Thanks for carrying on with this
."Mental indigestion" is a brilliant expression!
| The CBB http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/ | |
| The Calendar - 3 May http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=8934 |
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| Author: | abbeybufo [ Fri Dec 31, 2010 8:34 pm ] |
| Post subject: | The Calendar - 3 May |
This is a follow-on from The Advent Calendar - a Secret Santa Drabble Prologue 31 December Dearest Mamma I am so sorry about the mix-up with the calendar envelopes. I had a deadline at the end of November and was rushing to try and get half-a-dozen things done at the same time! I know I keep saying I’ll retire, but then more interesting stuff comes in to edit, and off I go again. You will be pleased to know that I am only working part time now, though: just on the things Guthrie thinks no one else is up to doing — and I don’t accept all of those; there are plenty of experienced editors in the office really, but I’m weaning Guthrie off me as much as I can. It seems that my mistake wasn’t exactly disastrous, if Stephen is to be believed? I’m thankful for that, and hope you will get a year’s worth of pleasure from the calendar. It’s amazing what can be done with digital printing these days. Some of the photos are mine, from when we were actually in the places, others I’ve found or begged from other members of the family. Peggy gave me September’s, for instance, from some pictures she found among Auntie Mollie’s stuff when she was clearing out. Anyway, I had them all blown up to the same size, and printed with calendar pages beneath. I was tempted to put Bruno on the cover, but thought he didn’t really fit with the places, and then what about Rufus, who had first place in your heart! ! — so I’ve made a card of them and send it with every good wish for a Guid New Year, as they say hereabouts. Donald and Miggie are very grateful for their cheques – Donald realised with some awe that this would be his last one, as he’ll count as a grown-up before next Christmas. He’s had conditional offers from various universities, but is still uncertain whether he wants to stay in Scotland, or come south, to do his law degree. Miggie is deciding on subjects for her Highers. Malcolm is doing quite well with his new hip, though they think he may need a knee done soon, so I’m glad we didn’t attempt the drive south for Christmas. We’ll come in the better weather, by one means or another. He sends his love, as do the children – I’ll have to stop calling them that, soon, won’t I? Your loving daughter, Con Joey closed the card, and looked again at the two photographs on the front. Yes, they were Rufus and Bruno – she’d thought at first it was a coincidental likeness. How clever of Con!
The course the three had taken was easily seen for the heavy dews showed their tracks quite plainly. They had gone straight across the field, through the back gate, and on to the head of the valley. That meant that they were going over the Tiern Pass, and Joey guessed that they would be obliged to travel fairly slowly once they reached the foot of the Tiernjoch, for the path was a rough one, and Elisaveta was no climber. She herself was a good mountaineer for her age. She had climbed the Tiernjoch by herself as far as the narrow ledge, where accidents sometimes occurred, and she had been right to the summit with Herr Mensch, Frieda’s father, who was a great mountaineer, having tackled most of the Dolomite peaks, as well as climbing all round the great limestone mountains which surrounded the Tiern See. She had no fear, so long as they did not turn off to the high road and use a motor. The dawn was filling the sky with rosy clouds by the time she reached the foot of the great Tiernjoch, which hung frowningly over the green valley. She had stopped once, to get a drink of milk and a roll at the little Gasthaus beyond Lauterbach, the tiny hamlet near the head of the valley. She had also bought two more rolls, and some Blaubeeren Torte, for she guessed it might be difficult to get anything later on in the day. More she did not dare do, for it would cause talk, and, besides she had no means of knowing how far her money had to go. From the Gasthaus to the opening of the pass was a matter of five kilometers, and by the time she had got to the rocky path, which is the beginning of it, Joey felt somewhat tired. A little mountain stream fell over a miniature waterfall into a tiny pool, a little way away from the side of the road. Jo made for it, and lying on her face, drank thirstily. Rufus followed her example, and presently the two rose and went on, feeling much better. ‘Thank goodness,’ said Joey to the dog, ‘we aren’t likely to suffer from thirst. There are streams everywhere round here.’ They marched at the slow mountaineer’s pace which Herr Mensch had taught her, and which she knew she could keep up for sometime longer. They had gone a very little way along the pass when they got the first clue as to the track. Hanging from a little point of rock, and blowing idly about in the breeze, was a square of white material. Joey raced up to it eagerly and snatched it from its perch. She recognized it at once for one of the handkerchiefs Elisaveta had taken with her. ‘Sensible kid,’ said Jo approvingly. ‘Now, I know for certain that they’ve gone this way.’ She tucked the handkerchief into her pocket and went on light-heartedly. She was now in a region which she did not know at all. The rocks overhung the path, a thing for which she was thankful. It was long past noonday and the sun was hot. Joey argued that the two men would not dare to hurry the Princess too much. Cosimo would not want to have her ill on his hands – by this time Joey had firmly made up her mind that it was Cosimo who had taken the Princess! – and she was not strong. It was obvious, therefore, that they would rest. The only thing was that they would not dare to rest long on the pass, which was a highway into Germany, so she must carry on for as long as she could … The calendar was all ready to be opened tomorrow. She had deliberately not looked at it again since Christmas Day, and she had determined not to turn the page until the first of the month, to allow each picture to please her anew; to work its magic, if it would, throughout the year, rather than risking mental indigestion by looking at too much at once, or, worse, anticlimax when a month later in the year was reached, and the picture brought nothing new to her mind. She climbed into bed, with a glass of light wine and a mince pie by the bedside, to eat and drink at the stroke of midnight, and settled with a book until that time should strike on the village church clock. |
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| Author: | Alison H [ Fri Dec 31, 2010 8:57 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - Prologue 31 Dec |
Thanks for carrying on with this ."Mental indigestion" is a brilliant expression! |
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| Author: | Elder in Ontario [ Fri Dec 31, 2010 9:21 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - Prologue 31 Dec |
Glad to see this, Abbeybufo; thank you for starting it. I'm going to be looking forward to seeing each new page as the year unfolds, rather than all at once. I'm another who loves the expression 'mental indigestion.' 
