A few more oddities from our use of language (sent to me by the same friend).
You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out, and in which, an alarm goes off by going on.
There is no egg in eggplant nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple.
English muffins weren't invented in England or
French fries in France.
Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads,
which aren't sweet, are meat.
Quicksand works slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.
If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth beeth?
One goose, 2 geese. So one moose, 2 meese?
If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it? Is it an odd, or an end?
In what other language do people recite at a play and play at a recital?
Have noses that run and feet that smell?
English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race, which, of course, is not a race at all
No doubt there are lots of other examples, but I`ve bored you enough by now, so I`ll change the subject for tomorrow!
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Friday, August 17, 2007
English language
Talking about the use of words in the English language a friend has sent me this:
20 Reasons why the English language is so hard to learn:
1) The bandage was wound around the wound.
2) The farm was used to produce produce.
3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
4) We must polish the Polish furniture.
5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10) I did not object to the object.
11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
13) They were too close to the door to close it.
14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.
15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer.
16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
18) After a number of injections my jaw got number.
19) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.
20) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
More on this theme tomorrow!
20 Reasons why the English language is so hard to learn:
1) The bandage was wound around the wound.
2) The farm was used to produce produce.
3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
4) We must polish the Polish furniture.
5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10) I did not object to the object.
11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
13) They were too close to the door to close it.
14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.
15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer.
16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
18) After a number of injections my jaw got number.
19) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.
20) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
More on this theme tomorrow!
Thursday, August 16, 2007
"Did you enjoy your trip?"
"Did you enjoy your trip?" That question was asked of me the other day, and it set me thinking and wondering why do we use the same word to mean different things. I`m not just talking about the word 'trip', but so many words in our language can have two or three completely different meanings.
You`ll probably assume by the question that I`d either been out for the day to somewhere, or been on a boat, or plane, or for a holiday, but the fact is it was none of those.
I was working in our church with a friend one day last week, and had gone out to get something. On coming back in through the door I stepped over an electical cable wire which was on the floor across the doorway from a hoover that someone else was using around the far side of the church, but having put one foot across it and about to put the second one over suddenly the cable wasn`t on the floor it was about 18 inches off the ground so caught my second foot, unable to save myself although I tried, I ended up going flat out full length in the centre aisle, with a good old wallop!
Fortunately, apart from two huge bruises on my knees and a slight graze on my arm, I didn`t do any serious damage.
But, my trip wasn`t a good one!
[If you`re wondering how the cable got to that height off the floor, the person vacuuming had pulled it to try and get a bit futher and hadn`t looked round before doing so]
You`ll probably assume by the question that I`d either been out for the day to somewhere, or been on a boat, or plane, or for a holiday, but the fact is it was none of those.
I was working in our church with a friend one day last week, and had gone out to get something. On coming back in through the door I stepped over an electical cable wire which was on the floor across the doorway from a hoover that someone else was using around the far side of the church, but having put one foot across it and about to put the second one over suddenly the cable wasn`t on the floor it was about 18 inches off the ground so caught my second foot, unable to save myself although I tried, I ended up going flat out full length in the centre aisle, with a good old wallop!
Fortunately, apart from two huge bruises on my knees and a slight graze on my arm, I didn`t do any serious damage.
But, my trip wasn`t a good one!
[If you`re wondering how the cable got to that height off the floor, the person vacuuming had pulled it to try and get a bit futher and hadn`t looked round before doing so]
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Who is it?
Well, I said a few weeks ago that I`d share with you the picture of how I got dressed up as a nursery rhyme character the other week..... here it is. Any guesses who I`m meant to be representing??
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Best Wine last?
I attended a wedding today, not of a young couple, but of an elderly couple. Both had been married before, and their partners had died, one fairly recently.
The Bible reading they had at the service was about Jesus`s first miracle of changing water into wine at the Wedding at Cana. At first I thought how appropriate to have a reading about a Wedding at a wedding, until I heard the line "Everyone else serves the best wine first and after the guests have had plenty to drink he serves the ordinary wine. But you have kept the best till now!"
Now, whether anyone else would think the same as me on hearing that, I don`t know, (probably not, because I come up with odd thoughts at times!) but I felt that it could sound very hurtful and upsetting to the children of the first marriage/s, if they took the wine to refer to the first and second wife/husband. No doubt it was their choice of reading, but it just seemed a little strange to me at that point.
Maybe I`m just going on personal feelings of how I felt (and still feel at times), over my parent seeming to be putting someone else in my Dad`s place after he had died and she found another man friend. Maybe others don`t have the same problem with it.
The Bible reading they had at the service was about Jesus`s first miracle of changing water into wine at the Wedding at Cana. At first I thought how appropriate to have a reading about a Wedding at a wedding, until I heard the line "Everyone else serves the best wine first and after the guests have had plenty to drink he serves the ordinary wine. But you have kept the best till now!"
Now, whether anyone else would think the same as me on hearing that, I don`t know, (probably not, because I come up with odd thoughts at times!) but I felt that it could sound very hurtful and upsetting to the children of the first marriage/s, if they took the wine to refer to the first and second wife/husband. No doubt it was their choice of reading, but it just seemed a little strange to me at that point.
Maybe I`m just going on personal feelings of how I felt (and still feel at times), over my parent seeming to be putting someone else in my Dad`s place after he had died and she found another man friend. Maybe others don`t have the same problem with it.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Magic Wand
Wanted.... a magic wand!
I`m working on a project with a colleague, but I think he thinks I`ve got a magic wand to do things with. The item we`re working on needs to be ready for the weekend, we`ve been working on it for weeks, but he keeps putting off everything till the last minute. I`d eventually got everything set out nicely on some A5 size pages, produced a master copy of a front page and given it to him, as he wanted to get the covers printed himself. Ok, I thought, that will save me a little time.
What happens?... he proudly brings one of the covers up to show me yesterday - not even done to my design which I`d spent quite a time doing (grrrrrr!), but..... it`s the wrong size! It`s at least an inch and a half smaller in length and an inch smaller in width.
"You can reduce the pages to fit, can`t you" he said! Does he really, seriously think I can wave a magic wand and make everything reduce itself on about 40 pages of print and pictures, and still be readable, and all in time still to print, fold and staple by Saturday, as well as go to work, look after the house, and parent, and do other routine tasks? Not usually one to refuse to do something if I possibly can, I had to say a straight "No, I can`t" to him "You`ll have to redo the covers to fit". (And how quick he`ll be getting them is another question altogether)
So, if anyone`s got a spare magic wand... send it this way.
I`m working on a project with a colleague, but I think he thinks I`ve got a magic wand to do things with. The item we`re working on needs to be ready for the weekend, we`ve been working on it for weeks, but he keeps putting off everything till the last minute. I`d eventually got everything set out nicely on some A5 size pages, produced a master copy of a front page and given it to him, as he wanted to get the covers printed himself. Ok, I thought, that will save me a little time.
What happens?... he proudly brings one of the covers up to show me yesterday - not even done to my design which I`d spent quite a time doing (grrrrrr!), but..... it`s the wrong size! It`s at least an inch and a half smaller in length and an inch smaller in width.
"You can reduce the pages to fit, can`t you" he said! Does he really, seriously think I can wave a magic wand and make everything reduce itself on about 40 pages of print and pictures, and still be readable, and all in time still to print, fold and staple by Saturday, as well as go to work, look after the house, and parent, and do other routine tasks? Not usually one to refuse to do something if I possibly can, I had to say a straight "No, I can`t" to him "You`ll have to redo the covers to fit". (And how quick he`ll be getting them is another question altogether)
So, if anyone`s got a spare magic wand... send it this way.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Stained Glass
I love stained glass windows, and I came across this beautiful one in a village church recently. The sun was shining through it really illuminating the colours to their full beauty. I don`t know what it is about stained glass windows but I can stand and look at them for ages. I am really captivated by them. It is somehow, to me, a very relaxing thing to do, yet inspiring at the same time. Perhaps because it actually make me Stop, and be still for a while.(Do click on it to bring it larger and take in all the details)
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Time and Tide
Time and tide wait for no man - so the saying goes, and how true that is for me this week.
I`ve not even had time to write anything on my blog here. What with having to find a costume to dress up in (as I wrote about one day last week), and maybe one day I`ll share a picture of how I looked dressed up in a big hat, flowers and a long skirt - if you want to hazard a guess at what nursery rhyme character I decided to be from that description feel free.
But, besides that, all my spare time has been taken up trying to beat a deadline to get words and pictures compiled together into a publication for which the deadline is this weekend to get it printed for next weekend.... and I`m not winning with it. The colleague that I`m doing it with is so dithery and wants to keep adding unnecessary bits to it.
And, that`s all beside the proper job, housework, demanding parent etc..etc... so it really does feel that time and tide are winning here at the moment. Why does everything happen at once. Another week I`ll have nothing to do!
I`ve not even had time to write anything on my blog here. What with having to find a costume to dress up in (as I wrote about one day last week), and maybe one day I`ll share a picture of how I looked dressed up in a big hat, flowers and a long skirt - if you want to hazard a guess at what nursery rhyme character I decided to be from that description feel free.
But, besides that, all my spare time has been taken up trying to beat a deadline to get words and pictures compiled together into a publication for which the deadline is this weekend to get it printed for next weekend.... and I`m not winning with it. The colleague that I`m doing it with is so dithery and wants to keep adding unnecessary bits to it.
