Dear Andy,
I can only say, principally, that I am awfully glad that I can't see into the future.
Heaven only knows the kind of pain it would throw towards me, so long before before I was scheduled to encounter it in the linear structure of the human narrative timeframe.
When you are a child it seems the simplest thing in the world to take things as they come. Yet one finds as one gets older that, in fact, one can't take things in one's stride at all.
It's another of the many things we are unable to do but don't find out about until we grow up.
This week has been a cold one, unseasonably. I think there might be a problem with the central heating system, as the baseline room temperature never seems to climb into the reassuring realms of warmth, irrespective of how high I adjust the temperature dials of the wall-mounted thermostat.
Perhaps the energy suppliers have taken umbrage with me? There has been a heated exchange of correspondence since I maintained - at the start of the new year - that there had been an unannounced increase in my energy rates across the board (an increase not proportional to the fiscal climate) and thereby refused to pay any bills, either new or outstanding, until a formal apology, explanation and monetary reimbursement had been issued in my favour.
I have filed copies of every document both sent and received (including enclosures).
Whilst the crises of finance have been averted - with, I hasten to add, significant perseverence on my own part, not to mention the abundance of extra costs to me personally (paper, photocopying, postage costs, etc.) - I can still not be anywhere near confident that a device of some nature has not been installed within my heating system by one of the energy providers employees, perhaps during a routine 'meter reading', which insists upon my being charged for the service without receiving any of the associated benefits (namely a thoroughly heated house in concordance with the minimum expectations of a civilised human being at the end of the 20th century).
I am forever bound by the thickness of my coat.
Suffice it to say I have engaged in a systematic dismantling of the entire heating network within the house and hope that if anything is amiss I shall uncover it before too much longer.
Otherwise it has been a quiet week. Dad is off of his food again. Your dad is not a man of meals.
Monday and Tuesday were taken up largely with nosebleeds.
Wednesday I felt terrible. Mostly sick in the stomach, but with a loss of personal balance. I fell in front of my afternoon television programme, and I was sitting down at the time. It would have been amusing had it happened to anyone else! I assume the old blood pressure is once again up the creek.
I didn't make it to the shops on Saturday, as the town is too busy. The cupboards are mildly stocked.
On Sunday I thought about going for a walk to blow out some cobwebs, but decided against it eventually.
Still, another week to look forward to now.
I best dash to catch the post. I can barely seal the envelope because my fingers are so cold.
Please remind me of the children's names in your next letter.
Best regards,
Ma
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