Heartbreak and Courage 😘

If my heart was breaking for the loss of a person close to me, it would take courage to sing at a funeral.
I would be too close to tears. I have tears at weddings too????

A vicar I knew preferred funerals to weddings…You know where people are going at funerals. Weddings…you have no idea what will happen.

Princess Diana

It is always heartbreaking when a romance or marriage ends, or innocent people are caught up in disasters, accidents or wars. There are still heroes that arise.

There are interesting situations of broken heart and courage in many songs.

Recently brave mountaineers were lost in bad conditions. There are many brave or courageous people faving tough challenges.

A broken heart is painful to deal with it can take a long time to heal.

The murder of Daphne Caruana Galitzia was terrible trauma  for her family. The case took nine years to reach the court. Life changed drastically for her family who were heartbroken.

Daphne was murdered by a bomb placed under her car. Her screams were heard as she was blown to pieces. One of her sons, he ran bare foot across a field, seeing parts of his mother on the ground and her car a fire ball. He was helpless.

I followed the case which took nine years to go to court, because two weeks before her murder. I had sat opposite her in a coffee bar. The case finished recently. The man on trial, Jurgen Fenech, was acquitted of the murder by a  jury verdict of 8-1. There was a public outcry.

Daphne, as a journalist, brought to light corruptions after discovering The Panama papers. Daphne was full of life with everything to live for. She had courage.

I listened to a video of an interview of her son Mathew, who spoke English to the Maltese spoken by the interviewing journalist. Mathew carried himself well, talking about his happy childhood and his mother.
The video showed his love of gardens, and the house he grew up in.

One sentence that struck me was Mathew’s courage. He said he had hated the country for what had happened to his mother, but he was brave to speak in court, and research the case, and give a speech in front of thousands of supporters.

He realized ….it was the corrupt men who had murdered his mother, rather than the country he had blamed, standing in front of the courts in a demonstration of the thousands of people who supported him in his battle for justice in the country. He was not alone. The country was behind him. The demonstrations became global for justice for Daphne. Britain,The Netherlands, Italy and many more countries. He appreciated most of the country supporting his family it gave him strength to continue.

It shows it isn't the country. The people must work together and support each other,

There were politicians and a police commissioner who may well have been involved, but the accused, Fenech, was acquitted and the hitman pardoned, as he agreed to give evidence. A mistrial was called for, and the European court will investigate to find the culprit. Huge sums of monies exchanged between many who may well be involved, and not charged with any crime.

It really shows we must work together and support each other.

So, let’s post experiences, great music, memes, gifs, and chat with friends.

Enjoy

Lian

Nostalgia Isn’t What It Used To Be

Was music like stepping stones in your life?

I used to jump over stepping stones for fun.

Looking back, what nostalgic memories do you have?
Your first day at school?
Your first Job?
The holidays you had?
Leisure activities?
Places you miss?
Holidays?

My first day at school, I was surrounded by a group of older children. They all seemed so tall.
A pinch or a Punch? I just burst into tears and they felt sorry. Then they sang The Big ship sails on the Alley Alley Oow to cheer me up.
Then I made friends, and we played…Hop Scotch. Then, everyone had hula hoops in the playround.

I loved my first teacher. When I was about sixteen, I met a tall, good looking young man. He turned out to be my first teachers son. Somehow, he faded away.

How many people here recreated record sleeve images?
I remember marching across Abbey road for a photo shoot with friends😅

The Yard Birds first record was significant, as two of them were in my class at another school. Pop stars were an exciting phenomenon.
Not to miss on TV: Doctor Who and Star Trek. And the movie 2001.
Everyone read books and discussed. Then cinema featured nearly every week, and I enjoyed the theatre and museums, a welcome pass time.

Now I live in a hot country, and I miss a real garden with trees, flowers and a lawn. I miss the smells of Autumn, Autumn leaves and the smell of earth and trees after rain.

We had holidays by the sea, and cream teas with pink ice creams. Holidays were always with my grandmother. I always had a donkey ride on the beach, a special treat.
Life was so simple and the pleasures.

We grew up in what seemed to be a peaceful world.
I think of those days more and more now that I see our world turning into complicated issues, and never ending wars. Many politicians now appear to be corrupt and exert power. There is overcrowding with refugees and tourists. And from last week, due to overcrowding, foreign police are policing our streets paired with the Police of this country.
I remember the friendly Bobbies on the beat. At least it’s a language I am fluent in.

Evening All!

This is the new norm in Europe. Crete is being policed with Portugese police too???!!!
Technology has taken over our world, and everyone has a Mobile phone and needs to use technology. We have to share our numbers with government departments who constantly message about elections, barbeques, to meet politicians, etc.
I used to love the phone and spent hours talking to friends. Now most calls are brief.☹️
Privacy is to be prized. Before the covid scare, life seemed happier and smoother, things were ticking over nicely. We had monies to spend, but now I’m counting pennies and prices are rising on essentials.

I remember enjoying summer days, now I’m heat exhausted after high abnormal temperatures. Play music, chat with friends about your memories, how have things changed?
Remember, our rules…please respect others.
Enjoy!

Lian

Love and Marriage

Go together like a horse and carriage so the song goes.

There are many sayings about getting married.

One is…

Marry in haste, repent at leisure.,

I met a guy about two years ago. Within one hour he had proposed marriage. It put me right off,as No was the answer, he began to send countless emails. I really became fed up. He belonged to the church referred to as,The Moonies’! ( images above). It is a Korean based sect, and the reverend Moon chose ‘compatible’ partners for his followers. Huge weddings took place of 2000 people, who were told who their partner would be and they had never met before. I met some couples from that church and they seemed happy. So proud they had a chosen partner!? I can’t imagine anything worse than marrying someone I had never met before. Even if someone I had met, a lot of boxes would have to be ticked.

Recently, many places had storms and flooding…this couple went ahead with the wedding, and waded in waist deep water along the aisle, to marry in their  expensive clothes.

Did you court your partner? Have a long engagement, live together pre marriage?

I loved being single, probably the best choice for me.

Katie Price a model dumped her new husband, he had claimed to be a millionaire, but had lied.

Would you marry for love or money? There are many reasons for divorce. Many broken marriage vows!

Many Asian countries arrange marriages, some work beautifully! Suppose I am too western for such an arrangement.

Two have to work together for a successful marriage should be a partnership.

What are your opinions for a marriage success?

Post sayings, memes, gifs, trailers, using your ideas. Chat with friends. Most of all enjoy.

Lian and Kieran

🎉 Party Time 🥳

Most people love a party!
They are a chance to let your hair down and forget about the trials and tribulations of the world for a while.
And no party is complete without plenty of party food and cake - gluten free, of course - so bring it on!

And Monday is a special day for a lovely lady, as it is Lian’s birthday, so even more reason for a little weekend celebration!

So, let’s have a little party of our own here, sharing some great toe-tapping music, party GIFs, and memes that bring a smile to make everything extra festive this weekend and into Monday.

Have a lovely weekend, Lian, and happy birthday for Monday!

It’s party time, everyone! 🥳🎉