tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70028567856914988382024-03-13T23:10:41.787-07:00Shona McMillan Celtic ReflectionsSCOTTISH LIFE IN PHOTOS, FILM, MUSIC AND ARTShona McMillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09411435739838511451noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7002856785691498838.post-39887553575911482082020-03-16T07:39:00.004-07:002020-03-16T08:36:53.247-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>CORONAVIRUS THOUGHTS</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's a long time since I wrote a blog. Yes, I wrote a lot after the death of my parents, also, I added in some posts on other topics too but then "just living my life" all that got in the way...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today however, life has taken a strange new direction - not just for me but everyone... A few weeks ago, COVID-19 was greeted with many jokes about it's 'almost friendly Corona name' when we first started to hear about it. I doubt, there are any educated who are so jovial about the virus now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Social media is awash with conspiracy theories and misinformation. I do not want to add to the negatives. But, I do feel like I want to say something - even if that is to just repeat the sensible advice which is out there. I am a down to earth, feet on the ground type of soul. And, I also have experience in marketing (particularly in respect of information to be shared to try and inform people so that their actions do not lead to negative outcomes, in this case, the spread of the virus). Who knows, maybe I will not feel 'the need' to continue writing about this. I make no promises but it is as if my part of the world woke up this weekend to the threat (the very real threat) that this disease can kill. That the stories we heard in China, then from Italy - that actually, the virus and frightening stories have come to our shores and no, life will not be the same again (maybe ever but certainly, not 'business as usual' for a very, very long time).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today, I have already shared to instagram and my facebook page the above photo - for now, I won't repeat all the message here (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9yepkahsAa/" target="_blank">you can look it up if you wish</a> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">). I guess that here, I just want to add in a personal side of life, the thoughts from my life as, just another person who is watching, waiting and wondering - "where will all this go?".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From Autumn 2019 to Spring 2020, I have worked in the NHS, in a role connected to marketing but not specifically on health issues. However, at Christmas I did circulate posters around my building to try and minimise the spread of Norovirus (the winter vomiting bug). I was opening door handles with tissues, keeping my distance from folk where I could, washing my hands (many, many times each day) and yet - I still got Norovirus. Goodness, how sick I was and then, I felt pretty awful for a couple of weeks. And, it was over that time, that I began to hear about this new virus and - it alarmed me right from the beginning (because of all I have learnt from previous studies I have done on the spread of disease and how people tend NOT to think that it could happen to them... until it does. So, they don't take preventative measures or sensibly change their behaviour in time).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From the start of 2020, events progressed and then, there I was (just before I left) assisting my NHS Communications team, helping them circulate information, putting up Coronavirus information posters. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My fixed term contract drew to a close but, what personal events... a death in my family happened and there I was, now not at work, organising a funeral and about to move in to a new job... But actually, having to take some BIG decisions very quick - having to reassess the situation. I wanted to work but decisions were now influenced on "if I choose this or that job - will the work still be there as COVID-19 progresses? Events continued and by 13 March it was the day of the family funeral. And how quickly things were now unfolding as numbers moved upwards. The Minister having to make a statement at the funeral. And me, having to make this one as folks travelled to the service. Knowing that, something as natural as a handshake or a hug could pass on a virus (if with anyone, it's sight to go unseen for days until it would be spread to another... and another).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Life has changed at great speed and it is still changing. Any difference I could make, I think, has to be less than minimal ( drop in an ocean). Nevertheless, I feel the need to put something out there to at least be a voice which is passing on, either solid information or just highlighting the power of holding positive thoughts. Therefore, in this blog (my first on Coronavirus) - I want to end with just one simple statement. By educating yourself you can lower your risk of you getting the virus and, at the same time, minimise the numbers that you, yourself will impact as you pass on the virus. Therefore, keep in mind (yes, all the guidance such as washing your hands, social distancing etc) but also keep in mind that:</span><br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">WHEN YOU CAN'T CONTROL WHAT'S HAPPENING , CHALLENGE YOURSELF TO CONTROL THE WAY YOU RESPOND TO WHAT'S HAPPENING. (THAT IS WHERE YOUR POWER IS).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To close, I share with you my personal story of today </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. from a friend, I received by post 20 paracetamol. He told me he had searched his house, found 30, he had kept 10 and wanted me to have 20 (myself living in a city, him in a rural area, he thought I might need these before him). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What scarce supplies there are in Edinburgh shops, at the moment, of things like paracetamol. Now, the other thing most missing is not a medicine but highly recognised. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To my house, arrived another friend this morning... For three weeks toilet rolls have vanished from Edinburgh shops. And, err, she just wanted to give me a pack (she had kept another pack for her self). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Such gestures of kindness and friendship - they are small things but also, these are the sort of things which actually, are NOT so small (they all add up). Living life, in this way of thinking about others - that's what we need to do more of right now. Don't wait for the Govt to tell you to distance yourself from others (for their benefit and your own), do it now. Lets everyone do what they can to reduce the speed that this virus transfers. Lets do all we can to lower the curve of the COVID-19 graph. Protect your own health and the health of others.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Onwards and upwards everyone. Wishing you all the best, Shona x</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Shona McMillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09411435739838511451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7002856785691498838.post-26852085518775828732014-07-06T03:52:00.002-07:002014-07-06T05:10:26.337-07:00CHASING SHADOWS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">I woke thinking of friends of mine caught up in one of life's storms.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">From a close family, what pain for all when a much loved parent develops something such as Alzheimers. At first, looking the same externally as they always did. But inside, that process of slipping silently away has begun, even before we know that something is wrong they are leaving us. 'Good days' and 'bad days' shift balance until the person left is but a shell of the one we knew so well. So familiar, so loved by all around them. And in the beginning, they themselves can be very aggravated by forgetting things, snapping at people they care for and experiencing a myriad of feelings of confusion and upset by changes within them that they can not control. However, in time, their consciousness can fade yet further until, the ones around them, they are left grieving for the person they once knew. A shell of their loved one still in front of them but treasured memories once shared now gone. To watch a loved one lose their unique character, their personality, their humour and all the love they once gave to others fade away. Only those left caring for them remain to remember how things used to be (and what a mental burden that is to be carried by the carer)...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">'Eventually' it will become obvious that a balance needs to be found between being 'carer' and 'caring for oneself'. A painful step back is needed to find some space from the capacity of this illness to draw in the carer's love, patience and understanding - draining emotional well-being and all the carer's energy without respite. The carer has a duty to themselves as much as to the one they care for. Yet, that step back that is required, that move can only be made when the time is right and each of us can only make that decision for ourselves. Around the person who is the carer, their family and friends also find this period to be a very difficult time - they can support the carer (and yes, they must try to give all the support to the carer that they can) but also, they must not lose sight of the need for balance in their own lives. Such a difficult stage to balance, there are so many challenges to be met by everyone. Nevertheless, as mere human beings, we can so often look back and then be amazed to realise just what we were capable of, so much more than we thought we could be. We <u>CAN</u> manage to navigate our way through life's storms. But each challenge must be faced one day at a time - we can move forward and eventually find our way back out the dark days, back in to the light. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Having been a carer to parents, to family and friends myself, in life's difficult times I have found the Serenity Prayer to be a great support. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;">A tide's lowest ebb is when it turns and with us too, it is so often when we think we can't hang in there a moment longer. Then we find, from our own remarkable efforts - we find that we finally do turn a corner and a way forward becomes clear. </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">We are capable of so much more than we could ever imagine. Some would wish to protect us, so no tear was ever shed but tears are part of life and learning and through these times, sad and happy tears - we learn and we grow as people.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 15px;">Sharing personal experiences, of life's most challenging times, that process can be of use to others currently caught up in the same sort of 'storms' that we have navigated. Myself, generally at ease in expressing myself, at the time I was a carer I found there were many months I had nothing I wanted to say. I didn't want to feel any feelings, let alone express them - but still, I remember that time well. Therefore, thinking of my friend and what I went through, I wrote this poem today. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;">I know how hard it is to watch a loved one fade away and my poem reflects that. But also, now many years later, having passed through that storm (and being so very happy in my life today) I hope that there may be something in what I have shared, no matter how small - just something which makes a difference to anyone who reads this. We can all say to a loved one "you NEED to step back" but, it IS so hard and ultimately, only they can do what they can do. We sail the seas of life together but only each of us can navigate our own way through. Until then, the love of family, of friends - we can only offer our help to those who are struggling. We can't take away another's pain (much as we would wish to, we can't protect them from all the tears that need to fall) but we can offer out our hand to steady and to guide them. We can offer to them a heart that is full of love. And when words aren't enough for that moment - we can use hugs to convey the love that we feel. </span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">CHASING
SHADOWS</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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You were my anchor, my safe port in any storm,</div>
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The one who gave me life, kept me safe when I was born.</div>
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My sun, my moon, my stars, you built the world I knew.</div>
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For all the tears I cry, I know I still “love
you”.</div>
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Now left to chase your shadow, your sunshine once so bright,</div>
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Tho' you can look the same, Alzhemiers hides your
light.</div>
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A quiet empty stare, at times my sole reward,</div>
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And anger you never had - “oh why dear Lord?”</div>
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“Why did this have to happen?” How could this ever be?</div>
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Child-parent carrying this burden, from which I can’t
break free.</div>
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Chasing shadows, chasing shadows, like clouds across the sea.</div>
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Anchored by our life of love, as
you once carried me…</div>
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In these times that life's a blur, when love's put to the test,</div>
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Safe harbours are ahead, and there I'll take my rest.</div>
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Lessons learnt in life, these will serve me well,</div>
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But when this chapter closes, only time will tell, </div>
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Shona McMillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09411435739838511451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7002856785691498838.post-15870482666638040912014-04-05T12:16:00.000-07:002014-04-06T08:58:38.830-07:00A Flower of Scotland, R.I.P. Margo MacDonald<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Across my life are memories of Margo MacDonald. As a very young child with my family, grouped around to watch our black and white TV, I remember the excitement when this amazing woman won her seat in the most strongly contested area of Govan. On the other side of Scotland, Govan was well away from our comfortable house in the Edinburgh suburbs. Yet, from a family who had worked in fishing and mining - we could well relate to the changes happening in Govan ship building. Back then was a time where it did seem that 'IF ONLY' Scotland's people would come together then they could work to change their world for the better. Yes, this was the time before the devastation that Thatcher's years of rule would subject Scotland to. And back then, my family had a very strong interest in politics. However, we did NOT follow a political party blindly, (because family before us had followed the same party). No! Debate was very strong in our household. Indeed, how often I heard the remark that it didn't matter if all opinions were in agreement so much as it mattered that people actually had an opinion. It was important that people cared, cared enough to be aware of the facts so that they could try their best to do what they could to make a difference. Opinions needed to be formed through decisions made in light of the available evidence. Being widely read was a fundamental starting point and in a disagreement - it was no good to just say "that's rubbish" you had to explain why you thought another's position was wrong and solutions to problems needed to be put forward. Perhaps then, it was no wonder that I got in to student politics. Wanting to hear 'all sides' - I went to meetings with different political parties and listened to the arguments, for and against. And it was in that period of learning that I first heard Margo MacDonald speak in person, Margo and the equally brilliant speaker, her husband Jim Sillars.<br />
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Yesterday, talking of his wife's passing, Jim Sillar's said<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: yellow;"> "<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">the brightest light in the Sc</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">ottish political firmament has gone out"</span></span></span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: black; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span>and indeed, it feels like this today. As shock of grief subdues in to that weary feeling of loss, it seems so personally cruel that Margo has gone just a few short months before Scotland holds its Referendum. I feel that my country could so benefit now from having her voice to speak out in debate as she has done over so many years. But note in my writing here, I am not coming down on one side or the other. I am simply expressing my thoughts that Margo has indeed been such a powerful and enduring light in Scottish politics that we greatly miss her contribution now.<br />
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Such an inspirational speaker, I heard Margo (and Jim) talk in various political and business situations. Both so powerfully articulate. But no, I did not agree with Margo on every matter. Yet, I was always interested to hear her position for I had the upmost respect for her. A person I heard on the radio, saw on TV, read in the newspapers - so many, many years passed with no thought that I might ever meet her in person but one day our paths did cross. A meeting with her which would have a lasting influence - and on a personal note I can say - Margo you are sorely missed...<br />
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One very ordinary morning I was walking to work when I saw someone struggling with a load of bags as they tried to get out of a taxi. The driver had got out on to the pavement to offer his assistance but this woman was proudly waving him away that she could manage (but there were a lot of files in bags and she seemed to be having some difficulties with her mobility). Passing by so near, I stepped forward and gave my biggest smile. In a disarming voice I commented along the lines of "Ach, another woman like my mum! One who can manage just fine - but maybe you'd take the arm of a stranger?". My friendly greeting made her look up and she laughed (I think it was a laugh at herself as much as what I had said). But then I did a double take and it was me laughing as I exclaimed "Wow! It's Margo MacDonald."<br />
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I recall she said something about me having the advantage over her because she didn't know who I was and I'd just smiled. "Ah, I'm someone of no importance" (offering again my arm to lean on she'd stepped on to the pavement). But "No" she insisted "EVERYONE is of importance to me." I had shook my head again smiling, I didn't think it was worth trying to recall my name but I certainly had great respect for what she was doing. And suddenly, right there in the street I was talking about her campaign. Her debate on Assisted Suicide so that those with terminal illness could have the right to die with dignity.<br />
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I went on to say that, having seen terminal illness first hand (as a carer) - what she was doing was of great personal importance to me. I talked about how strongly I felt that the law needed to be changed to be clear on this matter. I passionately believed, from all I had seen, that people should have the right, A FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOM TO DIE IN THE MANNER THAT THEY CHOOSE TO AND SO RETAIN THEIR DIGNITY RIGHT UP TO THE END OF THEIR LIFE. I had been deeply touched by Margo's situation and by what she was doing! Yes, I explained it had upset me to learn she was battling Parkinsons, I had a heartfelt wish that she could be in good health for many years to come. However, I saw something to be taken from all this and, for me, it seemed to be the same lesson I had observed when my mum had battled cancer. After, I had looked back on that time I realised, in that period between diagnosis and death - my mum had been given and taken her opportunity to say a very loving and powerful, long and lasting goodbye. My mum had chosen to avoid drugs which could have confused her (although they would have dulled the pain) because she had seen her remaining time as so precious, such an important opportunity to take that she had wanted to do all that she could to get things 'tidied up and sorted out before she left'. I had commented to Margo that, when I had reflected on the news of her battle with Parkinsons - yes, it was so very sad. Yet, I could flip round that terrible situation to make good come from it through a change in the law and a legacy which could benefit all who followed. Already I knew Margo was taking this opportunity, taking the time she had left to facilitate debate and realise change. So widely known in Scotland and 'loved by many' - wasn't Margo just the right person, at the right time and in the right place to bring the end of life debate right out there in to public view? Suddenly aware that, through the surprise of our impromptu meeting - I might not be expressing myself as well as I could, I knew that everything I wanted to say really all boiled down in to two words. I just wanted to say THANK YOU! I so greatly appreciated her courage, her bravery in tackling the debate and her staying power in not turning away from all this for an easier route.<br />
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There on the pavement, on what had been a very ordinary day, suddenly this extraordinary woman was reaching out and warmly hugging me. And in that moment there was a bond forged through the pain and inevitable pathway of terminal illness. Standing back to give me a big smile she had asked would I come in and talk over coffee. But then, realising the time I had to make my apologies to go. I had explained if I didn't leave right there and then that I would be late for work. Margo had asked where I worked and I'd named the organisation before going on my way. Nevertheless, some hours later, it was still a surprise when I was contacted at work. Margo wanted to know "when would be a suitable time for me to pop in to the parliament for a blether" - she wanted to talk some more...<br />
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I met Margo a few times after that first meeting and then the last time we met it was at a work event. I had no advance knowledge before our last meeting that I was going to see her (we had both been invited to the same function). But as ever when I arrived, there was Margo - robustly leading a debate. With a huddle of interested folk around her, she was like a Queen Bee holding court, as ever, what she was saying was being listened to with rapt attention. That day as on others I saw Margo doing great work and at this particular function she was promoting the importance of sport and exercise in building up positive habits for a healthy lifestyle and she was strongly making the case that there was a need for society to work towards improved health for all (she could make an economic case for this - that preventative treatment was better than cure but she also of the opinion - it was just the right thing to do!). Margo looked great, smiling away, chatting to everyone, arguing her case for more money to be put in to sport so that there was access to sport for all, no matter what their income. Everything appeared good with Margo yet I noticed a subtle gesture as her hand moved involuntarily to place pressure on her hip. There was no fuss, certainly no complaint from her but it was obvious to me that she was experiencing a great deal of pain. Hers was the sort of discreet gesture that I had seen my mother do the same when battling cancer. Always a smile to be shared, a friendly supportive word to be given - yet the challenges of ailing health were causing difficulty. Quietly and very discreetly, I spoke to Margo (and by this time she knew a lot about me and what I had experienced). Margo listened to my delicately put concern that she was maybe a bit tired could take a break. She gave me an intense look for a moment and then her face lit up with the biggest SMILE. A twinkle in her eye, Margo gave me a huge and knowing wink<b> <span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;">"it's a long game and I'm not done yet". </span></b>With that, Margo moved on again, taking the opportunity to get her photo taken so she might raise the profile of the campaign to benefit others. The photos taken in these next few minutes, they followed on with this last picture of us both below. A snap which turned out to be the last photo I have of one of the most remarkable women I have ever met<i>.</i><br />
