And time for

"A Christmas Carol" by Chas Dickens. And the original version, not the usual shortened narrative to which we have become accustomed. David Jason is the perfect narrator for the story.

I think we're talking different book times on Radio 4, the one I am listening to would be on about 1a.m. your time, it is reflections of a woman with grown children just as the war ends. I can't quite see where it is going yet.

Ah, I see where the confusion has crept in. You're listening to "Book of the week" which is broadcast at 00:30 GMT, currently "Nella Last's Peace" which is based on records from Mass Observation . It's one woman's diary of events in her life.

Hey, when I was in London, I went to 221B Baker St with the DH just to see the plaque.

And I'm afraid I'd be one of them - at least in my head.

Cheryl

(cursed for years as Captain Parmenter of F Troop)

When I worked at the MOD in London in the mid 1960s we used to drink at a little pub (called, naturally enough, "The Sherlock Holmes") just a few doors down from the building society that was at 221 Baker Street. I believe that the building society had one person whose handling correspondence from fans of Sherlock Holmes.

That's correct, comes on my time ahead of the main National news, so I generally catch it. There's something I love about having a book read to me, hangover from childhood I suppose !

Cheryl

I had a plaque of that too, we had it at the cottage. Didn't take it off the wall when I sold the cottage, so some Canadian maybe, or maybe not, gets it significance.

Margaret let us know Brat was okay, she was clear of the ice.

I've started reading the first Monica Ferris, and now I have a bone to pick with her. I got into bed last night, and planned to just read a page or two to get a feel for the book, and see if I liked it. Cut to one in the morning and me forcing myself to put the book down to get some sleep before going to work! I really don't think anyone has any business writing a book that is so good I can't put it down. I feel strongly about this, and I'm Norwegian, apparently we're not big on showing our feelings!

Arnhild

So did I--Doesn't everyone???

I lived there, and still went down baker St to see the plaque!

Gill

OMG - I love that series. Meg and her family are so wonderful and it's always jerks that die.

So share it already

My library runs a 'fine forgiveness' once or twice a year. But you must bring in a food item for every late item and it goes to a local food bank.

Cheryl

No doubt not his unique stance, but many things that have to do with women's reproductive health are guidelines for their health, their future ability to produce progeny - as in don't do something you'll regret when you're older and wiser - and historically based on the sensibilities/morality of men. But, someone who has already had 2 healthy children before the age of 30, assuming she's mentally competent, should have had no legal or ethical barrier to having a tubal ligation performed. But, none of us truly know what is going on in someone else's health, interactions with their doctors, their interpersonal relations, etc. Heck, if you start crying when asking about something like a tubal ligation, that could convince a doctor you're not prepared emotionally. Who knows. Personally, I tend to take some things with the proverbial handful of salt.

Ellice

I have now read the one by Sister Carol Anne O'Marie, and it wasn't quite my cup of tea. Things moved along at a pace I felt was a little too slow, although there were several things that made me chuckle as it's full of puns.

It's

That would be a good idea, but as far as I know we don't have anything like that in Norway, except for in Oslo.

Arnhild

I knew a woman who had two kids, closely spaced, by the time she was about 24, and she had the tubal ligation done when the second one was born because she knew she was "done." That seemed to me a little premature...I'd be afraid to make such a permanent decision so early in life. Too many "what ifs" in life for me. But she and her husband and her doctor were quite comfortable with it.

sue

DD had two children, one boy one girl, close together shortly after she was married. She asked for tubal ligation in the military hospital, but it was flatly refused. Then, four years later, Whoops, #3. She still couldn't have it done, but they had no problen tying off her dh's tubes!!!!!!!! Same final effect, but still. Then, a while after that, she had to have a hysterectomy.

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans