With monsoon like rain teeming down I was forced, last night, to walk miles in the rain to attend, under compulsion, the St Paul's men's meeting 'SPAM.' This spiritual gathering, in the Liberal Club, occurs every month, it is a crime to miss it. Having no wish to be forced to sit on the 'Cutty stool' and be preached at by the prelate for an hour concerning my sin of not obeying I attended, in spite of the rain coming in through the holes in my worn out shoes. As the gathering progressed we discussed the NHS, the Great War, painting and decorating according to the wife's instructions, the Holocaust, the use of metres rather than feet and inches, all the while attended cheerfully by the barmaid attendant of the premises. To enable discussion nourishment was provided, 60/-, 70/- and 80/- was noticed and indeed the spirit was abundant in one quarter also. These short get togethers bring about a feeling of 'team spirit,' a binding of personalities, a warmth of companionship and a question as to the genuineness of the prelates insistence that today was 'Buy the Priest a Pint' day. I hope he got home all right... These rich men, 40 years of paying into a pension has paid dividends for some! My £10 a week from the NHS pails into significance besides them. This also enabled them to ensure a wife was given driving lessons so she could collect them after the meeting had ended, the end coming when one wife arrived and threw us out, thereby proving her worth and his displeasure. I sloshed my way home in the dark, fumbled my way upstairs and collapsed in a warm spiritual contentment.
While the media concentrates on Trump's latest farce, the Turks invading Kurdistan, less attention is given to the Spanish 'Franco like' approach to Catalan independence. The English media play this down implying the Spanish are doing the correct thing, indicating their willingness to do the same to Scotland, and even worse is the lack of criticism of this disgraceful jailing of Catalan politicians who dared to separate from Madrid. While the EU leaders are quick to condemn the Turks under their somewhat desperate leader Erdogan, they have said nothing regarding the Spanish inquisition. One Scots MEP spoke in the European Parliament but nothing has come of that as far as I can see. Riots followed the 13 year sentence handed down by the Spanish 'Judge Jefferies' and I suspect these may continue for a while. It may indeed be a proper referendum next time, and where will Spain be then? Sensitive political handling is required, Spain has not offered much inclination that that in recent years. Fear of the nation splitting, Franco's memory and the division that leaves, short sighted politicians all combine to offer an unstable future which ham fisted handling will not ease.
Bumbling Boris has been told to fix things by midnight tonight. The question is, who will he sell out to get himself an agreement - if he gets an agreement? Does he care, will it happen, will it go on....?
At last the Met is doing its job. The children and fantasists are being removed from the streets, roads are being opened, and London returns to its normal terribleness. What has been achieved? Nothing! Police costs have mounted, vast number on overtime and all to be paid. Crime risen around London and probably much of that not reported as there is no-one to report it to, they are all in central London confronting men dressed as Brussel sprouts! Streets blocked and much hindrance to daily traffic, many small businesses losing money. And the environment effect? None. Planes still fly, taking the celeb protesters home. China still builds faulty Nuclear power stations and faultier cola fired ones. India does no stop kicking Muslims and Christian around to turn of their smoking power stations. Trump continues...well that's a big environmental health risk! The USA continues to allow polluters to buy Presidents and candidates. So what has the protest movement achieved? Nothing. There is a grown up way to protest, this was not it. Lock them all up!
I am supposed to be out this afternoon and its raining. The weather girl, the one who refuses to come and do my ironing, cheerfully informed us the rain would pass over 'late tonight,' but cheerfully added that it will be 'back tomorrow.' Nasty things women! A male weatherman would have ensured sunshine for the weekend. Bah!
'Plusnet' Speed dropped recently from around 57mps to just under 30. I was not amused. This still gave a workable speed but I am paying for the lot and wish to obtain all of it, even if not required. I contacted them via the site, a response came, then nothing for a week! I contacted the 'Plusnet Help' on Twitter and soon had a reply. At their end there was no fault, indeed they claimed I could get 72!!! So he offered a plan. By making use of the Ethernet cable I tested again and lo and behold all returned to normal, right up to just over 57 mps again. I was intrigued how this use of a cable could sort this problem. What caused it? I may never know. Still, it is now fixed and if he rain stops in 20 minutes I may leave and go to the 50th anniversary party of the St Paul's Church. That is, 50 years since it became an independent parish. Church folks will do anything for a nosh up. It does mean I miss some football however...
