ABC Time! Are you sitting comfortable?

K is for.....Kid stuff! In my alphabet spanning my auto-biography I find myself at K....Here are some random facts about me as a kid! 1. I went to Red Cross classes for many years. Part of the class was spent on bandaging and dressing of imaginary wounds. We each took turns as the patient. On one such occasion when it was my turn I asked Mrs Longstaff the leader if I could go home sporting the black eye and bruising make up as well as the sling which was supporting my right arm. She agreed. As was the norm, after Red Cross together with my pals we would go to the chip shop. When we entered Mrs Wall asked me what on earth had happened. I told her my Auntie Dot had hit me with the yard brush! How we laughed! However a few days later Mrs Wall bumped into Auntie Dot! Hmmmm the laughter soon stopped! 2. A few years later in biology class I had to collect the bulls eyeballs for disection, from the butchers, at the same time I had to buy sausages for Auntie Dot! I deliberately switched the packages. How I howled with laughter at the thought of it all.....again the laughter didn't last long! 3. I had my tonsils removed when I was 8. The nurse was an absolute dragon....so whilst she was making my bed I picked off a candle of blood which had trickled down my nose and flicked it into her hair! The pleasure of seeing it fly through the air and land in her bun was wonderful! The joy lasted for the whole shift! I could see the offending object in her hair everytime she passed! 4. At the age of 12 I was making mum's tea. I wanted to surprise her when she came in from work. The phone rang and when I had finished I was petrified to see the kitchen was on fire. Typical common chip pan fire. Polystirene tiles were all the fashion so when the pan caught fire the flames rose to the ceiling and the tiles quickly demolished the entire roof structure. When mum arrived home she was greeted by 2 fire engines. I left home for an hour! 5. When our neighbours emigrated to South Africa they gave me their upright piano. We didn't really have the room and mum wasn't keen. Anyhow she let me keep it and I tried to teach myself. Trouble was, Uncle Moss kept cadging some wire for his car so over the years more and more keys would not play. In the end it had to go! I hope you have enjoyed these 5 random facts about my childhood! It was a very interesting time. Looking back I honestly think I am pretty much the same now as when I was 8! LOL! To see more contributions to ABC Wednesday click on the logo in the sidebar, or simply go here!

My Wonderful Family!

This that and the other, catching up!

I noticed that this is my 875th post! If I looked closer I see there are some posts I have not published, just thought about only to decide later not to post. It was when Bob told me he was celebrating his 500th post which made me think! I dont seem to have been blogging much lately, as I am very busy with wedding commissions at the moment. My new website has had 569 visitors to date... wayhey! I have included a visitor's book for comments and it would seem people like the website layout etc. I am particularly chuffed as I made the website myself! Blogging tips helped me a great deal! So it is back to the desk right now and on with the commissions.... 125 place cards Table numbers Seating Plan 70 invitations 70 RSVP's 50+ orders of service..... Just this weekend! But....at least spring is on its way!

Daffodowndilly She wore her yellow sun-bonnet, She wore her greenest gown; She turned to the south wind And curtsied up and down. She turned to the sunlight And shook her yellow head, And whispered to her neighbour: "Winter is dead." AA Milne

ABC Wednesday...J IS FOR...JACK!

Friday 55 Flash Fiction is brought to you by G-man (Mr Knowitall). The idea is you write a story in exactly 55 words. If you want to take part pop over and let G-man know when you've posted your 55. Here is mine for this week!

Missing

Gentle Man kind blue eyes wearing a loving broad smile.

Smart appearance, tweed jacket and matching hat.

Interests include his family, home and garden.

Endearing sense of humour and a very generous nature,

Looking after all around him.

Last seen August thirteenth nineteen eighty six

Answers to the name of John Henry Davison, Dad.

