January 2009 Archives

I have two disappointments to make note of in this blog.
First is the fact that our Prime Minister has not commented on my blog about Cold Weather Payments.
Obviously not important enough, given the current climate of how we see him throwing good money after bad.
I always say in jest and frustration that I do not have an endless pit of money to conjure up when it comes to money running out too quickly, so maybe Gordon Brown can enlighten me as to where he has picked up the magic trick he has acquired, to suddenly have the money to hand out willy nilly as he likes(sorry about the willy nilly, just came into my head and it sounds daft enough to describe the circumstances).It is so frustrating but never mind my motto is' what goes round comes round' or in my case what goes round always comes back and smacks me in the face with disappointment.
This brings me on to the second disappointment.
I hope that I am jumping the gun,but I don't think so.
It has been a week since the closing date of the York competition and I don't think I have won it.
Oh woe is me as I say in the title of this blog.
Really I must thank the other 2 musketeers for supporting me on this and all their positive thinking wishing that I could win. It was much appreciated and if anyone else tried to be positive but did not comment thanks as well. I also have another saying 'what is for you won't go by you' and in this case it was not meant to be.
I still want to see York because from all accounts it seems to be a lovely place to go. A programme on the television this morning was showing parts of York, Do you think someone was trying to tell me something.
Anyway! I will retreat to a darkened room and sob my eyes out. Pass the hankies please.
Awra Best
Lorna

MIRANDA MEETS HER MATCH.doc
I have just written this tonight but I got my names mixed up and it reads Miranda on the document and the rest are Melissa. Believe me it is Melissa.
I hope you like it.
cheers
lorna

neves comic mag first inside page.docTHE OLD COUNTRY FAYRE.docpatric o'malley's adventure.doc
Due to popular demand, I am bringing you all more of the stories in Neves Book and one from her magazine.
I am going to try to put three of them in the one blog so here goes but I am just guessing how to do it.
Got to stay positive. It is going to work. it is going to work.
Hurray,Just goes to show if you are positive anything is possible.
It is not easy to know what people like and if Susannas (one of my fellow musketeers)had not enlightened me to the fact that her friends and herself enjoyed these stories and was wanting more then I would have been blissfully unaware of this.
So please, please, please comment if there is anything you like or want repeated or continued with because I would be only too happy to oblige.
Its a bit like Big Brother here sometimes, you lose sight of the outside world don't you, especially when there are no comments apart from my fellow bloggers. So why not give me a shout (a quiet one) and see how we go from here.
cheers
lorna

I left off with my last blog when I applied to go on the BA Communication and Media course at another college.
Never one to do things by half, I applied and was accepted as a mature student. I could not believe it because all I had was life experience a higher in communication and the other intermediate 2 passes in the business course and of course my intermediate 1 on the internet.
So armed with all the hope and promise of an exciting time ahead of me, I started my course.
What was really enlightening about it was that because we were BA students we had a get together with other years on the course with the tutors, which took the form of a drink, some nibbles and a blether with each other to break the ice. It brought home to me that I was witnessing something special because all my life I was always treated way down at the bottom of the list but here we were special because we were BA students. It felt weird and something I was not used to.
Throughout the year we did a variety of subjects and I realise now that this was probably the easiest year being the first of three years.
I loved the talks, the presentations( even though they were nerve racking but good experience) the cameraderi of college life. I particularly felt proud that my 'writing for print' studies came good for me and I got a B plus in this. This to me was the closest I have come to journalism and the other ambition in my life apart from going to York is to write a column in a newspaper(any offers greatly received) Joan Burnie has to be the one who inspires me a lot and when I started the course, one subject was 'Individual in society' We were asked to write an article for a newspaper and when I got mine back from the tutor, she had written as if in disgust, too much like a tabloid paper version. Of course I had to think of broadsheet didn't I.
My ' writing for print' tutor also remarked that I was a bit hard on someone in an article about a television programme. Joan, you have a lot to answer for because you have been a big influence on my life.
Anyway the year went in and I went through to the second year carrying through a mass media subject to pass in the second year or I was out.
The second year was tough and as the year progressed, I was struggling because of family commitments with my grandaughter and her condition. She had been diagnosed with Osteogenises Imperfecta which is a form of brittle bones and she had a lot of breaks during this time. So with the worry of my beautiful grandaughter suffering all the time, the strain took its toll and I was advised to swot up on the mass media subject or again I would have nothing to show for all the work I had put in. I put superhuman effort into the essay about this and I was told I did really well with this. Which really surprised me because I burst a gut doing it and was so sure it wsas not good enough. Anyway the outcome was that I did not proceed to my third year but I graduated with a first year certificate in the BA Communication and Media which my course tutor told us is between an HNC and a HND. It is officially a Higher Certificate of Education. HCE( I think)
On my graduation day in November 2005, there was no one prouder than myself because I had acheived the ultimate of everything I had began from the Millenium and this was the icing on the cake. We went for a meal after the ceremony with a dear friend who has since died but that day with my husband and Bob Stirling was the one of the most memorable of my life.
So in closing this life changing experience with you all I would just like to make a few points.
It all began coming into the Millenium when my cousin died and Ross' s blog triggered off a load of memories with his blog about clutter, it carried on through the other blogs about how I acheived so much in the years since the Millenium and this blog brings it to where I stand at the moment. All I would say is that if like me you feel that you cannot stand up for yourself, their is always hope in life and I would never have come through all that I did if I had not pushed myself that wee bit harder and pushed myself to my limit. It still scares the hell out of me when I look back these 8years but I wouldn't swop it for the world.Just go for it, no matter how scary and impossible things seem because in the end it is all worth it . BELIEVE ME.
CHEERS
LORNA

