“Take a letter, Miss Jones, or Smith or Brown”… for example, was common in the days beforeelectronic equipment was introduced into the office. In would go the secretary, notebook and pencil in hand ready to take dictation from her boss for typing up afterwards. The dictation was usually taken in shorthand, gleaned[…]
Names can be very meaningful for many reasons. Above all a name gives an identity to a person, an object, a building, a road and so the list goes on, and makes organisation that much easier. I am not a cuddly toy collector, never have been, but I do have a rather attractive[…]
“If music be the food of love, play on…” is the opening line of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Of the plays I have seen or read, this is one of my favourites and contains the famous ‘The Box Tree’ scene and is a marvellous example of the humour of the times although you[…]
There is a great deal that could be written on the subject of bananas, but I’ll restrain myself – really I will. I am what is known as a ‘baby boomer’ born within a few years of the end of the war. During the war the importing of foods from[…]
There is a great deal that could be written on the subject of bananas, but I’ll restrain myself – really I will. I am what is known as a ‘baby boomer’ born within a few years of the end of the war. During the war the importing of foods from[…]
Here’s a tale for you which is still the source of merriment in our family today. When our younger daughter was probably around two and a half she and I were out walking and, of course, chatting together. I can’t recall what prompted her question by I guess she has[…]
I heard this story recently and thought it rather amusing. It is of secular origin but I could see how well it could be applied to a church setting. I triggered it’s telling by saying to my companion that you could easily see the truth of the scripture teaching that says that[…]
‘Come ye thankful people come’ is one of my favourite harvest hymns since childhood. I love both the tune and the words but for a long time I just thought it was all about picking the fruit and vegetables then one day I paid close attention to the words later[…]
This phrase became very well known in the 1930s and 40s when it was coined by a radio comedian called Sandy Powell. I ‘ll make it clear now, that this was way, way before I was born although the fact that I am familiar with it is testimony to just how[…]
Done it again, another overheard snippet (see Is That Bad Or Sad). Me and Hubert were wandering towards home several days ago and not far in the distance were two ladies with dogs who had obviously met up whilst walking their respective furry friends. The ladies were very friendly and I[…]