Early Risers.

[J. S. Bach]

6 hours ago, jamie92208 said:

Some time ago we talked about the length of generations.  This guy had to go back 3 generations to WW1.  Quite remarkably  I only need to go back one.  My father was born in 1914 and was I think the youngest of a set of first cousins.  One of his cousins, had  started University,  to do an engineering degree in 1913 and enlisted in August 1914.  He was quite rapidly promoted to Lieutenant from private and served in France from 1915 through till April 1917 when he was killed near Arras. To keep things brief I usually refer to him as my Uncle, as his sisters were known as my aunts.  It's quite thought provoking. i've told the story before that he was killed on the 23rd April which is my eldest's birthday.  In 2017 I was able to visit his grave and lay a small wreath of red roses, as he was from Lancashire and served in a Manchester pals battalion. 

 

Jamie

Mother and Dad were both "migratory war workers" who ended up in Baltimore working for the Glenn L. Martin Co. building Martin bombers; Mother as a "Rosie the Riveter" and Dad in a tool crib. Mother very shortly transferred to an office position where her skills were better used.

 

Edited November 12, 2022 by J. S. Bach
To do a typo correction.

[J. S. Bach]

6 hours ago, southern42 said:

' morning all from red dragon land.

 ...snip... Toots on the flute have been shorter this week but I am hoping it will not deter me from my next challenge - some more twiddly bits, this time on verse 1 of the song. ...snip...

Polly

I was in an antique mall in Ohio last week, saw this and thought of you tootling away:

[New Haven Neil]

A'noon.  Usual Mrs NHN morning frenzy prevented earlier attendance!

 

I have Dad's medals somewhere - he ended up as a Lieutenant (E) in the Andrew.

 

We had a good drive around the rock in the campervan today, we like to keep it in use regularly.  Some success in shopping (ugh) at the other end of the island for things Mrs NHN wanted, and saw Caledonia pull in to Port Erin station as a bonus for me.  Only 3 coaches, it is an experiment to run weekends in November, but it was quite full pleasingly.

 

Then an afternoon collecting several million sycamore leaves from the garden (again) and then taking them to be composted at the tip recycling centre, seemingly with most of the residents of the north of the rock doing the same thing, it was very busy.  It's very leafy here!  Tidied some other stuff up in the garden before totally running out of energy.

 

No leaves left!

 

Edited November 12, 2022 by New Haven Neil

[southern42]

25 minutes ago, J. S. Bach said:

I was in an antique mall in Ohio last week, saw this and thought of you tootling away:

 

Thanks, JS. I saw one some years ago in an auction room prior to auction. I think someone must have heard my mutterings about the low-question mark-price because the next thing I knew it had been withdrawn. The trouble is, if the key pads are shot, etc etc, then it gets pricy to get it all restored back into playing condition. I have a student flute which was already at least 10 years old when I bought it, so it must be getting on a bit but it played beautifully. I replaced it with another student flute but this time it was a Muramatsu which I stopped playing when I broke my arm. I am hoping to get back into it next year. Hopefully, I will have developed my playing enough by then, though I think I feel as agéd as the flute in your photo sometimes. I probably look it first thing in the morning.

 

Edited November 12, 2022 by southern42
typo

[Gwiwer]

Of medals. 
 

I have what I suspect are only some of my paternal grandfather’s. What happened to the rest we can only guess but his wife - my grandmother - was a cantankerous soul to put it mildly and wouldn’t have anything in her home she didn’t want. 
 

That included emptying my dad’s room the day after he left for his National Service meanii g he had nothing left to show for or remind him of his childhood. The whole lot simply went in the bin. 
 

My maternal grandfather was in a reserved occupation as a research scientist.  He was seconded to the Admiralty and the family spent several years in Bermuda as a result but I have never seen nor heard of medals. 
 

If dad ever had anything from his National Service that too is long gone. He was a medic attached to the RAF serving in many North African and Arabian locations.  Hos stories of haring through the desert aboard a jeep out of Tobruk or El Adam used to entertain me late at night.  I never truly understood the gravity of his role in driving through minefields to tend the wounded and - often as not - recover remains of the deceased. 
 

 

 

 

[PhilJ W]

1 hour ago, 45156 said:

Well please keep that info to yourself as I have got the book (bought on day of release) but have not yet finished "The Man Who Died Twice" yet due to having just so much else to do - I also got that volume on the day of release, but what with the move and work etc.....

 

Osman is an exceptional writer, and the way he moves between Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim, and the subtle changes in the narrative style are very clever, and not easy to do - I know as I've tried in my writing.

Have no fear, I've only spotted one clue, or so I thought but I was wrong. My problem is that I have a terrible memory for names and there are references back to incidents in the previous two novels so its better to read all three back to back. Some time ago I mentioned another favourite novelist of mine, Carl Hiaasen and some ER's were tempted to give him a try it would be interesting to get an opinion. 

