Gifted and young

Bit of this

She manages to get a whole house built around her, by giving instructions to those nearby, trying unsuccessfully to rope yours truly in. At one point she says "thats enough, now go away, go over there and share" (all in one breath too). A bit difficult that one as there are no more toys in the space. 

Lots of us are trollying along humming and singing. One lad is crooning to Elvis, while shelve stacking. We bat the ball. He flashes a smart Elvis pen under my nose. And confesses he loves karaoke.

He has just had his seventeenth birthday. He stops by my check out, turns to his mate and say's "see you latter." After waiting for me he helps to load my stuff. When I ask if he is having a holiday he replies. "I am going halves so they can get away". Then excitedly tells me he is going to play footie in a stadium that seats 40,000. Budge up Becks, he is a star in more ways than one. 

Bit of that

Draw a crazy picture,

Write a nutty poem,

Sing a mumble-grumble song,

Whistle through your comb.

Do a loony-goony dance

'cross the kitcen floor,

Put something silly in the world

That ain't been there before.

(Shel Silvrstein) 

It is never too late to get in touch with your inner child.

Things falling into place

Bit of this

It is a day to go to the park. So we muster as many mummies as we can and go. 

Out of a bag of hand me downs fall a pile of bra's. And they fit. M&S's best was run ragged last on my last foray into an underwear department. What are the chances of 32e falling out. WOW.

I know him although he does not recognize me. I was in the right place at the right time. It became important to me.  He was stood scratching his head about to start. "Not here, over there" I said. Now he is shoulder high in another. "I reckon to do one in 4 hours". He is carrying on a family tradition and does all the villages around here. 

Bit of that

Somethings never change.

Different tunes

Bit of this

Dodging early morning traffic on the duel carriage way, heading toward the industrial park. All suited and booted a rare sight. He joins the hoodies, trendy youngsters plugged into their music, fluorescent persons on bikes, and the tired looking middle aged. They all cross at the crossing this one though is taking his life in his hands.

A white van and a loud knock, he stands there in wooly hat with a clip board. Not looking at me he points "print you name and sign here",  he repeats this several times getting more irritated, as I keep asking "why?". Then I notice what seems to be a bag of rabbit food under his arm. Oh, this then is a delivery man, not someone on a secret mission. I do as I am told now, and say "I am sorry for being a trouble maker", as he practically runs back to his white van. I am deeply suspicious of white vans, he obviously is deeply confused by batty old ladies refusing to play ball.

The radio presenter dissolves into giggles as he listens to a human siren.

Bit of that

Gershwins Horns

This was a very entertaining program, If you can't listen to all 30 minutes, and the link starts at the beginning of the show, drag the play head to about 19.30, and you too will hear the human siren. Absolutely amazing. 

Memories and looks

Bit of this I just found this and had to put it in. 

I trot along happily in the rain. Whippet does not. He gives me an accusing look when I turn down the hill instead of taking the short cut.

I stop to tell farmer Rex's side kick about the sheep laid flat.(sheep I'm told are not suppose to do that). "It's me birthday tomorrow I will be 80" . He starts a journey down memory lane. "There used to be an air raid shelter outside your house".  And "when the wraf drove the lorryup to the camp for first, time she turned the corner and ran into a steam roller".

The news at 6 provides a smile to wake up with. Hands off our  sherbert.

Bit of that

Sheep are quite intelligent creatures and have more brainpower than people are willing to give them credit for. For example, sheep in Yorkshire, England found a way to get over cattle grids by rolling on their backs. Clever sheep!

A study published in National Geographic magazine showed that a sheep can remember the faces of fifty other sheep for over two years. Amazing!

However, if you ever come across a sheep on its back, give it a hand and get it up on its feet. Sheep cannot get themselves back upright from that position and if left for too long it will unfortunately, eventually die.

(lifted from Animal Corner)

Indulgence and ducks

Bit of this

I refrain from comment as I look at the breakfast man about the house has cooked for himself. There is surely 2 days worth calories about to be consumed. I decide then and there to abandon the idea of the Sunday roast, and it frees up lots of lovely time. Some of which I spend pricking seedling, and catching up with friends. 

Iridescent head gear gleaming to perfection. He has an air of an important vicar, as he leads his family down the lane. Meeting the busy road he halts, and turns to face them. Mother stops gathering her tiny ducklings close. He does not move nor do they. I say a silent prayer, as I realize even if I give way on this fast road others may not, and hope he thinks better of negotiating the junction. Cars stop for lollipop ladies but rarely for ducks. (corse with hindsight I kick myself for not leaping out and flagging cars to a halt like said crossing lady).

There is nothing like buttered toast topped with home made plum jam. It has been years since I indulged in the luxury of butter. 

Bit of that

Adopt a duck

Appreciation of men, chocolate and water

Bit of this

Man about the house is mentioned in council dispatch box. 

