A Night with Scooter

Scooter spent Tuesday night with us. I was conscious of her walking across me at intervals and found myself rather cramped at one point as she had got most of the bed.  She gave me a little squeak of welcome and a kiss when we arrived Tuesday afternoon.  Wednesday i had my accident and am now hors de combat - one-armed and in pain.  Nute produced best turkey dinner ever yesterday - and the little girls seemed happy.

Supper at Jackie's

Jean came with me on Saturday morning and helped me finish my magazine route for December, and get a few more not at homes done.    Then after a quick lunch we met up again at the Hall for the Broadcast:
http://tv.jw.org/#en/video/VODStudio/pub-jwb_201512_1_VIDEO

There is an item about our brothers and sisters in the Congo, and also a very interesting experience from a brother in Ghana.

Then I made the cakes for Col's Detectorist get-together on Sunday, and in the evening we went to Jackie's for a roast lamb dinner. We had our usual lovely evening - great food and lots of laughs. Sunday was the meeting at the Hall - followed by an attempt to do some return visits, foiled by my having the addresses written down wrong.  I think I was more discombobulated by the Captain's operation than I realised.  I don't seem to have a proper record of calls I made in September.

I will have to be content with having placed some information with - well, whoever they were - and hope that if they are looking for the truth, they will recognise it when they hear it.    There was an experience from a Convention of someone who was walking along a beach and picked up a bit of paper that was blowing along the sand, intending to wastebin it.   It turned out to be half of one of our small tracts, the one with the address of Bethel on it. The small amount of information on that little piece of paper caused him to contact Bethel, start a home Bible study, and he is now a baptised brother.

This has taught me to write down a bit more info about my return visits in future.

The Suegull

Captain Butterfly and I have had a busy day.  He very kindly drove me out to Ford to do my calls this morning.  They had all got the magazines I had to post due to the flu and I got a warm welcome. Well, I hope it was the truth that got a warm welcome, Christianity being called "the way of the truth".  I then did some Not Homes.   I am trying to get caught up to at least a reasonable extent before the holidays start.

We lunched off soup and toast, and had an afternoon walk in some local fields looking for fungi. We found some lovely little creatures - and the Captain is across the table now trying to identify them all.

Talking of such things, he has taken some bird photos that he hasn't yet been able to identify.  So I have been lost in a daydream in which he has photographed a bird new to Science, and he decides to name it after me - The Suegull.

Though I don't suppose my dream will survive Mark the Birders's first look at the photos.

The Bermuda Petrel

Duke of Burgundy, Hamearis lucina

We went to the talk on the Bermuda Petrel at the Arundel Wetland Centre on Monday night, picking up Jacks and Terry en route.  The Centre always gets brilliant speakers, full of knowledge and enthusiasm, and this one - Andrew Cleave - was up to their high standard.   But what was especially good about it was all we learnt about the island of Bermuda.

I had supposed it to be in the Caribbean.  It isn't. And I had no idea it was so small, so low-lying, and so highly populated. And also that it was so orderly and so well looked after.   It was discovered by the Portuguese in 1503, but it was an uninhabited island, with flock upon flock of the Petrels, and it wasn't actually settled until the Brits arrived in the next century.  It is a tiny island, packed with people from end to end, and the Bermuda Petrel was almost extincted.

However, they are now doing a great job of conservation under the circumstances.

The Centre gave us mulled wine and home-made mince-pies in the interval. And Terry won me a Poinsettia in the raffle, which is now sitting redly among our orchids.

Yesterday, I did not go out on the Field Service- but made the fruit cake instead.  That took me all morning somehow.  Col and I walked on the beach in the afternoon - wonderful high and stormy seas. The river was starting to flood on the opposite bank.  And then I got on with polishing my dive thriller.  I am having to cut and cut and cut, and just hope it doesn't end up as a short story.

It is also about how we are ruining the earth, but as I was writing this (I began it years ago, am a very slow writer), I was learning what the Bible really says, and of Jehovah's promise that he will "bring to ruin those ruining the earth".  So it ends on a hopeful note, where "Till" does not.

I am planning to visit Maggie today and hope to do some more calls on the way back.  The Captain will be occupied with his Conservation work, clearing Downland for the Duke (of Burgundy - butterfly - not Member of the Aristocracy).

During Wind and Rain

Hair Moss, Polytrichum commune

The weather, the year coming so quickly to its end, and my seventieth year approaching rapidly makes me feel it is time for Thomas Hardy.


DURING WIND AND RAIN
by Thomas Hardy
(Moments of Vision)


They sing their dearest songs -
He, she, all of them - yea,
Treble and tenor and bass,
     And one to play ;
With the candles mooning each face...
     Ah, no; the years O!
How the sick leaves reel down in throngs!

They clear the creeping moss -
Elders and juniors - aye,
Making the pathways neat
     And the garden gay ;
And they build a shady seat...
     Ah, no; the years, the years;
See, the white storm-birds wing across!

They are blithely breakfasting all -
Men and maidens- yea,
Under the summer tree,
     With a glimpse of the bay,
While pet fowl come to the knee,,,
     Ah, no; the years O!
And the rotten rose is ript from the wall.

They change to a high new house,
He, she, all of them - aye,
Clocks and carpets and chairs
    On the lawn all day,
And brightest things that are theirs...
    Ah, no; the years, the years;
Down their carved names the rain-drop ploughs.



I walked to the shops this afternoon, taking my library books on the way.  Captain B had my car as he was at Jackie's trying to fix her computer, which seems to have gone awol during her illness.

We - the Captain, Terry, Jacks and me - are going to the talk at the Wetland Trust tonight.

And I sent a copy of "Till they Dropped" to Lilian of Expatland, with a little card and a Kingdom tract.  I am hoping she has resumed her Bible study.  And I got a thank you card from Dave - a gentleman on my magazine route who I never see and who I have to post the magazines to every month.  I haven't heard from him or seen him for years now... and have wondered if I have been sending the magazines, cards and letters into the void.  So the card was very encouraging.

How often Jehovah sends us encouragement when we are feeling a bit down.

Routine

Jacks came round for supper last night, so, hopefully, we are back in our routine!    We had chicken curry, rice and raita, by me, a dahl by Waitrose, chutney by Captain B, dessert by Lidl, plus cheese & biscuits,  and Thornton's chocolates (from Jackie).

The weather here is alternating between stormy, and damp and mild. There have been some fabulous seas.  Jean and I were out yesterday, picking up on some of our calls.  She had long chats with two people, and I found two at home.  One was a lady I called on months ago, and have not found since. But she remembered me straight away - took the magazine eagerly -and very definitely wants to see us in the New Year.  So that was such a worthwhile morning.

I didn't get to the Field Service Group on Thursday - getting to the meeting in the evening was about all I managed.    And on Friday, the Captain and I shopped in the morning, and I made the curry in the afternoon. And just that exhausted me.  In my youth, I would have shopped and cooked after a day at work, and thought nothing of it.  Anyway, I am very grateful to be here, to be enjoying retirement so much, and simply to be able to walk about.

If all goes to plan, I will be out on the doors with one of my siblings this afternoon.

Empty Trees

Arundel WWT

Its been days of beautiful skies, silhouetting the empty trees, in between rain and storm.  I spent yesterday morning with Maggie and we enjoyed the view of the tender blue skies, and fluffy Sussex clouds from her window. She is a lot better now, thank goodness, and we hope to see each other again tonight at the meeting.  The Captain and I went to Arundel Wetlands on Tuesday, but I did get out on the doors on Monday and Wednesday.  And hopefully I will go out today, though I won't make the group this morning.

Field Maple leaves, Acer campestre

I am so far behind with my calls that the worry of it is keeping me awake at nights.  Which is making me ever more tired.   With some I have tried - many times - but I simply can not find them again. With others...  I got back to one road yesterday and for the life of me I can't remember working on it. Have I got the wrong road down?  It has been a distracting year with the further health issues, but still.

