A reflective day.

Watching my friend, and helping her this morning when she was giving communion to people at a care home (where she celebrates Holy Communion every other Tuesday) was a privilege. The older generation were there watching her every move, well those that were awake anyway, and they so wanted to be part of the Communion service. It was touching. I was surprised at the percentage of the people there that were familiar with the communion ritual.

I was introduced to them when I went in, and when I engaged in conversation with them I looked into their eyes, I tried to have eye contact with them all when we exchanged the sign of the Peace. All life is there in those eyes. Hundreds of years of life experience between them, some hearty and most of them frail, but they had all been where we are now in life. It was all very spiritual and moving.

I have already invited myself along again as a helper or a just a communicant. Those lovely people left me feeling I wanted to return. They live in a world where visitors are few and they appreciate the contact with those that talk to them outside their family circle.

I made me think on my journey home how lucky I am to still be active and alert, and quite young compared to these dear people. I have a lot to thank God for.

The photographs today are of a Camellia taken in my friends garden a few hours ago, and a bunch of flowers that she have me to come home with. Thank you for a lovely day Miss L.

A present!

As I have 'sole male' in pottery, I have 'lone male' in writing. He is a really nice man. Before the commencement of class this morning he asked who would be attending Creative Children's Writing next term. To those of us that were, he gave a brand new copy of the book pictured above, as Jacqueline Wilson is one of the writers we will be studying next term. What a generous man! Nice and generous ... there has to be something wrong with him!

He has connections of some sort I guess, but you know what they say - 'ask no questions and you get told no lies'!

Today's 'Happy 5'.

They look happy enough.

1. A Lovely Spring morning - although cold!

2. A warm welcome in Church.

3. A call from a friend that made me laugh. A real laugh (not a polite one), the kind that you feel all through your body.

4. Writing to a very sick friend and reminiscing about the antics we used to get up to.

5. Completing a new story - to my satisfaction!

Passion Sunday

This morning's sermon was uplifting, and boy did I need some uplifting!

Christians reading today will know that it is Passion Sunday. Two weeks of Passiontide begin, the first week being known as Passion Week and the second being known as Holy Week. This day - Passion Sunday - memorializes the increasing apathy against Christ from the Jews who would not accept Him. They accused Him of sorcery, being blasphemas and possessed by the devil.

The sermon evoked thought on these issues, and if I am honest, I haven't thought about them since this time last year! I think perhaps we are suppose to reflect during this coming week to prepare ourselves for Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter; but then the whole Lent period is about reflection.


I have missed the Bible study group this year as it was held in the Cathedral, lead by the Bishop, but circumstance made it impossible for me to go; but Bible study groups are a good tool to get Christians to focus on the issues connected with this time of year.

It's our Annual Vestry on Tuesday night (Parish AGM), it will be a change to attend one where I am not taking the minutes!

The film 'Bronson'.

Tom Hardy as Charles Bronson

I was unsure about watching the film 'Bronson' but I am glad I have seen it. Tom Hardy who plays Charlie Bronson is excellent. It's hard to tell whether he inhabits the character or the character inhibits him! The film in my opinion is original and pacy, not slow like 'The Young Victoria', I do realise it is a totally different genre, but there's far more substance to this film. The film is based on Bronson's life but it's not a copy of it. The music is spellbinding throughout. Verdi's 'Nabucco', Paccini's 'Madam Butterfly' plus numbers by 'The Pet Shop Boys' and those were just the ones I knew.

The film is about Britain's most violent prison inmate. He was first sentenced in the 1970's when he got 7 years imprisonment for a Post Office robbery; he got away with less that £50 and no one was hurt. What does that say about today's sentencing policy? He would get off with a slap on the wrist and six month probation these days.

Born Michael Peterson, he changed his name to Charles Bronson after the film star of the same name; this was done when he was released from Rampton after being declared sane. He felt the name carried more kudos than his own and to be noticed is what Charlie wants most.

I have an interest in following this guy's progress as my former husband (Gov.1 in a maximum security jail - middle England.) had him for a while. Charlie was *ghosted a lot in those days. *nb. passed around the prison system, when an inmate places too much strain on resources in one establishment, (Charlie, with his hostage taking and violence) he gets moved to another on a 'round robin' basis.

