Well, this week we reduced our coronavirus deaths down from 46,700 to 41, 300. The same number of people died just from different causes. I sometimes think the authorities believe statistics are more important than the actual people who died, but everyone one of them is someones mother, father, sister, son, daughter or friend. Someone loved them. Whichever way it is dressed up the UK death rate is the worst in Europe (pro rata to population) However there were only,( but see my first few lines above) 193 deaths in a week. Our rates are gradually getting better but we cant be complacent yet. But the most positive thing for me is that the English schools will be back in September. The majority of children have missed 6 months off. Some might never catch up . The effect of not just their long term education could be their mental health! Apparently only 1 healthy child has been killed by the virus in England.
I must confess I find some things difficult to understand these days. Marks and Spencers have been accused of “covert racism” They are marketing a brown bra as tobacco. I know tobacco is now unhealthy but describing a garment as tobacco surely is going too far. Am I not allowed to call another garment a black dress. This is sensitivity gone too far.
Kamala Harris seems to me a great running mate for Joe Biden. A woman, of mixed race a lawyer, a great choice. She must be a good choice as Trump is already calling her names. Surely, Joe Biden can win for the Democrats this time. And as he is 77 there is a fair chance Kamala Harris could take over as President. Wouldn’t that be great? Talking about Trump he believed this week the Spanish flu epidemic ended World War ii in 1817. Well the epidemic commenced 6 months after the war ended in !918. Fake News!
That explosion in Beirut was horrendous. The city was damaged to the extent of £11.5 billion. But the saddest thing is that a lot of countries have offered aid but the people themselves don’t trust the government to distribute it. Lebanon has had many years of civil war and the government is totally corrupt. The country is controlled by religious, secular and political factions. The only way forward is a independent government not based on these factions. It is not likely to happen however as Hezbollah receives military support from Iran and political support from Syria. And their enemy is Iraq. Beirut was one of the most beautiful cities in the world before the civil war. If the ordinary people have any say in the future thing must change.
HUMOUR
” I once spent a year in Philadelphia. I think it was a Sunday.!”
“If an Englishman gets knocked down by a lorry , he apologises to the lorry!” “I don’t believe in God, but I do believe that you shouldn’t step on the cracks in the sidewalk”
“All religions are basically the same, guilt with different holidays!”
“A converted cannibal is one who, on Fridays , only eats fishermen.”
“There are no atheists on a aircraft about to crash land!”
OLD FASHIONED WORDS
DEKKO– A look or glance.
INGLENOOK–Corner by the fireplace.
MAN AT ARMS– Soldier.
MERRYANDREW–a clown.
MIGHTHAVEBEEN– Possibility.
MILKSOP– Sissy or unmanly.
GEORDIE WORDS-
GRUFFY– Wrinkled skin in water.
BUDGIE– Half a pint of beer.
SPAGS–Feet.
CAGGLE– Lean back on a chair.
GROCKLES– Tourists
BAGIES–Turnips
BUBBLE– To cry.
POEM attached THOSE TURNING POINTS IN TIME
Beach Thoughts 