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January, 2011 | Janice Scott's Blog

Back into the wide, blue yonder…

Well, the wide, grey yonder, actually. But yes, back on the golf course today. It started to snow just as I put my clubs in the car which I feared might be a sign telling me not to be such a fool, but did I listen? Of course not!

Ed and I don’t have the special wheels now required for winter golf, so I was carrying just a few clubs in my bag which was slung across my back, and opted for nine holes rather than the full eighteen. Wasn’t sure I could cope with eighteen, not having golfed since November and not having carried since last year, but the snow held off and I managed OK. Really enjoyed it – although I must remember a woolly hat next time…

Tomorrow I’m off to Norwich to drop in some copies of ‘Babes and Sucklings’ to Jarrolds, the local big bookshop. I’m thrilled that they are prepared to have a couple of books on their shelves.

Ed has to stay behind because a man is coming to repair our conservatory. It’ll be nice to have it waterproof again. For the last few months we’ve had buckets on the floor whenever it rains, so it will be great to be back to what passes for normal in the Scott household.

Meanwhile, back to the last few chapters of my next novel. Nearing the end now, but it’s such an important part of any novel, so I want to get it right.

You make sure you have a good evening, wherever you are.

My mother’s diaries

My mother was a great diarist. She religiously wrote in her diary every day from around 1968, when my parents moved to Norfolk, until 2005, when she died. There are many volumes, all of which my niece (mother’s American granddaughter) liberated on Mother’s death. I was glad they weren’t just thrown away, but goodness knows what my niece has done with them. I imagine they’re in a spare drawer (or ten!)

Mind you, I don’t think any of the volumes are in line for the Pullitzer prize. Most entries were one-liners; such riveting comments as, “Went shopping today. Bought a piece of mutton for dinner. The price has gone up by 1/2d.” Or, “Won the raffle at WI (Women’s Institute) today.” Or even, “It’s been raining all day. Couldn’t get the washing out.”

I suppose, in due course, they might provide a brief comment on social history, but at the moment it has to be admitted that they are exceedingly boring.

All of this makes me wonder about blogging. Would my mother have been a blogger, if she had ever learned how to use a computer? If so, would she have written more (there being more space than in a conventional diary) and would it have been more interesting? And is blogging the best way to record social history? And finally, what will happen to all these billions of blogs….?

What do you think?

Spring in Cornwall

We had such a good time in Cornwall, with most of the extended family able to be there, but I fear it might be the last of such occasions. Now the grandchildren are all growing up, they are spreading out in all directions and it will soon be impossible to gather them all together, even if they should wish to come. Sadly, the next occasion will probably be a family funeral. Even sadder if it’s ours!

Still, this was great. I was amazed to see daffodils out in bloom, since ours haven’t even found the courage to peep above the ground yet.

I said to the receptionist, “I’m amazed by your daffodils.”

She said, “Yes, they are late, aren’t they? It was the snow before Christmas. It’s put them back a month.” She went on to explain that they usually harvest their daffodils before Christmas, which amazed me even more since we expect ours for Easter. If we’re lucky.

Just shows that while it may be spring in Cornwall, it’s definitely still winter in Norfolk!

Violated!

I had a message from Facebook this morning, telling me that they’d noticed unusual activity on my account – it had been accessed from Dallas. They advised me to change my password, which I have done immediately. Remembering all these passwords is well nigh impossible, so naturally I do what everyone is advised not to do – I store them in a file on my computer.

Then I had an email from a friend telling me that the link I had sent him didn’t work. Needless to say, I hadn’t sent any link. When I logged onto Facebook, I discovered that the same email (offering an Ipad or something to the first 50 people to respond) had been sent to all my Facebook contacts. Hence my feeling of being violated.

I do hope nobody has downloaded a virus by clicking on “my” link. I wish these spotty, teenage hackers could find something better to do with their time.

On a brighter note, Ed and I are off for a family get- together this weekend, again in Cornwall. We’re going the slow route – taking two days to travel each way – but meeting up with the family down there.

Sadly, eldest daughter and family can’t join us as they had a shunt (from behind) and their car is a write-off. Fortunately no one was injured, at least, not seriously, although they’re all somewhat shaken up.

Still, the rest will be there, including son, and youngest daughter from Belgium, so we should have a good time together.

Until next week, fellow Bloggers!

I think I’ve sussed it – with help!

I think I’m close to sussing it at last – my new blog. Yes, I do have to pay for it (and it isn’t hosted by Blogit so there’s no cashback, worse luck) but I do get the services of my own personal blog coach.

So far I’ve drawn on his services quite a lot – since I really don’t know what I’m doing – but he replies relatively quickly and soon sorts out my messes.

I’d be interested in your opinion, so here it is: My new blog

Do take a look – I’ll even add a post or two in due course!