Thursday, August 14, 2025
Citizens!
Here's one of our new dahlias, on our new patio table. I love the color of the dahlia but the plant, along with almost all the rest of our dahlias, has been attacked by powdery mildew. It's a problem they often face as the summer wanes, and it's especially bad this year, I suspect because of that dubious compost I planted them in. The stuff is like sawdust and doesn't hold moisture well, so the plants dry out quickly, and repeatedly drying out puts a plant at risk for powdery mildew.
I read online that spraying them with a milk solution can help, and although skeptical I tried it. Hard to say whether they benefitted or not, but they did briefly smell funny.
Anyway, enough of that. I know you're all wondering about our citizenship ceremony!
Yes, Dave and I are now citizens of the UK. Here we are with the Camden borough mayor, Cllr. Eddie Hanson, holding our citizenship certificates. Hanson has an interesting backstory -- he came to the UK as a teenager from Sierra Leone and is the first Camden mayor of West African descent. In his brief speech to all of us, he used his own experience to illustrate the opportunities available in the UK.
The ceremony went like this: After registration, we all sat in the Camden council chamber, an ornate room where borough council meetings are normally held. There were 61 of us being sworn in as citizens, and we were separated into two groups -- the "swear" group (who took a traditional oath mentioning God) and the "affirm" group (who pledged a more secular affirmation). Dave and I chose to be in the "affirm" group, which was the larger of the two, but honestly it wouldn't have made much difference to me. I don't particularly believe in God but I don't have a problem saying his/her name.
A professional photographer took our pictures when we first arrived:
See those big cloth flags? There's a story attached to them. When Dave and I first moved into our flat, in 2014, those flags were in the closet. I kept them, always planning to use them if and when we became citizens. So when the opportunity finally arose I brought them with us. We were also given little cardboard flags like the small one I'm holding. There were plenty of Union Jacks on hand! I'm also holding a printed copy of our citizenship affirmation.
As we waited for the ceremony to start, an acoustic mix of Beatles songs played softly in the background. I thought this was both enjoyable (being a Beatles fan) and kind of funny, as hearing "Lovely Rita, Meter Maid" and "Norwegian Wood" at such a ceremonious occasion seemed a bit incongruous.
We were sworn in all together, first the "oath" group and then the "affirm" group, pledging our adherence to British laws and values and our allegiance to the King, his heirs and descendants. The mayor gave his brief speech. Then we were called individually to the front of the room to collect our certificates, which is when the photo with the mayor was taken. Interestingly, Dave and I were the only family group -- everyone else was being sworn in singly.
The people came from all over the world -- the clerk read out many of the countries and they included many of the nations in continental Europe, as well as Taiwan, India, South Africa, Eritrea, Colombia and Brazil (and the USA, obviously). An Italian guy sat next to me during the ceremony. As the clerk said, "I think we've hit every continent!" (I don't remember Australia or New Zealand being mentioned, but maybe they were.)
There were several other Americans among the crowd, including a guy sitting in front of us wearing a "Denali" t-shirt. (I chose to believe it was his silent protest against Trump renaming the mountain McKinley, but I didn't get a chance to ask him.) One American we spoke to said she'd lived in London for 40 years, but was only prompted to seek citizenship when Trump came to power.
After the ceremony, Dave and I went to the OXO Tower Restaurant on the Thames and had a fancy, leisurely lunch on an outdoor terrace with pink champagne and a view of the river. It was a great way to cap off the special occasion.
The restaurant gave us congratulatory plates with our desserts. (I told them what we were celebrating when I made our booking.)
So that was that! We came back to the flat, Dave promptly fell asleep (he's still a bit jet-lagged from his visit to the states) and I did some necessary stuff around the house in preparation for going back to work today -- which I am about to do now. Nose to the grindstone!
Congratulations. It is lovely to see you as permanent citizens of this fair land. May goodness always line your path and protect that garden of yours.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Thelma!
DeleteWhat a great day. It's lovely to see you both in those photos and to read about your obvious pleasure in the proceedings.
ReplyDeleteMay I offer my genuine Welcome!! to our new British citizens.
Thanks, JayCee! We're happy to be here.
DeleteWhat a great day, wonderful photos and you both look so happy & relaxed.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great relief to have this step finally behind us. It's quite a process!
DeleteAs it said on the plates - "Congratulations!" but what the hell were you wearing on your feet Steve? I am sure that King Charles III would not have approved of those sandals - too informal for such an important ceremony! And where were your ties (American: neckties)?
ReplyDeleteWe say "ties" in America too. LOL! You know, not a single man at the ceremony was wearing a tie or a jacket. It was comfortably casual, but not overly so. (I didn't see any shorts!) I figured no one would expect us to wear a tie at the height of summer, and I was right.
DeleteAs for my "mandals," I wear them to work, and they conceal most of my feet (unlike flip-flops). Again, for summer, they were fine.
I was a bit surprised about your footwear too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect place to lunch. I wish we had gone there when we could have.
So you are now British? As well as American, of course. Very nice, me ole china.
