General Chat

You cheeky moo Jean.
I thought you were going to say that it would cost to much for the scaffolding for my mouth.
I have just had an e.mail from Marie. She is well,but having problems trying to get into the site.
She sends her very best wishes to you all. And will be back with us as soon as is possible.

Hi there everybody. I still look in but am not posting too often. I feel Phil could die any time so as I am not on broadband I cant spend too long on the computer in case the hospital tries to ring me.

Huia.

Huia I am so sorry to hear this sad news. I know it will be a release for you,but oh so sad for you as well.
My heart goes out to you. May god bless you and Phil.
Love Mo xxx

Huia, we will be thinking of you , praying that Phil will be at peace, God bless you both.

love Jean xx

Huia


so sorry to hear that news. Will be thinking of you


xxxxxx

Hi everyone

I didn't say earlier that 24 March, J's birthday, was also the date on which my mother died in 1961 ........ only I didn't connect the two dates until a cousin sent me a photo of the headstone round about 1990


I realised then that I block out the dates on which people close to me died. I remember the year, and usually the month.


It was pretty sunny again today, although there were some horrendous black clouds around


.............. but it rained all day yesterday. We went out in the evening to a Masked Ball fundraiser for the Student Opera Ensemble that OH sings with. It was held in a theatre on the university campus. And there is an open courtyard-type area to cross from the parkade (parking garage) to the theatre. So ....... mad dash, umbrella, or hooded raincoat necessary last night!


We had a good time at the Ball, as usual. It is held on the stage of the Chan Theatre, with tables of 10 arranged in a ring around 3 sides of the stage. There were about 12 tables last night, so about 120 people.

We were on a table with 2 couples that we knew and 2 others that we had not met before. One of the couples that we knew are 4 or 5 years older than us ................. the husband comes from near Chester and OH knew the family and of P from childhood. The wife L is/was the daughter of the Head of Department at the school where OH taught in Devon. We met up with them face to face soon after we arrived in Vancouver and have been friends ever since. L told us to hold July 3rd in reserve .............. they'll be celebrating their 50th anniversary that day!

The open side is where the dance band plays. The members of the Opera Student Ensemble performed before and during dinner .......... we saw operatic arias, excerpts from Phantom of the Opera, Chinese and Russian songs, etc. Gawd, there are some lovely voices among the students!

Then the Dal Richards Band played for dancing ...... he began leading a band around 1933/4.

Yes ......... the 1930's!

He's now 92!

It's big band style music, largely 40s style, but also rock and roll, and swing. All the stuff that we used to dance to in the 50s and 60s. Even the kids in the Ensemble love it!!

One interesting little snippet ............. Dal went to the same high school in Vancouver as someone called Bernie Braden, and Bernie sang with Dal's band when they made their first featured radio appearance in 1935.

Anyone remember that name????

The food was good as well.

And, for once, we came home without buying anything from the Silent Auction. The only thing that I was remotely interested in was a gold and peridot pendant and chain ................. but at a valuation of $1400, and lowest bid set at $800 ...... I decided that I didn't need it!!


Will venture downtown tomorrow (Saturday) .......... time for some retail therapy. I haven't been down there since the week before the Olympics opened back in February!


Take care everyone.




sylvia
xxx

Of course, I dont have any idea how long he will hang on. I hope it wont be too long. I will go to see him again tomorrow but probably wont stay long as it is painful to see him as he is now, although I doubt if he feels any pain. Thanks for your thoughts everybody.

Huia.

Huia, I hope things are easier for you soon, and that your dear Phil has a peaceful passing when the time comes. I am sure he is being well cared for and I think the staff will be kind to you when you visit, as they know how much it upsets you to see him so frail.

Bless you both

Lizxxx

Sylvia, I remember Bernie Braden, I think his wife was well known too?
Sounds as tho you have a nice evening.

Lizxxx

just had a look and found the following:

It was more fun than work for a group of young people who produced plays on CJOR Vancouver in the late 30s and early 40s. They even created their own "Lux Radio Theatre" (then the top-rated drama on North American radio) - freely writing and producing adaptations of movie scripts, which one of them picked up from west coast film distributors. They worked on each other's shows and they earned fame - among them were Fletcher Markle, Alan Young, John Drainie, Juliette, Andrew Allan, Lister Sinclair, Peggy Hazard, Barbara Kelly and Bernard Braden.

As radio developed, Vancouver couldn't hold them, and they moved east to Toronto in 1942.

