Global money crisis

Comment heard on Radio Four regarding banking crisis:

"It is only when the tide goes out that you see those who are swimming naked".

The Chuckle Box

I propose that we celebrate the New Year with a "Chuckle Box".
Place a limerick (or something similar) in the box or leave one to be finished.

Remember that "chuckling" is healthy and you may even laugh out loud which is very healthy.

Happy 2009!
Walter

Woolworth was a chocolate bear
His chocolate sister was called Clare
(One day my friend and I ate Clare)
Woolworth melted with despair
OH DEAR!

Fuzzy-Wuzzy

Once upon a time there was a bear called Fuzzy. He was very hairy and his friends called him Fuzzy-Wuzzy. He got fed up with being teased and being called Fuzzy-Wuzzy, so he borrowed his dad’s razor and removed all his hair.

So his friends ran after him shouting “Fuzzy-wuzzy was a bear, Fuzzy-Wuzzy had no hair".

Fuzzy-wuzzy wasn’t fuzzy was he?

Moral: Keep your hair or avoid your friends

The photograph was found on photobucket.com

Greetings from Miami

Dear All at Millman Times,

This is a greeting from Miami. I am preparing for Thanksgiving with my family. The menu is turkey, apple pie, sweet potato and pumpkin pies and lots more food. The children then go to the park to run and get hungry and the adults subside in front of the TV and go to sleep. This is the plan.

Unfortunately, life is somewhat somber as we contemplate the economy. However, no one seems ready to conserve. Cars are still gas-guzzling, and the super-markets are full of food and customers. The conversation begins with the mantra - let us prepare for hard times.

In the meantime, all is well and we look forward to new and exciting times with a new president in the New Year.

See you soon.

Walter in Miami

P.S. Thanks to Veronica for her splendid teaching and communication skills, I am able to use the internet to say "Hello". It feels quite magical to type something and send it half way across the world immediately.

Happiness

Conversation overheard on bus.
Young man: "Belly full - me happy"
Old man: "Belly full and indigestion, me unhappy"

Homily

I am remembering the homilies of my youth, when the world was less complicated and advice was delivered from a worthy aunt, uncle or schoolmaster. I remember this example from a school master as spoken "My boy! The Lord gave you two ends to use, one to think with one to sit with. Success depends on which you choose: Heads you win, tails you lose." I have never looked back.

A writing on the wall

"It seemed to him that all the shops that served the native population - pharmacies, shoe-makers, groceries - were slowly and inexorably disappearing, replaced by slick boutiques and souvenir shops that catered to the tourists, filled with luminescent plastic gondolas from Taiwan and papier-mache masks from Hong Kong. It was the desires of the transient, not the needs of the residents that the city's merchants answered."

Quoted from "Death at La Fenice" by Donna Leon P.97 (1992)

The above paragraph is a snapshot of Venice... Does it strike a familiar note?

Beware the Joint-Venture

A tale told to me by an economist on the reality of the Joint-Venture.
An undertaking with the hidden and unknown.

A hen met a friendly pig on her free ranging walk in the farm yard and struck up a warm and agreeable relationship. They exchanged confidences and the hen confessed that she was dissatisfied with her lot. She was tired of laying eggs for the benefit of others, furthermore she was becoming unattractive to the resident rooster.

The pig was sympathetic but had no advice to offer. Eventually the hen had a bright idea which she discussed with the pig. The idea was based on the fact that he too was being exploited, but if they could join forces in something called a JOINT-VENTURE they would cease to be exploited and would both benefit in terms of production and profit. They consulted the tortoise - a wise old accountant who was skilled at setting up joint ventures and after paying the appropriate fees and filling in the relevant tax forms they were able to launch HAM and EGGS Ltd. A new concept in business to increase profit to both parties.

