My new suitcase and what would be my signature tee shirt for the tour worn on outword and inword journeys and at the first open mic of each area
02.09.25 – 1) August gone, the year rolls on
On the internet I’ve looked,
Flight, accommodation and car booked
Ready for what I hope 2026 will bring
Another Poetry Tour of Texas in the Spring
03.09.25 – 2) Last night I dreamed I was once more
On another Texas Poetry Tour
Arriving at the first event to find I’d left my poems behind
Seems like strife one year I did it in real life
It was no surprise I managed to improvise
But let’s hope thing aren’t so drear and I don’t do it again next year
02.10.25 – 3) The year trundles on September has gone
October and the nights are growing longer
The call of Texas will get stronger
But I have to wait till departure date
And so another tour
Meeting the people I love In my spiritual home once more
But foe now just take the time to put something in rhyme
Cos’ today is National Poetry Day
26.10.25 – 4) I hadn’t heard from Jojo for a while
Messaged Rebecah she, messaged me back to tell
She was not well, in hospital once again.
A feeling of gloom she was in the emergency room
Running scans to find out what was wrong
Later I’d know certain minerals were low
Find out what they were what food helps hopefully she’ll try it
Get on a healthy diet, I said with breathe bated keep me updated
Sending messages of hope Show I care
But never under estimate the power of prayer
02.11.25 – 4) Jojo’s at Rebecah’s it’s not going to well
Going through her own personal hell
Managing to eat, but other issues involved, problem still not solved
Family trying to care but they say it’s a living nightmare
Mobility problems coming to the fore and more
Problems with mobility annoyance at not been in her own home
She needs to know how she’s better where she is for now
To keep her spirits up I’ll try, daily messages from her loving Limey guy
04.11.25 – 5) Jojos back in hospital a bit of a fright
Things weren’t going right
But safe and sound with a great family round
While she’s there hopefully receiving the bet care
One thing I know it’s a shame I can’t go
In the main it would be nice to make her smile again
06.11.25 – 6) A Message came from Daniel my mate
Saying he might want to join my poetry adventures upstate
For my itinerary as it stands was his request
Said I’ll send it soon, it went in the afternoon
Told Thom and he was glad, he’d love to meet the Valley Lad
Should be really sweet when the two legends meet
And for Jojo things are moving I’ve bee told she’s improving
11.11.25 – 7) Becca kept me up to date with Jojo’s condition of late
Saying for my voice she does yearn, So time according I been recording
Poems on messenger I have exuded all with her included
The replies I got tell, me they’re going down well
Hoping she’s getting stronger and will not not be in hospital much longer
Now at last news I wanted too hear she’s got the all clear
She’s going home tomorrow, the best place to be
12.11.25- 8) Hospital is anything but a blast Jojo’s home at last
I hope she does as she’s told and it’s not in vain
Co’s I don’t want to hear, she’s in hospital again
Home is where she needs to be, doing as she’s told by her family
Taking heed family love is all she’ll need
15.11.25 – 9) Last night rehearsal went alright
This morning we were heading to Leeds for Lisa’s wedding
Couldn’t help but smile at the thought of walking her down the aisle
Needed a bit of persuasion to get a new suit for the occasion
Time the music just so, then away we go, no rush take it slow
Heart full of joy and pride walking with the bride
Forward and hence let the service commence
The deed is done Lisa and Chris are now one
18.11.25 – 10) Checking every day to see if Jojo’s doing okay
Daily messages and she’s delighted
To get recordings of poems I’ve recited
News is good tells me she’s doing well,
Special day her birthday, photo to tell she’s doing really well
Like as such her messages say as much
13.12.25 – 11)Time slowly marches on, from November now it’s December
Messages from Jojo tell, me she’s keepin’ well
Always nice to know she’s getting to open mics also
And I find she’s often on my mind
Remembering the times we had Austin Lass and Castleford Lad
Those with whom we took the time to share our verse and rhyme
Many others, our poetic sisters and brothers.
