tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56842775110539738332024-03-16T01:10:16.732+00:00RAMBLES FROM MY CHAIRRandom rambles from a chair with castors...Scriptor Senexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17795521284516432520noreply@blogger.comBlogger3135125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684277511053973833.post-90018371616686399322022-04-19T08:14:00.000+01:002022-04-19T08:14:00.719+01:00Quotes<p><span style="font-size: 24px;">Some quotes from books i have read recently. </span></p><div><span style="font-size: 24px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 24px;">Stafford, David. "Skelton's guide to domestic poisons." (For my friends from my days in Leeds) :-</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 24px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 24px;">When God wanted you to enter the ministry, he eased the way by making sure you were no good for anything else and blessed you with a mediocre singing voice. </span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 24px;">When they'd first started holding hands and kissing, he was aware that a man of the world might have said, "No, my affections will not become your playthings," but he was not a man of the world, he was a man of Leeds Central Library who'd rather have his affections used as playthings than have them ignored.</span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 24px;">I don't think they could have had sapphism in Leeds when I was growing up. If Leeds women had known it as an option, I can't see they'd have bothered with men at all.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 24px;"></span><span style="font-size: 24px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 24px;">At the City Palace of Varieties, they threw sharpened pennies at comics who told jokes like that... Most people in The Pack Horse on Briggate could be funnier on a wet Sunday morning when there'd just been a death in the family.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 24px;">Raybourn, Deanna. "The dark Road to Darjeeling." :-</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 24px;"> Dedication : this book is dedicated to my daughter. All the best of what I am is because I am your mother.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 24px;">Mark Twain :-</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 24px;">"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sailaway from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 24px;">Alan Bradley. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 24px;">"Thrice the branded cat hath mew'd" :-</span></div><div>
<span style="font-size: 24px;">Monosyllabic... Why does a word meaning "a single syllable" require a five-syllable word to describe it ?</span>
<br /><br />
<span style="font-size: 24px;">Alan Bradley. "Golden tresses of the dead." :-</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 24px;">O-A-T-S. Oats. Means 'obfuscation and torrents of ' well I mustn't say, must I.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 24px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 24px;">Something that I will never forget until my dying day - if I live that long.</span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 24px;">Alan Bradley. "The grave's a fine and private place." :-</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 24px;">The spell for finding books.."Abracadabra, Alakazam, Angela Thirkell and Omar Khayyam."</span></div><div><br /></div><div>
<span style="font-size: 24px;">Alan Bradley "Speaking from among the bones." :-</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 24px;">I was the eighth dwarf. Sneaky. </span><br /><br /><br /></div>Scriptor Senexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17795521284516432520noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684277511053973833.post-38396584981674001552022-03-29T14:14:00.001+01:002022-03-29T14:14:45.531+01:00Hippo- thingy<p> Today’s fun fact: the word for the irrational fear of long words is ironically: </p><p><br /></p><p>Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia.</p><p><br /></p><p>It is also one of the longest words in the dictionary. You need a big mouth to get your tongue round that.. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicppGAr1PxTd5bpQoyyWrg4d-KnDRk3oqdOljfdpe0hbf_pRek0bSCWAXdMe9xbFrROuivv0WBqMt6uMHVpco0eLBi6-vLrY5Ghdfy4GYRbUqvBsbKyUrHnU4RApefY925XDiuH4tdgZcA4DvmFfCCeYh00LwN_XOYqnfMjIpVnueV_3WSfoigkgazSA/s1200/1_Q0AGWYttgDCKpAMz1Vzssg.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicppGAr1PxTd5bpQoyyWrg4d-KnDRk3oqdOljfdpe0hbf_pRek0bSCWAXdMe9xbFrROuivv0WBqMt6uMHVpco0eLBi6-vLrY5Ghdfy4GYRbUqvBsbKyUrHnU4RApefY925XDiuH4tdgZcA4DvmFfCCeYh00LwN_XOYqnfMjIpVnueV_3WSfoigkgazSA/s320/1_Q0AGWYttgDCKpAMz1Vzssg.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Scriptor Senexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17795521284516432520noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684277511053973833.post-54936769232318650722022-03-06T16:14:00.000+00:002022-03-06T16:14:05.668+00:00UKRAINE<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202124; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">Thanks to Postcrossing and blogging I have made acquaintances and friends in Ukraine, Belarus and Russia over the last fifteen years or so. It is horrifying and sickening to think of the violent invasion of Ukraine by Russia, supported by Belarus.