The Glad Game

[Henry P]

It's grey and coolish here too, with showers forecast

[Maryd.]

It's supposed to be worse here tomorrow as well. Yukko... I hate that kind of weather. If it is that bad, I might wait before washing machine hunting.

[Henry P]

You wrap up, my dear. I don't want my Mary D to get a chill

[Maryd.]

I need something to keep me warm...

[Henry P]

You could snuggle up to me, my dear

[Maryd.]

Yes... But you are so far away... Are your arms long enough.

[Henry P]

very long. One of my ancestors was a gibbon

[Maryd.]

You character... Ok, reach out.

[Henry P]

reaching out, my dear

[Maryd.]

Nope, can't feel a thing.

[Henry P]

my arms are reaching Madagascar now. I just have the Indian Ocean to cross and I'll warm them up ready for you over the Aussie desert

[Maryd.]

Whistling... Waiting... Whistling... Waiting...

[Henry P]

Reaching the Western Australian coast. can hear Maryd whistling in Strine...

[Maryd.]

Singing... Dancing around and around with happiness.

[Henry P]

Entering Victoria now (oops... sounds as dirty as intended) Can spot Maryd's black hair blowing in the wind...

[Maryd.]

And it's windy at that... We've had some storms here over night. Pretty wild stuff.. Oh no, my hair... Argh!

[Henry P]

Reaching north Melbourne, putting my arms round Mary to warm her up in the aussie winter

[Maryd.]

trembles...
I wonder if it due to the cold whether or...

[Henry P]

or...?

[Maryd.]

Excited to be in the arms of a poet.

[Henry P]

I'm so exciting, my dear

[Maryd.]

Yes... Don't you think you are?

[Henry P]

Not really

[Maryd.]

Have you ever heard the saying one man's trash is another man's treasure?

[Henry P]

we say meat and poison instead

[Maryd.]

Funny... But also true.

[Henry P]

I'm glad we can talk like this

[Maryd.]

I'm glad that talking is free, or you and I could be up for a fortune. hahahaa

[Henry P]

technology is wonderful

[Maryd.]

Sometimes...

[Henry P]

when it works

[Maryd.]

Yes...

I am glad my computer is working.

[Henry P]

I 'm glad mine is too

[Maryd.]

Well mine is working for now... Something weird came up today... I'm hoping it's nothing

[Henry P]

Mine shut itself down for an update this morning

[Maryd.]

Actually it did happen after an update today.

[Henry P]

i'm glad I haven't been virused for a while

[Maryd.]

Great... No doubt I will be virused... Great!

[Henry P]

why do you think so?

[Maryd.]

Well, this sign flashed a few days before the virus arrived last time. Maybe I am just being paranoid, but it did happen.

[Henry P]

I had that last week but nothing happened

[Maryd.]

Well, time will tell, ha?

[Henry P]

I hope not

[Maryd.]

You and me both...

[Henry P]

I'm glad I have you to talk to

[Maryd.]

I'm glad I have you too. Mwah.

[Henry P]

You're cute, my dear

[Maryd.]

I'm like a tennis racket though... When ever a compliment comes my way I wack one right back... You aren't just cute... You are sweet and cute.

[Henry P]

boing... you're very caring, my dear

[Maryd.]

Yes, I am just tad... I think it is my opponent... He's very good at Tennis.

[Henry P]

not real tennis

[Maryd.]

Well you'll have to learn... My dear sir it's the only sport I like to do. (Apart from dancing of course) what will we do, if I ever get a chance to visit?

[Henry P]

I have romantic candlelit dinners and the theatre in mind

[Maryd.]

Oh, I'd be happy with that.:)

[Henry P]

i hoped so . Plus some sight-seeing

[Maryd.]

Like sight seeing... Where?

[Henry P]

first in Yorkshire, then further afield

[Maryd.]

Somewhere quiet and secluded as well?

[Henry P]

of course

[Maryd.]

And warm and cosy?

[Henry P]

I know just the place

[Maryd.]

Oh, where?

