Threescore Years and Ten ...

... Plus One!

The days of our years are threescore years and ten;

and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years,

yet is their strength labour and sorrow;

for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

Psalm 90, from which these oft-quote words are oft quoted, is not a cheery Psalm. Most of it, to paraphrase, says that God can snuff us out whenever he wills. True; but not cheery at all unless your post-snuffing destination is assured. But after a "we are doomed" beginning it goes on to say ...

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen trouble.
May your deeds be shown to your servants,
your splendor to their children.
May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;

... as none of us knows "how long we've got", please God, help us to make the best of every day.

fbb is thrilled to have notched up "one extra" and a few cards plus the odd gift are a much appreciated bonus.

Despite the clearly intended unkindness of one comment writer on last Thursday's blog ...

... fbb had a very happy birthday. A sackful of 12 cards now graces the stair banister display area in fbb towers and, oddly, one of two have a transport theme.

Here's one from a fellow church-goer.

A wider version confirms that the train is at Nottingham Victoria station.

The headboard, which fbb did not recognise, was gifted to the Cutlers Hall in Sheffield in 1959.

This is from the boss of a well known international transport group based in Aberdeen ...

... and clearly illustrates the results of that company's First (geddit) attempt at in-house bus design.

There was another bus ...

... from Mrs fbb. Her happy hubby could not identify the model. It has no glazing, body moulding to suit a top deck front curved window, some cab and interior detail. But seven bay bodywork? Can any blog readers help?

fbb should not have a favourite (politically, maritally and domestically dangerous!). But blog readers will be aware of fbb's passion for modern technology, so this card was really appropriate.

Too true, buster.

Again, fbb received a pantechnicon loaded with three gifts. Chocolates from Mrs (very healthy chocs of course) and this delight from our Senior Isle of Wight correspondent. On a recent visit to the Island fbb took out his railcard wallet (also containing bank cards, spare cash, old railway tickets, a toffee, a piece of string and one of those proddy things for getting horses' hooves out of boy scouts) and threw its contents across the floor of the caff.

So Alan has bought fbb a replacement. He generously spent a similar amount on the gift as the honorarium fbb pays him for his regular blog contributions.

But the second bestest was from Number 1 son.

And on the obverse.

Glorious!

But the very best gift was one that fbb did not appreciate at all; simply because he didn't receive it.

fbb's gift was two winter coats at £14 each - but not for the fat bloke; they have gone to children in Syria.

Ace! Thank you Mrs fbb.

And finally, be scared - be VERY scared.

Here is a screenshot for Mrs fbb's device last Thursday:-

And here is the Google "home" screen on fbb's phone ...

...also on THE day - Thursday 25th February. Does Google also know what fbb had for breakfast; when he went to the toilet; can Google probe the very depths of his mind?. If so, what will their probes find there?

 Next rail blog : Sunday 28th February