Had a call from a friend today telling of the illness of a mutual colleague who had been ill for a long time and lapsed into unconsciousness. It reminded me vividly of an occasion when we lived in Spain and had a call one day from Barcelona asking us to visit a young English couple on holiday in our area whose 2 year old child had been removed from the beach unconscious and admitted into hospital only 10 miles from our home. The English Chaplain in Barca had been contacted by a church in the UK asking him to visit not realising he was over 500 miles away from the hospital; so we rushed down there. When the young couple arrived in the ambulance they were distraught and being greeted by a competent staff who did not have one word of English between them was a nightmare for the family. One of the young nurses stayed with baby Matthew for the whole 12 hours of her shift, nursing him and speaking and singing softly in Spanish all the while but at the end of her shift went off duty for the best part of a week. A week is a long time in the life of a child and during that time young Matthew made rapid progress but looked so unhappy and strange even though his mummy had been given a small bed in his room and never left his side. He rarely made a sound and did not want to eat.
One day we were visiting and young Matthew was sitting up in his cot looking glum and ignoring his toys and all efforts to cheer him. Early that evening the door opened and in came the young nurse calling Mattu, Mattu and suddenly he struggled to stand and up went his arms towards her and as she
lifted him from his cot he snuggled into her neck and listened carefully to her dialogue of local accented Spanish pouring into his ears and a smile as wide as a watermelon came over his face as he hugged and hugged her. When Matthew was discharged back into the care of UK doctors he and his nurse could not say 'goodbye' without tears. I am told he has
never forgotten her and he's now ready for university!
Does our unconscious have a memory? I think so.
Saturday 30 July 2011
Thursday 28 July 2011
short holidays
The two youngest members of our family are setting off first thing in the morning to spend
5 days in the Lake District. One is worried that she may have to climb a mountain or indeed
walk anywhere longer than a mile - 'after all you can seen the beautiful lakes from the car' -
says a child of today. Jamax is wanting to go to Coniston Lake and see where Campbell
and his beloved 'Blue Bird' crashed so tragically. I hope he does not think the remains of the boat are floating around still - but there you are he's a teenage boy!
Meanwhile I and my dear one will be lounging around in Bath enjoying the delights of the
wonderful Spa and being waited upon for a while.
I will be looking forward to seeing them next week - 5 days is too long without them.
5 days in the Lake District. One is worried that she may have to climb a mountain or indeed
walk anywhere longer than a mile - 'after all you can seen the beautiful lakes from the car' -
says a child of today. Jamax is wanting to go to Coniston Lake and see where Campbell
and his beloved 'Blue Bird' crashed so tragically. I hope he does not think the remains of the boat are floating around still - but there you are he's a teenage boy!
Meanwhile I and my dear one will be lounging around in Bath enjoying the delights of the
wonderful Spa and being waited upon for a while.
I will be looking forward to seeing them next week - 5 days is too long without them.
Wednesday 27 July 2011
How things have changed
My dear mother in law got herself into serious trouble with her father when she was
booked in by him with a local photographer; on the way the naughty girl (who was 18)
had her hair cut from long to the latest racey fashion of a bob. She had also decorated
her new velvet dress with some flowers her sister had knitted! Oh! what a delinquent.
Sadly, she and her father never again had the same close relationship.
booked in by him with a local photographer; on the way the naughty girl (who was 18)
had her hair cut from long to the latest racey fashion of a bob. She had also decorated
her new velvet dress with some flowers her sister had knitted! Oh! what a delinquent.
Sadly, she and her father never again had the same close relationship.
Monday 25 July 2011
TATTOOS
I saw a girl in the changing rooms at the gym with a huge tattoo of a roaring lion starting
on her breasts and continuing over her chest and neck areas - she must have taken out a mortgage to pay for it but it worked because every person in the C/ROOM was staring at
her and I think that is the real reason for getting your body dyed so that people will look at you. It did not used to be so - the Jews tattooed by the Nazis always loathed the sign of their domination.
My dad had a tattoo on his arm which was his Regimental badge and number so that if
his remains ended up on the battlefield at least he would be identified - he kept it wrapped up with long sleeves for the rest of his life as it brought back too many bad memories.
