You are the visitor to this site since 15th June 1998.
This morning I had a filthy piece of splinter in my hand while gardening and thereafter decided to renew my tetanus shot (which had not been renewed for about 15 years). Years ago I worked with a very young widow. She explained that her husband had died suddenly one night, after scratching his arm on something in the garden. Since then I have been very particular about lockjaw/tetanus.
After getting my shot I decided to visit The Olde Hide House. Go take a look yourself. The link is at the end of this page.
They have the most extensive selection of leather goods. I chose a beautiful "beadle's" hat.
Also, just across the street is an excellent shop for things "British". It is called Wetherby's. I bought a lace cream cover .. the sort with beads around the edge. Haven't seen one of those for years; a couple of tapes of Flanders & Swann - didn't think I would ever find their songs again; and a video of The Two Ronnies: "By The Sea and The Picnic". They also have a huge library of local information in the front foyer - places to visit and places to stay, bed & breakfast etc. Hand-made toys and beautifully illustrated books.
Sunday 7th June 1998
Cool and rainy day. Went to church this morning. It was very busy and I had to walk quite a long way, which made me late (as usual)! The pews have "The Good News Bible" and I always enjoy the forthright translation in this version. The St. James version is rather euphemistic by comparison.
I particularly like the poetic Song of Solomon .. My unpoetic translation is that this woman fell in love with a very romantic man - who abruptly took off - probably with another woman. Now she is heartbroken and is comforting herself with flagons of wine and hard cider, which will undoubtedly give her a deep depression and an upset stomach. I prefer the Song of Solomon:-
My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;
The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grapes give a good smell.
Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away .....
By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not. ....
I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not. ....
As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love ...
Stay me with flagons! comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love!
As a fan of Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Rhona Raskin and Dr. Joy Browne (links to their pages are also at the end of this page) I enjoy the admonitions of "Proverbs". Which in my short translation is - avoid strange attractive women association with them can lead to a "Fatal Attraction" scenario:-
For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:
But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as the two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.
Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.
Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house: Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel; Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth, and thy labours be in the house of a stranger; And thou mourn at the last, when they body is consumed, And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof.
Hear me now therefore, O ye wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause someone else to fall.
My final favourite is the lovely and reassuring 23rd Psalm:-
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me: Thy rod and staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest me a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Saturday 6th June 1998
Today I went to walk (or try to) the golden retriever I had hoped to buy. It was just impossible! If ever you are thinking of getting a full-grown dog .. think twice.
There is to be an exhibition of Impressionist and Post Impressionist Art at the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, from 10th June until September. It is the famous Courtauld Collection. Go take a look at the link at the end of this page.