The Venerable Bede

ABC Wednesday
December 7th, 2016

The letter is V for The VENERABLE BEDE

In the first place the title "Venerable" is bestowed on Anglican Archdeacons

and on saintly Roman Catholics.

In order to live up to the adjective one must be wise and esteemed, respected and reverential,

 and being ancient helps as well...

The Venerable Bede fits the bill!

He lived and died in between the twin monasteries of Wearmouth and Jarrow in the northeast of England between 673 and 735 AD.  

Widely regarded as the greatest of all the Anglo-Saxon scholars he wrote or translated some forty books on every area of knowledge, including nature, astronomy and poetry.  However his most famous writing was on theology and history and his best known works is the

 Ecclesiastical History of the English People.

He is remembered today as the earliest English Historian, whose work has shed light 

on a period of English history that would have otherwise been unknown.

The Venerable Bede's bones have been in Durham Cathedral since 1022, 

when they were brought from Jarrow by a monk called Alfred, 

who had them buried alongside Cuthbert's relics.  

They were moved to the Cathedral's Galilee Chapel in the 14th Century.

When we in the 21st century become too complacent and pleased with ourselves 

we might remember our beginnings

 and the wondrous things accomplished by the people of that time, the Dark Ages,

without benefit of the technical devices which aid us today, - 

and I think especially of Sir Google as being pertinent to this blog!!!

More interesting Vs here at ABC Wednesday

 with thanks to Roger, Denis, Leslie, Melody 

and all who have helped make this meme so fantastic.

This and That

Sunday,
December 4th, 2016

It snowed the other day - just a little skiff that soon disappeared and the fabulous mild weather we are having returned.

Today it snowed in earnest during the night, and a northerly breeze makes one loath to go walking.  It was not always that way, - I loved the winter, but that was the blue sky-dry frost-sunshine prairie weather.  We got Bruce's winter coats out, but he forewent a walk in favour of a romp in the snow in the back garden and I didn't bother to get my winter togs on...

Watching curling, and knitting.  One very large pair of lovely red socks with blue toes all finished, and now on to a pretty pink hat for the last little girl great grandchild.  Out of eight great grandchildren only two girls...the boys are an exuberant joy, but the girls are a sweet and rare treasure too.

It was Light-Up here on Friday.  A great parade they tell me, and afterwards Santa and Hot Chocolate and all the wonderment of it all.

There is a Christmas Craft Faire, and I went looking for unusual Christmas gifts;  delighted and surprised, as usual, with the talent that springs to public life with a chance to display it. Art work, jewellry, knitting and beautiful quilted pieces.  Marvelous bakery items, wooden toys, candy and home made Christmas cards.

I went twice around the Faire before my knees started to complain, and came home with some sweet knitted hats, some teas and biscotti, a couple of pair of earrings, and some fabulous small apple pies made by one of the ladies of the Eastern Star, who grow older each year but persevere in their participation of this Christmas celebration  I had one for supper, - delicious!

Today I planted the paper whites.  The amaryllis in my header is blooming with great vigour and enthusiasm.  It inspires me to dig out all the Christmas decorations and choose which ones will brighten the house this year.  Always the Creche, of course, and the ones that touch the heart because of sentimental memories, but it is not possible to cram the decorations of a five bedroom house into this smaller space, - I hear Charles telling me that as I make my decisions, and as usual I have to agree with him.....

I have just received the very welcome news that those of us who have been struggling with the Ukulele to meet band requirements will not have to be playing at the Senior's Dinner after all.  Oh, I was so pleased... Even though I forgot to say White Rabbits when the 1st of December dawned my son tells me I must have some good luck left over from other months when I DID remember.  It is one thing to play Silent Night tenderly to oneself, quite another to be on display in public at this advanced age!

When I went to bed last night I made a little mental note to waken at two and listen to the Christmas Horn Concert (Berlin Philharmonic) which was to record in the far reaches of British Columbia at that time.  Eleven A.M. in Berlin....

I did waken, but alas, my Ipad in the bedroom didn't seem to be synced with my PC, in the computer room, and I will have to wait and hear the Christmas Horns in the Archives.  I went back to sleep listening instead to the Piano Guys, and their Advent and Christmas offerings.

Beautiful - especially their rendition of O Come O Come Emmanuel.

I appreciate so much that one of the "meadow" sons not only gave me the Ipad but rigged up an intriguing way for me to watch it while drifting off to sleep...spoiled rotten!

Off to put some chicken thighs, honey, nutmeg and veggies in a casserole for supper, and to listen to Cecelia Bartoli on the Knowledge Network,  And maybe I'll have a small sip of Orange Brandy while I watch....