TARRAGON & THYME

We all know Shrove Tuesday as Pancake Day but in effect it is the last day before Lent i.e. Ash Wednesday. In the Middle ages people were called to Church to be "shriven" to confess their sins have their sins and be forgiven in preparation for Lent. Lent used to be observed very strictly as a time of fasting. Shrove Tuesday was therefore a day for feasting and merry making. There were certain forbidden foods during Lent and one of them was Eggs; so to use up the surplus they used to make pancakes -hence pancake day. In this country Shrove Tuesday was sometimes referred to as "Goodies Day". The bell that called the faithful to church was known as the pancake bell but it wasn't the only goody on offer. The following verse was taken from Poor Robins Almanack But Hark I hear the pancake bell And Fritters make a gallant smell ~The Cooks are baking, frying, boyling Stewing, mincing,cutting, broyling Carving, gormandising, roasting Carbonading, cracking, slashin...

My baby brother had to go into hospital yesterday for a day operation under general anaesthesia at our local hospital as he had a torn cartilege in his knee. He had a similar operation a couple of years ago; that was straightforward and done and he was back home in a day but had to rest up for a few days thereafter. He expected the same to happen yesterday but unfortunately because he was last on the list and still very groggy had to stay in overnight. Bet he was happy; anyway they have let him loose and he is home today but apparently he has spent the best part of it asleep!As it is half term my two wonderful nephews are on half term so he will have company for the rest of the week. Take care dear bruvver and I do hope you feel more comfortable soon. Perhaps I should call him hop along Cassidy! Big Sis

Hello I am Tyson the difficult one - the one that treads his own path and professes not to like fuss (only under my own terms) I like things how I like them, but the best part of the day for me is to cuddle down on my mum's bed on my own fleecy blanket and just flop. I visit the Greengrocers every day - they make a lot of fuss of me and I curl up under the counter and sleep - as long as Caroline has the heater on. When they close I go upstairs to the young couple who live in the flat above. They thought I was a stray and were feeding me and letting me stay in there. Mum was pulling her hair out because suddenly I wasn't coming in of a night. She hates us cats being out overnight as she has lost two lovely ones this way. Anyway I am going to catch up on some sleep my blanket is waiting for me.

During my lunch hour today (Tuesday) I headed for our nearest specialist book shop Waterstones, and spent a good 20 to 30 minutes just browsing as to what books they carried. Its a while since I have indulged myself in this way. Trouble is I saw several books that I would really like to get my mitts on and at the moment I don't have the pennies. So needless to say I will go back another dinner time and make a list of the ones I would really like to read and form a plan of attack. Its a while since I have done any serous reading and I am getting the urge again. Its surprising really that I ever learned to read. I was one determined little madam and I did not find reading easy to start with. Enter my dear father; he was as equally determined that I was going to learn to read as he knew how much pleasure I would get from it. He gave me extra tuition on reading and on spelling; every evening after school he used to sit with me for an hour, through tears and tantrums and Dad losing ...

Its been a lovely day today although chilly the sun has been out. Not that the snow is not beautiful but it does make getting about a tad tricky. It was also the first day back to work today for me - after a week off trying to make an impact on the stuff I am putting into storage. Its always a shock having to go back and at least I have been free to choose where I wanted to go and not be cooped up. It has been a long day - non stop without a break. Some of the stuff I have been dealing with has been extremely complicated and there has been a need to be as precise as possible. I work as a legal secretary dealing with sensitive family matters where we are dealing with peoples lives and problems on a day to day basis. After being cooped up in an office all day I am just a little stir crazy. My eyes are sore with all the close work and I am tired. I feel a little irritable and a need to be out and about and being at one with my environment; and for the environment to permeate me to ...

Loneliness is a sad thing and can hit anyone and everyone, the very young and the much older. Its funny you can be in a room full of people all chattering and interacting with each other and yet you can feel so alone, as though you are not connecting on any level or that anyone really feels your pain. Sometimes we make the requisite noises, but really it might as well be an automaton in that position rather than a full bodied passionate person who feels and has needs. Sometimes we go into ourselves deliberately and put up this brick wall that says halt go no further do not pass go. That's probably when we are chewing over something inside or want to be alone to sort something out - but because of pre-arranged engagements that time is not always open to us. We then become pre-occupied and distant, not joining in like those around us expect us to because we haven't had the time we need to get things straight. Sometimes we don't even realise we are keeping people at bay. T...

I have only just spotted this and would like to thank Nita from The Kentish Lass for giving me this award. It has made a lovely bright point in an otherwise difficult day:o) If anyone deserves special praise it is Nita for even though her life is not easy she always thinks of others rather than herself. A true recipient of a very special award. It's the Lemonade award and it is for showing great attitude and/or gratitude. Its lovely isnt it. The rules of the awards are: Put the logo on your blog or post. Nominate at least 10 blogs, which show great attitude and/or gratitude! Be sure to link to your nominees within your post. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog. Share the love and link to this post, and to the person from whom you received your award. Everyone I have come across on blogland has been so generous and lovely but i can only do 10. I therefore nominate the following: Bovey Belle (Jennie)http://codlinsandcream.blogspot.com/ Yarrow...