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| Author: | PaulineS [ Sat Jan 01, 2011 1:22 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - Prologue 31 Dec |
thanks for the prologue. It was lovely to come home too after celebrating New year with friends. A happy New Year to all readers. |
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| Author: | lexyjune [ Sat Jan 01, 2011 8:51 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - Prologue 31 Dec |
Thank you so much for this. It was lovely to find it this morning. Another one who is looking forward to reading more each month. |
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| Author: | roversgirl [ Sat Jan 01, 2011 8:51 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - Prologue 31 Dec |
Thanks for the prologue. A nice surprise on New year's day
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| Author: | chris84 [ Sat Jan 01, 2011 11:58 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - Prologue 31 Dec |
Thank you for the prologue, i'm also looking forward to reading more each month. |
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| Author: | jayj [ Sat Jan 01, 2011 2:44 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - Prologue 31 Dec |
This is such a brilliant idea. Thanks very much! |
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| Author: | janetbrown23 [ Sat Jan 01, 2011 2:47 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - Prologue 31 Dec |
What a wonderful idea Abbeybufo, I will look forward to the beginning of each month to see what wonderful memories you give to Joey. |
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| Author: | abbeybufo [ Sat Jan 01, 2011 3:37 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 January |
January New Year’s Day! She had already decided where the calendar should hang. There was a picture-hook above her writing desk, near the big window. There had been a watercolour of the Tiernsee there, but she had moved that into her bedroom. What, she wondered, had January’s picture in store? Once again she drew the calendar from its envelope, which could now be put for recycling, and gazed at a magnificent photograph of the Jungfrau. She remembered her first view of it …
Jo obeyed, and a cry of startled delight broke from her. “Oh, Jack! How – how wonderful!” Then she fell silent with the beauty of it. Before her towered in all its majesty the great snow-crowned Jungfrau with its glacier falling like a bridal veil over one shoulder. Jack gave her a minute or two. Then he drove on again, smiling to himself at her delight. She remained silent a moment or two longer. Then she leaned forward. “Why is she called the Jungfrau, Jack?” “Well, there are various explanations. The most reasonable seems to me to be that the big convent in Interlaken pastured its cows up there. The mountain was called after the Jungfrauen – the nuns.” “I see. What a wonderful welcome to our new home!”… ... Freudesheim! She’d lived there for over 20 years — her three youngest children had been born there and the school had been next door. She would never forget that wonderful view, from the back windows of the house, towards the great mountain; she had missed it since they had moved to England, and now she would have the whole of January to enjoy looking at it again. |
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| Author: | Alison H [ Sat Jan 01, 2011 3:39 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - Prologue 31 Dec |
Thanks for the update, Ruth .I've never tried making one of these photo calendars that are so popular now (I've got local views on my calendar, and January's is Pendle Hill!) but I love the idea of a calendar with each month showing a place that's special to you. |
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| Author: | PaulineS [ Sat Jan 01, 2011 4:23 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 January |
Thank you Ruth. A glorious start to the calendar. |
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| Author: | cal562301 [ Sat Jan 01, 2011 4:35 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 January |
A lovely start to the year. Thanks, Ruth. Looking forward to what the coming months will reveal. |
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| Author: | Elder in Ontario [ Sat Jan 01, 2011 4:54 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 January |
Thank you, Ruth - a lovely start to the New Year. I'll be looking forward to the new view at the start of each month.
