Michael Harling's Blog, page 17
April 10, 2020
Going for a Swim
Over the years, Ive noted how the swimming pool at the local leisure center comes up short when compared to my memories of swimming in the creek, and how what adventurous locals refer to as Wild Swimming is what I simply call swimming. I therefore thought it only right that I should chronicle my recent introduction to al fresco swimming.
It started with a notice in Next Doorthe local on-line community forumwhen a guy named Ady asked if anyone was up for a Cold-Water swim. Due to the...
It started with a notice in Next Doorthe local on-line community forumwhen a guy named Ady asked if anyone was up for a Cold-Water swim. Due to the...
March 29, 2020
Love in the Time of Coronavirus
No CORVID-19 FREE ZONE this time, Im afraid. Instead, Im going to take a light-hearted look at crises past and the turmoil that has sort of bookended our marriage so far.
I actually met my wife due to a crisis: the foot and mouth epizootic (yes, its a real word, look it up) of 2001, which saw the most ultimate form of lock-down imposed on over 6 million cows and sheep. Because of this, the planned hiking holiday in the West of Ireland that my future wife had booked, was cancelled and...
I actually met my wife due to a crisis: the foot and mouth epizootic (yes, its a real word, look it up) of 2001, which saw the most ultimate form of lock-down imposed on over 6 million cows and sheep. Because of this, the planned hiking holiday in the West of Ireland that my future wife had booked, was cancelled and...
March 20, 2020
Shedding the Shed
When I was a boy, my dad built a shop in the back yard. It was about half the size of our house and he built the whole thing himself. He needed it because he was an upholsterer and, over the years, he re-upholstered chairs and couches and refinished cabinets and built all manner of household furnishings. It was a wondrous place that only became more and more wondrous.
By the time I was able to operate the machinerybutton maker, band saw, table saw, vice, wood lathe, jig saw, electric sander,...
By the time I was able to operate the machinerybutton maker, band saw, table saw, vice, wood lathe, jig saw, electric sander,...
March 15, 2020
Eulogy
When I started this blog, I promised myself three things: that I wouldnt talk about politics, religion or my family (grandkids excepted). I have broken that promised a few times (Trump and Breixt were hard to ignore) and I am about to again. So, I hope you will forgive me for posting about my recently deceased brother, Marc.
Caveat: if you are a friend or family member reading this and your impressions differ from mine, thats okay. It doesnt mean my impressions are right, or wrong, it just...
March 12, 2020
America
I recently returned from the US, and none too soon from the look of things, as the Americans appear to be ready to pull down the shutters.
It was a hastily arranged and unexpected trip. I could just leave you hanging under the nebulous explanation of Family Emergency but in the interest of full disclosure, Ill tell you that the reason was my brother died.
Or, rather, he was sick. Very, very sick. So I booked a flight, got to my sons house, where I was going to stay, and called for an update and...
It was a hastily arranged and unexpected trip. I could just leave you hanging under the nebulous explanation of Family Emergency but in the interest of full disclosure, Ill tell you that the reason was my brother died.
Or, rather, he was sick. Very, very sick. So I booked a flight, got to my sons house, where I was going to stay, and called for an update and...
February 12, 2020
As IF
Currently, I am sitting in Costa coffee, having a cup of tea (21 calories) after having had nothing but a glass of orange juice for breakfast (94 calories) and trying to not eat anything.
I am, you see, on a diet. But it’s not my fault.
I blame my wife.
Unlike the female of the species, men are generally comfortable with their weight, and I am no exception. I weighted in the mid-120s when I was in my 20s, and I looked like I had just been released from a POW camp. In my 30s, my weight slipped...
I am, you see, on a diet. But it’s not my fault.
I blame my wife.
Unlike the female of the species, men are generally comfortable with their weight, and I am no exception. I weighted in the mid-120s when I was in my 20s, and I looked like I had just been released from a POW camp. In my 30s, my weight slipped...
January 27, 2020
New Year Resolutions
Here we are, with the first month of the new decade flying past us. (Or, depending when you’re reading this, having flown past us.). My hope for you is that, up to this point, you have not made any New Year’s Resolutions.
You heard me right. New Year’s Day is the absolute worst time to make a life-decision. First off, you’re hung-over (or you ought to be) and, unless your partner is tea-total and got up early to clean the flat, you are almost certainly still physically surrounded by the...
You heard me right. New Year’s Day is the absolute worst time to make a life-decision. First off, you’re hung-over (or you ought to be) and, unless your partner is tea-total and got up early to clean the flat, you are almost certainly still physically surrounded by the...
January 2, 2020
2020 Vision
Years ago, when I was in my teens and early twenties, I used to muse on the upcoming new millennium, thinking that, if all went well, I would be able to see in the year 2000. I would, however, be an old man by then—45!—and the date was so, so far away that it didn’t warrant thinking about.
It did give me hope, however, and the knowledge that, by year 2000, we would have hoverboards, and we would have well and truly conquered outer space, as well as inner space:
I couldn't wait to get my hands...
It did give me hope, however, and the knowledge that, by year 2000, we would have hoverboards, and we would have well and truly conquered outer space, as well as inner space:
I couldn't wait to get my hands...
December 13, 2019
Winter is Coming
As with Breaking Bad, every single season of Britain’s Got Talent and the OJ Trial, I managed to see not a single second of the phenomenon that was Game of Thrones.
That’s quite an accomplishment, especially the OJ trial (you have no idea) and I was sorta proud of it. I am afraid, however, that I recently—and through no fault of my own—joined the GoT cult.
It was the fault of an autumn storm that ravage the northeast cost of the US last October. As a result of the storm, we were stranded on...
That’s quite an accomplishment, especially the OJ trial (you have no idea) and I was sorta proud of it. I am afraid, however, that I recently—and through no fault of my own—joined the GoT cult.
It was the fault of an autumn storm that ravage the northeast cost of the US last October. As a result of the storm, we were stranded on...
November 12, 2019
America
And so, we went to America.
I think, this year more than any other, it became obvious that I no longer belong there. It’s as foreign to me as Britain was when I first fetched up on these shores. Everything is different. Everything is strange. And, aside from visiting my family and friends, there is no reason to go there anymore.
I think, this year more than any other, it became obvious that I no longer belong there. It’s as foreign to me as Britain was when I first fetched up on these shores. Everything is different. Everything is strange. And, aside from visiting my family and friends, there is no reason to go there anymore.
