tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29092093489001383902024-02-20T09:23:27.281-08:00Give Me A Place To StandThings I didn't know yesterday. People I find who fascinate me. Food I want to eat. Books I want to read. Ideas I want to write about.Place to stand...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13625165785757881094noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909209348900138390.post-65072668376509033452016-08-08T10:26:00.000-07:002016-08-08T10:26:21.398-07:00In Which I Cheer Up, Great Ormond Street and Maldon Sea Salt<div style="text-align: justify;">
Dr Charles West and Maldon Sea Salt.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have developed a bit of a thing for Maldon Sea Salt - more than usual. I posted a recipe on Facebook with peaches and ricotta so won't repeat here. A family run business since 1882, a salt dynasty. Love it. I look around pretty much every day for something yum to eat.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HEnno09C6vMlN-g4_7uCV3n7zl_xJqq9CXnv8Pu-F3kf46SbTxP3HN2UQxOqWrwowVcBfZL6DLLm2RChI83UzCjrHxXIihx6xYapWElVEER_6-mvifQCMtks6dbUMTbEFxFVGhlsSww/s1600/Maldon-Salt-Sacks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HEnno09C6vMlN-g4_7uCV3n7zl_xJqq9CXnv8Pu-F3kf46SbTxP3HN2UQxOqWrwowVcBfZL6DLLm2RChI83UzCjrHxXIihx6xYapWElVEER_6-mvifQCMtks6dbUMTbEFxFVGhlsSww/s200/Maldon-Salt-Sacks.jpg" width="153" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've been playing on Facebook a bit - yes I know I am about twenty years behind everyone else. It has lots of wonder as does Twitter and the very thing that got my nose out of a book and inches from a screen - the old blog.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was given a masterclass in blogging by a fellow school run mum and have never looked back - that's you <a href="http://potty-diaries.blogspot.co.uk/">Potty Mummy</a> I faffed about a bit, moved house, wrote lots, discovered Twitter. Here I am. Still can't work Instagram.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Dr. Charles West who founded <a href="http://www.gosh.org/special-1?gclid=CjwKEAjw26C9BRCOrKeYgJH17kcSJACb-HNAzxZ8Zrt2QKCpcAj-WpQclIjvMNvrFd8KrkQY2IDA7BoCozrw_wcB">Great Ormond Street Hospital</a> was born two hundred years ago today. Here he is and here it is on the original site of 49 Great Ormond Street.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1r2Wj2kIL_6EOfG39mHXexZ8JchLDoKd6AxXi6QeTPX-zJ2Dz1XLkfwvr6Ft2OTqYtYYoFReiVbvL7GiAABJj8KWTtgTdTVYQ-5wC0zd3psskVnADOBKnfVavU8z75fS10Gmy15huzs/s1600/Charleswest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1r2Wj2kIL_6EOfG39mHXexZ8JchLDoKd6AxXi6QeTPX-zJ2Dz1XLkfwvr6Ft2OTqYtYYoFReiVbvL7GiAABJj8KWTtgTdTVYQ-5wC0zd3psskVnADOBKnfVavU8z75fS10Gmy15huzs/s320/Charleswest.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixeuLZUhFI6zjeH5WKcRrP8W38C7M8yKpBC1oLR12EAeO5FPbL43oSvbnC3HZRW_Wh9NmJZ0KUO9klJ-L9Uir_ciQb7fsLjz4_dZCHps85Aeyjk3sB94EZtLOPh1s-UjxPwXcmSfejl7c/s1600/49-great-ormond-street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixeuLZUhFI6zjeH5WKcRrP8W38C7M8yKpBC1oLR12EAeO5FPbL43oSvbnC3HZRW_Wh9NmJZ0KUO9klJ-L9Uir_ciQb7fsLjz4_dZCHps85Aeyjk3sB94EZtLOPh1s-UjxPwXcmSfejl7c/s320/49-great-ormond-street.jpg" width="168" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I thought I might cheer the blog up a bit, talk a bit more. I've been fed up and I'm not fed up anymore. I'm writing, running and living. Had my hair done, highlights. Not chavvy ones, caramel.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've thought about shopping. Look from <a href="http://www.charlottetilbury.com/uk/the-bar-of-gold.html?gclid=CjwKEAjw26C9BRCOrKeYgJH17kcSJACb-HNA_f8i7bP2OWECvpu9zeEEO-dxDGZ_iKlp8dea9rC1RxoCsjDw_wcB">Charlotte Tilbury</a> to go with the French tan :</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLlajfNRvgYPEYbZqlneoWtzzE0R3wL2FJBoGkb5CCzxzv63hrrhcJog5ystCBs6pSdxaTKKPy2_mPeaf6WlVpbLaFD0uFFFojayOnMRRcKqCVZNUKnpsB3JAj91pLJip0ph0EPtiZS8/s1600/Charlotte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLlajfNRvgYPEYbZqlneoWtzzE0R3wL2FJBoGkb5CCzxzv63hrrhcJog5ystCBs6pSdxaTKKPy2_mPeaf6WlVpbLaFD0uFFFojayOnMRRcKqCVZNUKnpsB3JAj91pLJip0ph0EPtiZS8/s320/Charlotte.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I'm doing Strala yoga, outside when I can, bought some oysters for hardly anything and am going to bring back a bit of <a href="http://www.ottolenghi.co.uk/recipes/celeriac-puree-with-spiced-cauliflower-and-quail-s-eggs-shop">Ottolenghi</a> - voila !</div>
<br />
<br />Place to stand...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13625165785757881094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909209348900138390.post-73881881339360225962016-07-16T04:51:00.001-07:002016-07-16T04:53:22.420-07:00An archaeologist is the best husband a woman can have. The older she gets the more interested he is in her. Agatha Christie <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> have two great confessions, literary wise. I couldn't get through The Lord of The Rings, I don't like it or enjoy it. I managed to get through The Hobbit with difficulty. Tolkein is a gifted linguist, writer I just can't get through it. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I read Chaucer, Virgil, poetry, I love Dickens - I just can't get to grips with Tolkein. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Second confession. I have never really got to grips with Agatha Christie. A large part I imagine because I don't watch TV. Over Christmas I was staying with friends and I was winkled into watching Ms Marple and one of the Poirot episodes. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The friend who winkled me said a large part of the appeal is the beautiful visual, vignette of times past, fabulous clothes - there I agree.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0JMb6VGiW8mJQ8yBTAO2cJoNMsVQjpv6nFxEUa88TLYJ3PTm5Fp2F6nApoPBaZ7Rf_1Dyt0GV3616gqqtkK52gxzyCfFR3d4YPhHwmPv9BC9cyTwLXQ_8mEkdXV40Tio87EDUkit0pY/s1600/Agatha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0JMb6VGiW8mJQ8yBTAO2cJoNMsVQjpv6nFxEUa88TLYJ3PTm5Fp2F6nApoPBaZ7Rf_1Dyt0GV3616gqqtkK52gxzyCfFR3d4YPhHwmPv9BC9cyTwLXQ_8mEkdXV40Tio87EDUkit0pY/s320/Agatha.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">T</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">his morning via Twitter I came across an article about Poirot. He made his debut on 17th July 1916. I read the article, snaffled it, devoured it, ranted about it, printed it off, tweeted, face booked. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I won't go into a potted biography but so much of her life fascinated me - she became big on poisoning people after her time working as an auxiliary nurse during the war - her dispensary experience would come in super handy. Here is the link to the wonderful article. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.economist.com/blogs/prospero/2016/07/styles-syria?fsrc=scn/tw/te/bl/ed/fromstylestosyriahappybirthdaypoirottherefugee"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Mysterious Affair at Styles</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She was homeschooled for the first ten years - she and her siblings believed her mother Clara to be psychic. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Her first husband - Archibald Christie asked for a divorce so he could be free to run off with his mistress. Agatha disappeared for ten days - her disappearance featuring in newspapers worldwide.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This is the room in Istanbul in which she wrote Murder on the Orient Express.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Tj2mHnUUdWO-Gw6xQ_fVSITgww6nLPFgDKu9T1lNfyGUrD2d1NhDEMNjeFO8dZ0YroDKzeMBDE9YtqWJk81Yhyt3N93wVLI8SE2MXctKjJWZjtx5uKqXMDQmeqsBND6ujuJ3jLPNekM/s1600/Ahatha+Istanbul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Tj2mHnUUdWO-Gw6xQ_fVSITgww6nLPFgDKu9T1lNfyGUrD2d1NhDEMNjeFO8dZ0YroDKzeMBDE9YtqWJk81Yhyt3N93wVLI8SE2MXctKjJWZjtx5uKqXMDQmeqsBND6ujuJ3jLPNekM/s1600/Ahatha+Istanbul.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">S<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">he would later be found in Harrogate, checked into a hotel in the name of the mistress. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She saw the plight of Belgian refugees thus determined to make Poirot Belgian. She was rejected many times for publication, now she is the third best seller behind The Bible and Shakespeare. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Her second husband, the archaeologist Sir Max Mallowman took her to digs in Syria and Iraq. She wrote of the 'creamy beauty' of Palmyra. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I get now to discover with admiration, anticipation and joy Agatha Christie. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I am about to cook <a href="http://www.houseandgarden.co.uk/recipes/main-courses/easy-spinach-soup">this</a> not laced, with any luck with this :</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76IuiBJzh68FNV8A87UZ5OD2_RmeUg_yld85o0oceHft4tAnzv34gWtgGoYzaCiBzQrFUft-21ngUNevQteel6iBxki2ByDkWv5fi_MFWArPQbn56LVXa1JyuQdm0QdYu-HUfNkKATYY/s1600/Stryvhnine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76IuiBJzh68FNV8A87UZ5OD2_RmeUg_yld85o0oceHft4tAnzv34gWtgGoYzaCiBzQrFUft-21ngUNevQteel6iBxki2ByDkWv5fi_MFWArPQbn56LVXa1JyuQdm0QdYu-HUfNkKATYY/s1600/Stryvhnine.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Place to stand...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13625165785757881094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909209348900138390.post-84455343637067494202016-05-26T10:05:00.001-07:002016-05-27T20:31:14.486-07:00Queen Victoria, Winnie The Pooh, The Samaritans<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There is a Chinese saying, I think. May we live in interesting times. I am about there. I have had cardiac dramas, not mine. A couple of suppers with the most unlikely yet deeply amusing group of people.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Anecdotes about past generations - including peerage earning wonderfulness. I met a nice Milanese insurance man ( nothing dodgy just business ) in a fabulous Italian restaurant in the City - the chicken liver parfait the stuff of legend and my scallops just perfect.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I went to Eucharist at St Paul's - the Colet Court choristers in rehearsal an extra joy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have been commissioned to write about City churches. I stumbled, literally across <a href="http://ststephenwalbrook.net/">St Stephen's Walbrook</a>. I'll be brief but designed by Wren, the dome the prototype for St Paul's. In 1953 the then Dean Dr Chad Varah commissioned a social outreach programme - the birth of the Samaritans.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Foundling Museum - I am the descendant of a Foundling and my book is based on this wonderful inspiring hospital as was - will curate the <a href="http://foundlingmuseum.org.uk/events/found/">Found</a> exhibition.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am going to post here and Facebook which has become my new playmate ideas on that - an object - which object -makes you think you couldn't live without or sends you into a madeleine reverie.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am thinking still.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">May the 24th 1819 was the birthday of Queen Victoria. Those who know me know I am huge fan of the Victorians' - social engineering, literature, pioneers, engineers, the Great Exhibition. Hard to know what image to select to celebrate her so I went for this, a book I love and refer back to daily :</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-0k6o5CufsKOANLcDfl5FO1J72X-5ZsVCR9KPo_r0rdZdCRnKADw6Amh_dhuhAF78sbgILvWZJy9kBL7RhN-65LWbtfVIgnvRQkJ-1VLGpVriLNdRPPDI21S08uPN7VegMJgn70KDWE/s1600/Wilson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-0k6o5CufsKOANLcDfl5FO1J72X-5ZsVCR9KPo_r0rdZdCRnKADw6Amh_dhuhAF78sbgILvWZJy9kBL7RhN-65LWbtfVIgnvRQkJ-1VLGpVriLNdRPPDI21S08uPN7VegMJgn70KDWE/s1600/Wilson.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">James Smithson who would go on to found <a href="https://www.si.edu/">The Smithsonian</a> graduated from Oxford on May the 26th 1789.