Lang May Yer Lum Reek

Following on from Previous Blog & Final Line-
"Lang May Yer Lum Reek"
An Explanation (of sorts) :



Here's the above before being "Wordle'd"

May the best ye hae ivver seen be the warst ye'll ivver see.
May the moose ne'er lea' yer girnal wi a tear-drap in its ee.
May ye aye keep hail an hertie till ye'r auld eneuch tae dee.
May ye aye juist be sae happie as A wuss ye aye tae be.

The above, in translation, reads:
May the best you have ever seen be the worst you will ever see.
May the mouse never leave your grain store with a tear drop in its eye.
May you always stay hale and hearty until you are old enough to die.
May you still be as happy as I always wish you to be.

Here's to all those that I love
Here's to all those that love me.
And here's to all those that love those that I love,
And all those that love those that love me.
(You have to think about that one!)

I drink to the health of another,
And the other I drink to is he -
In the hope that he drinks to another,
And the other he drinks to is me!

Here's to them that like us -
Them that think us swell -
And here's tae them that hate us -
Let's pray for them as well!

Here's to the heath, the hill and the heather,
The bonnet, the plaid, the kilt and the feather!

Here's to the heroes that Scotland can boast,
May their names never dee -
That's the Heilan' Man's Toast!

Here's tae us -
Wha's like us -
Damn few -
And they're a' deid -
Mairs the pity!

May the hill rise behind you,
And may the mountain be always over the crest;
And may the God that you believe in
Hold you in the palm of his hand.

Or alternatively:
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
The sun shine warm upon your face,
The rain fall soft upon your fields.

Lang may yer lum reek! (Long may your chimney smoke!)
Wi' ither folks coal! (With other people's coal!)
(The second line is said to have originated in Edinburgh!)

May we be happy - and our enemies know it!

A guid New Year and mony may ye see.

May ye ne'er want a frien' or a dram to gie him.

When we're gaun up the hill of fortune, may we ne'er meet a frien' comin' doun!

Just an insight into Burns' Words, Hogmanay & Scotland :

Scotland (We invented New Year "Ye Know")

2009 - Homecoming Scotland

Everybody's Welcome!!!

Happy Ne'erday

Its Hogmanay!!!

So Happy Ne'erday when it comes...

(Don't really see the point to New Year Celebrations - never really been all that comfortable with the logic of it even as a very young child - always seems maudlin & a feeble excuse to get drunk)

But still - I'll not spoil what is for some is a fab excuse for a big party / small family gathering or whatever life brings you...

Glasgow Hogmanay 2007/8 (Runrig just after 'the bells')



Edinburgh Hogmanay 2007/8 (Fireworks across city)




Some Fab Hogmanay TV from my Childhood...
(for Salvationists - the last 30/40seconds are very funny)



Though, finally I offer up, right now, prayers for those who want or need Gods Comfort & Grace, in whatever situation or 'celebration' you find yourself the Holy Spirit & God's blanket of love will surround you & warm you. You are never alone - God's there walking beside you & me

"Lang may yer lum reek"

Its CHRISTmas!! Happy Birthday Lord....

The Best Present Ever Given

Merry CHRISTmas to Family, Friends, #Twurch & Beyond....

Blessings & Comfort to All

EDIT: NORAD Tracking Santa

Thought: Wrong Focus (Blurred)

Sometimes we focus on the wrong thing at Christmas...

(in response to & inspired by @stewartcutler's Blog:"Blurred")

Reflective Thought

In last few days I've been searching for & sorting various bits & pieces (as you seem to inevitably do in run-up to Christmas!)

In doing that, I came across my scribblings & thoughts from around the time I became a Senior Soldier (full member) in The Salvation Army...

I felt it would be interesting in this time around Christmas & New Year, when Christians & Non-Christians alike reflect on their lives (& the world around them), to add my little quote to the mix....

It always, whenever I read it, makes me pause for a moment....

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

This quote has been attributed to Nelson Mandela, indeed for a long time I thought he had used it in his Inaugural Presidential Speech, but the source of this excellent thought lies elsewhere.

Either Way, It makes me think... for little while I try a little harder....

Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah

Live:



Recorded Single Version (note-photo only Video):





Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah... for Christmas #1!!!

Update: Christmas #2 thats respectable...
(Original Cohen Version: #36 - not too shabby)


Christmas UK Top40 2008

Teenage Assistance - Toaster!!

Nice Shiny New Toaster!!



My #2 son, some days, eats toast like there is no tomorrow!
But unfortunately he frequently 'claimed' not to like (or know how) to use the cooker's grill... so this dad (maybe foolishly) kept making toast (cause it was easier - Ha!).
It was a (stupid?) battleground with #2 son at times {"he was lazy!" ; "why couldn't he help?" ; but really he was, sometimes, so unsure of himself doing something most of us probably consider 2nd nature}

Old (very old!) toaster bit the bullet, some time ago, & so have soldiered on foolishly making toast etc...
Decided short while back it was perhaps time to get a new toaster. But the 'resurrected geek' in me wanted something a little different (but 'little different' costs money)
So thanks to a Christmas Sale, few days ago, what you see above was bought for half-price!
Might seem strange to be telling this story - but - instantly my son has started using it! With ZERO encouragement! As a parent its the little things that bring the smiles & 'warm heart' feelings.

And so my dad-side & my geek-side are happy.

Shiny New Toaster!
(just 1 observation - it's enormous! Will have to rearrange kitchen around toaster to fit it in properly!)

Thought for 5th December 2008: The Salvation Army @ Christmas

This Should be shown Everyday on every TV Channel-From Now until Day After Christmas....
Can't remember last time I saw The Salvation Army UK advertise on TV?
In Canada & USA they seem to all the time... Deeper Pockets & Better Resources perhaps...

Snow Chance

Weather Warning


NO SNOW! despite Weather Warning - As I suspected....




How Very Disappointing ... Oh well next time....

Books on Blog (VOX)

Books I'll Be Reading...

Above is link to..
'sometime updated' {Aldakila's) crossing point to my 'other' blog
(read: infrequently, except when something really important being done or said)

EDIT: Book List was 1 book short (now added)

Please bear with me.. still under construction .. Being created for certain Family & Friends...

ALL will be explained / revealed in coming weeks, as we hurtle into New Year