Month: December 2019

Educated by Tara Westover

 

Educated by Tara Westover

Tara was raised in a Mormon survivalist home in rural Idaho. The book is a memoir of her life within this family and how she escaped to become ‘educated’.

Tara and her family grew up preparing for the End of Days but according to the government she didn’t exist. She hadn’t been registered for a birth certificate. She had no school records because she had never set foot in a classroom, and no medical records because her father didn’t believe in hospitals.

As she grew older her father became more radical and her brother more violent. At sixteen Tara knew she had to leave home. In doing so she discovered the transformative power of education and the price she had to pay for it.

Well, this book gave rise to a long, lively and wide-ranging discussion. We talked about how this family operated, our thoughts about present and past days in the USA, and questioned if the story of the Westover family is totally credible. Our conclusion was that it is a book well worth reading and we gave it a score of 8.

 

 

The Boy Who Laughed At Santa Claus

The Boy Who Laughed At Santa Claus

In Baltimore there lived a boy
He wasn’t anybody’s joy.
Although his name was Jabez Dawes
His character was full of flaws.
In school he never led his classes
He hid old ladies’ reading glasses
His mouth was open when he chewed
And elbows to the table glued.
He stole the milk of hungry kittens
And walked through doors marked No Admittance.
He said he acted thus because
There wasn’t any Santa Claus.

Another trick that tickled Jabez
Was crying “Boo!” at little babies.
He brushed his teeth  they said in town
Sideways instead of up and down.
Yet people pardoned every sin
And viewed his antics with a grin
Till they were told by Jabez Dawes
“There isn’t any Santa Claus!”

 

Deploring how he did behave
His parents swiftly sought their grave.
They hurried through the portals pearly
And Jabez left the funeral early.
Like whooping cough
from child to child
He sped to spread the rumor wild:
“Sure as my name is Jabez Dawes
There isn’t any Santa Claus!”

 

Slunk like a weasel or a marten
Through nursery and kindergarten
Whispering low to every tot
“There isn’t any no there’s not!”
The children wept all Christmas Eve
And Jabez chortled up his sleeve.
No infant dared to hang up his stocking
For fear of Jabez’ ribald mocking.
He sprawled on his untidy bed
Fresh malice dancing in his head
When presently with scalp a-tingling
Jabez heard a distant jingling;
He heard the crunch of sleigh and hoof
Crisply alighting on the roof.
What good to rise and bar the door?
A shower of soot was on the floor.
What was beheld by Jabez Dawes?
The fireplace full of Santa Claus!
Then Jabez fell upon his knees
With cries of “Don’t ” and “Pretty please.
” He howled “I don’t know where you read it
But anyhow I never said it!”

“Jabez ” replied the angry saint
“It isn’t I it’s you that ain’t.
Although there is a Santa Claus
There isn’t any Jabez Dawes!”
Said Jabez with impudent vim
“Oh yes there is; and I am him!
Your magic don’t scare me it doesn’t”—
And suddenly he found he wasn’t!
From grimy feet to grimy locks
Jabez became a Jack-in-the-box
An ugly toy with springs unsprung
Forever sticking out his tongue.

The neighbors heard his mournful squeal;
They searched for him but not with zeal.
No trace was found of Jabez Dawes
Which led to thunderous applause
And people drank a loving cup
And went and hung their stockings up.
All you who sneer at Santa Claus
Beware the fate of Jabez Dawes
The saucy boy who mocked the saint.
Donder and Blitzen licked off his paint.

By Ogden Nash

 

Christmas Cake

Just thought I would share my old family recipe for Christmas Cake. ,This has been handed down in our family for years.

Ingredients:

* 2 cups flour

* 1/2 lb butter

* 1 cup of water

* 1 tsp bicarb soda

* 1 cup of sugar

* 1 tsp salt

* 1 cup of brown sugar

* Lemon juice

* 4 large eggs

* Nuts

* 1 bottle Brandy

* 2 cups of dried fruit

Sample the brandy to check quality. Take a large bowl; check the brandy again. To be sure it is of the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink.

