Cy Bear signing in once again and just glad he sits at home in a warm flat, on these occasions. We've got Arctic air blowing over the British Isles today, and Isobel said she was QUITE cold this morning as she wended her way up the hill to get her weekly lift for Mass at St. Barnabas Cathedral, Nottingham.
Today, too, is Remembrance Sunday in the UK (as it is all over the Commonwealth, too), and Isobel proudly displayed her late Father, Major Andrew Miller's medals - as she does every year on this special day. (She worked out that in another 3 years, she will have been doing this for 70 years - as it was on the first Rembrance Day after she became 10, that her Uncle decided she was old enough to wear them for the very first time). Although Major Miller, "joined up" in 1916 and first saw service with the Argyll & Sutherland Highland Regiment, during 1917 he was commissioned as an Officer and was actually undergoing Officer Training when the First World War ended. He decided he couldn't afford to remain as an Officer in the British Army, so went instead to become an Officer in the British Indian Army - and spent the rest of his life serving in India (as it then was - although his Regiment (King George V Baluchistan Rifles - where he spent most of his time until his death in 1941, is now part of the Pakistan Army). During that time, he also served in Mesopotamia (now Iran and Iraq) - as evidenced by one of his Medals, and also served in at least two major Campaigns on the North West Frontier (the area between what is now Afganistan and Pakistan - again confirmed by a medal - fourth from left - with 2 bars).
This year, Isobel remembered to take the Medals' Miniatures that she also has in her possession and so younger daughter Clare was able to wear those in memory of her Grandfather's service - during both World Wars. (Elder Daughter, as the eldest child of the eldest son, is eligible to wear her Grandfather Morrell's medals - but as she has earned her own medal, after 17th years service with the Princess Royal's Volunteer Corps (FANY), she decided to wear that one this year: it is also traditional, that if one already has earned one's own decoration, one does not display another's, even if you are entitled so to do.) They are held by Philippa, so she can do so whenever she feels she wishes to - or it's more appropriate for her so to do, while Clare - and eventually GrandsonE - will do the same on behalf of "Grandad Miller" in future years, once Isobel is no longer able to. Nevertheless, both girls are proud of the service provided to their Country by BOTH their Grandfathers.
You will see that one medal is not attached to the bar: that is the War Medal 1939-1945 which was awarded to every member of the British Army who had served during those years - but Isobel only realised Major Miller's was not where it ought to be in 2010. Because of his early death, Isobel's Aunt and Uncle (with whom she lived as she grew up) had either not known how to apply for it on her behalf, or it had been one of those things they meant to do, but life got in the way and it somehow slipped everyone's mind! She applied for it, and it arrived very quickly: but so far, she has not been able to get it properly attached so that it hangs with all the others. Today, she and the family - en route back home - found a Shop dealing in "Militaria", on the same road, and not far from the Cathedral, where this could be done: so guess what? One of the jobs Isobel will be doing (after WINTERFEST 2017 and probably not until the New Year now) is to take the medals in to the Shop, to see if they can assist. I'll let you know what happens in due course.
Now, moving on to the present, I'm delighted to tell you that the Fleece Rabbit production line is flourishing. Isobel actually laid out 5 different colour sets of 2 of these ColdhamCuddlies - and this is the situation currently:
The first Fleece Rabbit replenishments are the Pink ones: the snapshot was taken just before Isobel went to bed on Tuesday evening and show BOTH versions with White Chests. She had intended to make at least one each of the latest batch showing what they could look like, if they were self-coloured!
That mistake has not happened since - because, there are the two new Pale Blue Fleece Rabbits:
And, this is where Isobel has got to with the third pair:
She is planning on completing both these Cuddlies today, and hoping to get the penultimate pair at least cut out before bed tonight, although the latter task may have to wait until tomorrow - what with the need for an evening meal to be prepared and other administrative tasks required of her in connection with her responsibilities as Secretary to the Old Chapel Close Tenant's Association - who have a meeting called for tomorrow morning!! Life is, as ever, busy, busy, busy!!
See you all next week - when the count-down to WINTERFEST 2017 will then be in DAYS, rather than WEEKS! How the time can fly!!
Your Friend, Cy Bear.
