A labour of love

This is for Montana Mike,to show that where money is concerned principle is out of the window,I painted it this morning for a church in Sheffield, but in the present climate who cares if I help to convert one or two of the residents of southey green,and I need the money.

He is a little mixed up at the moment politically,as he is confusing capitalism with socialism,different economic systems,though his confision is understandable in view of the United States governments adoption of nationalisation to help solve the crisis of capitalism,it's tantamount to an admission that capitalism is inferior to socialism.

Maybe this is what all the arguments were about in Casey's Bar Montana? I can imagine the local Palin (not michael),types getting all riled up about the relative merits of the two economic systems.

Weather here is sunny and windy,temperature around 10c,though light rain showers are forecast during the night.

Lots of football on tv this week and Liverpool won again in Europe last night, this coming sunday sees the Manchester derby,and Chelsea v Arsenal both on tv.

Ciao Graham

Castles in Yorkshire

Back home again on the prairie,the roads were a bit dicy after caenby corner so we were slow in getting home,the wedding of the millenium at the Castle in the Yorkshire countryside was a long drawn out affair,and the thought of how much it all cost brought a tear to my eye.
"Our" Gina looked very posh in her outfit,and Andrew was suitably attired in a suit,poor lad was lodged in a travelodge,and we took him to our posh hotel and made him a little jealous.
There were a lot of different ethnic groupings including Americans ,who were of course subjected to mickey taking by yours truly.
Now that its all over we can settle back into our semi comatose normal existance,I don't know what is planned in the village so more on that later.

Hun 1 Blighty 2

Last night our brave forces embarked on a mission to the heart of enemy territory,Berlin,on reaching their objective bombs were released on to the target,while trying to hold a steady course there was a misunderstanding between the captain and tail end charlie,the aircraft took slight damage,but the captain used his head ,and resolved the situation .
They have now plotted their return course cleverly mapped out by their navigator Fabulo Hair ,(a gentleman of latin origin),across a hostile continent,and are returning to an airfield "somewhere in England",to a tune on their bbc radio "the dambusters march" .
So well done to captain "jonny" and his crew from a grateful nation.

By our correspondent at an airfield somewhere in Lincolnshire

What the Dickens???

Today was a late start and after fetching a paper from the village,I painted some posters for Big Geoff in Sheffield,he is doing his Dickens reading in December which is very good as his former occupation was as an actor,he featured in a film with Mel Gibson when they were both very much younger in Australia,I think the date is 18th December in the evening,he usually gets some publicity for it in the Sheffield Star.
Sunny but windy here on the prairie today,and looking out to the west as I write ,the sunset is as good as the much vaunted Florida Sunset.
Tonight is the "friendly" football match with Germany,though it looks as though it could be a reserve team that Capello is fielding.
One of the posters I did is for a carol service for Sheffield Deaf Club! I honestly have not made that up, I had visions of the city centre nightclubs complaining about the noise,and before anyone takes me to task for mocking the deaf,its an affliction I suffer from myself,so no overly sensitive complaints thank you! does come in handy though when people ask for money.
Looking at the dog video on Mike Montana's blog,I wonder if he is insensitive to dog halitosis? as he did appear to kiss one of the dogs,and it looked rather a sloppy kiss to boot.
Breaking news is that Sonia has booked at a restaurant for a family meal for around 13 ,but unfortunately it's for tonight and the England game is on TV,dare they send in sick notes?

Deery me!

This morning I went up to the village for a paper,returning down" Maltby straight " a deer ran across the road in front of the car heading up towards the top of farmer joe's field where I spotted them before.
Just thought I would share that breaking news with you,as you may have gathered such things are big events here in the country.
News on the village street is that Madame Renee Le Blade has now got her bus pass,and is giving serious consideration to a trip to Lincoln City on the Number 10,I hope she is able to find space in the zimmer frame park and ride area at the bus stop,though I am told by Cockney Lily that she has the front upstairs seat reserved for her and her dearest! could be ructions on the pensioner special.
Having tried this particular voyage I can only refer you to a previous blog describing the event.
Weather was lovely and sunny yesterday and I did a little tidying up in the garden,and took a cutting she requested, to Anne our other neighbour, cleaned out the two blue tit nest boxes and will let them dry out for a day or so before replacing them,today has started a little cloudy and I think rain is forecast for later.
Montana Mike looks as if the fasting diet is over with and he is back cycling with his new chums
encountered on the road,stoked up on chocolate biscuits.
Thats it for now Graham

At last I'm found.

I was just watching Eddie Izzard on u tube denigrating religion,as recommended by Montana Mike,when a well dressed young man came up the drive and started to push a leaflet through the front door,I went out and confronted him,and it turns out the dreaded jehova's witnesses have found us out here on the prairie!after a short conversation the intruder left,and I wonder if it's a sign? the chickens were helpful in voicing their opinion as to his message,with their chorus of "CLUCK OFF" or at least thats what it sounded like to me.
The weather is bright and breezy today,and not a little free and easy I suppose,"chooks" are out enjoying it and Sheila has ventured out today to the shops,I am toying with the idea of placing a large sign on the gate to the effect that only atheists bearing gifts are welcome to place messages through our door.
Yesterday we were visited by Peggy and Mick who are 2 year immigrants from Rotherham,and for some reason do not miss their home town in the least,Mick and me solved all the political problems of the world over a small afternoon whisky,(one of the perks of being aged) and there were no differences of opinion as we are both of a similar political leaning,two old revolutionaries gloating at the failure of capitalsm,and wondering what will happen to our investments,and reflecting on the dumbing down of the financial times.

