It Must Be Christmas!

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020 02:40 pm
debris4spike: (Default)
Over the years I always used to go Christmas shopping with Mum & Dad, together in the past years, but in the last couple of years Mum was alive I used to go with them seperately ... however it was always a standing joke that the first time I heard Slade playing in a shop then Christmas had arrived.  It was released in 1973, when I was 12, so a rtue tradition.

Well, this morning, my radio turned on and the first song that played ....



So, Christmas has arrived ... maybe that means I need to do some shopping, or at the very least, write some cards!

Hope everyone else is also beginning to get organised ... the scary thing is that I have already received my first card.

Happy Tuesday everyone.

100 Years On

Wednesday, November 11th, 2020 12:09 pm
debris4spike: (Default)
There is one advantage to being at home this morning - I was able to watch the Anniversary Service of the Burial of the Unknown Warrior 100 years ago this morning. Due to restrictions there were so few there (the Queen had been asked not to attend, and did her own private ceremony last week) - but despite everything, the day was not forgotten.

For those who don't know the history of the grave, then here is a link at the National Army Museum link

And, here is actual news footage -



Now for me there is a true possibility of an actual link.

The Grenediar Guards escorted the coffin from the coast, to London; and the Coldstream Guards escorted him from the station to the Abbey. However the Commander in charge of this stage noted that the coffin needed more than its flag on it (there was a replica sword incorperated on the actual coffin itself. But he wanted a tin helmet and a webbing belt - something all of the soldiers had worn. Now, this is where it becomes family ... my dad told me, that his dad had told him that it was his kit on the coffin. There is no mention of name in the archives, which is as it should be, but maybe it was Granddad's (I never knew him, as he was mentally seriously ill by the time I was 4).

So, whoever the soldier was I knew my Grandfathers ... but I do know of distant relatives lost. Claire's great-grandfather was lost with no known grave ... so maybe it was him?!

Whoever he warrior was, people who are lost in war, leave family & friends ... and should never be forgotten.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning.
We will remember them.
debris4spike: (Default)
Funniest Flight Attendant Ever

Just So I post ...

Thursday, October 8th, 2020 02:15 pm
debris4spike: (Default)
I did say I would dip in & out, and pick some questions ... so, here are a couple =


4 What’s something a lot of people seem to fear that doesn’t frighten you?
Death


6 What was your favorite thing to make-believe when you were a child?
Mum & Dad bought me some records of childhood hymns ... I was "certain" they artists were my friends!

One of them, Elaine & Derek a brother and sister ... Derek is now more well known as the long-term actor on Casualty, called Charlie Fairhead. This is one of the records I have -



Well I worked this morning - it's a small department, only 14 people in today ... and 3 of them were called Deborah!! That certainly must be something of a record!

Hope you are all having a fun day

In & Out

Friday, October 2nd, 2020 05:11 pm
debris4spike: (Default)
Overall a bit of an up & down week. Today I actually did a couple of hours of hosework, and although I then sat and chatted to Auntie Mary on the phone, it was obviously too much as I ended up sleeping for a couple of hours just now. So, although I thought I had been a good girl, I had obiously done too much. However at least I have a clean bedroom, and kitchen.

As I will probably dip in and out this month thought I would did in and out of the meme as well, if I see a qustion I like. Yesterday's was

What was the #1 song the year you graduated from high school? Did you like the song? Do you still like it?



23rd July 1979 the #1 was The Boomtown Rats - I Don't Like Mondays .... I didn't remember and had to check, but it always makes me smile when I hear it, now.  And I do remember most of the words

It also made me wonder what the #1 was almost 4 years later when I graduated from college. So on 1st July 1983 -



Rod Stewart – “Baby Jane”.  I have never really been a Rod Stewart fan, so the song "came & went" from my brain!
debris4spike: (Default)
... although I realise I have also lost a day!

I turned on the pc yesterday to post (but now know I had lost the previous day as well).  However I made some icons, and then was going to meme when I decided to play a game of Spider ... and saw there was a solitaire I hadn't tried, and somehow lost an hour playing "40 Thieves" ... and then it was lunchtime!! So it wasn't really my fault, was it???

Anyway, as I have now found out I have 3 days here

17 If you were given $1M, with the stipulation that you must spend it on yourself within one year, how would you spend it?
I would travel - having bought a new car, new clothes, have the house decorated etc.
I would also take my family & friends anywhere they want on my travels ... as that would still be spending the money on me!

