Christ of Saint John of the Cross. By Salvador Dali.
Picture from Wikipedia
'For God so loved the world" John 3v16
Ref. The Bible
Listen on youtube
To "Hillsong" with lyrics
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DnLFyqLvm4Gk&ved=2ahUKEwion4zR7ZWFAxVDWkEAHS6wDsIQwqsBegQILhAE&usg=AOvVaw23FrY_Fh62r4G7xKCkid8z
Easter is a time of renewal, of new life. Emerging from the dark winter, we look forward to a new life in Christ. Christ has died, Christ has risen and Christ will come again. Jesus Christ died for our sins to bring us closer to God.
All our sins will be wiped out, when we believe in Jesus's sacrifice, that he died for us to take away once and for all every sin we have ever committed. Only then can God look upon us as his pure children.
Repent, believe, receive!
"Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be white like wool."
https://www.biblegateway.com/
NIV version
Isaiah 1:18
Matthew 20:28
"The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Ref. The Bible
I have enjoyed learning language studies with the open university. I think I have managed to achieve what I set out to do, which was to greatly increase my understanding and knowledge of the french language.
I have learned to speak a reasonable amount of french, enough to get by with while on holiday in France or keeping in touch with french friends.
At the same time I have also improved on my english language too, especially on my writing skills. I am still deciding whether or not to continue next term in english, this would just be to consolidate my english skills.
It has been a long journey with difficulties as a carer to contend with along the way.
but It would have been impossible for me to have studied in a brick university or college, living so far away from the city and having to travel daily. There is no way that would have worked out.
Distance learning, part-time on the internet, with the 'Open University' has been the best option available in my circumstances. So this was a fantastic opportunity!
I would certainly recommend it to anyone who has caring responsibilities at home, especially if you have a busy schedule and it is difficult to find time to commute from home to the city.
My family have also been very understanding and have been willing to help out when necessary.
Learning languages has greatly enriched my life and I am very glad to have achieved it at last!
I have been enjoying the latest episodes of "Astrid in Paris" in the french language on TV, on more 4 Friday nights at 9pm.
This crime detective series, stars Sara Mortensen as Astrid Nielsen, who is on the autistic spectrum, having Aspergers. However, this not a handicap to her work , as an undercover archivist for the judicial police. On the contrary her photographic memory and sharp analysis, make her a force to be reckoned with.
Raphaëlle Coste is her partner in the crime investigatiion duo, with Astrid’s unique methods and Raphaëlle’s behavioural skills, the two make a tour de force for the Paris Police department.
As the latest instalments kick off, they are bound to have us here in Britain, on the edge of our seats!
French woman and astronaut Sarah has been chosen to go on a mission to a space station, in preparation for a future landing on Mars. She was only chosen at the very last minute to join the crew, so it is all very exciting but also a challenge to keep up with her male colleagues (She is the only female on the team!)
Sarah desperately tries to balance—the love for her young daughter Stella, with her ambition of becoming an astronaut and to see the space she's dreamed of ever since she was a young child. It is a very exciting event in her life.
Although her daughter Stella is proud of her mother, she is afraid of the seperation, she fears what could happen if her mother doesn't return home again.
Her mother and her father (Thomas) no longer live together as a family and while her mother is away Stella will stay with her father. Awaiting the return of her mother.
One of her male work colleagues is not too happy about having a woman as part of the team and doubts her capabilities. He had wanted another male astronaut to be in the crew, who is more experienced. However, when he sees how hatd working Sarah is and how well she does her job, he begins to warm to her and sees that she is capable of doing the job.
Sarah is heart broken when Stella and Thomas miss their flight, this could be her last opportunity to see her little girl in person before leaving the earth.
By happy coincidence Sarah and Stella are still able to see each other for a final time, but unfortunately this time it is through a pane of glass, as Sarah is in quarantine. Stella reminds her mother , that she had promised they would be able to see the rocket she was leaving on, but that Sarah had broken her promise.
