Saturday 6 March 2010

Fussbudget .. a bore, or a boar ...

When is a bore not a bore? A tidal bore, a fuddy-duddy, a swell, or a boring person, or being bored, or there’s that other sort a boar, a warthog – all descriptions conjouring up different pictures of life.

The phenomenon that is a tidal wave wreaking havoc as it pushes inland; a fuddy-duddy, or fussbudget (yes I did get that right courtesy of Wikipedia and the dictionary) is a person who fusses about trifles; a swell – they can be irritatingly boring, or a rising wave at the front of a tidal race, or that lovely pig-like creature ... they eat well! in Europe (I had roast boar in Czechoslovakia years ago), I’m not sure warthog are eaten in southern Africa, but I guess so somewhere.

This is the Ribble River, Manchester, Merseyside - showing a tidal bore

So why are we on ‘bores’ numerous? Well – this week the Severn Estuary Bore occurred, and it was thought that it would quite a high one, so the populace gathered, the media and the river surfers to watch Mother Nature produce one of her predictable waves. (It is not the same as a tsunami – which we all now appreciate are terrible forces of the unpredictable natural world).

The bore wave rises over six foot and can be as high as 8 feet (over 2 metres), while not being desperately conducive to shipping, surfers love it with a surfer having travelled 5.7 miles on his surfboard, taking over 35 minutes, but the river authorities no longer encourage these ‘races’. I saw a bore on the Solway Firth between England Scotland many years ago, that was small, but still impressive at how quickly it moved upstream.

There are lots of bores throughout the world but the Severn Estuary has the second largest tidal range of just over 49 feet (15 metres) in the World, the Bay of Fundy dividing Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, Canada has the largest: both have funnel like estuaries, so the wave starts wide and low, and as it goes inland up the estuary the swell gets pushed higher and higher, before the tidal pull starts to subside.

However China has the highest bore at 25 feet (over 8 metres) in height, but the noise of that rumble of water, a powerful roar throating its way down stream to be heard well in advance of the actual racing wave – an hour before has been recorded in China .. a sign from the gods, in the old days? .. frightening to hear that gurgling froth – from where? ... terrifying to behold that wall of water rushing past, churning through full of sediment, scouring the sides, or spilling over the banks until its force evaporates over time ...

This week I was given a Kreativ Blog Award by Sara (thank you) – the lady per Lance with the ‘coolest avatar’ - of “A Sharing Connection” – and I am going to be a bore! The award should be passed on to ten other bloggers, but I shall pass it on once, as Sara very kindly set the precedent and awarded three of us .. so being the churlish bore that I can be... my one award is to Sam Liu of Thoughts-Writings-Coffee: Sam has some wonderful poetry, stories full of suspense .. I particularly liked this one .. hence the Kreativ Award: http://thoughts-writings-coffee.blogspot.com/2010/02/artist-story.html .

My two other co-awardees – Keith at Easy Public Speaking, another English connection who luckily for me immediately related to my previous "long-winded post" about Roman webs and roads .. so we have this Saturday happily been conversing between the Midlands and the South Coast.

Now the ‘World’s Strongest Librarian’ is Josh, who also received a Kreativ award .. and as I wandered over to find out a little more about this strong librarian – something that seemed to resonate with my love of books, information etc .. only to find the following information, which is so appropriate for today’s post:

A Majestic And Noble Promise!

The inside of my wife’s wedding ring says “I will never bore you.”



That’s the promise I’m making. My main goal is not to bore myself…or you. We’ve all got enough drama in our lives. This is a chance to lighten up and get our bodies and minds clicking in ways that we all need.


Now I’m sure you can see the magic word .... ‘bore’ .. not once but twice .. and seems to echo my own thoughts – that our blogs in particular are definitely not going to bore us, nor you .... as Josh mentions to his wife. I think that Josh’s promise to his wife is lovely.

His blog looks interesting and I have yet to have a proper look .. just finding the word ‘bore’ was enough excitement for one day!! The other mini bit of interest .. and it is only mini – really only mini – is that Seth Godin recognised him and soon he’ll be a published Strongest Librarian – that’s so cool Josh – now you and Sara match .. as too cool.

That’s my lot .. but to go with the Roast Boar we’ll have delicious crispy roast potatoes, roasted onions and parsnips, and I think some brussell sprouts (my favourite), carrots, and cauliflower with a delicious melting white sauce ... and to round it all off a delicious gravy made from the pan meat juices, a glass of good vino – perhaps a Roman English red ..

... then to ensure that the fussbudget can actually do it – a delicious fresh trifle – fresh fruit, home-made sponge, soaked with some cassis, good jelly over top and left to set; a home-made custard layer, with Cornish cream on top .... ooh now I’m hungry .. so this old bore is probably off to find a glass of vino for herself ....