[polybear]

24 minutes ago, Gwiwer said:

That included emptying my dad’s room the day after he left for his National Service meanii g he had nothing left to show for or remind him of his childhood. The whole lot simply went in the bin. 
 

 

That's a b.awful thing to do - and to have done to you.  A certain Bear would be VERY upset in such circumstances.

 

Bear here.....

Firstly, VHBBW's to @Oldddudders 🎂🎂

 

This afternoon was a bit of a blow-out; I've started watching a film (based on a true story, apparently) about an Alsatian Doggie that belonged to a Jewish Family at the outbreak of WW2 becoming an SS Guard Dog at a Concentration Camp - apparently Doggie escapes, but I've not watched that far yet.  I'd never heard before that one of the Nazi Rules was that Jewish Families were prohibited from owning pets.  B'sterds. 

 

In other news.....

What on earth possessed this Tw@t?  Personally I wouldn't have suspended the sentence; I hope the person to whom the Ambulance was travelling to suffered no ill-effects:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-berkshire-63586321 

[grandadbob]

 

4 hours ago, TheQ said:

Knackered I am, distinctly achey.

 

Job one,

Research and investigate spinny thingy fault, turns out the stereo jack plug has lost connection to the middle of the three lands.. most odd.. spares are at MRC, I meant to bring one home last night, I'll have to pick one up on the way to the SC tomorrow.

 

Job two,

Removed rudder from boat, which included shifting boat side ways to clear trailer arms with shoulder as it dropped.. boat weighs 400kg.... 

Measured for new rudder, 2inches in front of rudder shaft to aft edge of hull gives 19inches, maximum draft is 30 inches, so that gives the box the rudder must fit in. Having studied rudders much more that when the  previous rudder was built, I now know she needs 2 sqft of rudder side area approx.

Sketches are underway.

 

Job three,

Measured for seat moving back. It will be 23.5 inches, this is due to hull frames and steering gear preventing any further movement. Sketches are complete on that one.

 

Job four,

Mowed jungle, after filling petrol tank. There are parts left to do, but not urgent.  Took 2 hours.

 

Job five,

Ben taken for walk while pheasant massacre shotguns are having lunch, didn't quite make it home before they restarted, got towed by Ben the rest of the way home.

 

Job six,

Go apple hunting, not many left just two bucket fulls, some small ones left on the trees, but there's not much hope of them getting bigger before they get blown off.

 

Eye covers need inspection..

Bye for now.

 

 

You're knackered?   I've nearly had a heart attack just reading that lot Q.  🤪

[Ozexpatriate]

11 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

but at least the X in Xmas has a spiritual meaning (signifying the crucifix)

Flavio, the "X" actually is the Greek letter Chi. "Christós" being Χριστός (in modern Greek, if Google translate is accurate).

 

My instinct would have been something like ΧΡƖΣΤΟΣ, though I imagine this is wrong.

 

It was the fashion (at least by *some*) in the late 17th century in correspondence to substitute X / Chi for Christ in words like Christian - thus X'tian. I don't know if this was simply a convenient shorthand in the days of quills and ink, or an emulation of the Hebrew tradition for not speaking/writing the name of God - hence "YHWH" / יהוה‎ in written form for Yahweh.

 

In the same way Christmas becomes Xmas with the letter Chi.

 

[Coombe Barton]

War medals.

As I understand it, in the UK First World War medals were sent out. Second World War medals had to be applied for, and many didn't, including my uncle and aunts who all served doing the war.

[Coombe Barton]

X in Christmas

One quote from below link - "Around 1100 the term was written as "Xp̄es mæsse" in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle."

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xmas

[Ozexpatriate]

12 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

As the celebration of the winter solstice approaches, those whose outlook is more commercial than spiritual have decided to inundate us with all things Yule related, or -  in Captain Cynical‘s mind worse - “holiday season”

How is "holiday season" worse? It encompasses all of the "return of the light" wintertime traditions, including, but not limited to:

• Christmas
• Chanukah
• Winter solstice
• Yule
• Kwanzaa
• Saturnalia

It is encompassing and does not value one over the other. Or do you disparage it because it implies a value placed on diversity?

 

Even liturgically in Latin Christian traditions, Advent begins this year in November (the 27th) which is spiritually very much the pre-Christmas period.

 

The "official" kick off in the US secular calendar of holidays is the day after Thanksgiving, (aka Black Friday which this year is November 25). It is signified (not accidentally) by the customary appearance of Santa in his sleigh at the very end of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

 

[Coombe Barton]

Branding it as "Winterval" was tried in some cities.

And soon dropped.

[PupCam]

Evening All!

 

19 hours ago, The Lurker said:

I think most people these days don’t even know they’ve got it; I only found out because I had a company medical coming up and thought I would double check my streaming cold. And because i still had done free tests left .

