Neighbor Logan (10) is our family sweetheart, and he spent several hours with us on Saturday when there was no school. He wanted us to tell his parents that he did not look at the computer while here, and I forgot to send that message. The only electronic thing he did was practice sending swiped messages to John on the cell phone. He watched me text his mother and wanted to try it. It’s a fast way, though prone to errors. You drag your finger to the letters of a word, and when you lift your finger, the app proceeds to the next word. He and John exchanged short messages, amid much giggling on Logan’s part.
The lad has a high energy level and is never still for long. He doesn’t bounce off the walls, though. He began to play with the old office chair that John uses as a footstool. Bringing it into the kitchen area, he put a spin on it. I didn’t catch his fastest rate.
Logan steered the chair all around the room with full theatrics. I get tickled at all the things he tries. He is careful not to bump into things.
I was also amused at the lunch table. I always give him a choice of cutlery – utensils like we use or a child’s set. I bought the plastic fork, spoon, and pusher when Logan had almost outgrown it. The pusher caught my fancy, and I thought Logan might use it until his nephew Sufi was old enough for it. The thing is, neither Sufi nor his younger brother Pico has eaten with us.
The utensils are construction vehicles. I hadn’t looked at them closely and didn’t realize there were words on the backs of the handles. Logan turned over the fork and and read the words on the back. They said, “CONSTRUCTIVE EATING.” He could read before he went to kindergarten, so it should have been no surprise to me that he read it aloud easily. I giggled, anyway. It’s always fun to be with our favorite child in the neighborhood.
On the spoon handle: CONSTRUCTIVE EATING
This was our Valentine’s Day breakfast – chocolate brioche buns, one for each of us. Next time I’ll roll more chocolate chips inside. Would you agree with me that you can never have too much chocolate?
It had been weeks since we visited with neighbors Shawn and Bob, so we got together for a long chat. How satisfying it was! Cold weather has always cut down social interaction, but these COVID days, everyone thinks twice about being inside together. We thoroughly enjoyed catching up on news. There was one new person partying with us – Sadie. She was so excited at seeing them that she could hardly keep four paws on the ground.
Sadie adores Logan (10). She forgot all our rules and gleefully jumped on him. Having three dogs at home, Logan can take care of himself, but he shouldn’t have to. Sadie wedged herself in half of Logan’s chair and kissed him. Bless his heart, he was still posing nicely for the camera. I really appreciate that.
I missed getting a photo of Logan bringing me a Valentine balloon. They know I love balloons, and this one was different from all I’ve had before. Bear Hugs! What could be nicer?
Niece Chrissie offered to let grandson David and me go down the slopes on her snowboard with her, and we jumped at the chance. We were at home in North Carolina, but in Massachusetts via cell phone. She and husband Chris chatted with us on the lift, then she wore her phone and talked with us all the way down. It was exciting. She has been clocked going over 30 miles an hour, although not with us on board. I was amazed at how relaxed she was. She mentioned recently that being totally relaxed was the ideal, and she has been working on that.
Here is a clip Chris took of Chrissie. His shadow shows up, too.
David and I went up a second time with them, eager for more thrills. It was most satisfying. They decided to go in and boarded all the way to their building. That turned out to be more exciting than it sounds. Some tourists were wandering on the pathway, and evidently didn’t know that people on skis or boards have the right of way. Chrissie was annoyed because she couldn’t get around them. With perfectly acceptable language, she criticized them when they were out of earshot.
Inside, they showed us the new floor in their condo, which Chris installed after we visited them a year or so ago. It was fun to see their place again. I was tired after all that armchair exercise, but they were going to play active video games with their children who live in Utah.
I forgot to mention something else the folks from India told me. There are different classes of beggars! Ann said that some get left-overs, and lower classes get food that has actually been on people”s plates.
