But for yesterday's blog I felt bereft of inspiration. "I have nothing to write about" I said to myself (I often talk to myself as I find I'm in agreement with what I say).
So I sat there with a blank page and no inspiration. Then something - often a very small thing - pops its head up and says "write about me." It must be the same as authors of fiction who find themselves living the life of or talking to the characters they have invented.
For the blog, the trigger was the thought of going for a short run to add to my ever lengthening walks. On this occasion the mind was willing but the flesh was weak but it did prompt me to talk about running groups, marathons and a few more things.
It started off as a serious blog but soon descended into farce (oh come on I'm being rather unfair on myself there - it descended into something vaguely amusing). But the reaction to my writing is in the mind of the readers and I find that an interesting concept.
I didn't find my piece about running particularly amusing but some readers had mental pictures of me falling off the end of a treadmill and had a titter. Others found the incident in hospital funny.
So I can only thank everyone for their kind comments and particularly those who said my blog had really entertained them and even made them laugh out loud.
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So along with Cousin Belinda we have started on our latest Wymondham Vignette. For those unaware, these are just a series of photographs and articles on miscellaneous items about and from Wymondham. We came across the idea on a recent walk through Wymondham Abbey graveyard. As a consequence we wrote a piece about the Howes Family. Belinda did the research and I did the writing. It was placed on a Wymondham Facebook page and the response was so good that we decided to do some more. The general idea is to unearth rather offbeat stories about Wymondham that may not have seen the light of day before.
Our latest piece of research/writing will be about the Bowgen family of Wymondham, something prompted by a set of gravestones to the family in the Abbey grounds. Two youngsters had both died at the age of seven and we wanted to find out more about them and the reason for the deaths.
I have also come across a crazy cricket match in the middle of the 19th century between Hethersett and Wymondham where neither side would admit defeat or accept a draw. As a consequence the game was played in torrential rain. There's also a story about a dead body found somewhere between the two places. But who took responsibility for burying it and what were the consequences? All will be revealed in the book which we are hoping to write entitled "Wymondham Vignettes - Miscellany from a Norfolk Market Town."
Any money raised from the sale of the books will be given to charity.
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Six years ago yesterday we were in a state of apprehension and excitement.
I remember sitting in the coffee bar in Marks and Spencers (remember when we could do that?) when my son rang to say we were grandparents for the third time. Poppy Rose Steward had safely arrived in the world.
Now that small bundle is a smiley, happy six year old who loves school, drama and arts and crafts. We had a virtual family party. Have you ever tried to play party games on a zoom call?
Perhaps in the near future we will be able to enjoy a slice of cake in the same room when all of this virus stuff is over.