Could/Can/Can't/Won't

Hello, dear reader!


Cold enough for you?


Yes, once again it is time for that and all the other seasonal platitudes to come back into, um, season. Winter may, officially, be a month away, but the temperature in my little corner of the world (West Yorkshire, U.K.) have taken a nosedive


We have frost, we have ice, we have…snow. So, yes, it’s time for that rant again.

Blue Sky Thinking

Hello, dear reader!

As I may have touched on in my last post, there’s been a slight shift in the political landscape. It’s something that’s led to some other, more personal changes too.

No, I’m not talking about underwear or gender reassignment. That would be far too drastic. I’m talking about social media.

I’m a man who spends a decent number of hours on his laptop. Some of that is writing (which you can check out a few samples of below and some of that is browsing YouTube, Facebook, and, until yesterday, Twitter.

Term Time

Hello, dear reader!

I try, I do.

I know that there are some who cast a cursory eye over these poor scribblings who prefer me to steer away from the thorny subject of politics and the division that can arise from such discussions.

But today, I just…can’t.

Because once again there’s only one show in town—the American general election.

The Calm Between Two Storms

Hello, dear reader!

Quiet, ain’t it?

Well, no. A week before the American election, and the day of the U.K. budget it’s not. Not particularly. Not if you happen to cast a quick glance at certain elements of social media or, I don’t know, the news.

No, on a global, or even national level it’s not all that quiet. On the home front? Well that’s a different matter.

50 Reasons To Smile

Hello, dear reader!

So today's blog offering is written by little moi (Tina). Apparently I have had lots of excitement recently, and I have a good excuse to share these events with you guys….. So here goes

You may recall - a few weeks ago we had a superbly amazing joint party to celebrate Mark and I turning 50.The party in fact was a little early for my actual birthday, but we chose a date in between to mark the auspicious occasion.

My actual birthday occurred yesterday, and was a fitting and perfect way to celebrate when someone turns 50. It simply involved cake, flowers, gifts and champagne!

Party Time

Hello, dear reader!

And welcome to the week after the night before.

Yes, the grand 50th birthday bash, as detailed here and here, is over and done with. The balloons have been popped, the wrapping paper cleared up, and the last chicken drumstick stolen.

But what a night it was.

The Last Minute

Hello, dear reader!

Last week, as any regular sufferers of this blog may recall, I predicted that I would, at this point in the week, be ‘thrumming with excitement’

And thrumming I am!

In just two days time, you see, I will be co-hosting the biggest event I’ve had any kind of hand in arranging.

Yes, I’m expecting the worst too, but we’ll get to that.

Whodunnit?

Hello, dear reader!

And welcome to the start of a busy couple of weeks.

This time next week I’ll be thrumming with excitement at the prospect of the upcoming party Tina and I will be hosting to mark our joint 50th year.

Of course in the meantime there’s a million and one things to do, just to make sure everything is as it should be (people to remind to turn up, balloons to inflate, vegetarian sausages to pre-order, etc) but that will all come. For now, I think it’s wise to leave those irons in their respective fires and concentrate on this Friday. A day which will see us don our deerstalkers and investigate… a murder!

Before the Funeral

Hello, dear reader!

It’s going to be a quick one today.

And I know that’s not always been a proclamation that’s proven particularly accurate, but this time I mean it.

You see, today there’s something I need to do, and it’s not something I’m looking forward to.

Peer To Peer

Hello, dear reader!

I thought I would steal Mark’s blog this week - if that’s ok with you ?

As many of you will know ( as I often can be found sharing the fact wherever I go ) I have an amazing role now within the NHS - working with people who very literally saved my life in 2021 when I had my breakdown.

Side Effects

Hello, dear reader!

Yes, I’m back!

And my word does it feel good!

Well, no. Not entirely.

As A Fiddle

Hello, dear reader!

Back to normality.

Yes, the big birthday (50th), and the week of indulgence that followed it are now nothing but a distant, shining memory. It’s back to behaving (apparently behaving badly doesn’t count).

It’s back to trying to be somewhat healthy.

The Last Chance Saloon

Hello, dear reader!

And welcome to a brand new era!

Yes, after last week’s outpouring of frustration and indignant, impotent rage and sorrow, it’s time to turn a new page. It’s time to draw a line in the sand and, starting here and now, to concentrate on all that’s good in life.

And what better time than the start of a brand new decade?

