This is my entry for Helen Vahdati‘s Song Lyric Sunday this week the prompt is a song about friends.
I thought about this one long and hard. I have used this song before but it is so perfect. It has special memories hidden it for me. I love the words, I love the tune.
As old fashioned and dated as it is, it means a lot to me. Apart from that to me it describes friendship to me perfectly. Friends by Arrival.
I had a friend who had friends by a river They too had friends who had friends of their own All seated round takin’ port after dinner, Port that was bought by the friends that were known No one ever seems to care Just as long as they were there Friends beside you Friends to guide you Friends beside you, everywhere There’s nothing new, it’s all there to remind you It’s no different anyway you recall You only wait around and float on every corner And know you’re in luck ‘Cause you know them more No one ever seems to care Just as long as you are there Friends beside you ( beside you) There to guide you (to guide you) Friends beside you (beside you) Everywhere (everywhere) We all have friends who have friends by a river We too have friends who have friends of their own All seated round drinkin’ port after dinner Port that is bought by the friends for their own No one ever seems to care Just as long as you are there Friends beside you Friends to guide you Friends beside you to stay Friends beside you (you need) Friends to guide you (you know you need) Friends beside you (you need) Friends to guide you (you really need) Friends beside you (you need) Friends to guide you (you need) Friends beside.
A ring can be circle a symbol of life.
Or a token of love from a husband or wife.
In a circle of friends is a good place to be.
A nice tight circle of kindness is the best place for me.
This is part of LindaGHill’s SoCs.
Here is the pingback
When I was a child, every year in March a box would arrive at our family home in London. It was always the same size and it was wrapped in brown paper and it was addressed to Dad! Every year I was fascinated by it. I soon learned that it contained a beautiful green leaf. The Shamrock and it had traveled to our house all the way from Ireland.
Although we were all born in London and our mother was English born in Oxford, the Shamrock’s arrival every year was a big deal.
We were all given a small spray of the green leaves which we all wore with pride. So Dad would go off to work at 5am with his Shamrock at his lapel, we all followed at different times to school or work depending on what stage of life you picture us at. I remember we all wore it with pride .
I went to a catholic convent as did two of my older sisters. I remember St Patrick’s day was special at school too, because we had lessons until 12.30pm then after lunch break there were net ball matches to watch followed by entertainment in the school hall. Plays, Irish dancing, stories and songs all with an Irish theme!
I am grateful that I have happy memories of my childhood , I have sad, bad memories too. Being bullied at school by my piers and teachers not least! But I have happy memories too and I feel blessed for that and for my parents, my happy home and my brothers and sisters who I love dearly and I believe they love me too!
I have made lots of amazing friends here on wordpress so I am sending you all these blessings and prayers . I want to thank you all for your support and say HAPPY SAINT PATRICK’S DAY to you all . OH! Geoff at TanGental who is recovering from an operation ..get well Geoff! Too each and everyone of you consider this my personal message to you all!!
Right now how to end this very Irish and rambling post………….. awe! well you know, make guess go on , go on.
It is If we were having Coffee time again how are you all and what have you been up to this week! I am late again so I must apologize I am always chasing my tail these days!
So come in it is lovely to see you all here again. The fires are lit the cushions are plumped up and we have the coffee and tea on the go and the cakes and sweets are all set out. We have tea and coffee from all over the world not to mention all our cakes and muffins and as Paul calls them sweets! Every single one is calorie free! Plus of course we now have spirits and liquors to warm the coldest of you.
If we were having Coffee: I would ask you what has been going on in your world this week, has anything deeply affected you, have you need a sympathetic ear, a shoulder to cry on or just needed someone to make you laugh! If yes feel free to talk it out here with us. We will all help if we can.
If we were having Coffee: I would remind you that there are lots of other coffee mornings all shared and organized By Diana and Gene’O over at,Part time monster
If we were having Coffee: I would tell you that I had a very unusual experience this week. Now LindaGHill was talking about a similar experience on here SoCs this week read it here. do read it, it is an excellent post.