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| Author: | Lottie [ Sat Jan 01, 2011 5:09 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 January |
Thanks, Ruth - this is wonderful. I'm really looking forward to seeing what each month brings. |
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| Author: | thefrau46 [ Sat Jan 01, 2011 6:34 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 January |
Thank you. I'm looking forward to February's photo already. |
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| Author: | roversgirl [ Sat Jan 01, 2011 7:29 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 January |
A wonderful start to the year. Thank you
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| Author: | ChubbyMonkey [ Sat Jan 01, 2011 7:40 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 January |
Just read both at once - thankyou, it's so wonderful to be able to relive the series like this, along with Joey! |
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| Author: | chris84 [ Sat Jan 01, 2011 8:42 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 January |
Thank you that was wonderful, i'm also looking forward to what 'memories' februarys photo will recall.
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| Author: | Abi [ Sat Jan 01, 2011 9:23 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 January |
Thanks Ruth; I'm enjoying these looks back. |
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| Author: | JS [ Sun Jan 02, 2011 10:59 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 January |
Thanks - really looking forward to a monthly treat from now on. |
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| Author: | 2nd Gen Fan [ Tue Jan 04, 2011 11:37 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 January |
I loved the Advent calendar, so I am really looking forward to this throufgh the year, what a brilliant idea. |
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| Author: | abbeybufo [ Thu Jan 06, 2011 2:04 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 January |
Epiphany I was going to add this as an ‘envoi’ to The Advent Calendar, but that thread’s been locked, so I'm putting it here … at least it’s in the correct chronological place!  It was always sad having to take down the Christmas cards. She didn’t go in for trees or decorations these days, and the family Nativity figures were at Stephen’s, since he had hosted the family Christmas meal this year. She sorted through all the cards, putting aside those which required letters; only a few, as she had written to most people during December. But there was always someone whose news in their card demanded some kind of response; usually, sadly, because someone close to them had died. Everyone was younger than she, she realised now; or rather, all the cards she had were from younger people. All those years living next to the school had resulted in generations of past pupils keeping in touch with her, which was lovely, of course, if tiring sometimes to write back to everyone. Still, the word processor, which had been Jack’s last birthday present to her, meant she could store her items of news, and incorporate paragraphs at will into any letters going to people who wouldn’t mind a typed response. ‘Maundering again!’ she gave herself a little shake of annoyance. ‘This won’t get the job done.’ She put the bulk of the cards into a bag to take to the village shop, which collected them for charity, and came at last to the Advent Calendar. With care she gently closed all the paper doors, and sandwiched it between two clean sheets of paper. She had found a suitably sized children’s annual, in which there was a story she had written years ago, and she placed the Advent calendar between its pages. ‘That should keep it safe,’ she thought with satisfaction. ‘I just hope I remember which book I’ve put it in,’ and she put the brightly coloured volume back onto its tightly packed shelf. |
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| Author: | Elder in Ontario [ Thu Jan 06, 2011 3:20 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - Epiphany 6 Jan |
I'm sure Joey felt a sense of satisfaction as well as the inevitable sadness at putting away the Advent Calendar for another year and sorting through her cards and letters. I'm like the fact that she has 'progressed' to a word processor for many of her letters - quite apart from the time-saving element of having stored paragraphs ready to use, if she's anything like me, and I suspect too many of us as we age, her handwriting may not be as easy to read as it once was...... Thanks, Abbeybufo. |
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| Author: | PaulineS [ Thu Jan 06, 2011 3:23 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - Epiphany 6 Jan |
Thanks Ruth, i hope Joey can remember where she put the calendar. I think saving it and reusing a lovely idea. I reused am Advent calendar I enjoyed, but have lost it since. |
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| Author: | thefrau46 [ Thu Jan 06, 2011 3:56 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - Epiphany 6 Jan |
What a lovely surprise to come home to this. Thank you. |
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| Author: | ChubbyMonkey [ Thu Jan 06, 2011 6:22 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - Epiphany 6 Jan |
Already imagining Joey tearing the house apart trying to find it again!  Thankyou for the surprise update. |
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| Author: | lexyjune [ Thu Jan 06, 2011 7:09 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - Epiphany 6 Jan |
Thank you, it was a lovely surprise to find this. |
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| Author: | Abi [ Fri Jan 07, 2011 12:25 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - Epiphany 6 Jan |
I love the happy-sad feeling of this story; it feels very real. Thanks, Ruth.
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| Author: | jayj [ Fri Jan 07, 2011 12:44 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - Epiphany 6 Jan |
Thanks so much! I think you're spoiling us with this - it's utterly lovely. I'm not really one for 'universal truths' - I'm far too suspicious and cynical a type for that generally - but I think there's something quite universal in this, in the sense that while it's obviously Joey we're looking at, it could, kind of, be any one, and it's got an essential truthfulness to it. Sorry, I'm becoming rather cheesy here (possibly because I've been out on the beer....), but thanks again! |
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| Author: | roversgirl [ Fri Jan 07, 2011 3:55 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - Epiphany 6 Jan |
That was lovely. Love the comment about hoping she'll be able to find it again!
