2008-08-28T00:01:05Z Ray Chisholm ray@raychisholm.co.uk Copyright 2008, Ray Chisholm SPHPBLOG
Looks like we're outside today. It's not raining, so we'll don the old gear and set about a wee tidy up!

And YES to the voice from the west end offering coffee!! Will be back Mitchelling on Wednesdays from 3rd. September onwards!!]]> http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry080826-101352 2008-08-26T00:00:00Z 2008-08-26T00:00:00Z
Time to tidy up the garden and prepare for the approach of autumn.
Time to consider the coming winter and the bags of wool that need to be knitted into garments and accessories.
Time to prepare for the cybersix who will meet for the next five Fridays and improve their internet skills.
Time to consider putting away the summer gear in favour of the warmer winter ones.
Time..........where does it go?


]]> http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry080824-202119 2008-08-24T00:00:00Z 2008-08-24T00:00:00Z
Feeling much better today. The glass is three-quarters full and filling by the minute.

Once again, our early morning is being spent watching the Olympics, an addictive pursuit.Later I'll be meeting with my cyber-class to confirm details of our planned internet and family history workshops.Later still there's a slight matter of some neglected plants to attend to!! ]]> http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry080822-091043 2008-08-22T00:00:00Z 2008-08-22T00:00:00Z
Our young Olympians have energy. They have commitment. They have belief in themselves and their team mates. It has been a priviledge to watch their achievements being rewarded with medal after medal. Britain has a lot to be proud of!!

Today, my glass is about half full. My energy is returning, but I am loathe to expend any of it too soon. It takes a while to replace it these days!! However, replace it I will, and once again be able to spend SOME of it in active pursuits!!!
]]> http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry080820-223017 2008-08-20T00:00:00Z 2008-08-20T00:00:00Z I am extremely grateful for the speedy attention I was offered during my recent bout of ill-health. Thanks Doctor John!

Home and rested, I'm now beginning to pick up and feel my energy flowing back, albeit rather slowly. Patience is the key. No bouts of mad gardening or walking for miles when the sun encourages me out. Thankfully, I have plenty to occupy me, and surprise surprise I have actually spent a good number of hours over the last few days in front of the TV. This year's Olympic Games have captivated me. I am in awe of the many British athletes whose efforts have placed our nation third in the medal league table. We may not remain there, but the tremendous aspiration to win following years of training and preparation is so much to be admired. What a commitment these young people have made to their sport and their country. Their nearest and dearest should be HUGELY proud of every one of them, as we who watch them are. It is delightful to see how much sport means to so many people. All credit to the British Olympic Team who put together such a sterling group. London in 2012 will be FANTASTIC!!!]]> http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry080818-184523 2008-08-18T00:00:00Z 2008-08-18T00:00:00Z http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry080816-180744 2008-08-16T00:00:00Z 2008-08-16T00:00:00Z
The 29th Olympic games are now well under way. It is a great pleasure to watch such a variety of events, and to realize that so many of our young people are involved in competition at this level.How refreshing it is to watch badminton, gymnastics, rowing and swimming events where dedicated work over years has brought competitors into medal contention. It'll be equally inspirational to watch the forthcoming Athletics events and know that once again, our young people can perform at the highest level.
So often our young people are depicted as groups of drunken and drug-using yobs, hanging about looking for trouble in the early hours of the morning. It is hugely encouraging to see our young sportsmen and sportswomen displaying such positive characteristics as they pursue their goal in Olympic competition.Good luck to each and every one of them!!





]]> http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry080811-082937 2008-08-11T00:00:00Z 2008-08-11T00:00:00Z
I can't put into words the admiration I have for the Chinese artists who offered us such a feast of theatre at the opening of their Olympic Games yesterday. It was awesome; an absolute delight for those of us watching in our millions in every corner of the globe.What it must have been like to be there inside the fabulous Bird's Nest Stadium, I can only imagine. Memorable indeed! Let us hope that the games themselves live up to the overture that was played at their commencement.
]]> http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry080809-100032 2008-08-09T00:00:00Z 2008-08-09T00:00:00Z Today, Joan and Marsh are heading south to reunite the boy with his immediate family. At the moment he's up dressed and watching yet another CSI DVD. Joan and I are doing what we do best, laptops on knees. It's as well that we have THREE laptops to use!

After they depart, I plan to tackle a painting or two using my Colonsay drawings as guides. I expect I'll only play a bit with techniques, but that alone will hopefully put me in the mood to paint more.

Looking further ahead is a sure sign not only of age, but of the coming winter. Already I'm looking at a course to fill a day when I am not doing family research or helping others with their computers. Life drawing has always been a favourite of mine, particularly portrait drawing which I used to be quite good at. Maybe it's time to revisit this in a more formal form and actually take a course towards an end.......still thinking about it!!

]]> http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry080807-114922 2008-08-07T00:00:00Z 2008-08-07T00:00:00Z
This lovely summer morning, I'm off to meet my mum in Greenock. (brolly in hand, sou-wester even) It'll be good to catch up with her and see that she's looking as well as she sounds.

Marshall is spending his last day with DVDs, and will no doubt have his favourite PJ status from morning till night. He goes home tomorrow and we'll miss him very much.

I could finish with a comment about the disgraceful bailing out YET AGAIN of Northern Rock by taxpayers, but I am not willing to raise my BP by so doing!

]]> http://weblog.raychisholm.co.uk/index.php?entry=entry080806-105344 2008-08-06T00:00:00Z 2008-08-06T00:00:00Z