</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgoHjkN5nJDiyiPO2dOqVEyHoE5zsfekMuCWO6UoTl1uP6KIM70y1Mp0OXK9PB756XH3aFVqIBPT6edcp22_XkZFNLmM-bzICb210GnO3Q7Ixd917ow2a-LyqCbl9Ov8nGZi_fGSVZ6vo3mPCqLtVad14Po_IUfbjbQp2NURqJZMSzAmwKn3Oigcj6Uvg=s1249" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="874" data-original-width="1249" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgoHjkN5nJDiyiPO2dOqVEyHoE5zsfekMuCWO6UoTl1uP6KIM70y1Mp0OXK9PB756XH3aFVqIBPT6edcp22_XkZFNLmM-bzICb210GnO3Q7Ixd917ow2a-LyqCbl9Ov8nGZi_fGSVZ6vo3mPCqLtVad14Po_IUfbjbQp2NURqJZMSzAmwKn3Oigcj6Uvg=w444-h311" width="444" /></a><br /><span style="color: #202124; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">I made the acquaintance of one Ukranian family in 2012 and even then there was part of their country that the Russians controlled and fears that Russia would extend that area. That is the stage at which countries like the UK should have been imposing sanctions on Russia and making it clear that its behaviour was not acceptable. Now, as rockets are landing, houses being bombed, nuclear plants attacked by tanks and people dying and displaced, is far too late. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: #202124; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">If a country decided to invade the UK we tend to assume that the USA or some neighbours of ours would come to our aid. Obviously nowadays such an expectation is </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">naïve</span></span><span style="color: #202124; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">. (Especially since, by a tiny majority, the UK made it plain it didn't want to be part of Europe).</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #202124; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">Meanwhile, what about my Russian friends. Should I be blaming them for the actions of their government? Surely not. </span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202124; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">My Friend-über-special in the USA didn't vote for Donald Trump or support his policies. Nor did most of my other American friends. Similarly, I didn't vote for Brexit. I don't believe my Russian friends in St Petersburg endorse the idea of their government going to war and violently invading Ukraine. Nor does my good friend in Belarus support her government's home or foreign policies.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202124; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202124; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">It is all such a mess. </span></div><div><span style="color: #202124; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;"><br /></span></div>Scriptor Senexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17795521284516432520noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684277511053973833.post-4327477171316074402022-02-18T10:05:00.001+00:002022-02-18T10:05:50.662+00:00The Rollright Stones<p> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">This week a magazine in the States asked to use a couple of photos they had seen on one of my blogs. I happily agreed and offered to send them higher resolution versions. All I had to do then was find them. I knew they were taken somewhere between 2007 and 2017 and were digital so that meant I only had about 25,000 photos to go through. Many of my natural history photos for that period are labelled. The rest are not. It proved quite a task to find the ones that were wanted but it was successful and most enjoyable to be reminded of places and things I had totally forgotten. In future I shall try to label my photos better.</span></p><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">I am currently reading Elly Griffiths's excellent "The Lantern Men", the 12th Dr Ruth Galloway story about crime and forensic archaeology. In it the hero mentions the first time she visited the stone circle at Stanton Drew - a<b> 'strange, sullen place, not welcoming to outsiders'</b>. </span><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuorzYudC2UcaKKkxbOFfN9EFBBf4R9aMHtuGYO1b9JsibJn-FXNmgZxDED9e0bKY6R-a28fe-1ADDcaYa8oKgpjvpTdBNYCKBOgKrKxsUcKMqGp-ZzXAORyzz1u3LQluDbGX68PFNnY5MEkkNgUlXm83adNQdQl0B6jGUhZS2-4yIafWUauMyegTx5A=s800" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuorzYudC2UcaKKkxbOFfN9EFBBf4R9aMHtuGYO1b9JsibJn-FXNmgZxDED9e0bKY6R-a28fe-1ADDcaYa8oKgpjvpTdBNYCKBOgKrKxsUcKMqGp-ZzXAORyzz1u3LQluDbGX68PFNnY5MEkkNgUlXm83adNQdQl0B6jGUhZS2-4yIafWUauMyegTx5A=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">That reminded me of my first visit to the Rollright Stones in Oxfordshire. So far as I am concerned the jury is still out on most things religious and esoteric. But that site literally gave me goosebumps. As I walked around the circle of stones my arms were suddenly covered in huge goosebumps and I felt anxious and panicky.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;"></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">There were two older women also circumnavigating the circle and we met up at the entrance. "Well," said one of them, "That was the strangest experience I've ever had." I asked in what way. She said she couldn't explain but it was as though the stones wanted her to go away. Her companion looked quite shaken and agreed so I showed them my goosebumps and explained how I had felt. We all agreed that we would never want to visit there again. Years later Jo and I went there but I stayed well away from the circle while Jo walked around it. So far as I can recall Jo was not affected but there were a lot more people there that day and that may have made the atmosphere different.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">The only other place I had a strange inexplicable experience, similar to that - but not the same, was in the Old House in Bakewell.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">Have you ever had an experience like that?