A Hard Day's Work

Dog tired today.  Ache everywhere, so much to do and so little desire to do it.  My only wish is to return to bed.  However, work must be done so, twice I set the washing machine in motion, twice!  Things are damp and half dried everywhere.   I hope the neighbours were out!  It appeared quiet, and at least the washing will not be done again this week.

I also contacted the landlord re the oven, they are usually good and will fix this tmorrow  afternoon if they can.  A new one, or maybe second hand one, will be installed.  Fine by me.  This one must have been here 15 - 20 years, and has worked quite well, though I noticed the thermostat was not always top notch a wee while back.  Still, for me it was OK, a proper cook may have fussed sooner.  There again a proper cook would have cleaned it more often!

After a trip to Tesco for the things only they stock, the rest off the day has been spent feeding my face on the things only they stocked, followed by large helpings of chocolate in a desperate drive to find sugar to give energy.  Occasionally energy appeared, occasionally a tooth crumbled.  

It was worth it.  

Tomorrow will be sleep day, no need to go out and merely await the man in the afternoon.

Life is so exciting round here....

 

I read the MP's are to debate Boris's partygate on Thursday.  I wonder if any will have the guts to vote against him?  I wonder what demands are being made behind the scenes for him and for individual MP's benefit?  Certainly lying and deceit remain in the air.  No sign of any leading figure rising to state honesty and integrity at this point.  If he did this would be fatal for the PM and possibly change the party back into a Conservative one and not the new National Front.  This however, we know will not happen.

Easter Monday

Easter Sunday was the usual gathering.  Almost all had washed and shaved, almost all wore their Sunday best, almost all were gagging for Easter chocolate!  

I deposited around 50 Cadbury's wee eggs for handout at the end, which went down very well apparently, not that I got one!  I trudged wearily down the road and trudged wearily back up again, ready for some spiritual Rangers v Celtic Scottish Cup football.  After eating what was left in the fridge I settled back to watch the game.

Now, my niece was coming to me on Monday, so having nothing in the house I was going to fill up Monday morning and prepare a suitable feast.  Imagine my panic when ten minutes into the game she emailed me to say she was half way to me (from Burnley) and would soon arrive!

Panic!  I trudged out again, unwillingly, to Sainsburys, as I got there a young man said "It's closed mate," as he passed.  So it was, as was Tesco!  I remain convinced these shops are always open at Easter, maybe I got this wrong, I never checked this year.  No other shop is within my walking distance, my knees would go no further, so I contacted them and they found some foodstuffs at the nearby petrol station when filling up.  

So, once the car was parked, the kid carried upstairs, and me also, we ate what we could and spent the rest of the day sharing the seven month old from one to another.  The boy was at his most contented when chewing a box that once held coffee sachets.  The expensive goods lying around were not as good.  

It is of course no surprise he took to me, his favourite Great Uncle, didn't they all when young?  There again, after a few minutes getting his bearings when he arrived I think he would take to anyone.  

The three of them have been travelling around the country visiting the family and friends unseen for years.  This child has travelled further in 13 days than I have in three years!  He has been manhandled in Aberdeen, York and Edinburgh, plus elswhere.  Passed from one to another, and often stolen back again.  I get the idea he is enjoying himself.  The parents are clever, now he has been seen by all the women their minds everywhere are contemplating what to give him at Christmas.  This will save the parents much money!  Mind you it cost them coming here.    

Even though they were only here a few hours I really enjoyed it.  It is around 20 years since we have had a wee one in the family, now we have one to spoil.  I suspect however, his clever parents will not allow this.  They are both bright, indeed I spent much of the time ensuring dad did not steal my books, (he is a Uni librarian) and she a musician.  I think this kid will be too bright for the rest of the family up north!  Throughout the day the football was on in the background, though following it was impossible.  It distracted the kid, and distracted the father from pocketing my books, I had to pat him down police style when they left.  As to the football I have little idea what happened in most games.

Bright this boy clearly is, when I carried him about telling him of my exciting life here in the wilderness of Essex he soon fell asleep.  Just as well as my arm by then was beginning to feel the weight.  

After they left, I cleaned up and found I was exhausted. 

The cleaning week was good exercise but tiring, the walking also.  I was knackered last night.  This morning there was little difference to that.  Eat yesterdays leftovers, sleep, make lentil soup, eat and soon sleep once again.  Though I did find Sainsburys open this morning to stock up I was so tired I just grabbed what was in front of me, sorry madam, and came home quick.  I ache everywhere.  