Tuesday John went into the office late because we are house-hunting. We have not told the girls yet because we don’t want to upset them; we’ll wait until we have another house lined up. We got the final word a couple of weeks ago that the owners of this house are being recalled from Japan, and of course, want their house back. Our lease expires the first of April. John saw one house on his own, but the rooms were too small. The one we saw Tuesday was a handyman’s nightmare. We could live there if we have to, but prefer to look longer. The blurb on the house listed a two-car garage, but we couldn’t find it. Then we realized it is now two bedrooms and a small playroom. Yesterday we saw a dream house that is too far away and too expensive, but it was fun to look at. [We subsequently rented a house on the same street – the name of the house was Churchfield. We rented half the house, and another family owned the other half. They had owned the house next to the one I was describing here as a dream house and subsequently bought half of Churchfield.] In the dream house were five bedrooms in the main part of the house, living room, dining room, study, and playroom that had been the garage. It also has a tennis court and a staff flat!!! Off the living room is the sitting room, kitchen, bath, and bedroom for a maid or parents. Anyone want to come over to live and help us pay for all that? It is to the side and back of a church with a path from the garden into the church yard! Mr. Clewes has tentatively agreed to work for us if we have a garden that needs him.
I was being critical of Lisa and said, “Lisa, you can be so loud.” Said she helpfully, “I can be even louder.”
The Salvation Army came around last Sunday distributing envelopes for donations. They were dressed in uniform and covered the area rapidly. When a pretty young girl came to collect the envelope several days later, I had to admit that the baby had gotten it. Well, it was the truth! (Teacher Barbara might not accept that as an excuse; neither did this girl.) She immediately offered another, so I dutifully put money in it and handed it back.
Two nights in a row John was out late dining with Steve S from the NY office. John has always enjoyed him so much, and I was glad he had a chance to spend lots of time with him. The second night the girls and I cleaned house to get ready for company coming the next night. Kate tidied up while Lisa polished silver.
One of the nights John came in late, he waked me up getting ready for bed. We changed John $’s nappy, and I was waked several more times by various people bumping around. John had set the alarm an hour early to finish something that had to go back to NY via Steve, returned to bed, and set the alarm for the usual time. When it rang, I said it’s easy to get up because I’d had so much practice during the night.
Max and Renee A. came for dinner Friday night and got here before John was home from work. This is the couple who first invited us to their home for dinner when we had just come here. They have their fingers in every pie in church, so it is fun to listen to their views on what is happening. I asked them about the banns of marriage, knowing they would have that info, having married off all four children within two years not so long ago. I had written of this to one of you, but now I have more complete information and will share it with all of you. [I’ve already written some of this earlier, but this is a little different.]
It’s a very old custom going way back. It is called publishing the banns of marriage and is to be done three weeks in a row, after which the couple have three months in which to marry before the time runs out. The names of the couple and their home parishes are read, and then the congregation is asked to let the authorities know if there is just cause why they should not marry. These banns must be read in their home parish — where they were baptized — as well as the church they attend at the moment. For couples not having a church wedding, banns are posted on a board at the registry office for three weeks. The way to get around all of this is to pay a fee and get a special license.
I also asked Renee and Max about the registry book in the church. In novels, after the wedding service the bride and groom go into the registry to sign the book. In St. Mary’s this book is kept in a safe under the organ. For one of their family weddings the vicar brought the book out so that the wedding guests could see the signing (not at St. Mary’s). Once a year some higher up in the church inspects the records to make sure everyone is doing their job properly. Records are kept of all christenings and deaths there, also.
Yesterday Kate and I were walking $ when we heard a lot of hammering. I laughed when we saw the cause. The opening for letters in the front door was being opened and closed by a little hand with a little pair of eyes looking out. I waved, and it abruptly closed, only to be opened slyly for a peek. The little one inside was shy. Wonder when $ is going to discover we have one like that in our house!
We drove to London to St. Paul’s for the morning service. Were the boys glorious! That church is so big that the sound just rolls back and seems to keep going for 10 seconds. We sat in the front row in the congregation; could have sat in the choir if we were staying for communion. The front row is right where the royal family sits for special occasions, so we won’t complain about the seats.
After church we drove, trying to find Kensington Palace. All we found was the Kensington Palace Hotel, and we are thinking it’s the palace turned into a hotel. It was right where the map listed the palace. [I was wrong about that. Kensington Palace still exists in 2008. It’s still there in 2021.] On our way to Regent’s Park I navigated us on Mount Street and Curzon Street which always feature in old novels. We also went near Baker Street and saw the Sherlock Homes Hotel. Driving around the park, we saw where the zoo is, but could only see the giraffes over the hedges. There were some posh town houses overlooking the park, too. All of this was to fill time until the Tower opened; John said since everyone else had had a chance to go, he wanted me to get in. The girls and I walked to the entrance only to find that the jewels are not on display for the month of February because of maintenance to the building. This is what I particularly want to see, so we hope to go another time before the tourist season starts. $ had fallen asleep, so we drove through the St. Katherine dock area before coming home. It was a nice outing — certainly much easier than going to New York for part of a day.
