The Best Days Ever

     

 

    I enjoy watching cookery programmes, and I have my favourite go-tos. The other day, I viewed an episode of a series of programmes that featured picnic food. It got me thinking back to when I was a kid and when my grandmother used to take me on a picnic regularly.

    The food we ate on the picnic was very different from the food suggestions on this programme. There was no quiche, sausage rolls, scotch eggs or Battenberg cake, washed down by iced lemon tea.

    Our feast usually consisted of jam or cheese sandwiches accompanied by a flask of tea. They were the best days ever.

 

    I’ve included a classic poem today, written by African-American Julius C. Wright. I hope you enjoy it.

 

 Going to the Picnic

 

There is a large crowd of folk

Hurrying down the road

They are going to have a picnic now 

And spread the news abroad

They're wearing beautiful bouquets

And carrying bright tin dippers

New straw hats are waving high

And patent leather slippers

Their hats are made of fine chiffon

And decorated too

There will be plenty of goodies

For your friends and for you

They will have a big barbecue

And a lot of other stuff

They are going to eat and drink

Till everybody puff 

They will have cakes and candy by the heaps

And ice cream pressed in cakes

Peanut parched fresh and hot

And a lot of fine milkshakes

They will have fish croquettes by the bushels

And coconut jumbles too

They are going to feed their friends and foes

And have enough for you

They are going to have a big dance

And have a Jolly time

They want to show their handsome looks

Because they look so fine

 

One barrel or two of lemonade

Mixed all through with ice

Lemons cut and thrown therein 

Gee! it’s awful nice 

 

Of all the fun and jollities

And all the places of rest

Just go to an old picnic ground 

They tell me that's the best

 

 

 

 

 

Not Unusual !!

 

 

 

 

    Sir Tom Jones took part in the 80th anniversary Word War II D-Day celebrations held in Normandy, France, on June 6th. He performed an exceptionally moving rendition of, I Won't Crumble If You Fall, in memory of his grandfather who died in the First World War and was buried in France. His performance was an honour to all who have fallen for their country and those whom continue to fall.

    Last night one of the TV channels featured him in a series of entertainment shows honouring him on the occasion of his 84th birthday. The shows followed his career from his early years of becoming a celebrity performer until now.

    I saw him perform on stage many years ago, a memory I should treasure forever. I will explain my use of the word, should. I was the ripe old age of ten when my aunt and uncle treated me to this theatre trip, something that they did regularly. On this occasion, my time in the front stalls  only lasted for 10 minutes before they removed me rather rapidly. 

Now you’re all thinking because of my age, I had misbehaved, which kids do. However, it was some of our fellow audience members whose conduct was a little unexpected but not unusual when it came to Sir Tom performing in the past. To my aunt and uncle’s horror, some of the young women had thrown their underwear onto the stage. This behaviour they didn't think was appropriate for a child of my young years to experience and certainly not one under their care. 

    That night will stay in my mind forever, and will always bring a smile to my lips.