Today is The First Day of the Rest of my Life

door at Bolsover Castle

2009-06-07T18:45:00.001+01:00

door at Bolsover Castle
Originally uploaded by lizjones112

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Rain

2009-06-07T18:07:00.001+01:00

Rain
Originally uploaded by Starquake!

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pasque flower 2

2009-06-07T17:59:00.001+01:00

pasque flower 2
Originally uploaded by lizjones112

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Dear diary.....

2009-06-07T17:42:00.001+01:00

Dear diary.....
Originally uploaded by Josh Pics©

this is the first day in my new job

pink camellia

2009-06-07T15:46:00.001+01:00

pink camellia
Originally uploaded by lizjones112

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Flickr

2009-06-07T15:44:00.001+01:00

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Flickr

2009-06-07T15:43:00.001+01:00

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Radio 4 - The Archers - Message Board

2009-01-14T17:33:00.001Z

Radio 4 - The Archers - Message Board
Originally uploaded by robinhamman

From the archers message board.

Al's a Loser
by Vicky S

With so many versions of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah around, there's surely room for two more, from The Fantasy Archers topic of The Archers message board.

Now I've heard there is a message board
Where many post but few are bored
Where we don't really care for A. Lloyd do we?

It goes like this
At five past seven
A hush descends across the nation
United with one breath sing 'Al's a loser.'

Al's a loser, Al's a loser
Al's a loser, Al's a loser.

Shul's faith was strong but she needed proof
She saw him bathing in the buff
The beauty of his bott quite overwhelmed her.
She tied him
To the kitchen chair
And said "Al, you are staying there,
Until I hear you say 'Yes I'm a loser.'"

"Oh Al, I've been here once before
I know the signs, I know the score
I knew deceit before I even met you.
I've traced your gambling loss online
Now you're a lifer doing time
In Archer chokey, yes poor Al's a loser,

Al's a loser, Al's a loser
Al's a loser, Al's a loser.

[Ryan's Solo]

I done my best, no, it weren't much
Knew you was rich so tried to touch
You for a monkey, but I couldn't fool you.
And even though it all went wrong
I taught you the twelve steps were long
And as a mentor - Al you are a loser.

Al's a loser, Al's a loser
Al's a loser, Al's a loser

And here's a version contributed almost exactly a year before, by Mr Snowy:

Professor Jim thought it was odd
The woman spoke so much of God
"You know He isn't there; oh really, Shula!
He will not ease your daily cares
Despite your hymns and earnest prayers"
But she just smiled and whispered "Hallelujah"

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

"Your faith is strong, I do not doubt
But when at last will you work out
It's all a fiendish plot meant to subdue you"
"I have to trust what Alan says
The Lord moves in mysterious ways
I count my blessings and say 'Hallelujah'"

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

"If we were to debate the case
Each time I'm bound to trump your ace
Yes in a test of wits I would outdo you"
"It's true we don't see eye to eye
I cannot wait to wave goodbye
The earth will shake as I yell 'Hallelujah'"

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

"Now don't you think it was a crime
He took your Mark before his time
How could a loving God cause such pain to you?"
"Mark did not have much time on earth
But think of Daniel's wondrous birth
It makes you want to shout out 'Hallelujah'"

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

"And what of Dan? I see it plain
You set out to control his brain
I'll teach how to think for himself, Shula"
"There's not a hope now for your plan
I had the child, I'll have the man
Just like the Jesuits say; Hallelujah"

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

"You speak of love but mock the views
Of those who want to keep the pews
The miles between your words and deeds undo you"
"I know you aim my faith to dent
But still my first avowed intent's
To love my fellow man, oh hallelujah"

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

"To dwell on love is somewhat queer
I've spoken to the folk round here
They mentioned Richard Locke, how well he knew you
I mean that in the Bible's sense
You surely can have no defence
Hello, hypocrisy, thy name is Shula"

How he knew you, how he knew you
How he knew you, how he knew you

She heard him speak with clarity
Out went her Christian charity
"I know there's vile misanthropy right through you
That's once too oft you've pushed your luck
It's time for you to sling your hook
You're going home today; cry "Hallelujah"

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

The rich cycle of life: Make mess, tidy mess, make mess, tidy mess...

2008-11-15T08:44:00.001Z

The rich cycle of life: Make mess, tidy mess, make mess, tidy mess...
Originally uploaded by Vimrod1

I think I'll miss out the tidy mess stage, it will give me more time to make a mess!

A very scary thought

2008-11-02T23:10:00.002Z

what worries me is that if the American elections don't go the way I hope they do this woman could become Vice president of the USA and even more worrying she could easily be president given Mcains advanced years. it's very worrying that she fell for this prank call.

The American Presidential Election

2008-11-02T16:45:00.001Z

is almost upon us i hope as many people turn out to vote as possible.
This video encourages people to vote

9 things to do before you get out of bed...

2008-10-03T11:15:00.001+01:00

9 things to do before you get out of bed...
Originally uploaded by Vimrod1

This is exactly what I did this morning!

Well we are still here!

2008-09-11T00:24:00.001+01:00

Originally uploaded by Drunken Monkey

Well they have fired up the HADRON thingy and we are still here! But they still have to fire up the colliding beams of matter and anti-matter thats the worrying bit!

The strange things your parents tell you!

2008-09-10T12:11:00.001+01:00

UK Newspaper 31 October 2006 Guardian Halloween
Originally uploaded by morph33

When I was a kid my parents told me the sitting on a newspaper would stop me from feeling travel sick when traveling in the car. I'd forgotten about this until recently. I then started to wonder if they were winding us up but it seems my Dad isn't the only person to have had this idea apparently it's supposed to be something to do with static electricity.

Big Bang Day!

2008-09-03T18:10:00.001+01:00

The Large Hadron Collider/ATLAS at CERN
Originally uploaded by Image Editor

On September the 10th they will turn on the CERN Hadron collider I don't really understand the science but apparently the idea is to recreate the immediate aftermath of the "Big Bang" what worries me slightly is that they might recreate the "Big Bang" all over again. Well at least you will be able to follow it all on Radio 4.

Government incompetence!

2008-09-02T11:51:00.002+01:00

Ballot box
Originally uploaded by knautia

Well I don't know why I'm surprised but sometimes the level of incompetence of local government amazes me. In the post yesterday I got a form from the city council asking me to confirm my entry on the register of electors. Deciding to be organised I tried to use the website, it wasn't found, there was something odd about the spelling www.canvassmaters.com/sheffield so I tried missing out one of the s's this took me to this website. I rang the information line to let them know that it wasn't working. They thanked me but said they knew and that the telephone line for automated registering wasn't working either. The nice lady had no idea when it would be working. She suggested posting the form might be the most reliable option.

I hear the strangest things on the radio!

2008-08-09T18:24:00.003+01:00

Acceleration = Force Divided by Mass, Version 2
Originally uploaded by boristheblade

I tend to fall asleep with the radio on Radio 4 is fine but the world service can be surreal some of the stuff I hear I think I have dreamt it such as the recent attack on a Greyhound bus in Canada. If you are at all squeamish don't bother following the link to read this! And some is just plain silly. The offering the other night was "The economic slowdown is accelerating"

Christian the Lion

2008-08-09T18:14:00.001+01:00

sarah told me about this,she told me it had made her cry I found and watched it; she wasn't wrong

I'm sure I can smell tea

2008-07-25T19:35:00.000+01:00

I'm sure I can smell tea
Originally uploaded by lizjones112

I went to Chestnut Wildlife Centre" today with Mum mainly because I love Otters and owls and they have both there, I had read about it in a Wildlife guide in the Guardian and I wanted to get some photos of them. I found the whole place rather depressing, the otters were kept in smallish pens in an attractive wooded valley with a pretty stream running through it. However the otters didn't have access to the stream and a lot of them didn't even have water to swim in. Even worse where the owls quarters these were wire mesh pens among the trees about 5ft square and around 12ft high. The owls didn't look at all happy. As you can see from the picture the otters seemed a bit happier some did have pools to swim in.