Still, all in, a good Easter Morning, a good Easter family evening, and a good cheap Chianti to keep me going today.  

 

Easter Sunday 2022

 

Broken Cooker but not Broken Hearts

 

It's been all go!

Or rather, no go!

Everything is falling down around me again.

The preparation for monday has not ended, though much has now been done. 

Energy is abundant, until I start work, then it fades rather.  

Good Friday was a 'spiritual' day, lots of pondering and happiness indeed.

Friday night was time for Inverness v Kilmarnock where Killie could ensure promotion by winning.

They lost. 

However, disruptions for me are abounding.  Twice the picture failed for no good reason.  'Cannot play' or some such warning came up, then suddenly it returned.  Why?  No reason whatsoever.

As it is I was already musing about another breakdown, the cooker.  The thermostat or whatever has failed.  It comes on, warms a wee bit and nothing else.  No grill at all, totally useless.

This with my niece on Monday approaching, looks like cold chicken for lunch!

Today saw me attend wearily to more items, the first job done, the second cleaning the broken cooker after fiddling with it for a while.  I had of course switched off the plug just in case.

After much failed engineering I gave up, switched on the kettle and it did not work! 

Thoughts of a new kettle, rushing about Tesco, faffing about once more.

Then I considered plugging the radio into the socket just to see what was what.

No radio sounded.

I wisely checked the main box, a switch was down, but not marked as to what it was.  I guessed it may help and returned indoors where the kettle now worked.

The cooker however, did not.

Enough now, that will have to wait until Tuesday.  The Hob works as does the microwave, but cooking plans have gone asunder.

 

 

Another Scottish Cup semi-final, another semi-final against the wee team Hibernian, another victory for the Heart of Midlothian!  This was of course not unexpected, History reveals the great gulf between the Heart of Midlothian and the wee team, just look at the record.

 

Edinburgh Derby

Games:  653
Heart of Midlothian wins:  286
Hibernian wins:   206
Drawn:    155
Abandoned when the Hibbys cried "It's ma ba," and went home while losing:  6.
 

Goal scored
Heart of Midlothian:  1102

Hibernian:   926

The 'Natural Order' prevails.

It was no surprise to find Hibernian players kicking Hearts men all over the pitch, this is what they usually do.  It was a surprise to see such an efficient referee allow them to remain on the pitch when other refs would have dismissed them!  However, inevitably Mr Newell got himself sent off for violent behaviour, something he knows all about.  

Once again the Heart of Midlothian approach a Scottish Cup Final.

Once again we have removed Hibernian from the game.

Once again the media will ignore us and talk about the sectarian Glasgow bigots.

Ah Well...

An Hour at the Cross

 

As normal on Good Friday we spent 'An Hour at the Cross' at St Paul's at 2 pm, this afternoon.  With an 'altogether 'service this morning, and a (short) walk of witness to the town centre for a short praise gathering in the sunshine, many of our lot did not appear this afternoon.  The bright sunshine took those with kids away, tiredness removed others, while I avoided the morning meeting so as to be at the 2 pm one, which is more important.

The last couple of occasions different people took turns to read a portion of scripture, the next read a 'reflecion,' then a 'response,' then a 'prayer.'  This year it was simplified and three persons only took these parts while we responded.

I have always liked such services as they require time for positive reflection, something normal church services do not allow.  It is as if we must get through it all quickly, no time to stop and consider.  Indeed, one man told me how he often stops during prayer but many in the congregation dislike this.  Possibly thinking is bad for them?  Today those who came clearly cogitated as we went through the booklet printed for this purpose.  Scanners and copiers are so useful in churches!  After an hour considering Jesus' betrayal, arrest, beatings, trial, opposition, and yet not one word justifying himself uttered.  Then there was his condemnation by the cheif priests, with finally Pilates 'passing the buck' by 'washing his hands,' and finally the crucifixion, not for his wrongdoing, but for mine and yours.

This is the Love of God.  

