Sunshine, ISP and Clocks

 

Out came the Spring weather today, encouraging people to pretend the sun was hot and the chilly east wind that was cutting into you as you pass through any shadow did not exist.  I can tell you that exist it did!  I took advantage of the sun but avoided the wind by wandering aimlessly through 'Poundland' and 'B&M,' to find nothing that was useful to me existed today.  Lots of empty shelves in 'B&M,' possibly refilling stock, too mean to pay overnight staff, and changing things also for the Spring sales.

 

 

I meandered through the town, checking the prices on the fancy stalls.  Liquers began at £20, other spirits on show at £35!  Hmmm thought I, another bottle of Tesco sherry at £5:50 for me.  Ignoring the overpriced slabs of chocolate cake and the cheese stall, both of which I am supposed to avoid, I pressed on hopeful for something interesting.

I found it!  

My ISP, 'Plusnet,' is running out in June and an offer I almost took is on the table.  However, in the market a man is selling faster Broadband, not just 'Fibre Broadband,' but 'Full Fibre,' meaning not just from the copper wire to your door but full fibre from the green box.  The speed improvement is as impressive as the price increase.  Plusnet have slowed my speed from 65 to around 50, it is running at 53:06 tonight, which is good enough for me, however, sometimes 'Sky football' which I get via 'Now TV' on the laptop fades badly for no good reason.  The BBC manage OK, as do ITV but SKY are cheapskates.  Plusnet did not inform me the rate was slowing, nor did they charge me less for this delight.

Therefore this is interesting and new, indeed encouraged by the council as so many people around here, especially businesses out in remote areas where people often work from their big expensive cottage homes, are not happy with the speeds.  This sounds a good idea but all the companies sound good, it is the little things they forget to mention that go wrong.  Soon I will contact my great nephew, the telephone engineer, and take his advice before I go ahead and choose the wrong one.

 

Tonight the clocks go forward once again.  When I wake at 6 in the morning it will actually be 7 am.  The sun will be up, the chill will fill the air, many will spend much time in the morning changing every clock in the house, bar one, the one they need to be correct!  I will begin tonight and hope not to miss one.  I have no idea why I have so many clocks, but there is plenty when change time arrives.

This will lead to outrage in the 'Daily Mail,' and 'Daily Express.'  One of their favourite gripes is changing clocks.  They grumble that it affects them in the south of England but only benefits those in the north of Scotland, and their inbuilt xenophobic racism rises once again. Often the grumble is about being bossed by the EU to follow 'Berlin time,' this does not go down well.  Brexit has removed this grumble, so another must be found, I wonder what it will be?  

Does it really affect us so badly the gutter press can make use of it?  Well no, not really.  The only problem is turning up at church one hour late, as most of us have done at some time, and that may not be so bad after all...

 

  

Psalm 91

CBS

1. Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High

    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress,

    my God, in whom I trust.’

3. Surely he will save you

    from the fowler’s snare

    and from the deadly pestilence.

4. He will cover you with his feathers,

    and under his wings you will find refuge;

    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

5. You will not fear the terror of night,

    nor the arrow that flies by day,

6. nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,

    nor the plague that destroys at midday.

7. A thousand may fall at your side,

    ten thousand at your right hand,

    but it will not come near you.

8. You will only observe with your eyes

    and see the punishment of the wicked.

9. If you say, ‘The Lord is my refuge,’

    and you make the Most High your dwelling,

10. no harm will overtake you,

     no disaster will come near your tent.

11. For he will command his angels concerning you

     to guard you in all your ways;

12. they will lift you up in their hands,

     so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

13. You will tread on the lion and the cobra;

     you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14. ‘Because he loves me,’ says the Lord, ‘I will rescue him;

     I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15. He will call on me, and I will answer him;

     I will be with him in trouble,

     I will deliver him and honour him.

16. With long life I will satisfy him

     and show him my salvation.’

 

Remember This?

Goodness gracious!  How long ago was it when we used to sit entranced by the 'Lone Ranger?'  This masked man on his white horse, dressed immaculately in an all blue outfit, and carrying a silver gun that shot silver bullets at baddies and Red Indians.  With one bullet, looking back at a chasing posse of such 'Indians' he could shoot several at once with one shot!  This character apeared to be the good guy to us as he, and his Indian accomplice Tonto, ran through each exciting episode doing good.

