Away Beyond the Blue!

A lovely sky for a lovely person. My very best friend's partner died yesterday, so Philip Argument this is for you! RIP!

Away beyond the blue Away beyond the blue One star belongs to you One star belongs to you And every breath I take And every breath I take I'm closer to that place I'm closer to that place Yeah baby, I'm gonna meet you there On the outskirts of the sky Yeah baby, I'm gonna meet you there And we will fly Away beyond the blue Away beyond the blue One star belongs to you This life is but a dream This life is but a dream Go gently down the stream Go gently down the stream Skywatch Friday

ABC Wednesday....O is for outdoors!

As a child being brought up in North Riding of Yorkshire I was fortunate in having such wonderful places right on the doorstep. Holidays and weekends were always spent on the beaches and when Uncle Moss bought his Austin A35 we would often tootle around the moors. I moved away from the area in order to take up my first teaching post and really missed the scenery! Now back home, where I belong I take in the surroundings every time I am out with Wilma or exploring with Jon on the back of the motorbike!

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True Colour for Thursday...Rust!

Being married to a tinkering engineer there are various implements around the place, many which I try to incorporate in the garden. This part is from a Fordson tractor if I remember correctly! The picture itself annoys me as I can see a huge weed right at the front! Hopefully the lovely colour of the tulips will distract your eyes! lol! For more rusty examples see here Talking of weeding, yesterday I worked all afternoon digging up some dandilions and wild daisies from part of the garden where I want to plant bulbs sometime soon. I planted 100 bluebells too, so I am looking forward to the flowering period, not sure when, but that is the fun of the garden I guess. One of my very favourite houses in the village is up for sale. Parkhouse Farm, details here It is an entire farm consisting of many buildings, a wood, a bungalow as well as a wonderful house. Sadly it is £1.2 million! It made me look at our own home and appreciate it more than I have been. hence the work in the garden! Sometimes the size of the garden overpowers me but once I sit and do some thinking I partition the many chores and feel more in control! We have plans for the paddock which involve some digging, construction of a wall to terrace what is an awkward slope, a veg plot and the erection of a chicken plot which is really exciting! We have had hens in the past and when the last ones died we decided to have a break. However this week I have been looking after our neighbours hens and the taste of a fresh egg every morning has brought back lovely memories, so once we return from Isle of Man on June 14th we will sort out some hens. We have a spare wooden shed and will modify it with nesting boxes and will sort out a fence to contain the hens. We have over 1/3 of an acre so they will have sufficient room to scrat about, as hens like to do! Watch this space.

ABC Wednesday...

Nesbitt Clan Tartan

“The thing that a lot of people cannot comprehend is that Mother Nature doesn't have a bullet with your name on it, she has millions of bullets inscribed with 'to whom it may concern”

Do you like your name? I love mine, I love being Mrs Nesbitt. As a child I had a surname which meant nothing, as it originated from a man who caused much distress to the lives of mum and I,looking back, I could have changed my name but it never really occured to me at the time. Recorded in the varied spellings of Nesbit, Nesbitt, Nesbet, Nesbett, Nesbeth, Nesbath and Nesbut, this unusual name is both locational and Anglo Scottish. It originates from either the barony of Nesbit in Berwick, or the villages of Nesbitt or Nesbit, in Northumberland and Durham. However spelt the origin is Olde English pre 10th century "nesebit", a word which describes a steel bit which joins the cheek pieces together. This would suggest that either the villages were originally famous for manufacturing this type of bit, or that second element does not mean bit but bight, a north country word for a bend, meaning that the villages stood on "noselike bends" of a river? What is certain is that the villages were recorded as "Nesebit" in the 1242 Court Lists of Northumberland, and as "Nesbitt" in 1311. The surname has remained largely true to the village name over these past seven centuries, almost a record in itself. In the Feudal Rolls of Durham, William de Nesbite appears in 1250, in the reign of King Henry 111. He is believed to have been a Knight Templar (Crusader), although this is not proven. A later Nesbitt showed equal enthusiasm for a cause, one John Nesbitt of Edinburgh (1661 - 1727) displaying rather too much protestant zeal, and in consequence he was forced to flee to Holland. He returned with King William 111 of Orange in 1689, and was given various posts in London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Robert de Nesbit, which was dated 1160, A charter witness at the Abbey of Kelso, Scotland, during the reign of King Malcolm 1V of Scotland, 1153 - 1166. To see more contributions to ABC Wednesday click on the logo in the sidebar, or simply go here!

