Once A Catholic

Assuming I have the same ancestry as Bigbrother, who had the DNA test, our blood is 24% Irish, probably entirely from our mother’s side.

I am using my full Christian names as the story won’t work without it.

From Facebook Archives.

St Patrick’s Day 17 March 2017 at 12:07

Shortly after Mum brought me back from Tidworth Military Hospital (where I was born) the parish priest called, presumably to organise the baptism.

"Hello Mrs B and how is the baby?" 

"She's very well Father"

"And what are you going to call her?"

"Brenda Mary father." 

"Holy Mother of God!  And what's wrong with Bridget Patricia?"

Woolwoman Did you know any Bridget Patricias when you were growing up?

Bentonbag  A couple of Bridgets (one my oldest best friend Henffrind’s gran) and a Patricia but no Bridget Patricia*

Woolerwoman  So the Priest was thwarted!! Well good for your mum!

Bentonbag  I think the Priest was taking the mickey at Mum's overtly RC selection.

Paddington  I like the way you had to explain it was when you were born in case I wasn't sure if it was due to coming out of rehab.

 

* That being said I was brought up in Carmarthenshire where Catholics are thin on the ground, and those Bridgets and Patricia were Methodist or Anglican. 

I’ve encountered more since coming up to university and living in the North East.

I suspect that at the third daughter Mum ran out of inspiration and just plumped on same first name my (Irish) godfather gave his daughter, who is a few months older than me.

 

See also https://bentonbag.blogspot.com/2022/10/whats-in-name.html

 

Count Your Blessings

From Facebook Archives

Sunday 16 March 2025 at 11.22

Ferretfingers has had a wash and change of pyjamas (put on Thursday evening).

Fester has bought me a bunch of daffodils.

Now to hang up yesterday's load of washing, put in another load of washing and do various domestic goddessy things whilst himself sits doing the neverendinglistofpits whilst listening to Saturday kitchen on computer#1.

Woolerwoman  Domestic Bliss personified!   You're a hero.xx

Bentonbag  Have you ever read Spike Milligan's "Adolf Hitler My Part In His Downfall Vol I" where he describes his mother?  Some days it feels like that.

Woolerwoman  Yes, and she didn't have a washing machine!

Bentonbag  I count my blessings daily ... 

Reasons To Be (Moderately) Cheerful

From Facebook Archives

13 March 2010 at 17:59

I’ve just discovered we can get BBC1Wales and BBCRadioCymru on Virgin - now if they put S4C on as well I'll be able to watch Pobol-y-Cwm.

13 March 2013 at 17:47

Ferretfingers has found the BBC Be On A Show homepage 

(http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/beonashow/) and applied to be on Bargain Hunt.  

Now there's an episode I'd like to see 😛

The Squireen  It’s alright he will want you as his partner!

13 March 2017 at 08:25

Five frogs in pond yesterday, two clumps of frogspawn in the pond this morning. #springisspringing

Mrs Poet  Dunno why but this feels like the most positive post have read this a.m.

Bentonbag The day is young

St Bernard  The drakes were chasing the hens around the Civic Centre & Robinson Library this morning 😀There'll be baby bunnies hopping on the Civic Centre lawns soon if they aren't culled.

Sandy  Nah they'll not be culled it's getting much warmer 😀

Mercy Dunn  Speckled?

Bentonbag  ?

Mercy Dunn  5 little speckled frogs... I am constantly surrounded by ankle biters!! 

(It's a song)

Bentonbag  Some speckled, some plain gray - make a song out of that!

13 March 2024 at 12:51

Parsnips are in.  Oak and holly prunings down as cat deterrents.  Won't work of course.

 

Lovely Day

From Facebook Archives

12 March 2015 at 15:42

I'm having a lovely day.First to Brunswick Methodist to have a coffee with my friend Ian, before going out collecting for Marie Curie Cancer Care.  

Who should tap me on the shoulder but Mrs Poet.   

So I could introduce two of my favourite people to each other.   

Then out on the street collecting which is always fun, for people watching if nothing else. 

Where I saw Lesley who I used to help with Newcastle Talking News, a weekly cassette newspaper for blind people.   

Then Andy, the husband of Sarah who used to work with me at Neil Forsyth & Associates two decades ago. 

Nice chats and catch up - with passersby undeterred from putting money in my tin and getting a daff. 

Then on the bus on the way home saw Fester's mate from Novo's Rugby, who Thunderthighs is now delivering newspapers to of a morning, and who is also interested in pits and threatening to ambush himself at the Mining Institute sometime soon.