Something that isn’t fiction

~ beetleypete

I have been posting a LOT of fiction lately. Thanks to everyone who is reading it, and commenting. Thanks also to all of you who sent (and are still sending) photos to prompt the current short stories. But this blog isn’t just about fiction, as regular readers will know.

So, what else is going on, in the world of beetleypete?

The short answer is ‘not much’. That said, One of Julie’s twin daughters presented us with a lovely new granddaughter on the 5th of the month.
Mother and baby (yet to be named) are doing well, I am pleased to report.

Ollie’s fur finally grew back, just in time to get a good soaking most days out on our walks in the various ‘Named Storms’ affecting Britain at the moment. He hasn’t encountered many of his furry friends lately, as many dog-walkers are avoiding the foul weather, and are wary of the numerous trees that have been blown down. Last week, we lost another one of his oldest friends, Paddy the Border Collie. He was owned by our next-door neighbours, and was one of the first adult dogs Ollie ever met. I used to walk and feed him when they went on holiday, and he was always pleased to see me. But his back legs failed not long after he was 15, and he made his last trip to see the Vet.

My Amazon Kindle Fire Tablet has been annoying me. After working well enough until the guarantee expired, it started to be reluctant to turn on. A factory reset was suggested, but it has to be on to do that! Anyway, I deliberately ‘over-charged’ it the other night, and it finally came on. Perhaps I have been lax in shutting it down when I should? I don’t know if that is a problem, but now I turn it off completely every night, and keep my fingers crossed that it works the next morning.

Loath as I am to mention it, we haven’t had too many issues with all these unusual storms. The shrubs and hedges have survived, the tall chimney for the wood-burner is still in place, and the recently-installed TV aerial has refused to budge in high winds too. It is best to be careful when out driving, as some minor roads have a lot of water on them, and some trees are down close to the road too. But I don’t have to drive unless I need to go to the supermarket, so I am currently only going out in the car twice a week.

Julie caught an awful cold, and has been off sick from her job. Her voice is croaky, and she is flitting between being too hot, or too cold. We are confident is is not a case of Corona virus, and as she works as a doctor’s receptionist, she can be sure of getting good medical care should it be needed.

February has not been very inspiring for photography, at least not for me. So no new photos, I’m afraid. I am hoping for better weather in March, so I can celebrate my birthday with a trip somewhere, and some photos of the occasion.

That’s it for now. Sorry it’s a bit boring, but I’m a retired old man

“Oi! Wake up! You’re at the end of the post now!”

61 thoughts on “Something that isn’t fiction”

  2. This was not at all boring-I enjoy hearing about the lives of my dear friends- Poor neighbors, losing Paddy. Take care in those storms. I am sorry your wife has been sick. We are just getting over the same kind of thing. Also-I am amazed at your photo prompt stories. Each one has been entertaining. x Michele

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  3. Well, didn’t I laugh out loud at the last line! Actually, that was far from boring. I’m so sorry about the neighbor’s dog. It’s good news on the storms and Ollie’s fur. And, a new baby in the family is the best news of all! Surely winter will end soon, right? BTW, your photo prompt stories are fabulous! Best to you, Pete.

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  5. We all caught the flu, so I hope you somehow manage to escape it and that Julie gets well soon. Congratulations for the baby — and Ollie’s hair. So sorry about Paddy. Despite your claims to the contrary, it sounds like a lot of things have happened lately!

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  7. Hey, Pete. I hope Julie gets well soon. And Congratulations for the baby! And Ollie’s hair. Remember to celebrate. Yeah life goes on even if storms (Tom, Dick and Harry) try to interrupt it. We are having rains again here as well. This has been a pretty wet winter and i wonder if reading your posts has been influencing it. 🤣🤣🤣

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  11. Congratulations on the new granddaughter Pete, and your never boring I always look forward to your posts.
    I became a grand dad in January every one keeps congratulating me, not sure why as I didn’t really do much 😁

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    1. I a not a natural person with children. Not until they are about 12, and want to talk about their history homework.
      I like babies when they are very quiet.
      So far, this new one has been very quiet, so I like her. 🙂
      Best wishes, Pete. x

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  15. Congratulations on the new arrival, Christmas will never be the same again 🙂 Good to hear that the storms have mostly passed you by, talking to family up in Cumbria it sounds like they have had a rought time of it.
    March already! I better get my green house finished 🙂

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  17. Oi! Great update, Pete…my wife leaves her iPad reader plugged it at all times, so when she wants to move around, it’s always fully charged. Unfortunately as you know, these new gadgets seem to be designed for “replacement” every year…frustrating but a real thing….oh well, I still cling to paper when reading – although I have about 30 books on my iPad, so I’m not a snob I promise!

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      1. Not sure if it will help but the tech team of my office tells me that the more often a device charges, the more quickly it ‘dies’. I was told to charge mine when it tells me to charge, which is once a day, and not leave it on charging overnight.

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  20. Bless you Pete. We are boring too 😀. Sorry to hear about Julie, but great to hear about the baby. Yes, those storms were awful. Anyway, have a GREAT birthday! Xx

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  22. So nice to catch up on the Beetley News! Congratulations on the new baby. What a delight. I am sorry Julie is feeling poorly and I hope she recovers soon. Between technology and rain and the sad loss of neighboring pets, your life sounds anything but boring.

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  23. Congratulations on the new granddaughter! And I’m happy that Ollie is doing better and hopefully Julie will feel better soon too. Sorry for all those storms you’re having, I know how old that gets. Back in the Pacific Northwest were having our first blue skies since November 30th. That’s according to according to the weather service, and I guess they mean, completely blue skies with no chance of rain. Life goes on. 🙂

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