Gloria – willowdot21

Thank You !

I was delighted and honoured to receive this email today. I have been blogging for getting on for fifteen years now and to tell you the truth I am totally chuffed to receive this honour.

As you can see Miss Gloria has had a hand in this. Thank you wordpress and all the new, to me, bloggers visiting me. Let’s not forget Gloria !

Gloria is on her way home !!! Go safe

Gloria, Earl and all the gang were having their final read of Goodnight Moon. Everyone was being very quiet. “What’s going on in here ?” Asked willow poking her head around the door.

Earl looked up and said “We are sad because Gloria is going home today 😔 and we will all miss her! ” Oh!” said willow “we can’t have that, I think you need to look at this another way ” Well everyone was shocked 😲…Jingles was the first to speak. ” Really willow what other way is there to look at this?” “Now let me see… I bet you are all thinking about how much you will be missing Gloria, right?” Everyone all knodded their heads. “Yes indeed said willow . Have you all wondered how the Aquaroomers are feeling without Gloria …..have any of you thought about how Gloria is feeling?” There was a hush and everyone looked very sheepish! …”I think” said willow we all need to be happy about all the lovely things we have done and all the tales we have told eachother. There are times in our lives when we have to be glad for others even if it makes us sad. Sadness doesn’t last forever. ” Everyone thought about this and agreed that willow was right! “Come on” said willow lets all have some cake. Then we can all wave Gloria off!

So they all had cake and talked about all the lovely times they shared.

So many things and so much more. Here are just a few of the memories.

So later that day after a lovely party 🎉🎉 Everyone went to Heathrow Airport to see Gloria off on her journey home to the Aquaroomers and Jennie in the United States of America. As they waved good bye and Bon Voyage they all had their own happy Memories of Gloria.

I won’t say there were no tears….even willow and hubby shed a tear. But everyone knew that this was the right thing, Gloria had to go home. Everyone was happy for Gloria. …..Gloria was so excited to be on her way home to see Jennie and the Aquaroomers! She was singing 💜.

God Bless Gloria , safe journey home. We love you.

Gloria gets ready to go home and gets a present.

Gloria is from The Aquaroom which is in New England, where she helps Jennie Fitzkee of A Teacher’s Reflections.

Jennie and I came up with the idea that the children in the Aquaroom might like to find out about England..well my part of England. So we hit upon the idea of Gloria coming to stay so I could show her around. The Aquaroomers could follow my blog … And I would fill her Journal with stories and photos, for those who are there in Jennie’s class now and also future Aquaroomers. Jennie and I thought this was a great idea. So did Gloria. Below is a post aimed at The Aquaroomers I hope you and they like it!

Day 16 Gloria is given a present.

Gloria was busy yesterday packing and writing her Journal! Earl was helping her pack while Hubby was helping her write her journal. Hubby suddenly said,”Gloria I have something special for you to take home with you! ” “Really ” asked Gloria, “Is it a present for me?” Gloria likes presents . “Yes indeed a present for you from me and it is very special.”

Hubby went to his ‘Box of Special Things” and took out a round pin badge. ‘ This is a very special badge Gloria and if you put your pen down for a minute I shall tell you it’s story.

Gloria put down her pen down immediately and listed. Hubby took a sip of his tea and then began.

“A long time ago, there was a very big war called the World War I. When the war ended, many fields where soldiers had been were empty and quiet… but something bright and beautiful began to grow there — little red flowers called poppies 🌺.
People noticed these poppies and thought,
“Let’s use this flower to remember the brave soldiers who helped keep us safe.”
So the red poppy became a special symbol of remembering.
Not long after, in the 1920s, a caring group called the Royal British Legion was started.
It began in 1921, so now it has had its 100th birthday 🎉 (this year it is 105 years old)
The Royal British Legion helps:
Soldiers who were hurt in wars.
Families who feel sad or need help
Older veterans who need care
They are there to be kind and help people who served their country.
Every year, before a special day called Remembrance Day (on the 11th of November), people wear little red poppies.
The Royal British Legion gives out these poppies. People don’t have to pay a set price — they give a small donation 💰 if they can.
The money helps the charity keep caring for soldiers and their families.
So when you see a red poppy, it means: 🌺 “We remember.”
❤️ “We care.”
🤝 “We help.”
It’s a small flower with a very big meaning.”

