This Week's Natter on Patrice's Porch

It's only Wednesday, and I'm on Patrice's Porch. Grab a chair and enjoy our wee chat.

What's your favorite kind of soup?


Well, I do love my soups! My favourite ... as I race through all the soups in my mind ... may be leek and potato. 


Oh, hang on. It may actually be Scotch Broth. Yes. On a winter's day, a bowl of Scotch Broth with fresh, warm bread is just what the doctor ordered. 


Do you prefer a movie or a play?


Er... a play? You mean, like with a stage and actors and stuff?? Ahem - this is Lewis. I've never seen a play, unless you count kids at school doing Jack and the Beanstalk, or something similar.  


And movies come on DVDs and get watched in our Family Room. Is that what you meant?


What was your most unusual birthday celebration? (It can be the most unusual celebration you attended, if you wish.)


Oh boy. This is tough. It's not that I cannot think of the most unusual birthday celebration I've ever had. It's not even that I cannot think of the best birthday celebration I've ever had. I simply cannot think of any. My birthdays normally come and go like any other day. Is that really sad? My next birthday will be my 45th. Is that a special one? Do you think I ought to put in some request? Depending on the day of the week, I may just decide to put my feet up, and have others do all the housework and food for the day. And all the kids can have a day off schooling.


Right, I've just gone for a look: my birthday is on a Friday. I may do the whole spoil-me-for-a-day routine. On the other hand, I will have to run the kids to swimming. And do the shopping. And make dinner.  


Ask me nearer the time - I'll let y'all know how it's looking.


What position were you in your family- oldest, middle, youngest, only?


Middle. My brother is 3 years older than me. I adored him when I was growing up. He was my hero. My sister is 6 years younger than me. That gap is nothing now, but it's too big a gap when you're young. She was the cutest wee thing imaginable. She had blonde curls, and was so photogenic. We laugh about the photos mum and dad have. 


My brother was the first child, so there are loads of him. A whole album devoted just to him.


My wee sister was cute and photogenic, and loved the camera. Or maybe the camera loved her. Or was the adoration mutual? Yes, I believe it was. Polaroid cameras had been invented too, so there is a shelf full of albums with photos of her.


Me? I think there are a couple of photos of me dotted here and there. But only if I'm holding my baby sister, or being held by my big brother.


Only joking! Kinda. 


Do you think it's given me a complex? Actually, to this day, both my brother and sister are so photogenic, and I, er, am not. I like to dwell on the photogenic-ness of them as opposed to me, cos I like to blame the camera for them always looking good, and me.... well, let's just say, they got the looks in our family!


Me? I got...I got... I'm sure I got something. Get back to me on that one too. I'll think of something. I will think of something.


Please finish this: Star shine. Star bright. First star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might have this wish I wish tonight...


Er... never heard of this one! You want me to make a wish?


A serious one? I wish for all my children to be saved. Each one to be brought into the City of Refuge, under the protection of the blood of Christ.


A lighthearted one? I wish...our mortgage was paid. Too big an ask? Okay... I wish ... to see my friend in Virginia. Either in Virginia, or here in Scotland. 


That would Make My Day.


This has nothing to do with Patrice's chat, but this morning, as we all sat around discussing our plans for the day, DR began doing Churchill's speech. You know the one:

 'We will fight them on the beaches....'.

He was doing it in Churchill's voice, and by the time he'd 
reached,

"...we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God's good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old."...

Guess what? I was in tears. Pass-me-the-tissues type tears.


Of course, my children mock. Oh, how they mock! But really, they don't make speeches like this any more. 


In fact, they don't make leaders like this any more.


Well, Patrice, I've loved having another natter with you. I'm off for a wee wander around your farm. I feel like I know all your animals, but I realise they don't know me, so I'm gonna introduce myself.


Do you think they'll understand my accent? I guarantee they'll never have heard any like it before now.


See you next week!