His love for people like ourselves who recognise how our natures are corrupt, just like everybody else's.  How God longs to love us, how he cried out to his people throughout the Old Testament, and how he cries out to each of us again today, no matter how bad.  Indeed even the Putin's off this world can be forgiven, if they turn to God.  Recognising our nature we recognise also that this death of Jesus was on our behalf, not his.  Death, and that on a cross, not something he wanted to undergo, instead it was something he went through out of love for us and his Father that he was willing to endure, and by this opened a way for forgiveness, new life with the Living God, and the hope of eternal life to come, beginning now!

Yes, in spite of the cooker dying while I made use of it, in spite of a possible new neighbour this week, in spite of gas and electric charges, in spite of my many failures, in spite of all this Jesus, God in human flesh, went to the cross for me and you.  So, not everything is as bad as it appears.

 

 

Charity? Not from Boris.

This morning I humped two heavy bags down to the charity shop.  I chose the correct business.  "I think my heart is overworked," said I wearily to the man at the door as he showed me where to dump the bags.  

"Eat better," he said, and shewed me the door again.  

Very helpful.  I will take the other two bags of junk stuff to the 'Sue Ryder' or 'Cancer' shop next time.  

This charity shop is one of those type that are appearing more these days.  You know what I mean, usual tarty stuff but well laid out, good quality, and high prices for what is on offer.  This is the modern way to run such shops.  In times past these were more like junk shops, used goods, not always perfect, but cheap and with a sociable atmosphere to them.  I helped, somewhat, in one at the homeless charity during 1971/72, though we often used the stuff ourselves!  That shop ran for the people all about and brought them in as it was cheap and the personnel cared for all the people.  Today so many big charities shops have become businesses that must make a profit or be closed down.  The Heart people have a furniture shop up the road also.  Now I grumble a bit while admitting I do buy stuff from there, and the furniture stuff is good second hand quality, well worth a look.  However, I love the tatty old style more.

 

 
Boris, the worthless PM, has thrown out another idea to save his skin.  This one means sending asylum seekers to Rawanda and dumping them all in Africa.  Not only illegal, inhumane and vile, it is what Boris knows will find much support among the less well educated voters in his shires.  The 'Daily Mail' is full of such offering support to Boris.  Years of tabloid lies, fear abounding regarding their future has led to such support for this move.  They mostly live in 'white' areas.  Whether it actually happens is another thing, however, Boris cares not, all that matters to him is remaining in charge, people, any other people, don't count.

 

 

While the people argue Boris grins and walks away.  Meanwhile hospital waiting times increase, Covid ravages the land again, 651 died in the last couple of days, Brexit causes 25 mile queues of lorries 3 deep at Dover, and prices keep rising all around.  Boris and his mates are OK.  I paid £25 in Tesco this morning meaning I must adjust my spending again.  Allowing for the chocolate egg for my new nephew and £5:25 for 4 large chicken breasts I note much of the shop was the usual stuff.  I still await the Electric price increase, though the lass in the shop claims hers has doubled!  I believe her.  Now, where is that Lottery ticket...?

 

 

Wednesday

 

Hosework

 

Very enjoyable Monday evening last night.  The SPAM meeting, the St Paul's Men's Meeting, took place in the usual dwelling and we spent an enjoyable couple of hours putting the world to right.  I must say that no politician arrived to consider and accept our opinions, mostly ignorant, but none the less we made them clear, and indeed loud!  Russia, local public houses that no longer exist, traffic congestion, and who's round is it anyway?  

At this point I left for home.

Home was clean last night.  As my niece is expected to arrive soon I have been forced into a Spring Clean, we canny have the baby in the usual routine dusty atmosphere.  So I began the tidy up yesterday morning.  This included sorting out the shelves of foto albums, re-aranging them, amending the tv, which I never watch layout, fixing the VCR which does not work, and still doesn't, hoovering, spider web removing and falling exhausted to the floor.  So, one corner of the room is finished, but smells a bit, today I fix the stuff under the desk.  

I may be a while...  

I fixed the stuff under the desk, well, most of it.  I hoovered the couch, finished the floor, moved this and that, packed bags for the charity shops, and my aching back decided that this is indeed a job for women!   

Lions, often referred to by the name Leo you will note, have the right idea.  They pick the best woman, she takes the girls hunting, Leo eats most of it, then sleeps for 14 hours a day, interrupted only by the kids.  

Now that is my idea of life...

 

 

Palm Sunday 2022

 

Jesus was welcomed into Jerusalem as Messiah, the Saviour!

However, the people saw a saviour that would rise up and remove the Romans from the land, return might and power to Israel and lead them into a new era of peace.

