Sam-n-Finley call on Dee. (Deepen Rambling)

When the young sounding male voice on the telephone the other week asked me if it was O.K. to call on me yesterday, I obviously enquired as to the reason for his visit. He then introduced himself as a member of the Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue service and had been referred to me by one of the agencies that receive fierce criticism from most of us. He went on to explain how the fire service made visits to the.........well lets say, "Not so very young", to wit........
in a word........."folks like me" to make safety checks and install smoke alarms if necessary. So........at about the pre-arranged time, ting tong and lo-n-behold there on the doorstep was no less than "Fireman Sam" and believe it or not "Finley the Fire Engine" parked in the street looking like a small block of flats on wheels and two more members of the team as well as the two at my pad.(eat your heart out ladies) Not the expected visit but more mob handed one might think casually strolling past but when the full facts are to hand would realise that the full crew approach really is a "F&R" unit on standby making use of waiting time. For the record, if a "Shout" had been received by this crew then off they would have whizzed in a trice with all "Blues-n-Screamers" flashing and blaring.
The main point is of course, all my rooms were checked accompanied by advice as and when by one member whilst the other guy fitted two new smoke alarms............all free I might add, is that quite remarkable or what????? When I say advice, I mean in the event of......... how to cope and what action to take, escape plans, various "Do's and Dont's", that kind of thing.
In conclusion, I would like to say my sincere thankyous for such a wonderful and thoughtful service by two very polite and extremely smart people...............Thankyou.....................Deepen.

Fairs-n-Jams-n-lots of Prams. (Deepen Rambling)

Yes indeed, last Sunday 12th July was the Annual "prampush" day at one small town that has been my home for more years than I wish to remember. Just under and beyond the M1 motorway, northwards, lies this "sleepy" (some would say) little ex-mining community albeit now grown in size with it's shopping precinct and Supermarket replacing an old factory.Once a year since 1973(although with a break of a couple of decades) the town center is closed off for around five hours to through traffic and the crowds of revellers take over. Well you know Prampush really is the excuse for all and sundry and anyone else to have a jolly good old booze-up as the multitudes wander from pub to pub or ride on the fair, eat chips and pizza, hotdogs and the like. I suppose, traditionally, this country is one of a few that still keep up such harmless pursuits, where people have a whale of a time doing absolutely nowt methinks.

Ironically, the Brewery is now closed which used to slack the thirst of so many and I suppose some of the towns residents who can remember that far aback, me included, feel a certain sadness at it's passing but hey-ho "Tempus Fugit".........."What would our so-n-so have thought about that ?" you can almost hear them say as they turn in there new residences.

But getting back "tut-th-push" day, what a lovely day weatherwise with good hearty fare and fair, plastic tumblers of brew, lots of chat and kisses ,not only from the misses, missus, or sometimes Mrs!! (Ooops)
Yup!.....aint it great to be British ??????.............................................Deepen.

Not to Knight.......Josephine!! ( Deepen Rambling)

Well that does it for me..........been waiting all morning for the Postie who has just been and would you believe it..........NO KNIGHTHOOD !!............again this year. Thought it was a bit late as it had not arrived by Saturday and assumed today would be the day but not a scorrick, not even a mention in despatches. Well, I can tell you this, if they are intending to treat me in this way year after year and it certainly seems like they are I will definately refuse to accept one when they do offer.

But seriously, am I the only person on this 'ere Planet who is a tinsey winsey bit confused as to why people who achieve a certain status of say famous actor, singer sportsperson etc and get rewarded very well indeed are then further rerwarded with a Queens Honour ? Ok yes I am aware that non famous people do, on occasions, receive awards but cannot for the life of me understand the logic (if there is one) behind an award of a Knighthood for say an actor who has been more than generously rewarded for services rendered. Can imagine many people who work all sorts of hours and in some quite inhumane conditions receiving a lot less for their trouble feeling somewhat grieved,as I do, at this apparent excess. All walks of life are included in this comment and are no doubt referred to as the silent majority, but make no mistake about it.............most peoples existance would be a whole lot less confortable without them.

If I keep banging on about this and that for much longer I will need a new box to stand on at maybe my own "Speakers" corner. The fact of course is, we are continually informed, "It has always been that way" as though in some strange way makes all the difference...............Yeh right......................................................Deepen.

I say--I say--I say. (Deepen Rambling)

"What a plonker Rodders"........No doubt we have all heard that remark and it would possibly fit us all at some stage in our life as I know it would me on occasions. Do you ever stop and take stock of what has just passed your lips in conversation, or have thought of something said in the past which later comes to mind and causes you extreme embarassment? Many is the time when finding myself in that situation have wished the ground would have opened up and swallowed me..................Yuck!

