Hi,
This is my second post, I hope you found the first one to your liking and thanks for your comments. Always happy to hear from you.
Yesterday, 22 November, was a special day for two reasons. Personally, it was special for us as it was our wedding anniversary. We met on the day in 1984, got engaged in 1985 and tied the knot in 1986. We were going to go out yesterday evening but decided to stay in and enjoy ourselves with boss cat Giorgio.
Yesterday was very special for countless numbers of people who inhabit this planet because it was the day that President John F Kennedy was assassinated. Do you remember where you were on that day? I do.

In 1963 I was fourteen. My home life was virtually non-existant as was my attendance at the Beaufoy school of learning in Lambeth. On that fateful day I had travelled back from the West End of London on a number twelve bus to Peckham. Sleeping rough in Soho did have its advantages because you met a great cross-section of people, of all races and nationalities. The working girls were particularly nice to me, keeping me supplied with cigarettes and the odd bag of chips as well as a clip around the ear if I crossed the line, if you get my meaning. 

Anyway, as I was walking along Peckham Grove I saw my mother letting herself into number twenty. Normally, I tried to make my trips back to what laughingly masqueraded as home, when I knew that mother would be elsewhere. I'd obviously got it wrong. As I was in need of money, of which there was a small amount hidden in a shed in the back garden, I decided to go for it and let myself in. Mother immediately confronted me using a selection of her favorite words which included 'obstreperous' and ' bastard'. As usual, I ignored her and went about my business. After a period of time I'd tired of her tirade so I left and decided to visit my cousins husband who lived around the corner in Gloucester Grove.

John Lamont was about as popular as I was in the Wilcox clan because he had a mind of his own and would not be intimidated. We settled down to eat cheese sandwiches and smoke Capstan full strength fags. As we were discussing the merits of the various members of the current Tottenham Hotspur football team we heard, on the radio, that President Kennedy had been assassinated. Although we didn't know much about him it was quite obvious that he was special and we sat and listened as the events surrounding his death unfolded. Later that day I left before my cousin Pat came home from work because she was a miserable bitch who fitted in perfectly with the Wilcox mob. John was different and thought the world of her. Love is blind, and in his case, deaf. When I got back to my favorite haunts in Soho, the assassination was the talk on the streets for days to come.

I can also remember, vividly, where I was when I heard that John Lennon had been killed. Tell you next time.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
'Abstinence make the heart go faster'. 

Hi,
This is my first post on www.ray-wilcox.com so it really is a red lettuce day for me. If you are new readers you may wish to aquaint yourselves with my writings by checking out my 60plus diary entries on www.getjealous.com/apeckhamboy. I won't be using that site any more as this is my new home.

I always say hello to friends, so chilly Sunday greetings to Wilf and Sheila, John and Mo, Robin and Maureen, Victor and Bettina and Billy. I hope to be saying Hi to many more of you as the weeks and months pass. 

Winter has finally descended upon us in Spain with the daytime temperatures dropping to 10 degrees. Not bad by UK standards but bloody cold for us. Giorgio, our beautiful siamese cat, continues to rule this particular roost and long may he continue to do so. Mum, she really belongs to Margaret but I share her, is coming to stay with us for the festive season. I know that It can't be the reason why many of you are fleeing to the UK, can it? We are looking forward to having a great time with her, particularly as her birthday is on the 25th.

Despite a poor record at school, I've always been interested in the written word and I now have a collection of nearly 200 poems, some of which chronicle my life and others who have been close to me. Margaret has been the inspiration for much of my written work and you may recognise her in 'Lock-Down Blues'!

The other creative bits and pieces I involve myself in is lyric writing and painting. A dear friend recently offered the advice that my efforts at painting should really be concentrated on the walls of the villa and not some poor canvas. Don't you just love friends!

I normally end with one of my poems so I offer, for your consideration, 'The Lock Down Blues'. I started to write this in 2004 and it went through changes until I finished it in 2009. It was the inspiration for my first novel.

The Lock Down Blues


The bell is ringing
It won't stop now
There's nothing for you to choose
If you fight the man
He will lay you down
And play you The Lock Down Blues

You can bang your head
The whole night through
But no one will comfort you
Kick and hit the door
Will only make you sore
And give you The Lock Down Blues


If you taunt the man
He will wrap you up
Chastise you for being you
Try a different way
And restart your day
To the sound of The Lock Down Blues

As you close your eyes
Will you dream of light
Or the nightmares that follow you
If your time has come
And your day is done
Say goodnight to The Lock Down Blues


Does your blood run cold
When you think of her?
Have you finally paid your dues
She has nothing left
Not a single breath
As you cry to The Lock Down Blues

At the time of this
With a feather kiss
On a distant day
When your life was fine
Can you see your way
Will you go or stay
Are you sure you can toe the line?


If you make a sound
You will kiss the ground
As you pause to admire the views
From the dusty floor
To the ancient door
Don't give in to The Lock Down Blues


Turn inside yourself
Get to know your mind
Realise what you have to do
Analyse yourself
You will have the time
For embracing The Lock Down Blues


Give yourself the time
To relax and think
Take a trip to a place that's new
You can nod your head
To The Grateful Dead
And jam to The Lock Down Blues


In your pain and fear
Through a single tear
Know a change will come
Can you hold it tight
Keep it in you're heart
Never let it go
Are you sure you can make it right?


In your darkest hour
When it's closing in
Feeling tired and without a clue
You may hear a scream
From a distant dream
As you stir to The Lock Down Blues


In the early morn
At the break of dawn
It will all be the same to you
Try to settle down
You will hear the sound
Telling you it's The Lock Down Blues


As the creaking door
Opens wide for you
Take your time with the different view
Make it your last time
To embrace the dark
Say goodbye to The Lock Down Blues.

.......

Thanks

Ray