Different lives

20th October
Mutiny in the ranks at the local WI Book Group when at least 2 members refused to continue reading the Amy Tan book "the Kitchen God's Wife".Yet several other readers loved the novel because it reveals insights into the Chinese way of life and the traditions of this fascinating culture.The strength of the women up against mental and physical hardship was amazing and helped one to understand the history of matriarchal power in that country. We are now embarked on an Ian Rankin thriller so perhaps I shall be the next rebel.
23rd October
Thank Goodness I now have something better to read! I bought a couple of the books written by Kate Adie who was the main speaker at today's Half Yearly Council at Aylesbury. Kate Adie is an excellent speaker with wonderful clear diction and she gave a well constructed talk. The themes were risk and danger and although she underplayed her own bravery, she has obviously witnessed very dangerous situations during her working life on battle fronts around the world and had some scary moments.
The Bucks Federation is well organised for its 90th anniversary in 2010. There are lots of events and competitions already planned. Joy Greasley, the NFWI vice-chairman is always a delight to listen to. She gave an amusing account of her experiences since joining the WI. The general standard of presentation from the stage was good with a variety of people advertising forthcoming events. I enjoyed especially the reading of the Bucks winning entry for the Lady Denman Cup written by a member from one of our newer WIs.
25th October
Armed with litter pickers and sacks borrowed from the AVDC and from Encams, 14 local WI members went litter picking this morning as part of the NFWI Big Tidy Up campaign launched by Bill Bryson on radio and TV last month.We were joined by members from other town organisations and actually it was an enjoyable exercisein cold but dry weather. We covered 5 areas of the town and were amazed to find in an hour and a half, we had collected 26 sacks of rubbish. We thought we were a pretty clean town! We are lucky to have a friendly and efficient regular road sweeper so we invited him along for the photoshoot. Several car drivers tooted at our florescent green safety tabards. I think/hope it was in support, as if we were on duty on an industrial strike picket line--some thought it was more likely to be in derision.However, it was suggested that the WI repeated the sweep but we will have to see about that.
27th October
The Education & Current Affairs Sub-committee organised the Eat,Think and Be Healthy evening in Winslow Public Hall today.This was over-subscribed so there were about 100 members present which was heartening after the last health day had to be cancelled from lack of support. The Nintendo people with 2 WiiFit machines wanted to take over the meeting but had been booked only as a sideshow (WIs may book Nintendo for their own meetings).Consequently there had to be a lot of jigging of the programme to fit as many people as wanted through the trials. For once WI members were encouraged to be in the hall an hour before the advertised time. It may never happen again! The main speakers from Nestles and the Blood Pressure Association were interesting and the side stalls did a brisk trade. Luis Mendelez, our meditation expert, is the only person I know who has been able to keep 100 WI members absolutely silent for 3 minutes at a time! Hopefully we all picked up some useful tips about what and what not to eat but on the whole the audience was fairly knowledgeable so we may have been preaching to the converted. Perhaps the real gain will be if some have been strengthened in their resolve to improve their ways. Good news about the wine and the chocolate though!