On the plus side, I have managed to find a couple of people who remembered my call, and who  took more literature and who say I may call back in the New Year.  And one lady took my last copy of the November mags, which set out God's view of war,  as she said she had been praying about the continuing wars in the Middle East.  "See you next year!"  I said, as I left.  And hopefully I will.

Jackie came round for a cup of tea, after Captain B took her for her latest hospital tests.  And all being well, she will be round for supper on Saturday. So we are all getting back to normal.

Busy Bees (or Butterflies)

Peacock, Inachis io

Got back from an early shop at Waitrose on Friday to find a vast load of Butterfly Membership paperwork on my doorstep... aaaaarrrrrgggghhhhh.., the morning vanished, as I then made a giant chicken casserole with loads of veggies to see us through the weekend.  Then it was a housework and paperwork afternoon.

I was out with my siblings on the door to door work on Thursday and again Saturday morning, when Jean and I did some calls together.   And on this stormy Sunday I got to the meeting - Maggie was back hurray - and made myself do a couple of magazine route calls on the way back, plus I called on a gentleman I first called on in May and have not seen since...   All were at home, and the guy from May says I may call back in the New Year.

So many calls to get back to...  I want to be reasonably up to date by the end of the month... but.

It was the Metal Detectorists Annual Do on Saturday night, at The Six Bells.  They put on a very good do - the food was fine - the service good - maybe we will take ourselves there for lunch one day.

Though we rarely eat out nowadays.

Hunting the Wild Fungi Herds

bracket fungi

We were following the fungi herds in Arundel Tuesday afternoon - we saw Terry and had a chat.   We found lots - and Captain B is just sorting them out and getting them all identified now - the photos of them I mean.   One of the many things I look forward to in the restored earthly Paradise (IF I am there) is roaming through Woodand in Autumn, gathering mushrooms to eat.

I wouldn't dare do it now, as even the most experienced gatherer can make mistakes - and those mistakes can be fatal.  So, for the moment, we stick to photographing them.

This morning I visited Maggie, and bumped into another sister at a bus stop and gave her a lift to Waitrose. I also posted the books to Maggie (Maggie of Bangkok) and to my old schoolfriend, and the magazines to Dave.  I always have to post them to him as I can never find him at home, and his block of flats has no accessible letterboxes.

Then I walked to the library to take my books back - a marathon - 15 mins there, and 15 mins back - and apart from getting our tea and a bit of studying I have done nothing else and I plan an evening slumped in front of the telly.  Its scary to be so exhausted...

On the Doubleplusgood side, Tom seems to have made a full recovery, and Jackie took herself shopping today - the first time she has been able to for about 2 months.

Flowers in the Storm

1930s Art Deco bridge, Mewsbrook Park

Wonderful waves on the Channel the last 3 days as there is a storm going on.  The Captain and I were out in the storm this morning photographing fungi - and the odd flower that bravely blossomed in the face of it.  It was lovely in the tiny woodland - we could hear the storm roaring but were quite sheltered. Col also took some pictures of the Art Deco shelters in the Park.

Periwinkle

Yesterday... think think... it was the Meeting in the morning - a lovely talk about forgiveness, and the Watchtower study... then I went to Waitrose and shopped for both Jacks and us.     Then came back, made a big lamb casserole.  Then I collapsed and did nothing at all.  Apart from a bit of paperwork.

I now have to sit down and tackle my dive thriller. Reading it again, after a year or so, I see a lot of cutting is needed, and I am wondering if I am going to shrink it to a short story. I hope not, but it could happen.

Jane and I were out on the door to door work on Saturday morning and finished our territory with the help of some of our siblings.I think all I did for the rest of the day, apart from get our lunch and tea, was to get some paperwork done and sorted.  I sent a copy of "Old Playgrounds" to Jean, along with a get well card.  And I also packaged up some copies of "Till they Dropped" to send to friends who have requested one.  I am enclosing a little leaflet about the Kingdom of God with the books, as I am explaining that, when i wrote it, I did not know Jehovah's promise that he will "bring to ruin those ruining the earth".

Maggie messaged me this morning asking for a copy so I have one packaged up and ready to post to Bangkok.

TILL THEY DROPPED

The old-fashioned, horse-drawn, paper copies of "Till They Dropped" arrived this week. Very exciting!   Although I am alarmed at just how short a book it is.  It still seems to me more of a long short story than a very short novel, but I must defer to my young publisher here.

He has given it a lovely cover.  Just right.  Its (I hope): My earliest childhood meets the 21st century - with some rather old-fashioned terminology, as I wrote it years ago.  However, I can say that it is even more relevant now than it was when I wrote it.

paperback and Kindle versions are available here: http://amzn.to/1jnZskR

Also, when I wrote it, I don't think I knew of the promise from Jehovah, the God of Abraham, that he will "bring to ruin those ruining the earth".

I hope I have a quiet day today before a busy weekend.  Its almost frightening how tired I am.  I got to the meeting last night - and how lovely it was.   If only I could action all this wonderful teaching better.

Brothers

It was so difficult to get myself to the Field Service Group this morning - but I am so glad I did. As Barbara and I set off to my car we passed a gang of scaffolders working away on a local pub.

"Are you our sisters?"  they asked.   It turned out they are all Jehovah's Witnesses.  They were telling us how they set up their own firm to give themselves more time to do the preaching work, but were now becoming almost too busy!

It made a lovely start to our day.  We had both had a struggle with ourselves this morning and we talked about how the batteries run down as you get old.  Barbara came with me to some of my outstanding return visits, and that has helped me so much.  I feel if I can only get out a bit at the weekend and do a few more I will feel as if I am starting to get back on top of things.

The News is sending chills down my spine, and underlines the urgency of the Kingdom preaching work.  

Yesterday I spent the morning with Maggie - and shopped for Jackie on the way back. then went home and collapsed.  And I enjoyed a quiet night in in front of Masterchef and The Apprentice.

Barbara and I were talking about what we were most looking forward to during the Thousand Years. Obviously, most of all the resurrection, and to see our parents again.   And also to be able to care properly for the animals.    I was watching Monkey Business the other night- and Monkey World does a wonderful job, and I hope Jehovah will bless them for it - but the sadness of what some of those animals have been through, often in experimental laboratories, is almost unbearable.

Nothing like that will ever happen again when God's Kingdom rules.

Here is a lovely little poem by Stevie Smith:

IT FILLED MY HEART WITH LOVE

In his fur the animal rode, and in his fur he strove
And oh it filled my heart my heart, it filled my heart with love.

The Body on the Beach

That sounds like an Agatha Christie mystery, but, when I was out with my siblings on the door to door preaching work this morning, a passer-by told us there was a body on the beach!  And we could see that something was going on down there. The emergency services were out.

However, there is nothing about it on the local news, so hopefully, it was a false alarm.  Perhaps somebody was rescued from the sea?   But it seems clear there was no body.

Which then reminded me of the Beachcomber take on Agatha Christie - in his detective story the whole village plus local police forced are deeply shocked when they find that there is no body in the library. And they begin to investigate as to why nobody has been murdered.

Anyway, I did some door to door work, and a couple of calls. So moved things on a tiny tiny bit.   I spoke to Jacks on the phone and have a shopping list from her for tomorrow. I will call in after my visit to Maggie.  Captain Butterfly has been called away on a Search and Rescue, and hurtled out laden with torches and whistles and yellow jackets and suchlike.

Jackie wants some more soup.  She says the soup I gave her is "the best she ever tasted".  Which is lovely to hear - but... worrying I can't possibly re-create it.   I simply threw every veggie I had at the time into the Morphy Richards Soupmaker (which has to take the credit anyway), so I won't be able to make that exact blend again. I am considering making her a leek and potato tomorrow.  With which earth-shattering piece of news I think I will sign off.   Except  I won't be able to sleep as the Captain isn't here.

