Burn's Night

And in lieu of haggis, neeps and tatties, this seems appropriate.

A Man's A Man For A' That

1795
Type: Song
Tune: For a' that.

Is there for honest Poverty That hings his head, an' a' that; The coward slave-we pass him by, We dare be poor for a' that! For a' that, an' a' that. Our toils obscure an' a' that, The rank is but the guinea's stamp, The Man's the gowd for a' that. What though on hamely fare we dine, Wear hoddin grey, an' a that; Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine; A Man's a Man for a' that: For a' that, and a' that, Their tinsel show, an' a' that; The honest man, tho' e'er sae poor, Is king o' men for a' that. Ye see yon birkie, ca'd a lord, Wha struts, an' stares, an' a' that; Tho' hundreds worship at his word, He's but a coof for a' that: For a' that, an' a' that, His ribband, star, an' a' that: The man o' independent mind He looks an' laughs at a' that. A prince can mak a belted knight, A marquis, duke, an' a' that; But an honest man's abon his might, Gude faith, he maunna fa' that! For a' that, an' a' that, Their dignities an' a' that; The pith o' sense, an' pride o' worth, Are higher rank than a' that. Then let us pray that come it may, (As come it will for a' that,) That Sense and Worth, o'er a' the earth, Shall bear the gree, an' a' that. For a' that, an' a' that, It's coming yet for a' that, That Man to Man, the world o'er, Shall brothers be for a' that.

In a week that saw the Scottish Parliament told they are subservient to Westminster (as always has been, as always will be until independence) then this version of the song is apt. I wonder how much more unionist inclined Scots will take before realising we need to be making our own decisions, for good or for worse. Many of them will be celebrating at a Burn's Supper tonight, completely ignoring the meaning of the words they recite. It's a strange mindset. I'd like to be in an independent Scotland as part of the EU but I'll take the former first and foremost. For a' that.

Close Your Eyes & Pretend It Isn't Happening

That's pretty much how I feel about the way things are going at the moment. If I had to think about it too long I'd be sick with the way the UK is going and there is nothing we can do but be dragged down with it all.

So I will close my eyes, I will hear the sea rush against the beach and feel the sand on my toes. Everyone needs a happy place, I know where mine is and reality is truly too awful to want to remain there for long.

Yes, that is the Hobbits, not so little and cute now - more long of limb and handsome. Hug your babies, they grow up too fast!

Flooers*

Finally, I've had a chance to upload my Millport photos and each one was a breath of memories, lightening the mood. What to do? What to do?

For some reason I've taken lots of photos of flowers, as a pretty poor gardener this is amusing - to me if no one else. I'd love a beautiful garden, a full bee and butterfly friendly banquet. If only I had my dad's talent for being able to actually grow things. Another thing I wish I'd paid attention to!

Here are some wild and not-so-wild flowers. There are no names, I have no idea what most of them are other than pleasing to the eye in natures wonderful way.

*not a typo, it's Scots, despite some folk thinking it's not a language, it is!

Brain Not Work Today. Photo Only

You all know where it is.

It's Over And Done With

Well, not quite.

To put it politely Scotland sent a huge message out to the world, 55% of our dear population bottled it and decided that being part of a broken down union was a much easier option than actually trying to do something different, to make something better.

Strangely enough though the "winners" seem to be the ones with anger while those who were involved in the Yes campaign have grieved (very briefly), regrouped and have collectively decided that damn the percentages;  if you want to live in a progressive society you need to pull up your sleeves and get on with it.

In the week since the referendum, along with interesting allegations over the vote itself (claimed as conspiracy theories there is definitely something that went on) there has been an immediate back tracking over the extra powers promised by the three main UK parties; more cuts in budget; suddenly the oil isn't running out, in fact there's tons of the stuff; fracking that will happen no matter what; benefits that will harm working families are targeted and amongst everything else a nice little war to keep the flags flying.

You couldn't make this crap up.

I've gone from a news junkie to trying to find reliable sources.  Once you've seen how biased a news source can be it is very difficult, no, impossible to then trust them with anything - each minute is spent wondering what is fact and what is tilted so you think how they are wanting you to.  I studied the use of propaganda as part of my history degree, I didn't expect to see the same methods once used in Soviet Russia still prevalent now.

It is embarrassing to know that a majority don't care about the society they live in.  I have thought that we will move elsewhere if given the opportunity but I want to try, why should those who want to make everyone's lives better and make this country fairer lie down and allow the seemingly angry, bitter and ignorant others to have their way?  I know it sounds belligerent, to say the very least, but you have to look at why people do what they do and no, it is unacceptable to allow those who are comfortably off, the "I'm alright Jack" crowd sit back and enjoy their lives while others suffer.