I remember a young man in hospital years ago when the fashion had hardly started
with a huge tattoo done by his pal - it was bad but at least it was unique as they had spelt the word Genesis wrongly. Don't think they knew.
'Right, it's time to clear something up once and for all. I've thought hard about this. I've read reams on the subject, and have reached a conclusion at last. Tattoos are bad news.
They are tacky, inelegant, foolish, pretentious and grubby. And they are not cool. Ever.'
That's what I think anyhow and it is not because I am old and wouldn't know fashion if it hit me in the eye! Don't think so anyway.
on her breasts and continuing over her chest and neck areas - she must have taken out a mortgage to pay for it but it worked because every person in the C/ROOM was staring at
her and I think that is the real reason for getting your body dyed so that people will look at you. It did not used to be so - the Jews tattooed by the Nazis always loathed the sign of their domination.
My dad had a tattoo on his arm which was his Regimental badge and number so that if
his remains ended up on the battlefield at least he would be identified - he kept it wrapped up with long sleeves for the rest of his life as it brought back too many bad memories.
I remember a young man in hospital years ago when the fashion had hardly started
with a huge tattoo done by his pal - it was bad but at least it was unique as they had spelt the word Genesis wrongly. Don't think they knew.
'Right, it's time to clear something up once and for all. I've thought hard about this. I've read reams on the subject, and have reached a conclusion at last. Tattoos are bad news.
They are tacky, inelegant, foolish, pretentious and grubby. And they are not cool. Ever.'
That's what I think anyhow and it is not because I am old and wouldn't know fashion if it hit me in the eye! Don't think so anyway.
Friday 22 July 2011
Historic Day in our house
Today has it's own place in the history of our little family: I made my last journey to school for eight years. When our daughter in law died 8 years ago I took over the delivery and collection of the children - in those days there were many journeys every day as Jamax who was just six had to be delivered each morning and collected at 3.30pm but at the same time
his little sister who was just 4 years had started at nursery which commenced at 10am 'til 2.00pm.
My whole day was spent going backwards and forwards each day. Things changed when Miss Hickett joined the Infant school and could be taken along with Jamax and again much later when Jamax started at High School he used the school bus and I was demoted to just one jouney in the morning with Miss Hickett who walked home with friends each evening. From September they will both be in High school and using the school bus so though there will be no 'school walk'. It will be chaos at home when I have to encourage both of them to get a move on and try to impress upon Miss Hickett that the bus goes at 8.00am whether she is on it or not! Happy days!
his little sister who was just 4 years had started at nursery which commenced at 10am 'til 2.00pm.
My whole day was spent going backwards and forwards each day. Things changed when Miss Hickett joined the Infant school and could be taken along with Jamax and again much later when Jamax started at High School he used the school bus and I was demoted to just one jouney in the morning with Miss Hickett who walked home with friends each evening. From September they will both be in High school and using the school bus so though there will be no 'school walk'. It will be chaos at home when I have to encourage both of them to get a move on and try to impress upon Miss Hickett that the bus goes at 8.00am whether she is on it or not! Happy days!
Wednesday 20 July 2011
It's a great big world out there!
We have a visitor at the Cathedral for the next couple of weeks; he is Bishop Greg Thompson
from the New Territories in Australia. He told us that his Diocese in New Territories has the same footprint as France, Germany and Italy all pushed alongside each other.
There was a loud gasp as we tried to take that information in and imagine it - that wasn't easy as our Diocese in the UK is 35 miles from top to bottom! In that small space we have one million people which apparently is many, many more than in the New Territories.
I think the most difficult problem to get their heads around is that they are visiting us in
'high summer'.....we find it difficult to believe too.
from the New Territories in Australia. He told us that his Diocese in New Territories has the same footprint as France, Germany and Italy all pushed alongside each other.
There was a loud gasp as we tried to take that information in and imagine it - that wasn't easy as our Diocese in the UK is 35 miles from top to bottom! In that small space we have one million people which apparently is many, many more than in the New Territories.
I think the most difficult problem to get their heads around is that they are visiting us in
'high summer'.....we find it difficult to believe too.