Sarah has a pang of guilty conscience and decides to sneak out of quarantine, she awaken the sleeping Stella and takes her to view the rocket early in the morning.
The final scene of the countdown is dramatic and emotional. Sarah has a photograph next to her of her daughter. Stella and her father are there watching the take off. He is tearful and Stella is smiling happily. As the rocket blasts off successfully on it's flight into space.
It is a dramatic film, heart warming, with an interesting challenge for the woman and her family, as she realises her longtime dream of travelling in Space.
2019 french film directed by Alice Winocour. The film stars Eva Green as Sarah, and Stella (Zélie Boulant). It also stars Lars Eidinger as Thomas, her ex-husband and Stella's father; Matt Dillon as Mike, her work colleague.
Since starting to study languages with the OU, my love of watching films has steadily grown. While watching a film, it is an opportunity to listen to the language, and understand dialogues. I like to hear different spoken languages and accents. It is a good idea to pick out familiar words, words that may have a similar meaning in another language.
I am quite discerning, I like a good quality film, but also films that appeal to myself, for example being a wife mother, with a family and so on. Interests like; Family life, the natural world, music, travel, dramas, detectives, adventures, things like that.
When I was a very young age my parents took me to watch "The Sound of Music" at the cinema, I also saw Charles Dickens "Oliver Twist" and other films. This was a great treat and a fantastic experience!
However, then came TV viewing which became much more popular, then you could watch movies at home or on DVD. I now have a good collection of movies that I have collected over the years, these have remained my firm favourites. I have since added some french language movies, and other language films, to my collection.
Watching films is a very good way to learn languages. It involves using your eyes, ears, your brain, thoughts and feelings.
It is also useful for memory training.
You can start a conversation with "Did you see that film ?" (such and such) "Yes, it was great and do you remember who the actors were?" And "what was the plot?" "Where was the scene set?" "Who were the main characters in the film?" "What was it all about?" "what was the beginning?" and "What was the conclusion?"Can you remember?"
So all this is very good for the memory!
Today after reading my chosen study book and having done my carers duties, I decided on taking a walk to the park. The weather was fresh and slightly chilly, but this had the effect of waking me up and making me more alert!
I have had a shoulder injury now for about a week, this was probably caused by a pulled or torn muscle, from making a quick sudden movement, tidying up the house.
However, I am not put off by it and I continue to keep up with my studying and walking routines as regularly as I can.
It has been raining a little bit less often lately, so it is not so damp but colder, drier and fresher, It felt quite invigorating, the perfect weather to walk, as there is plenty of oxygen.
I entered the park through the side entrance, I was delighted to see the crocus, daffodils and kingcups growing beneath the trees. This was a cheerful sight to see! I began walking along the footpath past the pavillion. Nothing much happening in there today (no keep fit classes or dancing) and everything was locked up.
It was quite tempting to just sit and rest at the picnic tables, or on the bench next to the pavillion, but I decided not to because I really needed to push on and get some exercise done, especially after having Covid, then after that catching a bronchitis, so I really have to push myself to get going again.
Past the tennis court, this is surrounded by lots of really ancient trees and woodland which was swaying in the breeze. Lots of hedges and younger trees further on, with the sound of lots of activity and birdsong coming from within.
Reaching the far end of the field I turn, past the back gardens of the bungalows, with bird tables in the gardens and birds singing up in the
tree tops nearby. I stop and listen to the birdsong and this had quite a calming effect on me and helps my recovery.
Carried on walking past the little woodland area that had been flooded last time I had visited. The rain water had by now receded, although it still looked very muddy, so I decided not to risk walking in there today!
Instead I headed on past the childrens playground, which was empty of course, because the children were still in school at this time of day.
It was lovely just to breathe in the fresh air in the park, surrounded by all the lovely trees. The sky looked huge and had lots of fluffy white clouds, but it was mostly a grey coloured sky today.
