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Friday, August 5, 2022

Fire prevention day Oct 9th - what can you do now?

 

Headline news about a fire in the USA which claimed the lives of two girls, sisters, caused a flurry of activity from the public comments. 

Some people travel with their own fire alarms. 

Others buy fire escape ladders.

Others are investigating and promoting quick exits like firehouse poles, which let firefighters descend to vehicles quickly.How had Freud stayed - the danger of over-optimism. 

Some people like ground floor bedrooms, which  are abundant in  two storey motels. (Others think single women are safer from invasion, burglary and rape if not on the ground floor.

Be aware. Be  formed.

October 9th is national fire awareness and prevention day in the USA and Canada.

Call To Action




Install or check your carbon monoxide detectors, smoke detectors and devices for putting out kitchen fires.

Write into any contracts between landlord and tenant the safety measures.


Useful Websites

https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/fire-prevention-day/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Smoke-Alarms/b?ie=UTF8&node=1939539031

Tuesday, August 2, 2022

Afterthoughts On Travel Packing

 



Packing nightmare. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

What should I pack? Clogs, Crocs, for the day. But something smarter for the evening.

Evening Shoes

Gold sandals for the evening. Gold and silver sandals would go with everything.  Not high heels. The conference centre had grass. I could keep to paths. But what if a group took a short cut? Or an evening walk by the lake to see the sunset?

Summer Sandals

Sandals for summery weather. Socks, or nail polish for my toes? 

Rain

What if it rained? Did I need closed toe shoes?

Travel Outfits - One or Two?

I needed five outfits plus one travel outfit. I could wear it at the end. It could be hand-washed and dry in between, if I wore the same dress on the journey down and the journey back.

Day and evening 

I wanted a day outfit and an evening outfit. Could I upgrade outfits with a smarter jacket, and a glittering scarf? I wanted a hat with a brim to shield my eyes from lights. But what about the evening? A sequinned cap. It was black, no good for crossing roads at night, but okay when I stayed within a conference centre.

Stationery, Books, Gifts

For a Writers' Summer School I pack books to sell, a display stand, stickers, flyers, business cards and free bookmarks.

My books. Photo by Angela Lansbury.



Torch

Umbrella and rainhat and hooded raincoat. Waterproof bag for papers, notebooks and books and newspapers.

Coffee

On one trip, my husband did not like the coffee in the restaurant at the hotel. He made a round trip driving to the nearest town and bought a coffee maker and capsules. The following year we travelled there with the coffee  maker.

Please bookmark and share links to your favourite posts.


Where to Find Marks & Spencer And The History of Your Shops and Brands

 



The Origin of Marks

 The name Marks means son of Mark. Michael Marks was Jewish, as were many people in what was known as the rag trade. He had started a successful little business selling clothes in the market in Leeds, England. Later he wanted to expand. 

Meeting Spencer

He approached somebody who supplied him with goods.Would they like to invest some money and have a half share in the expanding company and profits? The man he approached, said no, but my accountant, Spencer, might be interested. Spencer was interested. 

Spencer was not Jewish. He was a Christian. How do I know and how can you check? Spencer and his wife are buried in a church cemetery.



St Michael

St Michael was the brand name Marks chose to honour and recall  and commemorate the name of his beloved late father Michael. I always wondered why a 'Jewish' company would have a brand which sounded christian. Now I have the answer. The compnay\s owners, like their customers were a mixture of religions. They all knew the English word saint. 

Marks and Spencer set out to be saintly, reliable. Classic clothes. Long-lasting. Quality control. Straight, firm seams. Spare buttons. Firmly inserted zips. 

The company expanded over the years. Now they are in Singapore, all over the world.

You can find their shops in major malls. And online. 

If you want to explore history, as well as see modern shops, plaques recalling them and their start are in Leeds, England.

I went to Marks & Spencer in London earlier this year and bought ladies underwear, sets of

Marks & Spencer brands

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Marks_%26_Spencer_brands

Useful Websites

Marks

https://www.marksandspencer.com/

wiki marks

Please share links to your favourite blog posts.

How To Pack On the Floor Or Bed For A One Week Trip


 

Ah.The overflowing Suitcase

I was only going away for a week. But I had been packing for weeks. The suitcase was full with extra items in piles either side. I kept taking things out, putting new things in, and starting all over again. 

The Multiple Lists

I kept trying to make a list. The red dress on day one, the green on day two, the red shoes, the yellow shoes. I needed five outfits if I wore the same dress on the journey down and the journey back. I wanted a day outfit and an evening outfit. I could take two reversible dresses. But did I have the right colour bras and slips?  Each time, I started a new list. I ended up with four lists and could not tell which was the latest.

Chaos

The whole room was a mess. I had so many tops and skirts and could not decide. 

Urgent Solution Needed

But I needed to tidy the house for family and visitors. I had to get everything into the suitcase and then put the spare clothes back in the wardrobe. (Americans say closet.)  It was a nightmare. 

Count The Days
I took everything out. How many days? Then I saw the solution. Seven days.Seven piles, was three either side of the suitcase and one in the suitcase. Make that two in the suitcase. I folded two outfits side by side in the case. 

The travel outfit on the left of the suitcase. On top went a black jacket and baseball cap. That was the first and last day. (Apart from the evening of arrival - which could go on top of the far left pile.)

 I just needed space for three outfits on the right. thats right. Only three. 

Accessories visible

The shoes at the foot of the outfits could be moved along to check I had no outfit without a suitable pair of shoes. 

An evening outfit went on top of the day outfit for each day.

Count the number of pairs of pants. The coloured bras could go on top. The long slips. One long black evening skirt. With two evening blouses.

