Fattening Christmas

Thursday and I am wishing the week was over!

All this single malt drinking, all this Christmas cake eating, all this 'eat it before the sell by date,' and all the odd bits of chocolate that are killing what is left of my teeth being used up is wearing me out.  

I can cope with the sleeping bit, easily done after lunch, but then there is the clearing up, washing dishes, putting out rubbish and used Christmas wrappers, and having to iron a shirt for Sunday as there are none left in the cupboard.

It's all very tiring.  

Tomorrow, if the rain allows, I will make the last Sainsburys visit of the year.  Though I suspect it unlikely that they will close on New Years Day, but they might.  And then next week, having checked the accounts, noted the gas and electric meter readings for the latest price increase, searched around the house for loose change, I will ensure that for a month or so it will be mince and chips for lunch, with occasional egg and chips to ensure variety!  

Next week, or is that next year, there will be a time of non buying as I attempt to budget properly and also lose weight.  I had lost a few pounds by last week, that situation may surely have changed since.   

The Day Following Boxing Day

Having had several packets arrive, all in good time at that, it is depressing to sit here and listen for the ringing doorbell or knock on the door and nothing happens.  No postman arrived, no post van was noted passing the door.  Even 'White Van Man,' has deserted us.  If it carries on like this I may have to spend my own money on things just to have parcels to wait for.

However, while I wait, I do have several new books to read, they are in the queue like so many others, and a book voucher to squander on Amazon's cheap books also.  It would be terrible not to have books awaiting study would it not?  

 Another marvellous piece of sham PR today.  Having discovered that 95% of people do not wish to return to 'Imperial Weights' and are fine with 'Metric,' the Brexit promise to return to 'imperial' has been dropped.  On the same day they announce, with a smug grin, that from today you can buy wine in pint bottles!  Brilliant!

Of course there is one or two problems here.  For one, no-one bottles wine in pint bottles, and no-one intends to start.  The other unfortunate fact is that no wine dealer, producer, buyer, wants pint bottles of wine.  It appears Churchill asked for this many years ago, but since then not one soul has done this.

Another step towards destruction at Tory House.

 

Boxing Day 2023

Christmas Day offered a nice wee service in the morning.  Many missing though the other church did attend as they were closed.  Few children arrived, and those that did were noisy!  At one and the same time we wanted them quiet and enjoyed their laughter!  We wanted to join in!

A lift home to a special dinner from Sainsburys, it was rubbish!  I ought to have cooked my own.

Today, I cooked my own, it was rubbish!

Tired from all the activity I moved to the bed at 5 pm, spending much time watching little exciting on various YouTube posts and draining some Single Malt.  Someone had too.

Today, much time has been spent arguing with lonely people on Twitter.  We know they are lonely as they argue, people with friends do not waste time.

I watched poor football, searched for news, there is none, just a war or two, the end of the world preparing in the middle east, and Rishi Sunak failing in the PR department.  The 'Daily Mail' filled space with the Royals on holiday.  How interesting...

For some reason that single malt returned.  

Anyway, I howled at the moon for a while, then altered the setting on the camera to where it ought to have been anyway, and got a couple of not quite right pictures.  This tells me the chill will come tonight as we can see the moon, the rain comes tomorrow.  Still remarkably warm for December.

The single malt, 'Jura' by name, is calling me to bed....

Christmas Day

 A Merry Christmas to all  my friends.

Messy Christmas

 

 

There was not one child in the premisis when I arrived this morning.  I dumped my Christmas Puddings (small balls of chocolate ones) among the food offerings being prepared.  I spoke to several people, gave out a card or two and took  my seat.  As always many a young lass came to speak to me, it happens regularly, and one the crowd dispersed I looked around and found the place full of kids!

Being a special kids oriented service the rear of the building was laid with tables of activities, all beyond me, and the kids were cutting, colouring, glueing, and so on happily.   

This went on for some time and then we were called to attention for the nativity part.

Naturally this followed the traditional manner, in spite of the readings we have done recently, and Mary and Joseph, two sisters, happily took their place, while a donkey, wise men, angels and one or two spare beings attended.  

