We'll Meet Again! Happy 100th Birthday Dame Vera Lynn #veralynn #birthday #100 #happybirthday #forcessweetheart

I watched a very moving documentary on the television the other night.  It was to celebrate the 100th birthday of Vera Lynn.  The documentary told the story of Vera's life. A beautiful tribute to a wonderful lady. Vera was shown, amazingly bright as a button and looking amazing for 100.  Her daughter was shown alongside her in the documentary and how proud she must be.
What made the programme different was there was no scandal to report, no affairs or lurid details. Just a beautiful lady with a beautiful voice, being brave and thinking of others.

Vera Lynn is known as 'The Forces Sweetheart'.  During World War Two she sang to the troops over seas.  She struck a chord with them singing songs such as 'White Cliffs Of Dover' and the most famous 'We'll Meet Again'.
Vera Lynn went to the front line to sing the songs and build morale, telling them people were thinking of them.

A few of the men who were fighting in the war spoke about their love and admiration for the great lady.  This was very moving, not too over sentimental but touching.
It reminded me of a time gone by when people were not afraid to speak to each other, when people genuinely cared for their neighbours, neighbourhood and proud of their country. I can not bear seeing people disrespecting anything. In my mind people are becoming selfish and not thinking about anybody but themselves.  'I have finished with this wrapper around my chocolate bar.  I do not want it', so it is thrown to the ground.  There is not a second thought about the environment for others, looking messy or the animals it may harm or the wildlife that may get tangled in it.
This is  small example as there are many other items that are discarded without a second thought.  It is often 'It is somebody else's problem' but we need to wake up to the fact that it is everybody's problem!


The songs of the 1940's I find very moving.  I was brought up on  'war songs'. These songs have stood the test of time.  I wonder if it can be said for other genres of music.  However has the old time songs had their day?  As the older generation pass will people under the age of sixty want to listen to songs, that have little meaning in the modern world.  I do hope so and one thing is for sure.  Even if nobody else is singing them I will be, for hopefully, a long time to come!!

Photo copyright: Lorna Liza

 

Here I am performing at the VE day celebrations in 1995!  That is me in the flowery dress and red hair, far left of the picture.

Happy 100th Birthday Dame Vera Lynn! You are a true inspiration!




'If  Happy Little Bluebirds Fly, Beyond The Rainbow. Why Oh Why, Can't I'- Harold Arlen

Influences In Land Of Make Believe! #women #nationalwomensday #makebelieve #lifestory

It has recently been National Women's Day, on March 8th.  It is a global day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.

This has given me an opportunity to think about women who have influenced me through out my life.  There are women who have changed my direction or have impacted on my life, but is that influencing? I am not too sure.

I came to realise at an early age that I live in a fantasy land.  It took a while to admit but mundane every day life does not excite or really interest me.  Yes, I like a gossip like the best of people but talking about people's weekends or even worse, people's dreams, then nope sorry, bored face!
I do not mind funny anecdotes but keep them snappy! Some of my lovely friends are amazing at the funny stories and the sparkling conversation. To me this should include sharp wit, laughter and mad, insane dialogue! Throw in the occasional show tune, dressing up and dancing and I am away!!
Any way I am digressing!!

The main women to influence me where from the television.  Living in fantasy land meant that I acted out these peoples lives 24/7.  I would decide who I was going to be and then would act it going about my daily life!! (This is when I was very young, I am not doing it now! Well, not all the time!!)
If I watched a television show, film or read a book then I would change my personality to that character.

In my early years it was Samantha from 'Bewitched', an American TV sitcom. Samantha played by Elizabeth Montgomery was beautiful and smart.  She was a 1960's housewife but also a witch! I even remember calling my doll 'Tabitha' the name of the baby in the show.  I was very disappointed that I was not good at the nose twitching!!

Jennifer Hart, Stephanie Powers from 'Hart to Hart' was a strong women.  Again, very beautiful with luscious red hair and a very handsome Mr Jonathan Hart, played by Robert Wagner.  This sent me off on my crime fighting stage.  I was even a member of a spy group and everybody was under suspicion, including the school lollipop lady, who I was convinced was involved in a smuggling ring with secret passages under the large field, next to the school! Hart to Hart also featured the most adorable Freeway the dog.

