I was ill and ate a custard tart.

I thought of Judi dench as time went by

Her partner liked such cakes and so do I

It’s hard to stop but easier to start

What’s your favourite cake when you feel glum?

If you’re  diabetic please ignore

My husband was and we ate cakes no more

Now he’s up above my time has come.

But I would give them up if he returned

Oh kindly face , oh love where have you gone?

I miss your jokes your acting and the fun.

Where is the love that in my heart I learned?

I ate the custard tart, I feel alone

I’d rather eat just bread if you were here

Everyone must die, it’s true, I fear

Some days since you’ve gone my heart’s a stone

Bitter is the sorrow of the lost

But surely we must love despite the cost

I realised that Sudoku puzzles are closed systems and therefore every thing is closely connected to everything else

So if you are having a problem with for example the number 3 don’t look directly for the answer because if you start looking at a different number like nine or seven if you can find some movement there or even the solution automatically this will simplify the problem you’re having with number 3.

Now a human life is not a completely closed system on the whole. But even so if you are having a problem with one part of your life and you can’t get any movement there look at something completely different and see if you can do anything about that. If you can it will very likely help you with the original problem or at least it will help you to pass the time.

Sometimes if you are feeling depressed and you can’t do much about it it helps to do the washing up or change the bed sheets or pay a bill anything that needs doing

Something physical is often a good idea.

Movement itself can help. physical movement or doing things like puzzles makes your mind move about a bit

After doing some of these manual tasks often people feel better because at least they have done washing or the washing up or paid their bills

But if it doesn’t help just hang on because life itself is movement and things will change.

In the meantime I’m giving some money to the Red cross because there are problems that other people are having in the complicated world of wars and suffering and even if you’re feeling depressed or anxious you can still give a little help to someone else.

I don’t expect people to be grateful for what they have because when you’re depressed lonely anxious you don’t want people telling you to look on the bright side . Later you can be grateful for what you have and the people around you.

And remember in time everything passes.

And life is hard

The end of Essex Road, the slope, the gates,

The entrance to the park, the green invites

The swans and geese are wrangling with their mates.

I idle on a bench and contemplate.

In ‘diligent indolence’ with  Keats I write

The end of that old road, the curve, the gates.

I must embrace this life, enjoy my fate

The scent of hot damp trees, the feel of sight

The swans and geese are mingling with their mates

Oj joy of greeny grass, oh glorious state.

Oh dandelions and weeds, mosquito bites!

I like the way the road slopes through the gates

Oh heaven above, oh,earth beneath, all’s right

The celandines are brilliant with delight

The swans so white are gliding with their mates

The end of this dear road, the curve, the gates.