Bernie Braden met Barbara at her radio debut. She was just 16 and was playing the Virgin Mary in a mystery play. They were married when she was 17 so made the move as husband and wife. Over the years they were to star together on stage, radio and television in Canada, the United States and England.

In Toronto, the two found work on CBC's Sunday night Stage Series and Bernie captured a lead role in the Thursday night sponsored drama John and Judy. Comedian Alan Young had also moved east, basking in the success of the Vancouver radio show Stag Party. In 1940, under the sponsorship of Buckingham Cigarettes, it became The Alan Young Show. Bernie had acted in the show in the West and continued his participation. Wayne and Shuster also selected Bernie for the role of a deaf postman in a comedy that, for 13 weeks in the summer, replaced The Life of Riley in the United States.In 1946 Bernie narrated several filmed documentaries: Ski Skill, Science Goes Fishing, Safe Clothing, Organization and Machines. He was also principal writer on a half-hour radio show, John and Judy, that starred Jane Mallett.


Bernard Braden & Barbara Kelly (photo : Lynda Hurst)
In 1949, Bernie moved to London with his family (now five). There, Bernie quickly made a name for himself on stage, when he played the role of Mitch opposite Vivien Leigh in the London production of Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire. Bernie also soon became a radio star on the BBC. Breakfast With Braden was fabulously successful, as was its successor Bedtime With Braden, and while Bernie was the star, Barbara guested from time to time. The couple turned to TV in 1951 as hosts of An Evening At Home With Bernard Braden and Barbara Kelly. In 1953 they piloted a new sketch comedy for the BBC, titled Barbara with Braden, but it did not go to series.

In 1957 Bernie hosted Chelsea at Nine for Granada TV, and in 1962 he created Britain's first television consumer affairs show called On the Braden Beat.

The stage and films provided two other opportunities for the Braden talent to be on display. Bernie appeared in the movies Love in Pawn (1952), The Kid From Canada (1957), All Night Long (1961), The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1962) and The War Lover (1963).

In 1968, Bernie with his wife Barbara starred in a short-lived (7 episodes) BBC sitcom, B-and-B, which also featured their daughter Kim. In 1969, Capitol Records issued an LP of Bernie reading the works of Canadian humourist Stephen Leacock.

In 1970, when the British parliament ended the BBC's monopoly on radio broadcasting, Bernie joined with Canada's Standard Broadcasting Corporation in what proved to be a successful application for a coveted general entertainment radio franchise covering London.

On The Braden Beat was cancelled by the BBC in 1972, reportedly because Bernie had begun to be seen on private television doing margarine commercials. Shortly after the Global Television Network began operations in 1974, Bernie came back to Canada to pitch a similar consumer show to CTV and CBC, but it was Global who picked up the series, only to cancel it shortly thereafter, as money became tight.

On returning to London, Bernie did less and less television, though in 1987-88 he did return to the small screen as host of a revived Granada series, All Our Yesterdays, which featured clips from news stories from 25 years previously.

In 1973, Barbara had started a new venture, Prime Performers, to represent celebrity speakers, and on reducing his broadcasting activities Bernie, for his part, set up a conference presentation organization, under the umbrella of their company, Adanac Productions. In 1990, Hodder and Stoughton published Bernie's autobiographical memoir, The Kindess of Strangers.

Bernard Braden died in London on February 2nd, 1993, after suffering a series of strokes.

Hi, popping in quickly to say that, Huia, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. I am sure the end, when it comes will be peaceful and a blessing. I know that was the case with my Father in Law and the family here were at peace that he passed over in such a way.

Thinking of you.

Debbie xx

Hello Everyone,I have finally managed to get to post,I hope you are all well though I see you have a cold Debbie but I know that wont keep you down, mothers can't afford the time to be sick
I see you have one also Mo, by gee that June seems to be giving you a hard time Mo, I am sure you will find a way to get even.
JUNE, It was nice to read that you and oh had a nice Holiday Did that neighbour let you get some sleep this weekend.
Sallie how are you going with the house hunting?

