News
29 October 2024
One of my favourite things.....
is finding something I had tucked away in a drawer, knowing I would be glad to see it again one day. Recently I found a Christmas note my Aunt Dot sent for Christmas 2007. Aunt Dot was two years older than my Mother, the second and third children respectively in a family of four girls. Her note reads:
"I had a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Memory early this year.
They told me they are taking back my memories.
I was so shaken, I didn't ask any questions.
I know they have been taking my memories, as now
I can remember very little of the past. Isn't that sad?
I am so happy that you were a part of my good years."
My Aunt died in 2009. She was a very unusual woman. She really liked the company of men, including 3 husbands (or 4?) She divorced the first one, took some courses at the local collage, worked for years as a Medical Secretary, and raised her 5 children on her own. She had the happy knack of speaking to children as if they were older than their years; she was the Aunt who organised picnics, or day trips to the lake or swimming pool. She kept a scrapbook of all of my concerts, plays, ski meets, and County Fair Queen engagements, and gave it to me when I graduated High School.
Dot's house was full of colour. She would whizz through her house with paint and brush every couple of years, and change everything. Beautiful, and just right for her. We certainly could never guess what she would say about anything - but that meant it was exciting to be with her. She also, along with my sister-in-law, cared for my Mother through several years of Cancer treatments.
She did make my early teenage years a bit painful by moaning about her inability to gain weight, and reported that her doctor had directed her to drink at least one milkshake a day. I was delighted when she began to gain weight years later during her "change". I didn't know what that was, but I was glad she had caught it!
When I was in my 30s, my sister Becky and I were both home for a visit. Aunt Dot surprised us with tickets to the theatre, then took us out for a drink after in a pricey hotel. A pianist was playing quietly, and one or two couples were dancing. There was a dapper man, about my Aunt's age, who was dancing with unaccompanied women. He came to our table and asked me to dance. I stammered, "Me? I can't dance." But he insisted, and learned that I could dance, but only on his feet. Then he asked Becky, and his toes fared much better. After he brought he back to the table, he asked Aunt dot to dance. She turned him down flat. Becky and I couldn't believe it - she loved to dance. But no, she wouldn't. We left soon after that. As my delightful Aunt pulled her big Cadillac out onto the road, the Dapper Dancing Man stepped off the curb. Dot hit the accelerator. Becky and I gasped. Dapper Dancing Man shot backwards our of reach. Dot snarled, "Huh, ask me third, will you?" and took us home.
Aunt Dot did loose her memories, but I've kept a lot of them safe for her. I hope my family will do the same for me.
With love, Linda
Read more on One of my favourite things
25 June 2024
From a Gardeners Notebook , July 2024
In earlier articles I have told you when and how to prune shrubs, but this month I am going to tell you about a particular shrub group: the Viburnums.
Read more on Gardeners Notebook July
25 June 2024
One of my favourite things….
is Happy Family gatherings. I have recently attended two such gatherings; they were delightful. One was an 80th birthday party. It was particularly happy as the birthday "girl" told us that she was born with a serious heart condition, and her life expectancy was 5-7 years. She had pioneering surgery and excellent care, hence the many years she has lived -- so far.
She and her husband invited the 60 close friends and family, she told us, to thank them for helping to make her life happy. Well, it made me tear up. I was not a even friend, but there as the after-dinner speaker. Well before the evening was over I was wishing I had been on the Friend List.
Everyone I talked to that night was full of praise for this lady, telling stories of her escapades. It was a wonderful occasion, and I drove home with a big smile on my face, but no fee. They had to "borrow" my pay envelope to pay the musicians, as someone had counted the monies incorrectly. I am still chuckling about that. I am certainly not worried that the money won't be paid. At 80, we should be allowed to make an occasional mistake, and not have it spoil anything.
The second celebration was for a 50th Wedding Anniversary. Again, delightful and very happy. This time I was honoured to be an Invited Friend. I knew many of the other guests and some of the family, as well. I moved around between groups of people, and chatted to many, catching up on news of those I had not seen for some time. We did not have assigned seats for our meal, so I sat at a large round table with a couple of friends. The other seats were taken by out-of-town family.
I truly enjoyed every minute of the next hour or so, listening to four cousins and their partners swapping stories of their growing up years. What could be better than that? The sheer joy and laughter was irresistible. They were very patient about answering my questions when I misunderstood a word or phrase, or got lost in the twists and turns of a tale. But I do think that my open admiration for their family upbringing egged them on more than a bit.
With glasses held high, we toasted our Hosts on their magnificent achievement. A Happy Family gathering indeed.
With love, Linda
Read more on One of my Favourite Things
29 April 2024
St Peter Church
We know that St Peter’s is much loved with many residents having celebrated important milestones in their own lives or with loved ones and friends there. We know that it is also appreciated for its beauty but it is a very expensive building to maintain. So, do please come and join us at as many events/services as possible, maybe just to watch some of the fun ‘happenings’, you will be most welcome, and help us to enhance and preserve OUR church.
Read more on St Peter's Donation Page
29 May 2023
WANTED CLEANING VOLUNTEERS
St Peters Church has a rota for cleaning the whole church.
Read more on Wanted: Cleaning Volunteers
11 October 2022
The Churches of Great Barton and Thurston
are worshipping communities of inclusion, extending a welcome, acceptance and embrace to people of all heritage, abilities, genders AND sexualities. We understand that inclusivity is a lifelong learning process, and we continue to engage with the people in our changing communities in Great Barton and Thurston. Whoever you are, however you are, whatever you are - a lifelong Christian or someone nurturing the growing seeds of faith, you will find a warm welcome to our worshipping community and a space and place to be YOU.
Read more on Our Inclusive Churches
23 May 2021
Storehouse
During the present crisis the demand for goods and donations to help families who are struggling has been like never before. At the present time they are short of tins of baked beans and tinned tomatoes.
Read more on Storehouse