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Party politics colours debate - and latterly in her lengthy career, Margo stood as an independent. She stood for what she believed in and what she believed was that she could give a voice to the poor. Margo spoke up for the ones often forgotten by society, the people most in need of someone in a public position to campaign and work away on their behalf. Margo cared enough to try her best to level out the discrepancies that exist in society between the haves and have nots. Margo was a champion of the common people and in the public eye, she seemed (to me) to always be just the same totally down to earth Margo. In public or tirelessly behind the scenes, Margo worked so hard to make a difference. Perhaps, 'IF' anything was slightly different outwith the public eye it would only be that her private sense of FUN, her infectious sense of mischief and her wickedly good humour was slightly (only slightly) toned down in public. For, even in public, how many a debate benefited from her sharp wit, brilliant word play and disarmingly quick one liners.<br />
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An independent, Margo was like a one woman army! Whatever campaign she backed it went on to benefit greatly from her support for Margo so warmly engaged with the public and shaped opinion. In Scottish life, Margo was a tremendously influential character, in and outside of the parliament. Surely, who in my country is not aware of the charismatic politician "Margo" who has worked so hard over so many years for Scotland and our people. For me, Margo's passing marks the end of an era - although she, no doubt, would be the first to say that "the game's not done yet". Life in Scotland goes on, yes of course. But Margo's legacy remains with us all and I like so many will miss her greatly. At national gatherings we so often sing "Flower of Scotland" and the words strike a chord with me in the line "oh Flower of Scotland, when will we see, your likes again?" The light that shone through Margo has gone out but her legacy lives on.<br />
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<b><span style="color: cyan;">MARGO WAS A STATESWOMAN FOR SCOTLAND, a political leader who worked tirelessly with everyone and anyone to transcend party politics and act as a promoter of good for all.</span></b></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: black; color: yellow;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">When I think back on Margo I see a woman who you could call a 'Flower of Scotland' in that she was strong and proud and stood up ready to fight for what she believed in. She was a beautiful lady, inside and out with the greatest compassion for others. Thank you Margo for what I saw you do for the people of Scotland. Such a warm person, you retained a great sense of FUN and personal strength, able to share a ready smile with others, even in declining health. You were and always will remain to be such a great inspiration to so very many. </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: white;"><b style="background-color: black;">R.I.P. Margo MacDonald (19.04.43 - 4.04.14)</b></span></span></i><br />
<i><span class="text_exposed_show" style="color: white; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b style="background-color: black;">My thoughts go out to Margo's family and friends.</b></span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: lime;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><b><a href="http://news.stv.tv/east-central/270422-nationalist-politician-and-campaigner-margo-macdonald-dies-aged-70/" target="_blank">Click to see: STV TRIBUTE TO MARGO & HER LEGACY</a></b></span></span></h4>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="color: lime; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b style="background-color: black;"><a href="http://news.stv.tv/politics/270560-scotland-tonight-a-look-back-at-the-life-of-margo-macdonald/" target="_blank">and: STV LOOK BACK AT MARGO'S LIFE"</a></b></span></h4>
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Shona McMillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09411435739838511451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7002856785691498838.post-79067201867386527702013-06-25T08:28:00.000-07:002013-06-25T12:02:25.316-07:00BEES - here today, gone tomorrow?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong>"SORRY"</strong> - well, that makes a difference (NOT). So here is a story: I plant my garden for NATURE. No it is not the tidiest garden & sometimes I get irritated when snails eat my bedding plants. But, hedgehogs visit my garden & eat the snails. Indeed, some years ago there was even a badger (once). <br />
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Through my garden, foxes will pass every night and squirrels are often seen in the day. And the birds, at dawn and dusk, I hear them sing so beautifully and during the day they will skip through honeysuckle and clematis as they eat the aphids they find. On the path too, I often see small trails of tiny ants - busily going about their business. Indeed, when I sit and just watch and listen - I can see a whole eco system supported in my small garden. <br />
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I have such a very small garden that at first, when I pulled up the gravel and the plastic sheeting underneath, some people passing by commented I was crazy to be 'ruining' such a tidy and low maintenance garden. Yes, it was going to be a little bit more work for me and yes, I was always busy with a variety of projects. BUT one day I saw a butterfly - so delighted I watched it flutter along but then it was gone as - there was no reason for it to stop. There was no food for this tiny critter in my garden. Having just bought the house the garden had been made 'presentable' for sale and it was virtually devoid of nature. I wanted to restore the balance. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My dad would gather and scatter poppy seeds <br />
(these orange ones scattered by him). </td></tr>
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I felt strongly about providing a habitat for nature but I could hardly get all my neighbours and everyone I knew to do the same. BUT I could do something in my own small patch of ground. The garden had actually been built on a piece of waste ground where rocks had been dumped and once through a thin layer of top soil - it was a mess. It took me a week and the back breaking removal of 3 wheelie bin fulls of big stones to get it ready for the richer soil I brought in. At the end, yes, it looked amazing - so neat and tidy and full of potential. BUT so many years later, it's not so tidy now but has been more loved by nature than ever. But I just used past tense because things have changed. <br />
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In this time of economic cut backs I got a very 'costly' visit from the Council (a fatal visit for the eco system of my garden). Having lived in my house for over 15 years for the first time someone was sent out to maintain the pavement from any weeds. In all the years I have lived here this was never done before. If any weeds did show then I would tidy them away. <br />
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Was it a problem for me, to have nature visit my garden? If it was it certainly never registered that it was unacceptable (I did not find it a problem to take 5 mins, one or twice a year to tidy the border of my garden where it met the pavement). However, in 2013 - someone in their wisdom decided there was a problem and sent a person with weed killer to "tidy up nature". Was the person tired? Were they not being careful? Did it not even enter their head that they should be careful? Whatever happened exactly is that weedkiller was not just sprayed on the pavement but WEEDKILLER WAS PUT ALL ALONG THE FRONT OF MY GARDEN (and everything was killed). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1_tfT8GAITKwiD6VDQeouGOV6esTKRg5pjuaea-Up0cqhhzoS3aRGQM3-yHIFc_8TjLi6m-mn4wKIv2levCzUmbHkHuACwxdBUjnRrLjSYakmodRVM0OL2qGHdl71kQWFTVvDg00DJ85/s1600/Squirrel,+Shona+McMillan+Copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1_tfT8GAITKwiD6VDQeouGOV6esTKRg5pjuaea-Up0cqhhzoS3aRGQM3-yHIFc_8TjLi6m-mn4wKIv2levCzUmbHkHuACwxdBUjnRrLjSYakmodRVM0OL2qGHdl71kQWFTVvDg00DJ85/s320/Squirrel,+Shona+McMillan+Copyright.jpg" width="248" /></a>I arrived home to find a pile of dying snails by my gate and all along the border. And over the days the beautiful display of flowers bent their heads, their leaves shrivelled up and they died. On the other side of the 2 cm thick fence, I wait to see if the honeysuckle and clematis will survive. But, at the front of the garden where bees buzzed around the flowers - now there is silence. The squirrels which were also making a come back, they too have been missing for days (perhaps avoiding the smell of the pesticide? I don't know). Yet, is this all a story of gloom? Well, the Council has sent down an inspection team and they have contacted me to confirm that YES all the plants they have accidently sprayed are now dead (I did think that was obvious) so what is the end result? Well - "they are very sorry" Ah good, well then - that makes all the difference - does it? <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As my dad would say "what is a weed but a flower by another name"</td></tr>
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Lastly, I finish today with this <a href="http://news.sky.com/story/1106549/dead-bees-pesticide-kills-50000-in-car-park" target="_blank">story from America</a> where bee owners are experiencing the complete collapse of many bee hive populations. Indeed, bees from Australia (where certain now banned pesticides were not used) - bees not subjected to these pesticides are being exported to try and restock the world population. And I point out that this is obviously not a sustainable solution as almost as fast as new arriving bees are being sent out to pollinate crops, the bees are dying in their millions (towns and cities almost becoming a safer environment for bees). I passionately believe that we all need to do what we can to help save bees...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZc8Ck93LMaGaWFgjDBUwcopAqEBw3eStV60kOv6TURHNXGRmaH97kR0ksKMLuFD2zQYRhGzxNOa0WRIQWcwPi_S1YZxPD2x_L9X35BhqYBFt2TvzR8CviE-58IFkzT96UPbbjyQfv5mX_/s1600/Red+Poppies,+Shona+McMillan+Copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZc8Ck93LMaGaWFgjDBUwcopAqEBw3eStV60kOv6TURHNXGRmaH97kR0ksKMLuFD2zQYRhGzxNOa0WRIQWcwPi_S1YZxPD2x_L9X35BhqYBFt2TvzR8CviE-58IFkzT96UPbbjyQfv5mX_/s320/Red+Poppies,+Shona+McMillan+Copyright.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To see what you can do to help - do a Google search and find groups you can join and work with in your area (every little helps). By all means, you can also repost and share this blog with your friends online. Many thanks, Shona.</td></tr>
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Shona McMillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09411435739838511451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7002856785691498838.post-41780363107827973442012-12-31T05:55:00.000-08:002014-04-10T06:29:19.963-07:00When Dreams Come True<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10PP7e41m2NHD16Rbk259oFFynxeD5MqsF368N0v3I3SCWFipM2YvSAgy12k25IsFAXEjaj7IAJ6JGDuo6VxNiE7uN20vFdiUSGYhCUSJAtCSNJ1RWoI8GSAnLJ_FOO9z2RixRrO1cT1r/s1600/Canadian+Dreams+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10PP7e41m2NHD16Rbk259oFFynxeD5MqsF368N0v3I3SCWFipM2YvSAgy12k25IsFAXEjaj7IAJ6JGDuo6VxNiE7uN20vFdiUSGYhCUSJAtCSNJ1RWoI8GSAnLJ_FOO9z2RixRrO1cT1r/s1600/Canadian+Dreams+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10PP7e41m2NHD16Rbk259oFFynxeD5MqsF368N0v3I3SCWFipM2YvSAgy12k25IsFAXEjaj7IAJ6JGDuo6VxNiE7uN20vFdiUSGYhCUSJAtCSNJ1RWoI8GSAnLJ_FOO9z2RixRrO1cT1r/s320/Canadian+Dreams+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" height="206" width="320" /></a>A New Year is just about to begin and at the start of a new year I always find myself looking back and forward. <br />
A new year seems so full of opportunity, the potential to shape our lives as we would want them to be be but in truth, the possibility for change is always there. Our lives are built from an ongoing collection of events which are shaped by the choices that we make every moment of our days - what we do and what we do not do, over time, these decisions all blend together to build up the overall picture of that which is our life (a collection of individual days).<br />
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As so many things contribute to build up our lives, to substantialy change our direction takes a number of factors and the first one is surely 'space' for clarity of thought. In 2012, I was given a wonderful opportunity to go to Canada and spend several months there working on a photography project. Yet, removed from my life's daily events in Scotland I also had the opportunity to look at my life and decide in what ways I wanted to shape it for my future. Of course tho', not everything we plan to do does happen as we envisage - but through our set backs, we also have the opportunity to learn what and who are most important to us. And for me, that's what 2012 has been - a year of reflection, planning and preparation for the future, the future I want for the next chapter/s in my life. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja14keUXgdz1Mk65rkPWPZqQzcqpq_l804_iH0lTqTCYXsC_pSXoVGFV-1B-4_mVBEjtSzDGXhCWU9ViW9rPy86PoLrfecs1fQQMMgmiZ1fEOUI1ACd5ugyQ7KrbT8uWxcRrzjrr4cT_jF/s1600/Shona+2012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja14keUXgdz1Mk65rkPWPZqQzcqpq_l804_iH0lTqTCYXsC_pSXoVGFV-1B-4_mVBEjtSzDGXhCWU9ViW9rPy86PoLrfecs1fQQMMgmiZ1fEOUI1ACd5ugyQ7KrbT8uWxcRrzjrr4cT_jF/s320/Shona+2012.JPG" height="320" width="257" /></a>Who knows exactly how 2013 will turn out, who knows who will be in my life (our lives) as 2014 begins. But in 2012, I know I spent my time with some really great people and looking back I know that one more than any other installed in me the need to remember that it really does take time to make our dreams come true. Yes, sometimes something can happen suddenly but it seems to me that what benefits us the most are those changes which actually take a lot of time and hard work to achieve. When dreams come true we need to be standing in the right place, at the right time and to have first got to that place we need to have done a lot of work in advance. </div>
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Life like the weather is always changing, sunshine and showers, sunrises/sunsets. In and out of our lives people move, some friends stay forever, others for a short while. But each person we meet has the opportunity to teach us some important lesson from which we can benefit and take with us, a lesson carried in our hearts and in our minds to help us shape our journey. So in 2013, what I hope for the most is patience and perseverence to stay true to my own plan to make more 'dreams come true'. Time is so very precious, I think it is worth the effort of the work it takes within each of us to make our dreams come true. And in that process - my thanks to these really inspirationational people along the way who enter our lives and share their wisdom which helps us to stay true to our forward journey. Success comes ultimately from an ever onwards, ever upwards movement, pushing on through the clouds that will shadow a journey, always pushing onwards, upwards to the light. </div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">The most encouraging words in 2012 said to me from a friend -</span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">"Remember - eventually, the cream rises to the top"</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlnpfXxuLShjoEdy4HHl3_PQGjOSgyvNmdPOPVVarLSpV07RmrSIIFa7Do4rfmANiuIbmZgIaNrzhFWLaTIfSO5a6xEK6ASLJyq8pX2v3NehqaCdC0N7son-eYghghoOpL3a-39Kg0IBD/s1600/Let+there+be+light,+Shona+McMillan+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlnpfXxuLShjoEdy4HHl3_PQGjOSgyvNmdPOPVVarLSpV07RmrSIIFa7Do4rfmANiuIbmZgIaNrzhFWLaTIfSO5a6xEK6ASLJyq8pX2v3NehqaCdC0N7son-eYghghoOpL3a-39Kg0IBD/s320/Let+there+be+light,+Shona+McMillan+copyright.jpg" height="204" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">Words applied to 2013, which by 2014, will have helped me </span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;">to have made yet more new dreams come true.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;"><b>Looking back from 10 April 2014 I can see</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;"><b>- in 2013 - my birthday 'dream' came true :-)</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-bWqT1nGp3gpcjJUDNdDadv5Ie_hcRERMQSjCrFmbmq-_3EjTw_5Z5AK5URbGzuiMrjxfHMNac4rR7D31K-tWXCtp9xD27cSlNYFw0Der-aheQW8kI-8F_c6T55lrEGU5wdYwXaTy2uT/s1600/My+birthday!+Shona+McMillan+Copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-bWqT1nGp3gpcjJUDNdDadv5Ie_hcRERMQSjCrFmbmq-_3EjTw_5Z5AK5URbGzuiMrjxfHMNac4rR7D31K-tWXCtp9xD27cSlNYFw0Der-aheQW8kI-8F_c6T55lrEGU5wdYwXaTy2uT/s1600/My+birthday!+Shona+McMillan+Copyright.jpg" height="260" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;">And everyone who ever achieved their goal</span></b><br />
<b><span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;">- in the beginning it was 'just' a dream...</span></b><br />
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<b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlQeCb_YAIw" target="_blank">Michael Buble and his mum on Oprah Winfrey's show</a></b><br />
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Shona McMillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09411435739838511451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7002856785691498838.post-17635547426047852972012-05-27T04:29:00.000-07:002012-05-27T04:57:26.647-07:00FLY SCOTLAND'S SALTIRE: NO OLYMPIC BAN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuw6dKSpuP53Kl2o9YMtys4YdCBRj1ARIsy8_N08pt6Gbv-LS_L7wTRHhDLPJItWanqE2QsxGe9lS3qQ-36eL5z8NKzI8Fd_pDPvtBUyviK6-NPsivnMhUDj9rOvKRUa-oGSS6nsogJOfo/s1600/Saltire+Shona+McMillan+%C2%A9+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuw6dKSpuP53Kl2o9YMtys4YdCBRj1ARIsy8_N08pt6Gbv-LS_L7wTRHhDLPJItWanqE2QsxGe9lS3qQ-36eL5z8NKzI8Fd_pDPvtBUyviK6-NPsivnMhUDj9rOvKRUa-oGSS6nsogJOfo/s1600/Saltire+Shona+McMillan+%C2%A9+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuw6dKSpuP53Kl2o9YMtys4YdCBRj1ARIsy8_N08pt6Gbv-LS_L7wTRHhDLPJItWanqE2QsxGe9lS3qQ-36eL5z8NKzI8Fd_pDPvtBUyviK6-NPsivnMhUDj9rOvKRUa-oGSS6nsogJOfo/s200/Saltire+Shona+McMillan+%C2%A9+(6).JPG" width="192" /></a>The Saltire flag - as with any country's national flag, the Saltire is one of Scotland's most iconic of symbols. The home of the flag originates at Athelstaneford in East Lothian where legend has it that the sign of the flag first appeared as white clouds on a blue sky before a winning battle. And, what Scot is not inspired by the Saltire proudly flying.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqzgnCjBt18SIZoQknayDY6GMAiN0g3x0pScZcgwyhVTxSKH09zUcnySMr7D7oybGY3DlJjBxaANXWvED37YTY0qIxKi_ybzJUvfKQzpC3AtCngvXJtwlPUNADwpCWw5toTwE5QfPWaTT/s1600/Saltire+Shona+McMillan+%C2%A9+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqzgnCjBt18SIZoQknayDY6GMAiN0g3x0pScZcgwyhVTxSKH09zUcnySMr7D7oybGY3DlJjBxaANXWvED37YTY0qIxKi_ybzJUvfKQzpC3AtCngvXJtwlPUNADwpCWw5toTwE5QfPWaTT/s200/Saltire+Shona+McMillan+%C2%A9+(2).JPG" width="146" /></a>Yet today, thankfully, the flag is not seen in fights to the death but displayed in celebration around many cultural and sporting places in Scotland. And surely, there are none so dear and iconic as our national football stadium at Hampden. However, recently, connected to the Queen's Jubilee celebrations and the 2012 Olympics - Scotland has been awash, not with Saltires but with union jacks (much to do with marketing initatives used by national stores keen that 'we' join in Jubilee parties and BUY BRITISH). Nevertheless, where intense union jack 'activity' can be troublesome on the eye of a nationalist supporter - it is quite something else to stomach an unacceptable announcement that the Saltire flag is to be banned from flying at Hampden during the 2012 Olympics, the Olympics which Scotland is also involved in hosting. </div>
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Despite all the PR spin that Scotland was to play a big part in the Olympics, although happy to take Scottish money supporting the Games, the fact that we might want to fly our flag over our national stadium - no that does not appear to be ok. Such an absurd ruling, when I heard this myself I at first thought that I must be mistaken. But no, there are numerous news stories confirming what is surely a step too far for any Scot to accept without protest against this ban. For more details see: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-18220070" target="_blank">BBC NEWS STORY</a></div>
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Online, protest action has now begun to raise the profile of this insensitive ruling by the Olympics governing body. To get more details and to support that campaign please visit this page and help to spread the word against this unacceptable Olympic ruling through your own social media sites. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/shonamcmillan.celticreflections#!/pages/NO-Saltire-NO-Stadium/243688312404012?sk=info" target="_blank">Facebook protest group</a>. </div>
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In 2012, in the quiet village of Athelstaneford (the home of the Saltire flag) across the fields where battle raged, now all is quiet with bird song and the breeze, the only sounds to be heard. From Athelstaneford, out across Scotland and beyond - now there appears to be a growing resurgence in Scottish people finding their voice. It seems to me in 2012, this is not the time to stay silent about a Saltire ban but to make some noise and speak out! Speak out and lets see the Saltire flying in Hampden and in other places across this country. No country should be told by others where they can and can not fly their flag at home - let's fly the Saltire in Scotland and especially at Hampden!</div>
