One thing is obvious from all the scanning of old slides – we did not have much money, but we did do a lot of different things and had a lot of fun. Nowadays, people seem to think they have to spend a lot of money on clothes, toys, trips and so forth.
Oh dear – I sound like an old person. In fact, I am turning into my grand-mother.
Words of Wisdom from Pooh Bear….
It's sort of comforting to know if you
have fourteen pots of honey left, or fifteen,
as the case may be.
21 years ago today I came face to face with God in a way that showed me I was the Lost Sheep. So it is a kind of coming of age anniversary.
Today, I may not be lost…..but I still need carried.
The animals are getting suspicious. They do not like all the clearing out of files and folders. In fact, they keep suspiciously looking at the bags to go to the rubbish as if there is something afoot. Of course they are right – the removal day cannot yet be fixed, but it is likely to be in early April, so there is a lot to do. Several things are taxing my brain at the moment: firstly, how to slim down the library; secondly, how to get rid of unwanted furniture; and thirdly, how to do all of this with a dog and a cat on my knee or tripping me up wherever I go.
The news channels seem to have gone mad with the announcement of the forthcoming marriage of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles. In my time as a minister I have officiated at many weddings, and only the odd handful involved couples who were not actually living together. So why all the fuss? It seems spurious, at least, or spiteful at worst, to expect a different standard of conduct from certain “orders” of society. And are we really all much concerned about the status of the sometime-to-be-head of the Anglican Church?
Thankfully, common-sense seems to be coming to the monarchy at last.
So what about the sudden rise to fame of Condoleeza Rice? There is even a website dedicated to raising enthusiasm for her to run as President of the United States in 2008. www.rice2008.com in case you are interested. I am more fascinated by the image she projects and wonder just what will happen in the future.
Found myself in tears watching the news last night – seeing Ellen MacArthur's return to Falmouth was out of this world. Earlier I had heard a radio report and though it provided interest and information, it could not match the sheer spectacle of hundreds of boats accompanying Ellen back into port.
Ellen is only 28 years old and has accomplished so much. It takes my breath away, especially as I am relieved to have swopped boat holidays for a campervan.
It is interesting that we remember the past selectively. For instance, I cannot remember taking most of the slides I am currently working on (scanning them onto hard drive and thence onto disc)….. whereas in fancy at least, I remember the photographs stored in the many albums upstairs. So looking at the easily accesible snaps forms a memory of its own, but the slides are rarely glanced at. Too much faff with setting up the projector and screen. Nowadays the digital projector is coming into its own. I suspect that is technological wish too far.
They say that spring is coming earlier every year, and this is evident in Scotland more than elsewhere. Our “February” daffodil bloomed in January, there are narcissi in full flower as are snowdrops and crocuses. And the other day I saw a bullfinch surveying the likely possibilities for nourishment and fun.
I am not complaining. The sunshine has been a much needed tonic.
Look to this day
For it is life, the very life of life
In its breif course
Lie all the verities and realitites of your existence:
The bliss of growth
The glory of action
The splendour of beauty
For yesterday is but a dream
And tomorrow is only a vision,
But today well lived
makes every yesterday a dream of happiness
and every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore to this day!
Such is the salutation to the dawn.
Kalidasa (4thCenutury BC)
Or – live well with today and remember the best of yesterday.
