Happy Mother's Day....

Hello and a Happy Mother's Day you all mothers and grandmothers, myself included..lol.. Have you all been spoilt? I will be honest, although it's good that a day is set aside to honour mothers I believe that it should be 'Mother's Day' every day. Breakfast prepared and flowers given should occur on more than one day a year but at least we are remembered....

Mother...
You filled my days with rainbow lights, Fairytales and sweet dream nights, A kiss to wipe away my tears, Gingerbread to ease my fears. You gave the gift of life to me And then in love, you set me free. I thank you for your tender care, For deep warm hugs and being there. I hope that when you think of me A part of you You'll always see
~ Author Unknown ~

Enjoy your day. Until next time, take care...Hugs Chrissy xx

Happy St. Patrick's Day......

Happy St. Patrick's Day and thanks for stopping by. Are you out celebrating or like me having a quite night in where's it's warm. But then again if you are out celebrating you won't be reading this now..lol..

I don't know if it's just me but it's seemed colder these last couple of days. Regardless, I hope you enjoy your evening....

In This Irish Home

May these walls be filled with laughter,may it reach from floor to rafter.

May the roof keep out the rain,may sunshine warm each windowpane.

And may the door be open wide to let the Good Lord's love inside.

May you be blessed with warmth in your home, love in your heart, peace in your soul and joy in your life.




When law can stop the blades of grass from growin' as they grow, An' when the leaves in summer time their color dare not show, Then I will change the color, too, I wear in my caubeen; But till that day, praise God, I'll stick to the Wearin' o' the Green....


Until next time, take care...Hugs Chrissy xx

International Women's Day..........

Hello to you all on International Women's Day (IWD) 2012, a day to honour women all over the world. Even in the 21st century women struggle to have their voices heard and to have the recognition they deserve....

Thoughout history and up to the present day women have made their mark on the world, from publically being noted to performing the most important act - giving life....

The first national Women's Day was observed on 28 February 1909 in the United States following a declaration by the Socialist Party of America. It was originally called International Working Women's Day...

You have seen by my recent posts that I have talked about women who made their mark in history but for me the most important woman to pay tribute too on IWD is my mother. She will forever leave her mark in my heart and for all who have known her. Thankfully she is still alive and at aged 87 still maintains her sense of humor, her positive attitude, energy and love of her family....

My mother seen, aged about 6 months, with her brothers Bill, left, and Ronnie

Jean Elizabeth Mary Ballaam was born 5 August 1925 in Vine Street, Grantham, Lincolnshire, England. She was the only daughter of Frank and Ada Louisa Ballaam nee Clare. With being the only girl Jean was apt to be a little spoilt by her father. However having three brothers, Bill, Ronnie and Tommy, she was certainly not treated like a girl by them. Their nickname for her was 'Johnny'....

Jean with her mother Ada Louisa

Life as a chid was not always easy for my mother and at an early age her parents seperated. She was very torn because she loved her father dearly and her relationship with her mother could be fraught at times...

At the outbreak of WW11 Jean was aged 14 and can remember hearing the announcement on the radio....

Jean aged 15

When Jean was aged 15 she began work at Marco's ammunition factory at Grantham. My mother always had a sense of humor and still does. A lot of her fun personality came from surviving growing up with three brothers. And being only 15 she had the attitude of a typical young girl. She took each day as it came and caused mayhem at times, much to her employer's displeasure....
My mother told me many stories of her wartime years, some funny, some sad and some lucky escapes. Many of the funny ones came from her time at the factory, too many to mention here but one that I will relay is when she was painting the shells. On one occassion she pressed the button to release the paint but forgot to close the door. Yes, there were some multi-coloured co-workers not too happy with my mother!!! For this she was moved to another department, in fact she was moved regularly. One being the room where you packed the gunpowder and yes, she was a 'Yellow Canary'....
My mother had other jobs such as parlour maid, nanny and working in shops. Many stories have been told of her life while in these employments but that is for another time....

Jean aged 15 or 16

On more than one occassion my mother was very lucky. While still working at the factory my mother ignored regulations by leaving her fringe showing while wearing a cap. Fortunately her manageress pulled her up about it and claimed that vanity would not save her life. The day previously a girl, while bending under a machine, had been scalped due to the machine catching her hair as it turned. Needless to say my mum took note....