Yes indeed, we can say that we are British!
DeleteCongratulations being sent from us both. I am so excited for you and you two sure look happy. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mitchell. :)
DeleteCongratulations to you both. What a wonderful day. ❤️ You were dressed just fine, smart/casual is nearly always acceptable in the South of England. I bet the poor Mayor was sweltering in his robes.
ReplyDeleteSociety in general is so much less formal than it used to be.
DeleteWoo-Hoo! Citizenship! I wonder how many others did it because of Trump. I've heard of some making sure their passports are up to date and planning to leave the US.
ReplyDeleteI saw an article not long ago about increasing numbers of Americans applying for British citizenship.
DeleteWhat a great post to read this morning. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteThis entire post is so lovely. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Elle!
DeleteCongratulations!
ReplyDeleteI hope the UK remains a safe and welcoming country for many years to come.
Thank you, and so do I!
DeleteOh well done you two! I also like your choice of footwear for the ceremony and the choice of restaurant.
ReplyDeleteWe had a memorable meal in the OXO tower in 2009 during the London H1N1 flu pandemic and had to wash hands supervised before we were allowed to enter the building. The next day, all precautions and restrictions were dropped because they didn't work anyway. Little did we know, we laughed.
Oh, that's funny. I didn't realize when we were going through Covid that London had already had experience with such stringent infection-control measures.
DeleteCongratulations!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteWhat a lovely day and so nice of the restaurant to mark your special day so beautifully. I'd hazard a guess that you and the rest of your cohort are more patriotic than most home-grown Brits.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a patriotic/nationalistic person in general. In fact in some ways I think borders are antiquated. But tell that to Zelensky!
DeleteYou know what I love about this? The fact that you were given a choice about swearing an oath to God or simply declaring that allegience to a government official. Here the line between church and state gets thinner and thinner, and there is a lot of God talk while the most ungodly things happen.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a fine day.
Yeah, it was great that they gave us the option, even though I would not have minded taking the "God" oath. Some dedicated atheists might have struggled with that.
DeleteCongratulations again! Now get back to work!
ReplyDeleteHa! Exactly.
DeleteWhat a great day and a great thing to be a part of! And that the restaurant joined in, too!
ReplyDeleteCongrats!
Yeah, it was great to have the little message from the restaurant.
DeleteThis event is one that may fade in your memory, but it is now enshrined here in blogland! And now you can vote!! We sure will miss your votes in the US however!
ReplyDeleteThat's why i keep a blog -- to help me remember these things! You won't miss my vote because I'm still an American citizen and will vote there too. (Since I pay taxes in both places it's reasonable!)
DeleteWhat a lovely thought from the restaurant!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it?!
DeleteCongrats. You brought your own flags?
ReplyDeleteHa! We did. I think a lot of the others thought we were a bit extreme. LOL
DeleteSuch a nice event! Now back to work! Your last year, right?!?
ReplyDeleteHopefully, though that has not been officially confirmed.
DeleteCongratulations on this wonderful event! You do realize how many of us are SO envious of you, right?
ReplyDeleteWell, just keep in mind that the UK (like every country) has its own struggles. No one is entirely free from them.
DeleteI don't think that could have gone better. You guys look so happy. The picture of you two with the mayor has a sort of beautiful symmetry. Also- I love your shirt. Good choice!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I hope today goes well.
DeleteThank you! It was a very memorable day, and hopefully a big step forward for us.
DeleteCongrats to you both! I want to know what those desserts were - especially the one on the left. Interesting! I personally love your "mandals" - in fact I might want to find a womandal version (I used to have some many years ago).
ReplyDeleteIt was some raspberry thing, as I recall. I have to ask Dave! Mine was a mango and lime tartlet.
DeleteThat was a good day for you! You're both so happy. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteThat patio set is what I'm thinking about for my upcoming patio. Didn't want to put that in the congratulatory comment.
ReplyDeleteWe've really enjoyed that little patio table -- we've used it quite a bit.
DeleteCongratulations!
ReplyDeleteThe fact that the major also has roots abroad adds even more significance to the occasion. There are certainly many Americans who would like the opportunity to take on another citizenship. You look satisfied that the step has finally been taken.
Very thoughtful of the restaurant to decorate the dessert plate so nicely.
Yeah, it was great hearing the mayor's story and his reflections on the opportunities that the UK provided to him.
DeleteI'll add another Congratulations! to all of the ones above!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I thought that was you above, but I guess it was another Marcia! :)
DeleteContrats! How exciting that must have been.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Yes, it was a great step forward.
DeleteFan Flipping Tastic !!!! 2014 - 2025 And A Big Ol Middle Finger To The Donald - Outstanding - And Thankfully I Am Not Colorblind As I Am Able To See Your Shirt - Good On Ya For Making The Lunchtime Reservations In Advance - All The Best With This School Year As You Proudly Walk The Walk You Talk - Well Done Brother Reed
ReplyDeleteStay Hip ,
Cheers
Thank you! Actually, it's 2011-2025, so we've been here 14 years already. Shocking!