All in all it went better than I expected and all appeared happy with the result.  Some men of note did agree that theological facts were taking a beating mind.  But a chocolate Christmas Pudding soon shut them up.

 

 

 

I was much taken by the obvious delight in this dad's face as he cuddled his new daughter.  Here was one happy man!  In spite of the noise around the babe never responded and concentrated on sleeping.  Mum was a happy competent lass also.  A jolly good Christmas Eve I say.

 

Shopping Over...

Trumpton

 

At last the shopping is done, the guilt about those missed begins to hit home, and I am left looking forward to the bottle of 'Jura' sitting awaiting opening on Christmas Day.  Tesco was so packed this morning, even at 8:30, and I am glad I was not one of those who came later.  

Now I look forward to what they call 'Messy Church' tomorrow, a thing aimed at kids, so I have no idea what is going on.  I wish I could miss it but was persuaded by one of the young women with learning difficulties to go.  If I don't she may remember!  

That sums up Saturday when avoiding crowds and remembering things I forgot to buy.  

Friday Frills...

                                                    Ship-on-stormy-seas-ivan-konstantinovich-aivazovsky

This ship sums up the past few days!  At least I have caught up, almost got all things ready, and have found all parcels arrive at their destinations, even if she is out at one of them.  

The weekend approaches, checkout lassies everywhere look forward to Sunday just so they no longer have to listen to Xmas music all day long.  There is only so much of that slop that one can take.  That said I will visit the girls in the morning, obtain enough to last for three days, though I have most stuff in already, and be back before the desparate crush through the store all day.  

Later, I will walk around laughing at those men attempting to buy for her indoors.  There are usually a few, easily recognised and their eyes look blankly into every shop window.  It is possible some stalls will be out tomorrow, they are often off before Xmas, so a trinket or two might be found there.  I will distainfully pass by before remembering someone I forgot!  Dearie me...

 

 

 

I like this cartoon, but notice how he follows the 'traditional' tale.  Joseph with an old man's beard, and a donkey, which looks more like a horse.  If these two were as I have proposed before do you think they could afford a donkey?  This is unlikely, and even if they had one the image on many cards at this time of year would be wrong anyway.  If there was a donkey involved it would be Jpseph sitting on it, not the wife!  

The 'Star' may well have been a conjunction of three planets, I forget which, Mars Venus and Saturn I think, which occurred twice.  'Magi,' in Babylon recorded this sighting, as did stargazing men in China.

The first appearance was 7 BC, and it returned in 5 BC, therefore, add in the historical fact that Herod died in 4 BC we can jump to a conclusion Jesus was born around this time.  The exact time is hard to define, but I rush to 5 BC, but with no other evidence.  Travel from Babylon would take time after working out the meaning of the sight.  Gather your men together, collect the sandwiches required, and trot off slowly joining in a vast caravan for safety.  It would take a while to reach Jerusalem. 

 

By Truck to Bethlehem...sort off..

Today has been a day for driving across from New Mexico into Arizona.  

What?

As I worked on things I put on the video of, 'BigRig Travels,' in the background.

This is live, usually, from the front of a truck travelling across the USA from one spot to another.  

OK, it is not the most exciting thing you will see, depending on various car drivers that pass by, but it does show the real USA as we pass.

For example, this day has been spent in an almost straight road passing by land that is almost all scrub.

The view is constantly the same.  Scrub at either side, an occasional turn off to a town, and then more flat land for miles ahead, a blue sky for much of the way also.  

I keep asking myself why they forced the Indian's off the land as there is nothing to be made of it out here.   What is here?  Why do Wilmslow and Flagstaff exist?  What keeps people here in the middle of nowhere?

Anyhow, by the time he reached Flagstaff we saw hills  in the distance, towering above the area.  Vast miles of low lying land, actually 6000 feet above sea level, and sky filled the day for the driver.  You can see on those 'Virtual Railfan' cams that Flagstaff gets snow early and deep and it lies for a while.  