OH! I am rambling again I had better refill your cup and get you some cakes or biscuits …. Let me see were was I . Let us start at the beginning. On Thursday my friend L and I set off on another trip on the bus , the Green Line up to London. I am London born and bred and though Louise was not born there she grew up there and lived there for most of her childhood and teens. As we both live in the sticks ( outside of London) is lovely to go in for a day… neither of us would want to live there anymore..too busy!
Look I am off the subject again ( well this is my Coffee party so if I want to wander off I can, blows raspberry). Right so we were on the bus and it passes the steeple of the Church where I went to Mass each week and then it passes the bottom of the road I used to live. The park the school ( which I did not attend but is part of my memories). A little further along we pass the road that lead to the old Drs surgery. I felt a pulling sensation to be back in time when I was a child. A strange homesickness for a home that sadly no longer exists, to an earlier time when everything was simpler and I really had no huge decisions to make.
My Brother sold the house I grew up in several years back and so all ties to that place are sadly gone but still as we passed it on the way into London I felt a pang. I also felt it stronger pang as we passed it on the way home. Yes my home where I have lived for over 40yrs ..I have lived in plenty other places too but of course were I live now is my home but I still long for childhood home sometimes.
I think my friend Immie puts it perfectly in this song , words here
Would you like more tea, coffee or cakes or perhaps you would enjoy some an alcoholic drink? Now, L and I went up to Victoria Bus Stn and I had planned a few places to visit. So we headed off past Buckingham
Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace.
Palace to Birdcage Walk to the Guards Chapel . To the side is a photo I took of the Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace it looks amazing as if someone had been up there all night with a spray paint gun!
Well we trotted up Birdcage Walk and found the Chapel was closed! The Dean was holding a meeting and no one knew when it would be finished!
There was nothing for it we just retraced out steps but it was a good dry and not too cold day and we like walking and talking! It was about 1.30pm so we decided to stop and have lunch. We found a cafe/ restaurant that was busy it was opposite the Queen’s Gallery . We were very lucky as the food and service were excellent ! After lunch we set off to visit Westminster Cathedral. L knew the Cathedral very well because as a child this was a church her family went to Mass at very often.
outside Westmister Cathedral
I took a few photos of the Cathedral here are a the best. We were not allowed to take photos inside but I have to say it is breath taking. Wonderful mosaic ceilings in the chapels, beautiful blue and green marble on the walls. It is truly amazing .
The entrance to Westminster Cathedral
We spent an hour or so just looking around and talking to the vergers who were very knowledgeable and happy to answer questions. We noticed when we looked up the top half of the walls and the roof were of plain bricks , we asked why they had a charred look about them. The answer was that the smoke from the candles had done it’s work on the bricks and all the soot and smoke from the years of the steam trains black smoke had found it’s way into the abbey!
Our Next stop was a brisk walk away in Eton Square St Peter’s Church. This is a beautiful church so light airy and modern inside. It is very high Church of England. In fact we were
Looking down from the Alter to the Organ
surprised because it had statues of the Virgin Mary and St Peter , this is unusual for Church of England Churches. Here are four photos I do hope they can give you the feeling of the place.
If we were having Coffee : I would replenish your cup and say that I hope you are not bored with my wittering on about my day out.
Statue of St Peter
Virgin Mary
Yes I know I am going on but I do love to share! As I said St Peter’s was a beautiful oasis of light and peace slap bang in one of the noisiest and busiest parts of London.
The pulpit
When we came out of the Church we decided we were getting tired and so we decided to catch the bus home that left from Victoria Bus station at 4pm. It was 3.20pm so we thought we could easily get back in time for it. As it was, as we neared the Bus Station we saw our bus coming towards us and just a few yards back we had passed a bus stop, we looked and yes it was where our bus would stop and people were hailing it so we did an about turn and caught it! So we on the bus and on the way home past my ‘no more home.’
Yum Yum
Hubby was there to meet us from our local bus station and so home !
