Hope that Spring is near 🌷

 

My granddaughter Errin brought me flowers with my daughter as they dropped off my pharmacy prescription and some fresh food. The flowers so so uplifting that no matter in New Year with pandemic, vaccination, brexit there will be Spring ....as nature follows her own cycle of renewal....with this a fest of colour, pattern & form beauty.

Frozen Beauty

 

Knitting projects

 More knitting for Family Link Up 

The Moon Sister a powerful story..💟

 I am well and truly hooked on Lucinda Riley's writing, her storytelling is powerful..she draws you in to feel part of the story journey and adventure.  With Moon Sister she has cleverly woven together stories within stories... The book has helped me escape night pain...unable to sleep with painkillers barely dampening the ragging fire of pain..... I have sat on the edge of the bed...reading...rubbing my painful thigh and drinking herbal tea...so glad I got this book for lockdown Christmas New Year...755 pages of gripping story..so thank you Lucinda .. photo below..the cosy day with hot water bottle under a warm snuggly shawl as knee cover ..soothing Classic fm music and reading.

Reindeer love

 Watched a lovely programme on a reindeer school in the Cairngorms Scotland...they not only help Santa at Christmas in the community ..but also do therapeutic visits to elderly care homes. It was wonderful to see the elderly full of excitement like children... their spirit brightened and greater and freer than their aged body... 

Powerful Story..

This is so powerful its needs to be made in to a film..I learnt a lot and was very moved. Put through a range of emotions ....Very well written...

Lockdown side effect

It has been a challenge over the last 2 weeks..( hence no postings on this blog! ).we are all being challenged this year!! But I have developed a painful problem.  The side effect of lockdown and shielding at home as meant I have gone from zip zapping in to London for meetings..and travel to local towns and going to Belgium ...to being at home in my small studio bungalow..  Sitting for zooming, knitting, reading as meant pressure on my butt....lol..So I have compression on the right branch of the sciatic nerve.  The pain off the scale... radiating round into the thigh...aggravating my arthritic knee..but a mild numbness in the lower leg....  so watch out zoomers....vary positions ....mind you I had ..but still got a problem......Scary as older I do not want to lose my independence through mobility issues.  The pain in the night so bad had to contact our NHS 111...though fearing to go in hospital, as many are in this pandemic year.  All praise for the on call doctor ...was helped a lot and listened too... he respected me as Marjorie but also as retired nurse midwife... so i was able to give professional information on my leg....which thankfully was not showing signs of circulatory problem.  So between me, him and my GP we have the diagnosis and treatment plan ..the  plan analgesics and as nerve problem I suggested pregabalin which my GP agreed with plus codyramol for breakthrough pain. Plus physio referral. So all clicked in place GP Pharmacists Physio community care..no need to go to the overloaded local hospital.

The darn leg gave way after a shower no warning and I had a fall thank God no head injury or # neck of femur....but now showing my condition a fall risk! ..I managed to crawl to my tablet to message my daughters.... So now I move to another phase of my life ...which hope improves not worsen.... but have pressure relieving cushion and walking stick.....the stick give confidence support and balance.... I am from the Hippie Flower power days ..so well pleased with the floral quite sophisticated pattern on. The family clicking in to action...shopping cupboards full food...My lovely Leen from my Family Link Up project calls me every day to check on me, play and learn together. Bless her uses her umbrella as walking stick to be with me..we worked a dance out too with walking stick...to have a laugh...! That helps me cope. 

I was able to have Christmas dinner with my daughter & grandchildren in the permitted bubble..I was given so many beautiful presents..and the dinner so good my plate empty every portion ate & enjoyed.  I love the arabic perfume in the presents from my granddaughter. 

Operation nights sleep!

 

English tea advent box

 This has been fun to use lovely infusions of tea in surprise boxes.. They have been brilliant to involve Leen from my Family Link Up on our skype calls she has been choosing the boxes for me and we chat while I brew the tea...English Tea there is a good selection of other boxes on Amazon.

Festive cards link up

 

Family Link Up  link up with Medact  

as Bushra's Art is chosen 

for this years festive fundraising cards

Medact Order link  

thanks to caring doctors for choosing this artwork

Powerful Novel Italian Girl

Italian Girl by Lucinda Riley is a powerful story. I found out about it on Libelle Belgium Magazine site  in a recommended book to read. Wowee I can say yes it is recommended to read too.. The novel is well structured and so many twists and turns in the storyline that it is real page turner.  It takes us into the world of opera but geographically from Naples to Milan to New York to London and the Cotwolds..The power of Lucinda's writing is that you feel every emotion of the characters react with anger at two of the manipulating characters in the story. Feel for all the pain and anguish and feel uplifted by the lighter parts. I am not going to say more as you simply have to read this story to have the journey as the reader WITH the characters... So much so that now I have finished the novel with a surprising ending I need space before I can read another story. You feel with the characters some time after closing the book... 