The TV series ran for 8 years and was watched in Black and White, though the last two series were in colour.  Several films of the adventures were made, and many offshoots from the series which began on radio before the war.  Sadly I never got myself a magazine like this, these would have been too expensive in those days when we never had it so good, but the thrilling 'William Tell' music stays in the memory.

How different we see this show now.

The cowboys of the 19th century would laugh at the outfit, the Indians, now referred to as 'Native Americans, would not be pleased with the Tonto image, especially as he was a mere secondary plant.  And any couple of men 'riding off into the sunset' at the end of an adventure would be seen as suspicious, and as we never find out where they come from or where they go to, nor how they paid their way questions would arise among the local sheriffs.  And as for the cost of those silver bullets!   

From programmes such as this many consider they understand 'how the west was won.'  I consider many white Americans today vote according to the images offered them in such 'John Wayne' type films.  Actual History is sometimes taught in the USA, however, people respond emotionally, not factually, and they vote according to the image placed in their heads by those making use of their historical fantasy myths.

 

Another Wasted Budget

 

 

Richi Sunak, the Chancellor with a wife richer than the queen, offered a budget aimed at easing the cost of living.  

As always with a Tory, he lied.

I did not bother watching, I knew what he was going to say anyway.  It has become the norm to announce quietly, via favoured press men, what the government intends.  It was clear only the rich would benefit, not those struggling to pay their way.  

Yesterday Twitter abounded with people defending Boris by attacking Nazarin grumbling about being kept in an Iranian jail for 6 years because of Boris.  Today the Grafton Street bots were out if force on Twitter and in the press supporting Sunak.  

They failed miserably.

The sooner this lot are up before a judge the better.

Fun62

For a pleasant divergence take yourself over to Fun62.  This young lady wanders about the London Tube, working her way around the city environs.  Jumping off at various stations an exploration of the vicinity is made, well photographed and well recorded.  

I find it very interesting and informative, especially regarding places where I once trod.  It is amazing how things have changed and how much I missed when there.  Well worth a look.

There are too few sites I like these days.  Lots of uninteresting ones around, many political, especially American, but too few offering the type of site I enjoy.  This one does it well, and one or two others try this also.  I will be seeking new sites to visit and post them here.

 

Good Tuesday

A day of joy and happiness once again.  Rising early to enjoy the sunshine, well after a healthy  breakfast of 'Tesco Malted Wheats,' I'm sure the nurse would approve, I planned my day. 

A wash, shave, a time tissue papering the many cuts, I must change that blade this week, then out for a haircut.  Another £9:50 well spent, and I am now aware of the barbers, or is she a hairdressers back problems.  Enjoyable time.  A nice morning to walk across the park, in spite of the wind and a gentleman who appears to indulge in what we call 'Learning Difficulties,' yelling at his partner/friend/ wife/ daughter/ unsure, as he came down the road and took her into the bushes at the park.  The yelling continued for some time.  These bushes, opposite the unwelcome skatepark, have been responsible for many a teenage pregnancy over the past few years.  

This did not disturb my happy day, indeed the bright yellow of the Daffodils cheers me when I passed as indeed it does for many others.  Several have been getting the camera/phone out to picture the daffs or placing the family among them.  Rude people though have been stealing them for home consumption.  

Anyway a lunch of Tesco 'Cranberry, Raisin and Cashew Bread,' with leftover ham, was good enough to allow me to waste time for a while.  It also, after coffee, encouraged me to develop the ache in my back by cleaning the fridge.  I am not sure when I last cleaned it, was it before Lockdown?  Anyway, it is done now and even if not exactly sparkling it is almost acceptable.  I cleaned the top shelf of the oven yesterday, which encouraged my back to join my knees in declaring enough was enough, but a second shelf may get done tomorrow, maybe.

This evening, joy and joy, Dunfermline are on TV playing Partick Thistle, a must watch. 

Indeed it was, a 4-1 win for the Pars takes them off the bottom of the table and makes them feel like a football team again.  They might even stay up now.

 

 

Twitter remained its depressing self today.This corrupt government continues to lie about Ukrainian refugees and everything else.  Today they passed a law which means any Ukrainian refugee without papers can be jailed for 4 years!  To call them heartless racists is quite mild.  

