47. Not everybody will like you.

ANOTHER SO-SO SOCCER MATCH.

Perhaps the football pundits have been less than fair to Steve McClaren.
Perhaps everybody always expects too much of the national team and its manager.
But a 1-1 draw with a mediocre Dutch side in Amsterdam on Wednesday did little to allay the growing misgivings of many England fans.
The cat Shadow, settled on his big new bean-bag, did not wake up until it was over.
'It was a draw,' I told him.
'Well it would be, wouldn't it,' he said, as though there was no question about it.
'Why would it be?' I asked.
'Oh do come on,' he said. 'An away friendly in Europe? You have to draw or lose to get out alive.'
'You're a racist cat,' I said. 'You said the same sort of thing about our boxers in America.'
'No I didn't' he retorted. 'I said that you've got to knock 'em out to win over there because they don't let foreigners win on points.'
'If you were a human you'd finish up before the Race Relations Board,' I said.
He stalked towards the catflap.
'Talk to the tail,' he said 'The ears aren't listening.'
A draw is the same as being beaten to him.
And he's a very poor loser.

HOW FAST THEY GROW.

Our lovely granddaughter, Jessica, will be eleven on Sunday.
Last night she finished reading Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince.
That's it until next year's midnight watch.
(Keep writing J.K.! Keep writing!)
Doesn't seem yesterday that little Jess was starting school.
Before she left I think I gave her the same advice I gave her mother, aunt and uncle way back when they started school.
'Some children will want to make friends with you right away. Be friendly with them. Not everybody will like you, though. Some may dislike you without reason. Don't worry about it. Avoid them.'
I hope it worked for all of them.
They've never said.
Didn't do much for me in wartime elementary schools.
At times I got a right thumping from the kids I should have avoided.
Anyway, I shall be wishing a Happy Birthday to Jess at the weekend.
She's taller than my Leader now.
And almost as tall as me.

EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND.

This is still one tele programme to watch every morning.
Today Raymond found out that not everybody loves him after all.
A media presenter of some sort (recognised in America perhaps?) made it known that Raymond would not be welcome on his show.
He hated Raymond.
Raymond was hurt and bemused.
He had never met the man.
Of course Raymond's large and singularly more likeable brother was without sympathy.
It took a meeting of them both with the media presenter to reaffirm the maxim 'blood is thicker then water.'
Another excellent episode in an excellent series.
And another reminder that not everybody will like you.
So what!
If they don't, who needs 'em?