Odd or not this little device is going to be popular over the next few days as I strive to de-clutter and have a spring clean! The sun is out and there are jobs to do both inside and outside the house! Watch this space! Spring cleaning time! Emerged from winter’s slump We’ve trucked a load of refuse to the dump -- Old things once valued, bought with hard-earned cash, Mementos of our lives, devolved to trash. The treasures tykes unwrapped one Christmas morn With shrieks of glee, are disused and forlorn. Bent rackets, a deflated basketball, A battered box of battered Barbie dolls, A chipped, old conch shell from some tropic isle, A beat-up, floral couch long out of style, A bicycle, a lamp, a plastic Jeep, Lie broken and discarded in a heap. Once prized possessions, now computer junk, Land in the trash pile with a sullen thunk. There goes that printer – and if truth’s to tell, The darned thing never did work very well. A bust of Elvis with a busted nose Begs, “Don’t be cruel!” -- but to the landfill goes. A fond reminder of their childhood past, Our kids’ old booster seat gets chucked out last. A hunk of scrap is much more than it seems. Here in the bone-yard of our worn-out dreams The crunch of boots on shards of broken glass Reminds us that, tout passe, tout casse, tout lasse. Neil Harding McAlister For more odd shots see here!

ABC Wednesday

M is for...Mirror Mirror on the Wall I am my mother after all! It's another grey day! Why oh why did I rush to get the washing out yesterday only to be rained off? I could just as easily hung it on the airer in the warm kitchen, as it happens I had to do eventually when for a split second I did not look outside to see the lovely drying day had turned into a rainy dull episode! But, when the wind is up I insist on it being a good "Drying Day" and set forth to wash for the nation. Indeed if there isn't sufficient laundry in the basket I go in search to justify a full load for the washing machine. I guess it is one of the many facets of my nature which although I find strange, I know I am not alone and know where I get it from.......my mum! Do you ever find yourself saying something and remembering your parents said exactly the same things? I do frequently! Is it my age? LOL! A few years ago when I was teaching full time I was attending a management course at a local stadium. I hasten to add we were using their conference facilities, not the training area! LOL! Talking amongest ourselves later on one of my colleagues announced she was going into the town to do some shopping! I said I was doing the same, I needed some new slippers. "Are you getting Mules?" She asked. "Mules? You can break your neck in a pair of mules!" was my reply. We all laughed as others recognised exactly why I had retorted in such a way. The words had been said many times and many years earlier to me by my mum. What is more I remembered them and have never bought mules! LOL! On another occasion, only a couple of weeks ago, I had to take a delivery from Jon's workshop to one of his customers. I delivered what I had to and thought I would pop into the local shops and get one or two bits and bobs. It would be about 11am. As I packed away my shopping I said to the girl at the till, "Well once I get home and put this lot away I am in for the night!" It was 11am in the morning for goodness sake and there was I saying such a statement.... again a phrase from mum. Other phrases I remember....... "If you think for one minute that I'm letting you out of the house in THAT, you've got another thing coming... " "Wipe that smirk off your face!" "Don't make me come up there!" "When I was your age I could have shown you a thing or two!" "Money doesn't grow on trees!" "Do you think, we live in a field? Close the door!" " Do I look like I'm made of money???" "Just wait till we get home!" "If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times..." "This place is a pigsty." A particular favourite one, when I had not buttoned a blouse or coat right up to the very top button... "Cover that bare chest up! You will catch a cold!" LOL, the mere thought eh! When I do find myself saying such words I smile, and just remember mum. It is a part of her which will never disappear as it is in the very marrow of my bones. As we enter another working week following the Easter break day, the sky may be grey but I have lots to be getting on with. I have washing I need to dry and another load to deal with....and dry on the airer and I have housework to do. Once all this is done, the dog is walked, the goose is put in his shed, Jon is home from work we will be in for the night! Yes, mum will have smiled! The Images of Mother: 4 YEARS OF AGE My Mommy can do anything! 8 YEARS OF AGE My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot! 12 YEARS OF AGE My Mother doesn't really know quite everything. 14 YEARS OF AGE Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either. 16 YEARS OF AGE Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned. 18 YEARS OF AGE That old woman? She's way out of date! 25 YEARS OF AGE Well, she might know a little bit about it. 35 YEARS OF AGE Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion. 45 YEARS OF AGE Wonder what Mom would have thought about it? 65 YEARS OF AGE Wish I could talk it over with Mom..... Author unknown To see more contributions to ABC Wednesday click on the logo in the sidebar, or simply go here!