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This from the Bronte Society on Facebook. On May the 26th 1853 Charlotte Bronte would find Arthur Bell Nicholls by the Parsonage Gate in 'paroxysms of anguish.' A friend went through one of those earlier this week.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJNEz1jwP4RKH0MnIAz6UmLiW5PPJArAondOSNs_KtaAgW0NOrCcRyqUa1r2BMhtsnlG55mbEUpmI6C20WE21Ld8cHHnbClqr6guYUlWwu3vJZMQo9fD98JatFLZocaiWTS6Y9J2vfpc/s1600/Bronteparsonage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJNEz1jwP4RKH0MnIAz6UmLiW5PPJArAondOSNs_KtaAgW0NOrCcRyqUa1r2BMhtsnlG55mbEUpmI6C20WE21Ld8cHHnbClqr6guYUlWwu3vJZMQo9fD98JatFLZocaiWTS6Y9J2vfpc/s320/Bronteparsonage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Food. I'm off to the South of France next week. Has to be the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/jun/11/sandwich-recipes-hugh-fearnley-whittingstall">pan bagnat</a> this links to Hugh FW's great article and recipe but if you have a chance take a look at this :</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlpdeJnW5iUSoQ17DZZHcv4aKinugDM1QDTsSnTLLHvdskJQ3NsN6Th9VcbDyjQXu6w7d_DTEZ7b0ubj-eO9pUIeFNRA2WW5vLmIruJHGJsot_txVcfqc_Y_lnr0wEDrQoUO7aMCLt-w/s1600/Cuisine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlpdeJnW5iUSoQ17DZZHcv4aKinugDM1QDTsSnTLLHvdskJQ3NsN6Th9VcbDyjQXu6w7d_DTEZ7b0ubj-eO9pUIeFNRA2WW5vLmIruJHGJsot_txVcfqc_Y_lnr0wEDrQoUO7aMCLt-w/s1600/Cuisine.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Place to stand...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13625165785757881094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909209348900138390.post-90620722726559635382016-04-07T02:51:00.001-07:002016-04-07T03:45:31.456-07:00Petit Prince, Off Days, Revenge<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antoine_de_Saint-Exup%C3%A9ry">Antoine de Saint-Exupery</a> published the magical Le Petit Prince on April the 6th 1943. I have found it inspiring since I first came across it and still do.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Look at www.goodreads.com should you need some quotes. He also lived a very interesting life.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was looking at the life of Daphne du Maurier and her marriage to General Sir Frederick Browning. Lots of food for thought for a later day.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here is Le Petit Prince :</span></div>
<span style="color: #fce5cd;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLUWcpogwRjXHFQO5eKrtohwK2roVWFvm-ejjUtk29aEvA-wPAHn3zpcNsg891sPfMxs3AKqv3_lILM-jAbFTioAEAL6p3L9C2erWCOxdHbBm3xLuOKAQVK-e98nOqlKCH899Hg9DzA4/s1600/Yeux.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLUWcpogwRjXHFQO5eKrtohwK2roVWFvm-ejjUtk29aEvA-wPAHn3zpcNsg891sPfMxs3AKqv3_lILM-jAbFTioAEAL6p3L9C2erWCOxdHbBm3xLuOKAQVK-e98nOqlKCH899Hg9DzA4/s320/Yeux.jpg" width="214" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #fce5cd;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #fce5cd;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd;">I<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> came across a great article in <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/books/what-to-read/the-worst-poems-by-7-great-writers/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter">The Telegraph</a> about gifted writers having an off day....Shakespeare, Shelley, Wordsworth on the list.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I thought their off day up their with most people's top day. Shakespeare compares envy to the colour of an orange. This from Wordsworth :</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And to the left, three yards beyond,</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You see a little muddy pond</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Of water--never dry</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I measured it from side to side:</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">'Twas four feet long, and three feet wide.</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On my mind and at discussion over the table is revenge, retribution, divine justice, anger, how to deal with those who have wronged us and who commit acts of great evil in general.</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Should we stand back and be free of enmity and let 'karma' takes its' course ? Should we acknowledge that wanting revenge 'digs two graves.' Should we realise that to be free of whatever malice has been done to us we 'walk away.' I have saved a great Radio 4 Off The Page Audio to listen to - Grudges.</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am trying the latter - saying to myself whatever harm has been caused to me at least I don't have to live with the fact that I have caused harm to that extent.</span><br />
<span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Food - mmm. Saw a Tom Aikens tweet which was all beautifully verdant and spring green. I thought of watching Nigel Slater by the fire later. <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/jan/12/nigel-slater-pea-rocket-mushroom-toasts-recipe">This</a> should keep me company :</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHlI3KWjtvmgS1XOMof9fd4U0os4Y_UyhKZRuhOEQGJ2c0e1qWJs87lKC__MYC_kQQoAIaws8rGOcNk7ZI0_f5z32KtQgf-2Lhw0UqzfVLbTFJTFGwbGJD6zw90qfsV3fDSq4s8lKXKA/s1600/PeaSlater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHlI3KWjtvmgS1XOMof9fd4U0os4Y_UyhKZRuhOEQGJ2c0e1qWJs87lKC__MYC_kQQoAIaws8rGOcNk7ZI0_f5z32KtQgf-2Lhw0UqzfVLbTFJTFGwbGJD6zw90qfsV3fDSq4s8lKXKA/s320/PeaSlater.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
Place to stand...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13625165785757881094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909209348900138390.post-46375160387924723722016-04-04T10:44:00.001-07:002016-04-04T11:00:14.017-07:00It's not personal. It's business.<div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">"</span><span style="color: #ffe599;">It is so easy to believe that you'll always be ready to handle everything life presents to you, but a day--many days--arrive and you can't bear it, you can't e<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">ven dream that you have it within you or around you to cope or to survive. Hold on to that emotional, dreaming person--the one who feels--and keep family and friends and the things you love and the things you live for deep in your head and your heart. Eat and laugh a lot; love deeply; give fully. It doesn't just go by fast; it comes at you with alarming speed and stealth and damage.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RAOPeWnjxt1UI0zt2xH2mFSpq6GMO5I-brPgcwPDoIGF6lDuV7mG67tGh2Xor7lm1lUjHrk9owlCklrkZruPM9tabgHNVneze9MPrM5ALeQ9CGCXSGSi5yYhqxJNTbog_b35qne9to4/s1600/Brando1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RAOPeWnjxt1UI0zt2xH2mFSpq6GMO5I-brPgcwPDoIGF6lDuV7mG67tGh2Xor7lm1lUjHrk9owlCklrkZruPM9tabgHNVneze9MPrM5ALeQ9CGCXSGSi5yYhqxJNTbog_b35qne9to4/s1600/Brando1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">
<div style="color: #666666;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">"</span><span style="color: #ffe599;">You will not be prepared. You will be knocked off your feet, your foundation. Make sure it's a strong foundation, and make sure you know how to get back to it and on it and re-build it.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdNtFcVsDhat77uM6gkMn5j0hrnOmuL-dWfo1cAi0dQSLrASAnebbZbq4SNjHi81v-QQyFR8da6jwd1g5bgu4tZhZhHcC3tBZ8loBhJtwcgZ0cy6dk92mQuKpA9qQ8RS0JFAkokXvS4Q/s1600/Brando2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdNtFcVsDhat77uM6gkMn5j0hrnOmuL-dWfo1cAi0dQSLrASAnebbZbq4SNjHi81v-QQyFR8da6jwd1g5bgu4tZhZhHcC3tBZ8loBhJtwcgZ0cy6dk92mQuKpA9qQ8RS0JFAkokXvS4Q/s1600/Brando2.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<div style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #ffe599;">"No one is ready for what ultimately arrives, but some are lucky and are able to not only survive but to get others through it all.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiySLBZoFJq1aamjY0S4QV67H3hz23TYlDrGCJ0PPU9XkDAhbknW5ICx7IB6iNXDHL5yGv15pyYxSR1sce2w2biw3Pji5ovpb1EqX1g2iLUP_ZxF-oGM5IxVga93D977-txUSh-rOvo2w8/s1600/Brando4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiySLBZoFJq1aamjY0S4QV67H3hz23TYlDrGCJ0PPU9XkDAhbknW5ICx7IB6iNXDHL5yGv15pyYxSR1sce2w2biw3Pji5ovpb1EqX1g2iLUP_ZxF-oGM5IxVga93D977-txUSh-rOvo2w8/s1600/Brando4.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #ffe599;">"Work on that. Feel more. Laugh a lot. Draw a circle of loved ones around you."--</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #ffe599;">Marlon Brando/Interview with James Grissom</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #ffe599;">Happy Birthday, Marlon Brando April 3rd 1924.</span></div>
</span><br />
<div style="color: #666666;">
</div>
</div>
Place to stand...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13625165785757881094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909209348900138390.post-9124375419541830472016-04-03T01:26:00.000-07:002016-04-03T01:26:02.597-07:00Summer is a Verb Not a Noun - Thank you Jack Wills <br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's a gorgeous day. Yesterday I sat outside and read the papers with a glass of Rose.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I decided to shop. I love Jack Wills - for the children and yes for me. Same vibe as Mumford - amidst all the dross and grimy old mangy old you knows it's clean, healthy, civilised.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I took the title for this post from their website. I thought it inspired. Very good marketing people.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Look :</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTmCC9zmk56nwisw24MaICIuNJbbhkfet65Vu4Qzjk6a_TeKTcPV_dl9wmgK1Tn6pf63-fnnOv5sR8YCWZTu0_cGUFClT-Lxbbt2AQ6sZgCh8VuujQoBpZnkbFgfDC0r0DE1I0EiKbqA/s1600/JackWillsred.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTmCC9zmk56nwisw24MaICIuNJbbhkfet65Vu4Qzjk6a_TeKTcPV_dl9wmgK1Tn6pf63-fnnOv5sR8YCWZTu0_cGUFClT-Lxbbt2AQ6sZgCh8VuujQoBpZnkbFgfDC0r0DE1I0EiKbqA/s200/JackWillsred.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My daughter has a summer birthday like me - every year since she was tiny I buy her a birthday dress and a dinner dress - so she can change for dinner !</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She now has the most wonderful collection of exquisite <a href="http://www.ilovegorgeous.co.uk/?gclid=CjwKEAjw_oK4BRDym-SDq-aczicSJAC7UVRtatIy56jjoh2raIwC_9YR2Bb1QeGxxVl6riNgepp00BoCRXHw_wcB"> i love gorgeous</a> dresses.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Look </span>:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhLJ6bpDVNYjY3EHbcJPvvk2yOmSiIjfiOpefhzXHLzliaoDAvIpPt3P_V_FCSFQe5-ssTTBnqWRMXxdUsgQXfwEE2gFJ1c2FnCBoi0TbLXE_m46_KwlUnh01h859yNGLmkI4s3ULshc/s1600/Iloveg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhLJ6bpDVNYjY3EHbcJPvvk2yOmSiIjfiOpefhzXHLzliaoDAvIpPt3P_V_FCSFQe5-ssTTBnqWRMXxdUsgQXfwEE2gFJ1c2FnCBoi0TbLXE_m46_KwlUnh01h859yNGLmkI4s3ULshc/s200/Iloveg.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today marks the anniversary of Graham Greene's death. Interesting article <a href="http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2016/04/01/why-graham-greenes-novels-will-stand-the-test-of-time-and-martin-amiss-wont/">here.</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Look :</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDK1aQuHCFY1xKg1ZW0OcxQUEd4xvQp2vTxbjN955oyd1L1UUT66_qAN8zF2Mmk62N2jm5kliJMc9DCQCxOdhPiCnJ2UMDqw1CRwUnHoLei2rw_E97plfid8MupHS0RK8D1VPnZ_6yfI/s1600/QuietA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDK1aQuHCFY1xKg1ZW0OcxQUEd4xvQp2vTxbjN955oyd1L1UUT66_qAN8zF2Mmk62N2jm5kliJMc9DCQCxOdhPiCnJ2UMDqw1CRwUnHoLei2rw_E97plfid8MupHS0RK8D1VPnZ_6yfI/s200/QuietA.jpg" width="136" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Whilst on books <a href="http://www.walker.co.uk/Soonchild-9781406329919.aspx">this</a> is lovely :</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hkzMyL9IqfP6VWDnjtAj83ipR-Bve1iB0tuf_uQYiiraVEptDCx1aE8C6zcmIeAtBziF11eZRk_Vw4LvvPHwwMaGLGb5lU1oIdaDDbNxMpo0b3mSEIigQz8xf4j5EhBo6ST2H2M-nWc/s1600/Soonchild.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hkzMyL9IqfP6VWDnjtAj83ipR-Bve1iB0tuf_uQYiiraVEptDCx1aE8C6zcmIeAtBziF11eZRk_Vw4LvvPHwwMaGLGb5lU1oIdaDDbNxMpo0b3mSEIigQz8xf4j5EhBo6ST2H2M-nWc/s1600/Soonchild.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As for food I really enjoyed reading <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/food-and-drink/features/french-food-is-back---and-its-better-than-ever/">this.</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now go and make hay everyone ! Happy Sunday.</span><br />
