Saturday 9 May 2020

JUST MUSING, ROYALTY, STREET PARTIES AND HOW NOT MAKE RICE PUDDING

 One of my readers has taken umbridge at my praise of Sweden's Princess Sofia as a role model and the response from my scholarly Swedish contributor, Bjorn.  This lovely, modern, 21st century Princess responded to the corona crisis by quickly taking an online course and going straight to work in a hospital caring for Covid-19 patients.  

His anger, I think, was the notion of a Princess being a role model, that is ordinary people are doing every day what she does, why should she be singled out for praise?  Is that right?  I wonder dear Reader, if you have ever come across the expression 'it is as it is'? I confess, I did not come across it, or pay any heed to it, until I was in my 50's.  The younger me wouldn't have tolerated that at all, to me those words and 'that's the way we've always done it' was fighting talk.  I wanted to change things and I knew I was right, (but not popular), but I would push ahead regardless. The aged, experienced, wiser me, says go make a rice pudding instead.

But back to Royalty,  being role models is pretty much all they have these days, well that, and diplomatic relations.  The Swedish royal family live lives much closer to ordinary people, than the Windsors, but they are still of interest to their nation and worldwide.  Your neighbour dear reader, or friend (if you have one) may be working 16 hour shifts and be deserving of praise, but, putting it bluntly, ordinary people are not of interest to the general public. It is as it is.

The idea of royalty being role models probably began with Queen Victoria who wanted her family to be seen as the ideal model family, something every British citizen should aspire to.  Being respectable, not (getting caught) committing adultery, not getting drunk in public and not saying anything controversial.  It is their strict family code.  They cannot risk becoming unpopular.  And we, a collective we, do look to our Royal families, perhaps more than we look towards celebrities and media stars, for guidance, or at least a nod, as to how we should behave.  If a royal princess dons rubber gloves and joins those on the front line fighting this pandemic, it sends a powerful message to millions.  I won't say it glamourizes the menial, humble, tasks she has taken on, but for many young people, they may think if a princess can do this, so can I.  

For me, it brought to mind our own Merry Monarch, Charles II best known for his dalliance with a certain buxom seller of oranges, Nell Gwyn.  Lesser known, is that he was a veritable hero during the Great Fire of London in 1666.  He jumped straight into action. Not only did he utilise the full powers of his office, sending troops to control the spread, he worked on the scene day and night fighting the fire directly and instituting and managing aid for the hungry and homeless.  I try, whenever I read anything about him, to remember that.

I agree Bjorn that what Princess Sofia is doing comes straight from the heart.  She could have chosen a 'safe' job but she chose to endure what ordinary Swedish people are enduring in the hospitals, she has quite literally, gone straight to the front line.  That's pretty awesome.  I was also quite touched to see the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate, delivering food parcels with her children.  Now there's a 'Diana' influence!

I have to say I like our own Royals, the Windsors, far more than I used to. My change of heart happened literally within one lightbulb moment.  Sadly, it was following the bomb at the Arianna Grande concert in Manchester.  I watched the Queen (90+) visiting, the mostly young, victims in hospital.  I was mesmerized by the power of her presence, the positive, glowing effect, her smile had on the patients and the staff.  All my viva la revolucion went out the window, I was deeply touched that a lady of such a great age came to offer comfort to the victims and the NHS staff caring for them.  Now as we are in the midst of this century's Great Plague, I find myself heartened and reassured by her words.  The Queen endures, the Monarchy endures, England endures.  I am picking up all those messages, and yes I know they are carefully planted there by spin doctors, but I'm OK with that.  For once they doing something for the good, they are boosting our morale, a strategy that worked during WWII and a strategy that works now.

I was sorry to see however, that loving Queen and Country, went to such crazy lengths yesterday to celebrate VE Day.  Months of lockdown and a day of lunacy!   Now I am not normally a purveyor of doom and gloom, but fffffs sake, have any of those people partying yesterday, even glanced at what happened the last time the world was hit by a global pandemic?  For their information, we have gone through the first wave, now we are just waiting for the big one.  Think of all those people standing on the beaches in Indonesia when the tide went right back and everything went silent.  That's where we are.  

