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Sunday 25 September 2016

Winter is coming

“Summer is the time for squabbles. In winter, we must protect one another, keep each other warm, share our strengths.”
George R R Martin, A Song of Fire And Ice

We were a bit late to the Game of Thones party, Mr Coffee and I. It was only a few weeks ago we finally got around to watching Season 2. (DO NOT TELL ME WHO IS DEAD ALREADY.) And by the time we did, it was so long ago since we'd watched Season 1 that I'd forgotten who everyone was, so I got hold of the first book, and came across the quote above.

Anyone who has watched more than a couple of episodes of Game of Thrones will know that all that 'winter is coming' stuff is not just about it getting a bit colder. It's about a family's life changing, and the realisation that complaints about kids throwing up in tents and not having enough time to do the garden are just summer squabbles. Winter is coming, and we must keep each other warm.

I made a quilt. It only took me two years.




It's a rainbow quilt, hand pieced and machine quilted, made up of bits of Liberty that I collected during my summer squabbles. I wasn't choosy. If it was even slightly related to the colour next to it, it went in. And even if it didn't.

It has an extra warm batting from the local fabric shop, which is suitable for the coming colder months. Because in Winter we must protect one another, keep each other warm, share our strengths.

My children's strengths lie mainly in recrimination and anger. This enforced familial protection is not one they buy into very easily. I just had a screaming row with Eldest whilst I was actually writing my blog post, which culminated in me holding her close, really hard, whilst she struggled with her anger, her frustration, and both our desires to punch each other in the face.

There's a lot in store for us, this Winter. It's GCSE year. And my mother - The Grandmother, my children's beloved refuge, who lives just down the street - has been diagnosed with inoperable cancer.

And it strikes me as bizarre, right now, the things I used to complain about. The state of the living room floor. How difficult it was to get to swimming lessons on time.

I honestly don't know how many people still read blogs now, and it's so long since I wrote on mine, I don't know who is still around. If you do, and you are, please no comments that will make me cry. If you like, you can tell me the most bizarre and unimportant thing that you complained about this week. Because Winter is coming, and it will be good to have something to look back on and laugh at our whinging summer selves.





28 comments:

  1. I'm sorry about your mum my lovely :-(

    I'm mostly complaining about having to work full time at the moment, the dog hair that my son's hounds leave a trail of when they visit (probably enough to stuff your next quilt) , and the fact that the autumn sun is making my windows look filthy. I mean why complain about the sun fgs?! And at least my son can come visit, the others are far far away in that there London. Working full time though? Meh. Life's too short. Xx

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    1. Full time? *shudder*. Also *shudder* to other people's dogs.

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  2. Well this week I have mostly complained about 1. my cat got herself stuck armpit deep in the bars at the top of the hedgehog's cage and has needed extricating. Again.
    2. the only romance going on in my house is between spiders in the bath
    3. why I can't find anything to buy in Primark. It's too big and I can't make that many decisions in one go

    Ps I have GoT series 3 when you need it! Kirstie

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    1. We're way into season 4 already. We don't get out much.

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  3. well, 1. this week I found out my agent/ brotherinlaw that went to Alaska for me to handle selling some assets have taken the titles to said assets and put them in his name, I had sold one of these assets myself the end of August and now said buyer is going to sue me while I have to sue my brotherinlaw of 40 years. 2. why can't men write? Dating is very different and yet exactly the same when I was young, there are those with courage and the others too afraid to take a step forward even when they are saying they want to!!! 3. forget being angry, it hurts us the most and then whoever we are angry with too!! take DEEP BREATHS first.
    LOVE YOUR quilt, just beautiful!!! Take care from Iowa, USA

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  4. I was totally going to go for the cry-making kind of comment. But I'll honour your wishes and just say chia seed chia seed chia seed. Does that help, cowboy? Love ya, in spite of your taste in Hollywood movie stars. xxxx

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    1. I have two packets of chia seeds in my cupboard. I get them from Home Bargains where they sell cheap chocolate and bin bags. They are so bargain shop now.

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  5. I'm sorry about your Mum too. I love your quilt. Over here, it is summer coming, which means for me being plagued by insects, and struggling with keeping the house at a bearable temperature and being tormented by the noises of young people roaming the streets at night because it's warm, waking us up with their raucous shenanigans. (We live in the inner city now, which is mostly great, apart from noisy young people) Winter is much easier for me. My latest crazy whinge was that a new group of young people have just moved into the house next door and came home at 4:30am Saturday morning and proceeded to play Drum &Bass very loudly in their backyard. So I stuck my head over the fence and threw pebbles at their window to demand as politely as I could, given the time, that they turn it down. They were so confused. They couldn't really see me because of the tree by the fence, so I must have been a crazy lady silhouette with a cranky tone. Neighbours. Everybody loves good neighbours.

