Memories in the rain

My childhood memories are a little bit hazy, although I strongly suspect that the various medications I've taken over the last 5 years have blurred my mind. Add to that a severe 'depressive episode' in 2002 (which must kill off a few braincells) and 'self medication' prior to it, and it's hardly suprising.
Recently, though, early memories have been coming back in floods and they all leave me feeling rather emotional. Happily emotional, I must add. I've never really questioned that I had a great childhood in a happy, loving, supportive family, but the inability to remember key years of early life can be hard.
Now I can remember that my Dad went beyond the call of duty to make my childhood special. All those times he took me fishing in the rain must have been boring for him, really! But he did it. And looking back, I cant thank him enough. And my Mum, well, Mum's just do it all for you without question, don't they? Well, mine did. And I can't thank her enough either. I'll go into more detail when I finally write my book, but I had to write these words today.
Being a parent myself, now, I can see how time and energy-zapping life becomes, but your kids still come first.
In other news, I've got a terrible cold with laryngitis, so I'm croaking like an old frog. My DLA got reviewed and the DWP decided that I do still qualify, after deciding a month or so back that I was no longer eligible. More on this in a blog dedicated to benefits, in the pipeline. All I'll say is that house prices and rental prices in the UK are constantly rising, food prices are on the increase and fuel has risen above £1 per litre. Yet the government believes the Economy is stable. And for those of us who Have to live on benefits, due to long term disability, we fight on to keep the benefits we have in order to live below the poverty line. Nice.
Life could be worse though. I'm not crippled with depression today.

Rememberance

Today was Remembrance Day in the U.K. Two minutes silence to remember and pay respect to all servicemen and women who have lost their lives. We went out onto the streets and watched the bands and veterans march past.
Both my grandfathers served in WW II, one in The Royal Signals the other on H.M.S. Javelin. Both returned from the war and had to resume 'normal' life. Both my Grandmothers struggled through wartime Britain and raised children. My Parents grew up in Post war times.
Today, with my mood stabilisers and sleeping pills and relaxants and anti-depressants attempting to keep me on some kind of level, I can't imagine living in those times. But somehow they pulled through. It blows my mind, quite literally.
There's nothing more to say, really.
Other than it angers me that so many people were unable to take 2 mins from their 'busy' lives to pay some respect.

10 items or less?

I saw a friend of mine shopping in Lidl yesterday, buying flour in bulk for his 'one man' business. He's not allowed to buy more than 10 bags of flour at 'Tesco' due to some policy they have. Nice. One more reason not to shop there in the first place. If you're still in doubt visit Tescopoly and Indymedia UK.
Today has been a good day, with a bit of music, a bit of sunshine, and bumping into a few people and cheering their day up. Been feeling lethargic and a bit low, but still inspired to do things from the comfort of a pc with a cup of tea. Came across a great T-shirt company - Red Molotov, well worth checking out. Been re-reading 'Them' by Jon Ronson; it's a book about 'extremists'. Been researching the existance of 'the Bilderberg group' which is fascinating but frustrating, as one ends up going around in a loop. David Icke's 12 foot lizard theory is pretty out-there too!
Been thinking about God.