The Sunday Roast

Granny' s Web Will Captivate You

And She Does Spin Such A Good Yarn

It is my very great pleasure to introduce a special lady this week whom we all love.

She was the very first person, ever, to comment on my first post - so to me you are very special, Granny, and you come from Lancashire, like me to boot!

This week's interview is with Marian,
who writes the blog Granny on the Web .

Thank you Granny

Here's the first of the standard questions. Why do you blog?

I first was introduced (reluctantly) to computers in 2000. (Another long story) Hooked from day one, I was doing more and more playing around in things that interested me, photos, email, music, and web wandering. I had looked up something, can't remember now what, and one of the Google answers was a blog post by Ken. I thought to myself, who is this chap and what is he blabbering on about? As I read on back through his posts, I then realised he had 'comments' left from other people and they had posts too. I was intrigued. So I investigated, and set up a blog of my own. It stayed sort of empty a long time, as I got cold feet when I read that too much detail put out on the web, opened the gates of hell and all the world would come to my door! I picked up again later when feeling a bit more comfortable. Now I realise how wonderful it is to read about things going on all over the world, about people and their lives, wonderful photographs such as Abe has on his bird and other blogs he posts, and gradually I added more and more as I read comments on other blogs and went to their site and read theirs... it can go on and on infinitum. Now I blog to give others a smile or something of interest every day.

What's the story behind your blog name?

My younger grandchildren nick-named me' Nannie, the one on the tooter', to distinguish me from their other grandmothers. It was my eldest one, who a few years back (she is now 24) who screeched one day when she visited me ' MY GRANNY IS ON THE WEB". She was amazed that anyone my 'age' would be on the WWW.... she was so uneducated! ( I must add she screeched even more and nearly wet herself when she came for a visit, and I had got an iphone)
So when I was doing something and I had to have profile name, I chose this one.

What is the best thing about being a blogger?

I suppose I went on a bit in the first question about all the good things about being a blogger. I think to add to that, it is the community link with young and old, to hear about adoptions, babies, weddings, ups and downs of life, pains and prayers going back and forth, tips and quips, laughter and tears... and fears. To see and hear about places I before never heard of.

What key advice would you give to a newbie blogger?

I don't know if I am equipped to give advice as such, except to say, keep at it and visit as many other bloggers as you can, you are bound to find someone you have empathy with, share the same sort of existence or lifestyle, or just some one who you find of great interest and can relate to.

What is the most significant blog post you've ever read?

There are so many that have struck chords, but if I have to choose one.
I have great empathy with LILY and her struggle with her ongoing senile parent, 'been there done that and wore the Tshirt'.
This particulate post I nominated for post of the week, but that fell on no ones ears, sadly. She tries to give humour to her ongoing struggle with her mother, whilst juggling all the other balls in the air at the same time.

What is the most significant blog post you've ever written?

I haven't written it yet!
I wish I was as good with words as Penny, but I'm not! Wish I was as good with the camera as Abe, as good with a cartoon as Gee, as optimistic as Bernie, or as prolific with the stories as Eddie, but I'm not , and it's too late to expect the grey cells to absorb more skills, they are shedding by the millions daily!

If you were to suggest two blogs for roasting who would you pick, and why?

'There are many blogs which for me personally strike chords. I am not able to say why, just that on visiting, even briefly for a nosy when reading a comment they left for someone else, that first encounter intrigued me, impressed me, or cheered me. Scriptorsenex at Rambles In My Chair is one of them. This chap I admire, not least because he lives in my birth county, but mainly because of his wit and get up and go; and when my aches and pains give me Gyp I remind myself of his health problems and my own pale to insignificance.
and secondly... gosh this is so hard because I am surely spoilt for choice, I really like visiting Val's Diary . An ordinary lady, like myself, but her posts have great interest and though I haven't been with her long, I still find her most entertaining and rewarding.

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Today's Sunday Roast with Marian is the 88th in a weekly
series of interviews with bloggers from around the world.
_____________________________________________________

This interview will feature in The Roll of Honour
for all published Roasts. To view press HERE ________________________________________________

No More Bad News Please

World!!

Hear me!
No more bad news please!
or . . . . . I'll go absolutely bananas!! That's it for doom and gloom. As the old song goes.

Que Sera, Sera
Whatever will be will be
The future's not our's to see
Que Sera, Sera

Thanks for all your support and I am trying very hard not to go bananas!!

But if anything else goes wrong I might be a banana split!

Better make sure I don't trip up on a banana skin!

I shall post a nice roast tomorrow - someone we know and love very much.

Bye for now

And Now My Sister Has A Medical Problem

I really cannot fathom what has hit our family in recent days with all this bad news - it always seems to come in a deluge of travesties doesn't it?

It is now my sister, Maggie May, who has a Health Issue.

First, I thank you for your prayers and good wishes for my wife, Maria.
It seems as though the drugs are containing the cancer at the moment and we hope and pray they may continue to do so for as long as possible.

I know most of you will know Maggie's husband, Harry, has been suffering from Prostate Cancer for seven years.

