February 2006 Newsletter
Editorial
The Chinese Year of The Dog has started a new controversy
in the news. Because of a policy of encouraging small families in
China over a long period and an emphasis being placed (even with
this imbalance in ageing of the population etc) on male children,
new problems are becoming apparent –not enough women! It is envisaged
that in a few years time there are going to be a lot of frustrated
men! An ageing politician has been brave enough (his term in office
is not expected to last very much longer) to advise that families
should now follow the example of dogs and have large litters! This
undoubtedly would be a reversal of an often very crude form of population
and birth control which had almost become part of a rather inhumane
cultural norm. There is hope for us all if one person in China is
brave enough to speak his mind so directly, I’m sure against big
odds. Some times it takes just one person. This is a thought for
Spring and the New Year 2006.
If anyone has any articles or comments they would
like to submit please e-mail them to us at: platinumclubhouse@eircom.net
Philip
February 1st feast of St. Brigit of Kildare
Brigid was born in 451 at Faughart, near Dundalk,
County Louth. From an early age she had a great love of God. She
entered the convent at the age of eighteen. Soon after she founded
her first convent under a great oak tree in the plains of Magh Life.
The convent was known as the “Church of the oak” or Cill Dara from
which this county derives its name. The Brehon Laws which regulated
civil law the time of Brigid, stipulated that a freeman had to give
food and shelter to any man equal to or lower than his own rank.
Brigid made a virtue of this law seeing in it a reflection of Christ’s
word, “that whatever we do to the least of his brothers and sisters
we do to Him.” Hospitality became the hallmark of all the convents
that she founded and the poor always knew that they would be welcomed.
Today we would do well to remember that the ancient Irish tradition
has always been one of welcome and generosity. As we celebrate the
feast of St. Brigid it would be hypocritical of us not to follow
her example of welcome and generosity for those most in need.
Socials in February
Tuesday 7th—Art Exhibition, Athy
Saturday 18th—Chat & Chew, Clubhouse
Friday 24th—Employment Dinner, Toughers
Peter's Riddles
Which is faster Hot or Cold? Hot. You can catch
a Cold. While walking across a bridge, I saw a boat full of people,
yet on the boat there wasn’t a single person. How was this? They
were all married Here on earth it is true, yesterday is always before
today but there is a place where yesterday always follows today.
Do you know where this is? The dictionary. What is it that everybody
does at the same time? Grows older What word looks the same upside
down and backwards? SWIMS What gets wet while drying? A towel Two
fathers and two sons went duck hunting. Each shot a duck but they
shot only three ducks in all. How come? Answer: The hunters were
a man, his son and his grandson. I know a word of letters three.
Add two, and fewer there will be. Answer: Few
Peter
My Cinema Outings
I went to the cinema 5 times in the last month,
as there were many movies I wanted to see. The first one I went
to was “Flight Plan” with Jodie Foster. It is a fast paced thriller
when she loses her daughter on a plane. The latest “Harry Potter”
was excellent and I went on to play the play station 2 game and
read the book. “The Brothers Grimm” was very similar to “Lord of
the Rings” and other films that I enjoyed. “Just Like Heaven” was
a strange film that kept you guessing till the end and “King Kong”
was much better than the 1930s and 1960s versions. “Narnia” was
a sleepy film that I dreamt about, as it is visually very colourful.
The next time I go to the cinema I will watch “The Producers” as
it has great reviews.
Robert
Patricia's Jokes
Mary: “Why don’t you play golf with Michael any
more Tom?”
Tom: “Would you play with someone who cheats whenever he can?”
Mary: “No.”
Tom: “Well, neither will Michael.”
Teacher: “Jimmy are you paying attention?”
Jimmy: “No sir-I’m listening to you.”
Q What gadget do we use to see through a wall?
A Window
Q Why is the letter K like a pigs tail?
A: Because it is the end of pork
Q Why is it so hard to fool a snake?
A: Because you can’t pull its leg.
Q Why was the man not pleased when he bumped into an old friend?
A They were both driving cars at the time?
Q Why did the orchestra have bad manners?
A Because it didn’t know how to conduct itself?
Q How can you always increase the size of your pay cheque?
A By looking at it through a magnifying glass.
Q What has a neck but can’t swallow?
A Bottle Q What do sheep write with?
A: A sheep pen
Q What are the dentists favourite letters?
A: O.I.C.O.K.
Teacher: “How many seasons in a year?”
Pupil: “Two- Hurling and Football.”
Q What never gets bruised when it falls?
A: Snow. O’Shea and his girlfriend were at the cinema.
He said “are you comfy”.
She said “yes.” He said “is there a draught on you.”
She said “no”. “Can you see O K” .
She said “yes.” He said “lets change seats.”
Q What should you do if you found a gorilla in your bed?
A: Sleep somewhere else.
Teacher-“ Cleanliness is next to… what?”
Pupil-“Impossible”.
New Greenery
News –Let her compose look for the
first and last season’s rose first snowdrops peep green and white
clean colours in low light. Sit on a cactus for an early spring!
Or slowly loose your dormancy Don’t jerk your muscles into motion
If still cold in spirit or emotion Ease yourself gently in Change
can be trauma if not In the mood and adjustment stance Nature
wakes slowly so too chance First your achievable easy goal In
case of overload Spring frost should bowl You over in Early spring
While you are thinking that a rush should win Too much too soon
too eagerly Peep first like nature into new greenery
Lydia
The Move
My name is Anthony, I lived in Lakelands
Hostel in Naas for 4 years. Now we have moved to another hostel
on the 19th of December. The name of the Hostel is Clonree House,
Green Rd, The Curragh, Co. Kildare. There are six of us living
there and we all get on very well. It is better than Lakelands
Hostel. The House is very big, there are lots of bedrooms and
we each have our own bathroom, there is also a big sitting room
and kitchen. The nurses are very good to us and all the staff
are very helpful.
Anthony
True Story
Anne & Joan were two nurses in Naas
hospital. Mary was a patient there. Anne said to Joan that Mary
was terrible and that her family were not nice either only to discover
Joan & Mary are sisters. Patricia
Handy Tips
Heat exhaustion
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include nausea, faintness, sweating
and breathlessness. Drink plenty of fluids and rest in a cool
place if you are affected by heat. Loosen clothing and sponge
your skin with cool water.
Announcements:
Get Well wishes to: All our members who
are unwell.
Birthday Wishes:Bernie M, Patsy B, David
B, Eileen C, Patricia F, Justin W, Richard F
Disclaimer:
The views, opinions and beliefs expressed in this newsletter are
not necessarily those of Platinum Clubhouse.
Contributors: Lydia, Robert, Peter, Patricia,
Anthony, &Eileen
Editorial team:Lydia,
Tom, Patricia
Any articles, items or pictures in this newsletter
may only be reproduced following permission from Platinum Clubhouse.
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