[Henry P]

a little pub at a tiny place called Hardraw in Wensleydale, with a real fire and good food and beautiful walks outside

[Maryd.]

I love it already... It's sounds so romantic.

[Henry P]

there's a waterfall up a path behind the pub. We can stay the night too

[Maryd.]

Nice....

[Henry P]

or we can wander about looking at the hills and listening to sheep calling

[Maryd.]

Just as nice... I would love to do that.

[Henry P]

i thought you would.

[Maryd.]

I am sick of suburban life...

[Henry P]

How far is it to countryside there?

[Maryd.]

Long way away... I haven't ever been, I'll have to get out and check it out before you arrive.

[Henry P]

which way is countryside? North?

[Maryd.]

All sides It's just matter of taste.

[Henry P]

I'm glad we have time to talk today

[Maryd.]

I know... It's been the best day for a long time.

[Henry P]

I'm glad it can be like this for the next two weeks at least

[Maryd.]

I'm glad I will see Henry here for the next two weeks.

[Henry P]

and beyond. two weeks and three days

[Maryd.]

Yay... Mwah...

[Henry P]

thanks, my dear

[Ian The Poet]

I'm glad of this forum.

[Maryd.]

I'm glad to be off to bed... Night all.

[Henry P]

i'm glad I'm not hungry

[Maryd.]

I'm glad today's the day my daughter enters the Science competition

[Henry P]

good luck, my dear

[Maryd.]

Thanks, poor dear is up against Melbourne's best though...

[Henry P]

what will they have to do?

[Maryd.]

She has to present some photos she had taken and explain the scientific principles behind them. (it's a photography competition, there were other categories, she chose photography)

[Henry P]

I'm glad someone understands the science

[Maryd.]

Yes... There's a lot more to it that we know. She worked it out... Me, I had no idea, what she was on about?

[Henry P]

i'm glad we have clever kids

[Maryd.]

I'm gald they are beautiful as well.

[Henry P]

they are, aren't they?

[Maryd.]

We are so lucky, aren't we...

[Henry P]

very lucky.

[Maryd.]

Can life get better?

[Henry P]

yes, but we might be wise to settle for what we have

[Maryd.]

Sure...

[Henry P]

Technology (when it works) makes me glad

[Maryd.]

Yes. me too.

[Henry P]

I'm also glad that I'm in good health

[Maryd.]

I'm glad I am still a friendly person

[Henry P]

You are very friendly, my dear

[Maryd.]

Thanks my love, you are too.

[Henry P]

I have very few friends over here, though

[Maryd.]

Why's that?

[Henry P]

I'm quite suspicious of people and won't stand any condescension . The English are hard to warm to anyway

[Maryd.]

Why have you warmed to me?

[Henry P]

you're warm and open and not English. and we have so many things in common

[Maryd.]

I'm glad I'm up early today.

[Henry P]

i'm glad you are

[Maryd.]

I'm glad you are still awake

[Henry P]

i have to talk to you before I go to bed, my dear

[Maryd.]

I know... One must have one's daily dose of Mary&Henry... Chat.

[Henry P]

exactly

[Maryd.]

Do you think the people here, on The Poetry Forum are sick of all our silliness?

[Henry P]

i like being silly. they have the chance to join in anyway,

[Maryd.]

Yes, this is true... It would get rather confusing and we would have to learn how to type fast.

[Henry P]

i'm ready for them

[Maryd.]

I'm still to slow...

[Henry P]

i only use two fingers

[Maryd.]

I'm a touch typist and know how to organsie the keys and all, but I have never been fast at typing.

[Henry P]

what does touch typist mean?

[Maryd.]

Means I can type and not look at the keys.

[Henry P]

i'm getting better at that

[Maryd.]

I'm glad I had time to chat to my special friend.

[Henry P]

i'm glad i have time for this forum

[Maryd.]

I'm glad Henry and I can chat freely this week.

[Henry P]

Just about, but I have to take Steph to Harrogate tonight and come back

[Maryd.]

Never mind... It's just once.

[Henry P]

yes..

[Maryd.]

And your's truly will be here upon your return...

[Henry P]

at the airport?

