Tune The World Out

A few weeks ago, I treated myself to a pair of noise cancelling headphones. They have proved useful in lots of ways - helping me relax, enabling us both to sit in the same room, but listen to different music, 

they are brilliant for listening to radio plays when the sewing machine is humming, and also managing my tinnitus.

So much has been happening in the last month. Some good, some bad, some joy, some sadness. 

• Huge things, global issues - wars and wildfires. 
• Political turmoil, comings and goings, 
• Burnham and Binface, and more.
• The deaths of famous people, ordinary people, and friends and family I know and love. 
• Unexpected illnesses. 

And those lovely events which have made me smile - 

• The Tunnock and Tardis at the Commonwealth games, 
• Punch the Macaque [look him up] 
• Happy moments with the family, 
• Unstoppable, enthusiastic grandhildren

Sometimes these things can overwhelm us .The strapline on the ad for my headphones says "Tune the world out" and I confess there are days when I want to do just that. Singing this hymn to myself helps... 

What calms your soul? 

It's The Silly Season!

This phrase was first coined in the UK in 1861, describing late July. August and September. It is a period during the summer months when the papers publish trivial news stories to fill space, primarily because major institutions are in recess. During this time, stories about massive vegetables, strange animal behaviour, or Loch Ness Monster sightings often take centre stage in the news.
Here in East Anglia, we have had some rather ambiguous headlines, alongside bizarre photographs in the last couple of weeks. Julian and I were reading the Eastern Daily Press online over the weekend. We honestly couldn't decide of some of these captions with the accompanying pictures were deliberately chosen, or whether the head had gone to their heads.
For instance 

Sandringham Estate in Norfolk
hit by "Vermin Infestation"

The report does explain...A tenant, who did not wish to be named, told a national newspaper: "There are always rodents in an agricultural area like this, but most people can keep the numbers under control by having a cat."…However, tenants on the estate are banned from keeping cats under a rule introduced by the late Queen Elizabeth II to protect wildlife in the area. Despite the complaints raised at the council meeting, it is understood that the estate has not received any direct reports of vermin from tenants, . …It comes after Andrew Mountbatten Windsor's new home on the estate, Marsh Farm in Wolferton, was invaded by moles earlier this year.

Next My Grandsons are particularly keen on this local theme park. But this picture certainly made Julian and me laugh

Dinosaur Park gets green light for new look

We presume the exclamation mark is to be illuminated in future !!

Thirdly

Owners of "hidden" sauna, built without planning permission, fight to save it.
The bizarre thing about this story is that the sauna never was 'hidden' - the EDP had a big feature on it back in April when it opened.

The establishment is called The Hidden Sauna Club because it is off the beaten track, looking out over the countryside. It has proved incredibly popular. Quite why the owner thought she could build this without first seeking planning permission is unclear. But she is now applying retrospectively, claiming "the sauna is small in both scale and impact"
It is proving very popular, operating seven days a week, daytime and evenings, with sessions for up to 8 people at a time.[£20 an hour, if you're interested] So it's clearly a nice little earner. But the first sentence really tickled me
"The owners... hope the council planners WILL NOT POUR COLD WATER on its bid to stay in business" 
I don't know about the silly season, but as they say round here, it is

One final thing, picked up, bizarrely, by the Manchester Evening News before the EDP or the BBC reported it - the World Snail Racing Championship at Grimston in West NorfolK, was won this year by Snailor Swift!! [here]

Goodnight, Ladies

 Four notable, strong women have died this week.

