Genii In The Lakes

Feeling a wee bit poorly today….

2011-04-09T07:06:00.001-07:00

Well..here I am in bed with another ear infection in both ears. I have no hearing in my right ear so I rely on my left, which is very acute, to make up for any loss. This last week I have been putting up with a ‘bug’ which took my voice away, to the relief of Bryan I might add. ‘Peace and quiet rules’ he muttered. My voice came back again a couple of days ago; Well it is croaky, but at least it doesn’t sound as though I am being strangled to death!
This morning I woke up to both ears discharging. Blood from one and ‘stuff’ from the other. My hearing is again sounding as though everything is away in the distance.
This has been coming and going since last December and I have had antibiotics for it, which knock it on the head until times like these. I guess I am going to have to see the doctor on Monday and ask for him to send me to my ENT specialist. I usually have an annual MOT done at the hospital every year but this is getting a wee bit out of hand for my own practitioner I think. We are not getting anywhere fast!
A good old siphon with his magic machine, which gives me the spins, usually does the trick. Then some drops to dry it all up. This time I have a sort of feeling the blood could be coming from a mastoidectomy cavity. If that is possible. We will see soon enough.
I hope I feel better by this Tuesday as I have paid for tickets to go and see John Williams, the classical guitarist playing at the Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal.
I hope this link works below. If not I’m sure if you are interested you can Google it on UTube.
It’s lovely weather today. Tomorrow is said to be more of the same then some rain on Monday. We can’t really complain with this recent spell of spring weather here in the Lakes

Don't forget to turn off the music in my sidebar first.

Ben playing the piano recently.

2011-04-09T05:37:00.000-07:00

Another video of Ben playing the piano.

Listening to Ben playing........xx

Our Maestro Ben.

2011-04-08T09:05:00.001-07:00

I took this at our house at the beginning of the year, when our Martin, Rachel and their little brood came to visit. I really look forward to seeing my grandchildren! Ben had only had 8 lessons and I think he is doing wonderfully well! He is playing with two hands as well as reading the music. Don’t children pick up new challenges quickly?
I have another one or two in which you can see he has progressed. I will have to wait before I can upload though.
Amy Grace is sitting quietly on her stool and Matthew who is 7 is dancing about.
Time flies doesn’t it? It hardly seems like any time at all since I posted a photo of Amy Grace on here when she was new born. She will be four on the 17 of April. She will graduate to the infants from nursery, not this September but the following one.
She loves her ballet dancing classes and Matthew would love to learn to play the Bongos. That sounds like it will be fun. lol
You will have to turn off the music in my sidebar to listen to him play.

Bye for now! xx

Spring visits the garden…at last!

2011-04-07T06:17:00.001-07:00

My miniature cherry blossom tree.

The waterfall is running again and the cover has been rolled back. Fish are eating once a day at the moment.

Everything is shooting out of the ground since our recent rains.

Love Lies Bleeding are the pale green leaves and red stems to be seen under the Japanese Maple tree.

Heather, primroses, and the green leaves of the poppy plant.

Hope the sight of these promises of more to come…cheer you up.

Jeanie xx

Community Photo Challenge - Spring

2011-04-06T08:22:00.001-07:00

Community Photo Challenge - Spring
This is a beautiful time of year and we want to see what spring looks like in your area. This challenge starts today and will end April 14. Come back and leave your blog link by clicking the link above.
I thought I would take part in this challenge. I hope more of you do .

Click on the photographs to see a larger version.

Spring in the Lake District

Lambing time.

A corner of my garden today in the spring. Primroses, hellebores', heathers and the fresh green leaves of the poppies, to name but a few.

Good luck and have fun to those who enter.

HUGS JEANIE

Sunshine On My Shoulders….today in the Lakes

2011-03-25T09:18:00.001-07:00

A wonderful sunny day full of birdsong and contentment as we sat out on the patio.

Sharing some photos of my grandchildren. Martin, my son, is learning to play the saxophone and Ben is learning to play the piano.

Amy ..believe it or not could get a sound out of Martin’s saxophone; unlike Grandma who nearly burst a blood vessel trying!

Ben showing off his piano playing. He’s very good!

Amy, Matthew and Martin. Matthew wants to play the Bongo drums. He has yet to have them. Maybe if he says he will practice in the wooden Wendy House at the bottom of the garden he might be able to?Time will tell….. lol

We had a great weekend recently with my son’s little family. We managed to fit in a church visit as well as ten pin bowling over the weekend. The church was choc-a-bloc as there was a christening for a family with their three children. A lovely celebration was had by all.

The weekend was sunny too..at long last! The children got a chance to play in the garden. I wish it had been longer but I hope to go back down there soon. Amy has to perform in a dance at a theatre hired by her ballet school. I can’t wait to see her and her little friends perform. She has three costume changes. Tap, ballet and modern. Bless!

Hope you enjoy the photos. xx

Spring

2011-03-23T06:31:00.001-07:00

Just testing out Windows Live Writer on my Blog.

It’s a beautiful Spring day here in the Lakes.

The hotel bedroom where we stayed this last weekend.

Ornate ceiling and friezes around the room.

A comfortable room but a bit spooky!

Something woke me up the second night shaking my right arm. It didn’t upset me and I went back to sleep. I was again woken up by what felt like a cold hand stroking the back of my hand. It felt calming and not a bit scary so I returned to sleep. Weird or what?

I am pretty much sold on this Live Windows Writer. It is working a bit like AOL did when we were al on there.

This is just a test page and will/should disappear after I have viewed it.

Jeanie xx

Bloggers Community Photo Challenge Entry

2010-12-10T03:39:00.000-08:00

http://communityphotochallenge.blogspot.com/

Read these directions below from the CommunityPhoto Challenge Organisers

This month's photo challenge is LIGHTS! We have beautiful holiday lights all around us. You can venture out and capture city lights or even towns lit up at night. You can use anything, it's not just holiday lights.
The Challenge starts today, and ends on Dec. 23, 2010. You have 2 weeks to post.
Remember you have to post your image on your blog, come back here and click on blue button on the bottom of this post. SELECT your image, NOT your profile image, the image you are submitting for the challenge. Follow the EASY directions.
Voting will start on Dec. 23th(only one week to vote)

Try to link to this challenge on your blog post.
Have fun!

The first one is my entry although I found it difficult to choose one from the five.

I took these at the beginnng of our snowfall.

The Lion is almost indistiguishable but I reckon he looks quite snug in his white blanket.

What do you think?

Good luck to all the competitors. Why not try entering it yourself?

All the best!

I'm looking forward to having a look at the other entries.

Take care!

The Lion In Winter

This is my entry.

This Lion looks like it is trying to garner heat from the lamp.

A snowy mantle.

Brrrr!

Some snowy photos in December

2010-12-08T05:38:00.000-08:00

The pond wearing a mantle of snow and lit by a watery sun low in the sky.

From my bedroom window out over the rooftops to the fell tops beyond.

Outside my bedroom window.

Blue skies and snow.

The view from my bed.

The woodland behind the garden.

How can anyone be allowed to feel poorly when confined to bed with a sore throat, a burst eardrum from a silly infection, and a cough; when there are views like these to 'die' for. I used that word on purpose. lol

Here I am ..holed up away from the freezing temperatures, when all I would love to do is be out there enjoying the scenery and the warmth in the sunlight.

