A Bit Of A Puzzle

I love puzzles, and do a daily killer sudoku each morning - a 3 x 3 grid into which I have to fit numbers. But this week I have done a different sudoku challenge- one for packing my suitcase! We are going on holiday to Cyprus. I needed to pack the minimal number of garments for the week. Following the example of my daughters I've used the sudoku method. You choose 9 garments which will combine to make 27 outfits. 3 tops, 3 bottoms, 3 pairs of shoes = 3 x 3 x 3 =27

I looked at what was in my wardrobe, and decided that I did not need 3 pairs of shoes - trainers and sandals would be fine. I also wanted to avoid strappy tops- it may be hot, but if we visit local churches, it is respectful to have covered shoulders. I'm definitely 'coastal grandmother' looking at the stuff in my wardrobe

Blues and whites abound. But I am not taking jeans. They are currently way too snug for hot weather. I don't want shorts. This was what I've ended up with-
4 tops - white linen, white cotton tee, blue cotton tee, striped tee

3 bottoms - blue linen trousers, pale blue/white stripe linen trousers, cotton pattern skirt,

2 shoes - sandals and trainers [the latter for clambering over ruins etc]
This should be 4 x 3 x 2 = 24.

Plenty for a week [not that I'd wear the stripes with the floral skirt] 

But I did add an extra outfit for fancy evenings out, a new black cotton maxi dress with heeled blue shoes, and silver accessories [chosen by Liz and Rosie] and a blue cardi in case it gets breezy [ suggested by Steph] 

Plus of course sunhat, pjs, and swimsuit [and underwear] 

The only item specially purchased for this trip was the dress- and that was paid for with my M&S reward vouchers. 

Have you ever used the Sudoku packing method?
Do you buy new clothes for your holiday?

A Case In Point

I remember many years ago reading an article in a magazine about packing to go on holiday. It said this:
Put EVERY thing you think you need on the bed
[clothes, toiletries, personal stuff etc]
Now put HALF of it away again.
You only need 50% of what you first thought.

I think I must have taken this to heart down the years, because when I begin my packing these days, I am thinking minimally from the get-go. I try to pack as little as possible.

Another 'tip' I came across was this :
If you are holidaying in the UK, wear trousers for travel, pack underwear for the remaining days and use a small case. Then pop into a charity shop and buy a dress and a couple of tops. Swap these around through your stay. On the last day, put all but your underwear and travel outfit into a bag, and give it back to the CS

That tip may make for very minimal luggage - but raises too many questions - do you give back the stuff unwashed? What if the top is now damaged? If you fall in love with the dress, how do you fit it into your small bag?

In the past few years, we've rarely had holidays 'away' - we just came to Cornerstones. Since retirement, our trips have been in the UK by car [plenty of luggage room] and our one Paris trip [by train]  was brief and we had minimal packing [as we did in the days of motorbike holidays - three pairs of knickers and a tin of soap, and not much more] But this year, now Bob's back has been treated, and we are flying abroad. So what's essential in my luggage? 
Passport and tickets [keep copies of all important info on my phone as well]
Prescription medications [so many pills...] which should be kept in the original boxes. Customs may refuse plastic bags with strips of meds which have been trimmed to just the 7 days worth, as they cannot be identified. 
Technology - phones, tablets, headphones, charging leads, travel plugs. 
Toiletries -toothbrush, hairbrush, suncream etc [I have treated myself to some little bottles for decanting shampoo etc] 
Random useful bits pen, bite-zapper, tweezers, mini-sewing kit, lightweight fold-up tote
Clothes and shoes - a hat, underwear, swimwear, and a 'capsule' wardrobe
And not much else!

Bob has never quite got over the shock of seeing me unpack teabags, mugs and a flask on our honeymoon in Yorkshire [I was so thrifty, I wasn't paying for cups of tea in Betty's!] These days when I pack, he will watch me and say something like  "They do sell tea in Kent, you know..."
My Son In Law Gaz gave me a very useful tip - if you are staying in a hotel, [especially abroad, or in an unfamiliar city] grab one of the cards from the reception desk and tuck it in your bag or pocket. That way if you go out for the evening and want to get a cab back, you can easily show the driver the correct details. 

