Clary's Travel Digression

Yes, Clare! Have a great Easter.... In "Honkers", even!

Thank you so much for your thoughts over Easter - yes I must confess I was feeling a bit cut off, and even though not a Christian, miss the togetherness and the spring. But the family are scattered anyway, lads working away, so it might not have been that special. All I have planned is church on Easter morning to pray for husband Simon with an ex-colleague of his, a Chinese woman lawyer who lives near here and saw me in the supermarket by chance. Not really festive, but well worth doing!
Maybe I'll treat myself to a nice lunch somewhere, albeit solo, and pig out on an egg with the maid!
Funny, life, isn't it?

Clary

Of course, you're missing spring in the UK ... The best time!

I hope your Easter turns out to be a calm & pleasurable one. You never know what might happen though, do you? Maybe something wildly exciting!
I sincerely hope that your husband's health is improving day by day. Of course, this would be constantly on your mind. A prayer & some quiet meditation sounds a good idea. All the best to you, Clary.

Love,
Olga

Well, you never know what lies in store. Who could have imagined I'd be at a charismatic/evangelical Christian service today!? What struck me most powerfully was the emphasis on sin and redemption from it - concepts I feel more 19th century than modern. And there was, amongst the happy clappy songs, an undercurrent of smugness (we're saved!) and a masculine emphasis on triumph. I guess Easter is different from other times.. and I hope I don't tread on anyone's toes here. In many ways it was a great service, families of all nationalities, an informality which was quite refreshing but unexpected - nobody seemed to have dressed in Sunday best, there were shorts and T shirts and jeans and flipflops. And two very strong women came and prayed with me, and although part of me recoiled, part really wanted to be there with them, believing it all. A good experience, and if it helps banish the darkness from the husbandly heart, a miracle.

But although I had a delightful Japanese lunch, still no chocolate eggs, waaaaah!

I do hope so, Clary!

Olga it must have been a fun time, you and Margo! All experience is interesting, isn't it!? Did you get to the Caravaggios or did you slip into the Chardonnay?

Well, Clary, I lit a nice candle for your husband and the thought of sin did not even cross my mind. I'm with you and recognize a certain smugness that goes along with the pointing out of sin in others. I'd prefer if people were just grateful for small kindnesses.

Our Easter was celebrated with little fanfare except for the enjoyment of spring flowers bursting out around us while we sat drinking coffee and later coolers on the terrace. There was some family feasting for brunch (omelets) and for dinner (tenderloin steak). The ham will have to wait for another day, it was unseasonably warm and not the day for baking. As the recognized Easter bunny in this household, I filled and hid small baskets for my nearly adult children and Mr.P who were all gratified. We did have a few lovely chocolate eggs, my favorite being (and I don't know why because they are truly disgusting) the malted milk version. Mr.P suggests that someone apparently helped relieve his basket of the malted milk goodies. Ah, yes... as a matter of fact, I did! I was afraid they'd melt in the heat.

Sounds a perfect day, Piffka, and I wish your more to come! Just about to go for my first day in the office - haven't been out to work like this since 1973!

Hey I like this office! Lots of friendly people, but the person I need to work with not there yet, at 9.30 a m so I've come for a latte and a Danish at the charming cafe nearby where the Internet is free and all the staff smily Filipinos. I could get used to work if it's all like this!

'sfunny you should mention that......................

First day in office???
What?
Glad to know it is friendly and there's a nice cafe with free (!) internet.

Well I spent easter with nuns in worcestershire, Catholics, and there was a lot of chanting psalms before easter.They were more about me being saved for my steadfastness and hoping my enemies will be smitten.
I didnt feel any emphasis on sin though, mostly Joy for the resurection. And a vigil from 4.00am til sixish - dawn. Started by a pascal fire lit in the very orderly and austere nuns cemetary. As an anglican by abckground, this was all new and exciting to me.The nuns do about five sung offices every day, all very lovely and solemn.This is just by way of saying that not all christians are so keen on sin - I think it must depend where one go.
The abbess painted eggs in marbled, metalic green and gold, wery lovely - but NOT CHOCOLATE - nice farm eggs.I too tried to send thoughts to the ailing husband. Love ACW (Clary is my oldest chum - but not vice versa)

hello! details?

I will, I will, ehBeth .... Can't concentrate too well right now, with my handyman on the roof, banging, banging .... & a northerly ripping through my yard (unexpected hot day: 32 C predicted! ) Later, it's crazy here right now!

acw, good to hear about the sinless nuns and marbled eggs!
Olga I've sent you an email about cats hehe
hope you're having a Ripping Time with the handyman!

Hello!!! No-one was de-tailed!

Clary

The handyman has finally left! Time for a Bex & a good lie down! Moma mia!

I don't know what a Bex is but I hope it feels good!

Could well be a as far as what I've heard ... :wink:

Ah, that I understand!