DeleteCongratulations! What a special day and I'm so thrilled for both of you. Those smiles say it all! What a perfect spot to celebrate after and the restaurant's treat was extra special. I think you are living the dream a lot of us would like to be living right now. I know life isn't always a piece of cake wherever you are, but at least you aren't in a company slipping quickly into the darkest of dark sides! Three cheers!
ReplyDeleteYeah, don't be too envious. There are downsides and we have our own scary characters over here. One thing we don't have, though is the evangelical Christian mindset creeping into government policy, and for that I'm appreciative.
DeleteSuddenly you both look VERY British. Now every field ,no matter what grows in it ,is a corn field and every desert is a pudding! You will say "sorry" every five minutes and your patience will become more refined, you will look for any queue to stand in. Your "R's" will soften and your speech will be much improved. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI said "sorry" a lot before I even moved here. I think I've been British all along! LOL
DeleteYou both look so happy! I don't think I've ever seen so many photos of Dave. Do I remember correctly that he doesn't like his picture taken? Congratulations on your citizenship although as an American, I'm sorry to lose you.
ReplyDeleteYeah, he's not crazy about pictures but for a special occasion he'll grin and bear it. I don't usually blog pictures of us but I figured in this case it made sense!
DeleteCongratulations! Wishing you & Dave the very best!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteCongratulations (again!!). I love that they had a professional photographer, that they gave people an option to include God (or a higher power) or not, and that you had the fun acknowledgment at your fancy luncheon! You and Dave look happy!
ReplyDeleteYeah, it was a great day all around. Everything worked out for the best possible experience.
DeleteAgain, Congrats!! Wise choice to do what you did.
ReplyDeleteThank you, and I hope so!
DeleteJeanie s Rick here! Congratulations. Sorry we lost two of our better people but I have to say I wish I could join you. The USA is going WAY past ugly. BTW your buddy Bill is a bike riding pal of mine. Can you imagine the surprise when we discovered we both know you?!
ReplyDeleteHa! Yeah, Dave was telling me that story! It really is a small world. Thanks for the congrats. :)
DeleteOh those Dahlias need some help. Homemade bug sprays can be effective for deterring pests on dahlias. You can use neem oil spray, garlic oil spray, and insecticidal soap. These sprays can help control aphids, mites, whiteflies, and other common dahlia pests.
ReplyDeleteBTW, congratulations and those desserts look yum! :)
Thanks for the hints! In this case it's a fungus troubling the dahlias, something called powdery mildew. I read that I could treat it with a milk solution so I tried that. I may do it again. We shall see! The fungus won't kill the plant but it is rather unsightly.
DeleteI add my congratulations to all those above. Well done, you two!
ReplyDeleteAlso, how interesting that Camden borough mayors choose a local charity to sponsor during their mayoral 'reign'. Mayor Hanson's back story and choice of charity hint that he is a really good guy. Chris from Boise
Yeah, I noticed that too! I had no idea there was a charitable component to being mayor but that's a good idea.
DeleteHurray for dual citizenship ... in these crazy times we live in this might come in handy!
ReplyDeleteAlways good to have a backup!
DeleteWonderful pictures of you both.You will have to buy some nice frames now.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations.
Wendy (Wales)
Thanks, Wendy! It's funny that they gave us the pictures as prints rather than air-dropping them to our phones or e-mailing them.
DeleteWhat a relief and what a joy. I still keep contemplating getting my BC having grown up there with my British mother along with three out of my four grandparents. But I'm getting up there in years so not sure it is worth the expense...though one more month (day, minute...) of the orange idiot may change my mind. Will be back over the Pond late next month. Up in the Scottish Highlands for five weeks. Can't wait.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, you two looked great. So glad the ceremony went well and that you were able to have a nice posh lunch to celebrate. Congrats! Best of luck with the return to the library. Hope knowing the end is in sight for that particular journey helps make this school year a little less difficult.
Oh, the Scottish highlands sounds great! I'm sure you'll have a terrific time. Yeah, citizenship unfortunately does come with an expense, so there's that factor to consider.
DeleteYou guys look great. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteThank you, e!
DeletePlease let me add my most sincere congratulations. You two are great adventurers.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bruce!
DeleteSo cool! I am so happy for you both
ReplyDeleteThanks, Allison!
DeleteContrats! Your newly acquired British citizenship brought a GREAT BIG SMILE TO MY FACE!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It brought smiles to our faces too! :)
DeleteCongratulations. I love all these photos. That was interesting about the American who has lived there for 40 years. Such great photos.
ReplyDeleteI can relate to Dave's jet lag. I thought I might escape it but I woke up at 3:15 and haven't been able to go back to sleep. Maybe by tomorrow.
It hangs around for a while, doesn't it? Annoying! Hope you get some sleep!
DeleteCongratulations!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteWell done and Congratulations on completing your Big Beautiful Backup Plan. All the Best with your new citizenship. x0x0 N2
ReplyDelete