Started Early, Took My Dog

Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson, £2.99 with The Times.

I don't actually need an introduction to Kate Atkinson, for she's one of my favourite authors!

Twas a joy to read this one though as I haven't read one of hers for ages! I turn the pages and I smile thinking she's so clever!!

This detective tale wasn't the huge departure from the mum and children books I've read recently that I thought it would be but it served to remind me just how brilliant she is with sensitive matter.

She builds her characters with such wit! This story weaves three tales. Security Chief Tracy Woodhouse buys something one morning, an aging actress with dementia sees something, detective Jackson Brodie acquires something. How these are bought together in such a feast of narrative is something you should experience for yourself!

It's a great Easter read when the news is talking deaths in Syria, Libya, riots in Bristol and your own family is whistling from the various tensions of their own individual lives.

Like I said, Kate Atkinson's really clever!!

Her comic style also reminds me of Smoking Mum's (who I've promised to buy (full price!) the book she's writing when I see it in the bookshop!)

Easter Sunday

London comes a visit
I want to drown it
drown
drown
drown
my sis in law cathees* me

(a really stunning day with the little ones - treasure hunts, footie, holding hands, crawling, + yes, I liked church too, brave A, wine wine wine think of beauty,
don't drown)

(Scrawled in Notebook 24 April - *the word was 'catches')

Shouting at my son

I shouldn't have shouted
He twisted his ankle
"It's daddy's fault," he said
for tying his laces too tight
weeks ago
Oh why did I shout
I shouldn't have shouted
It is his dad's fault
Everything's his dad's fault

(Taken from Notebook 23rd April)

I am too, I said to Neil

London's fine, sunshine most of the time (ahem)
The feeling is laid back (ish)
Oak trees grow and the rents aren't low
But you know I keep thinking about
Making my way aaagh

Well, I'm of Shires born and raised
But nowadays, I'm lost between two shores
London's fine, but it ain't home
Shires are home but it ain't mine no more

I am, I said
To no one there
And no one heard at all
Not even the chair
I am, I cried
I am, said I
And I am lost, and I can't even say why
Leavin' me lonely still

Did you ever read about a frog who dreamed of being a queen
And then became one
Well, except for the names and a few other changes
If you talk about me, the dream's the same one

But I got an emptiness deep inside
And I've tried but it won't let me go
And I'm not a girl who likes to swear (much)
But I've never cared for the sound of being alone

I am, I said
To no one there
And no one heard at all
Not even the chair
I am, I cried
I am, said I
And I am lost, and I can't even say why

I am, I said
I am, I cried
I am...

(Neil featuring Stiggers.. Must say Neil, the guy who was you in Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show this Easter, really was you!! Unbelievable, how you materialised!! The rhythm and blues accompanying you, and me too! Wild!)

Annual Rent Increase

The Government announces cuts to housing benefit
so the Housing Association increases the rent

Happy Easter to you too greedy so called "Charity"

(Not in Notebook on 23rd April but massive contributer to my failure to get out of bed in the mornings on such beautiful blue days)

Thieving Electrical Companies

£600 electricity bill
That's not right
Everyone's saying it
except the electrical company
fucking thief.
"Try not to use your dishwasher," says voice on the phone
Don't have one.
"Limit the use of your tumble dryer."
Don't have one.
£200 a month for a two bed flat?
"What can you afford?" they say.
"£40 a week for 12 months?"
Who can afford that?
I have to pay it off.

You know what gets me though
over and above this nasty
stinking
thieving
debt?
It costs 17 pence a day
to lease the meter.
No meter, no electric.
You have to lease it
or go higher rates on prepay
17 pence a day
before you so much as breathe.
Fucking thieves.

(Taken from Notebook 23rd April)

Easter Saturday

Into the blue dawn of birdsong
comes crashing my life
my debt
my loneliness
there
I've said it
Loneliness
surrounded am I
by beautiful beautiful
family
My life though
Mine
that debt overwhelms
future overwhelming
My life crashes through the blue dawn of birdsong
I must crash through my life
Or be hanged

(Taken from Notebook 23rd April)

Hello Again Stiggers!

Highlight of the Easter Holidays was most definitely a free ticket to a Neil Diamond tribute band!!

Brother of Love! Brian Conley as a High Priest praising Hallelulia to Neil!
"Who's that, I recognise him?" said my niece pointing to one of three men.
"Darren Day, known for being a love rat.." Didn't want to say "shagging a pop star" to a beautiful "boys will defo be after you" thirteen year old.

Song after classic song, central aisle second row until after the interval when luck struck even bigger and there I was with my son in the front row!!

This song I've picked because for the beauty of the weather and the company of kids, it was not an easy Easter break down with my parents. I struggled to leave London behind and only managed the morning we were coming back; yesterday. I didn't miss Stiggers because I had my notebook, thank goodness, but I struggled to get out of bed in the mornings..I'm thinking I have to stop blogging but my goodness I'll miss it.

I need Stiggers when I'm in London, because London is so hard.

Solitary woMan heh heh

(Oh the Foca bought my son back four hours late by the way, didn't return my text for two hours. I had a beautiful time with my boy, who in turn had a beautiful time with his cousins - Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show!)

Thanks Neil Diamond!!

Good to be back Stigs!!