Time calls and I answer her soft summons.
She shows me a past full of favourite places
Flowers and trees that enchant and shade
In so many gardens linked by leafy lanes
Sunshine filled days and crescent moons
It shows me love that has come and gone.
It shows friends who have been so loyal.
Yet also shows that only the future counts
For while we live, breathe, and yet see love
The world is the treasure of innocent souls
For one day soon enough shall the world dim
Yet all memories will awaken into light again
No memories shall be as beautiful as the ones
Made together to stand for all time to come
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Another 2 reasons never to believe what you read
Department of Health UK advice
Exercising cannot undo the damage that heavy drinking may cause
A survey for the Department of Health found almost one in five people in England admitted to exercising to "make up" for a heavy bout of drinking.
The poll also found that one in five people drink more than double the NHS recommended amounts per day.
While studies are increasingly showing that alcohol - even large quantities - may be good for the heart, organs such as the liver can suffer grave harm - with alcohol being blamed, for instance, for a large rise in cases of cirrhosis.
European Study
A little alcohol combined with a healthy active lifestyle may be the best recipe for a longer life. A European Heart Journal study suggests the combination can cut the risk of heart disease. A Danish team found people who led an active lifestyle were less prone to heart disease - but the risk was cut still further if they drank moderately.
Glug,glug,glug...cheers!
Department of Health UK advice
Exercising cannot undo the damage that heavy drinking may cause
A survey for the Department of Health found almost one in five people in England admitted to exercising to "make up" for a heavy bout of drinking.
The poll also found that one in five people drink more than double the NHS recommended amounts per day.
While studies are increasingly showing that alcohol - even large quantities - may be good for the heart, organs such as the liver can suffer grave harm - with alcohol being blamed, for instance, for a large rise in cases of cirrhosis.
European Study
A little alcohol combined with a healthy active lifestyle may be the best recipe for a longer life. A European Heart Journal study suggests the combination can cut the risk of heart disease. A Danish team found people who led an active lifestyle were less prone to heart disease - but the risk was cut still further if they drank moderately.
Glug,glug,glug...cheers!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
In London an old priest lay dying in the hospital. For years he had faithfully served the people of the nation's capital. He motioned for his nurse to come near.
"Yes, Father?" said the nurse.
"I would really like to see Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling MP before I die", whispered the priest.
"I'll see what I can do, Father", replied the nurse.
The nurse sent the request to The Houses of Parliament and waited for a response.
Soon the word arrived; Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling would be delighted to visit the priest. As they went to the hospital, Brown commented to Darling, "I don't know why the old priest wants to see us, but it will certainly will help our images and might even get me re-elected. After all, I'm IN IT TO WIN". Darling agreed that it was a good thing.
When they arrived at the priest's room, the priest took Brown’s hand in his right hand and Darling’s hand in his left. There was silence and a look of serenity on the old priest's face. Finally Gordon Brown spoke. "Father, of all the people you could have chosen, why did you choose us to be with you as you near the end?"
The old priest slowly replied, "I have always tried to pattern my life after our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." "Amen", said Brown. "Amen", said Darling. The old priest continued, "Jesus died between two robbers; I would like to do the same
"Yes, Father?" said the nurse.
"I would really like to see Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling MP before I die", whispered the priest.
"I'll see what I can do, Father", replied the nurse.
The nurse sent the request to The Houses of Parliament and waited for a response.
Soon the word arrived; Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling would be delighted to visit the priest. As they went to the hospital, Brown commented to Darling, "I don't know why the old priest wants to see us, but it will certainly will help our images and might even get me re-elected. After all, I'm IN IT TO WIN". Darling agreed that it was a good thing.
When they arrived at the priest's room, the priest took Brown’s hand in his right hand and Darling’s hand in his left. There was silence and a look of serenity on the old priest's face. Finally Gordon Brown spoke. "Father, of all the people you could have chosen, why did you choose us to be with you as you near the end?"
The old priest slowly replied, "I have always tried to pattern my life after our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." "Amen", said Brown. "Amen", said Darling. The old priest continued, "Jesus died between two robbers; I would like to do the same
Saturday, November 21, 2009
You may have seen this but is funny
Q: Doctor, I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?
A: Your heart only good for so many beats and that it...don't waste on exercise. Everything wear out eventually. Speeding up heart not make you live longer; it like saying you extend life of car by driving faster. Want to live longer? Take nap.
Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiency. What does cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So steak is nothing more than efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef also good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And pork chop can give you 100% of recommended daily allowance of vegetable product.
Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that mean they take water out of fruity bit so you get even more of goodness that way. Beer also made of grain. Bottom up!
Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have body and you have fat, your ratio one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio two to one, etc.
Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No pain...good!
Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU NOT LISTENING! Food are fried these day in vegetable oil. In fact, they permeated by it. How could getting more vegetable be bad for you?!?
Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise muscle, it get bigger. You should only be doing sit-up if you want bigger stomach.
Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy?!? HEL-LO-O!! Cocoa bean! Another vegetable! It best feel-good food around!
Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming good for your figure, explain whale to me..
Q: Is getting in shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! 'Round' a shape!
Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.
And remember:
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO-HOO, what a ride!!"
AND.....
For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.
1. The Japanese eat very little fat
and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat
and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
3. The Chinese drink very little red wine
and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine
and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
5. The Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and fats
and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
CONCLUSION:
Eat and drink what you like.
Speaking English is apparently what kills you.
Q: Doctor, I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?
A: Your heart only good for so many beats and that it...don't waste on exercise. Everything wear out eventually. Speeding up heart not make you live longer; it like saying you extend life of car by driving faster. Want to live longer? Take nap.
Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiency. What does cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So steak is nothing more than efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef also good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And pork chop can give you 100% of recommended daily allowance of vegetable product.
Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that mean they take water out of fruity bit so you get even more of goodness that way. Beer also made of grain. Bottom up!
Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have body and you have fat, your ratio one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio two to one, etc.
Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No pain...good!
Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU NOT LISTENING! Food are fried these day in vegetable oil. In fact, they permeated by it. How could getting more vegetable be bad for you?!?
Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise muscle, it get bigger. You should only be doing sit-up if you want bigger stomach.
Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy?!? HEL-LO-O!! Cocoa bean! Another vegetable! It best feel-good food around!
Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming good for your figure, explain whale to me..
Q: Is getting in shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! 'Round' a shape!
Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.
And remember:
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO-HOO, what a ride!!"
AND.....
For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.
1. The Japanese eat very little fat
and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat
and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
3. The Chinese drink very little red wine
and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine
and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
5. The Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and fats
and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
CONCLUSION:
Eat and drink what you like.
Speaking English is apparently what kills you.
Dark clouds heavy and brooding birthed torrential rain on a south western wind that blew hard tingling ears and nose and yet enlivening the soul in its mild freshness. When the sun has appeared from out of the clouds the world has taken on a completely different appearance. The weather has showed every facet of its stormy character in small amounts, but the rain has won over the occasionally, glorious sunshine. Cumbria was hit hard by the water and a policeman died when a bridge was swept away. The weathermen are calling it a once in a thousand years event...
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Its 6am and the sky is clear and filled with stars clustered around a crescent moon. One day I am looking forward to sleeping outdoors in the garden somewhere warm and cosy where I could look up to the stars. One day I really must do that; In the summer, in the warmth, I would love watching the day turn to dusk then to night and then back into dawn and light again. Sitting quietly in the dark watching the stars passing through the night sky and imagining them shift through the seasons. Hearing soft sounds of nature and haunting calls of owls from afar. The bright days of sunshine filled with love and wonder, shall in return give way to the stars.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Just sent this email to Flybe
Having just looked at booking a flight I found the cost of the flight was £3.24 but the taxes applied brought the fare to £58.24. I thought this was not standard practise anymore and the total cost had to be displayed from the outset. Then I find there is a £17.98 charge for the bags on top of this so my original cost has now gone from £3.24 to £76.22. I am assuming that there are no other additional charges like oxygen tax or a bus fare to get to the plane.
Yours thoroughly disgusted and now completing the UK internal trip by car and is it any wonder you'll all be out of business soon. Then we might get some straightforward operators doing these routes. Will not even look at Flybe website again.
Having just looked at booking a flight I found the cost of the flight was £3.24 but the taxes applied brought the fare to £58.24. I thought this was not standard practise anymore and the total cost had to be displayed from the outset. Then I find there is a £17.98 charge for the bags on top of this so my original cost has now gone from £3.24 to £76.22. I am assuming that there are no other additional charges like oxygen tax or a bus fare to get to the plane.
Yours thoroughly disgusted and now completing the UK internal trip by car and is it any wonder you'll all be out of business soon. Then we might get some straightforward operators doing these routes. Will not even look at Flybe website again.
Aung San Suu Kyi - what patience and hope looks like
Nineteen years ago, the Burmese people chose Aung San Suu Kyi as their next leader. For most of those 19 years she has been kept under house arrest by the military junta that runs the country. We must not stand by as she is silenced again. Now is the time for the international community to speak with one voice:
Free Aung San Suu Kyi. — George Clooney message of support for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi / May 2009
Baguette Leads To Scientific Setback at the Hadron Collider (Maybe God doesn’t want his particle made public.)
