This post is not for the feint hearted. It will shock.....I'm sorry but I feel the need to share especially with the women amongst us.
It's as simple as this. For the past two years or so I have had cysts in my breasts. It's supposedly 'normal' for women of my age; a symptom and sign of my journey through the early part of the menopause. On their own they are harmless.
I had these cysts checked upon discovery through the amazingly fast two week express service that the NHS operate these days for anyone with anything remotely 'breast related'. I had to endure mammograms and ultra sound and all was fine. The option to drain them was there but the staff were reluctant if they were not causing any problems.
Cool! Great! Worry ceases.
Roll forwards eight months or so and I feel more of these cysts plus a harder patch and the option to have them drained seems more appealing so I visit my GP again, gain a referral, go through the same rigours of mammograms and ultra sound and the biggest cyst is drained which immediately brings relief. Phew!
Again all is fine I have a little fibrous tissue but nothing to worry about and worrying ceases.
Skips forwards another 8 months and that hard patch is getting bigger and is painful. I'm fine right? Nothing to worry about just fibrous tissue. Hmmmm boob also shrinks slightly. In moment of jest I hatch plan to get cysts drained on the other side to even things up.
Dr's. Referral.
Again almost fobbed with the 'cyst card' but then the radiographer notices something.
I'm fine though surely? I've long-term breast fed, not over weight, eat healthily, pretty fit, not too stressy, I'm under 50, not used the contraceptive pill for years!
9 biopsies and 16 needles later doubt endures.....the Dr tells me he suspects cancer.
Ten days later I am at the hospital awaiting results and my worst fear is confirmed. I can only conclude that they missed it...twice! Mammograms really do not show things in women with dense breasts.
I have two tumors, one of which is quite big.
Ladies I urge you to insist of biopsies for any lumps you may discover. Please follow your gut feeling. If nothing shows on the biopsy then great but if it does it can be dealt with.
This is a blow for me. I'm three and a half weeks post initial hospital appointment today and I've just had my first dose of chemo.
It's scary, it's unknown.
I know that this will shock many of you and I'm sorry for that but at the same time if it encourages you to check yourself then my job is done.
Some friends and family have shown interest in me setting up a blog to document my journey which I will do very soon. This blog is for the lovely things in life :-)
I'm remaining positive....I have a life to lead. XXXX
Saturday 2 December 2017
Tuesday 31 October 2017
Autumn campout
Many years ago I heard something on the radio about the importance of the 'den stage' in a child's life to his/her development. The presenter likened the passing through period as a process of metamorphosis.
I have long forgotten which channel this was on as I would love to listen again.
My son has been totally engrossed in the 'den building stage' for years now. Any opportunity to go out into the wild and build a shelter of sorts and he is 'on it'. Over the years we've admired his incredible constructions and been in awe at his ingenuity for creative thought. We've visited and dined out but to date no one has actually sleep out in one; although unsuccessful attempts have been made.
Just a month or so ago, some lovely friends visited whilst passing through the area and a wonderful den was constructed directly beyond the garden. A sleep out was proposed and agreed but when the push came to shove, firstly it rained and the sleeping area wasn't adequately covered and secondly as a result all the bedding became soaked. We tried a 'take 2' after a quick fix of sleeping bags in the tumble dryer but the moment had passed and plan B; a night in the house, came into play.
So last weekend with a sudden rise in the temperature I suggested to the boy that if he built a shelter that was cosy, safe and dry, that I would sleep out with him.
The first attempt was the airiest shelter ever. Just a lean to construction that in no way met my requirements, plus it was right outside my neighbours house in a very open space! NO WAY!
Without wanting to shatter his dreams I told of my dilemma and so we moved the den to another site.
A tad more thought was given to the second attempt. It was still a lean to construction with fir branches to provide a covering and pallets as sleeping platforms. The cushions from the garden furniture became our mattresses and with the addition of the 'all important' tarpaulin to keep the rain off, we were sorted.