1. July 7th - My Auntie Jean, at 101. The rest of the world did not know her, she won't get a mention on the BBC, but for her 100+ relations, and her many friends, her passing will be noted, her life and faith celebrated. She gave so much to so many. always with a warm smile or a cheeky grin.
2. July 8th - Bonnie Tyler. Aged 75. 
   This Welshwoman, with a wonderfully powerful voice had been ill for some weeks. She had been married to her beloved Robert for 53 years. They had no children, but she did a phenomenal amount for charity across the world, but particularly in Wales, especially child-related projects. Her most famous hit was "Total Eclipse of the Heart" [my favourite is "Holding Out for a Hero] Deeply loved, she was described as 'a proud Welsh Icon' by Prince William
3. July 9th - Anne Widdecombe. Aged 78. A feisty, outspoken woman, of very strong views. She was raised Catholic, became an agnostic, then Anglican, then converted back to Catholicism. Brought up Conservative, she was a local councillor, became an MP in 1987. She joined the Brexit Party, then the Reform Party. She remained single and had no children, saying she had chosen to commit her life to public service. In her later years she became a 'celeb' appearing on Strictly Come Dancing, Celeb Big Brother and made numerous other TV appearances. Rev Richard Coles described her as "Ann Widdecombe, who I knew a bit, both as an adversary and as an inconveniently congenial acquaintance." and wrote a prayer on Facebook which was very gracious, I felt. We have since heard that she was murdered. So incredibly sad. 
4. July 10th - Patricia Greene - aka Jill Archer. Aged 95. Part of the soundtrack of my life until I stopped listening to the radio soap during Covid! She was 'married' to Brookfield Farm for 69 years! She did other roles here and there on TV - but basically she had one job, and she did it brilliantly. The longest serving actor in any soap [radio, TV or Internet] in the world. The matriarch of a huge fictional farming family - her character was so popular [Queen Camilla is apparently an Archers Addict] She continued recording, even when she moved into a care home. Patricia [Paddy] was a much loved member of the Archers Team, "unfailingly warm and encouraging" She was awarded an MBE ' for services to broadcasting and charity.

May these strong women rest in peace, may their loved ones be comforted, may others carry on the good work they did and the generosity they showed.

Every Life Saved Is Hope

 

These are the words of the interim President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, yesterday after 12 year old Moises was pulled alive from the rubble - four days after the devastating earthquakes.
Venezuela is one of the poorest countries in Latin America. It struggles with rampant inflation, unemployment, goods shortages and a high crime rate. International sanctions, primarily from the US, have weakened the country further. Its infrastructure is crumbling, almost non existent.
So when an earthquake like this hits, there are no efficient mechanisms in place to help. I wept as I listened to a man saying he watched his neighbours tearing at rubble with their bare hands, in an effort to reach trapped family members "They have no tools, no chisels or shovels...they have no proper torches, they are borrowing peoples phones to use the torches on them" 
The window for finding people alive is closing - soon it will be not rescue but retrieval. The nation will have to cope with injured people, with bereavements, the homeless and the hungry.
I may have been hot and uncomfortable last week, I may have missed my weekend in London with my beloved family - but I still have them - so I must try and get things into perspective. And the money for my unused train ticket has already pinged back into my account.
I feel so impotent in the face of their suffering. I pray for them, and for wisdom to know what I can do to help. At the time of writing, the DEC [Disasters Emergency Committee]  have yet to launch an appeal - but they have helpfully suggested some charities already responding in Venezuela, should people want to donate now. Oxfam is one of the organisations which I know and trust. 
Please help Moises and others to have hope...
UPDATE  Do read this amazing story from the BBC

Jellyfish, Jelly-ish

Two news stories recently about Jellyfish. Rosie mentioned she had seen one on the sand on a trip to the Norfolk coast last month. She is wise enough to know the look-but-don't-touch rule. "National Coastwatch Brancaster" issued a warning in the Eastern Daily Press about these giant jellyfish

"As summer warms our seas, an all-you-can-eat plankton buffet triggers a massive jellyfish baby boom. Because these guys are 95% water and shockingly terrible swimmers, they can't fight the ocean currents. Combine that with strong onshore winds and high spring tides, and they get pushed right into shallow waters, leaving them stranded when the tide goes out." The authority has described the surge as a totally natural event and has urged those visiting Norfolk's beaches not to touch the animals. Dead or alive, these gelatinous tourists can still pack a painful sting. 