The part is beautifully played by Tom Hardy, beautiful but brutal. He leads you to feel an empathy with Bronson.

Charlie Bronson has served a total of 34 years in prison, 30 of them have been served in solitary confinement because of his constant hostage taking of Prison officers and staff, and persistent violence. Those who guard him and have to deal with psychological problems and physical brutality; they are not equipped to deal with this kind of situation. This is why it makes me so mad when people, who are usually uninformed on the subject, criticize the prison regime as being soft and Prison Officers of having nothing to do. They do one of the hardest jobs around and they do not get, nor do they ask for, any recognition.

Bronson is still serving time.

The N.H.S

The Royal gwent Hospital, Newport

I was given an appointment some months ago to see my Cardiologist today - 3.10 on March 26th. I arrived there and after taking 40 minutes to park, got to the cardiology clinic at 3.05. I was kept waiting nearly two hours. This was pretty much what I expected, but what I wasn't expecting was, to be told by the Consultant (when I finally did get to see him) that he had overrun with his clinic and could I come back in a few months - he would send for me again.

Isn't this appalling? There was ructions in the waiting room with the other people who had been told the same thing, but I was so disgusted that I couldn't be bothered to argue. It won't get you anywhere. The RGH have been treating people like cattle for 40 years that I know of, so it's not going to change now. I am afraid it's just 'put up and shut up' for us NHS patients!

Be Happy!

Isn't this a super picture? I love it.

It reminds me of something I read recently about a 'Happy 5'. Write down five things that make you happy in a day. For yesterday I wrote:

1. Relaxation - in pottery class.

2. Seeing a friends happiness at becoming a grandmother.

3. Enjoyment of interesting books.

4. Seeing my Mother's Day cards when I walk in the room.

5. Satisfaction that I am starting to get the hang of digital photography.

I am going to try this every time I have a 'Down' day!

More Pottery, but sadly not mine!

My next seat neighbour is doing this little beauty. She has been doing pottery for a long time. It was created by placing a balloon in a glass and then dipping strips of ratafia in liquid clay (twice), then draping the strips over the balloon. It is ready for Bisque firing now and it will eventually be a night-light if it survives the process, as it is very delicate. This one is a second attempt. Now this is where my plan for the Clarice Cliff teapot comes in, (see blog entry below) the neighbour lady does art and paints well. We are having a day out shortly and I thought I might ask about the possibility of her painting the design on the teapot. I will pay for our lunches of course!

More Pottery Projects.

These templates above are not very clear as they have been laid on a printed bag, but they are what I have been working on this morning in pottery class. Templates for what you may ask .......


This! A copy of a Clarice Cliff tea pot. This is not my work obviously, but what I am aiming at. I am only at the very begining with mine, but it Should end up like the one above. I am not too confident about the painting of the tea pot when it is further down the line in the process, but I have a plan for that! It is very 'Art Deco', but then, that's Clarice Cliff teaware.

I have borrowed a very good book on Clarice Cliff teaware. It is called 'Taking Tea with Clarice Cliff' by Leonard Griffin. Anyone reading this Blog who may be interested in Clarice Cliff the book is pricey to buy new, but can be bought on Amazon for about £9.

A day of reflection.

I went to meet my cousin in Hereford today. The weather is gorgeous and it is such a spectacular run from Newport. We met just outside Hereford and went to place some flowers on my Aunt's grave, my first visit there since her death just over a year ago. When I was wiping down the headstone I was reminiscing with my cousin about all the times I did the same thing with my aunt for her parents grave; our grandparents.

We took the decision not to go into the city for lunch and went for a coffee locally. Later we lunched at a much favoured place of ours where we both used to take my Aunt. After a super luncheon, we were reflecting on various things, and more reminising about our childhood. All in all it was a very nice day.