And, that`s all beside the proper job, housework, demanding parent etc..etc... so it really does feel that time and tide are winning here at the moment. Why does everything happen at once. Another week I`ll have nothing to do!
Monday, July 30, 2007
The Envelope
The postman delivered an envelope for me today.
Not that it`s unusual for him to do that (and to deliver me other peoples mail when he either doesn`t stop to read the addresses or can`t be bothered to walk up another path to another door, so he sticks them all through mine!), but this envelope I`d been waiting for but hadn`t expected for another week. Did that mean that it was bad news because it had come earlier than expected.
So there it laid on the table for me at dinnertime. I looked at it, I wanted to open it, but yet I didn`t want to open it. I was anxious about what it might say. So, I made myself eat my dinner first and kept putting off opening it, although I needed to know what it said, I was afraid of what it might say.
In the end, I opened it, slowly, carefully and withdrew the single sheet of headed paper... and thankfully it was good news, the Scan I`d had the other week had shown up no problems. What a relief.
Not that it`s unusual for him to do that (and to deliver me other peoples mail when he either doesn`t stop to read the addresses or can`t be bothered to walk up another path to another door, so he sticks them all through mine!), but this envelope I`d been waiting for but hadn`t expected for another week. Did that mean that it was bad news because it had come earlier than expected.
So there it laid on the table for me at dinnertime. I looked at it, I wanted to open it, but yet I didn`t want to open it. I was anxious about what it might say. So, I made myself eat my dinner first and kept putting off opening it, although I needed to know what it said, I was afraid of what it might say.
In the end, I opened it, slowly, carefully and withdrew the single sheet of headed paper... and thankfully it was good news, the Scan I`d had the other week had shown up no problems. What a relief.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Signs by the Sea
Walking along the sea front this evening, something I`ve not done for ages and ages, but somehow I felt drawn to tonight as it was a such a beautiful evening, the tide was full up and sea was gently lapping around the boulders, very peaceful.
As I walked I found myself idly looking at the names of the beach huts along there - what imagination some people have in the way they name them, there was Sunny Days, Green Lagoon and The Red Tardis, along with others.
But the sign that gave me the most laugh was outside a cafe, at the bottom of the list of what it had on offer the usual tea, coffee, ices, etc.. the bottom line read "Toilet - seating inside" !! Now, my pictual mind came up with all sorts of views on that, as to what toilets would be outside and not have seating!!
As I walked I found myself idly looking at the names of the beach huts along there - what imagination some people have in the way they name them, there was Sunny Days, Green Lagoon and The Red Tardis, along with others.
But the sign that gave me the most laugh was outside a cafe, at the bottom of the list of what it had on offer the usual tea, coffee, ices, etc.. the bottom line read "Toilet - seating inside" !! Now, my pictual mind came up with all sorts of views on that, as to what toilets would be outside and not have seating!!
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Who Shall I be?
I`ve got to dress up as either a nursery rhyme character or a fairy tale character next week....anyone got any ideas on who they think I should be? Who am I most like?!... no maybe that`s not a good idea, maybe I need to be someone different to who I`m like just to surprize everyone.
And then to find the costume....ahhhhh
And then to find the costume....ahhhhh
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Shock! Horror!
Shock, horror, disbelief!.... I`ve just got on the bathroom scales, something I haven`t done for many, many, many months. The numbers (it`s a digital one) kept going up and up and up. No, I`m not going to tell you what to, suffice to say that I`m now 4 stone 4 pounds (Yes, I still work in imperial measurements), heavier than I was 10 years ago.
Yet, I don`t feel that much heavier, alright, I know I`ve gone up a dress size but I just put that down to "middle age spread".
What made me get on the scales I don`t know, I wish I hadn`t!
Shall I diet? Shall I start a rigid fitness regime? No, I don`t think so, it`s not 'me'. I feel ok - well most of the time, and everyone gets days of feeling under the weather don`t they.
Perhaps I should get a new pair of bathroom scales!
Yet, I don`t feel that much heavier, alright, I know I`ve gone up a dress size but I just put that down to "middle age spread".
What made me get on the scales I don`t know, I wish I hadn`t!
Shall I diet? Shall I start a rigid fitness regime? No, I don`t think so, it`s not 'me'. I feel ok - well most of the time, and everyone gets days of feeling under the weather don`t they.
Perhaps I should get a new pair of bathroom scales!
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Communion
Going up to our church`s Communion Table to receive the bread and wine I recently became aware of something I`d never noticed or thought of before, and I`ve have noticed it on each occasion since when our Minister is presiding.
When the bread is placed in my (and I guess everyone`s) hand, it seems to be placed firmly not on my fingers but pressed into the palm of my hand, and what struck me about it, is that that would have been the spot where nails were pierced though Jesus`s hands when he was nailed to the cross. It gives a real extra significance to the words of "the body of Christ, broken for you", and made receiving it a very moving experience.
I wonder if he does purposely place the bread there for that reason?
When the bread is placed in my (and I guess everyone`s) hand, it seems to be placed firmly not on my fingers but pressed into the palm of my hand, and what struck me about it, is that that would have been the spot where nails were pierced though Jesus`s hands when he was nailed to the cross. It gives a real extra significance to the words of "the body of Christ, broken for you", and made receiving it a very moving experience.
I wonder if he does purposely place the bread there for that reason?
Friday, July 20, 2007
Soothing Chores
Standing cutting potatoes into slices and then strips to make chips a short while ago, I suddenly realised (and I remember now noticing before), what a soothing effect doing that job was having on me! I felt completely contented, not in a rush, just allowing my mind to either wander or do nothing whilst my hands did the work. Whether it was the systematic, methodic way of just slicing potato after potato to about the same size chip, that had almost a hypnotic effect on me, I don`t know.
Then I got to thinking about another cooking task that has a similiar effect, and that`s standing stirring a saucepan of gravy, or custard or anything that one has to keep stirring round, and round, and round. I never seem to be short of patience to do that either, maybe there`s a deeper level to it, that as one stirs and watches the swirling of the liquid in the centre it`s possible to imagine worries and troubles dropping down into the centre of the vortex and disappearing.
I wonder if anyone else finds similiar experiences in cooking? Or in other mundane tasks?
Then I got to thinking about another cooking task that has a similiar effect, and that`s standing stirring a saucepan of gravy, or custard or anything that one has to keep stirring round, and round, and round. I never seem to be short of patience to do that either, maybe there`s a deeper level to it, that as one stirs and watches the swirling of the liquid in the centre it`s possible to imagine worries and troubles dropping down into the centre of the vortex and disappearing.
I wonder if anyone else finds similiar experiences in cooking? Or in other mundane tasks?
Monday, July 16, 2007
All Out?
I couldn`t resist taking a picture of this baby duckling, who succeeded after many attempts to climb up onto the log of wood in the lake, and looked so pleased with himself (or herself!) that they`s succeeded. Walking round the beautiful millennium garden and wildfowl place at Pensthorpe yesterday, I started wondering.... how do they know that everyone is out when they close in the evening? There are, after all, acres of ground and paths, as well as hides to watch the birds from. Do they just rely on people watching the time and leaving, or is there someone who goes all the way round to check. But yet, if someone goes down one path to check, a visitor could be going the other way and so not been found, as there`s not a one-way system in the place.
It`s a scary thought in a way, that you could be locked in there for the night !
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Nature`s Patchwork
Come for a walk with me today....
Enjoy the beautiful scenes of nature`s patchwork of colours, all blending so beautifully together.
And the added delight to the eye that a lake of water provides to the scene.
Enjoy the beautiful scenes of nature`s patchwork of colours, all blending so beautifully together.
And the added delight to the eye that a lake of water provides to the scene.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Thursday, July 12, 2007
A visit to the past
I went somewhere today, that I haven`t been since I was a child ! And what different views I had of it.
Being on holiday this week I decided to go to the city, Norwich to have a wander around the shops. I set off fairly early this morning, and getting off the bus in the centre of the city by the castle, I suddenly thought I haven`t been in here for years and years, I`ll go in there before I do my shopping. Having paid my entrance fee - which came as a bit of a shock(!) as it used to be free in my childhood, I wandered around. Obviously over the years there had been a lot of changes and I enjoyed taking in again the history, and it really set me thinking about the way in which the people of hundreds of years ago had had skill and initiative in the making of primitive tools, and things for their everyday life. But what a hard life it had been.
As a child I had always been fascinated to go and look at the display cases of scenes with actual birds and animals in them, albeit that they were stuffed ones. It used to be my favourite part of a visit to the museum. On going into that section today - I found it was set out exactly as it had been 50 years or so ago, not a single thing had changed, except it looked perhaps a bit dustier and rather dated - but instead of enjoying looking at the displays today I found myself appalled by them.
To think that birds and animals had been caught, killed and then stuffed just so that we could look at them in glass cases was a nauesating sensation. How could we (humans) be so cruel as to do that?
In one hall there was a whole room full of cases round the wall full of different birds, and against some buzzards was a card saying that these were now an almost extinct bird-- It made me want to say maybe if they hadn`t have caught them to stuff and put in a museum (and I guess this isn`t the only museum to have such a collection) there would still be the birds about today.
