We were disappointed in the new ABC Murders on the Beeb. It is a wonderful Christie book - vintage Poirot. And I know its been made many times, so its hard to find the new angle. But shouldn't it be an angle that is in harmony with the plot, not one that works against it.
And all those continually arty shots and camera angles... I am sure they are great fun for the crew to do, but they make it boring for us, the boring old audience. We have seen it all before, a trillion times. And Agatha Christie never bores.
Rupert Grint was good. As, actually, was John Malkovich. Though, and a possible Spoiler Alert here, isn't this exactly the wrong Christie in which to be giving us a washed-up and forgotten Poirot?
Surely a very important plot point is that he is at the height of his fame, so that it does seem feasible these murders could be a direct challenge to him? I will have to read the book to make sure, but it looked as if they were going to throw away a wonderful bit of Christie misdirection...
And where is Hastings? One clue to the whole thing lies in a remark he makes.
Oh well - we retreated into a series of Jonathan Creek repeats. Which are great fun - and scary too.
The thing is if you want a new Poirot, why not write your own?
I don't know what to say about the year that is going... I am just so grateful we are still here, and hope we all will be this time next year.
And we are another year nearer to our rescue - to the time that Jehovah will remove all the unrepentant violent and wicked from the earth.
And to end my blogyear on another positive note - a minor one - I just got a compliment from a reader in Oz to say how much they enjoyed "Waiting for Gordo"!
It is lovely to hear that someone has enjoyed something I have written. And thanks so much to Jehovah for the gift of language, and the ability to use it to create something that can interest and entertain.
Saturday 29 December 2018
Wednesday 26 December 2018
Simon Rosendale or Lawrence Selden, which is best?
No I am not suggesting a fight. But the question came up as my sister has written the Introduction to the Macmillan Collectors Library edition of Edith Wharton's "House of Mirth".
Its a book we both love and I was reading her intro today and was pleased to find that she notes how honest Sim Rosendale is, compared to most of those around him.
And we both agree that he is the one Lily Bart should have married. His proposal is so straightforward and realistic compared to her other suitors - two of whom are married anyway.
And - Spoiler Alert - poor Lawrence - a single guy and her true love - and unfortunaely a cross between Hamlet and the tiresome Angel Clare (of Tess of the d'Urbervilles fame) - can't bring himself to make the decision to propose to Lily until it's too late.
There has been some gossip about her... so is she good enough for him? An interesting point given we are to understand that he has been having an affair with a married woman.
At any rate, our choice for Lily would have been Simon Rosendale.
It was not a white Christmas this year, but a cold and dampish one. The tall, old, and empty trees look wonderful under a pale gray sky.
Jehovah made everything so beautifully. If only everyone would look up today and think about the intricate splendour of the trees against the sky and feel moved to find the Maker of this beauty.
If you look for Jehovah, he will let you find him.
Its a book we both love and I was reading her intro today and was pleased to find that she notes how honest Sim Rosendale is, compared to most of those around him.
And we both agree that he is the one Lily Bart should have married. His proposal is so straightforward and realistic compared to her other suitors - two of whom are married anyway.
And - Spoiler Alert - poor Lawrence - a single guy and her true love - and unfortunaely a cross between Hamlet and the tiresome Angel Clare (of Tess of the d'Urbervilles fame) - can't bring himself to make the decision to propose to Lily until it's too late.
There has been some gossip about her... so is she good enough for him? An interesting point given we are to understand that he has been having an affair with a married woman.
At any rate, our choice for Lily would have been Simon Rosendale.
It was not a white Christmas this year, but a cold and dampish one. The tall, old, and empty trees look wonderful under a pale gray sky.
Jehovah made everything so beautifully. If only everyone would look up today and think about the intricate splendour of the trees against the sky and feel moved to find the Maker of this beauty.
If you look for Jehovah, he will let you find him.
Friday 21 December 2018
An Arthritis Flare-up
Right wrist -very very very painful and debilitating, making me frighteningly aware of just how crippled my left arm is now. It started in the early hours of Wednesday morning, so no sleep at all Wed night... the Captain had to stay in all day to help me...
Oh dear.