Both these books attempt to describe Anglicanism the Church of England, how it came about, what it stands for, what it is. Both are decent attempts but in the end the answer to the question 'What is it?' remains 'A mess!' Paul Avis talks in vicar speak throughout. His terminology, though understandable, is just a bit too middle class academic for me. This did not make it hard to understand nor enjoyable to read but it was a wee bit too high-faluted for my liking and I think the 'Sun' reader might get a bit lost therein. Paul attempts to explain what a church is, most people in England do not understand what it does or what it stands for these days, how Anglicans see the church as a gathering and reflects on how this 'Reformed Church' has a wide and varied make up. Some history, some problems for today and an unhealthy (in my mind) desire for 'Bishops!' Mark Chapman goes over the same subjects but I must say he does so in a more readable manner. As his book is 'a very short introduction' he covers a lot of ground very well. The 'Divine Right of Kings,' the Prayer book or books, continual interference in the church by Kings and Queens and Parliament, the Reformation struggles, not helped by the death of Edward VI and John Knox being refused entry after his excellent item 'A trumpet Blast against the Monstrous Regiment of Women,' something I think aimed at Queen Mary but managed to somehow upset Elizabeth also. Had the King lived England might have had a proper church not unlike Scotland had at the time. The rise of Evangelicals in the church followed by the introduction of Anglo Catholics in the 19th century are covered with the varying social changes that saw the rise of non denominational churches accepted in England. A discussion of the 'Global Communion' fills several pages all of which leaves us wondering what holds this lot together? The Archbishop of Canterbury has no 'Pope like' authority, the demand for self rule refuses that, theology in the liberal west has been opposed by biblical authority in Africa and India while also rejecting 'colonial' attitudes. Thus Anglican does not mean 'English' in many parts of the world. It also does not mean Christian either abroad or at home! The lack of authority from one source goes back to Henry VIII, he was authority, other monarchs followed this pattern and biblical authority, the only real authority, was often pushed aside, either to maintain 'communion' or to avoid upsetting people. The result is a mess in which an Anglican church can do almost anything, preach anything and yet remain Anglican even if it is totally opposed to the Anglican church down the road! Having read the books I now understand to some extent why St Paul's here runs the way it does. No proper church would run like this, the theology would be clear, the care of souls also and fly by nights just wishing for christenings or marriage may not be lucky, Anglican churches must on the whole accept them and offer what they wish up to a point. The only benefit from the books is that I can comprehend the mess Anglicanism is in while admiring so many people who do know their God continuing to follow him as best they can while attempting to run the local church properly, under the guidance of the ever present Bishop or Archdeacon (whoever he is!). I have not even considered the fancy dress and parades either...
Last night I sauntered out to attend a church AGM type meeting. You expect such meetings to be endless but this one went through with no complaints, no objections, few queries and satisfaction all round. This does not always occur in such meetings, some churches have great debates and arguments, we are just doing very well at the moment. Well led, well behaved and all, mostly, pulling in the same direction. The late night sky reminded me of the Edinburgh sky in late autumn, that sky is never quite black and dawn arises before the blue has disappeared. That is one thing I miss from Edinburgh. The rain which is more constant I miss not. I was happy walking back last night as I was feeling so much better than I have for months. Who knows I might even get fit and get back on the bike soon(ish).
On this day in 1599 as you know Oliver Cromwell came into the world. He became famous as a war leader and imitation king some time later. His attempt to amend the nation was well intentioned in some ways however you cannot run a nation by dictatorship as when you die this collapses and folks run back to the lowest common denominator. You cannot remove one despotic king and replace him with your despotic self unless the whole nation benefits, sadly Oliver failed there. He might be more popular today if he could take over... On this day also in 1719 'Robinson Crusoe' was published. Daniel Defoe operated as a spy for the English government and while he sneaked his way about Scotland he came upon the tale of Alexander Selkirk a young lad who ran away to sea from Wemyss on the Fife coast and good riddance to him said the populace. He had been a bit of a brat so at 12 he boarded ship and by the time he was 21 he had been dumped alone on a deserted island in the pacific. I think it took three years before another ship rescued him. He returned home but was never the same after this. ANZACs: on this day also the ANZACs, the Australian and New Zealand troops of the 29th Division landed on the Gallipoli peninsula. Their actions there over the rest of the year is lauded as the beginning of Australia and also New Zealand as an independent nation, and rightly so. Today Australia commemorates ANZAC Day to remember their men. On this day also in 2012 the Scots hamlet of 'Dull' was paired with a town in Oregon called 'Boring.' This appeals to me as that sounds like a hamlet or small town that suits me perfectly.