'Cagney and Lacey', Sharon Gless and Tyne Daly was another crime fighting duo.  I remember trying to dye my hair blonde but did not know that you would have to use bleach to dye brown hair blonde! This stage involved me shouting a lot! I also had to write down car numbers in case there was a crime! I was always prepared. I remember going to the caravan with my Dad and on the way back playing 'Catch the criminal' pretending to follow the cars! That was such a fun journey and sticks in my mind, even now! I also remember the drama when we got back home, which was not very pleasant, but that is another story!

My main influence was 'Dynasty' This was not too bad but meant I was wearing shoulder pads and clip on earrings at far too young an age! Dynasty was quite grown up and where I learnt most about life. No wonder everything seems boring in 'real' life!! I wanted to be either Krystle Carrington or Kirby Anders. As it was such a huge impact on my life I still adore it and now have the whole series on DVD.  Now, as I am older, appreciate the character of Alexis Colby. She was a strong woman and held her own in a boardroom and bedroom. She was in control!

My influence of a strong woman from books was reading 'Anne of Green Gables' and 'Little Women'.
Both these books developed my love of reading and writing as both Anne and Jo, my preferred character from 'Little Women' wanted to and became an author.  They also had close female friends or sisters, something as being an only and odd child, did not have.  It was around this time that I started writing a diary.  I keep a diary now and at the end of every year for over the past ten years I write a summary of the events that happened in the months of that year.  At Christmas time I usually re read them as I add the next instalment.  I do not write them for anybody else to read and some of the things, looking back, are difficult, such as losing members of the family.

Musicals featured highly in growing up.  'Sandy' from Grease was a particular one, but it could just be a film that caught my imagination and I wanted to be them.

This influenced how I dressed.  Before I became interested in 'Neighbours' and 'Eastenders' I do not think I owned a pair of jeans.  I loved 'Coronation Street' and adored 'Elsie Tanner' played by the amazing Pat Phoenix. It must had been hilarious watching a young girl dressed as the characters!
I do recall a friend passing me in the street and asking what family occasion I was attending going dressed like I was.  If I recall I was wearing a long pink vintage dress and cowboy boots! I did not like to tell her I had just been to the local shop!
I also remember wearing bright make up and huge chiffon bows in my hair and a neighbour telling my Nana that she would not let her daughter walk around like I did!!

Looking back now I realise I was a little freaky!! I guess I was just lonely, living with all the imaginary people and having an amazing time!  I could write my story.  I could have a happy ending,
The programmes and films were older and portrayed adult relationships and so I was not really that bothered with people my own age. 

When I discovered 'Judy Garland', 'Liza Minnelli' and 'Lorna Luft' that seemed to tower over the rest.  I was getting older but I still wanted to dress like them and tried to glean any information I could.

I am still a HUGE fan of these women.  Again, not many women my age inspire me but I forget that a lot of them was at my age, or younger, when I was influenced by them!

I still love to 'dress up'.  I am still working on 'me' but if the women that influenced me are anything to go by I may be small and I may be emotional but I can be one tough cookie!!

Dressed 1950's: Photo Lorna Liza copyright

Gothic, with Pirate Mick, Photo: Lorna Liza copyright

'Get Happy' with Pirate Mick; Photo: PJS Photography

 'If Happy Little Bluebirds Fly, Beyond The Rainbow. Why Oh Why, Can't I'- Harold Arlen

12th of March is a good day for a birthday!! #happybirthday #wheatsheaf #sundaylunch

Today was Pirate Mick's birthday. We had popped into the local 'Wheatsheaf' pub on Friday night and it was absolutely heaving! It is on Bargate, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire. The-wheatsheaf-grimsby  We managed to find the last parking space and the last table in the establishment. Whilst there we decided to book a table for a birthday lunch this Sunday.

So today we headed to 'The Wheatsheaf' and there was four of us for lunch.  As the table was reserved it removed the stress of wondering if we would get in.  As it was Sunday, as well as the main menu, there was also a Sunday Roast menu.  After browsing the menus we opted for the Sunday roast two courses for £9.99

Pirate Mick had beef and the rest of us had chicken.  It was served quickly and it was plentiful.

