The Summer Is Ending

 

Here are the last 6 months of tree pictures - from barely any foliage in April up to this week when we got back from Manchester. My tree has stayed pretty much the same shape all year
The ground below is looking very parched, and I think the leaves are just on the edge of turning to their autumn colours.
We were very conscious as we drove up  and over the Pennines last Monday that there were clear signs of autumn the further north we went - and when we came back on Friday, this was even more apparent. 
The fig tree crop is over, the children are back at school, and next Sunday will be Harvest Festival at chapel...
I am glad for our climate here in the UK, each season has its own special beauty. [but for me, Spring is my favourite, with  new birth, fresh starts, Easter...]

What is your favourite season? Why?

Moving Stories...

Just two news stories which you may have missed...
There's an old joke about a minister who said on New Year's Day that he wanted to move the piano in his chapel from one side to the other. The Deacons said he couldn't. So every Sunday after the service, he pushed the piano just a few inches to the left. Nobody seemed to notice - but by Christmas, he'd got it exactly where he wanted.

I thought of that this week when I say this news about a whole church building    being moved in Sweden. 

They put it on a huge trolley and  it travelled 5km at a maximum of 500m an hour - it took two days.

What an amazing feat! And what a beautiful building.

The second joyful news was about 

a lady getting her voice [and her creativity] back after over 20 years. 

She lost it through MND, and for years had a robotic voice. 

An amazing company in Bristol have taken a scratchy recording of her voice on a family video, and created through AI, her 'old' voice again. She uses 'eye gaze' technology to operate a keyboard which then 'speaks' She also uses eye-gaze to produce artworks.
Do check out Sarah Ezekiel's incredible story

Two stories which made me feel very happy. Good news worth sharing

Twostoriesd

"For Your Tomorrows, We Gave Our Today"*

The King was in Staffordshire, but we went to the local VJ Day Commemoration Service on Friday at Dereham Parish Church. It was very moving. The Curate preached the sermon, and spoke of his grandfather, who had been a prisoner in the Far East. He also talked about Bishop Leonard Wilson of Singapore, and how this gracious man of faith was able to forgive his torturers because he believed God's Spirit gave him the grace and strength to do so. I had quite forgotten about the Bishop, one of my Dad's 'heroes of faith'. I must try and find "The Singapore Story" - the moving biopic made about this man.
Here is the prayer of commitment from Friday's service

Let us pledge ourselves anew
to the service of God and our fellow men and women:
that we may help, encourage and comfort others,
and support those working for the relief of the needy
and for the peace and welfare of the nations.
Lord God our Father,
we pledge ourselves to serve you and all humankind,
in the cause of peace, for the relief of want and suffering,
and for the praise of your name.
Guide us by your Spirit;
give us wisdom;
    give us courage;
        give us hope;
and keep us faithful now and always. Amen.

* The famous Kohima Epitaph

Rosie Goes On Safari

Rosie on the GoGo Safari Trail on Wednesday. You can just see she is holding something white in some shots. That is because she did some craft work, making masks. This was part of the HIDDEN exhibition in St Peter Mancroft

Here is Dog Girl and Pankake Man.
We also visited another Art Gallery and the Stranger's Hall Museum.
It was a very busy day in a very hot Norwich.
Ending with borrowing jump leads from a helpful stranger in the car park, then driving to Halfords for a new car battery! Good job all the other activities did not cost us anything.

What A Tangled Web!

 I have been collecting stranded embroidery floss since my teens. In 80s, when I was at home with young children, I became really keen on cross stitching. I bought a divided box for my threads. Later I was given another box ¾ full of threads - their late owner had wound them on cards and neatly written the DMC number on the top. Over the years, lots of people have passed threads on. 

I have used them in many, many projects - not just my own, but with children's groups and for all sorts of things. They were used for the Names of Jesus  decorations which our church in Dorset put in a local tree festival, Christmas 2015. 