My World, My Kitchen!

This is my kitchen, very much the heart of the home. Despite managing to get out on the motorbike on Sunday, the weather forecast is pretty grim today. Yesterday we did try and find some sunshine and indeed for a brief few minutes found ourselves warm under the short burst of sunshine somewhere on the moors. Eventually, in Malton we found bitter cold fog so we headed home! Today we have the same cold thick fog but I will find plenty to do in the home! To see what others are up to in their own world visit here

Odd Shots from York

Well I dont think you will find a more odder shot than this one! York always has such interesting people and street events. Yesterday we came across this chap! His whole body & clothing had been painted with an emulsion of some kind, capturing the movement and action of his whols person! Amazing!

Normally there is an entrance fee into York Minster but as it was Easter Sunday it was free, so we made the most of it!

The ceilings are quite awesome!

Mirrors are placed around the building so the very highest of detailed architecture can be captured!

This was one of my favourites as no supportive structures were visible, so it appeared to be hanging in mid-air! So appropriate for Easter Sunday! Happy Easter. For more odd shots visit Katney.

Good Fences make Good Neighbours!

Behind the shrub bed you may just be able to see some conifers. These provide some privacy from the neighbour. Today we have bpoght and planted some more conifer hedging to thicken out the sheltering! It turns out I went to college with the nursery owner so we got a very good deal. He also gave us some daffodils, violas, primulus and pansies. I feel I am going to be very busy over the next few days finding places to plant everything! Watch this space!

The Glory of the Garden Our England is a garden that is full of stately views, Of borders, beds and shrubberies and lawns and avenues, With statues on the terraces and peacocks strutting by; But the Glory of the Garden lies in more than meets the eye. For where the old thick laurels grow, along the thin red wall, You will find the tool- and potting-sheds which are the heart of all ; The cold-frames and the hot-houses, the dungpits and the tanks: The rollers, carts and drain-pipes, with the barrows and the planks. And there you'll see the gardeners, the men and 'prentice boys Told off to do as they are bid and do it without noise; For, except when seeds are planted and we shout to scare the birds, The Glory of the Garden it abideth not in words. And some can pot begonias and some can bud a rose, And some are hardly fit to trust with anything that grows; But they can roll and trim the lawns and sift the sand and loam, For the Glory of the Garden occupieth all who come. Our England is a garden, and such gardens are not made By singing:--"Oh, how beautiful!" and sitting in the shade, While better men than we go out and start their working lives At grubbing weeds from gravel-paths with broken dinner-knives There's not a pair of legs so thin, there's not a head so thick, There's not a hand so weak and white, nor yet a heart so sick. But it can find some needful job that's crying to be done, For the Glory of the Garden glorifieth every one. Then seek your job with thankfulness and work till further orders, If it's only netting strawberries or killing slugs on borders; And when your back stops aching and your hands begin to harden, You will find yourself a partner in the Glory of the Garden. Oh, Adam was a gardener, and God who made him sees That half a proper gardener's work is done upon his knees, So when your work is finished, you can wash your hand and pray For the Glory of the Garden, that it may not pass away! And the Glory of the Garden it shall never pass away! Rudyard Kipling

ABC Wednesday L is for laughs!