THE HOMECOMING.doc
This is the poem I entered for the same competition this year. It is about the homecoming of all Scots. Some who will not be coming back too. I thought it was very appropriate and had a better chance but again no luck.
Ah well never mind if at first you don't succeed try, try, try again. Maybe next year, who knows aye.
cheers
lorna

MRS LORNA JOHNSTON.doc
With this being Burns day and it is nearly at an end, I thought it fitting to include in two of my blogs, a tribute to Rabbie, the greatest icon.
A man for a' that.
This one is a poem I entered for a competition in 2008 but did not win.
Maybe it was just too patriotic, who knows. It was their loss.I thought the play on words in the title may have clinched it but they couldn't have had a sense of humour.
cheers
lorna

Here we are again. I finished off my last one when I had completed the millenium project and this one takes me to the time I educated myself properly.
I had made a conscious decision that I had wanted to start up a business away back in 2002. What was holding me back was the realisation that I needed to know more about how to go about it and everything to do with it, so I enrolled myself on an SVQ Business course at College full time.
This was exciting and scary at the same time, considering I had not be in full time education since 1969.
Going three days a week to college and all it entailed, showed me a different outlook once more.
I got friendly with quite a few other students and it was good.
Part of the course was working with others.
I am not very good at mixing with others usually but it certainly worked out well. I am usually so independent.
We did a project about Livingston Football Club and interviewed Jim Leishman, the manager at the time.
You should have seen all the young men, when we went to the club and was ushered into a room for the interview. There were players going about and the fellas were agog. They couldn't believe what they were seeing. To us girls, me and another one, we took it all in our stride.The fella's were so out there all the time, when we saw the pictures of the team etc.on the walls. They were snapping away like crazy with their camera's. You would think all their Christmasses had come at once.
It turned out okay though and got us a pass in the subject.
Another thing I remember is when we had to take a test on the internet to do with communication. It was to assess which group you would go into. Intermediate1, 2 or higher. I shot through it because I like all that stuff. Even my maths tutor was surprised I had got such a high score.(sorry for boasting, I just feel so proud)
He mentioned it to my course tutor. Anyway, I found myself in the higher group and this little bit always sticks in my mind. I went to sit down with the higher group and one girl looked at me in a discerning way, nose in the air and said' what are you doing here in this group' I said that I was in the higher group. The look on her face said it all. She could not believe( probably because I was a mature student) that I could possibly be clever enough to take the higher in communication and you know what! With a lot of hard work and coming close to failing it over a stupid report, (considering I had never written a report before) I did pass and got my first higher ever. It was the best feeling in the world believe me. I got intermediate2 in all my other subjects and intermediate1 for the internet
Considering that I had never touched a computer in my life before this course, that was something else.
Determination and hard work has handsomely paid off in all areas and I am pleased that I persevered.
After this course finished I found I had enjoyed it so much, that I was bitten by the learning bug and started browsing through my local paper. I saw that the other college close by, was doing a BA Communications and Media course. Never one to take the easy road I applied for it.
This will all be revealed in my next blog.
cheers
Lorna

HI
Not good news I'm afraid.
Didn't win a sausage did I.
That's the thing with scratchcards, they are so addictive.
You have good intentions but nothing comes of it.
Goodness knows how other folk can win millions on lucky dips because I never do.
Well anyway that is me off them for good believe me.
cheers
lorna

