Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ranger1
Date: 08 May 15 - 10:19 PM

I really need to check the preview button before hitting submit!

Let's try that again, shall we? Here's the man himself.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ranger1
Date: 08 May 15 - 10:16 PM

Janie, I, too, miss Barry. Here's a href= https://youtu.be/R-Ixy62tpAg>the man himself.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 08 May 15 - 08:31 PM

Janie, lucky you to have such a sister, and it's good that you appreciate her instead of taking her for granted.

Nigel, I am delighted to read that not only is the bench beautiful but also that its location is lovely and that it will be used for good purposes.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: GUEST
Date: 08 May 15 - 08:03 PM

Janie- Good to see you here. :) I think they are a crocus variety.

A friendly hand wave to all.
Maeve

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: frogprince
Date: 08 May 15 - 08:01 PM

Janie, them's crocuses. Last spring I happen to link a shot from that patch after they opened, and Nigel expressed a fondness for crocuses. I happened to spot them just budding like that this time, so grabbed the camera.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 08 May 15 - 07:37 PM

Janie... thanks.

Nigel... "it is a wonderful, six foot, teak (from a sustainable source) creation. The area where the bench is sited is, in addition to break time use & weather permitting, used for small group work, particularly with children who need extra help with reading. Jane would've loved that." I have no tears this eve... just a smile. Thanks.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Janie
Date: 08 May 15 - 06:54 PM

Lovely, frogprince. Do you know what species and/or variety they are? I'm guessing a reticulated iris of some sort?

Haven't been posting, and only checking in about once a week to catch up, but still always here. Those of you who are Facebook 'friends' are aware that my sister, Annie, has been here and very busy building another shed and doing home repairs/renovations for me from her deep well of generosity with her time, talents and heart while I come home, see private clients after hours, then collapse in a heap of mental exhaustion. And feeling guilt generated from my own psyche that I don't have the energy and motivation she has.

Hope you are already recovering from the 2nd procedure, Frug.

Invisioning Jane's bench, Nigel.

This landlubber sometimes dreams of the wonderful sea chanties Mudcatters have introduced me to, starting with Barry Finn, who I miss so dearly.

Irises from an old, small family cemetery up on a low ridge in eastern Kentucky are blooming in my yard now. Was a special trip at the time, made even more special by the memories of how much delight Daddy took in it. He determinedly climbed up low ridges through pastures and rough tracks that only a jeep or tractor could have climbed with his cane that could be converted to a little tripod seat to rest the back and knees just before they completely gave out, then climbed again to walk among the gravestones of our ancestors and listen to family stories told by his 2nd cousin who he had not seen since a young boy, and who still lived where his family had lived since just after the Revolutionary War.

A little song for all of us. Why Worry Now

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 08 May 15 - 06:26 AM

Thanks, gnu, it is a wonderful, six foot, teak (from a sustainable source) creation. The area where the bench is sited is, in addition to break time use & weather permitting, used for small group work, particularly with children who need extra help with reading. Jane would've loved that.

Maeve, I have checked my inbox...thank you doesn't come close...I will reply, but need a day or two to collect my words.
                                                Much Love to You All,
                                                                                 Nigel.
                                                                                 xxxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: maeve
Date: 07 May 15 - 08:14 PM

Nigel- Check your email.
Maeve

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 07 May 15 - 12:23 PM

Nigel... the bench... wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 07 May 15 - 02:16 AM

Frank, I have no experience of having a pacemaker fitted, but any operation that is only partly successful, making it necessary for you to return for 'Take Two' must be distressing & very frustrating. You have my very best wishes for a satisfactory outcome, second time around. May your "..... big, loving, generous heart" (lovely words, Maeve) keep abeating for many years to come,
                                                            With Love,
                                                                           Nigel
                                                                           xxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 06 May 15 - 03:47 AM

Jane's bench is now safely installed in a beautiful, sunny corner of her favourite school. We visited yesterday, met staff who had known & worked with Jane & had lunch with the Head Teacher.
                     With Love,
                                     Nigel & Ann
                                     xxxxxxxxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 05 May 15 - 10:36 AM

I'll add my good wishes for a successful attempt

sandra

way back in the 80s or 90s a friend's husband died suddenly & she arranged for a bench in his memory in her churchyear. He was not religious, but every Sunday he took her to church & stayed in the yard or nearby reading his paper until she was ready to go home. They had been married for about 25 years & I think I remember he took her to church all their married life. I think.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: maeve
Date: 05 May 15 - 08:15 AM

Guest, Frug- Frank, they probably had troubles getting the pacemaker in because you have such a big, loving, generous heart.

Pulling for you from here,
Maeve

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 04 May 15 - 08:46 PM

Refresh!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 02 May 15 - 06:06 PM

Ditto Pete. Frug... OUCH!... thoughts and good wishes.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 01 May 15 - 07:05 PM

No experience but lots of wishes that all goes well!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: GUEST,Frug
Date: 30 Apr 15 - 06:45 PM

Just back from a partially successful attempt at having a pacemaker fitted. Any catters got experience of such matters. I am bruised battered and bewildered and facing a new attempt in a couple of weeks.