But I don't want to end on a sad note, I am currently enjoying my new OCD, a scientific approach to cooking!  The lashes have been abandoned, it is difficult enough to read recipes through a magnifying glass, throw in a pair of 'thick and flirtys' and I'm working blind!  There is also something a tad ridiculous in wearing full camera ready makeup with PJs and an apron.  True, Barbara Cartland used to do it, but sans the apron and lounging on a chaise longue.  I don't have a chaise longue.   But I digress, I have spent many years moaning about all my dishes that went wrong, now I am on a quest to recreate them, no matter how many tries, or how many failures.  The most recent, a basic rice pudding ffs, and I'm gulping back tears here, was a disaster.  I baked it in the oven for two hours as directed, but I missed the bit where it said stir halfway through!  The result?  Not a soft, creamy, happy memory of school dinners but what can only described as a slab, think breeze block, with a pool of gone off milk around it.

Oops, and there's another sad note, but my kindest wishes to all who look in, it's hard to imagine that we are all pretty much in the same boat just now, albeit socially distanced, in that we are looking for ways in which to keep ourselves occupied and a lot of people have turned to cooking.  I can finally, after decades, put a tick beside perfect Quiche Lorraine (60s bacon and egg pie) and Lemon Meringue.  I think we are all now being more creative because we have to use what we've got!  I'm getting more obscure items online, one vanilla pod for £4 (I know!), gelatine and presently awaiting 3 nutmegs.  I am still recovering from the trauma of the last rice pudding, but I will try again!  Take care everyone.      



33 comments:

  1. Hi again Rosalinda

    We must never forget that we’ve had, still have, so many dignities throughout history who, despite their privileged positions, have had tremendous importance for a healthy political and social development.

    I’d just like to mention a few here.

    King Haakon VII challenged the German occupants during the war by riding on his horse in the streets of Oslo, Pope John Paulus II inspired and gave his countrymen hope through his speeches and his visits to Poland before the collapse of the Soviet Union and King Juan Carlos I facilitated the development of a democratic constitution in Spain.

    May I also add that Gustav V, our former Swedish King, was an enthusiastic archaeologist, who often lived in Italy and participated in archaeological excavations and thereby aroused many people's interest in history. Like many wealthy celebrities today, he could have taken long holidays and travelled around the world just for fun as many shallow celebrity millionaires do today. There are definitely more role models among our royal families than among celebrities in Hollywood.

    I’m sad to say, that just a few of the world’s famous and “successful” multimillionaires are worthy of honour and respect imo.




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    1. Hello, Björn. Good to see you.

      “King Haakon VII challenged the German occupants during the war by riding on his horse in the streets of Oslo.”

      Would you mind telling me where you got that from? That’s not what happened as far as I know.

      Many thanks.

      T

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    2. Hi T,10 May 2020 at 13:01

      I’m just fine thanks. I really appreciate that you’re taking interest in my views on our Scandinavian monarchies.

      “King Haakon VII challenged the German occupants during the war by riding on his horse in the streets of Oslo.”

      I’ve been told so many times by patriotic Norwegians, but it may have been more of a tale. Perhaps the King did so for a short time. Anyway, he refused to take orders from the Germans before fleeing to England, unlike the brave French soldier de Gaulle, who fled to the UK before the Germans came LOL.

      P.S Let’s move on to Rosalinda’s last post/text really interesting!

      Have a nice day

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    3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haakon_VII_of_Norway#The_German_invasion

      “The following morning, 11 April 1940, in an attempt to wipe out Norway's unyielding king and government, Luftwaffe bombers attacked Nybergsund, destroying the small town where the Government was staying. Neutral Sweden was only 16 miles away, but the Swedish government decided it would "detain and incarcerate" King Haakon if he crossed their border (which Haakon never forgave). The Norwegian king and his ministers took refuge in the snow-covered woods and escaped harm, continuing farther north through the mountains toward Molde on Norway's west coast. As the British forces in the area lost ground under Luftwaffe bombardment, the King and his party were taken aboard the British cruiser HMS Glasgow at Molde and conveyed a further 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) north to Tromsø, where a provisional capital was established on 1 May. Haakon and Crown Prince Olav took up residence in a forest cabin in Målselvdalen valley in inner Troms County, where they would stay until evacuation to the United Kingdom.”

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    4. Hi anon 10 May 2020 at 18:01,

      and many thanks for this article. It reminds me about my proud nations cowardice, since the death of our King Karl XII, who died in Norway 1718!