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</div>Shona McMillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09411435739838511451noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7002856785691498838.post-45698927216116295252012-04-20T05:57:00.001-07:002012-04-20T06:10:56.562-07:00STREETS OF LONDON<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1EF95AMc0xJt7M5h7Mp7YMr5eHGOypTTibfprA3GwRIwld4VCVWOD7K_JkH_evxFAuLXtLcMk0h2yNU3lWndilS29gFDA7K69xhvfRwFyc6dGy5QNJpkNi-O2oIQqkd1lRSWZA9Nz2Vo/s1600/London,+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1EF95AMc0xJt7M5h7Mp7YMr5eHGOypTTibfprA3GwRIwld4VCVWOD7K_JkH_evxFAuLXtLcMk0h2yNU3lWndilS29gFDA7K69xhvfRwFyc6dGy5QNJpkNi-O2oIQqkd1lRSWZA9Nz2Vo/s1600/London,+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1EF95AMc0xJt7M5h7Mp7YMr5eHGOypTTibfprA3GwRIwld4VCVWOD7K_JkH_evxFAuLXtLcMk0h2yNU3lWndilS29gFDA7K69xhvfRwFyc6dGy5QNJpkNi-O2oIQqkd1lRSWZA9Nz2Vo/s320/London,+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" width="248" /></a>I've had to be in London a few times this year, dashing down from Edinburgh and back again for the shortest of stays - so rushed I didn't even take my camera! However, this last trip has been longer - still very busy (with little time for photos) I had my camera with me and was struck by what I observed as I waited to cross a road.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ppw2WOmT9Le8hx5eg4kg_evRDaGJF7XtjyFSanM8XaGonTEM0HXOEKisb1LCg7F9yXGxDLRvgFOGRcJQApWg0m5i8XJEnMYmqE5bhYH-49hELwC1ZcmBONvd9lMycS_VRtlUzczW0HY2/s1600/London,+Shona+McMillan+copyright+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ppw2WOmT9Le8hx5eg4kg_evRDaGJF7XtjyFSanM8XaGonTEM0HXOEKisb1LCg7F9yXGxDLRvgFOGRcJQApWg0m5i8XJEnMYmqE5bhYH-49hELwC1ZcmBONvd9lMycS_VRtlUzczW0HY2/s320/London,+Shona+McMillan+copyright+(4).JPG" width="248" /></a>I had stopped on a traffic island in the centre of the Mall (that huge avenue - presented so well on the TV during the coverage of the Royal wedding). Waiting for a break in traffic to continue on my way I suddenly saw a person walking along on the far side of the road with two ferrets! An unusal sight to see in any city - I quickly got my camera out and took a photo. Very well behaved little critters, the way they appeared so happily to bound along beside the man, they made me smile. But as I watched this same stretch of road the man walked out of my gaze as a huge limo pulled up (turning heads as it did, people no doubt wondering what wealthy person, perhaps which celebrity was inside). I would not normally have photographed such a thing but as the car slowed to stop - a man on a bicycle passed by (but no one seemed to notice this man).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj47-PkpXdEtaI9DAJSZoFBNA7Bs6P2_kw3nA1gn7uGOybq6OfNgUW3orHT6XMEAfCeeN6LvmjwOOhj4uMg_8QUEsoDS9AvnFtoyBxC7QWm70ib0_LhNy8tfQKE8js-6AxGX4x-EH4tKVpU/s1600/London,+Shona+McMillan+copyright+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj47-PkpXdEtaI9DAJSZoFBNA7Bs6P2_kw3nA1gn7uGOybq6OfNgUW3orHT6XMEAfCeeN6LvmjwOOhj4uMg_8QUEsoDS9AvnFtoyBxC7QWm70ib0_LhNy8tfQKE8js-6AxGX4x-EH4tKVpU/s320/London,+Shona+McMillan+copyright+(3).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljoGiP4HoZtXPVtKrkIHPTUPEmtsBOHfpjG6-3Eg1nmneWJnvoLJEwqyZ6BqjESZlKcCVkN9OBcoD0CGpMgVQRKfKBtTe9z422m-pM_fzs4u9Ika8GFEz5EuD8ZegLIha3cJ43DdZNBpE/s1600/London,+Shona+McMillan+copyright+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljoGiP4HoZtXPVtKrkIHPTUPEmtsBOHfpjG6-3Eg1nmneWJnvoLJEwqyZ6BqjESZlKcCVkN9OBcoD0CGpMgVQRKfKBtTe9z422m-pM_fzs4u9Ika8GFEz5EuD8ZegLIha3cJ43DdZNBpE/s320/London,+Shona+McMillan+copyright+(5).JPG" width="237" /></a>A man on a bike with what appeared to be his worldy goods all tied up in carrier bags. Brightly red, white and blue carrier bags but in London's streets - he seemed to pass by as if invisible. After he passed I took this photo and here have cropped out the other people - those so near to him who didn't appear to even give a first glance, let alone a second. No one seemed to care and yet the arrival of the grand limo had turned heads. People seemed to see wealth and power yet poverty had passed by unseen. I recalled Norman Tebbit's comments that the unemployed should "get on their bikes and go and find work" - as I watched him cycle away, he blended into the London traffic until I could see him no more but as I stood looking - along came another limo, this time, one that was bright pink... (to turn as many heads as possible?).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinf5N2QUoxugTLfiQ6mZgRvZtQkCfmUCLu8wCOLXHMYhkY9dYtOejNhg2R01C2dSmUO2el6CcBkBJgPgribsXVU-6ChKHJh_bB0LBhFQSJnlxemD_6quSXZFw96Sxzr2yc_I-PssSKc-Af/s1600/London%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinf5N2QUoxugTLfiQ6mZgRvZtQkCfmUCLu8wCOLXHMYhkY9dYtOejNhg2R01C2dSmUO2el6CcBkBJgPgribsXVU-6ChKHJh_bB0LBhFQSJnlxemD_6quSXZFw96Sxzr2yc_I-PssSKc-Af/s320/London%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was a bright sunny day but I recalled Ralph McTell's song which had been written oh so many years ago now and yet, I shivered - in 'the streets of London' it seemed that there was as much as ever which was still so badly in need of change. Yet, how can a situation ever change if so many choose instead not to see, to be blind to the problems of others? From a limo to a home in carrier bags (the expression "there but for the grace of God go I" - people relate to what effects them but society needs to relate to what effects us all. In our world, there are many 'invisible people' in need of help.</div>
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<span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><strong>THE STREETS OF LONDON by Ralph McTell</strong></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Have you seen the old man, </span></span></span><br />
<span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">i</span></span></span><span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">n the closed down market</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Kicking up the papers </span></span></span><br />
<span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">w</span></span></span><span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">ith his worn out shoes</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">In his eyes you'll see no pride </span></span></span><br />
<span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">a</span></span></span><span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">nd held loosley by his side</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Yesterday's paper</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Telling yesterday's news </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="line1"><span style="color: cyan; font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><strong>So how can you tell me</strong></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="line1"><span style="color: cyan; font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><strong>You're lonely</strong></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span class="line1"><span style="color: cyan; font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><strong>And say for you that the sun don't shine</strong></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="line1"><span style="color: cyan; font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><strong>Let me take you by the hand</strong></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span class="line1"><span style="color: cyan; font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><strong>And lead you through </strong></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span class="line1"><span style="color: cyan; font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><strong>the streets of London</strong></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span class="line1"><span style="color: cyan; font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><strong>And I'll show you something</strong></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span class="line1"><span style="color: cyan; font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><strong>Which will make you change your mind</strong></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Have you seen the old girl</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Who walks the streets of London</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Dirt in her hair</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">And her clothes in rags</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">She's no time for talking</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">She just keeps right on walking</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Carrying her home</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">In two carrier bags</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">In the all night cafe</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">At a quarter past eleven</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Same old man</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Sitting there on his own</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Looking at the world</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">O'er the brim of his tea cup</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Each cup lasts an hour</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">And then he wanders home alone</span></span></span></div>
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<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Have you seen the old man</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Outside the Seaman's Mission</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Memory fading</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">With the medal ribbons</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">That he wears</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">In our wintry city</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The rain cries a little pity</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">For one more forgotten hero</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span class="line1"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN;">And a world that doesn't care</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>Shona McMillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09411435739838511451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7002856785691498838.post-67301026367233359262012-04-05T10:23:00.018-07:002012-04-05T17:11:28.111-07:00Thank you Barney McKenna (RIP)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcKyVa3rdRQSBr7do5cYSLGNmfB4-PCho3NCp2xVnN_sHO-NOCANcnKRC5vQoibQuZKEqb3orN7k0BHEBlEo932N066JuiQJ2dfhslva-SvrFOsJ0pvGaUCfuihdgVlJcuaKU_d0x6ItG/s1600/Barney+Banjo,+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcKyVa3rdRQSBr7do5cYSLGNmfB4-PCho3NCp2xVnN_sHO-NOCANcnKRC5vQoibQuZKEqb3orN7k0BHEBlEo932N066JuiQJ2dfhslva-SvrFOsJ0pvGaUCfuihdgVlJcuaKU_d0x6ItG/s320/Barney+Banjo,+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" width="240" /></a>I lost a dear friend today, as did many others around the world, for Barney McKenna made friends wherever he went. I first met him in January 1991, I would never have known the exact date (many years on) but it was then because I had gone to do a short interview with the Dubliners on a Friday evening. Finally, I left them to return back to work on the Monday... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Few people have made such a sudden and lasting impact on my life but you couldn't have found a more down to earth group of people and Barney was at the heart of it all. Playing the fiddle I naturally gravitated to learn from fiddler John Sheahan's playing BUT what an enormous amount I also learnt from Barney. In 2011 they did tours in Scotland and England and I joined them there. After, I went on a search for the old interview tapes from 1991 and was amazed by what I heard. And I wondered, did I have ANY idea then of what I was part of. The recorder was left to run on. The banter and craic was/is as mighty as the tunes which were played. But I also hear Barney, chatting away to me. So many things from these first conversations were absorbed without me consciously remembering it all but what a positive influence. Barney talks to me of the need to play, as often and as much as possible. To play at home and to play in sessions - to enjoy and always have fun with the music. And I know that Barney could never have done anything else with his life - a man you don't meet every day, one born to play, perform and have an ever lasting love affair with music.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barney, the first time I met him <br />
- in a session which went from Inverness to Aberdeen </td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Listening to the tapes 20 years on - I couldn't believe how relaxed I am amongst such talented, highly gifted musicians and Barney's playing then - it was amazing. Over the years he'd say "my fingers, my fingers are tired" and indeed his playing did slow but he remained as quick witted, wickedly funny and as entertaining as ever. But perhaps what I liked the most is that he had an amazing memory for all the small details. He met my folks a few times and after they passed on, still he would always talk about them and remember little stories which made me smile. Also, I liked how he would speak his mind (tho' I might not have always liked what he said). The last time we talked he was giving me his unsolicited thoughts on what I should do with my life. I had a notion to move to Ireland but he was saying "no, not just now when there are so many economic problems". But isn't that the mark of a true friend, when they say "no, I think you're wrong on that one". Dear Barney, I will miss so many things about you. So often late to arrive, your wandering off so folks would be sent to look for you and almost, a capacity to be irritating at times because you would so just 'go do your own thing'. Yet already, even in my many tears, I have found myself at times laughing today at some of the many daft and hilarious memories you've left me with from so many meetings, over so many years. YOU WERE SUCH A GREAT CHARACTER (the real deal) and who could ever know you and not absolutely love you? So many tunes, so many laughs, you have left a hole in my world which will never be filled because, without doubt - Barney McKenna you really were a man that people would NOT meet every day, you were such a unique, entertaining and kindly character that anyone would be glad to meet you even just once in their lifetime.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barney McKenna - Thanks with all my heart<br />
for the music, stories and time you shared with us all</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">When a person has left us, it is very traditional to say RIP. But this kind of seems inappropriate in the case of Barney - instead, I'd say I hope for Barney that he is sat in the middle of some great almighty session, that his pals who have gone ahead of him are now all reunited around him at last. That Barney is striking up the banjo or playing the box, that the pace of the tunes in his heart are now free to run and dance again at the speed that they once did before his fingers grew tired with old age. And, when the music stops, I wish for some time for Barney to go out fishing, fishing on the sea as he loved to do with his boat. But Barney, you were a fisherman on land as well as at sea - with your tunes and craic, you caught people, gathered them in and brought them to you. You were a friend who I will never, ever forget - a man who left the world a far richer place than it was when you came in to it. Around the world your music and banter has meant so much to so many and your legacy lives on - Thank you Barney McKenna.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/AaPa6NspXuI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Shona McMillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09411435739838511451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7002856785691498838.post-78392514093905769822012-01-13T13:23:00.000-08:002012-01-13T13:24:15.075-08:00FRIDAY 13th - LUCKY FOR SOME<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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</tbody></table>One of my New Year resolutions was to have a BIG clear out of my house. When I moved back from Inverness to Edinburgh, a good few boxes went in to the attic and stayed there. So much has happened since 2006 that emptying these boxes was very far down my list of priorities. In addition, I'm probably a different person to the one who returned - I "need" very little to feel contented in my life and, for me, health seems to be much more important than wealth and possessions. Having seen my parents (in their 80's) battle ill-health it left me with more appreciation for time and my own need to use it well and be happy. And, the pursuit of photography is certainly a way I like to spend my time. Nevertheless, my photography has to fit in with other priorities and so today was my continuation of "the big tidy".<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Friday 13th is often said to be unlucky but I was very pleased with my clean up and out progress. Lots was sorted out and made ready for the charity shops and I thought, "bet I'll have time for a wee walk as well". Car loaded, hand on front door to close it and the phone went... "Oh no" I thought "I'm in a rush" IF it had not rung, my first photo would have shown all of the sun, not just the last part of it before it was gone! However, the phonecall is not the point of the story BUT without it, a chain of events would not have been set in place. </div><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Short of time I had driven to Musselburgh, my plan being to go to the charity shop and then take a walk but nope, now it was better to take some pics and then go to the shop. But within moments the orange glow was gone (I had missed the full sunset - "sure enough, Friday the 13th!"). Still, it was lovely to be out and I had some bread in the car so I decided "feed the birds and then go to the charity shop".</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">The bread I had was quickly eaten and I watched others feeding the hungry birds. Then an old lady arrived and I stood and had a blether with her, noticing this poor goose which seemed to be missing out I bent down to throw it a crust that had been missed. "AGH NO!" That awful moment when you realise that some ungrateful seagull has just.... "Hmmm!" I asked the lady - "Has what I think has happened, actually happened?" - "Oh dear" she said, "All on your back, lucky you were bent over". Hmm I laughed "and mum always said that was good luck". "Ach well" she said, "at least you are near the toilets so you can clean your jacket" "Yes" I said, "a fine Friday the 13th this is". </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So - A bad luck day? "No actually, it was a lovely day! The moral of the story is "don't judge a day moment by moment but by what it brings you. Because, whilst cleaning my jacket something amazing happened... The 'unfortunate incident with the bird' meant that I did not go off to the charity shop and leave the Esk. And when I walked out the colour of the sky made me gasp! It really was one of the most incredible sunset skies I have EVER EVER seen at Musselburgh. The beautiful scene just took my breath away so, maybe my mum was right - Friday the 13th is like any other day but when a bird (or some other unfortunate, unplanned event) gives you an unwelcome surprise then, just give it time, and maybe you will see it was good luck after all! After all, surely we create our own luck ;-D</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZMzX8HzTwJxchCSKqoNlLF8EW9sl_aVKuEmKHO5jIhsaTi63krY1wBVnBQh_ihWhj8f-JrryR3mLUb7d_7SKtGgNu1KKJ0xZjP46NkNMRUIVRb7SLBQA9HXIOEs2iiQeL0gI7tBQ9tj9/s1600/Esk+after+sunset%252C++Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZMzX8HzTwJxchCSKqoNlLF8EW9sl_aVKuEmKHO5jIhsaTi63krY1wBVnBQh_ihWhj8f-JrryR3mLUb7d_7SKtGgNu1KKJ0xZjP46NkNMRUIVRb7SLBQA9HXIOEs2iiQeL0gI7tBQ9tj9/s400/Esk+after+sunset%252C++Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Shona McMillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09411435739838511451noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7002856785691498838.post-86415946229326691222011-12-31T10:12:00.000-08:002011-12-31T10:12:31.056-08:00HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dM2UwQSQyxY/Tv9NGCofTAI/AAAAAAAAAjA/KNZv_6f-B18/s1600/Me+and+Suranne+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dM2UwQSQyxY/Tv9NGCofTAI/AAAAAAAAAjA/KNZv_6f-B18/s320/Me+and+Suranne+-+Copy.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>Made a wee video today for Youtube so posting the photos here for my non English speaking friends who want to check the words. Whatever, let me just say wherever you are in the world, I would like to wish you all the very best for the coming year ahead. Life is never all plain sailing but when the next storms hit may the wild winds only serve to blow you along the path you're already on ;-)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/uf71xJ4eX0I?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Shona McMillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09411435739838511451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7002856785691498838.post-62387760890777411842011-12-08T06:37:00.000-08:002011-12-08T06:49:31.817-08:00OLD DOGS - NEW TRICKS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8w5ooFnm1Jky4mcWoovf1CFWo0s3z36MkV6oGT_2K5MpLr6-92Hdlv5euYV5ZWbyJ2lgQhJmwxDgKtVqmfYdLWC8Ru89yDhPyKyC1PRSq9h1_fNpztrXUIzSUJlfGP_I0RuRMw6n2Z2y/s1600/Chester.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8w5ooFnm1Jky4mcWoovf1CFWo0s3z36MkV6oGT_2K5MpLr6-92Hdlv5euYV5ZWbyJ2lgQhJmwxDgKtVqmfYdLWC8Ru89yDhPyKyC1PRSq9h1_fNpztrXUIzSUJlfGP_I0RuRMw6n2Z2y/s320/Chester.jpg" width="280" /></a>They say a dog is man's best friend. Well for sure, many years on I have never forgotten the two dogs I had when young, the first a most obedient and loving Labrador the second a real character of a Jack Russell (not unlike my pal's dog on the left). <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Jack Russells are dogs full of 'character' which is a nice way of saying that they will often hear their owners cries to come back but decide that, well, they'd much rather go off and do what they want to do. Unfortunately, Chester above did that recently and everyone was very concerned at him being lost. But thankfully, after going missing on a walk through a park in Ireland, finally over a week later Chester was found. Now home for Christmas, how great it is that Chester is reunited with his owner and this week the canine star was even played a record dedicated to him on my radio show. And now, here's his photo in a blog too! But really this is an unusual blog for me, this time it is just a means to share a joke which Chester's owner sent to me today and it made me laugh. Aye, and it made me think - there can be great wisdom in some of these jokes. So, I hope it makes you think and, of course, I hope it makes you smile too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>A big old dog starts chasing rabbits and before long, discovers he's lost. Wandering about, he notices a panther heading rapidly in his direction with the intention of having lunch. The old dog thinks, "Oh, oh! I'm in trouble now!" <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Noticing some bones on the ground close by, quickly the old dog settles down and immediately begins to chew on the bones with his back to the approaching cat. Just as the panther is about to leap, the dog exclaims loudly, "Boy, that was one delicious panther! I wonder, if there are any more around here?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hearing this, the young panther halts his attack in mid-strike, a look of terror comes over him and he slinks away into the trees. "Whew!," says the panther, "That was close! That big dog nearly had me!"</div><br />
Meanwhile, a squirrel who had been watching the whole scene from a nearby tree, figures he can put this knowledge to good use and trade it for protection from the panther. So, off he goes.<br />
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The squirrel soon catches up with the panther, spills the beans and strikes a deal for himself with the panther. The young panther is furious at being made a fool of and says, "Here, squirrel, hop on my back and see what's going to happen to that conniving canine!"<br />
