Clouds and blue

Looking out of the kitchen window this morning I saw blue sky amidst the white puffy clouds. The clouds were breaking up and merging. Reminding me of the song Cloud busting, by Kate Bush

It didn’t last, soon flat layers of cloud spread across the sky, then darker layers built up, piling up as the wind dragged them across the sky. We were on the edge of them, some yellowish light filtered through the upper clouds. So where are the photos? My phone was out of charge and when it was ready for a picture or two? The sun had set.

Compassion

What’s the trait you value most about yourself?

I try and be compassionate and care about people. It’s hard sometimes because you have to care about yourself too. If you don’t you can sink under the pressure of peoples problems.

I was bought up to be compassionate, I would watch things on TV or listen to the radio and feel bad for people in trouble, I understood some of the pain they were going through. I don’t know why? I was just doing what people around me did, but it’s stuck with me throughout my life. I hope it shows through.

Traits are hard to recognise in yourself though, it’s not something I  go looking for but deep down its there.

Bright lights over Bentilee

I’ve just got back from the local theatre, Claybody Theatre at The Dipping house, Spode Works, Church Street, Stoke upon Trent, Stoke-on-Trent.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable performance. It was set in 1967 on the Bentilee housing estate, on the edge of the city of Stoke on Trent. A city of potteries and coal mines and steel works that had since suffered industrial decline.

It’s late summer on the estate when several people see a bright glowing light in the sky that goes from red, to slightly greenish to a blue hue. It ended up on TV with locals talking about what they had seen, but no real explanation. (this was the era of science fiction programmes on TV, like The Invaders, or Space family Robinson and even Fireball XL5.)

What I enjoyed was the local knowledge. The speech was real Stoke on Trent accents, with a smidge of Durham and a twang of American or Irish.

I won’t go into detail with spoilers, but there is a mixture of 1960s memories, a touch of romance, a lot of local in jokes. It was useful knowing Bentilee estate, I have worked there. The comedy made the audience chuckle and laughter out loud. I do enjoy Deborah McAndrews writing. The play got a loud round of applause at the end. Good to see local friends who had come out to see it!

3 jobs?

List three jobs you’d consider pursuing if money didn’t matter.

I guess this question is asking what jobs you would consider if you already had sufficient funds and didn’t need to earn more?

I would like to do jobs that were useful and interesting, and that helped people. Perhaps someone who volunteered to support patients and visitors at hospital, explaining where various wards and departments were, offering to get people a drink of water or show the where they could get food?

Alternatively I would like to work on some environmental issues, support natural wildlife, perhaps in a hedgehog hospital?

Finally I would have liked to persue a more formal career in art. I’ve always painted but never been able to make enough money to turn it into a career. Oh and sell books too!

But basically I think it’s important that people are paid a decent living wage. So many people have been working at below the poverty rate and taking two or three jobs to survive, and that’s just in industrialised countries. Think about it, one man is likely to become a trillionaire in the near future and also being offered tax cuts to increase his income even more. Total madness.

Candle in the window

When we went to lunch earlier this week I took a photo of the room. I liked the ambient light from candles dotted around the it. They gave a warm glow on the wood panelled walls and floor. The pub has  spectacular stained glass windows so I shifted the candle over and took a photo. I guess the building is Victorian and may have been the watering hold of thirsty potters after work at the Spode pottery.

The Glebe Public house, Glebe Street, Stoke upon Trent, Stoke-on-Trent. Staffordshire.

Garlic mushrooms

Tasty lunch, doubled portion (just flipped photos). It was very tasty with a fresh salad. I was taken out for lunch by my friends and I really enjoyed it. It’s been a while since I went out and socialised. I’ve been a bit up and down recently. This was at the Glebe pub in Stoke, Stoke-on-Trent.

Dilemma? Esther Chiltons blog prompt.

Dilemma? Shall I stay or go?
Balance up the positives and negatives?
They balance out precisely!
Canvass friends and family?
Some say yes, some say go.
How do I feel?
Pleased and alarmed in equal measure!
How to decide?
Flip a coin!

Dilemma? Shall I stay or go?
Balance up the positives and negatives?
They balance out precisely!
Canvass friends and family?
Some say yes, some say go.
How do I feel?
Pleased and alarmed in equal measure!
How to decide?
Flip a coin!

My dilemma today? I’ve posted this twice!

Do I delete?

Biccys!

Took a photo of three mini biscuits

Put the photo through Incollage app to create a symmetrical pattern.

Used photodirector app to add a mosaic pattern, then a background of sparkling lights and finally added grunge.

Do you edit your pictures to change or alter them? I keep using photodirector but they make changes in how it works and change the names of the tools. They have done the same in Instagram and it takes a while to learn.

Too wit too woo

Tawny owl https://g.co/kgs/tciyaEu

Not real owls!

Just heard owls hooting in Penkhull, Stoke-on-Trent. They were going too whit, too woo. That means there are a pair because they share the call. The male hoots one part and the female responds (or it might be the other way round) I think they must be tawny owls but it’s years since I’ve heard any. I can remember hearing a pair regularly 10 or 15 years ago. Perhaps they have migrated in? Good to hear them. Odd I’m wearing an owl patterned top today!