Smoking

2008-07-03T22:24:00.001+01:00

Abstract Smoke Photography
Originally uploaded by MillionSwords

Something strange has happened to me recently, I smoke, I don't really like the fact that I do, I don't like that I get something from it. I have tried to give up many times, Succeeded once for about a year when I had my son. But I always missed it. Because I was in agonising pain from a trapped nerve in my shoulder my GP prescribed gapapentin this is a recognised and authorised treatment for nerve pain. It seemed to work, my pain is much better. What is interesting is that it seems to have reduced my craving for my next hit of nicotine, but what is even more interesting and strangely annoying is that it has also removed my enjoyment of my occasional smoke. I don't smoke heavily but have always enjoyed it's stress relieving qualities and the comfort of the habit that a non-smoker would be hard pressed to understand. Although I should welcome this opportunity to quit I find my self annoyed and faintly irritated by this.

Tescos

2008-07-03T19:22:00.001+01:00

Tesco Winchester. Never-ending tills.
Originally uploaded by :Duncan

Today I popped into Tescos for a fw things on my way home from work. On all the main tills there was a sign asking shoppers with baskets to go to the express or serve your self checkouts;the automated ones that never work properly anyway!. There were about 4 checkout workers sat looking bored serving no one. I asked an assistant why the signs. She explained that it was part of an initiative to reduce the length of queues. It seemed that they were being audited on this, yet another example of an "outcome measure" being inappropriate. I felt the signs were slightly intimidating it wasn't a polite request to use the other till when possible when shopping for a small amount of stuff. Next time I will take a trolley and put my few items in it.

Messy desk

2008-06-19T18:23:00.001+01:00

Clear your Desk
Originally uploaded by lizjones112

I have just recieved the following Flicker mail

hello,

my name is ania and i´m doing a research about chaos on the desk. i would describe myself as a very messy and chaotic person. in my diploma work i´m dealing with the topic how to handle chaos in an effective way, but without getting neat.
i saw your messy desk picture on flickr and would like to ask you for help. i would be very happy you could answer me these quetions. it would help me a lot!

1. is your chaos a problem for you or do you handle it well?

2. why does your chaos break out?

3. is there something you always know where it is, something you´re never searching for? and is there something you´re always looking for? if yes why?

4. how do you find the things you´re looking for? have you got any strategies or methods? or do you know any alternative search-for-method?

5. could you imagine something that helps you finding what you´re searching for?

thanks a lot!!!

best regards ania

Useful Rain...

2008-06-18T22:56:00.001+01:00

English Summer
Originally uploaded by Lady Vervaine

According to tonights weather forecast at the end of the BBC news tonight we are going to get some useful rain tomorrow.... WTF is that?

Why I havn't blogged for a while...

2008-06-14T19:48:00.003+01:00

Shoulder
Originally uploaded by Movements Afoot

I've not bogged for ages as I've been laid up with a very painful shoulder and arm. I have no idea how I did it, all I know is that I woke up on Bank Holiday Monday morning with pain in my shoulder with a bed pain in my shoulder.Initially I just thought I had "slept funny" but as I tried to get up and about I realised quite how bad things were. I tried to drive;that was impossible! I rang around my friends. Very kindly Colett and her boyfriend took me to A & E at the Northern, I felt bad for taking up the time of A & staff but I was in agony. The pain was going all down my left arm. They were fantastic, I got seen quickly no doubt because pain radiating down your left arm can be a sign that you are having a heart attack. Thankfully I wasn't. The only thing I could fault the A& E staff on was thinking that my friend Colett was my daughter, she is ten yours younger than me but... my only defence is that I looked terrible because I was in so much pain! Somehow I have got through the past few weeks without cracking up completely like most nurses I am a terrible patient. For that I have to thank my wonderful friends especially Sarah for taking Ben to my Mums, feeding me and generally cheering me up and Lise for lifts to physio etc. My GP Alison who is in the final stages of her training to be a GP has been fantastic too, sympathetic and tolerant of my long winded descriptions explanations and occasional tearfulness. She has always discussed treatment options with me and I have always felt as though I am working in partner ship with her rather than being told what to do. The pain has been excruciating at times apparently I have a trapped nerve. It has sent horrible pains down my arm and caused pins and needles in one side of my hand. It is gradually easing but It has taught me to think about my posture I slouch far too much and hunch over the computer keyboard. I'm just hoping the improvement continues ...

This is interesting...

2008-06-14T19:28:00.001+01:00

The very model of a modern parish minister

2008-05-16T16:43:00.001+01:00

Radio 4 - The Archers - Message Board
Originally uploaded by robinhamman

I've just found this on The Archers website-

The very model of a modern parish minister
by Mr Snowy

Gilbert and SullivanMr Snowy, a regular contributor to the Fantasy Archers topic of The Archers message board. is a master of intricate wordplay, as this Gilbert and Sullivan parody proves.

I am the very model of a modern parish minister
You'll find me non-judgmental, I would never damn the sinister
I don't go in for hell fire, no; on right and wrong I'm flexible
As long as I'm bang up to date; on that I am inex'rable

I've taken up each trendy cause, I've filled the manse with down-and-outs
I'm very good at counselling (I say "It's swings and roundabouts")
It won't be long till I've removed all pews from the vicinity
But please don't press me hard about the meaning of the Trinity

Oh please don't press him hard about the meaning of the Trinity
Oh please don't press him hard about the meaning of the Trinity
Oh please don't press him hard about the meaning of the Trini - trinity

I've modernised our services, we're singing Graham Kendrick songs
I will not rest until we're all performing Jimi Hendrix songs
I must replace the organist now he's octogenarian
I rather fancy someone who has leanings Rastafarian

I get about by motor-bike, my attitude is uber-cool
I love to turn each female head, you really should see Shula drool
And though the village dinosaurs might find my actions sinister
I am the very model of a modern parish minister

And though the village dinosaurs might find his actions sinister
He is the very model of a modern parish minister

I'm practised in accountancy, my parish funds are watertight
I won't offend the upper-class (however much my daughter might)
Though I detest their politics they're rather good at giving dough
I'll even schmooze the frightful Peg, what I'll do for a living-o

I've got a view on everything from strawberries to pesticides
From how we should dispose of poo to skylark nests and set-aside
I'll speak on how to save the whale, the best ways of preserving Earth
As long as I am never asked about such things as Virgin Birth

As long as he is never asked about such things as Virgin Birth
As long as he is never asked about such things as Virgin Birth
As long as he is never asked about such things as Virgin Virgin Birth

Of sins I am forgiving, I will not condemn philandering
In various translations from Hungarian to Mandarin
And though the village dinosaurs might find my actions sinister
I am the very model of a modern parish minister

And though the village dinosaurs might find his actions sinister
He is the very model of a modern parish minister

I am the very model of a modern parish minister
I welcome all inside my church, the righteous souls, the sinister
I'm truly ecumenical, inclusive of the heathens here
There's one who says she'll marry me; we've gone and booked St Stephens, dear

The Echo now has stirred things up, it's picking up some vocal taints
It's rooted out the choicest quotes from shopkeepers and local saints
But now it's run this story and I have to say it's utter tripe
God help Ross Adams when I get my hands upon that guttersnipe
Perhaps I'll knock his block off; they might find it out in Finisterre
Will Ross regret his mocking of a modern parish minister?

Perhaps he'll knock his block off; they might find it out in Finisterre
Will Ross regret his mocking of a modern parish minister?

Burma Cylcone

2008-05-06T21:27:00.001+01:00

Yangon - Nargis Cyclone (329)
Originally uploaded by luisrene

The recent cyclone in Burma has wreaked havoc in a way that we cannot imagine. The BBC report that around 22,000 people have lost their lives! Words fail me to express my horror at this level of devastation and loss of life. I can't help but wonder if global warning and climate change due to the damage we do to our wonderful planet is too blame. Why can't we realise that we live on this earth; the only one we have, we should look after it! If we considered the planet as a spaceship that we inhabit maybe we would be more careful?

