Lent 2015: things that make me laugh

I love to laugh but some days it's hard.  We all have days like that I'm sure. I guess that's what makes us human.  Tears and laughter sit side by side in this emotional roller coaster of life. Send in the clowns please. May the rain turn to sunshine. For all of you feeling sad may God send a rainbow, a promise of his favour. May we laugh together again soon.

Reflections on Lent

Today marks the first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday to be precise. Many from the Anglican and Catholic traditions, amongst others, will have taken part in an Ashing service today. Ashes from the burning of last year’s Palm crosses are used to make the sign of the cross on a believers forehead. So if you have seen someone walking around with a black smudge on their forehead today you now know why! 

Lent traditionally means a period of 40 days of fasting ending at Easter. Sundays aren’t counted as they are considered feast days however, many people choose not to break their fast. Fasting can be from anything from meat to chocolate to social-media to abstaining from alcohol. It promotes self-control and self-discipline. 

Lent is also a time of reflection, often self-reflection. There is certainly no point in fasting if you don’t reflect and at least think about why you are doing so. 

As well as fasting people can also choose to take things up. It maybe gratitude and being purposely thankful for something everyday, or to do a good deed every day. The list is endless really. 

This year I have decided to abstain from alcohol and to blog more regularly. The aim is to blog every day but I don’t want to be legalistic about it as you never know what curve balls life will throw at you that will need their attention. I’ve done both of these things in the past so nothing knew for me. The reflections however will be different some of which I will blog others perhaps will be more private. 

Well not much hilarity going on in today’s post so far! So, what can I say to make you at least smile? I will leave you with a joke that I was told last week….

How many tickles does it take to make an octopus laugh? 

Ten. Ten tickles! (tentacels)

So tell me a joke. Squid Pro Quo and all that! 

 

Lent 2015: things that make me laugh - the Easter Bunnie

I think I may have posted this image before but it does me chuckle. Bunnies seem a good thing to laugh at. I'm sure they don't mind. 

I can't understand why the Easter Bunny exists. But he doesn't you say.  Oh yes he does... He is not only alive and kicking in children's imaginations but also in consumerism. I'm sure we will soon be inundated with Easter bunnies  making an apearence in our shops as an alternative to Easter eggs and pictured on Easter cards. There is no Easter bunny in the Easter story so why has he hopped into the limelight? Answers on a postcard and deposited into the nearest rabbit hole.

Lent 2015: things that make me laugh - cartoons

You can't beat a good cartoon to make you laugh. Tom and Jerry, Roadruner; Tweetiepie and Sylvester the cat were favourites. I can't tell you when the last time I saw a cartoon was. Certainly it was some time ago. But why is that? Do we think we can't watch such things as an adult? Do we just get more serious as we get older and loose that inner child? What we laugh at changes as we get older. Tastes change. Life gets in the way.  I hope you have managed to laugh today evening it's been a tough day.

Lent 2015: things that make me laugh - my husband

My husband, John, always seems to make me laugh. We often laugh at the silliest of things. 

This evening I was eatting some grapes when one dropped from my hands and rolled across the floor. John jumped and said, 'I thought it was a mouse'! How on earth does a grape look look like a mouse? I couldn't help but laugh. 'It scared me' he chuckled. Today has been a good day. All age worship at church and lots of fun. No one really wanted to go home which is always a good sign. 

Worship doesn't have to be always serious, and neither should life. There are times when lament is appropriate such as, when someone dies in tragic circumstances. God has made us as emotional beings and yet  so often we try and deny our emotions. The British stiff upper lip is still alive and kicking in the UK. I am sure other countries and cultures are better at being honest with their emotions that we are here. God likes us to be honest with him and if our worship is to be heart felt then we must learn to laugh and indeed cry as we worship him in spirit and truth.

Lent 2015 21 February: things that make me laugh - Comedy

I found this statue of Charlie Caplin in London. Having my photo wth him was a must. The photo still makes me laugh. Watching Chaplin and Laural and Hardy and their capers was a must growing up. Other comedy classics such as Some Mothers do 'av 'em and Only Fools and Horses will forever remain in my memory. Chaplin waving his walking cane, Laural and Hardy pushing a piano up the stairs, Frank Spenser on roller skates, and Del Boy falling through the bar hatch as he eyes up some young lady all make me laugh. I'm sure we all have our favorate comedy classics. God has designed us to laugh, even when it is at ourselves, so why is it that most of us take life so seriously? Life is for living and enjoyng but why do we so often loose sight of that and whallow in our own sadness and discontent? We may never have any money, we may never meet the man or women of our dreams, we may never have perfect health but we have so many other things to be grateful for. 