They soon had a large order to supply ham and eggs for a large business breakfast. The hen pushed herself to the limit and laid eggs overtime, doubling her usual output. The pig in the meantime, hardly spoke to anyone and became more and more morose. Eventually he confronted the hen to dissolve the arrangement. The hen was mystified. The pig tearfully explained that in order for him to fulfill his commitments to the joint venture he would have to lose his hindquarters and probably his life in the process.

Schooldays

My parents decided to send me to a boarding school as my father was in the navy, and to stay at the same day school was not possible as my mother went to where he was sent, eg, Malta and various other ports.

The school was a convent outside Torquay, and I went aged eleven. I was very happy there and was not homesick for one minute, and made many good friends, a few I still have.

At thirteen the war broke out, which cast a shadow on my life as I worried about my father at sea in the Atlantic, and especially listening to the wireless and hearing the dreaded words (the Admiralty regrets) and then breathing with relief when his ship was not mentioned.

We seemed to be fairly free from air-raids, though occasionally the siren would go and we'd traipse down to the shelters. I regret to say while the good nuns said the Rosary, we would tell ghost stories and frighten ourselves to death!

Though one scaring time was being in the middle of the hockey pitch and having to throw oneself to the ground as a German fighter plane suddenly appeard out of the blue and started to machine-gun us. Luckily he was not a very good shot, though I'm afraid he killed some people in the nearby village.

The only other time I was too close for comfort to a German plane was being alone in a classroom high-up in the school and hearing a plane engine, and looking out of the window and seeing the plane discharging its bombs. Unfortunately a hotel just down a country road from us which had been turned into a hospital received a direct hit and caused many casualties.

Little did I know that one day I would have a German son-in-law!

I wonder what his grandfather did in that war?!

Polly

Grumpy or Sane

Am I in touch with the 21st Century or not? I feel as if someone has pressed my "fast forward" button and all events are compressed. I am rushing and rushing. Why do I feel like this?

At the beginning of October I noticed a display for Christmas hampers in my local supermarket. "Ah" I said "the season is upon us". A few days later in the same supermarket there was another display for Halloween, complete with large pumpkins. My thought then was how inconsiderate of us to use an item for "fun" when some people would be glad to eat it. Finally there was another display for fireworks - another way to burn money.

I thought that we could have Easter in January, and put all the other holidays together - then we need not work at all. Life would be one long Christmas, Halloween and Guy Fawkes rolled into one.

Grumpy and Sane

P.S Please see www.disney.co.uk for more pictures and information about Walt Disney who created the character, Grumpy.

A writing on the wall

In November1955 Eric Ashby gave an address to the Belfast Charitable Society on preparing for old age. His argument is that we have managed to postpone death but not postpone ageing. We are now aware of the increasing number of the elderly and endlessly discuss the need for care homes, improved health services, even the design of houses to suit the aged. Ashby asserts that we are losing a valuable human resource in retiring people at age 65 when they have useful skills and a willingness to work. Added to this, it is recognised that an activity in old age makes for physical and psychological well being. He then suggests that a priority for society and government would be to implement schemes that would employ the skills and interests of the elderly.

This writing has been on the wall for more than half a century. We are beginning to read it. But reading is not enough. Time is of the essence for both young and old.

Wally Baker

Millman Street Community Centre

Millman Street Community Centre is a resource centre for the elderly. The centre liberates them from their home as for many it's the only outing they have. Here they find companionship with other pensioners. The disabled are transported to the centre by bus. They can look forward to a home cooked meal.

I am a prisoner in my flat as I have to walk with a walking aid. I cannot go out unless someone takes me in a wheel-chair. But Sue, the manageress of the centre, came to my rescue and arranged transport for me three days a week.

Sue wears many hats - one being as an accountant to keep the centre’s finances viable. She acts as nurse in cases of medical emergency. She is a filler-in-of-complicated-forms that are like Greek to the centre participants. These forms can be for access to benefits or housing, or any other government service. She acts as a sympathetic listening ear to anything that troubles her charges. She is a bolster-upper of everyone she comes in contact with. Sue has a good crew to help with the day to day running of the centre. To mention two - there's Pat and Rose (the centre’s cook). They are both gems!