Anyway, I slept last night, right through which was wonderful. The hand is not back on line but at least I can type a little. So the main story of the week is cancellations - all my arrangements.
And I listened in to the meeting last night on the phone link.
I did manage to get the one New Butterfly Member who came winging through my letterbox a membership package parcelled up and I hope the valiant Captain can face braving the Post Office in Christmas week to get it sent. I still can't drive. Hand too painful.
Oh dear.
Anyway, I slept last night, right through which was wonderful. The hand is not back on line but at least I can type a little. So the main story of the week is cancellations - all my arrangements.
And I listened in to the meeting last night on the phone link.
I did manage to get the one New Butterfly Member who came winging through my letterbox a membership package parcelled up and I hope the valiant Captain can face braving the Post Office in Christmas week to get it sent. I still can't drive. Hand too painful.
Tuesday 18 December 2018
Ranulph Fiennes is "Cold"
At the moment I am reading Ranulph Fiennes book "Cold' - a sort of compendium of his Arctic and Antarctic adventures - and I came across this little verse I thought I would share. It is written by his friend Wally Herbert, to wish him well on the next stage of the cold adventure, in the Arctic, where there are polar bears.
With my very best wishes for the final dawn
I send tips to help win the fight:
Beware of the calm that follows the storm
And the floes that go bump in the night.
Never trust ice that appears to be dead,
And if you want peace of mind,
Steer well clear of the bear up ahead
And cover that bear behind.
Wise advice - for those Arctic regions, and for those nether regions.
I enjoy reading about these things as I am so unadventurous myself, and am just exactly the sort of person you would not want along on such an expedition. So its the only way I am going to get there - this side of Armageddon. IF I am on the earth afterwards, then who knows?
Saturday Jean and I did over two hours on the ministry - very good for us in our tottery state. And it was the meeting Sunday. Other than that a very quiet weekend. A Saturday night in sharing fish and chips and watching the final of Strictly Come Dancing. As perfect as a Saturday night can presently get.
Saturday nights in the restored earthly paradise.... who knows? But I hope we are all there to find out.
With my very best wishes for the final dawn
I send tips to help win the fight:
Beware of the calm that follows the storm
And the floes that go bump in the night.
Never trust ice that appears to be dead,
And if you want peace of mind,
Steer well clear of the bear up ahead
And cover that bear behind.
Wise advice - for those Arctic regions, and for those nether regions.
I enjoy reading about these things as I am so unadventurous myself, and am just exactly the sort of person you would not want along on such an expedition. So its the only way I am going to get there - this side of Armageddon. IF I am on the earth afterwards, then who knows?
Saturday Jean and I did over two hours on the ministry - very good for us in our tottery state. And it was the meeting Sunday. Other than that a very quiet weekend. A Saturday night in sharing fish and chips and watching the final of Strictly Come Dancing. As perfect as a Saturday night can presently get.
Saturday nights in the restored earthly paradise.... who knows? But I hope we are all there to find out.
Friday 14 December 2018
The Plague and Us
We have both come down with a horrible cold and are feeling very sorry for ourselves. Cough cough cough. The Captain had a doctor's appointment and a haircut first thing - and I went off shopping very early - both for us and for Jacks.
So we have a quiet day indoors. Col working on his Metal Detector finds - researching - and I made some more cakes for the packed lunches - marmalade muffins this time, Mark's favourite. I also did my Watchtower study for Sunday - about the important of teaching the truth. And I planned to tackle the latest Butterfly memberships - but ran into some problems understanding them this month - and have a query in with Butterfly HQ, so can't proceed till they sort out the tangle.
I had a good morning out with my siblings on Thursday. We did an hour and a half going door to door and finished our territory. It was freezing. But we - my partner and I - both had 2 good calls we hope to return to in the New Year.
We had news of two deaths this week - Aunt Bea's cousin John, and one of my sisters in the congregation- cancer in both cases. And both leave a family behind that is going to miss them so much.
Here is a poem as I have been reading some de la Mare recently - and have loved his poems since Junior School - many eons ago.
Song of the Mad Prince
by
Walter de la Mare
Who said, "Peacock Pie"?
The old King to the sparrow:
Who said, "Crops are ripe"?
Rust to the harrow:
Who said, "Where sleeps she now?