Only today whilst out shopping at my local supermarket found myself "in line" (Yankee remark)at the Checkout behind a lady I have known for a number of years and the conversation went something like this...................."Hello Dee, just doing your shopping ?" as she peered into my trolley which was groaning with my prospective purchases..........."Of course not," (I felt like saying) "Just waiting for a bus." What in the name of all sanity did she think I was pushing around ?.........A new born baby perhaps in disguise, or maybe taking my smalls to the laundry ?

On another occasion overheard one Guy talking to another about a leaking tap at his home when the listener said, "Have you tried turning it off".........WHAT !!......Bet he thought of saying something like, "No as I like the sound of running water."

This one absolutely slays me................Talking recently to a friend about some lovely lunching experiences with my regular Lady Companion, happened to mention a few Restraunts we have visited recently and how much enjoyment had been experienced. Each time I put forward a name this person replied with, "That's an expensive place to dine", or "That place is SO DEAR" as though I was enquiring about a recommendation. There again felt like saying, "Pin back your lugholes I have just been there and understand how much things cost you silly old P***t" but of course I didn't and just changed the subject like the Gentleman I work very hard to be these days..........."Hey Ho" aint life great..........if you dont weaken.

All this frustrating nonsense is a part of lifes rich Tapestry we all encounter from time to time and I suppose we can always go somewhere quiet and have a damn good SCREAM!!!..............................................Deepen.

Dream on.............(Deepen Rambling)

Many years have passed since this event occured, but it seems as if it was only yesterday.
As a heavy goods licence holder, I was enroute through the peak district one snow stormy night with a large covered vehicle which had a canvass sheet draped over the rear entrance to protect the full capacity load. At about one-thirty in the morning as I recall, driving through almost "white out" conditions, felt a huge bump accompanied by a grinding noise. As I stopped and attempted to investigate this event,(in the blinding snow remember) soon realised that to continue was inpossible so decided to make a night of it right there.
So.....huge lorry,cant move,cab not big enough to stretch out, blizzard conditions, load space packed to maximum, freezing cold wind, get the picture ? decided to bed down with sleeping bag on the tail board and drape the canvass sheet over to help protect me.

Not quite sure how long I had been there asleep but came too with a start as someone was nudging me awake, with a light temporally blinding me which soon became apparent was the headlights of a large car. "You cant sleep here sir",said the chauffure of the car,"Madam wishes for you to join us out of the weather"pointing in the direction of the lights. Knocking the snow off my boots proceeded to climb into rear seat of this conveyance and was immediately confronted by very warm air, heavy........oh so heavy with the most amazing obviously expensive Perfume which seemed to send my head spinning. As I cleared my eyes and they adjusted to this beautiful environement became totally aware of my host holding a glass, containing a large and I mean very large Brandy, and offered in my direction. "Slip this inside you,"she murmered,"You must be frozen to the core". Now...... whether the Brandy or the circumstances generally were the reason, I was convinced I had "arrived", in Heaven of course...........these things do not happen to me, I thought, but there it all is, huge limmo', sat next to this beautiful blonde and remembered her saying, "You must come and stay up at the Hall with us". Well.........."Can a Duck swim?" I thought and accepted immediately whereupon soon found we were driving into a large Courtyard protected from the snow somewhat.
As my Host proceeded through the entrance doorway, her real sable full length fur coat followed eventually or so it seemed, looked back and said, "James will look after you" as she disappeared inside.
Go with the flow I thought as the lovely young maid prepared my bath in the largest "tub"imagineable, supriseingly followed by the most sensuous massage of my life and was then shown into a huge bedroom which I was informed had been designated to me for the night. Throughout this scenario much more of the fabulous Brandy was made available to me and of course was having a wonderful effect as my weight slowly sank into the Kingsize mattress.........oh yeh....oh yeh I thought just as my Host put in an appearance at the door.
Framed in the doorway with the light of the landing producing a gorgeous image outlining her form through her full length gossamer gown murmered, "Is everything to your liking?" and when I nodded my approval, moved towards me. Her stilletto sneakers seemed to make her legs go on forever and I swear right up passed her eyebrows...........mmm nice Brandy. Her next move was to sit on the edge of and then lay on the bed next to me, her shoulder length hair spread across the pillow, my head spinning with a combination of Brandy and Perfume.My heart was pounding and I was trembling from head to toe..............."Nice one" I thought, struggling for breath.
As she turned her head towards me asked, "Is there anything else you desire?" I then rolled over to face her and fell off the tail board into the cold wet snow............................................Deepen.