The Highway was busy, especially near towns, but at times scarce vehicles were noted.  The job of a long distance truck driver is great if you like being on your own for hours at a time.  This left me regretting not taking those £2 an hour driving lessons back in 1971.  I would have loved a wee van to run around delivering in.

Our friend Psephizo makes some interesting points regarding the birth of Jesus.  He, and indeed other worthies, believe Jesus was born in a house, similar to those found in that area even today.  The description given, and the picture provided, offer one interpretation from those who have travelled in that are during the last 200 years or so.  The style of house has changed little, as those travelling during the 19th century found.  

The house is usually a one roomed building, often with an area beneath or alongside for the animals.

The 'manger' however, from which the animals were fed, lay in the corner of the living room.  This is because there was only one room, and all lived within one room.  

This rather poor shot I took within a small Byzantine house at the Temple in Jerusalem.  As far as I can recall this was the entire house, note how small it is!  I stand on a raised platform, about 4 ft wide, that stretched across the room.  I took this to be the sleeping area.  Bethlehem homes may have been similar in size, with added rooms according to your wealth.  This Essex town has many grand aged houses which began 500 years ago as one room, after which wealth enabled other rooms to be added, this is an old practice.  The writers of these articles imply the house where Mary and Joseph stayed at that time, connected to the family, possibly some say Josephs actual home, while Mary came from Nazareth, possibly, but certainly he would be welcomed by family of some sort.  

The animals next door would reach in, or come in to eat from the manger.  You will understand the cultural differences, but remember houses divided between humans and animals were common in various parts of the Atlantic Islands until comparatively recently.  

Possibly this example is better:

This makes more sense to me. Quite how it operated, the family in one room, the animals, the kids, I have no idea, but this does mean the thought of Jesus in a stable, or a cave as I have thought for some time, is ruled out.  

'Katalmya,' is the word used for a guest room and implies there was no room for the couple in the 'guest room,' so Jesus was born in the living area.  This is why he was placed in a manger, not in a separate building but in a crowded house. 

Not my idea of Christmas...

Of course we are reading from clever people who understand the background, the local attitudes and both Greek and Hebrew.   We rely on those who have travelled in the past, and Historical insights, often unknown to those who translated the scriptures in the days of long ago.  This proves our need to study and understand what is said, not what is believed today.

It changes my outlook.

Jesus was born at the poor end of society, to a girl about 14 years of age, in a crowded house, and left in the feeding bowl.  Quite a start for the Son of God and the ruler of all.

From Dreich to Mary

Dreich!

Monday saw me up and down the stairs three times before 10 am.  Today, nothing has been delivered.

I reckon the postmen have been flooding the area yesterday, today they are elsewhere.  Maybe it is the rain hammering down since last night?  Possibly Tesco café is full of drookit postmen avoiding work until the rain eases?  Tsk!  That never happened in my day...

I have searched the press for news of Michelle and her £200 million, but it appears the real news is found on Twitter as always.  There, the heart of the Conservative Party is revealed.  All Tories who comment are blaming her alone, all are moving far from her side, almost no-one in Westminster has ever met her, seen her, or heard of her it appears.  

In short, your on your own love.

Of course she can hit back, indicating the names of those who knew and approved.  All such are found hiding under bushes at the moment.   Interestingly, Lord Bethell, the man who lost all his mobile messages re the Pandemic, has found one from Michelle that incriminates her.  How convenient.  Maybe now the rest can be ordered to the Covid inquiry.  Mone is asking whether Sunak benefited from the Moderna Covid vaccine, he has connections, did he get paid?  Sunak has not commented.

Luke 1:26

God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants for ever; his kingdom will never end.’

34 ‘How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’

35 The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.’

38 ‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’ Then the angel left her.

When you consider Women were pledged to be married by the age of 12, this means Mary was possibly 13 or 14 by the time she was to give birth.  Many have attempted to alter this as they feel this is incorrect by todays standards, but this was biblical times and many women would not see 40. 

Neither would the men.  

The 'pledged to be married' bit is not a forced marriage.  In such places marriages would be arranged by talking women over many years as the kids grew up.  It is likely most would therefore have been reasonably happy and secure.

