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I passed a beauty parlour today offeringbotox, microdermabrasion (say it slowly, watching your lips in the mirror - sounds a bit like 'supercalifragilistic', too), chemical peels, lasers, 'advanced beauty' (no idea what that might be- brand new head and face, no doubt) and dermal fillers.
All these treatments are intended to literally peel away the cruelties of time.You could even put your feet in a tank and let fishnibbleaway your hard skin if you're too stiff to pumice them.
Shakespeare said we 'ripe and ripe' and then we 'rot and rot' in 'As You Like It' but, trouble is we don't like it (rotting and rotting, I mean).
If my memory is still working, I believe Somerset Maugham said there are many advantages in growing old, though he was unable to think of one.I'd say being alive is much better than the alternative.
Other bonuses aregoing to bed and getting up when you like and eating and drinking what takes your fancy.Being retired is another.
Age is a question that has vexed people for thousand of years. (In Athensyou had to be fifty years old before becomingan elderof the city - the equivalentof a CountyCouncillor nowadays).
Yeats, the Irish poet, equated age with 'being full of sleep', so there are negative and positive aspects to the process.
I once had a tutor who, when he got stuck duringa lecture, would walk to the window and murmur softly: 'But at my back I always hear Time's winged chariot drawing near'.This was followed by: 'Girls, this lesson is coming to a close, so let's discuss homework', which rather spoilt the effect of Marvell's 'To His Coy Mistress', but that's as good an argument as any for getting on with the job, I expect.
Jenkins the Bakers will be taking centre stage at a prestigious national Bakers Fair next month (October).
The South Wales bakers, based in Llanelli and with shops across the area, will be up against the crme de la crme of British talent at The Autumn Bakers Fair in the Bolton Arena in Lancashire.
The Jenkins team will be taking part in the Richemont Club competition, an event which has status in the baking and confectionery business equal to that of footballs Premier League.
Its difficult to explain to people not in the industry how important the Richemont Club competition is to us bakers, said the Jenkins Bakerys Operations Director Russell Jenkins.
Its right up there as our Premier League and just taking part in the Richemont Club is an honour for any business.
The Richemont Club has an international reputation, with clubs across the globe, so it really is something which is on everyones aims and aspirations within the baking and confectionery industry.
Mr Jenkins added: The team here at the Jenkins Bakery is really looking forward to the Bolton Bakers Fair, particularly as we took a prize at the UK Spring fair event at Newbury Racecourse.
It is great for us to be challenging for awards and recognition at a national level, particularly as this is our 90th year in business.
Wed like to think that the high standards which helped establish the business back in 1921 and still being carried on here at the Jenkins Bakery. We are, after all, a family firm, with great family values.
Jenkins Bakery Factfile . . .
The business employs 70 people at the Trostre HQ, while the Jenkins shop network stretches from Carmarthen to Bridgend. There are 13 shops in Carmarthenshire and even one as far afield as Powys.
Jenkins the Bakers produce 50,000 corned beef pasties a week.
The company serves 60,000 customers per week
7,500 custard slices are produced in a week.
The business uses 15 tons of flour a week
The flour silo at the Trostre HQ sees an 18-ton delivery every 10 days.
I might have been known as 'Catwoman' at one time, becausewe had five cats. No, don't say it. I understand neutering pets (or at least the vet.does).If lost kittens did not find their way to our doorstep, my daughters found starving creatures who had lost their way home.
New members of the colony learnt the pawing order of the tribe,who was TopCat and who got pushed to the side.
Two weren't too keen on each other butanother two shared a chair, blissfully wrapped around each other. My husband used to say he had to look carefully before sitting down in case a cat was sleepingbeneath a cushion.
Cats were highly honoured in ancient Egypt and in our house, too. One day Isat on the edge of the chair to eat a mealbecauseI did not want to disturb the sleeping feline behind me. I remember Peter saying: 'This is being ridiculous. Move that cat so that you can sit comfortably'.