Montana mike is not sleeping after embarking on a fasting diet? could it be that we are meant to eat food and that he is a little mistaken in his eternal quest for the holy grail of the perfect way of life extension? who knows,maybe his solution lies with the Jehova's.
Thats all for now folks Graham

Sheffield Visit

Attended Brian's funeral at Sheffield not a happy day,but I did meet up with an old aquaintance and friend of Brian's,Graham the tidiest mechanic in the world,his workshop was immaculately tidy and orderly,we talked about old times with Brian,and though it was a sad event had a little laugh about them.
I came back through firvale and it all seemed very shabby and dreary,but I did see my poster on St Cuthberts notice board advertising their November Fete,it looked good even if I say so myself.
Sheffield is the home of speed humps,and as they force you to drive in low gear,I am sure they must increase traffic emissions,there seems no sense in them in that respect ,though they may reduce speeding,except for the car stealers who don't care and just drive like maniacs in someone's car they have pinched,the roads in south yorkshire are dreadful and surely the money spent on speed humps would be better spent repairing the roads.
Today is bright and sunny if a little cool,Sheila still has a cold and I have cleaned out the chicken hut,and shopped for a few essentials, a consummation devoutly to be wished.
Spoke to the Poms on the phone as they are over here on what Sam the pom says is an "all inclusive holiday"which Sandra's little boy is so kindly treating them to!!
I almost forgot,I called in Meadowhall to use the lavatorial facilities and can't see why Madame Le Blade is so enamoured of the place,it's full of people and you can't walk around for them,I briefly toyed with the idea of buying a cappucino,but there was'nt enough money in my account to afford it.
Anthony Montana is having a little deranged period over there in Kansas City, and his lates fad is fasting,though his day starts with a GARGANTUAN breakfast,and having encountered the Shoney Yankee breakfast,it's not possible to eat anything for a full day,so I think there is an element of self delusion involved in this fasting.


Called in at Asda off the parkway to look for a breadmaker,but did not find one,leaving there I called to see"our Joe"that bit is for Mary Sue,he seems in good humour and it seems they are now into cruises,and have already booked a mediterranean criuse for next may,they became hooked after a cruise to the canaries this year,all a bit of an upgrade from a week in a caravan atChapel St leonards,and he is adamant they have not won the lottery,left him half a dozen of Sheila's chook eggs,and drove sedately home to the little house on the prairie,which I think is a different world to the great metropolis of Sheffield.

Fowl Weather

It seems there has been some kind of election going on in America,people are all excited and emotional,I really must keep up with these things,at the risk of not becoming a high court judge.
To serious matters Arsenal are not playing at all well,and Liverpool scraped a draw with a gift penalty,Rotherham United are again winners in their cup quarter final,and have the best record of any of the teams playing in Sheffield.
It is raining this morning again,I suppose Anglian water will be imposing a hose pipe ban,and local farmers will be suicidal (again)
Le blade drove through a large puddle of water and it somehow soaked the rear interior of his car,so not a joyful chap at the moment.
The hens are being closely observed for any sign of growing webbed feet,local ducks are cheerful dicky birds you would think they had voted for Obama.

Eary day

This morning I had an appointment with the ear specialist,and all is ok no infections,so next appointment is one year away.
Weather is drizzle and misty,makes all that bright Kansas sunshine seem like a dream,though having to fight off the mormon kidnappers is not a problem here.
This afternoon is bowling at the village hall,with coffee and biscuits at half time,we know how to live it up down here.
Heard from Brian's wife ,and the funeral is next week in Sheffield at Grenoside,so we shall be motoring up for that,I shall have a whisky when I get back home for my old mate.
"Our Anthony" is home alone in Kansas City and it seems surviving on leek soup , chocolate biscuits, and self pity, poor lad.
British Telecom are over the moon as Sandra is back in Sheffield to boost their profits,with a few marathon phone calls,and hopefully she will be keeping a tight rein on that scally son of hers,not forgetting to enjoy the delights of firth park shopping,and of course meadow hall.
I seem to have mislaid my special wallet that Le Blade bought me,it's stitched up so you can't open it,and lettered" scrooges wallet",its a very economical accessory if one is out shopping or boozing.
That's all for now, keep smiling Graham

BRIAN THORNTON Signwriter and Artist

Last night we spent at the Halloween event at the village hall,the disco was not good for my hearing problem,and as a result I was not able to enjoy the event as much as I should,but it did seem a success .
This morning I received a phone call from my old friend Brian's wife to say he died yesterday in hospital,the funeral arrangements are to be decided.
I was associated with Brian for over 30 years,and when I first started to try my hand at signwriting, he was a great friend and teacher, as I was a novice at the trade and lucky in becoming aquainted with the best signwriter in Sheffield.
We worked on a number of projects together through the years,and had a lot of laughs , often I would drive to Brians workshop and Sheila would say"see you in a week then"as we always had tales to tell each other,and moan about customers who we agreed should not be given too much choice as to which colours and style of lettering should be used on their jobs,and there was the dart board on the workshop door which took up a little of our time.
I missed my little trips for a chat and interminable cups of coffee, after we moved here to Lincolnshire,by which time Brian was too incapacitated to pay us a visit,though we did manage to call and see him a couple of times on our Sheffield visits.

So a visit to Sheffield is on the cards sadly not for the most cheerfull of reasons.