General Chat

Hello all

Cynthia, another interesting story line. Thank you.

I've seen David posting on the general chat and he's fallen and been admitted into hospital but is back at home again now. Sending my good wishes David,
I hope that you feel a little better soon. Take care.

Stay safe everyone.

I must admit - I do love the film The Inn of the Sixth Happiness. Even if some of the things are not quite right, they still got the meaning of the film over.

Such wonderful actors Robert Donat - Athene Seyler - Burt Kwouk - Ingrid Bergman and the lovely Curt Jurgens. You couldn't help but fall in love with the story. Also a very sad one.
Borrowed from Wikipedia

Robert Donat's final role was the Mandarin of Yang Cheng in The Inn of the Sixth Happiness (1958). His last spoken words in the film, an emotional soliloquy in which the Mandarin confesses his conversion to Christianity, reducing Ingrid Bergman as the missionary Gladys Aylward to tears, were the prophetic, "We shall not see each other again, I think. Farewell." He had collapsed with a stroke during filming but managed to recover enough to complete the film. He had a brain tumour the size of a duck egg and cerebral thrombosis, hew was only 53 and died in London.

I had Gladys as one of my 5 amazing women for my A level exam. You had to write a precis of their life, how they changed the world and what they meant to you.

Lovely memories. I love hearing her story again.

Thank you Cynthia Hope you get a new computer soon. <3 <3

Good morning :-)

What a day - yesterday, I accidently spilt something on my computer and voila - puff - that was it. Fortunately I have a friend who is a computer guru and the result is...…I have to get a new computer!! I am cross with myself for being careless so, it wasn't really an accident was it? It was my own stupidity.

My daughter has lent me hers thankfully but I am still getting used to it :-S


Pat, I hadn't thought of the tall/short stature before but, yes, you're right! (As soon as I saw your name I said 'bells' :-D

Vera, it can be so hard keeping schtumm at times can't it - they have to learn these things, as we did, by experience! It's been quite noticeable how the reduction in traffic means we can hear birdsong more clearly - simply lovely.

Moving on.....

The Inn

Mrs. Lawson’s missionary aim was to establish The Inn of the Eight Happinesses. Yangchen was an overnight stop for mule caravans on six-week or three-month journeys. The two women provided forage for the mules, a nourishing supper, and then would entertain the men with Bible stories as a Christian witness.

As time when on, Gladys became fluent in Chinese and learned to work with Mrs Lawson until the older lady’s death. This left Gladys to manage the Inn only with the help of an older Chinese helper. One day she was visited by the local Mandarin (magistrate). He asked that she assist him by becoming his “foot inspector,” making sure that the new laws against the ancient custom of female foot binding were being complied with. As a result, A-Weh-Deh (“the virtuous one”) became increasingly known and respect by the citizenry not only of Yancheng, but also of the villages in the whole territory.

Wherever she went, she not only examined feet, but also spoke of the Lord Jesus and the salvation He offered to all who believed. After 2,000 years, the Gospel had finally come to these mountain villages, and it was she, a tiny woman from a modest house on 67 Cheddington Road, delivering it in a sing-songy mountain dialect of Chinese. Only two years before she had been a parlour maid in an English manor. Over the years, little groups of believers in each of these villages began meeting together to worship the Lord—fruit of her ministry.

One day she saw a poor woman sitting by a wall with a small, very dirty child. “Is that your child?” Gladys asked her. “It looks very sick.” “What is that to you?” the woman replied with hostility. “Do you want to buy her or not?” Shocked at the idea of selling a human being, Gladys asked the price. All she had was nine pence. The woman agreed, probably sure that the infant would die anyhow. Though Gladys gave her the official name of Mei-en (“Beautiful Grace”) she always called her Ninepence. This was the first child she adopted. Soon she had more, many more, especially as the country erupted into war.


Cx :-)

When I was in my teens I went to a talk on Gladys life by someone who had worked with her in China. The collection was for Gladys's orphanage.

I saw the film about her on TV some years later, I hadn't realised up till then that that Ingrid Bergman played Gladys and I was astonished - a tall woman playing a very small woman :-S

Stay safe <3

Good morning

Good luck to your daughter with her house renovations Sylvia. We had a similar situation with our son. A couple of years ago he bought a beautiful large Victorian house that looked as though it hadn’t been touched since Victoria was on the throne. It was definitely a “project”! He thought he would have the house completely remodelled with all mod cons in about 6 months. Two years on it is just about done apart from all the decorating, carpeting etc. We have refrained from saying we told him so :-)

Kandj, you asked if my granddaughter was still at the care home. Yes, she is and will probably stay for several months of her gap year.

