Friday 30th January

Trying to remember now what I have done in the last few days.   I was at the hospital this morning and Wednesday.  The weather the last few days has been summer, but today changed to freezing.

 

I went to Emmanuel on Wednesday evening for the meal, and stayed for the discussion group afterwards.  I didn't need to do anything for dessert as there was a baptism on Sunday, followed by the Annual General Meeting and lunch,  and there was a lot of cake left over.

 

I didn't have the energy yesterday for Communion at Emmanuel and lunch afterwards.   Thinking about Thursdays, I have been going to Kiwanis for quite a few years now - someone introduced me to it not long after Roy died - and I suddenly felt I had had enough of early Thursday mornings and getting to the Senior Centre at 8 o'clock, which is probably why I just want to nap by lunchtime.  So I told Louise I was resigning my membership but I would support their monthly bake sale, and probably make more cakes than I have been.  The money raised is used for children,  and averages about $150 a month.   The club has just given $500 to a local school who are short of books in their library, and a few weeks ago bought shoes and socks for children who were going to school in flip flops (!!)

 

This afternoon I was watching television, and the 2016 Republican Presidential campaign is beginning to shape up.  No one is talking about the Democrat candidate, it seems at the moment a foregone conclusion that it will be Hilary Clinton.  I can't see her being elected myself, she doesn't seem - at least to me - to have achieved very much for the Obama administration as Secretary of State.  And the debacle at Benghazi has never been satisfactorily explained, and what is worse is that somewhere in it all there seems to be a cover up.

 

Anyway, these seem to be the forefront Republican runners at the moment.

 

Jeb Bush was governor of Florida, and seems a popular choice but there is a school of thought that says Americans don't want another Bush in the White House.   Mike Huckabee is well known and popular, he was governor of Arkansas and had - until a couple of weeks ago when he threw his hat in the ring - a Saturday evening tv show.   Rand Paul is the junior Senator for Kentucky, an ophthalmologist and son of a former Presidential candidate Ron Paul.  Scott Walker is the Governor of Wisconsin, and very recently was re-elected for a second term.  Ben Carson is very nice, he is an African American retired neurosurgeon, the first surgeon to separate conjoined twins at the head (which I know doesn't qualify him for President, I just threw it in).

They are all well known - they have to be for a non American like me to know them, and I do.

So that has been my week,.

 

Thursday 29th January

Just to say I removed a post because I thought I was rambling too much.   Then got involved with some spilled tea which went everywhere.   But I'll be back tomorrow (my tomorrow).

26th January 2015

This is the main news story, all day long, with special programmes to cover it, ever since I first woke up and turned the television on.   It is the worst storm EVER on the east coast.   The Governor of New York has closed all public transport and roads, and people have been banned from the streets.   The governors in, I think it is seven, states have all declared a state of emergency.  Thousands of airline flights have been cancelled.

However - not to gloat or anything - but down here in Oklahoma the sun is shining, the sky is deep blue, and the temperature as I drove through town was 74.  I said there were three seasons here; tornado, freezing and summer.   Today was summer.   It's hard to imagine I am in the same country as all that lot on the east coast.

Cruising about on the internet I found the following -

Skills Your Great-Grandparents Had That You Don’t – Obviously addressed to teenagers.  (or so I thought at first) until I realised that if my 28 year old grandson had a kid, I would be a great grandparent.  I’m actually one of these OLD people they’re talking about!!!!. 

Corresponding by mail   Obviously, your great-grandparents didn’t text or email. However, even though the telephone existed, it wasn’t the preferred method of staying in touch either, especially long-distance. Hand-written letters were the way they communicated with loved ones and took care of business.   I remember them days.

Diapering With Cloth   Disposable diapers (nappies)  weren’t commonly available until the 1930s. Until then, cloth diapers held with safety pins were where babies did their business. Great-grandma had a lot of unpleasant laundry on her hands.   1930s!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was using terry nappies and doing unpleasant laundry in the 60s.

Writing With a Fountain Pen  While it’s true that your great grandparents were skilled in the lost art of writing in cursive, your grandparents probably were, too. However, the invention of the ballpoint pen in the late 1930s and other advances in pen technology mean that your great-grandparents were the last generation who had to refill their pens with ink.  I grew up using a fountain pen, I even had a school desk with an inkwell in it, and used a ‘dip’ pen.   Anyone remember them?
 

