tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40818012024-03-18T23:08:30.464+00:00under another sunbeing the blogged observations of Peter Kenny since 2003Peter Kennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907952198931767506noreply@blogger.comBlogger6629125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081801.post-38276377663254588162024-03-18T22:58:00.001+00:002024-03-18T22:58:22.694+00:00At my desk againWoke up at eight, Maureen calling as Pat was unwell. Lorraine due to go to Ashford today anyway, made an appointment for a doctor's phone call later in the day and, after breakfast, left.After chatting to Mum, and Betty who called around, as her hob wasn't working, and made lots of coffee. Then settled down to five hours editing of my most recent podcast interview, recorded in January. Peter Kennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907952198931767506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081801.post-42625243055544071582024-03-17T22:58:00.001+00:002024-03-18T23:07:58.699+00:00Cat tidyA relaxed day. Got up late, and had brunch, spoke to Mum, then made off with Lorraine to the supermarket. Felt fun to be doing something so normal together.Home and I fell into watching Chelsea versus Leicester in the FA cup quarter final which was on BBC 1. Chelsea were 2-0 up at half time, then after the worst own goal I have ever seen, the team had a collective nervous breakdown, Peter Kennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907952198931767506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081801.post-15072591181625160292024-03-16T22:30:00.003+00:002024-03-17T18:23:44.746+00:00RegroupingAwake early, mainly due to cats climbing on the bed. Lorraine and I got up, seeing as it was a bright sunny day. I called Mum who was planning to see Robert in the Waggon and Horses for lunch. I was in decidedly antisocial mood, and just wanted Lorraine's company to regroup. Then we went into the garden. Lovely to be outside and do things like digging a hole for the wildlife pondPeter Kennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907952198931767506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081801.post-68871804225836940542024-03-15T23:00:00.001+00:002024-03-16T15:22:02.265+00:00Back to SeafordUp fairly early. I have been having bad dreams, general assorted catastrophes. Just before I woke up I dreamed I had been having an affair. I woke up thinking oh God, what have I done? An immense flood of relief when I realised it was only a dream.Breakfast and teas and coffees with Mum. Neither of us terribly chatty. Mum receiving nice notes from Brad. I will write to him over the weekend, all Peter Kennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907952198931767506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081801.post-51489604614500224032024-03-14T22:30:00.001+00:002024-03-16T15:00:35.358+00:00AftermathI woke up early and got up and made coffee. Mum and I sat drinking coffee, and talking about yesterday. She is very pleased with how things went, and we are both pleased Mason had a fitting send off. Something like this takes a long time to sink in properly.I took a cup of coffee up for Lorraine, and soon we all had breakfast together. Lorraine left for Seaford and the cats, who had been confinedPeter Kennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907952198931767506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081801.post-59341086214647201902024-03-13T22:30:00.000+00:002024-03-16T14:54:15.936+00:00Mason's funeralThe day of the funeral. Breakfast with Mam and Lorraine, followed by what seemed like lots of nervous waiting. Lorraine had accidentally left my black shoes at home, so I wore my tan ones, and took one of Mason's ties, a grey with a touch of gold. Otherwise I wore black and white and grey. Mum and Lorraine in dark colours. Mum's friend Margaret arrived, and then Mum's friends Monika and Peter Kennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907952198931767506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081801.post-74307670131947018922024-03-12T22:00:00.000+00:002024-03-14T17:24:16.525+00:00Limbo dayA day of limbo, this being the day before the funeral. There was nothing much to be done for the time being. It also poured steadily, most of the day. Mum and I sitting about restlessly. Eventually we went to the Waggon and Horses where we were going to meet Lorraine. Another bloody fine on the car, but when you tear the package open it says there is £0.00 pounds to pay. It's the sort of Peter Kennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907952198931767506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081801.post-5381479240115693022024-03-11T22:43:00.001+00:002024-03-11T22:49:20.123+00:00Written on a stout's headGetting myself organised to go back up to Edgware first thing, including picking out some clothes for the funeral. Then, my rucksack packed, and kissing my sweet wife goodbye, off again to Edgware. A simple journey which gave me the opportunity to tweak my speech for Wednesday. When I arrived at Mum's I sent it to the celebrant who had asked to see it. Mum had been to the podiatrist this Peter Kennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907952198931767506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081801.post-72037684106234078112024-03-10T22:00:00.001+00:002024-03-11T23:01:04.215+00:00Squirrel's