Extras

Dear me. One casual anti-mosquito Nosigard long sleeved shirt - with a plain long skirt. 

No scarves or pendants which did not match anything. no more outfits than the number I need.

Photo RecordThe overflowing Suitcase

I had been packing for weeks The suitcase was full with extra items in piles either side. I kept taking things out, putting new things in, and starting all over again. 

The Multiple Lists

I kept trying to make a list. The red dress on day one, the green on day two, the red shoes, the yellow shoes. I needed five outfits if I wore the same dress on the journey down and the journey back. I wanted a day outfit and an evening outfit. I could take two reversible dresses. But did I have the right colour bras and slips?  Each time, I started a new list. I ended up with four lists and could not tell which was the latest.

Chaos

The whole room was a mess. I had so many tops and skirts and could not decide. 

Urgent Solution Needed

But I needed to tidy the house for family and visitors. I had to get everything into the suitcase and then put the spare clothes back in the wardrobe. (Americans say closet.)  It was a nightmare. 

Count The Days
I took everything out. How many days? Then I saw the solution. Seven days.Seven piles, was three either side of the suitcase and one in the suitcase. Make that two in the suitcase. I folded two outfits side by side in the case. 

The travel outfit on the left of the suitcase. On top went a black jacket and baseball cap. That was the first and last day. (Apart from the evening of arrival - which could go on top of the far left pile.)

 I just needed space for three outfits on the right. thats right. Only three. 

Accessories visible

The shoes at the foot of the outfits could be moved along to check I had no outfit without a suitable pair of shoes. 

An evening outfit went on top of the day outfit for each day.

Count the number of pairs of pants. The coloured bras could go on top. The long slips. One long black evening skirt. With two evening blouses.

Extras

Dear me. One casual anti-mosquito Nosigard long sleeved shirt - with a plain long skirt. 

No scarves or pendants which did not match anything. no more outfits than the number I need.

Photo Record

I could photograph the entire lineup to check when re-packing to come home. 

Forgotten Extras - Night Dress

Just add a night dress. And bedroom or bathroom slippers. I hate walking around on dirty looking carpet after a shower.

(A swimsuit?) 

A raincoat and umbrella. - With the travel outfit.

That was the clothes sorted.

Stationery, Books & Food

The other pull along travel bag would take my food for the journey, books, notebooks, and stationery.

The same system works if you pack on a large bed or table.

Please share links to your favourite posts.  

I could photograph the entire lineup to check when re-packing to come home. 

Forgotten Extras - Night Dress

Just add a night dress. And bedroom or bathroom slippers. I hate walking around on dirty looking carpet after a shower.

(A swimsuit?) 

A raincoat and umbrella. - With the travel outfit.

That was the clothes sorted.

Stationery, Books & Food

The other pull along travel bag would take my food for the journey, books, notebooks, and stationery.

The same system works if you pack on a large bed or table.

Please share links to your favourite posts.  

Who was Khalil Gibran?



I came across a quotation by Gibran and wondered who he was. He was a Lebanese born immigrant to the USA, who spent his life writing.  He wrote in English and Arabic. He was a Christian, whose ancestor had converted to Christianity

. 


If you love somebody, let them go, for if they return, they were always yours. If they do not, they never were.

I knew that saying long before I found out who had said it. When I heard his name, I assumed he had lived years ago.  He didn't live as long ago as I thought. Not centuries ago. But the last century, born in the previous century. He lived from 1883 to 1931.

This month I started compiling quotations. I have already published two books of quotations, Quick Quotations for authors and Speakers, and Who Said What When. My latest book is seasonal quotations.



I came across a saying about Halloween. I looked up Khalil Gibran.

Wikipedia helpfully explains:

Khalil or Khaleel (Arabic: خليل) means friend and is a common male first name in the Middle East, the Caucasus, the Balkans, North Africa, West Africa, East Africa, Central Asia and among Muslims in South Asia and as such is also a common surname. It is also used amongst Turkic peoples of Russia and African Americans. The female counterpart of this name is Khalila or Khaleela.

The name Gibran is Arabic and means to restore or repair. What a lovely name.  A friend who restores or repairs.

He wanted to be buried in the Lebanan. His body was taken back there and his tomb is now part of the museum complex called Gibran museum. It is about 75 miles from Beirut.

You can read all about him in Wikipedia and on a website devoted to the museum. 

I shall add some quotations later. You will find them in Wikiquote.

Useful Websites

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibran_Museum

Monday, August 1, 2022

The Big Three and the Little Ones. Have You Heard About The Wildflower Alleys In The Heart Of Belfast?

 Belfast, Northern Ireland. While there, see t
1 The Titanic museum. Where next? 
2 Giant's Causeway (Chanks of natural stone like oblongs standing on the beach). Then the trail.following sites of 
3 The Game Of Thrones.

Useful Websites
https://theculturetrip.com/europe/united-kingdom/northern-ireland/articles/10-best-hiking-trails-in-northern-ireland/
https://discovernorthernireland.com/things-to-do/tv-and-film/game-of-thrones

Americanisms



 US - UK

Americanism - political system promoting America

bangs (hair) - fringes

cop - policeman/policewoman (old fashioned word, bobby)

Jello - jelly

Kleenex - tissues/paper hankies

new kid on the block - newcomer

parking lot - car park

restroom - toilet/loo

soccer - football

umbrella - brolly


UK - US

Americanism - American English

brolly - umbrella

car park - parking lot

football - soccer

Fringe (hair) - bangs

jelly - Jello

newcomer - new kid on the block

tissues/paper hankies - Kleenex

toilet/loo (bathroom) - restroom


Useful Websites

See my other posts on this subject

Please share links to your favourite posts.