The Easter eggs have for the most part gone the way of all chocolate. The unbelieving public have eaten themselves sick, travelled to family elsewhere, visited the zoo, museums, old houses, parks and gardens, or sat by the sea while turning lobster red. The faithful gathered en masse (but not en masse in evangelical circles) to give thanks and worship and distribute eggs.... at least I gave away a few Cadbury's cream eggs to the little hooligans, none of whom refused. Neither did the women when offered bar one who is banned from eating them by the doctor. I will have that one later. Easter was not observed after Jesus died, it does appear to have been around in some places by the end of the first century as I read somewhere John mentions this as to be observed at the Jewish passover. It was certainly around by the mid second century. Christians ought to celebrate this daily, not annually. I note the government has taken time of from Brexit to support Jeremy Hunt's attempt at being Prime minister to protect Christians worldwide. Jeremy, who as health secretary attempted to privatise the NHS by the back door, has been touring the world recently talking to the main world leaders and has mentioned such problems as Christians suffering persecution with many of them, not the Chinese or Indians as far as I can see however. I wonder why? With the news of over 200 people Christians and tourists being killed in Sri Lanka by suicide bombers Theresa May has spoken of her feelings on the issue. It is clear the Conservatives are attempting to get back the church vote they have lost over the years. Quite how they will do this while Brexit is trundling along and they have given us austerity leading to an ever increasing use of Food banks throughout the land is not clear. It would be terrible if some preacher was to read the Book of Amos to Theresa while she is in church being photographed by the media. She might get a shock. Easter is over, although it is not over, Christ is risen and is moving in his world, speak to him tonight, he might surprise you...
'Good Friday' reflects the UK as it is today, folks are either on holiday or shopping! In the past most would take the day off, today most shops are open, the museum also, and many football matches have taken place. One or two items re Easter have appeared on the BBC but in very BBC style of course. Many are enjoying the warmth that has returned for a few days. Outside the sky is pale blue, the blossoms flourish on tress and greedy birds desperate for forage race around as the breeding season is in full bloom also. Men dispense with jackets, girls with almost everything and others have crushed their way to the seaside in long lines of cars or busy railways. Most will travel back in similar fashion. Why they do this I fail to understand. I merely ensured I was able to take my remaining cough to St P's this after noon for the 'Hour at the Cross' meditation. The vicar was praying i would be healthy enough as she had given me a portion to read! Now I have read this as ordered I suspect the praying will cease and the sickness return! It is several weeks since I walked that far and I feel it now. Made worse as too few vehicles are around as many are away so offers of lifts were non existent. How I suffer! The weather is warm, the wind light, the knees upset. Nothing changes bar the weather. This meant I lazily made use of a Pizza I had in the freezer, cheaper than 'Pizza Huts,' and fills a large space.
One BBC offering is David Suchet with 'In the Steps of St Peter.' This two part programme traced Peter's life from the Sea of Galilee to Rome. Apart from being too slanted a Roman Catholic offering it was not that bad a programme. Some points were clearly either wrong or er, misunderstood, but overall it must have been great for him to explore these places and make the programmes. Hard work at times but fun also. One noticeable BBC aspect was the number of women involved. Almost every 'expert' good and bad, was female, I suspect when fishing in the Lake the director was upset he had to use a boat full of men rather than one run by women. For the BBC this was not bad an effort and I quite enjoyed it, especially the bots I could indicate were erroneous! Great fun. There is also a programme shown this morning that I missed featuring a large black woman and a male discussing 'Britain's Music Traditions.' Much more BBC in appearance but I ave not yet watched this and will do so later. I am listening to Radio 4's 'Witness: Behind Luke's Story,' with Ernie Rea and the first 15 minute programme, from 2007, was quite good and I have hope for the rest. Radio 3 has of course relevant music today and Sunday and the Essay has had a few interesting 15 minute programmes also. So pagan BBC has been reasonably successful so far, not as it ought to be but better than it has been in the past. However tonight I will be seeking out BBC Scotland channel for Ayr United v Ross County, life must go on...
