Throwback Thursday #52 – Transitions and Modifications

Welcome to Throwback Thursday the brainchild of Lauren and Maggie. This week it’s Maggie’s turn and she said : “Here we are again, taking a trip back in time. This week might take a little memory work to recall a few things, but it should be fun. Part of growing up is finding you own way of self expression. This comes about in many ways so think back. Are you ready? If you care to join us, it’s easy.”

This week’s prompt is: Transitions and Modifications

Think about your first haircut. Were you the kid that cut your own hair? Did you go to a salon or did your parents cut your hair? Did your parents save a lock of your hair?

Right…. Mum was a hairdresser before she married dad she actually had her own salon in Oxford. Like most little girls in those days I had long hair and every night mum would tie it in rags so as to produce long thick ringlets. The trouble was it was a very uncomfortable process and I hated it!
As I got older mum would always cut my hair as she had everyone else in the family. She even did my first perm …. A disaster, I got really teased about that. When I was about thirteen I got my first professional cut at a salon I had a Cilla Black cut! Not unlike the style I have now. In between I have had all sorts and colours!

How about shaving? Fathers often teach their sons to shave. Most girls I know, decided for themselves when to shave their legs and their underarms. Some cultures do not shave at all.

My sister’s gave me tips on when and how to shave , though we also used to use Immac Cream which is now called Veet Cream a lot safer than a razor .

Did you alter your clothes? Cut jeans into cut-offs? Cut the sleeves off t-shirts? Wear graphic tees? Tie-dyes? Sew patches on your jeans?

I used to buy Jeans then sit in the bath until they shrank to my size. I did a lot of tie-dyed, cut off T-shirts and jeans too.

Was there a time you remember challenging the authority in your household. Do you remember the first time you found your voice?

No not really….I can remember arguments with mum …. But never with Dad . I might of muttered behind his back but never to his face.

What about piercings? Girls getting their ears pierced was a rite of passage for girls. Then boys started getting one ear pierced. As time passed, piercings became more mainstream and accepted.

I never had piercings even to this day I have no piercings.

Did you walk on the wild side? Smoking? Drinking? Did your parents know?

Yes I tried both but I was married by seventeen.
At first I didn’t tell my parents but as I got older they knew. I stopped smoking in my late thirties and never looked back.

What about tattoos? Did you get a tattoo while still living at home? Did your parents approve?

Never wanted a tattoo I don’t think any of my brothers or sisters had them either. Two of my son’s have them .

What about language? Was swearing allowed in your family? Did you use the same language around your friends as you did at home with your family?

We were not allowed to swear or blasphem. We also had to speak correctly. Again I found people would take against me if I spoke correctly and they would call me posh . Yes I did speak differently with friends and school to when I was at home.

Think back to high school. Girls, did you iron your hair? Did you color your hair? (using Sun-in counts!) Guys, did you grow a beard or moustache? Did you grow your hair long? Feel free to share a photo of yourself back in the day.

I was definitely au natural at school, we were taught by nuns!!

Many people think our authentic self is the person we were as young children. Are you still inherently the same person you were as a child or have you changed your personality and demeanor along the way?

I am what I am always was and always will be. What you see is what you get …. perhaps a little wiser and definitely a lot older. Now I colour my hair and my nails Dad would call me a painted lady if he saw me now.

Song Lyric Sunday: Pets, Names, Memories .

Jim Adams

Today Di of Pensitivity101 has given us the prompt for Jim Adam’s Song Lyric Sunday. Di’s prompt is – Pets, Names, Memories .

I love dogs, the are the most loving animals, they work with us and for us. The most important thing is they give us unconditional love.

Our Dog Ruby is a retired guide dog, we have taken her for her free run exercise time since she started working at eighteen months, when she retired she came to live with us.

® willowdot21

In 1967 I was very much in love with the Rolling Stones. I was still at school and I had a Saturday job in a boutique in Ealing West London. I had met hubby…..

“Ruby Tuesday” is a song recorded by the Rolling Stones in 1966, released in January 1967. The song became the band’s fourth number-one hit in the United States and reached number three in the United Kingdom as a double A-side with “Let’s Spend the Night Together“. The song was included in the American version of Between the Buttons (in the UK, singles were often excluded from studio albums).