The Tory bots have been attacking the Ratcliffe woman, just released from Iran, for not being grateful for what Boris has done for her.  Boris caused her to be interred for 6 years and failed to get her out, why should she be thankful?  The Tory propaganda machine is hard at work, I have been attacked a couple of times on Twitter through this.  I notice tonight it is still continuing.  

The heartless money greedy Tory, determined to encourage xenophobia and racism, glad Brexit occurred whatever the cost, to others that is, is willing to make all peoples suffer for their ideology.

I remain convinced this is a judgement.

 

 

London's Most Splendid Churches

Ukraine Pottage

As I wandered sleepily across the park this morning I wondered about the Ukraine flag blowing in the stirring east wind.  All around us we see people supporting Ukraine, many by donations of clothes and money for the refugees, others by displays of flags at football games or elsewhere.  This is good, people see Ukraine as the injured party and wish to reach out in support of the underdog.

However, this is a Conservative, Brexit loving area, why has the council placed this flag, and boasted about it, in front of their offices?  Could it be support for Ukraine, or could it be Conservative Central Office instructions for whatever reason?  I supect other Tory councils are doing the same, and such things tend to be organised from the centre, rarely as a knee-jerk reaction at home.  

Boris is running about informing us how he, sorry, the UK, is 'leading' in everything concerning Ukraine. This is very good, however, the EU has done more, offered 100,000 Ukrainian refugees 3 year visas with no questions asked, while the UK waits a fortnight before grudgingly allow a few to come in.  The UK has certainly trained the Ukrainian Army, but so has the US and who else?  We have supplied weapons, but no aircraft (we don't have any), but the US has given much more, and this does not account for what the French and  other EU nations have given.  Could it be this flag waving, which Boris is keen on, is all part of the propaganda that is so beloved of dictatorial states?  Boris fits that bill, and in spite of the war we all wish to see the Boris controlled Met police charge him regarding 'Partygate' and very soon!

 

I trekked through the town to see what was happening at the Saturday market.  So little was about that even the regular fruit stall was not to be seen.   I know they do tend to take holidays in winter, so as to get profit in Summer, and that may explain their absence.   I noted Batman and Spiderman, several in fact, in various sizes, at one end of the high Street.  I would have taken a picture but there were too many kids, and I try to avoid pictures with them.  The purpose of the exercise I think was just to advertise a nearby newly opened shop by getting the kids to pose with these 'heroes.'  

Not many stalls today, none that attracted my wallet anyway, so I wandered down the gant.  Gants, as you know, are the name given to the alleys around the town centre, alleys that grew up with the increasing number of buildings that arose as the ancient market developed.  The name derives from the Flanders weavers who arrived way back when, mostly down Bradford Street in Bocking, across the other side of Stane Street, and many of the old houses contain remnants of their operation there.   This gant was given the name in memory of a Beer House, these operated during the 19th century in an attempt to draw people away from the damage gin was doing to the populace.  This was successful, Gin consumption dropped, while alcohol problems increased as Beer drunkeness grew.  

Another great government idea!

The Towm Historian gave the gant this name, just next to where I stood was a Beer House operating, probably, from the back of a shop.  Pottage, spell it as you like, is a type of stew, or soup, used to feed the poor.  To be honest I forget the rather murky tale re the 'Pigs head in the Pot' itself, but it is not a tale that increases either your knowledge or good fortune.  The gant today is a rather grubby lane, running behind an ancient building that has stood there since at least Tudor times if not before.

 

Having lurked enough I return for a healthy 'pigs head worth of pottage' and a night of football.  What else could anyone wish for?

 

Brexit Comes Home.

 

The news today concerning P&O's sudden sacking of all their crews and replacement with cheaper (foreign) crews need not surprise anyone who follows the Brexit saga.  This after all is one of the two main reasons for Brexit, the other was that nice Mr Putin's desire to separate the UK from the EU.  Putin is happily content with his success, and the number of Russian lackeys (can we call them spies) now working for him (yes Farage we mean you!) means little.  His work here is done, his real problem is the mess he has made of Ukraine.

