A very happy and peaceful Christmas to all my readers. I hope your stockings were full of all the things you wished for, if not, remember it is more blessed to give than to receive!
LOL (I'm really with it) Jess.
Sunday 25 December 2011
Tuesday 20 December 2011
Winter
We wait for winter's icy fingers
Remembering last winter's snow.
The leaf upon the bough still lingers
As if reluctant to let go.
The collared dove searches for seeds
Carelessly dropped by the smaller fry.
The seagulls circle hopefully
Joining the crows in noisy cry.
A morning of continuous rain.
I sit, imbued with melancholy.
Will it ever be spring again?
One has such a short memory.
I cheer up when the postman comes
With greetings from my absent friends.
To be remembered every year
All gloomy thoughts this now transcends.
I hear from daughters of my friends,
The ones I shall no longer see.
How nice that in their busy lives
They find time to remember me!
Soon we will hear "Carols from Kings"
Remembering our Saviour's birth
And most joyfully we'll sing
Goodwill to men and peace on earth.
We'll thank the Lord for mercies given
And strive to earn our place in Heaven.
Remembering last winter's snow.
The leaf upon the bough still lingers
As if reluctant to let go.
The collared dove searches for seeds
Carelessly dropped by the smaller fry.
The seagulls circle hopefully
Joining the crows in noisy cry.
A morning of continuous rain.
I sit, imbued with melancholy.
Will it ever be spring again?
One has such a short memory.
I cheer up when the postman comes
With greetings from my absent friends.
To be remembered every year
All gloomy thoughts this now transcends.
I hear from daughters of my friends,
The ones I shall no longer see.
How nice that in their busy lives
They find time to remember me!
Soon we will hear "Carols from Kings"
Remembering our Saviour's birth
And most joyfully we'll sing
Goodwill to men and peace on earth.
We'll thank the Lord for mercies given
And strive to earn our place in Heaven.
Sunday 18 December 2011
The Wireless
Christmas letters and preparations and shopping have swallowed up the last few days. I always look forward to our family Christmas. It looks as though we shall be having a lovely time despite a few absentees.
In between times I am listening to my books from Calibre. At the moment I am on the Jalna novels by Mazo de la Roche. I devoured all these in my youth and remember being very upset when she died as it meant no more stories about the Whiteoak family. Now I am enjoying them all over again.
There is a newspaper report lauding the merits of Faith schools. I have always been glad my mother sent me to a Church of England school where the dedicated teachers expected you to do your best and behave properly, and so we did. It was probably easier then as there were fewer distractions. I always wondered how children did their homework with the record player going full blast. I was allowed to listen to "Children's Hour" and heard my name called out on my birthday. I have a 2LO badge from the days when the broadcasts were made from Savoy Hill. Uncle Mac was my favourite announcer and Toy Town my favourite programme. I suppose 2LO was the name of the radio station. Somewhere I also have a certificate for an essay I wrote for a competition from Children's Hour. I liked to write even then.
The news announcers were anonymous until the war broke out. Then we were told their names so that we could distinguish them from any enemy broadcasters. One was called Alvar Lidell. I always thought he was called Al Barley Dell which I thoght was rather nice! The calm voices of familiar announcers was very reassuring when the blitz was at its worst. No one was allowed to talk when the 9 o'clock news came on. How we relied on the wireless for news, entertainment and advice on rationing, shopping, cooking and keeping safe. They talk now about the "Nanny State" then we were advised, warned, encouraged, cajoled, heartened, reassured and threatened in equal measure. Not that it was all gloom and doom. There were some splendid comic programmes and Christopher Stone was always there with his gramophone records to fill in the gaps with inspiring music. Ah! those were the days.
In between times I am listening to my books from Calibre. At the moment I am on the Jalna novels by Mazo de la Roche. I devoured all these in my youth and remember being very upset when she died as it meant no more stories about the Whiteoak family. Now I am enjoying them all over again.