Moi Age 7!

When I was about 9 I went to Brownies. As part of the session we were asked to spell Mississippi! I spelt it Mrs Sippy! I thought it was the name of Brown Owl the leader! One of my favourite activities was to go to jumble sales. Many of the neighbours looked out for me as they were aware of our situation at home. In those days there were few one parent families. One lady in particular, Mrs Cripps ran regular jumble sales at the local church. Like so many other children I loved going to these events and on one occasion as I entered the church Mrs Cripps called me over. She had put to one side a baby doll for me. It was quite tall and dressed in shocking pink hand knitted clothes. Everything from a bonnet, jacket, leggings, booties, gloves. The full works! I was really awe-struck and thanked her with a profuse enthusiasm ( as I had been brought up ALWAYS to say Thank you!) I ran home to show mum. "I hope you said Thank you to Mrs Cripps Denise! " were her first words. "I did mum!" "Good! That was very kind of her you know!" "I know mum!" I went upstairs to my room with my new doll. Being a typical 8 year old the first thing I did with my new doll was to undress her. I took all her clothes off, but as I removed her bonnet I made a shocking discovery....the doll only had half a head! The back of her head had been stuffed with newspaper and concealed with the bonnet! I could see all of the mechanisms which controlled her opening and closing eyes! Being the inquisitive potential nurse I examined the intricate workings with a pencil! As I poked about I heard a "snap" and part of the plastic structure snapped off! I panicked and dressed the doll, taking pains to pack in the newspaper into her head. I sat the doll on my dressing table and all was well......well to start with. A few moments later, as I was looking at my doll one of the eyes rolled and looked directly at me! Can you believe it? Can you imagine the terror it struck in the heart of an unsuspecting 8 year old like myself? The mechanism I had broken controlled one of the eyes of the doll! from then on I was absolutely petrified of the doll. I couldn't tell mum as she would have reminded me how kind Mrs Cripps had been and how ungrateful and thoughtless I had been to break such a lovely kind gesture! So I was stuck with it! I found a place for it where I could not see its face, but often I would hear the mechanism move, for no reason the eye would roll and always seem to end up looking right at me....well it would at that age! I attended a Salvation Army Sunday School. The Sunday School Trip was an annual treat! Now the Salvation Army makes a stand against any form of gambling, including Bingo. Auntie Dot and Auntie Joan went to the bingo once a week. On one of the Sunday School trips we went to Whitby and it rained all day. Escaping from the dreadful weather, mum and I went to play Bingo! As luck would have it I won! Now in those days we didn't have a choice, we were given the prize. As a 9 year old I was given what every young girl dreams of, a bright blue, 3 tier plastic vegetable rack! It was hardly the type of thing I could hide under my coat, away from the Major's prying eyes! The Major was standing on the steps of the coach as mum and I approached. I could see her looking at me in an enquiring way but I gave her a smile which indicated that THE thing to buy in Whitby was not a toffee apple or a stick of rock I could see other children had brought onto the coach! No! THE thing to have was a bright blue, 3 tier plastic vegetable rack! I can tell you the journey home was rather uncomfortable and I had a lattice imprint on my thigh for the rest of the day! LOL! Still, it found a good use in the kitchen! To see more contributions to ABC Wednesday click on the logo in the sidebar, or simply go here!

My World Tuesday!