And of course, for the last 4 years I have used them for our collaborative stitching. As we commence TwoByTwo, I knew I needed to tidy the tangles in the tins and boxes. I'd even put it on my 70s List. Look at the result of my efforts

There's the regular 6 stranded stuff, and random dye skeins. A few cotton a broder  colours and some finer stranded silks. All wound neatly on dmc plastic bobbins. Tightly knotted lengths, and those less than 30cm long have been ditched . 

This should make it easier to find the right colours for my stitching in future!

How do you organise  your threads?

A Canterbury Pilgrimage

A picture taken from the door of St Vincent's Church in Littlebourne - the village where Bob and his family lived from 1963 - his father died in 2001.

His grave is under the trees. We visited last Sunday - it was so peaceful, and good to stand in the shade, listening to the birdsong, and remembering 

a wise, loving father - and talking of the happy times shared by all the family,

On the Saturday morning, we'd visited St Thomas Church in Canterbury city centre. A short walk from the cathedral, this Roman Catholic church is where Bob's Mum worshipped. Here Bob was confirmed, his sister was married - and Mum's funeral was held in 1986. It was cool inside, and I was able to spend a few moments sitting quietly in prayer, thanking God for all his blessings. Grateful to have become part of this family when I met and married Bob. 

The late Pope Francis declared 2025 to be a Jubilee Year, with the theme "Pilgrims of Hope". In the entrance was a large banner, incorporating the colourful logo, and the special prayer. St Thomas' Church is one of 102 churches in England designated Pilgrim Churches 

I like the idea of being "Pilgrims of Hope" - and the logo showing the diverse group of faithful people, supporting one another, and clinging to the cross - their symbol of faith. In the rough seas of life, it is shown as bring an anchor. In Hebrews chapter 6, it says "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, sure and steadfast". If I can show love, support, and hope to those around me, if I can be a 'tireless cultivator of the seeds of the Gospel' then maybe I can have an impact in my small corner of the cosmos. 

I Will Hold Your People In My Heart

This beautiful hymn, written by Daniel Schutte, a Jesuit Priest in San Francisco, has resonated with me since I first heard it about thirty years ago. It reminds me that God is Lord of all creation, and cares for all humanity. And He asks me to share in that mission of love and care for all creation and for all people [whether or not they consider themselves Christians] But the last line of the chorus "I will hold your people in my heart" has always been associated in my mind with caring especially for those in the church fellowships to which I have belonged down the years. 
Last Sunday, I was elected to be a deacon in our Baptist Chapel, part of the leadership team - called to seek God's will and way forward for those friends who worship Sunday by Sunday. There are 5 other deacons plus Nick our Pastor. I've never been a deacon before [it's not appropriate if your parent or spouse is the Pastor] If you are the praying sort, 🙏 please pray God will give me grace, strength and wisdom for this new role. Thank you 🙏

I, the Lord of sea and sky,

I have heard My people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin My hand will save.
I, who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear My light to them – whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if You lead me;
I will hold Your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne My people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them; they turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak My Word to them – whom shall I send?

I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them; My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide,
Till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give My life to them – whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if You lead me;
I will hold Your people in my heart.

Prayer Points

At last week's workshop, I did a page in my notebook using a sticker 'Pray without Ceasing' as the centrepiece.  I added three words made with individual letters
Thankyou
Please
Help
I think almost all prayers can be put into these three categories
We have so much to be thankful for, and it is good to count our blessings and acknowledge things
There are lots of situations where we need to say please - asking God to bless our friends, our neighbours, our country and our world.
And many situations where we are not sure what to say, how to act, where to turn - and we need help from Someone greater.Today is the Annual General Meeting at our little chapel.

• I thank God for those who meet there, all the work that is done in the community, all the friendships represented, and the opportunity to meet and worship in freedom
• I ask God to guide and bless Nick the Pastor, the deacons, leaders of the different weekly groups - and to comfort the lonely and bereaved, heal this sick, and encourage us all
• I ask for His help to show us how to share God's love in our community, and enable us to do more good stuff and overcome our inertia, and help us to be generous with time, money and resources.