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Now, the old dog sees the panther coming with the squirrel on his back and thinks, "What am I going to do now?," but instead of running, the dog sits down with his back to his attackers, pretending he hasn't seen them yet, and just when they get close enough to hear, the old dog says...<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>"Where's that squirrel? </strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>I sent him off an hour ago to bring me another panther!"</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: cyan;"><u>Moral of this story</u>... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: cyan;">Don't mess with the old dogs... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: cyan;">Age and skill can overcome youth and treachery!</span></div>Shona McMillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09411435739838511451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7002856785691498838.post-28768519469770279912011-11-10T14:44:00.000-08:002011-11-10T15:09:20.781-08:00PROTECT OUR SEAS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2oFp_mXZcVciwZNMwwcmXi8g0zbyI0gpEVcqeI1UgxUlcJU6kjo7In9oSlnxfz6PbYoIa6REb1am9c8k7i-FF2g1lwNjxLF63h9UCUlMjxi36aZOWxCpm5JO1u3FVhiOXW24O1MLE02v/s1600/Gulls%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2oFp_mXZcVciwZNMwwcmXi8g0zbyI0gpEVcqeI1UgxUlcJU6kjo7In9oSlnxfz6PbYoIa6REb1am9c8k7i-FF2g1lwNjxLF63h9UCUlMjxi36aZOWxCpm5JO1u3FVhiOXW24O1MLE02v/s1600/Gulls%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2oFp_mXZcVciwZNMwwcmXi8g0zbyI0gpEVcqeI1UgxUlcJU6kjo7In9oSlnxfz6PbYoIa6REb1am9c8k7i-FF2g1lwNjxLF63h9UCUlMjxi36aZOWxCpm5JO1u3FVhiOXW24O1MLE02v/s320/Gulls%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" width="213" /></a><span style="color: cyan;">Gulls and the creatures of the sea - what would they tell us if they could talk?</span> <br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">I took this photo as the position of the two birds caught my eye - plenty room I thought for an amusing caption to be added. They looked like two friends discussing life. And then I imagined the one on the right saying "I'm telling you - I think we're being watched" because just behind the birds a seal had raised its head. I was delighted to get this photo as I have seen the seals before (so close to Edinburgh) but often folks find it hard to believe that such nature could be a stone's throw from Scotland's capital city. But indeed, our seas are full of things we can't readily see and (just because we can not see these things) we should not forget how incredibily, how vitally important it is for us to protect our marine environment.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggl8mZOqiZQGevt2wWQzUQ7Dh_i3Bo2vz4gsyTmTwjugQ1AzKXFow9cvm5wyW9dOd0EywXXUzAyIRqdFG1IMn08AA_w73WqCStD5TLqh_Tcpw7hpytXZz5oGaa03cYJf343woSy7jLWGhl/s1600/Seal%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggl8mZOqiZQGevt2wWQzUQ7Dh_i3Bo2vz4gsyTmTwjugQ1AzKXFow9cvm5wyW9dOd0EywXXUzAyIRqdFG1IMn08AA_w73WqCStD5TLqh_Tcpw7hpytXZz5oGaa03cYJf343woSy7jLWGhl/s320/Seal%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Seal at Port Seton Harbour<br />
Shona McMillan © </td></tr>
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Looking at the seal's face [click photo to enlarge] - there was such a gentle questioning look on its face, almost as if a sad question was playing on its mind. I could have imagined it asking someone on the shore "please, tell me, what are you doing to my home?" Yet, beneath the waters... without seeing the seal - how easy to forget it could even be there. And too often, we humans can evaluate the world in terms of what it can do for us - not the other way around...</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOcfPxWl1q-uzfOjT_EvU1sEty5VnFbDCBlP8Nzqq2kyxwQda1r1MCVjqJARdKCb7v10Ee_3gJoKsvvGJpdRYV9vnJou-aB4DNjM-UXRLvst6EfLcQRRoVQHdL-4R_kQa1vn2gqS_kE29/s1600/Fisherrow+boat%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOcfPxWl1q-uzfOjT_EvU1sEty5VnFbDCBlP8Nzqq2kyxwQda1r1MCVjqJARdKCb7v10Ee_3gJoKsvvGJpdRYV9vnJou-aB4DNjM-UXRLvst6EfLcQRRoVQHdL-4R_kQa1vn2gqS_kE29/s320/Fisherrow+boat%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last fishing boat from Fisherrow, arriving in to Port Seton<br />
Shona McMillan ©</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Tonight, I was at the harbour to watch the boats come in. Indeed, around sixty years ago my parents went on their first date here, taking a car trip to Port Seton harbour - to watch the boats come in at sunset. From a long line of Fisherrow fisher folk, my mum loved to watch the boats, when they would put out to sea but especially, she loved to watch them when they came safely back home. My granda' and great-grandfather (fishermen and then, each in their tim becoming Harbour Masters of Fisherrow) - how many times they fished in the Firth of Forth. But, as a child, I recall my granda's changing position and his great concern as he would say "If people are not careful, one day they will fish the seas dry". My granda' was a great believer in sustainable fishing (tho' in these days there wasn't that term - he just saw it as important to limit a catch so that the fish stocks could replenish themselves". Now today, (unlike the small boats seen in East Lothian harbous) huge boats have seriously impacted on the world's fishing stocks. YET, it is very important to point out that the need for marine conservation is NOT all about the issue of fishing. Plastic bags that end up in the sea, pollution from our towns and cities - people need to realise that marine conservation is an issue for everyone to consider and address.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnYTF0yQaegrL1i7eHj2mFsd9MwOv1u6ZF6i-fcrzzvzbM5PcdcznuJiBGKTdzNDIODNPsBQO4TvZ056o34ITgX1um-HrrS_Hp-7-6avY3bDu7i7JkycUjlopHf89C7XIJTRTeU5RpnGS/s1600/Sunset+Birds%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnYTF0yQaegrL1i7eHj2mFsd9MwOv1u6ZF6i-fcrzzvzbM5PcdcznuJiBGKTdzNDIODNPsBQO4TvZ056o34ITgX1um-HrrS_Hp-7-6avY3bDu7i7JkycUjlopHf89C7XIJTRTeU5RpnGS/s320/Sunset+Birds%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A large flock of birds diving down to settle on the sea<br />
Shona McMillan ©</td></tr>
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Myself, I am in a variety of different environmental organisations and often use my blog and Facebook page to post comments eg: protecting butterfly habitat, feeding birds when their natural food supply is scarce, talking about our problems with litter etc. Yet, whatever each of us chooses to do (or not to) - I am sure that we all agree that each of us could always do more. And, getting involved with environmental charities as a volunteer can also be a great way of meeting new people who share similar interests to ourselves... It seems to me that getting involved as a volunteer is something that benefirts us all. Watching the birds diving to the sea tonight and overhead - seeing HUGE numbers of geese passing over enroute to Aberlady Nature Reserve, I thought how the sound of their calls was just their way of communicating, coming together in a large group for safety, to find food and shelter. And when humans work together, what great things we too can achieve...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCc1XzYt0r1de5rxDpPHgeBNzQYx6Bm4ywAajtQA8AXL1KpNDDlGUQOwpxaTqZqXeRbfAxtVhdg26aMBDB5JT_zMiGUxsnWaBfWPkMSHSUW6JTmQE9PqhMy8kO9XTk3XWYalCr480QK5pr/s1600/Geese+in+flight%252C+Shona+McMillan+%25C2%25A9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCc1XzYt0r1de5rxDpPHgeBNzQYx6Bm4ywAajtQA8AXL1KpNDDlGUQOwpxaTqZqXeRbfAxtVhdg26aMBDB5JT_zMiGUxsnWaBfWPkMSHSUW6JTmQE9PqhMy8kO9XTk3XWYalCr480QK5pr/s320/Geese+in+flight%252C+Shona+McMillan+%25C2%25A9.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to enlarge photo and see the geese in flight<br />
Shona McMillan ©</td></tr>
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Geese fly around the world to Winter in Scotland and many fish migrate great distances too. From where these journies begin to where they end - people are all over the world and my blog (I know) has been building up an international following. So I ask you, wherever you are when you read my words and enjoy my photos - give some thought to the natural environment around you in your part of the world. If you want to do more to get involved, I can guarantee you that there will be many environmental charities that will gladly receive your time and any financial donations you wish to make. Id be delighted to try and motivated everyone to get outdoors more, get involved and see what you can do to help out more. And again, what I would highlight as a closing thought to take away from my blog is - just because we can not so easily see what is happening in our seas in respect of the marine environment - it doesn't mean that our seas do not need urgently our help. Please, let's all try to do more in whatever way that we can to - <strong><span style="color: cyan;">"Protect Our Seas"</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjevPY5SrOPHmwEbVtXnD9lywcVU10lu2ML7JH5sEpzPKEPpmIO3I27FoTMUvGsKI-ScVVyCczPEcLY5_fzxrRGFxStNnUkuzJfwbD7pFJszIlgtZcgCBtGt0GW-xuQVA9dg1HL5QCPZP/s1600/Protect+Our+Seas%252C+Shona+McMillan+%25C2%25A9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjevPY5SrOPHmwEbVtXnD9lywcVU10lu2ML7JH5sEpzPKEPpmIO3I27FoTMUvGsKI-ScVVyCczPEcLY5_fzxrRGFxStNnUkuzJfwbD7pFJszIlgtZcgCBtGt0GW-xuQVA9dg1HL5QCPZP/s400/Protect+Our+Seas%252C+Shona+McMillan+%25C2%25A9.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wading birds feeding on the East Lothian shoreline<br />
Shona McMillan ©</td></tr>
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</div>Shona McMillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09411435739838511451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7002856785691498838.post-39944060908191817292011-10-30T08:39:00.000-07:002011-10-30T10:24:48.185-07:00:-D SMILE AND PASS IT ON!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0thczXhgEu2ov7Orsg1e0EyLP2YbmYyoQmrnMd4W0l8mTSp1ioYFmLvlgPDi2ENNUX8N1PghUhtOUoAANYDPygR6lzAHPKmr2MhbSJxFpNcexuLE7_PjUCFXFMt2Wak-Gt7DBdVbWKLxt/s1600/SMILE+and+pass+it+on+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0thczXhgEu2ov7Orsg1e0EyLP2YbmYyoQmrnMd4W0l8mTSp1ioYFmLvlgPDi2ENNUX8N1PghUhtOUoAANYDPygR6lzAHPKmr2MhbSJxFpNcexuLE7_PjUCFXFMt2Wak-Gt7DBdVbWKLxt/s320/SMILE+and+pass+it+on+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" width="272" /></a>Have you ever - watched a honey bee at work? Flying from flower to flower, it doesn't quit. Working away, always busy. Indeed, a honey bee could visit 2 million flowers to make one pound of honey - the sweetest reward to be found from a long, long hard struggle. <br />
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There are many quotes which can be recalled upon to give inspiration to a tired and flagging spirit. One of my most favourite comes from the Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson who said: "never underate the duty of being happy." A man suffering from many health problems throughout his life - he was one who made a very conscious decision as to how he wanted to approach his life - he chose to look for and seek out the positive, something I think that everyone should try to do (for their own personal benefit).</div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pA2_Bv8K29ogwjQCK8c7W6Xxk0Ju7d54Qsf44WSzsEzvhsIp50f0WMcuqYxHenxnXW_Qb9TQasEaXhR2FtrEi6U3ppl1iAlrevYtQ4thhg5UqRerWyIYZz_DHnV8wpRuSxiTwkiPFElz/s1600/Clocks+go+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pA2_Bv8K29ogwjQCK8c7W6Xxk0Ju7d54Qsf44WSzsEzvhsIp50f0WMcuqYxHenxnXW_Qb9TQasEaXhR2FtrEi6U3ppl1iAlrevYtQ4thhg5UqRerWyIYZz_DHnV8wpRuSxiTwkiPFElz/s200/Clocks+go+back.jpg" width="200" /></a>Today, in Scotland, (and other European countries) the clocks went back. I was reminded by a friend in Spain who sent me the cheery wee image here (thanks Tony!). <br />
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An extra hour, 60 minutes to enjoy a longer, lazy snooze in bed or the potential of an hour to do something else - something more memorable. As I thought about how to use my 'extra hour' - I recalled a series of events from a few years back...</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
Some time ago, I set up an online group called ":-D SMILE and pass it on!" Within 3 weeks it exceeded 1,000 members. People posted to the group wall their photos and sayings which made them smile. But, to me personally, a number of questions were directed - why was I doing this? What was my motive? And even criticisms that, at the time, I really didn't need... I'd just lost my mum to cancer and behind my cheery public smile I was very much working hard to be outwardly positive. Then, one night, words in an email did 'cut in' bitterly and very quietly I slowly began to remove the online group. People's comments - good and bad can influence all of us and it is sad that they pushed me into removing a group which was certainly doing nothing negative. Yet, as time has passed, I have bounced back again. Stronger in mind, happier in myself and with a quiet 'determination' - this is my life and I aim to live it! Getting out and enjoying the world around me, like the endless beauty of the changing seasons in Scotland, always nourishment for my heart and soul and something to share with others. </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXOaJkG0EwgVO-8tT6SeA3dhlkMaS6s6RFWgGCWeZv3XOmnOORDQI_orOXiNZoh0E_k0bnBWWoGf8woLqv70a6LlEmeq5qqcFJdHGNHXWXVYy3UYRBlRAoPS829SphIzAnP94g35sP7EU/s1600/Let+there+be+light%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXOaJkG0EwgVO-8tT6SeA3dhlkMaS6s6RFWgGCWeZv3XOmnOORDQI_orOXiNZoh0E_k0bnBWWoGf8woLqv70a6LlEmeq5qqcFJdHGNHXWXVYy3UYRBlRAoPS829SphIzAnP94g35sP7EU/s320/Let+there+be+light%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">27.10.11 Let there be light, Shona McMillan © </td></tr>
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And of course - I benefit too from a great group of friends. People who I know have certainly helped me in what they've said but also in the things that they have done and continue to do. One friend being the catalyst to me beginning an album of funny photos on my Celtic Reflections page. For sure, there's nothing Celtic about these photos, except that their journey to me was latterly from Ireland. My friend there has the motto "A day without laughter is wasted" - and my goodness, he has shared a lot of laughter with me since we met. Back then at that time, I was recovering from the shock of losing my mum to cancer and then, this year, I also lost my dad. And throughout these tough times, my friend was ALWAYS there to send me an endless supply of daft, funny photos, pictures and positive sayings. In the same way that my friend from Spain (before his English became so good) he would send to me masses of musical links to tunes and clips that he thought I'd enjoy... Yes, these are all quite small gestures if each is evaluated on its own but, over time, these many small gestures do add up to make a BIG difference! (they certainly have brightened my days and made a big difference to me!). And then, last night, when I was beginning to feel pretty aggravated at being unable to find something "I'd put away in a safe place" (an absolute recipe for it to be lost!) - my aggravation turned in to a big smile as I remembered one of the funny pictres I had been sent some time ago - a photo now very relevant. </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbiN23lkN4cXPvjAFpsVMcNkd8PQ0QIoTwbbrgxO-V7zX9vduwtV2P4IzPeH2bT2FMm99bo7knHOjlXex1bkQorJlQkn63j8CiQiMArzNKOC2agQQjO5ZiNtTxRxIzDN_RL4wwv7eoFo7y/s1600/Pie+Chart+25.09.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbiN23lkN4cXPvjAFpsVMcNkd8PQ0QIoTwbbrgxO-V7zX9vduwtV2P4IzPeH2bT2FMm99bo7knHOjlXex1bkQorJlQkn63j8CiQiMArzNKOC2agQQjO5ZiNtTxRxIzDN_RL4wwv7eoFo7y/s320/Pie+Chart+25.09.10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I found the photo again online - posted first to my page on 25.09.10. Sharing it again on Facebook in 2011, new people commented about it and we all shared another laugh. So this morning - when I wondered what to do with my extra hour from the clocks going back, it seemed to me that it was the perfect opportunity to begin a new chapter in my own 'philosophy in practise' - my ":-<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.157457860940112.33762.115171405168758&type=3&l=345de72e6b">D SMILE and pass it on</a>" an album for me to share with others - rippling out through the internet things to make people smile and promote positive thinking and action. Therefore, on my Facebook page <a href="http://www.facebook.com/shonamcmillan.celticreflections">SHONA MCMILLAN CELTIC REFLECTIONS</a> more photos will be added together with sayings that I enjoy and I hope others benefit from too. <span style="color: cyan;">[And if you would like to contribute a funny photo or inspirational saying - please do <a href="http://www.shonamcmillan.co.uk/">get in touch</a>].</span> We live in the real world - it is not always beautiful, life is not easy and people can be mean... BUT the real world can be good as well as bad. In my photos I try to show the beauty of what I see around me, I'd also like to add: positive thinking and humour. I realise that I am just one person posting things on the internet but just as I have benefitted, from a friend's photo (sent to me over a year ago) so too then do others have the potential to benefit. And yes I know, I'd like to take a wee bit of time in my life - to try and help shine out a light and share a smile with others. </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I shared a story yesterday with a friend - one of the last stories my mum shared with me. Mum told me that she was going to work early and this day, in poor weather, was an old lady at her garden gate and sweeping her path. Mum smiled and said to her "fancy being up and out at this time on such a morning" - but something in the woman's expression made mum stop this morning so she could listen and talk. Sure enough, the lady smiled back "Och I know my dear but in truth, ever since you smiled at me weeks back - I get up to start my day with your smile. My family are all gone now and sometimes it's just nice to say hello to you and see you smile back at me. Your smile it brightens my day". I recall my mum saying she had smiled and promised "I'll never pass you by without a hello and a smile". Mum went on to say to me "Never underestimate the power and the value of a smile, it costs nothing to give but it can mean oh so very much to receive" - wise words and my reflecting on these was my starting place for :-D SMILE and pass it on! It is a beautiful world but there's room for improvement and everyone has the potential to do something to make it a better place.</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">People can be negative and say - what hope do you have of making a difference and I'd say - no hope if we never begin to try. The world is full of what I'd call "emotional polluters' and me, I don't have the inclination to reserve a place in my life for their negativity. Each day is a new beginning, each day is the start of the rest of our lives, each day containing 24 hours of potential to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.157457860940112.33762.115171405168758&type=3&l=345de72e6b">:-D SMILE and pass it on!</a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"> </div></div>Shona McMillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09411435739838511451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7002856785691498838.post-62960587330535236792011-10-12T06:35:00.000-07:002011-10-12T06:44:36.816-07:00AUTUMN AND THE CYCLE OF LIFE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHinbTiTP767TsYwTtjbaxOrzH5r_vOwtFbAHU8hvEcY-_IA8kIhHkimkv_ofspuk604hNJMH1kelfEJX0X8yF-_CnCG011CdsMOsYMIC__mljak_IMsmINqwmU21S6X0nnMEgtQRKHBid/s1600/Autumn+Castle+Shona+McMillan+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHinbTiTP767TsYwTtjbaxOrzH5r_vOwtFbAHU8hvEcY-_IA8kIhHkimkv_ofspuk604hNJMH1kelfEJX0X8yF-_CnCG011CdsMOsYMIC__mljak_IMsmINqwmU21S6X0nnMEgtQRKHBid/s1600/Autumn+Castle+Shona+McMillan+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHinbTiTP767TsYwTtjbaxOrzH5r_vOwtFbAHU8hvEcY-_IA8kIhHkimkv_ofspuk604hNJMH1kelfEJX0X8yF-_CnCG011CdsMOsYMIC__mljak_IMsmINqwmU21S6X0nnMEgtQRKHBid/s320/Autumn+Castle+Shona+McMillan+copyright.jpg" width="229" /></a>Autumn has come around again, the strange spells of warmth in this September - now replaced by a biting chill in the air. Leaves turning from green to golden shades of yellow, orange and some even tinged with red like this beautiful rowan tree standing in front of the iconic Edinburgh Castle. Autumn, a latter stage in the cycle of life, yet no less beautiful - all stages of life containing their own beauty and contributing to Nature's bigger picture of a world where things that are born will eventually pass away as a new generation follows on.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDq0G0bE2Dt1IIkYynS4iafZH4IsKBP_8837OvghcisA31KZ4NMzRQ4b43dmzZKHTUSw2iwWXoJo1Um2d6k14e1VaeCwk1pgLo_FNxvCE4KEc-guc2cgeryxVW6gpG9PA3xN4c3Kb6UaX/s1600/Fallen+Leaves+Shona+McMillan+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDq0G0bE2Dt1IIkYynS4iafZH4IsKBP_8837OvghcisA31KZ4NMzRQ4b43dmzZKHTUSw2iwWXoJo1Um2d6k14e1VaeCwk1pgLo_FNxvCE4KEc-guc2cgeryxVW6gpG9PA3xN4c3Kb6UaX/s320/Fallen+Leaves+Shona+McMillan+copyright.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Walking through any woodland in Autumn - what fun it is to kick up the newly fallen leaves. As a child with my friends - the fun to "scrunch" through the leaves. What an adventure life can be when young but that excitement for life can be retained by people of any age - I trully believing that age is more of a state of mind than from a number on a birth certificate. In life their is always the potential to benefit from new learning and continuing development for education and learning opens up a person's world to give them a view beyond the horizon of the position in which they stand.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotk-NhXRrQmdHQhei3iSjU5Wo71HPRjXt5UFRrwgfONdafxpO45D-f9Afdwa5NiGS1caPHdeWbzDBBdkAVGRCzOCnTJPPMwwiXzhlawoO_sNYa3Fa_pzZtK9kwDoIt_7fBeQ0PzvnB0XR/s1600/Swans+Shona+McMillan+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotk-NhXRrQmdHQhei3iSjU5Wo71HPRjXt5UFRrwgfONdafxpO45D-f9Afdwa5NiGS1caPHdeWbzDBBdkAVGRCzOCnTJPPMwwiXzhlawoO_sNYa3Fa_pzZtK9kwDoIt_7fBeQ0PzvnB0XR/s320/Swans+Shona+McMillan+copyright.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">From dawn to dusk - our world (wherever it is we live) is a place that can be full of potential and with a wee bit of effort there is so much around us to be seen, to be appreciated and enjoyed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXic3qyzp3otzz6Xjtq1HUmkBFB05HvSaSNtWL-HzdU5EecLegsFsFf-OxdsQVlm6i2lsc8XCSIz6QZWNsqhNuG5jjhj33cT2MlQzq6cPiT773mHp7TTA8Pkf_M4WdOZq0pV7vIL06tSbF/s1600/Fisherrow+boats+Shona+McMillan+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXic3qyzp3otzz6Xjtq1HUmkBFB05HvSaSNtWL-HzdU5EecLegsFsFf-OxdsQVlm6i2lsc8XCSIz6QZWNsqhNuG5jjhj33cT2MlQzq6cPiT773mHp7TTA8Pkf_M4WdOZq0pV7vIL06tSbF/s320/Fisherrow+boats+Shona+McMillan+copyright.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">When I was a child I remember my mum reading to me a favourite poem "IF" by Rudyard Kipling and that poem came in to my mind today when I received an email from a friend who said to me once - I never want to look back on my life and wonder "What IF". Lessons in the poem and in my friend's comment (which certainly touched me) are there for anyone to consider and to benefit from. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">IF you can keep your head when all about you <br />
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,<br />
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,<br />
But make allowance for their doubting too;<br />
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,<br />
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,<br />
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,<br />
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;<br />
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;<br />
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster<br />
And treat those two impostors just the same;<br />
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken<br />
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,<br />
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,<br />
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you can make one heap of all your winnings <br />
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,<br />
And lose, and start again at your beginnings<br />
And never breathe a word about your loss;<br />
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew<br />
To serve your turn long after they are gone,<br />
And so hold on when there is nothing in you<br />
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!' </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,<br />
' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,<br />
if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,<br />
If all men count with you, but none too much;<br />
If you can fill the unforgiving minute<br />
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,<br />
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,<br />