Monday 18 July 2011
An exciting week-end.
On Friday Miss Hickett went to a 'goodbye to the junior school' evening when the whole class went in two stretch-limos with non alcoholic champagne (not my choice of description or beverage for that matter!) and after an hour driving around the city found themselves back at school for supper and a disco - it took many an hour to decide on an outfit but eventually a blue dress and white matinee jacket was selected and with curly hair and new sandals she was off and had a lovely time.
Next evening was Jamax's turn but he selected the first two items in the first drawer he opened, washed his hair and departed all in about 20 minutes for a friend's 14th birthday disco.
On Sunday along with a cousin all the family went to the cinema to see the Harry Potter film.
I suspected the scenario would be - 2 men fast asleep, 1 boy stuffing popcorn whilst the other drank copious amounts of 'coke' which would be followed by many journeys to the loo and one girlie sitting like a stone, gazing raptly at the screen; attention never wavering for a couple of hours. I would be at home with the Sunday newspapers and a book with
coffee on tap and not a sound in the house. What really happened was the whole gang
loved the film and no one went to sleep - not even grandad! I did not have a quiet and
peaceful afternoon as my sister in law skyped from South Africa, followed by a friend from Sydney and lastly a call from Spain; by the time they returned I was exhausted but there was little I did not know!
Next evening was Jamax's turn but he selected the first two items in the first drawer he opened, washed his hair and departed all in about 20 minutes for a friend's 14th birthday disco.
On Sunday along with a cousin all the family went to the cinema to see the Harry Potter film.
I suspected the scenario would be - 2 men fast asleep, 1 boy stuffing popcorn whilst the other drank copious amounts of 'coke' which would be followed by many journeys to the loo and one girlie sitting like a stone, gazing raptly at the screen; attention never wavering for a couple of hours. I would be at home with the Sunday newspapers and a book with
coffee on tap and not a sound in the house. What really happened was the whole gang
loved the film and no one went to sleep - not even grandad! I did not have a quiet and
peaceful afternoon as my sister in law skyped from South Africa, followed by a friend from Sydney and lastly a call from Spain; by the time they returned I was exhausted but there was little I did not know!
Thursday 14 July 2011
new experience
It was a first for me last night....shopping at 9.45pm I mean. Shopping has always been a
problem for me so there is really no right or wrong time to shop or should I say anytime is the wrong time to shop. However I digress. Jamax came in last night to tell me confidentially that he had forgotten to look in his homework book and now...just now realised that he needed a cake ..
A CAKE? Well of course, just how big do you want it? His 14 years on earth almost came to an abrupt end when I realised this was not a joke but that he really did need a cake and
ingredients to decorate same - pronto. 'Could n't you just make me one now nanny?'
Ohhhhhhhhhhh!
This is what led to us both rushing into a supermarket with just 15 minutes to closing time looking for a plain cake etc., We found one of sorts and he dare not ask why it was not round as his teacher had instructed. He set off this morning with said cake, icing sugar, colouring and flavouring plus a small plaque saying 'Happy Birthday' (to some poor unfortunate soul). We did not go into the reasons why a tech lesson involves bringing a plain, cooked cake and the decorations. I was sorely tempted to buy a beatifully decorated cake for him to take for a ride to school and the bring home again for tea. Can't wait to see what he makes of creating some decent icing - it's not aneasy task. Hope he leaves it on the bus! He is fortunate that I love him.
problem for me so there is really no right or wrong time to shop or should I say anytime is the wrong time to shop. However I digress. Jamax came in last night to tell me confidentially that he had forgotten to look in his homework book and now...just now realised that he needed a cake ..
A CAKE? Well of course, just how big do you want it? His 14 years on earth almost came to an abrupt end when I realised this was not a joke but that he really did need a cake and
ingredients to decorate same - pronto. 'Could n't you just make me one now nanny?'
Ohhhhhhhhhhh!