This is just going to be a super quick blog folks.
Got to get organised to go back into town.
Really wanted to get back to my life changing blogs but they will have to wait.
Really gutted today. Took back scratch card with £2.00, from last week.
Got two more different ones didn't I.
Sitting on the bus going home and scratched the first one. I hadn't done this one before, so just saw a number 7 like it said and thought 'great probably be a small amount'. couldn't understand how the last number showed a 3 but boy oh boy there it was underneath the 3, wait for it £77.00. Yes! I shouted silently to myself, probably looking a right idiot with my facial expression(cheesy grin). I allready had it worked out what I was going to do with it because it' s not every day you win £77.00. Tried the next one. Hello! why was it saying something totally different when I scratched off the bottom. Clink, clink. sound of penny dropping. Oh my! it was not £77.00 but only £1.00. Sheer and total disappointment washed over me in big crashing waves. No I am not kidding or exaggerating. My face must have looked a picture.
But not all is lost because I am going to try for another one because I have won a £1 on my first ticket.
So! here' s the story!
I am going into the newsagents where I bought the first ones and I am going to buy one more of the same one at approximately 1.45pm today. For your part. all who read this, you can be involved in a scientific trial.
At this time just say' lorna is going to win on her scratchcard' just the once and I will get back to you about what happens.
If I win something substantial, and I don't mean £1.00, and if you gave me your support at this time, then let me know through the comments and I will do a draw and give it to charity. That is anything over £1 guys okay.
Wish me luck.
cheers
lorna
ps sorry i said it was going to be a quick blog. I got a bit carried away.

I thought I would just try my luck at writing a quick reminder blog to Gordon Brown.
I know that there are a lot of problems going on at the moment with this recession and some more important than others, but lets take a deep breath and get our priorities correct here.
My priority is to see the old, sick and disabled helped and taken notice of, but what do we see in the news of late. Gordon is bailing the banks out again. I know that this is important as well, especially where jobs are concerned, but why do others like the pensioners, sick and disabled have to suffer and be kicked into touch because of the incompetence of bankers who have friviously frittered away good money for years.
Not good enough Gordon!
The way I see it is that you were chancellor and now you are prime minister.
Alistair Darling is chancellor and he has shifted from pillar to post in different departments and in my opinion he has never made a good job of any of these departments he worked in.
Here is my solution prime minister.
Get rid of Alistair Darling because he is a liability and get back to the job of Chancellor yourself. Although that leaves an even bigger problem. Who is fit to lead the country if you do that.
Nuff said!
That is only one opinion Prime Minister, goodness knows what everybody else is thinking out there. Your ears must be burning like beacons at the moment.
Anyway, I will continue to wait patiently and hope that someone gives you the nod about the blogs I have directed at you and maybe if I am lucky I will get a reply from you.
I am not holding my breath though.
Prove me wrong if you will and I will take on board all you say and give you a reply quicker than you have afforded me.
Cheers
Lorna

In my last blog, I finished off from when the time in Bath came to an end.
I had done a lot over that short period of time 8years ago, which I did not realise I was capable of.
I was and still am a person with not much confidence. I find I can write everything I feel down on paper but speaking to people direct and making a point is very difficult. I have come a long way and I am getting more adept at standing up for myself but I must admit that if I could write everything and not say it direct then life would be a lot more easier.
After I came back, I found a poetry booklet in stuff I had retrieved from the house. It was written by John Osbourne who lives just outside Bath, running a farm. I phoned him up and told him how I got his booklet and he was very nice.I said that I planned to pay a visit back down sometime and I would pop in to see him to which he readily agreed. So later in the year I went down to pay my respects at my aunt and cousins grave and place a poem I had written and had made into a frame on a spike to stick into the ground.
I visited John and his wife Rosemary and they made me very welcome.
We seemed tp get on great and I gave him a poetry craft I had designed and he gave me some of his up to date booklets, signed by himself. His poetry is so good and down to earth and some of it was similar to the ones I write myself. We kept in touch by writing letters, but now we send Christmas cards each year.
After this time in my life I felt a longing to do something with my life.I did not know what but I knew it was to do with an exhibition of my poetry. In the past I had written poetry and sold it for charity at stalls around where I live but I was wanting to do more so this leads me into the time I decided to apply for the 'Breaking Down Barriers' project that was funded by the Millenium . I sent away the form and had an interview to see if my project was going to be successful. It was very nerve racking but I was successful. I feel that what I had been through before had prepared me for doing this. I was awarded money to set up a poetry group in the community, which would benefit all sectors of the comunity and it was very hard setting it up at first. I was appointed a mentor to help me and I remember the people I was involved with asking if I had someone else to help me. Of course I didn't and I know that I was pushing myself to the limit doing it all alone but that is the way I am.Too independent for my own good.
Well it all worked out and was a success. We had an exhibition of the poetry that was written in the group and an anthology, which I still have to this day. We are still ongoing as a group after 7years and Quill is the name we have. We are a wee bit short on members at the moment, so if you like to write, read and breathe poetry and you live near Bathgate , West Lothian you are welcome to come along every second Monday from the 26th January at 7o'clock at Bathgate Community Centre in Marjoriebank Street.(just a wee plug there) You are always sure of a great welcome. This resulted in me being made a Fellow of the MIllenium which is quite an exclusive gathering and only awarded to people who did a project to benefit their community and I feel really chuffed and humble when I think about this because I had a wonderful time when we were presented with our certificates from Jim Leishman and it was a night to remember up at Livingston.
We had our pictures taken with Jim and I will never forget it for as long as I live.
I also had the honour of being invited to the opening of the Falkirk Wheel when the Queen and Prince Phillip opened it and that was something I will never forget in my entire life. It was so unbelievable and I still have to pinch myself when I think how far I have come to achieve this.
My life was changing out of all proportions but there still was more lying waiting for me in the years to come, which I will share with you's all in my future blogs.
cheers
lorna
PS; By the way I am still crossing my fingers and toes and whatever else I can to try and win the York competition. I realised that you can e-mail your answer and believe me the e-mail system is hotting up
and if I don't win, it won't be for the want of trying. Keep positive with me everyone and thanks to Susannas and Rehab for their support any other comments of support will be gratefully received.

