New paintings and regular art updates.
Little bridge over a rocky chasm, (a small split in the rocks), another feature at Biddulph Grange. I’d forgotten this photo. I think we walked over the bridge, but to be honest I can’t remember. It seems to teeter over the gap, and I get vertigo, so maybe not! The approach up to it isn’t fenced in, so I’d be nervous just walking up to it…
What brings a tear of joy to your eye?
Christmas carols bring tears to my eyes. I can’t explain why. Some affect me more than others. Hark the Herald Angels sing, oh come all ye faithful and oh little town of Bethlehem particularly. Choral music especially when it’s in close harmony is wonderful.
I think its from hearing them in childhood, their sentiment stuck with me. That gentle music touched me. Sung at school and church. The music raises my spirits.
I know that when I hear the Christmas service of nine lessons and carols on the radio I have to stop and listen to the beautiful sweet voices singing wonderfully. I love going Carol singing with friends and that can make me feel teary. I can’t really say any more than that.
Koi carp, big goldfish. Did you know goldfish grow to fit the size of their container, they stay small in a bowl, but can grow much bigger in a lake or pond. These were at Biddulph Grange garden a couple of years ago. You could climb down some steps near the top of the lake and see them swimming. I think the shop there sold fish food? But I don’t really remember. They certainly came up to the steps when people stood on them.
I think fish must be able to think. Not just have three second memories, their behaviour makes me think they can learn. I wonder what it’s like to be a fish? And I think carp can live to quite old ages. Anyway that’s all I know about them!
The sun shone today
It didn’t rain
The flowers were glorious
Their colours fine.
Washing dried on the line
Reflecting brilliant white
Light onto petals
Giving them a glow
Of bright orange and pale lavender
To remember this day.
Trying to take a photo of my cat with her big eyes. She’s so beautiful, I wanted to show you all. But she doesn’t stay still unless she’s asleep.
She announces herself as she comes in with a series of miaows and mews, tail high waving in the air like a flag. Claws out she stands to sharpen them in my leg (get off!) this is her usual greeting. Then she rubs her head against my feet that are raised to reduce swelling at the moment. A meep and a purr, then up on my legs and backwards and forwards between the chair arms and my lap, all the while purring loudly.
Just keep still, let me take your photo, but no, after the purring and poddling (kneading with her paws), she’s off and down again, her fat little belly waddling off into the distance, flag tail waving goodbyes…..
Why do you blog?
I like blogging because I enjoy thinking about things. I like to write small pieces of fiction, short poems, share my art, and answer prompts like this one.
If I can share my ideas and make a difference to someone elses life that’s a bonus. I’m not looking for fame, or saying that I want to be a famous blogger or influencer. I just enjoy doing this.
I hope I’m not boring, and I also try and produce a blog that is honest and factual as much as I can be. I would hate to share information that turns out to be incorrect, and I try and communicate clearly.
If you read my blog don’t expect me to stick to one subject. I guess I could call myself a jack of all trades and master of none.
Curled up, warm
Asleep again
He makes his bed
And lies on it.
Comfortable and safe
Neat fur, aligned
With patterned covers.
Crochet and Cat
Cheery view
Asleep and snoring.
Lino cut print. I completed an illustration course last year and I dabbled in printing for a couple of projects.
I was careful not to gouge holes in my fingers doing this, the tools to cut out the lino are extremely sharp. I ordered the kit over the Internet and it came with the tools, an inking tray, a roller, a hand tool to push the ink onto the paper and several cutting tools.
Of course I drew a cat, it’s my default setting. I tried to make it into a tabby cat although the print is black and white.
A Marghereta pizza for tea was a bit boring, so I got some leftovers out of the fridge…
1 large sliced mushroom
1/8 of a large onion
A couple of pieces of garlic sausage
2 slices of ham
A 1/4 of a red chilli (deseeded)
A few green olives sliced up
Some leftover hard cheese
Chop it up, add it to the top.
Cook on gas mark 7 for 15 minutes instead of 11 which was the time for the normal pizza so that everything was piping hot.
Added gherkins which were left in a jar to add a bit of sour taste (umami?) to the meal.
I just looked out of the window as a squirrel came flying past! I just saw the fluffy tail as it jumped from the fence onto one of the hanging basket brackets, then up onto the kitchen roof.
Why is it visiting us? WALNUTS! We have a walnut tree that we planted 25 years ago and it GREW. It must be 60 to 80 feet high. For years now we know when autumn is getting here when the squirrels arrive. Then they go on the a rampage and bury the walnuts. So sooner or later we have baby walnut saplings springing up all over the place. I don’t begrudge the squirrels, we have said we want a wildlife garden, and it is.
Mallaband-Brown