And now, recently Maggie found a lump in her groin and had this investigated.
It seems that there is a strong possibility this is a form of cancer as well.

On Monday Maggie is undergoing surgery and again I would ask all my friends to rally round and give her your support and prayers.

Maggie has posted this incident in much more detail and I am linking this post to her blog site, Nuts In May. To see it please press HERE.

May God Bless you Maggie and keep you in His loving care.

My Wife's Hospital Check Up

Today, Thursday, my wife and I go for her check up at the Oncology Department. My wife is a very strong person, particularly mentally, and this has driven her to cope with all that life can throw at her in the physical world, including her breast cancer thirteen years ago and how wonderfully she coped and overcame this evil disease, affecting so many in our day, including some of our friends in blogland - I can name three right now.

This time it is a lot harder for her because her lymphodaema has caused her arm and hand to swell and hurt, and her shoulder is giving her problems. Recently her leg has become problematic as well. I wish I could take it away from her . . . it hurts me so much to see her suffer like that. I love her so very much, I have always done so and always will - we have been together for 36 years which is a long, long time.

I cannot help thinking back to Biblical times when I am sure Jesus cured these problems regularly. I ask you to pray for my wife and I ask my Lord for a cure her if it is in accordance with His will.

Miracles still happen today, sometimes through prayer.

Many will know, I am a strong Christian, with very devout beliefs - indeed I have met many blogging friends with similar intense beliefs. It is almost as if this is by design rather than coincidence and I am certain in time the ramifications of all this will become evident of just why so many have been 'put together' so to speak.

I know some readers will be amazed at this statement, including perhaps someone or persons outside the blogging community whom I have wronged of late and to whom I convey my unreserved and sincere apologies.

On the subject of Faith I am reminded of a conversation I had with my dear cousin Roden, sadly no longer with us. He was an atheist, a strong one. You might say he was an evangelical atheist. He shouted it from the roof tops. Intellectually he was on a much higher plateau than I could ever aspire to.

Roden was light years ahead of me. So I knew he could make mince meat of me if we ever discussed this subject, knowing I had strong Christian beliefs. The contest did begin one day and I was well and truly on the ropes.

I said two things to him.I said, "You believe that when we die it is curtains, the lights go out and that is it - eternal unawareness of anything. I believe I have a distinct advantage in my argument because I believe death is a door to a much better life. If I am right I shall be in the unique position of being able to say, 'I told you so', If you are right you won't say it and I won't hear you."

The second thing I said was, "If we are lucky we might live until we are 70 or if we have all our faculties 80 or 90 or even 100. Then you say that's it - eternal nothing!" For a Christian we have the hope of eternal life in perfect happiness for ever and for ever! All we have to do is to chose Jesus. In my book there is absolutely no contest - what's a 100 years of ordinary life against an eternity of bliss - I just don't get it why so many reject."

Anyway, sadly Roden remained with his atheist viewpoint until he died 8 years ago.
He was a nice man, and cousin whom I admired and respected and looked up to yet unfortunately he just could not be a little child again and accept his Saviour. I just hope and pray I see him again on day, and if I do I shall not say, "I told you so". I am not a chap to do that sort of thing.

________________________________

It is two weeks since I left the Ambulance Service and I have been a busy lad with decorating a couple of bedrooms. Even with this awful hip I am having to cope with I am managing to climb up ladders to paint and decorate - something I have always enjoyed. Indeed some may know I did this professionally for 15 years before I undertook ambulance work.

I will keep you posted about the hospital visit and thank you in advance for your prayers - I know some of my email Christian friends are supporting us and I thank you so much for this.

The Sunday Roast

Oh Boy! This Nifty Fifty Certainly Has The X-Factor

This week's interview is with Joanna Jenkins,
who writes the blog The Fifty Factor.

Thank you Joanna

(This interview was initiated by David at Authorblog and I am privileged to publish it)

Here's the first of the standard questions. Why do you blog?

Honestly, I get a kick out of clicking the “publish” button and seeing my words on the screen. That and, in the beginning, it was all about having something to do each day. I’d recently retired from a 60+ hour work week and my days lacked structure and a sense of accomplishment. Writing daily helped me transition from a workaholic to a life with more balance and broader interests. After about a month, I realized how much I enjoyed writing, something I’d never done before, and how much I appreciated the interaction with other bloggers.

What's the story behind your blog name?

I was crazed about having recently turned fifty years old. In hindsight, I should have named it something else because I don’t like being fifty-something or even saying the word! But, everyone kept saying “50 is the new 40” and since I was trying to “reinvent myself” it sounded like a good idea at the time.

What is the best thing about being a blogger?

Dare I say comments? Not in the literal sense of the word, although comments are nice, but for the interaction with people from around the world.

I had never read a blog before I started my own. Hard to imagine now, but it was not on my radar or anything I thought I would ever participate in. Now I read a wide variety of blogs by people from all walks of life. Some blogs are by accomplished writers, some are hysterically funny, some are simple daily diaries, others are photography focused, some are exquisite poetry, others great fiction. Regardless of the type or quality of writing, I feel connected on some level to the bloggers I follow on a regular basis. I know everyone says it, but I like the connection, the exchange of ideas, the comments back and forth, the friendships, and reading what a global community has to say.

