Sunday 9 April 2017

Sunday

After one absolutely beautiful, Spring-like day, today is much cooler and quite cloudy.   Typical April weather I suppose.

My niece, who has been staying with me since just before the farmer's funeral, has gone home this morning and I expected to have the day alone.   But, of course, friends have rallied round and soon after she had gone friend G rang and we went out to lunch to an Italian (sea bass), then watched a 
TV programme she had recorded about The Yorkshire Dales and then came home.   Within half an hour friend W called to arrange another thing - a ukulele lesson!!   Watch this space.

It seems a very long time since I watched the News - I really can't bear to hear it as the whole world seems to be in such turmoil.   My view of the world situation is that 'they' only tell us what they want us to hear, which may or may not be right, depending which side one is on, and as I am
in any case powerless to affect it in any way I feel justified in burying my head in the sand.   I do of course get distressed by the thousands of displaced people and the thousands upon thousands of small children whose lives have been irrepairably damaged in so many ways.
 

33 comments:

Sue in Suffolk said...

A ukulele lesson! Goodness that sounds..........different. You could put your poetry to music!
We have a beautiful day down here in Suffolk but we will be 10 degrees cooler tomorrow we have been warned - back to long sleeves I think.
Take Care

Derek Faulkner said...

Surprised at your weather Pat, it has been cloudless and hot here all day. The local beach was packed with people getting sunburnt and even going in swimming, quite amazing weather for the time of year. Unfortunately, as Sue has said, temperatures are set to plummet now and Easter looks to be pretty grotty. Look forward to hearing about your ukelele lesson(s).

justjill said...

I too choose not to watch the news. We listen to Classic FM all day and I am quite adept at blocking the hourly news bulletins. It can become overload. On the upside. Flowers and trees are bursting with colour and the birds are deafening. Can't wait for the ukulele lessons! What lovely non boring friends you have.

Iris said...

Ukulele lessons! I had to laugh. Good luck with that and DO tell us how that's going!!

Maria said...

Your friends are such treasures.
Greetings Maria x

Sewing mamie said...

It's not only the news every other advert on television seems to be begging for money for one cause or another all with distressing images . Beautifull day here , I had to keep g inside when it got too hot on the patio .

EM Griffith said...

Sounds like you have wonderful friends in your village. Ukulele lessons will certainly be fun & different! As for news, since little of it is ever "good" news, I've been tuning OUT of late. We're packing to move house this week, DS1 moved out on his own a few weeks ago, DS2 just finished college... it's chaotic. As you (wisely) said, nothing I can do about it anyway.

Penhill said...

Love the news about the ukulele lessons!It just goes to show how localised the weather can be,it was hot and sunny in Richmond today the poor staff at the ice cream shop were having to deal with a mass invasion of people!

Wilma said...

My brother-in-law plays the ukulele and enjoys it very much. He is an accomplished trumpeter and plays the uke just for for his own personal pleasure. Hope you enjoy the lessons.

jinxxxygirl said...

So glad you popped by the blog today to see my new post... Yes, the craftroom is coming along.. sometimes crawling and sometimes by leap and bounds... So nice of your friends to come be with you... if thats what you need... I think i would need some alone time but thats me and perhaps i'am a very different person.... Big long distance hugs to you Pat...deb

Gail, northern California said...

I'm hoping you will continue writing, especially about daily life in your village. Even if it seems mundane and routine, it's different to us living halfway 'round the world and, frankly, a relief to hear about normal people living normal lives. ;-)

libby said...

A head in the sand is a fine way to be at certain times.

Sue said...

I too am guilty of burying my head in the sand. Ukulele lessons sound fun.

yellowtulip118@gmail.com said...

I concur when it comes to the news, it's so depressing and there's nothing you can do about it anyway. So many more uplifting things to do...like learning the ukulele! It's heart warming that you have lovely family and friends to keep you on your toes and equally lovely to read your posts.

angryparsnip said...

I can't wait to read about the Ukulele lessons.

cheers, parsnip

Rachel Phillips said...

We no longer watch tv news nor listen to radio news. We have not done so since mid January as each bulletin was what they wanted to tell us in the way they wanted to tell it starting with the same item each night. I prefer to follow news in other ways. Good luck with everything and pace yourself.x

Simon Douglas Thompson said...

