Apparently Goldfish CAN count.

Posted on February 27, 2021 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Animals, Birds, Education, Goldfish, intelligent, Learning, Mammals, Maths, Primates, Responsibility, WorldLeave a comment

Sorry not to have a photo of a goldfish! Having a chat with hubby this morning, and he’d read an article that goldfish can count. It makes me realise how much we don’t know about the animal kingdom. How intelligent animals are. I’ve been watching a TV programme by Chris Packham about animal genius. Birds such as the Corvid family using tools, also otters and primates. So many animals that we are not aware of. We must continue to pay attention to these things. Learning how intelligent life is not just the domain of humans. For too long we have regarded ourselves as top of a pyramid of animals, as superior. We need to be more caring and take on the responsibility to look after them, not persecute them. But not because goldfish can count, but because whether they can or not, we need to look after our home, our planet.

Trees in winter

Posted on February 26, 2021 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Life, muddy, Photo, Photo director, river Bank, River Trent, Staffordshire, Stoke-on trent, Trees, Trent, WetLeave a comment

Reflections again, this time of trees along the river Trent a few weeks ago. Walking in the rain, trying to avoid the fifty yard long puddles on the paths. Stepping through muddy grass with shoes sinking into the earth. It was wet! Subtle hints of green in the bushes that was knocked back when the temperatures dropped and the snow fell. A whole section of the newly restored river bank washed away and the new housing estate on the flood plain is threatened. Why build on the flood plain anyway? Money!

My Eye

Posted on February 26, 2021 Posted in Sketching, UncategorizedTagged Art, Blue, Calligraphy pen, Drawing, Eye, Felt pens, Fun, Observational drawing, SketchingLeave a comment

Observational drawing of the day, my eye, used a calligraphy pen and felt pens. The patterned thing is my little hand mirror.

Dolphin boats

Posted on February 26, 2021 Posted in UncategorizedTagged #100daywalkingchallenge, Blue, Canal, Dolphin, dolphin boats, Trent and mersey canal, View, Walking, WaterLeave a comment

Reflected in the canal, the water is a gorgeous blue. Dolphin boats with its little dolphin symbol on it has been there for years. Its looking a bit tired now. Life is not being kind to it, and with lockdown I don’t even know if it’s open. As well as boat hire they have an air gun shooting range and archery, but we’ve never been in there, just walked past on the other side of the canal….

Paws for thought

Posted on February 26, 2021 Posted in Cat, UncategorizedTagged Art, Black and white cat, Cat, Layout app, Photo director, Poem, Poetry, tuvedo catLeave a comment

Put your paw out, say hello….

Come and get warm

Please don’t go

Cats are friendly

When you know

How to love them

Snuggling so.

Today’s walk

Posted on February 26, 2021 Posted in UncategorizedTagged #100daywalkingchallenge, day 26, longer than expected, Shelton, Staffordshire, Stoke-on trent, Tired, WalkingLeave a comment

don’t know why the doors are halfway up these bottle ovens. They are on a small estate of apartments by the Trent and Mersey canal in Shelton Stoke-on-Trent. Today I managed to walk 4.6 miles, which is far enough. I will probably post some more photos later…

Drawing group

Posted on February 25, 2021 Posted in Sketching, UncategorizedTagged Art, Drawing, Faces, Graphite stick, People, Pictures, Portraits, SketchingLeave a comment

Having fun sketching my cohort on the college course I’m doing. Learning to draw even faster. Most of these are five minute sketches using a graphite stick. I had fun!

Outdoor cat

Posted on February 25, 2021 Posted in Cat, UncategorizedTagged Bed, Black and white cat, Black and white photo, Cat, Inside, Night, Outdoor cat, Poem, Poetry, Sleeping, Tuxedo catLeave a comment

Outdoor cat update

He sleeps on the bed

I get up to let him out

I get up to let him in

I have to move my legs

To give him room

I get up to feed him

I love him

How did that happen?!

Statue/monument

Posted on February 25, 2021February 25, 2021 Posted in UncategorizedTagged #bandofsketchers, Art, Arteza paints, Day out, Drawing, Life, metallic watercolours, Mow Cop, painting g, Place to visit, Sketching, WatercolourLeave a comment

Today’s #bandofsketchers prompt was statue or monument. I’m not sure if Mow Cop, which stands on a ridge above Cheshire is a monument, but its still interesting. It was built as a folly in 1754? and apparently used as a summerhouse. Its owned now by the National Trust. Its open to the public but is accessible by uneven rocky paths. If you are interested it’s worth a visit. The road to it up Mow Cop hill is quite windy and narrow and ascends through the village of Mow Cop, Staffordshire.

Walking…..

Posted on February 25, 2021 Posted in UncategorizedTagged #100daywalkingchallenge, 25% done!, Age, belief, Confidence, Exercise, Fun, Life, Tired, Walking2 Comments

I never thought I would be doing this challenge. I used to be scared of walking. If I walked a couple of hundred yards I would congratulate myself! I’m so glad I joined in and I’ve already got through 25% of it!

I used to be fit. I could cycle for miles, but after an accident where I was injured I eventually got a car. That was my downfall. Its taken over thirty years to realise I can do something about it. Don’t be scared, have a go!