We are only a few minutes drive from the sea and it is a regular visit for Wilma and I. I never under-estimate the joy of living so close to the coast. I think it is because I lived in the Midlands for 10 years when I started teaching. Although city life in Nottingham was interesting and the shops offered so much choice, as did the theatres and other city attractions, I missed the sea. My favourite poem of all times reflected this, I often shared this with my pupils in Nottingham.

maggie and milly and molly and may went down to the beach(to play one day) and maggie discovered a shell that sang so sweetly she couldn't remember her troubles,and milly befriended a stranded star whose rays five languid fingers were; and molly was chased by a horrible thing which raced sideways while blowing bubbles:and may came home with a smooth round stone as small as a world and as large as alone. ee cummings What is your world like today? To see more see here

Double Take!

The Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Birmingham, has been named as the next Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster. The 63-year-old is set to succeed Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor next month following his retirement as leader of Catholics in England and Wales. Is this Louis? Definately a double...yes or no?

Skywatch Friday

Taken last year, Isle of Mann during the TT Races

"Last night I lay in bed looking up at the stars in the sky and I thought to myself, where the heck is the ceiling." lol!

I have decided to re-join Skywatch Friday for the time being and think this one is so appropriate as in 2 months time we will be going to the Island again, for the TT races. We are staying in Port Erin and I am beginning to get excited. I love the anticipation and preparation of holidays!

Boo!

For true colours Thursday I have decided to share my motor vehicle, our beloved pick-up. Looking at this picture it is evident that Wilma is tired after a stint on the beach, hence her laying down on the seat. Normally she sits on the seat and stares out of the window. Talking of pick ups, here are some pick up lines! lol! You must be in a wrong place - the Miss Universe contest is over there. Was that an earthquake or did u just rock my world? I may not be a genie but I can make your dreams come true Are you a magnet cuz im attracted to you Does this rag smell like chloroform to you? I wish you were DSL so I could get high-speed access. I know its not Christmas, but Santa's lap is always ready. Baby your like a student and I am like a math book, you solve all my problems "Why does it feel like the most beautiful girl in the world is in this room?" Can I take a picture of you, so I can show Santa just what I want for Christmas. Do you have any raisins? No? How about a date? I was blinded by your beauty so I'm going to need your name and number for insurance reasons. I'm sorry, were you talking to me? Her: No. Well then, please start. I know I dont have a chance, but I just wanted to hear an angel talk. Roses are red, violets are blue, how would you like it if I came home with you? Hey I just realized this, but you look alot like my next girlfriend. Are your legs tired, because you've been running through my mind all day long. Are you lost? Because heaven's a long way from here. POOF! (What are u doing?) I'm here, where are your other two wishes? I hope you know CPR, because you take my breath away. Girl, you better have a license, cuz you are driving me crazy! If you were the new burger at McDonalds you would be the Mcgorgeous! Do you have the time? (she gives you the time) No, the time to write my number down . Let's make like a fabric softener and snuggle. Are you an interior decorator? When I saw you the room became beautiful. Hello, I'm a thief, and I'm here to steal your heart. For other Colourful inspirations visit HERE

ABC Time! Are you sitting comfortable?

