Memories

From Summer '66 to Autumn '67
Mum's life could be described as virtually heaven.

But Mum didn't choose an easy time,
(I meant to say life, but couldn't find a rhyme.)

I think you'll agree she's the opposite of sloven...
Lea...ding on friendships with "stick another potato in the oven."

With Dad however life was always going to be fun,
They showed us how to make two go into one.

I am proud to have given my mother her career,
Prompted by exasperation at my spelling I fear.

I've see Mum in a mini, in a mini, and with a bee hive,
She's also with three cabbage leaves and an onion, kept us alive.

King Knut couldn't hold back the tide, try as he might,
But my mother's kept at bay the dread Cabbage White.

Please excuse this rendition as it's only a tease,
As my mother knows, it's written in strict journalise.

To Thine Own Self Be True (take II)

More thoughts on my previous blog.

For 'to thine own self be true' think 'do not deceive yourself.'  Still a challenge, but perhaps less ambiguous.

Reference the bible and 1John 1.8 'If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.'
The problem here in our modern age is that;
1) "I do not say that am without sin.  I know that I am not perfect, but I try hard not to hurt others, and know that from time to time I fail."
2)  Today, the concept of 'sin' has lost it's meaning. It is like referring back to shillings, thrupence and halpennys.

The verse goes on 'But if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins, and cleanse us form all unrighteousness.'

3) Third problem is God.  Another outmoded concept.  It has little currency in the West (centimes, pfennigs this time.)

For the believer, sin is a cloud that excludes access to the light and warmth of the sun.  Sin is a pollutant in spring water, that renders life impossible.  The 'cloud' and the 'pollutant' are absolute.  The effect is devastating.

For the non-believer, being cut off from God is like being cut off from 'facebook' or 'heavy metal', for the uninitiated.  At best it's perplexing, like questioning, and being given the reply in an unknown language.

To the believer, the presence of God, is analogous to the presence of parents.  I do not need to see my parents to feel their presence, or influence.  I am very clear about what is likely to cut me off from my parents, or my partner.  I guess here is to be found the modern definition of sin; the destruction of relationships.  Perhaps the worse form is violence.  If I live with the presence of my partner, or loved one with me, this perhaps affects my behaviour and priorities.

So to me, 'do not deceive myself' means being aware of the 'cloud of pollution' that damages my relationships.  This includes my creator, who mercifully is also the purifier.

Mr and Mrs Pepys

These are my thoughts...
Analysis
Writing for himself (much as I do), but knowing that he has a readership of one (much as I do), Pepys keeps his diaries in such a good state that he must have known others would be interested in the future. However, one gets the impression that this was Pepys special form of analysis.   


I am reminded of Gwendolen in 'The Importance of being Ernest' when she says "I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train."


Would Pepys have written a blog today?  I think only a secret blog to be opened after his death.  Would he have been worried about the impact on his immediate family and contacts?  Not one bit.


Psychologists have reflected that good literature is like psychology, though less ugly.  Pepys writes in an age where people just died.  Nothing could be taken for granted.  Perhaps this helped him to live in the present.  Perhaps this is something we should learn from him.  


I recall D.H. Lawrence saying,
"We have lost the art of living; and in the most important science of all, the science of daily life, the science of behavior, we are complete ignoramuses. We have psychology instead." (privilege to meet him.)


But then a quote from Thomas Szasz, (author of the Myth of Mental Illness),
"There is no psychology; there is only biography and autobiography."


Pepys reveals himself as a hypocrite.  He criticises his employer Lord Sandwich for entertaining a mistress, while having extra-marital sex with a number of women.  He also gives such a detailed analysis of his sexual predication as to open himself to the accusation of being a pedophile.  However, he does not use his wife's physical aliment as an excuse for infidelity.  He does not appear to need an excuse, but does experience guilt.


Mr and Mrs Pepsy have a deep, firm commitment to each other. But their relationship is not that characterised in the Victorian era as romantic love.  Elizabeth had a separate and secrete life from Pepys.  They spend long days apart.  Pepys  is a taskmaster in this area.  And yet they are committed to each other to the day Elizabeth dies.  They do not have children, but Pepys does not seem to allow this to affect their relationship, and Elizabeth seems equally strong.


Pepys has a humanist outlook on the whole.  He does not and can not believe in God, though he prays regularly in repentance, and exhibits the benign superstitions of a non-believer. Pepys' positive, accepting and 'present' presepctive on life is an inspiration.

New Ideas Forum

There are no new ideas, I know; but I sometimes have new ideas which I enjoy 'playing' with.  So this is a place to record them for posterity.