Joseph, the lesser man in Luke's story is secondary here, not least because Luke appears to have spoken with Mary and learned from her the details of the birth.

The name 'Jesus' is given, though as you know that is the Greek translation of his name, the Hebrew being 'Joshua.'  That name means 'God saves.'  It was common in ancient times to give names that meant something about the person.  The ancient Sumerians did this down at Ur and Uruk, and it also applies, as we have all seen on bad Hollywood cowboy films, to the 'Red Indians,' as they were slaughtered by the incoming immigrants of the day. 

This teenager is suddenly confronted by an angel calling himself Gabriel.  

How would you react?

A quick glance through scripture reveals that no angelic appearance ever mentions 'wings!'

So why do we always see pictures of angels with wings?

This angel, standing in the presence of God, is instructed to visit Mary.  No arguments, no questioning whether she is worth it, no doubt about the job, just obedience.  An obedience based on knowing God and loving it.  This, I suggest, is an angel that enjoys his job.

'You will carry a child, he will be son of God, and will rule over all for ever.'

Quite an achievement for a 13 year old.

Her response?  Apart from a practical question as to 'How?'   

Mary responds with 'I am the Lord's servant.'

What faith/belief/trust in a wee girl, all based on Gods word alone.

I note she appears not to say anything to Joseph.  It seems like she left that to God himself so Joseph was able to understand just what he had got into.  Joseph may well have been no more than 19 or 20.

And so they prepare for life, and what went through their minds at this time...?

Psephizo For more detailed study 

Nazareth

Carols!

An enjoyable Carol Service last night.  John did things a wee bit different from the normal routine and it worked well.  A smattering of the usual Christmas faces appeared, though many of ours found it too late and dark to walk this far.  

I particularly enjoyed the kids in front of me, one lass who clearly has been watching 'Sickly Come Dancing' of Saturday nights, attempted to dance through all the songs.  Her younger brothers were less enthusiastic re dancing.

But I was knackered.  

Today, a grey Monday, I intended to do little.  Having made it to Tesco before the crowds I hobbled up the stair and expected a day of leisure.  By 10 am I had been down the stairs twice more for the various postmen delivering parcels.  Happily, they were all for me!  Now I have a small pile in the corner awaiting me.  These however, make me feel guilty that I have not spent enough on others, some I cannot reach, and what I have sent out is nowhere good enough for those receiving, at least in my opinion.  Still, it's the mealy mouthed Scrooge like thought that counts, innit?

As has become my custom, I gave all the women yesterday a bar of chocolate, one of those more expensive types.  None were refused.  The men obtained a miniature of whisky, again, none were refused.  I got nothing in return but enjoyment at doing this.

Actually, one lass did give me a wee box of something, but only one.  Many cards have been going to- and-fro, along with coughs, sneezes and 'coming down with something,' comments.  We await developments.

I am left weary and scared to move towards the bed as they deliver at all hours these days.  Sunday, just after 4 pm a Royal Mail temp delivered a package for me.  What with the roadworks down the way and Amazon drivers habit of calling late there may yet be a ring on the bell tonight.  Me, I just want to stretch, and then lay about for a day or so, the little jobs that need done can wait.   

Bored & Busy Saturday

 

The Past was Better?

I had a Twitter debate last night with a man who considered life was better back in the past.  That is, he looked back to the early 50s, a time when you could leave your door open, people did not knife you in the street, and life was generally better all round.

I disagreed.

I too look back to the early days of my young life and consider life was better then.  However, we had had a war that killed 52 million or so, nuclear bombs were beginning to become popular, and we had an even larger police force than we do today, so was it better? 

Our childhoos was occasionlly bothered by the 'Penny Gang,' a group of yobs who came up from 'over there,' causing trouble and bothering the world.  Was this what he saw as 'better?'  If we had gangs so did he surely.  My dad could not take a day off work for flu, and I mean flu, because he would lose £1 and mum could not feed us if he did, so he went, and it was not an easy thing for him to do in winter and walking miles to deliver milk.  Was this better?