So, dressed in onesies and sleeping bags all laid out, our adventure began.
The boy created a good fire, perfectly situated within a surround of old bricks and a roof tile. He's so proficient at making fires these days. I tried to light it first but it soon failed. My services were quickly disregarded and the 'expert' stepped in and had us glaring in awe at the beauty of the flames in no time.
We forgot to take any tea bags out with us so rather than venturing back into the realms of the domestic home, we harvested a few nettle leaves and sipped nettle tea - the perfect bedtime tonic!
It was an incredibly warm night for a change. In fact, good job too, as in my exhaustion I couldn't do up my sleeping bag. Little tush was fine poking out!
I was informed early in the evening that if I knocked the support poles the chances were that our den would fall down. No pressure to keep still then!
It was great! I loved it! Our heads poked out a little and our covering didn't quite shelter our top halves but thankfully it didn't rain. What struck me though was how incredibly noisy the countryside is at night. I could hear the wind whistling across the fields and around us but amazingly it didn't actually touch our little patch AT ALL! The deconstruction of our den in the night might have added to the adventure but as it was, it was perfect. I woke to the sound of screeching owls - most likely warning others that the newly constructed 'blue blob' was in fact harmless!
We lay laughing and giggling as we woke in the morning. We survived a night in the hedgerow :-) and what fun it was too!
The adventure wouldn't have been complete without breakfast so eggs for me and sausages for him.
So, dressed in onesies and sleeping bags all laid out, our adventure began.
The boy created a good fire, perfectly situated within a surround of old bricks and a roof tile. He's so proficient at making fires these days. I tried to light it first but it soon failed. My services were quickly disregarded and the 'expert' stepped in and had us glaring in awe at the beauty of the flames in no time.
We forgot to take any tea bags out with us so rather than venturing back into the realms of the domestic home, we harvested a few nettle leaves and sipped nettle tea - the perfect bedtime tonic!
It was an incredibly warm night for a change. In fact, good job too, as in my exhaustion I couldn't do up my sleeping bag. Little tush was fine poking out!
I was informed early in the evening that if I knocked the support poles the chances were that our den would fall down. No pressure to keep still then!
It was great! I loved it! Our heads poked out a little and our covering didn't quite shelter our top halves but thankfully it didn't rain. What struck me though was how incredibly noisy the countryside is at night. I could hear the wind whistling across the fields and around us but amazingly it didn't actually touch our little patch AT ALL! The deconstruction of our den in the night might have added to the adventure but as it was, it was perfect. I woke to the sound of screeching owls - most likely warning others that the newly constructed 'blue blob' was in fact harmless!
We lay laughing and giggling as we woke in the morning. We survived a night in the hedgerow :-) and what fun it was too!
The adventure wouldn't have been complete without breakfast so eggs for me and sausages for him.
Sunday 24 September 2017
Me and my boy
Last Saturday I planted the seed for a Sunday 'muddy welly walk'. Well as you can imagine the response from a house full of children was ecstatic! 'Yay! We can't wait!' No! The reality of the situation was that the girls being all too busy these days just couldn't, so that just left myself and the boy. At least someone shares an interest in the wonderful excitement of the British outdoors!
The boy is a born adventurer, it's in his blood.
So we donned the boots and comfy clothes and equipped with a snack-packed Star Wars rucksack we ventured out on our seven mile hike.
*Incidentally, I dismissed the boy's suggestion to take water as we weren't going far and later regretted that decision as it was actually quite warm!
I cannot tell you how lovely a day with my boy was. I live my days in constant worry of him as on a day-to-day basis, he's not interested in learning the things that his schoolboy-peers are gearing towards. As he told me 'Mum, when we have an Alien Apocalypse, I'll be fine!' Right! That doesn't make me feel a whole lot better.