Helen of Bedford House, who works in close contact with Millman Street Centre, organizes some of the activities that go on. She arranged for a teacher of oriental dancing. It's not only good exercise but transports you with its graceful movements and haunting music to the magical lands of the East. I have always liked singing and we have formed a little choir. Under the direction of Nath, we are guided through songs – classical and modern as well as African and Latin. It exercises the lungs and relaxes your whole body and gives you the feeling of being uplifted.

There are computers available for all who use the centre. Veronica supports those who want to be computer literate. I personally hope to learn genealogy, emails, blogging and delve more and more into the internet. It exercises the brain and helps your concentration as well as transporting you into a wonderful world of information.

I'm a duffer when it comes to painting and sewing but I did join in the craft class with much trepidation. Low and behold - I found that I was not so dim after all!

I look forward to my visits to Millman Street Centre. The fellow participants are all so agreeable and we talk and laugh a lot. The time spent at the centre is all too fleeting and it's soon time to go home. How I wish I had more time there and I so look forward to my next visit!

Peggy

A Lazy Curry

I have called my recipe by that name, as that is what it is! So if anyone wishes the real McCoy in an Indian curry, read no further as this curry is not for you!!

Ingredients...(for two persons)
2 chicken thighs
1 15oz. tin of chopped tomatoes
1 tps. of sweet pickle
1 tps. of tomato puree
½ a small onion chopped (or dried onion)
1 tbs. curry powder
1 eating apple, cored and chopped, but not peeled
a bayleaf

Method
Place all the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Cover and cook gently for one hour, turning the thighs every 15 minutes. Add a little water at the end if necessary.

Serve with basmati rice. (Boil in the bag if really lazy).

ENJOY!

Polly.

The Cartoon is by Dan Reynolds, US Cartoonist.

http://www.reynoldsunwrapped.com/

A very quick drink.!

When I was in my late teens I was given a lady’s motorbike by my father. He soon regretted buying it as it went at a pretty good pace! He had been told it was such a small engine that it would only just chug chug along at a snails pace!
Any way, I loved my bike and whizzed all over the place with it, though a lot of the time I seemed to be cleaning the plugs!
One day I had been playing tennis with friends and was on my way home, and was following a large lorry which had a long plank of wood sticking out of the back of it without the obligatory flag at it’s end, and of course with my mind full of other things I had to run right into it . I was thrown off my bike into the road, and luckily the road was devoid of traffic. It all happened outside a pub called The Queen’s Head, and a whole lot of people who were enjoying themselves rushed out and picked me up and carried me into the pub and plied me with brandy for shock! I phoned my father who came and picked the bike and myself up ,but not too soon as I was thoroughly enjoying myself!
I had never been it that pub before but it soon became a favourite watering hole!
As for the bike my father soon persuaded me that it was too fast for me to handle.

My war effort

How do I begin to tell you about my life as a VAD in the Navy?
Right here goes!

A VAD was a female nurse posted with the British Red Cross or the St. Johns Ambulance in one of the Armed Services during wartime.

I joined the navy in 1944 being almost the last lot to be called up in the war. My parents lived in Plymouth, and I had to nurse in one of the local hospitals for about three months before joining the navy.

VAD’s could be sent anywhere in the world. As luck has it I was sent to the very large navel hospital in Stonehouse just on the outskirts of Devonport. We were billeted in various houses in Plymouth ,and all travelled to and fro to the hospital in various types of navel transport. My first night was one I won’t forget! I was given a top bunk in a room with three other nurses who were very kind and helpful to me . One even brought me a lovely cup of hot chocolate which I promptly spilled all over the sheets! Anyway I survived my first night, and started on one of the wards the next day. Quite an experience having to cope with the comments of sailors of various ages when they discovered it was my first day in the navy.

After a few months in that hospital I was posted to a navel training establishment in Cornwall which had a sick bay comprising of four wards, two for medical patients and two for surgical It also had an operating theatre and an x-ray room. I was stationed there for two years before I was de-mobbed.