</span></div>Scriptor Senexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17795521284516432520noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684277511053973833.post-32800181091117821972022-02-12T16:32:00.000+00:002022-02-12T16:32:30.323+00:00I am back<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Hello Folk,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">How are you all?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So much has happened in the last twelve months that I would not know where to start filling in the gaps since I last blogged. So I shall settle for letting you know what has gone on this year.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Son-who-cooks and his girlfriend both caught Covid-19 but fortunately not seriously though it was unpleasant for a few days. Our boiler died as a result of which we have no central heating or hot water and are awaiting quotes for a replacement which will cost about the same as my first house cost. So at present I am spending a lot of time curled up snugly in my bed with my phone and my books. Around the same time the washing machine also rumbled to a halt. We decided adding dirty clothes to our cold and grubby bodies was probably unacceptable so we lashed out on a new machine.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I've been out for a coffee a couple of times but otherwise we have had few adventures though last month we did have a pleasant wander around the lanes near Pentre Halkyn in North Wales. A couple of times we have sat looking out over the River Dee and on one of those occasions were delighted to watch an Egret.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6R11sleiz83SjmBJe7nNCchyExZ6PFIhz8VqR_aD612Jc0EcgkzthiXxEVpARvfFMpvykyvw5D5hxg0GDxgGX_qWBZcXPTzIvlaMu86CdUkYpytv76Gh5xqrfUIyvYeu938fQ6nfUlZSvMeU5jCbvXdgT0Po38Yq7Vm4VL2_Qv6WffzbfgN-NbppqpQ=s648" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6R11sleiz83SjmBJe7nNCchyExZ6PFIhz8VqR_aD612Jc0EcgkzthiXxEVpARvfFMpvykyvw5D5hxg0GDxgGX_qWBZcXPTzIvlaMu86CdUkYpytv76Gh5xqrfUIyvYeu938fQ6nfUlZSvMeU5jCbvXdgT0Po38Yq7Vm4VL2_Qv6WffzbfgN-NbppqpQ=s320" width="296" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This photo of a Little Egret is of one in captivity that I took in 2006. My attempts with the camera on my phone this month simply show a white blob!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I continue to write letters and swap postcards with friends but have not done any Postcrossing for twelve months or more. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Last week an embroiderer in the USA asked to use some of my photos with an article he/she is writing. I happily agreed and offered to find some of a larger resolution. Silly me. One of the things I haven't done for many years is label my photos properly. So although I have access to every photo I've taken finding them is not easy. I'm quite enjoying the search but it is frightening me to discover how many photos and experiences I have forgotten. For example, I can recall photographing Golden-ringed Dragonflies in various places but some that I had photographed in Exeter I had completely forgotten despite them being among the best I have taken. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSvTJn3bFnyku_LwVRcX3C9qMR9dIaiNfiLImDAVSzl0mDF-rBUxdCw5YveRxqs7E52pm1ecQ1bS6FHPF-oD1UNuWqSHYidiCoo4F2cHBRpfu_IkG-VV0s8Ta6Rlu9mb3HDmlG0yxt0kmi986cIbOQ_1Vkepy8blZAsCye_dCBDTSLmDm2rUC1KIN54A=s800" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="800" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSvTJn3bFnyku_LwVRcX3C9qMR9dIaiNfiLImDAVSzl0mDF-rBUxdCw5YveRxqs7E52pm1ecQ1bS6FHPF-oD1UNuWqSHYidiCoo4F2cHBRpfu_IkG-VV0s8Ta6Rlu9mb3HDmlG0yxt0kmi986cIbOQ_1Vkepy8blZAsCye_dCBDTSLmDm2rUC1KIN54A=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I was also fascinated to read my blogs and there were dozens of articles I had totally forgotten. Given time and energy I would love to read them all from the beginning again but time and energy are things of which I never seem to have enough</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I am not sure when my next blog post will be but I shall try not to leave it for a year..</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Stay safe everyone.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p>Scriptor Senexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17795521284516432520noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684277511053973833.post-87793271132636769472021-02-19T02:31:00.001+00:002021-02-19T02:31:29.372+00:00Journey to the West<p> ...so this is what we said to those who asked us who we were and where we came from:</p><p>We are human beings first and last, our religion is our faith in humanity and there can be no religion greater than that. If we call ourselves Indians we will meet Pakistanis. If we go as Hindus we will meet Christians and Muslims. If we go as socialists we will meet capitalists. If we go as human beings we will meet human beings everywhere. </p><p> Satish Kumar</p>Scriptor Senexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17795521284516432520noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684277511053973833.post-37691963283838754132021-02-14T00:00:00.001+00:002021-02-14T00:00:16.665+00:00February 14th<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oFmPGb7BItc/YCeenHKk2_I/AAAAAAACFCM/awulFSFYWysJLV__wUAr2SVmKQfVkCEXACLcBGAsYHQ/s555/cje%2Bheart%2B7-XL555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="465" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oFmPGb7BItc/YCeenHKk2_I/AAAAAAACFCM/awulFSFYWysJLV__wUAr2SVmKQfVkCEXACLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/cje%2Bheart%2B7-XL555.JPG" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Scriptor Senexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17795521284516432520noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684277511053973833.post-40582500215076479662021-01-19T03:04:00.001+00:002021-01-19T03:04:42.129+00:00One, two, three<p> Ì am fond of old rhymes and find it sad that sitting In front of a box watching "Beauty and the Beast" for the umpteenth time has, in many cases, replaced listening to one's parents or grandparents recite rhymes</p><p>One of the fascinating things about old rhymes is that, because they were anonymous and passed on by word of mouth, numerous variations on the same theme would arise. Memory also plays its part so it will be of interest to see if my bother, GB, recalls it exactly the same as I do.