He's back!  Thank God.  And wanting a cup of tea.  And, sadly I end this blog where I began it, as while they did not find the missing person, he fears it is now a body search.

A Soupathon

Arundel tulips - cover for 2016 calendar

Jean and I set off Saturday morning  - a cold and windy morning - I was driving through sunshine and kind of sleety rain - but the sky in the Downland distance was a steely grey snow sky. It made for a wonderful numinous light.  We both talked about what an amazingly lovely earth Jehovah has made for us.

Unfortunately we managed to arrive at the wrong door.  We are in a Field Service Group that meets at different houses, and clearly you need to be a bit more wick than us to work it out right every time. Anyway, rather than blunder about like a pair of confused and elderly moths beating our wings against the wrong doors all morning, Jean asked if we could do some calls instead. Did I have any outstanding calls?

Did I have any outstanding calls?    Does Gladys Knight have Pips?  Is the Pope a Catholic?    So I gratefully accepted her offer, and we moved along my magazine route, plus a couple of return visits of mine and one of hers.   We only found two people in, but had a nice chat at each door.  A quick chat though - it was cold, and the wind was so strong.  It rocked my little car at one point!

Anyway, I am very grateful to have got some more done - feel a lot better now.  After I had taken Jean home, I got back to find Captain Butterfly had flown off into the cold and storm, and was out there, somewhere in the Downland, photographing things.

His 2016 calendar is lovely.  It is his year in Photographs.   You will find it if you follow The Captain's Log link: http://colinknight.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/uk-wildlife-calendar-2016.html

After I had had some lunch - toast and a choc ice - I am sure my book "The Toast and Choc Ice Diet" will be a brilliant success if I ever get it written - I went out and got a paper and took it round to Jacks. She was looking a bit better, at last.  And when I asked if she would like some home-made veggie soup, she gave a definite Yes.   So I made two batches, crammed with every veggie in the house, one for Jackie and one for us.  And now, Sunday afternoon, the Captain is delivering it in person. He will then have a short walk to the beach - brrrr.  I am planning to stay in and stay warm. I got to the meeting at the Hall this morning, but am still struggling to get rid of this cold. Got very little sleep last night as I was so uncomfortable.

In the Early Hours

Up in the early hours of Saturday morning. Bad cold. Worrying about going out on the field service today. And I had a bad dream. Very rare for me these days.  I am angry with myself that I didn't ask Jehovah for help during my dream. The last time I had one, years ago, that is what I did, and the whole thing fell away instantly.

In that dream a cupboard door was opening and something terrible was about to come out. I managed, in my dream state, to ask Jehovah for help, and straight away I saw that all that was in the cupboard was a little old lady, a sweet lady, with a present for me.

Appropriately enough yesterday was a medical day.  My routine visit to my arthritis specialist  - he and his lovely nurse are both very kind and friendly.   It looks like I will be able to stay on this medication - and all seems as well as it can be.   And we also shopped for Jackie - still sick, still housebound.

Our rescue is so close at hand though. So close.  The news... what can I say?  Its sending chills down my spine.   We have been telling people for decades that Bible prophecy says that the political powers turn on the world's religions.  The U.N. will spearhead the attack. I have no idea if we are seeing the beginnings of this at the moment, but what is happening does underline the urgency of the Christian preaching work.

Spectacular Seas

Spectacular seas this afternoon, with a wonderful background of roaring waves. The day started off sunny, though windy - as I drove to visit Maggie.  Her daughter was there and we sorted out the matter of the calendars. Then after I got back and made lunch - leek and potato soup - the 2016 calendars arrived. They look lovely and I hope everyone will like them.

I feel so tired - and fell asleep after lunch and had some strange and vivid dreams.

Yesterday was very busy. I was out with my siblings all morning on the preaching work - had two nice calls.  But I must must must get on with my route calls and returns. Being ill last month did not help. One of the items in the Ministry School tomorrow night is about following up on interest found, and I know I am going to be sitting there feeling very guilty.

Then yesterday afternoon was spent making up all the Membership Packages.  The paperwork arrived on Monday, and I spent Monday doing it.  Butterfly HQ has had another membership drive - wonderful for all, except the poor beleaguered Membership Secretaries.

Anyway, Captain Butterfly nobly took them all the Post Office in a wheelie suitcase while I was with Maggie, so its done and dusted.

Got the first of the Christmas letters this morning - from an old friend from Uni days. She and her husband really seem to be enjoying their retirement.

The world situation...  people on both sides of the Christendom/Islam divide adding fuel to the fire...   yet the advice in Psalm 37 is perfect.   It tells us how "the world" is going to make us feel, it tells us how to react in the face of it all - howto stay on the "the narrow road" that leads to life, to keep calm and try to do good to all - and, above all, it assures us that a rescue is on the way - so close at hand now.

(Psalm 37:7-11) "Keep silent before Jehovah And wait expectantly for him. Do not be upset by the man who succeeds in carrying out his schemes.   Let go of anger and abandon rage; Do not become upset and turn to doing evil.   For evil men will be done away with, But those hoping in Jehovah will possess the earth.  Just a little while longer, and the wicked will be no more; You will look at where they were, And they will not be there.  But the meek will possess the earth, And they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace."

Autumn and Paris and the Butterfly AGM

Common Beech, Fagus sylvatica

Strange driving through the rain on Saturday to the Butterfly AGM.  It was a grey and rainy day, and we were surrounded by the woods of Autumn - golden leaves thick on the wet ground.    We were listening to the news of the Paris massacres on the radio.  All those lives ended suddenly.  And so many bereaved families.

In spite of the sadness, with the weather being in harmony with the News, it was a very good day. The Butterfly Conservers turned out in force - the venue, the Chobham Hilton was excellent - and the talks were up to the usual high standard.   And somehow Michael Blencowe managed to make a dry subject -"Engaging People in Recording" - the most entertaining of the day.  He had us laughing from beginning to end, and we learnt a lot while doing so.

We got back late and tired - the poor Captain has finally caught the fluey-cold that laid me low and put Jacks in hospital.  So now its my turn to look after them.  I took Jackie in a load of shopping after the meeting yesterday, and am keeping up a regular supply of lemsips, hot drinks and fruit to the wounded Captain. All he seems to want to eat is soup, so I will be providing that too.

The Meeting at the Hall yesterday was excellent - Public Talk and Watchtower study harmonising beautifully - but I was in such pain from my arthritic wrist that it was a bit hard to concentrate.

The post-sixty years would be the best ever, if it weren't for the health issues.   I was thinking of how much I have learned in nearly 70 years - so, IF I am in the restored earthly Paradise, how much will I learn in the next 70?

Especially as Revelation tells us there will be more inspired writings - new scrolls - after Armageddon.   What will we learn next?

I am guessing (and please note that it is just a guess) that one thing we will be told is who is going to be resurrected and when.  IF I am there, I will be looking anxiously for the names of my aged parents.  Obviously I hope all those killed in the latest atrocities will be remembered at that time, and woken from the dreamless sleep of death into an earth truly at peace.

SPIDER!

A horror story from the Oz branch of the famiy, via facebook:

"It started with an innocuous-sounding request on a typical wet and stormy Sydney evening: "Dad, I'm trying to get to sleep but there's a huntsman in my room. Can you catch it?". "Sure" I replied, confidently walking into the room with my usual spider-catching kit: a plastic cup and a small piece of card. Moments later, I backed out, feeling slightly less confident. "Gulp... I think I'm going to need a bigger cup. Hand me the plastic salad bowl - no, the big one".

The plan seemed simple enough: catch the brute in the bowl and put it out in the garden. Unfortunately, it had seen the weather outside and had other ideas. I had to call for back up.

