New look

Beth came up yesterday and swapped me over to the new blogger set-up. It wasn't til she finished that she told me she didn't know how to get rid of the double title effect, so I'm stuck with it until I find out!

I've already had a complaint about the grey background, but hey, what colour do you think elephants are? Even subversive ones! It may change.

As more and more people are starting blogs it's becoming a thing to use blog-prompts. Just an idea to get you started on something. Beth has used one today which invites you to look at your life in terms of a patchwork quilt. What sort of quilt would it be, and what would some of the patches contain? This started me thinking of actually doing a layout on this theme, but with 60 years to cover I think it may be a bit ambitious to fit it in even a double page. I'm pretty certain it would have to be a crazy quilt - no overall pattern, colour or texture, but one or two strong themes! I'll have to think about this!!

Meanwhile I am nearly at the end of the CAT Circle journal I have been doing. Only half-a dozen of us, but I have really enjoyed it. One more page to do, then I'll scan my book and show you the pikkies.

Meanwhile here is one of Alan's pictures of the squirrels on the Isle of Wight. he thought they'd be shy and elusive. In the event one of them came and sat on his knee!!

9/11 Out of the Blue

I read this poem by Simon Armitage last night. It is being read on Channel 5 (which I can't get) this evening. It is very long, but it is well worth the effort. It is written from the point of view of a man working at the top of the World Trade Centre, living through, and ultimately dying on, 11th September. The last lines speak to us all about the world we now live in.

Five years on

what false alam can be trusted again?
What case or bag can be left unclaimed?
What flight can be sure to steer its course?
What building can claim to own its form?
What column can vow to stand up straigh?
What floor can agree to bear its weight?
What tower can vouch to retain its height?
What peace can be said to be water-tight?
What truth can be said to be bullet-proof?
Can anything swear to be built to last?
Can anything pledge to be hard and fast?
What system can promise to stay in place?
What structure can promise to hold its shape?
What future can promise to keep the faith?

Everything changed. Nothing is safe.

In memory of those who died on 9/11, and of all those innocents in many countries who have died as a result of that day.

Link to poem

F-F-FORTY years on!!

I can't belieeeeeeve it, but it is true. I was originally married 40 years ago today. I guess the best thing I can say is that it seemed like a good idea at the time!! Actually I had a wonderful day, and subsequent events are not allowed to take that away from me. Glass of champagne and a canape for all those who say I haven't changed a bit!!

Scarily young and VERY scarily virginal!!

Moving right along

It's been some time since I updated this, but as I think I'm the only person who reads it, it probably doesn't matter much! The Aunt's birthday party went well. It didn't rain on us and there were 20 people there, all related to ME!! Beth and I are putting some pictures in an album for her.



We've also been on holiday, which is the reason for most of the gap. Two weeks on the Isle of Wight, some of the time in the company of cheerful friends. We found some more good restaurants and had a good time despite the howling gale and Alan putting his back out so he couldn't drive!

This is a picture taken out of the bedroom window of the house we stayed in. We thought this cottage was derelict LAST year, but it has even more props this year - including the one which appears to be leaning against the glass! The really SCARY thing about it is that the window I have arrowed shows a light in the evening. Yes, folks, there are people LIVING in this!! When that wall goes the whole roof will fall on their heads. . . There is something to be said for a 1970's "holiday cottage"!!