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."