Cats and babies are very alike. (I'm thinking word associations: 'cat's cradle, 'the cat who got the cream' etc).They like warmth, food and love and, if possible, they'll share your bed with you. We drew the line at cats in the bed.
Most 'professionals' (there are many, many of them) advise against letting babies 'have their way' - ie enjoy the comfortof sleeping next to their parents.
There's lots of advice online about bringing up children, too. One very popular blog is 'Mumsnet'. (I've never been on it butthere are those who are addicted to it.) I don't know their views on letting babies sleep with their parents, but there are quite a few 'earth mothers' out there.
I used to hear motherscomplaining they'd never had a night's sleep since their child was born three years previously.Not so in our house.If one of ours awoke, she would get into bed with us and immediately fall into a deep sleep. ('Those two are like you. Nothing much disturbs them', Peter would say enviously.)
Now this is not merely a ramble about my methods of parenting but pertinent to latest research.
(Think nuclear physics, please). Thisresearch (it cost thousands of pounds and the way Greece is going I do tend to questionmoney spent on anything useless) but, wouldn't you know? Children who sleep with their parents are far less stressed and more relaxed throughout their livesthan those who are put in cots.
I know of some other research, published a few years ago, based on patterns of parenting in ethnic communities in Cardiff. Theseimmigrants often have children sleeping in the parental bed and they have less cot deaths.Whythis should be (perhaps the parents have a closer awareness of children's breathing sounds, or changes in vital functionings) I don't know but statistics back it.
The Great Bed of Weare could sleep up to sixteen people (take yourboots off before getting in, of course) and perhaps they were smaller in those days. Beds have featured extensively in history and, just to let you know, Shakespeare left his second best bed to his wife and I was born in Mamgu's feather bed on a cold winter's night.
So, shouldmy end be in my beginning, it's going to work out alright, as long as the cats get off the bed.
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TUESDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER |
 Gruff Rhys ~ Space Dust #2 / Whale Trail single Gruff Rhys proudly presents a new double a-side single and accompanying game, in addition to a forthcoming headline UK tour. Just like the song, the Whale Trail game is a highly addictive affair. Players pilot Willow The Whale as he flies through the skies collecting colours and points. As well as the soundtrack to Willow The Whales adventures, Gruff has also provided the voiceover, in Welsh. The Whale Trail app has been designed by Neil McFarland of award winning digital design studio ustwo - Neils previous collaborations with Gruff include artwork for Super Furry Animals Juxtaposed With You single and animations for the bands innovative Rings Around The World and Phantom Power DVD albums. UK tour 02/10/11 Llandudno, Venue Cymru w/Y Niwl The album Hotel Shampoo Out Now www.gruffrhys.com | @gruffingtonpost www.turnstilemusic.net | @turnstilemusic |
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Nerys Jones - Welsh Mezzo Soprano at the 78th Bryn Seion Gymanfa Ganu, Portland, Oregon
By Ceri Shaw, 2011-09-19
Our 2011 interview with Nerys Jones, Welsh mezzo-soprano and harpist who appeared at the West Coast Eisteddfod in Los Angeles and will be directing the 78th Gymanfa Ganu at Bryn Seion Welsh Church, Beavercreek, Oregon on June 23rd 2013.
AmeriCymru: Many thanks for agreeing to be interviewed by AmeriCymru. When did you take up playing the harp? At what point did you become aware that it was the instrument for you?
Nerys: I started playing the harp at the age of 8 till about 14. Sadly, I gave up playing at that time, partly due to the fact that we did not have a harp in the home for me to continue practicing seriously. I always dreamt of owning my own harp. Two years ago I was fortunate enough to receive a Salvi Lever harp as a gift from my husband, but having not played for 30yrs, it was quite a challenge to figure it all out again!
AmeriCymru: You have played soprano roles with many of the worlds leading opera companies including the Welsh National Opera, Scottish Opera and the English National Opera. Do you have a favorite role?
