6th February - Accession of Elizabeth II

It is said, isn't it, that we always remember where we were at the pivotal moments of history, and I remember being in my classroom at Gregg School when the headmaster, Mr Lewis (I'm surprised I still remember his name) came round to tell us George VI had died.   Needless to say our jaws hit the floor, I don't think we had  been told he was ill. 

George VI was a popular monarch and I also remember the following days of overwhelming national sadness at his death.

The Queen has another year and 126 days before she catches up with Queen Victoria's record of the longest reign.  I hadn't realised she has already overtaken George III, who came to the throne at 14 and reigned 59 years and 96 days.

Well, we got the 30% chance of snow last night, and this is what I woke up to this morning -

the snow had almost gone last night, and what there was was very crunchy underfoot, and there was nothing on the car.

Obviously there was no question of getting out anyway to Kiwanis, but the Senior Centre was closed  - as it does if the weather is bad enough for the schools to close.

So I put the kettle on, filled a hot water bottle, made tea, and settled down with the crocheting to watch the news.   And faithful companion settled down too.

As I am not going anywhere - doing anything - today, I thought I would regale you with said news.

The main lead item is a scandal involving the IRS - the hearings are going on at the moment - and as with all scandals the cover-up tends to be worse than the scandal.    Now, in this country they have a very nifty "Get out of Gaol Free" card.   It's called the 5th Amendment (to the Constitution) and it says -

The Fifth Amendment's right against self-incrimination permits an individual to refuse to disclose information that could be used against him or her in a criminal prosecution. The purpose of this right is to inhibit the government from compelling a confession through force, coercion, or deception

Isn't that handy?   The head culprit just has to sit down, which she did, invoke the 5th Amendment, clam up, and HEY PRESTO, she is off the hook.

Moving on - there is controversy because a fat woman participated in a competition called 'The Biggest Loser' and lost a vast amount of weight - as you see

now people are saying she is "too skinny".    Too Skinny!!!!  that was the idea.  My thought was "there's hope for me".   I believe it was the late Duchess of Windsor who said a woman can't be too thin, or too rich.  A sentiment with which I fervently agree.

Subway is a sandwich chain.  You go in, they pick up a foot long baguette, and you choose whatever you want on it - meat, cheese, salad, veg, there is a tremendous variety.  I quite like it but it is too much for me to eat.   And as you see, chemicals have been found in the bread, chemicals used in yoga mats, and running shoes, to give them elasticity.    Who knew.    I wondered how they came to that conclusion.  Was someone munching away on their sub and thought, hmmn,  hmmn, this tastes like my yoga mat.

The rest of the day I was sorting and filing, and made some cakes which I'm freezing for the bake sale later this month.    All day I've kept looking outside in the hope that the snow has gone.   There is less of it on the car.   I should be able to go out tomorrow, Louise said the main roads are clear, she has been out today to take Cecil to the dentist.