If we were having Coffee: I would say the rest of the week has been busy too, what with the gym, housework and visiting a friend who is recovering from braking her leg before Christmas! Also yesterday, Saturday , I met an old friend who I had not seen for months so we had loads to catch up on.
If we were having Coffee: I would say lets go and see how Paul and his crowd are doing . I am sure that they will have lots to tell us !
Just Fooling Around With Bee said : this last week is dedicated to The love of friends!
It did not stop raining today and it would of been really miserable had it not been for the fact that I was visiting my sister in law who is not my sister in law any more for she is no longer married to my husbands brother! That not withstanding I have been friends with her girl and woman for 48yrs. Yes I was thirteen and she was fifteen, when we first met. Both of us sitting on the 97 bus not sure whether or not to talk, Then when we both got off at the same bus stop and started walking in the same direction we broke the ice.
We have been solid since, I like to think we are more like sister even though the in law title is now debunked. We have been through thick and thin and weathered some nasty storms!
Talking of storms , today was wet! So we stayed in the warm and drank coffee, had parsnip soup for dinner and chatted about all sorts. Our children, grandchildren …( my first grandson, and her granddaughter) husbands, houses, my son’s new home, her daughters job, her granddaughters triumphs. Of course we talked of the dogs, the beautiful dogs.
The dogs have two beds in the kitchen dining room. They take up a lot of room! One bed ( a huge bed large enough for them both ) fills an alcove. The only trouble is that one dog , the younger one always insists on laying on top of the older dog. So D hit on a brilliant idea, get the husband to put a separator down the center of the bed ….. each dog then could have his own space and the extra bed could be removed !
success
Well they were not too sure at first but no one likes change do they?
So after a while they settled down and after their duvets and cushions went in, all was looking cosy!
comfy and cosy
So we thought , we turned back to our photos and our coffee and time ticked on. The dogs were happy, the dogs were comfortable , the dogs seemed very quiet and settled ! Job done, well done to D’s hubby the problem of the younger dog flattening the older was solved!
Well it was wasn’t it…………………… er? not it was not!
Nope, no it was not! It just goes to show you just cannot help those who will not be helped! You also cannot teach a cheeky dog new tricks.
The time came for me to go home. It was dark and wet and it was actually flooded! I have not had the pleasure of driving through flooded roads before ! I did not like it but I remembered my husbands words of advice and I got through and after what seemed an age I got home safely.
So it was wet cold and windy in the real world today but I was happy!
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This story shows my friendship with this wonderful friend and it also shows the friendship of the dogs! Two for one folks, two for one!
This is Just fooling around with Bee Idea for a February daily challenge! To suit her spoilt inner child…. and mine come to that so here we go! Hold on to your heart! Join in here and here
Welcome to Willow’s weekly coffee and tea garden. My name is Paul, I’ll be your barista today and I’m happy to be here once again. Please come in and make yourself comfortable. Willow has plumped the cushions and started a cozy fire so we can warm yourselves while we have a cuppa and chat. As usual, I’d be pleased to bring a pot of whatever beverage you prefer – we have a wide range of teas and coffees to satisfy our world-wide readership. Also available is a large selection of spirits for addition to your cuppa or in its place. We can relax while we discuss the affairs of the week both personal and/or worldwide. How has your week been?
1000 voices speak for Compassion
This week (Feb.20, 2015) there was a special electronic gathering of WP bloggers called “1000 Voices Speak for Compassion”. Each blogger wrote a piece on compassion and they were well done. I first read of it over at Mamamickterry’s blog Then I watched the video (above) she had posted and it struck home for me. Mama says it was produced by a medical services delivery company that is a customer of her company. Definitely worth a peek.