Certainly free school milk. the NHS, polio jabs, and other benefits, from a Labour government, remember them, improved life.  But crime existed, murders occurred, thieves stole.  What was different bar the perception that things were improving? 

After two wars and the depression certainly people looked to create a better world.  The residue of a Judeo-Christian society meant a form of agreed culture covered much, but not all, of the land.  For many after the war a sense of 'right and wrong existed, especially for those who had seen the results of the Nazi regime.  

The main difference I wonder could be the loss of the agreed Judeo-Christian moral stance, even if a loose one, and wealth!  When the nation loses the need to work together to survive and wealth covers the land people lose morals.  Having enough they now want more.  Producers offer more and we desire every glittering thing on offer and come to believe we have a right to obtain this.  With no agreed God laxity in morals creeps in over time, the results, aided by greedy incompetent politicians lies before us.

The world looks worse than in the past, however, what we see now lay just under the surface awaiting a chance nto escape.  Encourage the lowest moral outlook and you find it everywhere.

Murdoch plays a big part in this, the so-called sexual revolution helps, easy divorce and lessening ofresponsibility, though that was often avoided before, and crime is encouraged as there is no agreed morality.  Parents less keen to teach children, happy to defend them more.

Human nature lies at the root, and that never changes.

 

Christmas has certainly changed.  When I was young in never cost me a penny!  Now I am emptying the piggy bank!  However, the cards are almost done, all the presents to go have gone and been received, and I am now watching the van drivers knock on my door to bring things for me!  This is good!  

One mug, one book and one bottle of Single Malt, 'Jura' no less. has arrived.  With this I am well pleased.

Less pleased when the driver had to ask my year of birth before giving the box to me.  It took me a minute tor ecall that far back, which made him laugh!  I suspect I will see him again soon with another book expected.

Life is not bad at all really, in spite of the bad things that are always with us.

Sunak and Rain

One of the most inhumane Bills the UK parliament has ever debated has made it through the Commons last night.  All this to keep Sunak in his job, the Nazi part of the Tories happy.  What will happen now we know not, but neither do they.  Just wait until after Christmas when it all blows up in his face again.

What depths we have reached.

A spot of rain forced me to remain indoors enjoying life.

This enjoyment included trying to find reference in the press to Sunak's victory, most downplayed it on the site.  The far right press want him out and Boris back, or someone as dumb that suits them.  When you look at those pushing themselves forward, Jenrick, Patel, Gove, Cleverley and he is the worst named politician around, you wonder what hope there is for the world.  

Tuesday Twaddle

I understand how this leaf feels this morning, hanging there all alone on this tree, wan and lonely.  This I am sure has nothing to do with being at the Liberal Club last night for the SPAM meeting.  Once again, a handful of old men gathered to repeat the same stories once more, the same reminiscences, the same arguments, the same old, same old.

Worse still was my guilt that forced me to buy the drinks as I had not bought a round for about a year.  Of course, this means I will not buy again for another year, hopefully.  I noticed there was no opposition to this.      

The fact that it was boring, except when I began an argument re the number of Islamic immigrants.  Some among us read the 'Daily Express' and believe all the lies found there, compounded by the neighbours and other Brexiteers around them informing them of the Muslim takeover.  How some two million Muslims have taken over a nation of seventy million is hard to understand.  Having a First Minister who is nominally Muslim, and a very nominally Hindu Prime Minister does not help.  I avoided reference to Pritti Patel and the unhinged Suella Braverman for obvious reasons, and avoided indicating that the next Prime Minister will be white, secular, and an imitation Tory.  This would upset what some have wanted to believe.

As always however, we all believed that our half truth opinions were the correct ones.  Ignorance of facts did not stop our determined considerations.  Something, which I must say, runs in this family...

Anyhow, they have become friends, good men, who when sober, still put Jesus and his word first.  Beer does open up a lot of deep beliefs of course.  Their ignorant, but deeply held convictions regarding Scotland, merely reflect the normal English opinion.  Next time I will once again wear my 'Scottish Not British' shirt.

Why does my head hurt...?  

GB News

Nothing much has happened in the real world.  Keir Starmer is offering sops to the 'Middle England' Tories, and ignoring the needs of everyone else.  Scotland is long lost, half of Wales do not recognise him, but he knows where the votes are.  He promises better government, though that should not be hard after Boris and his gang have destroyed all that matters in the UK.  

The 'Online Mail' has a suitable headline discussing Harry and Meghan!  

AP

In the meantime, hours after spending a day claiming 'I cannot recall,' yet not indicating why he spent hundreds of thousands in the courts attempting to withhold his 'Whatsapp' messages from the Covid inquiry if he had lost his phones or could not get them to work, Rishi met for breakfast with a bunch of Tory loons who aim to stab him in the back to his face.  It appears they got nowhere.  Maybe just maybe, an end is in sight.  All we need now is an opposition.  

Late Post

To be fair the 'Daily Mail' has not got around to this yet, but they will!  They always do!

The only hoax so far is the one on the mobile from crooks pretending to be 'Evri,' click this link they ask for info re parcel.  Sadly if I use 'Evri' they always deal through the email, and that can be difficult also.  However, I finished wrapping the boxes today.  Almost no Brown Tape left in this house, and booked 'ParcelForce' to collect three of them tomorrow.  These might be delivered by Monday, or even Saturday!   

One advantage of the web is not having to carry such things down to the Post Office these days!   'White Van Man' has his uses, he can carry the box and deliver on time, usually.  I only need to carry small packets and buy stamps from the PO, while Royal Mail line their profits through my book of stamps and hinder the actual postman from delivering what I send.   

I began this post yesterday but failed to finish as I got bored reading it.    

The 'ParcelForce' man arrived before 10 am today, cheerfully removing my three boxes, and leaving me with the rest of the day to catch up on the things missing this week.

I failed to do them.

Instead, I took my '£4 off if you spend £30' con voucher round to Tesco and filled up on things required, and one or two that were not.  These vouchers have helped the Christmas shop, and the one for next week,  sadly only £3 off, will enable me to buy the much used things I will need so as to avoid desperate struggles through the last minute Christmas shop crowd.

The mass of household chores that await have been curtailed because I do nothing at the weekends, so maybe next week instead will be busy cleaning, maybe.   

The news on Twitter, but not in the press, has been filled with the 'Tetchy' PM going off in a huff because the press were asking questions he could not answer, and not for the first time, concerning his Rwanda Obsession.  Today it leaks out that the latest £100 million paid to the nation that has so far seen only Home Secretaries and no 'Boat People,' was signed off by Suella.  Who to believe?

None of them!

This shambles might be heading for closure, but what will result? 

If I were he I would call a vote on this Bill, or is there one tonight?  Anyway, if the ERG and the neo Nazis do not support the PM I would take the whip from them and call an election for the soonest possible moment, probably the last week in January.  Conservative members who have lost the vote cannot stand as prospective Conservative candidates.  This means all the far right would have to stand as independents and would not beat the new Tory candidate, who would lose anyway.  He will lose an election but if he won he would be rid of many the nation does not require in the House.

However, owing to a glitch in the system I remain, as yet, unemployed as PM.

Why are there five syllables in the word monosyllabic?

Eagle Bearer's Guide 6: The Serpent Column

Christmas Posting

A slow wander down the road led to the early packets being deposited into the care of Royal Mail.  The care is not what it was but what can you expect with a Tory government that cares only for making money for themselves?  Privatised Royal Mail, with precedence being given to parcels, cares little about actual mail today.  This is the reason letters are delayed, postmen confused day by day as to what role they will play, and an attempt to sell of Royal Mail parcels to the people who now run Royal Mail will come before the election.

Rejoice!  Rejoice!

Note the Post Office name!

The Jubilee Oak used to sit just up the road from this shop.  It sat in the middle of the road until they redesigned the road, chopped down the tree and the shops on the corner, which stuck out a fair bit, and installed traffic lights and dare-devil crossings.  