EndA lazy morning, and breakfast. Chatted with Mum, before making off to Squirrel's End, what we have decided to call Beth and James's house. Sure enough as we arrived and looked out at the expanse of their back garden, a squirrel was obligingly sitting on its haunches in the middle of the lawn.Naturally lots of organising still to be done, but they are definitely installed now. Lots of Peter Kennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907952198931767506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081801.post-78083745189960996982024-03-09T22:30:00.001+00:002024-03-10T11:13:08.293+00:00Retail therapyWoke up feeling stressed. But sitting talking to Lorraine made me feel much better, however. Up for an unhurried breakfast, called Mum and eventually Lorraine and I made off to Brighton. I went to Clippers to have my hair cut by Stacy, who had squeezed me into his Saturday schedule. I asked him about his nosebleeds (he was bleeding last time I saw him) and he told me that he went to A&E and Peter Kennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907952198931767506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081801.post-61315677822171928272024-03-08T22:41:00.004+00:002024-03-09T11:01:07.145+00:00Rerouted Up early, made coffee and tidied up a bit. Hideous apocalyptic dreams -- nuclear weapons exploding and other such restful stuff. A cheery morning with Mum. Sorted out her nectar card problems, did some tidying in the kitchen on hand and knees in a food cupboard, and so on. Mum fairly cheery, people being steadily supportive. She also had emails from her friend Jana who is planning to visit her Peter Kennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907952198931767506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081801.post-90212639041693145142024-03-07T22:13:00.000+00:002024-03-08T22:41:30.524+00:00Spicy wingsUp and feeling freer this morning. Most things crossed of the list of things that must be done. Mum chose another piece of music for the funeral and I emailed the choices to the celebrant. We went into Edgware and mum paid her credit card bill which she does in person. Into the Broadway centre. Mum spoke to the pharmacist, and told them about Mason. The pharmacist was sympathetic and kind, and Peter Kennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907952198931767506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081801.post-36707996491247735502024-03-06T22:55:00.002+00:002024-03-06T22:55:47.352+00:00Three feet of flowersI got up at sevenish, made coffee and tinkered with a poem before starting the day. Made breakfast for me and mum. Mum went off to Edgware to talk to banks about removing Mas from their joint bank accounts. I went off to Burnt Oak, paid an apologetic Paula at the Undertakers the balance of what was owed, and walked around the corner to Aspens florist and ordered a casket spray from a very Peter Kennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907952198931767506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081801.post-55024585066685205342024-03-05T22:46:00.003+00:002024-03-08T22:13:47.288+00:00Back to EdgwareUp early, and making ready to go to Edgware. Beth and James off early and cheerily off to their new house. Lorraine getting ready to go to her personal trainer. Later she temporarily locked herself out of the house, then couldn't find her car keys.I made off to Seaford station and caught the 9:24 and train hopped to Mill Hill Broadway and was at Mum's at around 12:20. She was a bit stressedPeter Kennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907952198931767506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081801.post-68763116370554030232024-03-04T22:30:00.009+00:002024-03-05T22:47:59.723+00:00The new SeafordiansToday Beth and James moved to Seaford. Lorraine and I very happy. All going well this morning, but Lorraine drafted in at the last moment to drive to their flat as they didn't have quite enough room for clothes. Lorraine picked up a few bags of clothes and made it back to our house shortly before the van driven by Danny, who we met before and is a lovely man, with his son and another Peter Kennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907952198931767506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081801.post-16660052889293301612024-03-03T17:19:00.000+00:002024-03-05T17:19:20.073+00:00Snow of sortsA cup of tea in bed brought by Lorraine, and a leisurely breakfast and a the first of two chats with Mum. She was okay, but I am looking forward to seeing her on Tuesday. Then I had a conversation with Robin, and she sensibly suggested that we take a couple of weeks break on the podcast rather than try to rush things through. Felt like a load had been taken off my shoulders, as I didn't wantPeter Kennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907952198931767506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081801.post-80784328906805578492024-03-02T23:00:00.001+00:002024-03-03T13:28:19.158+00:00RechargingAwake early, having slept fairly well. Thoroughly tired today, but loved having a healthy breakfast with Mrs Kenny. Phoned Mum who is doing okay.Beth and James are moving on Monday, and Lorraine went off to Southwick to spend