I noticed a dog walker had entered the park entrance and was throwing the ball around for the dog to chase, although the notice reads "All dogs to be on leads in the park" but she doesn't let him play for too long, she soon puts it's lead back on and sets off walking briskly around the perimeter of the park. We say a cheery "Hello" as we pass each other.
Soon I had reached the park gates, I was then making my way across the road into the cemetery. Here I like to sit for a while on the bench and share my sandwiches with the little birds!
I remember the words of Jesus "Consider the birds they do not toil yet the Lord takes care of them. How much more will he take care of you!" " Don't worry! "
🌳🌲🐦🦅🦆
French Film -" Full Time"
(À Plein Temps)
This weekend I watched an interesting french film.(2021) "À Plein Temps"
The story of the daily struggles, of a single working class woman, with two young children, Nolan and Chloe.
Mother Julie lives in a small remote village in the countryside, she has to commute to the city(Paris) for work every day.
First, she has to take the children to the babysitter very early in the morning, before she takes the train to work. Anyone who has to commute to work can probably relate to Julie's struggles with transport. I can relate to this myself, from past experience of working in town far from home.
Her work shifts can sometimes change at short notice. She works in a five star Hotel, in the position as head chamber maid. It is often very hard work and for long hours, it also carries many responsibilities.
She would like to find a better paid job, with more money to suit her skills, in market research. However, It is difficult to get time off work to attend interviews, so she has to break the rules by swapping shifts with other staff to get time off work. She then gets into deep water with her mean demanding boss and things don't go too well. She decides to take a few days off to rest, persuading her boss she will do better in future.
Julie has to provide for her children and all their needs for their birthdays, holidays and for days out. It is very difficult to make ends meet, to pay for the mortgage on her lovely house, the transport costs, bills and food.
Meanwhile her ex never helps her with alimony, when she tries to phone him to ask for a bit of help, he makes himself unavailable and she just ends up talking with frustration into the answering machine instead.
Life is complicated when there is a general train strike, she then has to find other ways of getting to and from work. She often ends up thumbing a lift, or car sharing, often arriving home late into the evening when it is dark, to collect the children from the babysitter.
The situation is complicated further when the baby sitter( who is getting elderly), is not very happy with the situation of the long hours she has to keep. She soon starts complaining that she may soon have to stop looking after the children altogether, as it is bad for her health.
You never quite know what will happen next! Maybe a disaster could be looming ahead and that everything could just unravel at anytime.
However, all's well that ends well, when at lasts she receives a phone call, to say that she has managed to land her dream job, as a manager in market research!
A modern realistic film, filled with lots of drama and suspense. It tugs on your heartstrings, as you really feel for her!
https://youtu.be/qC81LSu1B94
Director: Eric Gravel
Language: French
Leading actress Laure Calamy
Distributed by: Haut et Court
In this country there are more and more people presenting with mental health problems. This increase in mental health problems has been going on for quite a long time, and there is a lack of adequate NHS mental health services to deal with it.
Some Mental Health Disorders include
• Anxiety Disorders,
Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Dissociative Disorders, Schizophrenia,
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) , Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder,Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Paranoia and many more.
Calls to a mental health crisis line have more than doubled in 12 months, according to an NHS trust.
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPNHSFT) said calls reached 17,000 in September 2023, up from 7,500 in September 2022.
The trust said the rise in demand led to more people going to A&E with mental health conditions.
However, this is not due to the covid pandemic said one health worker. It is rather an undercurrent of political and economic instability in this country.
These are the important concerns that people have; Zero hour contracts, the cost of living crisis, rise in inflation, mortgage repayments, job insecurity, high energy costs and now a recession.
All this contributes to a decline in peoples mental health and creates huge problems related to stress and anxiety in families. This is having a knock on effect on the children who feel their parents stress, resulting in the rise of
Childrens mental health issues. This unease in society has a detrimental impact on the society in this country.
So what will the government do to help the adults and the young people of this country? And will they protect these vital Mental Health services?
Ref- bbc.co.uk .