However, the ERG (European Research Group, who appear to have done no research and certainly have not published any, yet they took the grants awarded for this purpose) the ERG will be happy with P&O.  After all, Steve Baker, Rees-Mogg and the rest were not really concerned with sovereignty or paying money to the NHS they wish to sell to their American friends anyway, they just wanted to end all restrictions on money making.  This meant relaxing all those needless rules about abusing staff, forcing staff to work long hours, ending the right to strike, complain, and have holidays or time off.  All these things must end and now, through P&O we see the beginning of the real Brexit, mass redunancies from campanies owned by foreign (Dubai) based owners, owner incidently who made huge profits last year, workers told by video or text that they were laid off, passengers dumped ashore and bully boys put aboard to throw crews off.  

One captain stopped this by lifting the gangplank! 

This is the beginning of many such events to come.  Putin wanted Brexit for himself, ERG and the greedy want it to limit opposition, increase profits and abuse staff.

Rees-Mogg as you know is a loud Roman Catholic, Steve Baker has been baptised by a pentecostal church, though I cannot find out which one.  His views on abortion and ending life I agree with, however, he is at heart another Tory who has never read theprophecies of Amos.

 

 

Carrbridge in the Highlands is to host the porridge making competition, the first since Covid, and the last time the Golden Spurtle Trophy was won was by a vegan from the Netherlands, and 30 or so contestants wish to obtain such a prize this year.  A very er, gruelling competition you say...?

I will not enter.

It appears, dumping oats and milk into a bowl and shoving it in the microwave until it boils over does not earn Brownie points in such competitions.  It is however, good for the diet, good for bad cholestrol, and cheap and easy, just like me.  It does take some time to clean the microwave...

The chosen ingredients for the competition are oatmeal, water and salt.  Milk and no salt for me thanks.  Honey optional, raisins, banana, and whatever is lying around, also count. 

Now I am hungry...

 

 

Neighbour News

What a good day!

The sun shone, I recycled many empty bottles, all vinegar and sauce you understand, wandered around Tesco forgetting things, and made it home in one piece, sat down at the laptop and forgot to send the many emails that were running through my head earlier.  I then eagerly awaited the new pie delivery, Steak Pies and Curry Pies from Forres, curry being an old Scots recipe you understand.  Very nice indeed, but rather mild for my personal taste.  

Still, I will manage to eat them...

A quick glance through the news reveals the Ukraine war still under way, Putin still in charge, Sovie Russia still losing and running out of ideas, and Boris still hiding the 'Russian Report' that details his and his parties connection to Russian money and influence.  Quite why he has not been charged with treason I fail to understand, oh I see, he has to bring the charges!  

Other news reveals an Oligarchs London mansion has been squatted, hundreds of police officers rushed to the scene, later in the day, surely they got a legal order, the squatters were removed, normally this takes time.  Police arrive much later at a burglary don't they?  But a friend of Boris means the Met is called out at once.  

How do we remove a corrupt government?

 

                                          John Everett Millais - Mariana
 

The woman downstairs has left.  I realised that this would happen as her boyfriend (the usual or the latest?) was around several weekends, and she had been missing all over the Christmas period.  Now this in itself means little to me, it does however, mean a new tenant will arrive and they will have to be taught how to live my way.  Tsk!  Life is full of surprises.  So, what will we have?  Can anyone afford the cost, around £600 a month?  Of course it will have to be checked, spruced up, but nothing major I reckon has occurred over the past year.  I have then a month or two of quiet and peace, except when watching football.  Here's to the new tenant.

 

Awards

Variety

Not watching TV, not looking for what they call 'entertainment,' or 'Celebrities,' in the media I nearly always miss the 'Award' ceremonies that are such a pleasure to the Paparazzi and cretins who live their lives through such events.  Those who follow such ceremonies appear to me to be similar in outlook, if indeed they are different people, from those fascinated with the goings-on amongst the royals.  Quite what is missing from the lives of those who spend hours awaiting the arrival of one after another badly dressed, overpaid, and until yesterday, unknown actress or royal I fail to comprehend.  There is indeed a fascination with other peoples lives that many indulge, quite why someone so useless as an actor or royal inspires such adoration is something that fails to move me.  Those who lead fascinating or  productive lives can indeed be worth learning about, and indeed learning from, but as time passes I see all such are just as human and weak and broken as the rest of us.  This often makes them more attractive to those of us who like reality.