There is a newspaper report lauding the merits of Faith schools. I have always been glad my mother sent me to a Church of England school where the dedicated teachers expected you to do your best and behave properly, and so we did. It was probably easier then as there were fewer distractions. I always wondered how children did their homework with the record player going full blast. I was allowed to listen to "Children's Hour" and heard my name called out on my birthday. I have a 2LO badge from the days when the broadcasts were made from Savoy Hill. Uncle Mac was my favourite announcer and Toy Town my favourite programme. I suppose 2LO was the name of the radio station. Somewhere I also have a certificate for an essay I wrote for a competition from Children's Hour. I liked to write even then.
The news announcers were anonymous until the war broke out. Then we were told their names so that we could distinguish them from any enemy broadcasters. One was called Alvar Lidell. I always thought he was called Al Barley Dell which I thoght was rather nice! The calm voices of familiar announcers was very reassuring when the blitz was at its worst. No one was allowed to talk when the 9 o'clock news came on. How we relied on the wireless for news, entertainment and advice on rationing, shopping, cooking and keeping safe. They talk now about the "Nanny State" then we were advised, warned, encouraged, cajoled, heartened, reassured and threatened in equal measure. Not that it was all gloom and doom. There were some splendid comic programmes and Christopher Stone was always there with his gramophone records to fill in the gaps with inspiring music. Ah! those were the days.
Wednesday 7 December 2011
Lists
It's that time of year again where I start making lists. I have already received a few Christmas cards from my usual early birds so must get my skates on. I have finished the two jerseys for my little French grandsons. I have probably said that this mostly enjoyable task developed into a bit of a marathon. It took me much longer than it should have done because I don't see so well. I used the same pattern for one jersey that my mother used for my son in about 1960, then I made it for my eldest grandson in about 1984 and I have made it again in 2007 and 2011. Good value from a pattern that cost sixpence in old money.
My address book has so many crossings out it is hardly legible. People move around a lot more than they used to do. I remember my sister-in-law grumbling "Amanda has moved so many times she has messed up my address book". I am now resorting to using a rather nice leather one, hardly used. It has a very nice inscription from my husband.
Now that so many people use electronic lists of addresses that are updated on screen I think we are in danger of losing a bit of history. Glancing through this address book there are people and houses I had almost forgotten. Oh! so that was where the Vicar moved to when he retired; and that was cousin Cissie's house she had built in Ryde next door to the cemetery. She said she had very quiet neighbours! Cousin Beryl's flat on the Isle of Wight which we inherited when she died. The pretty cottage Cousin Madeline lived in for many years. Uwe's address in Frankfurt when he was very young. (He has just been to visit us from the USA with his family). All this history that is precious to me. I am so glad it has not disappeared.
My address book has so many crossings out it is hardly legible. People move around a lot more than they used to do. I remember my sister-in-law grumbling "Amanda has moved so many times she has messed up my address book". I am now resorting to using a rather nice leather one, hardly used. It has a very nice inscription from my husband.
Now that so many people use electronic lists of addresses that are updated on screen I think we are in danger of losing a bit of history. Glancing through this address book there are people and houses I had almost forgotten. Oh! so that was where the Vicar moved to when he retired; and that was cousin Cissie's house she had built in Ryde next door to the cemetery. She said she had very quiet neighbours! Cousin Beryl's flat on the Isle of Wight which we inherited when she died. The pretty cottage Cousin Madeline lived in for many years. Uwe's address in Frankfurt when he was very young. (He has just been to visit us from the USA with his family). All this history that is precious to me. I am so glad it has not disappeared.
Thursday 1 December 2011
Medical Matters
I, or I should say, we spent most of yesterday at the Eye Hospital. Despite the threat of Hospital workers being on strike the hard working and lovely staff at the Brighton Eye Hospital were all present and correct. After a test and another scan it was time for me to see the Consultant again. He decided I neede another injection so after a brief dash home for some coffee Mike and I set off again for the hospital. We had a long wait as I was the last on the list. A somewhat painful session this time. I see a different doctor for this each time so it varies. However, I am glad to have it done. Not able to read much today but I listen to the radio and my audio book and I am doing lots of knitting. The words on the computer screen are waving up and down so shall stop.
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