Darning and mending   Nowadays if a sock gets a hole in it, you buy a new pair. But your great-grandparents didn’t let anything go to waste, not even a beat-up, old sock. This went for every other article of clothing as well. Darning socks and mending clothes was just par for the course

Haggling   Though it’d be futile for you to argue with the barista at Starbucks about the price of a cup of coffee, your great-grandparents were expert hagglers. Back when corporate chains weren’t as ubiquitous, it was a lot easier to bargain with local shop owners and tradesmen.

Lighting a Fire Without Matches   Sure, matches have been around since the 1600s. But they were dangerous and toxic — sparking wildly out of control and emitting hazardous fumes. A more controllable, non-poisonous match wasn’t invented until 1910. So Great-grandma and Great-grandpa had to know a thing or two about lighting a fire without matches.  What were they doing until 1910???   Was my Grandma rubbing two flints together?

Making Lace  Tatting, the art of making lace, was a widely popular activity for young women in your great-grandparents’ generation. Elaborate lace collars, doilies, and other decorative touches were signs of sophistication. However, fashion changed and technology made lace easy and inexpensive to buy, so their children probably didn’t pick up the skill.   My Grandma made lace and here I am in the 21^st century wishing and wishing she had lived long enough to teach me.  

 

Memorising more than two phone numbers.   Go ahead and write five phone numbers you have memorised. Can’t do it, can you? Your grandparents memorized every family member, best friend, plus the local movie theater number.    Grief!!!   I am hard pressed to even remember my OWN phone number.

 

How to use a phone book.   This was your grandparents’ Google. Need a dentist? Phone book. Prank call your teacher? Phone book. It used to be you weren’t anybody until you were “in” the phone book. Now you’re not somebody unless you have your own reality show.

The ability to read and use a real, handheld, paper map.   Unless you’re Dora the Explorer, the last map you held was probably the one they gave you at Disneyland. Even then you probably got lost on your way to Splash Mountain. Your grandparents, however, could plan a trip across the country using only a map, a pen, and a few gas station attendants along the way. Now that’s traveling.    S*d THAT.   Give me my Sat Nav.  Even if it leads me all round the houses – and it sometimes does – it gets me there eventually and is still infinitely preferable to tediously poring over a map.

 

Writing a check (cheque) properly.  Your grandparents wrote checks for everything. Groceries? Write a check! Car payment? Write a check! The only time you write a check is when you pay rent, and even then you’re like, “How does this work again?” Not saying you should start paying for groceries with checks, because that is super annoying.   It certainly is………………the times I have stood behind someone in Walmart who is laboriously writing out a cheque, then entering details on a counterfoil, and I am thinking “didn’t your bank give you a debit card, they MUST have done”.     And yes, the only time I write a cheque is when I pay my rent.

 When she is not commandeering my dressing gown......she inserts herself behind me on the computer chair so I have to lift her off on the cushion, and  I sit on the hard chair.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday 24th January

Had a nice day today, I went out to lunch with Bruce and Rosalyn, to the newest restaurant in town, the very fast food place I went to on Thursday with the Emmanuel group.    It was very pleasant, I enjoyed their company, and the food is good.   I am not too keen however, on the ambience - or lack of it, it is as I say a very fast food place.  They also do take out meals, so I might go back but not to sit in the restaurant part, unless someone from Emmanuel on a Thursday particularly wants to.

 

I didn't do a lot yesterday, just my chaplaincy round at the hospital.   Looking back through my photos I went to the China Buffet, and I think that must have been on Tuesday, with Pattisue.

Although I didn't have any, they do very good sushi there too, and a Mongolian grill.

The latest from the gutter press.

She loves to snuggle into my dressing gown.  I am not sure if I should buy a new one, or get her a cat bed, but it is a bit chilly in the mornings.

And in the news...............................and my take on it.

One of these prisoners has been executed, and I can't tell you how outraged I feel about it.  These Japanese journalists didn't do anything wrong, they didn't deserve to die, and it breaks my heart to think of their mothers having to see these pictures.   I just don't understand why the rest of the civilised Muslim  world isn't rising up in protest at these barbarians giving Islam such a bad name.

The nation's chief rabble rouser is going to speak at Oxford!    Who thought that was a good idea!!!!

"Protected"   "Civil Rights Act"...........Why can't they just lose weight??????????

This from a country which prides itself - really prides itself - on its precious freedoms and a guy can't park his truck in his driveway.   Which incidentally is brand new and very expensive, not that it should make any difference if it was beat-up and shabby.

So off to watch a bit of television.