Being on holiday this week I decided to go to the city, Norwich to have a wander around the shops. I set off fairly early this morning, and getting off the bus in the centre of the city by the castle, I suddenly thought I haven`t been in here for years and years, I`ll go in there before I do my shopping. Having paid my entrance fee - which came as a bit of a shock(!) as it used to be free in my childhood, I wandered around. Obviously over the years there had been a lot of changes and I enjoyed taking in again the history, and it really set me thinking about the way in which the people of hundreds of years ago had had skill and initiative in the making of primitive tools, and things for their everyday life. But what a hard life it had been.
As a child I had always been fascinated to go and look at the display cases of scenes with actual birds and animals in them, albeit that they were stuffed ones. It used to be my favourite part of a visit to the museum. On going into that section today - I found it was set out exactly as it had been 50 years or so ago, not a single thing had changed, except it looked perhaps a bit dustier and rather dated - but instead of enjoying looking at the displays today I found myself appalled by them.
To think that birds and animals had been caught, killed and then stuffed just so that we could look at them in glass cases was a nauesating sensation. How could we (humans) be so cruel as to do that?
In one hall there was a whole room full of cases round the wall full of different birds, and against some buzzards was a card saying that these were now an almost extinct bird-- It made me want to say maybe if they hadn`t have caught them to stuff and put in a museum (and I guess this isn`t the only museum to have such a collection) there would still be the birds about today.
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Meeting a little old man
I had a lovely conversation with an elderly man at the event I was as yesterday - well, I say elderly although in years he is he really seems to be of indeterminate age because he`s got such a personality that he`s always cheerful and tormenting in the humourous remarkes that he comes out with, that he doesn`t seem anything like an elderly person.
Anyway, I`m digressing! After a jovial or two praising comments on the event, he suddenly said "you`re like your Dad" (whether he meant in looks or manner, i don`t know and didn`t ask) and then he went on to talk more about my Dad, how he used to always tease my Dad about always wearing a trilby, and the reply that Dad would make, and other such reminiscences. It made my day. It was so good to hear someone talk so easily and naturally about him. And, more than that, to know that someone else remembered Dad.
I wonder why it is, that people always seem afraid to talk about someone who has died making it seem as if they never exised?
This "old boy" for all his appearance and way, seems to have it right.
Anyway, I`m digressing! After a jovial or two praising comments on the event, he suddenly said "you`re like your Dad" (whether he meant in looks or manner, i don`t know and didn`t ask) and then he went on to talk more about my Dad, how he used to always tease my Dad about always wearing a trilby, and the reply that Dad would make, and other such reminiscences. It made my day. It was so good to hear someone talk so easily and naturally about him. And, more than that, to know that someone else remembered Dad.
I wonder why it is, that people always seem afraid to talk about someone who has died making it seem as if they never exised?
This "old boy" for all his appearance and way, seems to have it right.
Friday, July 06, 2007
Flowers
No time to write much, so enjoy the photo of these beautiful flowers which I took today. Just look at the red rose, isn`t it beautiful and wonderful the way it`s petals at the center look to be unfurling. A real joy to behold. Another wonder of nature.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
A Busy Time
It must be the season of Flower Festivals, I notice that someone else was writing on their blog about being involved with one this week. I`ve been up to my eyes (so to speak) in flowers and foliage, this week. 
Here`s a picture of where I`ve been working today... staff on stalls were selling things quicker than I could make them.
And readers, don`t say I should have made them in advance, they were things that couldn`t be made until the last minute.
I didn`t realise until I took this photo, part of my record of the events, just how untidy I was, still I did only have a small space to work in......
......well, that`s my excuse anyway!
So, away from the clutter, here`s a picture of some flowers.
Here`s a picture of where I`ve been working today... staff on stalls were selling things quicker than I could make them.And readers, don`t say I should have made them in advance, they were things that couldn`t be made until the last minute.
I didn`t realise until I took this photo, part of my record of the events, just how untidy I was, still I did only have a small space to work in......
......well, that`s my excuse anyway!
So, away from the clutter, here`s a picture of some flowers.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Carbon Footprint
Everyone seems to be talking about Carbon footprints lately, on wireless, tv, even as storylines in tv soaps. So, finding this carbon footprint calculator on here, I thought I`d risk giving it a go to see what they estimate my carbon footprint as.
And, it`s quite a way below the 5 tonnes per person that they say a person uses, so I`m pleased about that. Mine came out at 3.9
But, I really do wonder how much of the problem is caused by all these rockets and things being sent up into space. They must surely cause a terrific amout of pollution to the atmosphere, let alone the awful waste of money that could be far better spent on helping the starving people of the world, the homeless and trying to find cures for the many diseases about. It makes me mad at times to think of the way people suffer when money is used so inconsiderately for space travel and exploration, which really seems to serve no useful purpose.
And, it`s quite a way below the 5 tonnes per person that they say a person uses, so I`m pleased about that. Mine came out at 3.9
But, I really do wonder how much of the problem is caused by all these rockets and things being sent up into space. They must surely cause a terrific amout of pollution to the atmosphere, let alone the awful waste of money that could be far better spent on helping the starving people of the world, the homeless and trying to find cures for the many diseases about. It makes me mad at times to think of the way people suffer when money is used so inconsiderately for space travel and exploration, which really seems to serve no useful purpose.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
How much?
I`m going to write about an observation today, and I wonder how many others have noticed the same, or maybe even do it?......
...We queue up in supermarkets and shops with baskets of shopping or maybe even just a single item waiting to pay. Once we get to the till and the items are rung through the assistant says "that`s £2.75" or whatever the amount is, and, it`s quite surprising the number of people who then ask "how much". Not in the tone of surprise or questioning that it is that much, but because although they`re standing there to pay they`re not really concentrating and listening. It almost seems to come as a surprise to them to be asked for money! Thus making the poor cashiers have to repeat everything again.
So, come on all you shoppers, save the cashiers voice, time and patience, and pay attention!
...We queue up in supermarkets and shops with baskets of shopping or maybe even just a single item waiting to pay. Once we get to the till and the items are rung through the assistant says "that`s £2.75" or whatever the amount is, and, it`s quite surprising the number of people who then ask "how much". Not in the tone of surprise or questioning that it is that much, but because although they`re standing there to pay they`re not really concentrating and listening. It almost seems to come as a surprise to them to be asked for money! Thus making the poor cashiers have to repeat everything again.
So, come on all you shoppers, save the cashiers voice, time and patience, and pay attention!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Just one day to go
Yippee! One more day to work and then I can have 17 days holiday (counting weekends), what a nice thought that is. Not, that I mind going to work now-a-days, but the thought of a holiday and a break is always good, isn`t it.
I`m going to be busy for the first week of that holiday though, but enjoyably busy doing something I always look forward to, and plan my holiday for. I know a holiday is supposed to be time to have a rest and to relax, but I`ll do that on the second week - at least I hope I will, although I`ve already got a few things in mind that I need to do that week too!
And, then maybe I`ll find time to get back to writing a more daily post on here.
I`m going to be busy for the first week of that holiday though, but enjoyably busy doing something I always look forward to, and plan my holiday for. I know a holiday is supposed to be time to have a rest and to relax, but I`ll do that on the second week - at least I hope I will, although I`ve already got a few things in mind that I need to do that week too!
And, then maybe I`ll find time to get back to writing a more daily post on here.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Peace Shattered
I was about to sit down to write an entry on my blog, saying in an hours time my peace would be shattered. My parent would be home from her holiday.
As I sat down to write that, I became aware of the room getting darker and darker, although it was only an hour or so just past the middle of the day. There was an eerie feel about it, so I decided to log off and switch my computer off. The instant I switched it off there was an almighty crack of lightning and crash of thunder and more followed, the worst I think I`ve ever heard and a deluge of rain fell, so my peace really was shattered in more ways than one!
I was pleased in a way, to hear the rain though, as I somehow always feel safer with a storm if it rains than if is doesn`t.... is there any logic to this?
But what a lovely week I`ve had, able to sit quiet and think or do things without chatter and interuptions. Time to be me. Abilitity to do things at my own speed, which is fairly quick.
Time to relax and feel calm.
It`s not going to be easy to settle down again to not being just me in the house.
As I sat down to write that, I became aware of the room getting darker and darker, although it was only an hour or so just past the middle of the day. There was an eerie feel about it, so I decided to log off and switch my computer off. The instant I switched it off there was an almighty crack of lightning and crash of thunder and more followed, the worst I think I`ve ever heard and a deluge of rain fell, so my peace really was shattered in more ways than one!
I was pleased in a way, to hear the rain though, as I somehow always feel safer with a storm if it rains than if is doesn`t.... is there any logic to this?
But what a lovely week I`ve had, able to sit quiet and think or do things without chatter and interuptions. Time to be me. Abilitity to do things at my own speed, which is fairly quick.
Time to relax and feel calm.
It`s not going to be easy to settle down again to not being just me in the house.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Unconventional Lunch
I`ve had a very unconventional Sunday Lunch today. I wonder why it is that Sunday lunch in traditionally a roast dinner? And that is what we normally have, the only variation each week being the meat - some weeks its beef, other weeks, lamb, pork or chicken. But today, being on my own, I decided to do different. I had a toad-in-the-hole. And, it was delicious (not ofcourse that I`m praising my own cooking!).