 

Elder Lurker also had it. But Mrs Lurker only tested negative despite a cold that was worse than my Covid and Younger Lurker didn’t get it at all.

 

The strains now seem milder and most people have been jabbed- so it is no wonder far fewer people are worried these days 

 

We are very much at the "living with it"  stage of Covid now IMVHO and you are correct, many don't know they've got it or had it.    I've never tested positive for it but I do wonder.

 

Anyway, for those of you waiting for when Covid has been eradicated I'm afraid you are going to be waiting a very long time!      Have we got rid of the Flu yet?    No, thought not .......

 

In Other News

 

Not much to be honest, I've had a very quiet day today doing not-a-lot after the exertions of yesterday.   

 

Alan

 

Edited November 12, 2022 by PupCam

[Ozexpatriate]

5 hours ago, jjb1970 said:

Flying around Asia makes you realize just what a big continent Asia is.

Indeed. Flying across the equator (where no 'great circle' routes help) makes you realize how big the Pacific Ocean is. The North Atlantic is a mere puddle in comparison.

[polybear]

16 minutes ago, PupCam said:

We are very much at the "living with it"  stage of Covid now IMVHO and you are correct, many don't know they've got it or had it.    I've never tested positive for it but I do wonder.

 

 

Bear has been tested once a month by "the powers that be" since it pretty much kicked off, so far without any sign of it; I've also done the odd home test as required (e.g. a Beary Headache).  I kinda like this approach and hopefully can keep the unblemished record for as long as possible.....

[polybear]

**STOP PRESS!!**

Do fellow ER'ers remember this:

 

On 25/10/2022 at 17:33, iL Dottore said:

 

Well I can now exclusively reveal that it's all total....cobblers 😱

A certain Bear has now discovered what has become of poor Harry - he's been Hognapped and sold into Slavery.  How does Bear know this, and what evidence can I present?  Well how about this - seen yesterday:

 

 

Pretty conclusive I'd say......

Shocked, of Bear Towers.

 

p.s. Plans are afoot to rescue poor Harry - and without exchange of muddlin' tokens either......

 

pps.  Don't let Harry's smile confuse you - he's been drugged.......

Edited November 12, 2022 by polybear

[Erichill16]

1 hour ago, grandadbob said:

 

 

You're knackered?   I've nearly had a heart attack just reading that lot Q.  🤪

That’s why I rated it with the clapping hands icon.

[PhilJ W]

Evening all from Estuary-Land. The bread pudding has now gone and I can assure you that it was delicious. I shared it out with a few friends but I had to eat half of it myself. In fact there was too much mix for the oven dish so what was left over is in the freezer. I don't know if you can freeze bread pudding dough, I'll find out when I defrost it.

[Dave Hunt]

1 hour ago, Coombe Barton said:

X in Christmas

One quote from below link - "Around 1100 the term was written as "Xp̄es mæsse" in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle."

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xmas

 

How was it written in the afternoon then?

 

Dave

[Ozexpatriate]

3 minutes ago, Dave Hunt said:

How was it written in the afternoon then?

I was wondering whether they even had time for it at 11:00am but I imagine the monk scribes could slip it in between prayers at terce and sext.

[Erichill16]

9 hours ago, grandadbob said:

 

Has anyone got any happy pills spare?  Probably wouldn't work on me anyway,  I don't often do happy. (or

 

 

[Erichill16]

45 minutes ago, polybear said:

 

 

 

..

 

pps.  Don't let Harry's smile confuse you - he's been drugged.......

Perhaps GDB should try whatever Harry’s on!

[Gwiwer]

1 hour ago, polybear said:

1 hour ago, PupCam said:

We are very much at the "living with it"  stage of Covid now IMVHO and you are correct, many don't know they've got it or had it.    I've never tested positive for it but I do wonder.

 

 

Bear has been tested once a month by "the powers that be" since it pretty much kicked off, so far without any sign of it;

We still test weekly and occasionally more often if we feel the need. That’s down from every 2-3 days at the height of things. While we now have to buy the tests which had been supplied free of charge what price peace of mind?

 

So far neither of us has tested positive. Neither have we veen found to have a positive result from occasional lab tests. 
 

Yes we have to live with this thing and it will continue to claim a few of us (as does flu and the common cold) but it is very much less of a threat now. We have vaccines and other measures and we may have a degree of immunity developing naturally by now. 
 

It’s not going to bother me. It never worried me though I was wary. Dr. SWMBO has been at the other end of that scale and was convinced it would be the end of us all. She has only recently returned to limited levels of public interaction and something like her previously-normal lifestyle.  I am still not allowed to have friends indoors and I’m wondering how long that will drag on. It’s getting tedious and boring now 

[pH]

1 hour ago, Ozexpatriate said:

Indeed. Flying across the equator (where no 'great circle' routes help) makes you realize how big the Pacific Ocean is. The North Atlantic is a mere puddle in comparison.

Vancouver to Auckland -14 hours of water!