I thoroughly enjoyed it all. There were dances every weekend, though of course plenty of nursing in the sickbay.

All things come to an end, and I often look back and think what a great time it all was.

Here are some interesting links about the VAD's.

Wikipedia Article

BBC Article

Polly – June 2008

The joys of travel.

The first time I travelled with my two sons, aged three and six months was a never to be forgotten journey! My husband was in the army and had been in the Canal Zone, as it was then called. He was now in Cyprus, and had an army quarter waiting for us to move into.

My mother travelled up to London with us to help and see us off. The children and I had to meet a special coach with a whole lot of army wives to take us to Blackbushe airport after assembling at Googe street tube station on Tottenham Court Road. We at last arrived at about eleven at night and hoped that we would take off soon. No such luck ! Everyone tired and fractious as you can imagine! After about three more hours of waiting, and wondering what was happening, we were told to board the plane to the great relief of all. Eventually after another hour had passed, we actually started to take off, or so we thought. Then the plane stopped and we were all told to disembark. We then had to do lifeboat drill in case the plane came down in the sea!! What fun!! Then of all things we were taken back to London and put up at the Great Eastern Hotel for the rest of the night.

After many more hours of waiting around, we were eventually taken down once again to the same airport and luckily after a short wait took off.

I was asked if I would like to go up front with the pilots, which of course I did. We were flying in and out of clouds and could see the ground, which was two miles beneath us I was told. It was so interesting.

We landed in Cyprus which even in November was extremely hot, and the plane was sprayed with some awful stuff to kill off the British germs that we might have brought with us! My husband was there to meet us and we got to our house feeling exhausted and worn out!

What a journey! I am sure you will agree. At least I have lived to tell the tale fifty-four years later!

Polly

Cyprus map sourced from here.

The shrinking size of transistors

When I was first introduced to transistors they were in a metal box which was a cylinder of about ½’’ or 10mm. about the diameter of a modern 5p piece with three fine wires issuing from underneath which were trimmed to size.



These primitive devices were the precursor of the micro chip’s which are in use today. Modern micro processors can have several thousand transistors contained within a small sliver of silicon the size of you’re pinkie finger nail.

This may all sound compicated, but basically the transistor amplifies an electrical impulse so that we no longer have to carry around a mobile phone or radio weighing several kilograms like we did before. Small transistors mean small portable products.

A lot of the development work was carried out by the Ministry of Defence in the early years after world war two. A lot of women were employed in the assembly work as it would seem they are more patient than men and were less likely to be curious as to what function each individual component carried out. This was for reasons of secrecy and to deter industial breach of copyright.

F.C.

Chicken Thighs with Marmalade.

Browsing around in a bookshop a few years ago I saw a recipe book for retired people. I immediately thought ”that’s me” and bought it. It was one of the best buys that I have made in the book world,and I have made many recipes out of it time and time again.I feel it would be nice to give one of the recipes to those of you who may read this blog,and hope they will make the dish and enjoy it.

Ingredients.
Four chicken thighs with skin removed.
Two tablespoons of oil.
Three tablespoons of marmalade.
Clove of garlic or garlic powder.
Juice of a lemon.
Teaspoon of herbs(any sort preferred).
Salt and pepper.

Method.
Put the chicken thighs in a casserole dish.Put all the other ingredients together in a bowl and mix well.Then pour over the chicken covering them well.Put aside for a few hours to marinade .It can be made overnight.
Cook in a moderate oven 190c or gas mark 5,for about fortyfive minutes until the chicken is chrisp and brown.

Good luck with cooking this. More recipes later on.

Polly.

My first experience with a personal computer

My first encounter with computers was an encounter about thirty years ago with a Sinclair model. That was 1981.



My father bought this ‘box of tricks’ simply because he wanted to compile a data base of race horses so that he could win the Grand National, or at least the horse he chose could. I was chosen for to manage this task with the Sinclair.