Jean also narrowly escaped a bomb. She and a friend were merrily walking along when they heard the hum of a plane but continued on their way. Suddenly they were thrown onto the ground and found themselves covered with the body of a RAF man and showers of dust and brick particles. The plane had being an enemy aircraft and had dropped a bomb in the local park, the direction in which they had being heading. Thanks to the foresight of the RAF man, my mother and her friend had been saved. The gentleman promptly got up, asked if they were alright and then continued on his way. My mother never even knew his name but was forever grateful to him....

Jean aged 16

One of the sad times in my mother's early life was the loss of her elder brother Ronnie. Jean was only 15 in 1940 when the family received the news that he was missing presumned dead in Norway, he was 20....
At the tender age of 17 my mother decided to get married. On January 23 1943 Jean married Joseph Walter Collins at St. Wulfram's Parish Church, Grantham. The couple had two children, a daughter Maureen in 1944 and a son Michael in 1947, my older brother and sister....


Jean and Joe on their wedding day

On VE Day in 1945 my mother remembers taking her daughter to the Town Hall to celebrate....

Life was not easy for my mother. I cannot imagine being married so young but my mother's strength of character saw her through the years to come....

My mother with her maternal aunt, Eva Clare (my sister is between them but the photo was damaged)

During her married years, Jean continued to work hard and bring up her two children. However, Jean and Joe's marriage ended and some time later my mother met Christopher Doyle, my father....

Christopher, Jenifer and Jean Doyle

Jean and Christopher married on December 16 1953 at the registry office, Nottingham. They had three daughters, Jenifer, me and Colleen....

Ada Louisa, my grandmother, Jean and my sister Maureen. About 1960

There were turbulant times in my parents marriage but I do have many good memories of my childhood. I grew up knowing that my parents loved me and I never went without. Both worked very hard and taught me values that I live by today....

Me, with the plaster on my knee, my mother Jean and sister Jenifer. While on holiday in Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire, about 1962/1963

Thoughout the years my mother has been my rock and has always been there, in good times and in bad. Although my mother continued to work she was always there when I came home from school. Her last job was as a Pro-Life counselor and she did amazing work there....

Jean in 1995 aged 70. Hope I look this good when I'm that age, I doubt it...

Unfortunately in 1970 my parents separated, I was only 15 at the time. I was devastated but understood why. My parents continued to be good friends untl my father's death in 1981, aged 56...
In 1985 my mother married again and it was certainly third time lucky for her. They are still married and are so happy together. My mother finally had peace and a restful life after a hard and turbulant one....

My mother in 2005 aged 80, how good does she look...

Sadly I do not see my mother as often as I would like as she lives many miles from me but we chat when we can. She has had some illness of late but she soldier's on. She is an amazing woman and I am so proud of her....

My mother in 2008, aged 83

I do have more recent photos of my mother but can't find them!!!! In this photograph my mother was recovering from Polymyalgia. My poor mother was so ill with it that she swelled-up, couldn't move and was in a lot of pain. She is a lot better these days but at 87 she is fantastic. The last time I saw her she was looking even younger....

I would like to say a big Thank You to my mother for being the person she is, the standards she has set and the love, care and humour that she has given me. My mother is not only my parent but my best friend. A true inspiration to me....