What key advice would you give to a newbie blogger?

I’ve only been blogging for 9 months so I’m no expert, but I will say if you enjoy blogging keep doing it. But don’t do it for followers or comments or dreams of a new career -- Do it for yourself.
That said, if you want people to read your blog, you have to get out there and read other blogs that are of interest to you, leave meaningful comments and invite others to read your blog.
Add a signature block on your emails with your blog URL and name. It’s hard to keep track of blog names, user names, individual names and email addresses. Having it all in one place makes it easier for the blogger receiving your email to identify who you are --- and to link back to your blog
And, Word Verification is a pain. I swear, I lose half the comments I write because word verify is slow to appear and I’ve already clicked off the page. I don’t use it and I don’t get a ton of SPAM.

What is the most significant blog post you've ever read?

I’ve read many great blogs that have left me inspired, in a puddle of tears or with a heart filled with joy. Three posts come to mind:

One of the very first blogs I read was Lilly’s Life. Her post about her neighborhood on fire blew me away, I Still Love a Sunburnt Country

Holly Dieter has a blog I read daily. She did a beautiful post on grieving that I’ve read and passed on several times, The Gift Of Grief

And just recently I read a stunning post commemorating the 8th anniversary of the September 11th attacks on America by King Of The New York Hacks

What is the most significant blog post you've ever written?

I’m not sure my writing qualifies as “significant”, but one post in particular meant a lot to me. I’d realized I was following in my grandmother’s footsteps and wrote about it, I've Become My Grandmother

If you were to suggest two blogs for roasting who would you pick, and why?

I have not just two but six in mind - all must reads. All are terrific writers and all have loyal followings. I think most have received David's POTD nominations or named as outright winners.

Holly Dietor - Your Mother Knows But Won't Tell You
Alix - Casa Hice
Brian Miller - Waystation One
Braja - Lost and Found in India
Debbie - Suburb Sanity
Margaret - Nanny Goats in Panties

Thanks to Eddie and David McMahon. This was a real treat. Joanna Jenkins, The Fifty Factor

(Note from Eddie - Thank you Joanna for these recommendations (can't you count? LOL) - all great choices. One is in progress already, others approached and Brajar was featured in July this year. Readers, Brajar's Roast is well worth another look - to see it press HERE)

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Today's Sunday Roast with Joanna is the 87th in a weekly
series of interviews with bloggers from around the world.
__________________________________________________

This interview will feature in The Roll of Honour
for all published Roasts. To view press HERE
__________________________________________________

Retirement From The Ambulance Service

Eddie Hangs Up His Ambulance Boots
4 years - gone in a flash!

It was a heart rending decision, and a heart rending experience but an inevitable outcome to my current circumstances - family and health.

I was in the service for 4 years and loved it - everything about it

Patient care, comradeship, the buzz from helping people, interface with professional people including nurses, sisters, matrons and sometimes doctors, driving fast RRV cars and Four by Four Range Rovers, turning peoples' heads, treating the job with respect and earning it in return.

And sadly now all this is gone because today I handed in that uniform I wore so proudly and was so privileged to wear for such a short time.

I resigned my position in favour of retirement, and I did it on Friday after deciding this option was the only one available to me. On Monday I handed back the uniform I loved so much.

I had opted to carry on working after 65 because in general I am very fit and strong, being sufficiently healthy to continue for at least two more years. But I was let down badly by an ailing hip which is getting worse. X-Rays and hospital specialists have confirmed I require a hip replacement. I am on the NHSS waiting list and I can expect surgery from 2-4 months. The pain is sometimes excruciating and I sometimes require a walking stick - funny an ambulance man limping along like that! Perhaps the patient could wheel me!! This situation just could not go on, even though my company had asked me to undertake some non ambulance essential assignments to which I gladly agreed.

My hip situation was one issue, but by far the major reason is the situation regarding my wife's health. 13 years ago my wife had breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy with following treatment, radiotherapy and chemotherapy plus a 5 year course of Tamoxifen hormone treatment drugs. This was all successful for about 9 years but unfortunately my wife experienced secondary breast cancer which attacked her right shoulder, some ribs, pelvis and part of her back. One of the drugs has failed and she has been prescribed another drug which we hope and pray will hold the cancer at bay for a long time. But we do not know what the outcome will be . . . . . or how long we have left together.

So my main reason for retiring from the ambulance service is to spend more time with my wife, during which time no doubt I shall hear her magic words, "I have a little list of jobs for you, my dear!"

"Oh no! been and gone and done it now!"

As you can see my Bluelights have not been extinguished, nothing could do that!! I aim to keep these burning way into the future.

You may have noticed I posted a prayer for Janine recently and at the back of my mind when composing the post, I had my wife high in my thoughts along with Janine who I hope and pray may be spared of any further necessity for treatment. But for my wife I am sorry to say it is a reality that secondary breast cancer is really there - may God bless her and grant us time together. I want to be near her for as long as I can.

