Marching into Spring

Daffodils -Forsythia

Carmelia  

Its not been a good start to 2011  with the  Middle East  in turmoil, financial crisis throughout Europe and the   earthquakes in  New Zealand and  Japan, horrendous . I was watching the BBC when the tidal wave was shown rolling over the  Japanese shore, it was surreal, unbelievable, 10,000  people missing such unimaginable  horror. Then the Nuclear Reactors, three  exploded releasing  toxic  fallout that is increasing every day and  travelling over seas which will  affect  us all eventually. It was like the worst disaster movie ever.  There are so many questions that need to be answered as to why  they built Nuclear Plants on an island prone to earthquakes, I just don’t understand....  probably it's financial !  There has been one natural disaster after another, Mother Nature say’s, “ It's pay back time.”
But its amazing how the human spirit lives on in spite of all adversity. It’s true we are a global village and with today’s incredible fast internet connections our communication system is instant.
TV News travels fast, scenes of events around the world are transported into  our homes daily. I remember the Twin Towers  vividly, it was lunch time and I was watching  TV, at first I thought they were advertising a film drama but soon realised it was news. I was shocked, in tears most of the day. And again seeing that tidal wave hit  Japan … I was in tears again..
 Now to less mundane news, my wonderful  new cooker is now installed, I love it and it fits perfect after all that dithering . It really makes the  kitchen so much brighter as the old cooker was brown and  this one is a sparkly bright white and certainly makes a difference.
Managed to get to see  “The Kings Speech” and yes Colin Firth  deserves his Oscar he was very good as King George, even though some are critical about what was left out regarding the Kings alleged allegiance to Germany during his reign.
Its been wonderful weather recently, very warm sunny days that have brought out lots of colour to the gardens. Some are complaining that the bulbs are flowering to early and will suffer if we have frost. The daffodils, forsythia are out and my camellia coming into bud. I cut the grass on Saturday, last year I intended to change to  a   hover mower as they are much easier to use, but for whatever reason didn’t.  So I will be looking into that pretty soon as my present mower is knackered.   Spoke to Cathi  and the kids, they are missing Sam, since he got  back, he managed to find a job until he starts Uni in September.I must go up and see him soon..  Its been a strange few weeks now that Andy has moved on, I miss his presence more that I thought I would.    Haven’t been to Poetry, spent too much time on my own this month, will have to get motivated and  sally forth again. Still going to the Library, but the Council’s financial cuts have sadly stopped the Community Project work I was involved in.
I thought I would cheer myself up with  a shopping trip, had a good spend. Bought a nice red jacket, red floral skirt and  top, I don’t know why  red I have every little in red , it just  felt right.  I  tend to wear safe colours in the winter, lots of black navy and brown. So, as the clocks  have sprung forward  into  Spring , bring on the colours..  hope I have the nerve to wear them…

Bye for now, love you all XXXX

Primroses hidden amongst the Rhubarb

Every thing is springing into life in my garden

Michael Bublé - Everything (Video)

Imperial War Museum North

Mellenium Bridge Salford Quays

                                                                   Media City  Salford Quays                                                                           
I just can’t believe we are into the second week of March already. Since Andy moved house I have been spring cleaning and rearranging everything back to where it was before . I can almost hear the cupboards sighing with relief as I removed all the extra things I had rammed into them. The bathroom looks bare and the garage is looking like a garage instead of a hock shop. Other than this it has been an uneventful couple of weeks, post birthday. Still awaiting developments on the library closures, lots of petitions and protest letters are being sent to the local paper and Borough Council but since when has that ever been affective! I remember the thousands of signatures that went against replacing our wonderful Victorian Market Hall with this ultra modern clone of every other Shopping Mall in the UK. Time will tell but I am not too optimistic as to the outcome…. My grandson is having a great time in Perth with his cousins, Facebook is excellent for keeping me updated with photos and messages. They are going to miss him when he comes home. I am happy now I am back into my usual routine, the gym is fully operational now after six weeks repairing flood damage. Hopefully I should lose the extra pounds I put on over Christmas plus enjoying heaps of delicious chocolates I received on my birthday. Thank fully the chocolates are all gone and I have vowed not to be tempted by Cadburys chocolate cream filled Easter Eggs that are everywhere and are so mmmmmmm (I feel if I write this pledge down it might help me) as I am so passionate about chocolate. Last Sunday was a beautiful sunny day rather windy, but nice. My friend and I visited The Imperial War Museum Salford, it’s my second visit so I was able to take in more, it’s a extensive collection of war time memorabilia, facts and many interactive displays, you could spend hours there but all this standing gets tiring. I was especially please with their exhibition War at Sea with Dad, Andy and Cousin Jack having serving in the Royal Navy, in time I will go back for another visit. The Lowry Gallery was worth a look and of course the shops. History was a disappointment the lecturer spoke so low and tended to mumble. With my Speaker hat on, I evaluated her as a failure. Disaster Monday the cooker finally gave up the ghost, it had been erratic for a few weeks but I managed. After much deliberation a new cooker is coming to day . The problem in replacing household items is the sizes. When I came to replace my Fridge freezer I could not get the same size, as the previous one had been tailored into the kitchen, the space was too small I ahd to remove a shelf. I have had the same problem fitting the cooker, any way it kind of fit’s into the space, enough that I can live with it. Two lunches this week , one being our WI’s annual lunch at the University Catering Department where the students show off their skills, an excellent meal beautifully served 10/10. Oh, Sam is now safely home after what he termed a boring, boring flight.

Imperial War Museum North        http://www.iwmnorth.co.uk/

Well lots of love to you all, keep smiling and be happy/
Love You - Me. XXX