Meanwhile, in Wales, the BBC reports a number of velella vellela  jellyfish appearing on the beaches across Anglesey, Gwynedd and Tenby. The popular name for this beautiful blue babies is "by-the-wind-sailors" and they are closely related to the better known, much larger,  Portuguese Man O'War . Jellyfish are freefloating hydrozoans. These ones are about 7cm across.
They have a small sail like structure which catches the wind and moves them, in shoals, across the surface of the ocean. They sparkle in the sunlight. Their sting is milder, but nonetheless painful. 
Such fascinating creatures - very popular in children's cartoons [eg SpongeBob SquarePants] and on CBeebies...

Four Years On

Four years ago we held our first Foulsham Pancake Party. On Tuesday, Bob will flip the pancakes again for our fifth such event. 

The war in Ukraine had begun the week before, so although our event was free, we put out a donations jar for HopeNow, a charity we know personally, who have been working in Ukraine for many years. 

That night, we raised £75. This week we will have our fifth pancake party here. It has already become a tradition - and until this war is over, we will go on supporting, and go on praying.

God who hears,

For four years we have prayed, mourned and lamented. Four years of war in Ukraine. Four years of invasion, of violence, of death.

Sometimes it slips from news broadcasts and from people’s consciousness. But we know you, O God, have not forgotten.

We hold before you refugees who still feel like strangers, unsure when or if they will ever see and hug loved ones again.

Keep safe those who remain in Ukraine. Protect them from the mental and physical wounds of war. We ask for a miraculous end to this bloodshed.

Help us, even when we feel powerless, to act where we can. To care, to listen, to sit with those who grieve. To give, to protest, to continue to pray:

Your kingdom come, your will be done on Earth as in Heaven.   Amen

[With thanks to the Churches' Joint Public Issues Team for this prayer resource] 

A New Word For A New Year

Last years #word365, proved a good choice - there were things which had a real impact on our world, and on our communities, as well as on ourselves.
And there were certainly many times where I was aware that my choices were making an impact on myself, my loved ones - and other people, and the planet. I was stuck for a word for 2026, and I had the germ of an idea, so I asked Bob. His suggestion chimed perfectly with my thoughts [which had been something about "putting things right"] He said "What about RESTORATION?" Perfect! thank you

There are lots of aspects of this - the dictionary offers these ideas

1. the act or process of returning something to its original condition [by repairing, cleaning etc]
2. the act of bringing back something that existed before [eg peace, a monarchy, a relationship, good health, animals in a habitat]
3. the act of returning something that was stolen or taken
4. [theological] the act of bringing a soul back to God

And so there seems plenty of scope here - I love The Repair Shop - the way things are restored 'to their former glory'."Please can you make it as it was when my Grandad first saw it?" they say, as they hand over the shabby cap, damaged instrument, smashed pot or filthy, painting. Sometimes just a little TLC, more often, hours of painstaking craftsmanship - but the team do create remarkable restorations. Mending, fixing, making things useful again - these are skills I enjoy practising.
Things that existed before - I am sure every one of you longs for peace in Ukraine. But there are other things to try and bring back. Four weeks ago, people in Norfolk were celebrating the sighting of a wild beaver for the first time in 500 years!

Personally I would like to restore my body to a slimmer, fitter state than it is right now. 
I'm not too sure how restoring 'something stolen or taken' fits in with my personal blog. But I know issues will arise this year on that one.
The theological one - as a preacher, I love the opportunity to point people to Jesus - but also know that I must keep my own 'spiritual walk' moving in a good direction too.

Restoration is such a positive word! In what way does "restoration" resonate with you?

Going Postal?

Up early Monday, as I had my shingles vaccination at 9am [2nd part, 1st one was 6 months ago] This was not a 3 minute walk to the little medical centre round the corner, but at the main surgery, 5miles away. It is opposite the excellent Tea Post. I had 4 items to post, so Bob kindly said he'd come with me and sort that out whilst I had my jab. And then we could have breakfast. He had scrambled eggs on toast with bacon, I had a bacon sandwich. All good.

Not so good was the cost of postage. Bob said that the book, and the parcel of 3 shed aprons  cost £3.99, as did the book. That was ok. The aprons weighed around 800g. 

