When I was a boy, my parents opened a savings account for me. I was given a bank book in my name, and felt quite grown-up going into the bank and making my small deposit.

I remember the words that appeared on the first page of the bank book - “Take care of the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves.” And at the bottom of the page I read that I should never be ashamed of depositing small sums, and was assured that “the manager will rejoice to see you with your shilling.”

There are many Scottish proverbs and sayings about money, and here are a few.

Mony a mickle maks a muckle (Saving a small amount increases to a large amount)
The deaf man aye hears the clink o’ money
Wilful waste makes woeful want
A fou purse never lacks freens (A full purse never short of friends)
He that spends his gear before he gets it will hae but little guid o't (If you spend money before you get it, you won’t get much benefit from it)
Greed is envy’s aulder brither. Scraggy wark they mak thegither (Greed is envy’s older brother. Together, they make a poor job of things.)
And a very old one -
Ask thy purse what thou shouldst spend

-o-0-o-

I must admit that I miss those far off days when I produced my bank book each time I made a transaction and had it marked up. Nowadays they try to persuade me to use the automatic teller thing (they have one inside and one outside) but I prefer to join the queue and have a real person deal with me!

And while I’m thinking of the good old days, I look back fondly when customers were served by shop assistants at the counter and all their purchases were brought to them. Mind you, I suppose I’ve got used to trailing around supermarket aisles. And we’re fortunate in Sainsbury’s where you can always find an assistant who will actually take you find the item you’re seeking. Not so in Tesco’s where often can’t find anyone to help.

Now, to change the subject, here are 4 great photographs which I found on stumbleupon.com

Click on them to enlarge.

-o-0-o-

George Shearing 1919-2011

One of the greatest jazz pianists of the 20th century died on 14th February.

Blind from birth, the youngest of a family of nine, he was brought up in London. His father was a coalman, and his mother looked after the children during the day and cleaned trains at night. While still a young man, his reputation as a fine pianist was well-known. In 1947 he emigrated to America. He was not forgotten in his home country and in 1996 the Queen awarded him the OBE. There was a further honour in 2006 when he was knighted becoming Sir George Shearing.

This is a nice example of his gentle style of playing.

-o-0-o-



-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-