David Beckham......I Love You

I should be a football expert to write anything intelligent about this man who I have adored since he first began playing for Moan U. Although I disliked the club, and their red faced, gum chewing, boot throwing manager. David Beckham, for me, stood out on his own. I was a fan since the beginning. A close friend wrote a long article about him for The Sunday Times Magazine, she spent hours with him, travelling by car to Manchester. She told me he was just a wonderful person, polite, very natural, and very lovable. I rejoiced when he became Captain of my beloved England, sadly I was never overwhelmed with Sven. Oh well, that's another story. When Ferguson threw that boot at him, I wanted to kill that red faced monster. Then to Real Madrid, and I followed his career thru' the Real website. I checked it out every week. The most recent World Cup disaster knocked me for six. The England team were my passion, and the whole thing was just painfully horrible. I blame Sven, the FA, the team, but never David, who always worked his guts out. In any case he got injured before the bluddy end. I lost a few tears when he resigned as Captain, retaining his dignity to the last. Then that vile untalented Steve McLaren was mis-chosen as England's new coach, instead of the multi talented Martin O'Neill....he just sacked David from the team, cold bloodedly and cruelly. David is a wonderful father, is kind and charitable, and I love him and hope he has a happy and successful life. OK he's made a ton of money, but he loves playing his football. Good Luck to him.

Anne of Cleves, by Hans Holbein.

This is a wonderful portrait I saw at Tate Britain. Painted by Hans Holbein the Younger. Henry V111 was looking for a new bride and sent Holbein to paint Anne of Cleves, so that he knew what she looked like. However, Henry wrote to Cromwell on his wedding day, "My Lord, if it were not to satisfy the world and my Realm, I would not do that I must do this day for no earthly thing" Anne was Henry's fourth wife, it was a brief marriage, much to the relief of both spouses. Henry referred to his bride"Flanders Mare" He told his Ambassadors and courtiers he could not perform his marital duties because of Anne's appearance. They were both relieved when the marriage was dissolved, and Anne was given several homes, including Hever Castle and a generous allowance. She often visited Henry's court as an honoured guest. Holbein died about 5 years later in London from the plague. You will see she looks very good in this painting, but Holbein had flattered her, and posed her in such a way, sort of leaning slightly forward hands placed in rather a provocative way.