Carrying On

Bet you've seen this saying a lot recently. It's popular as a framed poster in many colors. I was thrilled to receive this mug for Christmas - there's even a red crown on the bottom inside - from my wonderful friend Elinor. I've been adding a few touches of red to brighten up my kitchen as all my dishes are white or cream now, so I love this mug!

BUT.......do you know the story behind this saying?

It was 1939 and Britain was on the brink of war. In anticipation of this the British Government's Ministry of Information commissioned a series of propaganda posters to reassure the population they would be defended at all costs.

The posters were to be displayed all over the country once war was declared. Using only the crown of King GeorgeVI this particular posted simply read "KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON". It never actually made it onto the walls of Britain and was never officially issued.

A crumpled copy of the poster was however rediscovered by chance many years later amongst a pile of dusty old books in a book store in Northumberland, England.

This simple poster with its simple message is just as relevant today as it was back in the 1930's.

I'm definitely trying to keep calm and carry on this chilly morning. I'm sitting here with the mug filled to the brim with cafe au lait as I await the "tree guys". Any minute now their arrival, accompanied by a crane, bucket truck, stump grinder and mulcher, could turn the cottage garden into a chaotic mess. We are having to take down three large trees and have a lot of trimming done. Hate doing this but we have a dangerous situation. Thoughts of an ice storm with falling trees and branches this Winter have become scary.

KEEPING CALM.........kind of!!!!!