Do you have any Thankyou, Please, Help prayers today?

 

Where Are The Chagos Islands Anyway? **

I first learned the term CHAOS from Martha Cilley, aka the FlyLady, about 25 years ago. She is a 'home organiser' with a million ideas and plans to help you avoid living in CHAOS, which stands for Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome [because your house is an embarrassing mess]
Well this week, I realised there is an extra complication - some of us maybe living in CHAGOS, which stands for Can't Have Any GARDENERS Over Syndrome

There have been odd goings on in the Cornerstones patch. I take full responsibility, I was too preoccupied with the kitchen work, and the sewing machine, and the Half Term Family Time.

There are Egyptian Walking Onions everywhere - in the small green trough where Rosie and I first planted them two years ago. But also in the adjacent flower bed. And the small onion which I replanted in the second, smaller raised bed last year, has spread a lot - and almost planted a shoot in the grass under the apple tree...I probably should have been more diligent - but those little onions are useful to cook in place of shallots, or to chop finely for a garnish atop a salad or soup - and the green shoots are very chive-y.

Last Thursday we were at the Parish Church Coffee, Cake and Chat group. A lady suddenly said "There are plants growing on the outside of the church. I think they are snapdragons. Is that a flower? have I said the right word?" We assured her that indeed snapdragons were a flower. On our way out, Bob and I checked - and yes there were indeed snapdragons [aka antirrhinums, or toadflax] which had taken root in the soft mortar above the church door.  The next day I noticed that there were butter-yellow snapdragons in my garden - in the main raised bed, nestling between the lettuce and beans, and in the smaller RB, close to the bamboo-cane-pyramid.

Where could they have come from? [the Parish Church? Is this a novel form of 'church planting'?] 
They are pretty flowers so I am allowing them to stay...

But the worst thing? My pyramid has hardly any sign of runner beans growing around and upwards. There are a few small plants with the right sort of leaves. [I dug out that dandelion in the middle] However, row 10 of the big raised bed is full of these scrambling shoots with beautiful scarlet flowers. 

These are definitely runner beans. But did I plant them all in the wrong place- this was supposed to be Dwarf French Beans. Have I have muddled up two seed packets? My friend Cathy who also volunteers at the Hospital [I am a Visitor, she is a Gardener] came round for a cuppa. 

She was very kind, and said such mistakes are easily made. I have stuck lots of spare canes in Row 10 to give these beans some vertical support. Cathy advised me on dealing with blackfly on the broad beans and was fascinated by the EWOs. I broke off a shoot and gave it to her- with a dire warning about their spreading potential.

So what with walking Egyptians, invading snapdragons, and not-where-they-should-have-beans, my garden is a little bit confused this summer. Definitely CHAGOS. If Monty Don, Alan Titchmarsh or Sue Kent turn up, I shall skilfully guide them away from the chaos of the garden, and distract them with a tour of the new kitchen [still impeccably tidy!] 

**Nearly 6000 miles away, in the Indian Ocean, between Sri Lanka and Mauritius [see here]

Goodbye, And Godspeed, My Friend

Here's our Parish Church - All Saints Swanton Morley. And here's Bob with the vicar, Rev Rachael Dines.

This picture was taken last year, after the Men's Shed refurbished the noticeboards in the church porch.
This morning Bob and I will be worshipping here, because it is Rachael's last Sunday as the village vicar. She is about to move to a new parish at Amble in Northumbria.
I will really miss her, she has become a great friend in her time here.

We have heaps in common - both teachers, both daughters of the clergy, both passionate about preaching, and both very fond of needlework [and also the excellent breakfasts served here] Thank you for being a friend, Rachael.
The people of Amble will be truly blessed to have her. May God continue to use her, and bless her, as she brings blessings to others.