It`s one of my favourite dishes, but one which I seldom get now, as working every morning and always having our dinner at mid-day, I can`t make it, and my parent is now too shaky with her hands to make one and put one in the oven. But I don`t think she`s think it was the right thing to do for a Sunday lunch. So, "while the cat`s away the mice will play", as they say.
It`s one of my favourite dishes, but one which I seldom get now, as working every morning and always having our dinner at mid-day, I can`t make it, and my parent is now too shaky with her hands to make one and put one in the oven. But I don`t think she`s think it was the right thing to do for a Sunday lunch. So, "while the cat`s away the mice will play", as they say.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Freedom
I`m feeling free!
I`ve got the house to myself for a whole week, and what a great feeling that is. My parent went off this morning for a weeks holiday, so I`ve time to be "me", to do as I like, to relax, free from the stress of being on edge with her being there. It`s not until times like this that I realise that I don`t totally relax at any time when she`s here, because I`m always conscious of that presence. Of the frustrating interruptions to what I`m doing, or to my thoughts when trying to concentrate on something I`m writing.
So, I`m going to make the most of this week!
I`ve got the house to myself for a whole week, and what a great feeling that is. My parent went off this morning for a weeks holiday, so I`ve time to be "me", to do as I like, to relax, free from the stress of being on edge with her being there. It`s not until times like this that I realise that I don`t totally relax at any time when she`s here, because I`m always conscious of that presence. Of the frustrating interruptions to what I`m doing, or to my thoughts when trying to concentrate on something I`m writing.
So, I`m going to make the most of this week!
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Wireless in the Sun
I`m puzzled...
Why is it that adverts on television for using wireless computers often show people sitting in the sunshine in the middle of fields or gardens, happily working away on their lap-tops?
Whenever I take my laptop outside to use, or even into our summerhouse, I just cannot see the screen, it acts like a mirror, and all I see is myself reflected back, and that`s not what I want to see!
Any expert out there that can tell me what to do, so that I can work outside and enjoy the sunshine? Is there some sort of filter, sun-shade or something for computers? Or are the adverts inaccurate? It`s quite frustrating.
Why is it that adverts on television for using wireless computers often show people sitting in the sunshine in the middle of fields or gardens, happily working away on their lap-tops?
Whenever I take my laptop outside to use, or even into our summerhouse, I just cannot see the screen, it acts like a mirror, and all I see is myself reflected back, and that`s not what I want to see!
Any expert out there that can tell me what to do, so that I can work outside and enjoy the sunshine? Is there some sort of filter, sun-shade or something for computers? Or are the adverts inaccurate? It`s quite frustrating.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Who put that post there?
Who put that post there? that was a question I was asking myself yesterday afternoon, after having done had a large shopping session in a supermarket. I was loading the boot of my car up, and having got more bags of shopping that would fit in the boot (around a walking aid also in there - not mine, I hasten to add), I went to open the rear door of my car to put the remaining bags in. Turning quickly and remembering to avoid walking into the shopping trolley beside me I found myself knock against something and unable to save myself I went sprawling to the ground.
Still clutching a bag of shopping, I hastily got up, hoping no-one had seen me, and rapidly gathered up the scattered cartons of cherries, peel and other baking items that had been in the bag that fell with me. Looking round to see what had caused me to fall I found that at the back of the parking spaces were bollards, and it was obviously one of those that I`d hit myself against. With a sore smarting knee and hand - neither of which I dare look at to see what damage I`d done to myself (because I`m very squeamish), luckily my skirt was long enough to cover my knee so that I couldn`t see it. My hand, when I dared to glance at it after quickly stowing ther rest of the bags in the car, had been protected by the fact that my sleeve was a bit long, so thankfully no blood there to deal with.
I drove home, about a 25 minute journey, all the while with my knee smarting and making myself keep thinking I must not faint I must get home first. And I succeeded, unloaded the car, put the shopping away before I was then brave enough to survey the damage and bathe the grazes with water.
I`m still feeling a bit shaken up this morning though. Why they need to put posts where people want to load cars up, I just don`t know!
Still clutching a bag of shopping, I hastily got up, hoping no-one had seen me, and rapidly gathered up the scattered cartons of cherries, peel and other baking items that had been in the bag that fell with me. Looking round to see what had caused me to fall I found that at the back of the parking spaces were bollards, and it was obviously one of those that I`d hit myself against. With a sore smarting knee and hand - neither of which I dare look at to see what damage I`d done to myself (because I`m very squeamish), luckily my skirt was long enough to cover my knee so that I couldn`t see it. My hand, when I dared to glance at it after quickly stowing ther rest of the bags in the car, had been protected by the fact that my sleeve was a bit long, so thankfully no blood there to deal with.
I drove home, about a 25 minute journey, all the while with my knee smarting and making myself keep thinking I must not faint I must get home first. And I succeeded, unloaded the car, put the shopping away before I was then brave enough to survey the damage and bathe the grazes with water.
I`m still feeling a bit shaken up this morning though. Why they need to put posts where people want to load cars up, I just don`t know!
Saturday, June 09, 2007
What`s your age?
This was sent to me by a friend, so I thought I`d share it with you on here....
YOUR AGE BY EATING OUT
Don't tell me your age; you probably would tell a falsehood anyway-but your waiter may know!
YOUR AGE BY DINER & RESTAURANT MATH
This is pretty neat.
DON'T CHEAT BY SCROLLING DOWN FIRST!
It takes less than a minute.
Work this out as you read.
Be sure you don't read the bottom until you've worked it out!
This is not one of those waste of time things, it's fun.
1. First of all, pick the number of times a week that you would like to go out to eat.
(more than once but less than 10)
2. Multiply this number by 2 (just to be bold)
3. Add 5
4. Multiply it by 50
5. If you have already had your birthday this year add 1757 ....
If you haven't, add 1756.
6. Now subtract the four digit year that you were born.
You should have a three digit number
The first digit of this was your original number
(I.e., how many times you want to go out to restaurants in a week.)
The next two numbers are
YOUR AGE! (Oh YES, it is!!!!!)
THIS IS THE ONLY YEAR (2007) IT WILL EVER WORK, SO SPREAD IT AROUND WHILE IT LASTS
Don't tell me your age; you probably would tell a falsehood anyway-but your waiter may know!
YOUR AGE BY DINER & RESTAURANT MATH
This is pretty neat.
DON'T CHEAT BY SCROLLING DOWN FIRST!
It takes less than a minute.
Work this out as you read.
Be sure you don't read the bottom until you've worked it out!
This is not one of those waste of time things, it's fun.
1. First of all, pick the number of times a week that you would like to go out to eat.
(more than once but less than 10)
2. Multiply this number by 2 (just to be bold)
3. Add 5
4. Multiply it by 50
5. If you have already had your birthday this year add 1757 ....
If you haven't, add 1756.
6. Now subtract the four digit year that you were born.
You should have a three digit number
The first digit of this was your original number
(I.e., how many times you want to go out to restaurants in a week.)
The next two numbers are
YOUR AGE! (Oh YES, it is!!!!!)
THIS IS THE ONLY YEAR (2007) IT WILL EVER WORK, SO SPREAD IT AROUND WHILE IT LASTS
Friday, June 08, 2007
Insight
What I`ve been feeling these last couple of days has led me to some deep thoughts.
The way in which I feel I`ve betrayed the trust of these two birds took my thoughts to the way in which Judas betrayed Jesus. I began to see him in a different light. I`d always thought of him as a person who had done something wrong deliberately, but now I begin to wonder.
I had no intention of harming these birds, in the best of intentions I wanted them to find their rightful home and owner. In the same way, did Judas genuinely think he was doing something to help Jesus and to help the people in what he did?
If he did, I can well understand how devastated he must have felt to go to the length of hanging himself when he realised how much he had actually betrayed Jesus, instead of helping him. I can actually feel a kind of sympathy for him.
And this morning, hearing someone talking about how we react and do thing differently when we are under pressure or stressed, to how we would were we not, made me realise too, that if I hadn`t have had a stressful morning at work that day, I probably wouldn`t have done what I did, I would have tackled the situation differently. How I wish I had.
(Don`t get alarmed, I`m not going to hang myself!)
The way in which I feel I`ve betrayed the trust of these two birds took my thoughts to the way in which Judas betrayed Jesus. I began to see him in a different light. I`d always thought of him as a person who had done something wrong deliberately, but now I begin to wonder.
I had no intention of harming these birds, in the best of intentions I wanted them to find their rightful home and owner. In the same way, did Judas genuinely think he was doing something to help Jesus and to help the people in what he did?
If he did, I can well understand how devastated he must have felt to go to the length of hanging himself when he realised how much he had actually betrayed Jesus, instead of helping him. I can actually feel a kind of sympathy for him.
And this morning, hearing someone talking about how we react and do thing differently when we are under pressure or stressed, to how we would were we not, made me realise too, that if I hadn`t have had a stressful morning at work that day, I probably wouldn`t have done what I did, I would have tackled the situation differently. How I wish I had.
(Don`t get alarmed, I`m not going to hang myself!)
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Home
Well, homing pigeons do go home.... but.... not to their rightful home. Guess what I found on the back lawn when I opened the door this morning?!