Gloria loved that story and when Hubby put the badge on to her necklace she felt tears in her eyes and she noticed that hubby too had tears in his eyes. “Oh that is a lovely present, thank you so much hubby! I will treasure it always and tell the Aquaroomers all about what it means.” Hubby smiled.

Gloria was excited she rushed off to tell the others all about her present.

Gloria Has an Egg Hunt.

Gloria is from The Aquaroom which is in New England, where she helps Jennie Fitzkee of A Teacher’s Reflections.

Day 15 Gloria has an egg hunt.

Gloria and Earl were having a read of Goodnight Moon when Gloria suddenly said “Do you think we will get an Easter Egg Earl?” Earl smiled and replied, “Well Gloria I am not really sure, what do you normally do at Easter?” Gloria looked surprised and Earl had to swallow deeply not to laugh! “Well said Gloria we usually go on an egg hunt!” So Earl got up and said ” Come on Gloria let’s go on an egg hunt!”

They looked in the garden but no there were no eggs!

So they asked Jingles and Ozzie and everyone else. They even woke Olivia up. Then they asked willow’s Sister and willow’s friend Louise. Not forgotting Charlie the nail lady. But no knew where the eggs were!

They looked in the playpark and the town but there were no eggs to be found 😔

So they knocked next door and asked Ben if he knew where the eggs might be. He didn’t but he suggested they looked around the flag pole and checked the flags. But still they could not find the eggs!

Then Earl said let’s ask willow and hubby if they know where the eggs are.

And Guess what they knew where the eggs were straight away! Hubby looked very sheepish and quickly said “willow ate them all!!” Gloria and Earl were distraught! “What!” Cried Gloria. She looked so disappointed. Hubby and willow smiled and said, “Don’t worry the eggs are safe ! No one has eaten them . Look they are here safe and sound!” Everyone laughed.

So Gloria had her Easter Eggs. And she was Happy.

And Earl was happy too. So was everyone else because Gloria was happy to share with everyone!

After they had finished both eggs it was time for a wash and then what do you think they did next ?

Yes they read Goodnight Moon. Happy Easter Everyone 🐇🐰🐣

Gloria meets a Real Grenadier Guardsman !

Gloria is from The Aquaroom which is in New England, where she helps Jennie Fitzkee of A Teacher’s Reflections.

Day 14 Gloria meets Ben the Grenadier Guardsman.

Gloria asked Earl if she could go out to willows garden to see the flowers . When she noticed that there was someone at the flag pole next door. They were changing the flag! “What is going on ” she asked Earl ? Earl looked out and replied. ” Ah! that is Ben, Gloria, he lives nextdoor when he is not looking after the King and Queen at either Windsor or Buckingham Palace. He is a Grenadeir Guard. ” “Oh! ” Said Gloria “I see….. What is a Grenadeir Guard Earl?” Earl smiled “let’s ask willow if she will ask us out to ask him.”

Now the picture above is not Ben but that is exactly what Ben dresses like when he is at work it is called a uniform.

willow took Gloria out to meet Ben, who was very pleased to meet Gloria…they shook hands and Gloria asked Ben what a Grenadier Guardsman was. Ben smiled and said . “The Grenadier Guards are one of the British Army’s oldest infantry regiments. It was formed in 1656 in Bruges by King Charles II as part of his bodyguard. Originally the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards, they were renamed in 1815 after defeating the French Imperial Guard at Waterloo. Known for their scarlet tunics and bearskins, they serve a dual role of elite frontline fighting and high-profile ceremonial duties protecting the Royals.”

Gloria was very impressed and asked “do you really look after the King and Queen and the other Royals?” “Yes ” said Ben “I do.”