The advent calendar, very thin and flat in a square envelope, and weighing 55g also cost £3.99! Apparently the envelope was too wide for it to be classed as a large letter. I'd been so pleased to find a "proper" Advent calendar for the grandchildren, with a picture of the stable, magi, baby Jesus etc. [No chocolate though] Not doing that again!

Unfortunately my arm ached all day which slowed me up a bit, and I had ironing and sewing tasks.  But at least it did not rain! I realised that I'd missed out one of the photos from the Festival. The local woolshop had a triangular frame holding lots of colourful balls of yarn!

On the subject of wool, did you hear that many knitters are objecting to the new solar power postboxes? 250 people in the village of Titchfield in Hampshire have signed a petition in support of the "Yarnbombers" who create "postbox toppers" 

And Banxy the mystery knitter of Syston has also expressed her sadness at the March of technology stifling her creativity.

Yes, I agee these guerilla knits are bright and cheerful - but they do look sad and bedraggled if left too long at the mercy of the elements. 

Today I'm doing Christmas crafts, singing and storytelling at Little Acorns [the Toddler Group at our chapel] I will enjoy that. 

Who Is In The White House Today, Ang?

It's my own fault. A few weeks ago, I said I was fed-up with a certain orange guy, and I wanted to watch The West Wing again, and think about people in power who actually cared about their nation. And there it was, in Sheringham Sally Army CS. The complete set...a stack of DVDs a foot high. Around 120 hours of viewing. So I treated myself. Its not Bob's thing, but if he's busy elsewhere, I can iron, or sew and indulge myself. I have been enjoying the thought provoking, well written, award winning scripts from 25 years ago. 

But like London buses, two series set in 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue have arrived at once in my lounge. Because there is a new series of The Diplomat just started on Netflix. But here's the thing - the same actors appear in both

Allison Janney [White House Press Secretary] and Bradley Whitford [WH Deputy Chief Of Staff] are back in Washington again.

But this time she is President, and he is her husband.

She has gone blonde, he has luxurious white hair and beard. Bob managed half an episode, then went off to do something useful,  muttering "Is this where actors from The West Wing go to die?"

Well I'm enjoying it, even if he prefers The Simpsons. Plus there are some excellent British actors on board - 

Rufus Sewell, Rory Kinnear, Celia Imrie, Nancy Carroll, Aidan Turner and more.

Is it weird to enjoy shows about the machinations of US politics? I enjoyed House Of Cards too , but preferred the original UK series to the later American version.

What is weird is that three times I tried to type Celia Imrie into my PC, and autocorrect kept changing it to  Reliability. You can trust CI to give a good performance every time!

I think I am the only person whose watch list does not include Strictly, Traitors or Masterchef. My new sleep regime "no screens after 10" means I don't go to bed with news stories about DT, or the Grand Old D of Y bothering my brain as I try to sleep. Reducing screen time generally is proving very beneficial. 

Taken With A Pinch Of Salt

I read this during lockdown, two years after it first came out. I gave it a 3* review, and dithered about making it 4*. I admired their resilience and commitment to their marriage - and having toured France ourselves with a tiny tent, minimal luggage and a tight budget, I recognised that such ventures can be very stressful.

But last month's article in the Observer, by Chloe Hadjimatheou left a really sour taste in my mouth.

What was claimed to be a 'true story' in fact is full of not just inaccuracies, but many actual falsehoods. 

When I read the book, some parts didn't feel quite right, and in my review I said as much  "It doesn't do to be too forensic as you read it. I think there are parts where things may have been slightly adjusted to fit the narrative. I mean, surely, a woman of her age, packing for a long journey by the sea in summer, would remember a hat and some sanpro? And their diet, if it was exactly as described, seems extremely bizarre and unhealthy. Dates are very vague - and there is a hiatus in their walk, when someone offers accommodation so they can be inside 'over the winter'. Nine months disappear into one chapter. "
But I tried not too be too judgmental, so didn't put in my review that I felt that stealing food from the village shop is always wrong: I gave her the benefit of the doubt, their finances were tight, she was worried that her sick husband was weak from lack of food etc. But now I learn that they own a plot of land in France, and that there are serious doubts about his diagnosis of a terminal illness.
Winn was very critical of other people, who apparently dismissed the pair as "tramps, down and outs, or addicts". There are numerous episodes where they are treated badly at campsites and little shops. Since Chloe's article, a number of Cornish people have come forward and spoken of their distress at recognising their shops and sites described in the book - with totally false reports of what happened. Some are local traders who lost business because of the way they have been very inaccurately portrayed in the book.

