The things you said

As the year draws to a close I thought I’d take a wander through some of the comments that you have made on my articles during 2007. These are some of my favourites

I wrote an article on men wearing pink. This is what Missy said -

Keith I was taking the time to read your articles and I find you do look fetching in pink, it complements our skin tones real well. I love it when a man is strong enough in his masculinity to wear whatever colour he so chooses.


When I did a photoblog on my nearest town Eastbourne, I received heaps of comments. These are typical.

Ambre said -

WoW! These photos are absolutely breathtaking! What an enchanted place to reside. I am, oh... How can I say this without sounding covetous? ENVIOUS! No, that just won't do. What about BEGRUDGING? Nah, still a bit over the edge. (Giggles) The lady is merely teasing Keith.

Marja wrote -

What awe inspiring surroundings! It's no wonder that you write with such ease. Your atmosphere must truly 'move' you. The old English rendering of the word 'moved' likens it to a ship being carried along by the waves of the sea.I do have one question though. What on earth are you referring to when speaking of boobies & dangly bits? I know it has nothing to do with the anatomy, but I am none-the-wiser because of it. Do explain if you will.

It was of course everything to do with the anatomy! I confused Marja again when I wrote about thongs. English is of course Marja’s second language .

Marja said -

It flows Keith loved it. Just - um - didn't get it. The word thong is not in my vocabulary. Please help me.

So I replied -

Marja - Knickers dear, knickers!

Then Dickiebo joined in!

Keith. I couldn't afford to stir-up St. Peter as you have, and as though that's not bad enough, you go and swear at Marja! Tut, tut!

Language difficulties reared it’s head again when I refered to a cigarette as a fag. Ambre wrote -

How on earth did the cigarette assume the name 'fag'? Tell me, who's bright idea was that? Do you know anything regarding the terms origin? My inquiring mind would like to know.

I wrote a piece about an inscription on a beer tankard – a typical gift for somebody reaching the age of majority on beer tankard.

Jadey wrote -

How great are the differences in this vast world of cultural divide. very cute.

Then she said -

Well I hope you gave him a good one he will always remember.

What can I say!

Morgy commented on my parrot joke. Well, I say she commented! What she actually said was -

Have you heard the one about the two southern belles sitting on their veranda, sipping lemonade, discussing a trip to New York City?

No Morgy – I haven’t! And I still haven’t!

A few days later she was back. I wrote a piece in which I looked back to the days when men were gentlemen. This is what she said -

Hey Keith, You can give me your seat on the train! I just spent five days in Boston and relied heavily on the public subway. While there, about five men offered me their seats. Four of them were Hispanic, one white. I appreciated their offers so much ... I didn't always take them up on their offers but I did express my gratitude. I like the idea of men being more gentlemanly, but don't take away my pint man! ;)

I did a short piece on the meaning of Blue Moon. Missy wrote -

Now this would be a sight to behold. Keith tonight as it approaches please offer a toast of wine for me to the moon. I love the moon and its many wonders and mysteries.

I am not a smoker, but I wrote about my opposition to the smoking ban . Up popped Jayne!

So then tell me where those snotty little wingers are hiding and I'll hunt them down whilst I'm over there and make them sit in a cupboard with me smoking and an obnoxious drunk! See which one upsets them the most - lol

Dickiebo didn’t agree with me!

Don't know on what you base your assumption that most non-smokers don't mind. We (non-smokers) have had no choice in the past, but to endure filthy, smoke-filled pubs, knowing that it will likely lead to an unpleasant and untimely death. High time that smokers were isolated - as all diseases are.

That was me put in my place!

I wrote about kids not knowing about farms. Sara from farmingfriends said -


A great article. The British Potato council found that 60% of children thought that potatoes grow on tree! I am a teacher and a farmer's wife so have a great interest in this subject.



My photographs showing my Fathers miniature furniture were well received. Missy commented not just on him but also on examples of my daughters photography.

muy muy bonita (very very beautiful) It is just exquisite the detail and love and time that went into such a wonderful piece of miniature furniture. What a grand family you have Keith. Seriously you are so blessed, and talented and this you pass to your daughter. You make me speechless and in awe.

I’m the last person to give advice to grooms! But I did! Renee said -

I think I want to be wife number four. Every time I read anything Keith writes I chuckle, I chortle, I guffaw, I snort my coffee all over my monitor... and I find myself grinning long afterwards when a tidbit that tickled me sprints across my thoughts.I can send a picture if need be for the ceremony.

KB liked my smokers umbrellas.