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Autumn - a time when leaves fall, Greylag geese migrate and the ever moving cycle of life, death and regeneration moves on.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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Success and happiness in life could be to look back on life and never feel regret at "What if". How glad I am and how much I appreciate the family and friends who have stepped forward (at times) to give me advice and to guide me on my own journey through life.Shona McMillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09411435739838511451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7002856785691498838.post-10144040142928454662011-10-05T07:25:00.000-07:002011-10-24T05:03:57.560-07:00A DOG'S BEST FRIEND IS?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprjSAtisduD5ArGWQlHBNNTA0Rm5OESIrC0Dkwja653_YoGMk1g4QPSp67BpLC3YnAgklIDH-NbOMHarrrG2wv_sirtiSptLUmiMzktte650L77H0mDDGyjaErETiIAcHcpBNusAkl6oh/s1600/AVA+an+ME.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprjSAtisduD5ArGWQlHBNNTA0Rm5OESIrC0Dkwja653_YoGMk1g4QPSp67BpLC3YnAgklIDH-NbOMHarrrG2wv_sirtiSptLUmiMzktte650L77H0mDDGyjaErETiIAcHcpBNusAkl6oh/s1600/AVA+an+ME.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprjSAtisduD5ArGWQlHBNNTA0Rm5OESIrC0Dkwja653_YoGMk1g4QPSp67BpLC3YnAgklIDH-NbOMHarrrG2wv_sirtiSptLUmiMzktte650L77H0mDDGyjaErETiIAcHcpBNusAkl6oh/s320/AVA+an+ME.jpg" width="212" /></a> Some months ago a wee character called "Ava" became part of the family. Ava is a gorgeous Ridgeback and mischief on four legs. "Adopted" by one of my best friends I've enjoyed watching Ava grow up. But of course, any life is not without incident and Ava's had to learn to tell the difference between what to eat and what not to. You could say there are times when she is still learning these lessons but like any mum, my friend is always there for Ava.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This Sunday, having my customary "bacon roll" breakfast at my pal's house - we were talking about "mum's". No matter what age you get, it seems that when we don't feel well these are the times we will always feel "I want my mum!" Watching Ava, suffering a bit of a sore tummy - I watched her interacting with my friend, effectively "Ava's mum". Ava rolled her big brown puppy dog eyes, whined longingly and in a moment my pal was up to snuggle her in a blanket, give her a cuddle and then prepare a small piece of chicken for the patient...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I did not want to use the flash on my camera and risk disturbing Ava, so some of the photos are quite dark but I think they tell a wee photo story. And the last photo shows Ava in full health. Indeed, after some chicken and a wee 20 minute snooze - the speed of Ava's full recovery was quite remarkable! It never fails to amaze me what the word WALKIES can do to a previously sleeping dog!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-Wsea4GFCC_r-8xWughpVKdFrRGq55B9c3lK6tx8znznzgHL8sKcVzhjaPV8hZPkPLtgff2V5Vtbdsmof3xfXoROX4tWqHOWMkXu4NtSqQfj8tcuCd-CiBnRtXSXvEWvtC9f2tQ43R_R/s1600/AVA+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-Wsea4GFCC_r-8xWughpVKdFrRGq55B9c3lK6tx8znznzgHL8sKcVzhjaPV8hZPkPLtgff2V5Vtbdsmof3xfXoROX4tWqHOWMkXu4NtSqQfj8tcuCd-CiBnRtXSXvEWvtC9f2tQ43R_R/s320/AVA+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I WANT MY MUM</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuRHXIN6hnG4IXm41HD4nND-qPcltdVWAaMILQ8CyLDRkP6909NJ0xMUzO_LkxWuHjhPJvdoHk9CSXBpedqz5gpdPlj0QxfYcjgg8tPwrAorjrnp2J0K_xjXzsbsTM-ToMWTxpAFRLVQG/s1600/AVA+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuRHXIN6hnG4IXm41HD4nND-qPcltdVWAaMILQ8CyLDRkP6909NJ0xMUzO_LkxWuHjhPJvdoHk9CSXBpedqz5gpdPlj0QxfYcjgg8tPwrAorjrnp2J0K_xjXzsbsTM-ToMWTxpAFRLVQG/s320/AVA+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MUM?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOw28qutc174zNE4OgV2Sh5MZevMqFOl9x-83zPzu1KR0jz_ipIx1K4Q7mSfuujIw0HaOFInvFAEthiY4ioPvTTu4Fr8quznhb8IQu1xQxwTOp4W0T6pEgeiRNICX6_LKyJJsrgRDoc1zA/s1600/AVA+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOw28qutc174zNE4OgV2Sh5MZevMqFOl9x-83zPzu1KR0jz_ipIx1K4Q7mSfuujIw0HaOFInvFAEthiY4ioPvTTu4Fr8quznhb8IQu1xQxwTOp4W0T6pEgeiRNICX6_LKyJJsrgRDoc1zA/s320/AVA+5.JPG" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HMMM, MAYBE I COULD EAT SOME CHICKEN...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF63B_nYXQ7zNyTIfPPXfFcTkXT1NgumYXtDqoCarrxJyykX4IJWaxxTmo1iWuqb7lso4BtIELfR0jPHkVzuuxxyQi5snN_Q7h3gx3zZK54MCVuJMBP_OCp-qFccJZTPJ2sAwjfTaCIqiO/s1600/AVA+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF63B_nYXQ7zNyTIfPPXfFcTkXT1NgumYXtDqoCarrxJyykX4IJWaxxTmo1iWuqb7lso4BtIELfR0jPHkVzuuxxyQi5snN_Q7h3gx3zZK54MCVuJMBP_OCp-qFccJZTPJ2sAwjfTaCIqiO/s320/AVA+7.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zzz</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As so often in life </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- a mum's efforts really do </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">help to make things so much better!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpWvDXnVGas-YWYMuRXq7UoCm70IB7e0uk-bLIlEvOfAXoqMpC8wvQ4x9EnrwGwFRjCX47k_MQw11XYrh87emLSsfW6xMCh9vgfojUxaMbY5_UCwVNBOZdtXBppyTm4c5rs5esQGXm2tr/s1600/AVA+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpWvDXnVGas-YWYMuRXq7UoCm70IB7e0uk-bLIlEvOfAXoqMpC8wvQ4x9EnrwGwFRjCX47k_MQw11XYrh87emLSsfW6xMCh9vgfojUxaMbY5_UCwVNBOZdtXBppyTm4c5rs5esQGXm2tr/s320/AVA+1.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Hmm, so -<br />
what mischief could I <br />
get up to next?..."</td></tr>
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</div>Shona McMillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09411435739838511451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7002856785691498838.post-14217254949556083522011-09-18T09:51:00.000-07:002011-10-05T06:38:31.693-07:00NEW BEGINNINGS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZX29sPwIj4iLt6fFzqJORiJba_nISywcZRNZf1oRjklZ95tNHQukc-EdAsT1jX2BA51s9chv4mtKAnbRQ3NYGqj3wEwidE2d9QLrYxyGjeQLQPV9WqOPqq4FjQfMisiqqm7KYFZoByq05/s1600/New+Beginnings+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZX29sPwIj4iLt6fFzqJORiJba_nISywcZRNZf1oRjklZ95tNHQukc-EdAsT1jX2BA51s9chv4mtKAnbRQ3NYGqj3wEwidE2d9QLrYxyGjeQLQPV9WqOPqq4FjQfMisiqqm7KYFZoByq05/s320/New+Beginnings+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" width="210" /></a>Throughout a person's life they will encounter many crossroads and it is the sum of the decisions taken at these times which build up and shape a life. When I was at primary school - I can recall the worry of self doubt. I could see some children excelled in lessons, others excelled in sports, yet others in music, it seemed that I would always be able to identify someone who was smarter/prettier than me. <br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Sharing my thoughts with my mum, she persuaded me to see that this critical look at the world was not a good (or a healthy) way to see things. Instead, my mum explained to me that she believed every single person had a talent - in her eyes everyone was equal because every person had their very own gift, their totally unique talent. A person could be good at making others laugh, or listening to a friend in trouble or perhaps a skill at being able to look after someone who was ill. Not all talents could be evaluated in terms of exams passed and money earned. And, if everyone had a gift - there was no point competing with others, much better to discover what was your own talent and then to nuture that as only you could do. I was told that it was healthier to look inwards at myself and think, "what do I want to do and how do I go about learning the skills I need to try and achieve what I want to". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaR7fj_xL1t-pIrGp8XWMQF8LYKmms4VFUQK4uoCet8hGZhb4uoATE1ji5uxn_SlGBYM11fONzvAIVmy5xrWgJYhDHNlOd3PbcNp-zL7XoWi2IrOsDIay3MQrciWodKheWol3M8wIjPO94/s1600/Bye+Sun+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaR7fj_xL1t-pIrGp8XWMQF8LYKmms4VFUQK4uoCet8hGZhb4uoATE1ji5uxn_SlGBYM11fONzvAIVmy5xrWgJYhDHNlOd3PbcNp-zL7XoWi2IrOsDIay3MQrciWodKheWol3M8wIjPO94/s320/Bye+Sun+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Firth of Forth as the sun sinks behind the Lomond Hills<br />
Shona McMilan © All Rights Reserved</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">In pursuit of goals it can also be very inhibitating if we set targets which are not personally realistic. Recently, David Walliams (who has swum the English Channel and now the Thames) I heard him say - he had realised early on that he'd never be able to win a swimming race as he just didn't have the speed. But, he realised - that when others stopped, he could keep going and that this seemed to be his talent. In life, we can set unrealistic targets and fail but surely true failure is only when something might be achieved but that goal is not tried for in the first place. Later on in life, it can seem as if time is speeding up. When we watch the end of a sunset - how fast the sun seems to slip away in these last moments. In a person's life, the years appear to pass faster with age. However, it still seems to me that if a person wants to start 'a new' - then why not? Nothing was ever achieved just by thinking about it. And nothing is ever accomplished without that first step on the journey towards a goal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfK3aSyriUEvkGY8ky3weThfZWKfRIW4ZZsKb_W9ahXK2gDoBxnQVqicvBbNZaTUzPi95FidIzzgL7kj3-dXKAkpvzVyGSCYUHI8uRD7WDMWZNEczxFhiIIONWQ2nzvYOLSzdCdtx0euF/s1600/Dusk+to+Day+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfK3aSyriUEvkGY8ky3weThfZWKfRIW4ZZsKb_W9ahXK2gDoBxnQVqicvBbNZaTUzPi95FidIzzgL7kj3-dXKAkpvzVyGSCYUHI8uRD7WDMWZNEczxFhiIIONWQ2nzvYOLSzdCdtx0euF/s320/Dusk+to+Day+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The eternal surge of the sea as the waves break on the shore<br />
Shona McMilan © All Rights Reserved</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">In childhood, around the time my mum told me to concentrate on developing my own talents and abilities (and not to worry about others) I came across this poem below. Eventually, I copied out the words, put them underneath a photo of a sunset and every night before I went to sleep I would read this. Today, the same poem is displayed on my wall, a poem anyone can benefit from:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you think you are beaten you are</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you think you dare not you don't</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you'd like to win but think you can't</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well then you surely won't</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Life's battles don't always go</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To the stronger or faster one</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Soon or late the one who wins</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Is the one who thinks they can</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWdYOh6Kc6lOMaLRmumFrr-h7BjNKJDaSv-3mcrmsDlZ5uGVylM2ecp1HN4FiRwnY5icxfdgtnYAMCPSFEtVguYM4lvyfPJ6vwnBKCCMLMvZFOM75d53wAMFuolGit5EipIeTLfeurTJm/s1600/Harbour+Boats+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWdYOh6Kc6lOMaLRmumFrr-h7BjNKJDaSv-3mcrmsDlZ5uGVylM2ecp1HN4FiRwnY5icxfdgtnYAMCPSFEtVguYM4lvyfPJ6vwnBKCCMLMvZFOM75d53wAMFuolGit5EipIeTLfeurTJm/s320/Harbour+Boats+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" width="234" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boats in the harbour are safe<br />
- but they weren't built for that<br />
<br />
Photos and Copy<br />
Shona McMillan © All Rights Reserved</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Like a book we can see our lives to be like a collection of new chapters, new beginnings. We can not influence the start of our life's story but we can influence how our story turns out. Good and bad flows in to every life, sometimes it is useful to ride out the storm, at other times it is prudent to stop, re-evaluate the situation and start again with renewed vigour, with courage and determination to strive to get the best out of our time in life. This blog prompted today as, for two very different reasons - me and a friend decided Sept 2011 is a positive new start to the next chapter in our respective lives.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT46BrDMFC6__eaBfoktuYklL-xU0029fiZYlmjWjUMy0Zks3zwoECOSBMUp_k9Ey6XUHU2rYIedIiW7pH1OeMVfIxEsu9ZAQGrdx0PP9xtHTO5K81uzQZ4A3suifZnIuV3dPuei33OoD6/s1600/A+new+chapter+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT46BrDMFC6__eaBfoktuYklL-xU0029fiZYlmjWjUMy0Zks3zwoECOSBMUp_k9Ey6XUHU2rYIedIiW7pH1OeMVfIxEsu9ZAQGrdx0PP9xtHTO5K81uzQZ4A3suifZnIuV3dPuei33OoD6/s1600/A+new+chapter+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Onwards and upwards ;-D<br />
celebrating a new beginning<br />
in our lives, during our<br />
45 yr friendship</td></tr>
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</div>Shona McMillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09411435739838511451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7002856785691498838.post-2747922801835580742011-08-28T10:40:00.000-07:002011-10-05T06:37:09.753-07:00HELP PRESERVE BUTTERFLY HABITAT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpE0rdd3m1pvXMc4I85mNhyphenhyphen6U-HKh1dTBQF0wSyRppPVCAUUnBHwAB45QZq8IDeLJgY1WjPaVV2uC0J-9oJ6opMQYrwMgNB1zcXxjfjvrqHeSTD4u4ZxIqqHpRSUobwrNfA5A6HaxWDDf/s1600/Butterflies%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpE0rdd3m1pvXMc4I85mNhyphenhyphen6U-HKh1dTBQF0wSyRppPVCAUUnBHwAB45QZq8IDeLJgY1WjPaVV2uC0J-9oJ6opMQYrwMgNB1zcXxjfjvrqHeSTD4u4ZxIqqHpRSUobwrNfA5A6HaxWDDf/s1600/Butterflies%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpE0rdd3m1pvXMc4I85mNhyphenhyphen6U-HKh1dTBQF0wSyRppPVCAUUnBHwAB45QZq8IDeLJgY1WjPaVV2uC0J-9oJ6opMQYrwMgNB1zcXxjfjvrqHeSTD4u4ZxIqqHpRSUobwrNfA5A6HaxWDDf/s200/Butterflies%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" width="193" /></a>Where did the Summer go? Just last week I was photographing butterflies in East Lothian and then, yesterday evening - huge rain clouds rolled in over the Firth of Forth as the sun set behind Edinburgh. Now today, brrr, it's freezing cold and the rain is pouring down as I write! Just as well I got my walking in first thing this morning. Tho' in truth - I do have a huge golf brolly and, with waterproofs and wellies, a wee bit of rain is never going to stop me getting outdoors. Yes, in all seasons - it's a joy to be outdoors and every season offers us something different to enjoy in Scotland. Beautiful scenery and wildlife in our natural environment which we should never take forgranted. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfxb9H83Qz5cxwSPbsv0FdK2TXdnj1MVFv6vREs3DCCT3Lq3VXDHBrBpOoDbrDG7mhD36b90l1gV3qGc2RLefJeTSiZs5yfYR7kythLCU6MZj0LrVxKylX5owMn6oQaf2pvFMiA2wSztu/s1600/Musselburgh+Nightfall%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfxb9H83Qz5cxwSPbsv0FdK2TXdnj1MVFv6vREs3DCCT3Lq3VXDHBrBpOoDbrDG7mhD36b90l1gV3qGc2RLefJeTSiZs5yfYR7kythLCU6MZj0LrVxKylX5owMn6oQaf2pvFMiA2wSztu/s320/Musselburgh+Nightfall%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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Sunset over Edinburgh from Musselburgh East Lothian<br />
Shona McMillan © All Rights Reserved</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Incredible to think that such fragile creatures as butterflies can visit us from so very far across the sea. And, so important that we each do what we can to help them survive our ever changing world. If each gardner left just one nettle and one thistle plant in their garden for them to feed on - what a difference that would make in halting the frighteningly quick, steady decline there has been in their numbers over recent years. Once, it was a common sight to see butterflies in Edinburgh but now, it takes a lot of effort to find them - and the above two were not in the city but down the coast in East Lothian. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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Seacliff, East Lothian<br />
Shona McMillan © All Rights Reserved</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">There are various flowers which are particular favourites of butterflies and these are also much enjoyed by Honey bees which are equally under threat from loss of habitat, man's increased use of pesticides and changes in our climate. The following link gives a lot of helpful information for what you can do to help our threatened insect wildlife <a href="http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/" target="_blank">www.ukbutterflies.co.uk</a> And of course, for information to help our 'feathered friends' you can visit the website of the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/">http://www.rspb.org.uk</a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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Swans photographed at the foot of the River Esk, Musselburgh<br />
Leith and the built up Edinburgh skyline behind<br />
Shona McMillan © All Rights Reserved</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">We have a wonderful environment, one we must strive to preserve </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">so that generations to come have the same opportunities to enjoy and appreciate this world as we do.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Dawn: Looking from Edinburgh to East Lothian<br />
Shona McMillan © All Rights Reserved</td></tr>
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</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For more photos from Scotland, please visit my website <a href="http://www.shonamcmillan.co.uk/">http://www.shonamcmillan.co.uk</a> and you can also follow my regular "Out and About" postings on my Facebook Page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/shonamcmillan.celticreflections">http://www.facebook.com/shonamcmillan.celticreflections</a> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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By the Firth of Forth<br />
Shona McMillan © All Rights Reserved</td></tr>
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div>Shona McMillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09411435739838511451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7002856785691498838.post-18212574299701100272011-07-31T15:58:00.000-07:002011-10-05T06:36:42.081-07:00PHOTO DREAM COME TRUE<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fisherrow Fish Market, Shona McMillan ©</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Considering the many photos I've shared in exhibitions and online, (within the last 24 hours) I had joked to friends on Facebook that Karma must be due me a BIG payout. Well, if there is such a thing as Karma - it just came my way "BIG TIME" in the shape of a very special photo I have been fortunate enough to have taken today. A photo connected to the above postcard showing a scene at Fisherrow around 1890... This old postcard, when I bought in 2005, it marked the start of a journey for me which would also touch many others to create <a href="http://www.berwickshirenews.co.uk/news/local-headlines/shona_s_project_wins_international_acclaim_1_245098">RIPPLES FROM EAST LOTHIAN</a> out <a href="http://www.berwickshirenews.co.uk/news/local-headlines/shona_makes_a_splash_across_atlantic_1_439764">AROUND THE WORLD</a>. But first, let me cover the events which brought me full circle back again to Fisherrow, East Lothian and the harbour there today. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I have not written for a while as, since I last wrote, life seems to have been just one big event after another. Working fulltime in project management, of late my personal time for my freelance photo-journalism has been somewhat curtailed. Nevertheless, working in a voluntary, unpaid capacity in my own time, I have managed to maintain my photo and film interests, (if not my writing) and in the last weeks, I have posted a great body of my photographic work (across all my projects) to my Facebook Page: <a href="http://www.shonamcmillan.celticreflections/">SHONA MCMILLAN CELTIC REFLECTIONS</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Recently, my Page reflects my travels in Scotland, Out and About in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.220699531282611.63280.115171405168758&l=9f8745fae4">JUNE</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.241205749231989.67394.115171405168758&l=83bbaa9fa6">JULY</a>. My much awaited return trip to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.239502876068943.67073.115171405168758&l=f71ef80b5a">IRELAND</a> seeing the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.115255305160368.14468.115171405168758&l=4955d79eee">WATERBOYS</a> at Waterford's Tall Ships Festival. Playing music in Spiddal and Galway and finally in Ireland, catching up with the exceptional fiddler <a href="http://youtu.be/8urZjM7l0PU">MARTIN HAYES and the TULLA CEILIDH BAND</a> in during Miltown Malbay's Willie Clancy Week.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Then, after Ireland I had a trip up north to the Tall Ships Festival in Ulapool and there, enoyed the music of Irish band the Sawdoctors. So yes, recently I've had a very strong Celtic influence in my postings and today, I had expected to be back enroute to Ireland, to Co Clare for a week's holiday taking in the Feakle Festival. Yet, IF travelling today, I would have missed the last day of the Musselburgh Festival. However, attending so many <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.121895354496363.15918.115171405168758">COMMUNITY EVENTS</a> in Musselburgh this week, I had thought I'd make the trade off - missing the last day to be in Ireland for a week's music festival but - life is not always as we plan and today, instead, saw me back in Fisherrow on a more important personal journey...<br />
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My mum's folks were from Fisherrow, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.163193300366568.35460.115171405168758">PEOPLE OF THE SEA</a> from the fishing family the Thorburns. My granda' Billy and my great-grandfather Auld Arch' were fisherman and then Fisherrow Harbour Masters, my great-granny Jeannie Ritchie was a fishwife who carried the creel (selling fish from the harbour), my granny Crissie sung in Fisherrow Fishwives Choir, a fine singer like my mum Jean who encouraged me in my own music (as a singer and fiddle player). Indeed, it was the strength of the Fisherrow family connections that set me off on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.115265205159378.14473.115171405168758&type=1">PEOPLE AND SONGS OF THE SEA</a> journey. And, within that project, the first postcard I ever bought was the old postcard I opened this blog with - the picture showing the women all dressed in their fishwives costumes at the open air fishmarket at Fisherrow harbour (where the crowds gathered today at the end of the Musselburgh Festival Week).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
My project to 'celebrate the fishing community' - it gathered momentum in 2006 as my mum fell ill with cancer and after, (for me) it became a sort of legacy project for mum AND the fishing community. Continuing to work on this, I first built up my collection of other people's photographs. But finally, I began to take photos of fisher folk myself and more and more the body of my own work grew. Over time, I also learnt pieces of information which I would try to pull together (as best as I could) to build up a sort of jigsaw picture which I could share with others. One of the things most important to me was the discovery of the names of those people in the old photograph postcard. And through these names - many very happy family connections were rebuilt around the world through Facebook (through sharing my work online, the children descended from the original women in the old photograph, now re-connecting to lost family and friends through the internet, 100+ years on).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the old postcard, the names of those photographed being L - R: </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
1 (Christine) Teenie Hamilton Craig<br />
2 Robert Brown<br />
3 Kirsty Pate Hamilton<br />
4 Margaret Thorburn<br />
5 Auld Hooker<br />
6 (Isabella) Bella Ritchie<br />
7 Margaret Williamson<br />
8 (Isabella) Bella Walker<br />
9 Marion Thorburn<br />
10 (Margaret) Maggie Boyle<br />
11 (Margaret) Maggie Elgin<br />
12 (Isabella) Bella Gray<br />
13 Annie Halley<br />
14 (Elizabeth) Betty Watson<br />
15 Nan Christie<br />
16 Jean Walker<br />
17 Kirstie Cunningham<br />
18 Marion Langlands<br />
19 Ailie Gibson<br />
20 (Elizabeth) Lizzie Gibson<br />
21 Ailie Gibson Brown<br />
22 Helen Ritchie<br />
