Monday … and some richness
After a poor start to the weekend on Friday and my subsequent non-post on Saturday; things seemed to improve. So much so, I feel a little ashamed and ungrateful that I should grumble so much about something so insignificant.
Saturday was much as usual; leisurely breakfast, some good music and some bonuses. I have already mentioned a lovely gift, also some good conversations on Skype and then a creative afternoon. In the evening there was some good TV have been enjoying Top of the lake. Even the teenage party next door gracefully faded into silence at around 10.30; that is such good manners!
Now I wonder why do I gloss over the lovely interludes; yet can wax lyrical or not so lyrical about the dreary things in my life.
Yesterday I woke as normal but the sun was not so obliging. However despite the greyness and the soft rain stepping out just after 5.30 am it was surprising warm and pleasant. It certainly wasn’t autumnal as I feared.
The sun did come from behind the clouds and the day went on from strength to strength in more ways than one.
I hope these images will go some way to address this outrageous imbalance and reflect the warmth and richness of my life and then return it to those who make my life whole.
Silent Sunday
A big thank you!!
Today I had a gift; not quite out of the blue but a gift nonetheless! I am delighted. A few weeks ago I went to a book making class not to be confused with bookbinding. It was a day’s workshop of folding, gluing, stitching and threading.We made two or three little booklets. I was really pleased with the result and plan to make some more and more important show my grandsons as well. I was able to give them a taster last weekend and they each learned to make a gathering stitched into a little card cover.
Since, I have been buying some tools and some basic materials so that I can practice my new found skill.
Meanwhile a fellow blogger in a bid to encourage me sent me a few bits and bobs; to add to the stock. I am very pleased and wish to thank her very much. I am looking forward to some more classes and an opportunity to practice.
Deidre I am particularly pleased with book … I will treasure it and use it !! Did you do the marbling on the papers?
Saturday … this is not a post
There will be no post today. It is a long story but the bottom line is, I am incompetent at anything technical. Since buying my first PC in 2000 I have needed guidance all the way. My partner, also shares my sense of ineptitude but with has an added handicap that doesn’t help. He doesn’t share my sense of adventure (can one be excited about a PC and not be technical? Perhaps this is my problem?) So while I love the idea of computers and get carried away with new opportunities; he remains; wondering ‘Why?’
So I grapple, overlooked always by a good colleague or friend with the complexities of a new PC. In time I can rest on my laurels. (You, keeping in mind that I have not necessarily learned or retained the new found knowledge; this is the problem; Where does it go?)
Meanwhile the ‘inbuilt obsolescence’ kicks in and the wonderful PC becomes dysfunctional.
Then the new machine comes with new whizzes and bangs and the difficulties they bring for me. Again, my friend sees me right. Looking back this is pretty much how it has been; peaks and troughs and not learning too much.
This passive attitude is probably due to the fact that I don’t have to engage fully with the technical
side of job in the library where there is always a IT person on hand.
I am not proud my complacency; relying on other people and asking for help is worse than having a dysfunctional PC.
So I do attempt to find ways to ‘learn’ or indeed get things working and using the new functions that inevitably come with the new machine.
I only have two difficulties with my recent charge which is worth celebrating! As it would seem with each new concept comes a dozen more applications some of which are lovely and I have no regrets.
But there is one thing that is much less attractive; the adverts that pop up everywhere as I speak there is one in Google docs saying I have ‘8 days left on MYPC backup. I have glaze over when I am reminded about ways I can save money, lose weight, or where can find a beautiful Russian woman!
My lovely laptop is littered with obscenity, in my opinion, and I have no ways in turning it off!
Another problem I have is supposedly overcome by a click. (Why am I not impressed when I read that!)
I have 109 cds on iTunes on my notebook (my last but one device) and I would like to access them on my new laptop.
iTunes Home Sharing it seems makes this easy. First it appears that I have to download the most recent ‘iTunes’ and that took 3 hours last night and as far as I can see nothing has changed. I asked lots of questions in Google that took me into the early hours (another reason why no post this morning)
Sadly my technical ineptitude previously discussed, won the day. I have a Notebook well passed its ‘sell by’ and a Nano, not so elderly but nonetheless no way I can see to access my music on my new laptop.