Where rests she now her head,
Bathed in eve's loveliness"? —
That's what I said.
Who said, "Ay, mum's the word"?
Sexton to willow:
Who said, "Green dusk for dreams,
Moss for a pillow"?
Who said, "All Time's delight
Hath she for narrow bed;
Life's troubled bubble broken"? —
That's what I said.
And I want to end the blog with this promise from our Creator, Jehovah, the Fulfiller of all his promises:
“Your dead will live. My corpses will rise up. Awake and shout joyfully, You residents in the dust! For your dew is as the dew of the morning, And the earth will let those powerless in death come to life." - Isaiah 26:19
There will be an awakening from the dreamless sleep of death, but not until God's will is done on the earth, and the peace that prevailed in Eden has been restored. I hope to be there to see John and Yvonne then. I hope we will all be there.
So we have a quiet day indoors. Col working on his Metal Detector finds - researching - and I made some more cakes for the packed lunches - marmalade muffins this time, Mark's favourite. I also did my Watchtower study for Sunday - about the important of teaching the truth. And I planned to tackle the latest Butterfly memberships - but ran into some problems understanding them this month - and have a query in with Butterfly HQ, so can't proceed till they sort out the tangle.
I had a good morning out with my siblings on Thursday. We did an hour and a half going door to door and finished our territory. It was freezing. But we - my partner and I - both had 2 good calls we hope to return to in the New Year.
We had news of two deaths this week - Aunt Bea's cousin John, and one of my sisters in the congregation- cancer in both cases. And both leave a family behind that is going to miss them so much.
Here is a poem as I have been reading some de la Mare recently - and have loved his poems since Junior School - many eons ago.
Song of the Mad Prince
by
Walter de la Mare
Who said, "Peacock Pie"?
The old King to the sparrow:
Who said, "Crops are ripe"?
Rust to the harrow:
Who said, "Where sleeps she now?
Where rests she now her head,
Bathed in eve's loveliness"? —
That's what I said.
Who said, "Ay, mum's the word"?
Sexton to willow:
Who said, "Green dusk for dreams,
Moss for a pillow"?
Who said, "All Time's delight
Hath she for narrow bed;
Life's troubled bubble broken"? —
That's what I said.
And I want to end the blog with this promise from our Creator, Jehovah, the Fulfiller of all his promises:
“Your dead will live. My corpses will rise up. Awake and shout joyfully, You residents in the dust! For your dew is as the dew of the morning, And the earth will let those powerless in death come to life." - Isaiah 26:19
There will be an awakening from the dreamless sleep of death, but not until God's will is done on the earth, and the peace that prevailed in Eden has been restored. I hope to be there to see John and Yvonne then. I hope we will all be there.
Tuesday 11 December 2018
When Dinosaurs Roamed the Earth
Monday morning - cold, damp, then some wonderful winter sunlight as I dropped Jackie's shopping in to her. Obviously I did ours too and got some non-Xmas wrapping paper and gift cards for the pressies for the youngest grandkids. The older ones will have money in a non-Xmas card.
We hope to be seeing Sami, who is now experiencing her first year at Newcastle Uni - where the Captain and I met back in the Sixties - when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Does the Bunroom still exist? And if so, do they still serve my favourite - a cheese and pineapple bun? And what can it cost now? More than a shiny new farthing I bethink me. And is Jesmond still a student area? Or is it now too pricey? And above all, is Sam enjoying it? She says so, so far. She looked both stunning and studious in the picture she put on Facebook.
I got us our lunch, which was really just a question of hotting things up - there was a portion of the smoked haddock dish plus some rice left from Saturday night - which went in the microwave. And i found I had overbought lettuce, so I braised a lettuce for Col to have with it. I had the cauliflower soup, which is not bad at all, though only I think because I put a whole fresh chile in it.
It was salmon and avocado salad for supper, with new potatoes for himself. I am supposed to be eating oily fish 3 times a week under my new diabetes regime - and I am still trying to work up to 1 time a week. When I have fish I like it to be cod, in batter, with chips and curry sauce. Bu it was bad planning to have two fish meals in one day.