What are the essentials in your suitcase? 
What have I forgotten in my list?

Am I Being Picky?

 I have no problem with the word pick -  it is useful in so many contexts

• pick and mix [Woolworths, Saturday morning, sixpence worth]
• pick a card [any card] 
• pick the locks [never as easy as it seems on TV]
• pick of the pops [with Alan Freeman et al]
• pick your own [strawberries, apples, pumpkins etc]
• pick up the tab [thank you, that's kind of you]
• pick up and knit [that gets more stitches on the needle]
• pick up the pieces [and move on...]
• pick at your food [no go on, eat it!]
• pick your nose- or teeth [but in private, please]
• pick a quarrel [no, don't!]
• pick a pocket [or two]

But please don't expect me to get excited about PICKY BITS - I do not like this term! It has been everywhere this summer!

In Spain they have tapas, in the Eastern Mediterranean, meze, in Scandinavia smörgåsbord , French friends enjoy l'apero and tartines
Picky bits just sound so much less appetising. It's the meal made from "what is in the fridge when the family need feeding - and there's not enough of any one item to go round". Three slices of a quiche, some leftover cooked potatoes and two cold cooked sausages, half a bag of salad leaves, some crisps, and a wedge of cheese. Plus a part baked baguette lurking at the back of the bread bin for emergencies, and some yogurts [the less popular flavours from the multipack which always get left till last!]  All piled onto the table with a stack of plates, and some cutlery in the big enamel mug. 
Yes I have served a meal like this. But I am not going to call it Picky Bits.  And I'm not sure about Sainbury's Picky Bits Offers...definitely not following Waitrose's suggestion of buying their Cantabrian Anchovies, Greek Halkidiki Olives, and Iberico Cheese Involtinis. [what are these ?]

I think I am going to pick a better sounding term. I may refer to a Cold Collation, as the Victorians did, or perhaps 'a few things from the deli counter'

If it is a meal made entirely of leftovers, then I call it orts - the Old English word for 'the food which remains after a meal'
How do you feel about picky bits?

Incy Wincy , Please Keep Out!

For nearly six months, Bob's Spider Rehoming System has been working very well. I am happy to use it to take offending arachnids to the end of the front path and release them onto the pavement. Except when it is dark, and I'm in my pjs and I spot a spider in the bath.
At such moments I drop the plastic pot over the creature, and it gets dealt with in the morning. This has happened a lot recently, as we approach September Spider Month.

Our bath has an overflow outlet the exact same size as the plughole. When we empty the bath [usually because the grandchildren have been in it] we 'park the plug'. But this means the spiders come up the regular plughole.
And if the plug goes back in the hole, then they squeeze their 8 legs through the overflow hole.
I was in the Futility Room when I had a brainwave! Back in Kirby in 1996, we had a kitchen sink with 2½ bowls, and only 1 plug. So I bought a red 'universal' silicon 'travel plug' to use when needed. And I have kept that in my 'laundry stuff' box for years.
Perfect solution.
There is no way Incy can climb up into the bath now. I still have the red bowls I bought for that kitchen. They are used every Friday for the orchid watering session. The flowers all gone now, the Sir David models are guarding the foliage.

A Prayer For Nepal

God of mercy and healing,

We come before you grieving for the lives lost in Nepal. We grieve with the people of Nepal as we hear the echoes of their sorrows. Our hearts are with them as they pick up the pieces of their lives swept by the massive flashflood in their community. Lord, hear our prayer and extend your sheltering arms upon them.

We lift up to you the people of Nepal, whose lives were inundated by floods. May You equip your people to bring them their basic needs. May You move your people to provide them shelter. May You empower your people to rescue more lives and bring them to safety.

Your Creation groans, and the people of Nepal and of the world groan with it. Use your people to bring comfort to the afflicted. Use us, dear God, to seek justice for the victims and survivors of this climate and ecological crisis.

In Christ’s merciful name,

Amen.

 [thank you to Christians in the Philippines for sharing these words]

Coffee And A Danish?