This was not the Messiah that rode in on a donkey.

Jesus had come to ensure peace indeed, but peace with God for each individual.

He did this by giving himself up to death on a cross, as a sacrifice for you and me and all others. 

He is a Messiah indeed, not with force, but with a gift of life indeed for all who would accept this.

 

Boris, Police, Sleep...

I spent much time considering what to do when I rose last night.  Every time I woke I found myself wondering what to wear, how to move, and whether to bother.  This occurred each time I woke, and I woke frequently for some reason,  checking the time, turning over, wishing I could get back to that good dream.

When I woke my plans fell apart.  

I had been thinking today would be Sunday and it remains Saturday even now!  The keeping track of days is getting harder!  I might have to get one of those digital clocks that detail the time, day and month, better add the year in also, just in case...

 

Boris had gone to Ukraine for a Photo Op! 

As the female leader of the EU Ursula von der Leyen, has moved around the streets in Ukraine showing solidarity with the plight of the people, as the EU and US have sent massive support regarding weapons and other items, Boris was left out.  So he had to make a special trip to show he was still PM and Sunak should back off supporting the fight against Russian aggression (though Russian money may have paid for the trip).  It appears he is not moving around their streets however, the coward.

The EU and US and many other nations have removed many Russian 'diplomats' from their embassies.  Scotland had cosed the Russian Consulate, but the UK has not returned any Russian 'diplomats' so far.

Maybe they know where the loot is?

Tee Hee, his followers will be fooled, they rest of us will not.

 

Sky News

 

Cressida Dick leaves her post as leader of the Metropolitan Police (Basically the London Police) and I find it interesting to compare the responses to this.  Some are glad, because she has not brought justice into No 10 Downing Street (and I am with them), some grumble about the bad reports of police crime (and I am with them) and some police officers are grumbling because they reckon that in spite of this she was doing a good job.  

Such police too grumble at double standards and criminal police officers, while being upset that the good work done daily all over the capital is ignored, especially the knives they face, the horrors at crime scenes, road accidents, fires, and the many difficult situations they confront hourly, all this on a poor wage and short satff, and they appreciate her support for them.  I am with the police here.  Who would confront a gunman, or a madman with a sword?   Who else would interfere with drug sellers or domestic cases?  Who is first port of call for the mentally ill?  This is now taking up much police time, but no-one report this.  Who do you call if there is trouble if not the police?

Better wages, more officers, removing the absurd university requirement (Thames Valley Police have done this now), and better journalism may help the police, especially when 'Stop and search' is in the news.

But that does not make for a story...  

Boris at Work

Tee Hee!  Boris has done him good this time!

There can be no doubt that the information that Sunak, our great Chancellor, the man in charge of the UK financies, has a wife, living with him in Downing Street, who is claiming she is a 'Non-Dom,' came from Boris to his friends in the media.  That is, she lives abroad most of the year and thereby dodges tax!  By this devious means she can avoid paying tax her husband, the Chancellor, has not asked her to pay as he is also somehow involved in her many companies.  So, the man who charges tax sleeps with a woman who dodges tax (just like he does) and now the information is out about her dodging and the people are not happy.  This multi-millionaire, married to an even multier-millionaire, dodges tax while her hubby intends to take the top job as PM.  

Tee Hee, that has been crashed as Boris has involved his friends to ensure we now all know about his dodgy dealings.

Again Boris is playing politics well here, as we now also know that the tax dodging Chancellor, with a resident non-dom wife who dodges tax, also spent 18 months as Chancellor of the UK while holding a 'Green Card' in the United States (where one of his 12 homes can be found).  This means for that 18 months he became a US citizen and yet was in the UK cabinet!  

Surely Boris knew?  

Now, you will be surprised to know, this also is across all the media and Boris is saying nothing at this time, I wonder why?  Tee Hee.  When it comes to seeking the top job you need friends who know how to play the game, Sunak has few friends, little experience and is learning the hard way how to deal with Boris.

By the way, I wonder how those pictures of Boris, taken from the Chancellors window, got into the media?

Anyway, we await the next chapter of this fight for the top job.

Once Sunak is done for we can expect tales about Liz Truss, though surely she cannot be serious, and such tales that would make her look bad, tsk, I wonder who could do that to the wee girl?