One thing I didn't know is that my father and his brother (our uncle) hand-made a dolls house for W. when she was a little girl, complete with lights inside. That must have been a very smart dolls house for it's time. I asked if she still had it and sadly she doesn't. My aunt gave it away many years ago which saddened my cousin. I can understand that, as my own mother gave all my toys away when I left home. I remember feeling outraged at the time. Perhaps that is why my own sons now have burgeoning attics in their own homes!

I wonder why Dad and uncle A. didn't make me a dolls house? Hmmm.

Mothering Monday

A day of mixed emotions. My eldest son and family came for the evening. They couldn't come yesterday, so came tonight. I love to see them and my youngest granddaughter, who looks like her Mum, has all her Dad's mannerisms. She is just like he was at her age - 10 years old. I had a super gift - ginger, vanilla & pink pepper toiletries.

My pottery cat, Clarence, has a new home with youngest granddaughter. Be happy Clarence!

I also had a nice day yesterday, Mrs.H, Miss A and I all went out to lunch, then had a trip down the Wye Valley. Being the nincompoop that I am I didn't take my camera. I have been waiting for an opportunity to take some photos for the Blog and then when it arises and I don't pick up the camera!

I handed my Assignment in at college today. The sense of relief when I handed it over was enormous! I won't know the results for quite a while.

I went and got my hair cut at Toni & Guy, as a model for the trainees, after college. I won't be doing it too often. I was there two hours for a shampoo and cut!!!

I had news tonight that a very good friend of mine has ovarian cancer. I had a little weep. We were such good friends before I came back to Newport. We worked together for the Church and we were always getting into scrapes with the vicar. She has this wonderful ability to laugh, and you know what they say about that. Laugh and the world laughs with you .......... I look back on that time with great fondness.

May God bless and keep you N. you are in my prayers - xxx

An Irish win!

Wales lost - but what a match! I have bitten my finger nails down to the quick and as for my recently acquired regular heartbeat, it could well have become irregular again!

Ireland has won The Grand Slam for the first time since 1948. They must be unbelievably proud! Well done Ireland, I think the best team won.

The odds and the sods .......

Sad news. My Doctor aged 47 years has terminal cancer. I get on so well with her, she is a lovely person.

Good News. Miss A is driving her car! She has not driven for twenty years and although she has had a lengthy refresher course with a School of Motoring she has been nervous. Yesterday she just turned up on my doorstep. There will be no stopping her now!

I have just planted up two tubs of pansies (similar to those above - taken last year) re-potted my two Bay trees into bigger pots, weeded and swept the front path and proudly put one pot of pansies out there! Got all last years dross out of pots and tubs, tomorrow I will dig the boarders out the back.

Sorted out and written just a few Easter cards and put money in the ones for grandchildren.

I got my car rinsed, hand washed, hand dried, buffed up and tyres blackened all for £5. Marvellous value for someone like me without an outside tap.

Booked an appointment to get my hair cut with Toni & Guy. They were asking for models, so Miss A and I have put ourselves forward. I go Monday, she goes Wednesday! I couldn't afford to go there normally so this is a bonus. I remember the days in Cambridge when I used to go to Toni & Guy every 6 weeks. How the mighty hath fallen!

Now - off to watch the Wales match on the tele!.

Wales v Ireland

I can fly the Welsh flag on this Blog and I will be flying it tomorrow when Wales play Ireland in Cardiff, but I am not sure about our chances. The winning partnership of Henson and Shanklin is back in play, but is it enough? There is pressure on both teams. Ireland are after the Grand Slam and we are playing for the Championship. Another nail biting afternoon on the sofa tomorrow wearing my Welsh socks!

Real Magic!

Having celebrated yesterday upon finishing my assignment for college, I started on the children's story for next term. This is the nice part, writing it and letting your imagination run wild. This story is about witches, wizards and goblins, all with wonderful sounding names. One name I had in mind and two I have had to research. It's been great fun today, and at this point of course, there are no time pressures.

One of the first rules of writing is to decided if the story is going to be character or plot based and then when that decision is made have and ending in mind. I have struggled with the latter, but when it popped into my head today I had to sit down and write it. So ..... from sudden death this term to witches and wizards next term. The imagination is a wonderful thing!

Eureka!