However, the online 'Daily Mail' and similar media outlets consider such events as an awards night deserves half the page filled with sordid details of the arguments, responses, cutting remarks, and (in the 'Mail') all the 'woke' comments.  (The DM does not explain what 'woke' is however.)  Then there are the pictures.  One after another the women line up in a competition better called 'Slappers 'R' Us' than 'Red Carpet.' 

Each tries desperately to outdo the others in exposing skin, dramatic outfit, or just looking as bad as a teenager drunk while on a hen party to Gateshead.  Rarely do they look glamerous as film stars of the past managed to look, though their studio photographers were attempting to make them look good, the paprazzi just want something flashy or rude for the papers and magazines that pay them.  Quality is not required.  

To scribble this I have had to check the 'entertainment' section of the online media, I am now regretting having such a large lunch, thick lentil soup followed by thick sausage stew, and I am glad there were no strawberries left to add today.  My stomach does not seek out such events, they do however, bring a lump to my throat.

                                                     USA Today

Another thing fascinating the media is this queen woman.  Being 95 means she does not get around as much as possible and the media are becoming desperate for her to die!  Careful of those royal fans the media tread gently regarding this woman, making use of info fed to them by the royals 'in the usual manner' and paying a few pounds here and there for details from behind the scenes they are working on the royal funeral details, the new king and his queen, and the opportunity to fill pages and pages with sentimental slop regarding one, and sordid stories regarding others.  The treatment of William and Harry is a good example of this.  As we write books are being produced, kept back until she goes so they can jump on the bandwagon at the right time, with lurid details unprintable when she is alive, but open season once she has gone.  Some of them may even be true.

I canny wait...

The old lass looks like my mother did when she died at 94.  We shrink as we age, walking is hard, moving is tough, especially when colds and such bugs affect us.  No different for this lassie.  Add to that the loss of Philip and the behaviour of Andrew and Harry and her life is not full of joy.  No surprise then that she is missing engagements that mean something to her, engagements that are always overlong, include many handshakes, and wandering about large buildings doing your feet no good.  There is no chance of using a wheelchair for such events.  I suggested this to my mother and received such a rebuke that would frighten that nice Mr Putin!  Liz would react in similar fashion, she knows that once in such a device she is as good as dead.  

The media coverage is sloppy sentimental guff, but we do not forget the attacks on the royals when Diana died, simply because, once again, people lived their lives through her.  It would have been better to have understood her as she was and lived your life in a more satisfactory manner as she never cared for you.

 

  

The Great Friendship

 

Dmitri Nalbadanian - The Great Friendship

I came across this painting and thought that with the conflict in the Ukraine this would make a great picture for a caption competition.  Two powerful mass murderers, in the name of Socialism, who would probably consider the Ukraine fighting just a wee tiff.  Lots of this sort of man in the world, mostly propping up bars or spouting on Twitter, but on occasion they get to the top! 

 

Note the light shining on Joe, with the position of Mao almost off the canvas.

 

Saturday News...

Another Saturday filled with the Ukraine war, accompanied by all the Twitter experts telling us how it is being won or lost.  Twitters advantage is that you can link to many actual experts when other news sources dig them out, and ignore the usual suspects.  Wiser articles can be found, the personnel tend to be more sober, more sombre, and do not concentrate on the horrors, just the facts.

I came across one such US individual this morning and like the silly old fool I am I did not link it!  Now I search Twitter and he does not reappear, it is Saturday and football dominates the page.  

This expert, who certainly has knowledge of Russian ways (he has authored two volumes about Stalin and is working on the third).  His view is that Putin is similar to those previous Russian leaders, Stalin, Alexander, Peter the Great, in that they are tyrants to some degree.  I agree with much of what he said, based on my reading of 'Comparing Stalin and Hitler,' by Bullock, in that the Russial mentality is where we ought to be looking, not looking at Russia from a 'western' viewpoint.  Only the secret services will remove Putin, and that does not seem likely.  This man implied the war is not over, it will take years, and the Russians will develop their tactics.  We may see much street fighting from now on.   

Being Saturday I expect lots of this sort of thing going on tonight.  This will not include me, and certainly not dressed in 1934 garb.  Sadly I canny find who the photographer is, I suspect it may be Bert Hardy.  Great photo, and I must find more to liven this page up.