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| Author: | Fiona Mc [ Fri Jan 07, 2011 9:06 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - Epiphany 6 Jan |
Thanks, am really enjoying this |
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| Author: | chris84 [ Fri Jan 07, 2011 10:26 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - Epiphany 6 Jan |
Thank you, that was a lovely surprise to find this. I also hope that she can find her advent calender again.
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| Author: | abbeybufo [ Fri Jan 07, 2011 4:19 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - Epiphany 6 Jan |
Glad everyone is enjoying this - thank you all for your appreciation I won't promise more than the original idea of 1st of each month ... but if a specific date strikes me, there might, just might, be the odd extra helping
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| Author: | Elbee [ Sun Jan 09, 2011 11:05 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - Epiphany 6 Jan |
Thanks abbeybufo. When I was a teenager I had a lovely Snoopy advent calendar which I re-used every year, then carefully folded up and pressed it ready for the next year. Then I lost it, although I searched all through my shelves and heavy books. I assumed it must have got thrown away accidentally, but then, to my delight, I suddenly found it again about 10 years later!! |
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| Author: | abbeybufo [ Tue Feb 01, 2011 9:53 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - Epiphany 6 Jan |
February Tuesday was the day Sally, her cleaner, came. In consequence, she didn’t remember to turn over the Calendar until the afternoon of the first of February, when all was once again quiet. She sat down with her cup of English tea, and turned the picture of the Jungfrau over to reveal - Toronto! It was a winter scene; children playing in the snow in the foreground, the frozen edge of Lake Ontario visible to one side, and the unmistakeable skyline. Since her day that skyline had become even more distinctive with the building of the CN Tower, and she remembered the disruption of the building of the Yonge Street subway. She wondered idly if Yonge Street was still the longest street in the world, or whether someone had come along to better it. She had enjoyed her time in Canada – eventually! She hadn’t really wanted to go, but she had even more reluctantly let Jem and Madge take Margot out there with Josette the previous year, so her wish to see her youngest, frail, triplet had drawn her very strongly. The surprise when the ‘Bouncing Bet’ that was Margot had greeted her on arrival at Madge’s Toronto house had pleased and shocked her, and although she was grateful that the climate and food – and the lack of the food rationing that had still been in force in England – had completed driven away the shadow of frailty from Margot, Jo had vowed at the time never to be so far from any of her children for so long again. It was sad that there had been no school for the boys comparable with the Chalet School, but Jack was also keen that the boys went to his old school, so as that was in England, and the new San was set up in Switzerland meaning that the Chalet School had taken many of its pupils there, it was apparent that she would be in a different country from at least some of her family during term time. But the time in Canada had done wonders for all the children she then had – six when she went out; eight when she returned. The schooling at La Sagesse had been just what her triplets had needed, especially as it had been bilingual. She knew Quebec was French-speaking, but it had been fortunate to find a bilingual convent school in Toronto. The boys too, had thrived, and become much more independent than was usual for English children at the time. Their characters had begun to develop independently too, Stephen’s seriousness, Charles’s calm, Mike’s mischief – she had been able to see them as individuals in a way that had not been possible before. She had of course been forced to view the triplets as separate people once Margot was away, and Len and Con had also been forced to manage without her, which they had found almost as hard as Margot had in coping without them. It had been hard, the separation, but it had done them all more good than she had realised even at the time. And Canada was where Robin had found her vocation. The climate had suited her, too, and she had returned there once professed, and was indeed still there, having just turned eighty, but one of the more active of the sisters, who now lived in small groups in houses rented or owned by the Order. They were both too old to travel now, but the nuns owned a computer, and Stephen had set up a video call at Christmas, so she had been able to talk to Robin, and see her in her home, although Robin had not been able to see Joey’s new abode of course, as Jo had been talking from Stephen’s house. She looked out of the window across the grass of the communal garden. Perhaps it would be dry enough this afternoon to walk over to the far edge where she could just make out a patch of snowdrops, and look at them more closely. How lovely that it was light enough again after tea to be able to do that, she thought as she changed into outdoor shoes and put on a jacket. The weather was definitely milder. ‘But I don’t want it to be too nice,’ she reminded herself. ‘Candlemas tomorrow, and the old rhyme still holds good!
