I started this blog way back in April two thousand and nine with a post by the then chairman of Freedom2Choose.
We have reached over 100,000 visitors recently and I have you all to thank, each and every one of you!
I hope you can click on the picture and enlarge.
I did not intend to stay this long and am thinking of making this my last contribution to the blog. But, as that once famous scot said, before he reinvented himself as the savour of Scotland (and revived his ailing acting career), never say never!
And now I bid you adieu, you lovely, lovely people, as Arthur Askey would say if he was still alive.
………..
One thing I have not mentioned is that my lovely wife of 39 years as of last August has been struck down with Alzheimer's, she was diagnosed nearly two years ago.
I have been paying too much attention to this blog and not enough attention to her, as I write in a room by my own.
Things have not been to well for her recently and I need to concentrate on her needs.
Mrs Yin is an occasional smoker, (she smokes around 8 cigs a day) and when we go out shopping, before going for a libation afterwards at our local hostelry and, of course we have to go outside in all weathers for a smoke, which is beyond the pail.
She hears people inside laughing behind her as we sit on the ‘naughty step’ outside and asks why we are sitting in the wind and cold instead of sitting inside in the warmth with the others! I have no answer because she does not understand about the smoking ban.
Winter is coming and I will have to make excuses as to why we don’t go to the pub anymore!
Mrs Yin now wonders why she is excluded from ‘normal people who like to drink inside in comfort.’
How do I explain this to her?
This smoking ban is evil!
35 comments:
You've done the place proud, TBY. I was going to say "No, you can't go!" but in the circumstances, it's perfectly understandable. I wish you both the very best. And yes, the ban is evil.
All the best John: I'll miss your highly readable blogging: I thought we were going to be companions in the field but circumstances dictate otherwise.
And yes, the ban is evil.
I will certainly miss your blogs John and hope that you will pop in when circumstances prevail. You have done a marvellous job in keeping f2c 'up there' and let's hope that you have inspired many others to contribute and keep it going. Let's hope all your libations can soon be in the inn-not out the inn!Best wishes to you & Beryl.
Thank you
TBY...I lost my dad in February this year, and my mum has had dementia for several years now. Once it gets a grip it never lets go, so I know how difficult it will be for you to cope.
Both my parents enjoyed their smokes, but of course stopped going out because of the vindictive ban – and yes it is evil.
But let me tell you...your wife's Alzheimer's will be your toughest gig…I can only you wish you well.
John, take care of your lovely wife. I will be praying for her and you both. Family obligations do come first. I know If I had one, I'd be with them instead of the computer much more.
All the best and we enjoy your writings very much.
Take care and Thank YOU for all you do.
BigYin, asking good bloggers to stick around when they want to hang up the keyboard is the norm. It's always sad to see the blogosphere lose a good writer but you'd need a heart of stone not to understand your position. Very, very sorry to hear of the reason why, and how that cruelty of nature has been compounded by the cruelty of the state and the anti-tobacco zealots.
I've read this blog longer than any other I follow and have greatly enjoyed (and been aided by) the rage, humour and truth-telling. For which, thank you.
I wish you and your wife well on a journey which, as I know all too well, contains much darkness and a lot of dark humour. All I would say is get all the help you can, from any and every source, but never forget you know her better than anyone.
Thank you everyone for your kind comments, I'm convinced that my blogging is not of the same calibre as the esteemed DP or the Angry Exile. I look at blogs like this and they made me try and do better. I will get back to each and every one of you later.
The reason I am commenting now is because I just received a phone call from the doctors surgery wanting to speak to Mrs Yin. I explained her condition and that I was her legal spokesperson in law so she said that she would ask me for the information instead.
"Does your wife smoke!" She asked!
I said "I don't believe this is any of your surgery's business." She rather curtly put the phone down.
No mention of her condition as I thought maybe the doctor wanted to see her to assess the situation.
It's been well over a year since she had a brain scan and I have had no contact with specialists or doctors since, she is a non person...except if they want to know if she smokes so they can lecture her.
I am going to spend some time shortly asking questions.
The cheek of these people.
John
Both Pauline and i wish you both all the best,it's not a lot to say,but it comes from the heart.
Tug
Your first priority is Beryl and yourself.
I will miss your blog but will keep in touch.
Eddie
From the last Visigoth.
John ,please do your best for the
Missus,she is a treasure as I know.
If anyone can support someone in need,you can.I have been in the past a bit of a scourge on Scotland
but I know deep down when it comes
to someone to depend on, a Scot is
as good as it gets.When you have time ,fight on ,with a bit of luck I will join you both in a Redcar
pub for a few jars AND A SMOKE
You call the "no surrender"
I'lle call the "take no prisoners"
Ps Remind Beryl about the time in
snowy Bradford You and Beryl got
the beds and I got the Rabbits
As allways The Lancashire Goth
Thanks for all you've done TBY with this blog. You certainly speak the truth for the millions affected by this evil ban.
All the best to you and your wife during the tough times ahead.