Whippet glances up and speeds his crunching. Chocolate biscuits are being quietly purloined from the boys lunch bag!

Wind whips the water into a shimmer carpet of silver, slowly dissolving into points that flash, sparkle and bounce across the lake. I am mesmerized.

Bit of that 

she is beautiful

7o% of her surface is covered by water.

Sold,dropped and drapped

Bit of this

Bingo, one of the new houses has a sold sign. New life for the old plot of ground.

A worry dropped into the air between us becomes a joke. "when did my hair loose it's shine!"

Draped on some steps in the shade of a door way. Puppy by his side. "He is fine, one too many sherbets" says the tall man watching over him.

Bit of that

Wash and go 

1. An overhyped shampoo

2. The landowners plea to New Age travellers.

(Dictionary For Our time) 

 

round,red and white, chocolate chops

Bit of this

Next-door flies the flag for St George.

Small hands cupped over mouth. Eyes dancing, shoulders hunched. Our eyes meet. The hands are lowered, but not the steady gaze, to reveal a chocolate covered chops. He has stumbled upon a stash of chocolate.

A small porthole surrounded by gold, frames a  grey cats face, peering out. 

Bit of that

Clicked on unexpected bit of symbolism

My dance goes on! I love this book.

Fragile and tenacious, pink cardboard feet

Bit of this

2 ladies knock. magazine clutching, Jehovah witness. I tell them I follow my own star. They are so friendly, we chat about everything but their mission. One whips out her camera and takes a photo of a dandelion that is fighting for sunlight by pushing up though the join in between the new tar mac and the old. Amazing strength and persistance from something so fragile. I think it a good analogy for them.

He does every thing with his toes and is busy with small lego bricks.

The poster caught my eye. And I discover a hive of activity at Age Concern. We discuss whether I have the bottle to become a soul mate volunteer. She shows me the tools of the trade. And pink cardboard feet that are training aids. I practice. I am not very good!  

Bit of that

The Dandelion Trust

Another diamond day

Bit of this

A flash of gold, a robin darts ahead as low morning sun paints his wings.

They come  full of energy, soon finding things to engage in. A small boy is exploring the globe. "where is Wales" and "why does it spin".  I am spinning with delight being back amongst their curiosity and enthusiasm. 

Some children and I plant potatoes. I go home and plant potatoes. I don't have weeds in my garden I have clouds of blue forget-me-nots. I also have a crisis every time I want to plant something new. I need to make space. This time I plant spuds and re-plant for-get-me-nots on top. 

Bit of that

Sound enchantment.

Last day of the holiday

Bit of this

The shoulders exacting it's revenge, but as I look up the garden at yesterdays handy work, I thinks, up yours.

Standing perfectly still, eyes closed, they look still asleep. One opens an eye and proceeds to exercise his jaw. The horses obviously need hours to come to, of a morning, like me. I shall have to set the alarm at 4.30 I reckon to appear bright eyed and busy tailed for work tomorrow.

What fantastic weather to end the holiday on. It is so warm I doze up the garden, after lunch, along with black cat. Who has found a new snoozing spot. Inside the cold frame.

Bit of that

Don't force it ....

.... get a larger hammer.

It all goes to my head

Bit of this

We spot a gathering of bikers on the way past. Coming home we join the fun. Man about the house eyes glaze over and I am in my element swaying to the music in the sun. It's a visual feast of men and machine.

Hs shouted at me because I got lost, I tell her. "No I didn't" he hisses "I shouted because you didn't do what I told you to". I register mild humor but carry on with my chat. Latter however, it comes from nowhere, I am weak with laughter  "You shouted because I didn't do what you told me to". The more he glares the funnier I find it. "He who must be obeyed then", I quip. Honest it's the best laugh I'v had for months.

I wonder why I am more punch drunk than usual. Oh, I have rather overdosed on the pain killers. But what a energetic afternoon I have, I make inroads into the garden and create a supper from my Turkish cook book, that although lacks presentation, story of my life, is tasty and goes down a treat.

Bit of that 

Families pride and joy. Shame about quality 10 out of 10 for artistic interpretation.

Toadstool and trip out

Bit of this

A lone toadstool peeks from between stinging nettles. The slender white stalk has a pale grey cap and dark grey gills.

I think it is a sculpure of a man and his bag of golf clubs, but it turns out to be a man and his saxophone.

We sit on rickety metal chairs in the sunshine sharing sticky cake drinking dark bitter coffee. 

Bit of that

Imagine getting this on the bus

Early morning walk

Bit of this

"He's having a new knee", new lease of life then says I. Looking up from under her base ball cap she says "gawd I hope not".

I blink and double take. In the mist horses are making their own way down the track to the yard for breakfast.

