The Oxen by Thomas Hardy 1840-1928

 Dear Reader,

Apparently robins that live in the countryside become more aggressive when exposed to traffic noise, scientists have found. The red breasted birds are synonymous with Christmas and are fiercely territorial creatures that rely on signals, both visual and acoustic, to mark their territory and repel outsiders.   It has been found that the birds change their behaviour when threatened and that traffic noise was the trigger.

Researchers believe that while urban robins are used to louder habitats and have adapted to tune them out, their countryside dwelling cousins instead respond to raucous sounds - including traffic - by becoming more aggressive.  Dr. Caglar Akcay, of Anglia Ruskin University said: "We know that human activity can have a significant impact on the long-term social behaviour of wildlife, and our results show that human-produced noise can have a range of effects."

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I think I will write a little something every week from now on about my Chimp.  Do you remember when I wrote about the Downing Street cat and when I wrote something about the seagulls riotous behaviour?

Well this week I had a stomach ache and my Chimp told me it was probably stomach cancer.  It went after a day and was probably some prawns I ate.  So once again my Chimp was being over zealous and with the help of Prof.Steve Peter's book : The Chimp Paradox I was able to talk to Chimp as an adult and dispense with my fears. Question the chimp at every turn, especially if it is an emotional dilemma.

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From William Wordsworth, 1799, December 24th in Westmorland

'Rydale is covered with ice, clear as polished steel, I have procured a pair of skates and to0morrow mean to give my body to the wind.'

From James Woodforde, 1790, December 25th in Norfolk

'I lighted my large wax-candle being Xmas Day, during teatime this afternoon for about an hour.  It was very mild, thank God, to-day for this time of year, tho' wet and very dirty walking.'

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I am putting on my favourite Christmas poem.  It is by Thomas Hardy. 1840-1928

The Oxen

Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock,
"Now they are all still on their knees,"
An elder said as we sat in a flock
By the embers in hearth-side ease.

We pictured the meek mild creatures where
They dwelt in their strawy pen.
Nor did it occur to one of us there
To doubt they were kneeling then.

So fair few would weave
In these years! Yet, I feel
If someone said on Christmas Eve,
"Come, see the oxen kneel,

"In the lonely barton by yonder coomb
our childhood used to know,"
I should go with him in the gloom,
Hoping it might be so.

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Thank you all for being with me on this small blog,
it is very cheering to know that you are out there.

Have a very happy Christmas and very best wishes,
Patricia

Another Chimp message

 Dear reader,

A big thank you to all American readers, I had a big readership from you last week.  You obviously liked my blog which talked about the Chimp.  The Chimp who lives in your head and causes you anxiety.  He means to be helpful, protect you and guard you from harm but sometimes he just overdoes it.  This is a piece of advice from Prof. Steve Peters book :The Chimp Paradox.   He says that in order to work with the Chimp you need to nurture him and manage him. Nurture first and then manage.  "If you have a Chimp that is well looked after by being nurtured and having all its needs met, then it is very likely that this happy little animal will not cause any trouble.If you don't look after your Chimp then it is very likely that it will kick off at any time and cause you a lot of pain."  I think this means, at least it does for me, that you have to question his wisdom.   Sometimes the Chimp in me suggests, for instance, that I should not go out in the snow because I might fall.  Well I might but the fresh air and the exercise tempt me outside so I don't follow the advice and I am fine, and refreshed.  So talk to your Chimp, make him your friend.   He is on your side just a bit bossy.

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From Francis Kilvert, December 8th, 1872, in Wiltshire

 

'....at about half past four began the Great Storm of 1872.  Suddenly the wind rose up and began to roar at the Tower window and shake the panes and lash the glass the torrents of rain.  It grew very dark and we struggled home in torrents of rain and tempests of wind so fearful that could hardly force our way across the Common to the rectory.  All the evening the roaring S.W. wind raged more and more furious.  It seemed as if the windows on the west side of the house must be blown in.   The glass cracked and strained and bent....I went out to see where the cows were, fearing that the large elms in the Avenue might fall and crush them.  The trees were writing , swaying , rocking, lashing their arms wildly and straining terribly in the tempest but I couldn't see that any were gone yet...... Everything was drowned in the roar and thunder of the storm.  The wind howled down the chimney, the room was full of smoke and every now and then the fire flaught out into the room in tongues of flame beaten down with a smother of sparks and smoke.'

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Chimp, give me a break

This Chimp lives in my head,
he is my protector
my guardian.
He works hard, too hard
he sees danger everywhere
alerts me to it
every day.
Obviously he loves me
doesn't want any harm to befall me,
but I am losing patience
with him, he overdoes it.

Surely I can drive without
serious problems arising.
Surely I can shop without
a gunman pinning me down.
Surely I can have a drink
without cirrhosis of the liver.
Surely that noise was a car backfiring,
not a shot.

Advice ad infinitum,
and my Chimp can't let up.
I want a peaceful life,
Chimp, give me a break please.

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If you like reading my blog why don't you treat yourself to my memoir : "Half a Pair of People" which can be obtained on Amazon.  In the reviews people have written that it is hilarious and thought provoking.  I t would make a good Christmas present for an aunt or someone who enjoys true life stories.

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With very best wishes, Patricia