"But what about all those ambulance stories?" you may be asking.

Have no fear! They will come, along with more Wizard of Oz when I have done a little more roasting!

The Sunday Roast

 Lola says 'Ciao and Buon Appetito'

If we bumped into this lovely young Italian/American lady in Rome I am sure most of us would know her immediately as our dear bloggy friend.  Here she is tempting us with yet another delicious bunch of grapes. I think I might have slightly more difficulty recognising her from the second photo until perhaps she might say, "Hey, Edoardo Luciblù, it's me!"  That's Italian folks for Eddie Bluelights.

This week's interview is with Eleonora "Lola" Baldwin
who writes the blog Aglio, Olio & Peperoncino.

Thank you Lola

(This interview was initiated by David at Authorblog and it is my pleasure to publish it)

Here's the first of the standard questions. Why do you blog?

I came to the blogosphere to learn. And I did. I learned that trying to get exposure for my freelance writing, and luring potential publishers into considering my manuscript is only what initially drew me to blogland. I learned that pretty soon I came back each day to learn more. It began as a food blog and now it’s a regular journal of not merely things I cook, but also feel, see and live out. I began blogging to peer out of a new window, and here I am inviting in, absorbing, chatting, counselling, weeping, laughing, enjoying the triumphs and sharing the tragedies of the authors of the blogs I interact with. I learn each day that blogging is an opportunity to enrich my life and those of others. Mostly I learn that — for all I thought I’d learned — there is far more I still haven’t.

What's the story behind your blog name?

“Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino” is a popular Italian recipe and a favourite of mine. A quick-fix solution made with three simple ingredients, besides the pasta of choice (usually spaghetti) they are: garlic (aglio), oil (olio) and spicy red chilli pepper (peperoncino). These three seemingly unconnected, rather unobtrusive elements, when simmered together in a wide-bottomed skillet, create a sinful mixture that bestows immediate satisfaction. It also constitutes the base for a majority of Italian recipes: just add shrimp and you have a tasty seafood entree, spill it over crushed raw tomatoes and basil, and you have foodgasm-pasta, sauté it with fresh greens and you’ll get a droolworthy side dish. I chose the Tasty Trinity as name for my food ramblings because I hoped to reflect – similarly to the writing within – redolent aromas, supple textures and a hint of chilli pepper spice: a toothsome base on which to cook up a myriad topics and aspects of myself.

What is the best thing about being a blogger?

I love the freedom of being me. Blogland is a place where I am entitled to talk about whatever I want, without worrying if others are interested. I can celebrate my life without feeling conceited. Or narcissistic. I can share my recipes and snippets of Italian lifestyle without fearing I am pushing them on anyone. I can connect with others that share my same interest. Mostly, I can connect with those that help me to see life from a different point of view. Blogging makes me feel loved by and connected to the world in a way I've never felt before. Daily blogging has become so much more than just posting-reading-commenting: it’s rather like a virtual tour around the world. I go on a nature walk in Germany; I attend a literary discussion in France. I pray with a friend in Canada, and then I drink Pimms in a garden in England. I go on a photo safari in South Africa, bow to Ganesha in a palace in Jaipur, and go surf in California. I eat sweet potato soup in Queensland, do some gardening in Oregon, drive down a trail in Montana, and I laugh with new friends all over the globe all in the same day. Not only is this trip free of charge, but I receive swag full of advice, kudos and affection too! And then there’s that other small detail, the Cascading Generosity, I call it. And I don’t mean the free give-aways. I mean the other stuff bloggers give out daily: information. Everyone I “meet” seems eager to share what they know. And some of my blogFriends have gone so far as to send me actual gifts in the snail mail too! On different occasions, I have received artwork, handwritten letters, audio CDs, books, beautifully crafted notes and photos, toys, markers and paintings for my son. One fellow blogger is even planning to start an overseas food exchange!

What key advice would you give to a newbie blogger?

I’ve only been blogging for 7 months, so I can’t consider myself the seasoned advice-giver. I got a better understanding of what blogging means only fairly late—how wide and deep the blogosphere really is—and how much impact blogging continues to have. The essence of the experience of blogging for me is exploring everything about ourselves, and the world outside us. My advice is to dive in, be yourself and pay it forward. I envy and admire those men and women who plunged into blogging first; and I’m filled with gratitude for the way they are mentoring the rest of us. I think the blogosphere is still in its early explorative stages—so in a sense I feel like we are all pioneers. The pace of change is happening at a speed so fast we can’t even grasp it; the rules are breaking before they are made.

What is the most significant blog post you've ever read?