Yes... one of them was back pecking about on the grass, but although he came and ate some seeds from my hand again, we didn`t see him again for the rest of the day, and there`s no sign of the other one. I`m worried
Yes... one of them was back pecking about on the grass, but although he came and ate some seeds from my hand again, we didn`t see him again for the rest of the day, and there`s no sign of the other one. I`m worried
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Betrayed
I`m feeling awful. I`ve betrayed two creatures that had trusted me. Yes, it`s those pigeons I`m talking about (yes again!, sorry if you`re bored with reading about them, but this may be the last post about them).
The advice I was given about them, was feed them for a few days then stop feeding them and they`ll go home, or away. So, since Saturday I`ve not fed them, I didn`t even go out into the garden for them to see me Sunday or Monday, and yesterday - no sign of them. Opening the curtains first thing this morning, what do I see... the two pigeons back. Looking out of the window at them dinner time I saw that they were merrily pecking away eating the leave of all my plants in the pots I`d set last week, and my parent said they`d been doing it most of the morning although she`d been trying to frighten them off. And, seeing her waving her walking stick should have been enough to send any of us running off! But, to no avail there they remained.
The time had come to do something more drastic, I thought, so getting a couple of cardboard boxes with lids, and the bag of sunflower seeds, I went out into the garden this afternoon and they came running towards me. Once they were pecking away at the seeds on the ground, I managed to get hold of them, one at a time, and pop them in a box each, put the lid on, made some holes in the lid, then boxes into the boot of the car, and off I went into the countryside about 20 miles. Stopping in a layby in a country lane I got the boxes out, put some seeds on the ground and let the pigeons out. Got back quickly into the car and drove off leaving them there.
But, I now feel awful, that I`ve done that to two creature who had trusted me. That I`ve abandoned them. Will they be alright? Will they find their way to their rightful home? Will they get run over, or get caught by foxes or anything, I do so hope not, they were such lovely birds. Part of me is wanting to go back and get them!, So much is going through my mind. It feels that I`ve betrayed them. I`m regretting what I`ve done. Was it for the best for them?
Have a look at one more picture of them. Their plumage was so beautiful in the sunlight, almost at time fluorescent. Yes, he/she is sitting on my hand, they were so tame.
The advice I was given about them, was feed them for a few days then stop feeding them and they`ll go home, or away. So, since Saturday I`ve not fed them, I didn`t even go out into the garden for them to see me Sunday or Monday, and yesterday - no sign of them. Opening the curtains first thing this morning, what do I see... the two pigeons back. Looking out of the window at them dinner time I saw that they were merrily pecking away eating the leave of all my plants in the pots I`d set last week, and my parent said they`d been doing it most of the morning although she`d been trying to frighten them off. And, seeing her waving her walking stick should have been enough to send any of us running off! But, to no avail there they remained.
The time had come to do something more drastic, I thought, so getting a couple of cardboard boxes with lids, and the bag of sunflower seeds, I went out into the garden this afternoon and they came running towards me. Once they were pecking away at the seeds on the ground, I managed to get hold of them, one at a time, and pop them in a box each, put the lid on, made some holes in the lid, then boxes into the boot of the car, and off I went into the countryside about 20 miles. Stopping in a layby in a country lane I got the boxes out, put some seeds on the ground and let the pigeons out. Got back quickly into the car and drove off leaving them there.
But, I now feel awful, that I`ve done that to two creature who had trusted me. That I`ve abandoned them. Will they be alright? Will they find their way to their rightful home? Will they get run over, or get caught by foxes or anything, I do so hope not, they were such lovely birds. Part of me is wanting to go back and get them!, So much is going through my mind. It feels that I`ve betrayed them. I`m regretting what I`ve done. Was it for the best for them?
Have a look at one more picture of them. Their plumage was so beautiful in the sunlight, almost at time fluorescent. Yes, he/she is sitting on my hand, they were so tame.
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Feather brained
My pigeons, well, not mine really, but just seeming to have made this their (we hope) temporary home, set me thinking on how insulting some of our expressions are to birds. For instance the definition of feather-brained as being - lacking seriousness; given to frivolity; silly, not serious in content, attitude or behaviour. And of bird-brain as being stupid.
Yet watching the behaviour of birds, they do have brains and they do use them sensibly.
Ok, maybe these 2 pigeons didn`t use theirs sensibily enough to fly home yet, but they certainly know how and where to come and get food. Having given them some seeds this afternoon, I put the bag of sunflower seeds on a stool in the summerhouse where I was sitting, and it wasn`t many minutes before one of the pigeons spotted them there, so he (or she) trotted up to the entrance, round the door and jumped up onto floor of the summerhouse and then proceeded to jump up onto the stool to peck at the bag of seeds!
Yet watching the behaviour of birds, they do have brains and they do use them sensibly.
Ok, maybe these 2 pigeons didn`t use theirs sensibily enough to fly home yet, but they certainly know how and where to come and get food. Having given them some seeds this afternoon, I put the bag of sunflower seeds on a stool in the summerhouse where I was sitting, and it wasn`t many minutes before one of the pigeons spotted them there, so he (or she) trotted up to the entrance, round the door and jumped up onto floor of the summerhouse and then proceeded to jump up onto the stool to peck at the bag of seeds!
Thursday, May 31, 2007
"Where`s my Tea?"
"Where`s my Tea?"Then, at tea time when I was in the kitchen getting tea, and D was laying the table, they were out there again. Looking up from my cooking I saw that one of them was standing looking up at the kitchen window. Next thing I knew he (or she) had flown up and was sitting on the kitchen window sill looking in at us! and, not content to just sit and look it kept jumping flapping its wings against the window trying to get in.
D went out with some bread for them, and they came to his hand, but finding it was just bread they pecked at it without eating it - they wanted something better than bread! I went out and gave D some sunflower seeds which he held down to them and they soon greedily scoffed them from his hand.
So, they`ve not left us yet.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Pigeon Post
The pigeons are still with me, As soon as I went out into the garden this afternoon and stooped down they came to me... so I just had to come in and get some sunflower seeds for them. And, this is what happened....and they both came and stood eating out of my hand.
So then I came indoors and tried to find who to ring to report that they were here. First I looked in the phone book, nothing under pigeon racing, homing or other such words, so I tried the RSPCA found a number and rang it, but again without a lot of success as the nearest one that I rang only works a few hours on certain days, according to the recorded message, and today wasn`t one of them!
I then searched the web for Pigeon racing/homing, but on not finding anything useful, tried searching for the Rspca and at last found a contact number for Kings Lynn, so I rang them. There, the girl answering the phone was very helpful and she gave me a number of the pigeon racing club to ring.... I rang them. The young lady there was also fairly helpful. I had got the number off one of the birds leg rings, so on giving her that and she found it almost straight away as belonging to someone in Leeds! I couldn`t read all the other ones number so we couldn`t search that one. She then gave me the phone number of the person the first one belonged to for me to contact them. I said, don`t you get in touch with them, but she said no, I had to! I`ve now rung that number and left a message as it was an answer machine! So, I await them ringing me.
We`ll see what the next installment is tomorrow!
Unless ofcourse the birds have flown off before then!
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
The tale of a pigeon
Looking out on to our garden though the rivulets of rain running down the window on Saturday, I spotted a pigeon in the garden. Nothing very unusual about that you may think, and at first neither did I. But yet, it looked different to the wild ones we sometimes get, it`s plumage had a different colouring and appearance. Then I noticed, as it plodded (yes, it`s quite fat, so seems to waddle and plod around), that it had rings on both it`s legs. So we assumed it must be a homing or racing pigeon and that it would soon fly off again.
Next morning, on looking out again through the wind and rain, it was still there - but, now there were two of them and they had almost identical plumage. No, we weren`t seeing double! One had a yellow ring on one leg and a pink ring on the other while the other one had a yellow ring on one leg, but a blue ring on the other. Wonder if it`s a blue one for a boy and pink for a girl?!
It`s now four days since they appeared, and they`re still staying around our garden. Maybe because it`s rained constantly for four days they don`t want to fly in the rain?, are they homing pigeons that have lost their way home with the wind and weather this weekend? are they "on holiday"?
They both seem to keep together and keep pecking about in the gravel by the window and looking at the window. So this afternoon, when it had at last stopped raining, I went out with some sunflower seeds, thinking they`d probably fly off when I approached, but no, one of them, now up on the shed roof, put it`s head on one side and look curiously and enquiringing at me. So pouring some of the seeds into the palm of my hand I held it up towards the pigeon. Taking a tentative step or two towards my hand he (or she) then stretched its neck and started pecking the seeds from my hand. Having eaten one handful, I offer it another one which it immediately came to eat and this time came so near that I could feel the silkyness of its breast feathers brushing against my hand as it ate. A lovely moment. To think that I could get so close to it, and that it trusted me to not harm it. It also confirmed my thoughts that it wasn`t a wild bird, but must be used to being close to people.
Managing to get close to them, I managed to see that on the rings on their legs were numbers, but now the problem is, what to do about them. Someone, somewhere is no doubt missing them and waiting for them to come home. Maybe, hopefully, now that they`ve rested, been fed and the weather has improved they`ll find their way home again.
Next morning, on looking out again through the wind and rain, it was still there - but, now there were two of them and they had almost identical plumage. No, we weren`t seeing double! One had a yellow ring on one leg and a pink ring on the other while the other one had a yellow ring on one leg, but a blue ring on the other. Wonder if it`s a blue one for a boy and pink for a girl?!
