Drawings

Posted on June 19, 2020 Posted in Sketching, UncategorizedTagged #uskstoke, Art, Calendar, Covid 19, Lock down, Memories, Sketching, Stoke-on-Trent Urban sketchers, Thoughts, Time2 Comments

17.4.20, after I had drawn for thirty days with Stoke Urban Sketchers, and I guess at that stage I thought we wouldn’t be in lockdown for long. Our government, and in particular our prime minister was giving out optimistic press conferences saying that we should be able to get over it pretty lightly. I think he even said it was like some sort of flu? Of course things didn’t go that well for us, and now over 42 thousand people have died from covid 19 in the UK. Its almost like the government thought we would be immune with our “stiff upper lips” and “gung-ho” mentality. Clearly they were wrong.

So here we are. How many more drawings will I do before it’s safe to go out properly and not just dash to the shops to get essentials. Who knows when that will be?

War of the worlds film

Posted on June 19, 2020 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Author, Blogging, Fear, Film, H G Wells, Horror, Scary?, Sci fi, tension, Time, Tom cruise, War of the worlds, WordPress2 Comments

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Going from something I love, to something I hate.

I hate this film, starring Tom Cruise. I admit its very good. But it’s so bleak. It’s a horror road movie, everyone running, panicking, and getting killed.

When I first watched it years ago I was mesmerised by the special effects. But now, it’s on during a pandemic, and I can see how people react to a tiny virus. How would they react to something larger and malevolent.

I don’t want to give too many details as people may not have watched it. But I guess I’ve pretty much explained what happens… Guy meets monster, guy runs away from monster, monster finds guy…. Guy escapes….

There was a version on BBC TV a few months ago. It was more directly based on the original book by H. G. Wells. Set in Victorian times, it was still chilling.

So I really want cheerful films, but hubby vetoed me.

Washing machine working again

Posted on June 18, 2020 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Electronics, Fixed, Lightening, Power, Relief, Repair, Time, Washing machine, WeatherLeave a comment

So after I rang the electrical goods shop about the washing machine, they said the thunderstorms we are having must have blown one of the two pcb boards that control it…

I asked to have them replaced, but that would take two weeks to order them in and the cost would be £60 for one and £80 for the other, then £50 for Labour, plus Vat.

The decision is do that or buy another one. So I decided to go for a new one as I don’t know if I would have problems again with this machine.

So as I say, I rang to order a new machine this morning. Then for some reason I switched the washing machine on again, just to see if the thing would do anything (it had beeped before but the screen you press to choose spin speeds, and the start button had stayed black). I switched it on. Loud beep, I turned the dial to a random wash, I still had things inside from a few days ago… Beep, I saw the panel light up! I pressed start, it worked! Rang the shop back and cancelled the order!

My hubby reckons that the electricity from the lightening had disrupted the pcb panels, but by leaving it a couple of days it had allowed any power to dissipated and the circuit boards settled down. I’m holding my breath! I will unplug it every time its not in use.

Anyone seen a dalek?

Posted on June 14, 2020June 14, 2020 Posted in UncategorizedTagged 60's iconic TV, Dalek, Day out, Dr Who, Froghall, Fun, Life, Memories, Photo, Sci fi, Space, Station, Tardis, Time, Time and relative dimensions in spaceLeave a comment

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A couple of years ago we saw a Dalek on a station (I think it was Froghall) in the Staffordshire moorlands. Memory fades, but I know I had a short video of it perambulating backwards and forwards along the platform. I remember looking for who was running it. The original ones on TV in the sci-fi series Doctor Who, were moved by people inside the Daleks, pedalling them along.

This one was being moved by a remote control I think. I saw a man with a radio controller in his hand. Later we went to look at a model Tardis in the station itself. Tardis stands for Time and relative dimensions in space. Anyone who is a Doctor Who fan would know that.

It’s not often that you bump into an iconic 1960’s TV character in real life.

Aged

Posted on June 14, 2020June 14, 2020 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Age, Aged, Life, Mind, Negative, Poetry, Positive, Thought, Time, Wrinkles7 Comments

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Have I matured,

or aged?

