Oh dear, where did those last 3 weeks go?!! Switzerland was magnificent and I have spent (hopefully not wasted....) many hours collating all the pics from the various digital cameras and added music and sound effects. Having written it to a DVD I am doing a bit of tweaking as a prelude to making it available to all contributors.
Yesterday the majority of the fmaily went on the 'church walk' - there were only 4 children and myself left behind. Lucy and I set up our sewing machines at opposing ends of the dining table and spent an enjoyable and lengthy period of time working on our respective quilts. I thought it was about time I started on David's and hope (!!) to get it finished before we start back at schoolwork (hopefully...) next week.
On New-year's eve we stayed up in the excellent company of a family from church and the American family who were staying in the cabin, as well as Becky. The neighbours had warned us earlier that there was a 'very big' firework display going to be set off at midnight. Not sure about anyone else but I spilt my champagne when it started! We were all convinced that it was the most impressive fireworks display we have ever seen (even better than the one we saw on the Cobb at Lyme Regis back in the summer) with the exception fo the Ripley fireworks display which happens each October. Having it all happen directly over one's head was a new experience for all of us and at one particular moment several of us ducked and covered out heads. Victoria was woken up by all the noise but was unperturbed by the unusual circumstances - she was even quite jolly.
should one make new-year resolutions? I have in the past done so, out of obligation to 'peer pressure' but never thought them worth the paper they were written on. However, I always remember that in 1973 I wrote in my diary that my Dad had given up smoking. He has no idea how his continued resolve in this area has permanently and posiitvely influenced me and I still 'take my hat off' to him, knowing how hard it was. On the subject of my father, another thing I shall always be indebted to him for was the tenacity he showed, and which I witnessed during the school holidays. He would, from time to time, want to learn a new piece on the banjo. Never having disciplined himself to read music, he would have a cassette with the piece on. he would play, listen, rewind, play, listen, rewind etc, slowly progressing through the piece until he could reproduce it on his banjo. I learnt through this that when practicing tricky sections it is worth doing it 10's of times trying to iron out the errors AND that in spite of appearances today, it will all run amazingly smoother tommorow.
there must be something about this truth which I can apply to the mundane, non-musical aspects of my life and learning.....