Courtesy Car

2008-04-28T19:05:00.000+01:00

200710 peugeot 308
Originally uploaded by superciliousness

My car had to go in to the garage today for some work, a recall on the brakes. The garage provided me with a courtesy car a 308. I was a little surprised to find it was running on fumes and I had to put some fuel in as I had to go to a meeting in Belper, but I suppose that's standard practice. Once I got used to it I really enjoyed driving it it was a lot more powerful than my car. I went down the quick way but cut back across the Peak, I'm afraid it was a bit muddy when I returned it. I didn't want to give it back!

Better luck at Beauchief Abbey

2008-04-27T18:04:00.001+01:00

Beauchief Abbey
Originally uploaded by Evil Yoda

We did find the cache here at Beauchief Abbey it was almost too easy this one. But the nice thing about geocaching is that it encourages you to go to places you've never been before.

Mushroom Lane

2008-04-27T18:00:00.001+01:00

Mushroom Lane
Originally uploaded by polly.jayne

Colett and I went geocaching again today, the coordinates seemed to indicate the cache was on Mushroom Lane, we wandered up and down getting annoyed as the distance to the cache kept counting down and then back up again. Never getting close enough to really start looking. Eventually we gave up and went to the cafe in Weston Park Museum. When I thought about it I twigged that the cache must be on the other side of the high wall we had spent so long staring at. So it must be somewhere in Weston Park.

See you Humph..

2008-04-26T23:56:00.001+01:00

See you Humph..
Originally uploaded by Project 404

The wonderful Humphrey Lyttelton has died what a sad loss to the world a man who appeared to live life to the full, never lost his sense of humor, he had wonderful timing and a wonderfully smutty mind without ever loosing his dignity. I have laughed so many times with him and his compatriots on "Sorry I haven't a clue".

Chicken fillets

2008-04-26T23:55:00.000+01:00

219.365days
Originally uploaded by rumblemumbles

I got the giggles in the cab home from a night out with Colett tonight, she thought I was pissed! what was making me laugh was that i had noticed two ovals of gel on the floor of the cab, I thought some poor lass had lost her "chicken fillets " on the way home from a night out. I was speculating in my head how she had come to have "lost" them both. It turned out that they were in fact the gel insets you can put in your shoes to cushion your feet!

Best geocache so far.

2008-04-26T18:09:00.000+01:00

through the trees
Originally uploaded by lizjones112

This was a mutipart cache in Sheffield's General Cemetery with a series of clues to find to work out the coordinates for the actual cache, despite the GPS not always working too well because of the tree cover we eventually found it. More because of the application of brain and a little local knowledge. This sort of cache is much more interesting than the standard kind.

childhood memories

2008-04-24T21:52:00.000+01:00

childhood memories
Originally uploaded by lizjones112

This wonderful shop has been there for a long time, I was quite surprised to find it was still there and even more delighted to find it hasn't changed a bit since I was little. My Dad used to go in here when he was a kid, he took me and my brothers there regularly, it was great to take Ben in there again, he had been in once when he was little. It is packed to the gills with every kind of toy imaginable; all the things you remember from your child hood, things that you had forgotten about.

Teachers strike

2008-04-24T19:15:00.000+01:00

Teachers, College Lecturers, and Department of Work and Pensions staff on strike against pay offers lower than inflation, i.e. pay cuts
Originally uploaded by Roger Blackwell

No work today because the teachers are on strike so Ben's school was closed. Now don't get me wrong I think most teachers do a great job and I wouldn't want to do it. They have been offered 2.73% this year.The nurses pay offer has just been announced we have been offered 2.75% this year, given the rapidly rising cost of living thats hardly going to allow the ordinary staff nurse to buy petrol. Just how would everyone react if nurses went on strike?
Out of interest at present a newly qualified staff nurse gets about £20,000, a newly qualified teacher about the same.

Just what is all that about?

2008-04-20T22:47:00.002+01:00

I brought some mince this weekend it was labeled as per the picture just what does suitable for use in recipe dishes mean!? So If I don't have a recipe is that OK ?

A find at last!

2008-04-19T19:02:00.005+01:00

Ben and I went geocaching today in Graves Park, we had much more success than my first attempt. The rules of geocaching are that you arn't allowed to give away the location of the caches in case someone steals them or trashes them so this is a close up picture of our find, it was hidden under some stones and leaves and stuff. It was very cold today though so there weren't to many people about to worry about them seeing us people not in on geocaching are known as Muggles the term presumably stolen from the Harry Potter books.

I can't stop laughing!

2008-04-15T22:46:00.000+01:00

Female hysteria

2008-04-14T17:33:00.003+01:00

Complete Satisfaction
Originally uploaded by abneypark

I was watching Casualty 1907 last night for a while, I don't usually watch this as I can't shout at the TV telling the team what they should or shouldn't be doing as I have no idea about the disorders and illnesses they had to cope with in those days Thank Goodness! But I did learn about one condition and it's treatment. Female hysteria It's not a recognised diagnosis these days but in Victorian times it was thought that this condition caused many ills. Last nights show had a woman presenting at the hospital with various problems her doctor told her that he knew what was wrong with her and what the treatment was a massage he then produced a rather crude looking device the scene discreetly changed some while later the woman emerged from the consulting room with a smile on her face! I was it fits of giggles by this time! I must be very naive or I missed out on my education somewhere but I had never heard of this cure. As you will see from the links the supposedly repressed Victorians invented some very "interesting" devices .

no cache just dog crap

2008-04-13T21:14:00.000+01:00

Well I figured out how to use my GPS; well sort of! So off I went geocaching along the canal near Mums. We didn't find any of the three caches we were looking for but we did find lots of these little plastic bags of dog crap!. Why on earth don't people take them home or move the dog crap into the undergrowth where it can rot away naturally it's going to take a long time for these bags to decay they were festooned all over the trees and brambles !

This is What a Headache Looks Like

2008-04-12T12:55:00.001+01:00

This is What a Headache Looks Like
Originally uploaded by RW PhotoBug

Well my GPS thingy arrived in the post this morning, I was excited, couldn't wait to get started! I eventually got it out of it's packaging made a cuppa and sat down to try to work out how to use it; I'm never very good with technology I hate reading the instruction book but I tried, read it and per usual I was none the wiser, I played with all the buttons. Eventually I got a satellite fix by putting it on the window sill. But I still can't work out exactly how to set it to find a geocache !
Now I have a headache!!!

Geocaching

2008-04-10T18:20:00.001+01:00

Geocaching
Originally uploaded by AntiochOG

I have just brought a garmin on ebay for geocaching, for those of you who don't know geocaching is a tecchie forn of a treasure hunt. I'm hoping that I might have found a hobby that both me and my 13 year old son can enjoy!

Gardening

2008-04-04T22:24:00.001+01:00

Bleeding Hearts - Dicentra
Originally uploaded by lizjones112

In an attempt to live up to the daffodil garden post i have spent most of today trying to tidy up my garden. My back and shoulders ache but I feel good because my garden looks better than it did yesterday. I found my bleeding heart plant. I've tried to cut the lawn, trimmed the climbing hydrangea from around my kitchen window despite hating climbing the ladder David lent me!

Why mess with nature?

2008-04-03T18:22:00.002+01:00

In an effort to live up to the previous post I visited B&Q today to buy some plants and seeds for my garden. Needless to say I didn't buy these!

The Daffodil Principle

2008-04-02T18:23:00.002+01:00

daffodil bokah
Originally uploaded by lizjones112

Sarah has just sent me a link to this inspirational story.

The Daffodil Principle

Several times my daughter, Julie, had telephoned to say, "Mom, you must come see the daffodils before they are over." I wanted to go, but it was a two-hour drive from my place by the beach to her lakeside mountain home.