18 What do you daydream about?
Travel - places to visit

19 What was the first song you ever memorized?
I think it was Lily The Pink by The Scaffold, released in 1968 when I was 7 (not at all PC, btw)

debris4spike: (Default)


While Porky's Hare Hunt was the first Warner Bros. cartoon to feature a Bugs Bunny-like rabbit, A Wild Hare, directed by Tex Avery and released on July 27, 1940, is widely considered to be the first official Bugs Bunny cartoon (Thanks Wikepedia)

#####

And so I had a reason to actually sit at the pc!

I am still just doing 4 mornings a week at work, although last week I ended up having to sleep each afternoon - so far, so good today! Last Friday I did a 3 mile walk, and felt good - so that was something I could take forward into this week.

Jiffy is not doing brilliantly now, which is hard to watch. He had a tummy bug last week so ended up seeing his friend Marni ... his vet has known him all his life, and she admitted it was hard to see him like this, as well. She said he is "OK", but very frail. So I just watch him sleep, and take him for a tiny walk, and make sure his dinner is sorted out! He is not in pain, and very peaceful, so I am so, so, so thankful about that.

I had an optician's apt on Friday (the reason for the walk), and the good news is the blindness in the right eye hasn't got any worse this year (I was paniced last year as it had dropped from 10% sight loss, to 50%). However the bad news was that I need new glasses - and as I have sunglasses as well, that was an expensive appointment!!

I enjoyed "Peace Talks" (the Harry Dresden book), although looking at some of the Facebook comments on their pages, there were a few people who weren't happy. Still, we now have till September to wait for the final part of the story.

Our Church is still meeting "on-line", and being quite a large group, as well as our pastor due for paternity leave, it looks as if things won't change anytime soon.

Well the trouble with lockdown, etc, is there is no real news. So will sign off here, hoping you are all keeping well & safe ... will try and catch upa bit later.

4 X 3.5 Hours

Friday, July 10th, 2020 02:57 pm
debris4spike: (Default)
Well this last couple of weeks I have managed to do Monday - Thursday clinics, giving me a 3 day weekend.  Last week I ended up sleeping on 3 afternoons, but this week only the one afternoon ... so I am being positive in that I am slowly improving.  As I type this I should have been driving up tp The Lake District to go to a Christian Convention, but obviously that plan fell apart.  However I am glad that I am not going as I would not have the energy to do the drive, or even if I went, to focus on the holiday.  So in a weird way I am thankful for the pandemic!!

Last night I was watching a DVD (of Silk Stockings), and love the film.  However one slightly depressing thought I had was that Fred Astaire was only a year younger than I am now ... maybe I should take up smoking, as he was a smoker!!  For those who doen't know the film this is one of the dances (with Cyd Chariss)



Jiffy has good and bad days, so he worries me some moments, and then we have a slow (but longish) walk and it's lovely to see him like that.

Well I am now on the countdown for the next "Dresden Files" book.  I do wonder where the story is going, and it turns out that we are going to get 2 books this summer ... will it be twice as many stories or one mostly split?  Still I have a few questions I want answered, and a couple of scenarios I want to see ... but will have to see what Jim Butcher writes.  I have pre-ordered the books, but also hope to get the audio with James reading them, as for me (and many fans) he "is" Harry.

Well I would think my washing should be dry, so have some ironing to do ... housework, my favourite (not!!!)

Hope that you areall keeping well x
debris4spike: (Default)
Earlier today I took Jiffy for his haircut (so it will probably snow tomorrow), and I had a selection of  60's & 70's music, and just as I was pulling into Exeter this piece was on ....
Status Quo - Rockin All Over The World


And I sang along at the top of my voice .... and the look Jiffy gave me made me wish I could have taken a photo (and this from a dog who is pretty deaf).  I don't know if it was Quo, or me, but he really didn't approve!

Sorry Jiffy!

First Music Gig

Monday, June 29th, 2020 02:38 pm
debris4spike: (Default)
Yesterday morning as I was waking up one of the questions that the radio show was asking, was about first gigs/concerts.  Most of you who know me know that James was my first one, although I had played in numerous orchestral & band concerts.

However my story is Mum

1944, she was just 16.  She lived in a village in Northamptonshire and within 5 miles of the village, there were 3 USAAF airdromes.  Well they had a concert at the closest one, and althugh her parents weren't pleased she decided to go - after all it was in daylight & free .... so that gave her an advantage.

So, yes, she went.  It was packed with the staff, and locals, as concerts during the war were good for moral, but also everyone knew who the performers were (that's why Mum wanted to go)

Well, have you guessed ...

Yes, it was the Glen Miller Band.  He memory of everything always mentioned the fact that between note the band chewed gum.

So, if you are going to have a "first", then Glen Miller is about as good as you get!!!!


Glenn Miller & The Army Air Force Band - "IN THE MOOD" - November 13, 1943
I had to share this piece as it's one of my favourites, and one when I was in a Band I always found hard to play!!


