General Chat

Thank you for that poem, Cynthia. So true for so many of us.

It made me think back about 12 or 15 years ago.

We know a couple who live very close to daughter and her family, they're almost identical to us ............. OH and the husband did their PhDs in the same lab, she and I were in the same undergraduate year and she did her PhD in that same lab, they married a few years before us and also came out to Canada before us. We try to always have lunch with them when we go over there ............. a friendship going back to at least 1960.

On this one occasion, there had been a science meeting in NS, and a 3rd couple from OH's year had attended, so NS couple invited us all, including our daughter and husband, for lunch at their house.

The conversation soon got around to university days ............ 3 guys who had done their PhDs as well as undergrad work together, a wife who had been in the same PhD lab, one who'd been in the undergrad and knew them all, and one wife who had been the "home" girlfriend and married as soon as her OH got his PhD, but knew the other 2 men back then.

Our s-i-l sat in the corner away from the group, listening but not joining, as was/is his wont, but I could see him as the talk got around to tricks played, running jokes, locking policewoman in her box while the Panto parade went by, flirting, etc etc

His face was an absolute picture ........... his later comment was "I never expected to hear about my in-laws behaving like that"

Why on earth not???

We were young once ;-)

I might add that my daughter was right in the middle of the group, egging us on .............. and just roared at her husband's comment!

Good afternoon -- just! :-)


Keep cheerful......this poem was written by a lady in NZ and not Pam Ayres as was originally thought.


I'm normally a social girl
I love to meet my mates
But lately with the virus here
We can't go out the gates.

You see, we are the 'oldies' now
We need to stay inside
If they haven't seen us for a while
They'll think we've upped and died.

They'll never know the things we did
Before we got this old
There wasn't any Facebook
So not everything was told.

We may seem sweet old ladies
Who would never be uncouth
But we grew up in the 60s -
If you only knew the truth!

There was sex and drugs and rock 'n roll.
The pill and miniskirts
We smoked, we drank, we partied
And were quite outrageous flirts.

Then we settled down, got married
And turned into someone's mum,
Somebody's wife, then nana,
Who on earth did we become?

We didn't mind the change of pace
Because our lives were full
But to bury us before we're dead
Is like a red rag to a bull!

So here you find me stuck inside
For 4 weeks, maybe more
I finally found myself again
Then I had to close the door!

It didn't really bother me
I'd while away the hour
I'd bake for all the family
But I've got no flaming flour!

Now Netflix is just wonderful
I like a gutsy thriller
I'm swooning over Idris
Or some random sexy killer.

At least I've got a stash of booze
For when I'm being idle
There's wine and whiskey, even gin
If I'm feeling suicidal!

So let's all drink to lockdown
To recovery and health
And hope this flaming virus
Doesn't decimate our wealth.

We'll all get through the crisis
And be back to join our mates
Just hoping I'm not far too wide
To fit through the flaming gates!


To have a sense of humour is a blessing - we thank God for the gift of laughter. x

Cx :-)

Hello all

A huge surprise for that Mum! I hope we will all still remember the NHS and all Key Workers in our own simple way now that the weekly clapping has ended.

Sylvia, I hope your gout flare-up has calmed down.

Vera, is your granddaughter still at the Care Home?

Cynthia, I've just re-read the poem..... it is spot on!

Another very wet day today, but on a positive note I haven't needed to water the garden this past week.

Friday ((hugs)) for all that need them. Stay safe.

Good afternoon..... :-)

Glad you liked the poem and as for gout........what can one say??? :-S :-D


For today:

https://twitter.com/i/status/1244607596998332416


As the nation paused to clap for carers this family from Connah's Quay in Wales have taken it one step further to thank the NHS.
Mum Lynne Lakes has worked as a practice nurse for the NHS for 38 years so her children and their partners have chosen to applaud her everyday she comes home.
Her husband Richard, sons Jon and Peter, daughter Zoe and Zoe's fiancé, Joshua have even surprised her with confetti and handed her roses.
Son Peter told ITV News Wales his mum just wants to make others happy.
He said: "For all of us, she'll go out of her way to make us happy... she's just the most selfless person anyone knows."


Cx :-)

:-D :-D :-D :-D

Vera ........ some more madeira might dull the pain!