The Origin of the name BRAINTREE.

The origin of the names Braintree and Bocking is obscure and as such the matter of much debate. These were two separate towns until 1934 when they merged into one unitary authority.

A Celtic settlement stood on what is now the London Road; later Roman dwellings adjoined this spreading upwards towards what became the town centre. The Saxons followed and some debate concerns whether their settlement represents merely a farm or a small township. The land was given to the church on the death of the Saxon Thane Atheric with the Bishop of London receiving lands in Braintree (to the east of Bank Street) and Bocking itself was gifted to the control of Canterbury. At this time the Bishops Palace was erected on Chapel Hill around the area on which stands the Royal Mail Sorting Office today. The name therefore is interpreted as most likely originating from Celtic or Saxon beginnings.

However many other suggestions concerning the name are offered. The Celtic word ‘Brehon,’ meant judgement and the word, ‘Trev,’ meant hamlet. Some believe this became ‘Brehontrev,’ a Celtic place of judgement and this later developed into ‘Branchetreu.’ The term ‘Branchetreu,’ is used in the ‘Domesday Book,’ to refer to the hamlet standing where the Celtic and Roman settlement stood. The Bishops Palace on ‘Chapel Hill,’ came under the name ‘Raines.’ Braintreefor a while in the 12th and early 13th century being referred to as ‘Magna Raines,’ ‘Great Rayne,’ although this soon appeared to die out.

 

 

A further suggestion is the Celtic reference to the raised ground area between the Rivers Brain and Pant, this being called ‘Bank,’ or ‘Bunk,’ with ‘Tre’ being a term for large village.

The River Brain is also suggested as a foundation for the name. ‘Braint’ was a name for ‘river, and a River Braint exists in Wales. Add the Celtic ‘Tre,’ and we have the township by the river, ‘Braintree.’

A further theory indicates ‘Branoc,’ as being the personal name of a leading Celt from which his village derives the name ‘Branoctre,’ Branocs village.

Bocking. There are few suggestions regarding the naming of this town. The Saxon word for ‘people,’ was ‘Ing.’ It is suggested a Thane named ‘Bocca’ had his people in this area. So we have the ‘Bock - ing.’ Early spellings of the towns name include, ‘Boccinge,’ and ‘Bockyng.’

 

 

Tuesday Twaddle

I tried to avoid Ukraine this morning.  My intention was to listen to Radio 3, they offer brief new broadcasts on the hour, and that would be all for me.  However, being a fool I turned on the BBC World Service and ended up with hours of Ukraine until I realised my mistake!  Early mornings are not good for me at the moment.  

To avoid this, and the constant reference to 'International Women's Day,' I wandered around to Tesco where I cleverly forgot to buy half the stuff on my list and none of the stuff I wanted but had forgotten to place on the list.  I am surprised that matron lets me out sometimes.

I avoided Twitter because this is full of the war.  Later, I forgot I was avoiding Twitter and spent too long on Twitter reading about the war.  However, I avoided watching the Ukrainian Prime Minister quote Churchill to the House of Commons and embarass Boris, especially as the Tory racists are still not allowing refugees into the country.  I slept instead.

I have just read that Boris is not allowing the staff from the UKs embassy in Ukraine to enter this country.  How callous is that?  Though we must remember that dozens of people who aided the war in Afghanistan have already been ignored and allowed to suffer under the Taliban.  Compassion and care is not found in the Johnson home, we cannot expect to find it in international relations.  There we get words, boasting and photo opportunities, but no action.  I have just realised also that Priti Patel missed the debate in the House today, she sent a junior mnister while she hid.  How typical.

Lent: Do we need it?

 

                                                  GooseIsland

For many Sunday was the first day of ‘Lent.’ This is a period of 40 days before Easter as Christian’s prepare. Those who follow, or at least claim to follow ‘Lent’ will often be heard enquiring what others are ‘giving up’ for Lent. The usual response appears to centre on foodstuffs, chocolates for the women, potatoes and beer for the men. In the end it comes to nothing. I have on occasion during such discussions suggested that instead of foregoing chocolate the women could cease bitchiness or gossip. I have remarked, in love, that the men could keep the potatoes and beer and instead deal honestly with their customers or staff.

I ought to make clear, I have few friends.

