Saturday 4 September 2010

THE REAL SUNDAY ROAST



On my last post I mentioned that Eddie Bluelights interviewed me for his Sunday Roast Feature. It is now live on http://eddybluelights.blogspot.com/ and, if I might say so myself, he did a very good job of it, even if he is a bit risque at times!

Reminds me of when I had my one and only full body massage in the Alps last winter. As I was approaching the ripe old age of 70 I thought that it was something I should experience, and where better to experience it than in the Alps. I duly booked myself in and presented myself to the masseur, a very handsome French man, who told me to strip off down to my bra and pants and enquired why I felt that I needed a massage.

When I told him my story he naturally assumed that I was there purely out of curiosity. He worked merrily away, chatting about this and that until he got to my shoulders. He stood back and exclaimed "Madame! I sink zis is not a luxury but a necessity, you have very naughty shoulders". I was alarmed. "Naughty shoulders?" "Yes, naughty shoulders". "Oh! you mean knotty shoulders". "Yes, zis is what I say, naughty shoulders". If only!!!

I heard this read out at an AA meeting once. It never fails to make me cry.

Touch of the Masters Hand

Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
thought it scarcely worth his while
to waste much time on the old violin,
but held it up with a smile;

"What am I bidden, good folks," he cried,
"Who'll start the bidding for me?"
"A dollar, a dollar"; then two!"
"Only two? Two dollars, and who'll make it three?

Three dollars, once; three dollars twice;
going for three..". But no,
from the room, far back, a gray-haired man
came forward and picked up the bow;

Then, wiping the dust from the old violin,
and tightening up the loose strings,
he played a melody pure and sweet
as caroling angel sings.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
with a voice that was quiet and low,
said; "What am I bid for the old violin?"
And he held it up with the bow.

A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two?
Two thousand! And who'll make it three?
Three thousand, once, three thousand, twice,
and going and gone," said he.

The people cheered, but some of them cried,
"We do not quite understand
what changed its worth." Swift came the reply:
"The touch of a master's hand."

And many a man with life out of tune,
and battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd,
much like the old violin,

A mess of pottage, a glass of wine;
a game - and he travels on.
"He is going" once, and "going twice,
He's going and almost gone."

But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd
never can quite understand
the worth of a soul and the change that's wrought
by the touch of the Master's hand.

Myra 'Brooks' Welch

Davy and I were touched by the Master's hand.

17 comments:

ADDY said...

What a lovely poem.

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

It is beautiful isn't it Addy? And so true.

Unknown said...

I love the poem! And I'm glad you got those naughty shoulders straightened out!

ethelmaepotter! said...

Salutations!

I just read your interview over at Eddie's place and had to come for a quick look-see. LOVE the story of your naughty shoulders! And the poem...? Lovely, and quite thought-provoking. Thanks for sharing it with us.

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Thanks for visiting Eva. My naughty shoulders are fine now thanks. Drat!

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Salutations to you too Ethel Mae and thanks for visiting.

DogLover said...

I'm puzzled. You were touched by the Master's hand and yet you still had knotty shoulders?

[I bring everything down to the lowest level, don't I]

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

A wonderful poem RAC, it had me welling up. I love the thought of "naughty shoulders". My daughter and I are having a pamper day next week (a late birthday present for me from husband)and I shall be having a massage. I'm sure to think of you and start giggling, if you see what I mean! A x

Sueann said...

Beautiful poem! And the roast was awesome. Well done from both of you!
Hugs
SueAnn

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Enjoy the massage Anne, I hope you have a handsome Frenchman too.

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

You certainly do DogLover, you are naughty. (Did you notice the absence of an exclamation mark? lol"

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

The roast certainly was awesome SueAnn. Eddie beavered over a hot stove all day.

CiCi said...

You are actually retired as in work and prepare for when you don't work any longer. My hubby and I are in our sixties and we no longer work but unlike you we didn't prepare for it. Ha. We get along great in our little hippie house in Nebraska. I like your blog and I enjoyed reading your interview on The Sunday Roast.

Mimi said...

Hi RAC, I came over from Eddie's Roast to say hello.
Enjoyed your roasting very much- good banter between you and Eddie. It's fun, isn't it? I was roasted in July (or was in June?)
I've read some of your archives, and can't believe the needless suffering you were put through. You're brave and beautiful.
And btw, I do massages (aromatherapy) but i have naughty shoulders too! One massage I went for, the lady told me i had the worst shoulders she ever came across!
See you soon again- i'm following now.

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Retirement in a little hippy house in Nabraska sounds good to me TechnoBabe. Enjoy.

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Oh! and thanks for the visit TechnoBabe. I'm just going over to visit you now. Should have done that first shouldn't I, but hey, I do tend to get things back to front sometimes!

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Thanks for the visit Mimi, I love your blog about the dogs. Brilliant. I'm now following you too.