<br />
<br />Place to stand...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13625165785757881094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909209348900138390.post-41326721412627011392016-04-02T04:38:00.000-07:002016-04-02T04:39:48.321-07:00Zola, Sandhurst, Martinis, Van Gogh, Crayola<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Emile Zola was born on April the 2nd 1840. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89mile_Zola">Here</a> is the Wikipedia link, he's a fascinating man, I did my dissertation on L'Assommoir and Le Ventre de Paris is fantastic.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ga8s6oOCmWvN4s9np9DXXfP5lxwvoLYGN2rLZC0PZ6X8Ah9Vk8m7rNB7xi3-boxQer1jBGVopY7aZZwg9uHwmN5mGrDebExvgsurP2OCBpwOjQelt-CLB5Onz-FeNJGWErU8dKliTvI/s1600/Zola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ga8s6oOCmWvN4s9np9DXXfP5lxwvoLYGN2rLZC0PZ6X8Ah9Vk8m7rNB7xi3-boxQer1jBGVopY7aZZwg9uHwmN5mGrDebExvgsurP2OCBpwOjQelt-CLB5Onz-FeNJGWErU8dKliTvI/s320/Zola.jpg" width="230" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I understand from my new friend Facebook that the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Military_Academy_Sandhurst">Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst</a> was established in its' current guise on this day in 1947.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I just read Belgian Waffle's post - eyes left. She talked about Martinis. I had a Martini incident with someone quite unique - nothing grimy or rude just bloody funny and once in a lifetime.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I may write about it at some stage.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's also Alec Guinness's birthday. 1914. This wonderful book gave me the idea ( and my sister ) to play on Facebook - yes I know about 300 years after everyone else.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvNu-JbZsLm99uK9dX5gK5lH1ZxDWfDlJwVnRayyYtCprWmeEy2CH8FaltDTEIy6WOY854U_Ru1v55rx4Bq-2853cOChsbdWLU2okWNo4YuMTSI-h_rzUH9aSSVuLf1EZ0xyxTqcTU7Y/s1600/AGuin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvNu-JbZsLm99uK9dX5gK5lH1ZxDWfDlJwVnRayyYtCprWmeEy2CH8FaltDTEIy6WOY854U_Ru1v55rx4Bq-2853cOChsbdWLU2okWNo4YuMTSI-h_rzUH9aSSVuLf1EZ0xyxTqcTU7Y/s320/AGuin.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This from Vincent Van Gogh to his brother :</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "\22 georgia\22 " , "\22 times new roman\22 " , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">'Admire as much as you can, most people don't admire enough'</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "\22 georgia\22 " , "\22 times new roman\22 " , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I read </span><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Yellow-House-Gauguin-Turbulent-Weeks/dp/0141016736" style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">this</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> in Aix then went on a pilgrimage to Arles as I was in the neck of the woods. It is lovely. Gauguin came to stay and they had these wonderful discussions about whether or not they could afford to go for a drink or buy paint. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCydPdkGZFN1p7MQ0Vb1sdl_XWp4jYTzmeDTewHnxoEoGVqynAHg_HYTSfB4Qn2BLm-mnBWs-4rRKbcTE5AughCu4SA2u0YSZf2LiHxxN9bBXYx5Qp6OyHNGhN0tltuBuNvTi2oxJzEA/s1600/Yellow+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCydPdkGZFN1p7MQ0Vb1sdl_XWp4jYTzmeDTewHnxoEoGVqynAHg_HYTSfB4Qn2BLm-mnBWs-4rRKbcTE5AughCu4SA2u0YSZf2LiHxxN9bBXYx5Qp6OyHNGhN0tltuBuNvTi2oxJzEA/s320/Yellow+house.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
<br />
Just came across this <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/apr/02/spinach-recipes-yotam-ottolenghi-wilted-with-yoghurt-paneer-cakes-halibut">wonder</a> from Ottolenghi which has to be done. Heading out for a sunny day tipple so will come back re Crayola.<br />
<br />Place to stand...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13625165785757881094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909209348900138390.post-27998802954010464712016-03-30T22:58:00.000-07:002016-03-30T22:58:52.431-07:00Pencils, Doctors, Twitter, Gougeres, James Joyce<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bit of a rush today as I have and am pleased to be able to help get various people I care lots about get to various doctors appointments.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There's a sentence.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have only just found Facebook. So far so good. I was guided by <a href="http://potty-diaries.blogspot.co.uk/">Potty Mummy</a> very very well as to how to start a blog. I did and it was great fun but it was a few years ago and I got a couple of trolls and stalkers and thought sod this and closed it down.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I wish I hadn't. It was quite a laugh. Also an example of me capitulating to being bullied which I really really hate. Bullies are cowards - stand your ground and tell them to fuck off.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Anyway.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have always loved Twitter - many say it has dark sides and the bullying and abuse can be worse there than anywhere but I keep in touch with museums all over the world and the 'font of information' is amazing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Today's blog post is all courtesy of Twitter and in that vein brief and character limited !</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiT8WOMjb_LyZzQ7Tj9su53dZ-CbAQadAUnP5Cl6ui_eR9774-a9wTORWPEbp4lR2w1T1cV8XXSsryEL-PPkLci_V-Xk5pykky4gYx0t9P2_qFUb0wnditmlTaR07jdcvD9MlOd8LH44/s1600/Joyce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiT8WOMjb_LyZzQ7Tj9su53dZ-CbAQadAUnP5Cl6ui_eR9774-a9wTORWPEbp4lR2w1T1cV8XXSsryEL-PPkLci_V-Xk5pykky4gYx0t9P2_qFUb0wnditmlTaR07jdcvD9MlOd8LH44/s320/Joyce.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">James Joyce had lifelong problems with his eyesight. I heard somewhere but I need to check that his father had a pencil factory.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Today is #NationalPencilDay.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have always had a thing for Caran D'Ache.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's also #NationalDoctorsDay - there are so many amazing, pertinent, hugely important things I could post here. The marvellous <a href="http://oupacademic.tumblr.com/post/141971127001/national-doctors-day-agnodice">Agnodice</a> from Oxford Academic, one of my favourites on Twitter.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thinking too about an initiative from the <a href="https://www.soilassociation.org/?gclid=Cj0KEQjw8u23BRCg6YnzmJmPqYgBEiQALf_XzexHoIHU7Ws9PjSUqFZ3ZOsd4UOvLQ-jrbT61amG0LgaAqma8P8HAQ">Soil Association</a> looking to working with hospital food.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's also #Hug A Medievalists Day. Damn right.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My dog went for an, ahem, extended stroll the day before yesterday. It was very frightening. It was fine he was taken in by a neighbour but he has never done it before. He loves cheese.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/jun/01/how-to-make-cheese-gougeres-recipe-vegetarian-year-cookbook">these babies</a> are happening today for this fella :</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18oN8YUl6Owd19_l69GPj7FIRMHtS0_EeYPkXZLiKlhrtLZawtikJwoBj-xyXGm7j9hYh5r_lSktvVBJlfTTJ-2jNRhI-UkZnv7kfNlHPypGQPhl1_tVAKN-wn3jAWBv1-45BjxiHtJU/s1600/IMG_0698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18oN8YUl6Owd19_l69GPj7FIRMHtS0_EeYPkXZLiKlhrtLZawtikJwoBj-xyXGm7j9hYh5r_lSktvVBJlfTTJ-2jNRhI-UkZnv7kfNlHPypGQPhl1_tVAKN-wn3jAWBv1-45BjxiHtJU/s320/IMG_0698.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Place to stand...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13625165785757881094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909209348900138390.post-82618337819724514722016-03-26T01:05:00.003-07:002016-03-26T01:07:07.978-07:00An idea, like a ghost, must be spoken to a little before it will explain itself<div style="margin-bottom: 6px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">t's Easter</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We have <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/brexit?source=feed_text&story_id=1577990082527220" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;"><span aria-label="hashtag" class="_58cl" style="color: #627aad;">#</span><span class="_58cm">Brexit</span></a> and Trump, atrocities, enmity, footballers being paid walloping amounts and Addenbrookes in administration.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ministers taking money from the disabled, servicemen fighting, religious wars, return of Scarlet Fever, Frederick Forsyth talking about sexting and admitting like me he has no idea who the Kardashians are.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We have ugly vegetables being rejected, dairy farming in the red, twenty somethings that can't get on the housing ladder. An education system third from the bottom worldwide. Maths curriculum that doesn't add up.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We have more trinkets and toys and gadgets than ever before, acquisition of things the new false God. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am not sure I see altruism, benevolence, kindness. I worry we are becoming desensitised. I see the countryside snaffled up by voracious developers. Cornish fish sold to Spain. Poets, heroes and heroines forgotten. Pioneers and industrialists not spoken of. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We have to tax sugar as we have an obesity epidemic. We had the might and majesty of the London Olympics which I honestly thought would cause an existential national shift - for the better. We have reality TV. </span><br />
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I usually bang on about Dickens - post title - or poets or obscure Italian authors but today my mind is with :</span></span><br />
<div style="color: #141823;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #141823; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYWM_5-qL0pLaSPFhp098r7APIXicJSRQO_tiSfchFgBcFAdJI66Le1eir2ZI-25Q0gzTXMEu55xNXjIN2ZlKvw0UkU3muSZ1EkXvlgJRBJLjX3_7jf7DSx-7WPhVcOJ0pZEslOlTZIU/s1600/Conandoyle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYWM_5-qL0pLaSPFhp098r7APIXicJSRQO_tiSfchFgBcFAdJI66Le1eir2ZI-25Q0gzTXMEu55xNXjIN2ZlKvw0UkU3muSZ1EkXvlgJRBJLjX3_7jf7DSx-7WPhVcOJ0pZEslOlTZIU/s320/Conandoyle.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Many many actors have made a career playing Holmes. I will tell you about the Benedict Cumberbatch kissing me on the cheek after Rhinoceros another time. </span><br />
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He wrote the Holmes series as he needed to make money to send his wife to Switzerland for treatment for his bronchial problems. He was the inspiration for Julian Barnes' mighty Arthur and George. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He believed in life after death. I always feel he would be a really really good man. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In my garden I have a magnolia older than the house. I have been on a run which costs nothing. Last night supper was made for me and it was heaven. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Easter a time of sadness but also renewal no ? When people say they are bored or fed up I always say - and mean - read Dickens. His life as well as his work. I think we need a him to transact and make sense of all of this - via the written word. </span><br />
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was listening to something rather lovely on R4 at oddball 'o' clock about a Jewish family. Had some beautiful prayers. I wanted to make something different for Easter. Have a look at <a href="http://www.pbs.org/food/recipes/crique-stephanoise/">this.</a></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="display: inline; margin-top: 6px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Easter wishes to you all.</span></span></div>