Dear Mr Postman – great news my mother can hear again .. so at last we can do a little talking, though she looks much better, is still very weak – but it does make life easier. There’s more but enough for now .. I don’t want to be a bore do I? It’s still freezing – they did say the wind was coming in from Siberia .. and it feels like it ...

Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

46 comments:

Fireblossom said...

Congratulations on your Kreativ Blogger award from Sara. Sara's avatar is indeed the very coolest extant.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Fireblossom .. many thanks for coming over - yes it was great to receive the award from Sara .. your avatar is pretty hot too ..

Enjoy the weekend .. Hilary

Sam Liu said...

Thank you, thank you Hilary. I am so honoured to receive this award from you. Once again, many thanks :D

J.D. Meier said...

Every time I see boar I think of Old Yeller. Leave it to Disney to do some heart wrenching, Hallmark style.

Congrats on your Kreativ Blog Award!

Jannie Funster said...

Wow!! The World's Strongest Librarian is a nice guy!!

And the world is a-swirl with Fireblossom, and Sara, and more and more amazing bloggers every day.

Trifle? LOVE it! English meats and sovories, and pasties and such? LOVE them!

Not so sure I'm in love with the wold boars in our Southern states, they are more prolific than deer and tear up gardens and old National Neographic copies left on peoples' porch swings. terrible bit of luck that.

Oh, speaking of awards, BB will be absolutely out of his mind when he gets back tonight from the karrit exhibit to see he's won the Andy Warhol one over at Snaggle's!!

http://snaggedt.blogspot.com/

I expect he shoudl be back soon.

But I believe I am going to sleep now and may not get to see his delight until morning!

xoxo

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Sam - a pleasure .. your writing deserves to be recognised - all the best Hilary

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi JD - thanks for the note about Old Yeller - tear jerk stories are always good to see and lose oneself in. I was surprised by Sara's award ..and pleased - so thank you .. Hilary

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Jannie – I thought so too – he’s got a few new fans .. has that World’s Strongest Librarian. I must get across to Fireblossom swirl of blooms .. I’d thought another day would let more flower?! Sara’s special with all her conversations with her heater, Roberto, and her bird – the Cardinal .. fun lady with a different take on posting. Always of interest and fun.

Trifles – yes .. all homemade food! - delicious .. Interesting that the boar are so prolific – we’ve got lots here too, most of which were released into the wild, or their ancestors were!!

Gosh – BB got a snaggedt award ... pretty special .. I’ll be over .. karrits always be good .. hope he got back safely .. he’s probably snuggled up in his warm and cosy burrow dreaming of fields of karrits and his next expedition .. I suspect today will be a lazy Sunday .. it’s still freezing here .. so he’ll be sensible to stay put – I think you should have a bit of a Saturday zizz .. he’ll be so proud when he recovers from his long long day ... bye for now .. xxoo

Janice Lynne Lundy said...

Hilary, I don't think you could ever be a boar, truly. So glad things are looking up for you. Perhaps a long nap is due. Hugs to mom. That trifle? looks amazing! Here's to homemade food that nourishes the soul. xo

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Jan .. thanks for that .. and yes things are a little better with my Ma .. and yes please a few days of long naps are needed - though I can't see it happening for a while. Trifle - yes I could do with a bowl now .. no such luck - dream on! Mum will appreciate the hugs, especially now she can hear again .. thank you! xoxo to a warmer Florida I hope ... Hilary

Blue Bunny said...

hilree!!!

look at me!

i iz evin mor good looking thatn ever.

I see you ovir at snaggel's place.

i loves yoo!

xoxo

oh, and my jannie say, yess fireblossim always posting new amazing-good pomes. by my jannie not let me reed them, because i not qwite old enough yet.

xo

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Blue Bunny - I'z knowz .. U R an amazing red, blue, green, yellow and black bunny - almost all the colours of the rainbow.

Yee sertinly iz ver ver gudloooking dan ever .. I alwyz raver hoped you'd silently hopp over for a few dayse to cuddles up with me .. den U'd better do a dash back overwize them girls vill mizz you 2 2 2 muchly ...

Y did 2 zee me at snaggel's place .. she gone sleep today .. has she?

Tank U for the lovs .. me 2

& I must go see fireblossom more often .. poems & music .. Your Jannie certainly looks after you velly velly well .. luckies you .. xoxoxo

Sara said...

Hilary -- I loved this post:~) I thought was great that you went to Josh's site and what a lovely thing to put on a ring...so much better than "till death do us part!" I always thought that saying was kind of gloomy.

I will visit Sam Liu very soon:~)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Sara .. thank you - for now your "cool avatar" isn't showing .. I hope it plops through the net later on!!