Thursday 22nd January

Getting back into the routine of things.  Set the alarm for 7 o'clock (goodness knows why, I NEVER sleep as late at 7 o'clock) to be up for Kiwanis.    The speaker was from the Salvation Army talking about a new programme they have launched 'Bridges out of Poverty', and in which a lot of the local churches, Emmanuel included, are taking part.   It is a serious problem affecting a third of the population of Shawnee.  One of the causes he cited are all the businesses exploiting the problem, ie the loan sharks with their businesses all over town, offering 'Pay Day Loans', they're practically on every street.   I thought of the Emmanuel member who owns most of these businesses and wondered how they felt about them.

 

I could go on, I took copious notes for next week's bulletin, but perhaps this is as much as you want to know.

 

I later went along to Communion at Emmanuel, and afterwards six of us went to lunch.   Last Thursday they went to a restaurant on the edge of town, in a parking lot behind a gas station, which I couldn't find, although they told me today that they saw me drive past, and they were all asking each other if anyone had my cell phone number.  So today they asked me to choose the restaurant and I suggested a Mexican place that has just recently opened (like we need more Mexican restaurants in Shawnee)   The food was quite nice, I had rice and beans and guacamole, and a  serving of roast vegetables - I didn't like the look of the meat on offer - but it was a very, and I mean very, fast food place.    We had to line up, cafeteria style, and were served our selection from a buffet.   We did sit and linger for quite a while afterwards though.

 

This evening I went to see 'American Sniper' with Pattisue.  It was very tense, very exciting, I am still trying to process it all,  I have never seen so much blood and gore.   There were a few shots of the hero at home with his family, but most of it was from the battlefield.    I certainly think Clint Eastwood deserves every Oscar going  for his brilliant production and direction, and I will see it again if it comes downtown to pick up on the points I missed.   I think I also need to read the book, I had forgotten what the war in Iraq was about and Pattisue was informing me out in the car park of the Democrats' take on it .  She said I also need to ask a Republican.

 

One thing that struck me - and Pattisue mentioned it too when we came out - was that in the midst of all the battle and fighting and sniping the film's hero was making phone calls to his wife in the US.  I was thinking that  I can't somehow see a British Commanding Officer countenancing that, or is this modern warfare and I am behind the times.

 

In the news.................and I find this somewhat scary.

 

The Yemeni Govt has fallen, in spite of Obama confidently asserting recently that all was well.  And this evening the 90 year old, pro US  King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia died.   And most scary of all is that the Jerusalem Post reported that Iran has an intercontinental ballistic missile, never before seen in public, 27 metres or 88,5 feet in length, just outside Tehran, which it is said poses a threat to the US due to its expanded range.

 

I would put money on Israel taking it out, and sooner rather than later.

Update on State of the Union Address

A friend reading my blog gave me a more accurate account of the State of the Union address - I was more focused on the partying, the hugging, kissing etc.   Her comment is copied below.

"I just read your blog about the State of the Union address, which I also watched.  I think you got it explained in an accurate way, with one exception.  My understanding is that he proposed to give low and middle income people tax breaks and to pay for it with tax on the rich.....which, of course, the Republicans won't allow!  Some felt he was getting ready to give the 2016 Democratic candidate plenty of ammunition to show how the Republicans are only looking out for the rich 1%".

Post 'State of the Union' day

Well, I was ensconced in front of the television last night watching the State of the Union address, which is a cross between The Budget and the State Opening of Parliament.   I didn't even have half a mind on a craft project, I was giving it my full attention.   Not being a US taxpayer though I wasn't worrying about tax increases which seemed to be concerning most people - although the increases were all going to be for the rich, and I am not in that category anyway.

 

The beginning is like the State Opening of Parliament; the Sergeant at Arms announces the President's arrival and he walks down an aisle of cheering, clapping people, there's much kissing and hand shaking before he gets to the podium.  Thinks "this is a Republican House, who are all these happy, joyful people".   I've been in this country so long now I recognise all the members of Congress milling around, it was just like watching a party going on.

 

Then he gets to the podium and then it's like the Budget.   At least the context of the speech is - taxes, state of the economy etc.   But whereas our MPs listen in grave, sombre silence to the Chancellor, the President is clapped and applauded all the way through, it's bedlam.   At one point the camera pans round to a little group of stony faced people sitting silently, and I think "they must be the Republicans".  

 

So that was all quite entertaining.   Back to the holiday pics.

I didn't get these in any sort of order, which I suppose I need to do if I am go to show them to the Kiwani members.



 

Should have done something about the hair.    This is Peterborough Cathedral.

 

Earlier I showed an interior picture of The Blitz café, a lovely little café in Kettering Jeremy took me to, decked out like WW11.  He also took a picture of me standing outside it, but I'm not keen on people standing in front of places, even if I'd had a nice hairdo.  It detracts from the subject of the photo.