</p><p>For example, the version of 'One, two, three, mother caught a flea' that I was taught by my mother was -</p><p>One, two, three, mother caught a flea,</p><p>Put it in the teapot, </p><p>Made a cup of tea.</p><p>The flea jumped out,</p><p>Mother gave a shout.</p><p>In rushed father with his shirt hanging out.</p><p><br /></p><p>If you were taught that rhyme were the words the same or slightly different? When I Googled it there were various versions but the thing that surprised me most was that some had three verses, the second beginning 'Four, five, six,' and the third 'Seven, eight, nine'.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Scriptor Senexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17795521284516432520noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684277511053973833.post-62244872400637282792020-12-28T00:49:00.000+00:002020-12-28T00:49:12.230+00:00Looking forward to 2021<p> Possible New Year Resolutions...</p><div dir="auto">Eat more vegetables (eat a vegetable).</div><div dir="auto">Travel more (perhaps even to the bottom of the garden).</div><div dir="auto">Enjoy the occasional break (but no more bones).</div><div dir="auto">Keep glasses safe (best to leave them in spectacle case by side of bed and never wear them).</div><div dir="auto">Reduce time in bed (19 hours a day to 18).</div><div dir="auto">Reduce time playing with phone (4 hours to 3.75 hours).</div><div dir="auto">Live dangerously (go up and down stairs).</div><div dir="auto">Begin Christmas shopping earlier (say February).</div><div dir="auto">Write diary (and get beyond 10th January). </div><div dir="auto"><br style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: large;" /></div>Scriptor Senexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17795521284516432520noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684277511053973833.post-69499455177170270122020-12-25T00:30:00.005+00:002020-12-25T00:30:13.742+00:00Merry Christmas<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_T_9e5E2roo/X-M9VghPytI/AAAAAAACC88/-FMqy63YN1c7y4uZehjvZfjaAlLL2JL8gCPcBGAsYHg/s5312/20201223_124654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_T_9e5E2roo/X-M9VghPytI/AAAAAAACC88/-FMqy63YN1c7y4uZehjvZfjaAlLL2JL8gCPcBGAsYHg/w242-h320/20201223_124654.jpg" width="242" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Scriptor Senexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17795521284516432520noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684277511053973833.post-42247027644754611592020-12-23T12:46:00.000+00:002020-12-23T12:46:13.220+00:00No flying - even sleighs are grounded.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xG9dt01eeNw/X-M728WCuLI/AAAAAAACC8c/2aqEyM47mVgbx0_w1n3W4q6WLssKw2xGQCPcBGAsYHg/s2767/IMG_20201223_124117_110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2767" data-original-width="2767" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xG9dt01eeNw/X-M728WCuLI/AAAAAAACC8c/2aqEyM47mVgbx0_w1n3W4q6WLssKw2xGQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20201223_124117_110.jpg" /></a></div><br /> Rumour has it that there is no air mail until more inroads have been made into Covid-19. My snail mail is going to be drastically reduced. <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Scriptor Senexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17795521284516432520noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684277511053973833.post-51692476261840570842020-11-29T00:00:00.015+00:002020-11-29T00:00:02.423+00:00Story in Six WordsStory in six words by Anthony Trollope...
<b></b><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">For sale: baby shoes; never worn.</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fe3txzQspNU/X7vpLMhft-I/AAAAAAACBtA/7Q6MjhRyqdwbt8NwsSbCspmthXZuQiTKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s550/dj.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="444" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fe3txzQspNU/X7vpLMhft-I/AAAAAAACBtA/7Q6MjhRyqdwbt8NwsSbCspmthXZuQiTKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/dj.JPG" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>Scriptor Senexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17795521284516432520noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684277511053973833.post-47871390790913948772020-11-23T17:05:00.005+00:002020-11-23T17:08:10.083+00:00Paraprosdokians<p> A sentence with a surprise ending is called a <b>paraprosdokian</b>. Here are couple of examples...</p><p>"I've had a perfectly wonderful evening, but this wasn't it." <i>Groucho Marx</i> </p><p>"If you can' t think of anything nice and kind to say about anyone - why, do come and sit beside me." <i>Alice Roosevelt Longworth</i></p><p>"If all the girls who attended the Yale prom were laid end to end, I should not be at all surprised." <i>Dorothy Parker</i></p>Scriptor Senexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17795521284516432520noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684277511053973833.post-6772077338866112982020-08-24T10:55:00.001+01:002020-08-24T10:55:32.556+01:00Walking for Wirral Hospice
Jo and I had a good walk on Sunday in memory of Val Ross and thanks to some very generous supporters raised £240 for Wirral Hospice.