The touching A Different Flame by Maithri Goonetilleke, author of the blog The Soaring Impulse. It deeply moved me and gave me a forward thrust towards understanding how useful blogging is in bringing help to the underprivileged. I stumbled upon Maithri fairly soon after I began exploring blogland, and it was love at first post. I have an enduring nostalgia and totally delirious adoration for Africa, the place that immediately felt like home, and where later my son was conceived. Maithri’s words brought me back to the Motherland’s warm and mysterious nights, its sheltering sky and its perennial suffering. His post showed a side of Africa that many of us pretend is not there.Another soul-stirring writer and blogFriend is Erin, author of the weblog Woman in A Window. All the very personal posts - and poems published on her other site “In Through the Back Door” - cause overwhelming emotional tsunamis too.

What is the most significant blog post you've ever written?

Many of my posts are personal accounts in to which I sneak a recipe. The Source and Wedding Crashers are perhaps the two I enjoyed writing the most.But I also publish posts where I bare myself, my family and my experiences, opening up to places where I share secrets and innermost feelings and emotions. The ones I am most proud of are stories that – in one way or another – deal with children: E’s flowers Tiny heroes The sky’s on fire

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Today's Sunday Roast with Lola is the 86th in a weekly
series of interviews with bloggers from around the world.
______________________________________________________

This interview will feature in The Roll of Honour
for all published Roasts. To view press HERE ______________________________________________________

Janine Undergoes Surgery Today

Wings of Hope

My post today is dedicated to my very good and wonderful friend Janine of Sniffles and Smiles. We started out in blogland at the same time and we have been friends right from the start.

Today, Wednesday, she undergoes surgery for a rib biopsy to explore whether cancer has spread to her bones from her original breast cancer.

Janine covers this in detail on her blogsite.

We all love you, Janine, and I ask God to look after you and to protect you.

I ask everyone to think of Janine today and pray with me God will keep her safe and well.

Jesus, tender shepherd hear me

Bless thy little lamb tonight

Through the darkness be thou near me

Watch my sleep 'til morning light.

_________

God Bless you, Janine and I will be there with you, holding your hand

Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?

For those wishing to see Kathleen's Sunday Roast please press HERE and then please return for this little bombshell!__________________________________________________

Right, come on! guess who did come to dinner that memorable night?You'll be amazed who did drop in for the celebrations!!

With all this recent heavy activity of Roasts, Posts and Toasts, now in well under control, this is an opportune moment for me to discuss my big event, occurring last week.

My 65th Birthday Dinner, no less - "Crumbs!", you might say, "He looks MUCH younger than that!! - I am amazed!"

Well, maybe so and maybe not, but the lad is wearing well with the exception of one hip which is due for replacement in a couple of months. But as for the food - not exactly crumbs!

Rump Steak, to be more precise, was my choice from the menu for my special 65th birthday treat, organised by my lovely and thoughtful wife.

Thank you Darling for everything and for inviting such distinguished guests!

It's incredible how time has passes so quickly - I remember well when I wore long trousers for the first time, spoke in a much higher voice and once experienced the wonderful state of never having to worry about all the the things adults do. I can recall even some events right back to the age of three, like when I had a double hernia operation and someone thrust a gas mask over my face - men in green gowns wearing green Wellington Boots outside the operating theatre. Obviously this must have made a significant impression on me.

These 65 years have gone - IN A FLASH.

I was with the family celebrating this most unwelcome milestone in my life, yet most welcome in other respects, seated in a little restaurant, just outside Bristol, and whilst we all awaited our meals we rested and jested prior dining on treats about to be ingested and digested.

Each guest kindly presented me with their gift which I opened with the wild abandon of a child whilst endeavouring to maintain a modicum of discipline befitting a gentleman of progressing years.

I singled out a target present and opened a well wrapped and attractive package, received from my God Son, Sam. Out popped this fabulous T- shirt which I held proudly across my chest.

"Oh how apt!", I remarked gleefully whilst jumping up and down with excitement.

"Oh no not blogging again", protested the Mrs, "I wish I could see the back of all that, particularly today - you are always at it! - I just cannot understand what the attraction is doing this hour after hour! day after day! week after week! You're an addict!

I see I'm flogging a dead horse but I do wish I could see the back of that tea shirt tonight of all nights!"

"Certainly, my dear! your wish is my command!" said I turning the garment a full 180 degrees, "I shall certain show you the back of it . . . . . . . . . . and tonight! . . . . just as you asked!"

When she saw this she laughed just as loudly as the rest of us.

This chaos and mirth captured the imagination of someone in the restaurant, a name many will know well. In fact she was non other than a well known and well loved blogger, Maggie May of Nuts In May.

She walked over to me and remarked she was celebrating some old fart's 65th Birthday in this very restaurant since he was a blogger too and she had come just too see him with her son, The Mighty Sam.

"Eddie 'Godfrey' Bluelights I presume, I see you like the tea shirt!", she said, "I didn't recognise you out of uniform at first!"

Yes indeed!", I said, "I had this from my God Son, The Mighty Sam."
"Oh Gaud!", exclaimed the Mrs, "I thought anything to do with blogging is banned for the night!"

Maggie continued, "I see there are three of us here then! Bloggers of the world unite and all that!" "We must have a photo to celebrate", she said.

"David taught us to always to carry a camera", we all said in unison!