Our neighbour(the kind jolly man) has passed away yesterday. He suffered from his lungs and heart(a smoker) Not that we have had close contact, except to just say 'Hello' over the garden fence, but we get on well with him and his wife.
After saying hello to him the same morning, he just dropped down dead a few hours later in the street!
We saw the ambulance arrive to take him away. I am still in shock! Another friend up the road is ill with bronchitis. There seems to be a lot of lung problems in our street at the present time.
Apart from all that I am still trying to study whenever I can!
Every day. I read the news in french, watch france24 in french, and I am reading a collection of short stories in french. It seems I am now at last enjoying the fruits of my labours of three years study of French! lol!
Now I can read French books and watch interesting french films not bad huh? Thanks OU ! 👍
Slowly starting to gear up for October, when I will be starting studying a 30 credit course in the English language. I have enjoyed studying English and liked very much the module "Creativity in language." As I like writing. I have really learned a lot on this course!
I have had to postpone my dental appointment when I had covid 19, so now I have 2 loose teeth and still feeling the effects of covid 19.
Now I seem to have caught another virus, or it could be a flu or cold but not so debilitating as covid.
However, I still have a niggly cough with phlem, so I don't feel well enough yet to go to the dentist at the moment, as I am still having a coughing attack now and then.
I don't like having tooth ache my gums are sore, I use painkillers and salt water mouth wash everyday. I just have to wait to go to the dentist when I am feeling much better.
I used to have an NHS dentist, now I have to pay when they all went private. I can't really afford it myself, so a relative is kindly going to have to pay it for me. This is quite humiliating! After being with the NHS all these years.
Maybe this government expect us to pull our own teeth out ourselves with the pliers? lol! 🦷🔧
The weather was a bit milder today. I decided to take the opportunity to get out and about, for some much needed exercise with my son, who has complex needs, including a heart condition.
He had not been out since we had all had covid 19 in December, so when I asked him if he wanted a little walk, I was so pleased when he said that he would. I asked him if he wanted to use his stick but he said no, that he would just lean on my arm instead.
We decided to go up to the large park, which is thankfully much less waterlogged now than it was the other day. He put on his padded jacket to keep warm.
"Be careful I have not been outside since before Christmas" he warned me but he needn't have worried as I am completely slow myself now, especially after the covid!
He leaned on my arm, as we walked carefully at a snails pace.
It was lovely to see that the woodland near the park was full of little white snowdrops and the new shoots of the daffodils and crocuses were coming up, because of all the mild weather we have had lately. The sun was shining albeit weakly and the weather felt a lot milder. It was good to get out for a walk at last.
The latest book I am reading in English is...."The Bible Hunter" by Jurgen Gottschlich.
The Codex Sinaiticus is one of the oldest surviving books in the world, and the earliest copy of the New Testament in existence. The Bible Hunter is the fascinating account of the manuscript’s journey from the fourth century to its present home in the British Library.
In 1844, academic and fundamentalist christian, Constantin Tischendorf, who was driven by his obsession with the origins of the Bible to a remote monastery in the middle of the Sinai Desert, discovered the manuscript in a basket of paper said to have been discarded by the monks. Later, Tischendorf managed to remove several sheets from the monks’ protective guard. and, with the backing of Tsar Alexander II, organised the loan of the documents to the Imperial Library in St Petersburg, where they remained until 1933.
Part travelogue, part historical study and part critique, The Bible Hunter tells of the author’s trip to Sinai, the history of the Bible and early Church and the lives and liturgies of the monks of St Catherine’s Monastery. A compelling and accessible study, The Bible Hunter raises important questions about the nature of scholarship, and about the complex issues of how – and in particular where – the treasures of Antiquity are best displayed.
JÜRGEN GOTTSCHLICH was born in 1954. He studied philosophy and journalism in Berlin, and went on to co-found the daily newspaper taz in 1979, working there as a journalist – and latterly as Deputy Editor – until 1993. From 1980 onwards he made regular trips to Turkey and the Near East. He became Editor-in-Chief of the Wochenpost in 1994 and has worked as the Istanbul-based correspondent of various newspapers since 1998; He has also written two books on Modern Turkey and its relationship to Europe.