While we sit have Trident sitting on the Clyde, while the House of Lords dare to rule over us "commoners", while the oil money is wasted on stupid wars, the job is not done.

Then The Day Came

For the first time ever voting came with a little thrill as I marked my X against the Yes box today.  A strangely emotional experience knowing that tomorrow we will be independent or have to take the consequences of staying in the UK.

I'm tired, so emotionally tired that I can no longer give reasons why I'm for yes.

Tomorrow I shall sleep and hopefully it will be restful.

Scottish Snapshots

For no particular reason, Bass Rock, taken from Seacliff Beach.

Whaur ye bin?*

Summer has gone, the treadmill still runs as fast and this time we have the amazingly full schedule of two high school boys to deal with.  Thankfully, two weeks in, they love it, much more challenging than primary school but that isn't hard; it doesn't feel as though they learn much of anything in that final year.

Primary 7 is an exercise in caging wild animals and now they've been released, all minds working at one hundred miles an hour and hormones crashing in to each other.

It's the last day of August and already the wind brings a nip of Autumn with it.  Already summer seems so distant (yet we still have our holiday in October to enjoy - yay!)

This summer we did this:

And a bit of this:

Some of this;

And of course, this:

But mostly the boys did this:

Which they absolutely loved and will hopefully be doing again next year.

Most memorable of all, we visited my dad's memorial bench at Fintry Bay, Millport.  Whiling away a beautiful afternoon, enjoying the perfect view and thinking of how much he would have enjoyed it.

Add to that, this is the summer I finally received CBT for my CFS and that is AOK.


*Don't think I really need to translate from the Scots but just in case it's very simple - Where (have) you been?

In the Dark, Dark Woods

The kind of woods the big, bad wolf would live in although to be honest I've always found humans to be more typical of the fairytale nightmare.

Beecraigs, West Lothian

Holidays At Home

Not home home as such but this year, instead of a solitary day on the Isle of Cumbrae where we go to remember my dad we spent an entire, delicious week.

Just like the holidays I had at my boys' age only colder, it being a Scottish Easter and much earlier this year than last.  So it ended up that as we were leaving the (very slightly) warmer weather was arriving.

Still, the boys managed the obligatory and much fun cycle round the island, I did my best before the CFS kicked in - I'm really feeling it now but glad I pushed through, sometimes consequences are worth it!  We spent the days roaming the town of Millport us and the dog, exploring everywhere, rockpools, beaches, ice cream at the Ritz Cafe.  Bliss.  And by evening, when tiredness washed over me at least, we played board games and did jigsaws because we're rock n' roll like that.

Millport, Isle of Cumbrae, the rocks are made for clambering

Three islands in one, taken from Cumbrae, looking over to the isle of Bute with Arran in the background.

On a clear day Arran makes a spectacular view.

The castle on Wee Cumbrae island, privately owned and for sale the island is which is not really a good thing.

The view from the bay where my dad rests, I always think he'd enjoying it greatly.

My Sons Think They're Mountain Goats

On a day out to Callander we decided to venture up to the Bracklinn Falls. 

Impressive stuff tucked away in the hills behind the town.  Huge boulders shaped by centuries of pounding, wild fresh water.  Of course rocks are meant to be clambered upon. 

Spot my two in this photo adding more grey hairs to mum's head. I can't really condemn them as I'd have done the same at their age.  I know lots of parents wouldn't let their precious ones anywhere near the water but you've got to stand back & let them do their own risk assessment at 11.  Otherwise how do they learn?

This February

Has been actually jolly nice weather wise so come with me on a walk to nearby Bo'Ness which is a nicer town than some of the people in it make it to be.  Take of that what you will. (While enjoying a walk along the water front I overheard ned-speak which, if repeated here, would certainly raise a few eyebrows.  Let's put it this way, you wouldn't want to pick up any socks in this boys house, especially when he doesn't want to inconvenience his girlfriend the night before ifyougetwhatImean.)

Anyway...apologies for quality, these were taken from my mobile phone.  I plan on getting a new camera.  At some point...

A little bit of snow left on the hills behind Culross across the Forth.

Oh dear Mr Fox, not very fortunate, why did I take a pic of this?  Why did I share it?

The Forth is underused, we could make much more of our waterways - especially if we're basing our independence on being more Scandinavian.

Further on past the harbour wall (and it is just a wall) the Forth bridges can be made out in the distance.

And there were lots of these little birds paddling about in the shallows.  

Look very closely for this one! Finally this little chap decided to sunbathe in the mud, he jostled about for position for a while before swimming off, only to return when he realised the humans (and various dogs) were looking just at him.