Winter will have another bite. If Candlemas Day be dank and drear, Winter has almost gone this year.” So I’ll make the best of this bright afternoon, but I’d like it to rain tomorrow,’ she decided. *Edited to clarify |
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| Author: | ChubbyMonkey [ Tue Feb 01, 2011 9:59 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - Epiphany 6 Jan |
Ooh! Do you know, I'd managed to completely forget this? (I do now know some obscure laws, though!) I hope I manage every month - it's a brilliant surprise Thankyou very much! It was interesting to see Joey musing on her children. |
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| Author: | Elder in Ontario [ Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:00 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - Epiphany 6 Jan |
I'd forgotten about these monthly instalments, so this was a lovely surprise to find just now. Another lovely, contemplative piece, linking the past with the present - I love the idea of Joey and Robin enjoying that video call, thanks to Stephen, who presumably lives in the Greater Toronto area. I'd also forgotten that tomorrow is Candlemas and the weather prophecy associated with it. Here in South West Ontario, the groundhog is supposed to prophesy similar things, but since we're likely to be in the throes of a blizzard tomorrow morning, I don't think he'll see his shadow!! Thanks, Ruth, will look forward to the March page. |
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| Author: | abbeybufo [ Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:15 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - Epiphany 6 Jan |
Elder in Ontario wrote: - I love the idea of Joey and Robin enjoying that video call, thanks to Stephen, who presumably lives in the Greater Toronto area. Stephen lives in outer London - if you remember from The Advent Calendar, Len took Jo there for Christmas. I have assumed the La Sagesse sisters in Toronto will have someone on hand - an ex-pupil perhaps - who has set them up with a webcam and skype, and that Stephen, learning of this, had set up his system so as to make the call on Christmas Day for his mother to speak to her adoptive sister
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| Author: | Elder in Ontario [ Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:18 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - Epiphany 6 Jan |
Blushes - sorry, I did forget that, Ruth.  And I'm sure you are right about La Sagesse having both the technology and someone with the ability, to set the call up at that end.
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| Author: | abbeybufo [ Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:21 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - Epiphany 6 Jan |
I can see there might be some confusion as to which 'she' was talking from Stephen's house though - I've just amended it to try and clarify it. |
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| Author: | Abi [ Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:26 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - Epiphany 6 Jan |
Thanks Ruth; I enjoyed seeing Joey remembering her time in Canada, and the way it changed the family. |
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| Author: | Alison H [ Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:28 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - Epiphany 6 Jan |
Thanks - that was lovely. |
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| Author: | roversgirl [ Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:52 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - Epiphany 6 Jan |
Thanks, that was really lovely - particularly the part where she tries to see the children as individuals! Quote: “If Candlemas Day be fair and bright, Winter will have another bite. If Candlemas Day be dank and drear, Winter has almost gone this year.” I'm hoping for dreary rain tomorrow then!
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| Author: | PaulineS [ Wed Feb 02, 2011 10:33 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - Epiphany 6 Jan |
Thanks for this Ruth. I am reading it on Candlemas and it is a dark and dreary morning here, so hopefully winter is on its way out. I hope Stephen can set up a computer link from Joey's flat so she can talk to Robin again. |
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| Author: | Alison H [ Wed Feb 02, 2011 10:36 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - Epiphany 6 Jan |
Well, it's dank and drear here all right! |
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| Author: | KathrynW [ Wed Feb 02, 2011 12:10 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 February |
Thank you Ruth, that was such a lovely scene and I really felt that I was there with Joey, listening to her talk. |
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| Author: | M [ Wed Feb 02, 2011 9:23 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 February |
Reading this I wondered whether you were a Miss Read fan. there's a bit in one of the books when Miss Read is speaking to Miss Clare about being able to go for a walk after tea once you are into February. |
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| Author: | abbeybufo [ Wed Feb 02, 2011 11:09 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 February |
M wrote: Reading this I wondered whether you were a Miss Read fan. there's a bit in one of the books when Miss Read is speaking to Miss Clare about being able to go for a walk after tea once you are into February. My guilty secret is out! I read most of the Miss Reads as they came out; never owned them, but I always had a soft spot for Miss Clare
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| Author: | chris84 [ Thu Feb 03, 2011 4:29 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 February |
Thank you, that was lovely.