Hoping the wait is not in vain and departure day soon comes round again
But first we’ve got Christmas to get out of the way
Followed by New Years Day
And once more April will bring another tour of Texas in the Spring
23.12.15 – 12) Time for travel insurance renewal the e mail said
Got a quote and looked with dread
Felt really sore, for the same cover they wanted a lot more
Talking got me nowhere so I decided to look elsewhere
Search extensive all policies seemed expensive
Eventually one seemed nice and was a decent price
To send it took a while but I got there in the end
Later I discovered I wasn’t covered
Such was their position you could have a pre existing medical condition
For the price they quoted it was noted that that was for none
08.01.26 – 13) Christmas spent with family took things as they came
Didn’t play the commercialised game, made it relaxing, not over taxing
Lisa, Chris and Sasha stayed a while for Christmas Dinner, Castleford style
Reflect on the times I shared my Christmas rhymes
I could tell they went down well
Extra duties in church so they weren’t left in the lurch
Foodbank parcels out so folks wouldn’t go without
New years day gone January carries on
Waiting with great expectation
For my next trip to the North American nation
Flight time changed the last leg of my roam, the final flight home
Look on the bright side despite the hurly burly
At least I get home and to the chippy 30 minutes early
10.01.26 – 14) The weekends here at last, another week past
And what’s clear is that its another week near
Departure day when I hope to be away, once more on another poetry tour
And be delighted when with my poetry family I’m reunited
11.01.26 – 15) Woke to have the day greet,
Me with a covering of snow on the street
Then a sound of rain hitting the window pane
And our boilers on the way out, so time for a change
To an updated one from the range
We looked at the offers, saw what was in the coffers
Called a guy we trusted to get one before the old one busted
He’s fitting it today, dropped it off yesterday
So I’m away to church in town, the coming down
Service over went well then back home and things tell
New boiler fitted and running well
I’m back in the loft composing, no complaining
Outside it’s still raining Soon I’ll be done and away
To bed and tomorrow’s another new day
02.02.26 -16) February at last, January has passed
The winds were cold and strong, the month seemed to go on so long
Now let’s see what February’ll bring as we move forward towards spring
And another roam, of Texas, my spiritual home.
21.02.05 -17) Thursday 12 February found, Margaret Hospital bound
Not feeling her best, palpitations in her chest
Blood preseeur machine didn’t take long to tell something was wriong
111 called symptoms told, Paramedics called, tests done
Things weren’t right, she was kept in overnight
13th Friday even though she felt a bit stronger,
They decided to keep her in a bit longer
Over the weekend determined not to be thwarted,
Find the problem and get it sorted
Over the weekend tests were done more and more
Then they decided she needed to stay with no current discharge day
16th Monday moved elsewhere to Coronary Care
Where they ran tests from ultra sound to ct scan
News they were soon sharing a heart valve needed repairing
Operations a choice of two Not carried out there, but elsewhere
19th Thursday she was supposed to be coming home
With an appointment for the following week But things didn’t go to plan She had to say in longer after a test they ran
She hadn’t gone far when they said she’s never make it to the car
For a bed over the weekend they said she’d have to wait
20th Friday a bed was found and soon she was Leeds bound
So now we wait to see how things pan out
And how soon the operation can be carried out
And in the main a successful op and she’s well again
Another week past and finally at last
Hopes came alive an operation scheduled for March 5
Was down to go in first but there was a guy who’s op was cancelled twiceh First place to him beckoned Margaret was to go in second
So whether is be two or one all that matters is getting it done
05.03.26 – 18) Leeds wasn’t all that far get there either by bus or car
Made our way each day
The we found out, on March 5th the operation would be carried out
So today time slowly abating, time spent waiting
Operation on my mind found the waiting a bind
Thinking the afternoon couldn’t come to soon
Knowing that while she was there
She was being seen to with the greatest of care
Waiting got to much so made the call the ward did tell
The operation had gone well in she’d be in recovery for a while
Next thing to do was move her to ICU
Relief did abound as I pased the word round
Time for joy not sorrow and I get to see her tomorrow
06.03.26 – 19) Rung in the morning they out her on the phone
How nice it was to talk on speaker so Paula could listen too
Visit early after noon not a monent to soon Lisa also there
Later Paula’s turn so she could learn
What had been done and what there was still to do
Staff were pleased and knowing
Telling us they were pleased with the way things are going
07.03.26 -20) March Margaret sat in chair eyes looked brighter I could tell she was looking well but still tired and in some pain,
The came news she was being moved
They came and started got it down to a fine art,
I was able to help and take part. Move done I stopped a while longer
I left her and said get some sleep cos’ soon
I’d be back with Paula later that afternoon
10.04.26 – 21) Soon she was looking better than before
hooked up to the monitor no more
Things looking good, vital signs readingss are good
Yesterday she was moving about finals tests done battle won
Chalk up a win, get home and let recovery begin
She’d be home today was the news we thought great
It was a matter of wait
Ready for the call expected she could be collected
But it didn’t go as expected, we were all dejected
A phone call reducing us almost to tears, Our worst fears
Not on song, something witht the meds was wrong not to our delight
We were told she had to stop another night
11.03.26 – 22) This morning to the unit I run, food parcels to be done
Get a call from Margaret to say, she’s coming home today
Food bank done and I’m waiting, time again abating
Phone rings I here her say, “come and get me” and I’m away
Once there its goodbyes said and home we head
Once there I’m happy like David Bowies Laughing Gnome
When I post the following three words “Margaret is home”.
