Extinction

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So many animals, not just big ones, but tiny ones, insects, fish, are going extinct.

Why? Because of hunting, pesticides, over fishing, plastic, fires, people encroaching on the places animals live.

Why? There are too many of us, but we could all try and live more thoughtfully. People need space, and food. But there must be ways of dealing with our needs that doesn’t cause harm. We are too busy consuming to realise we can’t always have everything we want. If we could live in a more sustainable way? I remember in the 1970’s there was a comedy programme called ‘the good life’ where a couple tried to leave the rat race and live a better life by growing their own food, making their own clothes, but it didn’t always work.

It’s too simplistic to expect that to work worldwide, but I think we should try.

 

Ear worm

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Dah, da, Dah Dah, da da da Dah, da da

Argh! Being part of a choir is wonderful. Until you learn a really catchy tune. Dah da da Dah… Then it sticks in your head.. Da dda… And won’t go away! Especially when it’s quiet.. Dee Dee Dah…. Apparently older women tend to get auditory hallucinations based on old hymns. Glad I don’t have that problem. But… Dah da… But… I do have an ear worm… Wiggling about in my head …. Dah de da de Dah….

Helium balloon…

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What to do?

If we let you free..

You will drift up..

And up….

Taking your helium high!

High pitched gas.

Into the sky….

Your plastic body

Metallic coloured bag

of odourless atoms..

A death trap for fish

Or other animals

If we release you.

So thanks friend,

We will wait

For your gift to deflate.

Hisssssss….

Then dispose of it.

Responsibly…

Sitting listening…

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It’s quite cool today, so after going out for lunch, then coming back and doing a bit of gardening I’ve come into the relative warm (about 18.5°C) and I’m sitting listening to the Radio.

I’ve decided to try and keep the heating off as much as I can. It’s getting expensive and it’s not that cold yet.

It’s grey and showery outside. We had to cut the hedge back because our neighbours need access on the path round to their back yard and it runs past our garden. The trouble is one set of shears handle is coming loose and is held on with gaffer tape! When you cut branches with them they bend inwards so you can’t always get a good purchase on the twigs.

So anyway, the hat in the drawing was given to me by a friend when it was raining last week. I meant to take it back but forgot. Just dumped it on the pile of books by the front door.

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Tonight’s drawings

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I briefly went to an art city presentation tonight. It was good to see some old friends. I couldn’t stay for the whole thing but the number of people there was impressive.

I had my sketch book with me, so decided to do some urban sketching. The first drawing was hard because I started drawing the front view of  a man’s face. The trouble was he made eye contact! I couldn’t tell him what I was doing, so it was a case of dodging around and quickly glancing over at him. The other figures were easier, I round it hard to indicate it was crowded so drew partially obscured figures in the background to try and make it more realistic.

The second drawing was done in a large area where there were tables and chairs set up and a screen for video to run. I looked around and spotted this paper lantern, full sized, bull at the back of the room. I liked the way the structure contrasted with the regular bricks and metal grills. What an amazing lantern!

 

Pottery results

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These are my pottery pieces from the BCB, British Ceramic Biennial that is on at the China Halls at Spode until this weekend.

The two pieces are an ironic and unique take on staffordshire pottery flatware (with flat backs).

The first is a boat with Trumps head in it, feet in boots or socks heading in the other direction. There is a happy lion on the prow and the crucifixion at the top with people weeping on either side. Barrels and boxes are piled up at the stern where a white sale flaps in the wind. A monkey sits above the prow watching the scene. I named it Trump mania.

The second piece is called OMG, a couple stand caught in horror as something catches their eyes. Their hands over their mouthed in shock. I enjoyed adding details to the figures. I realise these are not the run of the mill figures, that is why it was even more fun.

Just had a real fright!

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When you are sitting in your home watching TV at 2.30 in the morning you don’t expect someone to knock on your kitchen window. But that just happened. I shouted up to my husband who had just gone to bed. He came down and went to the back door–and let a young man in!… He said he was being chased by some other men. What could we do? I went to the front door and shouted that I was ringing the police-which is what I did. They dispatched a patrol who arrived after about twenty minutes. In the meantime my husband decided to go outside and have a look round! I was standing next to the young man, in my living room on my own! Luckily I was speaking to the police and trying to keep the man calm. I could feel my chest getting tight, I was quite shocked. At one stage the police dispatcher asked if I needed an ambulance! Anyway the police came and took him away to safety. They checked no-one was in the garden. I’m still shaking. Writing this to calm down and get it off my chest. It’s a case of what could have happened but luckily didn’t !

Hoe Down?

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Who fancies coming to a Barn dance up at Penkhull village hall, Stoke-on-Trent on 19.10.19? It’s in aid of the annual Penkhull Mystery Play, next due to happen in July 2020. A huge community project that includes theatre, creative writing, music and FUN !

There’s dancing and spinning, hornpipes and all sorts of mad frivolities at the Barn Dance. Plus pie and peas (and a vegetarian option), oh and yes there’s a real ale bar.

The band is the Shropshire Heroes and the caller is the inimitable Baz Parkes who cajoles and explains the steps of the dances, gets the right numbers of people to join in and encourages people to miraculous efforts, including me!

So if you happen to be in Penkhull on the 19th and you are feeling energetic, why not come along?

These are her boys

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These two boys were my female cats kittens, they were rehomed together and now they are about two and a half years old. I occasionally see photos of them, I do miss them. They are like larger versions of their mother. Both boys are really handsome. I wish I’d been able to keep them, and their two sisters that went to another home.

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