just for good measure, it can cause bladder problems. And I am ALWAYS wanting to pee.

I've never been told about this condition, but it's pretty obvious even to me that I have it. This woman was only diagnosed because her son's condition was so serious the whole family was entered for a study. Why aren't doctors joining up the dots?

Family Values - Day 6

Love that funky beard, Bobby. How did you get that growing out of your chin? That neck though...

Family Values - Day 5

Bobby in the sun squinting, lips ready...