Until next time, take care...Hugs Chrissy xx

~~~~~

The fond memories we have of growing up in those loving arms.

There truly is no love, like a mothers love...

Amy Johnson, Pioneering English Aviator....

Hello from The Attic on this sunny but chilly day. It's the kind of day I like to go for a walk to blow the cobwebs away, which I did. Nothing wakes you up more than a brisk walk....

With International Women's Day in mind I thought I would write about a unique woman who made history with her outstanding flying. She embraced the skies which were normally dominated by men and proved her worth amongst the elite...Amy V Johnson, a Pioneering English Aviator...

'They Flew Alone' 1942 starring Anna Neagle and Robert Newton

Amy V Johnson, CBE, was the daughter of John William and Amy Johnson and was born in Kingston upon Hull on July 1st 1903. She was a pioneering English Aviator and set numerous long-distance records during the 1930’s. A film about Amy’s life was made in 1942, a year after her death on January 5th 1941....

Amy Johnson and 'Jason' in Jhansi, India in 1930

Amy was educated at the Boulevard Secondary School (Later Kingston High School) and Sheffield University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics. She then moved to London where she worked as a secretary to solicitor William Charles Croker. Amy’s interest in flying began as a hobby but under the tutelage of Captain Valentine Baker at the London Aeroplane Club, she gained her pilot’s ‘’A’’ Licence, No. 1970 on July 6th 1929....

The Harmon Aviatrix Trophy

CBE

With the support of her father and Lord Wakefield Amy purchased G-AAAH, a second-hand de Havilland Gipsy Moth, which she named ‘’Jason’’. In 1930 she achieved worldwide recognition when she became the first woman to fly solo from Britain to Australia. After leaving Croydon on May 5th of that year Amy arrived in Darwin, Australia on May 24th after flying 11,000 miles. In recognition of this achievement she received the Harmon Aviatrix Trophy and a CBE. Amy was also honoured with the No. 1 civil pilot’s under Australia’s 1921 Air Navigation Regulations....

Amy Johnson at the Kalgoorlie War Memorial, July 1930.

Amy Johnson in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, July 1930.

Another achievement was accomplished in July 1931 when Amy and her co-pilot Jack Humphreys flew in a de Havilland Puss Moth to become the first pilots to fly from London to Moscow in one day. The distance travelled was 1,760 miles and took twenty-one hours. From Moscow they travelled across Siberia and on to Tokyo, setting a record time for flying from England to Japan....

de Havilland DH.80A Puss Moth G-ABLS first registered in 1931

Amy married Scottish pilot Jim Mollison on July 29th 1932. He had proposed during a flight together only eight hours after they had met. It was in the same year that Amy went on to set a solo record for the flight from London to Cape Town, South Africa, breaking her new husband’s record. In the following year, 1933, Amy and her husband flew as a duo in a G-ACCV ‘’Seafarer’’ non-stop from Pendine Sands, Wales, to the USA. However due to running out of fuel they crash-landed in Bridgeport, Connecticut, resulting in them both being injured. After their recovery the couple were taken to New York and received a parade down Wall Street....

On 29 July 1932, Amy Johnson and Jim Mollison married

Another flying record for the couple was in 1934 when they flew from Britain to England as part of the Britain to Australia MacRobertson Air Race. However due to engine trouble Amy and Jim had to retire from the race....

Captain James Allan (Jim) Mollison at Floyd Bennett Field, 23 October 1936 in front of his Bellanca Flash

Amy made her last record-breaking flight in May 1936, regaining her Britain to South Africa record. Amy divorced Jim Mollison in 1938 and soon afterwards she reverted to her maiden name....

Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA)

In 1940, during WW11, the ATA (Air Transport Auxiliary) was formed. Their job was to transport RAF aircraft around the country. And so it was that Amy joined the ATA and rose to First Officer. It was on one such mission that Amy lost her life on January 5 1941. Flying an Airspeed Oxford she flew from Blackpool with her destination being RAF Kidlington near Oxford. Due to adverse weather conditions Amy went off course, reportedly due to no fuel. She bailed out into the Thames Estuary and although she was seen alive a rescue attempt failed and her body was never recovered. Her would-be rescuer, Lt. Cmdr Walter Fletcher of HMS Haslemere, died in the attempt to save her....

Amy Johnson

There has always been some mystery surrounding the accident with some suggesting that a third person was also involved and who also drowned....
However, in 1999 it was reported that Tom Mitchell, from Crowborough, Sussex, claimed to have shot the heroine down when she twice failed to give the correct identification code during the flight. Mr. Mitchell explained how the aircraft was sighted and contacted by radio. A request was made for the signal. She gave the wrong one twice. "Sixteen rounds of shells were fired and the plane dived into the Thames Estuary. We all thought it was an enemy plane until the next day when we read the papers and discovered it was Amy. The officers told us never to tell anyone what happened."...