It is bitterly cold in the shade, which I experienced yesterday when I walked to and from our surgery to get some antibiotics for myself. I don't like taking my car out as I live at the top of a hill. A neighbour said not to worry, if you think you are going to slide out onto the main road on the ice without stopping at the bottom of the hill, just put the car into reverse and that should stop the car.

No fear! I don't thinkI would want to put myself into that situation!

Though...I wonder if it works?

I thought I was being well organised by baking my Christmas cakes, mincemeat pies and Christmas puddings in advance prior to Christmas shopping. Now I am holed up here because of the snow and my 'bug'. That'll teach me to try and get ahead of myself. Life, and its happenings' is a great leveller. lol

Hope anyone who pops by enjoys the photos. I'm going to enjoy an nice cup of tea which Bryan brought for me in bed. I will get him trained up perfectly before long. hahaha!

Stay safe and well everyone.

God bless!

Jeanie x

Another entry from Jeanie.. at long last!

2010-10-19T06:04:00.000-07:00

Well as you can see by the photo I AM STILL ALIVE! LOL
I have been visiting Blogs but not found the time or the inclination recently to add to my Blog. Writers block I suppose. I know some of you have experienced the same over the years we have known each other.

Recently we had a little tootle 'around the block' the other day, where to our surprise, the chickens and geese have been moved from alogside the tarn! Instead of seeing them all, and their coops, there are now some raised beds where, we presume, the tenants are going to grow vegetables in the near future. I always looked forward to approaching the gate to the tarn when out on our walk. The hens and cockerel always rushed to greet us, expecting food I suppose. We never ever fed them, but presume others may have done so from their 'road runner' actions towards us.
Below is a photo of the tarn where sheep are now grazing. There are a few coots and ducks using it, but not as many as there has been in the past. I miss our little feathered friends. They wore such variable plumage giving each one its own unique character. Although and old photograph, this is how it now looks. Sheep quietly grazing. It is still a beautiful view but sheep never ever rush up to greet anyone. lol

I took delivery of a piano tuition book and a Yamaha keyboard stand this morning.
I intend to have a wee go at learning how to play the piano. My grandson Ben, who is nine, already brings tears to my eyes when I listen to him play his piano for me over the phone. He is learning so fast!
They will be arriving this Sunday and staying until Wednesday as it is half term. Samantha will be arriving on Wednesday, before they all leave, and will stay until the Friday or the Saturday. So, next week will be a busy family orientated week. I am looking forward to spending lots of time with them all. Lots of home baking will be on the cards from now until then. Especially Ben's favourite, chocolate caramel shortbread. Or 'Millionaires' shortbread, which is its other name.
I might just make some fudge too, as Rachel and Samantha love fudge.
Bryan has been spending the past few weeks in the attic re-arranging the train track, building more models and adding more scenery too. It is all being done lovingly, so they have a nice surprise when they get here. Matthew and Ben just love granddad's train track. It is the highlight of their visit.
We also hope to pay a visit to our 'local zoo whilst they are here. (About 16 miles away). One of the Sumatran Tigers has given birth to a cub, without the keepers even knowing she was pregnant. If we go I will try and take photos of the little 'surprise' cub and place them on here.

I must away and have a wee practice at the piano keyboard.

This is Rachel, my lovely DIL, Amy Grace, Matthew and Ben, dining out on Ben's birthday.

love to all

Jeanie xx

Sharing a brilliant video with you all

2010-10-02T06:04:00.000-07:00

My thanks to Sal of...
http://www.britsal.net/journal.php
Follow the link to her wonderful journal and webshares.

Don't forget to turn off my music first before you play the video.

Autumnal Thoughts in a poem by Ted Hughes...to share with you.

2010-09-29T06:51:00.000-07:00

SUNFLOWERS IN THE GARDENS AT BROCKHOLE WINDERMERE

The Seven Sorrows
by Ted Hughes

The first sorrow of autumn
Is the slow goodbye
Of the garden who stands so long in the evening-
A brown poppy head,
The stalk of a lily,
And still cannot go.

The second sorrow
Is the empty feet
Of a pheasant who hangs from a hook with his brothers.
The woodland of gold
Is folded in feathers
With its head in a bag.

And the third sorrow
Is the slow goodbye
Of the sun who has gathered the birds and who gathers
The minutes of evening,
The golden and holy
Ground of the picture.

The fourth sorrow
Is the pond gone black
Ruined and sunken the city of water-
The beetle's palace,
The catacombs
Of the dragonfly.

And the fifth sorrow
Is the slow goodbye
Of the woodland that quietly breaks up its camp.
One day it's gone.
It has only left litter-
Firewood, tentpoles.

And the sixth sorrow
Is the fox's sorrow
The joy of the huntsman, the joy of the hounds,
The hooves that pound
Till earth closes her ear
To the fox's prayer.

And the seventh sorrow
Is the slow goodbye
Of the face with its wrinkles that looks through the window
As the year packs up
Like a tatty fairground
That came for the children.

I miss the sunshine.......it's raining today...again!

God bless..
Jeanie xx

You will never forget where you were when....

2010-09-11T09:25:00.000-07:00

My thanks to my dear friend Sal for allowing me to copy the following poem and tag.

http://britsalslist.yolasite.com/

'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'

You say you will never forget where you were when

you heard the news On September 11, 2001.

Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room

with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I

held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the

peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it

is OK..I am ready to go.'

I was with his wife when he called as she fed

breakfast to their children. I held her up as she

tried to understand his words and as she realized

he wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a

woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been

knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said.

'Of course I will show you the way home - only

believe in Me now.'

I was at the base of the building with the Priest

ministering to the injured and devastated souls.

I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He

heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat,

with every prayer. I was with the crew as they

were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the

believers there, comforting and assuring them that their

faith has saved them.

I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan .

I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news.

Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew

every name - though not all knew Me. Some met Me

for the first time on the 86th floor.

Some sought Me with their last breath.

Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the

smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take

my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me.

But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You

may not know why, but I do. However, if you were

there in that explosive moment in time, would you have

reached for Me?

Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey

for you. But someday your journey will end. And I

will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may

be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are

'ready to go.'

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

Author unknown.

Samantha's Graduation photos....etc

2010-07-18T06:13:00.000-07:00

Samantha was awarded and upper 2:1 Degree for her Bachelor of Arts Qualified Teacher Status Primary Education Degree, with Maths as her specialism, on Thursday 15th July at 10.00am in Carlisle Cathedral Cumbria.

I think it will be obvious how proud I am of her, and all the hard work she has put into this degree over the past four years.

Apart from doing a full time degree and raising her children, she never studied at home until they were in bed. She also did holiday cottage work in the summer season to bring a bit more money into the home.

I don't know how she managed it all but she did and Thursday 15th July was the proof of all that hard work.

She didn't aim for a first degree but got close to it nevertheless. Her reasoning was that it would take all her attention from the children and that was not negotiable.

It was worth my having been diagnosed with breast cancer just to see her, at last, fulfill her destiny.

She was with me on the day I was given the diagnosis, as Bryan couldn't drive, just in case I was unable to drive back home again. The previous week I had to drive thirty miles back home after being given a biopsy and that, I can tell you, was traumatic to say the least!