Is my skin like parchment,

smooth and soft?

Or crumpled and full

of wrinkles?

Do I need ‘plumping up’

or ironing flat?

My age is my story,

my experience and thoughts.

Worn or rested.

Life takes its toll,

and continues on,

giving and taking.

Life has magic

and cruelty.

Give it chance

to take you

on your own special journey.

Remember snow?

Posted on June 14, 2020June 14, 2020 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Cherry tree, Garden, Leaves, Life, Memories, Rhythm of life, Six months, Snow, Summer, Thoughts, Time, WinterLeave a comment

Six months after this image was taken, and the garden is in full growth. The cherries on the tree are swelling and lichen is growing on the tree.

Life runs in cycles. Soon the height of summer will be with with us. I hope it isn’t too hot. I don’t do heat. Maybe lockdown will end. Hopefully the virus will be bought under control. Only a small percentage of people have died out of earth’s massive population, but that doesn’t make the pandemic any less devastating. Maybe it’s time to think back and remember all those people who have died. Stay safe.

Daisies

Posted on June 14, 2020June 14, 2020 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Daisies, Flowers, Garden, late night musing, Life, Poem, Poetry, Time, WritingLeave a comment

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This summer I hope to see daisies and Vinca

green leaves and yellow flowers.

Aquilegia is fading, Poppy flowering in sun.

The garden changes so fast,

you have to run to keep up…..

climbing roses tower over paths,

Sweet showers of rain swell the fruit………………………………………

Soon it will be autumn again.

Fallen leaves and dead flowers.

Enjoy the sun

While you can.

Are the stars out?

Posted on June 13, 2020June 13, 2020 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Astronomy, Constellation, Countryside, Dark, Galaxies, Learn, Observe, Space, Stars, Time, WatchingLeave a comment

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In the sky I see stars, not many, the major constellations, ursa major, ursa minor, casseopea. Its hard to make out because the clouds are flitting by. And despite lockdown, the street lights still deaden them.

I’ve only ever felt the greatness and infinity of space when we were out in the countryside. Seeing the milky way galaxy made me feel so tiny. Like I could fall off the surface of the earth, into a whirlpool of stars. Seeing that band of stardust overhead can be overwhelming.

Dark skies, where the town and city light does not reflect back. Where you can lie down on the ground and see shooting stars flying overhead. I may have seen satellites or the ISS but I wouldn’t be sure. We have seen comets…

The sky is there to observe. Look if you can, and learn.

Busy birthday

Posted on June 13, 2020June 13, 2020 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Age, Birthday, Blogging, Cake, Decades, Getting older, Humour, In lockdown, Random, Time, Wine5 Comments

The candles blew out OK but then continued to smoulder. So I pinched the wicks between my fingers as I thought it would set off the smoke alarm. Also the cat was making a move to jump down from the cupboard top.

What am I doing, watching TV, eating a small slice of cake and drinking prosecco. We had Thai green curry with seabass for our evening meal. Now my hubby is sitting with a glass of wine in one hand and a bottle of lager in the other!

It’s been a funny day, went to bed late (4.30am) and got up late. I have been posting things about it on the book of face… Isn’t it funny, I would never have considered doing that in the past. What a thing social media is…

Well I might post few other things today…

Filling in forms

Posted on June 12, 2020June 12, 2020 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Beauracracy, Blogging, Digital form, Form, Form filling, Frustrating, Life, Time, WaitingLeave a comment

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Grr, filled a form in online, we need your id information they said. I sent it off. Its not sufficient they said. I did it again. Then another letter, we have accepted your id but we haven’t had your online application?

Rang up. Oh you appear to have two accounts. They will need merging, ring back in three working days!?

I’m a little fed up. No I’m very fed up…. No I’m annoyed. I’m normally a patient person, but boy this has got my goat.

I am truly hopeful that this will get sorted out soon. I need it doing. Now.

Mallaband-Brown

Tag: Time