Cello after 2 yrs Jane Vrahassi

Well, this is me after 2 years learning to play the cello. I know I have a long way to go, but thought it important to record my progress. Playing with me is Paul, my mentor from the Dortmund orchestra. I was very nervous playing infront of him yesterday, but by the end of the lesson I had picked up a few more tips and felt much better about shifting, vibrato and, of course, playing in tune. It can only get better! Greek class today, yippee! It does not get any easier, but as with everything you've just got to keep nibbling away and one day it all clicks. The sun is shining in Vrahassi, spring is in the air, and David is in the garden laying a bit of concrete for our patio. Love to all, Jane x

GREEK CLASS

Here we are ladies wot learn! And it's fun!

I've been so busy this week, entertaining, writing, cello practice, looking after my new puppies. It's been all go. Just as well, because the weather has turned cold, and it's better to stay inside and wait for the sunshine to appear again. I could say there isn't much to write about, but I have just completed another 3,000 words of my next novel, to bring it to 22,000 wds. nearly half way there. And I wrote a poem this week too. But the real news of the week is global. I have been so upset to see the plight of all those people in Japan who are homeless after the tsunami. The fear of radiation leaking from the nuclear plant. Contaminated water and food. The tremendous clear up operation that has to be done. It is horrible. And now Lybia is full of people killing one another. What a mess the world is in. How thankful I am to be who I am, where I am, and doing what I love to do.

I hope your week has been a good one. Love Jane x

HAPPY PETTICOAT THURSDAY

And if you don't believe me take a look at this site: woodlandsweb@hotmail.com

Today is Petticoat Thursday. Even David didn't believe me, so I thought I would check it out on the net. I was sure it was one of my childhood memories, but have to admit that it was a long time ago, and after the bang on my head, well, I could be thinking all sorts. At first I couldn't find any reference to Petticoat Thursday, so I worked on Kissing Friday (tomorrow), and sure enough I came across a comment on the above site. A fellow Yorkshireman from the area in which I grew up, also remembers Petticoat Thursday and Kissing Friday.

The tradition was that after Shrove Tuesday, and Ash Wednesday, we had Petticoat Thursday and Kissing Friday. It was a tradition carried out at our junior school, Long Preston Endowed School, in the village of Long Preston near Settle in North Yorkshire (then the West Riding). On Petticoat Thursday the girls had to wear their best petticoat and the boys chased them around the playground lifting up their skirts to see their petticoats. The next day the boys chased them around to try and get a kiss. All a bit pagan/spring rite sort of thing I suppose.

It could be a problem to revive the tradition in this day and age. For one thing petticoats seem to be a thing of the past, most young people wear jeans, and for another, can you imagine the trouble that it would cause if teachers allowed a 'kissing' day. Of course when I was at junior school I was so innocent. Even the boys were not allowed to wear long trousers. How times have changed.

It is sad to see the passing of traditions, and good to remember them. What say we revive Petticoat Thursday as a little naughtiness in the midst of sobriety?

Love Jane x

JANE IN COURT FOR CALLING A CRETAN MAN A LIAR!

I was asked to apologise, which I did, but he was not man enough to accept my apology. So, I was fined 300 euro, which in actual fact is a 30 days imprisonment at a cost of 10 euro a day. Which is only payable if I end up in court again within 3 years.

I have nothing else to say, but I did write a poem:

SCUM!

There is scum,

Scum skimmed from boiling potatoes,

And there is scum,

Sticky scum in a bubbling jam pan,

Then there is scum,

Scum that cloys the rim of the world,

Dirtying its edge with dregs,

Cruddy scum that fouls

The surface of civilization,

Worthless dross waiting retribution,

Scum squeezed out of a squashed scrotum!

Jane Sharp

9/3/11

COLD,CLEAN MONDAY!

Sorry but it is even colder than yesterday, with snow on the mainland. My kite is still in its wrapper, and I am having yet another warm, cuddly day at home.

Tomorrow I have my court appearance in Neapolis, so I will have to brave the weather then. I do hope it doesn't take long. I will let you know what happens.

Hope you are all keeping warm too.
Love Jane x

MALIA CARNIVAL

It was cold. Infact it was too cold for me to venture forth. Only the young and the restless, only the bold and the beautiful whooped it up in Malia yesterday. I thank my friend Gavin for taking these pictures while I whimped out infront of a blazing log fire. Thanks for being restless and bold Gavs!

LIBYA - THE CASE FOR NON-INTERVENTION

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/gavinhewitt/2011/03/libya_the_case_for_non-interve.html As the British Government sends in aid and three planes, to get Egyptian workers out of Libya and take them back to Egypt, Gadafi continues to drop bombs on the rebels. It is a worrying situation. I found this article and its comments informative.

Jane x

NEAPOLIS CARNIVAL IS CANCELLED!

It's a bit of a saucy picture, but it shows that I am back to my old self! Thanks to ace pici taker Barbara, my Carnival outfit was recorded for posterity. Title: English Woman Abroad! Hope you like it Jay Tee.

TIME WARP IN VRAHASSI!

This lovely old woman was explaining that she had a bad heart, and it was difficult living in Vrahassi because it meant that she had to travel to Neapolis for her prescription. She told me that she was 82 years old but 83 the next day. She has no electicity in her house, mains water only to a tap in the yard, and no toilet (I presume a bucket swilled down the grate just outside her front door, does the trick). Even so, she has retained her independence, is a regular churgh goer, and looks after herself. She bemoaned the fact that most of her Greek neighbours of a similar age have left the street, and that her lovely English neighbours could not speak Greek. I know they are taking lessons, but unfortunatley they may have trouble understanding the Cretan dialect of this Vrahasotis.