"Nothing sings as sweetly as love, or burns quite like betrayal.... 

Rosanna Menici is just a girl when she meets Roberto Rossini, the man who will change her life. In the years to come, their destinies are bound together by their extraordinary talents as opera singers and by their enduring but obsessive love for each other – a love that will ultimately affect the lives of all those closest to them. For, as Rosanna slowly discovers, their union is haunted by irreversible events from the past . . Rosanna’s journey takes her from humble beginnings in the back streets of Naples to the glittering stages of the world’s most prestigious opera houses. Set against a memorable backdrop of Lucinda Riley’s trademark evocative locations, The Italian Girl unfolds into a poignant and unforgettable tale of love, betrayal and self-discovery."

and as I found about the book in Dutch - here the book synopsis in Dutch from Standaard Boekhandel Belgium

"Rosanna is nog maar elf als ze de man die haar leven zal veranderen voor het eerst ontmoet. Ze ziet operastudent Roberto in het café van haar ouders in Napels en is op slag verliefd. Als ze gevraagd wordt een lied te zingen, is Roberto zo onder de indruk van haar stem dat hij Rosanna ervan overtuigt dat ze net als hij een grootse toekomst in de opera heeft.

In de jaren die volgen blijven de paden van Rosanna en Roberto elkaar kruisen. De twee bijzonder getalenteerde operazangers reizen de hele wereld over. Maar de glamour en het succes gaan niet altijd samen met Rosanna’s onwankelbare liefde voor Roberto. Hun turbulente romance kent diepe dalen en hoge pieken. En dan wordt Rosanna geconfronteerd met het onomkeerbare verleden, dat hun geluk in de weg lijkt te staan…  

Het Italiaanse meisje neemt je mee op Rosanna’s onvergetelijke reis van het harde bestaan in Napels naar de luxe van Milaan en de meest prestigieuze operahuizen ter wereld."

Playing Oud art

 

Playing Oud - Gaza 2020

watercolour 

by Rawan Anani 

in facebook newsfeed so beautiful 

Coffee Friends art

Coffee and Friendship' by Martina Heiduczek

Windrush Child book Webinar

 

Good webinar from Brunel University Writing Group with Prof Benjamin Zephaniah talking about his book Windrush Child Was a good time of sharing with chats and Q&A.. ordering this book for sure. When the webinar recording is available I will post the link. 

Home. Hope. Song. | Shelter Christmas Carols Service 2020

this was a beautiful carol concert that I watched and sang along too at home. The case stories are moving and worrying so please see if you can help Shelter with their valuable work... Here is the link to their donation page for you to help as you can... Shelter Work & Donation

Christmas Cards

 

Bushra's art has been chosen by our kind activist doctors from Medact for their seasonal fundraising cards.

You can order online now and read more about their work supporting the health needs of refugees  click on the link Order your cards here

see the growing artwork by Bushra on my Bushra's Art Gallery page for Family Link Up

Welcome back Eurostar

 

Lovely surprise today to receive the Metropolitan magazine from Eurostar... I have missed the visits to Belgium Family Link Up  on the bargain seats trips. The staff always looking after me and a pleasant trip to and from.  I was able to travel 4 times last year and this time last year was going to spend a week for Christmas taking Leen to see the Nutcracker ballet... it was fun and exciting to brighten up the winter.  I was to have travelled in March this year then the pandemic hit us all and this year been a no goer for us all....

Claim the Future & Debt

Claim the Future online meeting Thursday 26th November.

John McDonnell my MP for Hayes & Harlington pulled together some interesting speakers to look at debt... 

I am fascinated by the idea of abolishing debt which when you think is systems generated in an ever increasing loop of cost of living outside wages income.  Then for those in need of welfare support... that support is paid in arrears so fixing the starting point in debt. I can remember the early days of credit cards being pushed to "help" us meet our living needs when the price of goods were always ahead and out of reach of our wages.  My old days housekeeping was that you saved from your wage packet to pay for household goods such as cooker or tumble dryer and I could do that in my first marriage in 1970! You could put aside funds as your mortgage or rent was a quarter of your monthly earnings! But then cost of housing spiralled out of control and wages were paid into the banks and banks encroached on the management of you outgoings with direct debits.... if your income missed a day of the direct debit chaos ensued.  So Goddess Visa was introduced with the fairy money magic dust when in credit but a demon when in debt with missed payments or maxed out... and horror when your day to day expenses you are using your Goddess Visa for!

"For many people, debt is a crushing issue that has been deepened by Covid-19. As we approach the Christmas holidays, this will only further pressure on families.

Time for a Debt Jubilee

Johnna Montgomerie is Head of the Department of European & International Studies at Kings College.... and Astra Taylor a Canadian/American writer & film maker

Links Claim the Future website 

Facebook Claim the Future the live recording of this event is available on facebook. 

I am looking forward to reading Johnna Montgomerie's book pictured above and available in Waterstones as it echoes what I have lived through, survived and lost through. 

