The Cactus and more ... 9 July 2017

It's a sweltering Sunday and I have been sorting household things out.

Tom comes over tomorrow. He would like to dress and if he is comfortable, I am happy to keep his things that I brought over from Barbara's as I have the room, even if I need to organise the house!

This morning I bathed and for the first time in months painted my toenails. Once the household jobs are finished the fingernails will also get a splash of colour ... but first, the cactus.

Several months ago, Barbara acquired a rotund cactus that  she kept on the kitchen windowsill. The plant was flowering and I was interested in looking at it, but the next time I was over, the flower was gone as was its stalk. Then a few weeks later I found the cactus in the bin. According to Barbara it had fallen off the sill and come out of its pot. I rescued it and it seems to be fine and it has developed another flower, which came fully out today. From conversations I suspected that Doris had given Barbara the plant as she had been surprised to hear I had it, so I phoned Doris to tell her about the flower and to hear any news. She was pleased to hear about the flower; there is no date for the funeral yet.

I have been free of tearful moments, but today I had to accept that the transit wheelchair would not be needed any more - we bought it in 2011 - and that brought back so many memories, from the first time we used it at Monkeyworld to Barbara's last day outside hospital. For now I have put it in the shed.

I put a celebratory tribute photo of Barbara on flickr on Friday as to recall our group raising money towards the first Sparkle back in 2003, which is happening again this weekend.

Today was surprising fun. With the hot weather I decided to wear the two swimdresses that I had bought in the BHS closing down sale. With the second one on, I decided it was time to get the hose pipe out! That was remarkably refreshing.

The house sort out continues - it is surprising how much I'm getting done, partly because I know there is no 'end-time' to have to think about.