“What are you doing to the Union Jack flag Ben?” Asked Gloria. “I am taking it down and putting up my Regimental Colours to fly while I am at home. ” “What are Regimental Colours when they are at home? Ben? ” Ben laughed ” It’s me at home Gloria…the flag of the Grenadier Guards is formally known as a Regimental Colour, which, unlike the Queen’s Colour, is often based on the Union Flag rather than being a plain crimson field. As the most senior infantry regiment in the British Army, the Grenadier Guard’s flags are steeped in royal history and are heavily laden with battle honours, symbolizing the regiment’s 360-year-old tradition” Ben paused there and Gloria said..” Wow! 360 years.. that is old… Are you that old Ben? ” “No Gloria , I am not! “

After Ben had put up his regimental colours he took a photo of Gloria climbing up to inspect the flag. Then Ben saluted Gloria and said goodbye, he was going off for his run…. A soldier, especially a Grenadeir Guard has to keep fit!

Then Gloria went into the back garden and had a look at some of willow’s flowers.

After all this information about the Grenadier Guard’s Gloria was tired so after she told everyone else about the new flag they all read Goodnight Moon.

willow, Olivia,Earl and Gloria and a Cataract.

Gloria is from The Aquaroom which is in New England, where she helps Jennie Fitzkee of A Teacher’s Reflections.

Day 13 Gloria learns about cataracts

Earl was having a lay down, he was tired. Gloria and Olivia were chatting about nothing in particular, just girly talk. When willow came across to join them. She sat down with Olivia.

“Hi everyone I have some news for you all” they all sat up and looked at willow. “What’s going on?” asked Olivia looking startled. “Yes” asked Gloria, “what’s going on ?” Earl snored.

“Well”said willow , “I am going to a hospital to get Lazer surgery to remove a cataract from my left eye. ” Gloria and Olivia looked horrified? …”Lazer surgery… A Cataract? What on earth” they both said together!

Gloria stood up and Olivia moved across to the window . ” Earl got up and calmly said. “Now calm down everyone, willow and I will explain it to you both. ” … Everyone way quiet and looked at willow. “Right, a cataract is a common, age-related condition. As I have got older the natural lens inside my eye has become cloudy. That makes me have blurry vision. It’s just like looking through a foggy window. ” Gloria looked sad, Oh willow does that mean you will not be able to read Goodnight Moon 🌝” and Olivia added ” Or weigh my food out?” They both looked worried 😟.

willow was about to answer when Earl put up his paw and continued. ” No you too it won’t come to that. Nowadays a cataract can be treated with a quick, safe outpatient surgery that removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with a clear, permanent artificial lens to restore vision. It’s as simple as that. Though I know for a fact willow is nervous and not really looking forward to tomorrow 💜”

Gloria and Olivia then asked “what will happen to us while willow is having her operation? ” Earl said, ” that’s not a problem hubby will be here to look after us. And I shall look after everyone while hubby drops willow off and then after the op while he picks willow up again. That also means, Gloria we might not get to do your blog for a couple of days as willow is taking a little break from all blogging while her eyes recover. ”

Gloria and Olivia were relieved to hear that . Then Ozzie and Jingles came across and they all read Goodnight Moon 🌝. Then as a special treat willow read it again to Gloria.

Gloria’s Spell

Word Prompt from Sammi

Spell

Challenge

Weekend Writing Prompt #461: This weekend your challenge is to write a poem or a piece of prose in exactly 13 words using the word “Spell”.

Gloria has put a spell on me
Her spirit makes me so happy

all photos © willowdot21

Gloria Goes To The Playground.

Gloria is from The Aquaroom which is in New England, where she helps Jennie Fitzkee of A Teacher’s Reflections.

Day 12: Gloria goes to the playground.

“Today Earl” Gloria announced, “I am going to the play park with willow. ” Oh that will be fun Gloria. Why are you going there? ” Gloria smiled and then she said.. ” It’s like this Earl , I am missing the Aquaroomers and when willow suggested we go to the playground I was so pleased ” ” What a good idea Gloria, you will get fresh air, exercise and meet friends!”

Later willow got Gloria ready to go out.