Thank you to everyone who has recommended The Sommerdahl Murders on Channel 4 'Walter Presents'. We are slowly working our way through the 5 series and enjoying the show. It has really made me want to visit Denmark! Last year, Rosie went on a brief city-break to Copenhagen with Liz, and loved it. 
When I visit new places, the three things that interest me most are the people, the history and the food. 

Denmark ranks 5th in the world for 'coffee consumption per capita' - with a consumption of 3.7 cups daily. [Belgian is 9th, at 2.9 cups. Bob is definitely half Flemish] The phrase 'coffee and a Danish' is so common now. Bizarrely the name for 'a Danish pastry' in Denmark, Norway and Sweden is wienerbrød  which means Viennese Pastry - apparently the recipe was brought to Denmark by Austrian Bakers. However in Austria, they call it Copenhagener Plunder. Crazy!

And as for Smørrebrød, which Danes consider a national dish, that's a whole other etymological minefield. I'm more used to the Swedish term smörgåsbord. Bob told me that this word means butter-goose-bread. I checked it out, and it does. But only if you break it into three. Smörgås  means lump-of-butter. [I mean, we wouldn't translate car-pet into French as auto-chouchou would we?] Smørrebrød and smörgåsbord both mean buttered bread'

Well, now I am just keen to go over there and try some of this stuff sometime [the food, not the crime!]

Initially I thought the O on this poster was a potato [Brunede Kartofler is their popular Christmas dish of caramelised potatoes, which sounds delicious] But closer inspection revealed it to be just a fingerprint!

Face-Off

The family dropped round, and I bought out the packet of Party Ring biscuits I'd hidden in the cupboard.

Rosie immediately cried "Grandma! Can we do the Biscuit Face Challenge?" So we all had a go. The rules

• biscuit is placed on forehead and moved to mouth
• only move it using facial muscles, no touching 
• if biscuit falls, you are out [pick it up, dust it, eat it!]
• one minute time limit

We all took part with differing results. Rosie changed seats after her first ring went down the back of the sofa. Jess was happy just looking through the hole

Bob concentrated really hard, and succeeded. At least he said he did. Unfortunately I'd turned away at the crucial moment so didn't actually see the ring disappear. But I trust him!

Important extra Cornerstones rules -

•  nobody gets more than three tries
• biscuits down the back of sofa should be retrieved promptly and put in the bin

I may be a grown-up, but I still enjoy Party Rings -  they have "less fattening centres" as they used to say in the Maltesers ad.

Have you played this game in your family?

Why do children love Party Rings so much?

Goodbye, Dolly!

The wonderful Dolly Parton has left us, to go and sing with the angels! She will be greatly missed by so many. Her nephew paid a moving tribute.[see video below]
I loved her, for her music, her honesty and her openness about her faith. I loved her generosity - helping children in the US get to College, and her worldwide Imagination Library [my own grandchildren benefited from the books they received through that] I am appalled that the hypocritical President says flags will fly at half mast for a week at the same time as his Republican Party is withdrawing funds from the I.L.across the States.

Here's Rosie, ten years ago, with her first Dolly Parton Book!

When she learned that the doctor who once treated her after a car crash was working on a vaccine for Covid, Dolly's immediate response was to pull out her chequebook and donate $1M to help. Thanks Dolly, I had my Moderna Jab!

Dolly once said “God has a plan for everything. I think it probably was his plan for me not to have kids so everybody’s kids could be mine. And they are now.”

She brought joy throughout her life, to so many people. but never forgot her humble roots, and was always generous to others. She had a very long and happy marriage. RIP Dolly- we will always love you!

I did love the tribute from the band outside Buckingham Palace today! 

There's A Mouse In The House!

 

On Saturday, the final full day of their Norfolk holiday, Liz suggested we did the Museum Open Day. So we did. Mouse crafts, Mouse Hunt, and much more mousiness - Rosie spotted that the mice were all wearing the hats and scarves I'd been knitting before the holidays. A volunteer I'd not met before thanked me for all my mouse-making. Then I walked with the girls in p to Starbucks where Liz was waiting. A long cool drink was very welcome.

Do you like their Mouse Ears? 

