THANK YOU AINGEAL GREHAN FOR SENDING A PICTURE OF THIS BEAUIFUL PAINTING BY RUSSIAN PAINTER 1817-1900 IVAN AIVAZOVSKU. I’M SORRY I CAN’T ENLARGE IT.
Why doesn’t someone take our representatives at Stormont to court for dereliction of duty? So many of them have added to our sense of depression and despair. With few exceptions I certainly wouldn’t like to live with their legacy of abandoning the people of Northern Ireland to the deadly covid 19. What a shabby record they have over the last few years. Having said that, my regard for the Health Minister Robin Swann who has said: “Let’s all of us across Northern Ireland carry each other through this winter, doing all we can to ensure as many people as possible get to enjoy Christmas and live to see a better New Year.”
I reckon we the public have, by and large, acted in a responsible way, we’ve followed the advice which has been haphazard and confusing often because we are watching or listening or reading English news; here in Northern Ireland there has been chopping and changing as needs must and whoever gives advice and makes decisions about closures of shops needs to think again. I was in town at 4.30 p.m. yesterday and it was deserted, could park right outside Boots which was wide open to the public, with few people inside, when the little shops all round were tight shut. Seems all wrong. My heart goes out to them and the restaurants and cafes.
I know these times are unprecedented, I also know transmission has been growing ‘exponentially’, or rapidly before exponentially became the buzz word with the ruling classes, but to put the blame on the public is unfair.
Lessons have been learned but why are we so shy we can’t remind someone they’ve forgotten to put on their mask, not to scold them but with a smile that says I know you’d like to know. I would have appreciated such a comment on the occasions I forgot mine in the past.
MAKING IT WORK
No matter what it’s called – lockdown, isolation or social distancing – people have been required to display discipline and there are many stories. Although there’s little chance of love at first sight these days and office romances are on hold as men and women working together are no longer able to nip out for lunch, they can always phone each other in the privacy of their own homes especially if they’ve the opportunity of turning a room into an office space. Others are enjoying ‘date nights’ to bring their families together from other parts of the world, all sitting round a table at the same time and enjoying each others company on WhatsApp or Zoom. I know of a couple in love who are separated by land and sea and that’s difficult. Although they talk every day on the phone, once a week they have an intimate dinner party just for two, black tie and evening dress, cut glass, candles and linen serviettes. They have an identical four course meal with wine from the same vineyard, soft music in the background. Another husband and wife make a special time on Sundays to talk on WhatsApp and the wife walks by the sea or in a country lane so her husband who works in foreign parts can enjoy the colours of the hedge rows or the pouring rain when sheltered by her big golf umbrella, all the sights and sounds of home he misses so much.
Probably those who are effected most by the restrictions are the elderly, men and women who are existing behind closed doors, many churches and community centres are closed, they are unable or afraid to go to the shops for food, no milkmen to watch out for the telltale bottle left on the doorstep, few paper deliveries to keep in touch with local goings on. Some went to the library to use email facilities to contact family but most libraries are temporally closed. Even if you have a laptop it’s expensive to sign up to a network and you can’t be blamed for being bamboozled at the very thought of going digital.
Lots of us are far from au fait with modern technology so thank you Gillian McEvoy senior environmental health officer with Belfast City Council who has the answer for everyone in Northern Ireland, a digital help line and a bank of volunteers to advise and encourage.
THE ANSWER
“Business in the Community is offering free digital help for anyone who needs it.” Great news. This will be of interest especially to anyone hasn’t grown up with modern phones, iPads and Kindles. It will be great back up for Christmas presents from family to grandparents for instance. Buy a smart phone (refurbished is cheaper) and then put them in touch with one of the volunteers who can talk through the details of how to download apps and how to access various programmes. This service comes via free zoom sessions where volunteers will help with any digital issue or device from emails to Androids, scams to Skype and all between. Best to be on hand just to reinforce the teaching and to make contact by calling 07551 852684 and leaving a text and a volunteer will phone you within 48 hours with free, helpful advice. Or text the word DIGITAL to 67300 and leave a brief description of what help is required.
Moreover it is much cost-effective than its generic cialis 5mg price brand. Penis enlargement pills are one of the most popular methods for male enlargement viagra spain mostly because it is easy to use. It is recommended by the healthcare experts to cure sexual weakness cialis prices permanently. Spinal cord injury occurs when there is any problem, one should consult with expert spehttp://amerikabulteni.com/2011/10/12/1-degil-2-degil-7-superkahraman-ayni-filmde-the-avengers-filminin-ilk-fragmani/ order cheap viagrats.CAST LIST OF FAME
UlsterActors.com is a remarkable website and full of information. Author John Kernaghan has compiled profiles of 230 local actors going back 100 years right up to the present day. Now he has added a comprehensive section ‘The Glorious Group Players 1940-1959’ and it makes fascinating reading, he has produced it in book form as well. The history of the theatre from the Ulster Minor Hall in Bedford Street in 1937, better known as the Little Theatre a 300 seat annexe of the Ulster Hall. The history is filled with the trials and tribulations through the years and flamboyant actors who strutted their stuff.
Margaret D’Arcy, Colin Blakely, Harold Goldblatt and James Ellis the names roll off the tongue, Stephen Boyd from Glengormley, JG Devlin, James Young and Joseph Tomelty all make an appearance in John’s roll call of those halcyon days of theatre. Most dramatic report is of Ellis’ first play as a director. In 1959 rehearsals for ‘Over the Bridge’ began but the board of directors were not happy, it was an expose of sectarianism and violence in the shipyard written by trades unionist Sam Thompson who worked as a painter in Harland and Wolff. It was raw and real and the stuffed shirts deemed it not suitable for a public performance. The row that erupted with epic. Ellis moved to the Empire theatre and a hit show was born. Excellent history of this iconic little theatre.
Details: www.ulsteractors.com
Contact: john@ulsteractors.com
More fires in Australia.
Sydney recorded it’s hottest night in decades as much of Australia is experiencing an extreme heatwave. so there’s more fear and distress ahead. For years this has been the go-to paradise for many Irish seeking a new life and it still is and I know from my son’s journeying round the East Coast that it is indeed a wonderful place to live and work. Candy Devine sends great pictures of her home and it looks so beautiful and she is so happy but why is it having to go through such traumatic times be it drought or fire. Please God the brave fire fighters will control the situation before it gets out of hand. Love to you Candy.
CHRISTMAS IS ON THE WAY
Yesterday we received a mysterious box arriving curtesy of Royal Mail. Turned out to be a lovely plum pudding all ready for boiling – I hope that’s the right thing to do. Thank goodness for the Internet and the chance to look up ‘how to do’ especially as I want to make a nut roast for my Christmas dinner. The box was the first taste of Christmas. Later in the day I was at Rosemary Street Presbyterian Church taking part in the Northern Ireland Opera televised recording of At Home for Christmas. It was such a lovely experience and the church looked simply beautiful dressed in garlands and candles in the windows. I took out my Christmas coat of many colours and read a Liz Lockhead’s Spoken Song. Sean Rafferty was the host and the choir looked resplendent in dinner jackets and black dresses with a scarlet lapel flower. Not sure when it will be transmitted, obviously close to Christmas Day and an on line experience.
Celebrations ahead when the coat come out of the wardrobe!
Some times a little cameo presents itself out of the blue. I was collecting wool from a shop in Newtownabbey within the grounds of a wood store. Got out of the car, surrounded by piles of lovely smelling planks and from the big shed came the sound of music. Investigated and was invited in to an impromptu hooley as a lady called Rosie gave us a rending of popular songs on her accordion. We all joined in – all five of us!
It was great fun and the craic was mighty, lots of laughter and stories – 20 minutes of happiness.
The first week of the latest lockdown. I hope the weather will remain fair enough to get out for a walk at least, it’s important to keep the muscles in good shape and fresh air in the lungs. Keep safe and well, my thoughts to those going through illness and their carers, both family and professional, whose love is beyond measure.