So what's your favorate comedy? 

Lent 2015 20th February: Things that make me laught - cats!

Today has been a day of mixed emotions but there was still laughter. The sun was out and so I went into the garden for a short time to play a game with my two cats. Holly is particularly playful and loves to chase a squeaky mouse on a a string that I swing around in circles for her. It's not a real mouse you understand, although I am sure she would enjoy that as well! I have had other cast appear during this game wondering what the squeaking noise was, one even headbutted the back door trying to get in not realising the cat flap had been boarded up. Holly has very bad eye sight, I am surprised she manages to do what she does. Both cats like to turn somersaults in the air whilst running around chasing the 'mouse'. It always makes me laugh watching them having such fun. In case you are wondering this is Buddy in the photo. Yes, Buddy and Holly - that's my humour for you.

Sometimes life seems like you are running around in circles, history of course repeats itself. I hope that today has been a good day for you and that in amongst the racing around you have had chance to pause for a moment and to laugh. If you haven't managed it today why not take some time out tomorrow to have some fun.

Lent 19th February 2015: clowning around

I enjoyed gong to the circus as a child. I'm sure I still enjoy going to the circus but I can't say I've been for vet 30 years. My favourite act has to be the clowns, with their painted faces, red noses and oversized shoes. Maybe I just like seeing people trip up, get their feet stuck in buckets and have custard pies thrown in their faces? Maybe I like them because I to like to clown around and make people laugh.

As a teenager I had a collection of clown glasses and funny noses. I helped entertain a group of children with special needs ones with my clowning skills, or lack of them. Alas my collection of such things is no more, although I do have some spare bushy eyebrows and moustaches in a draw upstairs; best not to ask why... OK, OK... I was going to gate crash a men's breakfast at church suitable disguised as a man but I chickened out. 

It's easy to put on a fake smile and pretend to be happy. It's harder to laugh convincingly when you aren't happy. Laughter comes from deep inside the soul. There is nothing like a good belly laugh. Joy comes from a variety of things but for me true joy comes from knowing Jesus. I am sure he likes a good belly laugh to.

More laughter tomorrow. 

Lent 2014 - 21st March: home

There are many things to give thanks for and many simple pleasures. Today's simple pleasure is... home. Home is where I am happiest. There is nothing like coming home if you have been away for a while. I remember going to Spain with my parents as a teenager. We were away for only a couple of weeks and yet when we came back all the leaves on the trees had changed colour for autumn. It was utterly beautiful.

There is nothing like coming home and collapsing in a favourite chair with a lovely cup if tea. You will already know that both trees and a cup of tea are also amongst my simple erasures.

Home is where the heart is. The heart in the photo says it all and can be found pitched in my lounge at home.

What have you enjoyed today and can be thankful for as a simple pleasure in life?

Lent 2014 - 20th March: trees

Trees are today's simple pleasure whether it's climbing them, sitting under them, admiring them, or eating their produce. 

I could also add hugging them. 

One of my other favourite places to visit (I have already mentioned Slimbridge Wetland Centre) is Westonbirt Arboretumn, near Tetbury, Gloucestershire, where these photos were taken. 

Oh yeah, how could I nearly forget? Kicking leaves around in the autumn (fall). A simple pleasure to be thankful for.

Lent 2014 - 19th March: feeding the birds

Today's simple pleasure is...

Wait for it....

Feeding the birds...

One of my favourite places to go is Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Gloucestershire. On the banks of the River Severn it is an amazing place. The birds love the mudflats there. It is a unique place. God's creation has so much to offer us including these amazing creatures. The simple pleasure of feeding the birds. It reminds me of the following verses:

'Therefor I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body? What you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or stow away in barns and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they are? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?' Mat 6:25-27 (NIV)

Lent 2014 - 17th March: books

Today's simple pleasure is a good book. I love reading. I started reading aged 4 and haven't stopped since. As a child I loved to read comics and had a couple every week. Who can remember 'Twinkle' and 'Bunty'? My favourite was 'The Beano'. I loved Denis the Menace and The Bash Street Kids'. I still have some childhood copies. I also have a first 'Nutty' comic squired away and a few copies of The Dandy. My dad was a journalist so the house was always littered with newspapers, magazines and lots of books. My mum also loves to read. 

In my teens I grew away from the Enid Blyton classics and fell in love with Thomas Hardy and Tess of the D'urberbelles, and Far From the Madding Crowd, along with Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre. I normally have a book of sorts, if not more, on the go. 

I love books and I love to read. If I could choose only one to read for the rest of my life then it would have to be the Bible. Now that's a surprise, isn't it? Favorate book of the Bible would be difficult to choose. At the moment I'm still wandering through Exodus with Moses. I think I would choose Isaiah, or Job or maybe the Psalms. If I could read only one ever then the Psalms. 