Lisa will soon “sit” for the common entrance examination. At the age of 11 or 12 all children who hope to get in good schools have to take this series of exams. They are given in the lower schools, all on the same days, all over the world! The headmistress at Dunnotar assured us that they would accept Lisa if her grades were slightly lower than those of English girls since she hasn’t been here long. The last one will be the day before the Mehrlings arrive, so she will have double cause to celebrate. They’ve been preparing for this for weeks, using old exams as trials. Reminds me of all the hoop-la that New Yorkers went through for Regent’s exams.
End of paper. End of thoughts. [Also, there were no photos to go with the narrative. Soon we will have visitors, and there will be lots of pictures.]
I invited grand-dog Sadie onto my lap. With a quick leap, she was there, and neither of us knew what to do next. She did not fit. Knowing this was historic, I asked David to take a photo as he sat on the opposite side of the room. He took a bunch of shots, and this was his vote for the best one of Sadie. I liked it too, because David was reflected in the window behind me.
Sadie knows I do not like to be licked when we are both standing on the floor. Being on my lap was an opportunity she took advantage of. Quick as lightning she had her tongue on my hands, cheeks, and LIPS! Ugh! David caught the action as I tried to avoid that searching tongue. My smile shows I was successful for at least one second.
I will wait until I’m on a sofa before trying that again.
Has anyone ever told you to go fly a kite when discussing church attendance? We heard it last Sunday. The vicar made a kite and flew it in family service! He started with the framework, which makes a cross, saying that is the basis of true life. Quoting Scripture all the way, he continued with red material for the blood that covers our sins. Here in England they use two strings for flying a kite — has it changed in America? One string stood for Bible reading, the other for prayer. The tail is love which makes such lovely patterns in the sky. Here they have humongous tails; Kate and I saw one on Redhill Common not long ago. When he’d finished, he had all the children blow as hard as they could while the curate hoisted the kite up on hidden strings to fly from the rafters. Cute.
Inside photo of St. Mary’s church in Reigate
A lady came by leaving catalogs for plastics and housewares, something like a Fuller Brush brochure; this line is named “Betterware”. In thumbing through it, I found a gadget for holding up the cord of an iron called FLEX holder. Was I glad to be educated enough to know what they meant!
Kate has come to love her school hat and only takes it off to go to bed. She sometimes shares it with $ who doesn’t properly appreciate it. He has learned how to put it on and take it off.
Snowdrops are blooming, and daffodil shoots are two inches high.
$ loves to take a stroll about the garden when we get home from school. He has his own ideas about where he wants to go.
We’re in the habit of having afternoon tea after $’s walk. Kate and I have tea; Lisa has milk. It’s a nice break and a habit I plan to continue when we return to the States. I asked Merrin if they have tea in Australia. She said they do, but it’s really dinner.
One day I saw a funeral procession coming slowly down our street. The hearse stopped; two limousines pulled in behind, and the drivers went into the house next to the Hull’s and brought out flowers to put in the boots of the cars. Then they started up the cars and pulled into the drive to pick up the family. I wonder if the person who died had lived there. Haven’t seen anyone on the street to ask.
John had told me he hadn’t gotten petrol, but I didn’t think of getting it the next day. The day after that, the girls prayed us down to the closest station. They even prayed it open, because at first we saw no one about. Whew! It cost 17 pounds to fill her up. [At that time, it would have been equal to about $40, which is nothing unusual for 2008 prices.]
I went to Ann O’Connell’s for coffee. She was one of the first people to speak to me outside the school. I rather think she felt sorry for me being a newcomer and remembering how she was not spoken to for ages. She claims there are a few to this day that would not reply to her if she spoke to them! She thinks they are waiting for a proper introduction! Ann’s parents live in the same house with her, and what a house! It looks like a church from the outside, but she said it was a Victorian school. There are odd-shaped stairs, balconies inside, odd windows and French doors. It is filled with antiques from all over the world. I’ve heard Ann mention going to auctions — the big name ones in London. I think she buys for others as well as herself, but it’s rather vague. The house is so unique and different that I could imagine it as a stage setting for a play.