Jean and I had a great time out this morning - managing to get a lot more return visits done. We may even be able to get back to first call next week, weather permitting. Then I made it it to the docs for the latest blood test, and to put my bp results (not good) in for my GP, and put the next prescription in the appropriate box.
This afternoon I fell asleep. My batteries are low, and I am running on an almost empty tank.
We hope to be seeing Sami, who is now experiencing her first year at Newcastle Uni - where the Captain and I met back in the Sixties - when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Does the Bunroom still exist? And if so, do they still serve my favourite - a cheese and pineapple bun? And what can it cost now? More than a shiny new farthing I bethink me. And is Jesmond still a student area? Or is it now too pricey? And above all, is Sam enjoying it? She says so, so far. She looked both stunning and studious in the picture she put on Facebook.
I got us our lunch, which was really just a question of hotting things up - there was a portion of the smoked haddock dish plus some rice left from Saturday night - which went in the microwave. And i found I had overbought lettuce, so I braised a lettuce for Col to have with it. I had the cauliflower soup, which is not bad at all, though only I think because I put a whole fresh chile in it.
It was salmon and avocado salad for supper, with new potatoes for himself. I am supposed to be eating oily fish 3 times a week under my new diabetes regime - and I am still trying to work up to 1 time a week. When I have fish I like it to be cod, in batter, with chips and curry sauce. Bu it was bad planning to have two fish meals in one day.
Jean and I had a great time out this morning - managing to get a lot more return visits done. We may even be able to get back to first call next week, weather permitting. Then I made it it to the docs for the latest blood test, and to put my bp results (not good) in for my GP, and put the next prescription in the appropriate box.
This afternoon I fell asleep. My batteries are low, and I am running on an almost empty tank.
Saturday 8 December 2018
A Perpetual Motion Machine
Yesterday everything was in shades of grey, lots of rain, with splendid waves on The Channel
The Channel is a perfect perpetual motion machine, turned by the Universe. We can see the work of the Grand Creator, Jehovah, in the power and the beauty of its endless waves. We can see his work everywhere in spite of living in a fallen world. And, appropriately enough, at the Hall Thursday night, we were studying the account of Jesus calming the storm.
As King of Jehovah's Kingdom, Jesus will bring the natural forces on the earth back into the perfect harmony they had in Eden. His Kingdom government will achieve what no human government, with the best will in the world, can.
We went out and did our shopping during a temporary pause in the rain. And I did my Watchtower study for Sunday. Apart from that I can't think what I did. And now its Saturday and I am off with the valiant Jean - as Col has decided not to go on his Detectoring today. So he will supervise the Young Man Who Will (hopefully) Fix Our Door.
The morning was cold, but sunny and with that low Winter sun that makes everything look wonderful. We did return visits - lots of them - drove all over the place - and then had a sandwich lunch at the Hall, and watched the Broadcast.
https://tv.jw.org/#en/home
At 42.16 there is a powerful and touching talk which references the experiences of our brothers who were imprisoned in Sachsenhausen.
The Channel is a perfect perpetual motion machine, turned by the Universe. We can see the work of the Grand Creator, Jehovah, in the power and the beauty of its endless waves. We can see his work everywhere in spite of living in a fallen world. And, appropriately enough, at the Hall Thursday night, we were studying the account of Jesus calming the storm.
As King of Jehovah's Kingdom, Jesus will bring the natural forces on the earth back into the perfect harmony they had in Eden. His Kingdom government will achieve what no human government, with the best will in the world, can.
We went out and did our shopping during a temporary pause in the rain. And I did my Watchtower study for Sunday. Apart from that I can't think what I did. And now its Saturday and I am off with the valiant Jean - as Col has decided not to go on his Detectoring today. So he will supervise the Young Man Who Will (hopefully) Fix Our Door.
The morning was cold, but sunny and with that low Winter sun that makes everything look wonderful. We did return visits - lots of them - drove all over the place - and then had a sandwich lunch at the Hall, and watched the Broadcast.
https://tv.jw.org/#en/home
At 42.16 there is a powerful and touching talk which references the experiences of our brothers who were imprisoned in Sachsenhausen.
Thursday 6 December 2018
Peas with Honey
The doorbell rang yesterday evening and it turned out to be a guy with a mysterious parcel for The Captain.