I would love to be filthy rich, just think of what you could do with that money?  You could buy yachts and sail around the Med, you could have 12 homes in various countries while you dodged taxes and made more money, you could sit back and enjoy life, or you could use the money for the common good while still enjoying all the best for yourself.  

How come people like today's multi-millionaire's fail to do that?  

I know of two rich men in Edinburgh who for years have donated much cash to all sorts of projects with little publicity and much gratitude.  Some 120, I think it was, millionaires wrote to the Chancellor suggesting they were taxed more and the poor taxed less.  His response was that they should just donate money to the Treasury!  Not all rich men are without morals, even those who vote for the Conservative's. 

Why do those who strive to be among the richest work so hard for what they cannot possibly make use of?  How do you spend excess millions?  Do you build penis shaped spaceships and rise high above the earth? Do you create an aircraft that flies around the world on little fuel?  Or do you invest it in people because you are not a craven greedy wretch?

What would you do?

 

Photos and Old Memories

 

I have been going through some old photos, amazing what memories do to you!  Many prints we have from the past are now beginning to lose their colour.  Some are quite good, others appallingly faded, many feature long forgotten places and people.  

This one features Cheeky.  He appeared on the scene many years ago when my brother-in-law brought him home from the car plant (lorries and tractors actually).  So the cat, called 'Cheeky,' is half factory and half Persian.  The kids were young then and it turned out too young for the kitten.  One had just begun school and the other soon to follow, so what to do?  Dump it on Gran!  Time passed and soon only Gran and I were in the house, the cat had taken over and we knew how to obey.  

It became a ritual for one or other of us to lie asleep until around half past one in the morning when a paw was thumped gently against our face.  The chosen one would find themself lying on their side with a cat on top of them informing them that they had to rise immediately.  

So, it was out the front door, down the stairs (we lived in a 'Stair.'  That is a block of flats four high called a 'Stair.'), we went to the back door, into the alcove and would then stand freezing while the cat stared into the blackness (being Edinburgh it would be black).  Eventually, the cat would stop finding enemies while scrutinizing the darkness and hasten around the building.  I would then shut the back door, go to the main door, open it while a black furry being came in, turned around and once again peer anxiously into the void.  Satisfied he would turn around and hasten upstairs leaving me behind while I shut the main door, then the front door, returned to bed and attempted sleep with the brute once again lying on top of me, huffy every time I moved.

It is however, dangerous to upset a cat.

 

 

On my way to Bournemouth the train passes through Southampton, I regularly took note of this long abandoned ship which lay slowly disappearing into the waters.  I watched it for some years, catching this fleeting glimpse as the train hurtled towards the station there.  It is normal for people to dump their boats way upstream and leave them to rot in British waters.  I suspect it happens elsewhere also. This avoids the charges for shipbreaking and offers a romantic view of these and other vessels.

The romance comes from wondering when she was launched, who took control, how far did she venture, and was there and excitement to report?  Sadly I am unable to discover this, maybe there is a log somewhere that tells us of these histories, maybe it is better to forget them?  

Anyway, last time I passed this spot I could not see the boat any longer.  It is possible the tide was higher but I suspect the ship has now gone for ever.  She will rest in peace, not much chance of another passing this way, and no divers will enter the mucky waters to investigate I fear.

 

Election Gas!

On May 5th there is a local election.  I still have not worked out if it affects me as yet.  This is a shame as I like to vote.  These local elections are a bit of a waste of time, round here the Tories always win!  You would think that with the mess Brexit has made of everything, with Boris and his 'Partygate' crimes, with 180,000 dead from incompetent Covid handling that the Tories might suffer, however, they will still win round here.  Encouraging housebuilding appears a good thing, but only the Tory voter can afford the £450,000 for a house!  Even rents of one bed properties, such as the one below, are near £800 a month!  How can anyone buy, or indeed rent these days?  

The mess in the country, the NHS sell off, and the Tory voter needs them more than the young, Brexit, and Boris's lies do not appear to have lessened the Tory vote enough.  The Ukraine ramblings have won Boris some votes, but while many will not vote in protest most will, sufficient to win this area again.

Many are happy with Boris, many support his er, policies.  Many want him to stay hoping all will be all right in the end, so they vote.  You can see the vote holding up in recent by-elections, some seats lost, but not many, in others the Tory vote has increased!  It is all very worrying.

I sent in my Gas meter reading in Friday, though I used the link they offered rather than the main unworkable site.  Today I was asked for a meter reading. 