Out came the cameras which flashed away fifty to the dozen. People wondered whether there was a film star there somewhere with all the camera lights flashing.

"What about you Maggie?" I remarked, "You don't like facing the camera. Do you want me to take a photo of your front or your rear?"

Wild hysterics encompassed our table and the two waitresses came over to share the joke.

Normally I would have invited these two lovely ladies to join me in a photograph, one on each arm, but the Mrs was there tonight and I had to be on my very best behaviour.

So here is a very rare shot of Maggie plus Sam, actually facing the camera - I wonder if she was drunk? In this shot all I am at liberty to say is that Maggie May and The Might Sam are there in it somewhere and a very good time was had by all.

"Gosh! What a turn round, Maggie!"

Which one is she? I can hear you asking, "That's for me to know and you to wonder!"

I expect Maggie will post something about this old fart's birthday she came to celebrate!

I think she mentioned he was Eddie Bluelights or was it someone called Godfrey?

Now what do you make of all this little lot?

Here's to my next 65 years!

You must be joking!!

The Sunday Roast

This Is Extremely Easy For Me To Say

This week's interview is with Kathleen Kimball-Baker,
who writes the blog Easy For Me To Say.

Thank you Kathleen

Here's the first of the standard questions. Why do you blog?

Thank you for asking, Eddie. I could give you many reasons but at the core it’s because blogging brings me joy, and ever since the Year of the Sledgehammer, I’m all about joy. Discovering my spiritual nature brings me joy. So does prowling online for beautiful and generously offered images to accompany a post. Reading each precious comment gives me joy. I’ve always loved simple quotes that are full of wisdom, and blogging lets me share and illustrate them, which is another source of joy. Even posting the occasional sorrow with this supportive community lightens the burden and reminds me of our connectedness and the depth of compassion out in the world. When I started blogging in February, I did so to learn and to explore and to have a daily writing/spiritual practice. But it’s the joy that has made blogging addictive. My sidekick guest bloggers, Cora and Charlotte, have their own reasons for posting -- most likely for attention, I reckon.

What's the story behind the blog name?

Sheer panic. Anytime I have to pick a name or code for Internet purposes, I almost always go blank. So the name came to me in a hurry and it was meant to be a play on words and a reminder not to get too high and mighty with whatever I wrote. A story my son told me when he was in high school illustrates this point: A mother brought her son to a wise man, complaining that the boy was eating too much sugar. She wanted the man to tell her son to stop. Instead, the man asked the mother to bring her son back in 2 weeks. During the next visit, the man told the boy to stop eating so much sugar. Perplexed, the mother asked why she had to wait 2 weeks, and the man responded, “Because I had to give up sugar myself before I could ask anyone else to do the same.” Supposedly the man was Gandhi, and while I don’t know if that’s true, I sure like the message. I’m always tempted to jump in and suggest a solution when I see someone struggling. The name (a play off the phrase, “Well, that’s easy for you to say, but . . .”) is meant to remind me to keep my advice-giving in check. Don’t think it’s worked one whit!

What is the best thing about being a blogger?

Surprises. Like finding out that Eddie Bluelights has graciously agreed to carry on the Sunday Roast tradition of our beloved David McMahon, formerly of authorblog.

What key advice would you give to a newbie blogger?

Aw, you’re a rascal, you. And here I was trying to keep my advice-giving in check... But you asked! So I’ll put it as a note to myself: Put some time limits around blogging and get some sleep.

What is the most significant blog post you've ever read?

Not one, but three posts stand out for me. I stumbled upon the Blog of Note feature not too long after I started. And the first blog to catch my attention was A Tidings of Magpies. From the author’s beautiful banner to the witty quips in her sidebar to her masterful use of photos, every aspect was irresistible. Her blog absolutely set the bar for me. I See A Bad Moon Rising fascinated me and introduced me to the range of expressions a post could have. From her blog roll I found A Knitting Nurse. Something’s Missing just walloped my heart with a poignant remembrance of her dog. And, well, I’m a dog nerd (correction: a dog fanatic) so I was hooked. Then, one evening, after a very long and difficult day, I happened upon a post by the author of Gump and Gandhi Holding Hands, whose beautiful artwork accompanies her words. The post was simply titled Work, and the provocative questions she asked set my imagination afire, evoked a strange response, and still haunt me today.

What is the most significant blog post you've ever written?


That’s such a interesting question, Eddie, because defining what is significant is so personal. I didn’t quite grok the concept of comments when I started blogging. But receiving them has been one the loveliest surprises. No pun intended, but I truly love the comments that this post, That which connects us, drew. As for me, what has been most personally significant to write is a toss up between A rogue and a scoundrel,which opened my eyes to the inscrutable but fascinating man who was my father, and And who picked the grapes, which completely took me by surprise and left me feeling humble, a place I like to be.

OK, then, that was fun! At least for me.
Carry on, Eddie! What a gift you are to the blogosphere!
What a gift David started!

