At last, another post

I've just realized it's over a month since my last post. It's not that nothing has happened worthy of posting, indeed just the opposite.

With colder nights, including some which resulted in early frosts, our thoughts have been with those who have no homes. Gail and I have gradually become more aware of our good fortune in having a roof over our heads and food in the pantry, something which many do not have. This can be for a multitude of reasons, which, to be fair, many of us cannot (or do not want to try) to understand.

I've started a new project. Gail was given a Singer treadle sewing machine, a model similar to the one she learned to sew on by her mother. She has been hankering after one of these for some time, not only as a "piece of furniture" but for a more practical reason - she has never really got on with electric sewing machines. We had looked at previously "restored" models for which the sellers were asking ridiculous prices as well as wrecks which would be beyond my capabilities of restoring. This one, built in 1910, is a little beauty, it's just in need of some TLC. I spent ages on the Internet researching the practicalities of restoring it before coming to the conclusion that, "Hey! I can do that". It will not look like new (I've watched too many "Antiques Roadshows" to fall for that), but will, I hope, look like it has been well used in it's nearly hundred years, but also lovingly cared for. Long story short (that's a first for me) - I'm hooked! I have, however, made a huge mistake - that is I didn't take a "before" photograph. As it is now all in pieces, it's a mistake I regret, but I'm going to have to live with. At least we can remember what it looked like.

I appreciate that blogs can only be of interest if (a) they have something interesting to say; and (b) they are updated regularly. I cannot help it if the former is not to every one's taste, but I'm going to make more effort to make sure that latter happens. There - it's in writing.

And for the record - Gail's Doll House is still "work in progress" (albeit slowly).

Decisions, decisions - part 3

Decisions are made virtually every second of our lives. Even when we sleep, decisions are made which effect our lives.

Without doubt my biggest and best decision was made in 1968. I spent lots of time at the home of my best friend. My best friend had two sisters, one spoken for, one not. A gradual friendship evolved and on one magical evening I asked the wonderful one for a date.

Those who know Gail also know that subtlety is not one of her strong points. What I'm saying is that she didn't play "hard to get". I cannot speak for her, but I knew, on that first date that I would be spending the rest of my life with her. A cliche? Maybe, but that's how I felt. My family immediately fell in love with her too.

The aforementioned decision was made at The Buck Inn in Flixton, Suffolk, which was owned and run by a famous radio and TV star, Alan Breeze. We talked and just decided to get married, no formal proposal was made. We both knew it was right.

On November 15, 1969 we celebrated Holy Matrimony, at St. Mary's RC Church, Norfolk, England.

Some decisions we make turn out to be the wrong ones. Forty years after this that evening at The Buck, we still both know this one was right.

On November 15, 2009, we will celebrate with friends at St. Joseph's Episcopal Church, in the USA.

An empty feeling

Uncle Stuart, Caitlin, Granddad and Nan (wearing the beautiful earrings Caitlin made for her)

Caitlin is now home in England. What an emotional day it was yesterday. No sooner had her 767 taken off and we were missing her. Those 26 days flew by nearly as fast as the aircraft taking her home.

She really is a great kid - yes, I know, all grandparents would say the same - but this 14-year-old really impressed everyone she met.

I think she has taken home a touch of The South. On asking what she would miss the most (hoping she was going to say, "why you and Nan of course"), she replied as quick as a flash "Bojangles Chicken Biscuits"! She had asked to have her last lunch here at the aforesaid Bojangles.

Caitlin enjoying her last taste of The South (for the time being)

Come back soon Caitlin (and Asha, Josie, Arwen, Sarah and Billy), we ALL miss you!

DC reflections

Our weekend in Washington DC was great. It was everything we expected and much, much more. Two things struck me. Firstly was how "walkable" this city is; secondly was my impression that it is, generally, a friendly city.

The front desk staff at our hotel were exceptionally helpful and courteous; our sedan driver was remarkably cheerful at 6:30 a.m., the Union Station security guy who personally showed us where to get breakfast, the Gray Line office guy who talked me through Union Station to find our departure point, and the "Wonderful Wayne" our driver/tour guide with his even more wonderful West Indian accent.

I urge the many Americans who have never visited their nation's capital to do so. If, like me, you have any sense of history, a visit to the Capitol alone is worth the trip. A moving experience indeed.

We will be visiting again for sure. I feel as if I could spend a couple of weeks at the Smithsonian, alone.

