Glad it went well for you @tykey. It is such a lovely song. Hope you sleep well 
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Glad it went well for you Tykey and thank you for singing that beautiful song for us. You truly are an inspiration to us all. Please keep posting your wonderful triumphs, I and many here love to read your posts x
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Hi @Sherbet10 , you asked how I was getting on with my activities with Guide Dogs. You have a good memory to remember 
. I did say earlier that not all things work out as initially planned. Guide Dogs decided they didn’t need me to be trained up to do the role I wanted, I can only surmise that at 78 years old they assumed I would soon be dead, or infirm and not worth the investment, which might be true. That hurt me for a while, but I realised that I’m 78, heart issues, two knackered knees, with the reserve energy levels of a geriatric, maybe they are right, and had probably done me a favour. Did I really want the phone to ring at 3am and drive through ice and fog to Barnsley to rescue a dog - err not really 
. (Although Barnsley is a lovely place to go to) So I got digging and found that there is a need to board the dogs on a personal basis, where I can plan several weeks in advance, which doesnt need Guide Dogs approval nor training, experience is enough, so that is what I’m doing. I’ve now got 4 dog owners who know that they get in contact when they need me. I’ve actually got one, a golden retriever, coming for a week or so from tomorrow, that’s the first time Jasper will be here, and I’m excited already!!
It reminds me of a philosophy that whenever a thought comes into my head which starts "SHALL I? ", my first answer is always “yes”. It might not work out, I might change my mind, it might be beyond me (abseiling again!). But if I hesitate and instead of saying yes, and say something like “No I cant do that!!” then the chance is gone, it wont metamorphose into something else, never to be seen again. The failure at abseiling metamorphosed into potholing, which was a great success.
I might be in danger of boring people with this next bit, but a year or so ago, I was sitting (being whistful) in the conservatory browsing music on Youtube. I found one of my most favouritest songs ever, and at the beginning there is a short intro on a flute. Shall I ? YES!!!. I want to be able to do that, even though Id never even seen a flute, never mind held one. So I went on our villages facebook site, and asked if anyone taught flute. Within 10 minutes I had a lesson the following day, and I had hired a flute, which I subsequently bought. Ive enjoyed every minute of this journey. I still go for lessons, but I play regularly in my conservatory (my neighbours recognise how far I’ve progressed) . I can now play "Orange Juice - from Brassed off. Properly known as Concerto de Aranguez, by Rodrigo, posh Eh? I have even played a favourite song to Penny on our favourite beach , when nobody else was there 
. That was until the police turned up to respond to reports of someone strangling a cat!!. You might like to hear the song which started it, and changed my life. I look forward to hearing of the new things you are all trying. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5NdcBY1Znw.
Note: listen to the poetic words!
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Hi @tykey
I remember well some of your posts they were a true inspiration to me . Sorry the guide dogs didn’t work out for you . As you say maybe it a blessing in disguise. Good luck with the golden retriever it sounds like it might’ve a better option.
It now 9 months since I lost my husband. and it’s still a bit of a rollercoaster ride . Slowly I am getting more better than not so good days .
I have lost one of my dogs 5 months after losing my husband that was a sad and difficult time . So now I just have one dog who has helped keep me going
I have been to a few taking table there a bit of a mixed bag . Not bad if you just want a coffee and a chat . I have recently joined the U 3A . So far I have been to there coffee morning and done a walk with them. I plan to take my dog to the coast for the day . It is not an easy thing to do as I don’t drive . With a bit of planning I’ll get there . After that I am thinking of a short break somewhere in the uk . Well that’s enough about me I look forward to hearing about your progress both with the choir and the dogs .