Outside the hospital, after the diagnosis, we hugged and talked. I was happy to think that at least I had seen all my grandchildren born, with the exception of Amy Grace. I had a very dear friend, I told her, who died of cancer and she never got to see her first grandchild. There are blessings in life that you can find, even if one has been given devastating news like I had then.

This motivated Samantha into looking at her life when she thought.."Why not live the life I want right now?"

She missed out on entering the Charlotte Mason University of Cumbria at first, as her school qualifications needed updating. So...a year at college got her the exam results for her to try again. She ended up being accepted this time, making Mathematics her specialism.

Her Maths teacher told her at school that she would never ammount to anything in maths, so her degree has 'cocked a snook' at her, whilst prooving her wrong into the bargain.

Samantha never forgot that teacher and promised that she would always look for the best in every child if she qualified.

Her 'last placement' headmistress, the staff, as well as parents, sang her praises. Straight away they gave her 'supply teaching work' for a week following her placement. Sadly there is no place at that school for her, but she was told they would have her back any day.

The children adored her and she them.

She was also invited to their end of term staff dinner.

Below are some of the photos taken on the day of her Graduation. There are some of her Graduation Ball too.

It was St Swithin's day, the day she recieved her degree. By jings didn't we know it!. It sounded like a battalion of Irish dancers were tap dancing on the roof of the Cathedral. Good job we were all inside at the time.

The 'Parade' of students managed to get inside on time too.

Thank the Lord!

Have a peek at the photos....

Samantha leaving her graduation inside Carlisle Cathedral.

Iain (Samantha's husband) with Samantha's 'study buddy' Steve.

Two of her tutors.

Outside the hotel where the graduation ball was being held.

Samantha looking like a film star at her Graduation Ball.

Samantha's best friend Clare had her mum make this. She went to the trouble of using a diabetic recipe too. Bless her!

Proud Mum and Dad.

I wont be around much this summer as we have a lot of visitors coming for their holidays.

My ex-sister-in-law is coming for a week this Monday and Samantha, hubby children and friend with child will be coming next weekend to see the RAF Display Show here in the Lakes.

No doubt she will stay over for a few more days and then I expect my son to come and visit with his ' Little Munchkins' too.

I have not long said goodbye to my old schoolfriend Maureen who visited me, for the third time since my diagnosis, from Australia. We had a brilliant re-union, putting my diabetes aside, we celebrated all the long weekend with her favourite tipple champagne, catching up in the lovely sunshine she brought with her.

Hollie..Maureen.. Ryan.. dressed up and playing to the 'audience'. lol

Maureen and Bryan.

If you don't see me around much this summer.. I will be back again in the Autumn.
Stay well and happy.
God bless!

My Entry for Blogger's Community Photo Challenge

2010-06-20T09:44:00.000-07:00

It was my birthday in May and these are my birthday flowers from my daughter.

I thought I would make this bouquet a late entry in The Bloggers Community Photo Competition. The theme is 'FLOWERS'. It can be any kind of flower photo as long as it has flowers as the main subject.

Hurry along and take a look or make an entry at the last minute, just like me.

It's great fun and such a pleasure to see all the other entries too. Get your skates on!

Hugs

Jeanie

If you click on the photo, and then again when it opens in another window, you will see the flowers in close up.

The Midnight Hour

2010-06-18T13:53:00.000-07:00

THE THOUGHT-FOX

I imagine this midnight moment’s forest:

Something else is alive

Beside the clock’s loneliness

And this blank page where my fingers move.

Through the window I see no star:

Something more near

Though deeper within darkness

Is entering the loneliness:

Cold, delicately as the dark snow,

A fox’s nose touches twig, leaf;

Two eyes serve a movement, that now

And again now, and now, and now

Sets neat prints into the snow

Between trees, and warily a lame

Shadow lags by stump and in hollow

Of a body that is bold to come

Across clearings, an eye,

A widening deepening greenness,

Brilliantly, concentratedly,

Coming about its own business

Till, with a sudden sharp hot stink of fox

It enters the dark hole of the head.

The window is starless still; the clock ticks,

The page is printed.

I just enjoy reading Ted Hughes poetry. It is out of this world! It is intricate and full of depth of meaning.

This poem of his reminded me of a late night 'Fox Thought' which helped me to write a poem of my own.

I had originally intended to write my poem about Bryan my husband. What he meant to me down the years and the things I admire about him. I even got as far as to read some of it over the phone to my son and he liked what he heard. Then strangely, one evening I was burning the midnight oil, trying to chisel away and improve on my original poem, whilst using the concept of a box and what was inside or outside it; When I seemed to be taken over by another hand and I wrote the following poem.

Perhaps it was the fear of death through my having cancer at the time, which pushed the words out of my head and onto paper. Who knows? I do know that I didn't sit down intending to write it.

I suppose you could call it my 'Comfort' poem.

So here is my 'Fox Thought' poem. No way am I classing it in the same league as Ted Hughes poem above. I am just borrowing on the concepts and theme of his as to how mine came about.

The Box (c) Jeanie Kirkby 2006

Do not be afraid to hold this box,

Hewn by an immortal hand.

Hold it. Feel its life force

Springing from its sides.

Turn it and see your life

Before time stood still.

Be not afraid to turn it again to see how in spring

you ran laughing and playing

With your childhood friends;

In the park after dark

Climbing trees. All this you’ll see,

And more, when you hold the side

With the mirrors of infinity.

You see there is no need to be afraid.

When there, before you, on another side

Is a chimera of your family appearing,

And reappearing, throughout life’s ages.

Happily unaware of time slowing

Down, throughout your summer and autumn.

Do not be afraid to see through the leaves

Of time and look at what you had before

Time stood still.

Slide the window of the world open

On its other side, and smell the winter snows.

Bone chillingly cold as they rasp at the door

Of life and death.

See how they glow like crystal tears.

Do not be afraid to open the lid

And breathe in the scent of heavens

Warm welcome to you as a spirit of the universe.

Do not be afraid as the roots of the box

Disappear and you are revealed as a

Shimmering surge of the nuclei and atoms

Of all that you are and were to man.

You will see inside the box, as you lift the lid,

His world lays waiting for you to step into.

Do not be afraid.

All will be as you have known it.

Love Jeanie xxxxxxx

Manchester Museum Of Science and Industry

2010-06-12T15:06:00.000-07:00

Manchester Museum of Science & Industry

Was a great Easter Holiday Expedition for us ‘old bods’ and our ‘little munchkins ’.

An early rise to catch a 7.55am train had us catching a taxi at 7.30am making sure we shifted our bodies out of bed early enough.

It’s only a couple of minutes up to Windermere train station but the older we get the more we need to make sure we are on time for any appointments. What an affliction when you could really do with a longer lie in bed having run around like a blue tail fly keeping the ‘ munchkins ‘ entertained for 5 days prior to the trip.

Eyes glued almost shut we arrived in our snug station waiting room. It was surprisingly warm and its benches had umpteen, sitting huddled over each other, sleeping oriental bodies waiting for their train too. The children began making loud theatrical whispers about them, as if trying not to waken them up, when they really meant to waken them up. I know them so well!

“They might fall off the bench”. Or “will they miss their train grandma whilst they sleep?” Another question” have they slept there all night?” were a few of the questions we had to hush down to a more polite under the breath reply in answer to their questions. Sheesh! Give me strength!

