Despite it all, there are still flowers and tomatoes. Over at Coastal Ripples, Barbara is stockpiling jam in readiness for the apocalypse. I have notebooks, but the edible things keep getting eaten, so the whole stockpiling thing is tricky. There is quite a lot of high protein porridge that Someone wanted and then failed to eat though, so we could plough through that, and I also have more jam than usual after a good fruit year in the garden.
The eldest made his debut as a football referee at the weekend. He was asked to cover an under-12s match. Happily not one that his youngest brother was playing in - that might have been quite spectacular if they'd had a disagreement. I was quite nervous on his behalf. We went through all the rules and the signs and I gave him lots of tips such as, 'Remember to count them before kick off' (I watched half a match with an extra player on the field once).
He told me that the referee was in charge of everyone at a football match, even the coaches. We pictured Jose Mourinho turning up and getting lairy and the biggest boy sending him to the dressing room. I reminded him that with great power comes great responsibility. He said he wouldn't be having any swearing and they'd be straight off. I pointed out they were eleven, so he'd probably be fine on that score. Although it's not guaranteed.
I went to watch, mostly to make sure the opposition's parents didn't kick off or criticise any borderline off-side decisions, in which case I was ready to barge in shouting, 'LEAVE MY BABY ALONE YOU BEASTS'. In the event it was probably the best-tempered match I've ever watched. He looked very responsible with his whistle and stop-watch. And he earned fifteen pounds for an hour's work.
Is anyone else starting to wonder if democracy is quite the thing? It would work if the decent good people wanted the top job, but things being what they are it seems to be the shouty irresponsible ones who want power and fame and to be looked at and admired and the decent good people just don't want to be torn to shreds by the media and the ghastly power/fame/admiration/shouty bunch. I am leaning towards the idea of a benevolent dictatorship. Under someone like Greta Thunberg or the the lovely central heating chap who refuses to take any money from those who can't afford it and actually wrote on the invoice of an elderly lady with leukaemia that she should have 'no charge under any circumstances' and that they would go to her at any time, 24-hours, as she had an ongoing problem with her boiler.
Greta could just tell everyone what to do, and everyone would do it, and none of us would have to worry any more because it's a dictatorship so we couldn't do anything anyway. All those in favour...
Dear CJ, was hoping to hear you had a new sofa and had been eating chocolate eclairs!!! Congratulations to the eldest son on his reffing job. Doesn't it make a parent's heart glad and proud to see such things? I will not be commenting on G.T. as I think she's nuts. Good luck with the stockpiling of food........ regards, Robyn
ReplyDeleteBravo to your son for earning his own money by doing something that requires so much knowledge. You must be proud. I can't vote for giving a 16 year old complete power as much as I love her and admire her.. as all that power might corrupt her which would be sad. I know.. why not have your son run for office and he could run things with you behind him helping to steer him the right way? ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos - those tomatoes look interesting and I love the sentiment in that frame. Congratulations to your boy; you must be very proud. The central heating chap does indeed sound lovely - what a nice chap. We definitely need more like him at the moment to counteract the red-faced, shouty, pointy finger brigade. xx
ReplyDeleteThe only good thing about this whole sorry political mess is that it has shown up the flaws in the system and the system is breaking down - hopefully something better will appear in it's place, but it is going to be chaotic til it does. The way GT has rallied the young all around the world offers some hope that we are not a species on the road to extinction. Now back to crochet and reading more about the wonderful plumber.
ReplyDeleteWhat a proud mum moment for you at the football pitch. I would have been feeling the same in your shoes. As for Greta, definitely World leader material. She would have all the problems sorted in half an hour. Thanks for the mention, I feel this group stock piling and bartering system could go well. I have my carrier pigeons ready to transport the jam. :) Have a lovely weekend. B x
ReplyDeleteWell done to your son, sounds like he did a grand job. Sorry, can’t agree with you about GT, I worry for her and if she is being exploited, she’s making a heck of a lot of money. As for the government/parliament, I have no words. All hail the central heating chap, he balances out all the bad news there is around. Now I could support him.
ReplyDeleteWell done to eldest son on his refereeing. I'm all in favour but I think that it's a case of dream on... xx
ReplyDeleteI think we've gone so far past 'shouty irresponsible' that there's almost no word for it. Here in the US we've got Mad Lord Snapcase in charge and no Vetinari in sight.
ReplyDeleteAlso, is 15 pounds like 300 US dollars? Because that's what these young refs should be paid - it's insane out there.
I'll back Greta!
ReplyDeleteI will vote for Greta any day. She is my idol! I always stock pile toilet paper, no idea why because i had plenty growing up. And yarn of course, you can never have too much yarn. Well done by your oldest!
ReplyDeleteI can tell you with great authority that 11 year olds in Glasgow swear a lot during football. Well some do. Usually in unison with the corresponding parents. It is a rough patch, Glasgow is. I wonder if your oldest would like to referee some games here? That would be really good, the world needs more well mannered referees.
ReplyDeleteI am in on team Greta. She is principled and no-nonsense and I wouldn't mind that at all in a leader. Shame though that she would have to give up her youth to bring order and sanity into the world. I hope she has time to dance and giggle with her friends. Isn't it frightening that there are people out there that admire the man in number 10? I must stop myself now, or I will cry. On that note, save me a jar of jam please, I'll swap it for a blanket. Christina xx
Great news for your son on the referee front.
ReplyDeleteI could have made tomato jam this year because I had my first glut, but my head was stuck in the sand and my fingers were in my ears and now it's too late. I'm hoping that the broccoli I planted just now will tide us over.
ReplyDeleteI would ask who are the people who actually think BoJo was the right one to elect, but sadly I know a couple of them.... Surely this all has to balance out soon and sanity and decency and honesty and integrity return? I admire Greta but I worry that she is so young to have all this attention and expectation placed on her shoulders. Bravo to your boy- setting a great example of how to manage a team smoothly and calmly in a game where emotions run high (and on the side-lines too!) xx
ReplyDelete