K is for.....Kid stuff! In my alphabet spanning my auto-biography I find myself at K....Here are some random facts about me as a kid! 1. I went to Red Cross classes for many years. Part of the class was spent on bandaging and dressing of imaginary wounds. We each took turns as the patient. On one such occasion when it was my turn I asked Mrs Longstaff the leader if I could go home sporting the black eye and bruising make up as well as the sling which was supporting my right arm. She agreed. As was the norm, after Red Cross together with my pals we would go to the chip shop. When we entered Mrs Wall asked me what on earth had happened. I told her my Auntie Dot had hit me with the yard brush! How we laughed! However a few days later Mrs Wall bumped into Auntie Dot! Hmmmm the laughter soon stopped! 2. A few years later in biology class I had to collect the bulls eyeballs for disection, from the butchers, at the same time I had to buy sausages for Auntie Dot! I deliberately switched the packages. How I howled with laughter at the thought of it all.....again the laughter didn't last long! 3. I had my tonsils removed when I was 8. The nurse was an absolute dragon....so whilst she was making my bed I picked off a candle of blood which had trickled down my nose and flicked it into her hair! The pleasure of seeing it fly through the air and land in her bun was wonderful! The joy lasted for the whole shift! I could see the offending object in her hair everytime she passed! 4. At the age of 12 I was making mum's tea. I wanted to surprise her when she came in from work. The phone rang and when I had finished I was petrified to see the kitchen was on fire. Typical common chip pan fire. Polystirene tiles were all the fashion so when the pan caught fire the flames rose to the ceiling and the tiles quickly demolished the entire roof structure. When mum arrived home she was greeted by 2 fire engines. I left home for an hour! 5. When our neighbours emigrated to South Africa they gave me their upright piano. We didn't really have the room and mum wasn't keen. Anyhow she let me keep it and I tried to teach myself. Trouble was, Uncle Moss kept cadging some wire for his car so over the years more and more keys would not play. In the end it had to go! I hope you have enjoyed these 5 random facts about my childhood! It was a very interesting time. Looking back I honestly think I am pretty much the same now as when I was 8! LOL! To see more contributions to ABC Wednesday click on the logo in the sidebar, or simply go here!

My Wonderful Family!

This that and the other, catching up!

I noticed that this is my 875th post! If I looked closer I see there are some posts I have not published, just thought about only to decide later not to post. It was when Bob told me he was celebrating his 500th post which made me think! I dont seem to have been blogging much lately, as I am very busy with wedding commissions at the moment. My new website has had 569 visitors to date... wayhey! I have included a visitor's book for comments and it would seem people like the website layout etc. I am particularly chuffed as I made the website myself! Blogging tips helped me a great deal! So it is back to the desk right now and on with the commissions.... 125 place cards Table numbers Seating Plan 70 invitations 70 RSVP's 50+ orders of service..... Just this weekend! But....at least spring is on its way!

Daffodowndilly She wore her yellow sun-bonnet, She wore her greenest gown; She turned to the south wind And curtsied up and down. She turned to the sunlight And shook her yellow head, And whispered to her neighbour: "Winter is dead." AA Milne

ABC Wednesday...J IS FOR...JACK!

Friday 55 Flash Fiction is brought to you by G-man (Mr Knowitall). The idea is you write a story in exactly 55 words. If you want to take part pop over and let G-man know when you've posted your 55. Here is mine for this week!

Missing

Gentle Man kind blue eyes wearing a loving broad smile.

Smart appearance, tweed jacket and matching hat.

Interests include his family, home and garden.

Endearing sense of humour and a very generous nature,

Looking after all around him.

Last seen August thirteenth nineteen eighty six

Answers to the name of John Henry Davison, Dad.