The greatest gift I ever received come from God, I call him Dad! - Anonymous

John Henry Davison came into my life when I was 7. Mum had just got a new job at the prestigious ICI, Wilton Training Centre. One of the Training officers was John Davison, or Jack as he was known. Mum was one of the secretaries. This was her first job following the harrowing divorce she had gone through, a visit from the bailiffs to strip the house we lived in, seizing goods to cover my biological father's bankrupted business debts, a nervous breakdown. Mum borrowed the deposit for a small terraced house from her 2 brothers, Uncle Bob and Uncle Stan. It needed lots doing to it, including total rewiring. We all know how single women are targeted by unscrupulous workmen, and back in the 1960's things were no different, so Jack helped Mum by making sure she was not taken for a ride. He also helped where he could, as electrics were his "thing!" The very first time he came to our house I was introduced to "Uncle Jack!" Years later I learned he had been more nervous than me! I was playing with my doll's house. He spent time talking to me and I liked him. He re-wired my doll's house, I had the best there was! Independent switches in each of the rooms, as a real house would. Over the years a friendship developed and he would visit us every Saturday. It was quite a treck for him as he did not drive and travelled from just outside Guisborough. Mum eventually introduced him to her own parents. My Grandad, a man of few words took him out for a walk! He wanted to know his intentions as Mum had been through so much. Jack assured him he had her and mine best interests at heart. Grandad was re-assured and a great friendship was kindled between them. Jack liked a flutter on the horses. He and his brother Frank would visit the races and shadow the big horse trainers. He noticed they seldom backed their own horses. Jack and Frank would bet the same horses, and win! Our family always had a flutter on the Grand National. In 1967 we all picked our choices. The family studied the form, I at 11 looked at the numbers. I figured 100 to 1 sounded good! Everybody laughed, but I went ahead. Jack took everybody's money and the bets were placed. Foinavon, my choice won! £50 was a lot of money then! LOL! My Nana really took a shine to Jack. He would sit with her and talk about this that and the other. Nana was ill and as her health deteriorated in 1970 we kew she was gravely ill. On one of his visits as Jack sat with Nana she drew him close and asked him to promise he would look after Madge and Denise....he promised. On June 17th, 1970, Nana died. On November 1st Uncle Jack and mum were married, the day before mum's birthday. We moved to a bungalow and after a couple of years we all moved to Guisborough, Dad's home. Mum and I loved this change although by this time I was at University. Mum and Dad were both still working at ICI. Dad had a very stressful job and in 1983 he suffered a massive heart attack. It resulted in him having to stop work. In those days ICI was one of the best emloyers, with very good benefits. Both Dad and Mum left with "Golden Handshakes". Mum decided to leave in order to ensure Dad had the rest he was to need. Happy with their bungalow in Guisborough, they bought a static caravan at Rosedale Abbey. They loved to visit and stay whenever they had the time. Infact, the photograph above was indeed taken in the caravan, by mum. On the morning of August 13th 1986, whilst staying at the caravan, Dad told mum he would prefer go home. He wasn't feeling very well. They had planned on going to Egton Country Show, one of their all time favourites. They packed up and set off for home. It would have been a very busy day on the roads. Holiday traffic. The Whitby to Guisborough Road in particular! As the car passed Gisborough Hall, Dad brought the car to a stop and slumped forward.He had died, literaly at the wheel. I was teaching in Nottingham at the time. I received the news later that afternoon and returned home the following day. This was to be a turning point in my life. I was to return home and look after mum. I had a fantastic relationship with Dad, he was indeed my Dad. Notice how he suddenly evolved as Dad from Uncle Jack? It was the same in our relationship. I don't know when it happened, it just did. One day I just called him Dad! Dad recounted the event to mum..he had cried at the time, privately, with pride and love. I often sit in Dad's chair and remember him. When Dad was at school he learned the poem " Meg Merilles" off by heart. This he would recite when his teacher asked the class to stand up, one by one and sing. Dad was incredibly shy as well as tone deaf, this was his contribution. Here is the poem in it's original form, for Dad!