 



Jeremy with precious grand daughters and their cousin Stephen.

 

to be continued.........................

 



 



Martin Luther King Day

A holiday.  ie banks are closed but everything else is open, even the Senior Centre.

 

There's not a lot to write about because I have just been sat in front of the television getting square eyes, but working on my needlework project so not entirely wasting time.   Since the tv remote only knows Fox News - it has even lost its way to the Food Network - I am becoming incredibly well informed on the news - pause for hollow/derisive laughter from liberal family and friends.

 

I've arranged to go to  the movies this afternoon with Pattisue to see 'American Sniper', but am beginning to think this might not be a good day, it is being said that cinemas are going to be very full - and in Shawnee there are four performances in two cinemas - I think I might give her a ring and see what she says.    Tomorrow might have been a good day when the nation is sat is front of the television watching the President's State of the Union address, but then she intends to watch it too, and has already ruled out the movie while it's on.

 

From the holiday pics -

Davina, Jeremy, Tim.

 

With grandson, Tom at St Pancras.

 



Jeremy took me to Purley to see my old friends Anne and Bill.

Just called Pattisue about the movie and we have decided to go on Thursday instead.  She was having second thoughts about today as well.   She said back in the 60s she went to see The Alamo on a holiday, the cinema was packed with youngsters and every time a Mexican was shot there was cheers and uproar.   I asked if she thought there was going to be cheers and uproar every time a baddy was shot in American Sniper, and she thought there might be.

Wednesday 14th January

Since I got back I have been playing the 'tired, old lady' card, and just hunkered down at home.  I still didn't really feel like going out today but decided I had to make an effort, or else I was going to become a recluse.   Went first to the hospital to do my chaplaincy round, and was glad when I got there.   It was good to see Chaplain Bill again and catch up.

 

This evening I went for the Wednesday meal at Emmanuel, and afterwards joined Fr Bill's discussion group.

 

I came across a list of words that have a different meaning in Oklahoma from everywhere else.  And copied a few of them.

Seasons

What it means everywhere else: The four times there are major changes in weather throughout the year: summer, fall, winter, and spring.
What it means in Oklahoma: Tornado, summer, and freezing. How true and at the moment it is freezing.

Traffic

What it means everywhere else: When there are a lot of cars on the road and drivers get a little backed up.
What it means in Oklahoma: A phenomenon many Oklahomans have never actually experienced.

Sack

What it means everywhere else: A sturdy bag, or what you hit at night when you’re sleepy.
What it means in Oklahoma: The thing you carry your groceries home in.    ie a plastic bag

Sky

What it means everywhere else: The atmosphere surrounding Earth that’s visible when you look up.
What it means in Oklahoma: The thing you don’t even look up at—you look around at—and is maybe the most beautiful thing in the world, whether it’s clear and blue, or starry, or orange from the sunset.  (Skies here are incredible)

Steak

What it means everywhere else: A high quality cut of beef that’s usually eaten on special occasions.
What it means in Oklahoma: A cut of beef that’s fried like chicken (ie coated in batter) and smothered in delicious gravy.  I dispute the ‘delicious’.  On menus it appears as ‘chicken fried steak’ Retch, vomit. 

Oysters

What it means everywhere else: Saltwater clams that are eaten straight off the shell.
What it means in Oklahoma: A different kind of oyster that comes not from the sea, but from parts of a bull that you don’t really like to think about when you’re eating them. Also known as calf fries.

Thunder

What it means everywhere else: The loud rumbling noise in the sky after lightning.
What it means in Oklahoma: The best basketball team in the entire world, the Oklahoma City Thunder.

To continue the holiday pics -

Precious grand daughter Miranda.  Miranda was looking after me because Tim was working and Davina was back at school.

 

A little café/restaurant in Kettering decked out like it is WWII.  I have a picture of the outside, I will try and find it tomorrow.

The idea of the hour glasses is that you select one according to the strength you want the tea to be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday 13th January

When I got back the weather was very grey and damp, and it has been like that until today which was bright and sunny.    It is as well I haven't needed to do anything as I have been very tired from the journey back.   Just went out briefly for a bit of shopping - amazed that the car started up first time after standing out so long, not going anywhere.  It might be an old banger that has seen better days, but it's not bad.

 

So I have just been watching television and sewing, working on a Christmas present that wasn't finished in time.   I have worked on it all day and just done a little patch, so I don't know how long it will take.

 

I didn't take many pictures, but will put up from time to time some that I took.

 

 

A couple of Christmas ones.