And this is a picture of her about a year later -
 photo 12096101_10153652738207442_8787304985128596649_n_zpszljsovli.jpg
debris4spike: (Giraffe)
Just thought I would share.  The person who used to be my next-door neighbour when I was a child sent it to me.  (It's funny how over the years we have kept in touch.)

debris4spike: (Jiffy - painting)


My cousin has just sent me this link - I haven't shown Jiffy in case he get's ideas!
debris4spike: (Dad)
I usually watch Songs of Praise while having Sunday lunch - and di today. The first hymn was one I hadn't heard in ages, but as it started it brought back a very special memory.

Back when I was about 8 - 9, I went with Dad (as I always did) to the Chapel he was preaching at. Mum was at home with my younger brothers. Well all I remember was that it was a winter evening, but I don't know which town we went to. Just know it was a bit of a drive and we actually got there a bit early. So we were in the car talking before going in and I asked Dad what hymns he had picked and this was his #1. I remember saying that I loved it, but I then remember Dad asking me if I knew what all the words meant. And there were certainly some I didn't, so Dad sat and explained to me what all the long, more unusual, words meant.

So while that hymn was on TV I was back sitting in the dark in a car with Dad.

Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise

1
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.
2
Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;
Thy justice like mountains high soaring above
Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.
3
To all life Thou givest, to both great and small;
In all life Thou livest, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish, but nought changeth Thee.
4
Great Father of Glory, pure Father of Light
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
All laud we would render, O help us to see:
’Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee.

debris4spike: (Colourblind)
I saw this yesterday on petzipellepingo page yesterday. I always find the actual figures amazing - as a colourblind girl, I have never met another colourblind girl, both at school, in real life, and now at work in the hospital. Yes it does affect my life, but not enough to stop me loving colour.

However I do wonder about the lack of brightness that the people spoke about. But back in 1979 when I first tried on contact lenses I know mum used to reming=d me thatmy first comment was how bright everything was ... so maybe it would be the same for me.

Happy Christmas

Wednesday, December 25th, 2019 12:19 pm
debris4spike: (Christmas - reason for the season)
Just popping in to wish you all a Happy Christmas - don't forget to spend a moment remembering the babby in Bethlehem .... The Creator of Heaven & Earth.

This was one of the songs we had at Church this morning ... so, join in the celebration ....



HAPPY CHRISTMAS

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For those who don't celebrate - I hope that you enjoy a day of fun with peace with friends & family
debris4spike: (Sanity - overated!)
10 Which children's story, song or TV programme do you think is most fundamentally flawed, plot-wise?

No, none of them at all!

They are all true stories ... all well written, and totally believable.

For any who question this statement, just look at this -



.. or this, both shows I grew up watching, and showing how true to life kids TV was in those days ... although I can't speak for what's on now!



Enjoy!!

Palm Sunday

Sunday, April 14th, 2019 03:00 pm
debris4spike: (Son of a preacher man.)
Today is, traditionally Palm Sunday.  I was well enough to get to Church this morning (which means I will be able to get back to work tomorrow).

Anyway, until Dad died I have always gone to one particular dnomination, but also one style of Church.  I now go to a Church in Exeter which, in many ways, I do love.  However they don't have traditional hymns, but more modern ones.  Some of them are lovely, I admit, but then you miss out on so much.

For me Palm Sunday is two hymns.

Mum's favourite for this day was "My song is Love Unknown" ...

My song is love unknown,
My Savior's love to me;
Love to the loveless shown,
That they might lovely be.
O who am I,
That for my sake
My Lord should take
Frail flesh, and die?

He came from His blest throne
Salvation to bestow;
But men made strange, and none
The longed-for Christ would know:
But oh, my Friend,
My Friend indeed,
Who at my need
His life did spend.

Sometimes they strew His way,
And His sweet praises sing;
Resounding all the day
Hosannas to their King:
Then "Crucify!"
Is all their breath,
And for His death
They thirst and cry.

They rise and needs will have
My dear Lord made away;
A murderer they save,
The Prince of life they slay.
Yet cheerful He
To suffering goes,
That He His foes
From thence might free.

Here might I stay and sing,
No story so divine;
Never was love, dear King,
Never was grief like Thine.
This is my Friend,
In whose sweet praise
I all my days
Could gladly spend


And my favourite is "Ride on, Ride on, in Majesty -

Ride on! ride on in majesty!
Hark! all the tribes Hosanna cry!
O Savior meek, pursue Thy road,
With palms and scattered garments strowed.

Ride on! ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die!
O Christ! Thy triumph now begin
Over captive death and conquered sin.

Ride on! ride on in majesty!
The wingèd squadrons of the sky
Look down with sad and wondering eyes,
To see the approaching sacrifice!