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.... and JUST OUT OF THE (CROPPED) POSTCARD SHOT, but on the original photograph, my great granny Jeannie Ritchie who had married my great grandfather Archie Thorburn.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yes, a photograph of GREAT SIGNIFICANCE to me (and many others). Something I have admired over the years, a photo communicating social history and what a privillege for that photographer to have taken this picture. All the time, me in my own photo efforts, myself constantly pushing and pushing myself to try and improve my own skills so I could respectfully capture the photos of the fisher people as I wanted to - capturing them just as they are/were... And then at today's event - suddenly I saw an opportunity in 2011 for me to bring together in the same place the woman there today in all their beautiful costumes (passed down through Fisherrow's fisher families from generation to generation). History breathing new life today.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">There was NOTHING organised about any photo being taken and the women in costume were scattered around the area but as the idea took hold I ran through the crowd to ask people to gather together for a photo. For twenty minutes I coaxed people towards a photo, firstly taking the hands of friends and asking them to follow me through the crowds to the harbour wall (and there I had to make space for a photo to be taken!). The women began to move and then others joined, and then more, and then more - the fishwives coming together through the crowds to make this beautiful photo. Finally together (shouting to everyone to try and look at me at the one time) with only seconds to grab the moment "I DID MY BEST!" Then, back home, I sat this evening and very quietly looked back through the lovely photos of the smiling faces (a moment for posterity).<br />
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My photo in 2011, something similar to the postcard I first saw SIX YEARS AGO, the photo which had helped to inspire me in my journey but a photo which I thought I would never ever be able to recreate (as the fishing community numbers grow small and smaller each year...). But here it is in 2011, a wonderful photo at Fisherrow harbour more than a hundred years on. However, my journey is not at an end yet... Now I have the photo taken, my research (detective work) begins to obtain the full name of EVERY single woman captured in the photo today. (My contact details across my photo to try and prompt people to get in touch with others, to get people talking and to get the information back to me so I can give an exact name to EVERY SINGLE one of the women I photographed today).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: cyan;">MY THANKS TO EVERYONE ABOVE </span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;">- this photos means everything to me and</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;">I hope it is special for all of you!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: cyan;">And for 'you' reading my blog, I leave a clip of me singing "Fisherrow"</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;">on a track from my <a href="http://www.greentrax.com/music/artists/reviews/Various-Artists-People-And-Songs-Of-The-Sea-CD/?phpMyAdmin=91fd763757467026d39830c8430dc679&phpMyAdmin=NYmxzoCXZTDyRaVT5HvWA9gRA5c&phpMyAdmin=brSyNTya52xZiYeAbc-ZYoSsBw5">PEOPLE & SONGS OF THE SEA ALBUM</a></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"> together with my video of my Thorburn family's Fisherrow photos</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/DDSts-w_AbU/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DDSts-w_AbU&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DDSts-w_AbU&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<span style="color: cyan;">PLEASE MESSAGE ME IF YOU CAN PROVIDE</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;">ANY DETAILS ON MY PEOPLE OF THE SEA PHOTOS</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.shonamcmillan.co.uk/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.shonamcmillan.co.uk</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collecting for the RNLI at Fisherrow Harbour (1930s)<br />
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Photograph shows: Second from the right, my mum Jean,<br />
sister Wilma far right & sister Chris with the flag. And other friends<br />
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<span style="color: cyan;">(IF YOU CAN NAME ANYONE ELSE PLEASE GET IN TOUCH)</span></td></tr>
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</div>Shona McMillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09411435739838511451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7002856785691498838.post-45601796150832140062011-06-01T10:42:00.000-07:002011-10-01T08:46:19.077-07:00WALK 365 - GAMES LEGACY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLgnGaqE-PXWr6pMvAxlKY0r89ko799VxIIMP-FflBfAQrsSfI-5UvoLX2K0gPb7mmo-aOa3RA6HC6qT7NKMd29FrUHG4d3jtun9IepYLBMra4SFwodb7HxCaZXcvl3dqO4g6r55_mRLja/s1600/Shona+McMillan+31.05.2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="color: yellow;">.</span></strong> </span><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLgnGaqE-PXWr6pMvAxlKY0r89ko799VxIIMP-FflBfAQrsSfI-5UvoLX2K0gPb7mmo-aOa3RA6HC6qT7NKMd29FrUHG4d3jtun9IepYLBMra4SFwodb7HxCaZXcvl3dqO4g6r55_mRLja/s320/Shona+McMillan+31.05.2011.JPG" t8="true" width="219" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyone, who is a regular visitor to my online sites, will know that I love to get outdoors walking. Over the last year, my Celtic Reflections Facebook page has been my way of sharing photos from my walks when I am "out and about" enjoying the fresh air and getting exercise. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In Scotland, <a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Health/TrendObesity">encouraging physical activity</a> lies at the heart of the Government’s <a href="http://www.ouractivenation.co.uk/">“Active Nation”</a> programme for the London 2012 Olymics and Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. The Government (quite rightly so) see a great opportunity to use the Games to help to create a fit and active Scotland with huge environmental, social and economic benefits. Walking is simple, low cost and fun! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What benefits for us all if we can just make some small changes in our routine to build in more walking to our daily lives. Small positive changes can reap BIG benefits for our health!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXS4OP_FGjSaC3H6P0ufCoN7BfEf5c0d9Gf5FPUQt0Uss6cc0iRIwMhGn69V2GjmqLCNQSdZBKWtBH2otVC81sRItl5yT1YkHAzkSjp-FfJiBqzfd5Y_f4GQvzuBcQteLJhPUWiz5yyQWs/s1600/Walking+Scotland+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXS4OP_FGjSaC3H6P0ufCoN7BfEf5c0d9Gf5FPUQt0Uss6cc0iRIwMhGn69V2GjmqLCNQSdZBKWtBH2otVC81sRItl5yT1YkHAzkSjp-FfJiBqzfd5Y_f4GQvzuBcQteLJhPUWiz5yyQWs/s320/Walking+Scotland+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking on the sands in front of Berwick Law</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have always enjoyed walking in Scotland's "great outdoors" and hope you too will join me in my continuing posts as I aim to meet my own personal goal which is to get out there walking for the minimum of a brisk 30 minute walk every day. And when I can, to achieve 10,000 steps daily as our good Scottish weather allows me too! </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For me, there seems no better pathway to good health than to "Walk 365"</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumNL0xBa5iHXcyK4UbsiKknj1sYqvSzcpNpPV9gVrQbMXR1kHiWdjWBcnMbZQd2LB5v5yLOYy4_gajAjowRNBmVplxuLaTdMpfgc0VeDt259tj5uFYLXXviyvyyzXjqWOTWXDYICx5bXG/s1600/Shona+at+Kinlochbervie%252C+Shona+McMillan+%25C2%25A9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumNL0xBa5iHXcyK4UbsiKknj1sYqvSzcpNpPV9gVrQbMXR1kHiWdjWBcnMbZQd2LB5v5yLOYy4_gajAjowRNBmVplxuLaTdMpfgc0VeDt259tj5uFYLXXviyvyyzXjqWOTWXDYICx5bXG/s320/Shona+at+Kinlochbervie%252C+Shona+McMillan+%25C2%25A9.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me, hill walking in the Highlands </span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>Shona McMillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09411435739838511451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7002856785691498838.post-67224118277115432752011-05-30T07:37:00.000-07:002011-05-30T08:01:09.021-07:00A BRIDGE TO THE PAST<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmpIVdFIrmoYwzFXAmsgf_xqLwd15MdlwCCXO8gFtCcE6QOVKOZdqPiz8y1f3K_vRuCBzjLHdFof9a7P8cWeeV7CCtwkXM4NIdJMb6i9FT9ogWjBTqfWwlPxFtnBSygLM9yTXhanmzfsM/s1600/Hugh+McMillan%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmpIVdFIrmoYwzFXAmsgf_xqLwd15MdlwCCXO8gFtCcE6QOVKOZdqPiz8y1f3K_vRuCBzjLHdFof9a7P8cWeeV7CCtwkXM4NIdJMb6i9FT9ogWjBTqfWwlPxFtnBSygLM9yTXhanmzfsM/s320/Hugh+McMillan%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" t8="true" width="236" /></a></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">On the 9th of May I wrote my first <a href="http://shonamcmillan.blogspot.com/2011/05/people-of-land.html">"People of the Land"</a> Blog. I explained then how so little was known about my father's family history yet, there seemed a connection to the land - when he and mum got engaged they holidayed at a farm and enjoyed fishing at a nearby river. In addition, before dad's memories began to drift away, he talked of herding cows to a dairy and a photo showed him carrying milk. In the early stages of dementia, it is true that people can remember memories from childhood but as health decreases the door to the past can close, photos then the only key. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXPz72NaNvBOdzMftMS_357qzXa2YiegSzRKwYFqfiwLU-apzoXbTJ24gP0m859Z3SbYqmfoZv9JxgTFcNPF7OFc_G6Wl-ZWDV6thxdf0CJXBnKwR71qgbU0hXzZruRDLFLrwFPUBbOM6/s1600/Jean+Thorburn%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXPz72NaNvBOdzMftMS_357qzXa2YiegSzRKwYFqfiwLU-apzoXbTJ24gP0m859Z3SbYqmfoZv9JxgTFcNPF7OFc_G6Wl-ZWDV6thxdf0CJXBnKwR71qgbU0hXzZruRDLFLrwFPUBbOM6/s320/Jean+Thorburn%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" t8="true" width="219" /></a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">Interviewed about People of the Land on the radio - afterwards, I took a drive and found myself heading to the only named place I knew. But, in such a large area? I had driven past here before but without any clues. This time, I drew up beside the pub and went in with the total sum of my information: 80+ years ago dad was photographed carrying milk. 60+ years ago him and mum had holidayed here. The staff were very friendly but asked for more information. I explained I knew nothing more, I just had photos of mum and dad fishing. "Ah ha!" was the reply and I was told that the river behind the pub had trout and another recalled hearing that milk was once got from some place outwith the village. Some farm tracks driven up, more conversations were had with folk I met on my way and then I came home to piece together the jigsaw.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"> <img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-EaxLhKMd2PqIcHbyP-k3iQMPamUcL6YMUhYedU3x-GaIOVULRNmnITE8s3CVG4vRLtc75XrD53JSo4QlYdjsMS3KjMtQk7mtbbLRMnNBPOcQ2IEBGkxPZYT4VTJM0teVec-BywDnmf-/s200/Dad+and+Collie%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.jpg" t8="true" width="110" /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLsuClbPtJ65kGX2tvsz22smF0cb__xGoWUUH5bi4QPcmF3VKO0teofg3L2JKa1glmgWtUWSM4OFHs2LwLc5U6zIBOrKKnLKV3W0kuXF3-6n0n1iRO27URgAAgbZBjFdlnzyPqZUvBsTK/s1600/Me+and+dog%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="height: 195px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 108px;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLsuClbPtJ65kGX2tvsz22smF0cb__xGoWUUH5bi4QPcmF3VKO0teofg3L2JKa1glmgWtUWSM4OFHs2LwLc5U6zIBOrKKnLKV3W0kuXF3-6n0n1iRO27URgAAgbZBjFdlnzyPqZUvBsTK/s200/Me+and+dog%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" t8="true" width="113" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Yes, I had found the buildings that had once been the farm.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWisBIZD3lgJw6wGIR1qVj1rPiUJDMHLn0-ybwXYaWXk4AiSJkWSvJuPGITMVJpht-kTESR1GGN9LgMVpzov5puu34NDGmwJkGPkLXljVx8204c6yKHVp2e7_kjSMd6__MIRom_7Y-Tq7/s1600/The+Farn%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWisBIZD3lgJw6wGIR1qVj1rPiUJDMHLn0-ybwXYaWXk4AiSJkWSvJuPGITMVJpht-kTESR1GGN9LgMVpzov5puu34NDGmwJkGPkLXljVx8204c6yKHVp2e7_kjSMd6__MIRom_7Y-Tq7/s320/The+Farn%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">In addition to the farm discovery, I suddenly recalled </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">shadows which I had seen on the pool of a burn.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpdjxgXxJbnScUi_Y6YtuD5ZG3n85F5lyCA8xND_XAAmpEsLYgafP6DA9TKk1qCO2S69CuzejRYtxJtOn94sztI8Lhp6KSYHqcQDq5v0oMQFP_l0KtZmGnR76sAoMg5KNPYoL1Gew3RWf/s1600/Shadows%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpdjxgXxJbnScUi_Y6YtuD5ZG3n85F5lyCA8xND_XAAmpEsLYgafP6DA9TKk1qCO2S69CuzejRYtxJtOn94sztI8Lhp6KSYHqcQDq5v0oMQFP_l0KtZmGnR76sAoMg5KNPYoL1Gew3RWf/s320/Shadows%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" t8="true" width="203" /></a></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7RwTCooeT4jmFcSaMaLmbzvqnfQubOMdDjk7W-bog4oX944wfgsMX4WgeSMzf66kUFSd0lsgNt9bt0G-Qlu-u-EsprSLf7LrL_Pn9AMe2pSistndLafh8u6uQiYUzI3M3yiyn3GFyU6e/s1600/The+Bridge%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7RwTCooeT4jmFcSaMaLmbzvqnfQubOMdDjk7W-bog4oX944wfgsMX4WgeSMzf66kUFSd0lsgNt9bt0G-Qlu-u-EsprSLf7LrL_Pn9AMe2pSistndLafh8u6uQiYUzI3M3yiyn3GFyU6e/s320/The+Bridge%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">The 2011 shadows from a bridge</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">linking me to my dad's old photo of the 10th of August 1952</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"></div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIY6SeeJMIioENxopsOyTVkzOnpz_2anZrcGTgwODdwqOTqRfFCMr0Zm2wsLYG33GTb19dyu6LbTHTPWqWJVc5cJ0jczUr3oTMF00xcUFSDfE8bnXb6Lw4ObyJIBL2aA7eH3K36_apnsH/s1600/The+2011+Bridge%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIY6SeeJMIioENxopsOyTVkzOnpz_2anZrcGTgwODdwqOTqRfFCMr0Zm2wsLYG33GTb19dyu6LbTHTPWqWJVc5cJ0jczUr3oTMF00xcUFSDfE8bnXb6Lw4ObyJIBL2aA7eH3K36_apnsH/s400/The+2011+Bridge%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" t8="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">From 2011, I could now look back to 1952</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">- finally able to link the people in the photo to the specific place</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDWwnesewvi6tQm5kpjGsnrGbZyV2wXL8OhYDD_dzppeyckkJONGbXE2Tri8Z26d6l6iDzv10zdAeV0gB5k__uDSoA7dQW5yrATrySwHcnJrAN805fC9hClPJ474IiaxYqyR-jyyW1tE-/s1600/The+Expedition%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDWwnesewvi6tQm5kpjGsnrGbZyV2wXL8OhYDD_dzppeyckkJONGbXE2Tri8Z26d6l6iDzv10zdAeV0gB5k__uDSoA7dQW5yrATrySwHcnJrAN805fC9hClPJ474IiaxYqyR-jyyW1tE-/s400/The+Expedition%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" t8="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The 1952 Fishing Expedition" <br />
L-R: Sonya, Minnie, Wullie, Jean (mum) and Nenny</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">With old photos, some detective work and the kind help of 'strangers' - a bridge to the past has been built. Eighty years ago, Hugh McMillan holidayed here as a boy. Year's later, he took his girlfriend here, Jean Thorburn. A year later they married and then, another ten plus years passed and I arrived. And by then the family holidays to the Sutherland had begun, (to Balnakeil farm, Durness and Kinlochbervie). Yet, looking down the East Lothian farm track to where my folks had fished all these years before - what a similarity between these places, not just in the look and feel of the land but in the friendliness and helpfulness of the people I met as a stranger. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYoETN0CDVAsEMRmvDCtXJD2q4LaxDRSnRhd-tZ6KCLJnlBTStCAQ8Aw04487nv7ZTyxdT1eD3JfVVa1tDJ_uqXGJ0bLdhb4NF7hyDtx9f2FuUD09Bg35dc7rHTqqMfHCzLmX_v3Q9lQBP/s1600/Black+puppy%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYoETN0CDVAsEMRmvDCtXJD2q4LaxDRSnRhd-tZ6KCLJnlBTStCAQ8Aw04487nv7ZTyxdT1eD3JfVVa1tDJ_uqXGJ0bLdhb4NF7hyDtx9f2FuUD09Bg35dc7rHTqqMfHCzLmX_v3Q9lQBP/s320/Black+puppy%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">As a child, regularly on holiday in Kinlochbervie, my beloved dog Corrie came from there. And I am left wondering, my dad's first dog - was this where he came from (the similarity I see of the farm building behind?). I'll never know for sure but sometimes I think, these small details don't matter so much as the importance of taking the journey, for me a journey from 2011 to 1952, 1930 and beyond. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMwUxc4sAyLh72qgfD63FfVmRmzI89CRBPjLR6JhutPl7gJn9kRP4wksMPHQmQzZ9ACRbYwbW_TSx1l1VQkyBlxygDKK-Nde_XOttlw6SJ5B7o3VVbDLdqlHrrfa5gQDSwf8ThKYo8dDc/s1600/The+Glen%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMwUxc4sAyLh72qgfD63FfVmRmzI89CRBPjLR6JhutPl7gJn9kRP4wksMPHQmQzZ9ACRbYwbW_TSx1l1VQkyBlxygDKK-Nde_XOttlw6SJ5B7o3VVbDLdqlHrrfa5gQDSwf8ThKYo8dDc/s400/The+Glen%252C+Shona+McMillan+copyright.JPG" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: cyan;">My special thanks to all who gave me their time yesterday and now, </span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: cyan;">I very much look forward to going back there with my fiddle </span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: cyan;">to enjoy a tune in the pub and to meet new friends!</span></div>Shona McMillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09411435739838511451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7002856785691498838.post-71896803588430609312011-05-21T13:01:00.000-07:002011-05-27T06:07:12.601-07:00THE SUNSHINE OF YOUR SMILE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttHgMjbO0vNuylRsJjDhwP7Ui-hL3Ik_roDQfDKVrj_AcFE93gwfr20UHYllcuPTEZO_kRQz9K8XfI0tqVZi5vHhw3Ox92Z8az1usb1wpgIifW5gI1ShRwBpclldJvKlATRItHQ4Xme1U/s1600/SMILER+21.05.11+by+Shona+McMillan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttHgMjbO0vNuylRsJjDhwP7Ui-hL3Ik_roDQfDKVrj_AcFE93gwfr20UHYllcuPTEZO_kRQz9K8XfI0tqVZi5vHhw3Ox92Z8az1usb1wpgIifW5gI1ShRwBpclldJvKlATRItHQ4Xme1U/s320/SMILER+21.05.11+by+Shona+McMillan.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I have travelled to many great countries, made wonderful friends and pretty much put down roots which keep special people and places forever in my heart. But, Scotland has always brought me home and here, there has seemed to be various homes - East Lothian where my mum's family came from, Edinburgh where I grew up and Kinlochbervie and Durness in the Highlands where my family holidayed. Yet, when it comes time to pack up a house, then you see: "home is where your parents house is." This I realised when, I moved to Inverness to accept a new job (168miles away). Moving to a most beautiful house - everything looked new and exciting but going forward was to stretch my ties to 'home'. As I prepared to leave, mum was determined not to be upset in front of me and said "I am so happy for you, so pleased for you to realise your dreams and we can talk on the phone, you'll visit when you can but oh, I will miss your smile!... So, with this in my mind, I took and printed off a life size photo of my smile (wrinkles and all!). A picture mum loved and one she kept beside her chair in the living room. A photo which also (at times) went with her through to the front room, where she liked to have a cigarette (in peace as we hated her smoking), and there, she'd look out to sea with her thoughts. </div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxX0trXqjBFa7Q2tabyef76PyuKvz9r3ZEVralxAQhOCvTGIHEazcPMDyFGGxkYzj_ceZuMjWijZExkUUfFSE7Z5qxZ_VWRDiqtCsUslzs8Cczjm-6DeyjQmGDtVotVTIC2SuKRL4KgCrO/s1600/Mum+saying+goodbye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxX0trXqjBFa7Q2tabyef76PyuKvz9r3ZEVralxAQhOCvTGIHEazcPMDyFGGxkYzj_ceZuMjWijZExkUUfFSE7Z5qxZ_VWRDiqtCsUslzs8Cczjm-6DeyjQmGDtVotVTIC2SuKRL4KgCrO/s320/Mum+saying+goodbye.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mum at home, preparing to wave me goodbye<br />
and, after Inverness, a safe return back to Edinburgh</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2011, and thinking of her smile today, I looked out some photos such as this one. A photograph I took of her some years later, when she stood outside her home - ready to wave goodbye to me in May 2006 as I set out for Inverness for the last time. Planning to return to my house in Edinburgh (keen to get 'home' as, behind mum's smile, I thought I saw 'something' telling me that something was 'wrong'....) <br />
<br />
Photographs, so very important - their content capable of messages which can convey to us so much more than our words ever can. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIbsQP2si4egifS0pxjUGYAWBe77q9fX6nns4C-MWGDUpw580AlIp3E3KZ7yMInWeDfRs53-Cu1dDGFyTz1Jdt5BcKgo_zT5AXxUCqLEG1xPNCcQPXoRVCi-gjOTIrSu87VofylIlN_mA/s1600/Mum+on+on+her+80th+birthday+by+Shona+McMillan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIbsQP2si4egifS0pxjUGYAWBe77q9fX6nns4C-MWGDUpw580AlIp3E3KZ7yMInWeDfRs53-Cu1dDGFyTz1Jdt5BcKgo_zT5AXxUCqLEG1xPNCcQPXoRVCi-gjOTIrSu87VofylIlN_mA/s320/Mum+on+on+her+80th+birthday+by+Shona+McMillan.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mum celebrating her 80th birthday in May 2006<br />
- on an adventure with me as we began "People of the Sea"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">By Autumn 2006, I needed a new smile for my mum - a smile to try and match the needs of a worsening situation. Ever with her cheery disposition, mum would have us laughing but there was a marked change in her health and I believed she was preparing for something very bad ahead. Possessing remarkable faith, mum drew on her religion to keep her spirits up as again and again we'd take her in to hospital. We believed pains she was experiencing were a symptom of something being very wrong but doctors were reluctant to agree, the doctors told us we were all just worrying needlessly. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At eighty, mum was told to expect discomfort with old age but she was not a woman to complain so finally, after being repeatedly sent home from Edinburgh's main A & E, we took her to the Western General who kept her in. They wanted to conduct an operation to see what was going on. There were mixed emotions - finally we would have answers to our questions but also, of course, we were so very scared. Many jokes were shared to try and ease the tension! Indeed, there is nothing like a hospital ward to see laughter as Nature's medecine for our darkest hours. Black humour can appear shocking to those outwith a situation but for those going through it - laughter REALLY helps! And, once in hospital, events with my mum's illness increased at an absolute mind numbing speed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4zKSTGS1DJUvyXez3ab6AKy3JJdSFVIufQfTMr_DO9Fjj-s5uw95T1OVBAie0xzSZsu8e2vr7BpAFo79MyafGurjMSdCsP29Kra5J7_6fT_I3a28R1qDt7p7ynBxJn2WKE0aGcJnhdvi/s1600/Me+and+Mum+by+Shona+McMillan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4zKSTGS1DJUvyXez3ab6AKy3JJdSFVIufQfTMr_DO9Fjj-s5uw95T1OVBAie0xzSZsu8e2vr7BpAFo79MyafGurjMSdCsP29Kra5J7_6fT_I3a28R1qDt7p7ynBxJn2WKE0aGcJnhdvi/s400/Me+and+Mum+by+Shona+McMillan.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharing a smile in difficult times - the last photo I took of me and mum,<br />