Ann’s parents were there, as well as a young neighbor named Una. John $ was so rambunctious that I never talked to her. Mr. and Mrs. Harding helped run after $ and carried our conversations back and forth around the living room. I knew Ann had lived in India until she was 14, so asked her mother if she had grown up in England. She replied, “If you knew British accents, you’d know I have an Empire accent and didn’t grow up here.” She went on to tell that there were 13 servants in her house and that she had never seen a vacuum cleaner until they moved to New Zealand in the 50’s. Mr. Harding had been in aluminium (accent on “min”) but left when things got bad after England pulled out of India. He said there were threats to his life and promises that his daughter would be kidnaped. He liked New Zealand, but hated Australia. He couldn’t stand the familiarity and heartiness of the Aussies! Don’t think he’d like Americans, either, but he was nice to me.
I said to Enid, Merrin’s mother, that I don’t think I’d like having the seasons upside down at Christmas time in Australia. She said it hasn’t felt like Christmas here with the cold! What about Christmas cards, I asked. She laughed and said she’d never thought about it, but they were all snow scenes!!! Someone went to extra trouble to send them one with a kangaroo on it this Christmas. Found out they do have milk delivery there. That’s the first time I’ve heard of it outside the U.K.
I couldn’t figure out why $ had a “runny tummy” as one person said here. Met another mother at school with a girl his age, and she mentioned her girl was teething. I ran my finger around his gums and found 8 points of eruptions! No wonder he hasn’t been his normal self! I’ll be more careful the next time I put a finger in his mouth — it’s getting more dangerous!
One night John called from the railroad station in London to cancel my coming to meet him at the local station, because the trains were not running. He was so glad he did because neither of us had noticed the fog. The train he finally got was not very late, but the cars on the road between Redhill and Reigate could only go as fast as he was walking because of the thick fog. After he ate, the girls and I went for a walk to experience the soup first hand. It’s the thickest I’ve ever seen. The world seemed to end with the first row of trees in our garden, and only a glow came from the windows across the street. The next morning I looked at the trees in the back and thought someone had wrapped them with thread. It wasn’t very much, but there were strings fluttering in the wind. Lisa and I went out to touch one and found it to be frozen mist or flexible ice. You know me, I grabbed the camera and went out. [Those slides were too dark to scan, so I’ve lost the images.] Much to my chagrin, $ locked me out by slightly turning the lowest lock on the garden door.
Kate and I took $ for a walk to church in the morning and used our Christmas present hymn books. In the Anglican church they hand out tiny books with just the words of the hymns. We know so few of the tunes that it’s painful to try to sing. John remedied that by buying the music edition. John is presently going to Evensong. He likes that service because it is all sung. When we came home from church, we found he’d put the casserole in the oven and set the table! That’s a nice welcome, especially since we’d smelled other dinners cooking on the way home.
This afternoon the Hull girls went for a walk with us and showed us another new footpath. It was such a gloriously beautiful day that even John went.
It has been almost a year now, folks. Aren’t you tired of hoarding toilet paper? We never bought any ahead of time, trusting we could buy more when we needed it. Recently my bathroom was the one needing more, and there were only a few odd brands on the shelf. I read the labels carefully, wanting to avoid one-ply – the kind you need to tear off six feet for the simplest job. I shunned the obese rolls that get stuck in our holder. John was ready to set up a camp chair when I decided on the least offensive package.
A few days later, the first roll made its debut (de-bue not de-butt). My suspicions were aroused, because I could HEAR it unroll. Granted, there were no splinters in the paper, but it was CRISP! Crisp is not the ideal adjective for toilet paper. I am going to deal with it, hopefully without undue complaint. I beg you, if you have a closet full of TP, wait until you’ve used up half of it before you buy more. Please give the rest of us a chance to get our normal brands. Thank you.