"I will come next Tuesday," I promised, a little reluctantly, on her third call. The next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Still, I had promised, and so I got in the car and began the long, tedious drive.

When I finally walked into Julie's house and hugged and greeted my grandchildren, I said, "Forget the daffodils, Julie! The road is invisible in the clouds and fog, and there is nothing in the world except you and the children that I want to see bad enough to drive another inch!"

My daughter smiled calmly, "We drive in this all the time, Mom."

"Well, you won't get me back on the road until it clears and then I'm heading straight for home!" I said, rather emphatically.

"Gee, Mom, I was hoping you'd take me over to the garage to pick up my car," Julie said with a forlorn look in her eyes.

"How far will we have to drive?"

Smiling she answered, "Just a few blocks, I'll drive ... I'm used to this."

After several minutes on the cold, foggy road, I had to ask "Where are we going? This isn't the way to the garage!"

"We're going to the garage the long way," Julie smiled, "by way of the daffodils."

"Julie," I said sternly, "please turn around."

"It's all right, Mom, I promise, you will never forgive yourself if you miss this experience."

After about twenty minutes we turned onto a small gravel road and I saw a small church. On the far side of the church I saw a hand-lettered sign ...

Daffodil Garden

We got out of the car and each took a child's hand, and I followed Julie down the path. As we turned a corner of the path, and I looked up and gasped.

Before me lay the most glorious sight. It looked as though someone had taken a great vat of gold and poured it down over the mountain peak and slopes. The flowers were planted in majestic, swirling patterns, great ribbons and swaths of deep orange, white, lemon yellow, salmon pink, saffron, and butter yellow. Each different-colored variety was planted as a group so that it swirled and flowed like its own river with its own unique hue.

Five acres of the most beautiful flowers I had ever seen!

"Who planted all these?" I asked Julie.

"It's just one woman," Julie answered, "She lives on the property. That's her home," and she pointed to a well-kept A-frame house that looked small and modest in the midst of all that glory.

We walked up to the house and on the little patio we saw a poster ...

Answers to the Questions
I Know You Are Asking

50,000 bulbs
one at a time
by one woman
2 hands, 2 feet
and very little brain
Began in 1958

There it was ... "The Daffodil Principle"

For me that moment was a life-changing experience. I thought of this woman whom I had never met, who, more than thirty-five years before, had begun - one bulb at a time - to bring her vision of beauty and joy to an obscure mountain top.

Still, This unknown, old woman had forever changed the world in which she lived. She had created something of magnificent beauty, and inspiration.

The principle her daffodil garden taught is one of the greatest principles of celebration:

* learning to move toward our goals and desires one step at a time,
(often just one baby-step at a time)
* learning to love the doing,
* learning to use the accumulation of time

When we multiply tiny pieces of time with small increments of daily effort, we too will find we can accomplish magnificent things. We can change the world.

"It makes me sad in a way," I admitted to Julie, "What might I have accomplished if I had thought of a wonderful goal thirty-five years ago and had worked away at it 'one bulb at a time' through all those years. Just think what I might have been able to achieve!"

My daughter summed up the message of the day in her direct way, "Start tomorrow, Mom," she said, "It's so pointless to think of the lost hours of our yesterdays. The way to make learning a lesson a celebration instead of a cause for regret is to only ask ... "

"How can I put this to use today?"

Author - Jaroldeen Asplund Edwards

My dragon photo used for educational project

2008-04-02T18:12:00.001+01:00

Dragon on Sheffield Midland Station
Originally uploaded by lizjones112

I don't mind too much when people use my photos as long as they don't use them for commercial purposes. I particularly liked this use of my photograph of a dragon on Sheffield station

Celebrating Linda Smith

2008-04-02T17:30:00.006+01:00

Linda Smith
Originally uploaded by Alun Salt

Last night I went to a show celebrating the great and very funny Linda Smith at The Studio at the Crucible here in Sheffield which was where she went to university met her boyfriend Warren and lived for many years. She was once voted the wittiest person on radio.
She was a lovely warm friendly and intelligent person, it's so sad she died so young. The show last night was both funny and moving, you wanted Linda to be there delivering her material in hew own inimitable style. Which you can see here.

Tiggy

2008-03-31T18:06:00.001+01:00

Tiggy in the garden
Originally uploaded by Ms. Moll

I got in from work this evening and was rather surprised to hear loud and slightly pitiful meowing from the attic bedroom! Somehow Tiggy, next doors cat had got into my house, I thought I'd locked the cat flap as we no longer have a cat. But obviously not;the problem seemed to be that poor Tiggy couldn't work out how to get out again. Maybe it's because I've been feeding him for a few days he thought he'd pay me a visit!

Frogs Crossing

2008-03-31T17:57:00.001+01:00

Frogs Crossing
Originally uploaded by Bobby:

I saw a frogs crossing sign today, it had a sticker on it saying RANA I wasn't sure what that meant but apparently it's the genus name for frogs.

Clutter, declutter, clutter, declutter...the rich cycle of life...

2008-03-31T17:52:00.001+01:00

Clutter, declutter, clutter, declutter...the rich cycle of life...
Originally uploaded by Vimrod1

Anyone who knows me will know why this made me laugh. It's just that I don't don't get around to the declutter very often!

Lunch at the Blue Moon Cafe

2008-03-29T18:12:00.000Z

Blue Moon Cafe
Originally uploaded by evissa

I had a lovely lunch with one of my oldest friends Alexandra today at the Blue Moon Cafe. This was followed by a potter around town and catching up on the gossip. I also got lovely presents for my birthday.

Getting the Giggles

2008-03-29T13:21:00.000Z

Unfortunately I missed poor Charlotte Green getting the giggles on Today on Radio 4 yesterday morning but they played it again on PM. Poor Charlotte was reading the 8am news, there was an item about a very old sound recording that had been found. While it was playing a colleague commented to her that it sounded like a bumble bee caught in a jar. Unfortunately the next item was an obituary as Charlotte valiantly tried to get through the item she was taken over by the giggles, even when her colleague James Naughtie tried to rescue her he also was having trouble.
If you missed it it's here

House

2008-03-26T20:17:00.001Z

Serie de TV - House
Originally uploaded by smirk.wordpress.com - 5

I kind of like the TV series House, and have watched quite a few episodes of it on DVD since Sarah introduced me to it. However maybe it's because I'm a nurse I find my self being slightly cynical about the plots. There seems to be a formula to it. Let me explain….
It always starts with someone collapsing or having some sort of "funny turn" almost always in front of other people. It then cuts to the titles. Then we see House arriving at the hospital; being greeted by one of his team who he is normally horrible to making disparaging comments about them or their personal life. They then manage to get him interested in the case by it being something so unusual that no one else could possibly figure out what has caused the illness. His arrogance is almost always what drives him. He will then convene a meeting of the team with the obligatory flip chart or whiteboard taking center stage. The team then comes up with a series of theories which House then shoots down in flames. The most obvious investigative procedure to allow them to reach a diagnosis then proves impossible to do because the patient is allergic to the contrast medium or the scanner is broken. They then proceed to try a series of treatments, often against the teams better judgment, these treatments often make the patient worse but add information to the diagnostic process. At some point one of the team will be dispatched to the patient’s home, place of work or other significant location to try to learn more. Often breaking into the patient’s house or gaining access to their work place by some slightly less than legal means; often placing themselves in danger. The patient or the family will at some point rebel against the suggested treatment plan but are eventually won over by House's slightly less than ethical persuasive consultation style. The patient will then have several medical catastrophes which the team are always on hand to resuscitate them from. Eventually the patient gets better and goes home, almost always in a wheelchair being seen off in the foyer by the team when House for a moment will let his arrogant uncaring façade drop and will show a little humanity and pleasure at seeing the patient well again and going home, but will not loose the opportunity to score points or belittle his team. Occasionally aspects of either Houses private life or his team will encroach on the plot line but these are there to illustrate Houses arrogance and inherent vulnerability, which of course he would never admit.

