Weekly photo challenge … Dinner is it?
I go to Brazil once a year to see my beloved daughter; she, as you can imagine being so far away cannot join in with family events. So we spend three weeks catching up on every celebration she has missed out on! My son-in-law is bemused, as we ensure we say ‘cheers,’ ‘happy birthday,’ or ‘happy Christmas amounting to 365 times, when we sit down at mealtimes!
Even when we grab a mate in between meals we celebrate … but who wouldn’t!
Record Store Day
I went off piste on Saturday, and followed a dream by celebrating Record Shop Day. It is something I have wanted to do for a long time, perhaps decades. From a dormant place it has waited (the seed I mean) to continue since 1966. A long story but suffice to say that in 1966 my dreams were thwarted by ‘other’ worldly requirements. This of course was not all bad probably mostly quite acceptable.
However, as I fast forward; I have the remnants of a collection of LPs begun then, and while my love of contemporary music has continued, I have collection of CDs.
Since space has become a serious issue in my tiny home and in particular my studio I have taken to downloading and listening to Radio 6 Music.
I have a passion for the voices of women and especially those who make loud noise; so my collection is predominantly women and mostly those from my generation.
So my dream is to perhaps to find a space for a few records that didn’t make it to my collection way back then … and also add some early punk that escaped me while I had a young family.
So while Janis Joplin is not chronologically correct … she seems a nice place to start and I don’t think they have seen the last of me at The Sound Machine … as they had a nice album by Patti Smith, that was a little out of my price range.
Silent Sunday …
Greenwich ‘mean’ time
Four hours dangle in the hemisphere.
Like notes between two staves
North south divides the beat of two hearts.
Latitude and longitude tantalisingly
Yet jealously apart.
Putting on brave faces,
Smile at good fortune and opportunities.
Not considering the what ifs?
Defying the come what may?
On Skype so near yet dangerously far.
The political unrest begs comparison.
Yet we scoff at each others disrepair.
Unable to comprehend
Out of tune
As democracy fails us like the destiny of time
Then for her the cool breeze of late summer
Lightens the load
Me the warmth of the sun and buds of spring
Bring music … hope
But still those four hours hurt.
Friday’s snapshot from the library …
Today’s snapshot from the Cole Collection; a funny creature that made me smile.When the books about anatomy become a little tedious, dipping into folio sized books, those more likely to have ‘pictures,’ is sometimes refreshing.
For me on Thursday …
Ennui is the mother of anxiety and self obsession
Relaxation and time for tea
Envelops fatigue and removes it
Giving time for more pleasing pursuits
And drinking more tea … or coffee.
Bringing the countryside into the town
Looking for a Tea Shop …
Tea and cake
In a bid to discover the whereabouts of local independent cafes on Reading I have decided to get out about to find them. I help to run a little tea shop and exhibition space and intrigued to know how others face the public with all their diversities and create a welcoming space.
My Cafe is not to make profit but there are still issues as regards customer care and health and safety that have be considered as well. So I am hoping that my endeavours over the summer will prove helpful and fun!
So this weekend I set off and found a very pretty cafe, tea and gluten free cakes as coeliac I find this a nice combination. Sadly, it went downhill after that. I ventured in and stood a queue behind a couple, who were buying drinks before they sat down, noticing me and the only vacant seat she instructed her husband in no uncertain times to pay while she ‘grabbed’ a seat (her terms) she went on to throw her bags on to the settee that would have seated at least 4 people.
I turned round and walked out; shot myself in the foot? Perhaps. I instead returned to a familiar haunt (not independent) but guaranteed a friendly welcome, reasonable tea and a perfectly adequate range of gluten free cakes.
I was not ready to share a table even if I was invited to sit with bossy woman … I have have much to learn.
for example the last person through your door is as important as the first … the welcoming attitude comes before grabbing money and seats.
A poem
The Cafe Warrior
With pad and pencil
And a thirst
For a cup of tea and cake?
First line of her novel?
No!
Just somewhere to sit.
Weekly Photo Challenge … Future
Without sounding morbid and gloomy; I have come to the conclusion that I am now living my future. It would seem that lately of my generation are dying. While I am not suffering from a terminal illness and my end is not imminent; I will not begin to worry.
However, if I have any plans for the future perhaps I should not wait any longer. I am at a loss as to how I can demonstrate this urgency in a snapshot so it enough to say that … I am considering retiring soon but meantime cake calls …
Good feedback …
Today is Monday and already it has been a good week!
I have begun a little decluttering exercise that has proved to be successful; with a few bags of stuff taken to the charity shop.
A new blog started with my first post and already a few likes.
Then I have just received flowers! I rarely have blooms delivered so I thought there had been a mistake.
But no!
A week or so back I received an email from a company, I buy from occasionally especially at sale time, asking for feedback.
I do try and give feedback good or bad; but sometimes it doesn’t seem appropriate or necessary. This time I did, happily, honesty and positively; because over the years and it has been few, either online or in the shop I have always had good service and I really enjoy wearing their clothes!
I really didn’t expect to hear any more; feedback for feedback didn’t seem right!
But I did!
Some kind words and a refund for an item I bought a month or so back; then this morning an orchid with some grateful words …
Allsaints you made my week …
Coat Hanger Doll's House 