Repeat.. Turn on the electric mixer. Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. Add one teaspoon of sugar. Beat again. At this point it’s best to make sure the brandy is still OK. Try another cup… Just in case, turn off the mixer thingy. Break 2 eggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.

Pick the blasted fruit up off floor. Mix on the turner. If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaters just pry it loose with a drewscriver. Sample the brandy to check for tonsisticity. Next, sift two cups of salt, or something. Check the brandy. Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one table. Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can find. Greash the oven. Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over. Don’t forget to beat off the turner. Finally, throw the bowl through the window. Finish the brandy and wipe counter with the cat.

Bingle Jells!

 

 

 

Elizabeth and Her German Garden

 

Book review: ‘Elizabeth and Her German Garden’ by Elizabeth Von Arnim

This book is a delightful read which gave a glimpse into the life of a wealthy German lady in the 1800s, who gently mocks the conventions of marriage and motherhood. The chapters show her life through the seasons and depict a rural world that seems long past. Elizabeth truly lives for her garden, but her precious time outdoors is often interrupted by her three children and playing a rather reluctant host to visitors and wife to her ‘Man of Wrath’.

The fictional Elizabeth finds consolation in the beauty of nature and keeps her sanity and humour by remaining outside the conventions of society and the demands of ‘feminine duty’. Off the Shelf Book Club gave this book a score of 9 out of 10

 

 

All Saints Day Was Celebrated

All Saints Day was celebrated on the first Sunday of the month, with Bert Bates giving the congregation an account of the pilgrimage that he and Gwynne undertook in walking the ‘Camino de Santiago de Compostela’. It was a most uplifting spiritual experience meeting up with the other pilgrims who were walking due to many different reasons. The common greeting was ‘Buen Camino’ and the walk was almost 180km long. Many of the congregation had sponsored their walk and the total amount raised was £610, which is to be given towards the work of charities dealing with young people and their problems. Well done Bert and Gwynne who would encourage anyone who is able to undertake this pilgrimage to give it serious thought. Having a kindred spirit to accompany you would help in the quiet rest times to discuss your feelings and to meditate on what you are about.

Remembrance Sunday: We were blessed with a fine, cold, sunny morning as we assembled in church for the service of Remembrance compiled by Ray Harris. It was a most memorable and moving act of remembering the fallen in WWI and WWII and the many wars that have been fought since 1945. Following the service in church the proceedings moved to the village War Memorial where the Vale Brass Band were playing as the procession from church made their way. Following the Silence, wreaths were laid on behalf of the Rector and Churchwardens, the Wenvoe Community Council, the Army Cadets, The Women’s Institute, the Scouts, Gwenfo School and others. The sounding of the Last Post and the Reveille all added to the solemnity of the occasion, as the community of Wenvoe once more remembered the sacrifice of its own sons in the two World Wars. The loose money on the collection plates, with a contribution from church funds came to £300 and has been given to The Royal British Legion for their continuing work in providing lifelong support with members of the Armed Forces who need help.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.

The lantern has now been fitted to the wrought iron arch between the old and the new churchyard; it now awaits connection to the electricity supply. Work has continued in stabilising the gravestones found to be loose in the churchyard. Mike Tucker, our groundsman takes great pleasure in keeping the church surroundings clean and tidy and we receive many compliments from visitors on how well the church and grounds are presented.

We continue to provide ‘Welcome Packs’ to all new householders moving into the village. These are updated on a regular basis and give information on all the activities that can be found in Wenvoe. This is regarded as part of our mission to the wider community in which we live. We welcome them to join in as many of the organisations as they wish, and also to inform them that the church is there to help them through the good times and the sad times.

Jon is always available to discuss any topics in his “Open Door” sessions in church on Monday afternoons as advertised in the church newsletter and church magazine.

The Chattery meets on Thursday 12th December in the Church Hall and will have a Christmas theme with lots going on. The FREE raffle is included in the price of £2.00. All are welcome to join in for tea/coffee and mince pies etc and to chat to old friends and new.

Looking ahead to the Christmas Celebrations

A Christmas Card, giving details of all the Services at St Mary’s will be delivered to all homes in the community.

The Community Carol Service on Wednesday 18 December at 7.00 pm will be followed by mulled wine and mince pies in the Church Hall. The refreshments are provided by the Wenvoe Community Council and all are welcome.

Christmas Eve: Waiting for Jesus is at 5.00 pm and Midnight Mass is at 11.30 pm. The collections at these services are to be given to the work of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at UHW and the Food Bank in Barry.

Christmas Day: The early morning celebration of the Eucharist is at 8.00 am.

We wish all our readers a very Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Parry Edwards

 

 

RHS tips for December

RHS tips this month

1. Check winter protection is still in place.

2. Make sure greenhouse heaters are working.

3. Keep ice broken on ponds.

4. Prune free standing apple and pear trees.

5. Acers, birches and vines should be pruned before Christmas to avoid bleeding of cuts.

6. Harvest leeks, parsnips and winter cabbage.

7. Take hardwood cuttings.

8. Do try to keep mice away from stored produce.

 

Wenvoe Environment group tips:

1. Slips, trips and falls are the causes of most hospital visits. Take extra care this time of year.

2. Keep all tools safe and fit alarms to garden out-buildings.

3. Get all your powered equipment serviced so you’ll be ready for spring.

 

Whatever we do over winter will help when things start to grow again. Look after the lawn by re cutting the edges. If the weather stays mild and it’s dry enough it will need a high cut. Continue to rake the leaves up to let any light on to the grass. Make sure you keep the leaves clear of any alpines you may have as they can be killed off if left covered. Keep an eye on any mould that appears on plants that have been cut back. If not dealt with you may have to replace next year. Garden hygiene helps greatly at this time of year. So please dispose of any infected leaves, as diseases will survive into the following year. Check regularly on corms and tubers you have stored over winter to make sure those that show any signs of rot are removed.

Garden sheds and greenhouses will make good homes for mice as the weather gets colder. Keep all bird food in sealed containers and sweep up any that has spilt. If you can’t stand the thought of dealing with dead mice from spring traps or poisoned bait and you have the humane traps to keep the prey alive, don’t just release them over the neighbours fence or they will be back home before you. To stop them coming back you will need a long walk or bus trip, as they are very good at finding their way home.

Prevent Christmas tree needle drop by choosing a pine or fir tree instead of the traditional Norway spruce. These hold their needles for longer. Keep the tree away from a heat source. Cut trees will last longer if you cut 3” off the bottom of stem and stand in water.

Gardeners, if you want gardening related items for Christmas, make sure you write a list or go and see the man himself. It’s the only way to get what you need.

I have really enjoyed meeting lots of you around the village. Thanks for all the advice and stories. Hope you have a lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Take care and happy gardening

 

 

Ogmore to Monknash

Ogmore to Monknash

We parked at Monknash and caught the No. 303 bus to Ogmore. We were to begin our walk just above the estuary of the river Ogmore and travel back along the Heritage coast to Monknash.

Walking down to the car park we looked towards Porthcawl, heavy clouds sat on the horizon but visibility was good. Turning east glimpses of the sun danced on the sea through the thick cloud cover. The forecast was rain so we were dressed in full waterproofs. After half an hour or so we were stripping off the layers as it was quite warm and there was no sign of the promised rain.

On the way down to Southern Down beach we had the first of several sightings of a large brown and black striped caterpillar – probably the fox moth. A flock of sheep looked as though they had ‘purple rinses’.

We headed on towards Dunraven Bay and as we climbed to the walled garden of Dunraven castle a group of people came in our direction – the crew of a King Arthur film (at least that is what they said they were) decked out in medieval dress complete with at least one sword and some arrows.

At Dunraven the first walled paddock was built in this sheltered spot in 1543. Under the stability of the Tudors, country houses had walled gardens to protect against wandering marauders and wild animals and allowing plants to be grown in remote areas. In a corner of the walled garden is a building which looks a bit like a castle but is in fact an ice house; every winter ice would be packed here to freeze food and store it safely. In Victorian times a heated glass house was placed in a south facing position and exotic plants from other parts of the world were grown. The walled garden is also home to the ghost of a young woman called ‘the Blue Lady’. There have been many sightings and it is said that an appearance is followed by the lingering scent of the yellow mimosa flower.