In The Strength Of The Lord

Last week I mentioned the BBC Sunday Worship would be led by the Salvation Army. It was a great service, I know quite a few of you listened in. I got to chapel last Sunday and my friend called me over. "Do you ever listen to the BBC Sunday Service, Angela?" - I said I managed it most Sundays, and I thought the Sally Army had been brilliant.
My friend is facing major surgery very soon. She said "there was one that they sang that was just right for me right now" "I bet it was I'll go" I replied. She smiled "Yes, I told my husband, that is going to be my theme for the next few weeks- I'll go in the strength of the Lord!" 

I told her that I loved that hymn too, and from 2014-2024, I often sang it when driving my little Aygo. 

I’ll go in the strength of the Lord,

In paths he has marked for my feet;

I’ll follow the light of his word,

Nor shrink from the dangers I meet,

His presence my steps shall attend,

His fulness my wants shall supply;

On him, till my journey shall end,

My unwavering faith shall rely.

I’ll go, [Aygo] in the strength, I’ll go in the strength of the Lord

I’ll go in the strength of the Lord

To work he appoints me to do;

In joy which his smile doth afford

My soul shall her vigour renew.

His wisdom shall guard me from harm.

His power my sufficiency prove;

I’ll trust his omnipotent arm,

And prove his unchangeable love.

I’ll go, [Aygo] in the strength, I’ll go in the strength of the Lord

I’ll go in the strength of the Lord

To conflicts which faith will require,

His grace as my shield and reward,

My courage and zeal shall inspire.

Since he gives the word of command.

To meet and encounter the foe,

With his sword of truth in my hand.

To suffer and triumph I’ll go.

I’ll go, [Aygo] in the strength, I’ll go in the strength of the Lord.

Definitely a good hymn to keep in one's mind when facing difficult situations. I do not have my little silver grey Aygo any more.
Anyone know a hymn which mentions a 🚗Skoda Fabia? 😂

Hearing The Word

I'm definitely a Radio girl- the pictures are better! As well as quizzes, whodunits, dramas, science stuff and news bulletins, I particularly like listening to Christian Worship on the radio. For years I have tuned in to "Sunday Worship" on BBC Radio 4. It is broadcast just after the 8 am news. This is my special half hour after breakfast on a Sunday morning. Sometimes sitting on my bed, other times, standing at the sink preparing the lunchtime vegetables. But I appreciate the diversity of the programmes ranging from AngloCatholic traditions of liturgy and choral music through welsh nonconformity to happy clappy worshippers from Caribbean churches or the Greenbelt Festival and all points in between.
Some weeks the music and hymns are just up my street, and I sing along in my tuneless way, other times I listen carefully to a new song. The preaching and stories vary too, and the prayers may be formal liturgical responsive pieces, or a less structured extempore offering. I think it is good for me to worship 'alongside' other groups, and hear how God is blessing them and using them in their communities. And it puts me in the mood to go to chapel later and meet with my friends there to worship in person.

During the week there is a shorter 15 minute slot on Radio 4 extra at 9.45 am  "The Daily Service" This is usually two hymns, a reading, a thought and a prayer. 

There are often themes for the week [recently we had 5 days focussing on animals in the Bible]  Because it it shorter, it tends to be well planned, no wasted words - and perhaps a little less formal. I often hear this whilst I am in the car. So I can sing as loudly as I like, knowing I am not disturbing anyone! I don't there is one 'right' way to worship - some are blest by liturgy and formality, others prefer to come to God with loud enthusiasm and dancing, and Quakers meet in silence, 'waiting on God' - it is important to be yourself and honest before God. But I value this opportunity to experience the difference worship styles, and I have learned much from them. 

Today's service is from a Salvation Army Church in Scotland - some fantastic hymns, and I know the music will be good, and the joy of their faith will shine out, and be heard in their voices. And - as many of us learned in lockdown - whilst listening over the airwaves, or watching on screen is not quite the same as being there in person - we can still enjoy worshipping 'together' and have 'fellowship' through the marvels of science.