This is what led to us both rushing into a supermarket with just 15 minutes to closing time looking for a plain cake etc., We found one of sorts and he dare not ask why it was not round as his teacher had instructed. He set off this morning with said cake, icing sugar, colouring and flavouring plus a small plaque saying 'Happy Birthday' (to some poor unfortunate soul). We did not go into the reasons why a tech lesson involves bringing a plain, cooked cake and the decorations. I was sorely tempted to buy a beatifully decorated cake for him to take for a ride to school and the bring home again for tea. Can't wait to see what he makes of creating some decent icing - it's not aneasy task. Hope he leaves it on the bus! He is fortunate that I love him.
Tuesday 12 July 2011
A Prayer for today
Dear Lord, So far today I am doing alright.
I have not gossiped, lost my temper,
been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish or self indulgent.
I have not complained, whined or cursed and have not eaten any chocolate.
I have charged nothing on my credit card.
BUT......I will be getting out of bed in a minute Lord and I think that
I will really need your help then.
I have not gossiped, lost my temper,
been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish or self indulgent.
I have not complained, whined or cursed and have not eaten any chocolate.
I have charged nothing on my credit card.
BUT......I will be getting out of bed in a minute Lord and I think that
I will really need your help then.
Monday 11 July 2011
On the news today........
Today apparently the USA withdrew a donation to Pakistan of £300 million, this has been in addition to the 1 billion a year over the past ten years to help keep the army on the alert.
It would seem that the US think the Pakistanis have been less than vigilent by allowing Osama bin Laden to live next to their largest Millitary base for the past 8 years without 'finding' him; and now the Pakistanis are mad because the American Commandos invaded their soil to capture and kill him without telling the Pakistani government. Whatever the whys and wherefores of the arguments how can we ever understand those vast sums of money? Now the Pakistanis say they don't need the money so we might think as there is a famine in Ethiopia of catastophic preportions and thousands of people are dying; the money that the Pakistanis 'do not need' might simply be given to the aid agencies and put to better use in Africa - but no my mind is far too simple. All the mighty brains have to get together on many occasions to discuss where these huge sums of money might be redirected and that will take many more years than it did to direct it to Pakistan in the first place.
What a crazy world we live in.
It would seem that the US think the Pakistanis have been less than vigilent by allowing Osama bin Laden to live next to their largest Millitary base for the past 8 years without 'finding' him; and now the Pakistanis are mad because the American Commandos invaded their soil to capture and kill him without telling the Pakistani government. Whatever the whys and wherefores of the arguments how can we ever understand those vast sums of money? Now the Pakistanis say they don't need the money so we might think as there is a famine in Ethiopia of catastophic preportions and thousands of people are dying; the money that the Pakistanis 'do not need' might simply be given to the aid agencies and put to better use in Africa - but no my mind is far too simple. All the mighty brains have to get together on many occasions to discuss where these huge sums of money might be redirected and that will take many more years than it did to direct it to Pakistan in the first place.
What a crazy world we live in.
Wednesday 6 July 2011
More thoughts on teenagers!
Have you ever thought how much teenagers have in common with cats?
1 Neither teenagers nor cats turn their head when you call their name.
2 No matter what you do for them, it is not enough. Indeed, all humane efforts are barely adequate to
compensate for the privilege of waiting on them hand and foot.
3 You rarely see a cat walking outside the house with an adult human being, and it can be safely said
that no teenager in his or her right mind wants to be seen in public with his or her parents.
4 Cats and teenagers can lie on the living-room sofa for hours on end without moving.
5 Both cats and teenagers eat some very odd things - at very odd hours.
6 Cats are obsessed with themselves and their appearance. Teenagers........!
CATS HAVE NINE LIVES. TEENAGERS JUST ACT AS IF THEY DID.
1 Neither teenagers nor cats turn their head when you call their name.
2 No matter what you do for them, it is not enough. Indeed, all humane efforts are barely adequate to
compensate for the privilege of waiting on them hand and foot.
3 You rarely see a cat walking outside the house with an adult human being, and it can be safely said
that no teenager in his or her right mind wants to be seen in public with his or her parents.
4 Cats and teenagers can lie on the living-room sofa for hours on end without moving.
5 Both cats and teenagers eat some very odd things - at very odd hours.
6 Cats are obsessed with themselves and their appearance. Teenagers........!
CATS HAVE NINE LIVES. TEENAGERS JUST ACT AS IF THEY DID.