My Birthday in Prague

2008-03-15T16:08:00.003Z

The day dawned with beautiful blue skys and presents and a card from Colett.
We set off to explore the Hradcany area of the city and the palace.

The views across the city were great but it was very busy around the palace and cathedral

the hill up to the palace was a little steep Colette made a friend on the way up the hill.

we explored around the castle a little and wandered around the outside of St Vitus's Cathedral.
We the set off down the hill for a sit down in Old Town Square. The stalls of the easter market filled the square and they even have an easter tree and all the stalls are trimmed with flowers and ribbons.

we then wandered back to the hotel for a rest, our feet were aching!

In the evening we went out for a meal and then explored a few bars. The last bar wasn't quite the typical Prague bar,it was in a cellar with loud rock music, in Prague you usually sit down at a table and someone comes to take your order. After watching for a while we realised that you had to go to the bar, it was my round so I went to the bar and ordered two beers a was a little bemused and Colett was most amused when I was served with two half liters and one slightly smaller beer. She wasn't quite so amused when the same thing happened when she tried to order two beers a little later in the evening.

Day two in Prague

2008-03-14T23:25:00.005Z

Friday was our first full day in Prague. The hotel had internet access but it didn't work too well in our room but it did work in the breakfast room, so after dragging Colett away from Starship battles on Facebook and posting silly messages on my Facebook by accident we headed off into town. The light wasn't so good but we decided to explore the National Museum at the head of Wenceslas Square.The museum is rather dated and dusty a little how I remember museums such as the National Museum in Edinburgh from my childhood, no interactive displays here; just a slightly scary lady "guard" with the second most unbelievable wig I have ever seen and rows and rows of stuffed animals and fossils.
There is also a memorial to Jan Palach who set fire to him self in 1969 as a protest against the Russians presence in Prague.

We then went to explore the Jewish Quarter of the City, the Pinkas Synagogue is one of the many there, the walls are covered with the names of the many thousands of people from the area who's lives were lost in the holocaust; 77,279 people.

The weather then got a bit cold and wet, the perfect excuse to find a bar, the one Sarah and John had recommended to us The Hany Bany. were we had a "few" beers and the wandered back to the Hotel via the most surreal Tescos well it seemed odd to us but maybe that was the beer but it only sold booze, chocolates, stationary and toiletries;just the essentials of life then.

First Day in Prague

2008-03-13T23:51:00.000Z

Colett and I arrived in Prague about 4pm after a very early start, taxi at 4.30am! We got to our hotel without any problem, the light was wonderful, I couldn't wait to get out for a walk.

We walked down to the river the first subject for photography was the Fred and Ginger Building.

We walked along the river and then across Charles Bridge, the sky was really interesting. We then walked across Charles Bridge the light was starting to go a little but the colours were lovely behind the many statues.

We eventually found a bar to get some food in it was an interesting bar called The Parachutist the walls were covered in World War 2 phptographs, many of which seemed to be Nazi propaganda.
The food was interesting, I had goulash with some sort of potatoes and onion fritters they called them pancakes.

Tory Peers 's veiws on nurses

2008-03-06T14:04:00.004Z

Nurse Flo
Originally uploaded by :::Mat:::

While nurses no longer look like the image here I would like to defend the nurses I work with and managed for some time.

A Tory Peer recent;y made a statement in the house an extract follows

When I was taken ill, I was taken to an accident and emergency department in a hospital not in London but in the West Country. I can tell your Lordships only that it is a miracle that I am still alive. It was exactly as the noble Baroness described the hospital down in Maidstone in Kent. I will not tell your Lordships which hospital I was in, but the wards were filthy. Underneath the bed next to me was a piece of dirty cotton wool, and there it remained for seven days; the ward was never cleaned. It was a gastroenterology ward, with lots of people with very unpleasant infectious diseases. The ward, the tables, the beds and the bathrooms were not cleaned. I was extremely infectious at that time and no precautions were taken with me at all. The staff were furious when my wife wanted my bed cleaned when it clearly needed cleaning. I was just lying there, a pathetic person. It was appalling.

The nurses, who probably are the most important people in this complex area, were what I would describe as an accurate reflection of many young women in Britain today. What do I mean by that? I shall now break your Lordships’ rules and read the next bit, because I thought very hard before I wrote it. The nurses who looked after me—not all of them; we should never generalise and there were one or two wonderful ones—were mostly grubby, with dirty fingernails and hair. They were slipshod, lazy and, worst of all, drunken and promiscuous. How do I know that? If you are a patient, lying in a bed and being nursed from either side, the nurses talk across you as if you are not there. I know exactly what they got up to the night before. I know how much they drank and what they were planning to do the next night, and it was pretty horrifying.

While I obviously can't speak for the nursing staff in that particular hospital there are a few points that should be considered.

First is his rather sweeping statement about these nurses being an accurate representation of young women in Britain today, Just how many of them has he met? I would also like to wonder if the people he was describing were nurses ie qualified staff, you only have the right to describe your self as a nurse if you hold a registered qualification. These young women were probably very underpaid and over worked care assistants. While I agree that they shouldn't be exchanging gossip over a patients head I think to tar all "nurses" with the same brush is very unfair and should not be based on one experience. Working as a care assistant or Nursing Auxiliary as they are known in some hospitals is poorly paid and very hard work. They have to work all sorts of antisocial hours including nights and weekends.They have to give the majority of the personal care that patients need because the "nurses" time is taken up com pleating extensive paperwork, administering medications, planning care, meeting and liaising with the multidisciplinary team, doing dressings, supporting ward rounds, the list is endless. In an ideal world care would be given at the bedside by trained nurses, But they are an expensive resource, although they remain relatively poorly paid when compared against many other professions. The majority of HCAs in my experience are kind, experienced and very hard working people.

My next point would be if hospitals are not cleaned properly it is because hospital cleaning services were contracted out to the private sector in many hospitals; fortunately not in mine. Also if he saw there was a grubby piece of cotton wool under a bed why didn't he ask someone to clear it away instead of sitting there staring at it. If he was well enough to notice this he can't of been that "pathetic". I admit that there are lots of faults in the NHS but the majority of the time it provides an excellent service and staff work very hard to ensure that people get the best possible care. Resources are often wasted on attempts to meet meaningless and ill considered targets, See my post re Deep Cleaning.

SatNav

2008-03-06T13:42:00.004Z

SatNav
Originally uploaded by Andy Wilkes

Those of you who have had the dubious pleasure of travelling in my car will know that I have a sat nav. It is a little eccentric as all sat navs can be. We are all to familiar with the news stories about people, especailly lorries getting stuck on narrow country lanes or under low bridges. But I must speak in defence of sat navs and my use of them. I can read a map, I even got my Girl Guide map reading badge. I even know how to use a silva compass take bearings and orrientate and ordanance survey map. Unfortunatly I am blessed or other wise with a poor sense of direction, we can't all be good at everything!. My other point is that it is very difficult to read a map when you are driving. I used to be a bit nervous about going to places I hadn't been to before as I was worried that if I couldn't follow the directions I had been given for some reason I would have to stop, work out where I was on the map and then rethink my route. At least I know now that if I do go off course my sat nav will guide me back to where I want to be. Yes it talks at me in a very irritating manner and; yes I give those of my friends who can map read and do have a good sense of direction full permission to turn the "bloody thing" off and navigate for me. However when I am driving on my own to places I have never been before it does help me find where I am going. The important thing for people who use sat navs is not to suspend their use of common sense. Do these lorry drivers not look at the road signs warning them of low bridges?! The only gripe I have with my sat nav apart from the irriating voices is that it is quite some time since the map software was updated so occasionally it tells me to turn down a road that is now blocked off or suggests I return to the nearest road when I am on some stretches of new road.