This is considered to be a regular post rather than a real request and I almost ignored it.  However, in the rain, I took a reading.   I then attempted to post this but the new password demanded under great strife on Friday did not work!  So once again I spent time trying to insert a new password, one that did not work, one that was incorrect, the same one which worked but did not match....eventually it all worked and I entered the numbers from Friday rather than today, not that it makes much difference.  In a month or so I am moved onto the next tariff, this one runs out then, I await the new high price and begin to stock up on foodstuffs now!

Boris and the Conservative Party do not Care if you go Hungry!

 

 

It is vital we understand one thing about the Conservative Party at this time.  It is a very simple home truth.  The Conservative Party today do not care if you are hungry.  The Conservative Party today do not care if the old and sick are cold and hungry.  The Conservative Party of today do not care if your energy costs go through the roof.  The Conservative Party of today do not care if you cannot afford to buy a house or even rent one.  This is because the Conservative Party of today do not care about you!

 

 

The Conservative Party has always been concerned with money first and people second.  However, the attitudes after the war when Churchill was PM, were much more Liberal, as indeed Liberal he was at heart, towards those who suffer.  The main Parties did indeed agree on some things and this recognition of need lasted well into the 60's.  However, the 'end of empire,' loss of position in the world, and a lessening of the desire to work together saw Thatcher come to power in 1979.  She loosed the strings allowing greed to grow, sold all the council houses, and opened the way for the grasping uncaring Tory party of today.

Thatcher of course would never have allowed people such as Boris into a position of influence, Thatcher would also have never left the EU, after all that is where the money is and she loved money!  The selfish brats who claim to follow her have little in common with her ideals, they just want money, power and position.  

The main problem is their lack of morals, these were not given to them as children by their parents, and an absolute lack of responsibility or concern for others.  The PM is the most obvious person to point fingers at here.

 

Flag waving, denouncing of both the EU and asylum seekrs brought a Brexit success, even though this has clearly hammered the national economy, hurt business, lost trillions from the City to the EU, and left a mess none can comprehend.  The asylum seekers still come, and now we are unable to send them back to France, having left the EU.  

Incompetence and deliberate lack of care has cost thousands of lives through Covid, the business loss made worse by indecision and lack of leadership.  Now the energy crisis has arrived and while France imposes a cap rise of 4% the UK now has a rise of 54%, often from EDF a French firm charging the lesser account in France.

And don't get me started on the NHS!

 

 

With a war in Ukraine in which we normally we could have some influence we see the EU and the US take the lead.  Boris meanwhile merely spouts about how "We lead...," though in fact we just talk, and send anti tank missiles.  

The energy crisis, people unable to eat, cold homes, sick and disabled suffering, and a war in Ukraine demanding constant presence we find our leading politicians running off to 'hot spots' for Easter holidays!  Which bungling MP from this cabinet of rascals will be holding the fort this time?  I am scared to ask.

Politicians have a duty of care for the nation, this lot have no sense of duty.  These men do not care about you, the homeless, the poor, the sick, the unemployed.  They do not care about businesses that collapse after Brexit, or jobs lost.  They do not care if a company collapses and thousands lose their jobs while the directors responsible make millions in bonus's, they just do not care.

Yet, if we call an election tomorrow, this lot will be returned, Boris and all.

Ask why?

April Spring Day

 

Here, in what they laughingly refer to as the 'United Kingdom,' it is always possible to recognise when Spring is in the air, it snows!  Today, the 1st day of April, a blizzard rages outside my window, Arctic snows lash the land and indeed, come through the window in the west wing.  

Excuse me while I rush to close this.

The snow swivels around, apparently coming at us from all directions but mostly from the north, and takes great delight in covering those unfortunate to be caught out in the open with a delightful white, wet covering upon them.

I wrap my frozen fingers around the coffee mug in sympathy.

Having had the heating on low all night, and it required to be on last night, I am wary of making use of heating anything again today, after all the energy price increases begin from this morning and all the energy companies are rejoicing in the shareholders profits.    

Jings!  It is definately Spring!  The blizzard has gone, the sun is out, the daffodils shine brightly and all is (almost) well with the world!  40% F. now with an 18 mph northerly wind coming through the cracks in the window frames.  Very Spring like weather.  This is of course quite normal.  Many years ago I went to Fulham to watch George Best playing for them  I spent the entire game with flakes of sleety snow in my face.  As you know, 'The Battle of Arras,' which began on April 9th    1917, included many days of deep snow lying all around, not welcomed by any of the participants at the time.

