Robbie Burns and Saturday Hockey

Isabel enjoyed Robbie Burns Day (January 25) once again this year with her usual visit from Eileen and lively activities with BICC friends. Her Irish friend, George, shared Scottish sayings (with an English translation provided by the Recreation Staff). Mum wore her Dad Charlie's Robertson Tartan hand-sewn shirt circa 1960. Tartan in today's image.

Three days later she was off to the Balcarres hockey rink! Her first outing to an ice rink in 5 winters! Mum sat out near the ice for most of three periods bundled up and cheering on grandson Josh from the sidelines (enclosed building but not heated where she sat). Others of us jumped up and down to stay warm. It was a great outing on a wonderful sunny winter day.

Who would have ever predicted that this could happen again in Isabel's life?

Oh, and those Scottish sayings? Here are a few:

• I'll gie ye a skelpit lug! - I'll give you a slap on the ear.
  
  
• Whit's fur ye'll no go by ye! - What's meant to happen will happen.
  
  
• Skinny Malinky Longlegs! - A tall thin person.
  
  
• Lang may yer lum reek! - May you live long and stay well.

• Black as the Earl of Hell's Waistcoat! - Pitch black.
  
  
• Failing means yer playin! - When you fail at something at least you're trying.
  
  
• Mony a mickle maks a muckle! - Saving a small amount soon builds up to a large amount.
  
  
• Keep the heid! - Stay calm, don't get upset.
  
  
• We're a' Jock Tamson's bairns! - We're all God's children, nobody is better than anybody else - we're all equal.
  
  
• Dinnae teach yer Granny tae suck eggs! - Don't try to teach someone something they already know.
  
  
• Dinnae marry fur money! - Don't marry for money - you can borrow it cheaper.
  
  
• Is the cat deid? - Has the cat died? Means your trousers are a bit short - like a flag flying at half mast.
  
  
• Haud yer wheesht! - Be quiet.
  
  
• Noo jist haud on! - Now just hold it, slow down, take your time.
  
  
• Hell slap it intae ye! - Means it's your own fault.
  
  
• I'm fair puckled! - I'm short of breath.
  
  
• Ah dinnae ken. - I don't know.
  
  
• It's a dreich day! - Said in reference to the weather, when it's cold, damp and miserable.