Ruth Elizabeth Stiff
Bio
I love all things Earthy and Self-Help
History is one of my favourite subjects and I love to write short fiction
Research is so interesting for me too
Stories (911)
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Breast October
So many of us have been affected by Breast Cancer, either ourselves or with someone we love. For me personally, it was my mum who had Breast cancer. She found a lump in one of her breasts, booked the appointment and I went with her. A biopsy was taken and we went for the results in January. “I’m very sorry Mrs B…. but I’m afraid it is Breast cancer”, said the doctor. Mum couldn’t believe it! “I’ve just buried my husband, he died of cancer”, mum told the doctor. Both of us had nursed dad for three years before the cancer spread to his lungs and brain and eventually dad died.
By Ruth Elizabeth Stiff4 years ago in Viva
The Queen's Sister
For those of us who remember, she was one of the most beautiful women in England. She was born into a privileged life which came at a price, and yet she was one of the original ‘celebrity Royals’. She was not allowed to marry the man she loved, so she married someone more ‘suitable’ only to divorce in 1978. A rare beauty who knew how to dress, she was the Princess Margaret Rose.
By Ruth Elizabeth Stiff4 years ago in FYI
Only Fools and Horses
We can relate to this so well and still laugh at every episode. Running from 8th September, 1981, until 25th December, 2003, we still love to watch the 64 episodes today in 2021, 40 years after it first aired. Two brothers who buy and sell (almost) everything, and their personal lives, have given us ‘generations’ of entertainment. I’m talking, of course, about “OFAH” or “Only Fools and Horses”.
By Ruth Elizabeth Stiff4 years ago in Geeks
Today in 1941
She was born on this day (24th September) in 1941 and her life inspired thousands of young women. She was married to one of the most famous musicians in history. She died too young of breast cancer. I personally think that she was a very beautiful person, within her soul and her spirit. She was Linda McCartney!
By Ruth Elizabeth Stiff4 years ago in Beat
"Coming Out"
When a young lady “came out” in the Victorian and Edwardian Eras, it meant something quite different to how the generation understands those words today. For a young lady, who was born into a wealthy family, it was one of the most important events in her life. It represented her change in ‘status’ from a child to an adult and it ‘introduced’ her to society. This occurred (usually) between her 15 and 18th birthday and ‘showed’ that the young lady was ready to marry. Before this, she was always in the school room, rarely going out to parties.
By Ruth Elizabeth Stiff4 years ago in Humans
11th September, 2001
I wonder how many of us remember where we were on the 11th September, 2001? I was at work and a colleague came back from break and said that something terrible was happening in the United States. We turned on the radio and listened in silence! After work, I went straight to my mother’s house and we spent the evening together, eyes glued to the news on t.v. and eating dinner.
By Ruth Elizabeth Stiff4 years ago in FYI
The Victorian Mental Asylum
The original meaning of the word Asylum is “retreat” or “sanctuary” and they were built to protect mentally ill patients. We may have heard very real horror stories about how patients were treated in these past asylums but what really happened?
By Ruth Elizabeth Stiff4 years ago in FYI
Just An Ordinary Girl
I was very sad to hear that Sarah Harding has died, losing her battle with Breast cancer. Why do the good and beautiful die so young? She was only 39 years of age! A member of one of my favourite Girl Bands “Girls Aloud”, Sarah will always be the girl next door to me. She was so talented, being an actress as well as a singer, I’ll always remember Sarah in St.Trinian’s.
By Ruth Elizabeth Stiff4 years ago in Beat
The Great War
Yes, this is yet another article on one of my most favourite programmes “Downton Abbey”. For those of you who have never seen an episode, I thought I’d write about one of the seasons --- Season Two. There are actually six seasons plus one movie (so far!), so I’ve got plenty more articles to write about (sorry folks). The beauty of Downton Abbey is that there are so many little stories all tied up to the main story and there is plenty to keep us interested.
By Ruth Elizabeth Stiff4 years ago in Geeks
Alexandra of Denmark
Few know much about this Princess and Queen who was the very “First Queen of Hearts.” She was called the most beautiful Princess in Europe and her marriage into the British Royal family gave it a much needed boost (sound familiar?). Alexandra ‘fitted’ all the qualities Queen Victoria was looking for in a wife for her eldest son: ‘a Princess who is pretty, quiet, clever and sensible, and only a year or two younger than her son’.
By Ruth Elizabeth Stiff4 years ago in FYI
Edward VII
He was the heir apparent to the British throne for almost 60 years. As King, he modernized the British Home Fleet, and reorganized the British Army after the Second Boer War. He ‘re-instituted’ traditional ceremonies as public displays and ‘broadened’ the range of people with whom Royalty socialized. He was Edward VII!
By Ruth Elizabeth Stiff4 years ago in FYI
The Beautiful Costumes on Downton Abbey
The costumes used in Downton Abbey are extremely authentic and beautiful! The research which must have gone into these costumes must have taken hours, maybe even days. The fact that some of the costumes were real dresses that had been actually worn in the 1900’s - 1920’s, fascinates me.
By Ruth Elizabeth Stiff4 years ago in FYI