We've recently started up a history group with a number of other families. For the past two weeks we've been learning about Prehistoric Britain. It's incredibly interesting! My boy is totally a 'Hunter gatherer man' in the making. Already, at the tender age of ten, I am confident that he could survive for a few nights in the wild. But how relevant are these skills in today's society where life is all about how well you did in your exams (how good your memory skills are), whether you can use a computer and how much beer you can sink? Listening to the young man gibber on - undistracted myself, was a heart warming experience. My boy may not be taking the traditional path but he is filled with knowledge and not just that, he is able to apply his knowledge to everyday situations. Barely ten feet passed when I wasn't alerted to something fascinating ....'Look at.....did you see?.....Wow!' I really was blown away.
A mile into our walk and I was put in a position out of my comfort zone. A dead pheasant next to the road, clearly a victim of a 'hit and run' crime. The boy lifted its head and with the onset of rigour- mortise the whole body - flattened in its mould to the concrete, lifted with it. Hmmm! He carefully lowered it down and took a step forwards, then out came the string.......
'Boy!'
'I'm taking it.....'
'Surely not! You have no idea how long it's been there'.
'I'll take it now and smell it. Besides, I have been looking for a real target. I need to see if my arrows will really penetrate through flesh'.
Oh boy! Yuck!
But I cannot knock him. Although a lover of animals and all living creatures, he has a point. Better to test your arrows on a dead pheasant then to badly injure a living one!
So there we were two lonely travellers walking with a road-killed pheasant onto the grounds of a local shooting estate. This was going to be interesting! We engaged in conversation about what we were going to say should we be challenged carrying said 'dead pheasant' dangling on a piece of string!
It wasn't long before dead pheasant became heavy and the string was cutting into his little hands. I was not about to offer my services! The boy of course had a solution and tied his piece of string onto his walking stick (another essential walking implement). Now looking quite a lot like Dick Whittington, we carried on.
We could hear a keeper in the woods, even passed his gun sleeve and jacket, but we were not challenged and thankfully, neither were we shot!
Our walk was full of incredible finds. We tracked animals from their droppings and faeces, we filled our Skittles pouch with blackberries, we picked fresh watercress from the stream and Boy of course hopped in and found a couple of crayfish hidden under stones which he wanted to bring back but you know, I wasn't too happy offering to carry those!
A mile to go and the need for refreshments incurred. I was so pleased the boy had thought to bring some little snacks and rather disappointed in myself for dismissing the need for water. Hey ho! A little rest in the shade and we were off on our last leg home.
I learnt so much from my boy during that walk which I realise that in my bid for him to toe-the-line I am quite literally distracting from the person he is on a very strong mission to become. He has taught himself so many life skills. Okay so he may not be able to write or read at the level of kids of his age but he can survive and he knows about the real world not the mindless world that we are often living in through technology. I am actually in awe of him!
You go boy, go out and become a man :-) XXXX
The boy is a born adventurer, it's in his blood.
So we donned the boots and comfy clothes and equipped with a snack-packed Star Wars rucksack we ventured out on our seven mile hike.
*Incidentally, I dismissed the boy's suggestion to take water as we weren't going far and later regretted that decision as it was actually quite warm!
I cannot tell you how lovely a day with my boy was. I live my days in constant worry of him as on a day-to-day basis, he's not interested in learning the things that his schoolboy-peers are gearing towards. As he told me 'Mum, when we have an Alien Apocalypse, I'll be fine!' Right! That doesn't make me feel a whole lot better.
We've recently started up a history group with a number of other families. For the past two weeks we've been learning about Prehistoric Britain. It's incredibly interesting! My boy is totally a 'Hunter gatherer man' in the making. Already, at the tender age of ten, I am confident that he could survive for a few nights in the wild. But how relevant are these skills in today's society where life is all about how well you did in your exams (how good your memory skills are), whether you can use a computer and how much beer you can sink? Listening to the young man gibber on - undistracted myself, was a heart warming experience. My boy may not be taking the traditional path but he is filled with knowledge and not just that, he is able to apply his knowledge to everyday situations. Barely ten feet passed when I wasn't alerted to something fascinating ....'Look at.....did you see?.....Wow!' I really was blown away.