Somebody at Penguin didn't do their necessary checking up before publishing this "true" story, did they? They might have discovered inter3sting facts -That the bailiffs claimed their house because they had embezzled money from their employees. That nine months condensed into one short chapter misses out the things that they did in the community which sheltered them, and the debts they left unpaid. That the medical details in the book do not follow the same timeline as those Winn has given elsewhere. 

It is all really sickening. I wonder how Gillian Anderson feels now, having played the lead character in the film? 
I recognised that directors claim "dramatic licence" when they alter the details of a story for the film - to make it easier to follow etc. But it seems to be the case that a high percentage of the original book was based on economies with the truth - and yet it claims to be a true story.
"What would happen to us, if we suddenly became homeless and without any income?" I said to Bob - and he said that our friends would rally round and help. [As they did for us in 1985] "Well where were her friends?" I responded. And I found myself wondering if the fact that Raynor claimed that nobody seemed to be friendly towards to them was because she herself wasn't a particularly friendly character. Maybe she did not have any friends to support her.

As Mark Twain said "A lie can get half way round the world while truth is getting its boots on"

Some people are angry, others feel cheated by all this. I just feel sad

Lord, Hear Us As We Pray For Peace.

We pray that this crisis will end now, without further loss of life.
We pray for the injured, the suffering, the starving
and for those who mourn their loved ones.
We pray for all people who have been displaced,
those who have lost their homes and have nowhere safe to go.
We pray for all those in danger at this moment.
Lord, hear us as we pray for peace.

We pray for the powerful, the decision-makers,
who can choose to act for peace.
May they follow the paths of justice, mercy and compassion.
We pray for recognition of the value of human life
We remember that we are all made in the image of God.
Lord, hear us as we pray for peace.

We pray for those who are most vulnerable.
We remember your call, Lord,
to help the bereaved, the stranger, the orphan.
We pray for medical staff and humanitarian workers
who continue to serve others,
even when they are themselves deeply affected by this conflict.
We pray especially for children caught up in the violence,
that they may know safety.
God of peace and justice, hear our prayers.

Pray not for Arab or Jew, for Palestinian or Israeli,
but pray rather for ourselves,
that we might not divide them in our prayers
but keep them both together in our hearts.

When races fight - Peace be amongst us
When neighbours argue - Peace be amongst us
When nations disagree - Peace be amongst us
Where people struggle for justice - Let justice prevail
Where Christ’s disciples follow - Let peace be our way 
Now may the Lord of peace himself
give you peace, at all times in all ways.

Prayers from Embrace and Christian Aid

 

Another Bryan Bilston Poem

This is a reprint of a post from July 2018 - after I had gone to London to protest with Liz about President Trump's first State visit to the UK. Afterwards she sent me a BB poem. So my post about that march was entitled Liz Sent Me A Poem - here's a shortened version of that post...
Friday's march was a joyous carnival event -[many people] united in their anger and sadness over the activities of one narcissistic man. Liz and I were marching with Jenna, originally from Michigan - I was proud of these two young women beside me who shared my feelings about the arrival of this man on our shores.

We commented on the diversity of issues represented [racism, misogyny, nuclear weapons, global warming, mistreatment of refugees, Islamophobia, imprisonment of asylum seekers, homophobia, separation of children from parents...and more]We sang, 

 cheered, clapped, blew whistles Afterwards Liz sent me Brian Bilston's poem. I shall endeavour to live up to it as I grow older!