Take Care
You truly are an inspiration. I too, after the departure of my hubby Keef about 3 years ago, decided to take on new ventures. After having had the house redecorated, but still not sure whether I should move or not, I got 2 little rescue cats from the RSPCA. My house doesn’t feel quite as empty now but I needed to take up something to fill up the days when I wasn’t playing the piano. After much arguing with myself I ended up embarking on a Masters in English Literature through the Open University. I’ve just completed the course and am, hopefully, awaiting the results which appear in July. It doesn’t really matter if I don’t do well, it was more about finding a focus in life, and I know it is something which I had discussed with Keef many times. I had a bit of a hiccup in the Autumn last year when my 93 year old mum suddenly died, which brought back all of those early feelings from when I had lost Keef. However, I know she would have been so proud of me completing this course especially since she too had a great fondness for books and always said that when she passed I was to have all of her books, she didn’t trust my sisters! Consequently I am now the proud owner of many detective novels which she devoured along with some very old hard back editions of Charles Dicken’s novels. Sorry for the ramble, but I remember your positive attitude throughout this journey and always felt you were an inspiration on how we can now live our lives without forgetting those we have lost. Thanks Gail
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That’s brilliant, Gail, English literature is one of the two subjects I consistently failed at O level (along with Latin, of course). I still hate Pride and Prejudice. Just taking the challenge and doing it is the thing. I wish you lived closer to Yorkshire, we could do a duet with you on the piano! Next step, writing a book? I’ll buy a copy!!
Please let us know in July of your results, as you say, its not that important, just doing it is the wonderful thing. I’m sure we are all proud of you!
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Where in Yorkshire are you, we lived in Fulford just outside York for a few years when the kids were little but unfortunately had to move South due to work, which is why I’m back in Kent? I never did O level Latin but did get to study it many years later as an undergraduate and it was one of the courses I actually failed!
I’m off to Italy on 11th July, it will be very hot, and get back on 19th. After that I should hear about the course. I actually love Pride and Prejudice, although I did not write about it for this course. My dissertation was on the Thomas Ripley novels.
At least it’s not quite as hot today so I can actually think straight. I’ll let you know how I get on with the course later. Gail
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I’m in Sheffield, although I was born just over the border in Nottinghamshire, but I met and married a Yorkshire lass, and learnt how great they are and how nice Yorkshire is 
, and moved here. She made wonderful Yorkshire puddings, I wish she had told me how she did it. I love York, although it’s now impossible to park your car there! I think you have to park in Fulford and walk!! Have a fantastic time in Italy
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@tykey, you are an inspiration. Unfortunately I really cannot sing and am just not musical.
However, as a Yorkshire woman, I can give you tips for good Yorkshire puddings. I never use a recipe though.
- Use bread flour, it contains more gluten.
- Add more egg than you think.
- Mix with milk and seasoning until it feels/looks right
- Put into a tin of very hot fat in a very hot oven.
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Hi @Guineapig65
Congratulations on completing your English literature Exam I hope you get the results your hard work deserves. Hope you enjoy your Italy holiday. You and @tykey are both further on in your journey than I am . So who knows maybe I’ll will get abroad as well at some point . Keep us posted on how you do . Good luck
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Thanks @Stealaway , thankyou for the coaching re Yorkshire puddings. As soon as the weather cools, I’ll be on to it.
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That’s not too bad a walk. I remember doing it lots of time with my kids, just walking along by the river it was lovely.
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Hi @Sherbet10 . I have a bit of an update on my Guide Dog adventures. This might inspire someone to do the same, and fill a huge hole in our heart. Jasper arrives tomorrow for about 9 days. A fully trained Guide dog, so he will be perfectly behaved. And we can do it without any long term commitment.
Who could resist him
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He’s gorgeous Tykey, what a lovely thing to do x
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Hi @tykey
He is gorgeous. Hope all goes well with the training. Let us know how you get on
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He looks so sweet tykey I hope you enjoy your time with him.
Wishing you all the best
Tom
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The good news is that there is no training required, because he’s coming purely as a holiday boarder and Guide Dogs aren’t involved. All I have to do is feed him, walk him, cuddle him and love him. My only commitment is to keep him safe and to not let him get any bad habits
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Hi @tykey
That’s sounds ideal, I’ll bet you’ll miss him when you have to give him back . Will you be able to follow his progress though his guide dog training.
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Ps
Sorry o miss read your post you said he wasn’t a guide dog
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Did I mistype, @sherbet10. He is a mature fully trained Guide dog , about 8 years old, so no training needed. I’ve got it sorted so that I have regular contact with 4 owners , who would always get in contact when they need a temporary home for their guide dogs(eg holidays). So i might have a dog every couple of months, which is the level of work I can cope with. The down side is that I DO miss them when they go home. My own dogs Rosie and Crumpet are very laid back with having new dogs in our home. I just have to make sure they dont snaffle each others food 
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