Thursday 11th May 2023

 

Some time ago I wrote the above non-fiction book called Age and the Music of Time. Because it’s so difficult to find a traditional publisher for specialised non-fiction, I’d been searching for a suitable cover so that I could self-publish it on Amazon. The dark-haired beauty in the picture was my lovely Aunt Marion, pictured c.1928, which I’ve included via the wonders of modern media.  Here’s a taste of what the book is about:

Age is an indefinable thing. It keeps on adding to the memory banks like musical chords to a symphony.
Cast your mind back to the 1940s and delve back to that post-war age of rationing, deprivation and community spirit.
Swiftly move through the decades, using the music of the time to remind you of a lost world, where common attitudes to everything from clothes, childcare and respect for authority were all subtly changing.
Sing along to the backdrop of past melodies and what life was like in a major English city through the decades.
Let the narrative show that life is a symphony.
Enjoy!

The ebook is available right now via this international buy link: mybook.to/Age, where you can take an exclusive peek at the first few pages. Just click on the book image on the right.

Only £1.99/or equivalent where you live.

Hope you like it.  Write your review on its Amazon page in due course. Thank you.

7th May 2023

 At last, a day of national celebration the whole world envied. ..

I’m old enough to remember the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Despite rank poverty everywhere back then, few had a TV so there were numerous street parties, mothers contributing sandwiches, jelly and tea to all the excited children. At school, every child was given a commemorative mug and spoon. Wish I still had mine now. Fast forward to today. After waiting over 70 years, Charles has finally been crowned as King Charles III. His second wife, though looking terrified, was crowned as Queen Camilla. Everyone could see how well suited they are.  If only the royal advisers 42 years ago had allowed them to marry, instead of choosing Diana for him. Diana was so lovely but totally wrong for Charles. Similarly with Princess Margaret when she wasn’t allowed to marry Captain Townsend.  Marriage is such a personal thing, we all should be able to choose our own life partner. As expected, crowds of well-wishers lined the Mall. A wonderful spectacle that this country does best.  

… but, as the heavens opened, the downpour wasn’t quite the ‘reign’ Charles had in mind. Just remember though: whatever your politics, impartial royalty is a vital extra layer to ultimately protect this country should injudicious political choices seriously damage the nation.  Long live the King!

30th April 2023

 I am the same age as the State of Israel and the NHS. Last Wednesday, the former celebrated Yom Haatzmaut, Israeli Independence Day. In the ancient land of Canaan, ca 1200 BCE, each of the 12 Israelite tribes settled a different region on either side of the Jordan river. All but 2 tribes were expulsed.  This week independence day celebrations took place across Israel. On Mount Herzl, 12 candles were lit, symbolising the 12 tribes of Israel by 12 citizens.  As far as the NHS is concerned, on 5th July the NHS will mark its 75th by “showcasing the best of its achievements”.  The current NHS strife is caused by two main things: i) an over-large population, which is living longer, coupled with ever-increasing, expensive drugs and technology - meaning that Bevan’s wonderful 1948 idea can no longer cope alongside outdated systems and management; and ii) the shutting-down of the country 2+ years ago, creating such economic mayhem and inflation that unions think it can all be fixed by enormous pay rises. And me?  How did I celebrate my significant birthday a few months ago?  Not at all. I was ill. No cards/presents and I sat at home. 

23rd April 2023

 St. George’s Day - when we should be celebrating all that is good about England.  Trouble is, the English keep running the country down. I’ve never seen anywhere else with the same attitude. When I was writing An Englishwoman in America (mybook.to/Ed2anenglishwoman), the contrast was enormous. The first thing every US child is taught is allegiance to the flag, the Stars and Stripes freely flying from buildings and homes.  So, what’s wrong with the English? There are so many things we should be proud of: our world-class armed services, the NHS, our King, Prince William, our ceremonial excellence, the Red Arrows, Cadbury’s chocolate, our humour, etc. But these days there’s the irrational feeling, especially by those on the political left, that to overtly support England is somehow ‘unpatriotic’ and paradoxically ‘UnBritish’! And yet, in the US, JFK was very patriotic yet centre-left Democrat!  So, if Americans on both sides of the political spectrum can love their country, why can’t the English?  As JFK used to say: “..ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” So, when the emergency alert sounds at 15.00h today, let it remind ourselves that whatever your politics or faith, be proud of being English.

16th April 2023

 I’d searched far and wide for a UK spa treatment to realign my facial muscles after Bell’s Palsy, but didn’t find what I was looking for. All seemed to cater for young people or the super fit, with treadmills, bikes etc. I don’t look good in Lycra!  And the advertised prices were for one afternoon, per person. When I multiplied that by 2 people for 7 days, it was so dear that we decided to look further afield. At last, the perfect place, but an inconvenient time. Decision? Our health was more important. A very talented masseuse used warm Indian oils - a practice a thousand years old - concentrating on each side of my face and the back of my head and neck, whilst soothing Indian music lulled me into a trance-like state. (Afterwards, my oiled hair made me look like Ken Dodd!). OH had deep tissue treatment in the same room, with panoramic sea views. So, where did we go to find the perfect spa plus temperatures of 33C?  Politically and monetarily it’s in Europe, but not geographically! Answer below. Here are some photos to give you a clue (the 3rd one was the view from our hotel room). And my face?  Well, I was never gonna look like Penelope Cruz, but my eyebrows are at last in line - for now at least.

Answer:  Lanzarote.

9th April 2023

 Normal service will resume asap.

2nd April 2023

 Last night huge flames from a neighbour’s garden bonfire were as high as our roof, embers on our fence and trees, but what did our Council/police/firemen do? Nothing. Elsewhere, our suburbs have been narrowed out of existence. Previously thriving shopping streets are now ghost towns, their customers prevented from getting anywhere near. Non-electric vehicles have been outlawed. Parking, even if you can find a spot, is a joke. Meters are being replaced by apps, causing mayhem. Twice now, parking in the same spot and paying by app, we returned to see a yellow penalty notice stating “you haven’t displayed a parking voucher on the windscreen.” The app company had wrongly recorded the street around the corner as our parking position, so the Council parking attendant thought we hadn’t paid!  Each blames the other. Electric vehicles too are a problem. Because charging them can take hours, a van driver left his vehicle charging overnight only to find the following morning that he’d been charged(!) with overstaying at the charging point. How are already-overladen power stations going to cope with all the extra demand? You’ll need a second mortgage to replace the battery, and your life’s at risk if you end up in a river. City life today. We’re all in deep water.