Bildungsroman

Four hundred years ago, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, the pirate queen, a schoolmaster wrote;  (This world) hath provided that strength in nature, wherby entendes no exception in nuture, for that which is in nature …. which naturall abilities, if they be not perceived, by whom they should: do condemne all such, either of ignoraunce, if they could not judge, or of negligence, if they would not seeke, what were in children, by nature emplanted, for nuture to enlarge.... Which being thus, as both the truth tells the ignorant, and reading shewes the learned, we do wel then perceave by naturall men, and Philosophicall reasons, that young maidens (and the disadvantaged) deserve the traine: bycause they have that treasure, which belongeth unto it, bestoyed on them by nature, to be bettered in them by nuture.   After ‘Positions Concerning the Training Up of Children’, Richard Mulcaster, 1581, he also said  The foteball strengtheneth and brawneth the whole body. However sailing is much, much better than football.

Late autumn last year I finally reached that point of not knowing where my feet were to the extent I fell over walking on a flat road. I already suffered from a chronic headache and true double vision so visited my doctor (I don’t like wasting their time). A C.T. scan, an M.R.I. scan, numerous blood tests etc. later I was told I a. didn’t have a brain tumour b. hadn’t had a stroke c. hadn’t contracted syphilis decades ago but had got toxic neuropathy from chronic alcohol abuse. I’d got it wrong again-my mind was supposed to go before my body (remember I have a degree in Chemistry so I know exactly the effect alcohol has at a cellular level) so now live with the self inflicted consequences of addiction.  Ally the above with : a family that doesn’t admit illness or injury-as a child I put a 9” nail through my foot and didn’t cry( nor did Daddy who was with me); and a stepfather who would have been on the Para-olympics team if they had existed at the time (did you see the TV ad.? One girl said “Of course its rough but I’ve broken my neck so I just go for it!”) and its almost understandable I have little time for kvetchers.