The next ten minutes saw me and Jeanne in a frantic chase / arm-wrestle around the room against a determined foe (and arm wrestling is no joke when your opponent has eight of them). It was basically the scene from Alien when Ripley and Newt get locked in the med-lab with the face-hugger, re-imagined by the Keystone Kops. Finally we cornered it when it jumped onto one of those giant exercise ball things, and Jeanne bravely picked it up.

The spider made a dash for freedom along the equator of the small moon on which it now found itself, heading straight for Jeanne's face, while she frantically spun the ball backwards to keep the spider on the "Dark Side of the Moon" so to speak. So the three of us ran through the house like this, Jeanne yelling "Open the door! Open the door!" and spinning the ball; the spider running for dear life; and me crashing into things, tripping over things, fumbling with the front door lock, fumbling with the catch on the screen door, until finally I got the door open and we flung the whole caboodle out into space, err, I mean, the front yard.

Phew! Until next time..."

I have met those Huntsmen Spiders on my visits, and the average one would make me hide behind the nearest Alien.  I don't like to think about this one.

We - my siblings and me - were out on the doors yesterday.  I set off feeling tired and depressed, but we had a good time together and then on my way back I called in on a lovely gentleman on my magazine route and got such a warm welcome, that I arrived home feeling much happier,

The Importance of Names

Back to the field service yesterday morning with Cathy. We had a couple of good calls, and we got a warm welcome from one lady who thanked me for posting the magazines, said how much she enjoyed reading them, and that the advice in them - the Biblical advice - is helping her tackle a serious problem.

We both felt very encouraged by that - as we want people to realise that the Bible will help them right here and now, as well as showing them the way to a wonderful future - life forever in the restored earthly Paradise.

Jackie is out of hospital - rather frail and shaky - the fluey thing hit her so hard.   We popped round and took her some flowers yesterday afternoon  - and I took her shopping round at lunchtime today after my visit to Maggie.  We will do her shopping until she feels OK to drive again.

My bro in law is back in hospital.  It does not look good.

The book "Imitate their Faith" which we are using in our Thursday night Bible study is wonderful.   Tomorrow we are looking at the faith of Noah who lived, as we do, in a world full of violence.

And I was amazed how much we learnt about Cain and Abel last week - even though Genesis does not say a lot about them.  For example, the reason for the deadly rivalry that Cain felt towards his brother may be explained by the names they were given.

I quote from the book:

  "Exiled to life outside the garden, Adam and Eve found their existence hard. Yet, when their first child was born, they named him Cain, or "Something Produced," and Eve proclaimed:"I have produced a man with the aid of Jehovah."  Her words suggest that she may have had in mind the promise Jehovah made in the garden, foretelling that a certain woman would produce a "seed" or offspring, who would one day destroy the wicked one who had led Adam and Eve astray. (Gen.3:15; 4:1)  Did Eve imagine she was the woman in the prophecy and that Cain was the promised "seed"?

  If so, she was sadly mistaken.  What is more, if she and Adam fed Cain such ideas as he grew up, they surely did his imperfect human pride no good.  In time, Eve bore a second son, but we find no such high-flown statements about him.  They named him Abel, which may mean "Exhalation", or "Vanity." (Gen.4:2)  Did that choice of name reflect lower expectations, as if they put less hope in Abel than in Cain?  We can only guess.

  Parents today can learn much from those first parents.  By your words and actions, will you feed your children's pride, ambition, and selfish tendencies?  Or will you teach them to love Jehovah God and seek friendship with him?"

"In Pursuit of Butterflies" by Matthew Oates

Butterfly David drove us through the pouring rain to the AGM yesterday - my first outing for over two weeks, except for when I went to Waitrose with the Captain to help with a shop for Jackie.

It all went very well - an even bigger turn out than last year -  with two excellent speakers. Michael gave his usual witty summary of the butterfly year in Sussex, and Matthew Oates talked about his new book, a sort of butterfly autobiography, and read us some extracts.  He hadn't brought many copies with him, but the Captain managed to get us one. And I am very much looking forward to reading it.

I was so happy when, during his talk, Matthew said that Paradise is here on the earth.  Yes.  Yes and yes.  Col had to throw a blanket over my cage at that point so I wouldn't spring up and say YES.  Then we were early in the queue and managed to get a copy of the book.

As there was a queue, all I said to Matthew Oates was that I was now tempted to auction his book to the disappointed queue, which he thought was funny. And I said that I loved it when he said the earth was Paradise.   I left it there, but plan to write to him when I have read the book.

I am very very tired now.  But it was my first real outing for a while. And it was a good day.  My fruit cake disappeared to the last crumb - even though we had loads of lovely home made cakes this year. And the raffle prize we bought - a framed copy of a print of the Captain's photo of the Swallowtail also went quickly. So we felt we had made a contribution.

However, I know that no matter how hard so many good-hearted people are trying, we cannot save the butterfly population, or restore the Paradise.   Only Jehovah can do that.  And He will. Which is what i am hoping to be able to tell Matthew Oates when I write to him.  Only he said sadly to me when I told him I loved him saying the earth is Paradise, that, yes, but it is being ruined.

So I hope to be able to show him the promise in Revelation, that Jehovah "will bring to ruin those ruining the earth".

The Caterpillar that Wanted to Fly

Mullein moth caterpillar, Shargacucullia verbasci

On The Apprentice on Wednesday night, the contestants had to write, publish, and sell a children's book - for 3 to 5 year olds.  For some strange TV reason, the wrong book won. But it really got me going and I spent quite a bit of bedtime thinking about the book.   My subconscious must have worked away while I was asleep because I woke up to:

THE CATERPILLAR THAT WANTED TO FLY

As their books were in rhyme, I have tried to do the same with mine.

Carl the Caterpillar goes off to Caterpillar school   (to learn the caterpillar rules?)   Anyway, they are there to learn to eat and fly, but he is impatient and wants to try (see my rhyme?) to fly.  He ripples off up to the roof and tries to fly off it. At which point I need a rhyme for Kersplat.   He then decides he needs a parachute, and makes one out of a nasturtium leaf, and tries again.  He floats down under nasturtium power until,  half way down, hunger pangs strike and he eats his parachute leaf.   There will be a rhyme there with "and so he comes to grief".

It ends happily when he goes back to school and learns how to enter into the magic chrysalis room; from there he soars up to the sky, something something something high, a brand-newly minted butterfly!

I am quite pleased with it. And Lord Sugar, if you are listening in, can I have my quarter million pounds now?

I had to listen in to the Meeting last night - but hope to be back to the Hall on Sunday.  I am coughing a lot less.  And I hope I will get to the AGM tomorrow.   I did make two batches of marmalade cupcakes this morning, so hopefully my cakes will go even if I don't. And I am up to date with my studying.

Ken is out of hospital today, after a harrowing time. We are all getting so old...
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The Cakeathon

Its the local Butterfly AGM this Saturday - and, as Membership Secretary I ought to be there to help with teas.  But will I be?  Still down with this dreadful fluey-cold, coughing and coughing and coughing.

I have at least made a fruit cake, so that can go, whether I do or not. And I think on Friday I must make a couple of batches of marmalade muffins. We were a bit short of cake last year as I remember it, and it is not only a fundraiser for Butterflies, but also its nice for people to have a break with a cup of tea and a slice of home-made cake.

The sad thing is though that either way I will miss the Broadcast at the Hall on Saturday afternoon, I can listen to it by myself at home, which is great, but its not the same as listening with my brothers and sisters, in our home (as it were).

Then next Saturday it is the National AGM - a full day out, with butterfly talks and a lunch.   It is a lovely occasion - you could live many lifetimes and not know half of what there is to know about butterflies and moths it seems.  But its also sad, in that, at the Kingdom Hall, we talk and learn a lot about the creation - its beauty and its complexity. But we always always give the credit to its Creator, Jehovah the God of Abraham.    Whereas on the Butterfly Conservation occasions, though we hear of and see many wonderful and beautiful creations, no-one even mentions the Creator, let alone by name.