      After the war we had with Russia (1808/09 I think it was), in which we lost Finland we've been a nation, that is doing almost anything to avoid conflicts. Apparently, we didn't have the courage to grant the Norwegian royal family asylum, as your article says. I haven't heard it before, but certainly quite true and it echoes our treatment of Assange today, whom we couldn't guarantee a safe place if the US government had demanded extradition. I really believe and hope that the UK G. has more courage in dealing with the same issue.

      As for the Germans, we were terrified of them, while you were determined to defeat them. No doubt about this. The only motto we now live by is: You are all so welcome and We will of course capitulate unconditionally if you so wish.

      Have a nice evening

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    5. Björn 10 May 2020 at 21:09

      You are welcome, Björn.

      A very good comment.

      ~~~~~~~~~

      “I really believe and hope that the UK G. has more courage in dealing with the same issue.”

      Unfortunately, it doesn’t look that way. A few blogs back, I submitted a number of important links to do with Julian’s extradition hearing which didn’t get published. C'est la vie…

      And thank you: I did have a nice evening.

      T

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  2. Hi BFG 9 May 2020 at 13.34
    RE: ROSALINDA’S
    “I wonder dear Reader, if you have ever come across the expression 'it is as it is'?”

    A PURE LINGUISTIC APPROACH

    In order to respect Rosalinda and all the readers of her blog, I suggest that you put such poems written in the Russian language in a proper context, interpret them in your own personal way and then explain what you believe would be the essential philosophical message.

    You may have heard the definition of poetry: “POETRY IS WHAT GETS LOST IN THE TRANSLATION”, which gives us a hint about how difficult it is to understand poetry across cultural and linguistic boundaries

    However, regarding my linguistic interest, not so much my knowledge though, I’d like to take one of your sentences a little bit out of the specific poetic context and put it into the context of Rosalinda’s 'it is as it is'?, which may be equivalent to the three first words in the following sentence “Всё будет так, исхода нет”.

    Freely translated it could in fact mean “it is as it is,”or more exact perhaps “everything is so” and the two last words would then mean; “nothing we can do about it (no exit, inevitable..)” If you can figure out such idiomatic expressions in foreign languages, it becomes easier to learn more. Some Russian here, may tell me that I’ve got it all wrong and I’d be pleased to know.

    As for my Russian studies. Yes I’m slowly making some progress.

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    1. I love the translations Bjorn, they are exactly right. 'everything is so' and 'nothing we can do about it'. All of these phrases could be taken as a passive form of surrender. An acceptance, as in the last stage of grief, acknowledgement that there is nothing you can do.

      I have to say as someone who has spent most of my life taking 'it can't be done' as a personal challenge, accepting that something can't be done, has not come easily. Now that I accept it, I feel as though I have had a load taken off my shoulders, I no longer have to torture myself with guilt for things I have given up on. Perhaps it something that comes with old age - the realisation that you can't change the world. It is as it is.

      Delete
    2. Björn 9 May 2020 at 22:14

      Björn my friend

      I’m rather surprised you don’t mention “the point of contention” in the BFG’s comment you reply to. Would you mind dealing with it, please? I think it’s important you clear the air as it’s your remark, unguarded and uncalled-for imo, that had given rise to several comments that followed.

      BFG:
      “However, the point of contention is that I quoted Ros and asked two questions. Ros hasn’t answered, you attempted to but failed. Now it falls to you to justify your saying that my having asked the questions is nasty. I don’t think you can, and if I’m right, then you might consider offering me an apology.”

      Many thanks.

      T

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    3. Björn 9 May 2020 at 22:14

      Björn my friend, were I to have made a comment like yours, I would be, with the benefit of hindsight, cursing myself for having been inconsiderate and silly. I would withdraw the comment, apologise and ask everyone to forget about it.

      Rosalinda considers you contributions as scholarly, and I really wouldn’t like to say anything to upset her unless I have to. If don’t change your mind and stand by what you said, you will leave me with no choice but to tear your comment/s limb from limb, linguistics and all. :) I shall return!

      Keep safe.

      T

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    4. Rosalinda Hutton 10 May 2020 at 21:08

      Rosalinda dear

      “I love the translations Bjorn, they are exactly right.”

      Unless you know Russian very well, you have no way of knowing whether or not “they are exactly right. “ To accept on trust that “they are exactly right“ is a mistake. I take it your acceptance is predicated upon Björn’s competence as a translator. I’ll come to that in due course.

      Do you remember I recently suggested that trusting without checking may let you down?

      Bless.

