Hi I'm adding a bit extra to my last blog. It's WW2, day. A day to remember all the people of our nation who had to fight and work for us to keep the freedom we have today. I know we all think of the service men who made so many sacrifices to help us to be free. War is more than the fighting that our brave chaps did without any thought for themselves. Many thousands of the women left at home worked 12 hour shifts in our shipyard, welding, fitting, labouring. Also they became Land girls, Lumber Jill's and worked in many positions that were secret. On the land they would work from the first light, until it was dark. They never felt they were used or badly done to. In fact they thrived on it because they were so proud of their contribution, helping our nation in a time of great need.
Also I want to say well done to all the people who did the Keswick to Barrow walk. Over three thousand people doing more than 40 miles. through the most horrific weather, and all in a day. Earning around £400, 000 for charity and what do we get, hardly a mention in the Media.
Now, if some grotty child like comedian was to make a nasty or stupid comment about Barrow it would be all over the news. If it was London or somewhere down south it would have it's own show. talk about a North, South divide! Sorry for the rant!
Hi all
I wrote the heading early this morning and yesterday it was all day sunshine, now it's raining but there is hope they say the sun will come out later.
I hope you had a great bank holiday. Sunshine makes everything so much nicer doesn't it?
I hate ironing but you have to do it don't you? It was cold and dreary Sunday morning so I did quite a large batch of ironing. But yesterday was a really hot and beautiful summers day here and I realised I hadn't one summer skirt ironed. It was a treat to wear something light and colourful. I remember when we used to see babies sitting in their prams all chubby, brown and beautiful on hot and sunny summer days. 'Yes we did have sunshades!' They went brown gradually because we usually had a several weeks of sunshine.
I was asked to read my book 'Cos That's The Way It Was, to a woman's group yesterday and it was great. They were great bunch of women and so many remembered the war. Also they want me to come back to read 'Cos That's The Way It Is. The mother's story, I love it when they all interact with me and I get as many stories back as I tell them. One woman's grandma lived a couple of streets from where we lived and the whole street was blitzed. Out of the three people who lived in the house two were killed but her gran was saved.
I have had a busy but lovely time, my birthday went well. It went on for three days, It's great seeing family and friends. I have so many flowers my front window looks as if I've gone back into business as a florist. I've eaten out with friends and family and had some lovely food, of course it means I have to watch my diet again.
I'm pretty sure several of you have the same problem, I'm addicted to ice cream and chocolate, so don't keep it in the freezer. I don't eat, pork, beef, or lamb, and I'm wheat free. That means when my grandson, his wife and my great grandson visit, I never have the kind of food in that I can offer them. I know this isn't a nanna thing, but I'd rather dust my cooker than cook on it now! So last Saturday I decided to make sure I had drinks, ice cream, and cake in the fridge in case they called. I bought a cheese cake because I can eat the top of it. They haven't called and the ice cream and cake has gone already. I have theory; once I've started to eat the wrong food it's better to finish it all very quickly so that I'm not tempted any more. So much for my diet!!
On a more serious note how about the local elections? UKIP, must be happy and the rest of the parties must be in shock. I guess they will all make promises they have no intention of keeping.
'I remember when I was growing up in our corner shop after the war, my mother went to Liverpool for two weeks and trained to be a florist. It wasn't so sophisticated then, and my mother picked it up very quickly.'
In those days counsellors didn't work for money, they were volunteers and worked for the good of the people. Our district counsellor and Mayor, was a married lady with children, and like the rest of the people in our area had no money to waste. My mother always made her a free corsage to wear on important occasions. It fascinated me when she turned up on her way to these occasions in a big black car. I can still see her she always wore a big gold chain, the same blouse, and when mam pinned her corsage on you could see the marks from where her last corsage had been.
I also learnt a lesson from her that I have never forgotten. 'In summer everyone used to go to our beaches and spend a day there, when they could.' She was there one day laying in the sun in her bathing costume. She was a very big lady and had bad varicose veins all the way up her legs. I was 12 years old and very self conscious of my changing body, and thought I was fat. I always put my towel round me when I came out of the sea.
Not realising how rude I was being, I said, "I wish I was like you."
"Why?" she asked me.
"Because I don't like to take my towel off and you just don't care, do you?" I didn't mean it to sound as rude as it did!
"No," she said. "That's because I'm not so big headed I think everyone is looking at me."
I realised even at that age, that what she said was true and have remembered what she said ever since.
I have just looked at the time and have to finish for now. I going to the CMWN at ten this morning and it's nine o-clock. They are such a nice group that I really look forward to seeing them all. Then I'm at Age UK this afternoon so will see you all later.
hi all again. Yesterday was a busy but nice day. In the morning I had a lovely visit with my Multicultural friends, it was craft day and they were all busy making bags. I just watched them and made the coffee! I don't make anything now as I can't cope with fiddly bits! I go to see them because they are such a loving and friendly group they give me a warm feeling that lasts the day. One lady is here visiting her daughter and around my age. We really hit it off and when we go anywhere we link arms and chatter. She and I can say hello to each other, the rest of the conversation is in hand signals. We manage to really get on and I'm going to miss her when she goes home.
In the afternoon I went to Abbey View with Age UK, I think I have said I'm in a group called Urban Angels. 'It's a first for me; been called somethings but never and angel. AGE UK are hoping to have more people volunteering as Angels as this is something new and hasn't happened anywhere else in England . It involves talking to people who appear to be lonely and getting them involved with the large amounts of crafts for both men and women at their Barrow head quarters. We have been invited to visit Abbey View as there are quite a lot of older patients there who have very few visitors. The place is absolutely lovely and the staff couldn't be nicer, but a lot of the patients find the days are long. The Sister in charge thinks it will be nice for us to visit and to involve them in such things at reading, card games and even gardening. These are a few of many of the other things that AGE UK offer now to people who are lonely through different circumstances. I think it is great idea and hope it does take off and do very well.
I won't be much help just now, as soon I'm leaving for a wedding in Chicago and then onto Carolina to spend a couple of months with my second family! I am looking forward to seeing every one from VA, as I haven't seen them for a couple of years. Then it is going to be exciting as after the Ginny and Gabe's wedding, I'm off to see my friend's new house in Carolina. I'm going to be there for special birthdays, also to see my friend Pat's, daughter and son in law, Candy and Jim's new family. I have seen their house but they now have several dogs, horses, donkeys and hens. But the most important thing for them is the birth of their first grandchild. I am so looking forward to all these lovely happenings!
OK, it's time to say Bye.
Love to all
Lilian
RSS Feed