Twice yesterday I shuffled down to St Paul's in the rain. Being a 'Messy Church' service for Christmas it was crowded. Kids from everywhere were cutting things, fiddling with oranges, candles and bits and bobs, mums helping, they said, and general confusion everywhere while I sat among friends (I say they are even if they don't know my name) and attempted the quiz that was thrust in my hands. I walked as I had some small gifts for kids and large sweet bags for adults although the amount of foodstuffs suitable for Christmas 'do's' was excessive already. The service proceeded eventually with carols, a nativity play with a large number of participants and then a wonderful version of 'Bethlehemian Rhapsody' from the 'Big Young Kids.' I was not possible to take photos which was a shame as I don't think it was filmed but they managed with puppets and a black screen to do an excellent version of this:-
An excellent though slightly dodgy theological morning. I doubt the strict Presbyterian's in the Isles will have appreciated the joy all around. I thought it great. I was less enamoured of noticing the amount of washing up that had to be done and guilt forced me into the sink for while to pretend I cared. Then I had to trudge home again in the rain... By six I had traipsed once more, in the rain, back to St P's for the Carol concert. I had to be there as I was reading the first lesson, Genesis 3:8 - 15 & 17 -19, as you would expect. Naturally I was running late even allowing for the word 'running' to be somewhat out of place here and arrived just in time. Shortly afterwards, as I gasped my way into a seat past a gentleman wearing a 'Crystal Palace' jacket in honour of their win over table topping Manchester City and slumped thereupon the first Carol was under way swiftly followed by my reading. Here I stumbled up to the mike and puffed my way through Genesis attempting to breathe and talk at the same time. For the rest of the evening I set myself just to enjoy the two year old who cavorted in front of me all night. She ended the evening happily as the curate finishing the service saw her looking into the manger and the baby Jesus then placed Jesus into her care and made her day. Then after 'one or two' chocolates that were forced upon me I trekked home once again in the rain, happy, content, badly fed and wet! But as you know I am not one to complain...
Being clever, up to a point, I sauntered into Sainsburys before nine this morning and joined ten thousand time ten thousand rushing, fighting, desperately searching people each one like me terrified they might starve to death as all the shops are closed for 24 hours tomorrow (not counting Muslim, Hindu or Jewish ones that remain open obviously). I fought my way past uncontrolled trolleys, wayward baskets and the odd child collected what I needed bar what I forgot and headed home avoiding the man carrying the whole salmon which clearly was his Christmas dinner. Then I headed out once more to meet Peggy my work friend, we meet in the cafe to gossip about the folks in the museum and share cheap Christmas presents. As we did so what looked like a football team of men, dressed as shepherds, angels and all passed us as they entered the 'Nags Head.' It was the one with the donkey strapped across his waist I felt sorry for. Apparently they chose each costume by lot! However I am getting suspicious that the bottle of malt whisky that has arrived these past few years might be sent from her online account, the one she uses to keep her man in order. I wonder... Anyway the crowds being what they are I avoided popping into Tesco for what I had forgot and may go back later when the hordes have departed.
Having been well informed of the 30 foot queues in Tesco I waited until later and found an empty checkout after having picked up those not really important but needed things. Ice cream lollies are actually quite important you know. The woman said the desk was empty for the first time that day! Why do people leave the shopping till last? Some things can be left till last, bread, milk, turkey but really most ought to be ready days ahead even if you work and have kids I say. Nothing is perfect but planning and not fussing makes things easier. Some folks appear to think they can shop midday Christmas eve and not have to join the myriads already there. These are the same people that insist on travelling on Bank holidays and grumble about queues. I bet they voted for Brexit! My freezer is full, the chicken roosts in the fridge, the whisky keeps moving in front of me, the soup gurgles away on the back hob, and I wish to lie down. Outside cars fly by as people rush to accomplish the forgotten things, presents, aunts, foodstuffs, petrol etc and others are shop staff and other workers forced to work until they drop before heading home some to families, some to loneliness, some to the pubs and others to get away from everyone else.