This continues on from the previous one I blogged.
When we eventually arrived in Bath, we were met by my cousins friend and he took us to his house.It was very emotional. He told us all the circumstances and how my cousin had become a recluse since my aunt died.
As time went on, we met the neighbour who was friendly with my cousin and then we visited the house.
Nothing could have prepared us for what we saw and I can still see it even now. The livingroom was littered with boxes and goodness knows what else, halfway up from the floor. You litterally had to climb over everything to get over to the other side. The same was in the bedroom. Through time we discovered that my cousin just left money lying everywhere,sometimes in knotted handkerchiefs. I just don't know why he did this.You know something I feel really sad when I think about this even after 8years and I feel like I am being so terrible talking about it like this so I think perhaps I should move on and not go into so much detail.
In conclusion of this part I would just say that he was a hoarder and had hoarded stuff for goodness knows how many years. Nobody knew anything about it and I decided that I would not hoard anything to that degree in my life.I do hoard stuff, yes, like most folk but that was extreme and unbelievable to witness.So when I saw Ross's Blog, it brought it all back. One heartbreaking moment though was when we were upstairs trying to sift through things hoping to find family pictures etc to take back.I found pieces of paper with what looked like notes written on them. On clearer examination I realised it was roughly scribbled messages my cousin had written to my auntie, probably before her funeral. They were so touching and for a moment I was going to take them away with me but for some reason I thought to myself' well these are my cousins personal last letters to my auntie and no one was supposed to see them so I tore them up and no one else saw what I had saw written from a broken hearted son to his mother.
My cousin had wanted to be buried in the same grave as my auntie but there was no room left. The undertaker suggested to us that we could have him cremated and the box buried in a hole dug at the bottom.It seemed so right because my cousin had said that he wanted to be buried beside my auntie and we made that possible and it makes me feel so humble that we achieved it.So now my grandmother, uncle, auntie and cousin are all together in the one grave.
This was the first funeral I had organised and I was terrified because there was so much to do and getting the money from the bank account was so difficult but we managed it and what was left over was sorted out legally from up here in Scotland which was really difficult and stressed me out so much that it pushed me to the limit. I feel very proud of myself, but not in a boastful way but knowing that everything worked out eventually for my cousin and his estate the way both he and my auntie would want it.
We managed to get some personal belongings and family photos from my aunties sent up and they were so old, pictures we had never seen before but they survived all the mess. It was very humbling.
One thing that sticks in my mind was when we sat one night at my cousins friends house talking till late on.
This was before the funeral. His friend said to me' you know something lorna, he always liked you and said you were his favourite.' I was taken aback because I was never aware of this and I come from a big family so to hear his friend say that was so heartbreaking for me. There was probably so much I did not know about my big cousin from Bath but I am sure as hell proud to have known him for the time I did because these circumstances turned my life around and changed it and me forever from what I was before.
I will tell you's all how in my next blog.
I hope you's all will keep reading it.
cheers
lorna