Thanks to everyone involved.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZONyMer1nyM/X0OOfhH1uKI/AAAAAAAB8QI/d-Fn6z14gZsslqE5n4i8kZp_AmRdssRPgCPcBGAsYHg/s2988/IMG_20200824_104453_882.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: none;"><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="2988" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZONyMer1nyM/X0OOfhH1uKI/AAAAAAAB8QI/d-Fn6z14gZsslqE5n4i8kZp_AmRdssRPgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_20200824_104453_882.jpg"/></a></div>
Scriptor Senexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17795521284516432520noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684277511053973833.post-29439924928197335292020-08-07T09:49:00.031+01:002020-08-07T09:49:00.280+01:00Wirral Hospice St John'sWhen Jo and I got married 33 years ago we wanted our wedding to be a bit different. We also wanted special friends to be a part of the ceremony as well as part of our lives so my best person was Anne Winfield - a close friend from college days - and Jo was given away by her best friend Val Ross. <div dir="auto"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTMh9aPzy6s/XyvHvKYTcyI/AAAAAAAB6Kg/vHexHvUJPRw6xQBDlvcW4zqiXTb2qAj9gCLcBGAsYHQ/s555/2020-08-04_12003a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="555" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTMh9aPzy6s/XyvHvKYTcyI/AAAAAAAB6Kg/vHexHvUJPRw6xQBDlvcW4zqiXTb2qAj9gCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/2020-08-04_12003a.JPG" /></a></div><div dir="auto"><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">Sadly, in 2018 Val died. During her last few months she spent a lot of time in Wirral Hospice. They cared for her wonderfully. And they were always helpful and considerate of her friends and family. </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">During these crazy months of 2020 the hospice - like many charities - has had an enormous shortfall in its income. Its charity shops have all been closed and so far only a couple have reopened. Even now accepting items for the shops is fraught with difficulty because they have to be stored prior to being handled. Nearly all the hospice's planned fundraising events were dependent on people having physical contact in one way or another and were therefore cancelled. Lots of people have done sponsored events at home but I believe Wirral Hospice has a shortfall this year on its anticipated income of over £250,000. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bHTzT88te8Q/XyvI1oqjA6I/AAAAAAAB6Ks/SJLe15ZwS7oXVeXlA9NW2Zf1sbyutJC5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s555/Annotation%2B2020-08-06%2B095311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="241" data-original-width="555" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bHTzT88te8Q/XyvI1oqjA6I/AAAAAAAB6Ks/SJLe15ZwS7oXVeXlA9NW2Zf1sbyutJC5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Annotation%2B2020-08-06%2B095311.JPG" /></a></div><div dir="auto">On August 23rd Jo and I are doing a sponsored walk for the hospice in remembrance of Val. Many other people will also be walking in memory of a loved one but we are all walking separately in our own local area. </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">If you would like to make a donation to the hospice you can do so on our justgiving page (link below) All contributions, no matter how big or small, will be welcomed. </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=Https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/joandjohnedwards&source=gmail&ust=1596790305181000&usg=AFQjCNGAslamQj70lVSE-MyorY4AJnSMCg" href="Https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/joandjohnedwards" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Https://www.justgiving.com/<wbr></wbr>fundraising/joandjohnedwards</a></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FrCnq6Z-xzg/XyvJaxIJWuI/AAAAAAAB6K0/QYxqCSQ10dY8xXIe2Y01JvorxTRPSMfdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s555/Annotation%2B2020-08-06%2B095407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="212" data-original-width="555" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FrCnq6Z-xzg/XyvJaxIJWuI/AAAAAAAB6K0/QYxqCSQ10dY8xXIe2Y01JvorxTRPSMfdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Annotation%2B2020-08-06%2B095407.JPG" /></a></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"></div></div>Scriptor Senexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17795521284516432520noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684277511053973833.post-24714802024698933802020-08-05T12:08:00.026+01:002020-08-05T12:08:00.756+01:002020A breach of the Trades Descriptions Act 1968...<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oQVsWhTSGIA/XyafL5YgWRI/AAAAAAAB59c/03qNcEQFsgodQL_WlHibdMw2jmGM3OgXQCLcBGAsYHQ/s812/Annotation%2B2020-08-02%2B115647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="812" height="335" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oQVsWhTSGIA/XyafL5YgWRI/AAAAAAAB59c/03qNcEQFsgodQL_WlHibdMw2jmGM3OgXQCLcBGAsYHQ/w512-h335/Annotation%2B2020-08-02%2B115647.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">(In the UK the </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">Trade Descriptions Act</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> (TDA) makes it an offence </span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">for </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">traders</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> to falsely describe goods and services. It would, for example, be an</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> offence for a tour operator to say a hotel has air conditioning when it does </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">not, or for a retailer to say a handbag is leather when it is plastic.)</span></div>Scriptor Senexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17795521284516432520noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684277511053973833.post-56424783851151437652020-08-02T12:07:00.002+01:002020-08-02T12:07:30.730+01:00Impact<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gnJyZ5-fuk8/XyaeQ3JUHTI/AAAAAAAB59Q/-mEuthhhcUkanwAJ7bCVyThyTxsBJubHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s621/Annotation%2B2020-07-23%2B092755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="531" height="497" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gnJyZ5-fuk8/XyaeQ3JUHTI/AAAAAAAB59Q/-mEuthhhcUkanwAJ7bCVyThyTxsBJubHgCLcBGAsYHQ/w425-h497/Annotation%2B2020-07-23%2B092755.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>Scriptor Senexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17795521284516432520noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684277511053973833.post-13999693241860479592020-07-17T10:01:00.006+01:002020-07-17T10:01:00.196+01:00The debate about masksThey were told they had to wear a mask for work....