After an exhausting schedule, I asked Caitlin, our 14-year old granddaughter what impressed her the most. The Museum of American History? the Capitol building? the White House? No, her answer was the National World War II Memorial. Is it not surprising that an English teenager should, in 2010, find this memorial to Americans who sacrificed their lives for freedom over sixty years ago moving? I think so and am even more proud of her than ever.

The Washington Monument, from the National WWII Memorial

Rosslyn, VA, by night

Gail and Mick at The Capitol

Caitlin, enjoying the view

Lincoln, takes a peak

What a wonderful building

Gail and Mick at the Reflecting Pool. The Lincoln Memorial in the background

Ford's Theater, where Abraham Lincoln was shot

Caitlin and Gail take a look at The White House

The National World War II Memorial

Many (many) more photos on my Shutterfly page: http://norfolkboyinnc.shutterfly.com

Hooked on P.D.

Anyone who looks to the left of my home page and sees what I'm reading or listening to, cannot help but be aware that I love mysteries.

At the suggestion of a dear friend, I recently read my first novel by P.D. James, Death in Holy Orders, and was instantly hooked. How I had never sampled her work before is beyond me. I have not even seen the Anglia TV adaptations of her novels

Her use of the English language is a delight. One review I read on Goodreads.com complains that she uses words that have to be checked in the dictionary. Good for her, I say. Why should anyone complain of using good English? I'm not learned in my own written (or spoken) tongue, but I do appreciate the language being used correctly.

There, no posts for over a month, and now, two together.

Where did August go?

Amazing! I cannot believe it's well over a month since I last posted to this blog. Where did August go?

At the time of that posting we were looking forward to the visit of our granddaughter Caitlin from Norfolk, England. She has been here for two weeks and only has ten days before she flies home and back to school.

Gail and Caitlin enjoying Sarah Duke Gardens, Durham NC.

We all enjoyed our trip to the beach - Wrightsville Beach NC.

Wilmington, NC. It's twinned with Gail's birthplace, Doncaster, Yorkshire, England, hence this photograph.

The obligatory photo. The USS North Carolina is awesome.

In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN

Dollywood, TN

I am a strong woman Granddad!

I think I'm going to get wet . . . . .

. . . . I did get drenched through, but this was after the "River Battle". Gail and Caitlin just "put me out in the sun to dry"

We have crammed a lot into these first two weeks - visits to the beach, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the thrills and delights of Dollywood and much valued family time.

Gail and Caitlin - on "retail therapy"!

We're off to DC in Friday. Unfortunately, when I booked the hotel and tours I didn't realize that it was Labor Day weekend. Hey-ho, we will still enjoy it I know, and as many have told me, it is ALWAYS busy in DC.

Why?

As every parent knows, "why?" is a common word among young children. And so it should be as, in order to learn, we have to constantly ask questions. It can of course be frustrating when one has given an answer to the original "why?", to have that puzzled looking face ask, "but why?"

As older people (I have, unfortunately, have to include myself in that category) are sometimes described as going through their second childhood, I realize that I am also asking "why?' quite often nowadays.

Some examples:

1) why do organizations, especially academic ones, spend vast amounts of money on researching subjects which most people know the answer to and not those that can really improve the quality of life. Does it really take a research team at an English University several years and many thousands of pounds to come up with finding that cats can control a human by purring and "creeping" round their owners legs when they want to be fed? or that the reason there is an increase in child obesity is that they are eating too much junk food and sugar, are not exercising enough and spend too long in front of a computer screen?

2) why do normally sensible, caring, intelligent adults, immediately change into crazy, selfish, demons when sitting behind the steering wheel of their car?

3) why do the aforesaid adults, who are normally discreet when sharing confidences with real friends, turn into pseudo gossip columnists when making comments on Facebook, MySpace, blogs, etc., sharing their innermost secrets and desires with their virtual friends and indeed, the world? Oh! wait a minute, I do that too!

4) why is it not possible in this age, without living in the wilderness, the North or South Pole, or sailing around the world single-handed, to have some outer peace and stillness in one's life, even in one's own home? Inner peace is easier in any location I know.

5) why is it that very often, those who give advice are the worst recipients of it?

6) why is it not possible for me to ask these questions, without being accused of being a "grumpy old man"?

I could go on (an on).

Perhaps young children could give me the answers, before they are tainted with adulthood.