The greatest gift I ever received come from God, I call him Dad! - Anonymous

John Henry Davison came into my life when I was 7. Mum had just got a new job at the prestigious ICI, Wilton Training Centre. One of the Training officers was John Davison, or Jack as he was known. Mum was one of the secretaries. This was her first job following the harrowing divorce she had gone through, a visit from the bailiffs to strip the house we lived in, seizing goods to cover my biological father's bankrupted business debts, a nervous breakdown. Mum borrowed the deposit for a small terraced house from her 2 brothers, Uncle Bob and Uncle Stan. It needed lots doing to it, including total rewiring. We all know how single women are targeted by unscrupulous workmen, and back in the 1960's things were no different, so Jack helped Mum by making sure she was not taken for a ride. He also helped where he could, as electrics were his "thing!" The very first time he came to our house I was introduced to "Uncle Jack!" Years later I learned he had been more nervous than me! I was playing with my doll's house. He spent time talking to me and I liked him. He re-wired my doll's house, I had the best there was! Independent switches in each of the rooms, as a real house would. Over the years a friendship developed and he would visit us every Saturday. It was quite a treck for him as he did not drive and travelled from just outside Guisborough. Mum eventually introduced him to her own parents. My Grandad, a man of few words took him out for a walk! He wanted to know his intentions as Mum had been through so much. Jack assured him he had her and mine best interests at heart. Grandad was re-assured and a great friendship was kindled between them. Jack liked a flutter on the horses. He and his brother Frank would visit the races and shadow the big horse trainers. He noticed they seldom backed their own horses. Jack and Frank would bet the same horses, and win! Our family always had a flutter on the Grand National. In 1967 we all picked our choices. The family studied the form, I at 11 looked at the numbers. I figured 100 to 1 sounded good! Everybody laughed, but I went ahead. Jack took everybody's money and the bets were placed. Foinavon, my choice won! £50 was a lot of money then! LOL! My Nana really took a shine to Jack. He would sit with her and talk about this that and the other. Nana was ill and as her health deteriorated in 1970 we kew she was gravely ill. On one of his visits as Jack sat with Nana she drew him close and asked him to promise he would look after Madge and Denise....he promised. On June 17th, 1970, Nana died. On November 1st Uncle Jack and mum were married, the day before mum's birthday. We moved to a bungalow and after a couple of years we all moved to Guisborough, Dad's home. Mum and I loved this change although by this time I was at University. Mum and Dad were both still working at ICI. Dad had a very stressful job and in 1983 he suffered a massive heart attack. It resulted in him having to stop work. In those days ICI was one of the best emloyers, with very good benefits. Both Dad and Mum left with "Golden Handshakes". Mum decided to leave in order to ensure Dad had the rest he was to need. Happy with their bungalow in Guisborough, they bought a static caravan at Rosedale Abbey. They loved to visit and stay whenever they had the time. Infact, the photograph above was indeed taken in the caravan, by mum. On the morning of August 13th 1986, whilst staying at the caravan, Dad told mum he would prefer go home. He wasn't feeling very well. They had planned on going to Egton Country Show, one of their all time favourites. They packed up and set off for home. It would have been a very busy day on the roads. Holiday traffic. The Whitby to Guisborough Road in particular! As the car passed Gisborough Hall, Dad brought the car to a stop and slumped forward.He had died, literaly at the wheel. I was teaching in Nottingham at the time. I received the news later that afternoon and returned home the following day. This was to be a turning point in my life. I was to return home and look after mum. I had a fantastic relationship with Dad, he was indeed my Dad. Notice how he suddenly evolved as Dad from Uncle Jack? It was the same in our relationship. I don't know when it happened, it just did. One day I just called him Dad! Dad recounted the event to mum..he had cried at the time, privately, with pride and love. I often sit in Dad's chair and remember him. When Dad was at school he learned the poem " Meg Merilles" off by heart. This he would recite when his teacher asked the class to stand up, one by one and sing. Dad was incredibly shy as well as tone deaf, this was his contribution. Here is the poem in it's original form, for Dad!

Meg Merrilies Old Meg she was a gypsy; And liv'd upon the moors: Her bed it was the brown heath turf, And her house was out of doors. Her apples were swart blackberries, Her currants, pods o' broom; Her wine was dew of the wild white rose, Her book a church-yard tomb. Her brothers were the craggy hills, Her sisters larchen trees; Alone with her great family She liv'd as she did please. No breakfast had she many a morn, No dinner many a noon, And 'stead of supper she would stare Full hard against the moon. But every morn, of woodbine fresh She made her garlanding, And every night the dark glen yew She wove, and she would sing. And with her fingers old and brown She plaited mats o' rushes, And gave them to the cottagers She met among the bushes. Old Meg was brave as Margaret Queen, And tall as Amazon: An old red blanket cloak she wore, A chip hat had she on. God rest her aged bones somewhere — She died full long agone! John Keats

Friday Fun thanks to Tommy Cooper!