Kenton Cool - and the Circuit Overseer

The Circuit Overseer referenced Kenton Cool and his 11 successful ascents of Everest to illustrate the Public Talk he gave at the Kingdom Hall today.  Once again I was listening in on the phone link, not daring to go anywhere near Maggie, who is so frail at the moment, as I was coughing and coughing.

My ribs hurt.  I have had enough really.

As you may, or may not, know, I am a great armchair mountaineer and me and my sofa have been up Everest even more times than Kenton Cool. (brag brag)  There is hardly an expedition that hasn't towed me up there.   When I write my mountaineering autobiography it will be called: "Everest, the Comfy Way."

Anyway, the point the Speaker was making was about the need for a reliable guide.  Kenton climbs with Sherpa guides, as they are the ones who know the mountain, who know which routes to take.

The subject of the talk was:  Are God's ways truly Beneficial?

And of course they are a safe guide, the only safe guide.   Which is what we are trying to tell you when we come to your door.   That we are all lost, sheep without a shepherd, and we need to find our Creator and get safely to him.  And "the fine shepherd" - Jesus Christ, the head of the Christian congregation - is the safe and reliable guide, who will get us there.

Perhaps the keynote Scripture was Psalm 37:34: " Hope in Jehovah and follow his way, And he will exalt you to take possession of the earth. When the wicked are done away with, you will see it."

His second talk, after the abbreviated Watchtower study was:  "What is Jehovah requiring of you?"

A powerful reminder for each one of us.   We all need to work together in harmony, following Jehovah's instructions.   And I was thinking as I was listening, yes, we can see the results. The preaching work is a mighty engine,  A miracle in itself, it goes on round the world, pretty much 24/7, getting stronger and strong all the time.  And we can choose to be part of it, if we wish. While there will be plenty of teaching to do during the Thousand Years, this current preaching work will never come again.  Why not play a part?

The bonfire is still smoking on the Green.  I meant to look out last night and see if it was still glowing, but I forgot.   Captain Butterfly has just left, off on Long-tailed Blue business - he has taken his sandwich lunch. He is dropping a paper and some shopping in to Jackie, who is still ill and housebound.    And I have the leftovers of the lamb and veggie stew I made yesterday which will just need heating up for supper.  Its tempting to go back to bed.  But I  must at least get on with some studying and housework.  I hope hope hope to be back out on the preaching work tomorrow.

The Circuit Overseer's First Talk

Our new C.O. gave his first talk on Tuesday night.  I had to listen on the phone line, but he said a hello to all of us listening in. Which was very nice.   I did take notes (or possibly a drunken spider got into some ink and staggered across the pages of my notebook),  so thought I would try to make a bit of sense of them and remind myself of some of the key point


His theme was:   BELIEVE INSPIRED TRUTH, NOT INSPIRED ERROR    and I guess the key Scriptures were  1 John 4:6 and Revelation 16:13, 14, both of which are quoted below.

The point being that the world is being filled with Satanic propaganda. It will lead us to destruction if we let it.  So take care.

The Speaker read 1 John 4:6:  "We originate with God. Whoever comes to know God listens to us; whoever does not originate with God does not listen to us. By this we distinguish the inspired statement of truth from the inspired statement of error."

And then he read John 17:3:   "This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ."

Because, clearly, the more we come to know both Jehovah and Jesus, the easier we will find it to distinguish "the inspired statement of truth from the inspired statement of error".  We will come to understand how Jehovah feels about things, what his standards are.

The Speaker then used the illustration of blue-screen technology - the way film makers can use the blue screen to create the most amazing and convincing illusions - such as a high speed car chase through the busy streets of rush hour New York.    But it is an illusion.

And the world is full of dangerous effects and illusions. And he read these words from Revelation 16:13,14:    "And I saw three unclean inspired expressions that looked like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the wild beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet.  They are, in fact, expressions inspired by demons and they perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the entire inhabited earth, to gather them together to the war of the great day of God the Almighty."

He pointed out that the expression "like frogs" should remind us of one of the plagues that Jehovah brought on the Egyptians.  They made the land stink, it became unclean.

Demonic propaganda is clever and it's everywhere.    And Satan controls all the world's governments. So that even though, hopefully, many of those ruling want to provide peace, prosperity and security for their people, they can't. They are driven by the demonic program.

The Speaker then asked us to consider some of the ways that Satan uses.

1.  THE MEDIA

How powerful is it today?   The internet has reached every corner of the earth, promoting attitudes completely contrary to Jehovah's standards.

2. POLITICS

Satan controls them.

3. BABYLON THE GREAT  (The world Empire of false religion)

 What comfort do they give their people?  A sister reported that a grieving parent was told "God doesn't just want old people with him in heaven."   And he reminded us of the words at John 4:6:   "We originate with God. Whoever comes to know God listens to us; whoever does not originate with God does not listen to us. By this we distinguish the inspired statement of truth from the inspired statement of error."


The Speaker then spoke of some catchphrases the world will use to mislead.

For example, there is:    "You will have to accept me as I am".   I am not going to change, and I can't change."

We then read Ezekiel 18:25:    “‘But you will say: “The way of Jehovah is unjust.” Please listen, O house of Israel! Is it my way that is unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust?"

We can change our ways if we listen to Jehovah and want to please him.  We can follow the example of Jesus who always wanted to please his Father.  So we should be willing to do everything we can to change whatever in us is not pleasing to God.

In matters of Sexual Morality, the world says: "Do what you want."

But we note the words at 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5:  " For this is the will of God, that you should be holy and abstain from sexual immorality.  Each one of you should know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,  not with greedy, uncontrolled sexual passion like the nations have that do not know God."

The Speaker then directed us to 1 John 4:6 again - one of the key Scriptures of the talk.    "We originate with God. Whoever comes to know God listens to us; whoever does not originate with God does not listen to us. By this we distinguish the inspired statement of truth from the inspired statement of error."

We need to pay attention to Jehovah - and wait on him for understanding of his word.    The Speaker used the illustration of a beautiful present someone had all wrapped for us. We would wait for the moment they wanted to give it to us- the right moment.

We then read 2 Timothy 6:9:   "But those who are determined to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and many senseless and harmful desires that plunge men into destruction and ruin."

Satan is promoting the lie of materialism, telling us that the more we have, the happier we are.  And the Speaker pointed out that we can be poor, and still fall into this trap, if our lives are geared towards trying to get rich,

He then reminded us that Jehovah has given us free will.  He wants us to choose to obey him because we have come to love him and to love his law.

The Speaker then reminded us of the warning at 1 Timothy 4:1:  "However, the inspired word clearly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to misleading inspired statements and teachings of demons,"

Jehovah is trying to get our attention and protect us.  The Speaker reminded us of  Demas, who started out a faithful brother in the first century, but who then turned away from Jehovah.  He forsook the truth and followed the lie.

Another slogan of "the world" is that "Higher Education is the only way to establish a career".   Our young ones are under pressure if they do well at school, as they often do, as they are part of a congregation being taught by Jehovah, who is the Source of all wisdom.   

We then looked at what Paul said at Philippians 3:7,8:  "Yet, the things that were gains to me, I have considered loss on account of the Christ.  What is more, I do indeed also consider all things to be loss on account of the excelling value of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have taken the loss of all things and I consider them as a lot of refuse, that I may gain Christ."

Paul was a man who had had the highest education of his day - he had been taught by Gamaliel, which was I suppose the equivalent of having an Oxbridge degree.  A great career in "the world" lay before him, but it was nothing to him - just "a lot of refuse" - compared to the knowledge of the Christ.

He walked away from all the world offered him and followed in Jesus' footsteps.  How do we feel?

Another catchphrase to be wary of is:"Armageddon will come, but not in MY lifetime."

