Perhaps I had ambitions to be an MP - or an undertaker!

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

No.209

WISE MEN SAY

May I have the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
(Reinhold Niebuhr)

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THROUGH THE CAMERA LENS



This is an 1886 photograph of some of the inhabitants of St Kilda outside their cottages.

St Kilda lies 40 miles from the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. There had been a small population there for hundreds of years, but since the middle of the 19th century there were never more than 100 people living there. The story of the evacuation of the inhabitants in 1930 is well-known, but I was too young then to know anything about it.

Today St Kilda is owned by the National Trust and became a World Heritage Site in 1986. The island attracts a good number of bird-watchers for it has become famous as a breeding ground for seabirds. Other visitors to the island are volunteers who are helping to restore some of the ruined houses. There’s also a small military base.

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JOHN’S GALLERY


And when did you last see your father?
by William Frederick Yeames (1835-1918)

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POETRY FOR PLEASURE

Two Kinds of People by
Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850-1919)

There are two kinds of people on earth to-day;
Just two kinds of people, no more, I say.
Not the sinner and saint, for it's well understood,
The good are half bad, and the bad are half good.

Not the rich and the poor, for to rate a man's wealth,
You must first know the state of his conscience and health.
Not the humble and proud, for in life's little span,
Who puts on vain airs, is not counted a man.

Not the happy and sad, for the swift flying years
Bring each man his laughter and each man his tears.
No - the two kinds of people on earth I mean,
Are the people who lift, and the people who lean.

Wherever you go, you will find the earth's masses,
Are always divided in just these two classes.
And oddly enough, you will find too, I ween,
There's only one lifter to twenty who lean.

In which class are you? Are you easing the load,
Of overtaxed lifters, who toil down the road?
Or are you a leaner, who lets others share
Your portion of labour, and worry and care?

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Spring Song
by Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
played by Ronan O'Hora
uploaded by Derwentcub



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A QUOTE FOR 80 PLUS

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.
(Mae West)

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80 PLUS COMES TO AN END ON FRIDAY

THE NEW BLOG BEGINS ON SATURDAY

http://takefivewithjohn.blogspot.com

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