LEST WE FORGET......

I WENT TO SEE THE SOLDIERS

I went to see the soldiers, row on row on row,
And wondered about each so still, their badges all on show.
What brought them here, what life before
Was like for each of them?
What made them angry, laugh, or cry,
These soldiers, boys and men.
Some so young, some older still, a bond more close than brothers
These men have earned and shared a love, that's not like any others
They trained as one, they fought as one
They shared their last together
That bond endures, that love is true
And will be, now and ever.
I could not know, how could I guess, what choices each had made,
Of how they came to soldiering, what part each one had played?
But here they are and here they'll stay,
Each one silent and in place,
Their headstones line up row on row
They guard this hallowed place.

Kenny Martin 2003

"ALFIE" THE LODGER......

I can't think why I haven't introduced Alfie to you before, as he is now a very valued member of our family.
It doesn't seem two minutes ago since Nat and Sophie mentioned to us that they wanted a dog.
Our cries of "you can't do that , it wouldn't be fair on the dog with you both working full-time, and away from your home on many occasions", must have fell on deaf ears.
I think its about 8 months ago now, Nat called to say he was in the area and was popping in for a coffee!!!!
It did seem strange as he rarely is working in this area, but no alarm bells rang ...........
Nat and Sophie arrived, and curled up in my sons hands, so did my brand new grand -pup. Cute didn't come into it and a bond was there from the first time he piddled on my floor.
Milo sniffed him and returned to his basket with a look of disgust, where as 'Do-Dali Jacque' was over the moon, delighted at having new mate to play with.
Well things worked out pretty much how I had anticipated, and memories of a young boy promising to clean & care for goldfish, guinea-pigs and mice, with keen enthusiasm, yet as the months passed the responsibility fell with Math and I, and so it went with Alfie........

They love him to pieces and he has made them a sort of family unit, and the time he is with them he has their attention 100%.
When he arrives here for his visits he is like a black & white fur ball of explosive dynamite, head butting the front door to get to his mates......

Straight through the bungalow into the garden, Jacque and Alfie create a storm (Nat lives in a penthouse, so Alfie has no garden of his own). Generally my grand pup is with us from Monday morning till Thursday afternoon, when Sophie will pick him up to take home, ready for Nat returning home from work Friday.

After his departure, Jacque and Milo catch up on their sleep, or should I say collapse and recover their strength ready for Alfie's return on Monday.

My two Cavalier Spaniels usually like to chill and be cuddled and fussed. Alfie on the other hand, is a young Jack Russel who is constantly on duty, be that tearing around the garden, irritating Milo or trying to beat Jacque up, he is completely dedicated to that task!!!!


Occasionally he may have a mid-day nap, and if I'm really lucky he will curl up on my knee for a love.
Goodness knows how he will cope with the chucks....... I know my two are fine, but Alfie..... well we will just have to wait and see.


I hope you can see why I love my grand-pup so, and I'm sure just like when grandchildren leave, my home feels very calm and quiet.........

CHANGES

Recently, well no, for some time now I have had ear-ache from a good blogging buddie of mine how much he hates/dislikes/makes him cringe, each time he sees my profile picture. He is very supportive though in his feedback of my portrait. I look hard /stern/poker faced, and if I know him like I think I do, there were other more inelegant terms said under his breath.

Just for the record, the reason I picked my previous picture was because my father (rest his soul) was very patriotic. Therefore I was named after two queens and a princess, my surname has noble connections, so in a mark of respect/memory, I picked Elizabeth the 1st. Who, lets not forget, was a warrior with the heart of a lion, sat gently in the body of a very deprived /cheated/deceived, woman. So I was contented with my choice.

Yet in retrospect, I take on board that the picture doesn't really portray my soul. So I have searched for something that sort of shows what I'm about, my loves and my hates. Nothing really grabbed me, and this is the only one that sort of shows my inner-thoughts. Also she has blue eye and dark hair (I've never had red hair). I know its corny, I don't really see myself as an earth mother, but I do love trees and nature.

So its up and if you see anything that reflects me better, I would be so happy to view it. Please tell me what you think, and I hope you remember that picture, its only so you know its me calling to say hello, how are you doing.....

You may notice I've changed again I wasn't happy with Mother Earth, also that birds was awfully close to my head....