I was already brain dead before the day began.

If I have to be up really early in the morning I might as well stay awake all night as I clock watch until the crack of dawn, then fall asleep half an hour before I am supposed to wake up.

We changed at Oxenholme for Preston and then onwards to Manchester Piccadilly. Instead of going that far we got off two stops before as we were told that was much closer and not far to walk to the museum. Now that’s the kind of advice I like to hear.

This was to be my third train journey since the 1960’s.

My second one was to Cornwall to visit my daughter who had moved there just five weeks previously. She was homesick and needed Mum.

Bearing in mind that my first ever journey down from Glasgow to the Lakes was on a corridor less train in the early 1960’s, it was a giant leap for me to be on a train which needed buttons to push so the doors could be opened and closed.

I managed that and duly followed my daughter’s instructions about being able to leave my bags safely. Needing the loo off I went, pushed the button, entered and did what I had to do. Imagine my surprise when someone opened the door as I was about my ablutions.

“EXCUSE ME!” I called out as I straightened up.

The door closed quickly and luckily I didn’t see his or her face and they didn’t see mine. Much to my blushes. I began internalising about how I could walk back to my seat cool calm and collected.

What the heck! If I waited long enough then they might not know if it was me or not. (I hoped).

I got to my table seat which I shared with a young couple and noticed my handbag was where I left it.

“Hmm that’s good!” (Thinks me. Samantha was right that I could leave my bag safely).

When recounting my escapade to my daughter she rolled about the floor.

“You left your handbag!”

“What were you thinking Mum?”

“You told me it was safe to leave your bags” I said.

“ S’truth! Give me strength!

“You had your **** in the air when the toilet door opened?”

“MUM!”

“Oh well… at least I got there and back safely. How was I to know that you had to hit another button to lock the door?”

I’m not safe loose!

I guess I have been closeted in the ‘back of beyond’ for too long. Sigh!

Anyway it cheered her up. lol

I digress…we were on a train to Manchester …
Memories were rushing back as to the fun and games the children and I could get up to this time. Was I worried? Yup! I shadowed them everywhere

Even to the loo where I could educate them on ‘how to lock the door’.

Grandma’s know everything you know…wink! wink!

I still lost Hollie but that story is yet to be told towards the end of the trip and in another entry.

Below are some of the exhibition displays taken around The Science and Industry Museum.

What a place!

You can walk for ages around the site. In and out of buildings, which once were the homes of the various industries we were about to learn about and see. I huffed and puffed up and down the various floor levels. I didn’t mind as there was ‘treasure’ on every floor. We rode on a train passing the station in which was the venue for hands on learning of topical arts and crafts for visiting children, as well as being a museum for all sorts of things to do with trains and stations.

It was amazing to take in all the ingenuity of the Victorians and their inventiveness, as well as seeing textiles and machinery from early industry up until the present.

It is such a large place that we still hadn’t seen it all by the time it closed at 4.30 that day. We had spent six hours touring the site.

Another visit will be on the cards in the near future.

This textile screen or curtain above had glass inserts inside the net and material.

I liked this innovative idea.

This picture doesn’t truly show the ingenuity of this coat. It is made from real thistledown (the wild flower) attached to very fine threads and sheer net.

It was breathtaking!

Children’s Pottery Display In the Cabinet

A demonstration of what it was like in the cotton mills. Some children as young as five were employed to crawl in between the looms, whilst they were still running, to remove the fluff which might stop production. Occasionally a child would be killed by getting caught in the fast running machines.

The noise was horrendous!

It doesn’t bear thinking about why parents were forced to make their children work at such a young age! What dire straits they must have been living. It just beggars belief.

Towards the end of the afternoon we paid a visit to the Planetarium in the Air and Space Museum. Was that the best of places…yes!

On sitting down on the tilted sofas, so that we could look up and view the night skies, my old body heaved the biggest sigh, having been on my feet most of the day.

My near neighbour agreed with me that this was the best part of the day. She had three children with her. You don’t realise how far you travel and how long you are on your feet until you sit down at times like these.

I tried to stifle a yawn or two but eventually became engrossed in the names of all the planets above me and how they got their names.

All the children were mesmerised.

Some of them were real boffins and knew all the star names.

These textile tapestries were made by Manchester primary school children. Out of all the exhibits I loved these the most. The work in all of them was amazing! When they were all put together...there were more of these photos,,, they took up a large expanse of wall in the upstairs textile area. On looking closer I noticed that they were maps of the area around their school and places of interest too. They all interlinked with each other too.

There was the zoo and the airport. Parks, churches and mosques. Theatres, rivers. A wonderful depiction of what Manchester is all about.

Well done to the teachers and the pupils!

Above is an actual ceramic tile in which the inventor has embedded lacework.

What a clever idea!

Yes it is glazed over to protect the material. How clever is that?

We had a 'tootle' along the short railway line on this little steam train.

I had to put this bicycle, see above, for Julie.

It is made of wood and I guess if she rode one of those for a while she would want to put back on all that wonderful weight loss she has managed so far. One needs one's comfort on a bike ride Julie. lol

More photos to come another time.

We are off out for the day to a lovely seaside town tomorrow.

Hope the weather is as nice as it has been today.

Love Jeanie xx

Spring Paints the Land with Footsteps of Colour

2010-04-01T07:43:00.000-07:00

Spring Paints the Land with Footsteps of Colour © Jeanie Kirkby 2010-03-30

The air smells different in spring. It has an aroma of new life emerging from the forest floor.

Wild garlic pervades my nostrils so much that I could dine out on the air.
So redolent of passing by on narrow streets full of tantalising Bistros on balmy summer holiday evenings.

Such memories rush back instantly, as I stroll along the lane, reminding me of warmer times.

Not this bleak iciness that we have all lived through this winter just gone. Not those long drawn out remarkable snowfalls which harassed us, and still do in some areas, these past winter months.

Now spring is releasing all her prolific artists of colour.

Daffodils, crocus, heathers and grape hyacinths lighten my steps and reward my sepia steeped winter eyes.

Celandines carpet the forest floor amongst the crunchy empty nutshells of the squirrels repasts, when they woke from their snug drays with rumbling stomachs, on the warmer sunnier days of their winter sleeps.

The roses are oozing their leaf buds from their stems with red and green tipped eagerness. The clematis too is joining the race.

The hazel trees unfurl their long catkins like golden furry caterpillars hanging out to dry on their branches.

SPRING PAINTS THE LAND WITH HER FOOTSTEPS OF COLOUR AND I AM HAPPY AGAIN.

Happy Easter Everyone!

I have the 'Munchkins' staying for a week so I may not be around very much.

Take care and have a lovely holiday.

Jeanie xx

Another poem of mine to save to Blogger.

2010-03-28T07:46:00.000-07:00

The Greenwood Gate

Step this way, and follow me;

A path leads down between those trees.

Towards a forests dank and dour

With leaf mould strewn about its floor.

Come, follow me through yonder door

Wherein you’ll find great views, I’m sure,

Which nature gave to you and me.

Her visions framed in every tree.

It’s free of charge; there are no fees

Through this green tunnel where you’ll see

Mirrored reflections on rippled ponds?

Or magic tap of magician’s wand?

Come; take in views that cost no more

Than sitting here upon a floor,

Of dappled shaded greenery;

With grass and moss as your settee.