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| Author: | JoW [ Thu Feb 03, 2011 7:31 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 February |
M wrote: Reading this I wondered whether you were a Miss Read fan. there's a bit in one of the books when Miss Read is speaking to Miss Clare about being able to go for a walk after tea once you are into February. I always think of that quote at this time of year when I am just longing to be able to take out the dogs in daylight when I get home from work. |
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| Author: | Chris S [ Sun Feb 13, 2011 3:35 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 February |
Thank you Ruth, that was a lovely trip down memory lane. |
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| Author: | Spoot [ Sun Feb 13, 2011 4:54 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - Epiphany 6 Jan |
abbeybufo wrote: February She wondered idly if Yonge Street was still the longest street in the world, or whether someone had come along to better it. Still the longest street in the world (or so we are told). I'm really enjoying this - thanks. |
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| Author: | abbeybufo [ Wed Mar 02, 2011 3:40 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 March |
March Stephen had been to see her in February, just before his birthday, and taken her out to lunch. She didn’t have a large appetite these days, but was getting far more adventurous in her menu choices. They had gone to a pub that specialised in Thai food – Stephen had spent a few years in Hong Kong for his work, and had been to Thailand for holidays, so he knew his way round the menu. She was also pleased that she had managed to pay the bill, stating firmly that as it was his birthday, she would be giving him the meal as part of his present. He had agreed, rather reluctantly, consequently she had been unsurprised when, a few days later, a delivery of flowers had arrived. She glanced across at them now and smiled; daffodils, a real sign of spring. Then she turned to the calendar to see what March had to offer her, and found herself looking at more daffodils, this time a whole field of them in Guernsey… … Guernsey, where she and Jack had been married, and where the triplets had been born. She had very fond memories of that Happy Island, where they had all gathered after the dreadful events of the Anschluss and its aftermath. The school had reopened there, with the daughters of their new friends, the Temples, Ozannes, and Lucys joining Robin, Daisy, Primula and the girls who had either come with them from the old school, or had come to find them in the new place. How optimistic that start had been! With hindsight she supposed it might have been apparent that the Channel Islands, being so close to the French coast, would be targeted as soon as France herself was invaded. But as Dependencies of the British Crown, they had seemed a safe enough refuge after their escape from Austria. Margot Venables had died there, there had been spy scares and a plane crash, but it had been a happy time, all told: her first attempts at housekeeping, her early days of motherhood … Yes, she thought, gazing from the daffodils in the picture to the vase of daffodils from her eldest son, Guernsey was a place she was glad to think about and to remember. [I'm sorry this didn't get posted yesterday - I was out all day at a funeral in Devon - of which more elsewhere for anyone interested] edited to add link to funeral report |
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| Author: | Alison H [ Wed Mar 02, 2011 3:50 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 March |
Thanks for the update .
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| Author: | JS [ Wed Mar 02, 2011 4:41 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 March |
Somehow I keep managing to forget about this coming at the start of the month and consequently get a lovely surprise. Thanks - and looking forward to April's scene
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| Author: | ChubbyMonkey [ Wed Mar 02, 2011 5:37 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 March |
I'd forgotten too! Thankyou for another update, it's always a lovely shock to see more of this
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| Author: | PaulineS [ Wed Mar 02, 2011 6:12 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 March |
Thanks. pleased you could attend the funeral, I liked finding this today. |
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| Author: | roversgirl [ Wed Mar 02, 2011 6:57 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 March |
Nice surprise for today. Thanks
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| Author: | Abi [ Wed Mar 02, 2011 9:22 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 March |
Ooh, I'd forgotten about this too! I guess Guernsey was quite a pivotal place for Joey, and I love the picture of the daffodils. |
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| Author: | shazwales [ Thu Mar 03, 2011 8:25 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 March |
Thank you this is a lovely way to start the month.
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| Author: | Fiona Mc [ Fri Mar 04, 2011 8:19 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 March |
Thanks, really enjoyed reading about Joey's memories of Guernsey |
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| Author: | abbeygirl [ Fri Mar 04, 2011 1:30 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 March |
Thanks Ruth.... This is just such a good idea.... |
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| Author: | shesings [ Sat Mar 05, 2011 2:09 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 March |
This is such a brilliant idea, and prompts me to reread old favourites! Thanks!
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| Author: | chris84 [ Mon Mar 07, 2011 4:17 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 March |
Thank you, really enjoyed Joey remembering Guernsey.