Perhaps "more madeira" might help to cure it Sylvia :-D I'm not really laughing as I know from a couple of other people how painful gout can be. I hope it doesn't last long for you and you can get some relief and rest.

An interesting poem Cynthia and one that made me think. It would be wonderful if the world could change but I fear that once life is back to something near normal we will slip back to our old ways too. The one positive change might be that people will continue to be more neighbourly, particularly in the larger cities.

That's a lovely poem!

I have to laugh ........... I've the beginnings of a bout of gout!!! :-D :-D :-D

I thought I'd caught it 2 days ago ......... pain relieving cream, rest, ice pack.

Nope, even the sheet on the bed last night was too much :-(

Wish me luck that I can make it a short one!


PS ............ it IS a form of arthritis, not caused by the old "have some more madeira" :-D :-D

Lovely just what i needed - its been one of those days.

No One mention computer and printer issues please.

Not even stopped for lunch - too many Webex meetings - i think a large * & * is calling me after something to eat first.

<3 <3 <3

Good morning :-)


I hope you all have a reason to smile today :-D


Speaking of smiling, here is a poem which was written by a young British poet about the pandemic - you may have seen it on the TV.

The Great Realisation, by Tom Roberts

''Tell me the one about the virus again, then I'll go to bed." "'But my boy, you're growing weary, sleepy thoughts about your head".

"Please! That one's my favourite. I promise just once more".

"Okay, snuggle down my boy, though I know you know full well
The story starts before then, in a world I once dwelled
It was a world of waste and wonder, of poverty and plenty
Back before we understood why hindsight's 2020.

You see the people came up with companies to trade across all lands.
But they swelled and got bigger than we could ever have planned
We'd always had our wants, but now it got so quick.
You could have everything you dreamed of in a day and with a click.

We noticed families had stopped talking. That's not to say they never spoke.
But the meaning must have melted and the work life balance broke.
And the children's eyes got squarer and every toddler had a phone.
They filtered out the imperfections but amidst the noise, they felt alone.

And every day the sky grew thicker, 'til we couldn't see the stars.
So we flew in planes to find them while down below we filled our cars.
We'd drive around all day in circles. We'd forgotten how to run.
We swapped the grass for tarmac, shrunk the parks till there were none.

We filled the sea with plastic 'cos our waste was never capped.
Until each day when you went fishing, you'd pull them out already wrapped.
And while we drank and smoked and gambled, our leaders taught us why,
It's best to not upset the lobbies, more convenient to die.

But then in 2020, a new virus came our way.
The government reacted and told us all to hide away.
But while we were all hidden, amidst the fear and all the while,
The people dusted off their instincts, they remembered how to smile.

They started clapping to say thank you and calling up their mums.
And while the cars keys were gathering dust, they would look forward to their runs.
And with the sky less full of planes, the earth began to breathe.
And the beaches brought new wildlife that scattered off into the seas.

Some people started dancing, some were singing, some were baking.
We'd grown so used to bad news but some good news was in the making.
And so when we found the cure and were allowed to go outside,
We all preferred the world we found to the one we'd left behind.

Old habits became extinct, and they made way for the new.
And every simple act of kindness was now given its due."
"But why did it take a virus to bring the people back together?"
"Well, sometimes, you got to get sick, my boy, before you start feeling better.

Now lie down, and dream of tomorrow, and all the things that we can do.
And who knows, maybe if you dream strong enough, maybe some of them will come true.
We now call it the Great Realisation, and yes, since then there have been many.
But that's the story of how it started, and why hindsight's 2020."


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Whatever the reason for your not so good day Vera, I send a hug <3

Having just lived through the experience of caring for someone with dementia I can understand how difficult it must be for care homes at the moment. The people who are called to work with these vulnerable people deserve our thanks - it is not an easy task but I can understand how rewarding it can be.

An uplifting story for today:


Thank you messages for waste collection crews

Personal messages have been left for waste collection crews in Cardiff to say thank you for their work during the coronavirus outbreak.

Since the outbreak began, waste collection crews are continuing to collect bins to ensure there isn't a build-up on the streets.
Now parents and children in Pentyrch, Radyr, Fairwater and Creigiau have been attaching morale-boosting pictures and messages to their green recycling bags and wheeled bins.