So willow, Gloria, hubby and Olivia set off for a walk. Hubby was taking Olivia for her afternoon walk while willow and Gloria were heading for the playground. Unfortunately Olivia is not allowed in the playground. Olivia is retired now but if she was working and she was guiding say a blind mum and her children, or if she was with a grandparent with their grandchildren, she would be allowed in. So when they came up to the playground hubby and Olivia went off to the fields and willow and Gloria went the other way towards the playground.

Gloria on the climbing frame with a new friend.

Gloria had a lovely time and met lots of parents and children.. They all loved Gloria and we’re very interested to hear who Gloria was and they amazed when they heard that she came all the way from America.

Here are pictures of what Gloria did at the playground. It’s a nice place, all the equipment is built to safety standards. No sharp edges or anything that can hurt. The grass was covered in a rubber coating called “soft fall” that really pleased Gloria knowing she and everyone else was safe.

After Gloria had had enough time playing with all the other children it was time to meet hubby and Olivia. They had had a lovely walk too. So they all walked home for tea and cake 🍰 .

Later Gloria told the others about all the fun she had at the playground. And then they all read. Goodnight Moon 🌝

Gloria Plays Hide and Seek.

Gloria is from The Aquaroom which is in New England, where she helps Jennie Fitzkee of A Teacher’s Reflections.

Day 11 Gloria visits Wokingham.

Earl and Gloria were sitting with Olivia who was resting after her morning walk. Earl ask Gloria if she had anything planned for the day. Olivia looked up and said “I do, I am going to have a sleep before my next walk! ” Earl and Gloria laughed! they thought that was funny.

So Olivia went to sleep and Earl and Gloria sat by the window and chatted. Gloria was thinking…that usually made Earl nervous when he could see she was thinking. Then Gloria’s eyes lit up and she said. “I remember Earl , willow is going to take me to town today.” Earl looked surprised . “willow and hubby took you to London already. ” ” Yes I know said Gloria but London is a city isn’t it Earl?” “Yes it is” said Earl “but we often call London, London Town.” “I see” said Gloria, ” well today willow said she was taking me to Wokingham Town.”

So later on Gloria was all ready in the rucksack. Hubby gave them a lift up town because it was so cold and he was going shopping to get Olivia some more carrots. …Never run out of carrots if your Labrador likes them!

Hubby dropped willow and Gloria off in Rose Street, so willow and Gloria set off towards the Church. On the way Gloria said she wanted to play hide and seek. willow said yes why not, along as Gloria didn’t really hide .. because willow didn’t want to loose her.

Below is the is the Parish Church All Saints. Can you spot Gloria.

All Saints Church in Wokingham is the town’s oldest building, with a history dating back to its original dedication between 1189 and 1193. Rebuilt in the 15th century, the church is known for its distinctive tower and significant Victorian restoration.

We popped across the road to the house on Tudor Corner . This is a very old house . Can you spot Gloria?

Then we went round the corner into Rose Street to look at the Georgian and Tudor mix of houses there. Can you spot Gloria.

Rose Street, is a historic street believed to be part of the town’s original medieval development, with early records referring to it as “La Rothe”. It is known for its enclosed, narrow character and features several listed, timber-framed buildings dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries.

Here is a really Tudor house still standing and still lived in.

In Rose Street Number 31 once housed the Maiden School. The school was established in 1795 following a charitable donation from Martha Palmer’s will. A few doors along at number 21 was the home of the National School. National Schools were founded in 1825 by the Church of England to provide rudimentary education to the poor. The two schools were amalgamated into one a few years later.

Oh! Where is Gloria Now ?

Rose Street has thirty-two listed buildings; the oldest is probably number 16-18, the WADE charity shop, which dates from the early fifteenth century. This was the time of the Black Death, the Battle of Crecy, Geoffrey Chaucer’s ‘Canterbury Tales’ and Edward III as King.

Here we are still in Rose 🌹 Street where is that Gloria.

Alongside the schools, Rose Street has also been home to numerous pubs. Today there is the Fifty-six which was previously the Metropolitan. But earlier there were others including the Eagle at number 9, and the curiously named the Poor Man’s Friend…. You can see the sign for the Fifty Six in the right hand photo.