Meg Merrilies Old Meg she was a gypsy; And liv'd upon the moors: Her bed it was the brown heath turf, And her house was out of doors. Her apples were swart blackberries, Her currants, pods o' broom; Her wine was dew of the wild white rose, Her book a church-yard tomb. Her brothers were the craggy hills, Her sisters larchen trees; Alone with her great family She liv'd as she did please. No breakfast had she many a morn, No dinner many a noon, And 'stead of supper she would stare Full hard against the moon. But every morn, of woodbine fresh She made her garlanding, And every night the dark glen yew She wove, and she would sing. And with her fingers old and brown She plaited mats o' rushes, And gave them to the cottagers She met among the bushes. Old Meg was brave as Margaret Queen, And tall as Amazon: An old red blanket cloak she wore, A chip hat had she on. God rest her aged bones somewhere — She died full long agone! John Keats

Friday Fun thanks to Tommy Cooper!

Tommy Cooper was one of my favourite comedians of all time, so here are some one liners which I hope will bring you a few smiles! Have a Good Weekend! I met this bloke with a didgeridoo and he was playing Dancing Queen on it. I thought, 'That's Aboriginal.' This lorry full of tortoises collided with a van full of terrapins. It was a turtle disaster. I told my girlfriend I had a job in a bowling alley. She said 'Tenpin?' I said, 'No, permanent.' I went in to a pet shop. I said, 'Can I buy a goldfish?' The guy said, 'Do you want an aquarium?' I said, 'I don't care what star sign it is.' I bought some Armageddon cheese today, and it said on the packet. 'Best before End' I went to buy a watch, and the man in the shop said 'Analogue.' I said 'No, just a watch.' I went into a shop and I said, 'Can someone sell me a kettle.' The bloke said 'Kenwood' I said, 'Where is he then?' My mate is in love with two schoolbags. He's bi-satchel. I went to the doctor. I said to him 'I'm frightened of lapels.' He said, 'You've got cholera.' I met the bloke who invented crosswords today. I can't remember his name, its P something T something R. I was reading this book today, The History of Glue. I couldn't put it down. I phoned the local ramblers club today, but the bloke who answered just went on and on. The recruitment consultant asked me 'What do you think of voluntary work? I said 'I wouldn't do it if you paid me.' I was in the jungle and there was this monkey with a tin opener. I said, 'You don't need a tin opener to peel a banana.' He said, 'No, this is for the custard.' This policeman came up to me with a pencil and a piece of very thin paper. He said, 'I want you to trace someone for me..' I told my mum that I'd opened a theatre. She said, 'Are you having me on?' I said, 'Well I'll give you an audition, but I'm not promising you anything.' I phoned the local builders today, I said to them 'Can I have a skip outside my house?' He said, 'I'm not stopping you!' This cowboy walks in to a German car showroom and he says 'Audi!' I fancied a game of darts with my mate. He said, 'Nearest the bull goes first' He went 'Baah' and I went 'Moo' He said 'You're closest' I was driving up the motorway and my boss phoned me and he told me I'd been promoted. I was so shocked I swerved the car. He phoned me again to say I'd been promoted even higher and I swerved again. He then made me managing director and I went right off into a tree. The police came and asked me what had happened. I said 'I careered off the road' I visited the offices of the RSPCA today. It's tiny: you couldn't swing a cat in there. I was stealing things in the supermarket today while balanced on the shoulders of a couple of vampires. I was charged with shoplifting on two counts. I bought a train ticket to France and the ticket seller said 'Eurostar' I said 'Well I've been on telly but I'm no Dean Martin. I phoned the local gym and I asked if they could teach me how to do the splits. He said, 'How flexible are you?' I said, 'I can't make Tuesdays or Thursdays.' I went to the local video shop and I said, 'Can I borrow Batman Forever?' He said, 'No, you'll have to bring it back tomorrow' A waiter asks a man, 'May I take your order, sir?' 'Yes,' the man replies. 'I'm just wondering, exactly how do you prepare your chickens?' 'Nothing special, sir. We just tell them straight out that they're going to die.'

ABC Wednesday...I is for Intelligence.