Thank You, Bob

Today is our 47th Wedding Anniversary. Six years ago I quoted Anne Bradstreet's Poem to her 'Dear and loving husband'  It is a favourite of mine. I was going to use it again - but that would be its fourth appearance in 18 years. Is that too much? 

Instead I am reproducing the two "poems on the underground" which hang opposite the dining table. The first a gift from Bob to me, the second is one which I gave him. 

CLOSE CLOSE ALL NIGHT
Close close all night the lovers keep.
They turn together in their sleep,
close as two papers in a book
that read each other in the dark.
Each knows all the other knows
learnt by heart from head to toes.

[by Elisabeth Bishop]

OUR MEETINGS
As in the underground there's no mistaking
the train's approach - it pushes air ahead,
whirls paper, the lines singing - a sort of dread
suffusing longing and my platform shaking
so it is before every meeting
till you arrive - hear how my heart is beating.

[by Andrew Waterman]

I am so grateful to God for this lovely bloke who brings such love, life and laughter to every day

Cosy Crime In Cambridge

Last month saw the end of  "Grantchester" - it began back in 2014 with James Norton as Rev Sidney, then Tom Brittney [Rev Will] and finally, in series 10 & 11, Rishi Nair  [Rev Alphy] and Robson Green as Detective 'Geordie' Keating throughout. It was all set in and around Cambridge in the 50's and 60's. Norton himself studied at Fitzwilliam College.
On Wednesday, Ben Miller [St Catharine's College] returned to ITV as the fastidious Professor T [ a spin off from the Belgian series] and on Thursday David Mitchell [Peterhouse College] was back as the cruciverbalist John 'Ludwig' Taylor. We watched Prof T and Ludwig, but I have a few comments...DON'T READ THIS POST IF YOU HAVE YET TO WATCH THEM
Spoiler Alert!!
We enjoyed Prof T this week, despite the absence of his eccentric mother played by Frances de la Tour.** His equally batty and quirky aunt Zelda [Zoe Wanamaker] filled the gap satisfactorily. But I missed Lisa Donckers [killed off at the end of last series] I love the Prof's smart, buttoned up [and gloved] persona. He's almost a British 'Monk' 
Ludwig is back for a second series, and this time his sister in law Lucy [wonderfully clever Annas Maxwell Martin] gets a bigger share of the script. The murder was during the performance of an opera called Song of Solomon, and the cops picked up a baby doll, one of the props. I thought these were two huge pointers which nobody remarked upon. In 1 Kings chapter 3, wise King Solomon encounters two women [one lying] and a dead body. And he establishes whodunnit. 
But Ludwig never mentions the Bible Story even though he has two women, one lying - and a dead body... I wait with interest to see if there are similar obvious, but unmentioned pointers in subsequent episodes. 

** Our Gallic cousins may have Le Tour de France, but we Brits have Frances de la Tour!
Why is Oxford the serious crime place [eg Morse, Wimsey] whereas Cambridge is more cosy? 

Are you watching Prof T and/or Ludwig?
Do you enjoy them?

Still Burning...

 I came across a prayer this week, which I am sharing as I found it helpful ..

Loving God our Father, who has blessed us,
And given us a good world to live in as stewards,
We bring before you all those who are affected 
 by the wildfires ravaging Europe
We especially pray for those
 who have been evacuated.
Give them peace and safety
 as they wait for the end of this crisis.
We are so grateful for the firefighters
 and other workers who are risking
 their own lives to bring the fires under control.
Protect them and strengthen them
 as they serve their communities.
And bless all those in authority
 who are releasing funds and resources
 to provide shelter and other necessities
 to those at risk.
We thank you for the outpouring of concern
 and support for those in need
And we pray that this community spirit
 might be seen among us all the time
 not only at times of emergency.
Lord, we are conscious that the world is warming,
 and that human activity is contributing significantly
 to the changing climate.
We are sorry and repent of our selfish consumerism.
Help us all to find ways to reduce
 our footprint upon the earth,
And give wisdom to those in power
 to find a way to reduce greenhouse gases
 in the atmosphere.
We offer this prayer in the name
 of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
Amen. 