      Keep safe.

      T

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    5. “I wonder dear Reader, if you have ever come across the expression 'it is as it is'?”

      I confess, my dear Rosalinda, I have never come across the expression “it is as it is”, and I believe neither have you, I guess the expression you might’ve come across is “it is what it is.” Am I right or am I wrong? :)

      Bless

      T

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    6. Taking your last comment first T, who knows. who cares? We all know what the point is. Actually, I came across expression in real life. I was complaining to a co-worker about my mother, who everyone was agreed, was off the scale on the lunatic charts. And I had been confronted by the personal records of social workers who had met her. To me, she was hilariously funny, she had a gift for summing people up in 30 seconds, and it was often brutal. I have that same gift, but for most of my life, I had my dear old dad, holding the reins and calling me back into check. People I respect can do that, it's just that my 'people I respect' stockpile is running low.

      I really don't know why you are being quarrelsome T, I am perplexed that you are picking up on these weird imaginary slights to BFG, EFG, or Ziggy, and perhaps, weird, imaginary slights to yourself.

      I could give you thousands and thousands of words on all the unfair shit I have lived through T, but you know What, who cares? I certainly don't. Though I do, in some way, want to drum in a few very well learned lessons to my immediate descendents and beyond.

      I had an enquiry today, on a very old thread, 'The Pope's Visit....', from a former inmate of St. Anne's Convent. I know immediately, that that former inmate has exactly the same memories as I. I have through my book, been in contact with those who were in St. Annes, and those who were in 'Tara'. It was as if the 40/50 years were wiped away, and we quickly picked up where we left all those years ago. It was them and us. Them, the nuns, were the enemy, we, the kids, were united. We protected the little ones, we protected each other. We never grassed. We took the blame ourselves, rather than give our persecutors a name. When we met, 40+ years later, that bond, that blood tie, was still there. We had prevailed, we had beaten them.

      Delete
    7. One of the happiest moments of my life was receiving a phone call from a little boy I had once taken care of. We were in St. Anne's and he was about 4 or 5, and I was about 13/14. He telephoned me from New York, where he lives with his wife and family in a very posh borough! He was the older, by only a couple of years, of the little baby girl who was my charge in Tara. When we spoke, he recalled an incident, where he was very frightened and upset as a small boy, and he remembered how I took him and baby sister out into the garden and taught them how to make daisy chains. It was a moment he never forgot, and he was determined to find me and thank me. It was an 'aw shucks' moment times 1,000.

      Nothing of course to do with the quarrel you and BFG want to drive this blog into. Bickering, I have to tell you T, tops the list of my biggest turn offs. Yeah, tis true, I do not understand Russian grammar, but I am open minded enough to accept the translations of someone who studies it.

      For your information, I judge Bjorn as a scholar, because, to all who have eyes, ears and all their faculties, he obviously is. I can tell in an instant if someone has a university education and beyond, can't you?

      I am not going to accommodate your ganging up with BFC against me T, my blog is mine, and I will forever fight hostile takeovers! Now, back to the Tudors, so glad I purchased the series!

      Delete
    8. Rosalinda Hutton 13 May 2020 at 18:33

      My dear Rosalinda

      Very good comment.

      Surely you wouldn’t be so unfair as to expect your “dear reader” to know a phrase that is part of someone’s/ your personal experience. The well-known English idiom “It is what it is” would be a different matter altogether.

      “I really don't know why you are being quarrelsome T”

      I wouldn’t have thought “quarrelsome” is the right word to describe my comments, but what the hell – we are friends. :)

      “I am perplexed that you are picking up on these weird imaginary slights to BFG, EFG, or Ziggy, and perhaps, weird, imaginary slights to yourself.”

      I’m sorry, my dear, I really don’t follow you here. Give me some examples of what you mean, and I’ll do my best to explain.

      As you well know, I consider Ziggy a comrade. I also consider it a privilege to have basked in the warm rays of his presence on your blog. He is a very exiting writer with a very original sense of humour, and I like that very much. He also is very civil.

      I happen to agree with BFG’s views and would have no difficulty with being her/his advocate (as in devil’s advocate). I think he’s been civil and has been treated unfairly.

      I don’t think either Ziggy or BFG have indulged themselves with anything weird or imaginary to the extent that it should bother me much. I’m more interested in ideas than in thinking whether their originators are weird or not.

      Many thanks.

      Bless.