Today's Sunday Roast with Kathleen is the 85th in a weekly
series of interviews with bloggers from around the world. __________________________________________________

This interview will feature in The Roll of Honour
for all published Roasts. To view press HERE
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The Concise Compendium Of Sunday Roasts

LET THE ROLL OF HONOUR
COMMENCE

"Let the drums sound loud and the bugles play

for those shown here as Roasts of the Day"

Here I am, Eddie Bluelights as a school cadet and about to start a long drum roll.

Then . . . By the centre - quick march!

THE SUNDAY ROAST

As part of my job of stewarding this feature I thought it a good idea to list all previous 'victims' of this excellent column

The Sunday Roast was introduced by David McMahon of Authorblog on 3 February 2008

********************

It is my pleasure to take on this project which I accept humbly, gratefully and with honour. Thank you David for the great privilage of continuing your column, commencing on 11 October.

So here is the complete record of all previous Roasts along with hyperlinks for easy access.

It makes very interesting reading and please feel free to add comment to roasts as and when you feel fit. Go on - tuck in and enjoy yourselves!!

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2010

No 145
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No Roast 12 December
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No 144 Monica at The Creative Beast 5 December
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No143 Wendy at Very Bored In Catalunya 28 November
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No 142 Mrs Magpie at The Quintessential Magpie 21 November
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No141 Valleys Mam 14 November
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No 140 Maggie May at Nuts and May Re-Rost 7 November 
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No 139 Amelia Critchlow at 101Bird Tales 31 October
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No 138 Kathyn Magendie at Writing From My Mountain 24 October

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No 137 Betsy at My Five Men 17 October
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No 136 I at Happy Frog And I 10 October

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No 135 Lilian (aka Jazz) at Haphazard Life 3 October

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Eddie's 50th Roast)
134 Sassie at Sassy Scribbles 26 September
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No 133 Angie Ledbetter at Gumbo Writer 19 September
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No 132 Robyn at fragments treasures memory 12 September
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No 131 Ann at Retired and Crazy 5 September
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No 130 Pseudo at Winds of Change 29 August
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No 129 Nickie O'Hara at Typeset 22 August
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No 128 Mr Toast (Mmm) at Hot Toast and Jam 15 August
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No 127 Cricket at Cricket and Porcupine 8 August

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N0 126 Mimi at MimiinDublin 1 August

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No 125 Becky at Life With Kaishon July 24

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No 124 Barry Enoch Newsdesk at Barry Newsdesk July 18

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No 123 Secret Agent Woman July 11

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July 4 - No roast this week

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No 122 Ocean Girl at Live High June 27

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No 121 Kimber at Fragrant Liar June 20

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No 120 Kevin at Irish Gumbo June 13

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N0 119 Alyson at Calling People Names June 6

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No 118 TechnoBabe May 30

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No 117 Ethel Mae Potter at The Adventures af Fred and Ethel May 23

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Fun Roast - Eddie's Pet Budgie, Mickey The Mid Week Nosh-Up May 17

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No 116 The Jules at The Gravel Farm May 16

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No 115 Madame de Farge May 9

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N0 114 SueAnn at Slommler May 2

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No 113 Mike at Skunkfeathers April 25

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No 112 Johanna at A Majority Of Two April 18

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No 111 Toni at ExPat Mum April 11

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No 110 Eternally Distracted April 4

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No 109 Chris at Knucklehead March 28

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No 108 Heather at Simply Heather's Blog March 21

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No 107 Mr London Street March 14

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No 106 Sanna at Violet Sky and Sightlines March 7

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No 105 Debbie at A Single Mom In A Complicated World February 28

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No 104 Fhina at A Woman Of No Importance February 21

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No 103 Michelle Hickman at The Surly Writer February 14

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No 102 The Girl From Cherry Blossom Street February 7

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No 101 Eva Gallant at Wrestling With Retirement January 31

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No 100 David McMahon at Authorblog & Red Rubble January 24

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No 99 Jen at Jennifer Photography January 17

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No 98 Sarah at Que Sarah Sarah January 10

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No 97 Elise Hingson at Oh My Goddess January 3

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2009

No 96 Scriptor Senex at Ramblings from my chair December 27

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No 95 Meredith Teagarden at The Things We Carried Dec 20

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No 94 Carolyn Parsons at Breeze Daze December 13

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No 93 Ken at Grumpy Old Ken December 6

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No 92 Margaret Andrews at Nanny Goats In Panties November 29

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No 91 Alixandra Hice at Casa Hice November 22

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No 90 Thumbelina at Secret Worlds November 15

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No 89 Rosaria at Sixtyfivewhatnow November 8

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No 88 Marian at Granny On The Web November 1

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No 87 Joanna Jenkins at The Fifty Factor October 25

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No 86 Lola at Aglio, Olio & Peperoncino October 18

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No 85 Kathleen Kimball-Baker at Easy For Me To Say Oct 11
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(No Roasts Posted between September 27 and October 4)
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No 84 Shay at The Word Garden September 20

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No 83 Sylvia at Sylvia from Over the Hill September 13

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No 82 Eddie Bluelights at Clouds and Silvery Linings Sept 6

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No 81b The Brit at Spinning The Wheel August 30

