Who’d have thought that I’d ever be quoting Coldplay lyrics! Jaysus I must be bad.

I got my usual 45 minutes of sleep and here I am wide awake. I did stop bringing the phone upstairs but I went downstairs to make a chamomile tea and decided to write a blog. Although I don’t really have much to say.

I’ve been trying to sketch something but it’s not working out. In my head I think I can draw but when I pick up a pencil I realise I can’t.

There are a lot of things banging around the house tonight. Random sounds and it’s not the family because there ended up being an impromptu gathering around the kettle and no one knows what the sounds are. A lightbulb has blown too – at times like this I’m convinced someone is trying to tell me something but I have an overactive imagination.

Just as well I did wake up as Jono’s dressing fell off his finger and he started picking at it so I’ve patched it up again now.

I’m hoping sleep pays a visit soon. Maybe now I’ve typed something it might. Fingers crossed.

I have a thing about bottles. This is the bottom of an empty Gunpowder Gin bottle, manufactured just down the road in Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim.

One of the things I love about photography is looking at things from different angles. It puts a completely different perspective on things.

Today has been quite tough and a big reminder that life is short. Sometimes I forget.

People have plans and hopes for the future. Sometimes those plans don’t work out.

Make time for those who matter. Tell those people that you care about them. Enjoy the little things and if there’s something you really want to do just do it. Do it today because sometimes tomorrow doesn’t come….

If you read the blog you’ll know about Jono. He has scoliosis and kyphosis (a curved spine). He had a surgery in 2009 which was great for a few years but now seems to be worse than ever. The waiting is something else.

Anyway I’m not going to launch into all that again, this is a kind of positive post. If you live in Sligo or are coming to visit and need a wheelchair there are a couple of short-term options. Wards pharmacy on O’Connell Street will lend you one for the day (If they have one). It’s free, you just need to leave identification with them. This is a great service and we borrowed a wheelchair last week. They are basic though and really only suitable for flat ground as Jono will testify when the wheels got stuck on gravel and he almost ended up in the river!

Homecare on the Pearse Road can hire a wheelchair for a week which is 31.50. The biggest downside is that it’s €50 to get it cleaned after use. So say if you hired it for a week, took a break and hired it for another week you’d be paying 50 each time just for cleaning.

To buy the same wheelchair is €136…but these are really just basic and I’m delighted we got to try one as I’ve realised how unsuitable it would be for where we live.

The folks in both pharmacies were very helpful and Homecare sell all kinds of mobility aids. We’re waiting for an occupational therapist to come and see what, if anything, is available for Jono. He can walk but only very short distances so he loved going around the village in the chair. Lucy and I took it in turns to push him. It was a great way for him to get a bit of fresh air.