a few hours helping them get sorted. I was excused, being a bit of a zombie. In my absence Lorraine had been sorting out my Study, and it is now beginning to look really Peter Kennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907952198931767506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081801.post-31929932444140860202024-03-01T22:30:00.002+00:002024-03-03T13:21:19.529+00:00Seaford, and an unexpected winUp and Mum and I had breakfast and coffee, thus fortified, we contacted an administrative part of the US embassy with the notification of Mason's US social security ID and so on to turn off his pension. Mum, we think, will still get something from the US as his widow.Then we pottered about doing some sorting out in the kitchen. Wynford from next door popped in for a chat. At lunchtime, mum drove Peter Kennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907952198931767506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081801.post-1215093675507504722024-02-29T23:18:00.000+00:002024-02-29T23:18:05.031+00:00A date is madeUp early this morning, and when mum got up I made coffee with oat milk, and avocado toast. Then, after a certain amount of faffing off on a 142 down to Burnt Oak to go to WH Putnam funeral directors. We were early and had coffee in a Portuguese deli next door but one. Mum after tasting the coffee and pulling a face suggested they were drumming up business for the undertakers. Soon we were Peter Kennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907952198931767506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081801.post-40857384471810484752024-02-28T22:30:00.005+00:002024-02-29T17:38:43.815+00:00Carl to the rescueI walked up to the garage Tescos at the top of Stonegrove, first thing to buy some coffee speaking to Lorraine there and back. Then breakfast, and a shower and getting to grips with funeral directors. I had the brilliant idea of calling Carl because of course he knows all the stuff backwards, and we had a three way chat.Turns out the Undertakers that had been recommended by a neighbour, and has Peter Kennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907952198931767506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081801.post-73801697141042047382024-02-27T23:28:00.017+00:002024-02-29T17:17:26.390+00:00Losing a regularSpent the morning writing lists and emailing people, and phoning people. Kafkaesque and frustrating. You can't appear to do much before you have the Death Certificate. Tried fill in the Tell Us Once site, as another Government website told me you could do this. It lied. Spoke to a very unhelpful person at the registrars, a person at the Tell Us Once service, who said we had to write to the Peter Kennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907952198931767506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081801.post-59200668463469266362024-02-26T22:30:00.000+00:002024-02-29T17:45:56.098+00:00Coping through cleaningSlept fitfully on the sofa last night. Not had enough sleep lately. While we were waiting for news from the Coroner I took to cleaning. I cleaned the floor, and the fridge and the cupboard under the sink and so on. Also hoovered upstairs, and cleaned parts of Mason's study. Mum stripped Mason's bed and put on new bedding for me to use.Mum of course still struggling to come to terms with what's Peter Kennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907952198931767506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081801.post-31457506424482921782024-02-25T22:30:00.021+00:002024-02-29T17:10:43.406+00:00A horrible shockAwake and up at seven, somewhat hungover. The doorbell was somehow shorting, and there was a smell of burnt plastic permeating the house. Brian miaowing plaintively from the Dining room, how he got there a mystery. Luckily he had not fouled the room. Seagulls were ransacking a bag of rubbish outside the back of the house and had had already distributed a bins worth of waste across the garden. Peter Kennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907952198931767506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081801.post-32525731997936787632024-02-24T23:10:00.001+00:002024-02-29T07:58:05.977+00:00A large partyLorraine and I spent all day running about preparing for our party. Lorraine cooking huge amounts of sausage rolls, cheese straws and other snackable delights. Toby called shortly before the party started from Washington. About 40 people showed up. I had the image of bags of aquarium fish all being emptied into the same tank. Luckily everyone got on. Beth and James and Julie and Peter Kennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907952198931767506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081801.post-2834480995618630392024-02-23T23:18:00.027+00:002024-02-29T23:35:08.737+00:00Return of the Kyngs Feeling tired. Finished my freelance job and sent it off to Paris. Then cut my desktop to fit the space with a circular saw. But we made a mistake and it didn't cut it quite to size. In trying to drop it into place, scratched off some of the new paint we had applied this week. All a bit galling and frustrating.Picked up by Adele and Patrick, and went off to the Con Club in Lewes this evening Peter Kennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907952198931767506noreply@blogger.com0