<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xNhU22c5HYI/Xw7F7kw90GI/AAAAAAAB4uU/h04mkywl04gBUE8wixoJJg3SDemIo127gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20171028_121943.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1184" data-original-width="888" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xNhU22c5HYI/Xw7F7kw90GI/AAAAAAAB4uU/h04mkywl04gBUE8wixoJJg3SDemIo127gCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_20171028_121943.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some people have a sense of humour.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mv_Z0vnNVyk/Xw7JNXNdraI/AAAAAAAB4ug/YOABJg8Qsa8coeo73utSroPCk-4bCC_4wCLcBGAsYHQ/s555/mask.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="555" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mv_Z0vnNVyk/Xw7JNXNdraI/AAAAAAAB4ug/YOABJg8Qsa8coeo73utSroPCk-4bCC_4wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/mask.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But some are just a few shillings short of a pound!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TBHhe1VLAlU/Xw7JazeeImI/AAAAAAAB4uk/cj1zs8R_vyQm2OY9r6_KpahfJGzcggprwCLcBGAsYHQ/s500/mask%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="366" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TBHhe1VLAlU/Xw7JazeeImI/AAAAAAAB4uk/cj1zs8R_vyQm2OY9r6_KpahfJGzcggprwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/mask%2B2.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tc647VqSSxE/Xw7JhK_gmYI/AAAAAAAB4us/xIb4MJlfMAIgA5ViRNVycSJlI-_a73lYACLcBGAsYHQ/s555/mask1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="389" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tc647VqSSxE/Xw7JhK_gmYI/AAAAAAAB4us/xIb4MJlfMAIgA5ViRNVycSJlI-_a73lYACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/mask1.JPG" /></a></div>Scriptor Senexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17795521284516432520noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684277511053973833.post-55314064840879316872020-07-13T17:32:00.002+01:002020-07-13T17:32:33.145+01:00Monday 13th<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Going to sleep on a Sunday causes Monday. And this month Friday 13th also fell on a Monday. So I wasn't overly surprised to find another disaster occurring today. I say 'another' because I'd already had about five in the last six or seven days. </span><br />
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Today started with a migraine at 3a.m. as most days do but a couple of paracetomol and codeine, a marol and a sumatriptan started to diminish it and a cup of tea and some toast (provided by Rich and Jo who were both wandering around the kitchen at 4 a.m.) finished it off. So when I got out of bed at 6.35 I felt fine.</div>
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Until I put my right foot on the floor at which stage I recalled that my bursitis from Friday had not got any better. For those who don't know, bursitis is excess fluid and usually occurs on the knee (water on the knee) or elbow (tennis elbow). I have lacked a right kneecap for over fifty years since I had a motor accident. Consequently, if I kneel for any length of time I get bursitis which is a painful swelling. You would think that 54 years would be long enough for me to learn not to kneel. Silly you if you really think that. And no, water on the knee is not cured by a tap on the ankle!</div>
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Anyway, I swore my way downstairs and Jo and I went out shopping. My first trip outside the gate for about ten days and my first trip beyond the local postbox for over three weeks. Jo did all the shopping while I stayed in the car. She has been doing every bit of shopping since February and most of it for the last couple years. But that's OK because she loves it. I mean hates it. Absolutely hates it. Unless there are clothes or books involved. </div>
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We got home and unpacked the shopping and then drove to West Kirby with a view to having our first café visit since February. </div>
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A cappuccino and a sausage toastie later we headed back home. </div>
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I took my keys, etc., out of my pockets and thought 'That's interesting. No wallet.' It was then I remembered the date. The 13th. </div>
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A few phone calls later and none of the shops we'd been near had got it. Jo then had to head off to work. We agreed to leave it to 5pm before phoning to cancel all my cards. </div>
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At 1.30pm a young lady called Nicky from Hoylake arrived at the door with my wallet in her hand. Not only had she been caring enough to bring it well out of her way but she seemed as delighted as me to have reunited us. </div>
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There are some good folk around. </div>
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And perhaps Monday 13th isn't as bad as Friday 13th after all. How did your day go?</div>
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Scriptor Senexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17795521284516432520noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684277511053973833.post-55016324174921713142020-06-24T10:41:00.000+01:002020-06-24T10:41:00.133+01:00Classifying the Animal KingdomIn order for us to understand how all living organisms are related, they are arranged into different groups. The more features that a group of animals share, the more specific the group is. Animals are given scientific names so that people all around the world can communicate about animals, no matter what language they speak (these names are traditionally based on Latin words). Animals belong to a number of different groups, starting with the animal kingdom.<br />
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Kingdom<br />
All living organisms are first placed into different kingdoms. There are five different kingdoms to classify life on Earth, which are Animals, Plants, Fungi, Bacteria, and Protists (single-celled organisms).<br />
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Phylum<br />
The animal kingdom is divided into 40 smaller groups, known as phylum. Here, animals are grouped by their main features. Animals usually fall into one of five different phylum which are Cnidaria (invertebrates), Chordata (vertebrates), Arthropods, Molluscs and Echinoderms.<br />
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Class<br />