I am sorry there will be no post today, but business will resume tomorrow … meanwhile a cup of tea at least I can do that.
Friday’s Library Snapshot
These images come from Edmund Dulac’s picture-book for the French Red Cross.
They are among 19 colour plates by Edmund Dulac and there a photograph of the artist bt E.O. Hoppe.
The book is a compilation of stories such as Cinderella, Sinbad the sailor and Three kings of the Orient each with a painting.
The book was produced by Hodder and Stoughton for the Telegraph to raise money for French Red Cross … it is described as being a lovely expression of international brotherhood. It is said to be the best of gift books created to raise money for relief during the First World War.
Alphabe Thursday L is for Ladybird Books
Anyone who grew up in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s will have seen some of these iconic works published during the ‘golden age.’
Spanning thirty years in the middle of the last century (was it really that long ago) from post-war to hippie Britain, series such as the Key Word Reading Scheme, People at Work, Adventures from History, Well-Loved Tales, Natural History, Science, How It Works, and Achievements.
The Ladybird illustrations, noted for their closely observed detail and strong sense of place, truth and purpose provide a perfect social snapshot of the time. Innocent of modern-day innuendo or of the political and social interpretations we bring to them today, the pictures are delightful, touching and funny.
Further reading:- Boys and Girls: a Ladybird book of childhood.
A woman on Wednesday
![sybil_andrews[1]](https://i0.wp.com/nelabligh.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/sybil_andrews1.jpg?w=254&h=250&ssl=1 "sybil_andrews[1]")
Last week I was fortunate to be able to visit the St Edmundsbury Museum where the Sybil Andrews’ archive is stored.
I had done a little research but had only the bare bones. Sybil Andrews was born in Bury St Edmunds 1898 and died in British Columbia 1992. She began her career working for the Standard Motor Company in Bury St Edmunds as a torch welder. I understand that she did become an aircraft engineer in Bristol during the First World War and much later during the Second World War she was welding warships in Southampton docks. However, during this time she studied art part-time through a home correspondence course. She was unable to go to Art School then as she hoped; she was one of five children she was expected to work for her living. She worked hard getting up very early to do life study drawings of herself. In her book the Artist’s Kitchen she complains about the cold but goes on to say that it stood her in good stead when she was able to go to London to study. She also earned an income while teaching at the Portland School in Bury St Edmunds.
She come in contact with Cyril Power (1872-1951) about this time, he was 20 years older and was to become a very close friend and major influence on her development as a mature artist. Cyril Power was an architect, living nearby with his wife and family. He met Sybil when she was struggling over a drawing of a house in the street. He offered to give her tuition and so began a partnership that was to ‘set Sybil on a course for the rest of her life’
They went on regular expeditions around the town. Cyril would set very difficult buildings beside twisting, turning streets. Sybil proved to be a good student and in time they were able to have neighbouring studios in a very comfortable and elegant part of town with pleasant outlooks on all sides.
It was from this studio that Sybil Andrews organised her first public show while she was not yet 23 years old. Also, not yet developed her eye for shapes and rhythms and patterns of things …
to be continued.
Weekly Photo Challenge … Foreshadow
Foreshadow means we can take any image and put on ‘a spin’ and ‘enter’. Perfect! I can do that. But what about all the other implications we gather and put in the way? Mood, emptiness and fullness of the cup, and for my part all of the above and plain old age.
Like a diamond ring snuggling in a velvet box as suggested. What joy! It does of course mark a wonderful day in boy or girl’s life. I will never forget my (first) engagement ring and the happiness; never giving a second thought to the marriage and its lasting or indeed the diamond miner who risked life and limb for a few pounds to dig the stone out of the bowels of the earth. etc. etc.
