tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55751852594677387812012-05-24T22:06:53.754+01:00Thorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765308896852026630noreply@blogger.comBlogger164125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575185259467738781.post-82284548927065572382012-05-24T22:06:00.000+01:002012-05-24T22:06:53.758+01:002012-05-24T22:06:53.758+01:00

I love these evenings, when the sky doesn't darken until much later than I'm used to at this time of year.  We are much farther north than where I used to live, so the light is always much longer.  Until the turnaround at the Summer Solstice, the sky will be lighter and lighter, later and later.  That goes for the morning, too, lighter and lighter, earlier and earlier. So here's a shot of the

Thorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765308896852026630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575185259467738781.post-35144892669184113632012-05-20T18:48:00.000+01:002012-05-20T18:48:36.707+01:002012-05-20T18:48:36.707+01:00

This is perhaps the last day of inhospitable, unseasonal weather.  It's still cool out there, and so very slowly the flowers are coming out. Here are some roses - finally! Here are the Alliums and the bulb I can't remember the name of - they should actually be finished by now. Not fully open yet in all their pom-pom glory. However, we seem to be promised, this week, a taste of Spring. 

Thorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765308896852026630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575185259467738781.post-39101277232370358262012-05-15T16:16:00.001+01:002012-05-15T16:16:28.514+01:002012-05-15T16:16:28.514+01:00

My trusty electric lawn mower and I. I would highly recommend that you never let the grass get this long before cutting it. I should have done this a month ago, or even six weeks.  There were opportunities, here and there, as far back as late March/early April.  That's when we had the nicest weather of the year thus far.  But no, I must have thought, "it's okay, I can do it next weekend ..."

Thorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765308896852026630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575185259467738781.post-53595144309083471752012-05-13T15:20:00.001+01:002012-05-13T15:20:56.486+01:002012-05-13T15:20:56.486+01:00

I am trying to see if I can write a post from my new "toy" (that would be an iPad). Keyboard takes a bit of getting used to and just for fun, let's try a photograph. Not without a bit of bother and a (thankfully) free app. Now that I just spent an hour on google trying to solve the problem, next time it might be a little faster ... So theoretically, yes, I can publish a post from my iPad.

Thorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765308896852026630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575185259467738781.post-68866793947284534072012-05-07T20:18:00.000+01:002012-05-07T20:18:15.418+01:002012-05-07T20:18:15.418+01:00

At long last.  I have done something out there.  Oh my, it needed it. Weeding was top priority, even if when I started it was sprinkling a bit.  At least it was slightly warmer today, so I wouldn't need to keep going back into the house to keep warm.  Ugh, that right border!  What is all that? I stepped in cat poop at least once, and did a "Carrie" at the outside tap.  Slightly less

Thorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765308896852026630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575185259467738781.post-75068079345505397722012-05-05T12:07:00.000+01:002012-05-05T12:07:16.612+01:002012-05-05T12:07:16.612+01:00

of easy care, perennial flowering shrubs for the left border: Skimmia Japonica but with these, you need both male and female variety in order to obtain fruit.  So that's two of these. Glossy Abelia This is a must.  It has THE most fragrant, fragrant flowers and blooms in the Autumn.  I pass it on my walk to work in the morning and it stopped me dead in my tracks because of the

Thorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765308896852026630noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575185259467738781.post-74424107507139586282012-04-25T10:05:00.000+01:002012-04-25T10:05:22.766+01:002012-04-25T10:05:22.766+01:00

Nice. Been like this since I returned. Did someone say hosepipe ban?

Thorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765308896852026630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575185259467738781.post-66505195381238236922012-04-22T17:45:00.001+01:002012-04-22T17:52:20.811+01:002012-04-22T17:52:20.811+01:00

I'm still complaining about the fact that I have had so few weekends lately. I cannot complain, of course, about the previous two seeing as I was in the Midwest having a wonderful visit with friends and family, but this weekend, here again ... Being at work today and halfway across London doesn't help of course, but neither does the weather. I see SO much that needs to be done - grass cut,

Thorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765308896852026630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575185259467738781.post-45579428257686186412012-04-10T04:33:00.012+01:002012-04-22T17:31:43.478+01:002012-04-22T17:31:43.478+01:00

