Moving to end of Term

It's not quite Christmas according to a song playing on the radio which to be honest it can't be from the last regular one of 2022, things are a bit a bit low key indeed I've only just get started writing a few cards.

An added thing this year has been the computer change with lots of restoring and getting programs back on that unlike in the past aren't on discs to just load in with product codes but need downloading.

This time of year usually takes me back to school activities like the many plays and pantos I took a part in be it a a non speaking part or speaking and having to learn the words to songs to sing on stage to an audience of vistors, staff, younger children and obviously parents including your own.

You sorted out ways of memorizing your lines and stage directions, learned to hold you head high as you forgot them had ahem "wardrobe malfunctions" during practise sessions and finally did it well.

We had the Crimbo Party  and Dinner where we tried to be a be a bit more grown up even through we were still on fruit juice with our sandwiches and Xmas Puddings that still contained a six pence before health and safety stepped in saying we might swallow them.

Finally we had the Xmas Assembly with its readings and carols  followed by announcements of which the last was to be good and help at home.

Next week should be the last "proper" entry before Christmas Day where I take a bit of a pause.

Musing Friday

After the last couple of post which were uncharacteristically music related as we are starting the slow countdown to Crimbo here we are going a bit more back to what the blog evolved into.

I can hardly say about cos as the "back end" of this blog rather shows originally it was photography led but that was because I was trying to document things about my past, capturing memories while they were relatively fresh.

Everybody has their era and with me it crosses decades but in some ways starting formal education as the 1960's moved into the 1970's did kind of suit me and I was glad even with my disabilities that at school, church, things like cubs too, we were expected and were brought up to look smart.

We dressed up to go to the cinema, theatre and to eat out because it was an event, an experience that was seen as one where how we projected oursleves mattered.

Not for us thrown on casual attire but dress shirts, ties that had to be fastened, creased short trousers and socks that had to be straight up with shoes you were expected to polish yourself.

Being more dressed like those boys as just normal and even when out I had a childs version of a sports type blazer not connected with your school one you'd wear to restaurants and a proper folded hankichief.

With that and your manners we were always welcomed back, respected, people who would be "gentlemen" in your later life equally respected by your community.

It would be great to see more of that about today's boys as much as a good deal has changed over the decades from when I were a lad.