Just a matter of scale

While I have been doing all the usual things one does on a Sunday morning, I couldn't help thinking about those poor souls in Japan--- no house, no water, no food, no warmth and for thousands, no family either. And we grumble about disruption for a few days because of snow and the dreadful potholes in the roads! What a load of wimps we are! I wonder whether our Emergency Teams can even imagine where to start in that situation. I doubt if the WI could rustle up cups of tea and sympathy in that scenario but maybe I under-rate it.The world is so small these days that people in our town knew the frequency and scale of the after-shocks before it was listed on the web or TV; all courtesy of the personal mobile phone.

18th March
Cheltenham Gold Cup. Did you watch Denman battling it out in the race? Just think, if you had been on him for the last five years you would have had no problem for WI funds. Treasurers, only joking, of course! I think it is too late now because he is getting a bit old but he has the heart of a lion.Even finishing second you would have had a return on your outlay. I must find out how he came by his very WI name which brought him to my notice. I know there is a syndicate of WI members who share ownership of a flat-racing horse but I don't think they own a bit of Denman---more's the pity.

16th March
The local WI has a select group which is trying to make its voice heard on the town website. We met this evening to celebrate having got an entry about the April meeting actually printed on it. To achieve even this, we had to go on through other agencies than the web-master. There is much talk of wanting the WI and other town organisations to contribute but material sent up disappears into a black hole while we wait for the web-master to have time to add it on.It is so frustrating because this would be a marvellous tool for promotion and other communities are using their websites to good account. We also know what we want to do with it. We have called ourselves the Ginger Group but I think we want a name more aggressive than that. The Insurgents? Anyway our meetings are a good excuse for a good talk over a glass of wine.

15th March
A rather depleted meeting of the local WI Book Group this afternoon. It was not for lack of will to come along but pressures of work, grandparent duties and illness which thinned the ranks.We enjoyed discussing two novels: the "set" book The Time Traveller's Wife and Trespass by Rose Tremain. The first title was well received by the majority because it is such an intrigueing idea. Even those who don't normally appreciate sci-fi were fascinated by the workings of the plot. The characters were well drawn and amazingly believable whatever the complications of their DNA. How did the author write it? Did she describe the action at first chronologically and then sort of shuffle the chapters like a pack of cards? Anyway, well worth reading but not easy for the visually impaired to listen to on a tape. Trespass was a dark read but absolutely gripping. Another novel with wonderful characters even though they were mostly people one wouldn't like to spend time with. It is set in an isolated part of France where dreadful deeds go undisclosed for generations. The plot is tightly constructed and the aims of the avenging woman so well executed that one fears that she will become unstuck at any moment. One of those stories where one finds oneself on the side of the murderer I always enjoy Rose Tremain.We are going to return to this book next time when the others can add their twopennyworth.
We have learned of the new system for borrowing books for reading groups from the County Library Service which we will need to abide by. It is interesting to note that it doesn't tell us how we will be able to benefit from loans if or when our library becomes a community library. I imagine it will then involve going by community transport at least 7 miles to collect the books. We will see.