A Joyful Noise

I can't remember which Psalm says it, but one of them says, 'make a joyful noise unto the Lord.' My mother said that was the only way to describe her singing. Once upon a time I sang in the sort of choir that used sheet music (I could read from sight, but not first sight) and was okayish, but now I stick with a joyful noise as the best description.

I've decided that as singing has been described as an aerobic exercise, I'm going to sing in the car. I couldn't inflict it on DH or any of the neighbours, but as I head towards Tesco, I can happily warble an approximation of a tune. It's not proper exercise, but it's vaguely good for me and it lifts my mood. It also makes my driving a lot more assertive. 

Normally I'm a careful driver and I'm cautious at junctions. However it's amazing how much extra confidence I get from belting out old Liverpool folk tunes and while I don't ever think that I'll get mistaken for a boy racer, I'm getting out of some of the stickier junctions a lot quicker.  

It has a downside. I have learned over the last few shopping expeditions that it's not a good idea to belt out Men of Harlech, a song all about medieval battles, when I'm in a 30mph zone. It's not good. I need to stick to something less martial in those areas. On the other hand, Kumbaya is wonderful and soothing and far from helpful if I'm supposed to be dashing down a 50mph zone. 

I've done a little baking. There are two recipes that I know that involve browning the butter before baking. One is brown butter biscuits and the other is burnt butter cookies. I was supposed to be making brown butter biscuits, but I left them in the oven too long and I think I had a recipe crossover.

Bear has the 'fresher's flu.' It's a known thing that happens when students from all over the country meet up and mix all their germs. He's got a bad sore throat and is definitely suffering. I've had a few texts and a call or two, which is far more communication than I expected, and apart from the illness, I think that he's doing okay. He's cooking, he's got to grips with the local laundrette, he's shopping sensibly and planning his food, and generally keeping his feet on the ground. I'm not there and can only go off his reports, but it seems that he's laying the foundation of keeping a good rhythm in his life. 

This is vital as bear, being his usual self, has signed up for a degree that is incredibly intensive with a massive workload. He's grumbled that he has a friend doing a History and Sociology degree at another university and they have the same number of contact teaching hours per week that he has most days. I'm pretty sure that he'll be fine, but I worry.

I miss him so much. So does DH. We're not being silly or dramatic about it, but there's a gap. However he's been in touch with both of us, and that is reassuring. 

Writing stuff - it's carrying on with a different Kane story each day of October (apologies to those who have subscribed to the blog and who are now getting spammed). There was a new story last Friday here, and I've got a few more up my sleeve.

Hugs and good health to all.