AS I GROW OLD I WILL MARCH NOT SHUFFLE

As I grow old
I will not shuffle to the beat
of self-interest
and make that slow retreat
​​​to the right.

I will be a septuagenarian insurrectionist
marching with the kids.

I shall sing ‘La Marseillaise’,
whilst brandishing homemade placards that proclaim 
‘DOWN WITH THIS SORT OF THING’.
I will be an octogenarian obstructionist,

and build unscalable barricades
from bottles of flat lemonade,
tartan blankets and chicken wire.
I will hurl prejudice upon the brazier’s fire.

I will be a nonagenarian nonconformist,

armed with a ballpoint pen
and a hand that shakes with rage not age
at politicians’ latest crimes,
in strongly-worded letters to The Times.

I will be a centenarian centurion
and allow injustice no admittance.

I will stage longstanding sit-ins.

My mobility scooter and I
will move for no-one.

And when I die

I will be the scattered ashes
that attach themselves to the lashes
and blind the eyes
of racists and fascists.

Thank you Bryan! I was in my 60s when I protested then, I am in my 70s now. I hope I never lose the fire in my belly that makes me want to speak out against evil and injustice. 

Trump is due here for another State Visit in September. According to CNN last week  "More specifics about the state visit will be released in the future, the palace statement said. As with every state visit, it will include a full ceremonial welcome and state banquet. All senior members of the Royal Family are expected to take part."

Of course, the King's brother Andrew will not attend the banquet, as he is no longer able to take part in State Events, because of his unfortunate close friendship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein...

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

Newsround

Hands Up if you loved John Craven's Newsround. The first guy ever to read the news on BBCTV wearing a sweater! I was always so impressed by the careful way in which they reported the difficult bits of the news in a way which was appropriate for their young audience, The Falklands Crisis, the Challenger Disaster [the news actually broke on British TV on Newsround, as it had happened just minutes before the show aired] But always delivered by John and subsequent presenters [like Julie Etchingham, who came originally from Kirby Muxloe]
Here is my Newsround reporting of the last week or so

SUNDAY The Christmas Pie came out of the freezer and provided us with three good meals. A proper pie, shortcrust base and puff pastry top - filled with chicken, pigs in blankets, brussels sprouts, carrots, roast potatoes, stuffing, gravy, cranberries. It was a splendid use of leftovers

MONDAY A fabulous rainbow appeared over the close, just as we were going out to the car. 

TUESDAY The sunlight through the new front door in the morning made beautiful sparkly patterns, some rainbow-edged, on our family photo wall

Mum's picture is fading to a strange sepia colour.

WEDNESDAY I did cook Bob a Chinese meal - from scratch - sweet&sour chicken, beef chow mein, eggfried rice - 

along with prawn crackers from our last takeaway [one of those Sainsbury Box Deals]

THURSDAY All the seeds got sorted and labelled and into a box, with an index card for each month and a tick chart on the front. So I shall know what to plant and when and where. The chicken brick is not becoming a herb garden - Liz has requested it for her kitchen, Which is fine by me.

FRIDAY Put on Radio 4 extra** and did serious tidying in the back bedroom. The Duplo box is definitely going at last. Some bricks in there date back 40+years! But the Sylvanian Stuff is staying...

SATURDAY Went to the licensing of the new vicar who is coming to the church up the road from our chapel. It was in an incredibly cold church, you could see the Bishop's breath when she spoke. The Bible passage was Mark 4 [Storm on the Lake] When the reader got to

verse 38 "Teacher, don't you care that we are perishing?" Bob nudged me and whispered "Is that the text for the sermon?" They did serve a splendid tea afterwards though, in the cosy little village hall!

**I was listening to SandiToksvig talking about old family photos. "There's my Grandma, looking like a little Sylvanian family rabbit. You can see a lot of her in me" This made me chuckle, and i took it for confirmation that keeping the SF is the right thing to do, for now!
There have been other happenings too - but these have been a few of the highlights, I hope next week is as good, and I hope you are enjoying your days too...