* Refrences- Haus Publishing
* Translated byJohn Brownjohn
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.hauspublishing.com/product/the-bible-hunter/&ved=2ahUKEwjkmuCPz4-EAxWsT0EAHdCMD3sQFnoECBEQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3viKdfdK0Wk3XoL2hp-aPn
Trying to build my strength back up after Covid 19 Virus. I set myself some small targets for the week ahead.
1) Exercises at home using the resistance bands working especially on arms, they feel the most weakest after covid.
2) House work which includes brushing all the downstairs floors, kitchen, living room, bathroom (all linos) and the white painted stair case.
3) A walk - around the village at a steady pace. Starting at the main car park just outside village. Place some recycling in the large bins, usually 2 big bags full. Continue the main road. Pass by the large park but avoid going through it, as it is still quite water logged!
On through the cemetery footpath on the opposite side of the road, on to the industrial units selling animal feeds, on the other side of cemetery and follow the small road down into the new estate. Climb up a steep incline, this is particularly good for the leg muscles!
This brings me up to the outer footpath of the village. From here 5 minutes to the Health centre, past the co-op supermarket and library, down the lane and into the market place, stop for a breather on the wooden bench!
A five minute walk past all the shops, on to the large Anglican church at the corner, then turn right into my little road.
It is a medium sized walk, but It is not too taxing and I need to start small, then gradually build up my strength. I aim ro do this for a couple of weeks, it will be the start of my road to recovery from covid19.
As far as studying goes, I am currently on a study break, due to ill health (family's and my own! ) Keeping my skills sharp still reading French and English literature. As well as watching french films the news.consolidating what I have learnt. Hopefully this will keep the brain fog away!
I believe cats are very good for my mental health!
You never feel alone when your cat is curled up beside you. Each morning when I get up at 8am, my cat is there waiting to be let indoors.
I let him in and make a great fuss of him, then I feed him. After that, he likes to sit next to me on the sofa, he purrs a lot, he looks at me, then he closes his eyes and settles down to sleep, right there beside me.
When he is deeply asleep, I sometimes put a soft cushion or a hot water bottle, with my scarf wrapped round it in my place.
Then I can move about and get on with doing a few tasks that need doing, like my studying, reading, listen to audios and typing notes up into my digital note book.
Sometimes, I can hear my cat snoring next to me! He looks very relaxed and peaceful, stretched out, lying there, I know he will be there with me the whole morning or even longer depending on the weather.
It may be raining outside, but I have my little fire on, and my little cat for company!
🐈🏠🌧 🌧 🌬
I don't want to go on too much about Covid19 but ithis virus is still affecting me!
I am experiencing muscle pains, fatigue, falling asleep during the day, brain fog, confusion, difficulties with mobility and so on.
I have now tested negative for Covid but why do I still feel so weak ?
I have tried to get out a few times for a walk and I have even been on the bus into town. However, when I am outside I feel so painful and exhasted, out of breath, I can't wait to be at home. I will keep persisting in trying to go for walks. I will not be beaten by this damned covid illness!
Frosty and cold with a little pale sunshine.
This was my first ever country walk since catching Covid 19, lasting from month ending November- December until January.
Today, I wrapped up warmly 3 layers of clothing, fur hat, 2 pair of socks, scarf and thick coat. Husband laughed at me saying I look like a babushka!
I set off down my road, through the little short cut at the end of the street, I headed straight for the large park, just past the wooded area, where here is the rear entrance to the park.
There was a lot of birdsong up in the trees surrounding the park. I saw a lot of back gardens on this side of park, with bird tables and feeding stations in the gardens, so the birds here are well fed and never far away, sitting up in the tree tops, bordering on the park.