Thank you for the Gladys Aylward post Cynthia. I just have a slight knowledge of her story so it’s good to learn a little more.

I have been sitting in the garden listening to the birdsong, one of the blessings of lockdown. I’ve also realised how bee-friendly our garden is and had time to notice just how many different kinds of bees there are from tiny little ones to big fat bumblebees. Maybe I should make more time to “stand and stare” at some of the wonders of the natural world.

Good morning :-)


We've certainly had some rain here over the last few hours - thunder and lightning yesterday too..... :-D

Continuing the story of Gladys Aylward

The Call

Gladys May Aylward was born in February 1902 in London. Her family were hardworking people, faithful in their attendance at the Anglican church. One day, in Sunday School, the clergyman told of missionaries who worked in China and Gladys left the church in a daze. From that day on she dreamed of serving the Lord in that country. She left school and went to work at 14 but had no money.

Twelve years passed but the call remained steady in her heart and she applied to the China Inland Mission but was turned down as they didn’t think she had the capabilities needed.

She went to work as a maid for Sir Francis Younghusband, a famous military officer who had served in the Far East. Whilst cleaning his library, she learned of Mrs. Jennie Lawson, an elderly widow working as a missionary in China, who had written, asking for someone to go and help her. Gladys saw this invitation as her opportunity. She wrote to Mrs. Lawson and, after working extra hours and week-ends virtually spending nothing on herself, she had enough for the passage by the year’s end.

On October 15th, 1932, Gladys set off on the long train journey to the land of her calling. She had no money to buy food so packed her suitcase with things she could eat. She felt very much alone but had an abiding peace that she was doing the will of God.

She arrived in China on the 8th of November 1932. An overland trip of a month took her to Yancheng, where she met the widowed Scottish independent missionary then in her seventies.

Continued tomorrow..........

Cx :-)

Hello all

I remember Ingrid Bergman playing the Gladys Aylward character in the late 1950s film, and look forward to learning more about this Christian lady.

A bright warmish day but I need to push myself to do the prayer walking around the village. My Get Up and Go.... has Got Up and Gone today.

Happy Monday Greetings. Stay safe everyone.

Good morning :-)


Interesting that those churches have re-opened Sylvia - there is still a lot of hesitation over here. Our town has said No to the Anglican churches opening as yet but we are receiving requests from people who want to go in to pray privately. Personally, I think it would be feasible if things are well managed and people are sensible but.....who am I :-D

Yesterday should have been Walking Day for our area – a day of witness. I remember how much the story of Corrie Ten Boom was enjoyed so I thought I would share the story of another Christian Witness with you during this coming week. Her name? Gladys Aylward and you may have seen the film made of her life – The Inn of the Sixth Happiness.



Gladys Aylward's Long Road to China

"Get off the train!" the Russian conductor shouted in words 30-year-old Gladys Aylward did not understand. But she could tell from his angry face that he wanted her to get up. However, Gladys did not move. She did not know everyone else was getting off the train because there was a fierce war going on up ahead. The train soon would be filled with only loud-mouthed, bad-tempered soldiers. It was not a safe place for a woman traveling alone.

When the train reached the next stop, the conductor forced Gladys Aylward to get off. She was the only non-military person left on the train. She now had to walk alone 30 miles back to the nearest city, through the woods in the cold, snowy night. This was only the beginning of her troubles, though. In the many hours to come, she would have almost no food to eat, nearly freeze to death, and barely escape being forced to become a Soviet military machine operator.

Gladys knew God wanted her to go tell the Chinese about Jesus, but why was it so hard for her to get there? Could it be God was getting her ready for even harder times?

Continued tomorrow…….


Cx :-)

Just a little funny thing ..............

daughter and family are getting a new puppy, a Havanese, which is a very small dog, non-shedding so non-allergenic, supposed to be very loyal and a bit more "dog-like" than some other small or "toy" dogs.

They'll be able to have him at home in about 3 weeks ................

but, and it is a big BUT, they are about to have a lot of work done on their house. It's almost 90 years old, the heating and hot water systems need completely replacing (should have been done 20 or 30 years), plus other renos to make life easier for them. That has necessitated emptying their large basement of everything that was down there.

Much it is now in the living room ............ couch moved into the cente of the room leaving about 50% space between the back of it and the window wall. That space is now filled from floor to ceiling and wall to wall with boxes, shelving, etc etc.

When I was talking to daughter today, I made a comment that a tiny black dog could very easily get lost or find a good hiding place ........... and suggested they buy one of those key finding things where you can clap your hands and whatever you've attached to the key case/chain whistles.

After we'd finished laughing, she though that it might be a good idea!

