Meg Gilley

You’re not dead yet.

They are nice.

The widowed 2nd wife of my 7x gt g’fr was sued for dilapidations by the new Rector of Boldon Edmund Tew in 1735. Clergy had to maintain their own accommodation. It went to a Consistory Court.

I see trains go over the Durham viaduct every day. I can watch them from the bay window in my gran cave. And I find myself praying for them, almost automatically, making the sign of the cross in my head as a blessing. Now I know why, and will do it more consciously.

My g’dr’s (10 yo) audit of her Halloween haul:

Sometimes the universe offers a precious and unexpected gift, like this oak leaf with Silk Button Galls from the wasp Neuroterus numismalis. Isn’t it beautiful?

A day in Leeds with friends, not a city I know well, but it is rather splendid.
For nostalgic reasons, we went to Leeds Market, where Barbara Quigley had taken us winter 73/74 during a power cut in the 3-day week, and I bought fabric for my wedding dress.
(Yes, I bought fabric)

I love lichens. And mosses.
Know nothing about them, but they give me joy in winter, when flowers are few.

How wonderful! A delight.

Waiting for Choral Evensong @ St Cuthberts CofE Church Durham, with Hild & Bede College

Here are the pots I made, back from firing.

Hild & bede. Temporarily on North Road (above the viaduct) and using St Cuthberts as its chapel.

Local college chaplain planning an Angel afternoon late Nov in our local church. Wants knitted angels.

A metaphor?

Am in Durham for 3 appointments (incl flu jab, too young for Covid jab despite being a cater) so having lunch in between: Thai Som Tham Salad (only 1 chilli) with coconut water to drink.

And to complete the anniversary celebration I went to the Hild & Bede Choral Evensong at St Cuthberts Church. The choir is very good this year.
Now I am drinking gin with Campari and tonic and waiting for dinner to cook.

Who is this saint steadfastly keeping watch way above the reach of iconoclastic reformers?

It now costs £2 to leave a candle burning for my frail spouse. I know it says donation … but that’s some pressure.

25 years ago, Durham Cathedral was covered in faux spider webs. At the rehearsal, there was a guy walking round with an owl on his arm. I fully expected to be presented with a sorting hat.
Harry Potter 1 was being filmed.

Sitting in Durham Cathedral, praying and remembering my ordination as deacon. I read Bp Michael’s charge before i came out: Formation, Transformation, Reformation.
The cathedral is full of tourists wishing I would move, bcos I impede their photographs.

Tomorrow, 8 October is the 25th anniversary of my ordination as a deacon. I have no appointments (tho desperate for a haircut). I will have a Quiet Day of reflection and go to the Cathedral.

For those local to Durham and follow my family history discoveries over recent months, I will be telling the story of my 7x gt g’fr and his 3 sons at:
The Parish Hall Framwellgate Moor
(In front of St Aidans Church)
Mon 20 Oct 2.00pm
All welcome.
Honestly, it’s a great story. Do join us.

Just musing on the number of words now that begin E- (mail, commerce, etc).
Remembering from family history that I had a great uncle Ewald, pronounced E-wald. And wondering what that was the electronic version of.
Uncle Ewald was born in Saltburn and lived in York.

Whom I know personally from another life.

Yep

I heard 2 students on the bus behind me talking about chaplain AT, saying “he’s got real dad-cool”.

Happy anniversary!
I followed 6 days later, a date which now means other things.
I was ordained priest 8 Oct 2001, the day we invaded Afghanistan.
My ordination anniversaries have sad and dreadful associations.

Isn’t it just!
Like discovering in January that I (retired priest in Durham Diocese) had a 7x gt g’fr who was a priest in Durham Diocese 1675-1734.
Am pretty sure that Nathaniel Crewe (who got a bad press generally) supported the Stackhouse family (patron of livings, exhibition @ Lincoln for son)

Marriage solemnised by Nathaniel Crewe. The following year he became bishop of Durham. And in 1676 he ordained my 7x great grandfather, his first ordination in Durham.

Branch fallen from Ash tree. Look at the wonderful patterns from the boring beetle