“Ruby Tuesday” was recorded around November 1966 at Olympic Studios, during the sessions for their album Between the Buttons. The song was produced by Andrew Loog Oldham. Brian Jones plays a countermelody on an alto recorder, while the double bass was played jointly by bassist Bill Wyman and guitarist Keith Richards; Wyman did the fingerings while Richards bowed the instrument.

Richards explained that the lyrics are about Linda Keith, his girlfriend in the mid-1960s, who had left him for another superstar rocker and sent him into an emotional tailspin. In Life, his autobiography, he says, “Basically, Linda [Keith] is ‘Ruby Tuesday.

“That’s a wonderful song,” Mick Jagger told Jann Wenner in 1995. “It’s just a nice melody, really. And a lovely lyric. Neither of which I wrote, but I always enjoy singing it.” Wyman states in Rolling with the Stones that the lyrics were completely written by Richards with help from Jones on the musical composition. However, Marianne Faithfull recalls it differently; according to her, Jones presented an early version of this melody to the rest of the Rolling Stones. According to Victor Bockris, Richards came up with the basic track and the words and finished the song with Jones in the studio.

Marianne Evelyn Gabriel Faithfull (born 29 December 1946) is an English singer and actress. She achieved popularity in the 1960s with the release of her hit single “As Tears Go By” and became one of the lead female artists during the British Invasion in the United States.

Born in Hampstead, London, Faithfull began her career in 1964 after attending a Rolling Stones party, where she was discovered by Andrew Loog Oldham. Her debut album Marianne Faithfull (1965) (released simultaneously with her album Come My Way) was a commercial success followed by a number of albums on Decca Records. From 1966 to 1970, she had a highly publicised romantic relationship with Mick Jagger. Her popularity was further enhanced by her film roles, such as those in I’ll Never Forget What’s’isname (1967), The Girl on a Motorcycle (1968), and Hamlet (1969). However, her popularity was overshadowed by personal problems in the 1970s. During that time she was anorexic, homeless, and a heroin addict.

Noted for her distinctive voice, Faithfull’s previously melodic and higher-registered vocals (which were prevalent throughout her career in the 1960s) were affected by severe laryngitis, coupled with persistent drug abuse during the 1970s, permanently altering her voice, leaving it raspy, cracked and lower in pitch. This new sound was praised as “whisky soaked” by some critics and seen as having helped to capture the raw emotions expressed in Faithfull’s music.

After a long commercial absence, Faithfull made a comeback with the 1979 release of her critically acclaimed album Broken English. The album was a commercial success and marked a resurgence of her musical career. Broken English earned Faithfull a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance and is often regarded as her “definitive recording”. She followed this with a series of albums, including Dangerous Acquaintances (1981), A Child’s Adventure (1983), and Strange Weather (1987). Faithfull also wrote three books about her life: Faithfull: An Autobiography (1994), Memories, Dreams & Reflections (2007), and Marianne Faithfull: A Life on Record (2014).

Faithfull is listed on VH1‘s “100 Greatest Women of Rock and Roll” list. She received the World Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2009 Women’s World Awards and was made a Commandeur of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the government of France.

There is so much that Marianne went through it is an amazing story if you have time do read here it is worth it.

HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE 💜💜

Throwback Thursday #47 Hanging Out.

Welcome back to Throwback Thursday

Lauren’s in the hot seat this week for Throwback Thursday and she says:This week’s prompt is: Hanging Out  Feel write about a place or places you liked to hang out in your youth.

Throwback Thursday is the brainchild of Maggie and Lauren.

So here we go HANGING OUT.

Did you spend more time hanging out at friend’s houses or away from the eyes and ears of parents?

Yes I did , I did not have a great many school friends but I did have a few really nice ones , we used to stay at eachother’s homes occasionally it always fun to be somewhere else. Most of them had big gardens and houses so we always had plenty of places to hide and play. One girl had a great big garden that had a hole in the fence which lead to a huge field we had a whale of a time in there just running wild!

If you stayed home, how did you spend your time?

Colouring , playing with Teddy , reading and as I got older listening to music 💜💜

Did you have a favorite eatery.

With friends? Two really the fish and chip shop at the top of our road and the Wimpy Bar in Ealing Broadway!

Did you go to the mall with friends?

We didn’t have Malls in the UK. But we had high streets and occasionally we go shopping in a group, only window shopping, we never had much to spend!

Did you choose to socialize at bowling alleys, arcades, or roller rinks?