I hope you are ready and looking forward to the day. I hope your freezer does not break down, the internet stays alive and that the next few days are full of joy and friendship, love even and not the soppy kind.
As I sauntered out towards St P's and the sorting office this morning I noticed these 'angels' on the fence opposite. It appears to be the thing these days for women's groups to knit such items for Christmas, sometimes decorating pillar boxes and other street furniture in an attempt to promote 'good feelings.' It is happening in many places and was seen last year also if I remember right. There are one or two groups who make use of our hall on occasions to sit and knit, croquet, spin and gossip for a few hours and occasionally put on a display. I suspect they have a hand in this.
The sun took some time before it beat off the cloud cover, making this chopped down tree stand somewhat bare against the sky. I would have had more pics but I was carrying cards to the church on my way and carrying a packet back from the sorting office afterwards. The postie woman claims she knocked but I never heard her, she would not lie but she finds it difficult to hammer the door, the other man who does this round manages that well! So I had to walk down not knowing what I would find and all I found was 'Nutmeg' a Scottish football magazine! This thick item is too thick to bend and will not go through so that meant walking for a mile or two just for this. I might get round to reading it eventually, so far I have three book tokens to make use off, and I am smiling as I think there is one more on the way.
I failed to take the angel home, who knows where that might lead? Instead I was satisfied with photos and notice many have already made homes for themselves, the brightly coloured ones first of course. I will be out in town tomorrow (twice! Such excitement!) and who knows what these wimmen will have done elsewhere?
Jeremy is in trouble apparently for calling Theresa 'Stupid!' Quite why this is bad I fail to comprehend, are we not allowed to be honest? On top of this manufactured row the Speaker himself was confronted by (a Tory) female MP claiming he had called her 'stupid.' How strange that such an attitude can be found in the House while yesterday a Scots MP was told to 'Go back to your own country' by Nicholas Soames (Churchill's grandson) and yet this was not considered racism and dealt with by the speaker. What is more serious, racism or speaking the truth?
I awoke before six this morning. I usually do when totally knackered. It was not possible to sleep, I had little interest in the 15 minute 'Farming Today' sexist programme. Edited and presented by females each time yet all the farmers who do the work and male, typical BBC. This did not interest me, neither did 5Live's giggling girly presenter nor the male who found her hilarious. Radio 3 offered opera, TalkSport offered mindlessness constantly interrupted by lengthy adverts all in a fake Lahnden accent aimed at white van drivers in the south east. I rose, knees unhappy, and struggled through to the east wing. Stirring up the dust on the floor, I really must hoover soon, I found the kettle and attempted to make coffee but unthinkingly made tea anyway. Here I noticed the French Brandy bottle on the shelf, I was sure it was half full when I came in yesterday. The day has been spent unsuccessfully sending mums the pics I took of their darlings. Unsuccessful in that some have said 'This is not mine!' Others have not replied and one has sent her pics to my boss, my boss is now under the channel tunnel on her way to a month off! (She has become 40 and feels old, pah!). My brain is so tired I am leaving it to congeal until things sort themselves out. Maybe I ought to just finish the bottle. I dare not ask how the rest are doing.
Update, by six this evening I think I have sent the photos I took to the appropriate mums. I await complaints...
A man was arrested for preaching outside St Paul's. Cathedral staff apparently complained about him reading from the bible. He has a loud voice and upset the 'peace' of the cathedral. This is not the first time this has happened and a policeman did indicate it would be ''remiss' to move him on from a place of worship.' The cathedral now allows him to speak for 30 minutes at a time. How nice of the. Possibly they could read, preach and offer the bible themselves rather than be a tourist attraction. Personally a quick look at most cathedrals shows many to be very far from God and possibly allowing the National Trust to take over those that are failing would be one way of saving the CoE a vast fortune. Some of course are Christian based but not all and it is easy to tell the difference simply by looking at the bookshelves to see what they sell. A great many were begun during Norman times less for the glory of God and much more for the indication that the Normans were in charge! While these are tremendous buildings to visit proper churches are usually small with less than 200 members. There again how many actually attend Sunday services at such places apart from tourists trying to avoid the entrance fee?