"It's a mistake (Guv)........honest !"( Deepen Rambling)

Well now, I'm quite sure that most people today are familier with the news this week and that includes many people all over the world. This country has been washing it's laundry in public.........well at least certain elected members of society that is and I am sure we all have formed an opinion of this.



There is an advertisement on the television, and elsewhere, which appears to be provoking people into "Snitching" on "Benefit cheats" who maybe perfectly decent people in desparation "bend" the rules. It is all too easy to judge a situation, maybe wrongly, and point a finger when all that is wrong is the crazy system which could be brought up to date with great savings to the "Public purse". If a situation arises in ones life and we are backed up against the wall, so to speak, survival takes over and we become very different people not pausing to think logically. This point of view is only one scenario of course and obviously "Rats in the Barn" do exist undeniably but methinks caution when forming opinions is good advice. Wouldn't it be nice if sometime soon we could all see a complete overhaul of these systems and practices, bringing them up to date and into the 21st Century to the benefit of us all ? Maybe some of the "Squillions" we have all seen sprinkled about in certain quarters recently could be used for this purpose ??.........yeh right............dream on Dee.



Further to this point of view, if anyone falls foul of this antiquated system the penalties can be very severe, no matter what the circumstances or how much the "perpitrator" was in desparate need, often for so little............sound familiar ?

Oh ! what a tangled web we weave when first we set out to deceive.




So then, WHY-o-WHY is there so much deliberating and soul searching when it comes to "righting wrongs" and why is the temptation not being removed from the greedy and corrupt

in that particular sector........"Hang on there mate,"....... " How can you justify that statement?"

Well, the Law of the land is for everyone, not just for those below a certain "glass" ceiling and if credibility is to be mentained at home and across the rest of the world, Justice has to be seen to done and swiftly for all. I doubt if our glorious leaders are able to calculate the fall-out, or are ready to "bite the bullet" and take the actions necessary to limit the damage already created. The question is ,I suspect, most people will see this fiasco as though all are guilty in Government when in truth possibly only a relatively small group are involved.



I mean let us move to the other end of the spectrum, surely we cannot expect someone to manage without light bulbs can we ? or food, decorating, videos, or clothes ?

Now there is a thing, clothes, the Inland Revenue do not allow deductions for clothing (unless for a specific protection) most certainly suits etc are not allowed or similar for smart appearance at work.......Double standards here again !!



I suppose we can all waffle on....... add-infinitum until something else attracts our attention and we form another opinion, (See "In my opinion" Monday 4th May) about something else waiting in the wings.Of this opinion, here and now, I am sure............We CANNOT do anything about it but maybe hold this thought as some kind of consolation................."If you lay down with Dogs..........you can get up with Fleas".................................................Deepen.

"In my opinion"..............(Deepen Rambling.)

How many times do we hear and say this within a conversation? "My opinion is this"........"In my opinion"........."What's your opinion of".........Yes that's correct we all have one, for better or worse, even if the rest of the world (it sometime seems) disagree with us.
Of this I am certain..........Todays opinion can evaporate like the morning mist tomorrow and become something entirely different.

Now let me say, before I get into full flight, this blog is not one of those "Holy than Thou" occasions but merely an observation and of my own personnal experiences.

Some years ago (all too many for comfort) I was invited to make some comments to a Newspaper, in interview, on behalf of the Company employing me. As this experience was a "First" for me fell in the hole I excavated for myself and could not get out. There is, it would seem, lots of traps just waiting for the unwarey (like yours truly). I believe it fair to say, "Dont fish in unknown waters", but there I was giving it the almighty verbals, in full flight, running off at the cakehole to my deep regret. As the interview concluded I casually mentioned to the scribe," Of course I will need to approve all this before you publish"...........WOW!!.......what!! did I say? the reaction could not have been more hostile. At one point it would not have been a surprise if a National strike had ensued, well I can tell you, "One huge lesson learned that day".

There is a saying which is always close to my mind these days, "Keep ones cards close to ones chest", I suppose this origanates from the game of Poker ,mind you, knowing and doing are two different things.
Recently, whilst listening to a radio interview, was reminded of my own first time and how I too had an "Axe" to grind whilst letting my opinions vent freely, but looking back now it all seems so futile and pointless. Peoples opinions do not really matter to me or mine to them, as life moves on relentlessly and tomorrow is another day of opinions............in my opinion.........it's an ever changing opinion.

We can convince some of the people all of the time...........and all of the people some of the time............BUT, we cannot convince all of the people all of the time....................................Deepen.