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| Author: | Chris S [ Mon Mar 14, 2011 3:23 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 March |
Thank you, that was lovely. |
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| Author: | abbeybufo [ Fri Apr 01, 2011 4:13 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 April |
April The doorbell and the phone rang at precisely the same moment, and picking up the cordless handset, Joey went to the door, opening it just as she pressed the green button on the phone. ‘Oh!’ said a voice, both in her ear and directly from the figure standing outside the door, mobile clamped to one ear and other hand raised to ring the doorbell again. The look of dismay on his face made her laugh; despite the greying hair, he could still be that small boy caught out in some mischief again. ‘Come in, Mike, you ridiculous boy! Whatever are you playing at?’ Joey led the way through to her sitting room and her third son watched as she replaced the phone carefully into its charging holster. ‘I didn’t know you had one of those,’ he said ruefully. ‘Felicity gave it to me when she was here a couple of weeks ago. The old one was heavy, and didn’t have a volume control — or a memory. Now I have everyone programmed in, and I can sit where I like when I’m on the phone…that was a red herring! Tell me what you were up to!’ Mike grinned, reminding Joey of his father, and started to laugh himself. Jo joined in; Mike always made her feel better, somehow. He was both comforting and comfortable, with a casual, rumpled appearance that even his naval days had not managed to eradicate. ‘I thought I could April Fool you — should have known better of course — wanted to have you swithering between the phone and the door.’ ‘You’ll never tire of trying to wear me out, will you?’ responded his mother. ‘Well, Flixy’s present has stymied you this time. Coffee?’ ‘Thanks.’ He followed her into the kitchen, and when the coffee was made, insisted on carrying the tray with both mugs on it back into the sitting room. ‘Instead of playing April Fools, you can take part in a new tradition,’ remarked Jo as she took the calendar from the wall and sat down. ‘On the first of every month, with my morning coffee, I turn the new page to see what the picture Con chose for me will be. You didn’t see it at Christmas, did you? Look at the first three pictures before I change over.’ Mike took the calendar from her and looked at January: the Jungfrau – he had been able to see that from his bedroom window for much of his young life. February: Toronto, where he’d been taken as a small boy, but really couldn’t remember much about. March: daffodils, but he didn’t know the place. ‘Where’s this?’ ‘Which? Oh, March’s picture. Guernsey, where your father and I were married and the triplets born. Have you seen the others?’ ‘Yes; the Jungfrau will always be my ‘home view’ I think. I don’t remember much about Toronto. ‘ ‘No, you wouldn’t, you were too young. Now let’s find out what April has to show us,’ she turned the page. ‘Well, you will certainly know this one!’ and held it out for him to see. It was a long low-ish building set against the side of a mountain, with a sudden cleft in the rock dropping away beside it, fenced off from the innyard. ‘The Auberge! That was one of our favourite hikes!’ ‘Yes, isn’t it wonderful to see all these places that bring back memories?’ Mike nodded, but grew silent for a few minutes, then, ‘I don’t think I ever really said sorry to you, Mama.’ ‘Whatever for?’ ‘When I went over the cliff for the birds’ nest and you fainted. Len took me to Aunty Hilary, and Uncle Jem gave me a talking-to I never forgot, but it was so long before I really saw Papa or you afterwards that there never seemed to be the right time to say it.’ ‘That can happen, and I knew you were sorry — you hadn’t been really bad, only thoughtless. Len tried to keep you from Papa; her thoughts even at fourteen were that he would be so angry because I had had a shock; she didn’t allow for his second thoughts, which of course would have understood you; and your Auntie Madge, despite her best intentions, made things worse for you —’ Mike was nodding slowly. ‘— and of course we didn’t know too much about my diabetes then; and not so very much was known about it anyway in those days. I’d been rushing around so much that day I didn’t realise my blood sugar levels were so low — if I hadn’t been given something sweet when I was, I’d have slipped away in that diabetic coma.’ ‘I never realised —’ ‘We didn’t talk about it much to you children. Len knew by then of course, but only enough to make sure she slipped a sugar lump in my mouth, while she was waiting for someone to come. Anyway, once I was up and about again, we were off to the Tirol, and you went to Madge and Jem’s place in Wales for a month.’ ‘I saw you keel over you know. I never forgot that. Every time I was planning something daft, I would remember; it stopped me doing some mad things …’ ‘Poor boy! Come and give your old mother a hug!’
Later in the day, when Mike had gone, Joey sat thinking about their conversation. She wished she had been able to insist on keeping him with her that summer, but she understood now, and so did he, exactly what that escapade had cost them both. |
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| Author: | Elder in Ontario [ Fri Apr 01, 2011 4:31 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 April |
A very interesting rationale for what lay behind Joey's very lengthy faint after Mike's bird-watching escapade, and the fact that only Len knew the real reason and what to do to help fits so well with her being the 'responsible eldest'. 50-50 hindsight certainly says Madge made things worse for Mike by insisting on taking him off for that month without even allowing him to see his mother again before doing so. I'm sure Mike is relieved to have had this chance to apologise to his mother, even after all this time. And I loved his attempt to make his mother an 'April Fool', even though it didn't work!! Thanks so much for this monthly treat, Abbeybufo - I always forget it's coming, which makes it even nicer. |
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| Author: | KathrynW [ Fri Apr 01, 2011 6:10 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 April |
Oh lovely, thanks Ruth. This post as a real 'Spring' feeling to it. |
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| Author: | PaulineS [ Fri Apr 01, 2011 6:15 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 April |
Thank you for a lovely April story. A good explanation of Joey's fainting and of her sickness which worried Jack so much. Diabetic control was much less balanced than it is now. |
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| Author: | Joanne [ Fri Apr 01, 2011 6:21 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 April |
Joey is delightful in this story, and to think I never knew she had diabetes! Thanks for these little glimpses. |
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| Author: | ChubbyMonkey [ Fri Apr 01, 2011 6:36 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 April |
Guess who forgot again? Thankyou, Mike and Joey here were lovely, and that's such a good explanation too! (Though I couldn't help picturing Joey and her sugar lump as a horse...)
