Seven Sisters Cliffs, near Eastbourne.
Well, that’s another month done and dusted, soon be Christmas, and then, before we know it 2025. Let’s not dwell on that, when you get older, the months just fly by. The years disappear, it’s almost as if we are in a hurry to get it all over with.
Talking of Christmas, some people in our local already have their decorations up. One, just around the corner had their rather tacky tree on display on the first week of October! We’re middle of December people and then all boxed up and in the loft before 12th night.
Anyway, getting back to the plot, (if there is one), October…
I’ve had a busy WordPress month with 9 posts this month. Poetry, prose and reflections amongst them. I have however been neglecting my books. I still have 2 works in progress. Paul’s Fourth Missionary Journey, a work of fiction based on facts, and my Science Fiction book, I am Ai. Perhaps more on them next month
We had a very enjoyable visit to Sheffield Park, with autumn colours, fungi and berries in abundance. They might look good enough to eat, but please don’t, dying is so final for some. It was dry in the sky, but wet underfoot. We ended up with very muddy boots and mud over all the car carpets. It was however a good day. I was able to play around with my new 600 mm camera lens, but until I have more practice, I’m not showing you the results. They weren’t bad photos, They are just not interesting enough to post here. We also spent half a day in Battle. It’s such a lovely village and full of interesting shops for gifts and novelties. We didn’t go to the abbey, It’s £19 (about $25 US) each to get in, I’m not tight, but I have been before and I’m sure it hasn’t changed much.
The old sun has been flaring a lot lately so we were visited by the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). Quite unusual this far south. So we ventured out into the night and grabbed a few shots. Here is one taken with my phone from Beachy Head…
On another tack, we had an amazing Baptism service at church where five people were baptised. There were amazing and moving testimonies from them all. One was especially touching from a Syrian refugee. He walked all the way from Syria to meet up with his family in England. What he endured was inhuman, he was so hungry sometimes that he ate grass and paper. If you want to see and hear these amazing stories, go to our YouTube channel. it’s well worth the visit: https://www.youtube.com/live/bBr-upWpUiQ?si=zqUrnwuXZ9BMihaV
I have been on the leadership team of our church for over twenty years. November will see that come to an end as I stand down from the role. I am the oldest on the team of eight and it’s time for younger people to come on board. I will still be active within the church, I am still Membership Coordinator and I know that God has another exciting role for me just around the corner. Until this calling is tested, I’m saying nothing.
I also completed and renewed my Food Hygiene and Safety Certificate, which allows me to cook for others in the church. We have a monthly Café on a Saturday morning where my signature dishes are sausage or bacon rolls. Not exactly Nouvelle-Cuisine, but people like my extra crispy bacon and slightly burned sausages.
I love to cook and do most of the cooking at home. I love to experiment and make up dishes. I always regard recipes and rough guides not to be followed to the letter. (or even close to it)! I made the Christmas cake this week, a rich fruit cake laced with copious amounts of brandy. I will let it mature, and then marzipan, ice, and decorate it the week before Christmas.
The only other (un)exciting thing from October was us both having our flu jabs. Sore arms for a day or so, but no other side effects.
Well that’s it, if you start talking about flu jabs, you know it’s time to stop!
Please help a thirsty author and treat me to a coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/josephiu
Thank you.
Discover more from Joseph R. Mason
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