When Col got back the mystery was revealed. He has brought me two books of poetry as a Winter Present!.
The books are:
A Poem for Every day of the Year
edited by Allie Esiri
and
The Nations Favourite Poems
with a foreword by Griff Rhys Jones
There are many old favourites and many poems that I think will become favourites.
I have already come across this forgotten little gem by that prolific poet Anon:
I eat my peas with honey
I've done it all my life
They do taste kind of funny
But it keeps them on the knife.
I think I shall be referencing these books in my blogs.
Today I had quite a complicated morning out on the doors - we did over 2 hours.. And Jean and I had a great time together on Tuesday doing return visits. The guy to fix the front door came,but it is not fixed yet - it requires another part which will arrive Saturday together with the young man who will fit it. As Col is out all day on Important Business, I will have to be at home. My plan is to get on with my next book. I am suddenly getting people asking me when they will be able to read it....
We saw Maggie on Wednesday. She is much frailer, but was very pleased to see us, whoever we are. And she held my hand very tightly. She is so brave and cheerful about everything...
When Col got back the mystery was revealed. He has brought me two books of poetry as a Winter Present!.
The books are:
A Poem for Every day of the Year
edited by Allie Esiri
and
The Nations Favourite Poems
with a foreword by Griff Rhys Jones
There are many old favourites and many poems that I think will become favourites.
I have already come across this forgotten little gem by that prolific poet Anon:
I eat my peas with honey
I've done it all my life
They do taste kind of funny
But it keeps them on the knife.
I think I shall be referencing these books in my blogs.
Today I had quite a complicated morning out on the doors - we did over 2 hours.. And Jean and I had a great time together on Tuesday doing return visits. The guy to fix the front door came,but it is not fixed yet - it requires another part which will arrive Saturday together with the young man who will fit it. As Col is out all day on Important Business, I will have to be at home. My plan is to get on with my next book. I am suddenly getting people asking me when they will be able to read it....
We saw Maggie on Wednesday. She is much frailer, but was very pleased to see us, whoever we are. And she held my hand very tightly. She is so brave and cheerful about everything...
Tuesday 4 December 2018
A Window in Time
 |
If that coin could talk! Though maybe all it could tell us is what the inside of a 2,000 year old purse looks like...
https://colinknight.blogspot.com/2018/12/celtic-silver-unit-verica-cavalry-duo.html
Jean and I had a lovely morning on the doors - we were invited in for a cup of tea, and we also stopped for a chat with two gents on the road who both accepted the current magazine from us.
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/awake-no3-2018-nov-dec/agony-of-grief/
I wish everyone would read it, think seriously about what it says, and note how different and comforting what the Bible says about death is, as compared to what the world's religions tell us.
I am struggling with the new way of Diabetes eating, Its not easy. I had a bean and mushroom stew with broccoli followed by sugar free jelly and greek yoghourt for lunch. The Captain was out at the Arundel Wetland Trust, and had lunch there. Lentil soup - so I will have to make him a omelette tonight as I had made a veggie soup, but I don't think he will want soup twice in one day.
I got the magazine about Grief posted to Lilian. She still misses Dave so much. He was a great guy. I met him for the first time in Saudi Arabia - many years ago - when he was the brand-new boyfriend. I pulled up outside Lilian's and there was a guy (a Brit expat as it turned out) tidying her little front garden.
"Hello. I'm Dave" he said. "Lilian doesn't know I'm out here - I am sorting out her front garden as a surprise."
What a lovely guy I thought. And so her proved to be. Good-looking too!
The Captain - also good-looking - is working away at the next computer. He was back early.
Saturday 1 December 2018
The Bright Morning Star
When I drew back the curtains on Friday morning I was greeted by the bright morning star - shining like a jewel in the early morning darkness. Its easy to see the holiness of the world in the very early morning. And when the Captain drove us back from Waitrose, the light on the Channel was wonderful - everything sparkled and shone to a rather ominious sky in the background. There was a giant anvil-shaped cloud over the sea.
It made me think of these lovely words at Revelation 22:16: “‘I, Jesus, sent my angel to bear witness to you about these things for the congregations. I am the root and the offspring of David and the bright morning star.’”