"We live in a culture of credit. As wages have stagnated, we've seen a dramatic surge in private borrowing across the western world; increasing numbers of households are sucked into a hopeless vortex of spiralling debt, fuelled by exploitative lending. In this book Johnna Montgomerie argues that the situation is chronically dysfunctional, both individually and collectively. She shows that abolishing household debts can put an end to austerity and to the unsustainable forward march of debt-dependent growth. She combines astute economic analysis with the elements of an accessible guide to practical policy solutions such as extending unconventional monetary policy to the household sector, providing pragmatic and affordable refinancing options, and writing off the most pernicious elements of household debt. This framework, she contends, can help us to make our economy fairer and to tackle both the housing crisis and accelerating inequality."

Passing Moments

 

Moments

-In this amphitheatre of life

Life is but passing moments

Before the final passing.

Moments of happiness shared

Moments of time cared.

Dreams to be achieved

Dreams to remain only dreams

A collision of souls to unfold

A collision of souls untold

Souls sharing tears and laughter

Oblivious of the voyeur

Observers to enjoy the play and rejoice

Seeing two souls united in love

Others see and wish to destroy

Life is but passing moments

Rich moments to buffer life’s meteorite storm

Souls that collide force others apart.

Shift and move on other trajectory

A life together or life alone

Nay never alone

But left with memories of passing moments

Before the final passing

Passing into a sphere of no time

A place where light and love never passes

But is constant

A constant where there is no life or death

For there is no destruction of the soul

Souls remain connected

In the Eternal flame of Love

No passing moment but constant

(author: Marjorie from my writing file)

Teen Breathe Magazine looks brilliant

 

Teen Breathe

I have just become aware of this magazine for Teens looking at mindfulness and tackling issues of being a teenager.  I am going to order this to review as looks as if will be good for my grand daughters.  and me as old teenager.. lol

"From social media to sport and making friends to making flowers, we’ll have tips, exercises and ideas to help you explore how paying attention to everything you do, being curious and staying positive can bring out the very best of You – a person who’s comfortable and proud in their own skin, is open to ideas and follows their dreams. And when we’re not doing that? 

Teen Breathe will be in pamper mode – big time. "

Dutch word harvesting

My Belgium friend, Monique, is launching a daily word to explore on her facebook page and I have realised this is good for me to look at to word harvest.  I am still trying to build on my Dutch speaking and reading. I try to learn from magazines too - here some older work. I try to translate some word into Arabic for my Family Link Up project too. 

Zoom Rest out

 

I have had a busy time over the pandemic year embracing Zoom for meetings to keep updated on topical subjects and getting my voice heard as an activist on Domestic & International issues.  I have attended conferences and meetings from the comfort of my home in my slippers! Many of those meetings I probably would not have been able to get to if at venue in and around UK and Europe.  

Each week I joined an International women's group mostly migrants and asylum seekers here in the UK. We have had some good weeks of sharing and the time spent varied from light fun, dance, song sharing, general sharing and self care. But a few weeks ago I actually did hesitate joining as I felt my mood shift with this lockdown but still attended. A subject cropped up that made me angry - angry with my country's history and the poor record of care and human rights around the world yes I am talking about the UK.. I was angry at now in the UK poor leadership in this year crisis, muddled advice promises that do not get felt at the frontline of need, angry at how I have had to fight for my rights as a DV survivor and also as a 1950s born women robbed of 6yrs pension. Angry at Brexit, something I strongly disagree with and feel is crazy given pandemic and climate change issues breaking away from Europe when we need to be in a strong togetherness to problem solve issues. I felt vulnerable with my new passport just British and not British European a status that made me feel stronger when travelling the world if I had problems.  I had heard from the women's Zoom group how women are horrendously mistreated by people traffickers and a blood curdling story on sex trafficking and the bizarre practices some sadistic men perform on a slave.... I blew and got angry on camera - I saw myself on camera how horrid anger looks my aura turning from light caring to heaving and ugly.... I have been in state of shock and it unearthed all my traumas from the past and how I felt an utter fool for walking into relationships that used me and abused me...Womens voices to be heard  - even to the point of losing my foothold in my career.   But what I heard from other women that have been abused on a grand scale made me realise that if I was still in practice as a midwife we as midwives would need peer support to help us cope with the stories that are opened up to us... and we need serious loving sex education in schools to stop the craziness that some men can have with porn and deluded power over their prey.

So this is  why I have had a gap in posting  I have been nursing myself at home and just enjoying family skype calls and most bizarre got hooked on mushy romantic Christmas films on an afternoon to sit and watch and knit in homely way.... is that what I am craving for yes homeliness and cosiness... and what all women need to be respected and loved for all the input they give to family and home... sorry for keeping this woman biased but needing to share as I am feeling. I need a hug not criticism.. with respect...

Medact & Doctors of World Zoom

 

resources from Doctor of the World UK health education leaflets can be obtained in other languages.