Category: Friends Group

We were asked to come us with our Happy Surprises and nearly all of us did.

Group members took us through their surprises, both this year and in the recent past. These ranged from the surprise arrival of a sister from Canada, to arrival of new grandchildren. We were very pleased to hear people’s plans for the immediate future. This also prompted some of the group to think what they might do.

We also discussed November 5th – bonfire night. Group members recalled having fireworks at home or going to the display on Blackheath. Nobody will be going to Blackheath for fireworks this year – as we will be in another lockdown from Thursday.

David showed us some of the very many paintings on his walls. This was a new one – he said his efforts were becoming more abstract as time went on. He plans to do a Reflections Friendship Group Zoomers painting – it should be fabulous.

Gyda’s paper craft this time was all about making our own fireworks.

David is now a regular Reflections poet, with a self-penned reading most weeks.

One happy surprise today was the return of Danny. He needed to leave before Pearl introduced her latest batch of songs. There followed both singing and dancing – including Janet’s favourite: ‘Ring of Fire’ as sung by Tony:

Lynne was our quiz hostess. I’m sure her quizzes are getting harder. Here is one question: ‘How long did it take to conceal the gunpowder in the Parliament cellars’. Answer: ‘One Year’!

Gyda introduced us to some Chi Yoga – using a toilet roll!

We had more singing later with Tony’s version of “3 little birds”.

I shall be taking a break from the Friendship Group sessions for a while. But, I will be popping in occasionally and keeping this blog up to date. See you soon.

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Nothing to be spooked by here…

The session had a seasonal theme, so we asked everyone what was best about the autumn.

We chatted about enjoying the outside and coming back to our warm cosy homes.

Gyda returned us to spookier ideas with do-it-yourself bats and witches. As usual, there was a lot of happy crafters.

Pearl was particularly scary in her mask. Fortunately, her grandson (making his second guest appearance) found it very funny.

Pearl insisted we sing some more up-beat songs. There was lots of singing and dancing

Lynne and Laila did the quiz duties today.

We had more singing later with Tony’s version of “3 little birds”.

As usual, we overran a little.

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The group asked for a session about First Jobs, so that is what we chatted about today.

But, before we started on the discussions, Janet shared an optical illusion. You might like to consider this picture for a while. There was some discussion about a mysterious mushroom in the picture, or was it a dubious haircut? You can choose.

We had another guest speaker this week:

Iuliana spoke about the work that the members of the Commissioning Group is doing in the Borough. She intends to keep in touch with Reflections, and increase the information sharing and networking of groups across Greenwich

We then moved onto the group discussions. Our group said they had all started working between the ages of 14 and 18. With some probing, we found that several had been working when younger – unpaid, for their parents or as a paper-round. Once they started paid work, not all of them stuck in one job for long.

The group had a variety of jobs. Hairdressing was popular with the ladies. We found we had quite a few teachers in the group. One of those was Gyda, who had another craft for us.

Gyda’s craft was making a simple Tree on paper. You can then write in the things you are grateful for. You choose what period the tree covers – it could be one each day. After a while you may look back and might be pleasantly surprised how much you had to be grateful for. Gyda explains more here:

Your photographer took a rather urgent phone call at this point, so may have missed some of the highlights (such as round one of Pearl’s jokes). It appeared everyone managed without me for a short while.

David’s reminiscence struck a chord with all of us.

Pearl’s jokes have become a focal point of the sessions. She seems to have an endless supply of rib tickling quips.

Pearl insisted we sing some up-beat songs, including YMCA. We were pleased to see lots of singing and dancing.

Roxana announced she was changing jobs. This would be her last appearance with us. Roxana has been working with Reflections, both on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Society and more recently with BLG Mind. We thank here for her work and support – and for joining in the fun (even while abroad!)

We had more singing later with Tony’s version of “3 little birds”.

The clocks are going back as winter draws on. Halloween is on its way… next time

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Today we returned to those particular tunes which have a special meaning for each of us. When we hear them they spark emotions, memories, and the urge to start singing. They are the Soundtrack to our Lives.

Music is neurologically special in the way that it stimulates many parts of the brain at once. Listening to your Playlist can have a very positive impact on you. Find out more about Playlist for Life on their website here. You may develop your own Playlist by following this simple guide.

And what better way to get into the groove, than by holding a Musical Tea?