Thank you notes have raised a smile on the faces of the crews in Wales, who continue to do the essential work of collecting rubbish as the outbreak continues.

We thank God for these key workers who are endeavouring to keep our towns and cities clean during these difficult days. God bless them.


Cx :-)

Vera .......... I hope your granddaughter continues to enjoy her placement.

It is indeed hard fro dementia patients to understand what is happening.

There is a huge problem at the moment with a corona-19 outbreak in a care home near Vancouver ........... it specializes in dementia patients, and has been lauded as the best place to take care of them. They have specialized smaller units, specially designed so that patients can walk around freely without getting out or getting lost as they always end up back at their room.

However, they are having great trouble containing the outbreak in one of those units because they cannot restrain the patients, and cannot prevent them from wandering into rooms occupied by other patients.

It's pretty worrisome, as they have had a high number of deaths.

Good for normal life but not in this situation.

Thank you for the poem Cynthia. For reasons I won’t bore you with, it has not been a good day for me and the poem gave me a much needed smile.

Strangely enough I came across kandj’s bookmark quote only a day or two ago.

Sylvia, I am so pleased that you have your Christmas trip to look forward to now. It’s a positive step back to some sort of normality and I have everything crossed that it will go ahead as planned.

My granddaughter has completed her first week at the care home for dementia patients. She tells me she is enjoying it though some of the lady residents can be quite sharp with her. She is apparently fast learning patience :-). I was thinking how hard it must be for many people with dementia to grasp what is happening at the moment and how worrying it is for their families, so they and their carers and families are in my thoughts tonight.

That poem made me smile, Cynthia. Thank you.

Well, I've got the travel all booked for Christmas, so life feels a bit more normal for me as this is usually the time when I make my train bookings :-D

so it is now "keep all toes and fingers crossed'!

Hello all

I agree that most of us are a little fed up but things are challenging but it is what it is and we all need to stick to the rules and keep safe and stay well.

Your poem gave me a smile Cynthia. Thank you.

I came across a book mark which I'm using now and I'd really forgotten this inspirational quote, and so I'd like to share it with all who look in here.

"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift from God, which is why we call it the present."
(Bill Kean.)

Good morning :-)


To be honest Sylvia, I'm totally confused with what is happening in the church in this country. Many seem to be at cross purposes about re-opening but, I think it will be a case of one step at a time. Church circles on Twitter have been awash with debates and arguments about who should do what and when. sigh. The R factor is quite high in our area still, so there is no sign of our church springing to life just yet. Fortunately, we have a reasonably good online presence, but it's not the same as meeting together.



I’ve seen several posts of how the lockdown is beginning to affect people and many are totally fed up….but…..we have to be sensible and stay as safe as we can for a while longer. To try and lift some spirits, I will endeavour to make this week a humorous one and if not humorous, then at least uplifting and inspiring. We are in this together and it’s good to laugh. Take heart everyone and stay alert :-


I found this poem which is bit long but it made me smile…..I hope it makes you smile too.


Now MONDAY is my usual day for cleaning round the house,
I try to do this cheerfully, but more often I just grouse.
The dust piles up in corners where the Dyson does not fit.
And much of all the clutter should be ear-marked for the tip.
But with my yellow duster and disinfectant jar
I whisk around the various rooms in crannies near & far,
And soon the house looks civilised, (if you don’t bend down and peer,)
Now it’s time to put the kettle on, or even have a beer!

TUESDAY is the food shop day, but all routine is broken,
For Britain is in lockdown, and the Government has spoken,
They say we must stay far apart when going round a shop,
Else we’ll be fined for flouting rules by the vigilant nearby Cop.
So in we go, just one by one, with many wearing masks,
Scooting all around each other as we go about our tasks.
We need baked beans, but tins are short, so only two per person,
But they’re not made by Heinz I see, so I shun the other version.

WEDNESDAY is another day when I usually sit and paint,
Or sketch a new design but keep it really faint,
For the design may be off centre and some rubbing out required
To make the pretty picture in the way that I aspired.
But this year is so different with events all shelved or shut
No place to show my paintings which has put me in a rut.
Why go on painting pictures which none will ever see?
It seems a waste of effort to behave like a busy bee.