Liz you sound well keep up the good work.
Has anyone heard from Ann from Glos or is she on Holidays?.
Dear Huia, I am sorry to hear that Phil is deteriorating, this is such a hard time for you and your Family I do hope that the end come quickly and that it is peaceful, I am thinking of you God bess you all,I will Pray for you and especially Phil.
Good Night to Huia, and Have a nice Day those in the UK.
((((((((Hugs )))))))) Marie

Hello everyone.
Sylvia,it sounds like you had a wonderful evening. Was everyone in evening wear. I would have loved to have been there. It would have been
great to get all dressed up for a change. It has been so many years since I have been able to do that. Oh to wear a lovely long evening gown,and be done up to the nines.
These days if one did that,to go out for the evening,you would be thought over dressed.
Liz where do you manage to find all the information.that you do. I do remember Bernie Braden,from the Braden beat. Is this the same one.?
Hi Debbie,hows the cold now. Are the children doing their sport this weekend. And how did Daniel get on last weekend.?
Welcome back Marie,good to see you posting again. So you were able to get back on here eventually.
Dont you worry none,I will get our JEAN(not June) back soon. It's only coz I am feeling poorly that I am letting her get away with it.
And I am sure you are teasing her by calling her June,and not Jean,ohhh I like it,thank you for doing that for me. lol Pokes tongue out at Jean and>>>>>>>>>>>>runs a quickly as possible away.
I believe Ann is on holiday now,but she is due back next saturday.
Marilyn is still enjoying her cruise,lucky thing. I bet she gets dolled up for dinner with the captain,I am envious.
Big (((((((((HUGS))))))))) for Jean.xxx EXTRA SPECIAL HUGS (((((hugs)))))
For Huia,who needs all our prayers and thoughts at this time off need.
Love and best wishes to you all. Mo xxx

Hello Ladies,
Huia, sorry to hear about Phil, although it will be a blessing. You are both in my thoughts and prayers.

I've had a busy few days making cards, been out a couple of days with some friends, so haven't had much free time. Alun's sister and her hubby came down the day today, it was lovely to see them both, though we could see a marked difference in Alan, his brother-in-law.

Mo, we are still living in the same house, don't worry I'll let you all know when we move. We're still looking for a bungalow, hoping we'll be able to find one soon. I don't think that we'll get the one two roads away from Jennie's house, because our offer wasn't high enough.

Marie, glad to see that all is well with you and your family.

Sylvia, it looks as though you and hubby had a lovely time at the Ball.

Debbie, hope you are feeling a lot better now, and not suffering with too much with toothache.

Liz, I remember Bernie Braden and his wife Barbara Kelly. My parents use to watch Whats My Line on a Sunday night, and Barbara Kelly was on the panel, along with Gilbert Harding, Isobel Barnard and David Nixon.

I hope everyone else is okay! I am going to bed now so speak to you all later. Take care!

Love, Sallie.xxx

I have just been to visit Phil and am feeling a bit of a fraud. The tough old codger has brightened up so it doesnt looks as if he will be going anywhere for a while. I think I will have to avoid making comments on here until he does finally go.

It was rather funny as he was trying to remove my running shoe from my foot today, despite the fact that I said it wouldnt fit him. I had great difficulty removing my foot from his grasp.

Anyway you can have your sympathetic comments back, save them for when Phil does die. And thanks for the thoughts.

Huia.

Huia, I am glad you could see the humourous side to your visit lol
Bless him, your Phil is not going to give in without a fight, eh? It's harder for you tho to see him up and down like that. Will be thinking about you both.

Mo, I just google the name or phrase, whatever is relevant and have a read of the info on offer, I have learned so much useless and useful info since I have had the use of a computer. And I can always check info now so I can tell o.h.if I have been proved right over something, if I am wrong I don't mention it again lol

love to all, lots to get trhough this evening, and I need to go to bed earlier to make up for losing an hour's sleep

Lizxxx

Hi Liz, does that mean your clocks have now changed? I think we put ours back next weekend.

Huia.

Hello everyone, Huia,.hope you are doing o.k. strange time for you each time you visit Phil will be different no doubt. but he is being well looked after and happy in his own world, he will never lose the times you have spent together, my friends wife is like Phil, and now and then recalls something of the past, so I believe the memory will keep it all stored.... take heart my friend, all that has happened is part of life, and you can get on with yours without worrying too much about Phil....we all love you and are here for you at any time.....

Hi, Sallie, I was wondering if your new home is still ongoing, I am sure there is a bungalow with your name on it, My noisy neighbours started up again on friday, but I stuffed cotton wool in my ears and slept through it all....lol....so I am going to buy some proper ear plugs....Are you taking pics of all your cards , so you can show them to meeeee please.I could do with some ideas...