I've had a beautiful weekend ignoring the news and just being out on my bike.

galant said...

Just looking in at your blog and wishing you all the best, you have been wonderful, strong and coping with your dear husband's death, and how lovely that so many friends and neighbours are supporting you, it shows in the high esteem you and your husband have been held locally.
I can't watch a lot of the News, it really distresses me, especially when we feel so helpless to do anything.
My thoughts are with you, sending you positive vibes (as I'm not religious but I think positive thoughts are what others might consider prayers.)
Margaret P

Mac n' Janet said...

Glad to hear how well your friends are taking care of you. Ukulele lessons sound like a hoot.

Frances said...

There is something very friendly about the sound of a ukulele, even the word itself has a pleasant ring.

I am now imagining your sweet pup watching you practice. xo

the veg artist said...

I find myself 'tuning out' of the news as well. I sort of listen to the headlines, then cannot bear to hear the details. Why do they have to make such a mess of things?
The ukulele sounds a very good thing. You could play it when the news is on!

Barbara said...

I am looking forward to hearing more about the ukulele lessons, particularly since I, too, have given up on the world news. I hope that your lessons will offer you a bit of fun.

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

A ukulele lesson sounds much better than watching the news. It is all bad or worse than bad, so it is better to spend our precious time with friends who make us smile.

Virginia said...

Heavens! Outings are always a great idea, but ukulele lessons- that's taking it to extremes! I look forward to hearing how you progress! I was always hopeless at getting my guitar strings tuned and I'm sure I'd be equally hopeless with a ukulele...

With your son away for Easter ,I hope you keep busy. In our house there is lots of church, and lots of food, but we, too, will be without family, but we get to look after the Goldie, who makes us get out and walk which is a "Good thing"!

And, I totally agree with you about the news, it's disheartening, depressing and definitely Bad For One's Mental Health!

Cro Magnon said...

I have a friend who plays in a Ukulele 'orchestra' in Somerset. They have terrific fun and play concerts all over their area.

Thickethouse.wordpress said...

Ukelele! I think you will have to sing with this. That's supposed to be very healthy, singing....It is so good to read about your friends who are so caring. Be well.

crafty cat corner said...

Like you I tend not to watch the news and do not buy newspapers, at my age there is not much I can do about the state of the world and looking back through time nothing really changes. I do feel for the younger members of my family as I know how I worried in the 60's.
So funny that you mention the ukulele, I bought myself one a few months ago but found it hard to learn, maybe I need to go to classes, I can do a tune on the guitar but find it difficult to lean over and hold with my dodgy fingers now. lol
Hugs
Briony
x

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thanks for your cheering comments, it is all helping me to look forward rather than backward.

Librarian said...

With everything you've been going through, it is understandable that you do not want to burden your mind with the news. I "escape" to my happy little bubble when I spend my weekends at O.K.'s, where we simply do not think of watching TV in the evenings, as we always have so many other things to do, places to go and people to see.
I am very much looking forward to hearing about your ukulele lesson!! It is one of my Dad's favourite instruments, but he has never really learned how to play.

Heather said...

So pleased that your lovely friends are looking after you. I feel exactly the same with regard to the news. It is hard to know what and who to believe when reading newspapers or listening to TV, and we are powerless to put the wrongs right.
Enjoy your ukulele lessons - making music is always a good thing.x

Jennyff said...

I agree that you have enough on your plate without having to contend with the world's problems dreadful as they are. My friend in Scotland was taking ukulele lessons with her grandson and enjoyed herself very much. I think it will be great and fortunately quite a portable instrument, ie not a piano or a double base, so no excuse for not taking it everywhere to entertain your friends.

Minigranny said...

What fun Ukulele lessons sound ! My oldest granddaughter is learning the Uke too and seems to love it. We have sun here again in Somerset today. I hope the sun shines on you this week! x

ciao said...

Hi i have become very jaded with the charity adverts some have been shown for years. My husband said the other night these kids will be adults now if they survived. Wont give to the big charities, they should be run by volunteers, where are the captains of industry that have retired and could do it, how anyone could take such fantastic wages as they do, when they are sending out pleading letters to pensioners etc.
Good luck with the ukulele
God Bless Margaret x