</div>
Place to stand...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13625165785757881094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909209348900138390.post-359191056812974202016-03-23T07:08:00.003-07:002016-03-23T07:08:51.564-07:00Getting lost - literally and metaphorically<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Whether it's the midlife crisis kicking in, lovely open conversations with people who share anecdotal notions of how to come through hardship, feeling at though the worst is possibly over, wishing such pointless, self indulgent dross hadn't happened in the first place...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I feel slightly edified. We get damaged, we get sad, we cry a lot, we pray - if one is inclined. We read and talk and hope. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Is it part of the human condition to believe in the essential goodness of life ? People ? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yes it is in my case despite at the moment heavy duty reason not to.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am researching Mr Fortnum and Mr Mason. My mum has always said I could get lost in Fortnum's - I don't have a very good sense of direction....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I love the idea of enterprise, endeavour, the human spirit fighting for goodness. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I can't get though an hour let alone a day without Charles Dickens.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's what he wrote about Fortnum and Mason :</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Look where I will - I see Fortnum and Mason. All the hampers fly wide open and the Green Downs burst into a blossom of lobster salad."</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxTUZ1q1MVW76dorfd1JWfK7aurritcgdBhZYRGyPsmGg8ZMO_fT8N9uWzFptLBZ2U1luoje1IFzTPxFY3RD2jXshI-Q0x-itgDfvnjLxAaOSpdVKbtfdxFYovPfmFhisscJ4poizWXQ/s1600/Fortnums.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxTUZ1q1MVW76dorfd1JWfK7aurritcgdBhZYRGyPsmGg8ZMO_fT8N9uWzFptLBZ2U1luoje1IFzTPxFY3RD2jXshI-Q0x-itgDfvnjLxAaOSpdVKbtfdxFYovPfmFhisscJ4poizWXQ/s320/Fortnums.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We are here to be kind - let's try to be kind. If for some reason there are issues ( from where I am standing insecurity, jealous and anger are the big ones ) get some therapy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am going to eat <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2011/jun/09/how-to-cook-perfect-spaghetti-alle-vongole">this.</a></span>Place to stand...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13625165785757881094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909209348900138390.post-84550661874956541522016-03-06T07:29:00.001-08:002016-03-06T07:29:54.747-08:00Moomin Mamma, Michaelangelo, Invictus, Alec Guinness<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy Mother's Day. One and all. Be you a mother or not in the literal sense. I am sure you are a mother in some sense - not least to all our wonderful animals.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have been following the wonderful, inspiring <a href="http://taniakindersley.blogspot.co.uk/">Tania Kindersley's</a> blog for a good few years. The writing is evocative, powerful, funny, touching, hate to use a publishing cliche but she has a unique voice.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Astonishing photos. Glorious, courageous honesty. I mention this here as Tania wrote something this week which went bammmm in my head - something I have felt to be an absolute truth since the age of about 14. That life can be understood, deconstructed and better savoured, simplified by reading A Room With A View.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It is and will always be my favourite film.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A second thought came to mind today, I was asked to engage in a mind melt thing about children's literature.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I thought of the Moomins. On Mother's Day I give you Moomin Mamma :</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">'You have to go on a long journey before you can find out how wonderful home is.'</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpw_llEUgJFXLGt4t2TsouizOZBTz535TDwciAU6iBWin3JJCtxbCdo_-n1Noks_Ugomx3qDtaRftQNV7hpBhb7XKxtVDQyNgEIfsel3SJSghD5Sfrx9UjZ1ybPcvi3B6dGcYQYWqQh8/s1600/Moominmamma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpw_llEUgJFXLGt4t2TsouizOZBTz535TDwciAU6iBWin3JJCtxbCdo_-n1Noks_Ugomx3qDtaRftQNV7hpBhb7XKxtVDQyNgEIfsel3SJSghD5Sfrx9UjZ1ybPcvi3B6dGcYQYWqQh8/s1600/Moominmamma.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today is Michaelangelo's birthday. Born in 1475 at Caprese. I'm including a link to <a href="http://www.ashmolean.org/ash/objects/makedetail.php?pmu=730&mu=732&gty=asea&sec=&dtn=20&sfn=Artist%20Sort,Title&cpa=1&rpos=0&cnum=&mat=&pro=&anum=&art=Michelangelo%20Buonarroti&ttl=&sou=">The Ashmoleum</a>. One can call up and arrange an appointment to see the collection.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You know when words bash around your head, familiar, sometimes in slivers, portions. I have been thinking about the poem Invictus, the poet <a href="http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/william-ernest-henley">William Ernest Henley</a> an inspiration to me when I was younger.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOxXbgIFXEvCRgnA1bhzhOIaD0bKmtxZsbSD3tkco3OP_w1vxy0hQB7FlgV-LzMKq0zZV8p7Bv-yrMCEDr3ZB96j5OGuexisnFPGO3GUQnxhwIT0MHG308z-1qcQa0h34p5D4uGjQ4ck/s1600/Invictus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOxXbgIFXEvCRgnA1bhzhOIaD0bKmtxZsbSD3tkco3OP_w1vxy0hQB7FlgV-LzMKq0zZV8p7Bv-yrMCEDr3ZB96j5OGuexisnFPGO3GUQnxhwIT0MHG308z-1qcQa0h34p5D4uGjQ4ck/s1600/Invictus.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Right. Food. There will be banquets and banquets for Mother's Day. Tomato sandwiches and salads. Cakes and clafoutis.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My super, mamma food - <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/may/09/hugh-fearnley-whittingstall-recipes">white asparagus or any asparagus</a> and oysters with frisky shallot vinegar. Not by the six or twelve but by the trentaine.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy day.</span></div>
Place to stand...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13625165785757881094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909209348900138390.post-44587430573226885202016-02-08T21:05:00.001-08:002016-02-08T21:40:45.722-08:00Dickens, Faith a Bit of Kung Fu Panda and Sir Samuel Rush Meyrick<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am going through a bit of a vile time - I know it will come good and I will get through it but what I hate is the collateral damage - harm, distress and worry caused to those I love. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Like Helen in The Archers I have been railroaded by a sociopath - anyway - it gives one a lot to think about and looking at it academically which I do makes it sort of interesting in a Mary Shelley kind of way. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">These people are identified in various different ways - in fact it was a dear friend - yes you D - who clocked mine - he speaks from experience and 'tapped' me on the shoulder as he recognised certain behavioural patterns. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That's enough for now but I will write more as it helps. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Still all over Chinese New Year :</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0slByFNUoBAFxG2CJRHzp4U0cdQ_4i-lOrg8yaNJFGcObKzzF0jlUblyiGiR5sdUAbp0CgWsDT2RHMsdzOhqRCwn6TjP60uZYfFQgdUPmSP5LuHHg0XMDgNR0CPeNuF7cypCIgJvrmYc/s1600/KungFP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0slByFNUoBAFxG2CJRHzp4U0cdQ_4i-lOrg8yaNJFGcObKzzF0jlUblyiGiR5sdUAbp0CgWsDT2RHMsdzOhqRCwn6TjP60uZYfFQgdUPmSP5LuHHg0XMDgNR0CPeNuF7cypCIgJvrmYc/s400/KungFP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The thing I have found is that when I quiet my mind ( I am shit at meditation so I do it in the small hours ) I just KNOW everything is going to be ok. I think this must be faith.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have thought long and hard about my faith and I realise now how much it means to me and what strength it gives me - when one is up against wrong just think 'good will out.'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My beloved sister just had a REALLY BIG OPERATION and has come out the other side an utter champion. Extraordinary and inspiring. We went to a Carol Service at Ely and the wonderful Canon gave her a kiss on the cheek and she later told me she knew everything was going to be ok.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am going to give myself some advice - step away from the problem, deep breaths, look at it with distance and it's a bit like riding a horse in a tough race - it's the final fence that matters even if you take a whack or two getting there.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Good will out. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If by any chance you follow Apollo Magazine on twitter you will come across the most beautiful painting of </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Rush_Meyrick" style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">Sir Samuel Rush Meyrick</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> whose collection is in </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">the</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> British Museum and Wallace Collection. Amazing chap. I'll post the painting next time. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I just bought <a href="http://bookshop.theguardian.com/catalog/product/view/id/79067">this</a>. When I am fed up I want to be in France and when I am in France I think about the influence Elizabeth David had on me as a young cook.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ps. The definer of the sociopath is a total lack of empathy. There are people who really are without goodness in them. Sadly. My dear friend D suggested an iPhone app so we could scan for them and know in advance. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I go back to Dickens 'Never take a mean advantage of anyone in any transaction.'</span></div>
Place to stand...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13625165785757881094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909209348900138390.post-21289215046990544162016-02-08T03:34:00.002-08:002016-02-08T03:34:48.149-08:00Monkaaaay<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It is the year of the Monkey - Kung Hei Fat Choy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am a monkey. Just found out that Dickens was too. Happy days.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVipxTJwg37l53UjowQPtmDDMvBV-zps98jcQDWieqab3OBVXLJhlK7rjss6i3UrBzLwjm3YShuAmYWdVApURc2lLkDsyOTXghEWU2-7dlOLttI97V5sS_9z4ec7Ytnvn3iMOyN_tuw0/s1600/Monkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVipxTJwg37l53UjowQPtmDDMvBV-zps98jcQDWieqab3OBVXLJhlK7rjss6i3UrBzLwjm3YShuAmYWdVApURc2lLkDsyOTXghEWU2-7dlOLttI97V5sS_9z4ec7Ytnvn3iMOyN_tuw0/s320/Monkey.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I literally love <a href="http://www.jamieoliver.com/news-and-features/features/ultimate-dim-sum-guide/">dim sum</a> for breakfast so I had a word with Jamie - YUM. </span>Place to stand...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13625165785757881094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909209348900138390.post-40818694712848631662016-02-07T18:21:00.000-08:002016-02-07T18:21:47.108-08:00A Letter from Dickens to his youngest son 'Plorn' in Australia<div style="border: 0px; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: fira-sans; font-size: 1.2em; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 1.4em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