THURSDAY is the fourth weekday, though some will say day five,
Whatever you might call it, at least we’re still alive!
The virus rages round the world, and it really is quite scary
With deaths reported everywhere, though the numbers often vary.
So people just stay home each day, and pray we might stay healthy,
For this is what all humans want; the young, the poor, and wealthy.
In this time of isolation, our computers are the king!
We can see and talk to family, and no longer need to ring.

FRIDAY comes around again and it’s really nice and sunny,
The garden looks quite sparkling, and the bees are making honey.
But out the window I can see, the weeds are taking over
With lots of chicory and grass each intermixed with clover.
It tells me I should be out there, digging up offenders,
But other things indoors distract, and they are strong contenders
Like read a book or write to friends, or actuate TV
All these things will better protect my permanent gammy knee.

Today I think is SATURDAY, though it’s difficult keeping track
In this endless time of lockdown; I feel I’ve lost the knack
Of knowing which each day is which; my routines’ out of view,
No meetings, dates, or anything which would normally give a clue.
But our family are a godsend, and all now work from home,
So they set up general “meetings”, using an app. to me unknown.
We see and hear and talk non-stop on this app. whose name is Zoom,
There is no better way I think, of relieving all our gloom.

SUNDAY is day one or seven depending on your diary,
Some people get uptight by this, and really get quite fiery.
But believe me it’s a special day, the Lord said “Keep it free”,
So off we go to church each time, and get home in time for tea!
But not in 2020, all churches had to close,
Our vicars go on-line these days, which keeps us on our toes,
They remind us of the wonder of the countryside around,
And all the gifts from God we have; these surely do abound.

Lorna Minton, Twyford


Cx :-)

Cynthia ............

The Anglican Diocesan of New Westminster, which includes Vancouver, seems to be setting up plans, but leaving the actual opening of individual churches to each church committee as long as they use at least the plans set up by the Diocesan Office or exceed them.

The Archbishop Melissa Skelton said the other week that each church committee and priest knew their own congregations better than anyone else. Some had a lot of high risk members who had to be protected.

The last I heard was that our local church that OH goes to was looking at around July 15. They have a new priest who has only been officially in office just before the pandemic began but she did have some contact with the parish for a couple of months before that. I would assume that she is taking a lot of advice from the long-term church members on the current church committee. It is an older congregation, with not many young people under the age of 40 (or maybe 50!).

I have no idea what the plan is for the Anglicans in the rest of Canada.


The local Catholic church had its first service about 3 weeks ago, causing a little disturbance in the neighbourhood around it. I've heard nothing since, either as to whether the services are being held or if the neighbours are still upset!

Hello all

That link was interesting Cynthia, so thank you for sharing it on here.

Lots to think about and organise with talk of opening churches for private prayer next week.

Have a Happy Monday and stay safe everyone x

Good morning :-)


Thanks for your lovely words Tabitha - much appreciated.

Sylvia, let me know how things go with the church. There is so much dissent in churches over here about whether or not to return - some clergy are getting quite ratty - on both sides of the debate. :-(

I had something else planned for today but a friend sent me this link last night and I thought I would share it.

Yesterday was Trinity Sunday and, over the years, many of us will have heard clergy trying to explain the concept of what Trinity means. They have used illustrations such as apples (peel, flesh seeds), clover leaves (3 leaves from one stem) and the water/ice/steam thought. This cleric has put it over rather differently.....enjoy!

https://www.facebook.com/stjamessussexgardens/videos/906804163078124/

Cx :-)

Signs of life today at the Canadian Baptist Church across the street.

The Filipino congregation that shares the church with the original congregation were out in force, cleaning inside and outside. A couple of younger men have been 3 or 4 times over the last 3½ months to cut the grass, they have a very large area to look after, with the last time on Friday. But the grass has been cut again and really tidied up.

There is now a huge sign on the door advising that one keep to spatial distancing, with diagrams to indicate what that means.

I guess at least one of the congregations will be meeting next Sunday ..... allowed as long as no more than 50 people are in the church, and distancing is kept..

Hello all

Very worrying scenes on tv showing the masses gathering in London and Bristol following the death of George Floyd. I pray for his family and his friends.

I pray for the whole situation in USA - for wisdom and compassion, and that those who are protesting will have a voice that will be heard. Let's pray for the wider issue of racism which also affects us here in this country too.