squeezed together so I could stretch my arm out and photograph us both</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On the Sunday my mum had been sent away from A & E, on the Wednesday terminal cancer was diagnosed (and just 65 days were to follow). Told that her remaining time would be short mum's reaction was to radiate a degree of strength I had never seen before and, in her final days, she consistently chose laughter over tears. Back home, she asked me to sing to her but that first time, when I thought she had fallen asleep, my voice broke and I couldn't finish the song. Her eyes flashed opened and she asked "Are you crying?" "Yes" I said "mum, this is really hard" She replied in the strongest tone "It's a bloody site harder where I'm sitting! There'll be time enough for tears but for now, time is far too precious and you must BE STRONG". </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKqTPY0lodscPeqMYpEn_BQasi-PdNgBdYdM7qPtzeyTYfvVIOvvDv93HsBXJg26EsN-cnuplBJ-6AvaY-fZr-dUXndTs2OjXMKovvo2Z-gJYX5uWZKPurLFsB6x-4cRI17_IRo8E-Off/s1600/September+2006+by+Shona+McMillan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKqTPY0lodscPeqMYpEn_BQasi-PdNgBdYdM7qPtzeyTYfvVIOvvDv93HsBXJg26EsN-cnuplBJ-6AvaY-fZr-dUXndTs2OjXMKovvo2Z-gJYX5uWZKPurLFsB6x-4cRI17_IRo8E-Off/s320/September+2006+by+Shona+McMillan.JPG" width="192" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">That night when I went home I got out my camera and I practised a smile - a smile which would reflect the strength my mum was showing to me so that, in turn, I could do my part to let her leave this world as she wanted to. Mum explained she had felt scared and unable to cope when her mother fell ill but as she said to me "it's the way of the world and you will find the strength you need to help you get through just as everyone else has to do when this time arrives".... (and that was true) Yes, I did go out to a book shop to try and find a book, something I could read which would help me find a way to get through that time, something to help me but, in the end I found that I could actually be my greatest help. Just by taking one day at a time the difficult days would pass and eventually sunshine would return. I knew I had seen my mum grieve for her mother but, before granny passed on, I had seen mum fight not to let her own sadness spill through in to granny's last days - so too then for me, I knew I had to try and be as strong. AND I am no different from anyone else - the strength comes to us to tackle things we would think we can not endure. And for me, my challenge began with a smile on my face for my mum when my heart was so heavy inside.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMDyD-uUYU2KvD_fLnxRfwmKb2Fg1srURLG3Y0R8SspKHI12l5BBilY_h9EI7PfRXiRoF8jJFBsagy3Ki6iZxfT14nfAnE6DJRw7_ZQBPVTcwhbSjMJMwQRaWD7K-7vLrZHkezEJ792Q4/s1600/Granny+and+Granda+by+Shona+McMillan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMDyD-uUYU2KvD_fLnxRfwmKb2Fg1srURLG3Y0R8SspKHI12l5BBilY_h9EI7PfRXiRoF8jJFBsagy3Ki6iZxfT14nfAnE6DJRw7_ZQBPVTcwhbSjMJMwQRaWD7K-7vLrZHkezEJ792Q4/s320/Granny+and+Granda+by+Shona+McMillan.JPG" width="177" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Granny & Granda with Venture</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Granny and granda, gone by the time I was 17, mum gone five years ago, my dad (in his 90th year) now lost to dementia. Our culture can shy away from talking about such things but death is as much a part of life as birth. And, as my mum said to me "it's not that death should be feared so much that some will reach that final chapter without ever having really lived". So for me, when I reflect on those gone, yes, I can shed a tear but more often I smile. I remember the good times, I prefer to celebrate the lives of those who have gone before. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">I choose to smile, I smile because life is precious and by creating your own sunshine - it may not brown the skin but it sure can warm the heart. A smile is like sunshine, from and for the heart!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Thinking of my mum's smile, I remembered her laughing and singing with her mother. I also recalled my granda' singing to granny her favourite song "The sunshine of your smile!" I found myself smiling as I recalled it and the two of them laughing. How granny would say "Oh Billy be quiet" when he would sing to her - but smiling with a pride which told him she loved the song and him singing it. My mum in turn, after granny and granda' were gone, how she would sing the song recalling her parents and then today, me with the same song thinking of her. Yes, we can be sad when those we have loved are gone but we can also be so very glad that we have known them and they have shared these special times with us to enrich our lives. In addition, how special it is for us to know, that those who have greatly touched our lives, they still live on with us in our hearts, our thoughts, our memories. True love is a bond that forever endures until, as in the words of the song, life itself is gone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/eLU3hU2DJq8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It seems to me that the power of a smile is something really remarkable, its value is never to be underestimated. Indeed, my philosophy for life being :-D SMILE and pass it on. Life can never run smoothly but when we understand that, we can actively seek to make life better. Positive thinking, it's all in the mind and something as simple and as beautiful as a smile is something that we all can benefit from. As my mum so often said "I pass this way but once, any good I can do then let me for, I may not pass this way again."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">The Value of a Smile </span><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">(anon)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A smile costs nothing but creates much.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It enriches those who receive without</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">impoverishing those who give.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It happens in a flash and the memory </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">of a smile can last a lifetime.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">None are so rich that they can </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">get along without a smile and,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">none are not so poor,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">that they cannot afford a smile.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yet, a smile from the heart cannot </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">be bought, begged, borrowed or stolen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For a smile is of no earthly good until</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">it is given away</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And if ever it happens that some</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">are people too tired to give you a smile</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- then why wait for them but give them</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">a smile left from you to them</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For no one needs a smile so much</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">as those who have none left to give</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">:-D SMILE and pass it on!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: cyan;">I was previously asked by a Cancer Charity to share my experience of losing my mum. However, some things can only be shared when the time seems right. Five years on (and very happy in my life) I chose to share this story today because at some point, someone may be faced with a difficult situation, as I was when I looked for information from others to help me. Yet, until that time comes, we really don't know just what we are capable of and how strong we can be. Therefore, I would hope that what I have written proves a comfort in some way to another. In life we all have to pass through difficult times and now it always helps me to remember the phrase "and this too shall pass". The phrase applies equally to good and bad, saying that we should both find comfort from the fact that our troubles will end just as our good times should fully be enjoyed whilst they visit. Time is indeed so precious, we need to live life to the full and of course, those we have loved would never wish us to be sad but let our pain go so we can reach out and embrace our life - Carpe Diem (Seize the Day!)</span></div>Shona McMillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09411435739838511451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7002856785691498838.post-86000833228206560632011-05-10T10:19:00.000-07:002011-05-21T14:27:59.324-07:00TRY, TRY AND TRY AGAIN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72VXEBTB6rqTbXtewp9DB6WYWgHJPo1MiROdxLoC7CE7FE-9VyjZ2M7q8cZtyzm0udJOo9g59CDTj7i49oHITf-LhMiquZD28soFstG7-313jls8ZOucDEoiB0OzZoXAw0WXm-EGMnlZ_/s1600/9.5.11+%2528a%2529+by+Shona+McMillan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72VXEBTB6rqTbXtewp9DB6WYWgHJPo1MiROdxLoC7CE7FE-9VyjZ2M7q8cZtyzm0udJOo9g59CDTj7i49oHITf-LhMiquZD28soFstG7-313jls8ZOucDEoiB0OzZoXAw0WXm-EGMnlZ_/s320/9.5.11+%2528a%2529+by+Shona+McMillan.JPG" width="217" /></a>The more I have looked at sunsets, the more I have learnt to 'read them.' Each is unique in it's own way but still, something beautiful can come from even the most cloudy evening. As clouds drift across the sun, it might appear that the best of the day has gone but knowledge, patience and perseverence are worthy attributes to hold...</div><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: cyan;">If at first you don't succeed, try, try and try again.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Some spectacular sunsets I have missed because I wasn't in the right place at the right time. But now in my life, when I see and am able to photograph so many beautiful sunsets - does that imply that my luck has changed? My mum used to say "what's for you won't go past you" but, as with all these sayings there's a lot more to understand. To create one's 'own luck' needs a combination of many things and not the least of these is effort, the motivation to keep trying. That thought came to me today, as I looked back through my photos from last night (what hard work goes in to creating your own good luck).</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="color: cyan;">A PHOTO ESSAY: Changing light, fishing and 'goodluck'</span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I like to catch the light as clouds turn pink - we need some 'clouds across the sun' to show up the colourful parts of the sky at its best. When a day clouds over, if the sun sinks below the cloud line, it shines back up and the clouds turn pink. Seeing the banks of cloud build up yesterday, I knew if I waited then 'luck might be on my side'. Finding an area of the shore that would give me a good composition I prepared to wait (and wait and wait and wait). I must have been there for over an hour but I enjoyed watching the birds flying around. I've always wanted to photograph a tern diving for fish but they're so fast. All I could do was line up the shot and try to photograph the moment I saw them turn and dive. Did I get the shot? No I didn't. I was disappointed as I thought I might have got it 'just above' the water (but all I caught was the before, the splash and then after). It's too difficult I thought... But what if the tern missed a fish and decided, no, it's too difficult? The tern will repeat, repeat and keep repeating until it is 'lucky'. And somehow, then the three photos I took seemed to tell a bigger story - a story about life and that "what's for you won't go past you" - as long as you try, try and try again. Goodluck rarely visits by chance (a tern knows that).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The small shape of the tern, on the right against the cloud,<br />
beginning it's dive for a fish (click to enlarge photo)<br />
Shona McMillan © All Rights Reserved<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SPLASH! The tern enters the water<br />
- but I missed the point I was trying to capture<br />
Shona McMillan © All Rights Reserved<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tern emerges successful with a fish<br />
- and I will try to capture the photograph I seek another time<br />
Shona McMillan © All Rights Reserved<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">After my wait on the shore, I hadn't managed to capture the tern (just inches above the water) but, I did learn from my experience. On the first look at my photos I thought "ah, it's too hard" but from a second look I see I am nearly there and with all things we want in life, when the knock backs come we just have to dust ourselves off, get back up and try again. So, did I get the "pink sunset" that I had gone their to capture? Yes, "I was lucky" but then again, I've taken more photos of sunsets than terns. It's all the sunsets I missed which have pushed me on to keep trying to improve. NO FILTERS, NO PHOTOSHOP, NO TRICKS, every single photo in my Blog has been captured by me through the colours of natural light, trial and error.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pale pink sunset over the Firth of Forth<br />
Shona McMillan © All Rights Reserved<br />
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</div>Shona McMillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09411435739838511451noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7002856785691498838.post-73010858081398765872011-05-09T15:59:00.000-07:002011-05-10T06:21:59.031-07:00PEOPLE OF THE LAND<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3Zr7yd_WfaG808dozJXELTt7IwIPK74iChiChY10HgiBuLftCwOhz29jxpgGH6NVR4KspJZG4LL58Vz-hl32lpgB78DEbxG6TvO3tHjDhUZKccsG78JiAS_sMm7du74GQy1rvNO2jHE0/s1600/Dad+and+Collie+by+Shona+McMillan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3Zr7yd_WfaG808dozJXELTt7IwIPK74iChiChY10HgiBuLftCwOhz29jxpgGH6NVR4KspJZG4LL58Vz-hl32lpgB78DEbxG6TvO3tHjDhUZKccsG78JiAS_sMm7du74GQy1rvNO2jHE0/s400/Dad+and+Collie+by+Shona+McMillan.jpg" width="221" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hugh McMillan - fetching the milk at the farm</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">When growing up, the past (even the recent past of your family) can seem something that's very far removed from the life you are living. But, the older you get - the more you realise that you and your generation are not 'unique' in the personal relationships that are built. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Life is like the land and the four seasons which shape our year, here in Scotland: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Like a life itself - the seasons reflect to us the chapters of our life. And if we look, we can see that old family photos can reveal so much to us about our here and now and the legacy that we have inherited from the generations who have lived before. Yet, "to look" is not always so easy because - to do so objectively - we must consider our changing world. And if we want to capture aspects of life for the future - we need to record these while we still can.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi779zAfeqpr_-3a6_iFmLbJI40JjbZ30YTE1KplWSJD0i9qAYJ4ZgqGmOnMUjRDSk6JhRiWSfwaTwi9WyUksulBn6XYYlHlIYQkwcAanvfFQdY-Ufi4Kv19G4GGXH_fjaWISVbj7dRfYn1/s1600/Dad+and+Coo+by+Shona+McMillan.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi779zAfeqpr_-3a6_iFmLbJI40JjbZ30YTE1KplWSJD0i9qAYJ4ZgqGmOnMUjRDSk6JhRiWSfwaTwi9WyUksulBn6XYYlHlIYQkwcAanvfFQdY-Ufi4Kv19G4GGXH_fjaWISVbj7dRfYn1/s400/Dad+and+Coo+by+Shona+McMillan.bmp" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dogs, horses, cows - my dad was always so relaxed around animals <br />
and loved to take our family out in to the countryside<br />
sharing with us his appreciation of nature</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The first photo of my dad above used to sit near the piano in my family home. The picture showed my dad as a boy, an ordinary photo then of him walking with his dog, carrying back milk he had collected at the farm. As a young person, "I knew everything" about that photo that had been taken in Garvald. Yes, all the details of "<em>my dad getting the milk with his dog at the farm</em>" but no specific details in answer to the more searching questions I have today as an adult...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLtFjRrnDWiHDnNEnnnjwsdPtj-s8wvNOWQkZun2PXoWiQyPyBnOIylrBeqU3IKlrXm7bx2nEWWNmAjwji-ZbablmyKxbJ2q8WDRx1BIvHs7sDiyDBV_43-dje9eadUS590zdD3OwBKBw/s1600/Paddling+with+sweep+by+Shona+McMillan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLtFjRrnDWiHDnNEnnnjwsdPtj-s8wvNOWQkZun2PXoWiQyPyBnOIylrBeqU3IKlrXm7bx2nEWWNmAjwji-ZbablmyKxbJ2q8WDRx1BIvHs7sDiyDBV_43-dje9eadUS590zdD3OwBKBw/s320/Paddling+with+sweep+by+Shona+McMillan.jpg" width="289" /></a>My Dad told me how very, very happy his childhood had been as a young boy. Working outdoors with his dad growing vegetables, his dear dog Sweep helping him to herd the cows to the milking at the dairy near to their home by Arthur Seat. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">How much as a boy my dad enjoyed living in this Edinburgh which was (back then) so very different from what it is today. Sheep grazed at Arthur Seat (back then called the King's Park) and from the McMillan home they had a clear view of the Fife coast and in Edinburgh, the fields sloping down to the sea at Seafield and Portobello.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLstvEhadsbG6g7iID9qgOrY4EFjZdJhrNsMMHXfg3YTIT6mG3J70o_c1ctYS_t_VuHhOfqQxQ5gDp7LVgwYJaV45idvb5q1maMgE15gY1WDqrR4nMPiTD1c73eT8Gt0oTs5nx5gobTdEb/s1600/Arthur+Seat+to+the+sea+by+Shona+McMillan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLstvEhadsbG6g7iID9qgOrY4EFjZdJhrNsMMHXfg3YTIT6mG3J70o_c1ctYS_t_VuHhOfqQxQ5gDp7LVgwYJaV45idvb5q1maMgE15gY1WDqrR4nMPiTD1c73eT8Gt0oTs5nx5gobTdEb/s400/Arthur+Seat+to+the+sea+by+Shona+McMillan.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">By the time I grew up, houses had spread out in to the fields but at least a golf course (and the fertile volcanic slopes of Arthur Seat) still ensured a large area of green vegitation. The golf course, just above the beach, "the sands at 'Porty' where my dad enjoyed family days out. Taken by his mum, the portrait above showing my dad in the middle, his father on the left and dad's sister Freda on the right (and of course Sweep the dog which went everywhere with them). Happy family day trips to the beach and then, as an older boy, dad also there with his friends to catch the horses exercised on the sands by troops from Piershill Barracks. (<a href="http://www.edinphoto.org.uk/0_PCV_M/0_post_card_views_pwm_vello_portobello_beach_and_pier_17th_lancers.htm">See Mike Kelly copyright notice</a>).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8-lvoYPwSJXG_tUSxvW1lQKk11J3QQ7LeHISklkjn5ghLoTb-YAYAw7kOqVHGOaoLJZwMYE5Po410SAZqF1EG8LSJjJlZ84vRk0IMy2BiOLQmHJlrTSMeuxG0caOsU5cE28ua813_CCW/s1600/Horses+on+beach%252C+re+Mike+Kelly+notice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8-lvoYPwSJXG_tUSxvW1lQKk11J3QQ7LeHISklkjn5ghLoTb-YAYAw7kOqVHGOaoLJZwMYE5Po410SAZqF1EG8LSJjJlZ84vRk0IMy2BiOLQmHJlrTSMeuxG0caOsU5cE28ua813_CCW/s400/Horses+on+beach%252C+re+Mike+Kelly+notice.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">17th Lancers exercising their horses at Portobello beach</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">After the exercises were finished, the horses would be left to relax on the sands and then, when ready to go - the young boys would help to catch the horses by their reins and for this the troops would give them pennies to spend on some sweets. Life was good! And also, as my dad's dad, was a well known and popular tram driver, my dad would go to see him at work and hitch free rides around the town. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Days seemed full of sunshine and in the evening's dad's mum would often sing and play the piano. Described as a gentle creature, Mary Hardie had actually grown up in the next street to Fred McMillan. They had met young, fallen in love and married but sadly, the life enjoyed took a severe change of direction when my dad was just ten.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvY3YXJz6tVbxX-Mw5P-KLOLsZ9Md0gR087ERijZFOtZGHxCYlhd1YBa4HEcD8zju4WA7k4jXQYwWkDfaf8mSwLjHroE3yeJwnnpxZhyWdt5W96nD3u6BNm4eD1rz6xtjRxiqJluZe7sm/s1600/Mary+and+Fred+McMillan+by+Shona+McMillan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvY3YXJz6tVbxX-Mw5P-KLOLsZ9Md0gR087ERijZFOtZGHxCYlhd1YBa4HEcD8zju4WA7k4jXQYwWkDfaf8mSwLjHroE3yeJwnnpxZhyWdt5W96nD3u6BNm4eD1rz6xtjRxiqJluZe7sm/s320/Mary+and+Fred+McMillan+by+Shona+McMillan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Out of the blue my dad's father died of an anurism. One day he went out to work and then he was 'gone'. The shock and financial burden on his young wife was tremendous. Wanting to help, and now "feeling he had to be the man of the house" my father thought he must do something and so an approach to the RAF was made. At just 11 years old, my dad was accepted in to the service but immediately he was posted down south. My dad's experience was not a happy one. As a family, we heard of his childhood and then his life after meeting mum. And, what is not spoken about but left to go undiscussed - these memories can eventually fade away and maybe be lost forever.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLttqW5fV4dJr_YmKbHBUoAJMgG718k1OcndyGTmIGlNd3hOPadPSr664ypvM0g5l3jZ9OmIHD4QP4oiUz66qNVce_T7I4YqcON3FGV4HF1CrpnHS75bl6JUixPZL7Ej5IaiM77hKxcR19/s1600/Dad%2527s+Life+by+Shona+McMillan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLttqW5fV4dJr_YmKbHBUoAJMgG718k1OcndyGTmIGlNd3hOPadPSr664ypvM0g5l3jZ9OmIHD4QP4oiUz66qNVce_T7I4YqcON3FGV4HF1CrpnHS75bl6JUixPZL7Ej5IaiM77hKxcR19/s400/Dad%2527s+Life+by+Shona+McMillan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It seemed to me that from the moment my mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer my dad began to 'drift' away. 65 days from that diagnosis to her being gone and, after more than 50 years of marriage, my dad was very lost. Increasingly he would ask me questions about the past. The project I started for mum "People of the Sea" - this was a great help because it would bring back memories but not of his life before mum. Painstakingly I searched for photos, read pencil scribbles on the back of them (thanks to Mary McMillan for writing things down!) and then on Father's Day I surprised him with the launch of his very own exhibition for ONE! His reaction was so dramatic, I was taken aback. "You've given me my life back! All my life, the memories before I met your mum that were slipping away, I remember it all, a flood of memories pouring in."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-eA-vu0fJKk5iXU3aNgIqlddf4b2Rp781fjqKXHAY8zz2YHNQG7xk8U1ljDvbEUN2oFIKwb93D1VeWCJni8w__QNuweQoKG0qDS1gzZ9HQ4dlUfa2M5yg90ZLfOTzN3AMpe_7PnQDi77/s1600/Mary+McMillan+by+Shona+McMillan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-eA-vu0fJKk5iXU3aNgIqlddf4b2Rp781fjqKXHAY8zz2YHNQG7xk8U1ljDvbEUN2oFIKwb93D1VeWCJni8w__QNuweQoKG0qDS1gzZ9HQ4dlUfa2M5yg90ZLfOTzN3AMpe_7PnQDi77/s320/Mary+McMillan+by+Shona+McMillan.jpg" width="230" /></a>A window opened in my dad's mind as for more than two hours he spoke without stopping about everything. Details I knew that even mum had never heard - the eighty plus years of the jigsaw puzzle of his life coming together. His loving mum, so gentle, young and happy until he was ten. But sadly, how much the years had aged her when he travelled back up from England to see her again in Edinburgh for that short hello and very distressing long goodbye. How much this photo must have been treasured until - too painful to look at, it was safely put away and then the years passed it by (photos without their story).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu84VrrQ8BBEdiAT5d2rm-TaXaftgMOdKfdVOlpK91ogcpgPvHmwBd0oySO_v32WeHR-T6AXMdGZ5JIdOR7GOaskDpN2STGlO6VpHET0Lhg8X_Ikuv4FhSVWVOOqytLp7JGjTmPzLlIr8u/s1600/Hugh+McMillan+and+his+mother+Mary+by+Shona+McMillan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu84VrrQ8BBEdiAT5d2rm-TaXaftgMOdKfdVOlpK91ogcpgPvHmwBd0oySO_v32WeHR-T6AXMdGZ5JIdOR7GOaskDpN2STGlO6VpHET0Lhg8X_Ikuv4FhSVWVOOqytLp7JGjTmPzLlIr8u/s320/Hugh+McMillan+and+his+mother+Mary+by+Shona+McMillan.jpg" width="235" /></a>The personal cost of economic hardship and the cruel realities of war. Away for a couple of more years, my dad abroad then told his mum was critically ill and given compassionate leave. But rushing to see her, arriving at the hospital "they were leaving her room" - his mum had passed away in that last ten minutes he'd been tried to reach her...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Hearing my dad's full story was pretty shocking - and the great irony was that I was preparing to launch "People of the Sea" (inspired by my mum and only now I was really learning about my dad). Yet suddenly, I understood SO MANY things that explained other parts of my own life. Without any family left around him, when my dad had married my mum from the fishing community, yes, I could see why his concentration had moved to talk only of her family and not want to discuss the extent of the personal loss he had known. Losses which had ultimately distanced him from the opportunities for him to discover details about his ancestors and "People of the Land".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L-R: Aunty Chrissie's friend, Aunt Chris Thorburn, Hugh and Jean McMillan, <br />