Frank

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 30 Apr 15 - 04:01 PM

Nigel, I understand your privacy concerns for your family.

Wendy, your privacy settings prevented me from seeing your photos, and I understand that, too.

For several years I did not set privacy restrictions on my Facebook account. Then I went to Ireland for two weeks and wanted to prevent everyone except my friends from seeing posts that indicated I was away from home that long, so I tightened my settings. When I came home I kept them tight so only my friends could see photos of my grandchildren. And now, as they are reaching ages when they are less closely supervised by their parents, I have stopped sharing any photos of them!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: GUEST,Pete from seven stars link
Date: 29 Apr 15 - 06:55 PM

Well Wendy, the tragic event that had a profound effect on your dad, evidently produced positive action on his part. And I am sure we have all been touched by, and interested in the anecdotes and information relating to your mum. Blessings.    Pete.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: billybob
Date: 29 Apr 15 - 08:22 AM

Chantey Lass I have put a photo on my Facebook page, please feel free to look,at wendy ann simon, just ask to be my friend. There is also a photo taken in September 2013 ,mum is with the Chaplain General of the Royal Air Force when he dedicated the bench. My mother was a Waaf in WW2 and I have been reading her letters of April 1945, with VE Day next week , her memories of that day are very interesting. I may post them here if you would like to read them. I put a memory book together for mum three years ago and much of the information was taken from the two hundred letters that she wrote to my father while he was serving in N Africa, Malta (during the siege) and in Italy.

Nigel, dad received his MBE for charity work for RAFA. He raised an enormous amount of money for ex RAF men and women, and was a member from the end of the war till he passed away. His autobiography is quite an interesting read and I learnt so much about him when I read it, that generation kept lots of their memories to themselves, but I am sure the accident had a profound effect on him for the rest of his life.

May many children and teachers enjoy Jane's bench for years to come.

With love

Wendy xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 29 Apr 15 - 02:53 AM

Wendy, how lovely to hear from you. The story about your Father moved me deeply. The cruel irony of airmen losing their lives in a road accident, which, by good fortune, your Father survived, leaves me lost for words. Sounds as if your Father went on to lead a full & productive life. You don't get an MBE for doin' nowt!
       There is something wonderfully symbolic about a memorial bench...one sits, leans back, perhaps gently touching the inscribed name & in so doing, the dear departed continue to 'support' as they surely did in life.
Dean & Chantey...kind words, thank you. As for a photo, it's possible that one of Jane's children might post on Face Book, but I can't say more than that. I'd love all of you to see the bench, in situ, but a photo would almost certainly reveal Jane's surname, which, for privacy reasons, I feel I must protect. I do hope you are not offended by my response.
                           With Love to You All,
                                                          Nigel & Ann
                                                          xxxxxxxxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 28 Apr 15 - 07:50 PM

Wonderful, Nigel and Wendy! Is there anywhere on the Web where we can find pics of those benches?

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: frogprince
Date: 28 Apr 15 - 10:35 AM

Nigel, and Wendy, How lovely and appropriate.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: billybob
Date: 28 Apr 15 - 08:28 AM

Nigel, how lovely to have a bench in Jane's memory in a place she loved.

I had a bench in my father's memory put in the churchyard in St Peter's Church in Little Rissington . Dad visited that church every September on Battle of Britain Sunday to remember ten airmen who died in a horrific crash during the war when the coach they were on ran into a broken down lorry in the blackout. My father was one of three who escaped ,badly burnt but alive. He always felt guilty that he was alive.

He also arranged for the churchyard to be looked after by the war graves commission, and fund raised for the RAF stained glass window that is in the church.

So if you are in the Cotswolds, do go and sit on his bench and enjoy the peaceful beautiful churchyard. It says "In loving memory of Reg O'Neil MBE." I shall go again this September and remember his friends.

With love

Wendyxxxxxxxxxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 28 Apr 15 - 08:02 AM

Thanks for sharing, Nigel.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 28 Apr 15 - 02:42 AM

Jane taught in Primary & Secondary Schools...her first love was always Primary, a rôle at which she excelled. One of her final wishes was that a bench be erected at her favourite school. It's taken much longer than we would've liked, but today, a bench bearing the traditional inscription: "In Loving Memory of......" will be installed. It will be sited in a quiet, landscaped quadrangle...a perfect place to sit & enjoy a sunny break & have some lunch, or just sit......The bench is for anyone & everyone to use. Students, Staff...anyone.
                                 With Love to You All,
                                                                Nigel & Ann
                                                                xxxxxxxxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 27 Apr 15 - 11:39 PM

me, too!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: frogprince
Date: 27 Apr 15 - 07:34 PM

We's here; at least I is here : )

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 27 Apr 15 - 04:39 PM

Anyone?