I thought Josh's site is so well knowing about so that we can learn about Tourette's .. and his about page - just as you say I loved the inscription .. and it matched!

Sam will be pleased to see you .. thanks for this visit and thank you for the Kreativ award .. have a good week .. Hilary

scheng1 said...

I know it's hard to believe, but singapore has wild bores. I just hope they are smart enough to stay away from the expressways.

Megan "JoyGirl!" Bord said...

Good gracious, Hilary, I'm so glad you're mother can hear again! Prayers have been answered!

Nothing boring in your posts ever. My goodness, you entertain and educate. There's probably a combined word for that somewhere... Entercation? Edutain? Either way, I love visiting your little corner of the world and always feel good when I do.

Big hug to you, wishes for a prolonged, flower-filled spring, continued creativity, love and joy everlasting!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Scheng .. amazing to find wild boars in Singapore .. it's so built up I thought - I guess they scrape through the border with Malaysia without a thought of a passport!! Like you they definitely should stay in the jungly patches of land and away from the teeming roads.

Thank you for coming by again .. Hilary

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Megan .. thank you and isn’t it amazing what a little olive oil will do – and yes she sure can hear, and she hasn’t lost her brain either .. the comments are flowing out!!

Great – just what I’d like to do .. entertain and educate ( me mostly!) .. if there is such a word I’d love to know it ..gourmetacation ? not very good ... and it’s excellent to know that there’s a little corner here that amuses and lightens day, as well providing a little food for thought ..

Me too- sounds an excellent idea for all of us .. a big hug, and a lovely warming spring to bring all those bulbs out to full blossom and as you say to Kreativ thoughts with love and joy for ever .. wonderful words Megan – thank you so much .. big hugs back ..

Joanne said...

Congrats on your Kreativ Blog Award, always fun posts to read! Enjoyed your exploration of bores/boars, too. The blogs are definitely far from boring, there's always something inspirational to be found from one to another ... Have a great week, Hilary!

T. Powell Coltrin said...

First of all I am glad for your mother's hearing.

Second, congrats on your award. You and your blog deserve it.

Finally, the bores are very interesting. I wouldn't want to be in the way of either the swine type nor the way of the wave.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Joanne .. I know - it's fun! and I'm chuffed you think so too and glad you enjoyed the 'bore' tour. As you so rightly say - there's always things to find out new ideas and thoughts out on those wonderful blogs .. love the ones I visit! Thank you - you too have a good week .. Hilary

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Teresa ..yes - so, am I glad my Ma can hear again. Thanks for acknowledging the award ..and for your comments.

I agree with you - being too near either could be tricky .. but as with all nature, quiet and non threatening for the boar, and watching carefully for the other.

I watched a youtube of the chinese wave .. and it was a bit daunting - but then 25 feet of water across a very wide river .. requires a lot of dispersal area, and this flooded vigorously .. I hope the people were ok - certainly swept off their feet.

Mark said...

You are never boring! Thanks for continually filling my head with fun information.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Mark .. thankyou!! Very grateful! Just so pleased to hear that you learn and have fun at the same time .. long may it last!!

Good to see you here .. all the best Hilary

Blue Bunny said...

jist poping by to say hello. and my jannie been in the bay of fun-dy! gets it -- fun?? i so jokking todae.

xo

xo

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hiya Mr Grabatar .. youse looks zo zmart .. in youse Bunny Zoot. Again yor Jannie & Kelly? bin in bay of fun-dy? .. oh oh .. a fun dy! Yae .. 'tis skool vacation (ooh big word!) time - iz it not? Bye bye Iz watchin lambies being born down on ze farm! .. ?! Hillsebillie xxoo

Unknown said...

Hi Hilary,

Congratulations on your Kreativ Blogger award from Sara. I am sure you deserve it. It is interesting to learn English the way you teach me or any other non-native English speakers.

Thank you for your sharing.

Shaw Funami
Fill the Missing Link

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Shaw . thank for popping by - yes I'm chuffed about the award. I'm really pleased you feel you can learn something about England, its history and English as a language .. as long as you enjoy it - that's important to me ..

Go well and have a good week - Hilary

Davina said...

Hi Hilary.
That's wonderful news about your mother being able to hear again.

Congrats on your Kreativ Blogger award. I love your play on words -- bore. You done good :-)

Those baby bores are too cute.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Davina .. yes - thank goodness makes life easier somewhat - it was 'impossible' when she couldn't hear or read .. or ....

The award is a great honour - so thank you. & thanks that 'I done boringly good'!

The little boars look cute .. but Jannie says they root around all over the southern states and they do here - and in South Africa in the veld .. but they are our life too .. history tells!!

Thanks for calling in - Hilary

Patricia said...

Hilary congratulations on your award and for giving it to two bloggers I don't know about and so now can explore more!