The massive machine at the centre of the world's biggest scientific experiment has malfunctioned again – derailed by a bit of bread dropped by a bird. The Hadron Collider, buried 100m under the ground near Geneva, Switzerland, is supposed to recreate conditions seen after the Big Bang. Sections of the machine, which fires protons round a 17-mile-long tunnel at close to the speed of light in order to smash them in to each other, then overheated. The difficulties faced by those working on the project have prompted some members of the scientific community to speculate, in all seriousness, that the machine is sabotaging itself - from the future. The theory is that the particle that physicists hope to produce might be "abhorrent to nature", so that once created it would work backwards through time to put a stop to whatever created it.
The massive machine at the centre of the world's biggest scientific experiment has malfunctioned again – derailed by a bit of bread dropped by a bird. The Hadron Collider, buried 100m under the ground near Geneva, Switzerland, is supposed to recreate conditions seen after the Big Bang. Sections of the machine, which fires protons round a 17-mile-long tunnel at close to the speed of light in order to smash them in to each other, then overheated. The difficulties faced by those working on the project have prompted some members of the scientific community to speculate, in all seriousness, that the machine is sabotaging itself - from the future. The theory is that the particle that physicists hope to produce might be "abhorrent to nature", so that once created it would work backwards through time to put a stop to whatever created it.
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Overall I’ve had a quiet afternoon. But I did look out of the window and the grey skies had lightened so I went to do a little work in the garden. I’m hoping to dig a third pond before spring but the site had a large rotted wood pile from the tree thinning a couple of years ago. This has to be moved before I can even think of beginning digging. So that’s what I did for a couple of hours even though the last 30 minutes were spent in the rain. Still it was interesting. I watched a couple of Sparrow hawks fly over and land in one of the trees and Mr Robin watching everything I did (or to be more precise the insects I was disturbing.) As I moved some of the wood I found a huge mat of fungus similar to the Japanese varieties. (Clusters of white caps and slender stalks) However I don’t think it likely to be edible.
Just before it began to rain there was a single solitary long roll of thunder and then a gentle rain fell for the rest of the time. But it’s mild and so after working a sweat moving all the wood it was nice to site and look up the hillside whilst drinking a coffee. I haven’t done that for the longest time. (Sit in the rain.) To cap it all as I walked back there was a rainbow arched over Darwen.
I’m sat here now writing this and there are now 2 spiders in the living room. There is 1 very big one which ran from under the couch, under my legs (it was polite enough to lift them up and do a Hoover on the way) and then it had the cheek to go underneath my Tannoy speaker and then there is also 1 smaller one which inexplicably is making its way towards the larger one. Perhaps it is a mating ritual or a death wish.
Isn’t life and nature fascinating...even when sat watching the TV or on the computer. What is the affinity spiders have with me? Think I’ll keep that one quiet. I am making my house sound like the arachnid zone at Chester zoo. Hope you had a good weekend.
I may pass out of time, perhaps out of mind, but never out of reach
Just before it began to rain there was a single solitary long roll of thunder and then a gentle rain fell for the rest of the time. But it’s mild and so after working a sweat moving all the wood it was nice to site and look up the hillside whilst drinking a coffee. I haven’t done that for the longest time. (Sit in the rain.) To cap it all as I walked back there was a rainbow arched over Darwen.
I’m sat here now writing this and there are now 2 spiders in the living room. There is 1 very big one which ran from under the couch, under my legs (it was polite enough to lift them up and do a Hoover on the way) and then it had the cheek to go underneath my Tannoy speaker and then there is also 1 smaller one which inexplicably is making its way towards the larger one. Perhaps it is a mating ritual or a death wish.
Isn’t life and nature fascinating...even when sat watching the TV or on the computer. What is the affinity spiders have with me? Think I’ll keep that one quiet. I am making my house sound like the arachnid zone at Chester zoo. Hope you had a good weekend.
I may pass out of time, perhaps out of mind, but never out of reach
Friday, November 06, 2009
6th November 2009
Well there goes another Bonfire night for a year. Though I suspect the fireworks will persist for a few more days till they peter out on Sunday. It was reminiscent of the blitz (not that I remember you understand) last night as I lay in bed waiting for the release of sleep. God cant i moan about anything! I’ll be doing it again tomorrow when I walk around the garden picking up the spent rockets and such.
It’s 4.00am by the way and I’m awake reliving last night’s curry. Very good it was too (and I made my own griddle breads!) but perhaps not so good now it has given me acid indigestion and believe me it’s not pretty. I should have a job where I can get up early and be home at lunchtime.