Would you like another cuppa, perhaps something a bit stronger? So, with Mama’s post in mind I was off to dialysis on Friday and I was a bit early so I stepped out to the smoking area for a puff. It was cold and there was only one other gentleman there, a man a bit younger than I – perhaps in his late 40’s to early 50’s. As I usually do, I asked if he was visiting as he was dressed in casual clothes like someone who was spending the day at home. As we smoked, he told me that he was a patient. He had an open Coke bottle in one hand and he held it up for me to see. It was about 1⁄4 full and was very flat because his hand was vibrating considerably. “Would you like a drink of flat Coke?” he asked in a joking tone. “It’s been almost 20 years now since I’ve had fizzy Coke from the bottom of the bottle.”He explained that he had early onset Parkinson’s disease and was diagnosed about 20 years ago. With medication and treatment he has managed to live relatively normal but required a lot of time in the hospital. As he told me that his muscles only shook when at rest, I thought about the video – to see this guy walk down the hall, you would never know that he had a serious illness – an illness that was going to kill him. He told me that the doctors had told him that he had about 20 more years to live, but the disease would progress considerably in that time. Treatments have gained a lot of years for Parkinson’s patients over the decades and may very well gain more in the coming decades. The disease is called “idiopathic” because there is no known cause. Oddly enough, one behaviour that reduces the progress is smoking. For reasons not understood, those who smoke are less likely to have the disease or symptoms.
Another cuppa? We have sweets and cake as well, so just help yourself. Anyway, my new acquaintance had some hard years ahead of him. As his nerve condition deteriorated, so too would dementia start to show itself. This is the same disease as Michael Fox has and his condition has not gotten as bad as fast as was predicted due to new treatments and medications. This gentleman had the same hope – that the progress of treatment would keep him from suffering as much as was being forecast. And yet, if I met him in the hallway I would have no idea that this man was even sick, let alone dying. It really drives home the idea of compassion, of caring about our fellow humans, of trying to see the world through the eyes of others, and of remaining non-judgmental.
We parted ways after about 10 minutes of visiting, he on his way to his room and me on my way to dialysis. I thought about him a lot since our chance meeting, and he has made me more sensitive to the plight of others. I wish him the very best and I hope that upcoming medical progress reduces the impact of his disease on his quality of life.
Dialysis went extremely well on all fronts – no machine alarms (it is very sensitive and an average treatment usually sees at least a half a dozen alarms), excellent blood pump speed, I slept through the whole session and felt rejuvenated at the end. I had very little fluid to remove (I’ve been behaving myself) and we got that off and a bit more – which allows me more flexibility in fluid consumption over the weekend. All is well – one day at a time.
That’s about all we have room for this week, so it’s time to settle in with another cuppa and watch the fire. Sweets anyone? Please join me in thanking Willow for her invitation to tea. We are all honored that you dropped by today to visit. I hope you’ve enjoyed yourself and the conversation and please look around at Willow’s other posts while you’re here. Willow is over there serving her guests and chatting it up. Let’s go see how she is today. Have a great week. We look forward to seeing you back here for sweets and beverages of your choice again next week.
The Queen’s Favourite Tea Cake: Souped-up Chocolate Biscuit Cake
Hello and welcome come in it is lovely to see you all here again. The fires are lit the cushions are plumped up and we have the coffee and tea on the go and the cakes and sweets are all set out. We have tea and coffee from all over the world not to mention all our cakes and muffins and as Paul calls them sweets! Every single one is calorie free! Plus of course we now have spirits and liquors to warm the coldest of you.
If we were having Coffee: I would ask you what has been going on in your world this week, has anything deeply affected you, have you need a sympathetic ear, a shoulder to cry on or just needed someone to make you laugh! If yes feel free to talk it out here with us. We will all help if we can.
If we were having Coffee: I would remind you that there are lots of other coffee mornings all shared and organized By Diana and Gene’O over at, Part time monster and it is growing like Topsie!This week Diana was talking about Circus, animals and clowns all of which leave me cold especially clowns. I have always found them very frightening and I really don’t know why. Do you have any unexplained fears.
If we were having Coffee: Well what have you been up to this week have you been happy sad , mad bad or just plain busy! Or have you been through the whole gambit of these emotions ? I have to admit I have, life seems to be a real roller coaster at the moment.