I am so happy your mum can hear...it does make it much easier to have real communication, even when weak.

I loved your play on words...I remember that I would find myself confused by some words before I discovered the dictionary ...like boring into a piece of wood...was that bore or boar or just????
I remember spelling hoo for who most of grade 2

Great words today and it gave me a great smile

Tess said...

Hi Hilary,
Nope you're not a bore...those other bores sound like tsunanmi's if you ask me. I don't know if I spelled that wrong or what. Sara's avatar is as cool as she is;) Don't you just love her photos?
Hi to your mom and glad she has her hearing back. AMEN!

BK said...

Hi Hilary, that tidal bore must be a wonderful sight in nature and I love it for the fact that it is predictable.

PS: Glad to hear that your mother is able to hear now. Wishing her gets better each day.

Evelyn Lim said...

Hey, congrats about the award! You certainly deserve it :-) Wonderful news about your mother and thumbs up to the intent of keeping us inspired. A post of positive news and thoughts!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Tess – thank you! Some of them must be quite terrifying as they plummet down the rivers .. the gentle one I saw was a great natural phenomena .. small, but so interesting. I don’t think the spelling is right .. but we know what you meant! Sara sure is cool .. and her photos .. especially the puzzly ones.

It’s great being able to walk in to Mum and talk to her .. so pleased she’s better. - thank you ..

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi BK .. good to see you – as you say it is an awe inspiring sight of nature and that we can get to see it – as it is predictable .. still it surprised the Chinese somewhat on the video I watched and mention.

Thank you re Mum .. it makes such a difference!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Patricia .. you can lose comments on your own site – just replied and it’s gone awol - not once but twice now.

So – thank you re the award .. my other two awardees are well worth having a look at, as is Sam and his suspense stories and poems. It’s good that Sara promoted them.

Me too – does make such a difference being able to hear Mum and talk with her.

I think bore or boar would do .. depending on the structure of the sentence – that’s a bit rich, from someone (me) who is so unknowledgeable about grammar – wish I did. Hoo .. for ages – that must have been tough to eliminate the one and find the other ‘who’ ...

Glad you can smile – have a great rest of the week .. Hilary

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Evelyn – many thanks .. - that’s really kind .. a regular post of positive news and thoughts .. yes I’m very pleased about my mother’s hearing and she looks better too – I’ll keep posting ..these are the sort of ideas Mum and I discussed and had lots of laughs about – as we chatted about each subject – usually with me being sent home to find out more. Thanks – glad to see you - Hilary

janice said...

Great news about your mum, and the award's well deserved as you truly are an ace blogger and a good friend to many. Your posts always make me smile and keep me learning! Schools all over the UK would so benefit from your life-loving, eclectic approach!

Liara Covert said...

The Bay of Fundy is near where my parents live in southern New Brunswick, Canada. Amazing how your posts always contain gems of information that trigger ah-ha moments and also teach us bits of trivia. You could consider putting together a game like Trivia Pursuit:)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Janice .. I'm really honoured re your comments - thank you!! Just glad to keep people laughing, learning .. and having something (?) light to read! Actually - I don't know if you remembered you mentioned that before about the googling kids - back on the Saxon treasure and garnet post? 29 Sept 2009 .. when I have me to myself I'll be spreading my wings a little ..

.. you're a star though for mentioning it: yes how true about my approach to blogging .. and allowing me to bring history, geography, language et al alive as I see it and find it for other interested readers ..

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Liara .. I wondered if your family are up there .. and I think Jannie's are too - but in Nova Scotia ..

Just glad the posts are appreciated so much - and contain those ah-ha moments for you to mull on and remember past times .. as well as the odd notational item. I could too do a game or similar .. another thought - there's plenty here .. just time! One day .. Thankyou Liara - have a good weekend - Hilary

Anonymous said...

Hi, Its been ages since I come across this type of reading.. This is really unmatched posting..

Thanks,
Sam Ben-David

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Sam - good to meet you .. and thank you for this really 'cool' comment - very grateful and delighted to see you here.

Have a good Easter and all the best - Hilary

Liara Covert said...

As delectable as roasted boar sounds for some, the veggies and other alternatives would satiate others. Love the humour you inject into your writing. Ever consider writing a book or putting your posts together into as "Epistolary book " (one set up and organized based on letters)? You are a natural writer!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Liara .. thanks for your second visit to this post - always good to see you & how ever often you wish to visit!!

Roasts are really good winter fare .. with lots of vegetables.

Thanks so much for the suggestion .. or recommendation .. yes I'd love to - just time and the energy needed to organise it with my Ma - now she is sleeping more I may have time to concentrate - however for now life is tricky, as I have other personal things going on ..

But - yes the future looks lettery .. so thank you for the compliment - it says much coming from you .. all the best Hilary