We need to pay close attention to Jesus' words at Matthew 24:44, when he said:   "On this account, you too prove yourselves ready, because the Son of man is coming at an hour that you do not think to be it."

Be ready. It will take even those expecting it by surprise when it comes!    And the Speaker gave us the example of a brother called Emanuel who has 6 daughters.  He wanted all his daughters to be spiritually ready, to prove themselves ready, so he organised his family to get together once every day to do the Daily Text and to study the Bible together.  He has found it has made such a difference to his family.

Another way Satan can demoralise us and stop us serving Jehovah by using this thought:  "Jehovah can never forgive me after what I have done."

That is the lie.  But here is the truth, in Isaiah 1:18:   “Come, now, and let us set matters straight between us,” says Jehovah. “Though your sins are like scarlet, They will be made as white as snow; Though they are as red as crimson cloth, They will become like wool."

Jehovah is on our side in this. He wants to forgive us and get us to safety.And he has provided the wonderful ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ to provide that forgiveness.  We need to exercise faith in the ransom, and not in ourselves.

Another wrong viewpoint the world is putting forward is that "Pornography is harmless fun".

No.  We must be like Job, and make a convenant with our eyes that we will not look on or dwell on anything Jehovah considers worthless.  

The Speaker concluded with reminders about the dangers of bad association, especially on the internet.

I don't think he concluded quite as abruptly as that - I think my arthritic writing hand gave out just then (or the drunken spider passed out).

I hope I have the gist of it down though.   If I had to summarise it, I would say its a timely reminder that the world is full of dangerous lies. We need to keep very close to Jehovah, and his word, and his congregation - or we will certainly be misled.

The Gallant Captain to the Rescue

Captain Butterfly has just hurtled off on his white charger to take Jacks a paper and see how she is. And he is going to drive her to the hospital later for some tests. This mysterious lurg she and I have is taking quite a toll on her.

I am still full of a cold, still coughing and sneezing, and worrying away about how I am going to get my magazine route calls for this month finished.  I think my only option will be to spend the rest of the day writing out letters and cards and post them with the magazines. I will scrub my hands well before packaging them.  I have my car back now, so I could probably go to the Post Office with them. If not, I know that the Gallant Captain will...

I am loathe to go around spreading this though, seeing what a toll its taking on Jacks.    But I went to Waitrose with Col yesterday - he did our shop, I did Jack's - as I had discussed with her what she needed - she is having difficulty eating anything at the moment, so we discussed some soups that might be edible - but I felt a bit dizzy by the end of it (a tiny shopping trip!).  

Its sad to miss the C.O.'s visit. He said, on Tuesday night, that they were going out to do street work on the Wednesday morning.  Now, I have never really done that, and am very apprehensive about it, so it would have been a great way to start learning... however.    The only kind of street witnessing I have done was in Sheffield years ago. We stood outside the local supermarket, holding up copies of the Watchtower and Awake.

While I was there a friend of Nute's, one of her colleagues from Academe, came cycling past, saw me, saw what I was holding up, and nearly crashed his bike in amazement.  Nute said he asked her if that was really me.  "Please tell him to stop and talk next time", I pleaded.   No-one else did. So I could do with some training. And I would love to have observed the C.O, in action.

Maybe next time?

And thank you Jehovah for Captain Butterfly, who is taking such good care of us.   And thank you too for a rather grey and rainy day which means he can't be called away on active duty with the Butterfly Regiments.

What did I do yesterday?    We did do the shopping together.  I made sandwiches for our lunch - Col's disappearing off with his into the wide blue yonder of Sussex, as he continued his hunt for the long-tailed blue - see his blog for photos,   While I had mine in front of Bargain Hunt.  And then I made a fruit cake.    More cake-making lies ahead as the Butterfly AGM looms, and the coffee and cake interval is a fund raiser.  We were a bit short of cake last year, so I hope to double my production.  and I did some witnessing on line.  A cyberspace friend mentioned one of the tragedies of nature - her cat's catching and killing field mouse.  And I posted  a couple of verses from Genesis and Isaiah, which tell us, clearly and simply, that Jehovah did not make nature "red in tooth and claw", and that he will restore the peace there was in Paradise earthwide. - Genesis 1:30,31; Isaiah 11:6-9

And I did my studying - the section about Abel that I quoted from in a previous blog.  I was thinking that Satan could never have got away with the idea that Genesis is a "creation myth" back then, as the Garden of Eden was still there, with the fiery blade, turning and turning, preventing our return.  The Society believe it would have vanished with the Deluge of Noah's day.

Studying and Poems

Not able to do much at the moment as everything makes me cough, so I thought I might say something about the book we are just starting in our current Bible study- and also perhaps add a favourite poem, hoping someone else will like it.

Captain Butterfly just rang. He and the Butterfly regiments are off on the hunt for the long-tailed blue - so I added an extra piece of cake to his packed lunch for Mark.  And no sooner had I put the phone down than the garage rang to say that the Captain's car, which has been in intensive care for over a week, is ready to leave hospital.   Thank goodness for that.

Though even now I have my car back... I don't see how I can get out on the doors and cough and sneeze all over people - or go to the Hall and cough and sneeze all over my siblings. So I will be housebound for a bit yet.

The poem I have in mind is one I have always loved.  Its called "The Bridal Morn" - no-one knows the author.  It is in the Anonymous section of my "New Oxford Book of English Verse."

But what a wonderful amazing thing language is.  This feels likes a voice from the past, from centuries ago, speaking to me as clearly as it did then.


The Bridal Morn
by anon

The maidens came
     When I was in my mother's bower;
I had all that I would.
     The bailey beareth the bell away;
     The lily, the rose, the rose I lay.
The silver is white, red is the gold;
The robes, they lay in fold.
     The bailey beareth the bell away;
     The lily, the rose, the rose I lay.
And through the glass window shines the sun.
How should I love, and I so young?
     The bailey beareth the bell away;
     The lily, the rose, the rose I lay.


Girls could be married so young then - as is still the case in so many parts of the world.


In harmony with Hebrews 6:12, which tells us to  "be imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises"  we constantly study the Hebrew Scriptures, along with the Christian Greek, and now the congregations worldwide are embarking on a deeper study, to help us to learn even more from the faithful men and women of old.

The book we are using is "Imitate their Faith".  We are beginning with a study of Abel.  Paul said, at Hebrews 11:4:  "By faith Abel offered God a sacrifice of greater worth than that of Cain, and through that faith he received the witness that he was righteous, for God approved his gifts, and although he died, he still speaks through his faith."

So we taking an even closer look at what his faith is saying to us.

And the chapter begins this way:

"ABEL looked at his flock of sheep grazing peacefully on the hillside. Then, perhaps he looked far beyond his sheep to a spot in the distance where he could just make out a faint glow. He knew that right there a flaming blade was turning, ever turning, blocking the way into the garden of Eden. His parents once lived there, but neither they nor their children could enter now. Imagine the late afternoon breeze ruffling Abel’s hair as he turned his gaze upward and thought about his Creator. Would the breach between man and God ever be healed? Abel wanted nothing more than that.

Abel speaks to you today. Can you hear him? You might say that such a thing is impossible. After all, this second son of Adam died a long time ago. His remains are long lost, mingled with the dust of nearly 60 centuries. Regarding the dead, the Bible teaches us: “They are conscious of nothing at all.” (Eccl. 9:5, 10) Further, Abel never uttered a single word that is recorded in the Bible. So how can he speak to us?"

If you would like to know more, you can join your local JW congregation meetings. This book is studied at the weekday meeting which is usually held on a Tuesday or a Thursday evening.  You could also ask your local congregation for a copy of the book.

Jehovah inspired and protected his word so that we could learn from it.