The county texted me that I could get my vaccination the next day between noon and one at the fairgrounds. I had put John’s name on the list first, so we assumed rightly that he would be able to get his, as well. We joined the line of cars slowly moving up the hill at the fairgrounds. Workers talked to us on both sides of the car, giving us forms to fill out and putting a sticky note on the windshield in front of us. Anyone taking a blood thinner was marked with a sheet of paper under the wiper. Two lines formed inside the first barn as workers checked our forms. We moved into one line again to approach the second barn.
We split into two lines again, giving me a chance to take a photo of the other line. John and I got our shots at the same time, along with cards to get the second dose in 28 days.
The exit line snaked down the hill. Workers checked our time, making sure we had been on site for the required 15 minutes after the vaccinations. A traffic cop waved us onto the highway, and we were through! We never got out of the car. I thought the operation was very smooth and efficient. Most of the workers were inside the two spacious barns. If we get snow and rain the next few days, they will be nicely sheltered as they work.
It’s really amazing that the vaccine was developed so quickly. Each state is responsible for organizing its distribution. John said West Virginia and Florida were ahead of everyone else. We got ours sooner than I thought we would, but we will continue to be careful until after the second dose.
I would love to hear about your experience of getting the vaccine or some of the things you have gone through during the pandemic. These have been strange times.
This week just past I spotted a woodpecker that looks much like our Downy, but larger. I understand it is not often seen in this area.
Lisa wanted to stay after school for a road safety film badly enough to walk home! It took her only half an hour. Even she was surprised at the early hour; having worked up an appetite, she thought it must be close to dinner time. A little later she walked to Merrin’s to get an assignment. She may not realize how English she acted that day!
We watched lots of TV and kept the radio on for news of the hostages. I was surprised how much time they devoted to the story over here. Many people I’ve met shopping and at school have stopped me to say how glad our people are free at last. [Iran set American hostages free after 444 days in captivity.]
At the library the parking was even tighter than usual, and a lady squeezed her car in next to mine so that she couldn’t even get out of her door. Five more cars were lined up out into the busy street waiting to get in, so I knew I had to try to get out or walk out of the lot pretending I didn’t have a car there. As I began to maneuver, a nice man directed me with hand movements. I could have sworn I was going to crunch into the car behind, and I certainly hoped he could see better than he could hear. (He was wearing a very conspicuous hearing aid.) If I had hit that car, he might not have heard it! In very little time he had me out! I’ve heard of several people who pray to find a parking place, but I prayed to get out of that one! The Lord sent me a helper right when I needed it.
Instant replay might not have been used New Year’s Eve, but it was Tuesday. I think I saw President Reagan sworn in at least eight times. After hearing it that often, I’m persuaded he INTENDS to do a good job.
Language is a living thing, constantly changing, so much of what I write about may not apply a year from now. However, at this moment the term “OK” would translate here to “Right!”. On TV a person had a demonstration prepared, walked out to set up equipment, said “right”, and launched into the explanation. If I asked someone to do something for me, the answer would be “right”. Maybe that’s why the English have the trait of being correct, always “right”.
On a rainy day I parked close to the store, got $ in his push chair, saw a glove lying on the pavement and thought, “Some poor bloke has lost a glove. Won’t want it after it has been out in this weather.” For some reason I put my hand in my pocket and found I was the poor bloke! Glad I noticed it then and not later.
One morning I went several houses down the street for coffee with Mary H. She and her husband, Kenneth, are involved with youth work, running house parties for teenagers. He is an ordained minister and is an honorary curate of St. Mary’s. I discovered the place where they run these camps during holidays is a school we investigated for our girls. Now I can imagine what they do, since I know where they do it! Kenneth came in while I was there, recovering from a visit to a dentist. He said he steeled himself in the chair because the dentist was very young and came at him so enthusiastically!
I learned a new word from Mary. She said, “Dogs and children always head for the flex.” I had her repeat it three times, trying to understand it. Finally she walked over and picked one up to show me. She was so taken aback by my ignorance of the word that she looked it up in the dictionary! The word “flex” is short for flexible insulated electric cable. I should hope so! It continued by saying, in the US, it means “cord”. I’d say extension cord. It’s the four letter words that can get you into trouble!
Have I mentioned that the postmen deliver mail on their bicycles? I saw one the other day going down hill, standing on one pedal so that his bike was more a scooter than a bike. I’m sure it speeded delivery not to have to dismount.