Mum aged 12

The ability to focus attention on important things is a defining characteristic of intelligence. Robert J. Shiller

Mum was definately the more intelligent sibling! As her first marriage deteriorated and found mum and I alone in our new house it was her own intelligence which was to be a major factor in our future. Because she had applied herself at school she gained a place in secretarial college and achieved great results in both shorthand and typing. This was to come in really useful when she applied to ICI Wilton, an organisation famous for it's high standard of entrance qualifications. Mum was successful in gaining a position with them and soon was on the promotional journey which over the next few years would take her to the rank of Secretary to the main personel Officer. This experience rubbed off on me and I am a firm believer in individuals having a certain amount of choice with their own futures. Work hard, achieve and you will have a certain choice with what you do in life. ..just as mum did. It allowed us to live a decent life with a good home...oh and she was to meet her future husband at ICI, but I will save that story for next week. To see more contributions to ABC Wednesday click on the logo in the sidebar, or simply go here!

My World Tuesday!

Hmmmmmmmmmmm! I have seen this mentioned in a few blogs and so have decided to give it a go. My world..................is a tiny farming village in North Yorkshire, UK. A few miles from the coast. We live within the North York Moors and make the most of our surroundings. When I say we, I am talking about my german shepherd Wilma as we go for walks every day and my husband Jon and our motorbike, A good combination eh? As spring dawns I think a weekly photo will be fun!

Monday Monday!

Monochrome....Jon, Moi and Humber Bridge!

My odd shot Monday was taken yesterday under the Humber Bridge. We made the most of the good weather and had a bike ride out with our friends Jon and Trish. It was a good opportunity for John to try out his new motorbike, a Yamaha Fazer! When I was taking the pictures I did try to position the bridge so it appeared to come out of heads! Always fun! On our way back home John had to make a quick exit from the motorway and John and Trish missed it, hence the photo of Jon waiting on the bench, then John and Trish pulling up on their bike. As usual we had a good day. We are going to France with John and Trish in September on a biking adventure. I am sure there will be fun to be had by all! To visit more Monday Monochrome or Oddshot, follow the links on my sidebar!

Pieces of art, pieces of art!

Today I have uploaded these pictures of the sky I captured somewhere between Holland and Newcastle last June. I have been looking to have them made into canvas prints for some time. I am really excited now. Can't wait to see what they are like. The bottom one will go above the fireplace, the three above it will go on one of the walls in the lounge. Watch this space!

A smile for Friday!

Vimrod! always makes me smile!

Purple for Thursday!

We are so fortunate in having some wonderful purples on our very doorstep, in particular the Yorkshire Heather which really inspires my work. Heather is at its best mid August. Great quotations are always so appropriate to use, I feel this one by Vincent VanGogh says it all! For more Thursday purple inspirations follow the link from the sidebar.

ABC Wednesday...H is for

Homepage, my new website...see it here I have been so busy following the wedding fayre I had to take a break from my autobiography posts, but I will return asap. In the meantime check out my website and feel free to leave a comment in the guest book! To see more ABC posts click on the logo on the sidebar!

Mellow Yellow!

I adore yellow roses, probably because they were Dad's favourite too! The Yellow Rose They say a yellow with long and thorny stem, stands for friendship's of which we may not amend. They say its flower petals collect a human dew. One tear of gladness one of sorrow, in a light a sharing, to best pronounce its hue. They speak of gardens as long as lifetimes, where many yellow roses grow. Where we tread carefully, yet graciously, among the myriad of friends we know. They say the paupers gardens, are where the hardiest flowers may be. For there they grow abundant both wild and free. They also say, if I picked just one, and handed it to you my friend. It would mean a whole new garden for me! Author : Bob Morrow © I have been busy pottering away with my new website. I am particularly chuffed as I have done it all myself. Ofcourse, I had to use a yellow rose! To have a look, please click here I am adding a guest book soon! For more lovely yellows visit HERE

G is for. Girly things!

