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W H Y?
20191013 001055 2 minutes Musings Why do things grow and change? We know about the sun and rain that provide heat and water for plants and trees. We know about the chemistry and physics that provide the environment which allows seeds and plants to grow. We see forests and verdant plains with their enormous trees and tiny plants and originally the herds of innumerable animals; we see the rocky vastnesses which provide habitation for intrepid little plants, and doughty animals; and we see the tremendous expanses of icy tundra with their particular brand of flora and fauna. We know everything [...]
Voices (3): More Boarding School
20191013 001054 12 minutes Power, Nature, Memories, Boatding School One Saturday morning, when Brenda was about thirteen, three classes – about twenty five pupils – had been grouped together for homework with an ineffectual teacher in charge. Everyone seemed to be walking round the room, asking each other questions, not sitting quietly working at their desks. Brenda had a question about the homework, so she tried to be law-abiding and put up her hand for permission, but when the teacher ignored her she eventually got up and went over to ask the question. The teacher singled her out, from all [...]
The Conker Fight
20191013 001053 2 minutes Fun story Country Life 1941-2 WWII The new house where our friends moved to was on the river. It was a beautiful big Stuart, or maybe Georgian, place. At Easter I was introduced to an Easter Egg Hunt. The grounds were large and we spent a happy time searching for the eggs. Our parents did their best to give us a normal life, away from the war. There was a big horse chestnut in their field which had magnificent candles in the spring and hundreds of chestnuts in the fall. We had wonderful conker fights with [...]
Whatever the weather
20191010 001052 1 minute Weather, Country living, Seasons, Winter, Snow, Big Book It’s snowing. No, it’s raining. Oh, look! There’s the sun! Where’s the rainbow? Last week it didn’t break freezing – Last night it didn’t go below 45! Today it’s 60. Let’s face it: it can’t make up it’s mind. A couple of weeks’ ago I was housebound: They didn’t plow me, So the snow waited, From the Monday storm till Friday. Then I decided if I was to Venture out on Saturday, I’d better get out there with my trusty shovel At least to make tire tracks thru [...]
Voices (2): Boarding School
20191010 001051 9 minutes Boarding School, Power, Bullying, Rules & Regulations Being a year younger than the next youngest girl in the school left Brenda prey to all the whims and power plays nasty little girls inflict on the weaker members of their group. She couldn’t fight back against the taunts and unkindnesses her peers dreamed up, and she had to live with them, day after day, night after night. Academically, she could hold her own but emotionally felt more comfortable, the following year, with the girls in the grade below when a new class entered. That was where she [...]