A cheery face has just informed us that the heat will remain and Friday possibly will reach 36% in East Anglia, which is this region. I suspect I will not be going anywhere soon. It may also lead to thunderstorms, lightning and pouring rain, which will run off rather than soak into the ground. So while being burnt to a crisp we will be cooled down by monsoon like raindrops. I am looking forward to visiting Tesco.... However the sun has been too hot too long, global warming is a problem the rich money grabbers deny while slapping factor 50 sun cream over their inflated bodies while on their yachts. We will see much more of these weather changes over the next few years. While I like some warmth I think 70-75% is good enough and a room touching 88% is not a happy place to be. The daft folks sitting in the sun will be crowding the doctor and chemists for weeks to come. The little sun I have seen has left me scratching the itch and possessing a reddening nose. Not bad maybe but we need a cool breeze now. There again I did a washing the other day and all was dry by evening.
The weather brought the band into the ark today. The people crowded around, the regulars in their folding chairs, some on blankets, all with picnics and drinks around. The crowd was smaller than usual as the long weekend and half term coincide and many are off at this time of year, some for the weekend some for the week. Mostly the gathering is of those of an elderly persuasion, they noting the band playing 'When I'm 64' and muttering "When was I 64?" at many parts of the ground.
The church had decided to picnic there and quite a few had congregated by the time I arrived. They went straight from church to sit in the sunshine while I staggered home after serving teas and coffees, washing up afterwards and then having to eat and sleep it off! I was not down to work this morning but as the woman was sick I foolishly went into the kitchen and was pounced on to help. It is difficult to refuse some people. The quiet pleading voice that indirectly mentions a situation while leaving open the chance for you to 'volunteer' in spite of everything else.
There is a serious anomaly in this world, children can run around a park, in bright hot sunshine, for hours. You and I try this and within minutes we are under the nearest tree for shade or under the doctor for a new heart. Surely a better idea would be to give kids sloth, and allow them slowly to develop energy while keeping the high levels up well into the senile years? I see nothing wrong with that. Young folks full of energy and bright ideas with no understanding of the world ought to be banned, while folks with such understanding ought to be given energy to put their plans into action. Life isn't fair!
The music gently rolled along, though why they sat in the direct sunlight I do not understand, and the population rolled along with it. The kids rushing around, the old crones mature lolling in their chairs or on one of the benches, few actually speaking to strangers I noted. I did try this with a man shoving his kid back and forth on the swings but he took fright and ran off. Maybe it was me?
Sun shining through leaves, a kind of hundred foot Fern here. Lovely to see the bright colours when the sun shines.
Whatever they are were nesting happily in the sunshine. One or two similar found elsewhere. I think I prefer Blue flowers more than others these days.
As I sauntered home I noted a pilot taking advantage of the clear skies to add a few hours to his log book. This was more than those flying from Stansted Airport last night could do, the lightning which flashed around here hit the fuel delivery service. Planes were trapped on the ground as they could not refuel, others were delayed by the hold up and all flights have problems. The passengers were unhappy but as many travel 'Ryanair' that is to be expected.
Tomorrow folks will be walking around the colour of beetroot!
An interesting Palm Sunday. Once these were 'religious services' soon forgotten. Today we had one that the kids will remember for a while, one they enjoyed. Resetting the seats to form a central area allowed room for Jesus to parade. On arrival Jesus was not expecting to parade but the eight year old entered to be volunteered to play Jesus. Dressing in white surplice, large beard and vast wig Jesus spent the entire morning parading (over the curates cloak) into Jerusalem while other kids, one or two quite old ones, waved palms and other suitable accoutrements and sang and cheered along. The congregation was also forced into readings, songs, and short discourse all of which told the story of Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem, an triumph that did not fool him, and brought about his death a week later. How quickly people turn. Those that love you today do not do so tomorrow. Football managers and politicians note that daily. Never rely on peoples opinion of you because tomorrow it will change when they decide you are not what they want you to be. Jesus was not on for show, he did not come to gloat among his followers, he was however forcing the issue with the religious leaders and making them decide whether they would accept his claim to be the Son of God come to claim his people or not. The leaders reject him knowing he was indeed God preferring to keep control themselves and in so doing lost their souls. Many cheering him that day would do so also. This week many will look forward to chocolate eggs, holidays but few will look to the reason for the season.