No really definitely not until I was about sixteen and even then very rarely. I can remember bowling once or twice, I loved it. Arcades were were we went on holiday by the sea, usually penny machines. I never ice or roller skated but my sister’s did.

Did you go miniature golfing or do another outside activity?

Again miniature golf was when we were on holiday. I spent a lot of time at the park it was a huge place with a museum, cafe, play area, boating lake, fishing lake, and all sorts of pitches. It was in the same road I lived in.

Did you hang around after school killing time? What did you do?

I always went straight home unless I was on detention …. Hang around at school…never couldn’t get away and home quick enough.

Did your parents typically know where you were?

Yes mostly.

Did you prefer to “hang” with friends or family members?

Hard to say I loved both.

Was it “cool” to be seen hanging out at any particular place?

The Wimpy Bar, the Cinema, and I loved our local youth club that was the place to be! That’s where I met hubby 😉

Was there a place you wanted to hang out, but weren’t allowed to?

No not really 🤣

Throwback Thursday – #44 – Fireworks Celebrations

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This week Lauren has asked us about our memories and feelings about our childhood experiences with fireworks.

1) What are your earliest memories of watching fireworks?

I think I was probably three and I can remember being carried around by my eldest sister. I was wrapped in a blanket, I remember the light and heat from the huge bonfire. The noise and the pretty lights. I remember feeling warm and safe and tomato soup hot and warming.

2) Were you more afraid or excited at the time?

I was excited but mainly I was tired but I remember good feelings.

3) What occasions were celebrated with watching fireworks?

When I was a child it was only Guy Fawkes night Nov 5th ….one of my bothers got married on that date I guess it was a good way of never forgetting his Anniversary!

4) Did you travel to fireworks shows, or did your family have their own, safe and sane explosives?

I don’t remember the family ever traveling to a display. We had a small back garden but our nextdoor neighbours had a huge garden that ran down to the Cemetery…it was huge. Most years we had a party there with a big bonfire that neighbours and friends would spend a couple of days building. There were always lots of people there . Everyone brought fireworks but it was the duty of about four of the men to be in sole charge of the display.
There were always jacket potatoes and tomato soup and usually a pudding too.

5) Did you ever light off illegal fireworks?

I don’t remember ever doing so but I was a scary cat! I remember my brothers would throw “jumping jacks ” around and ‘bangers’ too and that used scare me . I know of several people who were maimed or blinded my rogue fireworks or misshandled usage.

6) Did you typically have a family celebration before the nighttime display? What did it include?

We always had a gathering before we all went next door and often afterwards too. Usually some food, alcohol and drinks for the adults. It was always impromptu and when I was old enough to join in fun!

7) As you grew older, did your feelings about fireworks change?

No, not at all they are fine at a distance and properly organised. I am not keen on big displays …I don’t like, crowds or noise . As our boys got old enough to enjoy fireworks we always, if hubby was around or on my own if he was working, went to the Guy Fawkes night parade from our town centre up to the big field where a bonfire was lit by the Mayor. There was always a fun fair and food and drink stalls. The boys loved it. I was always exhausted when we got back because I had had to pretend it had been fun!

8) Now the thinker: Many places are restricting fireworks now because of the trauma it can cause to pets, young children, and sensitive adults. How do you feel about restricting fireworks?

I totally agree, they should not be on general sale. If you want fireworks you should go to a properly organised display. All too often these days people let fireworks off for birthdays, weddings, parties, New Year’s any old excuse.
Unfortunately these days fireworks sound like guns and bombs and are very unsettling for pets, nervous people and children alike. There is a new reason too we have many Ukrainian refugees staying in the UK there some staying near to us , I doubt they want to hear them a odd times..

This is part of Lauren and Maggie’s brainchild, Throwback Thursday.

A Poem for Bob’s Passing.

Today is a sad day. We heard of the death of our Bestman and friend Bob. We never lost touch with him but we had not seen him face to face for nearly forty years. Last year we met up with him at our Golden Wedding anniversary and again this year with five other friends from the park we used to go to as teenagers.

For Bob

Playing football after dark
Meeting mates down the park
Two lads growing through their teens.
Full of hopes , fun and dreams.

Both became each others right hand man.
One made best man, so grand.
Each had the others wing
Staying friends was their thing.

