...Such as this one, as I've been roped into doing a straight six days at the shop...I think if everyone had some experience of working in a supermarket, they wouldn't be so quick to grumble when shopping in them. And so, with two publishing briefs on my desk, numerous paintings to finish/start, I also remember I have a cricket tea to prepare for Sunday. This is not as cosy as it sounds - there must be no 'shop bought' cakes (the worst criticism) and not only should there be enough of everything, but a good variety of edibles that are easy to pick up and wolf down in the interval. We're talking home made biscuits, at least two quiches, 3 types of cakes and home made scones. Four types of sandwich fillings, savoury snacks and something with sausages. And all this within a limited budget of the spare change from the teams pockets. Meantime, in the garden, there's the tomatoes which need planting out before summer's really over, the beans which are trying to flower in their potbound trays, my pots crying out for attention and two book reviews to write. Did I forget the backlog of e-mails that need writing? Lastly and definitely leastly, there's the Hovel kitchen to clean. Some afternoons I feel like crawling into a corner and whimpering. But not today...England are shoving the Aussies pre-match boasting right down their throat, even though Warne has just got Strauss out. Pumpkin is showing his support by wearing the new season's hat - aka - a rolled up bat grip.
