Morning Thoughts

I love the opening prayer in the morning office:

The night has passed and the day lies open before us; let us pray with one heart and mind:
the silence used to gather thoughts and prayers together with all those in prayer
As we rejoice in the gift of this new day, so may the light of your presence, O God, set our hearts on fire with love for you, now and for ever ...

A wonderful way to commit the day to the Almighty.

This morning my thoughts are again with those of Inspiration of Boss and all who go down to the sea in ships.

http://www.missiontoseafarers.org/
http://seattle-daily-photo.blogspot.com/2008/10/those-that-go-down-to-sea-in-ships.html

Yachtmaster in Progress

Another attempt has been made today to make a bolt for Alderney. Not sure of the timings, but this time Inspiration of Boss cleared the Needles, and was about 3 hours out. It was now blowing 8-9 and gusting 45 knots. In the conditions a decision to heave to was taken and at this point the grabrail on the coach roof was under water.

Rather than plough on when some were unwell in difficult conditions they returned to safety in Swanage, and tonight they are in Poole.

Swanage has a place in our family history. During the war my mother, Norma, went there with some of her family. While on the playing on the beach they saw a Luftwaffe plane coming towards them. They huddled under the sea wall, and Mum's brother Rodney, aged about 10, lent over the females to protect them. Later they returned to the haberdashers shop for more provisions, and found it had received a direct hit.

Divine Remedy

As I was having breakfast this morning, my mind wandered to the many, many different friends I have known across the years. Each one, utterly unique, each with different gifts and qualities. Some I don't see very much at all anymore for all kinds of reasons, yet being able to pick up where we left off is a precious part of friendship. Distance in time and geography doesn't affect those friendships.

While recovering from a recent arthritic flare, I've been thankful for all kinds of help from different friends. Some time ago one particular group of friends helped out by providing a main meal each day. This relieved the pressure on all the family. From my sick bed I asked one friend how I could repay all her generosity. Her reply was wise: each time you find someone who needs help, help them in whatever way you can.

Making a difference. This is a vocation in itself. So often the little things we do for others can make the greatest difference. Sometimes something as simple as cuppa and a chat is an unfathomable divine remedy.

I give thanks for all who consciously and unconsciously live this vocation.

Yachtmaster update

Yesterday afternoon I blogged that our elderst son was on his way across the channel. Well here is an update of his progress. Last night they were heading the tide down the Solent, and weren't getting anywhere. Before reaching The Needles they received a severe gale force warning, so they ducked into Yartmouth for the night.

This morning and went to catch the tide out, and the weather warning is again for gales so turned around and and into Lymington, they are now waiting for the gale to blow through might make a bolt for Alderney. He is onboard Sigma 38 Inspration of Boss (British Offshore Sailing School): http://www.boss-sail.co.uk/

Currently he's drinking tea and eating Jamaica Ginger Cake!

Identified

You should see the mess! Yes the plumber made it and removed the radiator.

Without all the mayhem we might never have found the manx brick. You can just see the Three Legs of Man in the middle. If you want to look at the history of them here is a link to the makers: http://www.corletts.com/history.html have a look. Are they worth keeping? Don't know. Today bricks are not used as much as in the past.

It seems the water is coming in at the end of the sill, and probably has been for years. While the investigation is underway its just more chaos.

Wizzy is so scared she's hiding under the table under a dustsheet!

Before the ending of the day

The evening light has a very different quality as the days grow shorter. Made more acute, perhaps, by our location in the middle of the Irish Sea. The fewer daylight hours become precious for their usefulness, even in the age of electricity. The inky blackness, which will soon descend, is punctuated by the rhythmic flashing of the lighthouse and the nav lights of a passing vessel.

One of our sons has set out on a trip across the channel today. He's doing his yachtmaster. He'll be at sea for quite a few days, and out of contact for a couple of weeks. Identifying and understanding all kinds of lights at sea is foundational for all who venture across the water.

Each evening I reflect on all that is good, and all that will be and I give thanks for so much. And as dusk falls it is especially for those adventurers and mariners that I pray.

'Flu

Our delightful plumber has the 'flu. Soooooo the builders have gone to another job!

Dustsheets

Note to self ...
1. Get new dust sheets, first thing tomorrow.
2. Take the curtains down.
3. Always look on the on the bright side of life

Having said a couple of days ago that I we were on the home straight, I hadn't expected to find another leak. So now we have to take the radiator off and the inner skin of bricks under the window. The good news is that it is not associated with the installation of the new window.

All Saints

Its All Saints Day today ... great celebration!

... not marked in the same way as halloween. There were all kinds of people dressed up and goulish even at 2 pm in Douglas yesterday. Last night we had a number of visitors all accompanied by their parents and each received a mini bag of chocolate buttons.

All saints reminds us those of faith who've gone before and to recognise that we too belong to the Cloud of Witnesses. I've had so many encounters with remarkable people, each with unique stories.

At Ordination, the enormity of the Almighty and his call to ministry is recognised and I wanted to recognise all those who influenced and enabled me. My stole was designed to celebrate those who influenced my unique journey, encapsulated by the artistry of Jacquie Binns. If you'd like to see her work this is the website: http://www.jacquiebinns.com/

Inadvisable Lap ... Dancing

At the touch of a button I had eradicated a pleasing set of colour coordinated choices. Having posted my delight at finding a new creative medium I was dismayed to discover just how quickly it became dark matter. What the ...

I am a rookie, at this. I had no idea of the consequences of attempting to change stuff. The image before me on my laptop was now devoid of the photos other than those I'd wrapped in text. How I could retrieve it all?

There are all kinds of settings and colours and a baffling number of other choises with no reverse button, as far as I can see, to fall back on. Well, I have discovered certain things had not been permanently lost. There were page elements that could be returned, but the overall colour scheme was lost. Good old trial and error has enabled me to learn. I know much more today than I did at the same time yesterday.

Enjoyment

Always been one who enjoys adventures. Taking the plunge earlier this week and launching this blog was exhilarating and nerve racking at the same time. I have found myself going back to the settings and changing and rearranging the material. Have been following a number of blogs and there are some that are quite awesome, others are a mixture of witty, funny, insightful, deep, light, political, artistic, satirical, beautiful, inspirational and much more.

This little girl enjoyed being on the water and loved that tangy salty air. She also enjoyed collecting things, but I can't remember what I'd put in my much loved basket. Whenever life has been tough, the seaside has been restorative and, as for collecting things, well ...

Unwelcome

Putting the word 'unwelcome' in my search engine I am given one option. 'Unwelcome guest' appears. Mmmm.

Last night at about 1.30am I was awoken. On the landing I could hear voices. They seemed very close, which is odd because we live upstairs and the noises are usually down on the pavement at ground level.

Then I saw them. There on the scaffolding and climbing from there onto the roof, talking all the time, were some men. What would you do? I went back to the bedroom and whispered loudly to the snoring mound in the bed. Returning to the open plan living room I clapped my hands loudly and shouted 'Get off my house, get off the scaffolding'. One of the characters gave me lip, but thankfully they climbed down and scarpered. Only then did I tremble. A moment or two later my knight in shining armour appeared!

There's a street light outside so when looking into the house at night would be fairly opaque, and I had the advantage. We really do need those curtains and be rid of scaffolding.

Phoning the police this morning I was asked why I waited til morning to do so? Reflecting as to why I'm reminded of encounters in a different neighbourhood.

Last night was unwelcome.