Marble Rose

Thursday, 2 July 2009

A Postcard from the Past.

Recently it was Armed Forces Day here in the UK and I have to admit it passed me by rather, which it shouldn't have. My father was probably the first generation in his family not to have to go to war - nor have my brothers - which detaches me slightly from the reality that so many people face daily with their loved ones.

I bought this postcard, it reminded me of my Great grandfathers who fought in WW1 and the tragic stories that came back with them.

This is Charlie my Great Grandfather (right) - he lost his brother in France.

He was shot and still sent back to the front. (pictured front right)

But like so many other 'men' he still found time to write a postcard to his Mother. TTFN xxxx

Happy 4th of July!

I am fascinated by American history, I have a huge admiration for the foundations of this country, its values and vision.

My father however has a boundless and incredible knowledge of American history and so for his 60th Birthday I presented to him a letter from a soldier on the front of battle during its civil war.

It is from a Union Soldier called Dennis, his fate we will never know.

To celebrate the 4th July I offer a transcript of this letter to you dear readers and offer my congratulations to all its citizens, especially in this Renaissance era.

New Madrid Missouri

March the 26th, 63

Dear Father

It is with pleasure that I find myself seated with pen in hand to converse with you through the silent medium of Pen and Paper. I received your kind and ever welcome communication Dated Ostalia (?) March the 2nd and was glad to learn through it that you was enjoying usual health and I hope this may find you still blessed with the same enjoyment. I wrote to you a few days since and you have no doubt ere this received, but it seems strange that it should take our communication so long to reach each other but the mails are so very irregular that we cannot tell when they will reach their destinations you will see by this that we are in the same place where we landed on the 2nd Jan, and are all in good spirits and the most of us in good health and stand ready to strike a blow for the cause of our Country at any moment when an opportunity shall present itself and if we have one desire above another it is to be permitted to return home to take an active part in the Revolution for which old Mahony escorts his conspirators to prepair (sic), I think that we could do an honor to humanity and that which would prove a blessing to our country and the cause of the Union by making a few less Mahonyites and Coperheads that are trying to busy their poisonous tushes deep into the heart of our glorious Republic and to destroy the Country which has afforded them, as well as us, life, liberty and, happiness. Father I have no news of interest to write, we have a battery attached to our Regt, it is composed of six Rifle Canons, , you wanted to know if I had seen David or heard from him? I have not seen him but I get letters from him every once in a while the last I got from him he was well and all right he was then in Miss. Well Father I hardly know what to write that will interest you, I think this job will soon be done up and then I will come home and tell you a long yarn, but perhaps you will not want to hear Army stories as you have seen enough yourself of the Army, but Dear Father please let this surfice (sic) for this time and you may expect another letter from me soon. I sent you an order to draw the money which I wish to pay you if you can get the order you may burn it up and find enclosed in this letter (if you ever get it) the sum of two Dollars ($2,00) which you will perhaps get sooner than with the order but should you have drew the money on order you can at some convenient time hand it back to Abbee and it will be all right again. From your affectionate Son Dennis {Please write to me often}

TTFN xxxx

Wednesday, 1 July 2009

Bent or Straight? It doesn't matter here!

Marble Rose would like to officially welcome the bent cucumber and straight banana back to the UK.

For too long these poor fruit & veg have been ostracised by law from our fair land. But hard times bring about drastic measures and today the UK's law changes and we become legally more tolerant of straight and bent veg alike on our Supermarket shelves. Even knobbly carrots have been given clemency (personally I'm not sure about this one)

It feels good to live in such a tolerant society again. TTFN xxxx

Saving for a Rainy Day?

You need one of these then! Of course it isn't, just isn't going to rain here in the south of England ever again so I may save quite alot - because there's Birthdays, Holidays and Christmas to consider.