Wednesday 18 December 2013

Busy days

Lots of Christmas jobs done this morning.   Three cakes marzipanned ready to ice over the week-end, Christmas menus written out and final shopping list (quite short) written out.  Now I am about to get ready to go to our Poetry afternoon.   The weather was beautifully sunny but I see from the landing window that it is now raining quite heavily, so obviously a mixture of sunshine and showers.

I found a rather nice piece of Christmas poetry to read, although as usual with poetry I really think the poet (Sir Walter Scott in Marmion) saw the scene through rose-tinted specs.   It begins
"Heap on more wood! - the wind is chill"and ends "A Christmas gambol oft would cheer a poor man's heart through half the year."
I doubt it in those days - but the Christmas spirit is lovely.

Thinking of Mandella's death this week I am also reading his favourite poem which is Invictus by W E Henley.   A very inspiring read.   Depending how many there are there (anything between six and eleven) I also have Thackeray's The Ballad of Bouillabaisse and Vernon Scannell's Uncle Edward's Affliction.

It is always one of my favourite afternoons in the month - lovely company and always poetry I have never come across before.

Sun is now blazing away in my eyes again.   Have a nice day.

10 comments:

mumasu said...

I agree it does have the christmas sentiment. I hope you have a lovely afternoon, it sounds really good :)

John Going Gently said...

Another storm and gales hitting here as we speak
Keep warm pat

Gwil W said...

Two favourites of mine in that list. Have a good one. And don't you all empty the sherry bottle.

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

It sounds like a lovely afternoon - some favorite poems there. Enjoy.

Heather said...

You have a good selection of poems there Pat - enjoy your afternoon. We had a glorious day yesterday after torrential rain on Monday. Today is very windy and a bit wet at times - something for all tastes!

Terry and Linda said...

Heap on the wood...that's what we have to do. But lately the weather is nice...warmed up to 38* yesterday..I actually got hot doing the chores outside!!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
¸.•*¨*•♪♫♫♪Merry Christmas ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥
˜”*°•.˜”*°•.˜”*°•.★★.•°*”˜.•°*”˜.•°*”˜”

Robin Mac said...

I hope you had a lovely afternoon, the poetry is a great choice. I imagine you are used to all weathers in one day there. 30 degrees here with a few showers, quite pleasant. Happy Christmas

Twiggy said...

OOO I studied Vernon Scannell when I did my A levels 100 years ago, my son has a Christmas Poems book that we are enjoyin. It's aimed at 8 - 10 year olds but very funny and sweet, we read one every night before bed.
Twiggy

A Heron's View said...

I notice that british newspapers and news programmes are failing to report this
Taking food from the hungry’: UK govt rejects EU food bank subsidy
Visit : http://rt.com/news/uk-refuses-eu-help-467,

The Weaver of Grass said...

It was a truly beautiful afternoon - lovely Christmas poetry, wonderful company, lots of laughs and sitting in a cosy room while the wind blew and the rain came down outside. What more could anyone want?