This is another Church in Rose Street it’s also is a community centre for the old, the young and the in-between. But Gloria is no where to be seen!

Gloria was excited to see the Town Hall but where is she?

The original building on the site was a medieval guildhall completed in 1612. After significant industrial growth in the middle of the 19th century, as the silk industry and then the brick-making industry developed, civic leaders decided to replace the very dilapidated guildhall with a new structure.

The new building, which was designed by William Ford Poulton and William Henry Woodman in the Gothic style and built with red bricks from local sources, was officially opened by Lord Braybrooke on 6 June 1860.

In 1219, Wokingham received a charter to hold a weekly market. These early markets were likely held in Rose Street before moving to Market Place several centuries later.

all extra information, in small print is from Wikipedia

After all the fresh air and hide and seek Gloria was ready for an afternoon nap with Olivia

Then yes you’re right it was time to read Goodnight Moon 🌝

Gloria has a Manicure.

Gloria is from The Aquaroom which is in New England, where she helps Jennie Fitzkee of A Teacher’s Reflections.

DAY 10 . Gloria meets a Manicurist.

Gloria was so excited she couldn’t wait for Earl to wake up! She had been pacing round the room and coughing loudly. She had already woken Olivia up. “What is the matter Gloria I was trying to sleep, willow isn’t even awake yet! ” I know” said Gloria “but Earl is still asleep and I need to talk to him now!” “Okay Gloria, I guess going back to sleep is out of the question?” Gloria nodded . Olivia heaved a sigh and then padded across to Earl and woke him up!

“Well Gloria what is so important that you have woken Olivia and me up for?” ” I am so excited willow has promised to take me to have my nails done… She is going for a mani… something and I am having one too! What is a mani thingi?” Gloria was almost dancing . Earl smiled at her excitement and then said kindly ” its a manicure Gloria, willow has one every month, she likes pretty nails. “Gloria’s head filled with questions she opened her mouth and they all came out! ” Does it hurt, what type of paint and do they use big brushes and …? ” Earl put his paw up “Gloria, it’s a treat, it doesn’t hurt, they have files for filing your nails into a pretty shape and lots of beautiful colours to choose from… Or you can have natural looking nails if you prefer. “Oh!” Said Gloria, “I like the sound of that” Gloria smiled and Earl and Olivia went back to sleep 🥱.

Finally after what seemed like a lifetime to Gloria willow got out the backpack and got Gloria ready to go.

As they walked Gloria had fun looking at everything in the area. When they arrived willow introduced Gloria to the lady who was called a manicurist ( someone who does nails and makes them pretty.) Her name was Charlie. Gloria immediately liked Charlie who picked her up to say hello and then found her a soft seat from where she could watch willow have her nails done.

Firstly Charlie took the old blue polish off of willow’s nails then she filed and shape them, then she put on lots of coats of varnish, base, builder and colour and finally top coat. After each coat willow put her hand into a little machine that set the varnish. The end result was lovely.

Next it was Gloria’s turn . Charlie put Gloria in the special chair and asked what she would like done, which colour would she like? Gloria thought looking at all the lovely colours…after five minutes of uming and arhing Gloria was confused! … Charlie kindly said ” perhaps I could choose for you Gloria 😉?” Gloria smiled ” yes please Charlie!”

So Charlie put some cream on some cotton wool and clipped it on to Gloria’s nails with lovely purple clips (purple is willow’s favourite colour, what is yours? What is Gloria’s favourite colour do you think?)

Then Charlie filed and shaped Gloria’s nails and made them neat and pretty. Gloria was delighted with the result. Then Charlie said because Gloria was not yet sixteen she thought she did not really need any colour. Then she said she thought Gloria had lovely natural nails and hands.

Gloria was so pleased and she thank Charlie for doing her nails. Gloria was even more pleased when Charlie said she could help herself to some sweets from Charlie’s big treats jar . Then it was time to go.

When they got home Gloria showed everyone her hands and they all agreed that they did look lovely. I bet you can guess what they did next.