      T

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    9. My dear Rosalinda

      A very good first paragraph followed by:

      “Nothing of course to do with the quarrel you and BFG want to drive this blog into.”

      I’m not in cahoots with BFG or anyone else, What you call “the quarrel” was in fact a discuttion whose tone was changes by our friend Björn when he calld EFG’s comment “nasty”. How scholarly is that?

      “Bickering, I have to tell you T, tops the list of my biggest turn offs.”

      I don’t bicker.

      “Yeah, tis true, I do not understand Russian grammar, but I am open minded enough to accept the translations of someone who studies it.”

      I know you don’t, and here you argue from authority, and, therefore, your argument is logically fallacious. You don’t know what I’ve studied, but I can tell you that, seeing how much he knows now, by the end of his days, Björn is most unlikely to know even half as much Russian as I do now. So here you are, my dear.

      “For your information, I judge Bjorn as a scholar, because, to all who have eyes, ears and all their faculties, he obviously is. I can tell in an instant if someone has a university education and beyond, can't you?”

      Sometimes I can guess right, sometimes I can’t. It doesn’t matter what Bjorn is. All of the arguments he presented in this discussion are demonstrably unsound, but for reasons as yet unclear you seems to have decided not to let the discussion continue. You’ve got the power to do it, this can’t be denied. :)

      “I am not going to accommodate your ganging up with BFC against me T, my blog is mine, and I will forever fight hostile takeovers!”

      Are you pulling my leg, my dear, aren’t ? If you are, then you are doing it very well.

      You are awful... but I like you. Please have a G&T and calm down, my princess: everything is subject to change. :)

      Shut that door!

      Bless.

      T

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    10. Read "...you seem to have decided..."

      T

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    11. Hello my friend T, 13 May 2020 at 15:38
      RE: Your Commenting on my Post 9 May 2020 at 22:14

      It seems that we have cultural and linguistic barriers between us, causing unnecessary disputes. All I’ve ever wanted is to discuss language, culture , crimes, injustice in general etc., reflected in whatever specific topic of conversation that Rosalinda suggests.

      Just as anyone who asks questions and expresses his/her opinions, I do so because I try to understand the world in which we all live. My renewed interest in the Russian language (have I ever argued that I've better skill than you in that language) is a part of such a process and I learn a lot by sometimes communicating my highest personal views to others, often by using experience from my private life, as you may well be aware of T.

      Your insisting upon “[tearing] [my] comment/s limb from limb, linguistics and all” falls flat I must say, considering the fact, that I’ve so many times said, that I would very much indeed appreciate anyone who argues against any of my “silly” views or hypothesis and that I’ve also made it so clear that I’d be grateful to anyone, who corrects my language, perhaps suggests better or at least more idiomatic English words, that I can use.

      “To whom is she a wonderful example, Ros? An example of what?” (EFG 7 May 2020 at 00:17)
      This was nothing but a sarcastic rhetoric question, equivalent to the assertion that Princess Sofia isn't a role model to anybody. Obviously, neither you nor EFG understood why I perceived that as being rude.

      Failing to make people see things the way I do is not the same as having said or written something “inconsiderate and silly” as you claim. Therefore, I see no reason as to why I should apologize to anybody, let alone ask Rosalinda to withdraw my post in question.

      “Rosalinda considers your contributions as scholarly, and I really wouldn’t like to say anything to upset her unless I have to”

      Yet, it appears that you’ve now done so

      Still friends I hope?


      Delete
    12. Ziggy, BFG or whatever he calls himself these days is not banned - he is simply incapable of writing a post without insulting me or others. If he were civil T, his posts would appear.

      Delete
    13. Bjorn my friend

      “Still friends I hope?”

      But of course, Bjorn: I consider it a privilege to be your friend.

      More later.

      Kind regards.

      T

      Delete
    14. Björn 14 May 2020 at 09:56

      Bjorn my friend

      Thank you very much for your kind and thoughtful reply which I recognise as a good example of how to approach a conflict of opinions.

      ““Rosalinda considers your contributions as scholarly, and I really wouldn’t like to say anything to upset her unless I have to”

      Yet, it appears that you’ve now done so”

      I agree it might appear so, but appearances are deceptive. I could reply Amicus Plato, sed magis amica veritas, which can be interpreted as ‘Matters of truth take precedence over matters of friendship’.

      Let’s now consider how our discussion developed and how it got to where it is now.