If this weather keeps up, and it will over the weekend, I may have to rise and start doing things to keep warm!

I worked today just to keep warm, this failed...

 

Meters

 

Another day of joy and laughter has been with us.  From walking across the park to post the paperwork that took me ages to understand, collect together and finish, with the bright sunshine hiding behind the clouds which rushed along pushed by the north wind.  The chill cut through me, yet an Englishman or two was seen in Spring outfit determined to enjoy the sun.  

I finished the paperwork only as a break from attempting to post the gas and electric meter readings.  As you know, our government has amended the 'energy cap' by up to 54% and prices, especially for the poorest, are shooting up.  With April the 1st, 'April Fools Day,' being the date for the increase to begin so we are advised to enter the reading NOW!  

Naturally all the energy companies websites have crashed!

I struggled for a bit with the gas man until I saw a link at the bottom, happily an emergency link had been added.  This I completed and sent of my reading.  In a day or two I will check to ensure it has logged in.

The electric is still not logged in.

I logged on, sought the meter page and was immediately offered another site, another name change for them, another new password and a site that does not work!  

Time after time I went through the process, usually to find I had 'timed out' after 5 seconds, or 'we are unable to complete because....' and so on.Even when I got through to amend the password the thing found a reason not to continue!!! 

I love computers.

My electric company blamed the money man Martin.  They blamed him because he came on TV and radio and the press and offered advice about entering the meter details.  Everyone listened, as he always comes over as wise and honest, and the system crashed.  'Martin is bringing the country down' said their website.  Martin was advising how to deal with money making energy company chancers but that appears to pass them by.  

I have given up for now, I will try after nine this evening, maybe later, and see how that goes.

Everything these days goes through the internet, and many companies and government offices are running on Microsoft XP, some even on Win 95!  There is something to be said for pencil and paper you know.  

 

Wednesday Wondering

 

 

 

My favourite niece was bringning my new favourite great nephew to see me on Sunday, however, both she and her husband have contracted Covid!  This does not surprise me, though it worryies me as the kid is not yet seven months old.  Four people of my acquaintance have also suffered under this virus recently, and manay more besides.  The incompetent Russian spy who occupies No 10 Downing Street has followed the instructions of his greedy backbenchers and big business money men to drop all restrictions, including wearing masks on buses, in shops, in schools and crowded places and now he is even ending the free distribution of the LFT's that test for the virus!  NHS staff are now required to pay £5 or go wthout!!! The free parking for hospital staff will also end soon.  Now, unsurprisingly, Covid is running riot again!  Hospitals are overrun, and as you know the Tories deprive the NHS deliberately of funds, with 90,000 or so vacancies not being filled, although vast sums are offered for those who will lead 'Diversity and Inclusion (inclusive unless you are Christian of course).'  

These facts are given little space in the right-wing media, which is all we appear to have today, it is possible Russia has a more open, free press than the UK.  These facts are not wanted so must be ignored, yet they will leak out in Twitter and other social media, uncomfortable as they may be for Boris and his gangsters.    

It is noticeable that Boris has gained some support from his UKIP leaning followers by his apparent 'leading' of the defence of Ukraine.  The fact that this leading is another lie, the EU and US have done much, much more, is not something found in the 'Daily Express,' or 'Daily Mail,' and as to what is actually found in the 'Sun,' you can guess for yourself.  It is fair to say Rupert Murdoch's 'Fox News,' is still allowing that Carlson bloke to spout Russian propaganda daily.  What's in it for Rupert I ask?

Ukraine has hidden 'Partygate' for a while, however, this may increase some support for Johnson but the cover up by the Met Police will only harden antipathy amongst the rest of the nation.  Especially as on the day the Met announce some 20 fines for partying, names withheld, have been awarded Boris leads the Tories into a drunken party at night to celebrate!  Entering the Hotel they passed a line of silent mourners, mourning for their Covid dead.  The Tories ignored them. 

The sooner this lot are in jail the better.

The problem in the House is simple, the Westminster parliament is based on 'Gentlemenly behaviour,' and if someone does wrong, for instance 'lies to the House,' he would step down from his post.  Boris and his gang 'lie repeatedly to the House,' but refuse to step down and there is no parliamentary means of forcing them to.  Gentlemen they are not, and they know nothing can be done about it.  