In 1897 Marconi spoke over the radio and said "Can you hear me?"
In 1876 Bell spoke over the telephone and said "Mr Watson come here"
I am rather pleased that the first Morse communication in 1844 was a verse from the Bible, Numbers 23: 23 "what hath God wrought!" [i.e. See what God has done!] 
Technology can be so useful - as Jesus said "Those who have ears to hear, let them hear"
If you are worshipping today, I pray you will be blessed and encouraged, wherever you are, whoever you are with. "If two or three gather in my name, I will be with them"

Shalom

It has been a funny old week hasn't it? Much looking back to WW2. and celebrating Victory in Europe and the peace that was won then - and yet many people seemed to ignore the fact that there is not peace in Europe right now...There seemed to be a lot of news reports mentioning Bletchley Park, and so I found myself thinking about my Mum. Rosie is so proud that her great grandmother was a codebreaker. She thoughtfully bought me a BP puzzle book recently. [thank you Ro]
Then of course there was the announcement of the new Pope. Leo XIV. I did point out to my beloved that he is 69, called Robert, skilled with languages, brought up as a Catholic, trained in theology, with a heart for preaching and pastoral care, and a passion to support the poor and marginalised in our communities. But he reminded me that he could not be Pope because he has a wife.
Joking aside, I do pray that this new man in Rome acts with wisdom, justice and grace. He certainly wants to promote peace and unity, and says he wants to put Jesus first. This has upset the MAGA crowd, who think that as he is American, he should put the USA first. I think Leo is unlikely to agree with them!

One hymn has been in my head all week, we sang it at Mum's funeral, because she loved it - and lived it. The words seem very appropriate in our world right now. Have a happy, peaceful Sunday

Senior Moments

Oh dear, I have done some daft things lately. I am so looking forward to getting my new glasses. There we were at the tile place buying tile trim. How thick are your tiles? asked the helpful assistant. Bob guessed, and I scrabbled about on my phone trying to find the details of the product. "75 millimetres" I announced brightly. Bob suggested quietly I had missed the decimal point. I should have realised that three inches is rather thick for a wall tile!

On Sunday, in his closing prayer, the Pastor prayed that God would "marinade our hearts in his love" I have no idea what he meant, but I realised that I'd forgotten to deal with my chicken before we left for church. The recipe said "marinade for at least 30 mins, preferably longer" I was able to sort them out once we got home, and lunch wasn't really delayed. A good recipe from my library book.

You remember that disturbing Corsodyl advert with the girl with the missing teeth? I was brushing my teeth late the other night,[in pjs, sans specs] and was horrified to see the sink was full of  bloody foam. 

Now I am 70, should I expect to lose all my teeth? I squinted at the new toothpaste. I was so relieved to discover it has a red stripe, and that was the source of the incarnadine froth!

This book was wedged between two origami books in the library 'papercraft' section. I liked the title. Only when I got home did I discover it is about a woman who makes her living producing videos of herself folding all her possessions!

I will review the airfryer book and this bizarre little tome later. 

Here Is Bear Number Thirty

On Monday I mentioned a funeral, weddings, and birthdays. After Barbara's funeral I had two sewing tasks to complete. Shortening a dress for a friend to wear at her grandson's wedding - and making another Memory Bear. I think this one is my thirtieth! Two years ago, my friend lost her partner very suddenly after twenty years. His daughter - her step-daughter - gets married today. She and my friend are very close - and I was asked if I could make a Memory Bear as a surprise for the bride - a way of remembering her precious Dad at the wedding. I had a lovely morning at F's cottage, looking through his shirts, and we talked about him.  I selected four which I felt would make a good bear, but there were a couple of special things to include - firstly his pride in his Scottish Heritage, and secondly, his love of Short Mat Bowls,

So this little chap has the family tartan on his paws and ribbon - and the bowls club badge on his side. But please could I do something with his Clan Teeshirt?