With thanks to John Bavington, Chaplain of Aquitaine, CofE in Europe

Artistically Anxious Angela

Such a thoughtful Flat Gift arrived with my squares this week. K picked up on my request about improving my art work.

The blurb says "On each spread, illustrator John Bigwood has given a colourful and quirky watercolour outline of a person/people, with humorous suggestions of features to copy. Don't worry about wonky lines, weird features, smudges or scribbles as every stroke of your pen adds personality and flair.
This fun and accessible exercise is great for anyone who wants to practise their drawing."
You get a page of ideas, and opposite, a coloured splodge to decorate, like these...

I will show you when I have tried some of these out...thanks again K.

Hit For Six

I had a couple of squares 'in hand', then knitted two more, so decided to send one of each to Kirsten. She sent me two [by mistake!] 

Top row block #73 – Two Edges
What a boring name! Basically, the finished square has two adjoining edges which include two contrasting stripes , and two edges which don’t.  The square is knitting in a ‘L’ shape – starting with 61 sts all in knit stitch, On every other row, 2 stitches are decreased [one each side of centre , using sl1, k2tog, psso] This creates a diagonal line. The centre stitch on row 1 is the corner between the stripe edges. The final single stitch when all is decreased is the opposite corner. It is the same as K’s “Allsorts” 6 weeks ago. I had a random heathery yarn for the main part, and picked a lilac grey shade and pastel pink for my contrast stripes. On reflection, I think I should have used a much stronger contrast colour for the single row stripe!

Middle Row block #78 – Lattice
Grey/blue yarn left over from a jumper knitting for grandson George when he was much younger! The pattern was easy, simple knit and purl, stocking stitch and garter stitch. Both squares are the same. I like the way that the finished piece looks like a woven lattice. And no slipping, no cables, and no random dye yarns!!   Proving you can create texture with the easiest of patterns.

Bottom Row  Block #54 – Pink Flash
This was a nice, straightforward 4 row repeat, which K knitted originally in purple with turquoise flashes, and then in turquoise with green flashes. She says "The colours remind me of the 1960s, when all kinds of clashing colours suddenly looked fabulous together. Those of us lucky enough to have the new, brightly coloured felt tip pens would infuriate our teachers by underlining dates and titles in our school books three times, in pink and purple, orange and green, etc. I’ve still got my old log tables book from maths lessons, covered in psychedelic paper and stickers. They are no use to me now; it’s just a piece of pure nostalgia." It soon became very clear to her which square she would send me; she was close to binding off when she spotted a mistake about 16 rows back. There were three options; rip out the rows and re-knit? Drop the stitch down to the error and then hook it back up – but – colour work? Or decide it would pass the galloping horse test* and send the other one? It’s hot. Kirsten says she chose option 3! [In fact it was SO hot, she sent both in error]

It has proved too hot for serious knitting this month – but these squares are good for a little bit of relaxing knitting in the evenings. I am surprised how quickly we are both managing to produce our squares, I need to go through my pattern book and note which squares we did when, or we may get repeats. There are dozens more left in the book. I'm avoiding ones with buttons and beads – and still undecided about the lace patterns, and those requiring four 3” square to be stitched together!

*Galloping horse test: would you spot the mistake from a galloping horse? If yes, then Something Has To Be Done About It. If not, then carry on and forget it.
There was a wonderful 'flat gift' in her parcel, which I will reveal tomorrow...thanks K [and I'm  keeping the purple square]

CBBBQ

Not a new kid's TV channel, this means Cornerstones Before BBQ! Bob thought it was about time we did another BBQ for all the neighbours, as so many have moved into the Close in the last couple of years. He produced an invite and I went round delivering them. 

We got the garden ready. The 'grass' is brown and crispy, like everyone else's. We borrowed the Shed Gazebo which will give plenty of shelter from bright sunshine or rain, whichever we have to deal with, and there's the summerhouse too...

Neighbours offered to bring food and drink - and Brian sent some of his humungous tomatoes - some were 7cm across! These have been sliced to go on top of burgers, along with slices of cheese. I made a salad, and some rainbow veg kebabs.