And while the lovely earth is telling us and telling of its Grand Creator, Jehovah, "the world" the current wicked system of things on the earth does all it can to stop us seeing the truth.
I found this lucid video on Youtube pointing out the relentless propaganda the world is saturated with: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IA1BQhPloRA
She nails it very well. And how much damage does this constant stream of poison do? And what do the Inspired Scriptures warn us? That "the whole world", all its institutions, lie in the power of the one who is called "the father of the lie" - Satan the devil.
As she says, once you are aware, you start to see it everywhere. For example, Bargain Hunt, which Col and I enjoy watching when we are home together for lunch. A fun antiques competition? Yes. But it is made by the BBC, and it relentlessly pushes the world's propaganda. Please notice, if you watch it, every time a married couple comes on it has to be established - jokily of course - that she is the bosa and the husband does what he is told. Which neatly turns the Biblical marriage arrangement on its head.
And that I guess is the point.
Had a complex, interesting and troubling morning on the doors on Thursday. How much people need the truth. And Friday was a shopping and cooking day. I made a fish pie for today, and a veggie dish and some soup. It will be a rather dreary potato-free soup for me, and the usual cheese sandwich and cake lunch for the Captain, off in the rainy wilderness of Hampshire, treasure hunting. Will he find his way through the trackless unmapped wastelands of designer villages, detached houses, and coffee bars?
Jean and I were not able to go on the work as it was pelting down. But I phoned Lilian, ex Planet-expat, and we had a long chat, about old times, and things. Now the heating seems to have packed up! And I am sitting here clutching a comforting hot hot-water bottle. I have become a pensioner in a cold flat. But I can't claim fuel poverty. In fact, when the Captain returns and presses he right combination of buttons, warmth should be restored.
As for what it must be like to be a rough sleeper in this weather! Once again, how much we need the Kingdom of God, under whose loving rule we can go to bed in safety, not needing to worry about those who have no bed to go to. Everyone will have a home then. And we will have no need to lock and bolt our doors and windows.
It made me think of these lovely words at Revelation 22:16: “‘I, Jesus, sent my angel to bear witness to you about these things for the congregations. I am the root and the offspring of David and the bright morning star.’”
And while the lovely earth is telling us and telling of its Grand Creator, Jehovah, "the world" the current wicked system of things on the earth does all it can to stop us seeing the truth.
I found this lucid video on Youtube pointing out the relentless propaganda the world is saturated with: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IA1BQhPloRA
She nails it very well. And how much damage does this constant stream of poison do? And what do the Inspired Scriptures warn us? That "the whole world", all its institutions, lie in the power of the one who is called "the father of the lie" - Satan the devil.
As she says, once you are aware, you start to see it everywhere. For example, Bargain Hunt, which Col and I enjoy watching when we are home together for lunch. A fun antiques competition? Yes. But it is made by the BBC, and it relentlessly pushes the world's propaganda. Please notice, if you watch it, every time a married couple comes on it has to be established - jokily of course - that she is the bosa and the husband does what he is told. Which neatly turns the Biblical marriage arrangement on its head.
And that I guess is the point.
Had a complex, interesting and troubling morning on the doors on Thursday. How much people need the truth. And Friday was a shopping and cooking day. I made a fish pie for today, and a veggie dish and some soup. It will be a rather dreary potato-free soup for me, and the usual cheese sandwich and cake lunch for the Captain, off in the rainy wilderness of Hampshire, treasure hunting. Will he find his way through the trackless unmapped wastelands of designer villages, detached houses, and coffee bars?
Jean and I were not able to go on the work as it was pelting down. But I phoned Lilian, ex Planet-expat, and we had a long chat, about old times, and things. Now the heating seems to have packed up! And I am sitting here clutching a comforting hot hot-water bottle. I have become a pensioner in a cold flat. But I can't claim fuel poverty. In fact, when the Captain returns and presses he right combination of buttons, warmth should be restored.
As for what it must be like to be a rough sleeper in this weather! Once again, how much we need the Kingdom of God, under whose loving rule we can go to bed in safety, not needing to worry about those who have no bed to go to. Everyone will have a home then. And we will have no need to lock and bolt our doors and windows.
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