This is just going to be a quick blog, believe me.
Everybody has one major ambition in life, one thing they want to do more than anything else. Well for me it is to go to York.(don't laugh).
I think it stems from the time when I was at high school and my friend told me all about her visit and I was hooked. The nearest I have got to being in York is when I came up from Bath in 2000 and then it was only on the platform for a few minutes.We were told to change trains and then we were told to get back on the one we were on.So that is the closest I have been to visiting York.
However! In one of the other Sunday newspapers( which will remain nameless for obvious reasons) we read, there have been countless times this one competition appears for an all inclusive visit to York. Believe me! It is not for the want of trying and praying hard to win it but no I have never been successful. But you know what! It has come around again. So what I am going to do may be a bit daft! but I am going to ask everyone( and I mean everyone) who blogs on this website,All the Sunday Mail staff(you included Steve) and anyone else who looks in on us from around the world, to stand,on one day of this week till Friday and whisper' Lorna is going to win the competition to York' and who knows what all this positive thought will achieve. It is my last hope because I so want to go to York and see it for myself. I will be phoning up for my part in it and wishing like --------(sorry got carried away).
Anyway! I hope you all can do me this big favour and I will be eternally grateful if I win, believe me.
cheers
Lorna

Hello
I read Ross' s blog and much as I would like to phone up Rosie for myself, my family do not share my enthusiasm. It is a great way of fundraising for charity but maybe something else will come along in the future.
This is close to my heart what Ross was saying for a reason.
When we were coming up to the millenium(2000), I had done a lot of stuff but had not got anywhere and was a bit lost for something to bite my teeth into.
This time was, I feel, the turning point for many milestones that snowballed and cascaded down like an avalanche.
I know that sounds dramatic, but believe me when I eventually finish this, you will understand why it became so dramatic.In fact I could write a book about the 8years since my life changed coming into the millenium. That is why I have decided to split it all into more than one blog because so much has happened.
My aunt from Bath in Somerset died in March 1999 and we did not go down to the funeral because of lack of funds at the time. My cousin Eric was her only child and they were very close but I did not know how close they were till the worst possible scenario happened. He was 54 years old coming up to the Millenium and we had tried to keep in touch by letter but as always when you do not get replies very often you tend to let go and hope that he will recover from his grief but it was not meant to be. In January, 2000 we received a call from the police down at Somerset and was shocked to hear that he had been found dead in the house.
Nothing could have prepared us for the events which followed.
It seems that they had to look at any mail lying, to give them any indication of an address of relatives and they came up with one of my brothers. He contacted us and from there we agreed that I would go, along with my two brothers. I took over the communication side of arranging things before we went down, trying to find out what had happened, was there any neighbours who could fill in the blanks,anybody who knew Eric well and trying to do the one hundred and one other things when someone has died. What complicated it all was that it was away down the south of England and so far away.It was my mothers birthplace and I had longed to visit it one day, but not under these circumstances.
We did get a phone call from Erics friend and a neighbour and her husband. They told us things that we never knew was happening and the neighbour mentioned that there was a passbook belonging to Eric with money in it, which no one seemed to know about. It seems.
We eventually made our way down to Bath, with a lot of apprehension, and wondering how things were going to turn out.
We had accomodation arranged with Eric's friend and arrangements for the funeral and ceremony were all in hand.
I don't want to dwell on this for too long as it brings it all back, so I will write another blog before I continue with this one.
cheers
Lorna

I would just like to give my thoughts about this series of Celebrity big brother.
Many discussions are ongoing about Michelle and Ben and are they or are they not flirting but this is not the big issue here.
It is so evident that Channel Four are cleverly editing certain shots and circumstances, to make the most of keeping the viewers interest going. For example, where nominations were being given it was evident they were showing shots of celebrities facial expressions relating to something else at the time but matching them up to give the greatest effect.Fair do's this is mild in comparison with the way that they seemed reluctant to embrace the idea that Michelle could have been bullied.It was degrading to say the least to hear how they questioned Coolio eventually and only after Michelle was devasted by his behaviour. The behaviour of a supposedly grown man trying to manipulate viewers perception of him and make himself out to be such a great man was embarrasing to say the least.
No! he wasn't in her face threatening her, he was just winding her up continually and relentlessly but it seems he thinks this was entertaining, said that he would not speak again after being told off and then made a derogetary attempt to wind her up again.Big Brother should have acted sooner to bring this to a close once and for all. Michelle on her part was slated for being 'too sensitive' and asked by big brother to talk things over with Coolio. Some viewers even feel she had a game plan with it all.
Come on everybody, only if you have been bullied can you see the signs. No you don't have to be physically abused, no you don't have to have someone in your face but the constant way that Coolio was winding her up was mentally exacting his power over her and I am not going to apologise for being so strong about that phrase.Believe me I have had to suffer this type of bullying and it was distressing watching it happen to Michelle and it was cringe worthy television which should never have been allowed. I know that due to good editing Big Brother managed to end their version of the story with a happy ending for Michelle and she talked things out fairly amicably with Coolio but it does not happen like that in real life believe me. I know that there are going to be a lot of people who do not agree with me but bullying cannot and should not be tolerated at any level beause there is no level acceptable for this in society.
I have been bullied at school and workplaces and it never leaves you.There are always reminders, such as this to bring it back and it is very painful even after 40 years.
I hope when whoever reads this, will think hard about what I have said and if there are people out there who are getting bullied then I would say to get help because you can't struggle on endlessly. For those who are bullies and reading this I would just say that I feel sorry that you have to follow this road in life but please stop now! and get help for your problem.
Cheers
Lorna