We seem to have plenty of garden chairs these days*. Some years back, we went to a Band Concert at Blickling and beforehand purchased some fancy blue folding chairs. They were not cheap, but Bob wanted ones which were comfortable for 3 hours of sitting, and would take his weight. We have been very pleased with them, and used them a lot [especially at the beach with the family as well as in the garden] On Monday we were at the 'recycle shop' at our local tip, and found this similar tan pair, for £5 only each

Like the blue ones, they have carrybags with useful shoulder straps, and can holders on the right hand side. One is slightly faded, but the do not look like they have been used very much. They have strong well designed frames. And their recommended max weight is 200kg! We are not expecting any 30stone visitors!

* 14 plus lounger, plus 3-seater bench, and if we get more than that, Gloria will pass some of her chairs over the fence. 

And then it was time for the event...

The 4 nearest neighbours arrived on the dot of 6:30, then the heavens opened and for 10 minutes we had rain and thunder. We sheltered in the summerhouse. Then it all stopped, I dried off all the chairs.  10 more people arrived and we had a lovely evening together... Guests brought some great salads and a selection of drinks. Hard work, but worth doing.

So different from last Wednesday's Eclipse Party

Sew Spectacular

A huge thank you to my dear friend Jan in Washington State for sending me a link to this beautiful video. It is 16 minutes long, but you can watch it happily on double speed [and then go back and pick up on the finer details] Marion is a stitcher, up in the north East of England, and does all sorts of crafts, you can follow her on Instagram at Marion's World

Jan sent me the link to M's 'reveal' of a coat she has been working on for three years. She made the coat, dyed the fabric for lining it, then stitched it with the most incredible embroidery of the plants and creatures she loves. I have so enjoyed looking at this video, and continue to be inspired by all the stitchers I have encountered recently, online and in person. Marion's YouTube channel is here with lots more beautiful clips, and she is on Instagram here
We cannot all be Mia Hannson or Marion  but we can do small things, and appreciate the skills of others. Make a cuppa, and settle down to enjoy this one...

Thank you again to Jan - and to Marion too...

Are there any stitches who inspire you?

Drawing Conclusions

Some bloggers are really good at art - Fat Dormouse  often adds a sketch to her posts, as does Kirsten. Sometimes it is a carefully constructed piece, other times a quick 5 minute sketch. But I am just no good at this. I have tried, believe me. In my personal sewing journal, I log all the projects I get involved in [in August I have altered 4 garments for friends and neighbours] but my sketches of these trousers and tops and dresses look nothing like the clothing I have been working on. And as for the garden logbook where I list my produce... Well I only managed six tomatoes this year, and I didn't think the 6 red scribbled circles are that spectacular.
I suspect FD & K would both encourage me by saying it is a practice thing, develop the habit of a 5 minute sketch every day and one will soon be creating great artwork [in my case, probably less Poulencs, more Pollocks!] 
I decided not to give up too soon. So over the weekend,  I marked the "eggs-to-be-used-up-first" with a red sharpie. It's a start...

Any suggestions for improving my drawing will be welcome!

Green Pizza, Red Alert

On Friday evening, we went over to Heydon near Reepham, for "Friday Night Pizza On The Green". Fortunately Jon ordered beforehand, as when we arrived, a sign said "Pizzas sold out" . Clearly it is a popular event. We sat facing the church - below is an older photo - when we were there, there were literally dozens of people sitting around enjoying their food. Family groups, cyclists...Liz took me over to "Folks"at the corner of the green to collect our order. They are open 8-2 Saturday and Sunday for coffee and cakes.

The pizzas were really tasty. Bob and I were grateful we had taken our folding chairs, though! The girls enjoyed ice cream, for dessert.
Then suddenly, there was an alarming noise, as everyone's phones went off with the national wildfire alert. It was quite a surreal moment. We all looked around and smiled nervously at one another.
Complete strangers bound together by one message
Rosie was concerned it meant we were at imminent risk of a nearby fire. We assured her that was not the case. I suppose her only experience of fire alarms would be practices at school, where they have to get up and evacuate the classroom immediately. 
Personally I feel it was a good idea, it certainly alerted us to the importance of keeping safe. But I do appreciate that for others it was upsetting. I note that in Wales there was a bilingual alert [in Welsh first, then English]
My neighbour he was quite frightened by it. I can imagine those living alone might have been alarmed more than alerted. 
Should I pack a Go-Bag? I asked Bob. He didn't think we needed that - but I notice he is starting to updating the household inventory in case of any insurance claims! [yes, I know one should do that every year, but we haven't!