Christine Telfer (cousin), Crissie and Billy Thorburn </td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">As a young dating couple, yes I knew my Mum and Dad went on their first ever holiday together to Garvald - but exactly why that had been a special place in dad's childhood I didn't know and don't today. Do I have family there? Who knows... Entering his 90th year, my dad 'technically' lives on but all stories once shared have faded away as the cruel clouds of vascular dementia have rolled in. Too late for new questions, only my own patchwork of gathered information remains to tell me that my dad's folk were once "People of the Land". Recent generations settled in Edinburgh, Musselburgh (East Lothian) and on the far side of the Firth of Forth, the McMillan's worked on farms in Fife, near Kinross and over to the west, perhaps in Stirlingshire. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">If the hills could talk, what stories would I learn but recently (looking at the colours in this photo), a memory came back to me. Sitting in my dad's car some years ago he was outside and had opened the door "Jean, where's my tin?" Mum, reached in to the glove compartment and passed him a travel sweets tin. I didn't pay much attention until I saw mum wink and affectionately say "Aye, Johnny Apple Seed". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9-UcXWWoH7SC7GoIU0JZ0Tsw06kJW1RLAYkJYYCt-0CSmP0bkGa0CkuQdCq1wsIiAKxwXIoC6FGf8hrmV9Bja-_nLfEU7ij3DCFmuGoOsL_I6Ve0KiN3AxES0zSPcuilgOxFgfqhuoPw/s1600/Hugh+McMillan+by+Shona+McMillan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9-UcXWWoH7SC7GoIU0JZ0Tsw06kJW1RLAYkJYYCt-0CSmP0bkGa0CkuQdCq1wsIiAKxwXIoC6FGf8hrmV9Bja-_nLfEU7ij3DCFmuGoOsL_I6Ve0KiN3AxES0zSPcuilgOxFgfqhuoPw/s400/Hugh+McMillan+by+Shona+McMillan.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">When the door closed I asked her what she'd meant. She laughed at their secret "Have you never seen yer faither go one of his wee walks when he stops the car? - He gathers up seed pods from the brightest flowers and then pops them into his pocket. After drying them out at home he collects up all the seeds and they go in to the tin he's gone off with. He'll take a walk, disturb the soil and scatter the seeds in other places so he spreads the flowers around the land" "Really?" I said, absolutely amazed - "Oh yes, he's been doing his bit for nature for years". Quite bemused by this I thought it over and then asked "And so he goes back to see the flowers in bloom?" "Och no" said mum, in a knowing way "that's not the point, he's just trying to leave the world a better place than it was when he came in to it."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Road Home? <br />
In the distance, the farmland from where the McMillan's came from.</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Just last week I went back to the area where 'I believe' some of my dad's people once worked the land. I looked at the colours of the fields and the brightly shining crop of yellow Rapeseed in the distance which more or less marks that spot. I thought of the flowers which plant themselves, the seeds that are scattered by the wind. But then I smiled as I also recalled the sunshine yellow and orange poppies which mysteriously arrived in to my own garden (quietly dropped there along the border of my path by my dad). Such a small effort to spread some colour in to another person's life and yet, each year when I see yellow and orange poppies flower it makes me smile. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Likewise, it was both the McMillan and Thorburn interest in photography which has given me photos I can appreciate and share - like this one taken by my dad of myself, then just a baby in my mum's arms. Looking back, it was on mum's 80th birthday (May 2006) that she asked that her present be a celebration of the People of the Sea. That promise was given by me in laughter without any vision of what would be achieved: exhibitions visited by 12,000 visitors, 2010 Compendium Album of the Year, Creative Project of the Decade 2000-2010 and in 2011, Culture Sparks social media award for Marketing Impact. And now this weekend, my Celtic Reflections blog has had it's 10,000th visitor... So much has come out of the last five years of this work but now, for me personally, a time to begin a new chapter in my life as I take up an exciting new longterm project (<em>quite by chance: my new job beginning on my dad's birthday and from an office overlooking the farmland that my dad's folks came from</em>).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wishing a Happy Birthday in 2011 to my Dad, Hugh McMillan<br />
"People of the Land is inspired by you"<br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;">Looking on the personal work I have been doing (before this new job) I realised that increasingly, I've seen myself taking photographs of those who work on the land. Indeed in 2010, I took the opportunity to specifically go and photograph various friends who were working the land in the Highlands (a second home where I have holidayed all my life). Very keen to take these photos, thinking at the time that the people's skills (such as Peat cutting) the 'know how' to do this was being passed on to less and less folk with each new generation.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFka23t1_y6ih-sE5oJs8wLrXjDAiVo_sr2aXzao-vKqA9q4P5_C2RMsther11y4FfnqA64g6qiJ5qGDrEYiQ1C90HNhFO_2pdvN0cvKUgFxFvD1t-tR9pwqNCzpNaMvdaMnsrbJBGej5_/s1600/Me+by+Shona+McMillan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFka23t1_y6ih-sE5oJs8wLrXjDAiVo_sr2aXzao-vKqA9q4P5_C2RMsther11y4FfnqA64g6qiJ5qGDrEYiQ1C90HNhFO_2pdvN0cvKUgFxFvD1t-tR9pwqNCzpNaMvdaMnsrbJBGej5_/s320/Me+by+Shona+McMillan.JPG" width="254" /></a>In 2010 - 2011, I've been photographing people working the land in the Lothians and Scottish Borders. However, when over in Fife I had an experience last week which signalled to me it was time to start doing something with all these photos. Wanting to know more about my dad's past, I asked a farm labourer who I might speak. Away in the distance of the land behind me, he pointed to a farm saying "ah, you really need to go and speak to the old guy that lives on the hill up there". As I followed the directions and the farm grew nearer - I wondered what to say but we'll never know. Getting out my car I shouted to someone, "which house does the old guy stay in" and the person called back "oh I'm sorry, he has passed away"... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">After that conversation, I sat by the field of Rapeseed that I had first seen from the distance. Watching the sun set over the crop, I felt philisophical about what had happened and decided. Yes, it may well be that I discover absolutely nothing more about my own roots but "no matter to that". I think, just as my dad planted seeds to flower for others to enjoy. Maybe then, my photos will plant positive seeds of thought with those who see them. My photos and stories, maybe nudging some faded memory back in to flower or even, just passing on a smile. Whatever, I am never short of reasons to get out with my camera and enjoy a walk in Scotland's beautiful scenery. I love talking to folks I meet on these walks and also, now that I must surely know nearly every inch of the Edinburgh to Eyemouth coastline - well, I can now look forward to discovering so much more about the People of the Land on BOTH sides of the Firth of Forth, as this new chapter in my life will allow me to. (Anyway, more about my new job in a future blog - as for now, I go to post photos to my Facebook page of this evening's very beautiful sunset - check out <a href="http://www.facebook.com/shonamcmillan.celticreflections.com">http://www.facebook.com/shonamcmillan.celticreflections.com</a> in my May out and about album. The sunset by the Forth tonight, so 'perfect' this evening, it seemed almost to be a Celtic Reflection of the lovely day that I have enjoyed outdoors).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9.05.11: Me enjoying this evening's sunset by the Firth of Forth</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange;">HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange;">- PEOPLE OF THE LAND (and Sea) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange;">A New Chapter Begins</span></div>Shona McMillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09411435739838511451noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7002856785691498838.post-38634060741362490282011-05-06T08:34:00.000-07:002011-05-07T04:54:04.453-07:00SCOTLAND - A NATION ARISES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwGcA_Lv3Y3CFcJIwohBH63KL5aXM5IqYrBn1YamTL3EXIvhACySx7Ovfe2mEaaZHJYCyUAc1hLSf2kGOLxHSffV7qTecW0_U47DYPLJn2ssvsptXAaOAzQcmxBlMxsy9z7g8SfhFkBXp/s1600/Sunset+on+the+old%252C+sunrise+on+the+new+by+Shona+McMillan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwGcA_Lv3Y3CFcJIwohBH63KL5aXM5IqYrBn1YamTL3EXIvhACySx7Ovfe2mEaaZHJYCyUAc1hLSf2kGOLxHSffV7qTecW0_U47DYPLJn2ssvsptXAaOAzQcmxBlMxsy9z7g8SfhFkBXp/s320/Sunset+on+the+old%252C+sunrise+on+the+new+by+Shona+McMillan.JPG" width="218" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Today’s election has shown a landslide swing to the Scottish National Party. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The political map in Scotland has changed overnight So, what does that mean for each of us on a personal, individual level? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A time to </div><div style="text-align: justify;">begin again?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A time for </div><div style="text-align: justify;">new beginnings?</div><br />
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<span style="color: orange;">EARTHQUAKE IN SCOTTISH POLITICS</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.scottishreview.net/KRoy118.shtml">http://www.scottishreview.net/KRoy118.shtml</a> </div> <br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Here, I share with my readers some emails exchanged today. Quiet congratulations from an English woman, to a Scottish woman. <br />
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To put these emails in context - Lets face it, “us Scots” we are NOT perfect and I can feel ashamed of some of the things we can say and do. By this I refer to anti English, racial statements and equally unacceptable ignorance (by the minority) in the form of religious bigotry. Also, in the way that we live... too many Scots place too much emphasis on alcohol and our overall track record in health leaves a great deal of room for improvement. Scottish people we have our failings but I think also that we have our great strengths and most admirable characteristics too. Therefore, at the dawning of a new political landscape, here is a new opportunity for us (as individuals and as a nation) to work together for a better future. Let's not focus on the divides between our political parties or the differences between Scotland and other countries, let's focus more on the benefits of working together in partnership to initiate positive change for the future. In this election, Scotland's people have come together to speak with one voice. This is a proud day for Scotland! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In looking at the bigger picture of our nation's future, as individuals, lets also see the smaller picture - with that in mind, I share the emails exchanged between two women, one English, one Scottish.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: magenta;">Hi Shona, I am so pleased for the Scots! They have their lives back! England? We lost our nation years ago and have little identity left eg: not even allowed to put up our own flag up as when we do we are accused of racism! You Scots have it right! My daughter is half Scots, having a Scottish father (not clear which camp she will fall into now!) </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: magenta;">Better to go with the Scots for a new chance and a fresh start! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: magenta;">Good luck to you all!!!</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: cyan;">Hi, my thanks to you, that's a LOVELY email! Goodness tho', I feel quite WASHED OUT by all this good news - such elation and then some tears too that my mum can't be here to see this proud day. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: cyan;">A day Scotland has waited on for hundreds of years... </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: magenta;">Yes Shona, my former partner (my daughter’s father) he wanted home rule too but he passed away some time ago and now, too late for him and all who have gone before to see this day. But, here is </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: magenta;">the chance for the new generation to pick up the flag of their forefathers. The English today will be so wishing it was them! </span></div><span style="color: magenta;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: magenta;">My Scots ancestry is limited to the 12 century when we fought and lost - lost our land in Scotland and ended up in England and became English as our new generations followed, like the many who settled here from other countries. And others in my family they emigrated abroad. But, for the ones who stayed, today is a day when a new nation arises! Good luck to all of Scotland for her future and from everyone here down south we will be thinking the same (even if secretly!!!) The birth of a new brave nation arising from the old, it’s great!!! </span><span style="color: magenta;">Have a good weekend, I have a bottle of champagne and I will toast to my daughter’s new independent country!!! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thanks for reading my Blog and I leave you with one of the greatest songs written by Robert Burns, this version sung by Sheena Wellington at the opening of the Scottish Parliament on the 1st of July 1999. Today on the 6th of May it is the start of an equally proud new beginning. Now as we move forward – let us do so in partnership. Let everyone pull together for Scotland’s future, for Scotland’s people. This is a new beginning and a new nation arises.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/anYHBwOF2cY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><br />
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</div></div>Shona McMillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09411435739838511451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7002856785691498838.post-8527367054939095412011-04-25T07:17:00.000-07:002011-04-25T10:35:24.330-07:00TIME TO BEGIN AGAIN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSlqy9b2l1kjZFg0Wa6LVkCoInkmZbNv0_VrJGBhhO6gaR6SM8xWPCV6wuUoMZJu6QPIzWYDiC3fDpr3AET-Rc04EFgED3j_zoCV0qjcTgom1gMcAm5c1IC_gTDs-W4AJtsVy0yBGGqEK/s1600/Berwick+Law+Sunrise+by+Shona+McMillan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSlqy9b2l1kjZFg0Wa6LVkCoInkmZbNv0_VrJGBhhO6gaR6SM8xWPCV6wuUoMZJu6QPIzWYDiC3fDpr3AET-Rc04EFgED3j_zoCV0qjcTgom1gMcAm5c1IC_gTDs-W4AJtsVy0yBGGqEK/s320/Berwick+Law+Sunrise+by+Shona+McMillan.JPG" width="235" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Easter Sunday was a perfect day for me, from start to finish. A frosty sunrise, to a sunny, increasingly warm day with a hot afternoon before the evening clouded over again. By then, I welcomed the drop in temperature. Nevertheless, at the hottest time of the day, how pleasant it was to have sat under trees by a loch watching butterfllies - such delicate creatures to have come through the last harsh winter. Easter seems to be the time, when all around us we can see Nature's hand in the creation of new life beginning again.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-DbRu0N4pNzglqevMBJ4HfI7eiZEcCjZGE1nLM8izO5lvdgJ8l-zYyQNX7bfhLh7v8z9WJRxQU34skKffq_xT98t7u66bS_KAMpq6bd6nZQXBH9kct3w5C-eD5u1tE13isCJGQEQD3yC/s1600/Peacock+Butterfly+by+Shona+McMillan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-DbRu0N4pNzglqevMBJ4HfI7eiZEcCjZGE1nLM8izO5lvdgJ8l-zYyQNX7bfhLh7v8z9WJRxQU34skKffq_xT98t7u66bS_KAMpq6bd6nZQXBH9kct3w5C-eD5u1tE13isCJGQEQD3yC/s320/Peacock+Butterfly+by+Shona+McMillan.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">Yesterday, invited to visit an art exhibition in a church, at the venue there were bookmarks with the picture of a butterfly settled on some blossom and the statement "Easter, time to begin again" - an interesting selection of words open to many interpretations. Later, looking at butterfly photographs I had just taken, I thought again about the bookmark phrase in connection with words a best friend had read to me on Good Friday. Whilst on the phone, she accidently knocked items to the floor and stopping to pick these up, she read to me some words from where a book's page had opened - beginning with the sentence about time, that "There is a right time for everything: A time to be born and a time to die." And we had talked about this, myself remembering my mum saying "people fear death and yet, some die without ever having lived and that should be feared much more." How precious was our time, our share of life.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: cyan;">TIME: There is a right time for everything; </span></strong></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaLAdS1M_NENqGdHxeio8cO5Fu62w41MZyeoTzDR0wv_rWYsJEvs8yau8rL05Op5oPtZ-lEsbkcDKNPfC2_hRaZSDq85Y5dkTETyZs5fV9hdzl0ssYR5eVCT9glUZST94NeIhwVHYNwa6/s1600/Orange+Tip+Butterfly+by+Shona+McMillan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaLAdS1M_NENqGdHxeio8cO5Fu62w41MZyeoTzDR0wv_rWYsJEvs8yau8rL05Op5oPtZ-lEsbkcDKNPfC2_hRaZSDq85Y5dkTETyZs5fV9hdzl0ssYR5eVCT9glUZST94NeIhwVHYNwa6/s320/Orange+Tip+Butterfly+by+Shona+McMillan.JPG" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is a right time for everything; <br />
A time to be born, a time to die</td></tr>
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">A time to plant; </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">A time to harvest; </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">A time to kill; </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">A time to heal; </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">A time to destroy;</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">A time to rebuild;</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">A time to cry;</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">A time to laugh;</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">A time to grieve;</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">A time to dance;</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">A time for scattering stones;</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">A time for gathering stones;</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">A time to hug; </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">A time not to hug; </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">A time to find; </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">A time to lose;</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEv5PE1ig03MXUEeX-x4U6VatJqdnZJQet-U1S41xmDoPRY7eWqFHnZy_l2LU43cpJV7mxPgn6c68elTs1zwpA9ZIzgrynDNhJdz0K5u7kQoJGketKGFHNoqHNzdZFModzbv_u3QPaaakq/s1600/Apple+Blossom+by+Shona+McMillan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; height: 302px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 258px;"><img border="0" height="200" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEv5PE1ig03MXUEeX-x4U6VatJqdnZJQet-U1S41xmDoPRY7eWqFHnZy_l2LU43cpJV7mxPgn6c68elTs1zwpA9ZIzgrynDNhJdz0K5u7kQoJGketKGFHNoqHNzdZFModzbv_u3QPaaakq/s200/Apple+Blossom+by+Shona+McMillan.JPG" width="170" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easter - Time to begin again?</td></tr>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">A time for keeping;</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">A time for throwing away;</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">A time to tear; </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">A time to repair;</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">A time to be quiet; </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">A time to speak up;</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">A time for loving; </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">A time for waiting; </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">A time for war; </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">A time for peace.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">All around nature is beginning again, flowers coming in to bloom, young animals being born, birds nesting on eggs soon to hatch. To do something 'again', some can focus on an action being repeated because it wasn't done correctly the first time around. Yet surely, it is more liberating to focus on the positive - that with wisdom from past experiences, a person can take a new opportunity to "begin again". So, here is to new beginnings at the start of a New Year, at Easter or indeed, whenever they are taken - "Life is to be lived!" </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9qxDrL2ZFqU3A4aGd5sD8jfrAUtNmXlknYwJXx5RCAMieSTpgA-qzqNDY-9R8U3eCLj-cSqbbK86BTOXdv629SrizwrInwkmnX43gKobn9qyVM2jP9ml7frUmVyTOkaYMADiFmO-zD8VL/s1600/Swan+at+Loch+by+Shona+McMillan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9qxDrL2ZFqU3A4aGd5sD8jfrAUtNmXlknYwJXx5RCAMieSTpgA-qzqNDY-9R8U3eCLj-cSqbbK86BTOXdv629SrizwrInwkmnX43gKobn9qyVM2jP9ml7frUmVyTOkaYMADiFmO-zD8VL/s400/Swan+at+Loch+by+Shona+McMillan.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="text-align: justify;"></div><div align="center" style="text-align: justify;">The verse above about 'Time' is from the Bible, Ecclesiastes Chptr 3. And I think, whether a person is religious or not, The Bible can make interesting, thought provoking reading. In this chapter, the passage moves on to question "What does a person really get from hard work" and states "Everything is appropriate in its own time." We can not see from the beginning to the end of eternity but we can conclude "there is nothing better than to be happy and to enjoy oneself as long as possible - to eat, drink and enjoy the fruits of our labour."</div><div align="center" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ49T7I9BYGNfy9ScVpeg_9Bmw2XlrBDtdooI9X7Kqck5OofpHCdoJmzVu_kvaHDRPIVg6TGXcQYgw6RDEGv1dUQeV2mzSy_KNzvFMaf8VG6FB6hLHk5Pi6NDNHFBvvUED5psLreYAwUmP/s1600/Boat+at+Loch+by+Shona+McMillan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ49T7I9BYGNfy9ScVpeg_9Bmw2XlrBDtdooI9X7Kqck5OofpHCdoJmzVu_kvaHDRPIVg6TGXcQYgw6RDEGv1dUQeV2mzSy_KNzvFMaf8VG6FB6hLHk5Pi6NDNHFBvvUED5psLreYAwUmP/s400/Boat+at+Loch+by+Shona+McMillan.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="text-align: justify;">With a smile, I could translate the above as knowing when it's the right time to go with the flow and when instead, it's the time to paddle as hard as you can! Yes, sometimes, it is best to drift down stream with the current but, at other times, you need to face the immediate situation - find the strength required to paddle your own boat against the flow, safely steering your own course (as best as you can) through whatever storm in life it is that you face. </div><div align="center" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYENRBeM2mlnHKTRP0Al0BzeROy_p2LZIPFxHb1m0OqNknTt8o9DpBcX1fpV90NiFrMOWA-oDzKCezjWvMIKcJg6IkDn5oMoZSBsOPAWPVlFnT6A7p829BuHCIWAdCdrubH0sHB3agaIg5/s1600/Yellowcraigs+sunshine+by+Shona+McMillan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYENRBeM2mlnHKTRP0Al0BzeROy_p2LZIPFxHb1m0OqNknTt8o9DpBcX1fpV90NiFrMOWA-oDzKCezjWvMIKcJg6IkDn5oMoZSBsOPAWPVlFnT6A7p829BuHCIWAdCdrubH0sHB3agaIg5/s400/Yellowcraigs+sunshine+by+Shona+McMillan.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div align="center" style="text-align: justify;">Yet, after the storm, embracing the need to pull your boat safely up on to the shore, taking time out for a walk to relax and reflect. By a loch, on a beach or looking down from a hill at the beauty below. Anywhere scenic is always a great place to think and focus the thoughts so that calm and refreshed we are ready to "begin again".</div><br />
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</div><div align="center" style="text-align: justify;">Easter Sunday, my day perfect from start to finish. Some clouds at sunrise causing the sun to illuminate the sky with an orangey hue. Then the continuing sunshine warming up the earth so that dormont butterflies took to the air. Then in the evening, after a long, hot day, the temperature finally dropped and by then, high above East Lothian on the Duns Road, I watched the misty clouds roll over the Firth of Forth. Time, is as always moving on. Easter Sunday drawing to a close before the start of the post holiday working week and my Monday morning - a time to begin again.</div><div align="center" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div>Shona McMillanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09411435739838511451noreply@blogger.com0