The husband is still unwell and is plagued with pains in his side and back. He is due to have two ultra sound scans this coming Friday, they will be checking his liver, kidneys and lower abdomen. He is supposed to be resting but like many a man when there is something to be careful of the shutters come down! Instead of resting as he has been advised he is decorating! Yes I did say decorating ! I admit he is going very slow and steadily for him and after a couple of hours he has to stop and rest. I can see he is in pain and he has even given in and taken some pain killers . I am bcoming a nag and I think he is fed up of me telling him to take it easy but it is only because I care. ….. HUMMM! Men if they have a cold they are at death’s door …. anything bigger or scarier and they become all macho! Bless him. What are your orther halves like , male or female?
If we were having Coffee: I would offer you another coffee or tea and ask if I could tempt you to a cake or sweet!
It has been a busy week I have been to the gym most days. It is better now I have a friend to meet at the gym she is a similar age to me and we have lots in comon . We meet up early morning Monday through to Wednesday and exercise , on the Wednesday we have a lesson with our trainer and he makes us work really hard which is good. Friday I have Pilates, Saturday I have core class and blissfully I have Thursday and Sunday off! Now I am not obcessed with the gym I just get so stiff and so much pain if I do not exercise, in fact I was told after my last operation that if I did not exercise and keep myself fit my back could just let me down and I could end up in a wheel chair… No thank you !
If we were having Coffee: I would tell you that my friend and I went into our nearest town for a girly day, we had coffee and cake (naughty but oh! so nice) then we both bought some clothes in the sale …. we did not have any intentions of doing so but these skirts just grabbed us as we went past ! Well it would of been rude not to to buy them!
It has been a funny week with something happening every day, plus trying to keep an eye on the hubby it has been a real rush! But I suppose I could say I was not bored!
If we were having Coffee: I would ask what do you think of the world news, I have to admit I have not taken a lot of interest lately as it all seems so depressing and right now I do nt not want to think of all the sad and bad things going on in the world. Mind you it is good to hear that Scottish Nurse Pauline Cafferkey has recovered from Ebola after becoming ill after returning here from West Africa Read about it here. She was taken ill on her return to Heathrow … I can’t help wandering if when health workers decide to go off to West Africa to deal with Ebola, and all good credit it to them, I think they should agree to have a three week quarentine before they return . Maybe that way there would be less chance of the fearful Ebola crossing continents.
Other news not so good there has been another Isis execution this time of a Japanese hostage Harman Yukawa and they are holding another man a reporter Kenji Goto. More info here.
If we were having Coffee: I ‘d tell you that the Newbie vsited yesterday and it was so lovely to see him and his dad! (my youngest son) We were so lucky yesterday we got to see all three of our sons and our grandson, unfortunately our middle son had to leave before the newbie and his dad arrived but at least we saw them all. … for those who know there has been a slight melt but still no sign of a thaw.
Time to relax
If we were having Coffee: would like to remind you about
I heard about it first on TanGental’s page here and also on Gene’Os page here . The idea is to get 1000 bloggers on the same day to write posts about compassion, kindness, support, caring for others, non-judgement etc.? (Date to be decided.(it’s suggested 20th February 2015) We could call it 1000 Voices For Compassion.Who’s in? I really would like to be but I need to think really hard about what to write about but I am going to think about it and I am going to take part … If anyone has any suggestions I would be very grateful to hear them!
Thanks for tuning in and if you want to join, feel free to click on the link and start jotting!
All that is left for me to say is stay here and be warm and comfy and relax and enjoy the compay . Paul has been a little delayed but he will be here asap! So until next week be safe and well and don’t forget to check out ‘The if we were having Coffee, weekend share’over at Part Time Monster and Gene’O’s.
Well hello everyone how are you all this Sunday, come on in we have moved indoors now as the Autumn is well and truly here and Winter is hot on her heels!! We have the coffee and the cakes all ready the fire is all lit! The sofas and armchairs all have their cushions all plumped up! So go on spoil yourselves we have stocked up on hot chocolate now and brought in some good books for you to read too! I can hear Paul has all his guests, who also have moved in here now, so lets see, what have you been up to this week?