Thinking of all those people who have really suffered with the damage caused by wildfires. Keep safe everybody!

Thank You For Bold , Brilliant Women

 

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Mothers' Union, by Mary Sumner, a rector's wife in Hampshire. She had a passsion for supporting mothers and families, and for tackling both local and global issues, to make the world a better place. This was one of the first women-led movements. Mary believed that faith and compassion could transform lives. I found a plate in a CS in Dorset, with her personal daily prayer on it.  

All this day, O Lord
let me touch as many lives as possible for thee;
and every life I touch, do thou by thy spirit quicken
whether through the word I speak,
the prayer I breathe, or the life I live.
Amen

Last week, BBC Sunday Worship celebrated this anniversary. I was very taken with the words of the prayers…

Heavenly Father, Thank you for the bold, brilliant women you’ve created – full of sparkle, spirit and strength!
Thank you for the quiet warriors and the loud laughers, the organisers, the dreamers, the givers of grace.
We praise you for the creativity that bursts out of women all over the world through art, leadership, love and laughter
Bless every woman leading change today, - in boardrooms, kitchens, parliaments and playgrounds.
Let joy rise in their hearts and strength in their souls.
Loving God, Creator, Sustainer and Source of all grace,
We thank you for the gift of Mothers’ Union
A fellowship of faith, rooted in love, reaching across the world.
 
Thank you for every hand that serves, for hearts that give
For lives poured out in quiet faithfulness.
Thank you for families given rest, for prisoners supported,
For the lonely offered friendship and for the weary shown kindness.
Thank you for the prayers said, the stories shared, the things knitted, the bread broken-  for lives touched and communities renewed.
And we ask your continued blessing on this holy and healing work –  AMEN

We have a MU Group locally, involved in all sorts of projects. They are bright, friendly women, doing Good Stuff! Long may the MU continue its good work. Grateful for Mary's vision all those years ago.

Heavens Above!

Earlier in the week, a friend posted on WhatsApp that he had just been to the optician, who had advised watching the eclipse 'safely' using a mobile phone. Bob said he'd got a piece of appropriate glass to look through. Steph said Jacob had made a pinhole viewer. Then the BBC, NASA  and the Royal College of Ophthalmologists said it was not a good idea to use phones [could damage both your gadgets and your eyes!] Liz, Jon and girls came over at 6.15. Wednesday

Bob showed Jess all the equipment we had ready
1 piece of welder's glass

3 colanders and pieces of dark card

4 cardboard pinhole viewers

and a camera on a tripod don't touch it!

Bob was hoping to use his kit to take a photograph of the eclipse safely.

I had arranged the chairs facing the workshop. Ro and Jess took to walking backwards in case they inadvertently looked up at the sun! The progress of the eclipse seemed very slow to all the grandchildren in Norfolk and Manchester. 

The pinhole viewers took a bit of maneouvering [but they did work well if you could manage them]

Rosie described 'waxing crescents' and Jess picked up a phrase from her Dad about 'a fingernail of sunlight' 

We did our best to make the experience both educational and fun for the children.

Jacob and George held their colander in front of the garden seating, and got hundreds of mini eclipses. 

Bob managed to get a photograph using his glass and his camera. Then he went off to check on the firepit. 

This week, we have introduced the girls to s'mores. Toasting marshmallows on skewers seemed more interesting than squinting at the skies...

But after they'd all gone, Bob and I went back out into the garden at midnight and watched the Perseids Meteor Shower. It was fabulous...

Rosie actually put down her s'mores for another look at the eclipse "Look, there's the sun!" she shouted

How blessed we are, to be able to watch these wonders of nature together. Psalm 8 [from The Message] says

I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous,
    your handmade sky-jewellery,
Moon and stars mounted in their settings.
    Then I look at my micro-self and wonder,
Why do you bother with us?