under another sun

I 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 nice woman, who explained that the flowers for the top of the coffin are charged for by the foot. I ordered three foot of flowers, mainly white but with notes of yellow and blue.  Home again. Mum had only been partially successful. Lloyds had given her a leaflet, and Barclays was so busy she had to leave to get home to meet Emma our celebrant who was due at noon.  I liked Emma and we spoke to her for about 45 minutes. I decided I am going to give a speech at the funeral.  After she left, I made cheese on toast, and emailed Barnet  highways to say  Mason no longer needs di...

I 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 strong reviews online, was one Carl had once used.  Greatly reassuring to talk him through where we were to sense check everything. Carl making Mum laugh telling her to get the Carl Basket ready for a visit. The Carl Basket was a big wicker basket filled with pillows and a sleeping bag for use when Carl spent the night.   After a judicious shower, Mum and I caught a bus to Burnt Oak, and spoke to the undertakers. We have an appointment tomorrow at 11, but I got the impression that as we have an interim death certificate, we may be able to go ahead with the funeral.  Mum had a kind...