Special Days
I’m sure that everybody, certainly living in the UK, will know that today is the anniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta, but what else is June 15th known for?
I’m sure that everybody, certainly living in the UK, will know that today is the anniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta, but what else is June 15th known for?
Today in the UK it is Beer Day Britain.
Today we are supposed to celebrate Britain’s national alcoholic drink. I’m
not sure that I feel amazingly excited about it. (I wonder if there is an
Archers Peach Schnapps Day?)
Apparently in the US today is Lobster Day.
I’ve never eaten a lobster. I don’t fancy trying one now and I don’t know why
it needs its own day. (Anyone got any idea?)
Also in the US it is Nature Photography Day
and National Smile Power Day. Now you’re talking! I can share a nature
photograph…
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| A rose from the garden |
And a smile, or better still two smiles from the grandchildren, always powerful enough to
lift the heaviest of spirits…
 |
| My grand Grandkids |
I Googled the
list of 'special days' in Britain and I found that today is part of the
following special weeks:
British Heart Week
Oxfam Water Week
National School Grounds Week
Diabetes Week has a special significance in my life because that lovely smile on the right of the above photo is my little grandson who was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes before his second birthday.
To look at him you would never know that he has a pump permanently attached to his stomach to administer insulin. This means that at least he doesn't have to have four or five injections a day but he still has to have his blood levels monitored round the clock. He has to have all his food checked and weighed and when he gets overexcited his levels go crazy, which is sad because he tends to get overexcited every time we visit.
Let's hope that one day they can find a cure for this awful disease. I know that the scientists are working on it but as with everything else, they need money. Here is the Diabetes UK website if you would like to know more. There is also the JDRF website which specifically raises money for research into curing Diabetes in children.
Never had lobster Rosalind? The reason for Lobster day is, in my opinion, one of the greatest foods in world. Unfortunately after the big freeze in '67 (I think) all the lobsters around the English coast went deep and it took a long time for them to come back. By that time the price of lobster in the UK had sky rocketed.
ReplyDeleteI too am not interested in beer day. Love your rose.
I have Type II diabetes so sympathise with research needs although personally mine has been much better since I lost weight. In fact I don't believe I still have it but can't convince the docs of that.
It is a beautiful rose, isn't it. That's good news that your diabetes has eased. Sadly that can't happen with the kind of diabetes that my grandson has.
DeleteIt looks like the diabetes isn't holding your grandson back - what a cute picture. Hopefully the research will yield positive results one of these days.
ReplyDeleteI drank wine on National Beer Day - silly me!
Thank you, Annalisa, it is a lovely photo, isn't it. I'm sure the 'beer police' will forgive you. I drank grape juice which they'd probably frown upon even more!
DeleteWhat a lovely photo of your grandson - and how tough it must be for all of you, learning of his diabetes and all the paraphernalia of managing it. My love to all concerned.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jo. It was terrifying. He was rushed into Intensive Care. It's a time we all try not to think about.
DeleteMust be so hard for him...it's one thing to have a serious health problem diagnosed in your 50's (Martyn) ..but so young!
ReplyDeleteI suppose the only thing about being so young is that he knows no difference...little consolation though.
DeleteDiabetes is truly a horrific disease. My brother in law died from the effects of it. Eating lobster on the other hand is one of the joys of life. It's been such a long time since I had lobster.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about your brother, Karen. I'm afraid that eating lobster doesn't appeal at all.
DeleteYou know, I have adult onset Type 1 diabetes and I too have a pump. And that's about as good as it gets with this very difficult to manage disease. I have always been so very grateful that I didn't get it as a child. I love the rose, it is gorgeous and a smile day is not a bad idea either.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realise you had a pump, Inger. It is difficult to manage, isn't it.
DeleteWhat a brave boy. My nephew was diagnosed at 8 and is now 24, managing his condition well and living life to the full. Here's hoping for a scientific breakthrough very soon.
ReplyDeleteThat is encouraging. Thanks for sharing. They do say that they're on the edge of a breakthrough...whoever "they" are!
DeleteNope I've never had lobster either. Your grandchildren are gorgeous and what a brave wee man your grandson is. I hope a cure is found soon. Love the rose. My rose cutting is just about to bloom and I'm so excited about it I feel like I've worked a miracle. I know..silly.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anne. Your rose cutting has certainly been through thick and thin with you. I'm so glad it's survived it all and it's not silly. It's good to have things that remind us.
Deleteyour grandkids smiles made me smile. Glad he's doing okay with his diabetes. That is a tough disease and one everyone should monitor. I'm not a big lobster eater and I'm in the US - darn expensive for one thing. Have a good week and,...smile!
ReplyDeleteThey always make me smile too, Joanne.
DeleteWhat beautiful children! Such a shame that one has to live with diabetes, though perhaps the scientists will discover a better way of treating it before he's much older.
ReplyDeleteWe're keeping our fingers crossed, Lizy.
DeleteHi Ros - ghastly disease ... for the poor little soul at that age - and for anyone living with it ... so difficult - and let's hope the research brings forth new possibilities of help and ultimately cure ...
ReplyDeleteLove the rose ... and lobsters - yes I could eat them regularly .. just gorged on asparagus and now that's seasonally done ... we were lucky - Mum had a crabbery at the bottom on the hill - so I'd pop down and get some when I visited ... a treat - but that's Newlyn for you.
Cheers and I love the photos ... especially the toothy, fresh-eyed kids ... gorgeous and cuddly - cheers Hilary