14.03.26 – 23) Final stitch out yesterday,
Things look to be going the right way
Nurse did tell leverything looked well
Margaret mention the pain she seemd to be going through
In the main given something more for the pain been bugging her
But last night Margaret gave us a fright
Pain to much to bear getting stronger she couldn’t stay in bed no longer
Spent the night in a chair she got some relief there
But a pleasant surprise a present this morning
As day was dawning an orchid plant a gift fron friends
Who’s compassion and love knows no ends
Prayers and thoughts from beyond, The Pond
Plus a poem to give her hope and help her cope
Today resting most of the day pain mostly gone away
Hope things improve and tomorrow is another day
Let’s see what it brings as the early bird sings
15.03.26 – 23) Another night in the chair when I got up she was still there
Still not right but a pain free night
She rose and as the day got longer she seemed to get stronger
Tried a lie down in bed again just to ease the strain
Didn’t sleep but just laid quiet in the main
Thinking how good it was to lay comfortable again.
Then up but was she looking forward to my cooking
I said I’d make the most, of my talents and do a Sunday roast
But of the mash I made a slight hash no real dismay the rest of it was okay
She tucked in and said it sure did beat, the hospital food she had to eat
Now nothing over taxing, time for more relaxing
And gentle walking to keep on track and soon get her mobilty back
17. 03.26 – 24) Margarets sleeping better now, but easily tired
Still needs to exercise, keep going keep the blood flowing
Little and often hopefully the pain and fatigue will soften
20.03.26 -25) Margaret this morning was looking well I could tell
As she told me with a smile
Last nights sleep was the best she’s had for a while
21.03.26 – 26 ) Sleeping pattern getting stronger
She slept for two hours longer
No discomfort or pain just feeling of body knitting itself together again
Cardiac recocvery team came and did tell
Margaret was looking really well
And what’s more they said she didn’t look 74
We thought it was grand when they said we could go on holiday as planned
Although sometimes it feels like one step forward two steps back
As she tries to get her life back on track
Take things at a steady pace, slow and steady complete the race
Slowly getting better then an infection caused some dejection
More medication to be taken side effects come to the fore
Can’t wait tilll she’s taking them no more
But each day she’s feeling, a bit better slowly healing
01.04.26 – 27-1) NaPoRiMo begins
Day dawns clear another poetry tour draws near
And we can say Margaret’s getting slowly better every day
So a holiday for her and Paula too, with Milo making the most
Of some time at the East Coast
Taking their ease listening to waves and feeling a warm sea breeze
Listening to waves lapping on the shore, hoping it comes to the fore
That’s what they’re going to do after all that Margaret’s been through
02.04.26 -28-2) Rise to face the day check Margaret is ok
Door ajar I hear her breathing nice and steady
Then time for me to get ready
Out and about, blood sample to sort out
Shopping to be done then and more all before
Foodbank then church for some praying
And the hynm music I’m playing
It’s all done right now rest for the night
03.04.26 – 29-3) Day again dawning, it’s Good Friday morning
Feeling sore my back decided to play up once more
Let the medication take the strain and ease the pain
Then to church hied to comemorate the day Jesus was crucified
Home lunch then settle rest hoping my back is soon back in fine fettle
Get some medication that’s a bit stronger,
Hopefuly the pain will be no longer
Try it then rest, hope fo rthe best.
04.04.26 – 30-4)Woke this morning and was pleased
To find the pain had eased
Showered, dressed and ready but take things steady
Plenty of warmth and relaxation, continue with the medication
Magaret doing better no pain too, but fatigue making her blue
Not fine, feeling tired all the time
All we can do is pray that she gets better day by day
05.04.26 – 31-5) Easter Sunday, rise brakefast then head
To church to celebrate Jesus rising from the dead
Back home for lunch weather avariable rain wind and sun
So I’ll get another poem for NaPoRiMo done
06.04.26 -32-6) Last morning at the food bank for a while
Looking to the future I smile
The parcels are packed, collected and I’m done, back home I run
Can’t lurk, got to do the admin work
No time for stopping, got to do some shopping
Get some money changed so it’ll be grand
To have some ready cash in my hand
Then work steady away, getting ready for departure day
07.04.26 – 33-7) Departure ever, hard to believe
Times seems to have past, so fast
Seems like only yesterday I was coming home from last years poetry roam
Now tomorrow I go back once more. God willing another poetry tour