Marie you are norty girl if you are taking a chance at poking fun at me, wrong thing to do ....lol.... now you wont be surprised if I have a go at you too.... love JUNE....think I like it better than JEAN xx


Mo, hope you and him indoors are getting over your colds, I have gone back to being very tired again, its uncanny how it affects me... must be lacking something ....

love and hugs to everyone else off to have me lunch.

love Jean xx

Hi Ladies All, not been about since last Monday (22nd) so alot to catch up on both at home and on here. Just had another 6 days in my usual place on the jolly old Morphine. Now have an actual diagnosis - Chronic Pancreatittis, but no proscribed cure. Having a Barium meal test in about ten days.
I think they wanted me out the way as the Queen and Prince Philip are visiting on Thursday. Anyway I am now home, and will read through the thread tomorrow after I have got the 'washer' on.
Take care all
Julia in Derbyshire

Afternoon ladies.
Sorry to hear you have been back in your usual place. It's good to know that they have at long last diagnosed what your problem is. Now lets pray that they sort out some treatment as soon as posible.
Jean,I just cannot seem to shake this,cold-flu thingy. Roly has been a lot better today,and has been up the club. But guess who had to do the dinner,yep moi. I seriously nearly didn't bother,but I feel hungrier when I am like this,than I normally am. But I would just like to have little nibbly bites,but it would still be me that had to go and get them.
I have spoilt him rotten all these years,and just once in a while I would like to be waited on instead.
Sallie does it get confusing in your house,with Alun and Alan being there.
Whew,thank goodness you have not done a moonlight flit,and left us.
What a shame that the valuation did not come up to expecations. Thats the problem with property at the moment,it's rising in price but very very slowly.
Huia, what can I say my love. Take one day at a time and keep the good memories within your heart.
I am glad you had a good visit with Phil,even though he teased you. Thats a good memory to keep as well,it shows that the old Phil is still in there somewhere.
I do like your tactics Liz,googling things I mean. I do so like to be able to prove a point sometimes with Roly. Don't you just hate it,when they always think they are right,even when they are wrong.
Hi Marie((((hugs)))))
Love to you all. Mo xxx

Hi Ladies,

Julia, I thought that you been back to your place of residence, as we hadn't heard from you for a good few days. I was going to send you a PM tonight, if we hadn't heard from you. Well, at least you've had a diagnosis, so now have to wait and see what treatment you will need. Take care and look after yourself.

Huia, don't worry about feeling a bit of a fraud, my uncle was just the same before he died, phone call to say that the end was near, then when the family got to the hospital he had rallied once again. It was very difficult for the family, especially for his wife and daughter. We are all here for you so let us know what's happening as things come, you don't have to wait until the end to let us know.

Jean, Alun has scanned some of the cards into the computer, so that I can let both you and Ann see them. I don't think you'll get much inspiration from me though--I'm more likely to get it from you. I'm just a newby to card making. Although I must say, I really love making them, the problem is once I start I don't want to stop. Sorry to hear that you've had more trouble with your noisy neigbours, as you say it would be a good idea for the three of you to invest in some ear-plugs.

Mo, I'm sorry both you and Roly have had bad colds, yes it would be nice to get spoilt sometimes. I'm like you, I have to do all the cooking in this house, most of the time I don't mind, but there are times when I think it would be nice to have it cooked for me. You are right about the names Alun and Alan, it gets a bit confusing at times. Both my father and my mother's youngest brother had the name Lloyd, we all lived in the same house until my brother and I were teenagers, so you can imagine what it was like. Brother-in-law Alan is the one that suffers from Alzheimers, he's had it since he's fifty eight, and he's now sixty four, it's so awful to see him as he is, he had his own air conditioning business in Yorkshire and also had a factory in the USA. Once he was diagnosed with Alzheimers, he sold the business, so that he could enjoy his life before he got too bad. He had to stop driving about two years ago, it's just as well that Lynda (Alun's sister) can drive. As I said on here last night, we saw a marked difference in him this time.

Liz, are you going to see your Counsellor tomorrow? Hope you'll get on alright and that you will be able to have the car to get there. Alun and I went to Shipley Country Park with Jennie, Michael and their dog Jay, this afternoon, it was lovely there, we had a nice walk through the park, then we went back to Jennie's for a cuppa. We had a lovely afternoon,

Hope all is well with Marie, Debbie, Sylvia and their families.

I didn't get to speak to Ann before she went on holiday, so hope that both her and T will have a good holiday.

Also hope that Marilyn and OH are still enjoying their holiday.

Take are everyone. Speak to you all tomorrow.

Love and best wishes. Sallie.xxx