My Dearest Plorn</div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #1a1a1a; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 1.4em; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: fira-sans; font-size: 1.2em;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I write this note to-day because your going away is much upon my mind, and because I want you to have a few parting words from me to think of now and then at quiet times. I need not tell you that I love you dearly, and am very, very sorry in my heart to part with you. But this life is half made up of partings, and these pains must be borne. It is my comfort and my sincere conviction that you are going to try the life for which you are best fitted. I think its freedom and wildness more suited to you than any experiment in a study or office would ever have been; and without that training, you could have followed no other suitable occupation.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #1a1a1a; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 1.4em; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What you have already wanted until now has been a set, steady, constant purpose. I therefore exhort you to persevere in a thorough determination to do whatever you have to do as well as you can do it. I was not so old as you are now when I first had to win my food, and do this out of this determination, and I have never slackened in it since.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #1a1a1a; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 1.4em; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Never take a mean advantage of anyone in any transaction, and never be hard upon people who are in your power. Try to do to others, as you would have them do to you, and do not be discouraged if they fail sometimes. It is much better for you that they should fail in obeying the greatest rule laid down by our Saviour, than that you should.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #1a1a1a; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 1.4em; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I put a New Testament among your books, for the very same reasons, and with the very same hopes that made me write an easy account of it for you, when you were a little child; because it is the best book that ever was or will be known in the world, and because it teaches you the best lessons by which any human creature who tries to be truthful and faithful to duty can possibly be guided. As your brothers have gone away, one by one, I have written to each such words as I am now writing to you, and have entreated them all to guide themselves by this book, putting aside the interpretations and inventions of men.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #1a1a1a; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 1.4em; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You will remember that you have never at home been wearied about religious observances or mere formalities. I have always been anxious not to weary my children with such things before they are old enough to form opinions respecting them. You will therefore understand the better that I now most solemnly impress upon you the truth and beauty of the Christian religion, as it came from Christ Himself, and the impossibility of your going far wrong if you humbly but heartily respect it.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #1a1a1a; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 1.4em; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Only one thing more on this head. The more we are in earnest as to feeling it, the less we are disposed to hold forth about it. Never abandon the wholesome practice of saying your own private prayers, night and morning. I have never abandoned it myself, and I know the comfort of it.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #1a1a1a; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 1.4em; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I hope you will always be able to say in after life, that you had a kind father. You cannot show your affection for him so well, or make him so happy, as by doing your duty.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #1a1a1a; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 1.4em; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Your affectionate Father.</span></div>
Place to stand...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13625165785757881094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909209348900138390.post-73193886197832312902016-02-07T02:42:00.003-08:002016-02-07T07:35:59.509-08:00STEP AWAY FROM YOUR SCREENS PUT DOWN YOUR PHONE GOOGLE MR. FEZZIWIG GO OUTSIDE AND JUMP FOR JOY IT'S CHARLES DICKENS' BIRTHDAY <div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I loved every minute of the London Olympic opening ceremony - the Queen as Bond and Daniel Craig 'coughing' to get her attention. The chimneys - a wonderful representation of our great industrial might - taking this little island from agricultural to world superpower.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Great Ormond Street bit - you all KNOW I am sure J.M.Barrie made a bequest that the profits from Peter Pan would go to Great Ormond Street.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I loved Tim Berners Smith, Brunel all of it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I cried with pride the whole time. Joy. One little tiny thing I might have included - a certain <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/dickens_charles.shtml">Charles Dickens</a>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ugh some say. Not so happy experiences of wading through Bleak House at school. I get it. Revisit.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My life wouldn't be the same without this extraordinary man.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I want to start my own school and call it 'Fezziwig's'. School motto : 'Eat cake and dance.'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Dickens is so many things. Consider in his life he was not only prodigiously productive but also hugely commercially successful. He had the sense to 'tap into' the popularity of his work in America and undertake a reading tour.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He has the most wonderful, idiosyncratic no doubt difficult childhood. He had great humour - if you visit the Dickens Museum - now refurbished thanks I believe to lottery funding - you will see from his correspondence what a laugh he was.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAujn2kRXkFWv_1FPyX2RHCoXSuqJIeXsvTCpeasf_Us5I6es55A4Hjs0biqZdwRKQflpAX2WzOUZ9te6KAkgozMbXC2E2VD2sboHBN_bMuv7t7UqtSYQzMwvrOaMjWw_ApNji8AEhxs/s1600/CD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAujn2kRXkFWv_1FPyX2RHCoXSuqJIeXsvTCpeasf_Us5I6es55A4Hjs0biqZdwRKQflpAX2WzOUZ9te6KAkgozMbXC2E2VD2sboHBN_bMuv7t7UqtSYQzMwvrOaMjWw_ApNji8AEhxs/s400/CD.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">His sister in law died sadly in her sleep at Doughty Street - perhaps from here derives his ( and my ) lifelong fascination with ghosts.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm totally biased bit looks like he had really good hair too.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Even if you find him unreadable everyone knows who Scrooge is. Probably Oliver Twist too.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I can't really write this very well because I can't really think straight as all I can think of is the wonderful gifts he has given me and all of us.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Quite often us Brits don't celebrate what we have - I have only just discovered ( yes I know ) James Corden and his carpool karaoke which is legendary. I talk about The Great Exhibition of 1851 virtually every day. Our great industrialists too.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Do one thing - I guarantee in most houses in the UK there is a copy of Dickens lurking. Have a look. Failing that google him. Even Dickens quotes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm spending most of today with Little Dorrit.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I leave you with this from Mr Bumble, a reassurance that it is ok to cry. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h1 class="quoteText" style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14px;">“</span><i><span style="font-size: small;">It opens the lungs, washes the countenance, exercises the eyes, and softens down the temper, said Mr. Bumble. So cry away.”</span></i></h1>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Place to stand...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13625165785757881094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909209348900138390.post-88135161334444051742016-02-03T05:41:00.001-08:002016-02-03T05:42:43.186-08:00World Cancer Day - THAT'S THAT <div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This one is hard for me to write though also a privilege. I have two family members fighting cancer - like most families I suspect.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I would say if you come across anything remotely suspicious in your mouth, cheek or tongue get it looked at sharpish. Not to be alarmist just safe.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2J_x3qKAF_KCTqfrBC39D89rXjv7aVgD3xqOhZD-9skLpeLxXfj6c889HfcszOSRHTSKsOuVMwMypb8lMzreAFXiSelBT8Tv83_moD_o1Fr-kTF9kLYtqH7QGfB6kWXtzDwbmyr9GzGg/s320/World+Cancer+Day.png" width="320" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Blackwell">Elizabeth Blackwell</a> was born on February the 3rd 1821 - the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States and the first woman to be admitted to the UK Medical Register.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">YAY.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you have ever wondered why the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Hayward">Hayward Gallery</a> has it's name have a look at my link. Isaac Hayward. I have always loved the South Bank - the theatres - I was lucky enough to see Anthony Hopkins playing Lear. Took the edge off the trauma of Little Shop of Horrors. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Go to the supermarket or cancer research website please and buy a bracelet. I say this with humility and all gratitude - doctors, surgeons, nurses - all medical staff are literally performing miracles every single hour of every single day. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">David Bowie and Alan Rickman were felled by the same cancer as my late daddy. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you are on Twitter please follow this :</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUV3Wo1NNtxUCsnpg6dj578diRg3fiaBvJQCPCvapbKGbVaZrmuvEoy_6UYkIjdnHZ9PgNpDJi4KDNxcgoNe8eI-I4FCiWZcswhPoC8aMV8PKWBcJDjq-mMa0kPMjEBNdNGuUci9VqPUQ/s1600/Marsden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUV3Wo1NNtxUCsnpg6dj578diRg3fiaBvJQCPCvapbKGbVaZrmuvEoy_6UYkIjdnHZ9PgNpDJi4KDNxcgoNe8eI-I4FCiWZcswhPoC8aMV8PKWBcJDjq-mMa0kPMjEBNdNGuUci9VqPUQ/s320/Marsden.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Couldn't resist <a href="http://www.rachelkhoo.com/recipe/recipe-baked-goats-cheese-cigars">this</a> from the marvellous Rachel Khoo. Be healthy and THANK YOU to everyone who has looked after those I love. </span></div>