Further up the hill head honcho is giving one his personal service. Despite his size he gets bullied at breakfast time.

Bit of that

Jack Cohen founder of Teco's had a habit of giving out creative tie pins. The one he dished out to trade union bosses was YCDBSOYA which means "You can't do business sitting on your arse"!

The arrival of a fantasy

Bit of this

He  is going to whisk her straight up the farm. I put my wellies on and go and greet her. After all she has to get used to us. We are her new owners.

She is silver and purrs like a kitten. And man about the house keeps finding excuses to go for a ride on his new toy.

I have entered a learning curve. Accessories accessories!

Bit of that

She is not like these, she is much more refine and sleek.

Birds and National Trust

Bit of this

I am cuffed to bits. A fleeting glimpse of a nuthatch at one of the feeders. It zooms in and out never hanging about.

He sells man about the house a raffle ticket. (no mean feat) We laugh and chat. He was a market trader in a former life and has biked all the way from Warwick to do his bit for the National Trust. Warwick must be 10 miles away!

I marvel at their creativity, 2 teasels are tastefully tied with a bow and placed on chairs to discourage the weary. I wonder if this is N.T policy.

Bit of that

The place that inspired market traders devotion.

Bikes and birdseed

Bit of this

He is still lusting after a bike. "I have reconsidered, that one requires an acquired riding position". I snigger.

Make hay now. Your options are limited once you receive your freedom pass. "And I can't get insurance on that one" he huffs.

"Who eats the linseeds then" asks him with rippling muscles adorned with tattoos and startling blue eyes. The goldfinches I say enthusiastically fingers ready to punch in the pin.. "Oh mine go mad after nigger seed". My fingers stop dead. And he still doesn't say until I ask "who eats linseeds then" as he is loading the car. "horses" he laughs. How kind not to re enforce the fact I am a complete idiot, until pressed. Bless his heart. 

Bit of that

Everything comes to those who wait.

Walks and bees

Bit of this

We are walking along canal and see the first swallow. Uncle Dick has brought tea and biscuits and plays mother. He is in his eighties and puts us all to shame with his never ending enthusiasm and energy. 

Whippet and I have a standoff, nether will budge. He eventually feigns interest a few steps upwind. But as soon as I walk on, he shoots back to reclaim foul smelling bit of fur. I however continue sure in the knowledge that he will have forgotten where I kicked it by now.

I sidestep through the hedge, minutes latter a worried whippet belts up the field, catching sight of me as he passes the gap and veering sharply, he is all wags and ears back nosing for a pat, minus his prize.

The hum of bees as they fly in and out of a hole in the tree.

Bit of that

Bee dancing

  

Names ands thing in garages

Bit of this

We roll past signs, Haseley Knob, Darley Green, Wroxal, Upper Snodbury, Wasperton, Peopleton and Pinvin, that roll delightfully around in my head.

There is a goats head on the garage wall. He's called Kevin.

 

Maroon and silver, polished to within an inch of it's life. We try not to wake the neighbors when we listen to it's roar. The hunk of metal and sex appeal is gorgeous, the bids are still rising though. 

Bit of that

Exceptions prove the rule

and wreck the budget.

(I wonder!)

Birds and welcome

Bit of this

5 tails, black with white spots, tag along behind 5 busy goldfinches sorting through the seed on the step. Looking down on them from the bedroom window highlights their shape and color. A touch flamboyant flutterings

He escorts me through the farmyard past the broody geese. Whippet and I are shivering in our shoes.

I think no one is home. Then a small face peers through the letter box, followed by squeals of delight. One pair of arms is thrown around my waist another around my legs, before I have even said "hello".

Bit of that 

Supprise

New dimension and sellology

Bit of this

I look through it, and a small world magical world is created. I have a perfect circle of green and white striped deck chairs and one in the centre, amazing, the world takes on a whole new dimension. 

The smell is pervasive. I detect it as soon as I push my trolly in. There is a large display of hot cross buns right near the door. The sweet cinnamon wafts around the with me. By the time I am half way through I can resist no longer, and scoop up a pack. 

Latter as I am enjoying my toasted bun, I realize it was a piece of great sellology. Piles of buns were everywhere. The weak-willed of us didn't stand a chance.

Bit of that

Back to the nursery

It's all a bit strange and hurrying ladies

Bit of this

"I know exactly where it is" she says. As we set off to look at her new home to be. "Er it looks different". I buy her a bottle of red as a consolation prize, but just as we head for home there its, "on the wrong side of the road".

The sign  is asking for volunteer feet, to be washed in the Maundy Thursday service. People have volunteered a foot, right foot seems to be favorite. I would love to be a fly on the wall.

From a strange bed looking out of a large sash window slurping a cuppa. I see a guinea fowl hurry up the hill to the hen pen, followed by 2 more. They remind me of nosey determined ladies sporting a bustle. 