A mile into our walk and I was put in a position out of my comfort zone. A dead pheasant next to the road, clearly a victim of a 'hit and run' crime. The boy lifted its head and with the onset of rigour- mortise the whole body - flattened in its mould to the concrete, lifted with it. Hmmm! He carefully lowered it down and took a step forwards, then out came the string.......
Look at that mischievous face!
'Boy!'
'I'm taking it.....'
'Surely not! You have no idea how long it's been there'.
'I'll take it now and smell it. Besides, I have been looking for a real target. I need to see if my arrows will really penetrate through flesh'.
Oh boy! Yuck!
But I cannot knock him. Although a lover of animals and all living creatures, he has a point. Better to test your arrows on a dead pheasant then to badly injure a living one!
So there we were two lonely travellers walking with a road-killed pheasant onto the grounds of a local shooting estate. This was going to be interesting! We engaged in conversation about what we were going to say should we be challenged carrying said 'dead pheasant' dangling on a piece of string!
It wasn't long before dead pheasant became heavy and the string was cutting into his little hands. I was not about to offer my services! The boy of course had a solution and tied his piece of string onto his walking stick (another essential walking implement). Now looking quite a lot like Dick Whittington, we carried on.
We could hear a keeper in the woods, even passed his gun sleeve and jacket, but we were not challenged and thankfully, neither were we shot!
Selfie....pheasant had to be in on the act!
Our walk was full of incredible finds. We tracked animals from their droppings and faeces, we filled our Skittles pouch with blackberries, we picked fresh watercress from the stream and Boy of course hopped in and found a couple of crayfish hidden under stones which he wanted to bring back but you know, I wasn't too happy offering to carry those!
A mile to go and the need for refreshments incurred. I was so pleased the boy had thought to bring some little snacks and rather disappointed in myself for dismissing the need for water. Hey ho! A little rest in the shade and we were off on our last leg home.
Fresh watercress....it rather wilted by the time we arrived home but was non-the-less delicious souped!
I learnt so much from my boy during that walk which I realise that in my bid for him to toe-the-line I am quite literally distracting from the person he is on a very strong mission to become. He has taught himself so many life skills. Okay so he may not be able to write or read at the level of kids of his age but he can survive and he knows about the real world not the mindless world that we are often living in through technology. I am actually in awe of him!
You go boy, go out and become a man :-) XXXX
Sunday 22 January 2017
Winter rambling
I felt in good spirits this morning. I do love Sundays! Lazy relaxed days that have no definite beginning and usually cosy ends. Sundays in Winter seem the most special ones of all. I love nothing more than pottering about at home bundled up in a rather hotch potch mix of snuggly clothes, getting stuff done. No school work, no groups ....bliss!
This morning I was the first one up and after busying myself with the mundane 'must do's' for an hour or so, I felt the desperate urge to go out and experience the sunshine that was beaming in through the kitchen window. Amazingly, when I asked if anyone would like to join me, one child rather enthusiastically agreed! He also rather to my surprise, wanted to bring a tape measure with him so that he could catch oysters and measure them. Well of course, not wanting to quash the faintest hint of a maths activity, even on a weekend, I happily agreed and waited patiently for him to gather up his things.
I should have known......said oyster catching activity was in fact The Boy's plan to have me take him fishing!
It was freezing cold this morning and just the perfect morning to be out and about whilst wrapped in warm layers. The lake was mostly frozen over which added to the excitement. Even Jenny dog was pleased to be out, she ran off and found a pile of stinky poop to rub her neck in.......
The Boy is really quite responsible these days so after a short while of interested observations on my part, I was able to stroll off around the lake to admire the beauty of the light as it enhanced the incredible colours and created stunning reflections on the ice. I marvel at the beauty of this amazing place every time I walk here and thank my lucky stars that I have access.