Windflowers dance upon the floor,

As you step through the wooden door.

This links the outside world to here,

A place for calmness no more fear.

Wildlife abounds within this bower.

I’m sure you’ll browse for countless hours

In contemplative solitude,

Find peace at last in this green wood.

You’ll find out soon in quick point rhyme

How flowers in the forest will dance in time

To every heart beat that you drum

Knowing that here…. His kingdom’s come.

HUGS....JEANIE XX

Windows (Community Photo Challenge)

2010-03-22T06:56:00.000-07:00

This month's photo challenge is "WINDOWS"....or "Window". The main focus is "window". You can use your imagination & be creative. You can use the window as a framing tool, but it must have a window in it. You can have one window, or many windows, but remember the focus is on windows.
Starts today & ends April 15th.
Post your windows on your blog, come back here, click the blue button, follow easy directions, post your image on here.

http://communityphotochallenge.blogspot.com/

I had aother window photo to put on here but for one reason or another that's beyond me...it didn't want to play the game. I have spent ages trying to get this far. Anyway...I have had another go at this competition.

Why don't you try it yourself?

Jeanie xx

Just giving some old poems of mine a home on Blogger

2010-03-21T09:53:00.000-07:00

A Spring Bouquet

When I woke to the Sunrise this morning

The birds sang their sweet sounding trill.

The flowers of the meadows and woodlands

Still slept upon my windowsill.

I had gathered them up in a bouquet

To place in full view for to see

Their beauty as nature unfolds them

With her magical mystery.

Their colours were vibrant, yet fleeting,

As their lives slowly faded away.

Their vitality was not for my keeping.

I could not, with love, make them stay.

Much better by far that they’d lingered

In the earth from whence they came forth.

To light up our lives for much longer

Than plucking them out with such force.

Images

by Jeanie Kirkby ©

Images around me seem

Just like phantoms in a dream.

Colours take on different hues

Fiery Red, Purple, Blues.

My daydream shimmers in the heat

Perusing dancing children’s feet.

Their arms linked through like metal chains

As they sing to God for Blessed rains

Their earth is parched there is no yield

Of grain or oats in these dry fields.

The famine hits both man and beast

As yet again there’ll be no feast.

The brazen sun beats down its rays

Drying out hope that soon one day

The parched and sandy fields will be

Places of verdant grass and trees.

Memories of Guy

2010-03-17T08:43:00.000-07:00

A Vist of an Angels Wings on a warm summer's day.

Memories of Guy (C) Jeanie Kirkby 2009

A long time has passed since we were last together walking in companionable silence.

A memory of you flits into view now as a bee drones by intent on gathering nectar in the summer’s sun.

A time when you almost got too close for comfort when you pressed your nose curiously towards another bee on a similar summer day.

Closing my eyes to capture that memory, familiar lanes and woodland paths appear ahead of me of our usual walk. I look through the gloaming and see you fleetingly as you slip from tree to tree. You are always tantalisingly ahead and out of reach.

Only your back is visible, yet I know that you smile widely. You were never without that lollopy smile. This familiar knowledge warms my heart and turns my lips up into a loving smile too. I sense that you are happy and mischievous.

Deaf to my calls, when you know it doesn’t matter if you answer them or not, you push onwards following the well worn familiar trail. I just want to keep you close to me and in sight, but you slink from view with only the sound of your feet for me to follow.

I skliff amongst the crunchy leaves you have disturbed with your feet. Smells of damp rotting forest floor detritus extrudes familiar earthy smells.

In view again in a clearing you haltingly lift your head briefly to the suns rays while simultaneously sniffing the air, then you skip on, still elusive.

Today, I am reminded of those walks where we shared our love and companionship, listening and watching for the thrum of life in our beloved woodland.

The sun has warmed the earth for yet another year.

Floral perfumes hang redolent in the balmy air tempting me to breathe in deeply and absorb them into my spirit.

Just as the earth absorbed you, my beloved dog, when you left me here to walk the woodland paths alone.

Mother's Day, visits and prayers.

2010-03-15T08:19:00.000-07:00

I had a lovely surprise for Mother's Day yesterday.

Samantha came to visit with the 'munchkins'.

She does so well to make the round trip of 120 miles when she is in the closing stages of her university degree to be a teacher.

She brought roses and presents as well as lunch.

What a treat!

It was so nice to catch up with her again.

I will have my grandchildren for the Easter holidays whilst she puts together her classrom teaching plans for her final full summer term placement at a school nice and handy for her to travel to. It only takes her five minutes to get there.

Her dissertation is all bound and handed in; which she says was such a relief as it felt like part of her had gone into writing it up.

As a mature student I don't know how she has held the past four years together whilst she made this her aim but she has managed her time management well by waiting for the children to go to bed before she got on with her work and studies.

Her graduation ball will be this June and then on the 15 July we will be attending the ceremony at Carlisle Cathedral as she receives her graduation certificate.

I guess I am allowed to say that I am so proud of her and what she has achieved.

She was with me when I was diagnosed with my breast cancer. It shook her to the core so much so that she decided that life was too short to not make the most of her time here on earth.

So you could say my cancer was a blessing too.

Samantha with her Dad at Brockhole.

I'm behind the camera...as usual...being a pesky pest asking them to pose. lol

Rachel &; Amy Grace

This is Rachel, my lovely daughter-in-law with Amy Grace.

She lost her darling Mum last April to a brain hemmorage. Her Dad is in hospital at present and I want to wish him a speedy recovery. I know how much she is worrying about him, so please... prayers for his safe recovery would be wonderful.

I know yesterday, 'Mother's Day' was difficult for her even though she has three children of her own to keep her busy. I couldn't ask for a nicer daughter -in- law. She is a District Nurse and has the perfect temperament for her job.

Ben's 9th Birthday February 13th.

L/R....Rachel, Amy Grace, Matthew and Ben.

That's it for today folks. I'm off to read a few journals.

I may not be around tomorrow as it's Bryan's Birthday and we are going out for the day.

For Paul..

God bless.

Jeanie xxxx

Some cheery photos instead of snowy ones...

2010-03-08T08:51:00.000-08:00

Today weather is so balmy compared to the recent snows and night frosts, so much so, that I almost want to push this little kitten out of its hammock and laze in the sun myself.

I have changed my picture header to one I took a few years ago at our local Leonard Cheshire Home for the disabled.

The grounds are wonderful as are the gardens which are looked after by volunteers.

I have had enough of looking at snowy pictures.

We still have snow on the high fells surrounding us here in Windermere but at last we can see the green grass again lower down here in the valley!

I managed a decent walk on my own in the sunshine today. Bryan went further across the fields and around the tarn. It wont be long now before I join him. By then I will have no more worries about my boots adding pressure to my big toenails. No more problems. Pain free walks again. Yippee!

The daffodils are beginning to bud. We have hundreds of thousands lining the verges here in the Lakes in the springtime. They are such a riot of gold along the lake as well as when lining the woodland paths.

Taken at Grange-over-Sands last year

Spring time last year at Grange-over-Sands..Arnside in the distance.

I'm looking forward to seeing it again this year.

I guess we all are.

A quick entry today just to keep in touch.

Hope you like the new photos.

Bye for now....

The Windermere Triangle and another Tale of Life as it is in the lakes.