That is always a challenge, because teeshirt fabric is stretchy, and has to be stabilised if it is for a bear - and it is not wise to mix woven and stretch fabrics. I suggested making the teeshirt into a tote bag for the bear to travel in!

Oops, just spotted the thread on the badge in the photo. I assure you that is not there on the bear!

In side the backpack flap are embroidered the details of H's Dad. I do this for all my bears, usually following the same formula 

In memory of  

xxxx  

Years of Birth and Death

Made with love

for yyyy

It is so much more special if there is some sort of personalisation I think, and I hope it brings comfort. My friend was pleased with the result. I hope to see wedding photos soon.

The three birthdays - one is another good friend from church, who asked me to shorten a jumpsuit she had bought to wear at her birthday event. She has recently started using her sewing machine, and said "I ought to be able to do this for myself" I did her jumpsuit, but gave her a careful set of instructions about shortening trousers. I was so thrilled when she turned up at church, with pictures, of the second pair which she had managed to fix by herself, following my notes. "Now I won't need to ask you anymore, now you have taught me." A very good result all round. 

Tomorrow, we are going off to Nottingham to join a couple celebrating their 70th&80th birthdays. A happy family event - but also en route, we will call in at the nearby IKEA. I need a new waste bin to go under the sink in my new kitchen!

Easter Eve

Yesterday was a quiet, yet busy day - Bob went to the Hospice and shared in a Good Friday service, then came home, and after lunch we went to Chapel for a Good Friday Meditation. We drove from there to see our relation in King's Lynn Hospital. She has been there three months, and was expecting to go home this week, then told "sorry, it will be after Easter now" Despite the delays she was in bright spirits and looking much better. On our way home, a WhatsApp from my neighbour's DIL. They'd brought the floral tribute back from the Crem. and placed it in her garden - but now wondered if I would retrieve it, and take it to my church in Easter Sunday? These lovely flowers are now in my lounge - the one room which is not disrupted at the minute. I am in limbo, caught between the grief of losing a friend - and the prospect of time with family members in coming weeks. Between the overwhelming chaos of the unfinished kitchen, and the anticipation of preparing food for loved ones in a beautiful workspace, when all the hitches and glitches have been dealt with.

But this is nothing compared to the limbo of that first Easter Eve, experienced by Mary, and Peter and the others. I found this thoughtful poem by Emily Gibson on the Internet

This in-between day

after all had gone so wrong
before all will go so right,
puts us between the rock
and the hard place:
all hope, love and faith is squeezed from us.

Today we are flattened,
dried like chaff,
ground to pulp,
our destiny with death sealed.

We lie still
like sprinkled spices
trying to delay
inevitable decay,
wrapped up tight
stone cold
and futile.

The rock is rolled into place
so we lie underneath,
crushed and broken.

We are inside,
our bodies like His.
We are outside,
cut off and left behind.

We cannot know about tomorrow,
we do not fathom what is soon to come:
the stone lifted and rolled away,
the separation bridged,
the darkness giving way to light,
the crushed and broken rising to dance,
and the waiting stillness stirring, inexplicably,
to celebrate new life.

 

It Is 25568 Days

Since Easter Sunday 1955 - and my Dad was late for church [and as the minister, he was usually early] But he had good reason - earlier in the morning, the nurse had come into the waiting room [Dads were not allowed in the Delivery Room back in the fifties] and said they were not sure the baby would survive. He sat quietly praying...then was allowed in to see Mum and their new daughter... and here I am now, in 2025, celebrating my 70th birthday today!
No I cannot believe it either. One day maybe I shall write down some of the stories from those seven decades - growing up, student years, meeting the man who has been my soulmate for almost 47 years, my loving family, and my wonderful friends... So much love, life and laughter. So much to be thankful for. 

None of us knows what lies ahead. But I trust in a God who knows my past, present and my future. My fridge magnet has a line from a favourite hymn which sums it up beautifully. I shall leave it at that.
 