What the Brain Does

I am still down with this awful fluey cold - which started, ironically, just after I had my flu jab. Sore throat, coughing, snuffling, sneezing and general tiredness. The worst thing of all was not being able to sleep for four nights - as if the mechanism in my head that gets me to sleep had been switched off. I was on the verge of ringing the doctor to get some sleeping pills, as I thought I would go mad if I didn't sleep when, click, the switch came back on again, just like that.

Not sleeping well, due to coughing etc, but at least I am sleeping.

Very odd.  And how we take for granted what our brain does for us until it stops doing it.  

Col's car is still hors de combat.

Looking back, with hope - at the Murray Downland Trust

On Wednesday night we went to hear: " Looking back over 50 year's experience of birds, butterflies and orchids and how they have responded to changes in the countryside."   a talk given by Richard Williamson for the Murray Downland Trust.

It was in the village hall, with slides.  Exactly the sort of occasion I have been going to all my life, from my schooldays on.  We had wine and nibbles, rather than tea and biscuits, other than that all was as it was.   I loved it   Does the memory of all those other occasions add to the experience each time?

Richard knew his subject inside out and back to front and gave us a funny as well as informative time. He had a series of bird whistles - some made by his grandfather, some by his father, some by him - and he painted a vivid picture of him making - was it the cuckoo call(?) - and the male bird coming straight down to challenge him and warn him off.  

 "Oi, are you looking at my bird?!"

And in the face of everything, he remains full of hope.  In spite of continuing habitat loss, shooting, hunting, the over-abundance of deer and badger who have no natural predators,  etc etc.
Could wolf packs ever be introduced to Sussex I found myself wondering?  It would hardly be fair to the wolf packs for a start. How would they cope with the roads and all the traffic?

I am very hopeful too, but only because I know that Jehovah has promised that he will "bring to ruin those ruining the earth" - and because I know that Jehovah's promises never fail. Isn't that the very meaning of his name?

Other than that, I have done very little this week. Some studying, some housework, made us meals. Am down with nasty cold - and we are also down to one car.  Jackie is ill too - much worse than I am.  But there is better news of Ken, who may, hopefully, be out of hospital next week.

The Butterfly Shawl

We spent the afternoon at Clymping beach, watching a coromorant drying its wings in the Autumn sunshine, and trying to find and photograph Stonechats.   The sea was as calm as sea can be, and the sky was tender blue with fluffy white clouds. For most of our lives the Captain and I would have been in our separate workplaces on a weekday afternoon - so this is one of the lovely aspects of retirement, to be together like this.

Jackie is back.  Hurray!   And she bought me a silk butterfly shawl from Spain. It is beautiful and I hope I might persuade The Captain to take a photo.   Maybe I will be flittering around the Hall in it at one of the meetings - dazzling everyone with - well, if not my own beauty, at least the shawl's.

And above all, what about the dazzling skills of the Maker of the butterfly, Jehovah the God of Abraham.

Two of my siblings called on Jackie on Saturday morning and left the October magazines with her. She has promised me she will read them.

Though we are both feeling rather ropy since our flu jabs which is worrying. She wasn't at all her usual self on Saturday and I had a sore throat.  I stayed in yesterday, kept warm, and did some studying and some housework.  I should have been at the field service group with Kathy this morning, but (a) she rang up to cancel, and (b) Col's car is in hospital, so he had to take my car.

A few years ago I would have and could have walked to the Hall.  Alas, I can no longer. And this is the sad aspect of retirement- the collapse of the body.

While he was out, in my car, I made a carrot cake, as I realised the supply of freezer-cake for his packed lunches was getting very low.

Fire and Water

We got a surprise at the Kingdom Hall today as, just as the public talk finished, we were told to vacate the Hall at once.  Maggie and I managed to totter out together, and everyone got out in an orderly manner, as I would have expected. So we passed our fire drill. It was a genuine surprise.

Jean and I had a good morning on the doors yesterday.  

And I just got a lovely review of "Till they Dropped" on Amazon!

Very grateful - as it has inspired me to get out my dive thriller, give it its final polish and get it to my hard-working young publisher.

Jackie is coming over tonight for pie and mash, followed by ice-cream.

My Disaster Poem - this is the water element of my blog

Hi Tide
by me

The sea had long wanted to go into town
So early one morning it roared in
Found the arcades still closed
and battered them down.


I looked anxiously at the English Channel outside the window, but its very calm at the moment.

When the Moon Hits the Sky...

Honeycomb Moray with Cleaner Shrimp

Here is a bit of a song that appeared on my facebook today:

When you're diving at night, and your feet feel the bite,
that's a moray
When your hand's in the cave, suddenly you'll need save,
that's a moray.

I hope Captain Butterfly doesn't see it, as it will bring back some painful memories of when he was bitten by a moray when diving.  Not only couldn't he dive anymore that trip, but he was on antibiotics, so couldn't drink either!

It reminded me of hearing the song "That's Amore".  Dean Martin wasn't it?  Loved it. And was it late Fifties, early Sixties?  Can't remember now, but it is from the Pre-Pizza era up North, as I heard it as;  "When the moon hits the sky like a big piece of pie, that's amore"

Whereas it is of course "like a big pizza pie".     But I had never heard of pizza back then. Maybe there were some sophisticates who had, but I was not among them.

It also reminded me that I wrote a poem - well more of a verse really - about a moray eel ages ago. It was before Captain Butterfly hatched out in the butterfly version.  He was an underwater photographer back then, and we were expats in the Middle East.  The verse was, if I remember, about a photo of his hand stroking a fearsome looking moray eel that was looming above me as I typed. And it must have been a long time ago if we had a typewriter!  We must still have the picture somewhere, but now, in our flat, we have run out of wall space.

The Moray and the Hand  (by me)

A distracting hand 

in front of the typewriter

Is stroking a moray eel

Large mouth and teeth

Look at me

It’s as if the hand is urging

“There she is.  Go get her, boy!

 A hundred codfish for your fee.”

Is it your pale hand,

O Sheik of Araby?

I managed to get out on the work Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday - only for an hour at a time though, as my back hurts badly after an hour. There are still loads of people I haven't managed to find at home again.   Carol and I had a lovely time yesterday, even though we got confused and called on a Do Not Call.  But we got a warm welcome and can return!   

What the Wild Waves are Saying

They are not saying much today as the Channel is calm, so far.  But I was thinking about what they ought to tell us, because I am busy dawdling through the Simon Callow book on Dickens and I came across this - something Dickens wrote when he saw the Niagara Falls.

"It would be hard for a man to stand nearer God than he does there.  There was a bright rainbow at my feet; and from that I looked up to - great heaven!  To what a fall of bright green water!  The broad, deep, mighty stream seems to die in the act of falling and from its unfathomable grave, arises that tremendous ghost of spray and mist which is ever laid, and has been haunting this place with the same dread solemnity - perhaps from the creation of the world."

Dickens is awed by the power of the falls - by the power of their Creator, Jehovah.

So the creation is telling us all the time of its Grand Creator.   Dickens felt that as he stood by the Falls.   And walking by the sea, especially when the waves are wild, is a comforting reassurance of the power and the love that lies behind everything.

I think it was a quiet weekend for us.   A lovely meeting on Sunday of course, and I am trying to think what I did yesterday, but all that comes to mind is a shopping trip, some studying, and some basic housework. (And a lot of lying on the sofa, reading my book.)  Kathy and I were out on the doors this morning, but it was very cold.  Not that I feel it much - too well insulated. But Kathy felt it, especially after a long conversation on one cold doorstep with an elderly and rather reclusive hippie.

He has exactly the right question:   If there is a God who is Almighty and Good, why is the world so full of cruelty and injustice?  We are hoping he will let us show him how perfectly the Inspired Scriptures answer that question and what a wonderful hope they hold out.

He said he enjoyed his talk with us, so will hope so, and must pray so.   At that point Kathy was turning blue, so we were rescued by a sister, taken home with her and revived with hot coffee and some wonderful malt loaf she had made.   Came home to find El Capitano was home for lunch - but the soup was already made, so no problem.  Its steak, chips and mushrooms tonight.

