Dad | lgflannigan

Not doing much writing at the moment. Am away and need to have my head in the present and not in a fantasy world. Will post update on OFM next week when I’m back home.

Thought I’d do a post instead about my new hobby – sewing! Every year Great British Sewing Bee has been on TV my daughter and I, eager to make something, have looked at buying a sewing machine but could never decide which one to get. Thank goodness for Hobbycraft and its helpful website I was able to choose the right beginners Brother sewing machine for us which I got in November as an early Christmas present. It came with a DVD of ‘how to’ which is brilliant and essential for me. Sewing machines used to scare me, ever since my Nan trapped her finger under the needle – apparently that can’t happen with these modern machines. Fingers crossed, if I have any left 😉

Surprise Christmas present – sewing basket. So cute.

First sewing project is complete – reversible poncho (made from black fleece and tartan material) for my daughter & she actually wears it!

Second sewing project (hand sewn though as not at home) – covers for my dad’s vacuum drainage bottles so he doesn’t scare my mum when he visits her.

Looking forward to the next sewing project & this year’s Great British Sewing Bee!

I am naturally optimistic, and most probably deluded because most days I wake up thinking something exciting is going to happen, but it is fact that we are all going to die. It’s something most of us ignore especially where our loved ones/heroes are concerned.

I am most thankful that this month my amazing dad has, at 75, survived his sixth operation in seven years and despite a few hiccups is doing well.

However this week two other men I admire, have died. And although I didn’t personally know them both deaths have saddened me. It seems too soon. Thinking of them brings back many memories – it’s confirmation that time is passing all too quickly.

David Bowie’s death has reminded me of certain friends (waves at Annette and Karen) and my secondary school science teacher (wish I could remember his name) who was obsessed with him and evenings out at the pub watching Let’s Dance, China Girl on the music video jukebox.

As someone who has stuck with the same style for far longer than I should, although thankfully I got rid of the 80’s perm years ago, I admire Bowie’s ability to reinvent himself. It kept him current. I was surprised to find out he was 69.

I’m back home from my parents for a few days and have been watching some of the Bowie documentaries with my husband and daughter. They’ve reminded me of the many Bowie songs I love. It’s difficult to single one out but Heroes is a shared favourite with my husband so it means more.

Every Christmas we watch the Die Hard movie. Alan Rickman made a great villain in Gruber. Did you know that he didn’t like guns and couldn’t fire one without flinching so the camera panned away when he shot Takagi? I’ve watched most of his movies, and all the Harry Potter movies more than once with my children. His wonderful Severus Snape is a favourite of ours. Sadly, even though he’s one of my favourite actors, I never got to see him perform on stage. Have to confess to having watched this In Demand video many times and am more than a little envious of Charlene Spiteri!