2010-03-03T06:30:00.000-08:00

My thanks to Donna for this lovely tag.

I like to try and visit my elerly neighbour Ron on a daily basis especially since he had a bad fall just a few weeks before Christmas. The only day I didn't go in to see him was the time I was needed the most. He had fallen on theWednesday evening at 7 o'clock and I didn't get to see him until by chance on the Friday morning. I knocked and went in to see if he needed any shopping. Normally I usually call for an hour between 4 o'clock and 5o'clock each day. The lead up to Christmas had me busy shopping and I thought I could miss a day. Never again!
I found him sitting in his chair with his fleece jacket draped over his shoulders and his right arm exposed to me. He had gashed his head, hurt his tummy/ribs/ and torn the top layer of his forearm so that it resembled the sleeve of a cardi pushed up out of the way.
What a fright I got! He had been sat like that and didn't like to phone me for fear of going into hospital. ( I know him so well now). He wouldn't allow me to call an ambulance so, after long discussions over the phone to our surgery I took him down there to be looked at. The doctor who saw him said you could do a nice anatomy lesson on what she could see. His wound was 8" x 3" . He said he couldn't feel a thing and it didn't hurt. Unfortunately the edges necrotised by leaving it too long; which meant he couldn't have stitches.
So began a long twice weekly change of dressing at the nurses clinic.
Then came the snow. We live at the top of a hill and as soon as there is a reasonable amount of snow we are handicapped by being unable to take our car out. This winter, as we all know, has been a bad one for deep snow all over Britain and the east coast of the U.S.
The district nurses were unable to visit to do his dressings so I walked down to the surgery, collected a first aid bag full of dressings, ointments and sterile saline water so that I could do it for him. Between us over the next three weeks we made one good nurse. lol We learnt as we went along.
Amazingly, unlike my recent toenail removal, he never needed antibiotics and his wound stayed clean and healed beautifully.
He will be 90 this June and of a mind now to be saying he has lived long enough. Some of you will remember Margaret his wife who has been gone for two and a half years now. I call him a miserable old so and so. He has been blessed with a long and healthy life so far and he had better hang around so that I can see his 100th Birthday card from the Queen. Or else! lol
I'm amazed at his ability to heal so well. Now that's a blessing at his age.

Here in Windermere there has been a bit of mystery occuring in the village. They were calling it the Windermere Triangle (After the Bermuda Triangle). For some reason motorists who parked inside this triangle could not unlock their cars or lock them. Sometimes there was no problem at all. There were many theories.." Perhaps it is to do with the frequency of the traffic lights..they could be using the same frequency as the keys to the cars". "Maybe it was to do with a radio ham in the village? Or.. as the local baker remarked.. "It could be to do with the ghost that haunts our shop".

The authorities eventually looked into it and came up blank. What on earth was locking people out of their cars or stopping them from locking them as they left?

Yesterday I was told the answer...

It was all to do with a local restaurant.

They were using electronic notepads to take orders and then sending them through to the chef in the kitchen

They were using the same frequency as the car keys.

All is well, now that the freqency has been changed, and back to usual in the village...except for our bakers ghost....hmmmm?

I may not be around tomorrow as I have an appointment with our local hospital podiatrist. She is a nice Scottish lass from Clydebank in Glasgow, so I look forward to a chat whilst she is having a peek at my poorly toes.

It will be another three to five weeks before they heal I'm told.

It is tedious bathing daily for ten minutes in salt water and dressing them both again but it could have been longer if I had them done individually.

This way was best. Over and done with quicker.

A mild day today here in the Lakes, but overcast with little peeps of sunshine now and then.

Take care.

Trees

2010-03-02T00:45:00.000-08:00

Here is my attempt at the

Bloggers Community Photo Challenge.

Click on the link and it will take you to the page where you can view all the other competition entries.

They are super!

Reflective look back to last year..

2010-02-28T02:56:00.000-08:00

L/R Ben Matthew Ryan Amy Grace and Hollie

All my little 'Munchkins ' together at the New Year.

My thanks to Sal for helping me to put 'The Secret Garden ' music back here on my Blog.

She is such a great friend and always there to help me out of my 'pickles'.

Thank you Sal

I was sitting here at my kitchen table this morning,, which looks out onto the garden and woodlands when I saw two brilliantly coloured cock pheasants. They stood out in their burnished plumage compared to the green of the mosses and grass. I dashed to get my camera and....you've guessed it...the batteries were low.

Another morning perhaps. The deer are easily seen at the moment and are browsing quite close in search of food. This winter has been a hellish one for them and yet...they still live. Amazing!

The photos I have included here are from last year. It was a busy one for having family,going on outings, so there are more to come for me to place on here as a record.

Some of you might know that both my computers went on the blink. It was only come the New Year when my son Martin, who is a technical manager in computers, was able to sort me out. He put new innards into my laptop and built me another computer in place of my larger one downstairs in the cellar room.

Having done this he saved all my documents and photos to disc and now I am slowly coming to terms with how to access them all again.

Hence the montage below.

This was when Ryan and Samantha took to doing some kayaking on the lake.

Once my 'old' toes are healed I am hoping to get out and about again.

Bryan bought himself a treadmill as this winter has been bad for getting out and about because of snow.

He has plans for me to use it too....oh heck!

I might just prolong the bandaging of my toes. hahahaha

I remember the marathons Pam did on hers in training for working at Disneyland.

I hope you enjoy the lake views on the photos and of course notice how all my little 'Munchkins' have grown. Amy Grace will be two this year. Tempus Fugit!

I hope you are enjoying your weekend.

Toodle pip for now.

Ryan thinking about jumping into the lake to get him acclimatised prior to Kayaking. It took his breath away as the lake is only truly warm for about two weeks a year. Samantha took a panic attack it was so cold!

I suppose the thought of falling into water that cold makes them think more carefully whilst meeting offshore winds and the waves from the ferry boats.

We are so lucky to live near all sorts of outdoor pursuits.

Hollie wasn't able to join them as she has yet to learn to swim strongly and loose her fear of the water.

This is more to Hollie's liking.

At last!....I'm back again....

2010-02-26T06:35:00.000-08:00

Well...here I am making an entry at last! I for one will be pleased to see the previous entry relegated to a lower page. Each time I came in to make an entry I looked at it and my mind went blank. Now that's not like me at all. Still...it is easy to get out of the habit of journalling when there are other commitments and happenings

I recently had 'The Munchkins' to stay for a week over half term. My having had to have my two large toenails removed prior to their visit hampered my going out for walks with them. I managed to take them to the pictures twice. Once to see the Princess and the Frog and the other visit was to see Astro Boy.

The sound speakers are deafening in the cinema! I sat bolt upright when it came on..I was hoping to have forty winks on the back row as the children had me up at the crack of dawn and 'on the go' all day keeping them happy, fed and occupied.

We drew and coloured and Karaokied, baked cakes, cooked meals and read as the time flew by. Before I knew it I had my sad face on saying cheerio to them.

As for my toes I had to go onto double dozes of Flucloxacillin and penicillin at the same time for my left one as it was tracking up my foot. It was probably because I didn't keep my feet up for long enough. I will never learn! I think I know it all. lol

They are now on the mend.

Like most of you we have had lots of snow and now rain...thank the Lord for the rain!

