There are the animals to feed and water, two goats to milk and J will start to make another Wensleydale type cheese.
No “lie in” on a Sunday morning
What would they say?
The photograph is of grandma’s parents who set sail from Odessa at the turn of the last century – escaping vicious antisemitism and pogroms and grinding poverty. In my book, “Jews Milk Goats”, I reprinted part of a letter written by grandma’s sister Jenny when she was 90 years old. I had asked her to tell me about her childhood and about her parents (pictured above).
Would my great grandparents have been shocked or resigned to what we are seeing and hearing on our televisions and radios or would they, as I do, just shrug and say that antisemitism is the oldest hatred that never disappears.?
Grandma and grandpa and dad lived in tenements in the East End of London and visited the bath house every week. They always had enough to eat but never enough for luxuries or holidays. At home (even when I was a child and they were then living in a modern flat with a bathroom) my grandparents often spoke in Yiddish although their English was perfect.
As a child I often implored grandma to “tell me about the old days”. Imagine my surprise and delight when my grandchildren asked the same of me. I hope that they will in turn be able to answer their own grandchildren, one day, but whether it is in England is anybody’s guess.
Early morning sights and sounds on a damp day
Standing proud this evening
On bales of straw
Cat in a bag, brilliant flowers and more
The children asked excellent questions about animals and growing crops and about the consequences of too much heat (on the animals) and too much rain on the plants.
Nigel and Mabel sit outside the goat shed
Thank you for this day
We won’t count our chickens (or goslings) just yet. Another broody is 14 days into sitting on a clutch of duck eggs. 14 days to go.
The warm air and sunshine has brought out clematis and even a rose or two and some purple geraniums
I’ve spent hours weeding and trimming the overgrown garden- thankful for this day
The village triangle
This is where we meet for our Wednesday walk. The local gardening club keeps this tiny space looking beautiful. They show what can be done even in a very small garden
Still getting stuck!
I’m watching Match of the Day and…
They won the Amateur Football Combination Old Boys Cup 3 weeks ago in a fabulous final in Dorking. I’m very proud of my nephew who is joint manager of the team and frequent goal scorer
It may not be the Premier league but amateur sport can be just as exciting.