Today's simple pleasure - books.

Lent 2014 - 15th March: romantic meal for 2

Today's simple pleasure to be thankful got is a romantic meal for 2.

Lent 2014 - 14th March: Country walks

Today's simple pleasure is country walks. Whether it be the Derbyshire peaks or Coteswold hills or a canal path or... just about anywhere. I think I am overdue a wander or two. 

Lent 2014 - 13 March: A cup of tea

Today's simple pleasure is a 4 o'clock cup of tea. (Note it is a 'cup of tea' rather than a 'cuppa', I do so hate that expression.) I managed to drink mine in the garden today. Lovely! In case you are wondering it is Sainsbury's Fair Trade Asam tea - yum.  What's you favourite brew?

Lent 2014 - 12th March: Films

Today's simple pleasure is a bit late owing to said pleasure distracting me. It is films. I love a good movie, don't you? I watch most things unless it is gory, for the sake of being gory, or it's supernatural. I generally don't like to be scared, although I like a good thriller and a bit of suspense. I don't mind army movies, John likes those. I like to loose myself in the storyline and forget about reality for a couple of hours. I guess it's my escapism. Some folk like to theologically reflect on movies but for me it spoils the enjoyment and makes it more work than fun.

My favourite movie of all time is... wait for it.... Predator. I do love science fiction and a bit of Arnie. I always have to watch it if it comes on the TV. Other favourites would be 'What Women Want' with Mel Gibson; funny film. In fact I love most of his films. Also The English Patient with Ralph Fiends, and Silence of the Lambs with Jodie Foster and  Anthony Hopkins, Favorate actors, other than the ones already mentioned, Meryl Street, Sandra Bullock, Renee Zellweger, Colin Frith, Al Pacino, Robin Williams, Clint Eastwood, Kevin Spacey, Liam Neeson Jack Nicholson, Tom Hanks, Kevin Costner and Harrison Ford.

So what's your favorite film and actors?

Lent 2014 - 11th March: Art

I use to spend many an hour looking at pictures of paintings. I have enjoyed Joseph Wright's work but never really noted his name until I wandered around Derby's museum and art gallery recently and realized he was a local artist. I still have the children's encyclopedia set I had as a youngst. This picture is in the book on science I think. On either end of the set are a book of art and an illustrated book of Bible stories. 

Here are a couple more of his paintings, sorry the quality isn't as good. Today's simple pleasure is the appreciation of art. I would post a photo of my recent panting by numbers but you may laugh so I will refrain... Beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder. 

 The Hermit

 The Blacksmith's Shop 

Lent 2014 - 10 March: Poetry

Today's simply pleasure to thank God for is poetry. I can't say I know that much about poetry only that I enjoy writing it and occasionally reading it. I really ought to read more. It seems of late every time I have gone to blog a poem transpires. It is a great way in which to express emotions. Sometimes my poetry express my own emotions, other times I try and place myself in other peoples' shoes. I can't say I have a favourite poem but here is one I learnt as a child. 

Here am I with my four daughters

Dead from drinking Cheltenham waters.

If I'd have stuck to Epsom Salts

I wouldn't have been in these here vaults.

Anon

I like it because it is local (Cheltenham is not far from Stroud where I grew up) and because it amuses me. The voice from beyond the grave has a certain sarcastic tone that always makes me smile. Growing up I spent many a happy hour in the local grave yards looking at the graves. Destined to be a vicar don't you think!

What is your favourite poem or poet?

Lent 2014: March 9th - Cows

Today's simple pleasure is...

Can you guess what it is yet? ....

Maybe another hint? ...

Yes, it really is...

Cows. I love gazing at cows. I'm not sure why I love them so much but I do. Maybe love is the wrong word? We use it so flippantly these days. Cows remind me of the countryside. In particularl they remind me of my home town of Stroud where they freely wander around the local commons and have free grazing rights. I have a few cows adorning my study walls, not real ones you understand (far too messy). I like the way in which they stare at you and seem to weigh you up. I wonder what they think, if anything, beyond where the best bit of juicy grass is to be found? 

Today's simple pleasure is cows - for their beauty, for their part in making the countryside so complete, for the milk and cheese they produce, for the lovely filet stake I enjoyed eating for lunch! ;-)

Lent 2014 - 8th March: Sleep

 

Today's simple pleasure is sleep. This is Holly who loves to make herself a den under the covers of the spare bed when I am working in my study. I work, she sleeps. It's been a long day so night, night... Zzzzzzzz...