Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.
Mark Twain
Goodnight everyone, sleep well.
Passing thought:
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Boadicea's Chariot 
Good old Mark Twain, I wonder if there was a Mrs Twain, just a thought.
Goodnight Mr Zen, it’s been a bit nippy here on the east coast, a brief look at the beach earlier showed people with fleeces, boots and hats, brrrrrr.
Good old Mark Twain, I wonder if there was ever a Mrs Twain? just a thought.
Goodnight Mr Zen, sleep tight.
Oh bugger, what happened there? I need a drink:-)
Val; Mark Twain was what the river boat pilots used to shout to each other on the Mississippi. The real guy was called Samuel Longhorne Clemens.
May the fourth be with you.
Oh wow Claire, thanks for that; I shall slip that into the conversation when next needed.
Val, details of a full and varied life can be found here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain#Marriage_and_children
VAl hon; no probs babe. He was also one of the pioneers of American dialect in fiction when novels in English had become something of a static and staid art. For my part, I used to fancy Tom Sawyer when he was on telly!
When you gonna do us a cheery blog again? Need cheering up..
By the mark, twain. In other words, two fathoms under the keel, measured by a lead weighted rope with ‘marks’ at specified intervals. ‘Deep six,’ meaning six fathoms is another expression from the same source. (‘Deeps’ were estimated measurements if the depth of the water fell between two ‘marks.’)
BRavo; spot on!
Or, full fathom five…
All about lead lines here:
http://www.navyandmarine.org/ondeck/1800soundinglead.htm
if you might be interested.
Claire, 🙂 Nautical background? All my family were Navy, until me.
I meant, ‘Royal Navy,’ of course, sorry.
Bit technical for me, Bravo, all that. Still, I love the idea of the cries of ‘Mark Twain’ echoing around the MIssissippi in the half light.
Bravo; hardly! I was quoting Shakespeare: ‘Full fathom five thy father lies…’From the Tempest, I think.Got to be among the most melancholy and beautiful lines ever. Mind you I always say that about all poetry…
SOme of my ancestors were sailors, so I believe. Came to Liverpool from Germany because they didn’t like the growing Prussian empire, so I’ve been told. I suppose everyone from Liverpool has some sea faring connection or other.
Crikey, since 4.50 this afternoon I’ve learned such a lot from you people, when I’m next at the 19th hole at the golf club, I’m going to ask if anyone knows about Mark Twain, they are golfers, so all I’ll get is “yer what”.
Claire, I have had my thinking cap on, and one or two things are running round in my head, watch this space. Anyway, I can’t spend all night chatting here, I now have two websites to browse don’t I? 🙂
Val? Ok I will. Two websites to browse? Lucky lucky you… I had that, until I behaved like a silly spoiled brat on both. I’m worse than a teenager. In fact, just call me Flounce… 🙂
Hello Claire:
When did you flounce? What a pity about your story though.
Oh Ara…what can i say. Sorry hon; re my messages etc etc. Mea Culpa; je suis une salope etc etc. Sorry, seriously.
Hi Claire:
I was a bit taken aback, confused but worried as well. It’s OK, but I’m pleased to see you. 🙂
Of course, you would be by my rantings. Anyway, big apologies. You must have thught I’d lost it big time. Sorry…
It’s OK: just please don’t do it again; I need my sleep! 😉
Oh Ara…I feel terrible. Of course. Bloody hell. Wasn’t even wrong time of month.
Je suis vraiment une grande salope…
I am so very sorry.