Ahhh Keith, I'm chucklin away over the umbrella pic. I'll have to get hubby one for his birthday. I make him go outside to smoke in the rain on a regular basis.

Dickiebo left this remark on my piece about elderly people

A friend used to have in his pocket a piece of paper. On it was written, "I have spat on this". He would leave it against his plate if he had to go to the Gents midway through his meal. One day, he returned, and on the paper somebody had written, "So have we".

I had a wonderful experience at an outdoor concert in the Autumn. Gimme said -

My Lord, Keith you are a fantastically colourful writer. I read this piece and could hear the orchestra. I could see the group before you, chattering away as if the music were some rag-tag hillbilly group from Saint Anthony's, Newfoundland playing an ugly stick. I could feel the wine running down my shirt. Yew! I smell like a winery!

And when I listed a few of my favourite things, Missy wrote -

Keith I love your blog colour and you had me at daffodils. Hmmmm sounds like heaven and nothing beats walking in the rain. One of my favourite musicals is Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and South Pacific. I bet Paris in the spring is pretty. I enjoyed reading your favourite things Keith....Hmmmm you don't like warm woollen mittens? When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when you’re feeling sad, simply remember your favourite things and then you won’t feel so bad lalalalaalalalala

And Gimme -

Very enlightening Cheffie. Now I know who you really are. Beautiful thought from a beautiful person!

Heres an odd one! Little Wing said - -

Oh how very descriptive you are Keith!Wonderful post and I can smell cabbage!

And Odessa commented on The Key

'Somewhere there is a key to break my code. The code I was given in the cradle. The code which explains who I am and why I’m here' (quote) - I LOVE these lines! So true for each and every one of us.

Cest m’oir came across foreign food in one of my articles -

I got the gist of the whole tale but could you translate bubbles and squeak into English for a Canadian please. I never heard that one before, and I thought I heard them all!

PS said -

Hi keith,I could so much relate to this post!!You said it so well!I too will be completing a year of blogging soon and it has really opened a new world for me.And yes--we have all grown as writers, haven’t we?

She went on to point me in the direction of Writers Island for which I’m eternally grateful.

There is something called 'writers island' which gives prompts for writing every Tuesday. I just discovered it yesterday, loved the concept and I shall be doing it and putting up the link very soon. (closes door):-)

Then Jadey said -

Congrats on one year of blogging you nerd you lol. I sure hope in a year you will still be blogging.

Here’s a nice one I found from UL

Ah yes, the British humour, I miss it! Shh...lest my British friends hear me and that won’t be the last I hear of it. Your post reminded me of the good old days in Britain and the endless beer adventures. Thanks for sharing.

And look what Jadey said after reading a about a practical joke I played on some Germans!

See I told you are a trouble maker with a capital T.

Then Gimme joined in!

tsk,tsk..., naughty, naughty!

I wrote a poem which I was uncertain about. Holly Mac dropped by and said-

Nicely done, sir. And (for me) the thing about poetry is that when it happens naturally, it's funny, touching and easy to read. When it tries to be "Poetry with a capital P" then it just seems too mucky and trite. I like your poem. It's a poem in a t-shirt and blue jeans, not tuxedo.

gautami tripathy said -

You do what pleases you!!Poetry speaks out for me. Prose, I feel stilted. Poetry renews me. Prose does not. Sorry for rambling here.

Jadey commented on an article I wrote about declining reading standards.

I love this article and I think that this should be a an eye opener to everyone. Read to your children. Reading allows for you to use your imagination and you can go anywhere with a good story. Video games do as well serve as purpose but they will never take the place of a well written book. Also the great outdoors should once again become a part of every kids lives.

Then Morgy put on her serious head and said -

My kids read, but I know we are rare. I know this because I teach high school. Many kids seriously hate to read. I blame television, and video games. Maybe that's a pat answer, but it makes sense. In homes where parents limit the TV and videogames, kids have a couple of options -- go outside and get fresh air (something that many kids don't get enough of), fiddle around with an instrument (there we go ... another something kids don't get enough of), create something -- visual or performance (what do you know ... art ... another dying area), play with toys, or READ. So, turn that TV off. Read, read, read to your babies. I've been saying it for almost 13 years, since the day my first daughter was born.

My piece on old peoples habits drew a few comments. Mona said -

Old habits are comfortable. That is why they die hard!

And Jadey said -

Ahhh not depressing, but certainly we are all creatures of habit it just happens lol. Enjoy at least you know what to expect and if it isn't what you expect then you know that something is going to happen.