Tuesday 5 July 2011
'very gifted children'
I was booked to do a tour for a group of 'highly gifted children' yesterday and worried more than usual beforehand imagining high flying questions about architecture or a subject of my least expertese from a load
of little smart asses. However they were lovely kids quite out of their depths until we reached every child's
favourite character from history - Henry V111. At one point I was telling them of one of the Abbot's of yesteryear and said he was known as a 'workaholic' and expected all his community of monks to be the same as he which did not make him very popular. Seeing what I thought might be a few blank faces I said rather condescendingly 'are you all familiar with this term - workaholic?' - lots of nodding heads so I said 'explain it please someone' and a very bright kid from the group said - 'Abbot David drank a lot and forced them all to join him' amazingly this was accompanied by a lot of nodding heads. Mmmm! and I was really worried about
'highly gifted children'...... that was just the answer I would have expected from my favourite boy in all the world,
my grandson, Jamax, who though is perfect cannot be called 'highly gifted' when it comes to academia.
Lovely afternoon spent with some amazing kids - how lucky I am.
of little smart asses. However they were lovely kids quite out of their depths until we reached every child's
favourite character from history - Henry V111. At one point I was telling them of one of the Abbot's of yesteryear and said he was known as a 'workaholic' and expected all his community of monks to be the same as he which did not make him very popular. Seeing what I thought might be a few blank faces I said rather condescendingly 'are you all familiar with this term - workaholic?' - lots of nodding heads so I said 'explain it please someone' and a very bright kid from the group said - 'Abbot David drank a lot and forced them all to join him' amazingly this was accompanied by a lot of nodding heads. Mmmm! and I was really worried about
'highly gifted children'...... that was just the answer I would have expected from my favourite boy in all the world,
my grandson, Jamax, who though is perfect cannot be called 'highly gifted' when it comes to academia.
Lovely afternoon spent with some amazing kids - how lucky I am.
Saturday 2 July 2011
St John the Silent
I read today that there is an actual Saint called 'St John the Silent' who stayed in his room for 75 years
(probably suffered from agoraphobia before anyone had heard of it) refusing to talk or be nice to anyone.
Two things struck me, firstly what on earth did he ever do to become a Saint and secondly could this be the
patron Saint of sulky teenagers?
(probably suffered from agoraphobia before anyone had heard of it) refusing to talk or be nice to anyone.
Two things struck me, firstly what on earth did he ever do to become a Saint and secondly could this be the
patron Saint of sulky teenagers?
Friday 1 July 2011
Duane Eddy
I read this week that the old rock and roller Duane Eddy has published his first album in 25 years and at 73
years old is about to embark on a tour of the UK. Wow! that news took me back a few years and brought
lovely memories of people I used to know. In those far off days I worked in the offices of a multi national company who never stinted on treats for it's staff - we had many. Every year the Office Manager called us all together to plan the Christmas party when we would provide the entertainment and the company would provide a sumptuous spread served by a waitress or two. One lovely young man who always provided the music was
again asked to bring along his 'records' but said the Office Manager pompously - 'Could we have something else please Rodney apart from your constant supply of Eddy Duane music?' A reverend hush fell upon us all
as we saw Rod's face as he heard his great hero so maligned. The laugh was on the Boss when we all burst into raucous cheers and laughter as he really had no idea what a faux pas that was in those rock and roll years.
years old is about to embark on a tour of the UK. Wow! that news took me back a few years and brought
lovely memories of people I used to know. In those far off days I worked in the offices of a multi national company who never stinted on treats for it's staff - we had many. Every year the Office Manager called us all together to plan the Christmas party when we would provide the entertainment and the company would provide a sumptuous spread served by a waitress or two. One lovely young man who always provided the music was
again asked to bring along his 'records' but said the Office Manager pompously - 'Could we have something else please Rodney apart from your constant supply of Eddy Duane music?' A reverend hush fell upon us all
as we saw Rod's face as he heard his great hero so maligned. The laugh was on the Boss when we all burst into raucous cheers and laughter as he really had no idea what a faux pas that was in those rock and roll years.
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