Peter recommended we look at the resources on the Playlist site here and specifically their 100 years of tunes. You can download individual decades for free. Putting together a Playlist is fun and playing it can help calm us in stressful times. Peter has offered to help with advice on putting a Playlist together. If you want to contact Peter, please let us know.

We had a series of polls which prompted a lot of discussion and memories of days gone bye. Old TV themes led onto old TV programmes (you can still see many of them on the ‘Talking Pictures TV‘ channel on Freeview). The people who come up with TV adverts would have been pleased that we remembered so many.

Everyone was busy joining in, but some of us managed to spare time for some tea and cake, as befits a Musical Tea.

In a break from the normal quiz format, I introduced a musical picture quiz. We had some very high scores and I managed 17/17 (but then, I had set the questions).

Janet’s quiz gave us the first line of a classic song, we had to come up with the next line. We also attempted to identify the singer/group. A much more testing quiz than mine.

Gyda’s homework is very popular with some of the keener members of the group. David has his Christmas present assembly line running!

This week Gyda’s craft was making a musical shaker.

Pearl insisted we sing some up-beat songs, including YMCA. We were pleased to see lots of singing and dancing.

We had more singing later with Tony’s version of “3 little birds”.

We look forward to the return of some more of our usual features next time – if we can fit them into the packed programme!

You may now nominate Reflections as your charity when you buy items on Amazon. Click here for more information. It does not cost you (or the retailer) anything and Reflections will receive 0.5% of what you spend.

This week we were being positive about 2020 – and we found much to chat about – from the joy of exercise, saying hello to people when out and about, playing on-line games with others, gardening, walking, to Zoom meetings.

Gyda shared information about Nordic Walking. Lynne was keen to find out more and Chrissie provided more background and encouragement. We have a fit group!

Gyda’s craft this week was creating a mandala. The simple steps led us towards more intricate designs and colour. Our homework will be interesting – come back next week for the technicolour mandalas…

Everyone was feeling positive, but it was joke time and Pearl was not with us. Would Janet make the grade?

Lynne’s quiz was especially difficult, with scores mainly under 5/10. To perk us up, we sang along to “Accentuate the positive” and “Happy talk”. There was plenty of dancing and singing.

More singing followed with Tony’s version of “3 little birds”.

With neighbours calling, appointments etc. some group members slipped away slightly early.

For the remaining Zoomers, we still had to end before part two of Lynne’s quiz due to another overrun. Gerry thought we should go for quiz part 2, but the rest of us needed a cup of tea…

Next week is our Playlist for Life Musical Tea. You may see last year’s Reflections event here and the PfL website is here.

You may now nominate Reflections as your charity when you buy items on Amazon. Click here for more information. It does not cost you (or the retailer) anything and Reflections will receive 0.5% of what you spend.

You may now nominate Reflections as your charity when you buy items on Amazon. Click here for more information. It does not cost you (or the retailer) anything and Reflections will receive 0.5% of what you spend.

We had our fingers crossed for a good session about superstitions. There was a steady stream of people joining us, with a total of “lucky 13”, plus our plucky volunteers. Touch wood no one was stressed by the tricky quiz from Janet covering myths and superstitions from around the world. There was some debate about whether a black cat was lucky or unlucky – we couldn’t agree, so we moved on.

Our knowledgable group pointed out that many myths originated with the Egyptians. Oddly, many people are not aware that Egypt is a country in Africa. We had a couple of superstitions from other countries. From Turkey, Gyda informed us a husband will know if his wife is unfaithful, as he will grow horns. Danny told us. in Estonia, it is unlucky to whistle in the house.

Pearl gave us three suitable songs: “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder. “Tie a yellow ribbon”, by Tony Orlando. And “Dorothy the dinosaur” especially for Dot. I think Dot was pleased.

We sang-a-long to “Amarillo” and “3 little birds”.

And finally…

David had been busy with his homework. Here is the extended family efforts to build theatres.

Adrian produced his lucky charm. He was not sure how much luck it had brought him!

As Boris announced yet more measures to tackle the pandemic, we had a jolly time with friends on Zoom.

We chatted about events we had been to and those we would like to go to and see in the future.

Gyda continues to help us develop our construction crafts. As the architectural student, Danny might have some observations.

David showed us the florist stall he had finished as his homework. Mary was keen to follow Gyda’s guidance to produce a theatre this week.