Place to stand...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13625165785757881094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909209348900138390.post-78450334519879384022016-01-30T03:48:00.003-08:002016-01-30T04:02:16.773-08:00Although It Does My Head In and Makes Me Panic about What Children See - Why I Love The Internet - Today<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am forever saying - parental control, Bond is violent, I don't understand what wi-fi is nor do I really care, pick up a pencil and draw, stare at snowdrops - today however I like the Internet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I read a wonderful blog post about Hans Sloane - I spend a lot of very blissful time at The Physic Garden and I loved the article.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I looked up an obscure God I needed for work. I found out how old Marcus Mumford is - this is oddly important to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I fiddled tentatively on instagram and lost a looooong time looking at manger - the blog on my list to the left.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Rousseau - here I paraphrase in extremes - when asked what was the greatest scientific advance of his time and why ( lots of people were asked by the Academie, not just him ) said 'none, man is born free and everywhere we are in chains.'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I usually agree with him however today I don't - a little bit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm am bit twitter before heading out to friends to stay for the evening and take the dog on the beach.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Look at this :</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TRRER5Xi8oJ27qlRlg1QQcElGlEFA2AnCv52Iw9NMRGVNbZoJnV0Ud3x7y6TOQvQllUyuKY8BUi_JCiz2_WkTtLsJiMF2PenhnPRkH5GMSn_sem3BTKB5yLtkK717sqS_Grd17w3K1Y/s1600/BOOk+must.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TRRER5Xi8oJ27qlRlg1QQcElGlEFA2AnCv52Iw9NMRGVNbZoJnV0Ud3x7y6TOQvQllUyuKY8BUi_JCiz2_WkTtLsJiMF2PenhnPRkH5GMSn_sem3BTKB5yLtkK717sqS_Grd17w3K1Y/s320/BOOk+must.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I love love love The British Library and it's fascinating blog - I too have always loved Edward Lear and consider him, like A A Milne and D H Lawrence - to be one of our overlooked geniuses. <a href="http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/untoldlives/2016/01/edward-lear-breaks-my-heart.html">This</a> gives me great joy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am just starting work on a new manuscript - have a working title I quite like. This made me laugh :</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTNIP2gNy5mz38JE6PMuizQu7aayfXH4TqfgOypG3QtctaDQgfY6lqMAWDFLwDmqtVdsIl3xO_rO9vVuZ0v_PLkySPwvZuY2DdaTlNYDmzlt_lLzydIKZBjysDLjlgpMJXQoq7_NBDWE/s1600/Barbie+nonsense.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTNIP2gNy5mz38JE6PMuizQu7aayfXH4TqfgOypG3QtctaDQgfY6lqMAWDFLwDmqtVdsIl3xO_rO9vVuZ0v_PLkySPwvZuY2DdaTlNYDmzlt_lLzydIKZBjysDLjlgpMJXQoq7_NBDWE/s400/Barbie+nonsense.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Off to supper ce soir and thought I might make <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/parmesan_shortbreads_86971">these</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Right, back to Twitter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />Place to stand...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13625165785757881094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909209348900138390.post-91936880927174288362016-01-28T09:46:00.002-08:002016-01-28T09:47:21.405-08:00The Archers, Sociopaths, Spaghetti alle Vongole and a Place Mat<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Narcissus. I love the Classics, always have and always will and one day when my life gets normal again I am due to undertake some postgraduate study. Latin, Greek, Classics. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have not only read but enjoyed Thucydides. Narcissus. There is a sociopath in The Archers called Rob. I am 'in the trenches' trying to get away from a sociopath.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A very dear friend of mine - married to a sociopath - came up with the brilliant idea of an iPhone app - these people are good, plausible, charming, always one step ahead and utterly without remorse.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If one could scan for the sociopath kink in the DNA so so much pain would be spared. I imagine they could all be herded together in a sociopath compound and be odd together.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sadly the sociopath tends to ferret out the <a href="http://thehappysensitive.com/">empath</a>. We don't stand a chance. The key determinator - no empathy. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't want to harp on about it here but I will be as my freedom emerges and I repair. All I would say - be careful. You don't know they are out there until they decimate your life - and they are not sort of clever / charming / gifted like Sherlock Holmes - they are evil.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was having supper at a friends house. It was lovely. Me and just boys - big ones but nevertheless. They could not have been more kind or gracious. They fed me and made me laugh, they were gentle and gracious. I have been brutalised but they understood on a very kind level and made me feel safe and happy. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I started - here I start to look to my faith which has always been with me but I come to lean on now when I really need it ( apologies greater, divine power - to err is to be human and all that.. ). I sat quietly saying - a bit "Eat, Pray, Read' or whatever that book is - show me a sign that there is someone, something on my side, someone looking after me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I looked down at the place mat. A picture of a hunting scene. My dad's name on it. The hunt referred to was the very Hunt my new boy - who is not a sociopath - was out with just a week or so ago. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Message received with great thanks. Good will out. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I need a bit of him :</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE8qSHQfHR5WBoKWCjnigqxIOKysN0qi_2m7v6VTGW9aIi252wPYWjncmU6wuxAJsbtyJhPU8LeAsN8Q33tZLfzT3XHAj6DG_In7VgYNNWBhesN0G5flHinwBYOdlF_UhGIg354DuSZ0o/s1600/Winnie+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE8qSHQfHR5WBoKWCjnigqxIOKysN0qi_2m7v6VTGW9aIi252wPYWjncmU6wuxAJsbtyJhPU8LeAsN8Q33tZLfzT3XHAj6DG_In7VgYNNWBhesN0G5flHinwBYOdlF_UhGIg354DuSZ0o/s400/Winnie+2.png" width="301" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Food heals and tonight when I need to heal I will have a unique recipe made just for me - I can't really share as it's sort of private but suffice to say spaghetti alle vongole will get me through. Made with love. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We will all have our battles - I would advise anyone going through shit - have faith, have faith in love, give thanks for those who support you in your darkest hour and know that 'right will be done.'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My spaghetti tonight is made with love. Made to give me strength and to help me heal. </span></div>
Place to stand...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13625165785757881094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909209348900138390.post-92198905638024001312015-07-23T02:11:00.001-07:002015-07-23T03:20:35.104-07:00George Bernard Shaw, Chris Riddell, Aladdin ( a bit ) <br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So I have been thinking about youth. I was a serious, bookish, youth. When my peers were dancing like nutters to rave music I used to decide which black polo neck to wear, transcribe Lloyd Cole and the Commotions lyrics and deliberate over which cheeses I should serve at dinner.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">By virtue of a great love that has come into my life over the last few years - not looking or what - I have met - sadly only via email as he lives a long way away - a great friend of my love who is now a mentor to me as well as great friend.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You know how they say people - i.e. trolls are more unpleasant and vitriolic online as they can hide behind a false identity or a screen ?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well ever the optimist I would say the converse is also true. Some people I have only email conversations with usually by virtue of geography have become incredibly open and revealing and very kind and perceptive.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The man who lives across the sea - I don't actually know how old he is, was saying that reading and writing are keeping his mind active. I couldn't see it that way - he has such a keen, beautiful mind and his wisdom and life experience certainly guide me. A gift of a life well lived.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Is youth wasted on the young ? Like most women I do wonder why I didn't run around aged 18 looking at my flat tummy and sports fit legs saying 'look, I'm in bloody good nick' instead of feeling self conscious and covering myself up in baggy jeans and shirts.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicorWv5caR4jQaQ8G7BvBDSvVfxXU09RuDat4Ci2NMsYEcLFz08GJ1_-AiAe3rK4Fi71Idqj4qj6JiojjmiGqs_6Hxvyq2k-ntZ-JAx_o4j1ahyeoI5sbSokWJ7FyigLPZ220Abp29jak/s1600/220px-George_Bernard_Shaw_1936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicorWv5caR4jQaQ8G7BvBDSvVfxXU09RuDat4Ci2NMsYEcLFz08GJ1_-AiAe3rK4Fi71Idqj4qj6JiojjmiGqs_6Hxvyq2k-ntZ-JAx_o4j1ahyeoI5sbSokWJ7FyigLPZ220Abp29jak/s320/220px-George_Bernard_Shaw_1936.jpg" width="230" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I didn't know George Bernard Shaw was co -founder of the <a href="http://www.lse.ac.uk/home.aspx">London School of Economics</a>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There is the wonderful fearlessness, the intense literary absorption - in mine and my peers' cases - intense evenings reading Auden or William Blake.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There was lots of fun too but I have lots of fun now.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Part of my current mid life crisis which I rather like in fact absolutely adore is my acquisition of mentors - I am blessed to have made friends with people of quite an arbitrary selection - most a good bit older than me and I am thrilled.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I just read Aladdin with my daughter - she asked and she is 7 so....Jasmine is quite a sparky woman - rejects the notion of arranged marriage and wants to marry for love.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The story - admittedly a slightly spangly Disney story book version - went on about 'being yourself' and being loved and admired for who we are. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Then she swooned a bit when Aladdin took her off on the magic carpet for a really cool late night picnic. Anachronisitc ?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZRCEAgUJMb1NZk-eVw81Nr35_sAzifCBozcOWzDu_FMEffTKf_Juaf4HHCCzEjlnW1l7um6bxh6XnSREaoFkaRm52WFUDQwyQpeoPsxa-nInMxYXImcduNuc5bRvnWaXVeBXyAtGTgg/s1600/Carpet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZRCEAgUJMb1NZk-eVw81Nr35_sAzifCBozcOWzDu_FMEffTKf_Juaf4HHCCzEjlnW1l7um6bxh6XnSREaoFkaRm52WFUDQwyQpeoPsxa-nInMxYXImcduNuc5bRvnWaXVeBXyAtGTgg/s1600/Carpet.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Anyway part of this blog is to mention things I come across that I think shouldn't be lost to history.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A recent visit to the fabulous St James' Piccadilly had me come across a memorial to <a href="http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/broughttolife/people/johnhunter.aspx">John Hunter</a> often called the patron of scientific surgery. HIs collection and bequest to the nation was phenomenal.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have also been thinking lots recently about <a href="http://www.chrisriddell.co.uk/">Chris Riddell</a> - also I heard a Desert Island Discs with Anthony Horowitz. I had a certain - moment - thinking how bloody lucky we are to have these wonderful gifted powerhouses in modern life, culture.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have a lifelong thing for broad beans. <a href="http://daylesford.com/recipes/smashed-broad-beans-peas-mint/">This</a> is faultless. Grilled halloumi.</span></div>
