Weekly Chat (Non-Osprey), 20 August 2023

Lovely photos, Rusty. That brings back some happy memories ...... not least Helen's excitement at seeing the Fairy Flag! Sadly, we didn't investigate the gardens - our excuse being that we went in the last week of October and I suspect there wouldn't have been too much in the way of flowers.

Yes. Clare. We saw the Fairy flag. I should have mentioned it.

Thanks Rusty, sorry to hear you are still poorly. Like others have mentioned lemon is also a favourite of mine. if it is on a menu I look no further.

I said yesterday that I would try to catch up. But am actually overwhelmed by stuff for the church mag, so I am being realistic and just starting reading your posts from today!

DIANE – thanks for the new thread, once again.

ANNETTE – so pleased your OH arrived home for a good sleep and recovery time, and that you daughter’s move happened satisfactorily. I hope the hurricane will not reach your part of the shore.

RUSTY – sorry to see you are still suffering symptoms, but pleased you are not as bad as at the beginning – I hope your travel friend is also feeling a bit better. Dunvegan gardens sound truly lovely; unfortunately I can’t cope with the road through from Broadford to the other side of Skye (I even get hysterical on the Devil’s Beef Tub near Moffat!)

Well, football happened – I had predicted the win for Spain. Glad it is over.

We had a good short service at church and then what this week’s leader calls “Fellowship Time”. This isn’t very successful – it should be discussion, but most people sit in embarrassed silence while a few say something. I can’t keep my mouth shut and am afraid I come over as rather negative at times – maybe I should stay away when it is that type of service!

Now back to wrestling with reproducing a letter for the magazine – it was written with various “objects” in boxes and I am trying to copy by separating them and then hope to transfer the actual text, as I can’t make the whole thing copy in one! Swearywords again!

Unknown said:

We had a good short service at church and then what this week’s leader calls “Fellowship Time”. This isn’t very successful – it should be discussion, but most people sit in embarrassed silence while a few say something. I can’t keep my mouth shut and am afraid I come over as rather negative at times – maybe I should stay away when it is that type of service!

Perhaps I should attend - I'd make you look very positive!  I certainly don't do embarrassed silence.

Hmmmmm .......this year marks forty years since I last regularly attended church.  That must sound awful to the regular church-goers on here but when you find yourself being bodily thrown out of a church it tends to give you a dim view of the whole thing.

Clare - That's really sad to hear. Reminded me of a former President of the Methodist Conference (2020-21), the first black woman President. She told the story of her aunt who came over from Jamaica. On her first Sunday she went to the local Methodist church, carrying her membership card - and was turned away by the minister. It was a very long time ago, but still awful to hear about. I promise you churches are not like that any more!

I managed to avoid the football. I don't normally shop on a Sunday (old fashioned or what!!) but I did go shopping after church. The shop was almost empty, as I thought it would be, and I managed to get round quickly. And the roads were empty as well. There are advantages ... and I didn't see a single kick. I expect there will be plenty in the news ... impossible to avoid it completely, but I've done pretty well. I'm watching the athletics instead.

Pat O said:

Reminded me of a former President of the Methodist Conference (2020-21), the first black woman President. She told the story of her aunt who came over from Jamaica. On her first Sunday she went to the local Methodist church, carrying her membership card - and was turned away by the minister. It was a very long time ago, but still awful to hear about. I promise you churches are not like that any more!

Bloody hell.  Whatever would Jesus Christ have said?  As someone born in the Middle East he would, to say the least, have had a degree of suntan.

Pat O said:

I managed to avoid the football.

Limpy loves football and he's a West Ham supporter so he's quite happy at the moment.  His down-to-10-men team have just beaten one of the big money teams.

Clare: OMG. That sounds like a story waiting to be told..... :-)

OG; Maybe they should try Fellowship Happy Hour?

PatO: I was raised Catholic but tended to question authority figures: I actually had the nerve to disagree with a priest during confession once and was told I was headed for an 'empty and lonely life.' Wrong! Also had a couple of run-ins with nuns who seemed to have forgotten Christ's teachings (overheard a nun being downright cruel to someone I knew who was in a very vulnerable situation). That said, the teaching nuns at my school were strong, dedicated women and great role models. I do go to church with the kids when I'm in Arizona and for sure things have changed - everyone seems very down to earth these days.

Kids delayed their return to Arizona for a day due to grim weather forecast for one part of their drive. Here it's just muggy, drizzly and overcast.

Shocking story, Pat.....

Annette, stay safe. Nice to hear that your OH is doing well, and that your daughters move went well.

I had to sign in again today, not for the first time lately.

Been busy looking after two dogs at once, but one goes home tomorrow. Its been very warm here although only sunny occasionally- still at least it stayed dry for Sue who has had a good time on her canal barge.