We are now lookng out onto green grass and it is wonderful!

Scotland is suffering from severe blizzards as I write and I feel for them as I was kept indoors before and through Christmas for almost three weeks by the snow. I was so stir crazy!

As for this journal entry I see there is a newer format for making entries so I hope I have managed to place the photos of Bryan and Samantha on their way up Catbells near Keswick here in the English Lakes. I think Guido once mentioned he walked all the way around the lake, Derwentwater, which you can see below them, when he visited there once upon a time.

I wasn't able to walk this high up onto the fells but I was so proud that Bryan, Samantha and 'The Munchkins' did. They had a brilliant sunny day for it which is what I wish for us all soon!

I guess we are all starved of sunlight and warm zephyrs.

I can't wait to see if the photos I hoped to place on here have actually done so. So for now...stay safe and warm and... HURRY UP SPRING!

HUGS

Jeanie xx

Keeping in touch..

2009-06-15T13:07:00.000-07:00

Hello again..

It's been quite some time since my last entry and quite a lot of water has gone under the bridge since then too.
Some of Bryan's fish in the pond, whose photos I placed in the previous entry, have died. They were about thirty years old too.
At first we thought the three new fish we bought recently had brought in a disease, but it turned out that the conditions in the filters were critical, resulting in too much amonia in the pond water. As a consequence of that, three of our oldest fish died and there could be another to follow. The white one, see photo in previous entry, is very lethargic, even though we have done two 50% water changes and added medicines etc to change the Ph back to normal.
Fingers crossed that the new filter booster kicks in soon so that all systems for optimum conditions are back to normal again.
I have, hopefully, placed a photo of a little blackbird chick, the last one to leave the nest in my neighbours clematis, somewhere in the pictures below. I left my specs upstairs and couldn't be bothered to dash up for them as my computer is so contrary these days. I never know if it is going to 'hang' or freeze on me. so I have just dived into my album and hope that the ones chosen are the correct ones.
We also had a couple of male ducks inspecting the pond for habitation but Bryan sent them packing with a wave of a broom...lol! That's all we need at the moment. hahahaha!
When I find their photos I will pop them on too.

My laptop has definitely 'died the death' and now I am 'holding on by my whiskers' to this old one I have here in the cellar bedroom.
Sorry not to have been around much. It has been a frustrating time waiting for my laptop to 'light up' as I call it. The last time it let me on line it took four hours to remember what to do. It's a gonner now so...I need to save my pennies for a new one.
This one keeps telling me that there is no virtual memory...whatever that is??? It could be imitating me possibly???? lol!
The writing is obviously on the wall for this one too.
Our recent weather has been fabulous but this afternoon brought rain with thunder and lightning. Very dramatic dark grey rainclouds with flashes of lightning forking towards the ground. I felt snug and safe indoors watching it through the lounge window.
Well...I don't want to push my luck too far by taking my time on line as I want to post this before my computer decides to freeze again.

Before I go I would like to say thank you to Sal for the lovely music which she placed on here for me.
Thank you my lovely friend. xx
If I am not around much...you will know why.
For now..God bless and stay well and happy.
Hugs
Jeanie xx

Spring photos and Koi Carp

2009-05-19T05:18:00.000-07:00

The sun is shining brightly
The trees are clothed in green
The beautiful flowers of springtime
On every side are seen............

Spring! Isn't it the most beautiful time of the year after such a long driech winter?
My garden is bursting its little heart showing off all its blossoms and flowers.
There are just my poppies to open up and then it will be complete!
In Julia's journal she mentioned seering the bottom of the stems of poppies to make them last a week. I shall be trying that one out soon. Hope it works as I just need to captivate them for a little longer than a day or so.

We took a run out to a place called Singleton, about five miles from Blackpool, to buy some baby fish for Bryan's pond.
I hope to be able to place some photos of them on here. The sky was grey today when I took them so the light isn't as good as it could be but you can get a glimpse of them.
These 'littlies' have fair cheered our jumbo Koi up. They are swimming around and playing catch up with them as well as competing for their food too. The jumbos had become quite complacent and presumed the food would be there at their leisure. Not with these hungry little shiny critters.
It's great to see their appetites reviving after their long winter fast.
I hope you enjoy the photos.

Love
Jeanie
PS. I forgot to draw your attention to the deer in the gap in the woodland on a couple photos.

It's been a while...

2009-05-14T06:29:00.000-07:00

I can't believe my last entry was all about Christmas and the New Year celebrations! Sheesh!
Already Easter has come and gone and here I am only just getting my act in gear.
I needed the break from my journal as it was becoming less of a pleasure, because of Blogger's different ways and missing AOL, that it was easier not to post in the end. I didn't think I would miss AOL but I own up...I did. There was also the downside from the side effects from the pill which I take to keep my breast cancer from reappearing. It gave me mood swings, amongst other things, so I have had to ride the crest of those and slide down the troughs whilst hanging onto my britches. Lol!
Anyway..I know it's been a while but I have been hopping into your journals even though I have not taken the time to post here.

Spring is definitely here although our weather is very changable. I can't complain. When I woke up on my birthday, which was last Monday, the sky was sheer blue with not a cloud to spoil its purity. As soon as I opened my curtains I thanked God for it. A big smile sat on my face all day. We had had rain for almost a week prior to then.
I want to thank my friends for my lovely birthday cards, flowers and plants which kept coming all day long. You know who you are so catch a cuddly duddly from me to you.
I have some birthday pictures but can't find the adaptor which helps me to download them onto the computer. When I do I will pop them on here for posterity.
Meanwhile the ones above of my grandchildren were take on a walk up to High Dam at Easter time. This is a small tarn up in the fells behind Lake Windermere. It's so peacefull there.

Anyway..I have broken my long spell away and hope to keep up to date a bit more regularly from now on.
Meanwhile....

Carpe Diem!

Hugs
Jeanie xx

Christmas photos

2008-12-31T07:14:00.000-08:00

I hope you all had a happy Christmas.
Bryan and I spent ours here at home with our daughter and grandchildren.
Her husband is in the army and had to work again this Christmas just like last year.
It's such a shame to miss two Christmas's in a row but next year I know it will be extra special for them to have their dad with them at last.
Our New Year will be spent at our son's home with his family.
So we are getting ready to go visit with them for a few days.
Below are some of the holiday pictures taken indoors and outdoors.
The ones of the lake view were taken up on Post Knott a wonderful view not far from our house. It's quite a steep hill to get on top of and I have yet to make it since my breast cancer operation. I just don't have the legs for walking far these days. One day I will though!
The bonfire pictures are a traditional act which granddad loves to do and the children enjoy joining in.
I guess if Bryan were allowed to, he would happily become a pyromaniac as he just loves bonfires.
There are photos of Ryan and Hollie who get on so well as brother and sister you would think they were twins.
Hollie and Ryan took to the Karaoke machine that granddad bought in the Boxing Day Sales.
Once they found the echo chambers on it we were given a world war 2 siren sound repeated over and over until they were banned into the kitchen with it. Lol!
Junior monopoly found Hollie winning twice and some of us becomng bankrupt. Humph!We were treat to a puppet show which they wrote themselves.

All too soon it was time for them to leave but the pictures will hold the memories for a long time to come.
I hope your Christmas was a happy one too.
Since we will be away for a few days over the New Year I just want to wish you all 'A Happy New Year'.

