Thursday, July 29, 2010

For Elizabeth

Elizabeth Joyce, the long-time front desk manager at my apartment building, celebrated her 80th birthday this year.  Mrs. Joyce is originally from London, England.  She survived the blitz!

4 comments:

  1. Prince Charles and Lady Diana were married on this date in 1981. I remember Stephen F. Ritner, Esq. had a party for Sagot & Jennings folks that night at his apartment.

    Elizabeth Joyce started her position at 3801 in 1986: she was the same age I am now.

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  2. And did those feet in ancient time
    Walk upon England's mountains green?
    And was the holy Lamb of God
    On England's pleasant pastures seen?
    And did the Countenance Divine
    Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
    And was Jerusalem builded here
    Among those dark Satanic mills?

    Bring me my bow of burning gold:
    Bring me my arrows of desire:
    Bring me my spear: O clouds, unfold!
    Bring me my chariot of fire!
    I will not cease from mental fight,
    Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
    Till we have built Jerusalem
    In England's green and pleasant land.

    The poem is by William Blake. It is based on Christian myth -- though I note that in the poem Blake asks four questions!

    If you don't get it, you don't get it.

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  3. A terrible, tragic lot befell the British people in the 20th century. I think of that when I watch this video. They survived!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6llT2ZYg-4E

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  4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tM7-pN9Pig&feature=fvw

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