Lynne gave us another very testing quiz. Fortunately, there were lots of clues to each question, so I managed to get a few right.

This week Gyda introduced us to a relaxation technique.

We all felt better for a little stretching.

Dot and Jen seemed to be having a good afternoon.

We had a couple of surprise guests to finish off the session.

A hot afternoon and a good turn-out for the group. There were a lot of memories of favourite markets, some now long gone. Pettycoat Lane was popular, as was Greenwich market. We had one vote for Coventry market (from Danny, who was joining us from Coventry!).

We also talked about Christmas markets. Cologne was recommended by those that had visited it. Odd to be talking about Christmas just as the hot weather had returned

Janet had come up with this memory of a market nursery rhyme: “To market, to market to buy a fat pig – Home again, home again, jiggety-jig – To market, to market, to buy a fat hog – Home again, home again, jiggety-jog – To market, to market, to buy a plum cake – Home again, home again, market is late – To market, to market, to buy a plum bun – Home again, home again, market is done – To market, to market, a gallop a trot – To buy some meat to put in the pot – Three pence a quarter, a groat a side – If it hadn’t been killed it must have died.” How many of us have a groat in our purse/wallet?

Gyda guided us through the making of a market stall from card or paper. There was a lot of enthusiastic folding and cutting. Our keen builders took away their creations to finish later.

Pearl is taking a break next week, but she gave us her own name tune this week “Pearl’s a Singer“, by Ellie Brooks.

As the afternoon warmed-up, several people moved into their gardens. Danny led the way.

We were relaxed as usual. People popped-in and popped-out through the session.

Janet reminded us that we usually have an annual visit from the Pearly Kings and Queens. As we are on Zoom, we had to make-do with Janet’s quiz about cockney rhyming slang.

Lynne’s quiz was another good test. I got question one right, then I went a bit downhill.

Next time the theme is concerts/theatre/events we have enjoyed.

The evenings are getting darker earlier. There is a bit of a chill. I found a long-sleeve shirt, just for this afternoon. Roxana told us she has put her heating on (but she says she is still wearing shorts!).

The group said they enjoyed the crisp mornings and cosy fires in the autumn. They were also looking forward to getting out and about more as lock-down eases.

Janet led a discussion about how and when we might return to face-to-face group meetings. While some people were willing to consider coming together, there were concerns about how safe it would be. We will keep reviewing the options and proceed with caution.

Gyda had a fun craft – making a leaf out of paper and decorating it. We were invited to do some homework and bring back our leaf collections next week. Gyda also asked if members had any ideas for future crafts… watch this space.

Pearl also gave us three songs including “Jenifer Juniper”, by Donovan – dedicated to Jen. Three of the volunteers had seen Donovan performing in 2016. His singing voice may have suffered a bit, but his stories from the 1960s were fascinating.

David, as ever, had just the paintings to reflect the theme of the day.

David’s walls are covered in his excellent work.

Janet had a quiz about Autumn. The questions had been set by Australians. There was some discussion about the accuracy of some of the official answers. The main point of disagreement was about what Americans call football – Lyne and Pearl became quite animated!

It looks like we will be practicing our hand exercises over the coming weeks.

Next time, as suggested, we will be looking at ‘Markets’.

Gondola, cruise ship, balloon, Concorde? Our poll told us that 58% of members would like a trip on the Orient Express. Sounds like we could have a group outing (when we win the lottery).

Gerry explained that a crash in a balloon expedition, prior to the invention of mobile phones, led to a long wait for rescue! Fortunately, when it happened, no one was injured – and they got some nice photos.

Pearl had a great tune for our person-of-the-day – Danny. We sang along to “Daniel” by Elton John. Danny was relieved it wasn’t the usual – “Danny Boy”.

Pearl led the singing of “

Pearl also led the singing of “The big ship sails on the alley-alley-o”.

Janet had another tricky quiz. We did better guessing the ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ than the ‘Seven Virtues’. Adrian managed to answer the most obscure question “Who starred in the 1961 movie ‘Come September’ – for the answer, see below…

Sharon told us about the Carers Centre cafe reopening on 7th September. She recommended anyone interested in popping down (and people were keen to go) should phone-up just before opening to get the final details of what was on offer and how social distancing will be managed.

Another good session and lots of jolly Zoomers. The answer to “Who starred in the 1961 movie ‘Come September’ was, of course, Rock Hudson and Gina Lollobri