Kylie Minogue markets new range of bed linen- be careful what you shop for!

2008-03-06T13:16:00.008Z

Kylie Minogue MTV Music Awards 2000
Originally uploaded by Boy Billy

I see in the press that the glamorous pop princess Kylie Minogue has launched a new designer range of bed linen. I hope not too may people will be disappointed as if they do a Google search on "Kylie" and "bed" what comes up are the incontinence products that have been used in nursing homes and hospitals since Florence was a lass.

girl in pink with padlock in an interesting location

2008-02-28T13:09:00.001Z

girl in pink with padlock in an interesting location
Originally uploaded by lizjones112

This picture adorns the doors that front an unused shop unit at Meadowhall shoping centre in Sheffield. They apparently are pictures of local people. What amused me was the location of the padlock!

Badger

2008-02-28T12:06:00.001Z

Badger
Originally uploaded by sarah259

I saw the strangest thing driving to work this morning! What with the earthquake I'm beginning to doubt my sanity. I was queuing in traffic on Derby Road in Chesterfield. Just north of the Angel pub when I saw a badger running along the pavement. It was obviously very frightened; it met a man walking the other way who looked most surprised but continued to chat on his mobile. The badger then tried to get through a wrought iron garden gate it got stuck for a moment and then amanged to squeeze through and it ran off.

WTF!

2008-02-27T21:01:00.001Z

WTF!
Originally uploaded by lizjones112

The earthquake woke me about 1am this morning. I was almost convinced I was dreaming ! I wrote my self this note so I wouldn't either forget my dream or I could check in the morning and promptly went back to sleep. Needless to say it didn't wake Ben!

Prague

2008-02-25T19:48:00.001Z

Reflection
Originally uploaded by Ms. Moll

I am just beginning to get excited about going to Prague for a long weekend for my birthday.
Despite my cold I have managed to book travel insurance and order my money for mine and Coletts trip.
Thanks to Sarah for picture, I just hope I get some photographs anywere near as good as hers.

I've got a cold and I'm fed up!

2008-02-24T19:43:00.000Z

April 9 - The common cold
Originally uploaded by nates365days

Can't think of anything else to say but pass me a tissue.

Deep Clean

2008-02-22T20:05:00.000Z

make it clean and bright
Originally uploaded by Fluff on the lens

The hospital I work at is part of the governments Deep Clean . This has involved the walls and radiators being cleaned by outside contractors. The rest has been done by clinical staff. There has been no additional staffing for this, it's not really part of my job at the moment but I have been trying to help the staff on the ward where my office is situated. They have had to wash down every piece of equipment, every bed, locker, wheelchair..... every piece of clinical kit. Every room has had to be turned out and scrubbed! This is all very well but the hospital is due for some major refurbishments in the next few weeks, including new floors, work on the roof etc. Would it not have made more sense to wait a little.
?

Mad or what?

2008-02-20T19:03:00.002Z

Cold or what?
Originally uploaded by jaclynhanson

My Peugeot has a temperature gauge, it flashes in a slightly irritating fashion if the outside temperature is 3 degrees, 2 degrees, 1degree,0 degrees, -1 degrees, -2 degrees and -3 degrees. However it stops flashing at -4 degrees and lower! How stupid is that?! i presume the reason for it flashing at you is to alert you to the fact that the road might be icy. So isn't the road even more likely to be icy if its even colder! maybe it never gets that cold in France, so the manufactures never thought it would get that cold!

The Lowry

2008-02-16T19:10:00.001Z

the golden hour
Originally uploaded by lizjones112

I visited The Lowry on Salford Quays today I went with Colett. We only looked at one exhibition, a wonderful collection of photographs by Harold Riley. But the best thing about the place is the building it's self. It is a wonderful place inside and out.

Visiting Mum

2008-02-11T19:21:00.000Z

miniature daffodil
Originally uploaded by lizjones112

Ben and went to visit Mum today. Her garden is always somewhere to discover something interesting. There is always something to photograph. These beautiful daffodils are miniature ones in a pot in Mum's garden. They are tiny!

St John the Baptist Dronfield

2008-02-08T19:31:00.000Z

St John the Baptist Dronfield
Originally uploaded by lizjones112

I went for a wander round Dronfield this afternoon with Sarah. we went to have a look around the Church which is rather beautiful. Unusually for these days the church was unlocked the stained glass windows are lovely.

Ashes to Ashes

2008-02-08T13:34:00.001Z

Gene Hunt's Audi Quattro
Originally uploaded by cybertect

I don't know if anyone else watched Ashes to ashes last night. It is a follow up to "Life on Mars". This is set in the early 80's; a glamerous and intelligent female police officer with an interest in psychology suddely finds her self transported from 2007 back to 1981. It was slightly odd, needed a big stretch of the imagination but it was fun too.

Daemons

2007-12-08T17:41:00.000Z

Sicko

2007-11-12T23:45:00.001Z

Nurses promote Sicko
Originally uploaded by deanocratforever

I've just been to see Sicko, a film by Micheal Moore. It is about how the American health care system compares with health care in other country's; UK, France Canada and Cuba. It was a scary inditement of American health care. Slightly let down by over dramatising and a comparison of USA care against the health care given to detainees in Guantanamo which to be honest bordered on torture, subjecting the inmates to excessive and intrusive and invasive investigations and supposed screening. It also revealed some flaws in our system such as the massive amounts GP's appear to be paid considering they on the whole no longer provide an out of hours service. I'm not denying that most GP's do very good work or that they are encouraged to practice preventative medicine is a good thing; but I do worry about the accessibility of primary health care. All this said it should be compulsory viewing for any one involved in planning or commissioning health care.

poppies for rememberance

2007-11-11T21:32:00.001Z

poppies for rememberance
Originally uploaded by lizjones112

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

I got picked again for pick of the week and only just found out....

2007-11-04T15:23:00.001Z

bee
Originally uploaded by lizjones112

I have just looked at the Sheffield Flickr blog and found I got "picked for pick of the week at the end of September and I didn't even know!

E petition to Downing Street and their reply!

2007-11-03T20:06:00.001Z

Nurseratios - epetition reply

31 October 2007

We received a petition asking:

"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to set statutory minimum nurse: patient ratios in hospital wards."

Details of Petition:

"A growing body of research evidence shows that increases in the number of patients cared for by each nurse leads to increases in hospital-acquired infections, pressure ulcers, malnutritition, dehydration and patient mortality. This also leads to increased levels of stress, demoralisation and "burn-out" among nurses. We therefore feel it is vital to tackle the understaffing of hospital wards. The government should set statutory minimum nurse:patient ratios, with penalties for NHS Trusts that fail to achieve these ratios."

* Read the petition
* Petitions home page

Read the Government's response

The Government believe nurse leaders should have the freedom to determine their own staffing ratios according to local conditions. They are best placed to make decisions based on many complex factors, not the least of which is that healthcare today is a team-based activity, and patients are best served when the staff involved in their care work together to meet their needs.

The Government's view is that imposing minimal levels for nursing staff to patient ratios could be detrimental to patient care. The number of staff at any one time will vary according to skill mix, clinical practice and local factors. Furthermore, the introduction of any minimal level may be seen as being the norm, with NHS Trusts no longer aiming for an optimal level.

Workforce planning is a matter for local determination as local workforce planners are best placed to asses the healthcare needs of their local population. The Department of Health continues to ensure that frameworks are in place to enable effective local workforce planning.

Since 1997, the NHS has seen record levels of investment - from £34.7billion in 1997/98 to over £90billion in 2007/08 to £110billion by 2010/11 - and a period of significant expansion in the workforce. The number of qualified nurses, midwives and health visitors has increased by almost 80,000 to over 398,000 in England. The last few years has seen more nurses working in the NHS than ever before.

This unprecedented growth in the workforce has been the key to driving down waiting times and improving the delivery of treatment and care across the NHS.

A lesson in life...