If inspiration strikes, I'll let you know.

Hey, where is everybody? Refresh.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 25 Apr 15 - 05:19 AM

Two strong, memorable Chanty tunes I can recall from my 'Halliard' days in the 60s are: "Bound for South Australia" & "Haul Away Joe"...anyone tempted? (-: (-:
                                          Musically,
                                                       Nigel
                                                       xxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 24 Apr 15 - 10:49 PM

Thank you, Nigel. I don't think of myself as a song-writer---yet. I guess I'm a songwriter wannnabe! The very few songs (three!) songs I've written all have nautical themes, and I'm not sure how good they are, and I'd be crushed by an objective negative opinion. Two of my songs were written when I had insomnia during Mystic Sea Music Festivals. I am sure someone here is more capable than I of writing a chantey for Jane's Rainbow, but if one occurs to me, I'll send it to you. The Mystic Sea Music Festival will be in June, so if I have insomnia again, I might come up with something. Would anyone else here like to have a go at writing one?

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 23 Apr 15 - 04:19 AM

ChanteyLass...I must compliment you for your own additions to existing Chanties. With the demise of working ships in sail, there has always been a danger that the Chanty as a genre could end up, consigned to the annals of history. Yes, we have the recordings of Cyril Tawney, Stan Hugill, Bert Lloyd (sp.?) et al, but there's nothing quite like a strongly lead, gutsy Chanty. That you are injecting new blood into this unique vocal form is to be applauded...brava! brava! Care to write a new Chanty for the Rainbow, fitted to a tune we are most likely to know?
                                    With Love,
                                                   Nigel
                                                   xxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 22 Apr 15 - 02:38 PM

I agree, Nigel, that virtual life can get pretty real.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 21 Apr 15 - 10:32 AM

Have just posted this on Don's obit thread: "I did not know Don, but when he was posting, I got the impression that here was a man I would like to meet. My Sincere condolences to his Wife, Family & Friends".
             This 'virtual life' we lead on Mudcat get's less virtual & more 'real' with each passing day,
                   With love,
                                  Nigel
                                  xxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 20 Apr 15 - 08:49 PM

Refresh. I've written on both those threads above the line. Thanks, Maeve, for pointing us to them.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: maeve
Date: 19 Apr 15 - 05:55 PM

Let us we do for others today for tomorrow they may be gone. What we have is this moment.

Thinking of family and friends of Don and Winnie Thompson as they feel their loss and remember the good times they had together.

On a brighter and related note- I spoke with Art and Carol Thieme this afternoon. They are glad to be remembered, and continue to retain both sense of humor/humour and delight in listening to music. (See Art Thieme thread, upstairs.)

Carol's 92 year old mother is failing fast, so kindly keep Carol and Art, Carol's mother, and their family members all in your thoughts as you feel moved to do so.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link
Date: 19 Apr 15 - 05:11 PM

the relevant thread now indicates that don died this morning. I was quite shocked, as only last month I was asking about him at the singaround he used to frequent, but had no inkling that the health issues were so serious. have posted there already.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Janie
Date: 19 Apr 15 - 12:58 AM

Thank you so much, VT. Holding both of them in my thoughts.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 18 Apr 15 - 11:46 PM

sending good wishes

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 18 Apr 15 - 06:41 PM

Yes, thank you. They will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 18 Apr 15 - 04:48 PM

Thanks for the heads up.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 18 Apr 15 - 07:13 AM

That's desperate news, VT. I'm sure everyone here will hold Don & Winnie in their thoughts in their individual & special way. We certainly will be generating our light in their direction...& yours too,
                                  With Love,
                                                 Nigel.
                                                 xxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 17 Apr 15 - 11:31 AM

Hi... I know I've been away some time, but thought I'd lift Don Thompson mudcat known as Don (Wysiwyg) T and his wife Winnie up to you good folk.

There is a thread above the line that Don is gravely ill to be moved to hospice and Winnie is just out of the hospital herself.

I know you will generate your light in their direction.

Much love to you all.

Tam

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 16 Apr 15 - 08:26 PM

Wish I could, wish I could, wish I could!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 15 Apr 15 - 04:32 AM

& wot a shame you can't hear Jennie singing that song & similarly heart-breaking songs!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 14 Apr 15 - 07:17 PM

Thank you for the encouragement, Sandra and Pete. And Sandra, those lyrics are heartbreaking.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: JennieG
Date: 14 Apr 15 - 05:27 PM

All right.....I'll try!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 14 Apr 15 - 06:28 AM

great, mate so now you need to learn it before 2016 National Folk Festival so I can hear you sing it.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: JennieG
Date: 14 Apr 15 - 02:33 AM

Ah, thank you, Sandra......we're home now and our Big Computer (as distinct from the tablets we take on holidays) is cranked up, so I can get that song!