At last. Almost a year later, I was able to plant in this lovely little space. Twelve foot wide, and at the deepest, seven foot down. A small but perfectly formed space which is my parents' new garden. Nothing too arduous or time consuming to look after, perennials the lot of them, to come back and bring joy year after year. My first new garden creation in a long time. So, off to the

Thorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765308896852026630noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575185259467738781.post-72240384653196447862012-03-18T13:10:00.008Z2012-03-19T11:01:33.678Z2012-03-19T11:01:33.678Z

Yes, it's that time of year again, for the Affordable Art Fair to set up shop in Battersea Park, and keep me from gardening. It was quite mild this year, which made a nice change (although not as amazingly nice as Chicago, so I understand). So, following on from tradition, I present you with my personal highlights of the Affordable Art Fair Spring Collection 2012. Just a small fraction of the

Thorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765308896852026630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575185259467738781.post-89096233782147451132012-03-12T21:26:00.004Z2012-03-12T21:35:01.058Z2012-03-12T21:35:01.058Z

When I was very small, I had several books by a poet and illustrator named Joan Walsh Anglund. It was very sweet stuff, fitting for a little girl. I think I had a doll, too.I'm not sure why one of the poems has stayed with me all these years. Perhaps it started my fascination with England, even at such a young age (which was subsequently fed upon a steady diet of Masterpiece Theatre and Monty

Thorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765308896852026630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575185259467738781.post-21239624990592961992012-03-03T21:41:00.003Z2012-03-03T21:51:11.150Z2012-03-03T21:51:11.150Z

Okay, so if you try to take these shots hand-held, it's interesting how squiggly they become, because as still as you think you are being, you're not.I hope you can just about make out the little dot that is Mars, in Virgo in the second photo. The moon is currently in Cancer, but not too far away from full on the 8th, in Virgo.Still stunning how Jupiter and Venus shine so brightly in the early

Thorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765308896852026630noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575185259467738781.post-28351496131206769642012-03-02T11:47:00.004Z2012-03-02T11:50:36.074Z2012-03-02T11:50:36.074Z

Just a big shout out to all my fellow Pisces in this, Pisces season, for a very Happy Birthday whether recently, or today, or in the near future (including my best friend, today! and my sweet sister on Tuesday). Pisces power!

Thorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765308896852026630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575185259467738781.post-5265667284160926272012-02-20T16:49:00.002Z2012-02-20T16:53:44.260Z2012-02-20T16:53:44.260Z

This in the news today:"The south east of England is now in a state of drought, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has said. The region joins parts of eastern England which have been drought-afflicted since last summer, with some reservoirs, rivers and groundwater aquifers in the South East well below normal levels after two dry winters. The state of drought in the region

Thorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765308896852026630noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575185259467738781.post-9218757246253827262012-02-14T12:00:00.001Z2012-02-14T12:00:17.501Z2012-02-14T12:00:17.501Z

One year ago today, I got the most wonderful, unexpected, out-of-the-blue phone call of my life. And it made me ridiculously happy, and still does to this day, and always will.It's just a coincidence that it happened to fall on this date in the calendar.So happy Hallmark-created "day of love" to everyone, which to be honest I've never particularly been a fan of, but hey here's a thought -Love,

Thorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765308896852026630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575185259467738781.post-79362427702589302162012-02-13T21:10:00.003Z2012-02-13T21:44:17.459Z2012-02-13T21:44:17.459Z

Well actually it's not the cats being away, it's the man. All cat stuff breaks loose.Ginger of course is in and out every day, and meowing like a big voiced cat that is just ... oh he drives me crazy sometimes. But I love the little guy.This evening, as I have the night to myself, I discovered Big Brother outside the back door. I let him in of course, it's been about a week since I've seen him

Thorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765308896852026630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575185259467738781.post-51603044681778551202012-02-08T14:07:00.001Z2012-02-08T14:07:00.601Z2012-02-08T14:07:00.601Z

Ah, the daffodil.I love the way, after a few days, thisbecomes this.I was quite surprised to see them in the shops this early, and British grown - perhaps it was before the snow hit, or from a greenhouse. They sell them in bunches for £1.00, and you find yourself carrying armfuls home, and dotting them around the house.It makes a nice shot of bright yellow into what is usually a dreary month.

Thorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765308896852026630noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575185259467738781.post-18657839777466139462012-02-05T18:30:00.000Z2012-02-05T18:30:00.973Z2012-02-05T18:30:00.973Z

has it's uses. I've been very productive on this snowbound Sunday.I made a batch of yoghurt - very easy of course since I use Easi-Yo. Bio Manuka Honey, this batch, lovely for breakfast with the right cereal and some berries (Grape Nuts are preferable, but they are hard to find here).I finally got rid of all the eggshells hanging around, waiting to go out to compost. Which means the

Thorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765308896852026630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575185259467738781.post-52759779318195481452012-02-05T13:00:00.006Z2012-02-05T13:51:32.517Z2012-02-05T13:51:32.517Z

Well no, not really, I just like that word, only a couple of inches fell. Although, with the way a few inches of snow affects the transport system in this country, you would think it was. At least it snowed over Saturday night, so fingers crossed the Monday Morning Rush Hour won't be too hellacious. Here's hoping, as British Rail has a good 24 hours to sort themselves out.The view from my

Thorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765308896852026630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575185259467738781.post-63384482239635579282012-01-31T21:45:00.000Z2012-01-31T21:45:00.735Z2012-01-31T21:45:00.735Z

make good neighbours. That's an old saying here. I don't know where it comes from, but it's true. None of your see-through chain link in this country, oh no. A good fence is about protection, and privacy. We like our panels here, whether they be waney-lap or shiplap. Six foot high, preferably.This was our fence between us and the property next door. It was pretty bad when we moved in, and then we

Thorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765308896852026630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575185259467738781.post-21068174138112720012012-01-23T21:24:00.003Z2012-01-23T21:59:42.246Z2012-01-23T21:59:42.246Z

In fact exactly, to the day, six years ago, this little chickie had a problem. Her legs went funny, very funny, she was having trouble walking, so she went to the local NHS walk-in centre. They sent her to the A&E (ER). To the finest hopsital for neurological problems that exists in Europe, to say the least, King's College Hospital (interesting that, I thought, as I got my PhD from King's College

Thorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765308896852026630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575185259467738781.post-69584534966311542722012-01-18T12:51:00.000Z2012-01-18T12:51:56.858Z2012-01-18T12:51:56.858Z

Behind The Scenes Of The International Art Fair « CBS Los AngelesOut of general interest, I thought I'd share this link to an interview with the founder of the Affordable Art Fair, Will Ramsay, the day before the opening of the newest AAF in Los Angeles.Happy reading/viewing!

Thorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765308896852026630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575185259467738781.post-79527205075896799992012-01-15T17:19:00.006Z2012-01-15T17:48:06.646Z2012-01-15T17:48:06.646Z

yes absolutely, I agree, the jasmine is getting out of control and must be cut back. I mean, it's growing over and through the neighbour's fence. That plant needs some serious trimming.Beautiful of course though it is, with that delicious scent that is just heaven in the summertime. No, it needed a trim.Um ....I guess there was some misunderstanding between my "cut it back" and his "cut it down

Thorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765308896852026630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575185259467738781.post-5963903840851775272012-01-10T22:49:00.002Z2012-01-10T22:52:37.882Z2012-01-10T22:52:37.882Z

Yes, well. This song came on the radio tonight (WXRT, Chicago's Finest Rock) and as Ginger was in my arms anyway, we ended up dancing around the kitchen. Me singing to him. I don't think he appreciated it much, but hey, I saw the Stray Cats at the Aragon Ballroom so it was perhaps more of a special moment for me, than for him.He seemed to be hacked off by it actually, and went out the cat flap

Thorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765308896852026630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5575185259467738781.post-42964504822879930072011-12-31T00:02:00.001Z2011-12-31T22:06:34.171Z2011-12-31T22:06:34.171Z

Wishing everyone a very Happy, Healthy, Prosperous New Year -And sincerely hoping that 2012 brings you everything you desire.Happy New Year, with much love!

Thorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765308896852026630noreply@blogger.com1