I suspect it was Victoria's jubilee, lots appear to have been planted at that time for jubilee, they did the same for the last queen.  How many were conveniently placed so as to block the clogged roads 70 years or so later?

Nothing else happened...

SPQR Rings a Bell

This is worth a read.  

Bought through one of last years vouchers in W. H. Smith, not my favourite store, it took a while to read as I have several books on the go at one time.

Mary Beard, famous for her unkept appearance, which she emphasises for publicity, has studies the classics as they are called for over 50 years, so she must know something.  

Beginning at the beginning, Romulus and Remus, and all that, she attempts to discover what was in between the seven hills on which Rome was built.  The several thousand years or so of constant construction do however make this difficult.  We may never know what the actual origin of Rome was.

Mary attempts a brief history of Rome, through the Kings, the Republic, and onto Augustus time.  

The very nature of her task makes this difficult, all those years, far too little evidence in the far distant past, and the deductions of later historians who may not always be reliable do not help.

Cicero, Augustus, and other famous men, and a few woman, she would not miss them out, get a short hearing, and descriptions of housing, citizenship, punishments, Emperors, family life, wars at home and abroad, the Games, daily life for rich and poor, are all covered to some extent.  Even Christians are mentioned in passing, though it is clear Mary has little knowledge of their writings or purpose.  

All in all this vast book cover a vast number of years quite well.  As an introduction to Rome, at home and abroad, it is a good start.  Many areas require a deeper investigation and further reading suggestions are found at the back with other aids. 

Altogether a worthwhile book to read, but while readable it is not a short book!

On a dreich morning I forced myself out and up to the ironmongers shop.  Here I purchased a wee clock to sit beside me, I cannot see the time on the laptop as it is right in front of me, so I place a suitable clock slightly to the right and I can see that perfectly!  Why?  I don't know!

Anyway, I actually went for a new doorbell, one of those cordless ones that ought to beep when the postman rings the bell.  The previous bell was lying wounded on the ground the other day as it had taken too much punishment over the years from postmen, Amazon and Evri drivers.

So, I spent almost an hour fighting to remove the old one, who tightened that screw?  And screwing in the new one, back and forth until it all worked well.  A variety of tunes can be played on this one, almost all slushy Christmas tunes!  I just have the Bing-Bong thanks.

That done there has been no-one ringing it since, so I am yet to know if I can hear it if they do.  The suspense!  Of course I tried it, but the noise from the road made it difficult to hear.  It appears not so loud as the previous bell.  1st world problems.
They may not hear bells in Gaza today, too many bombs crashing down for that.

Saturday Struggles

David Walker

 

I have spent the day attempting to sort out the mess caused by Christmas Cards.

The mess was caused by not having a wide enough selection, this was sorted today by finding several decent cards that would fix the problem.  Now I have a problem with too many cards to select from!

The family cards are done, this makes it easy.  Tomorrow I will hopefully put the rest in order.

Filling the couch I found three separate lots awaiting packing.  This is a problem, as one packet has already been packed, wrapped with an entire reel of brown tape, and awaits sending next week.  This leaves me three lots to sort.  This would be fine except there ought to be only two awaiting packing!  I have been making two lots for the one person!  How does this happen?  Now I need to restart as the box I have is not big enough.  I think next year I will demand they come south and pick them up themselves!

Andrew

Andrew, as we all know, was a Scotsman.  Born on the Fife coast to a Hebrew couple who had been enslaved by the Romans and traded across Europe.  Having landed on the Fife coast they settled down to work under brutal rule, but not from the Scots around them.  Andrew was born in the wee village and by the time he was 9 year old had developed the game of golf by hitting wee pebbles around the sandy bunkers on the beach.  However, in time a fellow Hebrew trading along the East coast of Scotland rescued them and returned the family to Galilee.  

That is why St Andrews is called St Andrews.  He is also the first disciple bringing Simon and the rest to listen to Jesus while at Johns baptism at the Jordan.   It is difficult to believe that some people are sceptical about this story.  They refuse to accept historical fact.  Shame on them.

Andrew, the first disciple, a Scotsman!