They're being very blase about all the work being done ............ you know, "oh, he'll be finished with the new piping in a couple of weeks". "It'll all be finished by September"

Been there, done that ............. but she just laughs at me :-P

The Baptist Church was in operation this morning .............. only about 10 or so cars, much fewer than normal at around 10 am and 11 am.

I can only see the church from my kitchen window over the sink, and I can't stand there all the time, so what I see are snippets as I'm in and out of there.

It seems to have been the Filipino Church that met, there were about 20-25 people milling around on the street at around 12:30 pm when I was making my lunch.

It looked as if they were trying to keep spacing (2 metres here), although a fee did. I saw one younger man bump fists with an older woman though she was approaching him with open arms.

That is the time when the Canadian Baptists are at church, ca noon to 1 pm ............ the church door was closed but there were not any more cars on the street or in their parking lot. So I think they may be waiting a little while .......... they are a much older congregation.


I had one thought as I was watching ............... there were about 2/3rds fewer cars than previously. How does a church "pick" or choose or elect those who can attend when the numbers are restricted?

Is this one of the many imponderables?

Good morning :-)


The Collect (special prayer) for today

O God, the strength of all those who put their trust in you,
mercifully accept our prayers and,
because through the weakness of our mortal nature
we can do no good thing without you, grant us the help of your grace,
that in the keeping of your commandments
we may please you both in will and deed;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Gospel reading for today - Matthew 9.35 – 10.8


Love to all Cx :-)

Thank you for that poem, Cynthia. So true for so many of us.

It made me think back about 12 or 15 years ago.

We know a couple who live very close to daughter and her family, they're almost identical to us ............. OH and the husband did their PhDs in the same lab, she and I were in the same undergraduate year and she did her PhD in that same lab, they married a few years before us and also came out to Canada before us. We try to always have lunch with them when we go over there ............. a friendship going back to at least 1960.

On this one occasion, there had been a science meeting in NS, and a 3rd couple from OH's year had attended, so NS couple invited us all, including our daughter and husband, for lunch at their house.

The conversation soon got around to university days ............ 3 guys who had done their PhDs as well as undergrad work together, a wife who had been in the same PhD lab, one who'd been in the undergrad and knew them all, and one wife who had been the "home" girlfriend and married as soon as her OH got his PhD, but knew the other 2 men back then.

Our s-i-l sat in the corner away from the group, listening but not joining, as was/is his wont, but I could see him as the talk got around to tricks played, running jokes, locking policewoman in her box while the Panto parade went by, flirting, etc etc

His face was an absolute picture ........... his later comment was "I never expected to hear about my in-laws behaving like that"

Why on earth not???

We were young once ;-)

I might add that my daughter was right in the middle of the group, egging us on .............. and just roared at her husband's comment!

Good afternoon -- just! :-)


Keep cheerful......this poem was written by a lady in NZ and not Pam Ayres as was originally thought.


I'm normally a social girl
I love to meet my mates
But lately with the virus here
We can't go out the gates.

You see, we are the 'oldies' now
We need to stay inside
If they haven't seen us for a while
They'll think we've upped and died.

They'll never know the things we did
Before we got this old
There wasn't any Facebook
So not everything was told.

We may seem sweet old ladies
Who would never be uncouth
But we grew up in the 60s -
If you only knew the truth!

There was sex and drugs and rock 'n roll.
The pill and miniskirts
We smoked, we drank, we partied
And were quite outrageous flirts.

Then we settled down, got married
And turned into someone's mum,
Somebody's wife, then nana,
Who on earth did we become?

We didn't mind the change of pace
Because our lives were full
But to bury us before we're dead
Is like a red rag to a bull!

So here you find me stuck inside
For 4 weeks, maybe more
I finally found myself again
Then I had to close the door!

It didn't really bother me
I'd while away the hour
I'd bake for all the family
But I've got no flaming flour!

Now Netflix is just wonderful
I like a gutsy thriller
I'm swooning over Idris
Or some random sexy killer.

At least I've got a stash of booze
For when I'm being idle
There's wine and whiskey, even gin
If I'm feeling suicidal!

So let's all drink to lockdown
To recovery and health
And hope this flaming virus
Doesn't decimate our wealth.

We'll all get through the crisis
And be back to join our mates
Just hoping I'm not far too wide
To fit through the flaming gates!


To have a sense of humour is a blessing - we thank God for the gift of laughter. x

Cx :-)

Hello all

A huge surprise for that Mum! I hope we will all still remember the NHS and all Key Workers in our own simple way now that the weekly clapping has ended.

Sylvia, I hope your gout flare-up has calmed down.