Auntie Dot and Uncle Moss were the first people I knew who travelled abroad for a holiday. It was the 1960's and a local coach company began tours to Ostend, Netherlands. It became an annual event and I would look forward to the presents Auntie dot would pack in her suitcase. On one such occasion she brought me a Traditional Dutched Doll. Along with lots of my friends we started collecting these dolls. My dutch doll really inspired me as the tiny cloggs were genuine wooden ones and I loved the detail of the costume. I think it must have been 1965 when mum and I went on our very first excursion with the bus company, again to Ostende. The shops wre fascinating and amongst the glamour of the traditional souvineers I came across a toy section. A tiny doll, no bigger than my hand caught my eye. It was simple and inexpensive. I bought it, naming it Ginette. On my return home I would play for hours with my new doll, nobody else had one. I made furniture out of boxes and clothes out of scrap material. At this age I really enjoyed making my own creations, inspired by Blue Peter. Anything I made was for Ginette. I was a very content child, enjoying playing at home always creating, something which never went away. In 1964 I remember getting my first Sindy Doll. It was Christmas and mum took me to see Father Christmas in the prestigious Binns Store in Middlesbrough. Mum bought me my Sindy Doll, and when I opened the box the smell of the new plastic really had an impression. To this day I can still picture Sindy when I come across the smell of new plastic dolls.

The Sindy doll was launched in September 1962 by the Pedigree Doll Company. Pedigree had a long history of making dolls and wanted to branch out with a teenage doll. Sindy was one of many teenage fashion dolls reflecting wider popular culture and was nicknamed ‘the girl you love to dress’. She had a girlish figure and flat shoes at first, with a head of big, curly blonde hair. She also had a promotional gramophone record, featuring The Dolly Beats – no doubt gaining inspiration from the iconic youth band of the era, The Beatles. And with fashion influenced by the likes of Mary Quant, and models such as Twiggy, it’s no surprise that Sindy became Britain’s top teenage doll.

Sindy had everything a teenager of the 1960s could wish for, including a handsome boyfriend, Paul. Although as a keen follower of fashion she had a huge wardrobe of designer clothes and accessories, I enjoyed making her clothes and remember making her a bed out of a shoe box. I loved to colour and draw, creating lots of written material for my dolls. I guess it was the beginning of the creative road I would follow later! To see more posts, visit the ABC Blog here

White Rabbits!

March is here and we definately noticed a spring in the air yesterday, Saturday. However a short sharp cold few days are ahead of us, so we are hoping to make the most of what appears to be a nice day and go to York on the motorbikes with our friends. Last week we paid the balance on the Ferry Crossing to the IOM TT week, our hotel in port Erin is also paid for so come June 7th we will be heading out on holiday number 1. We have begun discussing holiday number 2, probably in the first week of September over to France, so this sounds fun. We will just book the ferry crossings leaving everything else to chance, a real advenure.....God Willing! lol! Anyhow should be fun! Our friends have never taken a bike abroad so this will be a first for them. We went with them to buy the bike pannier bags yesterday plus a tank bag. Fortunately it was Sale time, so they got the lot, together with a new jacket for £240! A good deal, so now the planning begins. Any tips of places to go in France? We have been before, twice my favoirite being Loire region, could possibly do a few wine regions...hmmmm now there's a thought. I also understand France has a very nice cider region...hmmmmm another thought! Watch this space! Written in March: While Resting on the Bridge at the Foot of Brother’s Water (Complete Title) this poem by William Wordsworth seemed to match today! Hopefully Spring is on its way! The cock is crowing, The stream is flowing, The small birds twitter, The lake doth glitter The green field sleeps in the sun; The oldest and youngest Are at work with the strongest; The cattle are grazing, Their heads never raising; There are forty feeding like one! Like an army defeated The Snow hath retreated, (we hope) And now doth fare ill On the top of the bare hill; The Ploughboy is whooping—anon—anon: There's joy in the mountains; There's life in the fountains; Small clouds are sailing, Blue sky prevailing; The rain is over and gone! ( Hmmmmmmmmm)