 

With Tim and precious grand daughters, and my teddy which is a hot water bottle.   I should have done something about my hair before I left, I know I've just let myself go lately.  Am thinking I might look for a hairdresser tomorrow to get it cut.

 

In the news............... which has been all about Obama's failure to join in a solidarity march  in Paris with 42 other world leaders.   I'm sure you've heard about it.    I don't often venture into Facebook but I did today, and came across a post (is that what you call it?)  from someone saying that of course he could not go, the security he would need could not have been provided, it would have been too much.   What!!!!!!!!!!!    There were more than 40 world leaders all marching together, the security they needed - and obviously had - is unimaginable.  Is it being suggested that it wouldn't have been enough for Obama?   He would need additional security, his life is more precious than David Cameron's, Angela Merkel's, Netanyahu's et al.   Or is because he is, after all, the "Leader of the Free World"?????????

 

And while I am ranting about Obama - There is a doctor locked up in prison in Pakistan because he gave the CIA the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden.    And I heard that Pakistan has just been given billions of dollars in aid from the US.   Can anyone explain to me the thinking behind that, the morality of it?

 

Words are beginning to fail me, I'll jump off my soapbox.

 

Travelling back I had an interesting chat with a US immigration officer who asked me where "home" was.   I told him I no longer knew; so he asked where my allegiance is, is it to the Queen, to which I replied, fervently, "oh yes".   He then referred to the fact that we will be home when we have passed on, and seeing I recognised the theological point he was making we finished the conversation with a high five.   

 

 

9th January

At least that is what it says on my computer, 11.30 pm, I wouldn't otherwise know.   I arrived back in the middle of the night, but not sure what night, went to bed, was having a lovely deep sleep when I was woken up at 8.30 (as it was dark I hazarded a guess that was pm) by my blessed cat wanting to be let out.  But I guess she's been traumatised by my absence so I've forgiven her.

 

I have had an absolutely wonderful time.   Had lovely Christmas with Jeremy and Pat, and Jeremy cooked the best turkey ever, so often it is overdone and dry, but this was just right.   And we had our traditional family Boxing Day lunch of cold roast beef and bubble and squeak and Branston pickle.

 

The rest of the time Jeremy took me out and about, dining out and visiting places, and my grandson Tom visited us in Kettering.   When I sort out my pictures - which is not top of the 'to do' list - I might post some here.    As well as dining out Jeremy also made me some wonderful meals at home, and I've had lashings of smoked salmon and bubbly - smoked salmon is available here but it is a very inferior product, I don't buy it.    He also recorded some television programmes he knew I would like, including the series of 'Great British Baking' which was great (I heard a rumour that was coming here on the PBS channel).   He also took me to see my good friends Anne and Bill in Purley - Anne and I have been friends since I was 9, so that was good.

 

Tim and family went to China for Christmas, but Jeremy took me there from Heathrow when I arrived, so I was able to see them before they left and exchange Christmas gifts.  Then he had to bring the girls back for school so I saw him and precious grand daughters again before I left.

 

So, as I said, it has all been wonderful.

 

The journey back was a bit less so.  Being old and confused like I am, I left my residence card at home but I wasn't worrying about it, I'd taken a note of my social security number, thought they'd easily look me up, isn't everyone and everything on a database now?   Was a bit nonplussed at Dallas when immigration officer asked for it then snapped my passport shut with a kind of  "can't let you in then" gesture.   He sent me off to a seedy waiting room full of exhausted looking people, just like those I see on the news looking as if they have been trying to get across the southern border.   After a couple of hours in there (this is why I am always glad to have a few hours connection time at Dallas) when they'd checked me out with Homeland Security I was allowed back in.

 

So I board the plane at Dallas for OK City and after an hour or two on the tarmac the pilot admits that the plane has been leaking hydraulic fluid.   I suppose I should be glad he noticed before we took off.  We waited a bit longer for the technicians to fix it, then they decided it wasn't going to be a 'quick fix' and we had better get off while they try and find another plane - the pilot sounded a bit dubious that they would, but the faulty one was moved out, and another one was found fairly quickly, but of course all the luggage had to come off, then be loaded on to the replacement and that took some time.

I was so happy and relieved to see my driver, Charlie still waiting for me at OKC.

 

Got home and my friend Jay, who has been feeding Bubbles, had left the porch lights on, and an indoor light, and it was all warm and welcoming.   She'd cleaned the house and it is so bright and shining, and she has prettily angled all my knick knacks and everything, I don't want to touch anything.

 

I'll be back on the blog later when I've caught up.