No, don’t worry, you haven’t fallen asleep and lost six years. The decade I’m talking about is of the personal nature. You see, last Saturday saw me turn the grand old age of fifty.

Uncivil Unrest

Hello, dear reader!

Well, this is a strange feeling.

It is not unknown for me to sit down and start writing this humble blog with a certain lack of inspiration. Life, as wonderfully complex as it is, isn’t always what I would class as interesting around these parts (by which I mean the specific parts encompassed by this house’s four walls). I’ve also, occasionally, found myself bereft of the energy and concentration levels to put virtual pen to virtual paper, mainly thanks to the Multiple Sclerosis happily eating away at my brain.

Never, though, have I sat down to write with such a feeling of trepidation and reluctance. Never have I dithered and delayed so much. Never have I felt so ill at ease at the prospect of my own words.

Today, however, I've done just about everything I can to avoid making a start. I’ve ensconced myself in social media, read a bit, done a crossword, and watched The Olympics. And all to delay the inevitable, Because today I know what I want, what I have to, write about. Today there’s only one game in town, and that’s the riots.

Stay Away, Play Away.

Hello, dear reader!

A report on the hi-jinks did I say? Well here it is

I’m probably going to keep this one relatively short, mainly due to the energy-sapping heat currently beating mercilessly from the unseasonably clear, dry skies.

I’m also going to take a hard swerve on the recent events ripping through Britain, the appalling events in Southport and the subsequent fall out. I’ll avoid politics; avoid issues of left versus right, and concentrate on much happier events. I’m not even going to mention the car that was set alight four doors down from us last night.

If you read last week’s offering, you may recall that this weekend saw myself and my sainted wife, Tina, celebrate our twelfth wedding anniversary, and, to celebrate, we went to Leeds

It’s not most people’s idea of an ideal place to live it up, but, since those ancient days of my childhood, my native city has blossomed into quite the modern metropolis. A place of street food, chic bars, good eating, and cocktails.

Which was the plan for the day in question.

Just The Two Of Us

Hello, dear reader!

Time, as they say, flies.

Nothing brings this home more than the slew of milestone celebrations 2024 has brought with it.

A 21st birthday, an 18th, myself and my wúnderwifey, Tina both turning a full half century. Each and every one of these events is a landmark, and each one of them makes me feel even older than the big 5-0 I turn in two and a half weeks.

But there’s one celebration that’s flown under the radar. Myself and Tina’s 12th wedding anniversary.

Out And About

Hello, dear reader!

And welcome to a busy old week.

Yes, it’s been a week of much activity, of reasonable long drives (for me), and jobs crossed off the list.

It’s one of those weeks that lends a strange sense of satisfaction to go alongside the creeping fatigue the unseasonably seasonal weather is failing to help. You will therefore, I hope, not mind too much if I keep this one on the short side. Oh, you do? Unlucky.

Dog Years

Hello, dear reader!

I have, on occasion, been accused of writing the same thing in these blog posts.

While this is not entirely accurate, I will admit to perhaps a smidgen of repetition when it comes to subject matter, and there is, of course, a reason for that which is the limited horizons of our (that’s me and my marvellous Mrs, Tina) lives.

This may be something that’s due a change in the coming years (fingers crossed), but at the time of writing, money and opportunity have conspired to limit the amount of subject matter available.

This week, for instance, we’re going to revisit the thorny issue of the dog.

Last Post

Hello, dear reader!

And how are we doing this fine if somewhat overcast day?

Me? Oh, I’m about as hunky as dory gets. A man filled with a new sense of optimism. A man enthused by possibility. A man ready to move on and see what the future holds

You see this blog post marks what I hope will be an ending. With a little luck, this will be the last blog post I write under a Conservative government.

A Kind Of Magic

Hello, dear reader!

They say kindness costs nothing. I’m a great believer in that.

True, there are some people who will take advantage of kindness, or see it as some sort of weakness, but we have names for people like that. Names I’ll refrain from detailing, lest delicate eyes are reading.

You see…kindness.

Last night was a case in point.

Bus Stop

Hello, dear reader!

It’s been another eventful week for this particular branch of the Rankin family and yet again, it’s a birthday at the heart of it.

This time it was the turn of my dad to celebrate another trip around the sun with a slap up feast of Chinese cuisine, and being the good son I am, I helped him do that.

I turned up and ate.