I go at a very slow snails pace, I think to myself, just as long as I can make it around the park at least! After a while I began to warm up a bit and I was able to pass the tennis courts at a moderate walking speed.
Around the park there were lots of frozen puddles along the way. It has only a grass footpath, so it is not paved at all just a basic mud pathway. I had to dodge the obstacles of the partly frozen puddles.
Before long I had soon reached the small woodland at the far side of the park. This smelt damp and earthy, I could hear some water trickling. The paths here were completely impassable at this point, due to the woodland footpaths being flooded. It looked strange, like the trees were growing up out of a swamp!
Fortunately, I was on the upper inside park footpath so not too wet. However, I still had to go around the puddles from the overspill from the woodlands to the park, to carry on walking through the park. It was either that or turn back completely. I decided to carry on!
After passing the childrens empty playground area, of the swings, roundabouts and slide, I carried on walking as far as the main park entrance gate.
To extend my walk I walked even a little further on, to the far end of the village, and part way along the country lane , this passes the water dyke.
There, just ahead of me, I suddenly caught sight of a white flash rising up - then another one. As I stopped I stood still to watch, focusing ny eyes, as up from the banks of the dyke there arose a pair of big beautiful white heron birds.What a wonderful sight!
I wished I'd brought my camera with me!
🕊🕊
When I first moved here I wanted to live a healthier, simpler way of life, to connect with nature, be away from the town and city, make a life with my family. This was my romantic ideal I suppose, but it wasn't planned it just then sort of happened, that we moved into a rented cottage in the country near my aunt.
My first home here was an old 300 yr old cottage, quite remote on the edge of a quiet hamlet, next to wheat fields and farm lands.
It was very 'rough' to say the least! Talk about being thrown in at the deep end! It was a complete culture shock after living in a town apartment!
We lived in that old cottage and we had to light the fire every day. This was my husbands task to do, I well remember him getting up each day at 5am bleary eyed, going to fetch the wood and coal from the coal shed, up the long garden path, ( even in a winter snow blizzard!) Then having to sweep and clean the fireplace, before laying down the fire and getting it to set alight.
We also had an allotment to look after, although it was mainly vegetables, we didn't quite get into keeping animals or chickens!
I was busy all day long looking after the two lively young children, which was a full time job for me, looking after a toddler and a baby. Cleaning and cooking.
We lived there in that very old cottage for 5 years and I loved it! although I had a bit of postnatal depression after the second baby, he had a heart condition, so I worried a lot. I soon recovered after about a year.
I used to like walking with the children, one in the pram, one in the push chair, wandering about all over the countryside. Even better when they eventually both started walking! We learned all about flowers, birds, animals, trees all sorts of things from the natural world.
The children grew stronger and learned to walk and play, the eldest child helped his dad to stack up all the wood and help to do some work in the garden. He would pedal his little car or his tricycle around the garden collecting fallen apples to put in the carrier basket on the back, he would then pedal back to the house with them.
Once a week we caught the bus to the nearest village 7 miles away, to do all the shopping, even one very kind neighbour gave us a lift on a regular basis.as we had no car, but there was a regular bus service, its just that it was 3/4 of an hour to even walk to the main road to catch the bus!
Those were great times, but unfortunately eventually the cottage deteriorated, fell into disrepair and the landlord didn't want to spend the money on fixing up the windows and stopping the dampness so it had to be condemned.
Reluctantly we had to move into the nearest village, where we had much more amenities, shops and so on.
We found a modern cottage instead, which was owned by a very good housing association so much better healthier conditions all round.
The children went to the village school and thankfully we could still go out on country walks as there was plenty of farms, woods and fields around here where we live. When the children were in school I soon got a job in a small nearby cottage hospital. Where I worked there for some years as a HCA.
I worked at the hospital until it became a residential home, I worked there for a while, then unfortunately it closed, it was then I eventually decided to study with the Open University,studying a degree in English and Languages as I used to like to travel to France on holiday. It seems in life, we sometimes have to be very versatile!
🌲🌲🏡🏘