Easter Quest

Saturday's One-Day-Holiday-Club went really well. Just a dozen children [plus parents, superb helpers and a small baby] but it was a lovely atmosphere. We were looking at Mary, the mother of Jesus. She was there at five important points in Jesus life. 

1. His birth [obviously] 
2. When he was a boy and she lost him in Jerusalem and found him in the Temple
3. At his first miracle [Water into Wine at the Wedding]
4. The Crucifixion
5. After his Resurrection on Easter Day
   

We did lots of crafts - window spinners, pop up cards, Easter Gardens, bead hearts and crosses, decorated biscuits, and an Easter Colouring Book. 

The children worked so hard, and parents helped. I had pre-prepared shapes from fondant icing [hearts, crosses and butterflies] so they could ice biscuits. Two members of the team supervised this popular activity.[Thanks Ann and Di]
We also had a 'Trail' finding five locations representing the Bible stories featuring Mary. At each point there was a stamp so children could mark their card. These are four locations. There was also a simple wooden cross on a green 'hill', The stamps spelled out 
M A R Y 💜

And we sang songs and played games - and finished with a simple lunch* together.
It was worth doing, even for a small number - and children and parents were so appreciative

* ham or cheese roll, crisps, yogurt, piece of fruit. Easy for the team to prepare, and children and adults enjoyed sitting round chatting and eating.

I've already emailed one blogfriend copies of the notes for this event, including full craft instructions. If anyone else would like details, to use it with their groups, please email me. 

This week, concentrating on the kitchen!!

ShortCut

On Sunday, I woke to a message telling me my neighbour had just died. She had been ion hospital a fortnight, and it was not unexpected. In her 90s with multiple health issues, it was a release from pain for her. But I shall miss her so much. She had been housebound for nearly 5 years, and I often popped over in the afternoon to make her a cuppa and stay for a chat. 
Bob and I had a quiet day - church, lunch, then TV [the Grand Prix, then The Residence] and an early night. The Residence is a screwball comedy murder mystery reminiscent of Knives Out **** [lots of clever film references]

On Monday we cleared up all the debris from Saturdays electrical work [Bob and Adrian couldn't do it Saturday as the lighting circuit was switched off and it was starting to get dark when they finished] Another neighbour popped round to see if I was OK, she had noticed I was quite subdued at church [how very kind of her] Then after lunch we popped into Norwich to return library books, get a light fitting, and I got a haircut

Last haircut was 6th November - so this was 20 weeks ago. My new cut looks exactly the same as it did then [picture below]

Just a little bit greyer! Next haircut mid August, if not sooner. Maybe I should not go so long between cuts. I think I am developing a double chin. Maybe I should go longer between cakes!
All this plaster dust has left my skin very dry, I am using lots of handcream and moisturiser.

Cannot decide whether to change my name to Polly Filla or Dusty Springfield. The only one who could ever reach me was the son of a Preacher Man. [Or in my case, son-in-law]

I do miss Only Connect on a Monday Evening!

Flippin' Brilliant!

Bob got to church early and set up for the Pancake Party. He had a stool in the kitchen so he could sit down 

when he needed to. Dan brought along two more gas rings, the pancakes were being fried and flipped with great speed 

We had a variety of toppings, fruit sauces, nutella,  lemon and sugar - also tea, coffee, squash and biscuits.

There were activity sheets on the tables, and the families got involved in word searches and pancake puzzles.
After an hour, Bob announced he was running out of batter, so Jacob dashed up to the shop and got more ingredients. Over the 2½ hours, the two

cooks reckoned they produced well in excess of 100 pancakes - last year it was around 70

Richard, the new vicar at the local Parish Church dropped in too with his children [which was lovely because his vicarage is in another village]

All in all a lovely community event, with more than £50 raised for Hope Now, a charity helping people in Ukraine for over 30 years.

Did you have pancakes on Tuesday?

What's your favourite topping?

[I am aware that today is World Book Day - that will get mentioned later!]