Eating for two

No I’m not pregnant. After I’d cooked my breakfast this morning I went to the cutlery drawer and took out two knives and two forks. There is only one of me though, which is probably a good thing for the rest of the population. It’s amazing how in just 2 days one can get used to doing these things. The lovely Pippa has of course been here over the bank holiday weekend, so I’ve been cooking, not eating, for two. Though I must admit, I have been enjoying my food recently.

I’ve been a bit subdued of late, no particular reason, not down or depressed or anything, just not quite my usual bubbly self. Maybe I’m just recharging. Having my bestest friend here has helped me tremendously. I’m the sort of person who never really gets lonely, but having met Pip I know I’d rather be in his/her company than just my own. I’m used to being alone, getting through the day sometimes without seeing another human being, but on Saturday Pippa’s lovely face appeared to brighten my house, and my garden, and my soul. My batteries feel all the more topped up just from the pleasure of her presence for a couple of days. I’m very grateful for her scooting up north all this way, and spending the holiday weekend with me. Just to have her next to me is special, and words cannot fully explain that so I’ll stop trying. It was lovely though, honest.

I didn’t need to hide behind the sofa while we watched Dr Who as I had my boyfriend to hold on to. Well OK I have never hidden behind the sofa but it was still nice to be able to hold on to someone. Does anyone else love this revamped series? Some great writing, silly plots as always, but some wonderful moments. And yes I did say boyfriend, not that I’m fussy, but Pip is both boyfriend and girlfriend, such is the nature of her transgenderism. Maybe she is neither, or somewhere in between, the label doesn’t really matter, she is my personfriend. I love my personfriend.

After the good Doctor had saved the world once again, Pip went up to get changed and add a couple of letters to her name while I started on dinner. She reappeared as a vision of girly loveliness, in jeans and a shirt, casual, natural, relaxed, beautiful. Subtle, but stunning nevertheless. Pippa babe, you have just GOT it. If only we could bottle it (!)

The next evening I got the barbie out (no NOT the doll!) and did us a lovely juicy sirloin, mmm. Went down a treat. We both tried some different outfits on and sat outside for a while, sipping our wine as the sun fell towards the mountains in the distance. And quite probably as my new neighbours looked on in amazement, or maybe they simply never noticed that the two lovely girls on the garden bench were not totally as they seemed. I used to be scared about stepping foot outside the house whilst dressed, but of course I don’t have such irrational fears any more. I still don’t know if the neighbours have noticed that the girl who waters the plants is the same person as the guy they met the day they moved in. I hadn’t shaved because of my IPL treatment, and I was somewhat bedraggled and tousled and covered in soil, so it wasn’t how I would choose to meet new neighbours, but I’m not going for full "stealth" so what the hell.

Anyway where was I… oh yes outfits, lovely. I have to say I was so impressed by Pippa’s style, I mean I always have been, but this weekend she was strikingly girly, she just wears her clothes so well, and knows what looks right and what doesn’t. She just knows how clothes should be worn. Trinny and Susannah watch out. You know Pip, I bet the neighbours really didn’t notice.

She’s not just a pretty face though, she can be a bit of a feckler at times. I don’t think you’ll find that word in the dictionary, and it’s not an insult. I planted some strawberries a while ago and covered them with netting, tied to the fence, to protect them from the birds. Unfortunately the cows in the field next to my garden are inquisitive little things and they came and stuck their heads over my fence and tore the net to pieces, buggers. So as a temporary measure I’d used some bricks to hold the net up, too low for the cows to get to, but looking like a mini Colditz for soft fruit. I mentioned it to Pip, that the small fortress in my garden was only temporary, until I found something with which to make a more attractive frame. I tend not to throw things away, preferring to hoard, so I just knew I would stumble on something that would do the job. Pip did it for me, finding 4 long metal strips in my garage which had been the cross-supports for a large Habitat shelf unit. She bent 3 of them round into U-shapes, and tied one across the top for stability, attached the net and we stuck it into place. You little feckler you, well done, and thanks; great job.

My garden will be lovely when it is finished, though I guess gardens are something that you never really finish, due to their organic nature, but it’s looking so much better already. The grass seed I scattered is growing well, a little patchy but it’s early days yet, and all the things I have planted just need to become more established, so they don’t actually look like they have just been planted, but it’s all much lovelier nevertheless. Sarah said in her recent blog that she was watching the squirrels in her garden, you never see them in my garden in summer, only really in autumn and early winter, I’m sure they must take a summer break, maybe to Majorca or somewhere. Actually the lane leading to my house is lined with chestnut trees, so that’s why I think they camp out here in Autumn, stockpiling for the long Cumbrian winter. Like the beer festival in Munich, here we have the Oktober conker-fest for squirrels. Or squiggles, as I believe they are referred to in the St Helens area.

Anyway I look forward to their return, lovely creatures that they are, and the same goes for Pippa, lovely creature that she is. "Don’t be sad", she said before she left, "I’m coming back". I’m not sad, just happy that we’ve had another chance to spend some time together. Thanks babe, you are my special person.

xx