I'll see you all again in the New Year.
God bless.
Love
Jeanie xxx

Below is a link for you to see my greetings for the New Year. I Hope it works.

Some photos to look at...

2008-12-17T06:04:00.000-08:00

Looking up the hill from our front garden.
The young South African's who rent the house down from us had never seen snow before so they built a snowman on the pavement in their great excitement. You can see from here how difficult it is for us to negotiate the hill when there is snow lying.

Snow in the back garden.

The view up to the farm which sits on the fell top.

Hollie as a Dalmation- come- Zombie- Witch? Lol!

Ryan before having his face painted

Ryan as Denis The Menace/Zombie

Grandma finished off these lanterns hence the wobbly teeth or gaps in their mouths. Lol!

I hope you enjoy the selection of photos above.

Some are from our recent snowfall ,which as you can see can hamper us from getting out in the car, or on foot for that matter.

These have all been sitting in my camera as I could not find the lead which links it to the computer until yesterday. As I said then, in yesterday's entry, I found it in the suitcase which I had taken up to the Borders with me.

I spent Halloween up there with my daughter and grandchildren as they needed looking after whilst she was at University.

This is the waterfall which Bryan built during the summer. It's beginning to take shape. Once the plants grow it will look more natural. Mind you..I had to give up my footpath for this but it was worth it. I walked up it safely enough to view it from the top but I fell on my way down as the cobbles shifted underneath my feet. I was lucky not to break my wrist but 'all's well that ends well'.

The pastoral view photograph is me wending my way up to the farmhouse where my friend's daughter lives.

I found it dfficult last week to negotiate this road as it was still thick with ice. I had my heart in my mouth a few times I can tell you.

I miss AOL Albums as we were able to download all the photos we wanted to.

Here on Blogger they have to be embedded which is much slower.

Never mind though...eh?

I hope these images appear ok. I have had a devil of a time trying to edit some of the Html which couldn't be accepted. Haven's knows what that is until I post it properly.
Meanwhile.
Toodle pip for now!
Hugs
Jeanie

Lakeland weather ...

2008-12-16T07:37:00.001-08:00

Hello,

Here I am again with a short entry just to let you know that I am still alive.

We have rain here in the Lakes and I am very happy about that. If it snowed as much as the torrents we have had today, then we wouldn't get out for a month of Sundays. Lol!

Well..my oven has been fitted in, but the day after that the central heating boiler wouldn't come on, so we had to get a chap out to look at it. Bear in mind this is a brand new condenser boiler just put in this summer in readiness for the winter and cheaper bills.

Seemingly there was a small leak in one of the pipes so he put some 'magic fluid' into the system, and so far so good!

It was perishing cold at the time and it made both Bryan and I think of those poor folks who only can afford to heat one room and leave the rest cold.

Luckily for us we have the log burner, but when we left the room for anything our breath was condensing in the air.

Bless all those who are cold at this time of year. It just doesn't bear thinking about!

Fortunately we were only one day like that..to think of others who have to put up with this every day is a horrible thought.

I had a little memo to tell me it was Yasmin's birthday today.

Happy Birthday Yasmin!

Hope you had a lovely day!

I have just found out this afternoon that my grandson Ryan has a girlfriend. He is nine years old and so is she! Bless them!

Her name is Bethany and he wants to buy her a Christmas present. So.. he has asked his mum if she will help him to choose some jewellery for her when he comes home from school tomorrow.

When Samantha told me, I couldn't help laughing with her about it and then agreeing that he was 'growing up'. Bless him! Girlfriends at his age. Lol! Young love...eh?

She also mentioned that Hollie our granddaughter had been telling her Dad that she got up to dance at her school's Christmas party.

Her dad said "Not with a boy surely Hollie!" (She is 7 yrs old).

"Don't be silly daddy it was with a girl!"

"What if it had been a boy daddy?"

"Then he would have to ask my permission Hollie".

"Really daddy!" she asked.

"Yes.. they have to go through me first before they can dance with you" he smiled.

I guess that's the way all dad's feel about their precious daughters.

Well..my phone call from Samantha has used up some of the time I had intended on using on my entry. Must pop off now and make tea for Bryan and me.

I hope these pictures end up where I want them this time.

Thanks to eeryone who offered me the answers to moving the pictures about.

I also want to offer my prayers and condolences to a friend who lost her mum a few weeks ago. She is missing her desperately and is in need of prayers to help her grief.

Praying for her and her dear Mum.

Oh heart, if one should say to you that the soul perishes like the body, answer that the flower withers, but the seed remains.-

Kahlil Gibran

My next entry should have some more photos of the summer and Halloween on it as I have managed to find the cable which downloads the pictures onto my computer.

I had left it in the suitcase which I had taken with me in the summer when I went to look after my grandchildren and son-in-law. Iain had to go into hospital to have both legs operated on for varicose veins. Samantha needed me there to take the children to school, and collect them, as she was at University. We mum's come in handy now and then.

I hope to be back again tomorrow after I take my car in for its annual service and MOT to pop them into my entry.

Meanwhile...take care those of you who are having this awful cold weather across the pond.

Cheerieumsky for now.

Hugs

Jeanie xxx

'Tis the season to be moaning...tralalalalala!

2008-12-10T12:17:00.000-08:00

Hey Ho!

Well..my oven blew up and we had to go out and buy another one. Isn't it always the way?

I rarely use my under the hob fitted oven. My microwave, grill & oven does everything I need for the two of us.

I mainly use my oven over Christmas and New Year when all our family get together again.

So off we went yesterday and fetched the new one home ourselves. It was a struggle getting it into the car and an even bigger one getting it out again. Bryan had to cut the box top off so that he could extract the blessed thing! It is now sitting on the sofa waiting for the electrician coming on Friday. This one has a satin stainless steel finish, compared to the previous one, which was white enamel.

As long as it cooks my turkey and roasts etc I will be happy, until I need it again next year. Lol!

Christmas shopping is almost completed. Cards and calendars have been posted today.

Our village post office sold out of second class stamps. I'm glad I got mine before they ran out.

I am surprised that I have got it all together as we were snowed in recently. Our street never gets the sun in the winter, so if it snows or ices it stays lethal until it thaws properly.

Being at the top of a hill at this time of year is scary. I watch those who need to get out in their cars narrowly miss mine as they slip from side to side past us. So far so good this year...though I mustn't tempt fate by speaking too soon.

My friend who recently had a hysterectomy called round to see me for a little while the other day. She is still as weak as water but at least she is attempting to get out and about. Like the rest of us she was stir crazy because of being hemmed in by the snow and ice. That's been everyone's mantra recently here in the village.

One good thing about icy weather is the inky starlit skies at night and the clear blue sky days which sink to that beautiful duck egg blue, tinged with pink at the end of the day. I can forgive Jack Frost anything when I see the colours of the heavens in the wintertime.

Below are the words to a well known Christmas Carol.

It's time to limber up those vocal chords and tonsils everyone. Get yourselves into yodelling mode and hum a tune or two in time for Christmas.

All together now.....1..2..3..

The Holly and the Ivy : Lyrics

The holly and the ivy,When they are both full grown

Of all the trees that are in the wood

The holly bears the crown

O the rising of the sun And the running of the deer