It`s now four days since they appeared, and they`re still staying around our garden. Maybe because it`s rained constantly for four days they don`t want to fly in the rain?, are they homing pigeons that have lost their way home with the wind and weather this weekend? are they "on holiday"?
They both seem to keep together and keep pecking about in the gravel by the window and looking at the window. So this afternoon, when it had at last stopped raining, I went out with some sunflower seeds, thinking they`d probably fly off when I approached, but no, one of them, now up on the shed roof, put it`s head on one side and look curiously and enquiringing at me. So pouring some of the seeds into the palm of my hand I held it up towards the pigeon. Taking a tentative step or two towards my hand he (or she) then stretched its neck and started pecking the seeds from my hand. Having eaten one handful, I offer it another one which it immediately came to eat and this time came so near that I could feel the silkyness of its breast feathers brushing against my hand as it ate. A lovely moment. To think that I could get so close to it, and that it trusted me to not harm it. It also confirmed my thoughts that it wasn`t a wild bird, but must be used to being close to people.
Managing to get close to them, I managed to see that on the rings on their legs were numbers, but now the problem is, what to do about them. Someone, somewhere is no doubt missing them and waiting for them to come home. Maybe, hopefully, now that they`ve rested, been fed and the weather has improved they`ll find their way home again.
Friday, May 25, 2007
7 Things about Me
Lorna has tagged me to do this. So here are 7 things you`ve always wanted to know about me! (but I don`t think I can find seven people to tag to continue it, sorry Lorna)
The rules are: People who are tagged start by thinking about 7 random facts/habits about themselves. Each player then must write about those seven things on their blog, as well as include these rules. Players then need to choose 7 people to tag and list their names. Don’t forget to leave each person a comment telling them they’ve been tagged.
1. I can`t sit and do nothing. (well not very often) Like now, although I`m sitting down in an easy chair, my laptop`s on my lap, and I`m typing away. If I have the television on to watch, my hands are usually busy with some cross-stitch work or craft work at the same time. I often think I`d love to be able to sit and do nothing for a couple of hours sometimes, but I never end up doing it.
2. I live by the seaside. But I can`t swim! In one of my drawers though, I`ve got a certificate for swimming at the Primary School I went to - but how I got it I`ll never know, because I never went in the pool ! They must have just issued them to everyone in the class. Just goes to show that all these certificates and bits of paper we have, don`t necessarily mean a thing, do they?!
3. One of my habits, is if I`m given presents, birthday, Christmas or whenever, I always try to unwrap them without tearing the paper. However hard the sellotape it stuck down, I persist in finding the edge to peel it gently off so as not to rip the paper. I think that probably stems back to when as a little child, I was made to open them like that at Christmas, instead of rushing into them all.
4. I`ve not got any brothers or sisters. How I wish so often that I had. To have someone to share things with.
5. I collect thimbles. I`ve got over 350 of them, all shapes and sizes. Although most are made of china, I`ve also got wood, glass, plastic, metal and other ones. To look at them gives me memories of places I`ve been, and of people who have brought one to give to me. I`ll perhaps show you some on a blog post in the future.
6. I`ve never had long hair. As a youngster I used to look at others who had lovely long hair and wish mine was like it, but I was never allowed to grow it any longer than just above shoulder length.
7. A bad habit of mine, is now to spend too long into the late evening on my computer! I used to go to bed at a reasonable hour, now I find, I get on the computer and the hours just go, and often before I realise it, it`s a lot later than I think.
The rules are: People who are tagged start by thinking about 7 random facts/habits about themselves. Each player then must write about those seven things on their blog, as well as include these rules. Players then need to choose 7 people to tag and list their names. Don’t forget to leave each person a comment telling them they’ve been tagged.
1. I can`t sit and do nothing. (well not very often) Like now, although I`m sitting down in an easy chair, my laptop`s on my lap, and I`m typing away. If I have the television on to watch, my hands are usually busy with some cross-stitch work or craft work at the same time. I often think I`d love to be able to sit and do nothing for a couple of hours sometimes, but I never end up doing it.
2. I live by the seaside. But I can`t swim! In one of my drawers though, I`ve got a certificate for swimming at the Primary School I went to - but how I got it I`ll never know, because I never went in the pool ! They must have just issued them to everyone in the class. Just goes to show that all these certificates and bits of paper we have, don`t necessarily mean a thing, do they?!
3. One of my habits, is if I`m given presents, birthday, Christmas or whenever, I always try to unwrap them without tearing the paper. However hard the sellotape it stuck down, I persist in finding the edge to peel it gently off so as not to rip the paper. I think that probably stems back to when as a little child, I was made to open them like that at Christmas, instead of rushing into them all.
4. I`ve not got any brothers or sisters. How I wish so often that I had. To have someone to share things with.
5. I collect thimbles. I`ve got over 350 of them, all shapes and sizes. Although most are made of china, I`ve also got wood, glass, plastic, metal and other ones. To look at them gives me memories of places I`ve been, and of people who have brought one to give to me. I`ll perhaps show you some on a blog post in the future.
6. I`ve never had long hair. As a youngster I used to look at others who had lovely long hair and wish mine was like it, but I was never allowed to grow it any longer than just above shoulder length.
7. A bad habit of mine, is now to spend too long into the late evening on my computer! I used to go to bed at a reasonable hour, now I find, I get on the computer and the hours just go, and often before I realise it, it`s a lot later than I think.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Statue
Just one more holiday photo to share with you, and that`s this one - a statue of a man of great talent.
The bronze statue is of cours of Eric Morecambe. It`s just a bit larger than lifesize and depicts him in one of his characteristic poses, and with a pair of binoculars hanging around his neck for he was a keen ornithologist.
It was interesting to see that his famous song 'Bring Me Sunshine' was engraved on the steps leading to the statue, and in the space around the base there are granite circles and stars adorned with one liners and the names of celebrities who had appeared on the Morecambe and Wise show through the years - what a lot of different people there were.
It brought memories of happy hours watching that tv programme, especially the Christmas specials which they used to do. Why don`t the tv people make good programmes like that any more?!
The bronze statue is of cours of Eric Morecambe. It`s just a bit larger than lifesize and depicts him in one of his characteristic poses, and with a pair of binoculars hanging around his neck for he was a keen ornithologist.
It was interesting to see that his famous song 'Bring Me Sunshine' was engraved on the steps leading to the statue, and in the space around the base there are granite circles and stars adorned with one liners and the names of celebrities who had appeared on the Morecambe and Wise show through the years - what a lot of different people there were.
It brought memories of happy hours watching that tv programme, especially the Christmas specials which they used to do. Why don`t the tv people make good programmes like that any more?!
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Monday, May 21, 2007
A White covering
Walking though a park last week, we saw ahead of us a large white patch by the lake, it looked like snow, but this was in May and the sun was shining quite warmly, so we walked closer to see what it was. One first though was that it was blossom which had blown off the nearby trees, but as we got closer we discovered what it really was.... hundreds and thousands of daisies. A really beautiful sight. (I would have shared this with you last week, but forgot to take the lead to connect my camera to the lap top. The one thing out of all the luggage that I took with me that I omited to pack!!)
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Travelling Light?!
Well, my holiday is over, it`s a good job I didn`t have to travel by train or coach though....I`ve just unloaded all my luggage -
a largish suitcase,
a large canvas bag,
a medium holdall,
my laptop computer case,
a large shopping bag,
3 carrier bags,
a coat
and two jackets!
And, everything in them seemed `essential`, or like the coats `just incase` because at this time of year it`s difficult to know what to take to wear for what the weather may be like. And, ofcourse one always buys things too when away!
Makes me wonder what I did before I had a car.
a largish suitcase,
a large canvas bag,
a medium holdall,
my laptop computer case,
a large shopping bag,
3 carrier bags,
a coat
and two jackets!
And, everything in them seemed `essential`, or like the coats `just incase` because at this time of year it`s difficult to know what to take to wear for what the weather may be like. And, ofcourse one always buys things too when away!
Makes me wonder what I did before I had a car.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Well worth it!
I`ll answer my own question...
YES it was definitely worth the hassle of trying to get away on holiday. I feel so totally different in just a couple of days, totally relaxed and at ease. More relaxed than I`ve felt ever since I was last here.
Is it just the change of air? I don`t think it`s totally that - There`s no rush about anything, I don`t get up till about 2 hours later than my normal time (but also don`t go to bed as early!) just starting the day gently seems to have an effect on the whole day. And, no feeling of responsibility for my elderly parent, just being able to be ME. And the great company of my friends.
YES it was definitely worth the hassle of trying to get away on holiday. I feel so totally different in just a couple of days, totally relaxed and at ease. More relaxed than I`ve felt ever since I was last here.
Is it just the change of air? I don`t think it`s totally that - There`s no rush about anything, I don`t get up till about 2 hours later than my normal time (but also don`t go to bed as early!) just starting the day gently seems to have an effect on the whole day. And, no feeling of responsibility for my elderly parent, just being able to be ME. And the great company of my friends.
Monday, May 14, 2007
I`m here
The sun`s still shining.
I had a good journey to my holiday destination yesterday, only went round one roundabout twice!, and that was only because half the sign board was broken off, so rather than risk taking the wrong exit, I went round again to see all the other boards to make sure it was the one I wanted. I did the journey in 6 hours, including a couple of breaks for refreshments, so that`s an hour quicker than previously.