Idea One- Geo-political- Small Cars
At discovery Bay, on Lantau Island, Hong Kong, the town only allows golfing buggies.  Most of these are electric with a top speed of 30 miles an hour.  The effect (apart from looking like the film set of Sleeper) is to create quiet, uncrowded, but pragmatic environment.

If I was transport secretary I would propose a motion that all cars would have a maximum engine capacity of 100 cc.  Car design could continue to be stylish.  Cars would not exceed 40miles an hour. Intercity travel could be by train, where vehicles could be transported easily on loaders,as they are under the channel.

The oil companies would fight this development, but as oil becomes more scarce, small cars will become the norm.  Less people would die from accidents, and more vehicles would fit into our streets. The price might go down.   see what I mean at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/9756393.stm

Wins all round, except.....

Idea Two- Socio-political- No poverty
This idea was first mooted by the Liberal party in the 70's.

Every British resident is eligible for about £35.00 pocket money a week.  This is intended to cover food costs.  This acts as social security.  The money is intended to ensure that no one is without food.

If this system is used, administration costs for Social Security would be minimized.


Bad is Good

Evolutionary theory

Beyond Me!

As I was driving home from work I stopped at a junction to let an old woman cross.
I was drawn to notice her trainers.
She walked briskly, with her grey hair and green khaki trousers.
I wondered whether my daughter would look like her when she was old,
And I thought of the world in which my children will be old, and I will not be there.

Que, a poem.

   You did not choose to be,
   But you realised my dream.

   Growing up, surrounded by my smiles and frowns,
   My presence never far from you.

   I marvel at the things that make us alike,
   Also the things which make you quite unique.

   We both like shorts, functionality, and see little in jewelry,
   Your natural affinity with dogs prepares me for animals smells in the future.

   The influence of the past is strong, like the tangle within each cell.
   One day my influence will wain, and you will walk out across the road on your own.

   You will be free, and will express yourself with confidence and individuality,
   And somehow, we will smile to each other.

Rookery Farm

Accommodation
See http://www.rookeryfarmnorfolk.com/long_barn.html

Rookery Farm
West Beckham
Holt
Norfolk
NR25 6NX
01263 821 232

Food

• Wiveton Farm Cafe- Deli Smith's favourite.  Open 9.30am- 4.30pm Wiveton Hall, Holt (01263 740515)
• Williams Restaurant.   Family run restaurant near the beach (red snapper fillet with tomato sauce, basil pesto and new potatoes $14.)  2, Brook Street Cromer (01263 519619)
• The Pigs.  17th Century country pub.  Slow-cooked belly of Perfick Pork, smoky bacon beans, black pudding and crackling $12.95.   Norwich Road, Edgefield (01263 587634)

Statelys
Blickling Hall http://www.nationaltrust.org/

Holkham Hall http://www.holkham.co.uk/

Felbrigg Hall http://www.nationaltrust.org/

Outdoor Activities

Hilltop Outdoor Centre, Sheringham
Adventure Activity Days. Book your kids in for the day while you enjoy some grown-up time!
Booking essential - tel 01263 824514.
http://www.hilltopoutdoorcentre.co.uk/

Seal Boats- from Morston

Sailing  http://www.oceanus-sailing.com/  Well next to the sea
http://www.sailcraft.co.uk/Pages.asp?Page=6 Brancaster Snaithe ($70 Wayfarer +$5 buoyancy aids)

Walks

8 mile walk 3 hours

3.5 mile route from Rookery Farm to the Sea.

Walk from Morston to Blakeney Point 2.2 miles

Museums


Muckleburgh Collection (Tanks and Military Equipment)

Beaches
Holkam Beach, Sheringham Beach

Railways
Poppy Line Steam Railway
Runs from Sheringham to Holt via historic Weybourne Station
http://www.nnrailway.co.uk/

Curiosities
Booton church (near Aysham) St Michael and All Angels
                

19th centuary church, designed by its rector in many different styles.  Now closed.

Messages

A message from my youth, seen as I gazed up at the ceiling during a recital of chamber music with my grandparents at the Conway Hall, South Place, Bloomsbury.

The line obviously comes from the Bard, but it really is the motto of western culture.  I actually believe it to be suspect.

Rationale:
Truth and honesty are admirable qualities.  However I find that there is a process of discovery going on all the time where I may think that I am understanding myself, and being honest, but actually find that I am deceiving myself.  Example.  Motivation.  I think that my motivation is clear and simple, but find later that I am motivated for more complex reasons.  Have you ever completed a Myers-Briggs personality questionnaire with soemone you know well?  I rest my case.

What does being true to myself mean?  What is the consequence?  How does it impact on my behaviour?  Is it a licence to self centred indulgence?

Being true to others is the highest form of love.  Giving forgiveness to someone who does not even seek it must be the most altruistic act on earth.