If we were having Coffee: I’d say don’t worry about that guy sat over there on the right , he is quite pleasant if you don’t upset him and keep his coffee cup full up! I’d step carefully if I were you the coffee seems to be going straight through him but we do not need to upset him my mentioning it do, we. He arrived last night for Halloween and so far he has made no move to leave. Personally I can’t see he is doing any harm.
If we were having Coffee: I tell you it has been a strange week, one full of house sitting, windows, brief flashes of the Newbie and a visit to a private hospital! Where shall we start? The private hospital yes lets talk about that first. Now the husband needs an operation and it is being done on the National Health. He received a letter asking him to pick an appointment at one of the under named hospitals . One of the hospitals was a private one , after reading that this hospital was meant to be there the husband opted to choose it . It appears that the surgeons who work at the Private Hospitals do NHS work as well and it looks like they can also treat some patient from NHS at the private hospital and the NHS pays.
Well as it is a day operation we thought why not. So we drove to the hospital and it had free parking which totally threw us for a start you pay dearly by the hour at an NHS Hospital or clinic! When we went inside it was like being in the entrance lobby to an expensive hotel. We were greeted and and booked in by ladies in smart and fashionable uniforms . The Husband was asked to have his photo taken for recognition and security then we were asked to take a seat and handed two paper disks. There were soft leather chairs and sofas with glass top coffee tables in the waiting area. There was also a restaurant all set up for dinner with crisp linen serviettes and silver cutlery and wine glasses. Certainly not the hard chairs , WRVS cafe or vending machine you get at the NHS. Though to be fair some do have a good canteen/ restaurant but they are pricey. The two paper discs we had been given were for a complimentary, tea, coffee or juice. You don’t get that on the NHS.
After a very short while the husband was whisked away by a nurse who came to get him to see the specialist. While he was gone I had a good look around from what I could see there was a shop selling handbags, scarves, perfume and soaps , rather like a hotel shop. The restaurant looked absolutely beautiful. Really it was like being in a parallel universe. I am sorry to go on but the difference between private and NHS hospitals is extremely marked. I have had treatment at a private clinic before but I had not seen one like this one!
NHS Waiting Room
I have put two photos here to show the obvious differences between the two types of hospitals. We usually have to go to the NHS hospitals so this has been an eye opening experience. I will let you know how the operation goes, we are waiting for a date from the hospital.
If we were having coffee: I would have to say that it has been a very tiring week we have been dashing back and forth between hospitals (albeit posh ones) and the Newbie’s parents house to be there while new windows were put in. The husband kept busy gardening while I did some odd jobs around the house. It was extra good because we got to see the Newbie , he is so cute now and has really found his giggle button. I cannot tell you how much I love that little guy.
Where are my manners, would you like another cuppa or something naughty but nice to eat…. Don’t worry about that quiet guy on the right he is well behaved as long as no one disturbs him!
Beautiful Poppy
Cheeky Pumpkins
If we were having coffee: I have to say that my lovely eldest sister knitted me the most beautiful poppy to wear with pride. She is a very clever lady and she can knit, sew, crochet and her latest talent is scrap booking! Here above are some of her amazing knits!
If we were having coffee: I would say I am glad to see that October has come to a close. It has been a long month in which I have tried to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month with poems and videos some of them very personal. Unfortunately I was unaware that it was also MS. Awareness Month . agwink of Kentucky Angel sent me this comment “This was also MS Awareness month, but we don’t have the press breast cancer has. I hope someday that will change for all of us with orphan diseases.” I do feel very sorry about this and I shall ask you all to think about this, I shall have to think about this one and see if I cannot write something.
If we were having coffee: I ask if you like some Chocolate cake or some of the Cherry Bakewell or maybe a Caribbean or Russian Coffee? Well come on it’s your turn now to let me and Paul know what you are all thinking ! We both look forward to seeing you next week! Same place same time!
Where you can feel okay about having a vodka tonic while playing with your children with a splash of my feminist views and a whole hell of a lot of female empowerment