Ride on! ride on in majesty!
Thy last and fiercest strife is nigh;
The Father on His sapphire throne,
Expects His own anointed Son!

Ride on! ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die;
Bow Thy meek head to mortal pain!
Then take, oh God! Thy power, and reign!



For me this hymn is lovely, but made more so by the lovely chapel at Maddingly, American War Cemetery in Cambridge.  Many, many American air crew rest here, and the ceiling was designed to show that, as you can see in this picture.  So although the hymn is about Jesus' entry into Jerusalem a few days before His death, it also brings to mind those who have lost their lives in war & conflict.

 photo Chapel_interior_-_Madingley_American_Cemetery_Cambridge_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1433158_zpsy1b3m2tf.jpg

In actual fact as I was finishing dinner, "Songs of Praise" was on TV, and these were the first 2 hymns ... Hooray!  However get which verse was missed out of my one, yes, the verse of "Winged Squadrons"!!


ExpandIf you don't know the tunes, here they are )


Have a lovely day x
debris4spike: (James silhouette)
Day 3

In your own space, share a favorite piece of original canon (a TV episode, a song, a favorite interview, a book, a scene from a movie, etc) and explain why you love it so much. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.


Good thing we can lose a day - work went on longer than normal yesterday ... which is good for paying the bills, but not to keep Blogging!!

One thing I love about the few shows that I watch, re-watch and love, is that they are sci-fi/fantasy! So in each of them there are the "what-ifs", which is a favourite of mine, and one of the reasons I love fan-fic so much.

So, I am going to say Stargate SG1, Season 1, Episode 19 - There But For The Grace Of God.

It is where there is a "quantum mirror" that allows Daniel to pass into an alternate reality. it shows how things are similar, and different, with only small changes in the choice of the individuals. For example Daniel isn't part of the programme, as he hadn't met up with Catherine, and so she was in charge of setting things up. Sam hadn't joined the military, so it meant that she and Jack could be in a relationship, and still work together. Because the first mission had gone differently they had never met Tealc and he hadn't become an Allie.

So showing that one, or two, small changes can vary a story ... for better or worse.

(I actually picked this episode to icon recently)



However if you want a film, you can't beat the meal scene at the end of Carry on Up The Khyber ... where the English garrison in India is under attack by the locals. Now this is loosely based of history, and I am not posting about that, but during this attack the English diplomat, and high ranking soldiers, and missionary and an Indian princess sit down for a meal. For those who haven't seen it, here is part of what I mean ...

Meme-ing, That's All

Wednesday, March 7th, 2018 05:46 pm
debris4spike: (Brothers!)
So much for starting a meme to help me to keep posting!! I am a couple of days out, so thought I would do three, to catch up.

3. Do you still talk to the first person you kissed?
N/A ... unless Jiffy (& Perry, & Misty) counts

4. Do you get on with your grandpa?
My Dad's father died when I was 14, but I didn't know him as he had a stroke that affected his brain when I was 4. He had been in the army for a few years, and apparantly as the years went along he loved working in Sunday School teaching, etc ... but sadly I was his oldest grandchild so he never had a chance to get to know the 3 of us.

My Mum's Father died when I was 17 ... he was a real gentleman. I loved him, and although he was Victorian, we got on very well. He was a very genuine person, and I wish I had been able to get to know him that bit better; although I do remember some of the chats I had with him, especially about WWI. He actually died on a Christmas Day, so that means we never forget the date!

5. What was your favourite cartoon as a kid?
Many of the shows I loved were not true cartoons ... yes, I am old enough to remember The Woodentops -


But my favourite cartoon is Whacky Races (here is the intro for those who don't know it) -

31/12/2017

Sunday, December 31st, 2017 02:59 pm
debris4spike: (Flashing lights with my name)
And so we get to the last day of the year ...I haven't really been around much as I have battled several viral infections and underlying depression.

However on a truly positive note I had an amazing month in America (thank you Annemarie & Angela) ... and some great days out (thank you Brenda and Christine). I got to spend time with both my brothers ... and especially lovely to see my nephews.

So super memories do outweigh the tough days ... but tomorrow we start a new year, and as ever wonder what the future holds. However as a favourite hymn quoted this morning, at Church -

"I know who holds the future
And He'll guide me with his hand
With God things don't just happen,
Everything by him is planned.
So as I face tomorrow,
With its problems large and small,
I'll trust the God of miracles,
Give to Him my all. "



So I am going to finish the year here, knowing I owe replies to comments ... let me assure you I have read them all, and it is "my bad" that life is getting away from me. I aim to start anew tomorrow, and try to be a better LJ-er next year.

God bless xx

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