2007-10-31T20:15:00.000Z

spacehopper
Originally uploaded by lizjones112

This space hopper was at the science park at Snibstone. Having one of these as a child taught me two valuable lessons; one that I have no sense of balance two that the things you wish for are often not what you thought they would be, I desperately wanted one of these and even more a pogo stick. They looked so much fun, I never mastered either of them!

Sculpture at Chatsworth

2007-10-30T17:56:00.000Z

myth (sphinx) 2
Originally uploaded by lizjones112

After faffing around all morning most of it trying to get internet access I headed of to Chatsworth to catch the last few days of the sculpture Exhibition Beyond Limits

A day off

2007-10-29T23:00:00.000Z

rivelin waterfall
Originally uploaded by lizjones112

Another go at waterfall photography, but the light wasn't too good. Then over to Ikea for photo frames then tea with Lise.

A year of blogging...

2007-10-28T22:00:00.000Z

devils in motion
Originally uploaded by lizjones112

A busy day today, off out for Fright Night with Sarah and John. I was too tired to really enjoy it last nights over indulgence catching up with me! But I got a few decent pictures. This reminded me that I have been keeping this blog for a year now. A lot seems to have happened, a year in my new job now. I think I'm just begining to get the hang of it, no major disasters and even more important not one letter of complaint and quite a few lovely thank you letters.

sun through the trees

2007-10-28T16:33:00.000Z

sun through the trees
Originally uploaded by lizjones112

Just after I had dropped Alexandra and Collette of the sun came out so I turned round and headed back out to Grindleford. I wanted to try my new tripod out. I got a few good shots. I think I need more practice.

Just the cure for a hangover!

2007-10-28T12:28:00.000Z

we don't like to make rules but...
Originally uploaded by lizjones112

Alexandra, Collettte and I headed off to Grindleford cafe for breakfast this morning, perfect cure for a hangover.

Show me the way to go home...

2007-10-28T09:30:00.000Z

Glass Wine Hand
Originally uploaded by Zigs1

Last night found me at a party with one of my oldest friends Alexandra. It's a good job I was with her, although I don't think I'm too popular for making her walk the long way home last night. I have lived were I do for about 20 years. The party was only two streets away, i have found out this morning I made her walk home a very long way round, no wonder my feet hurt this morning!

Headlines like this make me So cross...

2007-10-27T20:00:00.000+01:00

This headline made me so cross, yes I know I shouldn't take any notice of the "red tops" but lots of people do; many of them my patients and their relatives. The story is about the recent recommendations made by the Resuscitation Council and supported by the Royal College of Nursing. These proposed that experienced nurses especially Consultant Nurses have the right to decide that resuscitation is not appropriate should the patient suffer a cardiac or respiratory arrest. It is not about a nurse choosing who should die. If a patient suffers an arrest then there is little chance of survival, the person is obviously very ill and it is rare to "bring someone back" it's not like on the TV or in films. There are many situations when the patient would not wish to be resuscitated; if their condition is terminal or they consider their quality of life to be very poor. It is often a nurse that a patient will share their views and discuss their feelings about their treatment, rather than a senior doctor on a hurried ward round in front of other patients. In addition to this there are many patients now that are under the care of a consultant nurse rather than a doctor. This is not about nurses choosing who should die, it is about the nurse involved ensuring a patients wishes are respected and allowing these people to die with dignity.

Fran Landesman

2007-10-27T17:00:00.000+01:00

I just heard this one Womans Hour, and she's right we all have scars and imperfections whether physical or psychological.

SCARS

Don't be ashamed
Everybody's got scars
From our various wars
On the way to the stars

Don't try to hide
Everybody's got scars
From crashlanding on mars
With these egos of ours

Theres the one on your knee
Where you fell off your bike
Or the bite from a babe
that you love but don't like
Theres the mess that you made
without counting the cost
Or the cut from a blade
Or the child that you lost

Don't be ashamed
If your covered with scars
On this planet of ours
Thats the way we keep scores
So I'll show you my scars
If you show me yours

In the streets and the bars
Everybody's got scars
On their way to the stars
Everybody's got scars

(lyrics by Fran Landesman
music by Simon Wallace)

The problems and joys of photoshop

2007-10-27T16:07:00.000+01:00

I was wandering around town on Saturday afternoon, when one of those market research ladies accosted me. Seeing as I wasn't in a particular rush I agreed to participate. An unexpected bonus was gaining entry into Channing Hall. The light wasn't very good but I did manage to get this shot down the lovely spiral staircase but there were two bright yellow warning signs at the bottom, I have tried to photoshop them out badly! Of well I'll have another go some time or maybe it would be easier to go back and move the signs.

Tarot

2007-10-26T20:25:00.001+01:00

Witchcraft day / Giornata della Stregoneria
Originally uploaded by Gil-Blas

This reading is my first ever tarot reading so I suppose I can’t be sure of my interpretation of the cards so most of this is what my book says with some of my own interpretation.

1) The person in question.
The Three Swords
This card indicates a tension between three people, a situation were love is involved.
2) Possibilities or problems.
The Hermit
This indicates that the person in question needs to take time out for them self, regain energies, gather thoughts, take refuge in their own company and be more self aware.
3) The best course of action
The five of Pentacles
This card warns of financial disaster loss of security of some kind that has occurred recently or else is on the way.
4) Influences in the past.
The Magician.
This is a preparation card, warning you to bring all elements of your life together: love, emotions, action, finances and morality. This is in preparation for changes ahead so that you can handles situations correctly.
5) Current atmosphere.
The Fool
This card denotes a new beginning and spontaneity. New experiences and directions are occurring so accept the process of change. You will be taking a risk or a step forward without really knowing the outcome, but the joy and excitement is in the experience of change not in the end result.
6) Short Term future
The Knight of Wands
This card indicates soul searching looking for answers, until that person find the answer they are looking for it would be futile to try to pin them down in a committed relationship. Wait and the person in question will be rewarded with a life long friend or lover.
7) The present state of the situation.
The Queen of wands
This card indicates a woman with a deep desire to be the centre of attention. She is charismatic and charming and knows precisely how to use her charms in order to benefit herself in life. She is often exotic in appearance and prefers bright or striking colours or styles of fashion. She is crafty with both her hands and her mind. She would do well to go into a public career.
8) Outside Influences
The King of Wands
A man who is relaxed and none judgemental. dealing with problems in his life with ease. He has a welcoming and giving nature that is devoid of any competitive streak. He is in touch with nature.
9)The home environment
The lovers
This card indicates an instant chemistry between two people. An intimate relationship formed by a chance meeting in which fate takes a part.
10) Subconscious feelings
The ten of Wands
This card indicates that you are currently going through a lot of stresses and strains . You have many responsibilities but you are quite capable of handling them so don’t worry too much.
11)Long-term fate.
The 7 of cups
This card indicates that there are a lot of appealing opportunities on offer to you currently. Indeed there are so many you maybe unsure of which to choose. Which ever one you choose will prove rewarding and emotionally fulfilling.

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I'm bored...I think I might go and instigate an altercation...

2007-10-17T22:11:00.001+01:00

I'm bored...I think I might go and instigate an altercation...
Originally uploaded by Vimrod1

one of my favorite poems

2007-10-17T22:00:00.000+01:00

He wishes for the Cloths of Heaven
by W.B. Yeats

Had I the heavens' embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread upon my dreams.

Tragic Life Stories

2007-09-26T14:57:00.000+01:00

I saw this book genre in Smiths the other day! I wonder why these types of books are so popular, is it that reading these stories makes us feel better about our own lives or is it morbid curiosity. Is the need to spectate on others lives in this way akin to the need some people seem to have for reality TV programmes, the news agents are full of magazines that detail tragic and sensationalised episodes from peoples lives.Even more puzzling is why people want to share deeply personal and often embarrassing information about them selves? It would be nice to think that sharing their experiences helped people to come to terms with the things that have happened to them. However I feel that it is more likely that they profit from publishing their stories and while I am sure many of these accounts are true there are some that seem less than credible.