© willowdot21

As years went by the meetings dwindled
Though memories were often kindled.
Eventually a yuletide greeting
With promises of a reunion meeting.

The years and miles kept them separated.
Til an anniversary meeting was fated.
Soon the years just fell away
As they celebrated 50 years since that wedding day.

© willowdot21

Then a meeting with friends from the park.
Food and beer talk of aging, having a lark .
Talk of knees and operations
Grandchildren, bills and vacations.

A simple operation on the cards
Who’d of thought the outcome could be so hard.
The heart once so big and strong
Could not cope and he was gone.

We are left behind unbelieving
Only just back together, now left grieving.

© willowdot21

9th April 1951 — 22nd April 2022.

Throwback Thursday – April 7 – #33 – Going to the Movies

Maggie and Lauren..

Thursday was yesterday which means it time for Maggie and Lauren’s join venture.

It’s Lauren’s choice for this week’s prompt for Throwback Thursday : Going to the Movies. 

Do you remember specific times you went to indoor movies or drive in theatres?

We didn’t have drive in Movies in the U.K. until very recently and as yet I have never been to a drive in movie!

Do you remember the first time for either?

The first film I can remember seeing as a child was when my mum took me to see Snow White , the original Disney version. It was truly the most wonderful thing I had ever seen.

I believe I went to see “A man for all seasons” a fantastic historical film set in the court of Henry VIII and the man for all seasons in question was Thomas Moore. Our convent was a five minute walk from the cinema so we all walked upon crocodile formation.🐊

Do you remember going with friends and not parents?

I remember going to the cinema with a girl friend or friends we usually went to see pop star films . We saw “Catch us if you can” starring the Dave Clarke Five, “Hold on” starring Herman’s Hermits. There were other films but I really can’t remember them 😊

Please share one or more experiences about going to the movies.

My sister Frankie took me to see Westside story again I was totally enthralled by the sing and dancing I loved it.

I must of been to the cinema in my courting days with hubby but I can’t remember…. I can remember more recent trips but not early ones. I also remember us taking the boys and often their friends to cinema : Star Trek, Star Wars, Flash Gorden (that was fun) A film where we all stood up and cheered!

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and took the children to many more!

I also remember hubby and I and friends going to see Brave Heart…we stood and cheered at his speech before the battle and I don’t think there was a Scottish person in the cinema!

As I say there have been many many more and concerts too 💜💜

Throwback Thursday #31 – Technology Influences

Today its Thursday and it’s Maggie’s turn to pick the Throwback Thursday Challenge. The subject is Technology Influences. Maggie’s post should be interesting because she has had a long and varied career in I.T.

What kind of technology existed around your house as a child?
We had huge wireless full of valves which too years to warm up! Dad had a telephone, it was part paid for by the NUVB National Union Of Vehicle Builders, because he was a union rep and shopsteward for the organisation and worked tirelessly for them every evening and occasionally weekends after a long day’s work at his day job. He was an upolster and made the seats for the London Tubes and Buses… He was a body maker for London Transport.

What technology do you remember coming into your home for the first time?
The Telephone of course, The electric iron poor mum had to cope with a heavy iron irons that you heated up on the stove! When I was about twelve/thirteen years old our first TV arrived! We rented ours from The Rediffusion retail chain, renting and servicing TVs, radios, VCRs and hi-fi systems, was common on high streets until it was bought by Granada Rentals in 1984. The VCRs and stereo system were beyond our means!
What kind of televisions or radios did you have – post pictures if you can find them.
We had a rental T.V. black and white and not very big. As I said the radio / wireless was huge and like the T.V it had valves too. Eventually my brothers and sisters got transistor radios, they seemed tiny and we had a red and grey Dansette record player and there was a reel to reel tape recorder.

How did music technology change in your lifetime?
Well we went from scratchy 78s to 45s and 33¹/³ vinyl to tapes, cassettes, CDs  to streaming on line  and funnily enough back to vinyl!
When was the last time you purchased music? In what form was the music?
Streamed from iPlayer Imogen Heap, and a CD also Imogen heap!
Did you have a home computer? If so, what was it?
Not when I was young …my hubby had one from work a Toshiba I believe. Our eldest first purchase in his early teens was an Amiga. The boys progressed to towers and laptops, tablets and phones!

