The end of my story is this: the people of Aberdare are extraordinary, writes American Jane Powel Thomas.
The beginning lies in the very rich past of Aberdare when one (or possibly more) of my husband’s ancestors was the minister of the Ebenezer Chapel in Aberdare, now located in the Trecynon area. Both of us have a Welsh background, my husband’s family from North Wales and mine from the Brecon area. As a child, my husband was brought to Aberdare to see the church where his great, great grandfather was minister, and he was moved by the fascinating, still-operating chapel that included an interior plaque
commemorating his ancestor, the Rev. Edwards.
No matter how far we travel, or how many holidays we take…can we ever really escape our problems, stresses or worries?
This year has been a very stressful time. Nothing negative, just trying to get my columns as well as other pieces of writing done, moving home and fitting in my job.
Hard work to say the least. In 2009, I’ve had more holidays, weekends away and days out than I can remember! I noticed this whilst looking through my calendar (trying to find a free weekend to go away) we’ve just moved and it took its toll on me, so a weekend away was just what I need.
I don’t know about anyone else, but summer ‘09’ has been just as gloomy, as it’s been great for me. I had an on/off bout of the summer time blues. Some days I felt so fed up, I didn’t have a clue what to do with myself, the heat made me sleepy and every time I looked out the window others seemed to be having a wail of a time in the sun.
I’m in the middle of moving home, so that was the biggest weight on my mind; it is surprising how stressful it can be. Plus after all the tidying and boxing up, was it any wonder why I didn’t have any energy?
Looking back, I guess the mixture of dieting, as you do in the summer, ready for hitting the beach, or was that just me this year? The heat, and the stress of planning my holidays and plus knowing I had to get on an aeroplane really didn’t help!
Thankfully I did have brilliant holidays’ this year with my 007 (after I got off the plane) and didn’t look to bad in my bikini either, as I always say, I’m no Kate Moss though!
Next summer I will try my hardest not to let silly things get me down, everyone should enjoy every moment of the summer, especially the weather, as we are all aware, the rain likes to come back and visit us here in South Wales whenever he can! So I’m looking forward to autumn now and hoping it will be a better season for me.
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Are you looking for a fresh start and new way of thinking ?
Lynsey Richards ponders the plight of British soldiers …
Recently I sat down to watch Black Hawk Down. Not my normal choice of film, it’s about U.S soldiers sent to Somalia, but their mission takes a turn for the worst. It was an amazing film, although very upsetting and violent, but it was just a film. An hour in, I picked up the back of the DVD case to read and realised it is based on actual events that happened in 1993. Being nine at that time, I would never have known about it.
Knowing the film was based on true events, I watched it in a different light. It is amazing what soldiers go through, not just from the U.S, but right here in Britain. It looks like a setting from a Hollywood movie; it is past comprehension what it is actually like in these real, dangerous situations.
Half way through the film I quickly picked up the newspaper only to see the headlines, but noticed more and more British troops are being killed in Afghanistan. Coincidently, pages later there was a short message asking for people to send shoe boxes out to Afghanistan for soldiers. I made up my mind there and then that I was going to try and send some out, they only ask for a few toiletries and biscuits. Considering what they are doing, I think that’s the least they deserve.
So, I urge everyone to realise what these young men and women are really doing for the country, and to join me in sending a shoe box and hopefully, one day soon this terrible war will end.
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Are you looking for a fresh start and new way of thinking ?
Lynsey Richards asks some tough questions about relationships…
This year it’s seems everyone and their mother is getting married. Sometimes I think I should settle down (properly this time) soon. I really don’t want children, yes, regardless of everyone out there who says I’ll change my mind…it won’t happen! Then there’s the marriage issue. Not all that bothered(anymore), of course one day I would like to do the deed, but when I’m 100% sure and not because EVERYONE else is doing it.
I say that, as for the last few weeks, unfortunately for my 007, I did catch a bad case of wedding fever. Between the dresses, flowers, parties, oh and the heat outside, I caught an addiction. I wanted one and wanted a wedding now! Everyone else was doing it, so I wanted to. Now I see how ridiculously crazy that idea was, but at the time I felt a sense of being left out (not jealously, as my wedding would be the best, wink!)
However, and this is being slightly naughty, an acquaintances of mine very recently got married. We were friendly-ish in school, but we didn’t travel in the same circles. Didn’t bother with either of them after we left school, the odd hello, if that.
Nevertheless, eight plus years pass and I learn they are living together, and then I hear of their wedding. “How can they get married before me?” Nothing against the pair, it was the ‘W’ fever talking. Not long after a ‘so-called’ friend of the groom told me something this instantaneously stopped my wedding fever.
