Burglars welcome

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Thursday, I went through to Newcastle and from there to Gateshead to meet up with my parents.  The house we were staying in was nice enough, but not amazing.

Friday was the funeral.  We got to the church early and took our seats.  My sister in law was able to arrange the service and it was a good service.  There were two things I really didn’t like though.  One was when someone from the bible study group my sister attended said that she had been healed.  While I got where she was coming from, probably not the right thing to say at the funeral of a 37 year old.  The one I hated was when the minister turned the eulogy into a sermon about whether or not the tears people were shedding over my sister in laws death were justified before announcing that of course they were.  It’s not that I ever think that would be appropriate at a funeral ever.  But he was stood about two meters from my niece, who had spent most of the service in tears.  Thank you, kind sir, for reasurring a child who has had to watch her mother suffer and die before the child has reached the age of 10 that her tears are valid.

Following the ervice, we headed out to the crematorium for the committal service, which was for family only.  The kids did come along, which was a decision my brother left up to them.  (My nephew said he would only go if his sister did.)  Now, I like Pslam 23, but after hearing it recited, then singing it at the service then hearing it at the committal, I’m done hearing or reading it for a few months.

Then, me, mum, dad, and my sister went to my brothers.  Which involved my dad showing the kids how to make paper planes (my dad is really good at that).  It also involved the entry title.  My niece said my nephews life ambition was to annoy her.  He replied that his life ambition was to hit a burglar over the head with a pan.  (Which is now my life ambition as well.)  He then talked about putting a sign outside the house saying “Burglar welcome” before deciding that would be going too far.

Yesterday, I went for a wander round Newcastle.  In one record store, I bought the new album from Holly J Pearson and in another I found a copy of Rock and Roll by John Lennon (one of the first Lennon albums I bought) for a fiver.  It skips on the first track, but apart from that, it’s fine.

Speaking of record stores, I’ve found out that there’s a new independent record store opened up in Stockton.  I haven’t visited yet, I’m going to do so in a couple of weeks.  But, it does mean that I won’t have to shlep through to Newcastle next Record Store Day.  Which is a won.  There’s alos a new live music venue opening here in Boro.  So, musically, things are looking up for me.

Also up for me is my blood pressure.  I’m sure I mentioned before that my doctors wanted me to monitor my blood pressure for a week.  Well, it turns out it’s higher than they would like, so I have to go in for an ECg and to give blood samples so they can decide what meds I need to be on.

Will