Saturday 31 December 2022

Happy New Year – Ma'at came into my orbit recently …

 

Ma'at is the goddess, who personified the ancient Egyptian concepts of:

                  truth,             balance, 

                           order,             harmony, 

                                             law,                morality, 

                   and justice  

as well as bringing order to the world from chaos …



Goddess Ma'at


Her roles in reminding us of the necessities of being decent, helping and co-operating with others in 2023 … 


... seem to me to be well worth remembering … if only we could pass these ideals across to the many despicable rulers, who seem to want to cause harm to other human beings …



I know we all do what we can to help others … and wish you all a very Happy New Year as 2022 turns into 2023 …




Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Thursday 22 December 2022

Christmas Greetings …

 

I've given up – toddling on – but a post is needed to be sent out to our blogosphere … way too late … 



... and I'm not writing books – so really no excuses … busy/lazy – you takes your pick!





The Lamb - December 2022


... but we had some snow to make us miserable and give the country more headaches (thankfully not here) …





The Lamb Inn 14th century (1300s … I get muddled!) - without its white coating …


The internet's web presence


I hope you can see the baubles ... the sun
wasn't shining ... it's a wooden spiral ... 


I spotted this 'interesting' Christmas tree on my way into town … at some stage .. I must stop and look more closely to see how it's made … the owners must be artistically clever!



So here's to a happy festive time however you celebrate – I'll be with one of my brother's who lives locally … a smallish gathering this year …


There's lots of berries around this year

Here's to you all … I'll see you on New Year's Eve …


Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Sunday 11 December 2022

Icelandic Christmas Book Flood – Jolabokaflod ...

 

I came across this delightful tradition … from an article in CountryLiving – no idea how I got there! …



Christmas books

something I hadn't heard about … during World War II paper was not rationed in Iceland – it was in England … as J R Tolkien found out when his works were published during the War.




So this is where the post came from … the Icelanders gave each other books at Christmas time … turning them into a country of bookaholicsthere's some stats in the links



Hot chocolate

I'm keeping this shortish … as people are causing me headaches – which takes time out of life … and leaving me somewhat frustrated and irritated, but that's life when one volunteers.



Then for some 'brilliant' reason – my computer needs something and I can't find it – or how to fix it … such is life … and now it wants to snow!!



Our Cocoa - in this little
country of ours - England!
Anyway enough of me … what I'd love is nothing to do … plenty of cocoa on the stove, marshmallows, a box or two of chocolates – then of course some veggies with a dip or two, and fruit to finish off (I'm trying to be good and leave off the wine) … and be left alone … to read the books on my TBR shelves …



So I really endorse Jolabokaflod (which roughly translates to Christmas Book Flood – in English, we might have guessed that!?) …


Presumably Jolabokaflod in Icelandic


Looks good ... 

So … enjoy your books and your cocoa … or more likely now-a-days … a large mug of hot chocolate with frothy cream on top … sprinkled with drinking chocolate powder …



A few links below …


Country Living – Jolabokaflod … the Icelandic tradition of giving books … way to go!


Wikipedia has more information on the Christmas Book Flood


Founding Story of Jolabokaflog.org …


I know you've all family things to sort out … as do I, but in limited form – mostly done, thankfully … but I have a dinner to ensure runs smoothly by and for Wednesday …


Christmas Books at Waterstones

I'll probably get another post in before the end of the year – but in case not … have a peaceful and happy festive time … computer time being kind I'll be around … just straggling at the back of the queue for now …



Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories


Thursday 1 December 2022

Write … Edit … Publish … Bloghop / ISWG hop:The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

 

I was a bit surprised that she came up to me offering a special plant … ah well – I could (and must be nice – though we've never really got on) – a woman with always a contrary thought about life in general.




But what could I do … so together we go to her cottage with its overflowing plants et al … she shows me the enormous pot with a tall spadix already quite tall … saying it'll be great for your Christmas party … this flower spike will open into the most beautiful flower … you've enough room for it.



We get the pot home and I think no more … doing what I'm told – put the pot in a warm and light position … our ground floor extends down a few steps into a comfortable conservatory …



Two of these plants

I did thank her most profusely for her apparently generous gift … during the next few days this inflorescence keeps growing … as party time approaches.




The day of the get-together … the house is warm, welcoming and cosy … family have arrived and are staying over, the Aga bakes away … the scented Christmassy smells perfume the rooms …



Spadix


I noticed that flower spike is getting very tall … I'd been warned, but also that old lady had mentioned its height … but said the beautiful ruby red flower will astonish us … it looked like she'd be right …




We were ready … the food was out, tables overflowing, decorations brightened the rooms, we were dressed to the nines … and were looking forward to a wonderful day with the weekend ahead …


I just had a lingering thought … there was something amiss … but the wonderful classical selection of Christmas music, that my husband had put together, resonated through the house … just gorgeous … I could happily lie down, doze and listen … but I must get to it – to welcome our guests to the party.


Pouffy whiffy ... 

I loved seeing family and friends … but that fishy niff was getting stronger … meatier, positively foulnow a pong, a stench even … oh dear – where on earth was it coming from …



Old wrinkly hag

That plant had come courtesy of that wretched old hag – she was malevolent ... people always said she had a vengeful side to her ... how right they were ...



The flower was in full bloom ... a rich deep ruby purply red ... beautiful ... but? -


oh oh … the boys are shouting at me … “we're taking that pot outside … that flower whiffs beyond belief ...”






Most definitely The First Time I Saw Your Face, is the last time I want to be near one of your sort – pouff, pouffy …




Tag line:  Glory Be … a Cruel Unmasking … What a Stink for Christmas Joy …




For information: 

Chicago Botanic Garden - details (pdf) of Titan arum ... 


Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories