Monday, August 31, 2015

Ups and Downs!

Beautiful days are filled with laughter, this one ended in sadness.

Say it with roses! A gift from my lovely sister. There was laughter in Monk Bretton, where we tripped off to on the off chance of finding lost relatives, Roystons or Clarkes - no luck! (Probably lucky for them). We ate lots, walked a little, consumed a fair amount of alcohol, and just as we were going through the box of old photographs, we got the news that our cousin (well, half or second, and I'm never sure which it is) had sadly passed away. Paul Midgley, the first son of my cousin Lynn, also no longer with us. He was only 50 years old, and diagnosed with lung cancer a few weeks ago. The cancer also caused a tumour on his brain, and just after midnight on Saturday, he died.

I remember Paul being born, and together with his younger brother, Richard, they were part of my close family circle. Their mother, Lynn, was like a sister to me, and I alway looked up to her. Lynn, was a working mother, their father, Melvin, was a lecturer at Hull University. Our paths would cross from time to time as they were growing up. But despite the infrequency, I always felt very close, a blood bond. Yet, looking back, we were not that close at all.

Then, as families often do, we became more distant. I went to live in Crete, Lynn died, and the boys had their own families to concentrate on.

A few years ago, Richard and his partner, Linda, came to visit David and I in Crete. We caught up on all the family news. Paul had gone to live in Norwich, he had left his partner, and was bringing up his two boys, Liam and Alex, by himself, and by all accounts making a damn good job of it. We continued to be connected on Face Book, and a year or so ago, he opened a shop selling Vapour Cigarettes, in Norwich.

Sadly, Melvin has lost his son, Richard has lost his only brother, and Liam and Alex their wonderful father. My heart goes out to that immediate family. I ask God to keep Paul safe in his love, and to watch over those closest to him.

Love Jane x


Sunday, August 23, 2015

My Barnsley Bear

Unwanted bear finds new home in Barnsley.

I just can't resist a little Teddy Bear. As David and I were taking a walk down the road to the Edmunds Arms in Worsbrough village, we came across three children selling their old toys, at the bottom of their garden. Very enterprising, we thought, and of course couldn't pass by without buying something from them. I call my new bear, Jumble, as he came from a jumble stall. I could have bought a lovely necklace, or any number of plastic penguins, but the bear, being somewhat strange, was irresistible. He reminds me of a poem I wrote recently: 

(James Kennedy who wrote the original lyrics to Teddy Bears’ Picnic, lived at Staplegrove Elm, Taunton, Somerset, which was at the edge of a wood).

Zombie Teddy Bears’ Picnic

Do not go into the Staplegrove wood,
in the light of day, or the dark of night,
it’s a crazy, Zombie Teddy Bear hood.

Be warned, they picnic on fresh brains and blood,
and once you are hugged, they will hold on tight,
do not go into the Staplegrove wood.

If you reach the edge, think twice, it’s not good
to disturb the bears as they reunite,
it’s a crazy, Zombie Teddy Bear hood.

When Zombie Teddy Bears picnic, they rub
eyeballs in soil, suck tongues, they’re not polite,
do not go into the Staplegrove wood.

If you go down to the Staplegrove wood,
you’ll be in for a big surprise, all right,
it’s a crazy, Zombie Teddy Bear hood.

You’ll never believe your eyes, when the bite
rips into your flesh - there’s no time for flight.
Do not go into the Staplegrove wood,
it’s a crazy, Zombie Teddy Bear hood.


Hope you enjoyed that one. Well, I'll keep a close eye on Jumble, and keep him away from picnics. 

I have also been creative this week, this is my latest painting. 

Yorkshire women having a natter.

And now to do a bit of music practice. Talk again soon.
Love, Jane x







Sunday, August 9, 2015

Locke Park Gala - Barnsley

What a splendid Sunday!  A fine collection of vintage cars.
An A30 - our first car in 1967


We were so pleased that we made the effort to find Locke Park in Barnsley, today.
MG - CLASSIC!

 And there were lots more beautiful old motors. The event was free. There were live singers in the bandstand, a doggy show, lots of charity stalls, a fair ground with roundabouts, and great burgers for lunch.  

Morris Minor - they don't make engines like this anymore

Morris Minor Countryman


 I'm not sure what these motors are, but they were all very shiny.
3 Wheeler

Lambretta 150 just like David had in 1965

David in his element! Old cars!
 We walked all around the park then caught the bus home. 

Hope your day has been as good as ours. Love Jane x

The only bad comment I have to make is that the toilets in the park were disgustingly dirty.
The Band Stand

Friday, August 7, 2015

Bake OFF!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY LOVELY HUBBY

I did warn you that I'm a terrible cook! Sorry the wee bottle is empty, and I didn't have a 7, ignore the fact that there is a sink hole in the middle and I overdid the time in the oven a bit. But it is creative!

I made a cake just for you,
It's chocolate, and vanilla, with a hint of ginger too.
Never mind the fact that it sank in the middle, bugger!
I filled the hole with love and
and a pound of icing sugar.

Time to whoop it up at the Edmunds Arms, Yeah!
I love birthdays,
Jane x




Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Bog Snorkelling Poem




VIRIDI RANAM - THE GREEN FROG AT LLANWRTYD WELLS 

My poem has been well received by the people who organise the Bog Snorkelling Championships at Llanwrtyd Wells, and they have informed me that they will put a copy of it in the Neuadd Arms Hotel, which was the birth place of bog snorkelling. 

I will therefore wear the t-shirt with pride, and who knows, one day may even get to an event.

It's a bit cloudy in Birdwell today, just the day for getting creative, more poetry on the way.

Enjoy the video! 
Talk soon,
Jane x

Tears From The Sun - The Story