seismic aftershocks

I think losing a parent is a hairline crack in the vessel of your life. You always knew it was there, but it suddenly appears for real and you're subtly shifted into a new strand, like an rift in the earth that moves the two adjacent sides out of alignment. And you always wonder if something you did made it worse, whether you should try to fix it or just carry on. Is a point in a person's life pivotal to a certain path, or does it just seem that way with the benefit of hindsight?

And on a less sombre note, but maintaining the theme of sudden shifts, I have my new gravel for my garden. Two sacks of white chippings and four sacks of green slate for the herb beds. The only thing putting me off going out and laying it are the neighbours' children playing outside. Are children naturally insatiably curious, or are these some faulty versions that can only express themselves in a perpetual stream of questions :) ? My god, I'm a miserable sod at times!!!

oooh!!!

Must plan a day out soon:

http://www.roalddahlfans.com/museum.php

I'm knackered. Did a lot of work in the garden, topped off by Steph unexpectedly bringing my mother up for the day. She's exhausting. Seems to me that I'm right back to square one with never having a weekend to myself any more :( I think if I typed any more, it would descend into a rant so I'm off for an early night :)