The phylum group is then divided into even smaller groups, known as classes. The Chordata (vertebrates) phylum splits up into Mammalia (Mammals), Actinopterygii (Bony Fish), Chondrichthyes (Cartilaginous Fish) , Aves (Birds), Amphibia (Amphibians) and Reptilia (Reptiles).<br />
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Order<br />
Each class is divided into small groups again, known as orders. The class Mammalia (Mammals), splits into different groups including Carnivora, Primate, Artiodactyla and Rodentia.<br />
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Family<br />
In every order, there are different families of animals which all have very similar features. The Carnivora order breaks into families that include Felidae (Cats), Canidae (Dogs), Ursidae (Bears), and Mustelidae (Weasels).<br />
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Genus<br />
Every animal family is then divided into small groups known as genera. Each genus contains animals that have very similar features and are closely related. For example, the Felidae (Cat) family contains genera including Felis (small Cats and domestic Cats), Panthera (Tigers, Leopards, Jaguars and Lions) and Puma (Panthers and Cougars).<br />
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Species<br />
Each individual species within the genus is usually named after it's individual features and characteristics. The names of animals are based on Latin to help them to be understood worldwide, They consist of two words. The first word in the name of an animal will be the genus, and the second name indicates the specific species.<br />
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Example - Tiger<br />
Kingdom: Animalia (Animal)<br />
Phylum: Chordata (Vertebrate)<br />
Class: Mammalia (Mammal)<br />
Order: Carnivora (Carnivore)<br />
Family: Felidae (Cat)<br />
Genus: Panthera<br />
Species: Panthera tigris (Tiger)<br />
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Whilst this is now universally recognised it is not the only way of classifying creatures. I like this one -<br />
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<br />Scriptor Senexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17795521284516432520noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684277511053973833.post-62748205966987001152020-06-19T09:17:00.001+01:002020-06-19T09:17:12.836+01:00Social distancing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"Social distancing - what is that?" It seems the folk in my local supermarket have not heard of it.</div>
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As Friend-uber-special said to me recently - "It's like manners, all you can do is look to your own."</div>
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<br />Scriptor Senexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17795521284516432520noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684277511053973833.post-15861824932836607302020-06-03T06:33:00.001+01:002020-06-03T06:33:22.603+01:00Silence<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium;">For only the second or third time in 10 weeks we've got rain bouncing off the patio. It's a strange sound. And talking of sound it is now 12 months since they began demolishing the nursing home next door and building apartments. Twelve months of banging, crashing, machinery, shouting - all of which can be clearly heard inside our house. Beginning before 8 a.m.. Some times the bangs are loud enough for our foundations to shake. They have rarely worked on Sunday and they had four weeks off at the beginning of lockdown. But I am desperate for them to finish. </span><br />
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The garden rubbish bin hasn't been emptied for months (though I must point out the binmen - sorry refuse collection operatives - have done a brilliant job in keeping our other bins emptied). </div>
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Lockdown has meant I haven't been able to go to Isabelles, my favourite café, for coffee. </div>
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Nor has bus travel into the countryside been possible. </div>
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I have yet to meet my latest grandchild who was born in January. And my planned trip to stay with my brother in the Hebrides for a few weeks hás, of course, gone for a burton. I haven't been able to have coffee or lunch with any of my friends. And I could not attend my cousin's funeral. </div>
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In all it's not been a good year. </div>
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But at least I'm not a black American with a murderer pressing on my throat while police officers stand around and watch. </div>
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Black lives matter. Silence is racism. We need to all speak out. </div>
Scriptor Senexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17795521284516432520noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684277511053973833.post-941930723450509552020-05-22T10:23:00.000+01:002020-05-22T10:23:09.675+01:00Things I have learnedThings I have learned so far during the coronavirus crisis.<br />
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I guess the first thing I learned was the apparent value of toilet rolls and butter in the economic life of the UK. I assume the butter shortage was due to so many people experimenting with baking during lockdown. Most other panic buying at least had a logical base but I'm still not sure why everyone rushed out for toilet rolls.<br /><div dir="auto">
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One of my former colleagues (SS) is as kind and caring and helpful as ever. As soon as we were locked down she was offerring to help in any way she could. </div>
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On second thoughts I've always known she was a star so I haven't learned that as a result of the 2020 crisis. Similarly, I have extolled the virtues of the NHS and its people for many decades so that also is not newly learned. </div>
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Meanwhile a local photographer I have only met on Instagram @jamiedoesphotos also offered to drop off anything we needed and showed that strangers can also be so kind and caring at times of crisis. </div>
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If you are as introverted and have reduced mobility as I have, being locked down has been easier to cope with than it has been for many people. . </div>
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Indeed, seeing more of Jo has been a real positive of the lockdown situation even though she has been working in the office most days. I'm not looking forward to her resuming a seven day week. </div>
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I am very fortunate to have a garden no matter how neglected. </div>