Not that it’s the celebration itself which forms the crux of today’s offering. No, that’s reserved for the way there and the way back.

Wheelchair Supporter

Hello, dear reader!


It’s coming home!

Well, probably not. I mean, as a Leeds United (I know) and England fan, I’m not un-used to disappointment, so it’s probably best not to get my hopes up too far.

Still.

For those of you that haven’t got a Scooby, what I’m talking about, I refer to the upcoming UEFA Euro 2024 football championships.

I’ll pause here for the customary wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Hear, Hear

Hello, dear reader!


So it seems as though its my turn to write my thoughts this week, not sure when this was decided… But here goes !!!!!

Ballot Box Blues

Hello, dear reader!

It appears that, once again, we live in interesting times.

That’s right, folks, last week, just a little after I’d finished putting the final details of my blog together, everything changed. An announcement was made that has the potential to change everything, and pretty much ensures an entertaining few weeks are in store.

Because, last week, a General Election was called.

Gambling Man

 Hello, dear reader!

And welcome to an exceptionally wet and dreary day in West Yorkshire.

In fact, on the news this morning, I heard tell that this year has been one of the wettest on record in the U.K which doesn’t surprise me. I’m toying with the idea of building a boat and rounding up some animals.

All of which has nothing in particular to do with today’s blog post. No, that honour goes to yet another special birthday amongst the extended Rankin family. My eldest niece’s  21st, no less. 

And was the occasion marked? You bet it was!

All Done

Hello, dear reader!

This might not take long.

On the back of a very short offering last week, I find myself a little under the weather as I recover from a rather dramatically unwell tummy (I won’t go into the details, as some of you might be eating and even if you’re not…)

There is news, however, so, why don’t we?

Work In Progress

Hello, dear reader!

It’s going to be a quick offering, this week.

This is mainly due to the ongoing disruption in the Rankin household, it being difficult stringing words together while loud sawing, and needlessly upbeat remixes of early nineties dance music assault my ears, but also because, due to the new bathroom assembly, neither I nor Tina have actually been anywhere or done anything of note.

So, for now, this will have to do. Think of it as a placeholder. As a bit of an added bonus, I’m going to add a few pics we’ve been taking of the work in progress, so you get an idea of what’s been going on, and next week, with a little luck, I’ll be able to update you with news of a brand spanking new wet room, even more pics, a report on my nieces 21st birthday (yes, I know I’m old, and perhaps some news on the publication of my latest short story

For now, however, as the mutitool roars into life again, I’m going to leave it he

Until next time…


#


Hey, there! If you enjoyed reading any of the above, why not take a look at some of my published work? Below you’ll find links to a number of short stories I’m lucky enough to have included in anthologies. I’d love to know what you think


New Tales Of Old


Death Ship


Pestilence: Drabbles 1


Reaperman: Drabbles 3


The Musketeers Vs Cthulhu


Eldritch Investigations

Workspace

 Hello, dear reader!

And welcome to disruption central.

Yes, after bemoaning that ‘waiting is’ last week all our dreams of getting a quick start on the bathroom have come true.

And, my word, is it fun!

Coming soon!

Hello, dear reader!

We had a very important visitor yesterday.

It wasn’t all that unexpected, and it wasn’t in any way unprompted but, with a little luck, it will get the ball rolling on something quite exciting.

You see, our visitor was a surveyor.

Walk It Off

 Hello, dear reader!  

They say every journey starts with a single step.

I’m on a mission to see if that’s true.

Mum's The Word

Hello, dear reader!

Its the sainted wifey again ….. Just popping by to share some thoughts with you. Hope you don't mind!

As some of you may know, I chat quite often about my mental health journey, and part of that journey is made more challenging because of the fact that my mum has dementia. More accurately, mum has vascular dementia - and also an inoperable brain tumour, which has been diagnosed for about 7 years or so.

Checkpoint Charlie

Hello, dear reader!

Last week, I fell into the trap of navel gazing (Not naval gazing, as I first wrote. That’s ship-spotting, and completely different).

It’s something I’m prone to. I tend to live in my own head, with my own thoughts, which is probably a bit of a boon to anyone else thinking of taking a peek in there.

However.

Idle thought and rumination alone will only take one so far. There comes a point when action has to be taken, and to that point I started off this year with some goals and aspirations. Not resolutions, you understand. Nothing that concrete. Just things I’d like to achieve.