Tommy Cooper was one of my favourite comedians of all time, so here are some one liners which I hope will bring you a few smiles! Have a Good Weekend! I met this bloke with a didgeridoo and he was playing Dancing Queen on it. I thought, 'That's Aboriginal.' This lorry full of tortoises collided with a van full of terrapins. It was a turtle disaster. I told my girlfriend I had a job in a bowling alley. She said 'Tenpin?' I said, 'No, permanent.' I went in to a pet shop. I said, 'Can I buy a goldfish?' The guy said, 'Do you want an aquarium?' I said, 'I don't care what star sign it is.' I bought some Armageddon cheese today, and it said on the packet. 'Best before End' I went to buy a watch, and the man in the shop said 'Analogue.' I said 'No, just a watch.' I went into a shop and I said, 'Can someone sell me a kettle.' The bloke said 'Kenwood' I said, 'Where is he then?' My mate is in love with two schoolbags. He's bi-satchel. I went to the doctor. I said to him 'I'm frightened of lapels.' He said, 'You've got cholera.' I met the bloke who invented crosswords today. I can't remember his name, its P something T something R. I was reading this book today, The History of Glue. I couldn't put it down. I phoned the local ramblers club today, but the bloke who answered just went on and on. The recruitment consultant asked me 'What do you think of voluntary work? I said 'I wouldn't do it if you paid me.' I was in the jungle and there was this monkey with a tin opener. I said, 'You don't need a tin opener to peel a banana.' He said, 'No, this is for the custard.' This policeman came up to me with a pencil and a piece of very thin paper. He said, 'I want you to trace someone for me..' I told my mum that I'd opened a theatre. She said, 'Are you having me on?' I said, 'Well I'll give you an audition, but I'm not promising you anything.' I phoned the local builders today, I said to them 'Can I have a skip outside my house?' He said, 'I'm not stopping you!' This cowboy walks in to a German car showroom and he says 'Audi!' I fancied a game of darts with my mate. He said, 'Nearest the bull goes first' He went 'Baah' and I went 'Moo' He said 'You're closest' I was driving up the motorway and my boss phoned me and he told me I'd been promoted. I was so shocked I swerved the car. He phoned me again to say I'd been promoted even higher and I swerved again. He then made me managing director and I went right off into a tree. The police came and asked me what had happened. I said 'I careered off the road' I visited the offices of the RSPCA today. It's tiny: you couldn't swing a cat in there. I was stealing things in the supermarket today while balanced on the shoulders of a couple of vampires. I was charged with shoplifting on two counts. I bought a train ticket to France and the ticket seller said 'Eurostar' I said 'Well I've been on telly but I'm no Dean Martin. I phoned the local gym and I asked if they could teach me how to do the splits. He said, 'How flexible are you?' I said, 'I can't make Tuesdays or Thursdays.' I went to the local video shop and I said, 'Can I borrow Batman Forever?' He said, 'No, you'll have to bring it back tomorrow' A waiter asks a man, 'May I take your order, sir?' 'Yes,' the man replies. 'I'm just wondering, exactly how do you prepare your chickens?' 'Nothing special, sir. We just tell them straight out that they're going to die.'

ABC Wednesday...I is for Intelligence.

Mum aged 12

The ability to focus attention on important things is a defining characteristic of intelligence. Robert J. Shiller

Mum was definately the more intelligent sibling! As her first marriage deteriorated and found mum and I alone in our new house it was her own intelligence which was to be a major factor in our future. Because she had applied herself at school she gained a place in secretarial college and achieved great results in both shorthand and typing. This was to come in really useful when she applied to ICI Wilton, an organisation famous for it's high standard of entrance qualifications. Mum was successful in gaining a position with them and soon was on the promotional journey which over the next few years would take her to the rank of Secretary to the main personel Officer. This experience rubbed off on me and I am a firm believer in individuals having a certain amount of choice with their own futures. Work hard, achieve and you will have a certain choice with what you do in life. ..just as mum did. It allowed us to live a decent life with a good home...oh and she was to meet her future husband at ICI, but I will save that story for next week. To see more contributions to ABC Wednesday click on the logo in the sidebar, or simply go here!