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And no matter how ineffectual and questionable some of the UK government's actions may have been (and I say 'may' advisedly) at least we don't have a complete nutter as our leader. (Sorry about the politically incorrect term. I do take mental health seriously. But how else can one adequately describe a man who suggests bleach enemas. <i>Don't try this at home</i>.) Rambling Boris almost seems sane by comparison. And, what is more, I've learned Donald Trump can get even more idiotic as time goes on. He views their 1.56 million cases as "a badge of honour" and a week after saying testing was "overrated" he was boasting about testing 14 million! After all if they had only tested a million then they wouldn't have so many cases.... </div>
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I have discovered my To Be Read shelves of books are nowhere near as long-lasting as I had imagined they would be. But strangely despite reading about 6 books a week the number of books on those shelves has not diminished. Thank Heaven Amazon, AbeBooks and courier services kept going. But I have really missed browsing in charity shops and finding authors by serendipity. </div>
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The other thing I've really missed is my twice weekly coffees in my favourite café.</div>
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Skype calls and WhatsApp have helped enormously in keeping me in touch with my daughters.</div>
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A hamper from one daughter was turned into super meals by my son who also decorated the kitchen and bathroom while locked down with us.</div>
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Ànd I learned just how important my penpals and postcard swappers are to my life. Without Royal Mail and the postal services of Belarus, Sweden, Netherlands, Spain, USA, etc. my life would be much less exciting. I await the mail dropping on my mat with great excitement every day and the fact that Saturday has joined Sunday as a day of no deliveries has been quite a blow. </div>
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Snailmail has kept me in touch with my brother and e-mails with friend-uber-special. Instagram and Facebook not only allowed me to share what I'm doing with old friends but also re-united me with a friend from my college days. </div>
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However, when a friend's partner's mother died from the virus it reminded us that no matter how many positives one can find the negative has been, for many people, the ultimate one. And that without a properly attended funeral. So sad. </div>
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I wonder what you have learned.</div>
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Scriptor Senexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17795521284516432520noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684277511053973833.post-70873559234215505692020-04-09T05:58:00.001+01:002020-04-09T05:58:41.059+01:00How we treat the least among us<br />
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The current pandemic is an awful thing and the worst part about it is that we humans brought it upon ourselves. Our disregard for the planet on which we live and the creatures with which we share it is why we are in this mess.</div>
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"When we save other creatures we are actually saving ourselves. It's really how we treat the least amongst us that will determine our own fate." Joel Sartore</div>
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But, as with any crisis, there are positives. </div>
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A former colleague and close friend who I nowadays only lunch with about once a year texted me very early on to say if we needed anything we only had to let her know and she'd deliver it to us. </div>
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Another former colleague who is in her 80s is having shopping delivered by a friend and also has a former colleague keeping an eye out for her and making sure she's OK. </div>
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Just two of millions of examples of kindness occurring around the world. </div>
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Many of my Instagram friends are demonstrating their inventiveness and skills with a wide range of photos and other crafts and hobbies. </div>
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And there has been a tendency for posts to concentrate on life's positives and the beauties of nature. </div>
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Children everywhere are being taught the importance of those who provide caring and health services. They are creating and exhibiting rainbows to let passers-by know that this too shall pass. They are realising how essential some of our other services are like postal workers and delivery people. And in many cases they are spending valuable time with their parents of which they would normally be robbed by their mums and dads working. </div>
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No, I'm not forgetting all the families who are grieving at the loss of a loved one or the fact that medically the worst may be yet to come. Nor can one ignore how hard our health workers are having to work and the risks they are taking. And then there'll be the economic crisis for us all to get through. </div>
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But one thing has been made obvious - we are all in this together. Male, female, black, white, gay, heterosexual, Christian, Muslim, conservative, socialist, British, European, Chinese, and all other shades of origin, culture, etc. We are being drawn together to serve mankind as a whole. </div>
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Let us stay together once this pandemic is history and let us see a world that has changed for the better. </div>
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Scriptor Senexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17795521284516432520noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684277511053973833.post-27369286993916522020-01-31T18:21:00.000+00:002020-01-31T18:21:01.209+00:00February<br />
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“February’s so gloomy in this part of the world, don’t you
think? It’s not so much a month as a twenty-eight-day-long Monday morning.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>David Mitchell “Black Swan Green”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Scriptor Senexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17795521284516432520noreply@blogger.com8