Bit of that

Funny birds

Motion and a smile

Bit of this

Man about the house dashes back in, to warn me to think about changing my plans as the road will be shut for hours.

A beautiful celtic design flashes in-front of my eyes as the dustman reaches down to calm noisy whippet.

He waves and smiles. Showing off his first car. It makes my day.

Bit of that

Optical illusion

Relief and kindness

Bit of this

I hear traffic in the distance and involuntarily sigh, feeling light headed not to be part of the rush hour this morning.

I catch the post lady who is checking in on Mrs T, and ask if my chunky letter will be penalized for it's bulk. No bother she say's I will just wack another stamp on and take it for you.

I am by the brook and suddenly have a yen to watch Wind In The Willows. It's the month, the light, the smells, that have struck a chord. Good friend V had hot footed round to greet Andrew and I on our return from our first hospital stay bringing it with her. We watched it over and over. It was April and the sun was streaming through the window creating light and dark pools on the floor. Feeling relief at being home after the shock of the diagnosis. I don't feel a bit guilty about this bit of day time telly indulgence. I sit with my memories and my knitting. 

Bit of that

Home Sweet Home

Exercise and recycling

Bit of this

A large twig dropped by a jackdaw thats been hanging out with it's gang by the church, falls.

Out early exercising whippet, I come across a mum exercising her small daughter up and down the road, encouraging her to push wooden truck filled with bricks. She is still in her P.J.s and gives me a wobbly wave as she clings on.

I open the door and see my beautiful vase of daffs reflected in the oval frame of a beat up mirror, that I have just recycled from the tip. 

Bit of this

click to play

Legs ponies and lawns

Bit of this

The legs get an boost of power from bike rage, as I give the V sign to someone who uses oncoming bikers and self as goal posts shooting through at an alarming rate.

2 ponies savoring their freedom. Prancing prettily in farmer Rex's field. 

The lawn gets a neat haircut, first one of the season. Now I can see to poop scoop!

Bit of that

I would just like to say

I had clothes on

Foreign places and gymnastics

Bit of this

3 U.S Airways tickets for Phoenix fall out of my new library book.

Black cat leaps and upends a dustbin lid that is a bird station. She disappears underneath it and emerges looking very wild and slightly embarrassed. 

She shares her garden it seems with half the village. Filling the frame with flower after flower I am lost in a world of delicious color. Startling blues, reds, yellows, dazzling white, delicate shades of pink. Purples to climb into and bask in serenity. I come to and see 2 old ladies bent, heads together weeding, and a gentleman working up a sweat mowing the lawn. 2 others are swapping gardening stories in a sunny corner. Come again she says as I leave. I finally put a face to a name I have been hearing for the last 18 years and meet her donkeys to boot.

Bit of that

High energy fix

New footpath and rusty bits

Bit of this

On the spur of the moment, I pop whippet in the car, instead of the anticipated bike ride, as bike has thorn in tyre, and nip up the road to explore a footpath.

We both have a spring in our step as this is new terrortry. The collection of vehicles I have often seen from the road, prove to be a graveyard. Vans, cattle trucks, ancient cars and even a nut crusher all nestle together quietly rusting away. I figure one at least would make a good retreat for a a gentleman of the road.

My eyes spy an old barn on a hill, I make this my goal, what a find, I love old barns. It is in the middle of nowhere, I see evidence of a yard that once surrounded it. And there half hidden by under growth is a bright blue tractor. When I tell man about the house is eyes sparkle and he says "is there indeed". I immediately sense he sees this as a potential addition to his own collection of rusty bits of metal.

Bit of that

Gentleman of the road

Shattered and humor sticks things

Bit of this

A loud clatter makes me jump. The mirror was shattered into large fragments. Some would say 7 years bad luck. I think the cat has used another of her 9 lives, had I fed her when she was pestering she would have been flat cat. 

They had chosen April fools day. Life is one huge joke. With the first sentence spoken, he was to be our undoing. He got under the British stiff upper lip. Told it how it was. Acknowledged the tragedy. And I am glad it was not a churchy glossing over of a life ended, because he never ever stood a chance. Bare facts for the 3 surviving siblings to hear. I don't think in all the years in the system anyone had told their story. "We all do the best we can at the time" he says.  We look at one another and wonder. And then Gary Nuwman blasts forth and encapsulates it all. 

I get lost in the world of a totally wacky play on R4. Involving buglers who steal the queens marriage certificate. It was just what I needed. A real tonic.

Bit of that

This bridge will only take you halfway there

To those mysterious lands you long to see:

Through gypsy camps and swirling Arab fairs

And moonlit woods where unicorns run free.

So come and walk awhile with me and share

The twisting trails and wondrous worlds I've known.

But this bridge will only take you half way there 

The last few steps you'll have to take alone.

Shel Silverstein