Grannymar

Everything is a miracle

We just have to recognise it

~ Federico Fellini

I am off to recognise the miracles that surround me.

This time it is my turn to torture the trusty LBC members with a topic, and I have chosen

Silence

“Silence is golden”, or so goes the line of a song, but this silence was deafening!

I was sitting beside the Black Man, where Fisherwick Place intersects with Wellington Place in Belfast.  To my left was ‘Inst’ or to give it the correct name - the Academical Institution with The City Hall along the street in the other direction.

The ink was hardly dry on my wedding certificate and I not a full week in my newly adopted home.  A late July day and the sunshine was warm through the windscreen of the car.  I was alone.  It was against the law to leave cars unattended on the streets of Belfast, or indeed of any town in Northern Ireland, back then.  Jack had nipped off to take care of a small errand and I was content to sit and soak up the sounds and sights of Belfast City.

The great silence followed an earth shaking explosion!  Not knowing the lie of the land, I did not know the direction of the noise.  Jack was out there somewhere.  The last sight I had of him was heading round a corner…..

Suddenly all signs of traffic evaporated and pedestrians disappeared, I was alone in my new world.

The words ‘A bomb has exploded…’ were not new to my ears, they were the leading headline of the news on most days of the week.  I had just heard the actual sound as it happened, for the first time in my life!

Time stood still.

It may have been minutes, but it felt like hours before I saw the lone figure running towards me.  His steady pace was interrupted by the sound of a second explosion, this time from further away.  I recognised the running figure and his uneven step, it was Jack.

Practically falling into the car he gasped for breath.  While I was concerned for him, he was frantically worrying about me sitting, waiting and not knowing.  Once he got his breath back, he told me the direction of the bomb and that from the sound of the second bang, it was a controlled explosion by the army.

Happy to be safe and together, we drove home.  In silence.

Pottingers Entry is one of a series of historical narrow alleyways in Belfast city centre, mostly in the vicinity of High Street and Ann Street.

A friend felt the photo needed updating….. I hope I am not a ½ price sale item!

One day a florist went to a barber for a haircut. After the cut, he asked about his bill, and the barber replied, ‘I cannot accept money from you, I’m doing community service this week.’ The florist was pleased and left the shop.

When the barber went to open his shop the next morning, there was a ‘thank you’ card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door.

Later, a cop comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replied, ‘I cannot accept money from you , I’m doing community service this week.’ The cop was happy and left the shop.

The next morning when the barber went to open up, there was a ‘thank you’ card and a dozen donuts waiting for him at his door.

Then a  TD  came in for a haircut, and when he went to pay his bill, the barber again replied, ‘I can not accept money from you. I’m doing community service this week.’ The TD  was very happy and left the shop.

The next morning, when the barber went to open up, there were a dozen TDs  lined up waiting for a free haircut.

And that, my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference between the citizens of our country and the politicians who run it.

BOTH POLITICIANS AND  NAPPIES  NEED TO BE CHANGED OFTEN AND FOR THE SAME REASON!

Use your vote thoughtfully and with care on 11th March!

UPDATE:  Oops!  see the problem with pre scheduling…. The Irish election date was brought forward.

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Thank you Daphne for this timely story

Santa has his elves, but they are nothing when it comes to Mulley’s Army.

Unlike the Lapland crew Tapping and banging away while wearing colourful outfits, whistling and singing “Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho…!”  Mulley’s Army work tirelessly in the back ground, unseen, and unheard.  Without their input and output there would be no party.  No Irish Blog Awards!

You think I’m kidding, right?  No way!

Over many months Mulley’s Army beaver away organizing a Venue, Sponsors, the Music, the team to live stream, live blog and Twitter the event, a Photographer, the Props, the Awards, Name tags, the food and the liquids and goodness knows what else for the evening. A band of Pretty Maids & Guys check out the talent welcome everyone and answer questions. Runners play an important role - every successful event has people to run and fetch this that or the other in the hours before Lift-off!  Glass hammers and long stands are always useful!

Two people that deserve special mention are John Blackbourn – responsible for building the nomination and judging system. Rick O’Shea is the ever professional and reassuring MC for the evening.

I am not finished by a long shot.  The very long shot are the band of 100 judges who voluntarily give of their every waking moment, once the list of Nominations has been published, to read, mark, and inwardly digest all the blogs listed.  This is necessary to make sure the blogs are actually ‘live with regular posting’ and fit in the category in which they have been nominated.  Once the Short Lists appear, the blogs that make the grade are re-shuffled and the Judges begin all over again to find the few with that something special to become Finalists. That is where the Judgely huddles are at the moment.  Oh, the excitement!

Other supporting acts that take place earlier in the day and over the years have proved popular are:

The Blog Awards Photowalk, organised this year by Davy and Phil I hear whispers that they have a very exciting programme planned.  NO. NO. NO.  Kill that idea right now! I will not be posing in my Birthday suit beside Queen Vic in the grounds of the City Hall!  Goose bumps do not a pretty picture make!

Now the Hi-light of the afternoon for me is the sedate Ladies Tea Party!  Splutter!!!!  Did I say sedate? Who was that woman in the bath last year?

This year yet again the wonderful Lady Sabrina has hit gold with another exciting venue and Sponsor for the event.  Goody bags are being packed as we speak!

My click clacks are all polished and ready. Now what do you think I should wear with them?

I was away chasing a Toyboy today and eating this:

For dessert my companions had Eton Mess, I reluctantly decided to sit and watch until the Chef suggested that he use Raspberry sorbet and meringue to make mine! :D  I was happy!

Back tomorrow.  Tonight I am talked out!