Place to stand...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13625165785757881094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909209348900138390.post-15371754546446453652015-07-22T06:16:00.000-07:002015-07-22T06:16:33.183-07:00Moving, the seaside, J Brand jeans, Jack Wills<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There is something very very wonderful about moving. I am moving shortly. I love packing boxes - I am a non hoarder - every bit of baby kit went to one or more than one round robin new homes - even the little Bonpoint cashmere hat and boots I had for my baby.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am clearing out, clearing up, thinking of what to come, to replace, to revitalise.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There have been moves and moves and yes possiblys and other countries maybe but this is the one I just know.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Already there are great friends in situ - by complete coincidence and lovely new friends I have only just made but I know I will treasure.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Illness in the family keeps me in Blighty for a bit but I don't mind one little bit - we have the seaside, great food, green fields.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am in clothes mode as well as book and food mode. My boy is full on <a href="http://www.jackwills.com/">Jack Wills </a> - adult - and I make no apology I love it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Look :</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHpBtozt7cXMWJzfNXDRXN4mcApN1uV1pgVjDkPCN-uDBh8qsWinujypCK06UIaIUAY5s-2Q7R4pPuLjcm-cYniAPL6W96l1eP-5xMN-JOcwNxOl5oluhUw3MpX_R1xBJceZiOaOHRko/s1600/Jack+Wills+boy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHpBtozt7cXMWJzfNXDRXN4mcApN1uV1pgVjDkPCN-uDBh8qsWinujypCK06UIaIUAY5s-2Q7R4pPuLjcm-cYniAPL6W96l1eP-5xMN-JOcwNxOl5oluhUw3MpX_R1xBJceZiOaOHRko/s200/Jack+Wills+boy.jpg" width="133" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Not him, the sweater. My sisters and lots of friends are super duper on Facebook. I am not but I get the emails and post comments. I love Instagram.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For example :</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCIEkKO81Q7QVjBokpLphtQjPku9lNVPDHDfn6-sjGk5wh9uWPo6VbkTXjLv07uoVzFopDUYdTUTMKvvT0-Gu_wmFRdiLveDX9nObbrnsokFQHDU92-FzgiK0wjSKi54ePWXc8F14W0o/s1600/Diamond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCIEkKO81Q7QVjBokpLphtQjPku9lNVPDHDfn6-sjGk5wh9uWPo6VbkTXjLv07uoVzFopDUYdTUTMKvvT0-Gu_wmFRdiLveDX9nObbrnsokFQHDU92-FzgiK0wjSKi54ePWXc8F14W0o/s200/Diamond.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have obviously never grown out of school uniform - the occasional evening or weekend when I put on a dress and very heely heels and frankly love it but day to day it's J Brand or Made in Heaven jeans, breton t shirts, Superdry t shirts or my faithful layering - Jack Wills and Hollister. Converse or Supergas.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've been wearing these for a good few years now and they are, to my mind, faultless :</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9PZbYK5D4CB_moiliItA-qeqMIingNHJZ-PhYVU_njranRoO_ve8BYEqob_ze7rK6bJSvYP2Dw-kksHEOPO1stvkqhkIaR9evUwv_ke2X8ABs6qwmW2Ot5GcPoOK3Ze3eMZMc4YKSNhY/s1600/J+Brand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9PZbYK5D4CB_moiliItA-qeqMIingNHJZ-PhYVU_njranRoO_ve8BYEqob_ze7rK6bJSvYP2Dw-kksHEOPO1stvkqhkIaR9evUwv_ke2X8ABs6qwmW2Ot5GcPoOK3Ze3eMZMc4YKSNhY/s200/J+Brand.jpg" width="133" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They look much better being 'worn' just look up cool bloggers and you'll see - the white ones are terrific if tanned and brave.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As ever I rely on my adored <a href="http://www.nuxe.com/">Nuxe</a> to keep my skin happy - now with a website 20% sale.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Reading all sorts of things in slightly irritating instalments as reading has to fit around packing : as ever I love <a href="http://www.timharford.com/">Tim Harford</a>, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/2008/sep/14/referenceandlanguages">Harry Mount's Amo Amas Amat</a> and in small slithers to be enjoyed with absolute concentration, <a href="https://royalsociety.org/awards/science-books/richard-holmes/">Richard Holmes'</a> The Age of Wonder. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have read Melanie Reid's column since she first had her accident - I listened to a wonderful interview with her this am on Radio 4 - if you can catch it on catch up do - it was quite spellbinding. Like most of us she only had a wobble when talking about her son. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Food: odd really, latest crush which I have to have every morning ( lycopene, a good thing ) plum tomatoes, hot, natural yoghurt and lots and lots of jalapeños. Love it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />Place to stand...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13625165785757881094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909209348900138390.post-3862277738432031772015-03-27T05:41:00.000-07:002015-03-27T05:41:56.004-07:00Benedict Cumberbatch, Alfred de Vigny and The Ashmolean<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today I am in full on French mode. I am cooking Toulouse sausages so the kitchen smells amazing. I am going to prepare for lunch tomorrow the watercress veloute so beautifully photographed on Mimi Thorisson's wonderful <a href="http://mimithorisson.com/">Manger</a> blog. I can't get enough of it at the moment. Blog and food.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was intrigued, amused ( by many of the funny emails that came in - 'he was a tyrant, he lost, that hairdo...' ) to see the media coverage of the King in the car park. There is an interesting piece <a href="http://www.historytoday.com/rachel-goble/execution-perkin-warbeck">here</a> on the naughty pretender Perkin Warbeck.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On the French theme I saw a version of Ionesco's Rhinoceros a few years ago at the The Royal Court - a play I studied, know and love.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Saying goodbye to a friend at the tube we chatted briefly to a very nervous Benedict Cumberbatch then the lead actor. See the link to Richard III ?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbK579oENC40eeMqkC8VKHnVGB1yoMDGKq7xQvyJDjmuQ0dCcYaobF53OYLzjMmWhd5TrWliWwJN7Ypk_hsYbuonaGIdCBEB6AjASM2MOqgo_1crY5ZGdfzBo4qC0kVx9inIYS-JNCfWA/s1600/Rhinoceros.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbK579oENC40eeMqkC8VKHnVGB1yoMDGKq7xQvyJDjmuQ0dCcYaobF53OYLzjMmWhd5TrWliWwJN7Ypk_hsYbuonaGIdCBEB6AjASM2MOqgo_1crY5ZGdfzBo4qC0kVx9inIYS-JNCfWA/s1600/Rhinoceros.png" /></span></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_de_Vigny">Alfred de Vigny</a> was born on this day in 1797. I loved his work Chatterton.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sir Henry Royce was born on this day in 1863. He would with his friend and colleague go on to do something with cars. Which COULD lead me to comment on Jeremy Clarkson but I won't other than to say I never have watched Top Gear but for the Producer involved to be castigated and vilified is surely bananas ?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I did shyly tweet this week as the understandable media storm raged - please look at the wonderful Amanda Vickery's <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0544j0j">Suffragettes Forever</a>. I loved it and think it wonderful this is brought to a current audience. I was debating just last night at dinner where the 'feminist movement' places itself in today's world.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8TksjZqVVfF0bJ5FRieBzD_-YGGATuffhejnFyU00X54bEfFfv3chhTK4DiM5llTCcPZZ4dEs_DJ883GBTN1i1ek_zcJgqrClXEdQGNFb_DMQ3l3U5G3bqhpbTnYDIQorjBwGVsKJiQ/s1600/pankhurst-poster-standard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8TksjZqVVfF0bJ5FRieBzD_-YGGATuffhejnFyU00X54bEfFfv3chhTK4DiM5llTCcPZZ4dEs_DJ883GBTN1i1ek_zcJgqrClXEdQGNFb_DMQ3l3U5G3bqhpbTnYDIQorjBwGVsKJiQ/s1600/pankhurst-poster-standard.jpg" height="320" width="210" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I watched an old episode of Sex and the City recently - I wasn't a fan at the time but I am rubbish at following things on TV. I rather enjoyed it and found the four woman dynamic interesting. I am thinking of preparing not just a work of fiction but a 'treatise.' Free association in written form.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">French women were able to vote for the first time on the 29th of April 1945.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today is the Feast day of Saint Augusta of Treviso.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is terrific from the <a href="http://www.ashmolean.org/exhibitions/lovebites/mgc/">Ashmolean Museum</a>, a cast of James Gillray's Georgian caricatures - keeping the scandal mongers of their day busy. Plus ca change ?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bon appétit.</span>Place to stand...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13625165785757881094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909209348900138390.post-65870421657213981922015-03-19T05:10:00.000-07:002015-03-19T08:52:53.684-07:00On Luck...David Livingstone and Humphry Clinker<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My son just had a lovely birthday. He became in years what has always been my lucky number. St Patrick's Day just passed - the luck of the Irish..</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Spring, daffodils, lambs gambolling and mewing for sustenance. Emerging from a long winter. A wonderful coloured, scented bloom in the garden.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This makes me think of luck. I am a huge believer - call it what you will. Fortune, good luck, karma, fate, coincidence. I have a great friend and mentor who is a lifelong sailor and yachtsman - he has so many lyrical superstitions and tales - I am endlessly enchanted.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I had a wonderful conversation yesterday on how lucky we are to be aware of the blessings of that which money can't buy - I hate to sound all worthy - it was mainly a conversation about the untold joys of Radio 4 Extra - currently with an adaptation of one of my favourite books Sons and Lovers.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I thought I might add the books I have on the go, I seem to have a particularly engaging Spring Selection :</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Every Contact Leaves A Trace Elanor Dymott</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tales of Unease Sir Arthur Conan Doyle</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Happiness By Design Paul Dolan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'll report back as I go.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I also can't get enough of the Shakespeare's Restless World podcasts. I play them on my Mac whilst I am working.</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Right.</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Expedition_of_Humphry_Clinker" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tobias Smollett</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> was born on this day in 1721. The link is to his work The Adventures of Humphrey Clinker. There is also a great Guardian piece from 2013 about the sad in my view demise of his influence and popularity. Got to love the name Roderick Random. He would of course be a huge influence on a certain Charles Dickens.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9nQewyj1oAsuo75MG9Ji2TWSdCl1ny39ajSIDEKQtT7IThkio7kW_qwK91rnBN2Vz0plP0ZC6ycGWZ7D4b69Gg1exRYCzBgM3l9PVDeSd-KjQuazdtK99FWImlPq2CvVsBtUxzsac7-k/s1600/00231_title.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9nQewyj1oAsuo75MG9Ji2TWSdCl1ny39ajSIDEKQtT7IThkio7kW_qwK91rnBN2Vz0plP0ZC6ycGWZ7D4b69Gg1exRYCzBgM3l9PVDeSd-KjQuazdtK99FWImlPq2CvVsBtUxzsac7-k/s1600/00231_title.jpg" height="320" width="177" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Today is also the birthday of </span><a href="http://www.livingstoneonline.ucl.ac.uk/biog/dl/bio.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">David Livingstone</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> , in 1831. He seems to have certainly established a connection between mosquitoes and malaria and enjoyed a good strike rate with his 'Livingstone's Rousers'.</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Rembrandt's Titus was sold by Christie's for a record 760,000 guineas on this day in 1965.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmQ4-Q-EsRskJDK-fM3qPTcPaRe8ygNLlPEBHwB_qys7noxowFcL2oiB1SP0ys5zRDqModSewxtlN7lvfeS_qbdiNl7Fr-pg-lETYIW_sVFQ5xFrrlaPNno0DDOIOtBVxZuwQZO3JQsM/s1600/simoninfo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmQ4-Q-EsRskJDK-fM3qPTcPaRe8ygNLlPEBHwB_qys7noxowFcL2oiB1SP0ys5zRDqModSewxtlN7lvfeS_qbdiNl7Fr-pg-lETYIW_sVFQ5xFrrlaPNno0DDOIOtBVxZuwQZO3JQsM/s1600/simoninfo.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">March the 19th is the feast day of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Joseph's_Day" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">St. Joseph</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> always falling during Lent and therefore a period of abstinence - dishes without meat are traditionally served.