For the past few weeks I have been walking at dawn each Sunday morning, since the a recent prompt to research the ‘golden hour.’ Now, there’s a perfect ‘foreshadow’ the rising of the sun and the upcoming moon. What delights and despairs will the day or night bring?
During these weeks I have recorded some foreshadows that will tilt the balance of this old cynic. Fortunately, for me the cup is usually half full, so for the most part I see positive opportunities in situations. I would not of course turn down flat a diamond ring without due consideration.
There is my entry for this weeks challenge; as usual still remains a challenge for all the above reasons and the mood on the day.
I like to garden, and do not like weeds; unless they are pretty. So I try and keep them at bay. Some of my neighbours have gone to great lengths to keep out the weeds and even not- weeds; so their wheelie bin or car has a weed free haven to park in. I laugh out loud when I see the weeds fight back!
So my walks and subsequent images reveal some rather unattractive foreshadows.
But I finish on a high, even my cynical nature was knocked speechless. My usual walk on the campus is a wonderful ‘managed place of beauty. Sadly, some student residences have built nearby. Fortunately the site has been blended in almost perfectly. Not so much architecturally; even an old cynic like me must understand there is little one can do to bricks, mortar and the darling residents (who pay my wages) to make them blend with nature.
However a hedge has been planted along the edge of the development where it meets the lake. Although it is very young; in time it will be a beautiful home for wildlife; there is little one can find wrong with a very long handsome hedge planted with native plants.
Monday and time for tea already …
As I return from my walk, gasping for a cup of tea; I wonder about its significance.Either now as a little or large ceremony I enjoy with rather nice tea and [or not] good company. Or then many years ago when tea was a staple and not just significant but fundamental; a basic necessity!
There is nothing like a cup of tea; I was going to call my blog A cup of tea. It has been a common feature in my life even I suppose while in the womb.
I remember quite clearly living on a houseboat with a modicum of home comforts. There would always be a stove, (with its unsaid necessary accoutrements … a blog post in its self), kettle, a small supply of water, matches, packet of tea, condensed milk, bag of sugar, array of cups in varying designs and condition and a spoon. Making of tea was the first task I learned at 2 or 3 years old, maybe not yet filling the kettle or lighting the stove; but pretty much getting the hang of it. This is seems the story of my life!
Once weaned me and my siblings would drink tea; warm and very sweet (or not depending on the the sugar supplies) for breakfast, dinner and tea. In between, was not an option; as snacking in those days was not done or even considered; mainly because of resources.
But tea was just tea; warming, cooling,comforting and sometimes the only nutrition a child might get if other stocks were getting low. Without a fridge, and still in the lock of wartime rationing the store cupboard was never full; rather more often empty. We lived a long way from local shops; anyway living beyond one’s means was not an option.
So often we would have empty tummies ‘til payday.
So when the tea packet was empty and the condensed milk can had been washed out for the third time and even our neighbours didn’t have a cup or sugar to spare we knew times were hard. (Borrowing from one’s neighbours was not believe to be ‘living beyond’ one’s means)
So once I had mastered making a cup of tea; I was ready to get the hang of shopping and always at the top was list 1/4 lb of PG Tips; never enough money to buy two to eke out the week and save a repeat drastic situation the next Saturday morning or sometimes sooner.
Sometimes I would attempt to make a cup of tea and while we had all of the above; the water can was empty this was not a so easily remedied by an eight year old and a 5 gallon can. Another time all the ingredients and water were good; but a spoon was missing; funny that teaspoons in our home had a habit of disappearing! There was a full set (Apostle spoons) bought from Woolworths when expecting visitors at Christmas time; perhaps? A celebration of course!! more than one teaspoon at any one time is a reason for a party! Shame we never have the saucers to give us a real ‘posh’ experience.
However I deviate.
The spoons would gradually disappear until we had one; that would be used for a weaning child; so a very valued commodity as we always seemed to have one in our home.
So tea is a big thing in my life …
Silent Sunday …
Coat Hanger Doll's House 