HELLO, IS IT ME YOUR THINKING OF?
Do you ever feel marginalised? Take for example the advertising slot running on television at the moment to high light the importance of tackling mental health issues. Flashes of top personalities stopping what they are doing for a moment or two to think of others. It’s under the banner BRITAIN GET TALKING. Not Great Britain or more importantly United Kingdom, just Britain. I bet they never even considered Northern Ireland when they, who ever they are, were planning this important campaign.
Karl O’Neill becomes brilliant songwriter and entertainer Percy French on Wednesday night in the Lyric Theatre. He tells his fascinating story of his travels round the world playing to royalty and in towns and villages throughout Ireland. His companion throughout is singer Kyle Riley who will be performing from the French song book, the man who wrote The Mountains of Mourne, Slattery’s Mounted Fut, and Phil the Fluter’s Ball and so many other famous Irish songs. It will be party night during the run. Find out more at www.lyrictheatre.co.uk/event/percy-french
Trouble In Paradise
Heartbreaking has been the dreadful news from Australia, one minute you’re walking away from your beloved home and all the precious things you have gathered throughout your life, nothing left but the clothes you stand up in. Paradise suddenly become a version of Dante’s Inferno.
News from Candy Devine in Brisbane is that although there’s smoke in the air and that they’ve been advised to have a suitcase ready in case of forced evacuation, she is safe. From Belfast, senior journalist Letitia Fitzpatrick who now works on the Wauchope Gazette in New South Wales sent me this heartfelt message.
“The bushfires have been terrifying and unprecedented. Are we now accepting a future where drought is commonplace and the bushfire season gets longer and deadlier? Will we concede that people will die and homes will be lost across this beautiful country every year in rising numbers? Will Australian children miss school and sports because of fire danger and lingering smoke levels that are worse than Beijing or New Delhi? Will asthma sufferers become used to queuing at the doctor’s for oxygen to help them breathe? I have no answers except to say that when people with political differences put them aside and work together for the greater good, lives can be saved and the whole landscape can change.”
And now torrential downpours have hit parts of New South Wales. Although the fires keep burning the rain has doused some but now life and property is under the threat of being swept away in the deluge. If this experience isn’t enough to convince naysayers that we have a problem I don’t know what is.
Harry (past prince) has certainly given up a lot for the woman he loves. I wonder is he pleased with the outcome of his decision to walk away from his country, his family, the duties he loved to live in Canada. The gilt might well ware off the ginger bread some day soon. They’ll not want for money but I bet he will want for his involvement in his charities and especially his military responsibilities. The statement from Buckingham Palace is formal, sad and proves there’s no going back.
“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are grateful to Her Majesty and the Royal Family for their ongoing support as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.
“As agreed in this new arrangement, they understand that they are required to step back from Royal duties, including official military appointments.
“They will no longer receive public funds for Royal duties. With The Queen’s blessing, the Sussexes will continue to maintain their private patronages and associations.
“While they can no longer formally represent The Queen, the Sussexes have made clear that everything they do will continue to uphold the values of Her Majesty.
“The Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family.”
One minute he was the darling of the royal family now he barely exists, expunged you might say. I wonder if the queen crys. The Duke of Edinburgh will be sad poor old man.
On The Other Side Of The World
At a time when birds and animals are devastated by the fires in Australia and now with the floods crocodiles are invading townships, my grandson Charlie’s Wild Explorer, the RSPB publication for ‘young nature nuts’ took my attention last week.
One fascinating article is about ice and this is the time of year, especially this morning, time to investigate. The idea is to get a pair of gloves, a magnifying glass, a stick and a hammer. Put out a container of water in the garden and wait until it freezes and then carefully crack the ice with the hammer, hook it out with the stick and wearing your gloves, hold it up to the light. Apparently with a magnifier you will see a world of shapes and colours, something children will love to do and believe me, I will be doing too when I finish this and after I visit my friend Sheelagh. Another idea is how to fill up an empty afternoon rather than having a nose stuck in an iPad or a new smart phone is to get a balloon, fill it with water and some food colouring, drop in a coin, tie the top and put the balloon in the freezer, once frozen peel off the balloon and give the frozen ball of ice to a friend to guess what’s inside! I reckon that would be a wonderful way to propose marriage with the engagement ring frozen in the coloured ice. In fact it reminds me of a summertime party when I tried a similar idea. Get an empty bottle of coca cola, cut the top third off, fill it with water and submerged a few flower heads. Then put an empty bottle of wine into the water and carefully placed the whole lot in the freezer. When you take it out later, removed the wine bottle, slide off the coca cola bottle and you’re left with a beautiful floral ice bucket with a space to put in a bottle of soft drink or white wine for serving chilled. It looks beautiful and is a great talking point.
Feed The Birds Tuppence A Bag
Apparently blackbird numbers have dropped by 22% and starlings by 79% since surveys began in 1979 so the magazine gives advice on encouraging birds to settle and nest by providing the food they need; buy some seeds, crush some peanuts, set out a few raisins and some fruit. And most important, a source of water making sure it doesn’t freeze.
After 40 years, the Big Garden Birdwatch happens later this month on 25th, 26th and 27th January, just registrar your interest at the web site, keep a note of the birds and let the RSPB know the results. Observation is limited to one hour and only applies to birds that land on the ground. I always think it would be better a couple of weeks later as on the day I choose there never seem to be any birds around! Too cold.
No need to go outside, observe from the window in the warmth. We must appreciate and nurture what we have. For all details go to
ONE MAN’S THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