The word Lent comes from the old English word ‘lencten,’ which means little more than ‘Spring.’

A quick perusal of scripture shows that there is no mention of Lent. Indeed the nearest we get is a quote from a man called Irenaeus, (who lived C130 -202) in a letter to one Victor in Rome regarding preparations for Easter that, “Variation in observance did not originate in our own day, but very much earlier, in the time of our forefathers." This letter was written towards the end of the century, around C190, and could be referring to the actions of the early church one hundred years before. There is however, no hard evidence of Lent as we know it from this time. Irenaeus spoke of churches in his locale, Gaul, (that is France to you) having a two day fast before Pasha, or Easter. Tertullian, in North Africa in his time recorded that churches there also had a 48 hour fast, reflecting Christ’s time in the tomb. The 40 day fast was not known apparently in Egypt until after C 325.

Fasting was of course known in the time of Jesus. It was common for Jews to fast twice a week and clearly Jesus had practised fasting during his life. It is not possible to fast 40 days and survive without much preparation.

The 40 day fast before Easter did not emerge until after the Council of Nicea in 325 AD. Even then some say this was only for new converts, and the actual days involved in the practice of fasting varied according to the region. After Nicea the fast became a strict one, no meat, fish or dairy, and one meal only after 3 pm.

However, we must remember that scripture does not demand fasting. This fast arose after Jesus death and resurrection and then in preparation for the commemoration of his rising, something we ought to do each Sunday anyway, and in fact we ought to be doing this each day, not just once a year.

While the early fathers may have been seeking spiritual benefits from Lent it is easy to see how this quickly became legalistic and man centred. Instead of fasting to get near to God it was fasting for its own sake.

A great danger, one which John Calvin spoke of, was the danger fasting being a form of works, to earn salvation. Salvation comes solely from the finished work of Christ Jesus on the cross, if we see fasting as a ‘work’ we are no longer trusting him but ourselves. The reformers would argue that Lent encourages a form of self-discipline, whereas we ought to be seeking Jesus and allowing his Holy Spirit to lead is to repentance, not penance, Holy Spirit led discipline, trusting God ,not ourselves. For sure, our Father wants to lead us to a Holy Life. That is why Jesus died!

If we must have a term of Lent, let us make use of this to draw near to God our Father, through his Son Jesus. If we fast let it be so to cleanse the toxics from the body and enable us to hear the Holy Spirit lead us to the cross. We must not beat ourselves up to fast for the sake of it, it must be used to enable us to hear the Lord speak.

So, let us concentrate on reading his word, doing what it says, and spend time in prayer talking and listening to what Our Father requires to bring us nearer to him. 

Victorian Art

                                                    Samuel Bough: Shipping on the Thames
 

Ukraine Thoughts

Amidst all the debate re the Ukraine debacle there are numerous individuals who have put themselves forward as experts on a nation they had not considered at any time before.  I am one of those!  However, amongst the noise we often see real experts, such as Justin Bronk, who's article I have linked to, explaining the mystery of the disappearing Russian Airforce.  This is well worth  read, and I notice others now saying simiar things.

The first thing the 'allies,' (for 'allies' read 'USA') did when entering Iraq was to send in the aircraft to bomb radio masts, radar and other technical weaponry, thus 'blinding the foe' and curbing his anti-air and other defences.  This has not succeeded in Ukraine.  Indeed, for the most part the Russian air force has had limited operation here, and has suffered many losses of attacking aircraft and Helicopters when it has been in action.  Now they are tending to operate at night to avoid incoming Sam missiles thus lessening the pilots awareness of the ground situation, a ground they have little knowledge off and training for.  On the borders however a great many 'powerful' aircraft sit doing nothing.

Russian pilots are not as well trained, have limited opportunities to fly, less than half the flying time of Nato forces, and it is possible that the maintainance is not what it ought to be.  Using all the aircraft in determined 'push' might bring results by overwhelming the enemy, but this does not appear to be on the agenda.  Do they have enough missiles, bombs, trained pilots?  Are the pilots reluctant to fly on death missions?  Could it be the organisation, linked to corruption, has ruined the effectiveness of the air force?    

