My parents' 65th wedding anniversary

Today, 12th March 2023, would have been our parents', 65th wedding anniversary. This photograph was taken at the reception held in the Royal Hotel, in Stornoway and captures the very moment when they happily cut the wedding cake. Earlier that afternoon their wedding service took place in St Columba's (Old Parish) Church Stornoway .

My mother Barbara, often told us how our father Willie and his two brothers had to clear snow and ice from the steps and entrance of the church, that morning.

P1 at Sandwickhill

The other day I was trying to do a bit of sorting out and spring cleaning, when I came across some old class photographs. Here is my P1 "Infant" class, at Sandwickhill Primary School, c May 1966. At that time there were two separate intakes each year. Depending on a child's birth day, they started school either after the Easter/Spring holiday or after the Summer holiday. I believe the two yearly intakes were combined after the Summer holiday to create a class of pupils of similar age. This was the height of the "baby boom" class sizes were large then and the concept of composite classes and combined facilities was a necessity.

This photograph brought back so many memories for me and I thought I would share it. I am happy to say I know and remember everyone in this picture, and can even name them all. I now look forward to seeing the response, memories and comments.

4th March 2023

Well it has been a couple of months since I last expressed my thoughts and feelings here. A couple of cold, dark and wet months of a winter that is now moving behind us and making way for the time of reviving and renewal, with longer and brighter days, we welcome Spring. Sun at dawn to break our day. There can be nothing quite like sunshine in the morning to lift the spirit and encourage us to remember the wonder of nature and joy of living. Indeed we must catch these moments of brightness and savour them as they arise. There is so much benefit to be gained to our health and well being simply walking in the sun shine. This is sadly often lacking in our part of the world where our climate results in winters that seem to stretch and linger, such days are dark and dull. I believe this does contribute to our outlook and approach to life. We become focused on our climate and the weather. It's adversity dominates and dictates what and how we do things. We become preoccupied with defending against the prevailing wind and rain. Of course inevitably becoming the prime topic of our conversation. Now, I remember when I lived in Italy, back in those halcyon days after art school, there every day was reliably warm and dry. Meaning, simple things like deciding what to wear, each day, was easy, as each day was predictably good and pleasant. It never ceases to amaze me that when the weather is always good, with little or no variation, no-one needs to make any reference to the climatic conditions. People do not comment on the condition of the weather and other forms of ice breaking chat get deployed. I certainly loved my time there, and would go back in an instant. But I know I occasionally yearned for dramatic variation in the clear blue of the sky or warm dryness of each day.

The cheering aspect of a simple sunny day must never be underestimated, it is such a fundamental element of our lives and vital when we are presented with the sadness that constantly seems to follow us all as we progress in years. I am looking forward to the Spring and hoping that there will be some settled climatic conditions, to actually get back out in my garden and watch the wonder of nature's renewal, regrowth and recovery. What greater gift can there be?...All things bright and beautiful...

A gentle reflection on Saturday 4th March 2023.
KB