Getting back to the cold weather payments and the Prime Ministers Blog, I would just like to say one or two things.
Read Susannas blog and thanks for the support Susannas. One thing I would say is that disabled people alone do not get cold weather payments but if you are in receipt of income support to top up incapacity benefit then you are entitled to get it but it seems that it is not enough to have big bills and a freezing cold house, because this does not constitute payments being triggered off on account of certain areas not falling below zero for 7consecutive days. To me it is very badly thought out system and should be overhauled.Believe me,. no one likes to be on the breadline and it is like having your nose rubbed in it when this happens about cold weather payments.I must admit, if there had to be a choice between only old people getting it and others like my husband who are on benefits through no fault of their own, then morally I would vote for the old people first, Who knows, maybe this uncaring government will eventually bring legislation out to that effect to save pennies here and there to give to other projects less deserving.
This recession is just beginning but when you have had to struggle for over 2years for money believe me most people don't know what they are talking about. So how about it Gordon! When are you going to do something for the ordinary punter in the street and make Britain a fairer society to live in where you don't have to shoot your mouth off and complain every second.
Surely if your minions are doing there job right I would have thought that somebody would have mentioned my blog to you but then again maybe I am one of those people who live in cloud cuckoo land.and will wait forever to get a reply. I tried Rehabs suggestion to go to the Prime Ministers website but no can do because I cannot upload my protestation on video.I belong to the old brigade who would rather write it out and receive a nice reply. I hope I can look forward to some kind of reply soon Prime Minister.
Cheers
Lorna

Dear Sir
I have decided to be formal, in the hope that you will take this blog seriously.
I do not know if you will read it personally, but I hope you do.
If you are too busy then maybe one of the people around you will enlighten you of the existence of it.
I am not happy about a number of subjects and if you will be patient with me I will tell you what is troubling me at this time.
I do know that there are many pressures on your time but please take the time to hear what I have to say because it is very important and affects many people in Great Britain at this time.
Let me begin by saying that it is a huge disappointment that the cold weather payments, that your government implemented, is not going to all the people who deserve them the most. It is an unfair system whereby some parts of the country can receive at least four payments since November and yet myself and others, through no fault of our own, are left wanting because we do not live in the areas cold enough to implement the payment. I do not know how this can be, when before Christmas we had such freezing cold weather, which was seemingly endless and went on for so long. I swear it was more than seven days below zero.Not so according to whatever activates the payment. It is truly so unfair that pensioners, sick and disabled in one part have to freeze and run up big heating bills while others benefit. I am not blaming the claimants, because they deserve what they are entitled to, but I cannot see how you can sit in 10 Downing Street without a guilty conscience and let people suffer at this time. I implore you in these difficult times to consider revising the rule as it stands. This being, seven nights below zero and either make it less nights, or 1degree above zero or a one off payment to cover the cost of increased bills for this section of society who do not deserve to suffer like this.
There also seems to be a memory lapse in certain departments of benefits. It is frightening, to say the least, when one can phone up and make enquiries about payments due after a month of waiting and being fobbed off with the flimsiest of excuses. Some incredibly unbelievable even to mention. Especially when my fellow blogger Rehab successfully won his appeal and he is still waiting. Can you as Prime Minister, help him, because if this is what it takes to get things moving for a friend, then so be it.
In closing Prime Minister, may I give you a bit of advice if you want my vote at the next General Election, because at this moment of time you are not going to receive it. Please just listen to what people are saying and take heed because everyone is suffering and this recession is biting hard, so hard that food is escalating at an awful rate and if we do not freeze, we will starve and that is an awful indictment to have on your conscience.
Yours faithfully
Mrs Lorna Johnston

I have just read Rehabs latest blog and can't help feeling that there is a lot of injustice in the world.
What gives anyone the right to suggest seperating two lovely old people like Rehabs parents after 58years of marriage. How on earth can they decide which one is worse than the other It is shocking to say the least and surely something should be done in these situations to put the welfare of the dementia patients first not last. There will come a time Rehab when they will need the care that these places will provide but it doesn't mean that you or your family is going to feel any better about it.What does matter is that you all should not feel pushed into something too soon(especially your parents) that will leave them feeling worse and more upset. Shame on these uncaring people who come and suggest these monstrous ideas.
Rehab, I have the utmost admiration for what you and your family are doing and pray that you willl all be able to keep going because it is not easy. It is not until your parents are not around that you realise that you miss them so much and you wish that you could do more for them. I know this from experience with my late mum and that is 27years since she died and if I could turn things around and make things different I would.Your dad seems lovely the way you describe him and your mum sounds so fragile.It is only right that at their age they should not have to worry about being seperated.If the authorities have any compassion then let them put people in this situation where they should end their days in peace and comfort together. There is too much seperation in the world with wars and couples divorcing. Leave these two lovely people alone and keep them together and that goes triple for all old people suffering at this time one way or the other.
Cheers
Lorna

