This trip is different than I thought it would be but I could not be any happier. I feel utterly spoiled to death, met many new people and made many new friends. I have also been shopping, shopping. A list of my acquisitions follow:
One hat – sort of a toque that matches my turquoise coat (it is cold out)
Gloves that also match the turquoise coat
Pyjamas from Primark that say: Naughty Is the New Nice
Earphones that block shotgun noises that only cost 12 pounds and will block traffic noise at home
A smashing new tweed jacket in a lovely colour of blue. Sort of makes me look like the Queen of England
Furry new sparkly slippers
I am usually not a shopper so this is rather unusual.
Me: I wonder why I am so popular with men but I have figured it out. I hate to shop and guys are constantly being dragged around to stores with their wives.
He: Well that would do it for me. I hate standing around waiting for her to finish shopping.
My tour guides for this area have achieved new nicknames. Hers is P.A. which stands for Personal Assistant and his is S.E.E. which is Senior Efficient Engineer. These new nicknames relate to future roles they may play in my life. I will be a Full Employment Act: one daughter will be the Technological Person, another the Make Up Guru. There is some problem with the husband of one of the daughters as he is a tree surgeon and there are no trees where we are going. This situation may be resolved over dinner this evening – I have been invited to dinner – an I not absolutely lucky and privileged? The answer is YES.
Yesterday was a delightful day with much voyaging about in the countrywide in a Land Rover. It felt very Royal as I have seen Queen Elizabeth II in a Land Rover on her days off, A truck passed us that said it belonged to her – just a small pick up one. I felt it was an omen but SEE and PA did not think so. We chatted and chatted and chatted while we drove – well it was mostly me but I did let them get an occasional word in. We stopped at McDonalds where I got a soft ice cream cone and some fries and a diet coke. Our destination was a charming village in the Cotswolds. For those of you, not in the know: “The Cotswolds were designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty] The Cotswolds AONB, which is the largest in England and Wales, stretches from the border regions of South Warwickshire and Worcestershire, through West Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire, and takes in parts of Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset in the south.
Our two stops in the village were a Christmas store and a pub (of course). I had a jacket potato with cheese and beans. We met many people and chatted and chatted and chatted. I did, of course, give them my blog card – going to run out again if I keep up that pace. Oops, forgot about a stop – my slippers were purchased in the village. I will take a picture of them and include them with this post. You shall see how attractive they are.
So I feel a part of this family and even a part of this village. That is most unusual and most unexpected and most welcome. Last night a man showed such kindness to me. We have seen one another before – he looks rather adoringly at me and calls me “San Francisco”. I ended up hungry and the kitchen was closed but he freely and voluntarily and generously went to the nearby store (still open) and brought me back wraps. He responded to a Damsel In Distress.
That is a concept which does not entirely fit me, mostly because I am old. The damsel-in-distress, persecuted maiden, or princess in jeopardy is a classic theme in world literature, art, film and video games; most notably in those that have a lot of action. This trope usually involves beautiful, innocent, or helpless young female leads, placed in a dire predicament by a villain, monster or alien, and who requires a male hero to achieve her rescue. Often these young women are stereotyped as very physically weak and almost completely dependent on the male lead. After rescuing her, the hero often obtains her hand in marriage. She has become a stock character of fiction, particularly of melodrama. Though she is usually human, she can also be of any other species, including fictional or folkloric species; and even divine figures such as an angel, spirit, or deity.
So I do not exactly fit the bill of the damsel in distress. Moreover, apparently, my hero is married but I gave him a huge hug and left him a note. I was most grateful.
So I get myself in strange predicaments. My monsters, villains and aliens are usually jealous women who try to control me, to humiliate me, to get the upper hand. They briefly prevail but then I am rescued either by a hero, or by me, or by a kinds and generous woman. Oh, I neglected to mention that my other villains are often gay men. I know that is politically incorrect to mention but it is an observed fact. And when you think about it gay men are not exactly known for their love of women. I am constantly reminded by Maria’s definition of Feminism: It is the Radical Notion That Women Are Human Beings.
But I do add the following caveat : only when women act like human beings should they be treated fairly and equally. Synonyms for Caveat: caution, admonition, monition, red flag, alarm , condition, stipulation, provision, clause, rider, qualification, restriction, reservation, limitation, strings.
Women should not expect to be treated fairly and equally just because they are women. But if they act like a human being they should be treated like a human being.
At the moment I am so lazy and spoiled., still in bed. The wonderful woman who came to clean my room brought me ice so I am icing my knee, drinking tea, eating my left over wrap and contemplating lunch with PA. PA and I are texting and dying laughing as I cannot remember the name of the place I want to go to for lunch. Oh well?!?!