Not long ago Mr. Groom took a holiday (alone). Whilst on this holiday he was badly behaved and had a little fling. Now, if that wasn’t bad enough, it turned out that this little fling was not with some sexy senorita, no, it was with some sexy senor. Ok, now if that’s how you want to live your life, fab! But why marry a woman? Then again, Mr. Groom confessed this little indiscretion to Mrs. Bride and she turned a blind eye and married him regardless.
When it comes to weddings, sometimes it all looks too good to be true, and sometimes it is. We never know what goes on behind closed doors, so never wish for what other have. Whether that’s weddings, children, big houses or an alleged perfect relationship. Be happy with what you have and enjoy it.
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Are you looking for a fresh start and new way of thinking ?
Make a Plucky Attempt to Leave your House this week… for Gary Owen’s latest play Amgen : Broken at the Sherman Theatre, Cardiff until Saturday 9th May.
As I spoke about last week, me and my 007 have decided to take our relationship to the next level. After much thought and discussion we have decided to buy a house and live together… and maybe more. It wasn’t an easy decision as I have lived with boyfriends before … and look how well that worked out! But how I felt about my exes, is no comparison to how I feel about 007. I know that this time it is right. I’m happy and settled in myself and am ready for all that adulthood entails.
Bond and I get on so well, we are always laughing together, we have a lot in common and the majority of the time we share the same thoughts and opinions. We both want similar things from life and from our relationship. For once, it is nice to be in a relationship where its pretty much smooth sailing, where we can just sit back, relax and enjoy each other. Don’t get me wrong, sparks do fly at times, but they quickly fizzles out and the laughter continues.
As Carrie Bradshaw said “Some people are settling down, some people are settling and some people refuse to settle for anything less than butterflies”.
When I first heard this quote, I instantly related to it. I know a lot of people who have settled down for the ’sake’ of settling down, because they are comfortable and don’t like the thought of change peeking its head around the corner.
Even more people are just settling. They are settling with the first person that comes their way. Not for a minute am I suggesting any person is better than another, but some people are not broadening their horizians and looking for their perfect match (If there is such a thing) … someone who is going to make them truly happy.
Then there’s those of us who will refuse to settle for anything less than something special and unique. If I’m completely honest a few years back I would have been one of the people who was just settling, but now I will only settle for my ‘butterfly’ who I’m hoping will be my 007 for many, many years to come.
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Are you looking for a fresh start and new way of thinking ?
Glamorgan Uni student Sarah Broughton will launch the audio recording of her first novel ‘Other Useful Numbers’ with a helping hand from Cerys Matthews this weekend.
Former Catatonia singer Cerys recorded the audio book which will be launched in Cardiff’s Borders bookstore on Saturday, 21st March, the first time she has undertaken such a project.
Lynsey Richards asks some tough questions about relationships…
In a relationship, what are the deal breakers? When you’re young its mainly if he’s caught looking at your best mate in ‘that’ way or kissing her behind your back, if he doesn’t ring or text you when he said he would, if he takes the mick out of you in front of his friends, goes back on his word or doesn’t take you to that disco you wanted to go to.
Now we’re adults, is anything different? Ok, the cheating issue, definitely. Every self respecting woman should never give a man another chance to hurt her feelings, no matter how much she loves him. You should get rid!
A few weeks ago I asked 007 if he would like to do something for Valentines Day. As we talked we realised that it was the same day as the England vs Wales in rugby. With 007 being a huge rugby fan I knew it would be difficult to arrange something around the game, as my secret agent would be going to the pub to watch it with friends.
So it was decided that we wouldn’t do anything or see each other on Valentines Day (after all it is just another day ). 007 told me he thought the day was just an excuse to waste a lot of money. I guess I was a little dissapointed, but after all its only one day out of the year and since I wasn’t even expecting to be in a relationship this year, it isn’t too much of a let down.
I'm with you in Rockland
where we hug and kiss the United States under
our bedsheets the United States that coughs all
night and won't let us sleep
I'm with you in Rockland
where we wake up electrified out of the coma
by our own souls' airplanes roaring over the
roof they've come to drop angelic bombs the
hospital illuminates itself imaginary walls col-
lapse O skinny legions run outside O starry
spangled shock of mercy the eternal war is
here O victory forget your underwear we're
free
I'm with you in Rockland
in my dreams you walk dripping from a sea-
journey on the highway across America in tears
to the door of my cottage in the Western night
The end of my story is this: the people of Aberdare are extraordinary, writes American Jane Powel Thomas.
Lynsey Richards muses on how to escape properly …
Christine Black Jones blogs about the loss of a great Maerdy institution …. the Maerdy Workingmens Hall and Institute.
Lynsey Richards muses on St Valentine’s Day …
