Spring in the air

Adhisthana, May 2023

Back from my retreat now, which was the usual mix of bliss and hard reality. I learned quite a bit about the subjects under discussion, but learned more about myself and my creative potential. Intrigued? Just give me a call. And back home I led my local group in our regular evening meeting, which went well but confirmed my preference for running social events rather than 'teaching'.

Meanwhile there have been fun and games at the parents' house with a mysterious glitch that keeps tripping the electricity fuse for the kitchen/garage circuit. Various options are under investigation, so far without a conclusion.

Badminton news - our AGM went without a hitch and I managed to escape without accepting any responsibilities. Our post-pandemic change of management has been excellent, with a new website and much improved communication at no extra cost.

It is time to admit that with the help of a counsellor/therapist, I have for some time been addressing some of my deep-seated insecurities. This has resulted in immense progress towards restoring my confidence in human relationships, to the extent that I managed to create an online dating profile, then actually communicated with others via the dating app, and even went as far as to meet someone in person. I was very apprehensive about this, with all sorts of fearful scenarios presenting themselves, but in the end none of my concerns were justified because he turned out to be such an inappropriate date that it was quite easy to go on a lovely walk and then call it a day. I'm not actually all that interested in starting a relationship (I don't have enough time!) but this has been a big step forward for me.

Before the retreat I managed to visit Former Landrover Man and Former Bee Lady at their country residence, made all the more beautiful by their presence, their hard work on the garden, and the glorious weather. Sunshine persisted through the retreat and into this week, and I have welcomed back Irvin (who made a brief appearance back in February). He's much more well-behaved now, and a delightful character.

Irvin, May 2023

What I've been reading

Play Power
by Richard Neville

"The politics of play. The strategy which converts the Underground to a brotherhood of clowns; the lifestyle which unites a generation in love and laughter. In Chicago, its Pigasus the pig for President and Abbie Hoffman throwing kisses to a bewildered jury."

I bought this in the early 1980's without the faintest idea about who the author was - the editor of the counter-cultural magazine Oz who was prosecuted for obscenity (twice). On revisiting the book after 40 years it's fascinating but obviously very dated. I finished it just before the visit of the friend that I wanted to give it to.

The Diary of a Nobody
by George and Weedon Grossmith

"The details of English suburban life are presented through the anxious and accident-prone character of Charles Pooter. His diary chronicles his daily routine, which includes small parties, minor embarrassments, home improvements, and his relationship with a troublesome son."

Lovely little book deserving of its success, with funny little endnotes explaining, presumably to a non-English reader, all sorts of words, names and phrases, like chimney-glass (a mirror over the mantelpiece) and a dandy horse (an early form of bicycle).

A Lost Lady
by Willa Cather

narrated by Kitty Hendrix

"The story of Captain Daniel Forrester and his wife Marian, who live in the western town of Sweet Water, along the Transcontinental Railroad in the 1920s. Neil Herbert, a boy who grows up in Sweet Water, admires the Captain and his beautiful, vivacious wife, who have the genteel lifestyle of small-town aristocrats and entertain powerful men."

It was pleasant enough, but not as good as the previous book I read by the same author (My Ántonia); there just wasn't quite enough story.

Not in gainful employment

Vajraloka, May 2022

Time rushes past as though it's got somewhere to go, and it's already May. No momentous announcements, but a succession of interesting activities:

• My 50th blood donation. I got a special thank-you email, and apparently will also get a certificate and a gold donor card through the post. It's probably more than 50, actually, because I've got a few of the blue cardboard wallets with a certificate or two that they used in the Olden Days and maybe didn't make it into the System. Donation has changed quite a lot since then - we are expected to drink a whole lot more water or squash before and after donating, we are encouraged to use our lower body muscles during the process (moving legs and feet, tensing and releasing buttocks), the chairs are reclined for donation and then raised again afterwards, timers are used for everything (how long to disinfect the elbow, how long to wait afterwards before raising the seat), the consent form is much more sensible, we don't get any hot drinks at the end any more, but there are much better snack options.
• Teeth report: the dental hygienist says the state of my gums continues to deteriorate slowly, but at least it's from a much improved level after the horrific surgery. I'm on the 15th set of aligners out of 37 with noticeably straighter teeth, more even interdental space and a much improved bite. So that's good; let's hope it results in no further loss of teeth.
• Music group continues; as usual I'm missing a couple of rehearsals but have forgone a weekend retreat in order to be available for the concert.
• A Buddhist Consultant came to talk to the team supporting our local group, in order to suggest ways to move forward based on what everyone's stated position is. He stayed with me for two days and nights and although he did all the consultancy work I was exhausted by the end of it. Apart from all the visitors we had a big supper, and it was all very nice and now we have to wait for the report. He gave me a couple of ideas of what might be in it and it sounds very promising.
• Lots more contact with Buddhists, including going for a walk, Monday evening study group, Tuesday evening meeting, and a special this week - I got to attend an ordination. These usually take place during a three-month retreat, often in Spain, but this one was in the Birmingham Centre. If I'm honest, it was a bit long and I didn't find it as moving as I'd expected to, but it was at the end of a long day and I was tired. Tomorrow I'm going to the celebration of Buddha Day at the Centre.
• I went to a classical music concert at the local big church with a symphony orchestra playing Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov and a saxophone concerto, so all very dramatic with lots of sweeping strings. It's been a long time since I listened to live classic music and it was great.
• During all the Buddhist consultancy and long Mayday weekend UJ was absent, firstly on a trip to her workplace in London and then on a trip to Scotland to visit Edinburgh. She also went on a coach tour to see Loch Ness and a few other sites and had a pretty good time, although she hadn't realised how big Scotland is and how much driving there would be.
• Dad had his 90th birthday, and Sister D, Lola II and I were there to celebrate along with him and mum. I cooked a milk-free sugar-free allium-free meat-and-fish-free chilli; Sister D and Lola II brought more personal presents for him. When we told him we had come for his birthday he asked us what year it was, and confirmed that yes, he was going to be 90.

Them's the highlights, and have you noticed that there's very little going on with Mr MXF? When I see there's a gap in my diary I plan to do something for him but then I end up filling the gap with something else. I think I may have to admit to myself and to him that I should be sacked.