Wildflowers in town

 

There are plants growing out of tyres in the town centre, next to a car wash. They are part of an arts project started last year to green the town, I think by Art Stop Stoke? Other plants that are growing up include tomatoes and a courgette outside a Chinese takeaway. I’m interested in the fact they are clearly being looked after even after this length of time.

We tried putting a few plants in infront of an advertising hoarding. But the plants that were growing were killed off by weedkiller. Now the area is covered by persistent weeds. We may sprinkle some poppy seeds on it or nasturtium seeds. Long may the project continue.

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Babka rose

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There is a place in Hartshill in Stoke-on-Trent that opens on a Friday and they sell Babka’s.

It’s called Bread in Common and they bake delicious bread but also babka buns, tea cakes and other delights.

I’d never tasted a babka before, they are apparently made in many places, as far apart as Poland and Israel. They are folded in layers and rise because they have yeast in them. The ones we bought have a sweet mixture including poppy seeds folded into them. They are cooked in little tin trays and when they come out of the oven they have swollen and spread out so that they are a spongy, bready consistency. They are delicious.

Last rehearsal

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Almost done. Tomorrow we do the mystery play. Museum scene, travel back in time, work in a pottery, get thrown out of your house, end up in the workhouse. Escape to go to school. A Sunday school performance, finale. Songs, humour, tragedy, history.

Penkhull Mystery Play event, Saturday 13 July 2019. Free event, starts in the church at 10am then on the church green from 1pm. Stalls from 11am. Lots to see and do… Sorry to keep going on about it!

Scales

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Dragon care:

Make sure your dragons scales are kept in tip top condition. Use ‘Dddragon polish’ (tm). Uses gold dust and magyc oil to give them that gleam.

Ice cubes on the underside of the elbows will reduce inflammation (also known as flight elbow).

A spoonful of honey in a gallon of alder oil is good for your dragons throat after a hard day’s flaming.

Remember to wear woollen underwear, it may be hot and itchy but it prevents burns during dragon jousting.

When attempting barrel rolls or loop the loops ensure you have your stirrups in ‘high hitch’ position.

Dragon racing is for professionals. No parachutes are allowed but wing suits are acceptable.

Finally, dragons are not allowed to drink alcohol. The tragic consequences are well documented historically.

Out of the rain.

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The storm blew in from the North like a runaway train. The wind threw water against the houses. Cars were lifted up by the flood and were caught on the top of the neat hedges that lined the sides of the street. Out of the maelstrom came a figure of a small man dressed in a black raincoat. Water streamed from him, it flowed out of his sleeves and trouser legs. Tears streamed in rivers from his eyes, nose, mouth and even from his ears.

He was called Beck and he was from the North. He was a water god and he had decided to show mankind his might because of the way the World was being treated. He was angry and the storm was growing into a tornado. He had seen the way forests were being cut back, cars clogging roads, ships travelling half way across the world to deliver the cheapest sweatshop goods.

Beck lifted his arms, words bubbled up from his mouth.

Learn or die! He screamed in a high voice. Learn, or, die !

Last making session

I’ve finished painting for the penkhull mystery play, here is the willow pattern backdrop together with a school sign (set in the 1840’s). Im not the only maker, this is my friend Mark. There are others but my phone is playing up so I can’t find the pictures . Mark did the, ‘do not touch display’ sign. ( the play starts in a museum in 2019). So  having a rest for an hour.

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