So, let’s see how we’re doing, shall we.

Age Old

Hello, dear reader!

It is, as has been noted in previous posts, a bit of a landmark for me and mine.

There are reasons to celebrate aplenty. Everything from big birthdays to wedding anniversaries and a lot of those occasions happen to fall in the month we are (fortunately for my bank account) coming to the end of.

And, my word, how it ages me.

Freedom

Hello, dear reader!

Some things are worth the wait.

In fact, although the act of waiting (and waiting, and waiting) can be a soul-sapping purgatory, I’d almost (almost!) say that the act of waiting has sharpened my joy at the events of the past week.

But what are those events? I hear you cry.

Well, just two days ago, I received my brand new wheelchair!

My Mama Mia

Hello, dear reader!

It just little me again - the sainted wifey …

I just wanted to share some thoughts with you today, thoughts that I hope make you think, inspire you, and even might even make you laugh.

The rankers have had a busy few weeks. Mark touched on this in his last blog when he chatted about a wedding anniversary, a hotel stay - and a very busy and expensive March.

Flushed!

Hello, dear reader!

Well, with the golden anniversary of my sainted parents now a thing of the recent past it’s time to sober up, refocus, and get on with one of the major challenges planned in for 2024.

No, I’m not talking about the perennially knackered wheelchair (although that is on the horizon), nor am I doing much planning for the upcoming combos of my nieces 18th, step-daughter’s 24th, and Mother’s day.

No, the challenge Is more bathroom based.

Going For Golden

Hello, dear reader!

And so it begins…

2024 is a very special year for the extended Rankin clan. A year of landmarks, of big birthdays and anniversaries. It means a lot of family meet ups, a lot of parties and meals out, possibly an above average amount of booze and associated shenanigans.

Oh, yeah, and a fair bit of expense.

Off Road

Hello, dear reader!

My, but these are exciting times.

Not only is it Valentine’s day, not only has Tina, my wúnder-wifey, landed herself an amazing job, the first administrative throes of which are now firmly under way, but, on the way back from the latest chapter of the latter, we had an encounter that, immediately, I knew would frame today’s offering.

It involved myself, Tina, two strapping blokes, and a rather scared woman.

New Shoes

Hello, dear reader!

It's just little old wifey me ….. I like to make good on promises so here is my latest news that I can finally share with you all.

Wash Day Blues

Hello, dear reader!

And how’s the weather where you are?

Here in (not so) sunny West Yorkshire, we’re suffering our second major storm in the same number of weeks.

Which is nice.

The garden furniture (such as it is) looks like it’s been arranged by a set of angry toddlers who’ve been at the blue sweets, the howling wind and driving rain have been loud enough to give us several interrupted night’s sleep, and going much of anywhere feels like some dire, post -apocalyptic quest. At least we had the foresight to lose a fence panel before the current weather hit, though. We’re nothing if not proactive.

Not that any of that has anything to do with today’s blog post.

Dogleg

Hello, dear reader!

And, as those of you who have the somewhat dubious pleasure of following these inane ramblings might expect, welcome to a blog post all about fitness.

Yes, the last couple of weeks has seen me muse about New Year aims and goals (not resolutions, which I think are self-defeating), and set out a few of these in regard to my own health and a landmark birthday that is on the fast approaching horizon. So, it only seems natural that, this week, we continue with that theme

Although, perhaps, not in the way you were thinking.

Honest!

Hello, dear reader!

It has, on occasion, been mentioned that I can be a tad repetitive in my musings on life. I put this down to the heady, roller-coaster ride of day to day existence throwing up similar if not identical issues to navigate my way through than any lack of inspiration but, then again, your mileage may vary.

And so, that being said, it’s that time of year when I look back at last week’s New Year aims and ambitions and document the start I’ve made.

You know, like last year.

The Aim Game

Hello, dear reader!

And a happy new year, one and all!

As is the norm at this time of change and renewal, I intend to spend a little time reflecting on the year just gone, and a little time exploring the possibilities of the one to come, because, you see, the dust has just about settled on 2023. 

It was a year of quite significant change for myself and, especially, for my wúnderwifey, Tina. A year that included the wonderful, exciting chance for Tina to spread her wings and re-enter the world of gainful, and rewarding employment in a role she is ideally suited for (once a certain former employer get’s its thumb out of its posterior and sends her references in).