Antiques are green!

A old wooden cupboard, but much greener than a modern one. Probably manufactured without much machinery. Transported to a shop on a horse and cart. The wood its made of must be 100 years old. It isn’t damaging rain forests now. Apparently an old chest of draws has a 16X smaller carbon footprint than its modern equivalent.

By buying old furniture which has stood the test of time you are recycling something that still had a use. I suppose if you don’t like brown furniture you could upcycle it… But that cupboard might just be worth something, so don’t sand it down and paint it if you aren’t sure of its provinance.

Finger drawing

I haven’t been able to draw much today because of my hand. I just tried to draw a Buddha by doing a digital finger painting using artrage oils and a sketching app. I’m not doing well with details, just broad brushstrokes. I don’t want to stop drawing, but I need to rest things a bit. Maybe I’m hoping for a bit of good Karma.

Looking back

I didn’t venture out today because its really cold and I’m still a bit unwell. I was scrolling through my photos from the summer and came across this double hanging basket next to the house. It grew and grew and was magnificent in July and August. Now? The frost came last night, a glaze of white on the tiled roof opposite. I think all the baskets will wilt, the delicate annual plants are starting to wither, but the slightly woodier ones like fushias are still there.

Photos of the back to follow, and if I get out into the autumn landscape before all the leaves fall I will post some shots of the trees locally.

Three years ago…

Walking around the world museum in Liverpool three years ago, I was so impressed by the travelling exhibition of the Chinese terracotta warriors. Obviously only a few if them were represented in the gallery, but it gave a strong example of the creative and military civilization behind these figures.

There were crowds at the gallery, people shuffled round and many of the exhibits were partially hidden by bodies that strangely mimicked the warriors remaining in China as they stand within the archaeological dig there, rows and columns lined up. Humans used to congregate. They group, they press against each other, travel together . That feeling of community has been lost to some degree because of Covid. Will they ever do the same again? Will we go forward in time to a freedom we do not enjoy now? I don’t know.

Clocks went back

I forgot to put the clocks back last night. No real problem, it just meant I got an extra hour in bed. What does sadden me is that it’s 5.15pm and its already dark. Sometimes in the winter months it feels like you never see the sun. It hides behind the clouds, keeping its light lost in their faces.

As the year turns in the northern hemisphere the sun sinks further south, rising in an arc that tops at an angle, so consequently there is less daylight. In the southern hemisphere the earth is tipped towards the sun bringing more light to that part of the world.

Celestial mechanics is interesting. The fact that the earth is tipped on its axis is the cause. If the earth was upright all parts would have exactly 12 hours of daylight and night, there would be no seasons. But the angle of the earth would wobble more without the moon. It helps stabilise its orbit around the sun. Look things up, find things out, you might be surprised!

Cop26

Glasgow is about to host the climate change talks between nations to discuss how to prevent the increase in Earth’s temperature going on average higher than 1.5°C above pre industrial times.

Average means across the whole globe. But some area have been experiencing the rise of temperatures more. For instance a high temperature of over 18°C in Antarctica was recorded this year.

In other places people are trying to live at 50°C, halfway to boiling point. Weather systems are getting more fierce, hurricanes, tornadoes, typhoons, forest fires, the melting of the permafrost. The extinction of insects and other animals and plants as they fail to survive the hotter conditions is increasingly worrying. The years after 2000 have been the hottest on record.

Let us hope that the politicians come together, stop denying climate change and get organised. Otherwise…. I don’t know.

Autumn woman

This is my painting ‘autumn woman’ I did a few years ago. I wish I was doing more art like this but I’ve really been overwhelmed by trying to do other college work. There are other things I need to do too. This covid pandemic have made my introverted ways even more entrenched. I wish I had the freedom I used to have. But self isolation and protecting myself have been my consideration all the way through. My hubby and I still insist on wearing masks… Although many seem to have forgotten the need for them, forgotten or are ignoring. Our prime minister does not show a good example… Oh I must not stray into politics!

Hey ho! Got to find my mojo!

Still 🤒

I am trying to drag myself out of an illness today, but all that seems to happen is that I fall asleep. Its only a stomach bug (enough information), but it really hit me yesterday.

Should I blog about this? I’m only explaining because I’m usually here everyday, writing endless things about art or silly poems. I do wonder sometimes if there is a point? Would anyone miss my words. It’s when you’re feeling a bit down that you start to question why I do this. Is it like vanity publishing? I wonder…