      To begin:

      “To whom is she a wonderful example, Ros? An example of what?” (EFG 7 May 2020 at 00:17)
      This was nothing but a sarcastic rhetoric question, equivalent to the assertion that Princess Sofia isn't a role model to anybody. Obviously, neither you nor EFG understood why I perceived that as being rude.”

      I presume that we both understand the two questions, and we differ in what the questioner had in mind at the time of asking.

      It falls to you to explain how you came to the conclusion that the questions were a) sarcastic, b) rhetorical, and c) equivalent to the assertion that Princess Sofia isn't a role model to anybody.

      One would have to be of the strongly-held opinion that the answers sought were so obvious to anyone that the reason for asking could not have been anything but the nastiness of the seeker. Obviously, the answers sought could not have been obvious to ‘anyone’. That’s why the nastiness must have been ‘in the eye of the beholder’, my friend.

      Your turn.

      Best.

      T

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    15. Hello T, my friend (14 May 2020 at 20:16)

      Thanks for sorting things out T. I have always appreciated the logic and the clarity of the British approach to problematic topics of discussion, which is one of the reasons why I became interested in the Anglo-Saxon culture. In addition, I often find, or at least I sometimes perceive an underlying tone of satire or irony in the language itself, even when serious topics are debated in public, like the political debate in the House of Commons. It definitely strengthens the vitality of the debate. Unfortunately, we do not have much of this in our Swedish political language.

      I’m now looking forward to discussing Rosalinda's new post, hoping that some poster will come up with new perspectives on Mr Trump's whimsicality.

      Have a nice day T



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  3. "Your neighbour dear reader, or friend (if you have one) may be working 16 hour shifts and be deserving of praise, but, putting it bluntly, ordinary people are not of interest to the general public. It is as it is."

    Ros have you missed the claps on Thursday nights when the general public gives thanks to the "ordinary people" in the NHS and other frontline services.

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  4. No, I have not missed the claps on Thursday nights, the ordinary people of the NHS and other frontline services are indeed acknowledged, but not individually and by name.

    One of my favourite US TV hosts, Seth Meyers, who like his fellow comedians is broadcasting from his home, often does a segment called 'the kind of story we need right now'. It is filled with heart warming and sometimes hysterically funny clips, with no point other than to cheer us up. I suggest you watch a few, it may improve your unpleasant demeanour.

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  5. Ros

    Are you still censoring comments?. How do you know what the comment is about and who it's from if you can see only one line? Enough of Bjorn. Where is BFG's reply? And where is your reply with facts to BFG in DON'T GET CAUGHT IN THE SECOND WAVE AND MAKING CHIPS blog? It doesn’t look good.

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    1. Anon 10 May 2020 at 21:27

      “Enough of Björn”, you say. Yes, you’re entitled to express whatever opinion you so wish. Yet, I’d like to make you understand, that I’ve had enough of a few posters here, who keep on harassing and criticizing others on a personal level, while hiding behind their masks of anonymity. It's incredibly cowardly, which I believe is a view I share with most people who post here.

      Let us move on to more interesting topics and discuss them in a decent way.

      Delete
    2. I too am sick of these cowardly anonymous posters, they don't want debate or discussion, they just want to make snidey personal remarks about those who do hold an opinion.

      To those who have sent posts that have not appeared, get used to it. I am not publishing abusive posts simply because you have signed ABC - how imaginative, not. And I'm not publishing one liners unless they are hilariously funny or contribute to the discussion.

      Delete
  6. Ahhh, overlooking your lack of a name (and any respect), Google today has introduced an update on the blog layout etc, and I can now see all comments in full.

    Am I still censoring comments? No, and I never have. I either publish or bin them. I have binned several today, the sarcastic ones especially, they are so, err, cringeworthy. Sarcasm is a cheap, tacky, poundshop, version of wit used by those who don't have the imagination or vocabularly to come up with something better.

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  7. The lamp said,
    "Four o'clock,
    Here is the number on the door.
    Memory!
    You have the key,
    The little lamp spreads a ring on the stair.
    Mount.
    The bed is open; the tooth-brush hangs on the wall,
    Put your shoes at the door, sleep, prepare for life."

    The last twist of the knife.

    T S Eliot, Rhapsody on a Windy Night

    T

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  8. Good morning, Rosalinda dear

    How are you today? A new day – a new beginning. How did that Tudors session go?