Nerys: As a High Mezzo Soprano, and short in height, I was given the challenge of many 'pant roles' (young boys, that would have originally been sung by 'Castrati'). I have much affection for the character Cherubino from Le Nozze di Figaro, Mozart (The Marriage of Figaro) which is the role that I have sang the most, but the role that gave me the most enjoyment was Hansel from Hansel & Gretel.
AmeriCymru: You were born and educated in Mid Wales. Can you tell us a little more about your Welsh background? What is your fondest childhood memory?
Nerys: I was born in the heart of Wales (Montgomeryshire) and grew up on a farm just outside a village called Llanfair Caereinion. I have 2 brothers and 1 sister and I was a bit of a 'tom boy'. One of the fondest memory of my childhood was walking with my 'Taid' (grandfather, who lived to the age of 99) on a regular basis up to a hill on his farmland, and looking out over the wondrous beauty of the Vyrnwy Valley.
AmeriCymru: You studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. How did you enjoy your time in Scotland?
Nerys: My time in Scotland was one of great joy. I made friends for life, and Glasgow will always have a special place in my heart.
AmeriCymru: You migrated to the USA in 2006. Prior to that you had your own TV show on S4C, Yng Nghwmni Nerys Jones (In the company of Nerys Jones) . Care to tell us a little more about your experience working in television?
Nerys: I stumbled across the TV work in my teenage years, when I was an active member of 'Cwmni Theater Maldwyn' (Montgomeryshire Theatre Company), and through this I was given my first opportunity to perform on S4C. I sang twice in the 'Can i Gymru' (Song for Wales) competition and was asked on many occasion to guest star on various shows. This opened the door for me to host my own show, singing songs in Welsh by the likes of Cole Porter, Gershwin and of course Whitney Houston!
AmeriCymru: What will you be performing at the WCE? Care to give us a sneak preview?
Nerys: I am very excited to be taking part in the WCE. My program will consist of well known Welsh folk songs: Suo Gan, Dafydd y Garreg Wen and of course the fun nonsense song Oes Gafr Eto to name just a few.
AmeriCymru: What do you listen to for pleasure? Any recommendations?
Nerys: I love Country Rock, but one of my favourite singers of all time would have to be Whitney Houston (female) and Freddie Mercury (male).
AmeriCymru: Will Wales win the Rugby World Cup?
Nerys: Absolutely!!!!!!!
AmeriCymru: What's next for Nerys Jones?
Nerys: Continue to add more songs to my voice & harp program, and maybe even start having lessons again.....time permitting. In October I will have the privilege of conducting my first Gymanfa Ganu (Congregational Hymn singing) for the Seattle Welsh Society, and I will also be singing my first operatic role in Russian, Madam Larina from Eugen Onegin.
AmeriCymru: Any final message for the readers and members of AmeriCymru?
Nerys: At the age of 4, I took part in my first Eisteddfod, and it became an important part of my life for the following 14 years, and I am thrilled to be a part of this event in LA, to enjoy and share the amazing culture of Wales.....The Land of Song! Diolch o galon am y gwahoddiad i ddod a rhanu diwylliant rhyfeddol Cymru Fach!
There's a certain blogger who had a mound of clothes she did not wear. I'm not condemning her. I have a pile of garments, labels still on some of them, that have never been on an outing.
I'm not extravagant, oh no nee no! Quite the opposite. I can't resist a bargain. Asales label affects methe same waya pot of jam affects a bee: we both feel theattraction. Consequently, Ihaveclothes I have forgotten about. Usually, they're 'Occasion Clothes', like evening dresses orgarden party things, but not always.
Iwear white trousers on holiday. These can be expensive,but not at the end of the season. Then, they can be very, very reasonable. So inexpensive, I bought ten pairs recently. Not all at the same time, but over a four week period.I will wear them (I'm wearing a pair now, with a deep purple and blue top, encrusted with a few sparklies). Yes, I'll have to store them over the winter but that's bye the bye.