I did a history lesson on Guy Fawkes! Ammie Elf said -

I think Guy Fawkes day must be almost entirely unknown here. I've only heard of it in passing. The fascinating thing for me to see though was the parade of burning crosses in the celebration that clearly have a different meaning from the U.S. burning cross. Great pictures. All so moody and conveying the excitement of the crowd.

Marja said -

Keith what a great story. Here in NZ we have Guy Fawkes. But apart from some fireworks there is nothing going on. I love everything around it the parade and bonfires. Reminds me of Carnival in Holland that's the time when we have parades and when I was young on the last day at 12 o'clock we used to burn a puppeton the market signalling the end of the carnival. Oh I miss all this culture.

Not everyone agreed with me when I bemoaned the growth in MeMes. Ambre said -

I didn't care for this piece, but I read it nonetheless. You have the right to speak your mind, after all it is your blog and your mind. G'day

Little Wing commented on a piece I wrote in praise of cigars.

Keith you almost turned that cigar experience into a Zen moment!ALMOST made me want to try it.Oh and ok, the six inches of heaven holding wasn't what I was smirking at, it was that extra one eighth of an inch!!!!!!!!!!Good post my friend!

Irrelephant said -

A friend sent me a link to this post--oh, you've captured it perfectly. *grin* I'm more of a pipe smoker but I do keep a fully stocked humidor for such time as a cigar seems appropriate, and ooooh the wondrous experiences people miss out on when they close their minds and declare something to be "evil."

I wrote about the tradition of hunting in the UK. Little Wing wasn’t impressed!

Seems rather barbaric I must say to run the prey to death when it isn't even going to be a meal.On this side of the pond we would have the animal rights people in an uproar.But then on the other hand we think nothing of locking up wild animals in a zoo, which to me seems wrong.

Gimme thought I was being cruel to Annoying Al, my bedside clock!

You give AA a hug for me and stop abusing the little bugger!

When I mentioned that our police never carry guns, I got quite a lot of comments and questions! These are typical. Renee wrote -

Strange indeed is the world we live in, more scarier if you ask me, the individual freedom is at risk! UK doesn’t allow firearms for civilians do they? I mean like the US rules about 'allowed to carry guns with license', so it makes perfect sense that not all policemen are armed all the time.Much safer I think.

Then Little Wing said -

Keith, can you please explain to me why your police officers don't carry weapons? That seems so strange to me, here in the states.Our officers ALL carry weapons because our bad guys carry weapons!Really curious, please explain??


Jeques enjoyed my piece on Winchester Cathedral.

I was taking the tour with you: I was with your every echoing steps silenced by this majestic cathedral; my soul is soothe by the angelic voices singing, the holy poetic words of psalms and the sanctity of the place. There must be 22 people sitting in the velvet seated stalls around the walls of this ancient room if you count me, or even more if you include the people who would read this article. You wrote this skilfully that you made me feel like being there with you communing with all the holiness of the place. You were not alone wandering down the nave, I tag-along your trail of thoughts and I share your impressions of the place and I took every details with me home realizing in the end that I'm sitted in front my writing table just reading, and yes home with my creator. This is a piece where the gift giver and the mind of the gifted converged, undoubtedly inspired by the sanctity of the place, the result: An excellent work! Thanks for taking me there.I wish you well.

And Pauline said-

Thank you for allowing me to be at your shoulder as you walked the cathedral alone. Ramble on, good man.

I did a poem on the seasons of life. Paisley wrote -

I am living this for the first real time in my life,, and it is strange,, nothing could compare to knowing all along,, and yet,, being blindsided at the same time... life...

Fenny said -

Seasons of life the stories they tell, pass in the blink of an eye and are as diverse as heaven and hell ... You've captured it so well

Some times I’m misunderstood. In all innocence I published a photo of a strawberry dessert. And I got these comments! From Jadey -

Well Mr. Keith, They should be so honoured to have you working with them and caring so much about them. It does however look like you are saluting something else in this pic lol

Dickiebo said -

Shame on you, matey. Trying hard to pretend that you are admiring that dessert

Even Frances joined in!

You are soooo naughty! Sending my best from New York,Frances

I put up a special Christmas Greeting for my fellow blogging gentlemen. Dickiebo took a look.

I clicked on it at 9am and my computer must have got stuck somehow. Only just got off, at 11.30am!

Modesty forbids me from copying the posts that commented on my writing. I did however receive one which has stuck firmly in my mind . Steve said -

If my stories ever become half as good as this I will die a happy man.

Now I wonder what comments will come my way in 2008?