</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Which leads me to the rather marvellously named </span><a href="http://www.bigoven.com/recipe/sfinci-di-san-giuseppe/128586" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">sfinci di San Giuseppe</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> traditionally prepared in Southern Italy on this day.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tuck in.</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<br />Place to stand...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13625165785757881094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909209348900138390.post-55223482176770193872015-03-11T09:29:00.000-07:002015-03-11T09:29:44.655-07:00To move is to stir; and to be valiant is to stand<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Several people have kindly asked what I would like for Mother's day - including my children. I had some friends for dinner on Monday - all mothers, we discussed it:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A gardenia</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cashmere socks</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The new Ishiguro</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">J Brand jeans / chinos / anything</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A Roberts radio</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Risotto rice</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To be able to find the hairbrush</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then we all pretty much said, you know what we have it. We have beautiful children, we're warm and fed and we enjoy good health.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This morning I thought:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A country walk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Daffodils</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">People I might have been a bit arsey with understanding I didn't mean it and am truly sorry</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To swim in a moat again like I did last summer</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The smell of a really good tomato</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My son's quick wit</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My son's quirky wit</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My daughter's kindness</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My dog conked out on my feet, snoring</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My dearest boy who I call / email and vice versa morning and evening and who seems to put the marrow in my bones</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My family</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Anyway.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">According to Shakespeare today in 1302 was Romeo and Juliet's wedding day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In 1702 this day saw the publication of England's first National <a href="http://The Daily Courant">Newspaper</a> - The Daily Courant.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On March the 11th 1835 HMS <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_voyage_of_HMS_Beagle">Beagle</a> anchors off Valparaiso in Chile. If you have never read Isabel Allende have a go, she's fab.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A monumental one for me, <a href="http://www.tateandlyle.com/aboutus/history/pages/henrytate.aspx">Henry Tate</a> was born on this day in 1819. If you have a chance, I suspect it is still running, you can take the Thames river boat from Tate Gallery to Tate Modern - called Tate a Tate and great fun.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbw-lal62m0bduXh553EC5INpUTkXiuPLR35d0E_Ac1Lzu3SOdGGarnSOHleXlBdHL3B8AM10NOBcDwtUPIYcEiBED2W50kQAHiLNLNMWcpDKvam12nsiAaVIWkzoHm1fGquhsaFaesBU/s1600/Henry-Tate-gives-the-National-Gallery-to-the-nation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbw-lal62m0bduXh553EC5INpUTkXiuPLR35d0E_Ac1Lzu3SOdGGarnSOHleXlBdHL3B8AM10NOBcDwtUPIYcEiBED2W50kQAHiLNLNMWcpDKvam12nsiAaVIWkzoHm1fGquhsaFaesBU/s1600/Henry-Tate-gives-the-National-Gallery-to-the-nation.jpg" height="320" width="244" /></span></a></div>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Image courtesy of tate. org</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today is the feast day of <a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=612">St.Constantine</a> who was King of Cornwall. I've visited Cornwall a few times and utterly loved it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Food. People tweet tweet about twitter. I love it, I find it to be a great mine of information about all the things I love - museums, art, books, food, what's going on, great blogs, recipes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm in a happy frenzy with Cheltenham so <a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipe/irish-cheddar-potato-soup-asparagus?sf36582652=1">this</a> for Willie Mullins, Ruby Walsh and everyone who works with such dedication to make the whole thing quite so spellbinding.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />Place to stand...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13625165785757881094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909209348900138390.post-10525967293184709962015-02-27T05:15:00.000-08:002015-02-27T05:15:02.511-08:00But words are things, and a small drop of ink, Falling, like dew, upon a thought produces That which makes thousands, perhaps millions think<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Henry IV was crowned King of France on this day in 1594. I utterly love Stratford Upon Avon. Great food at the Dirty Duck and the abundant joys of the <a href="http://www.rsc.org.uk/whats-on/henry-iv/">RSC</a>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">February the 27th saw Byron give his first address as a member of the House of Lords in defence of Luddite opposition to industrialism in his home county of Nottinghamshire. More <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Destruction_of_Stocking_Frames,_etc._Act_1812">here</a> with as ever copious thanks to Wikipedia.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">An interesting read on Byron's maiden speech <a href="http://ludditebicentenary.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/27th-february-1812-lord-byrons-maiden.html">here.</a></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qebuf2en02YgVYrSo8peOD_YIc3jGdaad3LGBmZ2IzRAYsF2rPEOl3idHfvhBxaJnHFehhYsat9MBsgunb6sTNycvBio4qwQb9rW2lCdFvbm4BVRR-Sak7vDJ1vls7rLaYMWjJM0VW4/s1600/Luddite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qebuf2en02YgVYrSo8peOD_YIc3jGdaad3LGBmZ2IzRAYsF2rPEOl3idHfvhBxaJnHFehhYsat9MBsgunb6sTNycvBio4qwQb9rW2lCdFvbm4BVRR-Sak7vDJ1vls7rLaYMWjJM0VW4/s1600/Luddite.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The British Labour Party was founded on this day in 1900. Some sources say 26th or 27th but I'll put it on <a href="http://www2.labour.org.uk/history_of_the_labour_party">today !</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Elizabeth Taylor was born on this day in 1932.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Saint Feast day for today is St Gabriel of our Lady of Sorrows.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Food. <a href="http://www.ottolenghi.co.uk/meringue-roulade-with-rose-morello-cherries-shop">This</a> is quite full on but I have a friend coming to stay who is a serious dessert supremo so I think we'll have a go.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A total aside but how superb is this - footage of the new arrival at one of my all time favourites, The Sedgwick Museum in Cambridge. I give you <a href="https://camunivmuseums.wordpress.com/2015/01/30/clare-the-t-rex-at-the-sedgwick-museum/">Clare</a>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Another aside. I love love love Mumford. I know they have the posh farmer with banjo thing going on but I think they are talented, unique and there is something very Gabriel Oak, fresh cut grass about them. Wholesome.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Is it a reaction to lots of female singers, and believe me I try not to look, wearing not an awful lot and being a bit mangy ? Probably .</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Going back to the title of my post I think he / they are gifted lyricists. For those of us prone to overthinking and complication, I find this terribly pure and lovely, from <b>Ghosts That We Knew.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"So give me hope in the darkness that we will see the light, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">because it gave me such a fright. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I will hold on with all of my might, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">just promise we will be alright.' </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This from the astonishing Elizabeth Taylor:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; line-height: 28.049999237060547px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #181818; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">"The problem with people who have no vices is that generally you can be pretty sure they're going to have some pretty annoying virtues.” </span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 17px; text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
</span></span>Place to stand...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13625165785757881094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2909209348900138390.post-43842732412569300402015-02-23T07:42:00.002-08:002015-02-23T08:30:04.987-08:00Do you not see how necessary a world of pains and troubles is to school an intelligence and make it a soul?<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">George Frederic <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Frideric_Handel">Handel</a> was born on this day in 1685. Wikipedia gives a great account, not least of a feature of his work very close to my heart, a performance of The Messiah in 1750 to benefit <a href="http://www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk/">The Foundling Museum</a>. It is well worth a visit if you happen to be nearby, I love it. We could do with a few Thomas Corams today ?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
John Keats dies on the 23rd of February 1821 in Rome, of tuberculosis aged 25. A comprehensive account of his life and work <a href="http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/john-keats">here.</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
On February the 23rd 1886 The London Times published the first classified advertisement.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
Emile Zola. Les Rougon-Macquart. The delicious Le Ventre de Paris. He attended the same College as Paul Cezanne. He was found guilty of libel on this day in 1898 as a consequence of his letter <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J'accuse">'J'Accuse'</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qreQzPzGVaEqGHrwhkV8vtKTxFc5-_3dk06Y72dsfnvKZSYU1Zfn6mBJCOCoDQENHN6AYyU718ISj_4rlK9bV7t-u1FskoHVxW72DtyszwtxOareNSONHgCsct6oURAuS2-KJQtrwps/s1600/220px-J_accuse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qreQzPzGVaEqGHrwhkV8vtKTxFc5-_3dk06Y72dsfnvKZSYU1Zfn6mBJCOCoDQENHN6AYyU718ISj_4rlK9bV7t-u1FskoHVxW72DtyszwtxOareNSONHgCsct6oURAuS2-KJQtrwps/s1600/220px-J_accuse.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
<br />
Today is the feast day of the rather marvellously named St. Polycarp.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
I planted the horseradish. Sunflowers too, tomatoes and broad beans. Horseradish got me to thinking of beef and then I found and now adore <a href="http://horseradish.org/recipes/">this.</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I just love <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2015/feb/11/f-scott-fitzgerald-saving-money-great-gatsby-budget">this</a> from The Guardian. The title really made me laugh.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
Place to stand...http://www.blogger.com/profile/13625165785757881094noreply@blogger.com0