 For dessert I chose the cheesecake, which is included in the offer but was offered a chocolate brownie or Eton mess instead. I chose the brownie, served with ice cream and this comes with a latte.  The others had apple pie and ice cream. Through out the lunch we had four other lattes, a Bacardi and coke and an Elderflower.

A gentleman at the next table, very kindly, offered us a voucher for 20% off.  He said he had been given it but would not be returning. I was very grateful as when it was tallied up for four two course meals, five latte, one Bacardi and one Elderflower it only added up to £43.00!!  Bargain! Thank you to the generous man at the next table.  I have passed on the good feeling by purchasing some cat food for a local animal charity from Amazon wish list.

I was wearing my new dress from the website 'Everything 5pounds'. https://www.everything5pounds.com/en

The delivery was very quick and four items arrived in a couple of days for just over £28.00

It is a lovely dress and has great spring colours.  The sleeves are tighter fitting up to the elbow and then flares. The only trouble was trying not to dip my sleeves into the food!

I paired the dress with black leggings and my long black suede, low heeled boots from Primark.

I can not wait to be wearing my spring and summer wardrobe! 

In the afternoon we had a visit from some lovely friends and had chocolate cake!!

I adore the little picture that Pirate Mick got as a gift.  A cat as a pirate!  Apparently it is from a shop in Louth, Lincolnshire. I love it!! I will be on the look out to purchase some for gifts! 

As you can see from the above photograph the picture has already found a home, amongst my Judy Garland collection.  Which reminds me, today is also the birthday of one of my idols.  Do you know which one?

This person was born 12th March 1946.  She is a singer, dancer and actress and has an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and a Tony. This person has been married four times and her life is a cabaret!!

The 12th of March must produce great people! A very happy birthday to you!

 'If Happy Little Bluebirds Fly, Beyond The Rainbow. Why Oh Why, Can't I'- Harold Arlen


All photographs, unless stated otherwise Copyright; Lorna Liza

World Book Day #books #reading

Snow Queen
Copyright: Lorna Liza

 

 

Hello!! What a busy week! Thursday was 'World Book Day'.  This day has evolved over the last few years and this year was the twentieth anniversary. 

I love reading and like a wide variation of books.  I sometimes enjoy a romantic novel but usually read a thriller. I do not have many favourite authors but have read almost everything by 'Mary Higgins Clark' http://maryhigginsclark.com/  I am currently reading 'The Sleeping Beauty Killer', so I suppose you could say she is one of my favourites.

 

I also have a couple of biographies by my bedside table 'From Drags To Riches', the life story of my favourite, Danny La Rue http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21032564-danny-la-rue-from-drags-to-riches and  'Judy & Liza & Robert & Freddie & David & Sue & Me' (Always thought this was a very strange title!) http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23014745-judy-liza-robert-freddie-david-sue-me?ac=1&from_search=true Obviously about my idols Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli.  I am looking forward to having the chance to really have time to finish the books and must resist the urge to start any more!

 

I love the way books can transport you into your fantasy land.  You imagine the characters and I do not know about you but when I am reading a good book I feel a kind of bereavement when it has finished.

It is very rare a film is as good as a book usually because the casting does not agree with the ideas in your head. 

I tried many times to read 'The Island' by Victoria Hislop The Island I just could not imagine the leper Island of Spinalonga in Crete.  That was until I visited the Island and took the trip to Spinalonga. (Which Pirate Mick and I were recognised on!  But that is another story!!). Reading the book was then easy as I was engrossed by it and realised the story deserved the great reviews it received.

 

On Thursday I  dressed as 'The Snow Queen' (You may know her as Elsa!!), from Hans Christian Anderson.  Unfortunately  I was so busy I forgot to get a photograph but the above photograph is when I dressed as Elsa, sorry, The Snow Queen!!, previously! My feet still have not recovered from wearing my sparkly silver ice shoes all day! Now I know why Cinderella lost one of her shoes!!

 

 

Well it is soon time for bed and I will try and read another chapter before I go to sleep. Do you have a favourite book? Hope you find some time to lose yourself in a book soon!

 

Happy Reading!

 

 

 

 'If Happy Little Bluebirds Fly, Beyond The Rainbow. Why Oh Why, Can't I'- Harold Arlen


All photographs, unless stated otherwise Copyright; Lorna Liza