Walking to the viewing point towards the next bay, we were lucky to see the ‘magic waterfall’ – it only appears after rain!

We explored the ruins of Dunraven house which are above the garden and closer to the sea. People were living in Dunraven in Celtic times. The Romans built a fort here and in the 12thC a Knight called Arnold Le Botelier (or Butler) arrived and built a castle. A marriage led to the Vaughan family taking over the estate and they built a manor house in the 16thC. The Wyndhams bought Dunraven in 1642 and built a huge, ostentatious neo-gothic house in 1803. The house was used as a convalescent home during the two World Wars. Finally in 1962 the mansion was demolished, a casualty of the cost of maintenance.

Continuing along the cliff top, we stopped to admire a juvenile Peregrine falcon which hovered near us for ages. As we walked we kept well away from the edge; there are visible signs of erosion even on the surface but looking at the cliffs we could also see the telltale cracks in the rock face which may well succumb to this winter’s storms.

The rocks forming the cliffs of the Glamorgan Heritage Coast were created in the early Jurassic times. The land that is now the Vale of Glamorgan was formed at the bottom of a warm shallow sea near the equator. Most of the rocks were created from the build up of millions of shells of tiny sea creatures, together with mud brought to the sea by ancient rivers. Eventually this was compacted to form limestone.

We stopped for lunch at an Iron Age fort. Shaggy parasol fungus grew in profusion in the area.

Arriving at Monknash beach we were astounded to see the volume of water pouring down the normally tranquil little stream which emerges here. At this point we divided into 2 groups; half of us walked up the stream and back to Monknash to retrieve the cars finding it necessary to wade across several inches of water in one place with the water getting into boots!

As it was low tide, the other group walked along the beach to Nash Point. It feels almost primeval with its craggy rocks eaten away by the sea and no noise apart from the screech of seabirds and the rolling waves. At one point we heard a deep rumble and glanced at the cliffs just in time to see a small but dramatic rock fall. Just as at Monknash the stream at Nash point was very full and we crossed it where it disappears under large rocks. Walking up the road to Marcross we were reunited with the others in the pub for refreshments. (Walk 8.5 miles Map 151)

 

 

A Fan of Taylor Swift

Did you think I wouldn’t hear all the things you said about me?

If you know me well, you’ll know I’m a fan of Taylor Swift’s music. Since her Fearless album (the first album I ever bought) to her most recent Lover album, I’ve followed her transition from country music sweetheart to global popstar. If you look back over some of the titles of my blog posts, you’ll find many are either lyrics or titles from some of Swift’s songs. But the one thing above all I’ve been hyper-aware of over the past ten years is Taylor Swift’s battle with the media’s perception of her.

Despite many male celebrities – including Leonardo DiCaprio and George Clooney (and even Swift’s ex-boyfriend Calvin Harris) – having an endless list of girlfriends, Swift is continuously vilified for her relationships and branded a serial-dater. Why do the double standards exist for male and female celebrities?

Women in the music industry are watched constantly. Their male counterparts can get away with so much, and yet if the media tells us to hate a female celebrity – we do. Swift continues to earn backlash online, but often people aren’t sure why they hate her, other than because they’ve been told they ought to. Think about it – the world loves to hate Kim Kardashian because all we’ve ever heard is that she’s an awful person. Perhaps she is, but it’s rare that we question why we hate these female celebrities, and it’s often because of the media’s perception of them.

When the MeToo movement in 2017 reached prominence, and the world began to understand the true problem surrounding sexual assault, Swift came forward about a battle she’d been having for years regarding a DJ who touched her inappropriately a few years prior. Swift went to court against this man and asked $1 if she won the lawsuit. But even when Swift had been touched without her consent, she barely garnered support. She was still vilified and told she was ‘playing the victim’.