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  6. Sweetie, I am in your same position and I won't comment. But that quilt, nobody mentioned that quilt! I mean, have you all seen it? It's gorgeous and it shows all the love and the wonderful colours of the rainbow. Brava! It's amazing.

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    1. Oh you lovely person. Thank you. And love to you too.

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  7. When I saw the photo of your quilt I said 'Wow' and immediately enlarged it to see it in all its beautiful detail. It is amazing.
    I have complained about the cats jumping on the table and sliding across on the tablecloth, sending everything onto the floor.
    I have also been holding my daughter in the same way after many a screaming row. She did one year of A level and hated it. i love the comment about wanting to punch one another in the face as that is really how I feel.

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    1. Oh thank you! And love to you in all the screaming.

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  8. I still read blogs & love to see your posts. I am so sorry, going through it with my sister! Enough. Love the quilt. I'm constantly complaining - like about loud music down the street the other night, like an old person. And how about this one - complaining while cleaning out my closet, getting rid of things that don't fit me, including SHOES because my feet have gotten bigger. Menopause fun, the source of many complaints! hang in there

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  9. Sorry about your mum (I'm Saying it anyway). Thanks for stopping by my blog. It's always a great way of discovering new blogs to read. Your quilt is absolutely gorgeous. The colours blend beautifully. I've had my fair share of screaming rows. I'd like to say it gets easier....... X

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  10. Your quilt is amazing and HUGE too! Well done. It is so good to see you posting again so yes, I do still read blogs and always look forward to one from you.

    I haven't complained about anything for ages, it really isn't worth the angst. Enjoy Autumn. x

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  11. I am on the home straight of a couple of quilts that I've been making for years too. Love how you've photographed yours, and it's absolutely gorgeous, so cleverly done. I am always complaining when people do not put their shoes nicely in The Shoe Place. I am known for it. They say, "Mum, you are SO NEAT" and do not mean it in a good way. Sending you hugs, CJ xx

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  12. I love the quilt - delicious and huge! Well done.
    In line with your instructions - I complained in Starbucks because they keep asking me for a name for my coffee and I found myself saying 'I want to drink the coffee not befriend it'.

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  13. Oh, the quilt is GORGEOUS! I'm complaining that winter is coming and with it the smoggy inversions we get here in Salt Lake City which plays havoc with my breathing. sigh

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  14. Oh my the quilt, just gorgeous, sending a hug as well. Stopped in the grocery store for five things, no purse, drat and other unladylike words. We live 10 miles from the shop. Now having restorative cup of tea before going to try again with groceries then to airport to pick up dear friend over from UK. Yes do still read blogs but never watched or read G of T.

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  15. I don't want to make you cry but really sorry to hear about your Mum... Went through it with my Dad and it's shit. But on a brighter note, yes I'm still blogging and reading and it cheers me up to see posts pop up from you because whatever you write about your way with words make me smile and frequently laugh out loud. As for that quilt... It's amazing! It would have taken me far longer than two years!

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  16. oh it's finished. and photographed at the best place ever x
    sending hugs.

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  17. That quilt is nothing short of amazing! Incredible work☺

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  18. I'm still here reading your blog x

    Saw Mr Coffee not long before The Boy and I moved back to Wales. I love your blogging style, it always makes me smile, even when it's about sad stuff. Much love and cwtches to you all xx

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  19. Oh, I'm sorry to hear your sad news.

    Love blogs. Such a joy to read :-)

    Complaining about PEOPLE WHO CAN"T DRIVE. GRRRRRR

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  20. ..well someone here..a person i truly usually love..did not switch on things properly..and two cows escaped into the garden..and then one took off down the road...which is way dangerous for all..and then the other went into the part of the garden that my husband values most..so he chose to follow that cow..moving faster than he has in ages..screaming you stupid cow ..while i was running after the other one..which turned around and sort of scared me..but i threatened it with a stalk of celery that i happened to have in my hand at the time..all ended well..but really i am not a nag when i ask people to please check switches..i do complain about this a bit..but i am not sure being right measured up the way i thought it should..cows..really..i never expected cows..cynthia

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  21. I love your quilt and I hate your news about your mum/mum-in-law. Been there. So sad.

    Today we heard that our older daughter, who is in London with her depressed, OCD husband and two little children, visiting her sister, left her handbag yesterday on a park bench. She returned shortly afterwards and it was gone. It contained all the usual essential stuff - bank cards, knitting - and her house keys and her driving licence complete with her (Edinburgh) address. That was somewhat trying. However, at least we're not in Syria. That would be a lot worse.

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