My Memories of Snow

Reasons why I hate it. My earliest memories are of the winter of 1947. I had just turned three but I can't remember feeling cold, the food shortages or the power cuts. The next hard winter was 1963. I had just turned 19 and was heavily pregnant. The bad weather lasted for weeks and the snow was still on the ground in March. Maternity trousers had not been invented, neither had tights. In those days one wore a maternity roll on girdle which held up stockings. The flesh at the tops my the legs had no cover so I wore long passion killing 'granny' pants. I was permanently cold, we had no central heating and pipes froze. Getting around was difficult as the icy pavements were lethal. The horrible conditions just seemed to go on and on. In the late sixties I remember snow falling on Boxing day but I don't know how long it lasted. During the seventies and eighties I worked as a sales representative, during this time I began to really hate the snow. We were expected to drive in all conditions, no staying at home. In those days there wasn't so much traffic. I have some very unpleasant memories, it was hard work and quite tough. All my colleagues were men so I had to keep the side up. In 1991 I tried out skiing, it was February and I was 49. We'd been persuaded to give it a try by experienced friends. Our party spent many hours driving across Europe to Austria.. The first morning on the icy nursery slopes was enough for me. I was cold, the ski boots were uncomfortable and I kept on falling down. I couldn't control the skis and sticks, going to the loo was an ordeal. I hated everything about it, on the third day I gave up. The ski resort was near Salzberg so as there was nothing else to do I took myself there by train. The ice cold wind whistled down the streets and I spent the entire time dodging in and out of coffee shops trying to keep warm.

Why Crime Has Increased?

An extract from: The Oxford Handbook of Criminology, written by 35 distinguished British contributors.

"The evidence is that the serious violent crime rate is much higher in Thatcherite political economies than in welfare state economies. One contributor writes: “There is a plethora of material confirming that crime of all kinds is linked to inequality, relative deprivation and unemployment.” So, for example, the rise in crime in Britain in the 1980s was due to what happened in the 1980s although, naturally, Margaret Thatcher blamed it on what had happened 20 years before. And it was the 1980s, not the 1960s, that saw the dramatic rise in opiate use in Britain.

The evidence shows that states with higher welfare spending have less crime and lower imprisonment rates. For every dollar spent, Michigan’s Head Start welfare programme brought $17 of benefit by cutting crime, thereby cutting the numbers imprisoned and the costs of imprisonment.

Of course, recognising that crime has root causes does not stop us exploring all possible avenues of crime reduction, victim support and penal reform. Nor does it mean ignoring offenders’ moral responsibility. Understanding does not cancel the need for judgement.

Thatcherite political economies have more punitive penal policies. Yet welfarist Sweden has had a smaller rise in crime than Britain while having a less punitive penal policy. Similarly, Finland has dramatically cut its prison numbers without increasing crime.

Growing economic inequality and social polarisation increase crime and, therefore, fear and insecurity. We cannot afford to leave the economy, or society, or security to the market. We need to take responsibility for all aspects of our society."

All You Need Is Love

An aggressive pursuit of personal success by adults is now the "greatest threat" to the well being and happiness of children.

A lot of adults believe that the prime duty of the individual is to make the most of their own life rather than contributing to the good of others.

This fuels a range of social ills from family breakdown to premature sexualisation of children and inequality between rich and poor.

A three-year independent study produced for the Children's Society calls for a significant change of heart by society.

But I believe that as we are being socially engineered by big business and the media it won't happen. Money making will always take preference.

Our "me first" society produces more family discord and conflict, more pressure to own things, excessive competition in schools and "unacceptable" income inequality.

We need to teach children the importance of contributing to the welfare of others over themselves, that human relationships need to be placed higher in relation to possessions and status. Children should learn that love is the most important thing in life."

A Day in Bed

Rather than turn on the heating I'm indulging myself by staying in bed. Apart from my fingers I am lovely and warm. The cat thinks it is wonderful and is keeping me company. Later on I will light the log burner and spend the evening in a nice warm living room. I am currently teaching myself to manipulate images. My next project is fairly difficult. I have downloaded a picture of Elizabeth I. I intend replacing her face with mine. I'm using GIMP, there are some good tutorials on YouTube.

Saga Lunches

Saturday 24th January - 'ASK' Winchester. Venue, OK. Food, OK. Company, more laughter up my end of the table than the other end. Thursday 29th January - 'Ocean Dragon' Southampton. Venue, OK. Food, OK. Company, very enjoyable. Saturday 30th January - 'Sofa' Worthing Venue, OK. Food, OK. Company, lots and lots of laughter. For anyone not in the know, Saga events are organised by any member that feels inclined to do it. I organised the Winchester event and another which will be held in Portsmouth on 28th February.

Tea Party Sunday

Today's event was very successful and the group has a whole new feel. We have a new volunteer and the men love her! Natasha is 32, very lively and personable. Bless her. The rest of us are over sixty and some are even over eighty. Because I'd sent a letter 'setting out my stall' I was dreading meeting Margaret. But fate was on my side. Her party was the last to arrive. She tripped over the door step and her wrist soon started to swell. I immediately organised a pack of frozen peas and a tea towel. I wrapped the packet in the towel and applied it to her wrist. I advised her to keep it there so the swelling could subside. This event diffused any potential hostility. I asked if a trip on the Watercress Line would be acceptable as a summer outing. Everyone seemed to like the idea. The subject of fund raising was discussed and I said that I am not prepared to do it. Margaret said raising money was easy enough so I might call her bluff and push it her way. Because she has been rather nasty I'd sent a different letter to Barbara. She's been filled with spite and venom, even making hurtful remarks to her fellow guests. Today she was very meek, mild and helpful. She even took Vera back home for me. Vera asked if she could have her normal cuddle before she left. The cuddle has become a little ritual on the pavement outside her house and she didn't want to miss out. I pick Jack up from his daughter where he has Sunday lunch. He can be a miserable bugger, I was accused of being far too early. No 'Hello Liz, how are you.' On our way to the host's house I did my best to jolly him along. He soon cheered up and on the return journey he apologised. But qualified it by saying he couldn't help the way he was made. After I dropped him off I thanked my Guardian Angel, several times, for helping to make it such a pleasant afternoon. Ray ran our usual quiz. John is deaf and has difficulty understanding the questions. One question was about the Siskin, was it bird mammal or reptile? I'm afraid to say that we all had a chuckle when he thought the word was cistern. There was more hilarity when Jack misunderstood the question about camel's humps and blurted out the answer. Needless to say I ate too much. Natasha did too, we are both on the 'see food and eat it' way of life.

My Hottie Bottie

As usual I filled my HWB with boiling water and took it to bed. As it's so cold I was well clothed and the bed was suitably covered, 2 duvets and a fleece blanket. I slept very soundly. This morning I noticed the bottle was still warm, I guess it was blood heat. Now? Did my body heat help it warm or was it the insulating materials of the bedding? While looking for a suitable image I searched for 'hottie' in google images. I didn't find a single photo of a HWB, it was girls all the way!!