Royal Escape from the Topic - for off topic chit chat Showing 2,801-2,839 of 2,839

[Critterbee❇]

It is just heartbreaking. It is the center of Paris, such an integral part of the city and the city's history. I can't believe it.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

I am heartbroken. :(

[Jackie]

Critterbee❇ wrote: "It is just heartbreaking. It is the center of Paris, such an integral part of the city and the city's history. I can't believe it."
yes, really a horrible shock. I got to go there when I was 16; I am just sick about it and can't imagine how the French people feel.

[Lesley]

What a heartbreaking memory for Easter 2019😧

[Barb in Maryland]

Good wrap-up article here:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/15/wo...

I did not realize that the cathedral was in such bad shape!

[Karlyne]

I keep thinking how much it had to have survived over the centuries. The candles alone are scary!

[QNPoohBear]

My heart broke when I saw the picture of Notre Dame in flames. I have never been inside or seen it lit up but I've been to Paris and stood across the river. I'm glad at least some of it was saved but this is a devastating event for the entire world.

[Cheryl]

Lesley wrote: "I’m surprised that the firefighting seemed to be so minimal and slow to happen! I’d just woken when the news broke and been watching ever since. So sad."

The fire seems to have been discovered, reported, and the firefighters in place very quickly. But the fire was in the roof, which couldn't be easily accessed - and it spread incredibly fast - the beams were all wood. I couldn't believe how fast it spread. I never saw it, and now I never will. Almost all their treasures, and that fabulous building, gone. They're talking of rebuilding, but the original is gone.

[Teresa]

Only just heard it. Watching it on the news. A travesty!! My daughter was just saying she's so glad she got to see it two years ago when she was on holiday with her sister. So sad when these iconic buildings go. Some day history will be no more.

[Critterbee❇]

So thankful that I was able to visit before this happened. Whenever we went to Paris, we always visited Notre Dame, and as an adult I went back a few times, I never thought it would be different.

[Susan in Perthshire]

It’s unbelievable that Notre Dame has survived for so many centuries only to burn so fast and so fiercely. I couldn’t believe it even while I was watching it on the news last night. I have visited several times and it is/was the most fabulous place. We had dinner in a restaurant on the other side of the Seine the last time we were there and had the most wonderful views of it from the window. Cannot believe the speed with which it burned. How on earth did they manage to set it on fire whilst renovating? They knew it was wood and risky. Sorry, I am just so sad.

[Ah]

Very sad. So much lost.

But look at York Minster and the devastation of the fire in the 1980s, it took a huge amount of work but I wouldn't call it a travesty of what stood before. The same with the Campanile in Venice which collapsed in 1912 (I think!) - buildings that have stood for so long have undergone many changes, it is only in the last hundred years or so we have got used to the idea that they must be preserved exactly as is. Bomb damage at Exeter Cathedral during the Blitz uncovered some amazing work that had been covered up as worthless centuries ago, but in the 20th century was valued again.

[Ah]

In fact, according to reports, the Notre Dame spire that collapsed was 'only' (!) added in the 19th century.

'The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, said that most artworks and religious relics were removed from Notre Dame as firefighters worked to control the blaze.'

https://www.theguardian.com/world/201...

[Teresa]

Well we all look at things differently.

[Critterbee❇]

It was always there, and I felt like it would always be there. So strong and old, I never would have thought that it could have burned.

[Susan in NC]

It’s amazing when you think what it has survived in the past. I saw a quote in The NY Times or Washington Post from a fire investigator, who basically said these ancient buildings are often huge fire hazards because of materials, often packed in narrow streets, hard to access, etc., just tragic.

[Ah]

"We all look at things differently"

Very true, but most reports are that most irreplaceable treasures were removed and rescued, those left in place are largely repairable, and the basic structure remains.

Yes, an immensely emotional experience. But not the end.

[Ah]

Perhaps that is an easier perspective for those of us who have grown up in, and with, ordinary houses and churches 500 or 600 or 900 years old.

[Critterbee❇]

I think it would not have hit so hard for me if it were a place that I had not visited often, and if it did not have so many memories.

Of course we are all going to have different feelings about things that happen, and hopefully, would never want to make anyone feel that their feelings and emotions are less valid or wrong.

[Karlyne]

Ah wrote: "Perhaps that is an easier perspective for those of us who have grown up in, and with, ordinary houses and churches 500 or 600 or 900 years old."

That made me laugh, Ah, because the very oldest thing I can think of in my area are a few houses that are a bit over the century mark. Definitely perspective.

[QNPoohBear]

My neighborhood Catholic church burned down while undergoing renovations for the 100th anniversary celebration. It happens a lot to old buildings and heritage collections, unfortunately. They're reporting many billionaires/companies are donating money to repair Notre Dame but Paris is also questioning where these billionaires were in the first place when the cathedral needed updates and repairs. That's always the way with heritage institutions, sadly.

I work at a museum in a textile mill that's over 200 years old and people complain about having to pay admission! They'd be happy to put a dollar or two in the donation bin on their way out but parting with $12 or $10 (for a 50 minute guided tour of 3 buildings) is too much for some.

[Ah]

Karlyne - the cottage I grew up in dated from around 1500 (it is a listed building) - I am very glad that over the years it had a few updates, although undoubtedly some must have destroyed parts of the original structure.

And the parish church was built in the 1400s by the mother of Henry VII - presumably not personally, but paid for by her :D It has had a couple of small chapels added on over the centuries, plus smaller changes such as replacing plain glass windows with stained glass, adding bells (the earliest still there dates from 1681 and they were rehung in 1936), adding an organ.

