After the unexpected Saturday, the Bank Holiday Monday and the Crafty Tuesday (which linked the Monday to my normal Wednesday off, I have just managed a short holiday. It was OK, but I didn’t actually do anything apart from fill the car (which ws cheaper than last time – a welcome development) and have a blood test. That, as I have said before, is part of the lasting damage done by Covid and Lockdown – I still haven’t got back in the swing of going out, though the recent cost of fuel also contributed to this.
Julia has suggested that I need to get out more as she thinks I need exercise and sunlight. Since yesterday, she also thinks I need to get out and see things to recharge my desire to write.She is probably right. She normally is.
Work was much the same as usual – people wanting to sell us junk, a nuisance caller wanting to offer us a good price on block-paving our driveway (which, being a shop, we don’t have) and a handful of parcels to send in the post. It wasn’t interesting or profitable, but it wan’t stressful or hard either, so I have no complaints.
A book arrived in the post – it’s about the parish of Slaidburn and the Great War. My Uncle tom provided them with some photos and details and I was pleased to learn something new as they have a picture of my grandfather’s Agricultural Exemption Certificate – after volunteering in 1914 when he was under age he was held on the farm for a few years before being released in November 1916.
I’ve ben through it looking at the bits that relate to the Wilsons – tomorrow I will read it properly.
The header picture is the Slaidburn War memorial as it was when we last visited. I’m sure the scaffolding will be gone by now. The lower picture is the war memorial in Clitheroe, a few miles away. Sharp-eyed readers will notice that they are identical statues. The bases differ, but Clitheroe had a lot more men to commemorate. It’s strange to know I have relatives remembered on both memorials.
War Memorial – Cliheroe Castle
Such a sobering post, Simon. I am privileged in many ways, and one of them is that I know no one who was killed or crushed by war. Hugs to you.
It’s a mixed blessing. In some ways, though sad, it also highlights how lucky we now are.
I too feel that there is value in Julia’s suggestion. You are right about the lasting effect of the lockdown. I have very little enthusiasm for going to events these days.
I am surprised by how much lockdown has changed my views on going out. We always used to be out doing something.
Julia made an excellent suggestion to get out in the sun and fresh air, Simon.
A moment of silence here to honor your relatives and others who gave their lives. Perhaps someday there will be no new memorials, if our species is able to evolve beyond the desire for war. Given what I see going on in politics around the world, I don’t hold out much hope.
There was a time when it looked like we were progressing towards peace, but it seems to have gone badly wrong in the last 20 years.
Julia’s suggestions are always excellent. And even if they aren’t there’s nothing I can do once whe has made her mind up.
Oh, Lavinia, I too am prone to pessimism. when I was young, I thought ” When all those rich old white guys die, we can take over and make things better.” But there seems to be no end to the rich old white guys.
Hang on . . .
Us old white guys aren’t all bad.
SO true, Simon. I was referring to the ones in power. I’m quite sure that we’d all benefit from having you in the government.
🙂 I fear your optimism may be misplaced, but I’d have a go. At the moment it would be hard to do worse. I’d start by forming an alliance of WP Soupmakers and gradually take over the world . . .
I’m with Derrick. A chilling and sad remember of the toll that the war took. I bet few families were unaffected.
It is hard to imagine what it must have been like. As a youngster in the early 1960s I remember it was quite common to see people with missing limbs, and one of the neighbours still had a wicker bath chair instead of a modern style wheelchair.
Oh, my! Sobering.
It is chilling that you have relatives on both memorials
We were lucky compared to some. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-25497900
More terrible stories. Thanks for the link