Corner Shop

2007-09-22T12:16:00.000+01:00

I was in our local corner shop this morning and witnessed the following. An old gentleman was having trouble finding what he needed. One of the assistants helped him find what he was looking for. Then he went to the counter to pay; by this point it had become obvious to me that he had very limited vision. He offered a five and ten pound note, he obviously didn't know their value. The assistant told him which note was which, helped him sort his change out and made sure he got a receipt. Maybe I'm cynical but I can't imagine an assistant showing that level of consideration in a big supermarket. I know I use the big supermarkets but as a busy single Mum working way more hours than I am paid for I do find them convenient. However i would hate to see a time when corner shops didn't exist.

A Difficult choice!

2007-07-17T21:28:00.000+01:00

As some of you will know I am a nurse, today in the post I received my RCN ballot paper. I am asked to vote on whether we should take industrial action regarding the recent pay offer.
This is a very difficult issue for nurses, we have a Code of Conduct which says we should do our patients no harm either by act or omission. However I firmly believe that our patients deserve to receive care from people who are skilled and knowledgeable and that if we wish to attract and retain these types of people to the profession they should be adequately renumerated. We are expected at even at staff nurse level to be educated to almost degree level, nurses during their training receive a pitifully low bursary. Many senior nurses are educated to Masters level, never mind all the other vocational courses we need to undertake to progress in our careers; many of these undertaken in our own time.We work antisocial hours and do a job that involves us in m any intimate and distressing aspects of peoples bodily functions and their emotional lives too. However I also believe that nursing is a profession I am very proud to belong to and this pride in my job and mt profession means that I could not take any industrial action that would compromise standards of patient care.

Electricity Pylons

2007-07-15T21:20:00.000+01:00

Electricity Pylons
Originally uploaded by flickrzak
I heard this poem on Radio 4 today, I'd never heard it before but I love it and it's amazing how contemporaneous with todays concerns it is

Inexpensive Progress
Encase your legs in nylons,
Bestride your hills with pylons
O age without a soul;
Away with gentle willows
And all the elmy billows
That through your valleys roll.
Let's say goodbye to hedges
And roads with grassy edges
And winding country lanes;
Let all things travel faster
Where motor car is master
Till only Speed remains.
Destroy the ancient inn-signs
But strew the roads with tin signs
'Keep Left,' 'M4,' 'Keep Out!'
Command, instruction, warning,
Repetitive adorning
The rockeried roundabout;
For every raw obscenity
Must have its small 'amenity,'
Its patch of shaven green,
And hoardings look a wonder
In banks of floribunda
With floodlights in between.
Leave no old village standing
Which could provide a landing
For aeroplanes to roar,
But spare such cheap defacements
As huts with shattered casements
Unlived-in since the war.
Let no provincial High Street
Which might be your or my street
Look as it used to do,
But let the chain stores place here
Their miles of black glass facia
And traffic thunder through.
And if there is some scenery,
Some unpretentious greenery,
Surviving anywhere,
It does not need protecting
For soon we'll be erecting
A Power Station there.
When all our roads are lighted
By concrete monsters sited
Like gallows overhead,
Bathed in the yellow vomit
Each monster belches from it,
We'll know that we are dead.
________________________________________
From "High and Low" (1966) & "Collected Poems"
© The Estate of John Betjeman

stained glass window detail st. neots

2007-07-01T19:18:00.000+01:00

stained glass window detail st. neots
Originally uploaded by lizjones112

Today was rather wet! Decided to go and find St. Neots Church the stained glass windows there are stunning then on to Landhyrock a National Trust property, the house is very interesting and I particularly liked the kitchens but for reasons I don't understand they don't allow you to take photographs there!

View from terrace of my holiday cottage

2007-06-30T21:32:00.000+01:00

view from the terrace
Originally uploaded by lizjones112

Today was a quick visit to Clyst Honiton to see the family grave and hopefully the stained glass window dedicated to the Gould branch of the family. Then on to the cottage I had rented for the week having stocked up on a weeks shopping on the way. The cottage or should I say flat is very nice and the view is stunning, unfortunately the weather isn’t too good!

To Avebury

2007-06-29T21:23:00.000+01:00

stones avebury
Originally uploaded by lizjones112

Well today has seemed a long day! The day started with breakfast at the Black Horse, a good cooked breakfast I was further entertained by one of my favourite hobbies ; people watching a couple came down to breakfast, the poor bloke he couldn’t do anything right, what ever he did she criticised. A quick wander around town and especially the inside of the church and then off to Avebury, a pleasant surprise it is a National Trust property so no entrance charge or car parking to pay as I am a member of the Scottish National Trust. On the way he I went past Silbury hill I know this is the biggest man made prehistoric structure but I’m afraid I was distinctly under whelmed, I was interested by the work that English Heritage is doing apparently the top of the hill fell in a while ago. The stone circle was interesting but it was difficult to get a real sense of it as it skirts the village. The gardens of the manor house and the church were an added bonus.
I then set off to drive south aiming for Exeter as the aim was to visit the church at Clyst Honiton where there is a family grave and a window in the church dedicated to the Gould line of the family.
I eventually found a nice pub to stay in at Otterton near Budliegh Salterton which must be the most English place name ever! A slightly dodgy half hour when I thought I was going to run out of petrol though but found some eventually when the car was running on the fumes at the bottom of the tank.

The Black Horse Cirencester

2007-06-28T22:05:00.001+01:00

The Black Horse Cirencester
Originally uploaded by lizjones112

Holiday Day one

2007-06-28T21:58:00.000+01:00

Left home about 11am, no point in rushing, I’m on holiday! Got to Cirencester via the Fosse Way, with a few detours due to me missing a few tunings the main mistake being missing my exit from the M1 but that didn’t turn out to badly as I was soon back on track. I drove through lots of lovely villages but decided not to stop until I got to Cirencester as I had made a late start. The town seems quintessentially English, if a little posh ! I wandered into the Tourist Information office to enquire about a B&B, they asked me how much I wanted to spend, I made the mistake of saying cheap! I was informed that they don’t do “cheap”. Oh well! I decided to look for my self found a room at The Black Horse a nice old pub with internet access although it turned out that wasn’t free. Went for a wander around town the old church St John the Baptist is very beautiful it’s one of the great “wool” churches of the Cotswolds. I went into a charity shop I spotted a nice shoulder bag, £4.99, I totally confused to lady in there by giving her a twenty pound note and asking if I could I could have some pound coins in my change, this had her totally flummoxed, for a start she gave me a tenner, a fiver and a penny, right of course, I then asked very nicely if I could have some pound coins instead of the five pound note. She then proceeded to fish around in the till and give me five one pound coins and the five pound note, even when I pointed out her mistake she wasn’t too sure and didn’t seem to believe me that she shouldn’t give me twenty pounds back.

Water water....

2007-06-25T18:24:00.001+01:00

Heeley Bridge
Originally uploaded by Evil Yoda

Well getting home from work today was interesting. It normally takes me about 1/2 an hour to get home. Today it took about 2 1/2 hours, I took so many detours to avoid roads blocked by floods> I drove home throught the Peak District rather than trying to get through Chesterfield whic was gridlocked. Even when I got back into Sheffield it took ages to get back home This photograph was just one of the floods I encountered. Do you think I should buy a boat on ebay?

Holiday plans

2007-06-24T22:40:00.001+01:00

Determinedly straight
Originally uploaded by florriebassingbourn

As you will have read I'm off on holiday soon, driving down to Cornwall in one go seemed a bit of a tall order and not relaxing. So I have decided to take a more interesting and long winded route south I'm going to go south as as Leicester then follow the Fosse way as near as i can.

Mum's garden

2007-06-24T22:31:00.001+01:00

red rose
Originally uploaded by lizjones112

Visited my Mum today her garden always holds great photo opportunities!