Omar's Diary to mid January 2023

Life here at Omar Towers has been somewhat frustrating for Lady Servant so far this month. Lady Servant has been waiting for an operation for over a year. It was scheduled for the first week of this month. However, the day before this the nurses had a one day strike and the op was cancelled. It has been rescheduled for 25th January. We are all quietly hoping it goes ahead as planned but in reality are prepared to have another disappointing phone call the day before saying it has been cancelled yet again.

Personally I do not apportion any blame for the cancellation to the nurses. They are dedicated professionals who deserve to be better paid than they are now. And I find it more than shocking that a servant who flips burgers in a McDonalds earns almost the same as a nurse who has completed a degree course and has student debt, in their first year in their chosen profession.

It sadly shows where the wider servant's society priorities are. Mind you some of the servants working at McDonalds probably do have degrees as well it is just that in these straitened times they cannot get suitable jobs.

That is the end of my societal discourse for the time being.

Last week neither of my Servants could decide what to have for their evening meal. At the last minute they decided to have a takeaway from the nearby McDonalds. Now, I am not one who is normally interested in trying Servant's food but I have to confess that I did rather fancy trying a taste. I made my feelings clear by staring at Man Servant and then at what l presume was his burger. He understood my non verbal communication and gave me a couple of morsels to try. That was enough for me for one evening.

As you must appreciate after having read previous diaries the words "Man Servant" and "DIY" have not been the happiest of bedfellows. Something has changed. So far this year he seems to have taken on some projects which I have to admit have gone rather well.

He fitted a new door door to the garage before Christmas and that launched his confidence. His next project just after Christmas was to put a type of frame on a door in the kitchen on which various pieces of kitchen equipment are now on display. That went better than the garage door and credit where credit is due, looks rather good. The only thing I will comment on is that "Thank goodness for fillers as they do rather hide a dubious join".

This was followed by putting a plaque up that he had made especially for Lady Servant for Christmas venerating the family's veteran equine, Rainbow.

His current work in progress is making a configuration on a wall for three saddle racks which have to be kept here at Omar Towers. So far all of his work has been preparation. When he is making measurements I can hear him muttering "measure twice cut once" or "work slow work fast". This approach seems to be effective as not once have I heard him utter an old English expletive. Holes have been drilled and woodwork painted so I am confident it will all go together well for him. I am very happy to announce that none of his blood has been shed in any of these endeavours; so far.

The saddles are going to be stored in Beau's room.

You may remember she came here to live last October. Honestly, for the first three months I really wasn't aware of her being here but over the Christmas period she has started to come out of what was her designate room. She has truly become part of the family here.

I believe Man Servant is planning to complete the saddle racking project some time today. I will update you with progress in the next diary providing Omar Towers is still standing in a recognisable form.