Mothering Sunday

Most of us probably knew someone who had a birthday near if not just a day either side of it so even if you did have separate presents they all blurred into one.

With me it's like no sooner that it has been my birthday which normally of involved people calling in and going out for lunch followed by the thank you letter writing and telephone calls than you're into Mothering Sunday which is about a week on.

Mothers do play a big part in both running the home even if Dad's like to think they do it all, looking after the domestic side, keeping an eye on older relatives and yes did (and in a good many instances still do) look after you, showing care and support no matter how old you are (in law).

You're still her daughter (or son).

Mothers also do things in the community, looking after people, being involved in community organizations, the Parent Staff Association and Girl Guides (and Scouts) and so on.

So it is right to take a day to think of their contribution and to your own mothers part in your life.

Around the sun edition 2021 style

Well its another around the sun day that we're marking on this blog today although like most things this year it isn't like it normally is with visitors coming in and going out with family to mark it

I had a number of cards,book tokens money from relatives for when the Zombie Madness is all over with and a few presents.

This years main present from mommy isn't new as such but an upgrade on something I've liked since I first had it some nine years ago where now it gets the original record covers restored and the original box set illustration.

André Previn was a very accessible and cool conductor to which these recordings remain my favourite all time set of the whole of Tchaikovsky's ballet scores. 

I do like records and this compilation by the Jazz Funk group Level 42 is a well put together summary that uses the original singles versions which is handy.

Spring means more now

So it's spring already, at least officially although the last week has been a good deal warmer than the start of February with the return of insects from winter hibernation buzzing about joining the many birds in an audio visual extravaganza.

Very much the weather to be be outdoors taking in some fresh air and sunshine while enjoying yourself which after everything we've been through in last near enough twelve months is needed I feel as we slowly start to get out this paused of all but the most basic life we've been living through.

It's not so surprising then to be at the point a few things can get better leaves me feeling happy, just ready for the moment I can be around people feeling their love, sharing a soft drink and a hug.

Happy St. David's Day!

World Thinking Day

 Sometimes there's that much 'noise' about that people ignore important things and one important thing today is it is World Thinking Day which for some of us used to be called Thinking day.

That day does tie very much into scouting, specifically GirlGuiding in the UK and the Girl Scouts in the United States being the day for all Guides and Girl Scouts to think of each other and celebrate their sisters all around the world.

Often there is a theme to the day shared around around and activities organized.

That's an example of what would be happening.

This year it happens to be Peacebuilding which in a troubled world where politicians and sometimes whole people are in conflict with each other is a good idea.

One definition of it is this:

Peacebuilding is a long-term process of encouraging people to talk, repairing relationships, and reforming institutions. For positive change to last, everyone affected by a destructive conflict has to be involved in the process of building peace. Transforming relationships is key to putting an end to violence.

It need not be about countries as often we have disagreements with our friends, the people we share space with, even our families.

Staying stuck in a situation where relationships are strained, not feeling they can trust each other isn't just bad for us, it has consequences for those around us and so working to repair those relationships matters.

That's why I'd say use part of today to think about you can do to 'be the change' and be a peacebuilder whither or not you're in scouting.

The week that wasn't

Had we of been able in more normal times to have had stayed on schedule, nay even that of others, we'd of been been away this week making things, visiting places and playing together.

It's what I most look forward to doing every year.

That's been the one of things most felt, getting together, cos we're all parts of a jigsaw that fit together rather like the ones we made last time were near enough everyone contributed something to it.

The other side of things is had the weather of been like it was late last week we'd of been covered in layers of clothing cos it's been perishing and borderline for me walking  about having had the odd difficulty here.

I might of settled rather more for time in the kitchen, making something with a warm oven going having felt my hands go numb in the minus five temperatures early Saturday morning and I dare say probably most of us would of been in rather more than out.

Classical Music sacd round up 16 - Stravinsky

It's been a while since I wrote the last entry so this week I thought I'd feature one I had recently.

One reason for less entries has been with the pandemic it has been harder for companies to get access to the tapes to reissue titles or host recording sessions for new releases with all the stuff around social distancing.

This release, an 1972  account by the acclaimed American conductor, commentator and composer Leonard Bernstein of Stravinsky's ground breaking The Rite of Spring, so ground-breaking it famously caused a riot at its first performance in Paris.

Coupled with this as it was common place in the lp era for a single work that was just over a side long to sold without any coupling was one of the last Quadraphonic classical titles, the 1977 recording of the Symphony of Psalms which in the fuss around his ballet compositions tends to be ignored.

If that wasn't enough the original lp coupling of the above record, Francis Poulec's Gloria written in 1959-60 is included which makes for a generous 75 minute program of vintage stereo and quadraphonic recordings that have stood the test of time.

Health and being little

Here's a small update while I'm by the chromebook dressed up before I make next weeks entry up and I think I know what I'm going to do for that for once!

Unfortunately I was going for a periodic rough spot healthwise so I'm rather short on both time and energy with this weekend devoted to recovery. 

Now this is coming after spending 2 days in to bed with the curtains drawn and flickering lights well away, to now resting with favourite music on at lowish setting as I start to recover bits of memory that got scrambled while I was unwell.

It's very likely if you saw a  girl in her grey pinafore dress getting through glasses of chilled milk straight from the fridge it would be me!

It seems crazy in a way but appears to me that rediscovering my inner little girl side is helping me medically recover apart from the psychological and emotional welfare benefits such as feeling more comfortable in myself.