Still behind with my return visits...  I hope I can catch up - as much as one ever does - by the end of the month.

Talk about Politics

Spent Wednesday morning with a friend in a residential home.   We talked a lot about the resurrection. She was married in her teens and is now in her eighties, and cannot wait to see her husband again.   Its such a contrast to the view of marriage as a very temporary arrangement promoted  by "the world".

It was another lovely Autumn day, even though it was grey and a bit rainy. The greens were very green and everything bright with berries.  Its supposed to be the sign of a hard winter come, but we shall see.  I don't think its an infallible sign.

Though we could do with a hard Winter.  We really need all the seasons, clear and distinct. Its just that, as you get older, ice is such a "terror in the way".

I finally made it to the Thursday field service group - first time in a month I think. And I am glad I did.   We had a good morning - and a couple of interesting calls. One to an elderly gentleman, in his eighties, living on his own, but with children and grandchildren all within walking distance.  He was saying that he has just about given up hope in God or any meaning to things, the state of the world being what it is.  Or any hope of a rescue.   The question in the October Awake magazine is just for him - or rather the answer is. So we left it with him.  He assures us he has a Bible and will read the article and look up all the Scriptures. We want him to see how the Inspired Scriptures answer his questions.
http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/g201510/questions-to-ask-god/

We drew his attention to the first question.

I also placed a magazine with a young lad who answered the door wearing only a small bathtowel, a smile, and a mobile phone.   Not sure if he took the magazines because of a deep spiritual interest or because he wanted to get rid of me and get back to his shower and/or telephone conversation. Probably the latter, but I hope to call back and find out.

Do they make waterproof mobile phones?

All this talk about politics, in the wake of Jeremy Corbyn being elected to lead the Labour Party has put me in mind of Hilaire Belloc's verse on the results of a general election.

The accursed power which stands on Privilege 
(And goes with Women, and Champagne and Bridge) 
Broke — and Democracy resumed her reign: 
(Which goes with Bridge, and Women and Champagne).

Carnivores

Yesterday was a butterfly paperwork day - and this morning we posted the Membership packages.  It was a stormy day - the remnant of Hurricane Joaquin finally reached us.   My field service partner rang up to say she had had a really bad night, as I did.  Neither of us is young, or in particularly good health. So we cancelled.

I did get out this afternoon, but only for half an hour as it suddenlybegan to pour with rain.  I drove back along the coast, and the sea was wild and wonderful.  

It was a good half hour though.  Both of the Care Homes took more magazines and I can deliver next month. And I found two of my magazine route calls at home.  I hadn't managed to find them in for months.  One is a lovely, but very young and exhausted, mother of two. She says she does read some of the articles in the magazines, and I said a little about the 3 important questions in October's Awake - important to see how the Bible answers them.
http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/g201510/questions-to-ask-god/

The other is a busy Philippino nurse who works shifts. She was at home, but on the phone to her fiance, so I only managed to say a couple of words. But she seemed happy enough to get the magazines.


Captain Butterfly has decided we need red meat - we are both very tired - so we had a steak for supper. He had most of it, but I managed to get a small bit down with a lot of mustard and fried onions.  I really don't like red meat much. Except for when Jackie cooks us a roast lamb dinner. Then its brilliant, and I can eat loads. She says she will cook us one the next time we come for supper.

Its Not Whether you Win or Lose, its How you Play the Game...

... and apparently the England Team played it (Rugby) very badly last night and were trounced by Australia.   Even I could see they were not playing well - and its all still a bit of a mystery to me.  All I can say if I was on that pitch, any rugby pitch, and that ball came anywhere near me, I would run very fast in the opposite direction.

Well, I say very fast...   as fast as my zimmering could take me.  And, according to the Captain they might just as well have had me in the team.  I suppose, to be fair, I could have lost the match as effectively as anyone.

This blog could have been headed: "Bread and Circuses" as with all the horrors and disasters currently going on, rugby is probably the last thing we should be worrying about.  But there is nothing I can do about the other things either - except this one powerful thing, to try to get the truth to people. And I must try harder and get out on the doors more.

Christianity is called "the way of the truth".   And Jehovah's inspired word has power to reach hearts and minds.  It also assures us that a rescue is on the way. We, the children of Adam, can not get ourselves out of the sticky trap we are caught in. And the more we struggle, it seems, the worse we make it.


Jackie came round for supper - chicken and ham pie (courtesy of our new Pie Shop), mash, cauliflower cheese (by moi, from Delia Smith), carrots (Duchy organic, no peeling required), and custard cream with raspberries for after (courtesy of Lidl and Scotland). We also had a cheeseboard and some After Eight Mints.  The Captain nobly did the shopping while Jean and I were out on the Field Service.

We then sat down to watch England lose to Australia...  "I'm coming home with you!" I said, clutching Jackie's coat as the Captain foamed and raged behind us. She tiptoed out just before they lost (sensible girl).

That reminds me of a verse in the Bible I discovered during my initial study of it.  It stopped me in my tracks at the time.

(Zechariah 8:23) “This is what Jehovah of armies says, ‘In those days ten men out of all the languages of the nations will take hold, yes, they will take firm hold of the robe of a Jew, saying: “We want to go with you, for we have heard that God is with you people.”’”

I was surprised that, centuries and centuries ago, someone had stated exactly what I felt, and feel, about the Jehovah's Witnesses.  And, of course, it was the faithful Jewish remnant in the first century who came through, in the face of intense persecution. to recognise Jesus as the Messiah and to found the Christian congregation.  

I have clung to them ever since.

The Great Spice Rack Disaster and a Beautiful Plume

Beautiful Plume, Amblyptilia acanthadactyla

"I cleaned your spice rack", said Captain Butterfly, when I got back from the shops. "You will need to put your spices back in order."

Ah, I thought, how nice to have the Captain up and running again, as we share housewifely duties, apart from the cooking, which I do, and the vacuuming, which he does.   And yes, I reminded myself, I must remember to put them back in alphabetical order.  If I don't, I end up with 6 packets of one spice, and none of various others.

Of course, I forgot.    And when making the marmalade muffins yesterday, I reached absent-mindedly for the ginger, which is always in the bottom right hand corner of spice rack, and found I had added garlic flakes to my mixture.   I had to start again.

I have now sorted my spice rack.

Chris and Star - old school friend of the Captain, plus wife - came round yesterday morning for coffee and cake - and it was the meeting at the Kingdom Hall in the evening.   We watched this wonderful little video about Jehovah's name - the importance of it.  It is well worth a watch - takes about 5 minutes.

http://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/good-news-from-god/who-is-god/video-gods-name/

Col has just been out photographing a Plume Moth that is living on our balcony. We have found out why. Apparently its lava feed on our geranium leaves!

Well, the end of the season is on the way, and if we can help the plume moth population we must.

Red Moons and Green Peppers

Chilli pepper, Capsicum annuum

Our balcony crop - thanks to George and Lilac Tree Farm.  We had our usual veggie soup made with a home-grown pepper for the first time.

bloodmoon

I was out on the work with my siblings on Tuesday and did my last two magazine route calls for September on the way home.   Not an outstanding morning, but at least I was out there.  Then the Captain and I went to the talk on the Okavango Delta at the Wildlife Trust.

Yesterday I visited Maggie and did some return visits on the way back.  Met a very nice girl who wants me to bring the magazines to her every month.  An old school friend of the Captain's is visiting this morning, so, yet again, I won't be going to the Thursday group.  I am trying to re-establish it as part of my regular weekly pattern, but so far everything seems to be happening on Thursday mornings - mainly medical thingummies it seems. And I am at home all morning tomorrow, awaiting the next delivery of my fearsome medication - waiting for The Man in the Chem Suit (well, not quite, but it has to be delivered personally, and go straight to the fridge).