Did you have a webcam? Did you stream content with it?
Yes I do but no not really.
What kind of phone did you have? Do you have a landline today?
I have a Moto 600 5G. Yes we do have a land line .
Did you have toys with integrated technology, robots, automation, etc?
No but the boys did.A dog robot.

What technology ‘blew your mind’?
Nothing really I just accepted it all!

When did you get your first cell phone?
I held out against a cell / mobile phone for ages , I guess it was late 90s and was either a motoroller or Samsung. Compared to my present phone it was a brick and was just a phone.

What brand and model was it? Did you carry a pager?
As above but no I never had a pager but hubby and the boys have all had them for work . I remember in 1988 hubby came home from work and he had a brief case which when opened up had a large phone in it almost like a walky talky lol we were impressed a mobile phone!

Is there any current technology you refuse to own or have in your home?
No I don’t think so …not keen on internal security cameras but they do help us look after Ruby 💜💜

Throwback Thursday #30 – Religious Influences

Lauren and Maggie share giving us the prompts for Throwback Thursday. This week it Lauren choice for this week’s prompt is: The impact of religion.

Lauren says “Religion (faith) is very important to many people. Even the decision to not follow a religion has an impact on our lives. It is rare for two people to have the exact same belief of the origins of religion. Religion (faith) often provides a cultural identity as well as a system of values and ethics. The choice to follow a religion (faith)  can offer a community of like mined people as well as a division between others who are not of your faith.”

Did your family attend services together?

I was bought up Roman Catholic, with an Irish father and English protestant convert to Catholism Mother. We all went to Confession on Saturdays and church on Sunday.
Did you attend weekly, more than once a week, only on specific holidays, or some other designated time frame?

We all went to church twice a week and also every Church holiday, Easter, Christmas and saints days.
Was everyone of the same thought as to what faith to follow?

In our house yes indeed.
Did you have friends specifically from church/synagogue/ temple/ mosque, etc.?

No not really except when I was in the choir but more acquaintances than friends.
Did your family practice religious ceremonies at home?

Not really but we would eat special foods on special days and fast on others
If you chose to depart from what your family believed (and feel like sharing) why did you do so?

I did I am no longer a Catholic, my hubby and I are both agnostic but hope we are good Christians. I dispair at some of the dreadful things done in the name of religion and church. I believe I am agnostic much more because of my experiences at school , a convent taught by Nuns. My parents and siblings were and are wonderful Christians as well as Catholics. I am hope I am a good Christian.

God Blesd everyone 💚☘️🍀💜🇺🇦🇬🇧

The Friday Reminder for #SoCS & #JusJoJan 2022 Daily Prompt – Jan. 15th.

jusjojan© LindaGHill

Welcome to the Daily 2022 Just Jot it January Prompt and the Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt for SATURDAY, JANUARY 15th! .

For those of you joining SoCS for the first time, it’s a little different than the other prompts in that it’s not always a whole or single word. If you’re joining in from JusJoJan, don’t want to write stream of consciousness style, no worries. It’s up to you! If you do want to try it, please check out the rules on LindaGHill’s page .It’s fun! Here’s your Saturday prompt:

Badge by Shelley Krupa..

Your prompt for #JusJoJan and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “a rainy day.” Write about the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the phrase “a rainy day.” Enjoy!

A rainy day in London.

A rainy day keeping an eye on the weather.
Two friends spending a day together
In their home city.
They came by train
They have umbrellas incase of rain.

© willowdot21

Heavy grey laden clouds hang above
The roofs opposite, threatening.
White swans glide a pair for life
Light fades rain threatening
Where can we shelter
Lights from cafes
Glisten in
Dappled
Thames.

#TankaTuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 256, Colleen’s Specific Form: haiku

WELCOME TO #TANKATUESDAY!

This week’s form is: Haiku.

I have decided to write three Haiku, using the three forms I know, 5/7/5, 3/5/3 and 3/2/3.

I suffer from Raynaud’s disease it was undiganosed as a child so winter is full of cold memories. I also took the music of Tori Amos as an inspiration.

I missed last week’s due to my eyes but it’s not going away over night so I am pushing forward in to this new year happy to be in such great company.

in early winter
the earth stands frozen in time
hibernation’s key.

*****

Memories
Of winter that’s past
Dreaming time

*****

Winter
Solid earth
Waiting.

Photo © Sue Vincent

part of Colleen’s Tuesday Tanka Challenge.