#Word365

My "Word For The Year" came to me back in November. I volunteer every week at the local hospital, and I have to log my hours using the online site of Voluntary Norfolk, on a page titled "My Impact". I think they are encouraging us to understand that whatever we do, even if only an hour a week, can make a difference - to other people to the community - and to us volunteers as individuals.

The dictionary offers five definitions of this word

Noun
1. the act of one body, object, etc striking another; collision
2. the force with which one thing hits another or with which two objects collide
3. the impression made by an idea, cultural movement, social group,
Verb
4. to drive or press an object firmly into another or of two objects to be driven or pressed firmly together
5. to have an impact or strong effect (on)

Some of these can sound quite negative - but there is also a positive aspect to impact. Yes a health issue, or a sudden financial drain, or a broken relationship can have a bad impact on us. But other things, an unexpected gift, a bright sunny day in the middle of a dreary winter, the renewal of a friendship, a hug or smile... these things can have a good impact.
The graphic, with its Newton's Cradle imagery. implies force, and the definitions include words like collide, hit, drive, and press. Impact can be strong, and maybe unpleasant. But even soft words can make a difference, and have an impact. 45 years ago, the first British TV series to feature a female detective was called "The Gentle Touch" - the idea that sometimes it was better to go gently than plough in with brute force.

What things may have an impact on us? Weather, TV programmes, health issues, world events, books, politicians, relationships [and for me personally, reading the Bible and listening to sermons]
And how do we impact others? By the way we act and speak - and also how we vote, how we spend our money, how we share our time with other people.

The ball swings down and hits the next in the row on Newton's cradle, and the force travels along through the others suspended, until the end one swings up. There is a 'knock-on' effect. Sometimes in life, the original force is magnified like ripples on a pond - and the final outcome is much worse

For want of a nail the shoe was lost.
For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost.
For want of a rider the message was lost.
For want of a message the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.

At other times, the impact of one small action grows into something huge and good. Rosa Parks sat down on the bus in 1955, Moina Michael pinned a red poppy on her coat in 1918 - you can think of other examples
This year I hope I will take the hard knocks which will inevitably come, but try to ameliorate their effect and not pass on too much negative impact to the next in line - but also try to ensure that I can do good things which have a positive impact on those around me

Weekend Round-Up

What a crazy week...

MONDAY -Bob's birthday. A lovely day, ending with a meal out at Cote Brasserie in Norwich. I love my ear-rings [they were Gill's] but not happy with my straggly hair

TUESDAY - Dentist Visit. New tooth and scale and polish from the hygienist. Smiling a lot! Watched the voting on and off all night.

WEDNESDAY - I was invited to join some of the local Mothers' Union for Communion followed by coffee and cake. More on that later [not mentioning the US election result]

Bob had very positive session at the Medical Centre*

THURSDAY - last minute change of plans, asd I was due to meet a friend in Norwich and she broke her wrist. Went into the city anyway, and had a haircut

FRIDAY- Volunteer Visiting at Hospital. Will miss the next 2 Fridays due to Grandparent duty

* this was his regular blood test etc to monitor his diabetes. Thrilled to report he is doing really well. His better eating habits resulting in ongoing weight loss, have made a significant difference. The Practice Nurse was very pleased with him. Pilates is helping the back issues, although one ankle is taking a bit longer to heal.

I have been doing a lot of knitting, as I know I shall not manage so much in the next couple of weeks. In the first 7 days, I exceeded 900minutes [30 x 30] And my generous sponsors- online and in person, have pledged over £450. I am so grateful for their support.

I hope you have had a good week too

Not IHOP But IDOP

I know about IHOP [International House of Pancakes] Not yet international in the sense of having an outlet in the UK. That's probably a good thing for our nation's health...What's IDOP??It is International Day Of Older Persons. An initiative of the United Nations.

Here's an interesting 'infographic' about those of us who are 65+

One in six people globally are over 65 - and by 2041, that will be about 1 in 4. 

