New paintings and regular art updates.
Crescent patterns of light caused by today’s partial eclipse. Sunlight through leaves made the shadows act like camera obscura images. I couldn’t get out to see it safely but had heard of this method of viewing it, approx 7.10pm.the UK. 12.8.26.
Red bag and brush
Imitating a poppy.
I love you scarlet
The colour of lipstick.
Too hot to handle
Not cool but hot
Flamed and fierce
Like glowing lava
Starting to radiate.
Furnace cherry
Ready to be hammered
Into dragon shapes.
Only for ten minutes, but the sky was cloudy, then darkened. I could HEAR it pattering against the windows, and when I went to the back door the noise was sublime. There were even puddles!
This is nothing, we have not had rain for weeks and it has been above 30°C in some parts of the country for over a month.
Now I’ve just finished the washing up and I’m drenched with sweat. It’s still warm and extremely humid. I’m so tired.
Goodnight.
Red flower
Red bag
Red brush
Red blood,
Red paint
Shades and tones
Scarlet poppy
Crimson lake
Sunset cerise
Carmine rose
Ruby jewel
Cherry lipstick…
So vibrant
Blushes and berries
Heat is rising,
Bring me Green…
I took this photo yesterday looking out of the Fenton Town Hall window. Then I remembered the room used to be a court room, and I had been a witness there in a trial 30 years ago.
I won’t talk about the case, but I can say the person was found guilty.
Other features were holding cells where witnesses were kept until it was time to appear in front of the magistrates. I have to say it was a long and boring wait. I still remember sitting in a green painted room for hours.
Funny how taking a photo of something with no connection with a memory can stir up things from years ago,
Not in a church, but in Fenton Town Hall. In Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire.
History of the hall from Google : Fenton Town Hall is 138 years old. It was built in Albert Square between 1888 and 1889 by local architect Robert Scrivener and financed by pottery magnate William Meath Baker.
I love the fact that municipal buildings can be beautiful and subtle too. Just because they are used for local political work or council business does not mean they have to be brutalist (although more modern buildings can be very ugly). I guess you have to balance cost and utility. But I love beautiful architectural design.
I’ve just been removed from threads. I don’t understand why. It says I was posting fraudulent messages and posts? It mentioned scamming and gambling, fraud, trying to get money out of people? I’ve Never done that and never would.
It has been somewhere I could chat with people. It’s friendly and as I’m quite disabled with Parkinsons now it’s been a life saver as I don’t get out much.
I tried to post this morning but got this message and it says they have deleted everything for the past several months.
They don’t have a phone or email address to contact, you have to use an AI assistant. For that I need to contact their support page, but guess what I can’t find my password.
Having Parkinsons means I shake very badly. Consequently it’s hard to type and the thought of having to deal with it. Well I just feel like giving up.
It’s linked to Instagram and I’m terrified it will remove me from that…
And META is literally stopping my freedom of speech and I’m not even American or live in America?
Has anyone experienced this and can you help?
The copse on the hill.
High Trees
An ancient site.
Clouds scud – fly by
A Storm will blow,
And rouse the world.
Sleepy valleys,
Shaded by darkening clouds, ~
Let it rain, wind blow
Bring relief
From drought.
CMB© 2026
I found a post from a stranger that touched me and made me realise that you can do things to help you with sadness.
I suddenly remembered what I was advised to do when my hubby died a few years ago.
I hope people don’t mind but this is what I wrote to them. It’s copied directly from the post and I hope it makes sense to the person that I have written it to.
“Sorry you feel that way
It’s good that you are expressing it.
Can you talk to someone to help you get through it? I retreated into myself when I felt like this, but then I realised it was better to talk it through. My thoughts are with you. Even writing things down helps. I have written gratitude diaries. You write down three small things to be grateful for every day. Small things, like the traffic light turning green as you get there. Or finding a nice flower, or simply saying hi to a friend. “
Sending hugs to you all.
Apologies world
I don’t want to hear
The millions of messages
Or emails or ads
I just get fed up
Of going through dross
To find the few gems.
I will reply soon
Just giving my brain
A rest.
Mallaband-Brown