Church this morning was filled with brooding women. One couple brought their firstborn into church, a couple of weeks old, tiny in comparison to everyone else, and was handed around from one woman to another. This was not just a happy occasion it was a very happy occasion as just over a year ago the mother lost her child shortly before it was born. There was much joy in seeing the face of mum and dad as they at last got to hold their own child. Of course the brooding women of all ages do not have to spend the next couple of months waking every two hours feeding the brute. They will mollycoddle the child on Sundays and be unavailable at three in the morning when feeding time arrives. I'm with them I must say!
While this maternity gossip was going on a three month old child in the foyer was being passed around in similar fashion. This one the child of the vicar and already being made comfortable with a wide variety of people. No difficulty in getting this one used to people he already met around a dozen this morning.
Watching the small child again gave thoughts of the wonder of childbirth and the way they are made. Children are made in the mother, they are not the mothers body, a fact which has to be repeated constantly to those who are willing to murder their child in abortion. The sight of sch a small helpless child shows just how dependent we are at that stage on the mother, and she on the father as two are required to create a child, not just the mum. God's plan via this method was to show us our dependence on one another as well as on him. How people can dump a child proclaiming it 'just a bunch of cells' is hard to comprehend when a child is so small and so complete. The human holocaust, some nine million in the UK alone since 1967 is a disgrace and judgement awaits because of this.
I am searching for something interesting to scribble. Nothing comes to mind. There are reasons for this. For a start I went cheerfully to church this morning and walked into Janet! This lovely woman has a way of getting things done, and she done me! "The coffee lady is off sick, would you...?" This is said with the implication of what a refusal might bring. I obeyed! So I sit here with washday red hands wondering why we washed up more mugs that those we put out full of tea or coffee? It is always thus! Then once home I had to watch three, yes three, English cup ties one after the other. OK I fell asleep during the first and missed the excitement and missed the beginning of the second from the same reason but at least I saw Arsenal reserves prove they don't have what it takes to beat a lower division side. After this I am trying to restore my mind to a state of normality, though this may not be a good idea.
Torrential rain, high wind and darkness ends the year. A year I am pretty glad to see the back off. Glancing through my diary I note several birthdays, one visit from a niece, one trip to see her perform and vast amounts of money paid into Tesco's! The rest of the year has been taken up with long term cold like symptoms that would never leave, and rusty knees that will never heal. Let joy continue! The intention to get slim and fit has failed and I have gone into reverse, indeed the ache from the fitness attempts remains with me still. Good job I am not one to complain. The Conservative government (If that is the word) continues to fumble no opposition bar the SNP exists, and the people, certainly many round this area, continue to accept the 'little englander' lies of the main tabloids. The political future looks grim. Football wise, which is more important, the Heart of Midlothian are once again beginning to return to form. I expect glory any day now. One bright spot in my miserable life that I never complain about is of course St Paul's church, the Anglican church that has now become a second home. The theology is often dubious, very Anglican in that way, but they wish to see God and seek him correctly. I am used to these secondary things that irk but even I am now expected to read a 'lesson' occasionally, such as I did today. The accent drew blatant racism from two ladies who ought to know better but considered this a reason for giggling like schoolgirls. I will get them back...
Hogmany today while magnified by the tourist board and local media is not what it was. In the 60's we went from house to house after midnight 'seeing in' the new year. It was a generally happy time in which drink flowed, people shook hands with strangers and all was delight. But in my mind and that of many others it is less happy these days. There is more of an edge, getting drunk for the sake of it, rather than the party these days. This is disappointing. Know doubt age does not help and many will enjoy their evening but far too any now remain at home, possibly asleep, when the midnight chimes chime and the overpaid telly hosts croak above the noise of fireworks. I might be one of them, those asleep, not the fireworks. I may find the mysterious bottle of Highland Park malt whisky that arrived yesterday must be put to the test first of course....