Jenny dog is pretty good at staying close by as an elderly lady of ten, she used to be a total pain in the butt and run off chasing anything that moved as a youngster. Today she thought it rather fun to disturb the birds that were resting in the reeds by the waters edge and almost had her comeuppance as a result. I was almost all the way round when she thought she'd try walking on the ice. Silly dog! That horrid moment of thought that crosses your mind ......thankfully all was well!
The Boy was most excited upon my return to announce that he had caught a perch. A teeny weeny one but nether the less a fish :-)
*Fish was returned to the water unharmed.
This morning I was the first one up and after busying myself with the mundane 'must do's' for an hour or so, I felt the desperate urge to go out and experience the sunshine that was beaming in through the kitchen window. Amazingly, when I asked if anyone would like to join me, one child rather enthusiastically agreed! He also rather to my surprise, wanted to bring a tape measure with him so that he could catch oysters and measure them. Well of course, not wanting to quash the faintest hint of a maths activity, even on a weekend, I happily agreed and waited patiently for him to gather up his things.
I should have known......said oyster catching activity was in fact The Boy's plan to have me take him fishing!
It was freezing cold this morning and just the perfect morning to be out and about whilst wrapped in warm layers. The lake was mostly frozen over which added to the excitement. Even Jenny dog was pleased to be out, she ran off and found a pile of stinky poop to rub her neck in.......
The Boy is really quite responsible these days so after a short while of interested observations on my part, I was able to stroll off around the lake to admire the beauty of the light as it enhanced the incredible colours and created stunning reflections on the ice. I marvel at the beauty of this amazing place every time I walk here and thank my lucky stars that I have access.
Jenny dog is pretty good at staying close by as an elderly lady of ten, she used to be a total pain in the butt and run off chasing anything that moved as a youngster. Today she thought it rather fun to disturb the birds that were resting in the reeds by the waters edge and almost had her comeuppance as a result. I was almost all the way round when she thought she'd try walking on the ice. Silly dog! That horrid moment of thought that crosses your mind ......thankfully all was well!
The Boy was most excited upon my return to announce that he had caught a perch. A teeny weeny one but nether the less a fish :-)
*Fish was returned to the water unharmed.
Friday 6 January 2017
Snot!
I was only thinking the other day, how lucky my children are to rarely suffer with illness. Whilst friends around us seem to be succumbing to everything that goes, we seem to somehow manage to escape things in the main. It always happens though doesn't it, those moments of thought inevitably lead to a bout of something yucky.
Since two weeks before Christmas we have been trying desperately hard to avoid all ills so as not to scupper our holiday plans. The essence of a stomach bug crept in in early December but luckily only one child was affected and that was very brief. Fortunately all were fit and well during our mini break to Shropshire and during our ten day ski trip.
This week however, The Boy has been hit by the Common Cold and it's bad!
I wouldn't say Man Flu bad; he hasn't been complaining or overly reaping the benefits of my caring nature. Poor boy has however been really bunged up and coughing like a trooper. What has been really funny though is that throughout his ordeal, he's been giving us a frequent running commentary of his ails. It's gone a lot like this......
Day 1: 'Mum, I've blown a whole mugful of snot out this morning!'
Day 2: 'I'll tell you what happens at night....this crispy stuff forms a layer across my nostrils (notrils in blocked nose language) and that stops all the snot from pouring out'.
'I had to empty my pile of snotty tissues into the bin at midnight last night as it was sooo big!'
The Boy produced a very large 'bogie-looking' piece of some jelly stuff which he proceeded to tease the girls with for the best part of an hour!
Day 3: Me: Lightly touches boy on the head whilst he sleeps as he hadn't been coughing all night. 'How are you feeling today?'
'It's gone! I didn't have to empty my snot pile into the bin!'
School work was suppose to resume this week and for two out of three it did. In the world of The Boy THIS....is what constituted work!