There was a heated debate about whether the 1919 war memorial should be another stained glass window or a clock: http://www.uplowman.org.uk/?page_id=785 I love the verbatim report - it is the sort of scene that Georgette Heyer would have done brilliantly!

So the house and church I knew and loved existed at a specific time, if you see what I mean.

Anyway, I did not mean to hurt anyone's feelings, so my apologies if I came across as dismissive.

[Karlyne]

Ah wrote: "Karlyne - the cottage I grew up in dated from around 1500 (it is a listed building) - I am very glad that over the years it had a few updates, although undoubtedly some must have destroyed parts of..."

The link to the war memorial quarrel made me laugh out loud. My, how humanity has not changed...

[Ah]

Very true! Can't you just visualise it...

[Karlyne]

I've been reading Angela Thirkell lately, and I can imagine her inserting the whole thing in one of her novels, verbatim.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

If I have seemed a bit distrait (now there's a Heyer word:D) It is because I have been doing my tax returns.

The vast majority of Kiwis no longer have to do a return but our Airbnb is in my name.

Turned into a bit of a nightmare as there are a few changes & the IRD is transitioning between two websites.

Fortunately * I'm on Goodreads, so I'm used to buggy websites! :D
I struck a really nice woman on the phone helpline who spent an hour helping me sort things out.

I feel so free not having to worry about this stuff for another year!

[Critterbee❇]

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "...Fortunately * I'm on Goodreads, so I'm used to buggy websites! :D..."

Snort!

[Karlyne]

Every year when I do our taxes, I keep mumbling how grateful I am to have income. As I write the checks. And try not to become an anarchist. "I've got my happy face on!"

[QNPoohBear]

Friends,
Work is interfering with my reading! That's normal for this time of year but it doesn't look like my schedule is easing up at all through the summer. Today was sunny when I got home- first sunny weekend day in months , and since no one else was home, I got to read until it got too dark to see. The next reading day will probably be Memorial Day at the end of the month. *sigh* Picture me crying hysterically right now.

[Jane]

Karlyne wrote: "Every year when I do our taxes, I keep mumbling how grateful I am to have income. As I write the checks. And try not to become an anarchist. "I've got my happy face on!""

And just think how well our appointed representatives are managing/using those checks we write! Kinda hard to keep the happy face on.

[Jane]

QNPoohBear wrote: "Friends,
Work is interfering with my reading! That's normal for this time of year but it doesn't look like my schedule is easing up at all through the summer. Today was sunny when I got home- first..."

Oh, Pooh Bear, that's such a pain when work gets in the way of reading. And for the WHOLE summer, yuck! I'm sorry for you, although at least you kind of enjoy your work a bit, right? Maybe? I'm glad you got to enjoy a bit of reading on a sunny Saturday, though!!! Yay! Only nineteen more days until the next possible reading day?? Yikes! You need to hang a "countdown-to-reading-days-calendar" on the wall, that way you can get excited as you mark off each day.

I've actually gotten really grumpy and nasty in the past (to the point of unreasonableness) when life interfered with my reading -- occasionally I've had to give myself a time-out and a talking-to about my priorities (ahem!, such as when you want to skip a family member's 95th birthday party because you're in the middle of a good book and just can't put it down --> time for a time-out and reality check for Jane! 🙄

[Susan in NC]

Jane wrote: "Karlyne wrote: "Every year when I do our taxes, I keep mumbling how grateful I am to have income. As I write the checks. And try not to become an anarchist. "I've got my happy face on!""

And just ..."

Ugh! So true!

[Michaela]

Sorry QNPoohBear to hear about not having much time to read! I comprehend fully! Hope you´ll find some free days or a holiday to keep on reading!

[QNPoohBear]

I have some days off in July but not many during the school year unless I stop in the library before or after work to read a bit. Probably on Saturdays I'll do that. I read The Peppermint Mocha Murder yesterday. It was really good. Anything that requires brain power has to wait until winter vacation. I DO like my job most of the time, I just don't like children enough to want to work with them every day. I decided I like 2nd-3rd graders (7-9 year olds) best because they still want to learn and have fun doing it. The older the kids, the less interested they are in what we have to teach them. Sometimes we really believe child labor was a very good thing!

[QNPoohBear]

Wonderful news! I should have more reading time this summer. We have a new guide training now and a summer person is returning- from Ireland where the lucky girl gets to go to graduate school. I have two days in a row off at the end of the month. Thank goodness because I am so tired. It's only Wednesday! I will for sure be participating in the Venetia read. I own that one and have it practically memorized.

[Critterbee❇]

QNPoohBear wrote: "Wonderful news! I should have more reading time this summer. We have a new guide training now and a summer person is returning- from Ireland where the lucky girl gets to go to graduate school. I ha..."

All right, sounds like you really could use a break, Poohbear.

[QNPoohBear]

Critterbee❇ wrote: "All right, sounds like you really could use a break, Poohbear. "

We all could. We've been short staffed since the fall. I'm second in command for the school groups so I have to be there every day. The school group kids this week have been especially rambunctious. I am not required to work both weekend days though. I already said I do not want to work on Monday-my only day off! They asked before they put me on. Someone got to the books I want to read at the library before I did. Working every day means I can pop over there the very day the books are due back and grab them while I can!

[Karlyne]

QNPoohBear wrote: "Critterbee❇ wrote: "All right, sounds like you really could use a break, Poohbear. "

We all could. We've been short staffed since the fall. I'm second in command for the school groups so I have to..."

Lemonade outta lemons!!!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Hi Everyone!

Some members of the soon-to-be-closed Feedback group have reported a bug with very long threads. There doesn't seem to be a problem with this particular thread, but it is a very long thread.

So I'm going to close this thread & archive it. It will still be available for viewing but not for posting. :)

Edit: & I'll start a new thread.