This is of course made worse by a feeble opposition, only the Scottish Nationalists of either type oppose honestly, and indeed feebly, while the Labour Party waffles and wastes all our time.  What is Starmer for? 

How the UK is desparate for a (seemingly) honest major politican with ideas, integrity and guts.

I wonder again if this is a judgement we are under for our false liberalisation of society?

 

 

I had an er, debate on Twitter last night re those who claim to ID as female when in fact they are male, and vice-versa.  It got nowhere.  The vast array of legal loopholes, laws, and 'rights' which was uncovered amazed me as did the attempts to justify this.  

Quite simply we are born male or female, nothing else.  There are those who doctors find are neither one or the other and have to make adjustments for, this is fair enough, but these are a minority.  There are however, now many who believe they are in the wrong body, which they clearly are not, today such as these demand to act as they wish, in spite of others opposition.  In some cases men, with penis's, have been endangering women in women only spaces. 

The 'Gender Recognition Act 2004' allows a man to ID as a woman, penis and all, however this does not in Law mean he can make use of all women's facilities, for security reasons, though this apears to be lax these days.  

As we grow life affects us, heredity, family, life, war, disease, trauma of many kinds causes us to react, sometimes leading people into strange lifestyles.  Today we hear of one Tory MP who is openly admitting he is 'transgender.'  This began when he was raped as a child.  It has become known because he was being blackmailed and the criminal is now happily in jail.  In his case trauma caused a reaction, and I wonder how many others with this slant on their lives have suffered such trauma also?

This is too complicated to discuss in depth, and few of us know enough about it.  However, my heart went out to this MP, a Conservative at that, and wished he had had proper psychological counselling at the time, if indeed that was available in those days.  How many others do not get help, instead are only offered support to live a life they were not born for?   

How lucky we are not to have to endure such trauma.

I hate Microsoft!
I hate Laptops!

I hate Photo Op!

I am convinced President Putin is responsible for attacking me on this laptop.

Everthing goes wrong.

Things appear on screen unwanted.

They disappear unwanted.

Today, I tried to upload some pictures of the camera.

It took half an hour for what normally takes a couple of minutes work.

Nothing would work.  I restarted the procedure several times, yet it failed.

I had to restart the laptop and then it worked first time!

Why?

I took a quick, and terrible shot, with the wee camera later, and this has given trouble on 'Photos' also.

It didn't work!

Again I had to faff around before it worked.

I was going to attempt a complaint to Microsoft but managed not to.

They might have cut me off completely had they actually read what I was thinking...

F.F.Bruce, New Testament History

 

What a great book this is.  The late F.F. Bruce published this book first in 1971, a year well before most of you were born.  This edition came later and arrived at my door later still via 'World of Books,' as a second hand bargain.

The book says what it means on the cover, New Testament history, and that is what you get.  While Bruce is an academic this book is very readable for the average person.  It has notes and references on every page enhancing, not detracting from the subject.

Bruce refers to the years previous to our time, the gap between Malachi and Matthew, covering the Persians who ended the Old Testament, the Greeks after Alexander, and the Romans who dominate our period.  We pass through the Herodians, the Roman governors, the various 'philisophical schools,' at the time.  The religious outlook was varied and we explore the High Priests, Pharisees & Sadducees, and the Essenes are also covered.  Bruce seeks to gve us an understanding from a wide range of contemporary available documents. 

When Jesus arrives the land was filled with a Messianic hope, and a variety of messiah's were around throughout that century.  We then touch on John the Baptist and his unfortunate demise, then much time is spent understanding Jesus, what did he mean and what does he represent.  The cross, what was it for?

Bruce then covers the church immediately after the crucifixion, and the worldwide spread as believers moved willingly or unwillingly from Jerusalem.  Time is given to cover Paul and Peter and the problems inside and outside of the young church, continuing into the following century.

I found this book helpful for understanding the world of the time as it is important to see Jesus in context or we fail to understand how he was seen by the people.  If you wish to know God you must see him in action as he walked the earth.  However, you must understand the world in which he moved before his death.  

The book offers knowledge, it also indicates that following Jesus could end in crucifiction for you and I, he meant it when he said 'Take up your cross daily.'  

I recommend this old, but worthy book.