[Maryd.]

Yes, what time will you pick me up?

[Henry P]

I thought you might pick me up in your speedwagon?

[Maryd.]

What speedwagon?

[Henry P]

That Nissan

[Maryd.]

Speedwagon... Hahahaha... Yep, I thik that little Nissan will get us from A to B in about, oh, let's see now... ... ... A week... hahahaha

[Henry P]

my Lexus still runs very well

[Maryd.]

Wrap it up... I'll take it.

[Henry P]

I'm glad I've had good cars

[Maryd.]

I'm glad I didn't. It made me get my hands dirty and learn about their motors.

[Henry P]

what can you fix? I can't do anything

[Maryd.]

Well, firstly changing tyres... Easy. Just need muscles for that. I grew up tough enough to handle that. Secondly, I could pull apart the Carberator (don't know if that is the correct spelling) hold the butterfly down and poor small amounts of petrol on it whilst someone started the car, as I would always flood it, when starting it. I had a Toyota Corona... Love the little Japanese cars. There easy to fix. Now of course everything is put together with wires, I have no idea what I am doing.

[Henry P]

they're much more complicated now

[Maryd.]

I'm gald I am off to look at washing machines again.

[Henry P]

any machines shortlisted?

[Maryd.]

Have a couple in mind... But I still want to look at more. So far have been using the web to browse and get reviews on different machines. But it has only confused me. I'd like to go out tomorrow and look at a few different shops and then decide. By the end of the week... I will stop going to the laundriette... But not before I write some poems om all the odd looking characters that enter the wash house.

[Henry P]

good idea for the poem, my dear

[Maryd.]

Oh Henry if you see these people... Sad though... It is the decay of society. With a couple of rude arrogant people... Not to mention all the new immigrants that you have to show how to use the machines.

[Henry P]

I've only been in a laundrette once in ten years. It was filthy

[Maryd.]

And scary Henry... The drunks, the ladies of the night and the 'not so nice' men, that you don't turn your back on.

[Henry P]

Find a better class of laundrette, my dear

[Maryd.]

There's not much around...

[Henry P]

take a big stick...

[Maryd.]

Or a grenade.

[Henry P]

make sure you know the timing. Or throw it in and leg it

[Maryd.]

Or I could just learn how to run...

[Henry P]

No, get a new washer, which is proven reliable

[Maryd.]

Yes... That's why I am going alone. This way I chose. Last time I left it up to him... Said he had a friend in the business. Not anymore.

[Henry P]

do some research about reliability. Buy a Bosch or a Miele if you can afford one

[Maryd.]

I was looking at those on line today...

[Henry P]

and.?

[Maryd.]

Stupidly I went on a review sight and the darn thing has confused me... People just ramble on about the cons... of a machine.

[Henry P]

Do you have an Aussie version of Which? consumer association?

[Maryd.]

Don't know, you seem to be in with the know with this sort of stuff.

[Henry P]

i know the German ones are best. I assume the models are the same down there

[Maryd.]

Yes.. I saw a few Bosch and Miele, but I believe they like to advertise their own brands... Fisher and Piekel is advertised a lot here. But this last one I had was one and it broke down after 5 years. 'Life's Good' is advertised a lot as well. Westinghouse use tobe popular and when I was growing up we had a Hoover... It lasted forever and a day.

[Henry P]

that was when technology was simpler- things have changed with more electronics involved

[Maryd.]

I bought one... Yay...

[Henry P]

what have you bought?

[Maryd.]

Life's Good... A very good one, too.

[Henry P]

which make and model?

[Maryd.]

LT-R107 Life's Good - Horizon. 10 kilo Turbo

[Henry P]

i've never heard of it, my dear, but that means little

[Maryd.]

Never mind... It looked really good and has features like control temperature... And all sorts of weird odds and ends. It works for this family... We go through clothes like water.

[Henry P]

You need a big drum

[Maryd.]

Yes and now they don't even have an agitator in them... It's just a big drum... That's it.

[Henry P]

A fast spin speed is important too. (Don't you think I'm very domesticated?)

