Wednesday 9 July 2014

Wednesday this and that . . .

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(One of my old illustrations from last year)

It's very overcast this morning . . . I don't know if it will burn off and the sun will pop out or not.  It is the perfect reading day. I have not had one of those in a very long time. These days reading puts me to sleep . . .

When I was a child, however, reading was how I spent a lot of my summers.  I do believe that I visited the library almost every day in the summer . . . unless it was absolutely pouring of rain . . .  and even then sometimes I would hazard a visit to the library.  Especially if I had run out of reading material.    If I had run out of reading material, and it was bucketing down . . .  I read the encyclopedia.   Yes . . .  I was a weird duck!
























I read fiction.  I read the classics.   I read comic books.  I read my mother's True Story magazines.  I read the Star Weekly.  I read the Bible.   I read every printed word that I could get my hands on.  In fact . . . when I think back on it,  reading might be too mild of a word to use . . .  I devoured and  "feasted" on every printed word . . .  

We did not watch television much in our house during the day time.   The radio was often on, but the telly was only ever very rarely on.  In fact we didn't even own a television until I was about five years old.  Even now I do not like to watch it in the daytime if I can help it.  It is only on a very rare occasion that I will.  I am usually far too busy doing other things.  
























 One year, as soon as school was finished for the year . . .  I took my leftover scribblers and devised myself a study schedule for the summer, using our encyclopedia as a guide.   I was going to study something from those volumes of wisdom every day during the summer months . . .  and I did.  I took notes too.  I wish I still had those notebooks.  I could tell you were everything was in that encyclopedia, and I can still remember how it smelled . . .  like paper and leather . . . and ink.  I was not so fond of the mathematical parts . . .  or the chemistry bits . . .  but I loved pretty much everything else.

Oh . . .  and the classics.   Walt Whitman's "Leaves of Grass."  "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne . . .  "Moby Dick" . . . "Gulliver's Travels" . . .  "Wuthering Heights" . . . Orwell's "Nineteen Eighty Four."

I read them all and more.

















 And I still had plenty of time for play and other things.  Oh the adventures I went on through the pages of those books.   Todd still spends much of his day reading.  I don't.  I only read at night for the most part nowadays.  It puts me to sleep to sit still for very long.  Todd says I get up too early in the morning.  I can't help myself . . .  if I am awake, I have to be up and about my business.  I cannot bear to waste one scrap of the day, although I do seem to waste a fair amount of it trolling Pinterest or colouring, etc. But then, a bit of fun never hurt anyone I don't think.  

Can you believe that Todd took some books to the charity shop the other day and was told that they no longer take books?  Apparently they can't get rid of them.  For shame . . .  for shame . . .


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My beautiful mother turns 82 today.  I will be calling her this afternoon.   I missed being able to call her on Sunday this week because of the great summer storm of 2014 . . .  Arthur.  I am really looking forward to speaking to her.   My sister's birthday was on Sunday.  It was not much of a birthday for her I don't think with the power out and the storm and all . . .  but my father did take them all out for a Chinese meal to the only Chinese restaurant in the area which had power . . .  and today he is gifting them with an ice cream cake for the pair of them.

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It's hard to believe that it has been two whole years since Eileen's wedding and our celebration of Mom's 80th at the Big Scoop in Wilmot.   I think that was the last time all of my children and grandchildren were together, along with many cousins etc..  Even my ex husband and his wife were at the celebration.  My mother counted more than twenty five people were there.  It was a great day.   The only ones missing were my sister and my father.  Now this year the only ones missing are my brother and I.

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One year, God willing we will all be there to help her celebrate   In the meantime . . .

Happy Birthday Mom!

We went out yesterday morning to try to find a single wardrobe and desk for the student's room and came back empty handed.   We couldn't find anything.  We only have a four weeks to go and all has to be in place.  I sure hope that we are able to find them second hand.  We don't have much money to spend.  Keep your fingers crossed for us!

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When we got home the day was mostly spent and so I decided that I would do a bit of drawing with what was left of it and this is what I came up with.  I think I might do a whole series of "flower-girls."  I quite like her.  What do you think?

I have bored you long enough so will leave you with a thought for today . . .

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"I'd rather have roses on my table . . . than diamonds on my neck."
~Emma Goldman

Now that is a pleasant thought . . .



Cooking in The English Kitchen today  . . . Smashed Roasted New Potatoes.  Simply delish.

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Have a lovely Wednesday!  (Can't believe that the week is half over already!  How does that happen??)  