I have been having the most weirdest dreams of late.
I know that there are a multitude of books that explain what they mean and people out there who can decipher dreams(dream experts probably).Anyway here is something for all of you experts who can decipher a dream and what it means. The other week I dreamt about my son winning £100 in a poetry competition and saying in my dream that it wasn't fair because I am the person who writes poetry why couldn't I win. Last night I remember dreaming that a big bird almost like a hawk flew down on to my shoulders and spread itself across the back of my head and would not budge. I was terrified and screamed for someone to get it off and when someone tried to pull it off it was like pulling chewing gum off clothing and would not come away so easily. It did eventually get pulled off but left me very; frightened.What does it mean. It was so vivid.Can anyone please enlighten me please-------------------------------------------------------
Getting away from dreams. I got this song in my head today.What was unusual was that I had not heard it sung for more than 40years. My brother who died last April used to sing it and I could picture him singing it.
It went' my bonny lies over the ocean , my bonny lies over the sea, my bonny lies over the ocean, so bring back my bonny to me. bring back oh bring back oh bring back my bonny to me to me, bring back oh bring back oh bring back my bonny to me. What was even more weird was that instead of singing bonny he used to substitute 'body', It got me thinking of how he died in Canada last April and wanted to be buried back home in the family grave with my parents. Strange how a song sung when we were young by my eldest brother brings home a lot of thoughts to roost.
Do you think he is trying to tell me something?
Anyone with any thoughts on what I have written please comment because it does get a bit lonely and it is just like looking for the post and nothing comes which is so disappointing.
Cheers
Lorna

I have just decided to give up on the pictures again. I have tried and tried and tried but they all go in haywire.
The only one which has been really good first time is the Elvis Costello one. Do you think the other Elvis is trying to tell me something.
Och well never mind.
I would just like to devote this blog to my missing bloggers, Tamar De Trow, Edinburgh Natterings and Scott ( oh heck I have forgotten his second name, forgive me Scott). Anyway! I have been looking in on you's all and there seems to be no sign of life.(have the aliens wheeched you's away I wonder?
Please, please, please will you's think about writing a blog because you are part of the site and are missed I am sure and have so much to give to all of us here and out there in the big world.
Scott when I saw that you were a fellow poet, I looked at your link and was amazed at your poetry. I just thought 'yes' a fellow poet. Please let us see some of your poetry Scott. Tamar Da Trow when you said you come from Orkney, I thought' well that is quite far away but it was good to read what you have written so far.
Please let us see more Tamar because I am sure you must have a lot of interesting things to tell us.
Edinburgh Natterings when I saw your only blog. I thought well lets see what else you have to tell us because like Scott one blog can always lead to 2 and then 3 and the world is your oyster.
Don't get me wrong. I am not wanting to come across as being pushy but it would be nice to see a sign of life from these bloggers, because this is a small community and if you want it to thrive then you have to share your blogs with the rest of us.
If anyone knows these 3 bloggers, give them a bell and let them know that they are being missed and tell them that LSJ blogger is asking for them and maybe if they cannot write a blog, then just a hello as a comment to say you are still out there somewhere.
Cheers
Lorna

HI
I was looking through my documents and thought I would share this with you's and tell you the story behind it.
A good few years back( I can't remember how many) I went to Barrowlands in Glasgow with my daughter and grandaughter to wait outside and try to get a picture of Elvis Costello with my grandaughter. He was going in for a sound check I believe.Of course I jumped at the chance to see him and why not because I have his 'Olivers Army' record to this day. It conjures up many memories hearing it but one on a summers day while I was painting the inside of my livingroom window in one of my previous houses. When we talk about the houses we have been in we call them by numbers so that was number 80.
Anyway, I was so excited at the prospect of meeting him and when he came out of the car, oh boy did I go gaga. Sorry for staring so much with a stupid look on my face Elvis! Anyway as you can see. I had my photo taken with him and I now have it on a keyring as well. Well! you could not shut me up after that encounter.Even when we went for a cup of tea in a nearby cafe and something to eat, my daughter was embarrased by my constant talking and disbelief that I had met the 'Elvis Costello'
So Elvis, if you or anybody who knows you is reading this give me a bell on the comments and make my day and no doubt I will be flying forever on a bubble.
I still think you are the greatest artist since sliced bread Elvis.
Cheers
Lorna