Vera, is your granddaughter still at the Care Home?

Cynthia, I've just re-read the poem..... it is spot on!

Another very wet day today, but on a positive note I haven't needed to water the garden this past week.

Friday ((hugs)) for all that need them. Stay safe.

Good afternoon..... :-)

Glad you liked the poem and as for gout........what can one say??? :-S :-D


For today:

https://twitter.com/i/status/1244607596998332416


As the nation paused to clap for carers this family from Connah's Quay in Wales have taken it one step further to thank the NHS.
Mum Lynne Lakes has worked as a practice nurse for the NHS for 38 years so her children and their partners have chosen to applaud her everyday she comes home.
Her husband Richard, sons Jon and Peter, daughter Zoe and Zoe's fiancé, Joshua have even surprised her with confetti and handed her roses.
Son Peter told ITV News Wales his mum just wants to make others happy.
He said: "For all of us, she'll go out of her way to make us happy... she's just the most selfless person anyone knows."


Cx :-)

:-D :-D :-D :-D

Vera ........ some more madeira might dull the pain!

Perhaps "more madeira" might help to cure it Sylvia :-D I'm not really laughing as I know from a couple of other people how painful gout can be. I hope it doesn't last long for you and you can get some relief and rest.

An interesting poem Cynthia and one that made me think. It would be wonderful if the world could change but I fear that once life is back to something near normal we will slip back to our old ways too. The one positive change might be that people will continue to be more neighbourly, particularly in the larger cities.

That's a lovely poem!

I have to laugh ........... I've the beginnings of a bout of gout!!! :-D :-D :-D

I thought I'd caught it 2 days ago ......... pain relieving cream, rest, ice pack.

Nope, even the sheet on the bed last night was too much :-(

Wish me luck that I can make it a short one!


PS ............ it IS a form of arthritis, not caused by the old "have some more madeira" :-D :-D

Lovely just what i needed - its been one of those days.

No One mention computer and printer issues please.

Not even stopped for lunch - too many Webex meetings - i think a large * & * is calling me after something to eat first.

<3 <3 <3

Good morning :-)


I hope you all have a reason to smile today :-D


Speaking of smiling, here is a poem which was written by a young British poet about the pandemic - you may have seen it on the TV.

The Great Realisation, by Tom Roberts

''Tell me the one about the virus again, then I'll go to bed." "'But my boy, you're growing weary, sleepy thoughts about your head".

"Please! That one's my favourite. I promise just once more".

"Okay, snuggle down my boy, though I know you know full well
The story starts before then, in a world I once dwelled
It was a world of waste and wonder, of poverty and plenty
Back before we understood why hindsight's 2020.

You see the people came up with companies to trade across all lands.
But they swelled and got bigger than we could ever have planned
We'd always had our wants, but now it got so quick.
You could have everything you dreamed of in a day and with a click.

We noticed families had stopped talking. That's not to say they never spoke.
But the meaning must have melted and the work life balance broke.
And the children's eyes got squarer and every toddler had a phone.
They filtered out the imperfections but amidst the noise, they felt alone.

And every day the sky grew thicker, 'til we couldn't see the stars.
So we flew in planes to find them while down below we filled our cars.
We'd drive around all day in circles. We'd forgotten how to run.
We swapped the grass for tarmac, shrunk the parks till there were none.

We filled the sea with plastic 'cos our waste was never capped.
Until each day when you went fishing, you'd pull them out already wrapped.
And while we drank and smoked and gambled, our leaders taught us why,
It's best to not upset the lobbies, more convenient to die.

But then in 2020, a new virus came our way.
The government reacted and told us all to hide away.
But while we were all hidden, amidst the fear and all the while,
The people dusted off their instincts, they remembered how to smile.

They started clapping to say thank you and calling up their mums.
And while the cars keys were gathering dust, they would look forward to their runs.
And with the sky less full of planes, the earth began to breathe.
And the beaches brought new wildlife that scattered off into the seas.

Some people started dancing, some were singing, some were baking.
We'd grown so used to bad news but some good news was in the making.
And so when we found the cure and were allowed to go outside,
We all preferred the world we found to the one we'd left behind.

Old habits became extinct, and they made way for the new.
And every simple act of kindness was now given its due."
"But why did it take a virus to bring the people back together?"
"Well, sometimes, you got to get sick, my boy, before you start feeling better.

Now lie down, and dream of tomorrow, and all the things that we can do.
And who knows, maybe if you dream strong enough, maybe some of them will come true.
We now call it the Great Realisation, and yes, since then there have been many.
But that's the story of how it started, and why hindsight's 2020."


Cx :-)