St. Martin in the Fields, London

On January 14th 1941 a memorial service was held in the church of St. Martin in the Fields, London....

Air Forces Memorial, Runnymede, Surrey, England

Amy is remembered with honour on the Air Forces Memorial, Runnymede, Surrey, England....

JOHNSON, AMY V.
Rank: First Officer
Date of Death: 05/01/1941
Age: 37
Regiment/Service: Air Transport Auxiliary
Awards:C B E
Panel ReferencePanel 288.
Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

The KLM McDonnell Douglas MD-11named Amy Johnson

As with many people in history, there have been buildings, areas and suchlike named in honour of Amy Johnson. One which can be seen in the above picture....

Sewerby Hall, Sewerby, East Riding of Yorkshire

In 1958 a collection of Amy Johnson souvenirs and mementos was donated by her father to Sewerby Hall, East Riding of Yorkshire. The hall now houses a room dedicated to Amy Johnson in its museum....

We may never know what really happened to Amy Johnson on that fateful day in 1941. What is known is that she was a heroine of the skies and will be forever remembered....

Until next time, take care...Hugs Chrissy xx

Happy Birthday To Elizabeth Barrett Browning.....

Hello from a wet and chilly Cornwall, so different from yesterday when the sun was shinning and birds were singing. There may be signs of spring with flowers blooming but the weather today says otherwise...

March 8th will be International Women's Day. So I thought in preparation for that day I would write about some women who made their mark in history. Today being March 6th I thought it would be appropriate to begin with a world renowned poet, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, who was born on this day in 1806......
1934 Film with Norma Shearer, Fredric March and Charles Laughton

I first became aware of Elizabeth as a child when I watch the 1934 film with my mother. No it wasn't in 1934 but much later..lol..I have always been an avid reader and was naturally enthralled by the romance portrayed in this film...

A later film made in 1957 starring Jennifer Jones, John Gielgud and Bill Travers

Both films portray Elizabeth as a gentle but determined woman of ill-health living with a tyrannical father and submissive siblings. But her poetry and love of Robert Browning gave her strength to leave this oppressive life and to flee to happiness in Italy...but what was the real Elizabeth Barrett Browning really like.....

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Elizabeth Barrett Moulton-Barrett was born on 6 March 1806, in Coxhoe Hall, between the villages of Coxhoe and Kelloe, County Durham, England. She was one of the most prominent poets of the Victorian era and was widely popular during her lifetime in both England and the USA. Shortly after her death on June 29th 1861 her husband, Robert Browning, had published a collection of her last poems ‘A Musical Instrument’....

Elizabeth in her Youth

Elizabeth was the eldest child of twelve children (eight boys and four girls) born to Edward Barrett Moulton Barrett and Mary Graham Clarke. All but one child survived to adulthood, a girl who died aged three when Elizabeth was eight years old. All of the Barrett children had nicknames, Elizabeth being known as ‘Ba’....
The Barrett’s family wealth derived from members of the family for generations owning land and businesses in Jamaica. One of the stipulations of inheriting this wealth was that name of Barrett should be held as a surname, hence the name being seen twice in Elizabeth’s name....

Aurora Leigh's Dismissal of Romney ("The Tryst") by Arthur Hughes 1845

In 1809 Edward Barrett bought Hope End, a 500-acre estate near the Malvern Hills in Ledbury, Herefordshire where Elizabeth spent her childhood. It was the time spent here that would later inspire her to write Aurora Leigh....

''Of writing many books there is no end;

And I who have written much in prose and verse

For others' uses, will write now for mine,–

Will write my story for my better self,

As when you paint your portrait for a friend,

Who keeps it in a drawer and looks at it

Long after he has ceased to love you, just

To hold together what he was and is''.

An 1871 engraving by T. O. Barlow of an 1859 photograph by Macaire Havre of Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Elizabeth was educated at home and attended lessons with her brothers' tutor. She was an intensely studious child reading novels as young as six years old and becoming passionate about poetry by eight years old. Both her parents encouraged Elizabeth in her own work. Her mother compiled Elizabeth’s poetry into collections of ‘’Poems by Elizabeth B. Barrett’’ and her father called her the ‘Poet Laureate’ of Hope End. Elizabeth’s first known poem "On the Cruelty of Forcement to Man" was written when she was about six or eight years old. As time went by Elizabeth saw her brothers go off to school knowing that she would not follow in their footsteps. She was very close to her siblings and had great respect for her father...

