November

Last few blooms rescued from the garden

Only Cyclamen survived the frosts

Seed heads are pretty too

And there’s always the houseplants

November has been generally dull. Here are a few things I have been doing to cheer me up during this, my least favourite month  of year.

Watching films

I went by myself to the cinema in Storyhouse to see Small Things Like These with Cillian Murphy who also produced it. It’s the film of the short novel by Claire Keegan and it was excellent as is the novel. Someone I know from writing group grew up in Tuam in Co Galway and remembers children from the Bon Secours convent home coming to his school. He recognised very well the way the local community turned a blind eye to how children were mistreated there, because no one dared challenge the church. This film wasn’t about Tuam and it isn’t a true story but is based on real events. And scarily set in the 1980 which doesn’t seem that long ago to me. 

I didn’t go to the cinema to see ‘Joy’, another recent film. Luckily it was released on Netflix fairly swiftly so we watched last weekend - all of us including Kate.  It tells the story of IVF with a focus on Jean Purdy, the embryologist who is less well known than Steptoe and Edwards.  Another excellent cast with Bill Nighy who I love as Steptoe. This film has a particular significance for us as without the work of these pioneers Kate would not exist. About 26 years ago we were getting ready for a final cycle of IVF after three failed attempts. I wasn’t expecting it to succeed and was amazed when it did. We went to Bourn Hall, the clinic in Cambridgeshire which was set up by Edwards and Steptoe. So we have a lot to thank them for. It was a good film - I liked the way it portrayed the couples desperate for a child. Remember that so well. Spent some time reliving my experience of it all by rereading diary entries of that time and sharing them with Kate. 

Suzanna Clarke at Women’s Prize Event 

I am trying to get used to the idea of going to films and plays by myself.  Lots of other friends do it but I tend to feel a bit self conscious and lonely. And I like talking about whatever I see afterwards.  Paul would go with me but we are in the unfortunate situation of being unable to leave the house at the same time unless we take the dogs with us - Alfie cannot be left unsupervised because of his epilepsy. 

Anyway I did go to this interview with the writer of ‘Piranesi’ in Storyhouse by myself.  I even asked a question.  It was very good so I’m glad I made the effort. Although quite a reserved person, she spoke very eloquently about her writing. And I got her to sign my copy of ‘Piranesi’.

Lizzie the Musical

On a damp Sunday afternoon a couple of weeks ago Kate and I took the tram to a little theatre not far from Piccadilly station in Manchester.  We saw a very loud production of a musical based on the story of Lizzie Borden, a young woman accused of murdering her father and stepmother in nineteenth century Massachusetts.  It was similar in style to Six the Musical which Kate loves with an all female cast and a live band. Here’s a clip. Lizzie the Musical Good fun though my ears were ringing when we came out. 

Wild Weaving

Last weekend I signed up for a Wild Weaving workshop.  I am not skilled at craft activities and did require my teacher’s assistance with my little basket pictured below.  It is very little and a bit wonky as I kept getting my blanket stitch wrong and changing the direction of my working.  An entertaining way to spend a morning nevertheless.

My little basket on a coaster

Apart from these distractions life has been uneventful with usual damp dog walks, bit of clearing up in the garden and too much time doing what I am doing now, watching Paul watching football. Lara the puppy likes to follow the ball on the TV, attempting to eat it.