Today I`ve had a beautiful walk in a park, listened to birds singing, enjoyed the sight of the fresh green of the grass and tree and the blossom on them. Lovely.
(My internet connection is a bit weak here, so hope this post publishes ok)
I had a good journey to my holiday destination yesterday, only went round one roundabout twice!, and that was only because half the sign board was broken off, so rather than risk taking the wrong exit, I went round again to see all the other boards to make sure it was the one I wanted. I did the journey in 6 hours, including a couple of breaks for refreshments, so that`s an hour quicker than previously.
Today I`ve had a beautiful walk in a park, listened to birds singing, enjoyed the sight of the fresh green of the grass and tree and the blossom on them. Lovely.
(My internet connection is a bit weak here, so hope this post publishes ok)
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Hurray!
Hurray!... the sun`s shining this morning.
What a difference it makes to how I feel about things.
What a difference it makes to how I feel about things.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Uncertainty
To go or not to go - that is my dilemna this morning.
I should be going away on holiday tomorrow - but should I go or not? I`m getting so much uncomfortable feeling from my parent about it, not only in words but in her attitude, and I`m beginning to feel unwell. Yet I think that its only the way her attitude is playing on my nerves that`s making my body out of sorts, but is it. Did I ought to go if I`m not feeling 100%? Or is it her `winning` if I don`t go, by making me feel like this.
My minds going round circles this morning.
I should be going away on holiday tomorrow - but should I go or not? I`m getting so much uncomfortable feeling from my parent about it, not only in words but in her attitude, and I`m beginning to feel unwell. Yet I think that its only the way her attitude is playing on my nerves that`s making my body out of sorts, but is it. Did I ought to go if I`m not feeling 100%? Or is it her `winning` if I don`t go, by making me feel like this.
My minds going round circles this morning.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Is it worth it?
Are holidays really worth while? For days beforehand, there always seems to be so many jobs that must be done; items that must be tidied away; things started that need completing; people to be trained at work to do my job while I`m away, and so it goes on, and that`s all on top of the emotional pressure being put on me not to go.
I really do wonder, is it worth it.
I really do wonder, is it worth it.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Name that Road
Is it only me that gets infuriated when I can`t see a road name, because the boards facing the same way that I`m going instead of facing the way I`m coming?
Do town planners, or whoever is responsible for putting up road and street name signs in towns, cities and villages, assume that people will always only be coming from one direction towards the road, so they only need to put a board at one side of the road? And often, only at one end of the road - usually to opposite end to where one needs to see it.
And, why can`t even the ones that face the right way be at a resonable height to read? Some are high up on buildings, others very low down on walls. Ok, I agree it`s not too bad when one is walking and can turn round to read a board, but when driving....
Do town planners, or whoever is responsible for putting up road and street name signs in towns, cities and villages, assume that people will always only be coming from one direction towards the road, so they only need to put a board at one side of the road? And often, only at one end of the road - usually to opposite end to where one needs to see it.
And, why can`t even the ones that face the right way be at a resonable height to read? Some are high up on buildings, others very low down on walls. Ok, I agree it`s not too bad when one is walking and can turn round to read a board, but when driving....
Sunday, May 06, 2007
What`s the equivalant value?
Writing about the old account books that I`d been reading, I got to pondering, what would those figures actually be the equivalant of today? For instance hiring a horse for 5/- was that expensive or not in the 1890`s
We often when looking back think about things, that didn`t cost much then, look at how much we pay for it today... and I hear many people when shopping saying that. But I always say to them when they pass that comment to me.... Yes, but what was the average wage then, how does it compare to that.
Does anyone know of a website, or place where one can find such comparisons? Even going back to the late 1800`s early 1900`s, as I`d like to try and compare some of the items I was looking at the other day. I`ve tried a quick search on Google, but not found anything useful. I`m sure there must be something `out there`, I can`t be the only one to wonder such things.... or can I?!
We often when looking back think about things, that didn`t cost much then, look at how much we pay for it today... and I hear many people when shopping saying that. But I always say to them when they pass that comment to me.... Yes, but what was the average wage then, how does it compare to that.
Does anyone know of a website, or place where one can find such comparisons? Even going back to the late 1800`s early 1900`s, as I`d like to try and compare some of the items I was looking at the other day. I`ve tried a quick search on Google, but not found anything useful. I`m sure there must be something `out there`, I can`t be the only one to wonder such things.... or can I?!
Friday, May 04, 2007
Money Shortage!
I`ve had an interesting morning reading through some very old church account books, from the late 1800`s to the early 1900`s, and what fascinating and at time amusing reading it became.
Reading the expenses, there was firstly "horse hire", then "horse and trap hire", followed by "cycle expenses", "railway travel expense" and finally "motor hire". Makes one realise how things have changed so much. And coal, logs and gas mantles were also on the expenditure. Wonder what people in 100 years time will be thinking about the things we use today.
But, I think the thing that really struck me as, at first as amusing to read, but then as one took in the reality and seriousness of it, was that in the quarterly Accounts for several quarters (3 months) of the year, the income was sigificantly less than the expenses - and at the end of the expenses column it showed that the shortfall would be paid to the Minister/s in due course! In other words that they couldn`t pay him his full salary as the income was insufficient !
I wonder what would happen if we today told our ministers we couldn`t do that??!
Reading the expenses, there was firstly "horse hire", then "horse and trap hire", followed by "cycle expenses", "railway travel expense" and finally "motor hire". Makes one realise how things have changed so much. And coal, logs and gas mantles were also on the expenditure. Wonder what people in 100 years time will be thinking about the things we use today.
But, I think the thing that really struck me as, at first as amusing to read, but then as one took in the reality and seriousness of it, was that in the quarterly Accounts for several quarters (3 months) of the year, the income was sigificantly less than the expenses - and at the end of the expenses column it showed that the shortfall would be paid to the Minister/s in due course! In other words that they couldn`t pay him his full salary as the income was insufficient !
I wonder what would happen if we today told our ministers we couldn`t do that??!
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
They`re growing!
Having posted a picture of some seedlings starting to grow the other week, here`s an update of how well they`re doing. The one at the back is a sweet-pea, so I await to see what colour it will turn out to be, and the one in the foreground I think is a sunflower.
I shall though, soon have to transplant them into their own pots or they`ll outgrow where they are.
My windowsill, as you can see below, is now my seed nursery!
Monday, April 30, 2007
A special evening
I`ve just met up with a fellow Blogger, Lorna, and what a great evening it turned out to be. I`d been looking forward to meeeting her for weeks, since she`d first let me know that she was coming to England. But as the time drew nearer to the visit, I`d found myself wondering what shall we talk about, how will it go, etc. But, I needn`t have worried, it was like meeting an old friend, conversation just flowed and the time flew past far too quickly.
I hope you enjoyed the evening Lorna, as much as I did.
I look forward to our next meeting.
I hope you enjoyed the evening Lorna, as much as I did.
I look forward to our next meeting.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Unusual sight
I was sitting in a waiting room yesterday afternoon, and in came a couple of people. They went to the reception desk then came and sat down. Nothing unusual about that you may think.
As soon as they`d sat down one of them opened their bag and out came a packet of crisps, a can of cola and some other eatables, I sat watching, surely they weren`t going to have a "picnic" and eat them here, were they? Then one proceeded to nonchantly eat an ice-cream, whilst the other opened the crisps and the can of drink and proceeded to devour them.
Why do I think this strange behaviour?... because it was in a doctors waiting room.
And, by the way other people were looking at them too, I don`t think I was the only one to think that!
You never know what you`ll see next, do you?!
As soon as they`d sat down one of them opened their bag and out came a packet of crisps, a can of cola and some other eatables, I sat watching, surely they weren`t going to have a "picnic" and eat them here, were they? Then one proceeded to nonchantly eat an ice-cream, whilst the other opened the crisps and the can of drink and proceeded to devour them.
Why do I think this strange behaviour?... because it was in a doctors waiting room.
And, by the way other people were looking at them too, I don`t think I was the only one to think that!
You never know what you`ll see next, do you?!
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Take three seeds.....
Take three seeds ...... and see what happens.
I wrote the other day (and posted a picture) of seedlings that I`d got growing from just three seeds that were given to me a couple of weeks ago. But those three seeds have done far more than growing a couple of plants!
I felt so inspired by them that they recultivated my interest in setting and growing things, along with the feel of the springlike weather and plants bursting into life in the garden. So off I went to a nearby garden centre last Saturday and home I came with 4 packets of flower seeds and carrot, beetroot, lettuce seeds and runner bean seeds too! A huge bag of compost (which I don`t think now that I should have lifted because I`ve had a pain somewhere ever since), and a few other sundries which I couldn`t resist!
Now, I`ve not got a lot of space in the garden because when I gave up growing things I had it all put down to grass with shrubs in the borders. So, although I found a few spare feet of ground to set some seeds in, I`ve experimented with setting some of the vegetable seeds in pots stood in the garden..... whether they`ll grow and produce a crop, I don`t know, but it will be fun to try.
Having just gone to water them, I see that some of the sweet pea seeds are starting to sprout already in their little individual pots. Isn`t nature wonderful.
I wrote the other day (and posted a picture) of seedlings that I`d got growing from just three seeds that were given to me a couple of weeks ago. But those three seeds have done far more than growing a couple of plants!
