Smile

 Smile 

Or leave me one



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Neighbours

One woman made it big in the world of fashion. The other woman made it big in the world of historical fiction. They both died this year. What is little known is that they were born within a mile of each other, twenty five miles west of this keyboard near the Derbyshire town of Glossop.

The red arrow points to the birthplace of Dame Vivienne Westwood at Millbrook near Hollingworth and the blue arrow points to Number 20 Brosscroft where Dame Hilary Mantel was born in 1952. I doubt that they ever met each other for they moved in different circles and Vivienne Swire (later Westwood) was born eleven years earlier.
Above, Dame Hilary Mantel who died at the age of seventy following a stroke. Her physical health and well-being was blighted by endometriosis. She won The Booker prize twice - first for "Wolf Hall" and then for "Bring Up The Bodies". Below - her childhood home at 20 Brosscroft, Hadfield.
Above - Dame Vivienne Westwood who was not only a fashion trendsetter and designer but also an activist who addressed a range of causes and remained a rebel to the end. She was 81 years old when she died in her London home just yesterday. Below - Number 6 Millbrook between Hollingworth and Tintwistle where she spent her formative years
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Meanwhile, The Laughing Horse Awards Committee remain in a huddle as they thrash out the merits and indeed the weaknesses of nominees. They have asked me to convey their sincere apologies for the late cancellation of the New Year's Eve Ceremony/Party. It was supposed to be held at luxurious Bantry House in south west Ireland with music supplied by Van Morrison and his band. An Italian American comedian had also been booked for the amusement of assembled guests - Sebastian Maniscalco. Compensation for the late cancellations runs into many thousands. The fault lay squarely with Bantry House who double booked. Their manager - Mick Shenanigan  got their 2022 mixed up with their 2023! Can you believe it?


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Chimes

 

An old friend sent me a wind chime at Christmas
I opened it today and hung it under the honeysuckle by the front door this morning.
I feel a bit flat today and after walking the dogs at 8 am I went back to bed in the spare room with Dorothy who licked my feet more out of duty than of want.
Roger had opened his bowels during his mad half hour runaround last night on my double bed
And the duvet cover is now drying on the field gate.
It’s blustery today.
Coldish
I’ve been sat on the sofa for over an hour, trying to get myself going
I had no idea it’s Friday.
I listened to the sporadic chimes, ringing gently through the letterbox and finally collected in the Christmas cards standing on the window ledge 
In my friend’s card he had written carefully “Hear the wind and think of me “ 

And so I did.



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