Time to Thaw Out

It's been a while since I blogged. There are many reasons for this, such as moving house and getting flu. When I say flu, I mean real flu, the one that pulls out a cricket bat. Knocked me right over and stayed in bed for a week, beginning to see daylight again. Actually the view is fairly snowy here.

So, due to moving have been living in a world of decorating, practical stuff and anaglyptic wallpaper. Now and then have been dipping into the real world of poetry. Went to quite a few events, two of which were in Beeston at the Flying Goose Cafe. Back in November it was Roy Fisher and a couple of weeks ago it was Alexander Hutchinson who entertained us with verse and song. Both events were very memorable and still make me rosy. I also managed to see Alice Oswald in Leicester and she was wonderful, I've been a fan of her work for quite a while so it was a real treat. There is nothing 'superfluous' about her, every word is there because it should be. David Morley at the Nine Arches Shindig in November was great too, as well as Matt Meritt's launch of Hydrodaktulopsychicharmonica which I've just spelt without checking. The sad thing was missing out on Word! a couple of times, due to this moving malarkey, which always gives me a rosy glow.

Not much of a glow in the snow though, twins not mad keen on sub zero temperatures and car refusing to budge at times. 'Look at the robin on the branches' I said to the girls in Beacon Hill and they just looked at me with that 'it's-freezing-let's-go-home-and-have-some-cake' glare which said so much. I love the snow but moving house over the ice has been a challenge I could have lived without. Anyhow, I digress, I'm waiting for the thaw. I'm waiting for my health to be tip-top again and renew some writing life. Next month, next year that is sees the launch of 'Hearing Voices' of which I edited the first issue.