Some of us are devouring as many books as possible during this pandemic whilst others seem to have lost their motivation! So, many thanks to those who have passed on their comments about the books they have read and let’s hope once we can get back together as a group we will hopefully become more enthused.
Choir Group
January isn’t usually a cheerful, sunny month, and the one just past was no exception, although it was brightened in our home by tuneful and kind choir members. David celebrated a birthday, and I had arranged a Ring and Sing call for him, so on the day left him to answer the ‘phone when it rang. On being told it was someone from the choir he began to call for me, then stopped. I saw him begin to smile, as presumably they began to sing the greeting, and by the end of the call he was beaming. He was full of praise for the singer, and I was pleased that he had enjoyed it, if a little surprised at the extent of his pleasure.
However, I appreciated how he felt a few days later, when my own birthday occurred. I organize the Ring and Sing requests, so a surprise call couldn’t be arranged for me, instead, I explained my predicament in one of my regular emails to choir members, and invited calls from anyone who would like to Ring and Sing on the day. What a great group our choir is, several members responded, and it was super. Family singalongs always occur and are appreciated, but I couldn’t tell you quite how nice it was to pick up the ‘phone and be surprised by cheerfully sung birthday wishes instead of someone trying to sell me something.
One of the singers gave me her details and a request, so I shall arrange a happy call for her too. I recommend it, I can’t recommend it enough, it is surprisingly cheering and pleasing, and had me smiling all day. Feel free to request a call for someone, or treat yourself. (You would need to know that the recipient wouldn’t mind you divulging their telephone number or birthday) The request form is on the website under ‘Choir’.
Just February to get through now, then it’s Spring! Spring! Spring! (Oh, the barnyard is busy …)The bulbs are shooting and growing fast, it won’t be long before we can sing all the lovely Spring songs. Continue to take care everyone, the vaccine doesn’t provide immunity, it only gives us some protection from Covid, stay in good health, then hopefully we’ll see each other at our u3a meetings at some time in the future.
Cheers, Christine.
Reading Group
Due to the Library closure we did not have a particular set book this month but the librarian had been helpful in that she had put together at least three sets of books which we could collect and which hopefully would cover our January, February, March reading needs. But then the next lockdown came along and the Library closed! So we have all been dipping into our own bookshelves and also have been swapping bags of books to tide us over.
I was given a book as a birthday gift which took me right back into my childhood – “Growing up in the 1950’s” by Paul Feeney. Memories of outside toilets, tin bath in front of the fire on a Sunday listening to “Sing Something Simple”, toasting fork, stone hot water bottle, fur coat and my dad’s old Army coat on the beds as extra blankets, frost on the inside of the bedroom window, bread and dripping, no telly; the list is endless. I wouldn’t want to go back to all that but people’s general attitudes and ethics would be welcomed back these days – no mobiles at the dinner table, you ate what you were given or starve, no striving for the latest clothes or gadgets; even the Teddy boys were not really as violent as they were portrayed compared to the knife wielding yobs today. The Teddy boys spent a lot of money on their draped coats and wouldn’t want to damage them! I wonder if today’s youth will look back with fond memories of present day activities and attitudes? Oh well, back to the books.
Choir
I hope everyone enjoyed Christmas, in whatever way you celebrated. We opted out of a family gathering, so spent it quietly at home, thankful for Facetime enabling us to see and chat safely to our loved ones, and admire all the gifts our grandchildren received. I imagine a few of us did the same thing.
There was a little interaction over the festive season though. Thanks to Rose (really, many thanks, Rose) the choir were able to present our usual floral token of thanks to our accompanist and musical director, Margaret. I had been concerned as to how we may manage it this year (I’m going nowhere, so felt reluctant about asking it of someone else) but Rose agreed right away, and to taking a photo’ to mark the event, and you can see from the super photo’ she provided that we were, as usual, able to express our thanks with flowers. Thank you for all your efforts, Margaret.
All good wishes for a happy and peaceful 2021.’
Reading Group
The December set book was Becoming by Michelle Obama which has been reviewed by Goodreads website as follows; In her memoir, a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling, Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her — from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world’s most famous address. With unerring honesty and lively wit, she describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it — in her own words and on her own terms. Warm, wise, and revelatory, Becoming is the deeply personal reckoning of a woman of soul and substance who has steadily defied expectations and whose story inspires us to do the same.
I personally enjoyed the first third which covered her upbringing the most but got a bit bogged down in the rest but still enjoyed the book on the whole.