This Rose Garden is the most beautiful place to see when it is in full bloom with all the blossoms on the trees. This usually occurs in springtime. I have written a trilogy of poems relating to this beautiful place but because it has been published in my local paper I will not take the chance of putting it in my blog. If anyone wants a copy of the trilogy why not let me know through the comments and I will gladly write it out for you and send it to your e-mail.
It has went all around the world and I like to think that it influences people to come and visit it.
If you want to know where this is why not comment and ask.
I'll leave you all with this little teaser and look forward to your comments.
Cheers
Lorna
ps; if i don't get this right then you's will only see a bit of the beauty of this place but I hope it will work out and you's can see the whole picture. That is another reason if you comment and ask for a copy you will get the whole picture and 3 poems in an attachment for free. Value for money or what!
Cheers

a message to mum and dad at christmas.doc
HI
This poem is one I wrote years ago and I hope you like it.
The picture is taken up the north of Scotland( that is another way of saying that I have forgotten where)
I like to write poetry like this and I hope you all like it.
cheers
lorna

This weekend I have been mulling over my stars for the year(as i always do every year).
David Wells, as usual has been a bit sparing with good things for the Gemini this year from what I see in my starsign. It looks like I have a very bumpy time ahead but what consoles me is the fact that with him being a Gemini as well I guess he will have to suffer too. Frank Pilkington on the other hand has been a wee bit more encouraging and gives a few glimmers of light at the end of the tunnel, which is helpful because i need all the encouragement I can get. The last 2years have been very difficult but I was hoping things would loosen up this year and be a bit more easier but not so. Unless Frank and David know different for me.
Hows about it lads, am I going to get my (false teeth) into something juicy this year or is it going to all be boring and long winded. Make my day and leave me a comment will you. Anything is better than nothing, don't you agree.?
Seriously though I have tried competitions to see Frank in the past but I am one of those unlucky people who try try and try again and fail. despite being told to be more positive, hello! that does not work for me.
I see all those people winning the lottery on scratchcards and down to their last penny. Hello I have been there but I have never won anything. Even where the lucky dip is concerned it passes me by and wiggles its bum just to taunt me.So I have resigned myself to the fact that I am not lucky, end of!
Is anybody else the same as me.
Comments too-----------------
Cheers
Lorna
PS I am in a very flippant mood tonight, so my apologies to David Wells and Frank Pilkington.
Happy new year to you' s both.

Hello everybody
my new year did not go according to plan.
My grandaughter decided she was going to take ill.
Puir wee soul it wasn't her fault.
I think someone up there is playing silly beggars with me.
Let me begin.
After mum went away Neve started to get a bit grouchy. I put it down to the fact that mum had told me that Neve did not sleep well the night before. Okay then! Neve is feeling it now meethinks. Serves her right! She just wanted to sleep a lot and couldn't be bothered and after screaming that she had a sore head, I gave her some calpol to help. So when all else failed to amuse her, Nana comes up with a brilliant idea!
Why don't we go and read your book that Nana made Neve, said I.
So there we were, sitting on the bed with Neve on my knee and the book on top of Neve.
Yeuchhhhhhhh! Without warning Neve boaks up half her dinner and panic stations sets in. Oh no the books ruined, sickness all over the covers, Neve and myself and Neve very distressed. After shouting for a basin and cloth, hubby dutifully arrives and I get Neve cleaned up as best I can. Takes her through to the livingroom and after putting on clean clothes settles her on the couch on top of a sheet.Just exited the livingroom and didn't even reach the bedroom and hubby starting to cough and boak. Rushes through to see that hubby is heading for the toilet and Neve choking with vomit again.Second half of her dinner coming up. Here we gp again. Seems that hubby was just having one of his bad coughing fits and not being sick(thank goodness) Neve was covered again and the covers around her, What really made me cry was that the Tattoo was on the television and at that moment they just had to play on the bagpipes' auld lang syne'
Talk about being overcome. I couldn't stop crying at the frustration of it all.
Well that was that and everything else was put on the back burner. We did watch the television programme and brought in the new year with Neve watching it too, but it was some night I can tell you and for some strange reason I did not even think about the phone ringing, like I had been worrying about. All the worry of the past few days and how I would feel on New Years Eve about my brother who had died seemed to melt away in all the chaos. Like I said, someone is playing silly beggars with me up there.
So that was my New year and the irony of it all was that Neve was over it by the next morning and today she is back to normal. Weird or what! It all happened so quick and ended so quick.
Anyway that was my new year and how I never brought it in the way I had planned, but at least Neve is none the worse and I have that to be grateful for.
Cheers
Lorna