From what I can remember a smallish, quite heavy keyboard connected via a TV antenna jack which was then plugged into the back of an old fashioned black & white television, and off you jolly well went, typing to your hearts content. Green on Black.

Unfortunately, The Sinclair model ZX81 did not have a lot of memory and so we could not programme all of dear old pop’s parameters so our horse lost and my mothers horse won, ( because it had a pretty sounding name ).

Needless to say, the dastardly device was relocated to a space in the attic where it probably still is.

Frank Cotterill.

For more information about the Sinclair ZX81 computer, click on its name.

Hospital Visits.

I am sure that there are not many people who will read this article who have not visited one of their family in hospital. At the present moment I happen to be someone who is visiting a close relative who had to suddenly go to hospital in an emergency .I am glad to say he is now on the mend thanks to the medical and nursing staff for whom I have great admiration.

Sometimes one feels that it is as bad for those at home worrying as it is for those in the hospital, especially coming back to an empty house in the evenings after an afternoon visit.

When I was young I joined the Navy as a VAD. The war was still on, though nearly over. I had always wanted to be a nurse. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and the nursing. I was stationed in a sick bay attached to a navel training establishment. Any serious cases were sent to the main navel hospital.

Here is a link to VAD information.

We are lucky to be living in the early twenty first century as medicine has made such terrific advances.

Polly.

Photograph was sourced from this link here.

Wonderful Photography!

Dear friends I wanted to bring to your notice the fact that we have some very talented Photographers here amongst us at Millman Street Community Centre. Above is an example of George Robertson's work and I am sure you will all agree that he has a very good eye for composition and lighting. The photograph is a group of staff and members who were visiting Ham House in Richmond-upon-Thames outside London in July 2006.

If you wish you can visit the Ham House website here.

by Charles Molloy

My last job.

My last job was with an agency called 'Country Cousins'. For those of you who haven't heard of it, here is a brief description of what it all consisted of. The agency is based in Horsham and on applying to join one had to visit them and discuss if one was quite fit and able to look after mainly the elderly who wished to have help for as long as they wished and we the helpers wished to visit them. I did the job for about five years, and in all I suppose looked after about one hundred people mostly women and a few men. I only used to go away for about a week or ten days at a time, as I had a husband fretting away at home! I looked after some very nice and interesting people, two of them were the same age as me. One of them was having a breakdown owing to the fact of having looked after an acholic husband, until he had to go into a home, and the other lady had had a stroke which left her slightly disabled.
I could write about many more people. I looked after some charming and grateful and some not so charming or grateful!! It was the luck of the draw as one didn't know what lay in store until one arrived in their house!

If you would like to visit the Country Cousins website click on this link here:

Written by Polly

Lincoln's Inn Fields

My first job as a legal audio secretary was in Lincoln's Inn Fields.
The switchboard was a dolls eye switchboard.
The receptionist put through incoming calls to different members of staff by plugging a cable into holes in a board in front of her. As more calls came in the board began to look like a plate of spaghetti.

Veronica

Photo from: www.btinternet.com

The Millman Street Community Centre by Pauline Sheppard

The Millman St. Resource Centre community rooms are situated under the flats of a very large block in Millman street. They are approached by a path bordering a pretty garden and are very light and airy .Most of the ladies and a few gentlemen who come to the centre for lunch at weekdays are elderly and some are disabled and are in wheelchairs.
There are various activities for them to attend and enjoy, such as gentle gardening with an expert and craft sessions.
The more able residents can learn to use a computer with an expert to teach them .They also have a hairdresser once a week which is a bonus to those who cannot get out and get to one.
The centre also has one off entertainments such as theatre outings and visits to various places of interests ,such as Whipsnade zoo and Kew gardens. My colleague George is a very good photographer and has taken many photographs of the outings which he is enclosing in this article.
Anyone can join the centre and transport can be provided if necessary, so if someone reading this article is interested in coming to see us I do hope they will contact the centre and possibly make new friends.