Peace, prosperity, care

You have three magic genie wishes, what are you asking for?

If a genie arises and I can beg

3 indulgences to make life better

I would ask for Peace

As Julian of Norwich wrote

“All shall be well and all shall be well

And all manner of things shall be well. “

Let peace arise and calm the world.

Prosperity?

Let people have sufficient for their need

With less greed.

Finally, the ability to care.

For trees and plants,

For birds and fish

Animals of all kinds

Insect, arachnid, mammal, marsupial.

Care enough to save our little planet.

My grandad

Describe a family member.

My grandfather was a carpenter. I don’t remember meeting him as I think he died when I was quite young.

He was very skilled and made the lych gate (roofed gateway in front of a church) at the entrance to the local parish church. He also carved the altar rail at the main Methodist Chapel in the town. I imagine he must have been well respected. We also have some wardrobes he made clad in beautiful walnut veneers.

Hearing about him encouraged me to do art. I was told that creativity skips a generation and that I was lucky to have that artistic gene. I also found out I had an artistic cousin that wasn’t allowed to be an artist because her family was short of money, so she ended up working in a factory. I hope she eventually pursued a creative course in life. I feel lucky to have had such an artistic grandfather.

Church window

Apparently our local church was designed by a famous architect? I may be wrong but I think it was Pugin?

He was renowned for designing the houses of Parliament in London.

Here is some information from Wikipedia because I don’t want to plagerise and reiterate it, it’s too complex.

Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin[a] (/ˈpjuːdʒɪn/ PEW-jin; 1 March 1812 – 14 September 1852) was an English architect, designer, artist and critic with French and Swiss origins. He is principally remembered for his pioneering role in the Gothic Revival style of architecture. His work culminated in designing the interior of the Palace of Westminster in Westminster, London, and its renowned clock tower, the Elizabeth Tower (formerly St. Stephen’s Tower), which houses the bell known as Big Ben. Pugin designed many churches in England, and some in Ireland and Australia.[2] He was the son of Auguste Pugin, and the father of Edward Welby PuginCuthbert Welby Pugin, and Peter Paul Pugin, who continued his architectural and interior design firm as Pugin & Pugin.[3]

Old pears.

My pear tree didn’t set any pears this year. I think it was in a sulk because my hubby passed away and I think I neglected it. He used to water the garden for hours but I can’t get the hose pipe round into the main garden.

Moving forward, I’ve been getting help trying to trim back the overgrowth. I still have tall trees but some of the lower branches have been cut to allow more light in. How will it progress? I’m hoping for a wildlife garden but with a few brighter plants to cheer it up, (and plenty of pears again)

Aberfan disaster

What major historical events do you remember?

The Aberfan disaster was the catastrophic collapse of a colliery spoil tip on 21 October 1966. The tip had been created on a mountain slope above the Welsh village of Aberfan, near Merthyr Tydfil, and overlaid a natural spring. (Wikipedia)

I was very young and I remember coming downstairs and hearing the evening news on the television. What upset me the most was that the children that died were my age. It scared and upset me. School children were buried below the collapsed spoil heap. I was very frightening.

Seeing a glow

Something in the sky at 6.40 am, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire. 26.10.24.even with my bad eyesight I could see the sky was patchy and a bit odd. I thought it was just clouds but the colour had a hint of green. This must be boring because it’s not the streamers and ribbons people usually see. Anyway it’s through me bedroom window.

But to notice solar activity this far south. The Sun is at solar maximum, most active over a 22 year waning then waxing. And I keep noticing it!