[Maryd.]

Yes sir... Very domesticated, or a washing machine salesman.

[Henry P]

I'd give you a good discount, my dear

[Maryd.]

I bet you would...

[Henry P]

and i'd come to plumb it in myself

[Maryd.]

Would you charge me for installation?

[Henry P]

that depends...

[Maryd.]

On what?

[Henry P]

on whether I get a warm welcome with lasagne and cheesecake with strawberries on top

[Maryd.]

And a glass of sweet red wine.

[Henry P]

Then I'm definitely coming

[Maryd.]

Ok, I get the best china out... Ar, I don't have any best china...

[Henry P]

I'll bring our Royal Doulton

[Maryd.]

Don't know it... But it sounds precious, wrap them carefully.

[Henry P]

I will.

[Maryd.]

Can I ask you to bring a beautiful sweet red wine as well?

[Henry P]

you like your sweet red wine , my dear. I'll bring port, madeira and marsala for your delectation

[Maryd.]

Don't like port, but if you like it bring it.

[Henry P]

i'll be glad to

[Maryd.]

You are such a good boy.

[Henry P]

I am.

[Maryd.]

I bet you are...

[Henry P]

I'm glad I still have a sense of humour

[Maryd.]

I'm glad I'm content today

[Henry P]

i'm glad you are

[Henry P]

i'm glad you are

[Maryd.]

I'm glad you are here.

[Henry P]

I'm glad you're here

[Maryd.]

Mwah xx

[Henry P]

I'm glad I have friends here

[Maryd.]

I'm glad this is a friendly forum.

[Henry P]

I'm glad too

[Maryd.]

I'm glad my washing machine is perfect.

[Henry P]

I'm glad you're happy with it. did you buy an extended warranty just in case it plays up in 13 months' time?

[Maryd.]

Yes, we got a five year extended warrantee.

[Henry P]

good idea

[Maryd.]

But it's so cute... It plays a little music when it finishes a load.

[Henry P]

Music? Ours just beeps

[Maryd.]

I know. The first time it did it, I laughed so hard I cried. I found it odd, bringing back memories of when our old machine walk take walks around the laundry beeping all over the place... I imagined this one, get up and doing a Waltz.

[Henry P]

perhaps it does

[Maryd.]

The kids and I are trying to work out the tune... Frances thinks it is something she heard from a disney movie... It is familiar.

[Henry P]

is it quiet when it runs?

[Maryd.]

Yes, blissful... I can hear the spin, but it's so much quieter than the other machine. Plus I kept the door open, to check on it occasionally and still it was quieter.

[Henry P]

Like ours. very good

[Maryd.]

Yes, quite intent indeed.

[Henry P]

i'm glad washing does not involve boiling, washboards and mangles any more

[Maryd.]

I used a washboard when the kids were little. Whilst at home I used normal nappies/diapers, not disposables..

[Henry P]

we used ultra pampers, but my mum had a gas-fired wash boiler and a mangle

[Maryd.]

What's a mangle? If it is a hand wringer, then we had one of those too.

[Henry P]

the wet laundry is passed between two rollers which squeezed out the water

[Maryd.]

Yes... That is exactly what we had.

[Henry P]

the good old days...

[Maryd.]

Now we are filled with computers and Schizoprhenia...

[Henry P]

I'm glad for computers

[Maryd.]

I'm glad for craziness.

[Henry P]

So am i

[Maryd.]

I'm glad you're here.

[Henry P]

I'm glad you are

[Maryd.]

I'm glad to be alive today.

[Henry P]

So am I

[Maryd.]

I'm glad to be happy

[Henry P]

I'm glad you are. Long may it last

[Maryd.]

I'm glad to be here tonight.

[Henry P]

I'm glad my friend seems happy

[Maryd.]

Are you?

[Henry P]

of course. You were chewing the furniture on Sunday

[Maryd.]

Is that why my mouth is sore today.

[Henry P]

only go for the soft furnishings next time

[Maryd.]

Um. Nothing soft here...

[Henry P]

I'm glad I'm well

[Maryd.]

Good to hear