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No 81 Pastor Sahron at Dances With God August 23

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No 80 Muthering Heights at Muthering Heights And Other Senseless Sensibility August 16

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No 79 Jane at Gaston Studio August 9

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No 78 Susan at Pouty Baby's Nonsense August 2

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No 77 Kirti Patel at K The Blogger July 26

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No 76 Moannie at The View From This End July 19

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No 75 Braja at Lost And Found In India July 12

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No 74 Aims at Big Blue Barn West July 5

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No 73 Mojo at Why? What Have You Heard? June 28

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No 72 Janie and Steve at Janie & Steve's Utah Trails June 21

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No 71 Debbie at I Overcooked My Family June 14

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No 70 Tiffany Norris at Considering All Things Literary May 31

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No 69 Jim at Suldog May 24

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No 68 Jinksy at Napple Notes May 17

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No 67 Jeri at In The Gutter May 10

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No 66 JaPRA at Just A Plane Away May 3

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No 65 Epijunky at Pink Warm and Dry April 26

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No 64 Willow at Life At Willow Manor April 19

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No 63 Saz at Fat, Frumpy and Fifty April 12

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No 62 Indrani at i Share April 5

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No 61 Richie Lawry at An Arkie's Musings March 29

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No 60 Arne at Arne's Blog March 22

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No 59 Nathalie at Spaced Out Ramblings March 15

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No 58 Laura at A Life In The Day Of March 8

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No 57 Debs Lehner at Lehners In France March 1

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No 56 Pappy at Pappy's Balderdash Feb 22

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No 55 Sarah at Brit Gal In The USA Feb 15

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No 54 Charles Gramlich at Razored Zen Feb 8

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No 53 Doris at Get Thee To A Poet Feb 1

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No 52 Katney at Katney's Kaboodle Jan 25

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No 51 Cliff at WIXY's Gone Bananas Jan18

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No 50 Rune at Visual Norway Jan 11

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2008

No 49 Maggie May at Nuts In May Dec 28

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No 48 Colin Campbell at Adelaide Green Porridge Cafe Dec 21

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No 47 Denise at Eat Play Love Dec 14

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No 46 Sandy Kessler at Spiriti Felici Dec 7

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No 45 Jules at Jules Stones Nov 30

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No 44 Simon Cotter at An Ordinary Life Nov 23

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No 43 Quilly at Quilly's Pacific ... Paradise Nov 16

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No 42 Nap Warden at Chronicles of a SAHM Nov 9

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No 41 Sam at On The Clock November 2

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No 40 Tom at The Fishing Guy October 26

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No 39 Holly at Holly's Never Everland October 19

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No 38 Baino at Baino's Banter October 12

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No 37 Cath at Crazy Cath October 5

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No 36 Sandi McBride at Holding Patterns September 28

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No 35 Rhea at Texas Word Tangle September 21

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No 34 Daryl at Out & About In New York City September 14

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No 33 Cuckoo at Cuckoo Cosmos September 7

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No 32 D at My Life Is Based In A True Story August 31

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No 31 MamaGeek at What Works For Us Aug 24

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No 30 Chewy at The Back Of My Headboard August 17

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No 29 Abraham Lincoln at Brookeville Daily Photo August 10

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No 28 Seamus at Damp Dog August 3

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No 27 Kathryn at Crystal Jigsaw July 27

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No 26 Lynn Eade at Cheltenham Daily Photo July 20

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No 25 Melissa at Down A Cobblestone Path July 13

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No 24 Numerical Error - not used

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No 23 Sandy Carlson at Writing In Faith July 6

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No 22 Deborah Gamble at Uncommon Notions June 29

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No 21 Les Becker at Where The Walls Are Soft June 22

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No 20 John at Who Dat Dare Pokah June 15

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No 19 Jeni at Down River Drivel June 8

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No 18 Jill at Bubba's Sis June 1

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No 17 Michelle at The House Of Lime May 25

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No 16 Alex L at The Discreet Charm or the Middle Class May 18

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No 15 Ornery at Ornery By Nature May 11

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No 14 Bart Raeke at Crazywhack Shiznit for your Brizzle May 4

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No 13 Bradley Egel at The Egel Nest April 27

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No 12 Brian at Brian In Oxford April 20

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No 11 imac at Photo's From The Mind's Eye April 23

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No 10 Akelamalu at Everything And Nothing April 6

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No 9 Craver at Craver VII March 30

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No 8 Mushy at Mushy's Moochings March 23

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No 7 Corey at Living And Loving Every Minute Of It March 16

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No 6 Terry Fletcher at Terry's Playpen and the FLOG March 9

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No 5 Jenera Healy at Just Me, Mommy, Wife & Everything Between March 2

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No 4 Misty Dawn at My Dogs Keep me Sane February 24

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N0 3 Stacy at Rambler Traveller February 17

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No 2 Ornery's Wife at Thoughts From Muller Manor Feb 10

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No 1 Lee at Chrysalis Dreams February 3

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Thanks to Thumbelina we have located the three missing ones - great

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