PS - I called yesterday to see if the results were back yet from my thumb x-ray and was told I must wait until at least two weeks have passed.  At the hospital they told me seven to ten days.  I wish they would make up their minds!

15 comments:

  1. You and I are so alike Marie..I am teh same with reading. when I was young I was never to be seen without my nose in a book...Thankfully Mum and Dad were readers so the three of us were brought up with books all around us. Nowadays again like you I find myself falling asleep when reading...it is really annoying as I am enjoying whatever I'm reading but my eyes just wont stay open..same even if I am reading the newspaper !...mind you they are so full of horrible news these day's it's not hard to do !!!#HAppy Birthday to your Mum..I know she does not know us but I feel as if we know her, having been through so much with her these last few years. She has come on so well... Lovely morning again down here blue sky with hardly a cloud. Masy is lying in the sun on the doorstep...she will lie there till it gets too hot !!

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  2. I am a great reader too. We still buy books and find the books in charity shops to be expensive. I find it difficult to believe that shops will not take the books.

    I hope that your mother enjoys her special day. I also hope that she and your sister enjoy their cake.

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  3. Well, I know she really appreciated all of the cards everyone sent last year Sybil. I know she had planned on responding to everyone, but just has not been able to. I am sure she will appreciate the Birthday wishes! It's overcast here today, with sunny spells, and cold! xxoo

    Suzan, I will pass on your Birthday wishes to my mom as well! Thank you! xxoo

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  4. I always have and still am a reader and what I read is varied too. I prefer my Kindle to a real book though. Like you I remember reading my mothers True Story magazine. Sorry to hear you are still waiting on the results of that X-ray. Seems like a terribly long wait. But then they do say that nothing good can come with out waiting for it. So perhaps you'll have some good news when you finally hear. Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!

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  5. You have to write a book.. so cute that first one and the flower girl..
    Talent plus plus plus..

    Happy Bday to your mom..
    Time flies..I remember the wedding..get together etc!
    We love smashed roasted potatoes..:)
    Enjoy the day Marie..

    PS Waiting is never pleasant when it comes to results of tests.

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  6. Thank you Pam! I used to love the True Story magazine. It was a bit risque I think to my immature mind! I wonder if those stories were really true. Probably not all of them! You have a lovely Wednesday as well!

    Monique, thank you so very much! You are a dear. It is not fun to wait for most things, but alas, patience is a virtue we must all work on! xxoo

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  7. Wow - 2 weeks for an x-ray - oh my goodness. Medical treatment sure takes a long time across the pond doesn't it. Here in the States we go get an x-ray and they tell you right then and there. I hope they can do something for you Marie - I know how aggravating that can be and it seems waiting is the hardest part. I love your drawing - it is darling. Have a wonderful day!

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  8. Thank you so much Brenda! The medical system over here surely does try one's patience! But that's what you get for free I suppose! You have a wonderful day too! xxoo

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  9. I can't believe how long getting your thumb figured out is taking. Even though American healthcare is expensive, maybe ii still prefer it because I couldn't stand weeks and weeks of pain.

    I love your little reading girl. She is marvelous.

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  10. Thank you Anna, she is rather cute. I have to say that today I finally broke down and took a tramadol for my thumb. I hate to take tablets, but it is excruciating and very wearing! xx

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  11. Your dandelion girl is my very favorite of your drawings so far. No kidding either! I love everything about this piece. So adorable Marie! Yes, you must do a series of flowers!:-) As for the wardrobe and desk...have you gone online to Craigslist there in the UK to see if they have anything you would be interested in? I love Craigslist here in Colorado and have purchased many nice pieces of furniture for dirt cheap. I even found my 2 Shibas on there and they were cheap too!:-D Hang in there with your thumb situation!

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  12. Thank you Val! I will try Craig's list! Love you! I know I owe you an e-mail! xxoo

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  13. Sorry to hear that you still have no answers about your thumb. Not knowing is always the hardest part I think. I also read all the time, have since I was very young. My 11 year old granddaughter is just the same. Under the covers at bedtime with a flashlight or torch as you guys call them. I loved the video and recording from the MTC. Those young voices bring tears to your eyes. One of your socks is done and I just finished one for Todd. So they are coming right along. Just wanted you to know they are still being worked on. Lynn

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  14. Forgot to say ask in your ward or relief society about desk, etc. Maybe someone there might have one they would share. Lynn

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  15. Lynn, I am going to call the Docs office again later today. You have to call after 2pm for test results. I am really hoping they have something to say. I am really excited about the socks! You are so very kind to do this for us! I hope that I will be able to do something as kind for you! I will check with the RS. Great idea! xxoo

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