I am totally incapable of blogging anything sensible today, my brain has not loosened up from two days of preparation for this final assessment for writing class, but IT'S FINISHED! To top it all, in a mad moment I asked the girl coming around tonight for me to look at her work, to stay for supper. Mad or what?

I bought a birthday card on the weekend, well several actually - mostly for children, and one has this charming little 'ditty' on the front that we all know and can never remember!

Monday’s child is fair of face,
Tuesday’s child is full of grace,
Wednesday’s child is full of woe,
Thursday’s child has far to go,
Friday’s child is loving and giving,
Saturday’s child works hard for a living,
But the child that is born on the Sabbath day
Is bonny & blithe & good all day.

This is as much as I can come up with today folks!

Pottery Class - again!

I really do enjoy this pottery class. There is no pressure whatsoever, such a laid back atmosphere and very gentle people. I had to experiment with the 'Agate' method of mixing two colour clays today to give a marble effect. This is not obvious in the photograph above but I was pleased with the mix and the design - so was the tutor, more to the point.

These 'bits' in this photograph are three old fashioned stone hot-water bottles for a dolls house. They will be super when I glaze them. Only the top needs to be painted, as when they are glazed and fired they will be the colour that I want to achieve. The tutor was fine with me doing these and encouraged me to do more for the dolls house. I shall have to have a word with Mrs. H to see what else she wants. These were selling in the Fair on Sunday for £1.75 each!


Some of the ladies in this class are doing glassware jewellery. It is lovely, vibrant colours and unusual shapes and so professional. I must have a go at that at some point!

St. Patrick, St. Me and other things!

Google are fun! On an event day they use their Logo to reflect whatever the celebration is. This one is for St. Patrick's day.

Shamrock

An Irish friend of mine visited me some weeks ago I call him Irish M. He's kissed the Blarney stone many times, believe me. He told me that St. Patrick was Welsh and I laughed. After he left I looked it up on the Internet and he was! Welsh!

It seems when he was 16 he was captured from his native WALES where he was taken as a slave to Ireland, where he lived for 6 years before escaping and returning home to his family. After entering the Church he later returned to Ireland as a Missionary. Well, well! I shall not be so quick to dismiss Irish M as 'soft in the head' in future! I wonder do the Americans know all this? They must do! Hmm .. I wonder how much of any of these tales are true?

As for me I have spent St. Patrick's day morning cleaning down the kitchen cupboards, wiping the insides of the doors and cleaning the shelves that house many now unused cookery books. I feel Saintly this morning!


While I was vigorously interacting with the kitchen cupboards I was listening to Woman's Hour on Radio 4. They were discussing famous artists who had painted their mother. Whistler being the most famous for this - but most of them did, all the prominent painters, Van Gough, Gauguin, Constable and so on. Something else for me to 'dip into' .... when I have the time!

Dolls House Fair and MUD!

Some years ago I bought a dolls house for my grand daughter and she loved it! She's nearly twenty now and long ago lost interest, her boyfriend is more important (Why ?) Last year I decided to refurbish it for her. I didn't get very far, without her physical presence and putting her 'five penny worth' in, it all seemed pointless. I don't think I have completely lost the bug, but without her around, it's all less exciting somehow.

Today there was a Dolls House Fair locally. I decided to go and have a look, and no, I didn't get all bug eyed again. When I was leaving, I decided to take a short cut to my car, why I don't know because it was almost in front of me anyway. The sun was glorious as I picked my way through some dry leaves, under some budding catkin branches, only the dry leaves were not so dry and I sank deep into several inches of mud! I wouldn't have minded so much normally, but I had gone there straight from Church as was wearing my best shoes! Black suede with thin high heels. Hmmm ..... I have left them to dry and I will just have to hope the dried mud will brush off. That will teach me to try and cut corners!

Wales 20 - Italy 15. A win - JUST!

Some of the Welsh side.

Well we won, but it was a narrow win. Italy played well in front of their home crowd, but they are bottom of the league table and Wales, who are second from the top, were struggling at one point. I don't think that was how it was suppose to be! No doubt the BBC will give us a postmortem which will last all night!