In 2018, the global population passed the historic milestone of 'more people over 65 than children under 5'

This year the theme is "Ageing with Dignity: The importance of strengthening care and support systems globally for those over 65"
Obviously this is an issue which is pretty important for me these days - and I know many of you reading this are also aged 60+. I'm also aware too  that many of my blogfriends who are yet to enter 'the third age' show care and concern of older members of their family or friendship circles. Thank you!

I am encouraged to read that one in four seniors is involved in some sort of volunteering [unpaid] activity to help others. Maybe formal stuff like Parish Councillors, Brownie-Guide Leaders, Hospital Visitors, etc - or more informal, caring for grandchildren, shopping for housebound neighbours, dogwalking etc. 

Know that while you have breath you can be useful. Auntie Peggy said [often] after Gill's death "I don't know why I am still here, I can't do very much. But I can pray for people as I sit here in my chair". She also telephoned people to encourage them, to remind them that she cared, to ask after their well-being. In her late nineties she was still a force for good.

Maybe we are a little slower than we used to be, and our eyesight, hearing and mobility are less than perfect. But we can all have the opportunity to share our experiences, and show love.

Today I shall try to visit someone even older than I am, and celebrate with them.

And maybe Grandad Bob will cook me pancakes for tea

Wilde Thoughts

My father introduced me to the words and wit of Oscar Wilde when I was still in primary school. Beginning with The Importance Of Being Earnest [A Handbag?!? and To lose one parent... etc] and moving on through The Happy Prince and the Selfish Giant [which I find so moving] and The Ideal Husband. And as I got older, I read the "darker" stuff like Dorian Gray and The Ballad of Reading Gaol. Dad felt Wilde was a gifted writer who had been cruelly treated - his treatment in prison contributing to his early death.

In 2006 on our motorbike holiday in Ireland, I sat and chatted to him in Galway.

This is part of a sculpture by Estonian artist Tiiu Kirsipuu, and was given to the people of Galway in 2004 .

There are are couple of other famous memorial statues to Wilde. The first was unveiled in Dublin in 1997 and financed by the Guinness Company, and created by English sculptor Danny Osborne.

It is amazingly colourful, marble alone was deemed inadequate- it also contains green nephrite  [Canada] blue pearl granite and pink thulite [both from  Norway] and black charnockite [India] It is located near his childhood home

There were mixed reactions - many felt it made too much of Wilde's homosexuality. In 1998, Maggi Hambling's "Conversation with Oscar Wilde" was unveiled in Westminster, London.. It is made of green granite and shows Wilde's head and torso emerging from a coffin, a cigarette in his hand. The artist based it on the anecdote that just prior to his demise, Wilde told a friend 

"I dreamed I was at dinner, dining and chatting with the dead" So here you can sit on his coffin and chat with him! [I have to say I prefer Galway's bench - and Dublin's chap does remind me of  a slimmer Stephen Fry ]  

Mervyn Holland, Wilde's grandson is happy with all these three representations. 

BUT there's a new one about to be revealed in Chelsea, and this has definitely divided opinions already. Eduard Paolozzi's design also made the final shortlist for the 1998 statue. EP died in 2005, and this year is the centenary of his birth. Paolozzi lived and worked in Chelsea for over 40 years, and Wilde also lived in the borough. The Paolozzi Foundation have decided to mark this by having the 1998 Wilde design made up and installed on Dovehouse Green. 

There was an initial objection that you cannot put a statue of a gay man on what was formerly a burial ground, and is still 'consecrated land' [even though it is now a public park]. The Church Consistory Court overruled this ['he was not that good an author' 'the council does not spend money wisely''Wilde was gay' were all considered invalid objections] More to the point, Mervyn Holland says it is 'absolutely hideous' failing to convey his wit and brilliance - 'anyone contemplating it will more likely think of Wilde's tragic end than the joy of his writing'. 

It is a vast bronze head, segmented, lying on its side. "A man who was decapitated by society" Personally I think it is ghastly, and I can see why Dame Judi Dench and the rest of the committee rejected this back in the nineties" What do you think of it? 

In the preface to Dorian Gray, Wilde says this - was he right?