How angelic....he made a quill out of a goose feather......
and then.......
Since two weeks before Christmas we have been trying desperately hard to avoid all ills so as not to scupper our holiday plans. The essence of a stomach bug crept in in early December but luckily only one child was affected and that was very brief. Fortunately all were fit and well during our mini break to Shropshire and during our ten day ski trip.
This week however, The Boy has been hit by the Common Cold and it's bad!
I wouldn't say Man Flu bad; he hasn't been complaining or overly reaping the benefits of my caring nature. Poor boy has however been really bunged up and coughing like a trooper. What has been really funny though is that throughout his ordeal, he's been giving us a frequent running commentary of his ails. It's gone a lot like this......
Day 1: 'Mum, I've blown a whole mugful of snot out this morning!'
Day 2: 'I'll tell you what happens at night....this crispy stuff forms a layer across my nostrils (notrils in blocked nose language) and that stops all the snot from pouring out'.
'I had to empty my pile of snotty tissues into the bin at midnight last night as it was sooo big!'
The Boy produced a very large 'bogie-looking' piece of some jelly stuff which he proceeded to tease the girls with for the best part of an hour!
Day 3: Me: Lightly touches boy on the head whilst he sleeps as he hadn't been coughing all night. 'How are you feeling today?'
'It's gone! I didn't have to empty my snot pile into the bin!'
School work was suppose to resume this week and for two out of three it did. In the world of The Boy THIS....is what constituted work!
How angelic....he made a quill out of a goose feather......
and then.......
Boy's will be boy's!
Thursday 24 November 2016
Not a ferret please.......
"Mum, I've been watching videos on how to catch rabbits and I could do with a ferret!"
Noooooooooo!!!!! Surely not. Woman feels completely out of her comfort zone. Eeekkk! A ferret......they smell and they bite! No. I cannot, will not....no, no, no, definitely no ferrets!
So this is the latest in a long string of dilemmas that I am having to deal with. It's not easy living with a boy whom constantly challenges my squeamishness, my moral and dietary values. From his final mutterings of the evening to the first comprehensible chit chat of the morning, talk is of dens and hunting. How? Why? Living in a girly, caring and compassionate, vegetarian household, you would imagine that the boy may be somewhat influenced and toe-the-line, but this is not the case - in fact, the situation is quite the reverse.
This morning, I had hoped that the boy would do a little school work before trundling off into the wilderness that is his world, but no...I stand witness to the army gear being adorned and am asked promptly to venture out into the cold to view the latest den, complete with pizza oven! Hey! I have to say it's pretty good. I'm incredibly impressed with the creativity that I witness. The boy joins me on a morning dog walk but not empty handed. I am to hear and witness the latest bow and arrow creation as it is put through the rigours of testing. The poor dog scuttles from the undergrowth only to have the string pulled until taught and the arrow aimed at her unsuspecting head. Lucky for the dog that the boy doesn't release the arrow but realises ahead of time that the dog is in fact not the monk jack that he would like her to be. We talk of pheasants and plucking them and roasting them on the fire as well as the potential butchering of said deer WHEN he catches one. It is beyond me. It is tempting to prevent and put a stop to this interest but quashing the spirit of the child would kill his soul; the very light that is his driving force. Instead I continue to reside in an environment that supports and nurtures, where help and advice are at hand, where country pursuits are a way of life - I rejoice and celebrate the boy that I have bore and the man that he will one day become.
Oooh! Here is is again....."Mum, can I have a potato...and some foil?" "Yes of course, I'll get you a little one". "No, a big one!".....Hmmmm! It must be lunch time :-)
Wednesday 7 September 2016
It's all about hunting.....
Jee whizz! Life with my boy is all about hunting and gathering these days. I've been panicking that he's not up to scratch with the three R's but you know, the life skills learnt from those lessons are not going to help in the event of a major disaster. I feel pretty confident that should such an event occur, then I shall certainly stand a chance of remaining safe and well looked after in his care.