Russian tanks and other equipment are also finding problems.  We have seen many burnt out, hit by 'Stinger' and other missiles, 'Molotov Cocktails,' and other weapons.  Quite a few have been stolen by tractor drivers, others recovered, in good condition, from young Russian soldiers who have run away or surrendered.  Such tanks, the Ukraining Tax Office has declared, are not liable for tax purposes, have as many as you like!  Many captured Russians have not eaten for several days, food is scarce, and information and fuel unavailable.  Logistics is not known for much glory, but without proper logistics, providing ammunition, weapons, food, water, fuel, and whatever else is required, the army will come to a halt.  The Ukrainians have taken the euqipment, fed the soldiers, and allowed them to call home to mother.    

What all this shows is an army based on numerical, not quality strength.  One year conscripts, often untrained, put into action on 'exercises,' and finding themselves under fire from determined defenders.  The corruption that has seen much equipment sold off, quality control failing, and aged, or inept equipment failing those that seek to make use of it.  

The real army experts, who I am unable to link to, are beginning to hope that if the Ukrainians can continue the fight another few days the Russian attack will be stopped.  This would have repercussions back home.  The defeat, for that is what it would be, of the Russian forces could lead to an uprising in the many varied and unhappy states, especially Chechenya.  People at home will still complain as the economy has collapsed, shops and banks will fail, and TV and media merely spout Putins words.  This may mean his end.  

However, Putin is a calculating, cold man.  Image is important and this image is not a good one.  He may turn to nuclear weapons, hopefully the Generals will not allow this, or even end himself.  All rather hopefull ideas.  Putin has been around a long time, knows Russia, knows his options and will be calculating them now.  Like Adolf Hitler he is not a man to surrender.  Whether his army or airforce fall apart or not, he may be banking on a Naval success at Odessa now.  That may continue the struggle for another day.

 

 

Where is Jesus in all this?

He is where he always is, wherever his people are, Jesus is there.   Many Christians, of various denominations, are tending wounded, sorting the donations that have flooded into the country, and aiding the population around the country.  Churches are centres of aid distribution. shelter and welfare. 

Jesus himself, by his Holy Spirit will be calling people on both sides to know and understand their sinful nature, revealed surely in such wars?  He wishes them to recognise his death and resurrection on their behalf, taking the power of sin and setting them free from its hold on them.  Afterwards, we will hear many tales of how Jesus has been seen with his people in the midst of this conflict.  These stories may not make the daily press, but as in all wars will be found in lives changed by his love.

On a slightly different topic, some see this as a 'religious war.'  This may not make sense to some but this article makes an interesting case for understanding a major strand in the thinking that motivates Putin and many others in this area.   

 

Work Day

 

I know what this woman feels like.  Having been held up by a combination of my bad back and a little sloth, I am now forced to fix all the things ignored for the last several weeks.  The washing machine is panting in the corner, the Miele Vacuum in the other, fallen items have been restored, even the monthly (so as to more easily rip us off) gas meter reading has been entered, in the rain!  I have shaved, picked up and distributed the mail the postman, clearly on overtime, indicating our man is off sick once again, delivered, shaved, made and ate a bad dinner, changed the bed, it's a new month, and now I have time to watch the beginnings of the 'rush hour' as it passes the window.   It is just after three on a Friday afternoon, the usual beginnings of the 'rush hour.'  The Sainsburys folks are rushing back and forth, soon the industrial estate early leavers will join in, making use of Lidl and Sainsburys on the way home.  Then the rest of the industrial estate, supermarket shoppers, and lesser beings heading home from the town or out to Friday night extravagandas in places far and near will join the slog along the one main road they all wish to use.  The rain encourages them to delight in the trudge along the highway.

 

 

In between doing the women's work, searching Twitter, and scanning the press not hidden behind paywalls or adblock removal demands (which I refuse) I managed to finish this jig-saw that arrived at Christmas.  Jig-saws are not something I am prone to, I do not have sufficient space to lay them out, this one lies on an old board cut from aged furniture many years ago, yet I found I quite enjoyed doing this wee puzzle.  It only took a couple of days from when I started, it was clearly not hard, and I found the puzzle fun.  Amazingly, none of the bits dropped on the floor and got hoovered up, so that is a bonus.  Brain exercise is rare these days.  I must seek out the IQ testing books  and quiz books that lie covered in dust and make more use of them.  Brain muscle needs exercise and I am not getting enough of that.