Sunday, July 31, 2011
Catch 22
1) What does it mean to you that Jesus needed to die to free you from the power of sin?
2) What does it mean to you that Jesus gladly did this?
3) What difference does this make in your daily life?
* * * * * * * * * *
Ben was speaking in church today, continuing the series on Philippians, looking at the bit about imitating Christ. As part of his talk he asked 3 people to answer the questions above. I was one of the three. He asked us ahead of time so we could prepare and he said he wanted short, sound-bytish replies.
I pondered for a long time and sought the opinions of others. I know what the expected answers are or what they should be but they don't sit easily with me. I finally came up with these answers:
1) Love isn't fair, thank God.
2) I don't think he went gladly but obediently. This tells me that God's way isn't always the easiest but it's the best. This says to me that I still have such a lot to learn and change.
3) Not enough. I want to really want to change. (I could have added another 'to want' in there because I don't yet want it enough to act.)
Not the most brilliant of answers but I hope they're honest.
But this brings me on to my next point: do I take too much pride in being humble?
I'm a well-educated middle class woman from a church that encourages counselling and therapy, that recommends learning to love yourself and to self-analyse. I've had my share of therapy and thus I find myself analysing my motives and finding them lacking.
I know what Blossum from God's Squad would say: don't be so stupid! Forget the navel-gazing and be who you are, who God created you to be. And let him worry about your flaws.
It's very Catch 22-ish: you're supposed to be humble but if you think you're being humble you're probably not.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
What day did you say it was?
We usually go to Devon on Wednesday and Thursday; this week we went on Sunday and Monday. We're going to Surrey today (Wednesday) until tomorrow; we'd normally visit Surrey on a weekend.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
ABC Wednesday - B

Bara brith (literally speckled bread) is a fruity spicy traditional bread. Served spread generously with fresh Welsh butter it's delicious. Labels: abc wednesday
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Monday's Odd Shots
I'm posting my Odd Shot early because this week we're off to Devon today instead of Wednesday (when we're going to Surrey).
For Katney's Odd Shots.Labels: odd shot
Saturday, July 23, 2011
It's not the healthy who need doctors
In Zac's on Tuesday we looked at the parable of the lost sheep. It's a great tale about the loving father heart of God but the thing which struck me on this reading was the short introductory paragraph.
Labels: zac's
I feel naked without it
I haven't worn any perfume for several weeks. I usually wear it everyday but I've run out. It wasn't on my last year's birthday or Christmas list so I didn't get any but now I've had to gird my loins and buy my own. And my word how expensive is it?!
It wasn't my fault

If those are his doodahs where's his wotsit?
Friday, July 22, 2011
Clowning around
We celebrated Kingsley's birthday in Zac's on Tuesday. By the way, he's a children's entertainer - a clown - by profession hence the cake design.
Labels: zac's
The slippery slope downhill
Just back from the theatre. The summer rep season has begun with Who Killed Agatha Christie? It's a two man play and very short. We were out by 9.15. As I said to Husband on the way home, 'That's the sort of evening out I like: we're home in time for Miranda, I don't have to dress up and I don't have to talk to people.'
Our rare fossil find
Yesterday we visited Sidmouth, advertised as a Regency seaside town. It was a very gentle and tasteful sort of place, full of visitors, mostly elderly, and lacking any sort of amusement arcade. Instead the front street running opposite the promenade was full of hotels, mostly AA 3 and 4 star, and very genteel.
Going to the toilet is much under-rated
Going to the toilet is a much under-rated activity. But, like any activity, it needs the right setting, a pleasing ambience.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
ABC Wednesday


Labels: abc wednesday
To motherhood
At one stage in my teenage years I wanted to be an engineer. My careers teacher at the time poured scorn on this as I showed no interest or aptitude for engineery type things. So then I decided to be a vet simply because I liked animals - except snakes and spiders - but television close-ups of the work involved put me off that.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Dog to rent
We've been asked if someone can borrow George.
Monday's Odd Shots
For Katney's Odd Shots.Labels: odd shot
Adventures of a newbie gardener
I am amazed that things I've planted haven't just died. This is my cottage garden bed - or will be next year when the plants have established and begin to flower. I hope. If you recall they didn't have any labels on them when they arrived so I didn't know what they were or how big they'd grow so my planting has been a bit hit and miss. But what matters is that they've survived and grown.
But not as much as the plants that planted themselves. Like these poppies, which completely hide my French lavender and one of my new rose bushes. When they've finished I'll gather the seed pods and scatter them elsewhere - listen to me: I sound like a proper gardener!Wales is not in England


How to speak Italian in 5 hours
Last Monday Husband went to the library and came across a boxed CD set of 'Introductory Italian'. Five hours of basic conversation Italian. 'Just what we need,' he said to himself. Then he explained to me, 'It takes us two and a half hours to drive to Devon therefore by Thursday evening, when we get back, we'll have learned it all.'
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Lunch at Sam's
Because Girlfriend graduated in the morning and Younger Son was watching her ceremony before he had his in the afternoon he suggested that we meet him and take him for lunch. Girlfriend and her family were lunching with a group of Girlfriend's friends and their families, a mix of French, Norwegian and Turkish.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Younger Son and Girlfriend both graduated today
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
An ethical dilemma
No, not whether Rupert Murdoch is a 'fit and proper' person to have control of BSkyB; I've already signed a petition saying I don't think so. And a petition to ask Mattel to stop destroying rain forests to make packaging for Barbie. And a petition asking various Caribbean countries to agree to a South Atlantic whale sanctuary.

Greaseproof paper is one of life's mysteries
I don't understand greaseproof paper. It doesn't let grease through, I guess, but you grease it anyway when you make a cake. And sometimes you flour it as well. It's one of life's mysteries to me. Like telephones.
Cake, misbehaviour and gratitude
I'm trying out a new cake for Zac's tonight: Diane's apple cake. You noticed a bit missing? Well, Husband wanted some and I had to test it too. Labels: zac's
Men need proper meat
George said, 'Why are you cleaning like a maniac? Are we having visitors?'
Monday, July 11, 2011
Oh George!
George has a new favourite food: blood and bone fertiliser.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Natural Born Father
Just back from visiting GrandSon. He is absolutely gorgeous and I have to resist the urge to eat him. (I did have to kiss his bottom though because it's the law.)
You can tell it's a posh area when ...
In some urban areas of London the police occasionally have gun or knife amnesties.
Monday's Odd Shots
Now parakeets may be normal where you live but they're not typical British birds - except in a small area of Surrey.
Apparently some escaped during filming at Shepperton Studios and have now become naturalised in the wilds of suburban England.Labels: odd shot
Friday, July 08, 2011
What I ate on Tuesday
Two slices of toast - so far so good.
Changing beds
Sunday: Swansea bed