Helen D
I am sorry to hear about your wife's condition and the daily struggle. Your work here has been good and the opposite of the evil you have tried to point out in this world. I hope the blogsite stills stays online and we at least get to hear from you every so often, even if you only post a once monthly recap. God bless you for your good deeds and God bless your wife too.
As a member of F2C since 2008 (I don't go there as often now, even though I'm still a proud member - I used to post as "dastardly" before I became plain ol' Mr A) I feel like I know you a little TBY, even if only through pixels and letters) and I remember when you originally came up with the idea for the F2C blog. And it's been great to see it go from strength to strength. In the Top 20 Libertarian blogs now, aren't you?
But I had no idea your wife was ill.
Good luck to you both - I'm sure everyone's thoughts are with you. And hopefully very soon you won't need to explain this ban.... as it will be consigned to the dustbin of history.
Take care.
Farewell for now, Big Yin. Take care out there among the English.
One day we'll all be back indoors, and all human again. Even the antismokers.
Well, perhaps not all the antismokers.
"I have been paying too much attention to this blog and not enough attention to her, as I write in a room by my own."
You have your priorities right. I wish you both well.
Dear John
Best wishes to you and yours and thank you for the blog
Pete
Family first ... always!
l wish you well.
Sad news on both fronts BY. Time you rattled a few more cages I think. Irritate everyone you can think of, your wife deserves far more attention than she's been receiving and if you don't shout, then nobody will.
First of all sort out your GP's surgery. I did mine a couple of years ago and now there's no mention of smoking unless I utter the word cigarettes.
I wish you both well. If you do have time let us know how you're doing - maybe once a month? I'm sure others will be in the same situation as you in the future and there's nothing more helpful than information from someone who really knows.
I'm sorry to hear about your wife, TBY. Hope you'll still find a moment now and again to comment, if not to blog.
All the best.
Joyce
All the best to you and Mrs Yin
Hope you'll pop up in comments around the place to say hi!
I'm very sorry to see you go. I hope things go well for you. I have a bit of experience as a carer, so I know how hard it can be.
Thanks for posting up a few of my scrawlings.
Frank
What a horrid thing to be annoyed by those medical ppl, asking if your wife smokes, and not saying anything else. I would have been very mad.
I'm sure you wife has a great advocate with you, John. Let those medical bullies know what's what, and as they say, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
Take care Big Yin and thanks for all the fish!
just remember that every now and again you may get the space to write about what angers you/pleases you and we will still be here and happy to hear from you again!
I will miss you TBY. So sorry to hear of your troubles. Yes this smoking ban is truly evil. These puritans have no heart and no soul. I hope one day that you will come back. We need more people in the blogosphere like you and not less. You have been an inspiration to me and others in this movement of ours. Please stay in touch xxxx
You have been an inspiration to many people. You may not be fully aware of the influence of your blog and magnificent contribution to f2c, but I assure you that it is an enormous influence.
Life has dealt you and your good lady a nasty blow. The idea of her having to stand outside a pub to enjoy a pleasure that is probably one of a very few that she has, is utterly obnoxious. I cannot express my hatred of the people that have decided that your lovely lady be denormalised in this way.
They are utter bastards and the more hatred I feel toward this spiteful ban, the more I will fight to get it amended.
God bless you John, and try to stay with us for as long as you are able.
John, Never say never. Hope you,ll be able to pop in from time to time and all the best to you both
I'm very sorry to hear this. I've not been reading your blog long but it's a good one.
Of course your priorities are spot on. Sorry indeed to hear about Mrs Yin. I feel for you both.
Farewell.
John,
I had no idea. I am so sorry to hear about your wife. I am really going to miss reading your posts and conversing with you. I understand that your attention needs to shift towards your wife's needs, but please don't go away completely, ok? My heart goes out to you both.
I would like to second the remarks of the witch from Essex. Facing this terrible illness is bad enough without the stupidity of people thinking they can interfere in the free contract between you and the owner of the premises.
My thoughts are with you both.
You gave the right answer to the 'person' from the surgery, TBY. That was bang out of order. All the best for both of you xx.
There's nothing I can add to the above comments. All I can do is wish you and your wife well.
BY
Keep in touch,John,the blogoshere is desperate for some Celtic/Pictish fury.Without you
my eastern flank is a bit exposed.
Treat us to the occasional explosive tirade if only to stop
the southern gentry tip toeing of
into the tulips.
Old Skint but up for it
So sorry to see you go, John - but entirely understandable.
I'm not fond of linking to the BBC, but it seems that B vitamins (in 1000 x RDA quantities) are beneficial for Alzheimers.
Dr Mercola probably has info on this.
Take good care of yourselves and be sure to enjoy every minute you have. :)
All the best
Thanks for the link Fausty, i heard about that and will take advice about it. I'm still around and looking at the blogroll everyday and reading up on everything, just don't have the time to actually blog but will link to a blog post that I find interesting. I can never, ever do without my computer and internet connection.
Will be commentating on blogs in my free time.
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