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| Author: | Minim [ Fri Apr 01, 2011 6:40 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 April |
ChubbyMonkey wrote: (Though I couldn't help picturing Joey and her sugar lump as a horse...) And now I am thinking of War Horse! (The horse in it is actually called Joey...) Thanks for the calendar, abbeybufo, it's lovely to see an update every month. |
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| Author: | jayj [ Fri Apr 01, 2011 6:43 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 April |
Thanks for this! It's such a nice way for us (and Joey) to remember all the stories, and I like how those old stories are now informed by Joey and Mike's current relationship. It's very well done! |
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| Author: | Abi [ Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:59 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 April |
I thought about this this morning, and wondered what we'd see. Definitely a plausible explanation for what happened that summer, and I love the way Mike's grown up! Thanks, Ruth! |
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| Author: | roversgirl [ Fri Apr 01, 2011 9:22 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 1 April |
I forgot it again too! That was lovely and I enjoyed the rational explanation behind Joey's fainting and what followed. Thanks
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| Author: | abbeybufo [ Tue May 03, 2011 9:41 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 3 May |
May Another new month – but she was almost reluctant to see the end of April. The weather had been so beautiful that she had been outside for more than usual this early in the year. Cecil had come on her birthday at the beginning of the month, and they had gone to a waterside pub and even been able to eat outside, the weather was so balmy. Then Geoff and Phil had turned up and taken her away for their birthday weekend. They had booked an hotel in Oxford for the three of them, at which they had a pleasant early dinner, then had all gone to bed early in order to be up for sunrise on May morning to hear the madrigals and watch the Morris men. A bacon sandwich for breakfast in one of the many pubs that open early on that special day had helped revive their flagging energies, and they returned to their hotel for a quiet morning before lunch, then spent the afternoon, and the second day of their stay, looking round colleges, and visiting the newly refurbished Ashmolean museum, and the Pitt-Rivers Museum, which, for all its quirky atmosphere, Joey preferred. Then they had driven her home. Somehow, perhaps it was with being twins – though her triplets and her elder pair of twins had not found the same ‘problem’ – Geoff and Phil had never seemed to need anyone else. There had been the occasional girlfriend or boyfriend, but they were so close that no-one had succeeded in either joining them or coming between them. So they had gone to the same university, taken the same PR course, and were now – in their fifties – running a successful agency in London, and living in adjacent maisonettes in Barnes. It had been lovely to be taken away and treated, but she was glad to be home now. And then there was the calendar. As she had been away on the first of the month, she was late in turning to May. She sat down now with a bedtime drink, having waved her youngest twins off, and turned the page to see a Swiss Alpine meadow of spring flowers. Switzerland just as it had been when the twins were born. Another beautiful picture to go with the weekend’s beautiful experiences, she thought as she went to bed. Oxford May Morning information |
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| Author: | Abi [ Tue May 03, 2011 9:54 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 3 May |
What a lovely start to May for Joey, and for us! Lovely atmosphere of spring there. Thanks, Ruth! |
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| Author: | PaulineS [ Tue May 03, 2011 10:08 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 3 May |
Thanks Ruth. Glad she enjoyed her time in Oxford. |
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| Author: | Elder in Ontario [ Wed May 04, 2011 1:21 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 3 May |
I do love these vignettes you are giving us, and I'm glad you have Joey celebrating Mayday in Oxford! An interesting observation on Geoff and Phyll's lifestyle,too - I wonder how many other sets of boy/girl twins settle into a similar pattern of continuing to live together without either of them every marrying. Certainly, even though Joey had another set of twins and the triplets, it was a 'one-off' situation here. Thank you again for our monthly treat, Ruth. I'll be looking forward to the June instalment! |
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| Author: | roversgirl [ Wed May 04, 2011 4:17 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 3 May |
That was lovely, thanks
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| Author: | Alison H [ Wed May 04, 2011 5:39 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 3 May |
Thank you .
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| Author: | thefrau46 [ Wed May 04, 2011 2:28 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 3 May |
Thank you very much. |
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| Author: | chris84 [ Wed May 04, 2011 3:25 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 3 May |
Thank you, that was lovely.
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| Author: | ChubbyMonkey [ Wed May 04, 2011 7:48 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 3 May |
You know, a few days before the end of April I remembered this gleefully. I was still surprised to see that there was an update! Some people... Thankyou, that was a beautiful insight into Geoff and Phil. |
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| Author: | Sugar [ Fri May 06, 2011 12:37 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 3 May |
I can't believe I've only just found this. Really enjoyed reading about the advent calender and now the 2011 calender. Thanks Ruth. |
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| Author: | Minim [ Fri May 06, 2011 6:39 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Calendar - 3 May |
I had forgotten about this (again). *Looking forward to June's instalment, but not June itself* Thanks1 |
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