The world seems to love to hate Taylor Swift. Even when she announced in the summer and has since reiterated the fact that the former head of Big Machine Records (the label Swift signed to from the beginning of her career and until recently) had sold her masters and banned her from buying them back, many stayed silent. Even now, as she battles the rights to music, she herself curated and wrote, many men are refusing to stand in her corner. All because we’ve been told she’s awful.

How is it that we’ve let the media control our way of thinking and why is it that sources continue to attack certain celebrities? I’m very much aware that it causes a media storm, and creates views but as I’ve said before, these are real people with real lives. Although they have offered themselves up to media interpretation, the disrespect many receive, and the utter vilification goes beyond wanting likes on a

story. It’s damaging, not only to the vilified but also to those who read the stories. It’s causing a mob mentality against certain celebrities that is harmful.

Targeting one celebrity because it has become tradition isn’t a good enough reason. Not supporting them when the unimaginable is happening to them is disgraceful. I realise they are celebrities. But they’re also real people. Taylor Swift is battling to even be able to sing the songs she wrote when she was under Big Machine Records. Songs about life experiences she poured her heart out to make. Supporting the people who are stopping her from gaining back the rights to her songs just because you don’t like her doesn’t make sense. Because it’s not just her music she’s fighting for, it’s for the many who’ve had the same happen to them.

Why there are celebrities in the world we choose to hate, I will never know. You don’t have to say you like their music or the things that they do but admitting that the things that are happening to them are unfair is good. If you wouldn’t want it happening to you then why would you encourage it happening to someone else?

Swift seems to be handling the hate well – she’s had years of it after all. Between the lyrics of her songs and her attitude, it seems she’s taken the hate and manifested it into a don’t-care attitude. But she shouldn’t have to. No one should have to be so comfortable with hate that it becomes part of their every day.

Don’t hate these people just because the telly and social media tells you to. Encouraging their downfall reflects worse on you.

By Tirion Davies

 

 

Pottering in the Orchards

The odd dry day has allowed us to get out and potter in the orchards. Even in mid-November we were picking apples in the Welsh Orchard. However, the main activities were pruning the fruit trees, strimming and re-locating plants in the herb garden that were becoming invasive, such as Comfrey. The hedgerow in the Community Orchard has had a good trim and we have continued to plant apple, plum and damson trees down at Goldsland.

Whilst the heavy rain has caused it to be a bit wet in parts of the Community Orchard, think back to how things were before we planted the orchard. The photo shows the whole area where the orchard is now, under water up to the nearby goalpost, during the winter before we started planting.

 

 

Christmas Cookies From Abroad

CHRISTMAS COOKIES FROM ABROAD

Zimtsterne from Switzerland

1 cup butter, softened

2 cups sugar

2 large eggs

100g semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled

2-3/4 cups of SR flour

1/3 cup ground cinnamon

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and chocolate. Combine the flour and cinnamon and gradually add to the creamed mixture. Mix well. Wrap in cling film; refrigerate for about 1 hour or until the mixture is easy to handle.

On a lightly floured surface roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut with a floured 2 inch star shaped cookie cutter. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased non-stick baking trays. Chill and re-roll scraps.

Bake at 180C fan for 10-11 mins or until edges are firm. Cool on wire racks.

 

 

Snowy Mountain Cookies

1-1/4 cups butter softened

1 cup sugar

2 large eggs

1 tbsp. vanilla extract

4 cups SR flour

1 tsp salt

350g miniature semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup finely chopped walnuts

350g white baking chips

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Add chocolate chips [dark ones] and the walnuts; mix well.

Divide the dough in half. Shape each into a disc and wrap in cling film. Refrigerate until firm enough to roll. This will need to be about 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 180C fan. On a floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut with a 2 inch triangle-shaped cookie cutter. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased non-stick baking trays. Bake until edges begin to brown; 10-12 mins. Cool on trays for about 2 mins. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Meanwhile, in a microwave, melt the white baking chips, stir until smooth. Dip cookie tops in the melted chips, Let stand until chocolate is set

They should look like little snow capped mountains.

 

 

1 2 3