Shocking news from all over the world this week...all of it so sad. Will it get better? I hope so and soon. Here’s wishing you a peaceful weekend.
Well there goes another Bonfire night for a year. Though I suspect the fireworks will persist for a few more days till they peter out on Sunday. It was reminiscent of the blitz (not that I remember you understand) last night as I lay in bed waiting for the release of sleep. God cant i moan about anything! I’ll be doing it again tomorrow when I walk around the garden picking up the spent rockets and such.
It’s 4.00am by the way and I’m awake reliving last night’s curry. Very good it was too (and I made my own griddle breads!) but perhaps not so good now it has given me acid indigestion and believe me it’s not pretty. I should have a job where I can get up early and be home at lunchtime.
Shocking news from all over the world this week...all of it so sad. Will it get better? I hope so and soon. Here’s wishing you a peaceful weekend.
While night now comes on cooler air
Soft winds now fuel November rain
Cathartic thoughts are now delayed
And any catalyst lost deep in reverie
With only a heart beat lying in-between
Greatness or an abject loss of inspiration
Yet through all this world turns, smiles
While the moon steps higher in waxing radiance
Tremorous tonight in silvered flickering glory
Soft winds now fuel November rain
Cathartic thoughts are now delayed
And any catalyst lost deep in reverie
With only a heart beat lying in-between
Greatness or an abject loss of inspiration
Yet through all this world turns, smiles
While the moon steps higher in waxing radiance
Tremorous tonight in silvered flickering glory
Thursday, November 05, 2009
So where at last, do we come to?
As our words; so overused, now fail,
We the lesser scions of greater poets
Wielding aged eyes, blurring pen strokes
Working hard, yet in vain, to express hope
Only to complete a childish journey of words
A critique of futility in a world of beauty
As the last bee collects her cooled nectar
She thinks of sleep now; summer is long gone
And as the autumn of another year begins
We shall dream of spring and growth; as
Our words freeze intractably into winter
As our words; so overused, now fail,
We the lesser scions of greater poets
Wielding aged eyes, blurring pen strokes
Working hard, yet in vain, to express hope
Only to complete a childish journey of words
A critique of futility in a world of beauty
As the last bee collects her cooled nectar
She thinks of sleep now; summer is long gone
And as the autumn of another year begins
We shall dream of spring and growth; as
Our words freeze intractably into winter
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
How’s your evening going? Mine is going by ok sort of although I am sat here and right opposite is a tarantula’s spider’s smaller brother on the wall. He’s sitting perfectly still and watching my every move. Chances are it is really a female, because they are always bigger. If I was paranoid I might think it was crouching ready to jump on me and strike first. But even so I think that to not do so is the true sign of a good person. It would be so easy to get rid of it and yet my fear of it is less than my compassion and that is how it should be. So I shall let him be and wait for him to disappear. As they always do and there now he has. It’ll be back.
Well the rain has been back torrentially for the last few days. There are hardly any leaves now left on the trees. I think the lake must be getting brimful to the top…might be able to go and feed the ducks at the weekend and look for both the kingfishers, bats and lizards and lions and tigers and bears..Oh my! To be honest I don’t expect to see any, but then you wouldn’t get me out in this wet and damp weather either. Work is nonstop with me getting nowhere, or that is how it feels some days.
Hope you are having a good week and take care.
Well the rain has been back torrentially for the last few days. There are hardly any leaves now left on the trees. I think the lake must be getting brimful to the top…might be able to go and feed the ducks at the weekend and look for both the kingfishers, bats and lizards and lions and tigers and bears..Oh my! To be honest I don’t expect to see any, but then you wouldn’t get me out in this wet and damp weather either. Work is nonstop with me getting nowhere, or that is how it feels some days.
Hope you are having a good week and take care.
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Sun 1st Nov 2009
Well what an entrance November made today with a prelude of rain that rose to a torrent driven by the anger of the western wind. I can hear the elements storming against the windows as I sit and write and how I wish for summer. House seems quiet, so it’s sci-fi time.
So if tonight the world slows and stops
And I never see the light of a new dawn
I would leave and be content if I knew
I had never, ever hurt you more than...
You had the capacity to understand
And the strength of spirit to forgive
For if I remember anything it will be...
Your grace, hope and always your love
Well what an entrance November made today with a prelude of rain that rose to a torrent driven by the anger of the western wind. I can hear the elements storming against the windows as I sit and write and how I wish for summer. House seems quiet, so it’s sci-fi time.
So if tonight the world slows and stops
And I never see the light of a new dawn
I would leave and be content if I knew
I had never, ever hurt you more than...
You had the capacity to understand
And the strength of spirit to forgive
For if I remember anything it will be...
Your grace, hope and always your love
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