There is of course a price to pay living with a creature of such a wild disposition.....life literally revolves around den building, fishing, shooting, catapulting, egg/nest hunting, digging and general outdoor living. It challenges me daily.
Little old me really doesn't share the same interests, although I am pleased that he spends so much of his time exploring nature. I feel somewhat queasy and rather weak at the knees at some of the tasks I am expected to assist with. The first time I took him fishing, I had that sudden realisation that I would have to be the one to deal with the slimy little fish and remove them from the hook....uuurrrrrgggghhhh! I shudder at the thought. Lucky for him he has learnt to deal with such matters himself these days. I guess it was a matter of necessity on his behalf lest he should pursue his interest.
Yesterday I finally gave in to the constant badgering for a cray fishing trip (or crawfish as they are known in the US). Normally I have to rectify and bring back from the ashes our rather battered homemade nets, but this year the boy took it upon himself to repair them, and a great job he did too. So at school collection time we packed two rather battered nets; ready filled with stinky dog food, in the back of the car. Uuurrrggghhh! Dog food really isn't a pleasant aroma at the best of times! The conversation on the way to the school all related to potentially well stocked streams with convenient 'net dropping' access points.....Poor Little lady, after a tiring first day at school she had to endure the stench of the dog food and an overexcited brother during our planned homeward detour.
Popping the nets into the river is a breeze for the boy now, he's done it several times with myself and a friend and so on this occasion I was able to sit in the car and well...... chat to my sister whilst I waited. It wasn't until I found myself sitting in the same spot before 8.30am this morning that it occurred to me that I was actually there as an accomplice in the crime of poaching! Suddenly the thought of the headline news strikes me. Eeeekkk! 'Mother of three brought before magistrates for poaching'......'but I'm a vegetarian and wanna be animal rights activist!'
So you can guess what someones having for supper tonight, luckily he is dealing with everything (cooking and all) by himself and we didn't get caught! :-)
There is of course a price to pay living with a creature of such a wild disposition.....life literally revolves around den building, fishing, shooting, catapulting, egg/nest hunting, digging and general outdoor living. It challenges me daily.
Little old me really doesn't share the same interests, although I am pleased that he spends so much of his time exploring nature. I feel somewhat queasy and rather weak at the knees at some of the tasks I am expected to assist with. The first time I took him fishing, I had that sudden realisation that I would have to be the one to deal with the slimy little fish and remove them from the hook....uuurrrrrgggghhhh! I shudder at the thought. Lucky for him he has learnt to deal with such matters himself these days. I guess it was a matter of necessity on his behalf lest he should pursue his interest.
Yesterday I finally gave in to the constant badgering for a cray fishing trip (or crawfish as they are known in the US). Normally I have to rectify and bring back from the ashes our rather battered homemade nets, but this year the boy took it upon himself to repair them, and a great job he did too. So at school collection time we packed two rather battered nets; ready filled with stinky dog food, in the back of the car. Uuurrrggghhh! Dog food really isn't a pleasant aroma at the best of times! The conversation on the way to the school all related to potentially well stocked streams with convenient 'net dropping' access points.....Poor Little lady, after a tiring first day at school she had to endure the stench of the dog food and an overexcited brother during our planned homeward detour.
Popping the nets into the river is a breeze for the boy now, he's done it several times with myself and a friend and so on this occasion I was able to sit in the car and well...... chat to my sister whilst I waited. It wasn't until I found myself sitting in the same spot before 8.30am this morning that it occurred to me that I was actually there as an accomplice in the crime of poaching! Suddenly the thought of the headline news strikes me. Eeeekkk! 'Mother of three brought before magistrates for poaching'......'but I'm a vegetarian and wanna be animal rights activist!'
So you can guess what someones having for supper tonight, luckily he is dealing with everything (cooking and all) by himself and we didn't get caught! :-)
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