Barbara C came here for coffee. She is the one who called and offered to baby sit for us before Christmas so that we could go to a dinner. This coffee business that is so standard here is the easiest thing. You invite one to any number of people, set out “bought” biscuits (cookies), give them a cup of coffee and relax. That particular morning I learned more about hospital stays for new mothers. It seems that you are required to be either in hospital or have someone at home with you for 10 days after your first baby. For the second or more they keep you in hospital 24 -48 hours and send you packing!!! Barbara is a kindred spirit in one way– she doesn’t care for gardening and does none of it!
Barbara and I compared the difficulties of cutting young boys’ hair. Her older son has two “crowns” she said. I would have called it “cow licks”, but I don’t think that is the proper name for it, either. Anybody got the correct term for the funny swirl of hair at the top of the head that refuses to go any way but the way it grows?
I cleaned house (yes, I really did!), ending in $’s room where he was acting tired. Playfully put him in the crib and stretched out on the bed across the room. Discovered why, when sitting in the room below, I think it sounds like the under side of a trampoline. He stand, runs, and dives among the blankets time after time. Comes up giggling and cutting his eyes around looking for mischief.
Last night we had the Johansens here for dinner and to play with the trains. Bjarne thought John was teasing in the office about having trains. He should know John never teases about IMPORTANT subjects!
John $pencer and his dad
Randi (the pretty wife) kept exclaiming about the SIZE of this house and how much cleaning would be involved. Their 13-year-old son, Jens, played for ages with the trains and included the girls in his playing. We thought his poise and grasp of history was amazing. Being an only child has some advantages! I loved listening to Jens talk. He’d learned English in Norway, probably with a British accent, but goes to the American school. Half his words are English, and some are SO American. I was surprised at his willingness to talk. Every once in a while he translated something for his mother.
Coping with English life is different for each family. Randi wanted special fish for Christmas dinner and didn’t know where to begin looking. Bjarne called the Norwegian Club, asked where they got their supply, and went there.
Lisa woke feeling sick this morning. She has now vomited twice and feels better. John stayed with her, and we had $ in the crib at the same time. John has now gone to evening prayer.
There is no better way to get to know a town than on foot. Today Kate, $ and I drove to town where parking lots (car parks, that is) are free on Sunday. We explored Slipshoe street, the oldest street in Reigate, I believe. It’s also the shortest and narrowest. We went down a residential street where I found my favorite house name of the day — Clutter Cottage.
End of paper. God bless you all.
On another sheet were a couple of paragraphs about wedding banns that I wrote to my brother and his wife. I’ll include them here.
Wedding banns — I must try to find out more, but I’ll tell you my idea of it. About three weeks before the wedding, the names of the engaged couple are read in church, and people are admonished to declare if there is any reason why these people can’t be married. Names are read three weeks running. I think it would be included in the service in the parish church of both the bride and groom, that is where they were baptized, as well as in the church they may have joined at the present time. It stems from the time when records were strictly local affairs and it wouldn’t be too hard for a man or woman to marry several times in distant places. I know in old novels, right after the wedding ceremony, the couple always go to the registry (part of the church) to sign their names on the book that stays in the church. It may still be done. [I think they showed Prince Charles and Lady Diana signing the book at St. Paul’s, or at least the anchors talked while it was done.]
Also in novels where the groom is in great haste to have his loved one to himself, he always has had the foresight to have a special license tucked in his pocket as he whisks his bride away, only two sentences after proposing to her. This is the only alternative to waiting the weeks for the reading of the banns, but I don’t know how you obtain a special license.
The challenge is this: can you describe a common cold without mentioning sinuses or lungs? I think I can.
For two weeks I haven’t worn rings or earrings. One week ago I quit wearing shoes and a belt. Last week I lost ten pounds, which would have taken ten years at my usual rate of one pound a year. Although my legs are a bit rubbery, I am feeling better.
A blog about life challenges in mostly fictional writing based on some fact. I am trying this Blog thing out because I need a creative outlet and am amazed at everything my iPad can do to help me along the way. So why not, right ?
My name is Suki, my human is a writer, and this is about my world. The world according to Suki The Cat. My humans smell funny, look weird, and I can't understand a thing they say, but they feed me, so hey, what are you gonna do?
Mehrling Muse 