“In joy or sadness, flowers are our constant friends"


- from The Book of Tea (Chapter VI, “Flowers”) published in 1906 by Kakuzō Okakura





These African Violets growing on the windowsill in my parents' kitchen are Mum's speciality. They thrive under her care, whereas practically all other houseplants tend to wither when she tries to look after them. One of life's mysteries.


Dad seemed slightly improved again today, and got himself up and into the bathroom for a wash at first light before anyone else was about. He said he'd had another fairly decent night's sleep, which is about the fourth or fifth in a row now. Having at last been given the special nutritional drinks yesterday evening and this morning he thinks his appetite has perked up a little so that he managed to eat a bit more breakfast and lunch than he has been doing. Now that he's been off the suction for a day, he can taste food and drink a little better too, though he still has a feeling of being full all the time which may be to do with the thickening and stiffening of his diseased lung lining. The Heimlich valve for his permanent drain has definitely arrived and it looks as if he will have it sorted out on Monday. Let's hope he will be able to come home from hospital soon after that, in time for his and Mum's 65th wedding anniversary on Wednesday.