    “I have never had a problem with people putting forward alternate views to my own - in fact I welcome them, they force me to think outside of my own box.”

    I do hope your attitude towards people putting forward alternative views to your own has not changed, my dear.

    Bless.

    T

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    1. I am fine thank you T, and The Tudors was as wonderful as it always is.

      My attitude has not changed T. I still welcome alternate views, I simply ask that those posting them do so respectfully and civilly. With this blog I feel as if I am inviting people into my home or at the very least into a round table discussion. Naturally I do not want anti social behaviour. I never understand why people act so boorishly online, they say things, one would presume, that they would never say in public and certainly not directly to my face. I think it is very cowardly and I do not see why I should give them a platform.

      My referring to Bjorn as a scholar seems to have irked you beyond reason T. Let me assure you it does mean I think you less a scholar, indeed with your knowledge of Russian, it is a given. My own degree is in the arts and humanities (a tree hugging degree according to my sons), therefore I am fascinated by Bjorn's knowledge of the arts and literature. I remember Bjorn and I fighting back against the mini Bonfire of the Vanities that arose on here. Amazingly there are still people in this world who would put pants on the Manneken pis and the statue of David.

      You too are a scholar T, and I had rather hoped you would pick up on the substance of Bjorn's post, the actions of the kings of old. I am very into historic drama as you know, and I usually watch it with a page opened on Wiki, so I can immediately look up the characters and how they are interconnected.

      The Tudors' episodes I watched last night were based at a time when Sweating Sickness was sweeping the land. It was bizarre to see that the 'mediations' they were taking then, are much the same as now. The King locked himself away and took all sorts of disgusting potions to ward off the disease. The nobles stayed in their country houses. Naturally, they did not have testing, antibiotics etc, etc, in the 1500s, but it went away of its own accord.

      Anyway, I have wandered, as I usually do, take care my friend.

      Kindest

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    2. Thank you very much, my dear. Did you manage to catch up with the G&T on your way to the Tudors? :)

      More later.

      Bless.

      T

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  9. I did T, though the gin was of the pink variety and the tonic was 7UP, served up in a rather posh round glass I found in a charity shop! I a have a bit of a thing about the right glasses, the right cups (never mugs!), and of course, the right cutlery. My son bought me a beautiful silver set of sugar tongs (on ebay), that sits nicely in my china sugar bowl, always cubes of course. I have now had to buy odd shaped ones (sugar cubes) on Amazon, but what can you do, these are difficult times.

    Unfortunately, my tolerance for alcohol is pretty low these days, the incessant chatting moves swiftly to the singing, to the maudlin, and to the conking out within approximately one hour. On the plus side, it stopped me making pastry for a short while. I have now made basically every pie I can think of and have even tried new ones including puddings from 60s schooldays, treacle tart and gypsy tart. Unfortunately, I am running out of grateful recipients.

    Today I am going to attempt to make mango jelly to pour into a pasty case. I have always had a bit of a fear of gelatine, always opting for Quick Jel and the powdered variety. Which is a shame, because I'm not particularly fond of their 'manufactured' flavour. Now I am going to make it using nothing but the real thing. I've no idea why I have to make all of these things perfectly, I feel a bit like Frankenstein in his workshop of filthy creation, I won't come out until it's alive I tell ya! Or at least until the bottom is no longer soggy.

    I do you see, have a strict(ish) rule not to mix my cooking with my drinking. It ends up terribly messy. Tis true I made the best lemon meringue pie ever (eat your heart out Jamie), the last time I had a couple of glasses of Echo Falls, but when I woke up from my semi coma, the kitchen was covered in major debris and I had no idea how I did it - it being the perfect pie. I just wish I had a bit more choice over my OCDs, I am trying to move back towards soups which are far healthier, or even learning Spanish, but it's beyond my control, ha ha.

    I have now got, what I and my family, used to call the 'heebee jeebees', I have never googled it and don't even know if it is a real thing, but it's a feeling of being unsettled, distracted, trying not to dance on a hot tin roof. I want to run wild I want to run free, I want to feel the sand and the waves beneath my feet, I want to eat chips in the rain, on a wooden bench under a shelter gazing out to the sea. I probably feel like everyone else. I'm going stir crazy! I think I am perfecting my cooking because when the world opens up again, I will be entertaining non stop, and afternoon tea is my favourite meal!

    Now to go try and make mango jelly, wish me luck :)

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