I felt so inspired by them that they recultivated my interest in setting and growing things, along with the feel of the springlike weather and plants bursting into life in the garden. So off I went to a nearby garden centre last Saturday and home I came with 4 packets of flower seeds and carrot, beetroot, lettuce seeds and runner bean seeds too! A huge bag of compost (which I don`t think now that I should have lifted because I`ve had a pain somewhere ever since), and a few other sundries which I couldn`t resist!
Now, I`ve not got a lot of space in the garden because when I gave up growing things I had it all put down to grass with shrubs in the borders. So, although I found a few spare feet of ground to set some seeds in, I`ve experimented with setting some of the vegetable seeds in pots stood in the garden..... whether they`ll grow and produce a crop, I don`t know, but it will be fun to try.
Having just gone to water them, I see that some of the sweet pea seeds are starting to sprout already in their little individual pots. Isn`t nature wonderful.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Signs of Spring
Thought I`d share a few more of the signs of Spring with you today. I`m not sure what trees /shrubs the blossom is of, but its sheer daintyness and freshness appealed to me, as I stood and looked at it on my walk the other day. 
Sunday, April 22, 2007
A Proud Mother
Another lovely sign of spring. I was enchanted standing watching this mother duck with her brood of little ducklings the other day. She so protectively led them up the bank from a lake of water on one side of the path I was on, across and down into the lake the other side. Were they all hers, I wondered, as there seemed so many of them.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Spring
Standing idly looking out of my kitchen window yesterday morning, I became aware of a blackbird busily pecking away at something on the gravel and then dashing across under the shrubs in the border, then back he would go again to peck at the item again, and repeated the process several times.I looked harder at the base of the shrubs, and then I spotted the reason for its activity, it had a young fledgling hidden away, and was feeding it there.
I went and got my camera to try and take some photos, of this lovely sight just outside my window. I didn`t want to frighten the bird or its young, so I daren`t go outside to take them, (which is why the photo`s look slightly misty) but managed to get these shots of them. The youngster, seeming to get fed-up waiting for its parent, hopped along a bit into this clear space and stood looking up at me, for a few seconds before going back to the safety of being hidden by the foliage for its parent to feed it.It really was a wonderful sign to me that Spring is here.
Friday, April 20, 2007
My Life?
One of the things I enjoy doing is quizzes. Not particularly General Knowledge quizzes, as I`m not up in history, geography, films, pop music etc...etc... but more the IQ and fun type quizzes. So when I came across this one on Dave`s blog I couldn`t resist having a go to see what it said about my life.
Here`s the results.
Fairly true?...I`m not sure. I need to think about that!
Here`s the results.
| This Is My Life, Rated | |
| Life: |  5.5 |
| Mind: | 5.4 |
| Body: |  7.3 |
| Spirit: |  6.3 |
| Friends/Family: |  1.9 |
| Love: |  0 |
| Finance: | 6.9 |
| Take the Rate My Life Quiz | |
Fairly true?...I`m not sure. I need to think about that!
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Weeds or Flowers?
Found these in my lawn today, and with the sun on them they looked really beautiful, so I just had to go and get my camera and take a photo of them. The daisies reminded me of a verse of a hymn I used to sing as a child..."Daisies are our silver, buttercups our gold..." But I can`t remember how the rest of the verse/hymn went. Wonder if anyone else remembers it too?
Isn`t this little wild violet beautiful too... so dainty and delicate. I marvel at the way it has the strength to push its way up through the earth.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
New Life
I decided last week, to give myself a weeks "holiday" from Blog writing, hence no posts last week. But now, I`m back to it, and will try to keep things interesting!
My Dad, although not a keen gardener, always used to grow vegetables in our back garden (although he didn`t eat vegetables himself), and on Good Friday each year, weather permitting, he set the seed potatoes and carrot and beetroot seeds, and I spent many happy hours over the years on that day helping him.
The other week, in church, we were given some seeds, compost and plastic cup as part of the theme of the service, so I kept mine to set on Good Friday... and here is the stage they have reached since then. There were three seeds, so hopefully the other one will germinate soon.
It`s several years since I set any seeds, but the wonder of the way something so dead looking can come to life, is still a miracle to me when I look at these tiny green leaves and stems.
I`ll from time to time over the next weeks give updates on their progress.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Friday, April 06, 2007
Good Friday
I again joined in a Good Friday Silent Procession of Witness. This is always a moving experience as a large heavy wooden cross is carried through the town and up on to a hill where it is erected to stand sentinal over a town for a week. (providing vandals don`t again chop it down). Each year the crowd following the cross seems to get bigger and bigger, and to be of all ages. Even people with walking frames and aids took part in the procession.
I`ve been up there in all kinds of weather on Good Fridays, from warm sunshine, rain and wind, to the most atmospheric year when black storm clouds hovered and thunder could be heard not far away. Today there was a mist blowing in off the sea partially hiding the town from the hill, again giving a different atmosphere. (this photo is from a previous year, it was too misty today for one)
The most moving part of it this year though, was after we`d sung 'There is a green hill far away' and said a prayer, instead of people chattering and departing, Everyone just stood there in a big circle and crowd round the Cross, looking up at the cross and there was just something about that silence that seemed unique. It was several minutes before anyone moved and it the silence was broken.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Parking Problems
Grrrr..... I`m not very happy with the Council this week!
For a number of years now, I`ve found it easiest to buy a yearly long stay season ticket for the car parks in this area. This enables me to park all day on one very near where I work, as well as on others in the town and other towns in the locality. And so was great value for money. I could stay all day, or use it just to pop into a town for a short few minutes to nip and do a bit of shopping, walk along the promenade, or anything else I needed to do in various places.
Leaving off work this Monday, I approach my car and find a big leaflet and a piece of white paper stuck under my windscreen wiper. (how I hate people who stick adverts etc under car wipers on car parks!). Anyway, I just glanced at this, about to throw it in the bin, when I saw something written on it in biro. It said "Your parking permit is not valid". I read it again, but I knew the permit was in date, I`d only got it in January. So I unfolded the white sheet of paper and discovered that it was a letter.
Apparently the Council 'in their wisdom' have decreed that this car park should be for short stay only, no more than three hours. Why? so that shoppers and visitors can park there. No consideration for those who work in the shops and offices, they now have to park on the long stay car park which is further out of town. Not too bad in good weather, but in rain, wind, or with heavy shopping or items for work, workers need the convenience of a handy car park as well as others.
So, that leaves me with a dilemna... with my long stay ticket (and being told its not valid on that car park, nor on similiar ones in other towns that I use), what happens when I only want to stay less than 3 hours. Have I got to pay again, or pay out to get an annual Short Stay ticket too, which would be grossly unfair. (I`ve emailed them to ask if they provide time indicators in the way that they do for disabled people or the short stay tickets.... but the automatic reply to the email says that my query will be dealt with by 16th. April!)
I feel like parking on the car park and sticking a note beside the permit, saying I`ll be back in xxx minutes, but I`m afraid if I do, and they won`t accept that and I`ll get a parking fine, and that would make it even more expensive to park.
Anyone any ideas on this?
For a number of years now, I`ve found it easiest to buy a yearly long stay season ticket for the car parks in this area. This enables me to park all day on one very near where I work, as well as on others in the town and other towns in the locality. And so was great value for money. I could stay all day, or use it just to pop into a town for a short few minutes to nip and do a bit of shopping, walk along the promenade, or anything else I needed to do in various places.
Leaving off work this Monday, I approach my car and find a big leaflet and a piece of white paper stuck under my windscreen wiper. (how I hate people who stick adverts etc under car wipers on car parks!). Anyway, I just glanced at this, about to throw it in the bin, when I saw something written on it in biro. It said "Your parking permit is not valid". I read it again, but I knew the permit was in date, I`d only got it in January. So I unfolded the white sheet of paper and discovered that it was a letter.
Apparently the Council 'in their wisdom' have decreed that this car park should be for short stay only, no more than three hours. Why? so that shoppers and visitors can park there. No consideration for those who work in the shops and offices, they now have to park on the long stay car park which is further out of town. Not too bad in good weather, but in rain, wind, or with heavy shopping or items for work, workers need the convenience of a handy car park as well as others.
So, that leaves me with a dilemna... with my long stay ticket (and being told its not valid on that car park, nor on similiar ones in other towns that I use), what happens when I only want to stay less than 3 hours. Have I got to pay again, or pay out to get an annual Short Stay ticket too, which would be grossly unfair. (I`ve emailed them to ask if they provide time indicators in the way that they do for disabled people or the short stay tickets.... but the automatic reply to the email says that my query will be dealt with by 16th. April!)
I feel like parking on the car park and sticking a note beside the permit, saying I`ll be back in xxx minutes, but I`m afraid if I do, and they won`t accept that and I`ll get a parking fine, and that would make it even more expensive to park.
Anyone any ideas on this?
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Sunday walk
A nice sunny spring afternoon, so off I went for a walk to my favourite place, along the cliff tops. Not too near the edge though, because as you can see by the photos in places its very deceptive from the top, in the way that the grass overhangs the cliff which has crumbled beneath it. Quite dangerous to the unwary as there are very few warning signs along the edge and no railings. But a beatiful place to walk, and to think.
1st. April
So, today was April Fools day, nothing was done to catch me out...or at least as far as I know, it wasn`t! Can you tell an April fool? Try this out. I got 7 out of 9 correct, can you do better?
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