A scene from the 1957 film depicting Elizabeth with her father

At about fifteen years of age Elizabeth and two of her sisters developed the same condition but where her sisters recovered Elizabeth did not. She suffered with intense head and spinal pain with loss of mobility. The medics at that time were not able to diagnose what it was and so Elizabeth began to battle with this lifelong illness. In 1928 Elizabeth’s mother died which left her very bereft. Her maternal aunt, Sarah Graham-Clarke, helped care for the children but Elizabeth and her aunt’s personalities clashed....

A Cafe on Wimpole Street, London, bearing the name Barretts of Wimpole Street

Both Elizabeth’s maternal and paternal family derived some of their fortune from slave labour which she was passionately opposed to and published two poems highlighting the barbarity of slavers and her support for the abolitionist cause. This stance and belief may have caused a rift between herself and her father. Following lawsuits and the abolition of slavery, Edward Barrett suffered financial losses and had to sell Hope End and in 1838 the family moved to 50 Wimpole Street....

Another image of Elizabeth

While in London Elizabeth’s distant cousin, John Kenyon, introduced her to literary figures, some of who she corresponded with. 1838 also saw Elizabeth’s work ‘The Seraphim and Other Poems’ appear in her own name. It was in this year that she also became very ill with what may have been tuberculous. On medical advice the family moved to Torquay, Devon. Sadly in February 1840 Elizabeth’s brother Samuel died in Jamaica and then in July of the same year her other brother Edward died in a sailing accident. Elizabeth was devastated and this had a serious effect on her health. In 1841 the family moved back to Wimpole Street....

Letter from Robert Browning to Elizabeth Barrett, 10 September 1846

On her return to London Elizabeth spent most of her time in her bedroom with spaniel dog named “Flush” and her health began to improve. Between the years 1841-1844 Elizabeth continued to write and publish her work. Her 1844 volume Poems made her one of the most popular writers in the country at the time and inspired Robert Browning to write to her, telling her how much he loved her work. Her cousin John Kenyon arranged for Robert to visit Elizabeth in her rooms on May 20th 1845 and so began one of the most famous courtships in Literature. Both had influence on each other’s writing but critics say that her poetry and her health had diminished since knowing Robert. Her doctor advised her to go to Italy to avoid an English winter but her father would not hear of it....

A scene from the 1934 film depicting Robert and Elizabeth with her faithful companion Flush

The courtship and marriage between Robert and Elizabeth was carried out secretly for fear that her father may disapprove. The couple married at St. Marylebone Parish Church with Elizabeth’s loyal nurse, Wilson, as witness. In September 1846 Wilson accompanied the couple on their honeymoon to Italy, which became her home for until her death....

A scene from the 1957 film depicting Robert and Elizabeth at their secret wedding

Edward Barrett disinherited Elizabeth but what upset her most was the disgust of her brothers, who saw Robert Browning as a gold-digger. The couple appeared happy and were well-respected in Italy. The couple came to know a wide circle of artists and writers and Elizabeth continue with her poetry and with her work being published. Elizabeth’s health improved and in 1849, at the age of 43, she gave birth to a son, Robert Wiedermann Barrett Browning, who was known as ‘Pen’....

Elizabeth Barrett Browning with her son Pen, 1860

After the death of a dear friend and later her father the family moved from Florence to Siena where Elizabeth became engrossed in Italian politics. After expressing support for the Italian cause during the fighting in 1859, an English magazine called her a fanatic....

Robert Browning in later life

In 1860 they returned to Rome only to discover that her sister Henrietta had died. This devastated Elizabeth and she became weak and depressed and gradually her health went into decline. On June 29th 1861 Elizabeth Barrett Browning died in her husband’s arms in Florence, Italy, aged 55. She was buried in the Protestant English cemetery of Florence, Italy....

Elizabeth Barrett Browning's tomb, English Cemetery, Florence, Italy, 2oo7

Portraits of Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Robert Browning

Elizabeth left behind a legacy of her outstanding work and a belief that love can survive despite many obstacles....

Until next time, take care...Hugs Chrissy xx

~~~~~~~

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of everyday's

Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;

I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love thee with a passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.

~ Elizabeth Barrett Browning ~