On the plus, or minus side, I'vecoats I've kept for years and still wear.What I should do iswear a different outfit each day and, this is the point, photograph myself and post it on the web. I could bea sensation. Yep! Sixty thousand pounds a yearsensation, which is how the fashionista bloggermade her bucks. Now sheattends fashion shows, commenting and blogging. Don't ask me the details but it's true. There's onlyone snag. You have tolike blogging and tweetingfor sixteen hours a day if you want to keep the dough rising.
If you didn't know, the colour forautumnis a yellow leaf, mustardy custard, not a good look on me.How do I know? Emma gave mea voucher one Christmas, entitling me to havea 'Colour Consultation', analysing what suited me so, come the New Year, (New Me) I presented myself at the Beauty Parlour.
I was sceptical, I knew what I liked and thought I knew what suited me but, keep an open mind, girls, I changed mine. Yes. Right there, right then.
First I had my face made up. I chose lime and pink eyeshadow, (what the heck, I had nothing to lose and January is soo-oo drab) and soongot into the groove, that is pile it on, I'll give it a whirl, sort of mode.
My haircolouring, skin tone andthe colour of my eyeshad been keyed into a computer and an analysis came back. Oddly, pale green and a pink, with silver accessories, was one of the combinations that came up.
Trouble was, the analyst could not decide if I was 'Warm Spring' or 'Early Autumn'. I told her not to worry, leave the rest to me, babe.
I had never worn this combination before, preferring violets and fuschias but, know what? I went straight out-(Procrastination is the thief of time: seize it)- and bought a pink woollen coat and matching dress. On the way home it did occur to me, briefly, thatI'd gone encrer bonc. To buy a scarf in the colour, or a jumper, would have been sensiblebut, Sweet Mary Jane! I'd spent a fortune! Just like that.
However, trust your gut, not your mind. I wore that outfit every winter for ten years (even found matching shoes) and each time I stepped outside someone asked me where I'd bought it. Ie, cei siwr. I was in the pink and it suited me. Perhaps I'll post some pictures and end up in the front row of a Paris fashion show. Move up, Anna Wintour, please, I've arrived.
This time it IS the whole of Samoa. Let's hope we get some payback 
More background info here:- World Cup History Wales South Sea Jinx
2012 West Coast Eisteddfod Online Poetry Competition now launched. Go HERE for more info and to submit entries.
If you missed the deadline for the 2011 Online Eisteddfod fear not. We will be launching and accepting entries for the 2012 competitions soon. Watch this space for further announcements .
Meanwhile here is a link to the 2011 Poetry:-
http://americymru.net/group/westcoasteisteddfodlosangelescalifornia2011poetrys
and Short Story Competition pages:-
http://americymru.net/group/weftcoasteisteddfodlosangelescalifornia2011shortst
( entries for both now closed )
The winners of the 2011 Competitions will be announced at the West Coast Eisteddfod on Saturday 24th at Barnsdall Art Park Los Angeles. To reseve a ticket for this event please click on the link below :-
http://americymru.net/page/west-coast-eisteddfod-sat-24th-sept-2011
3 Minute Interview - Merrill Shindler and Chef Alex Webber - Welsh Food at the West Coast Eisteddfod
By Ceri Shaw, 2011-09-16
Click on the link below to hear the interview.
Food at the West Coast Eisteddfod
" Merrill Shindler is editor of the Los Angeles Zagat Survey, host of Fine Living: Critics on the Fine Living Network, restaurant critic for the Copley and San Gabriel Valley Newspapers, and host of a weekly program on how much fun it is to put things in your mouth on KABC Radio. " .... more
" Alex Webber escaped the UK for New York City to craft his culinary skills, working as a chef and managing prestigious restaurants. After relocating to Los Angeles he started his own catering company and now specializes in international cuisines for private dinner parties and events "..... more
WH Smith accused of making mockery of Welsh language at self-service tills
By mona everett, 2011-09-15
