Monday's Monochrome - Tombs & Statues!

This subject for Aleni's Monochrome Weekly theme was destined for last Monday.
However, I didn't have to heart to post it due to Miss Snickers demise!
Taken @ the other weekend, this is St Mary Magdelan Church's graveyard - being in central Dreamingspires & nicely sheltered, Autumn comes late there, so despite the recent gales & rain, there's still or were, leaves on the trees, hence the dappled light...

Camera Critters Sunday - The Night Singer!

This is my post intended for last Sunday!
But put on hold re a single photo because I wanted to do the 'right thing' re an image not mine!
However, since my polite email request re using this 'Copyright' photo has still recieved no reply, & having checked throughly the website of the photographer concerned, I can't find my Robin card anywhere, because it is maybe 10 years old, I'm using it anyway!

The other night & not for the first time either recently, I woke in small hours, to hear a bird singing away in the dark.
A Nightingale or Nightjar, sprang to mind but, they are only Summer visitors to Britain & should be in Africa by now.
My night-time singer is a Robin & he's probably in my garden's Apple trees.
Regrettably, this fine Robin Red Breast image is NOT mine...It's the work of a talented Oxfordshire photographer Craig Churchill.
I acquired 'Robin' as greetings card, a number of years ago - it was one, I couldn't bare to part with.
Anyway back to my songster - most days this month I've seen him with his fine red breast, which is @ it's brightest right now, flitting about the garden - he @ least appreciates it's over grown bushes & back to nature feel!
And, he's a friendly cheeky chappy too i.e. he doesn't fly off far, when I do venture down to the Apple trees, to refill my bird feeders that hang there; he's even learnt how to feed from them too - perching precariously on the one containing sunflower bird seed.
Sorry - I can't help myself - I have to say 'If only, if only I had a zoom'!
Robins are one of the few birds that hold a territory throughout the Winter, & mine is defending his bigtime!
The Tit family have regular daily run ins with him while trying to feed.
And, it's his aggressive defence of his domain that's causing him to sing @ night!
The street lamps ensure that it never gets completely dark & neighbours security lights that come on @ the slightest movement, are tricking him into thinking dawns come early, so he'd better start singing out to announce his presence.
I've also read, that unexpected loud noises @ night @ this time of year, will also disturb Robins & act as a trigger to sing out.
My 'Mr Robin Red-Breast', sings exceedingly well, and when his handsome chest's attracted a new mate, they will I imagine, nest in the rickety garden shed behind the Apple trees come Spring.

Blessings as in Awards!

Gosh, sometimes I procrastinate too long!

Earlier this week, I received this delightful Thanks Giving award from the Rocky Creek Scotties...Thanks pups!

But, today I recieved it again, from dear Maggie & Mitch, who I planned to send it to!

I am very touched to have been awarded ie 'blessed' twice within my small blogland group of friends!

So, now who to pass it on to???

The idea is to send to who 'Bless' your blog day

Rocky Creek Scotties said ten recipients, Maggie & Mitch just five???

Okay, to start with it goes straight back to both of them both, without question!

And next, the awards originaters WFT's Jake and Fergi.

The rest is harder as I have many blog friends I consider a 'Blessing'.

BJ, & Ginger Jasper for two for sure.

Cousin Misses Peach as she is 'dear family';

Sally, Paddy & their Diana;

Agatha & Archie & their PL2 [LOL - another Diana!]

Okay, just two left...

Angie, a lady in Australia, who shares my love of Brighton!

And, Wilma, whose out look on life never ceases to amuse/inspire me!

Saturday Photo Hunt - Technology!

This weeks prompt by host tnchick left me challenged, as my life is very low tech.

Hey, I still have a record-deck...Which I was for once actually playing last night re reliving life's past musical memories!
Had the volume maxed too, as still have an empty house one side of my terraced home & with my other adjoining neighbours away on holiday in France - why not - my walls seriously rocked!!!
And, what was I playing?
Well, it was it was a pretty diverse mix & quite a long session and included LP's from:-
Michael Jackson; Black's 'Wonderful Life'; Barbara Streisand 'Guilty'; Meat Loaf 'A Bat out of Hell' ; Al Stewart 'The Year of the Cat'; John Fogerty 'Centerfield', Rod Stewart 'Sailing'; Fleetwood Mac's 'Rumours'; Donald Fagen 'Nightfly'; Mike & the Mechanic's; Chris Rea 'On the Beach'; Camel 'Stationary Traveller' & Huey Lewis & the News 'Fore'!
Artists Chris Rea & Huey Lewis I saw 'live' in concert in London in the Eighties - Wow!
Albums like Al Stewart, Camel & Donald Fagan & others relate to the time I lived with a real music buff!
Simeon, on earlier blogs called The Sandwichman, was my beloved Springer Spaniel Hero's original owner, for a while my business partner & responsible for me starting my cake concern mentioned earlier this week - he with friends in the record industry broadened my taste.

Sky Watch Friday - Lincoln's Spire and more!

Yesterday after my 'Why I Feature Cakes' post, and TY for the kind responses re it , the cakes will definitely continue on True Colours Thursday - I hurried off to town for late lunchtime get together with Jenn, a former District Nurse friend from the days of me caring for my Mother @ home.
My destination the Mitre Inn but more of that later, is adjacent to Lincoln College, part of the University, whose most striking feature is perhaps this, it's library building, previously the 18th century church All Saints...The spire is home to a full peal of eight bells, which are still rung regularly by the Dreamingspires Society of Change-Ringers, and on special occasions, like the election of a new Rector to Lincoln's chapel.
I mention this, because I personally love the sound of the bells, ringing out across the city.
Others I know find them just an irritating noise, but not me.
If, & it is a BIG if, I'd ever had married, & an even bigger if, it had been in a church, I would have definitely wanted a special full peal rung for me on my wedding day.

Anyway, back to my lunch date!
When I read this quote recently...
"I have noticed that people who are late are often so much jollier than the people who have to wait for them"
E. V. Lucas - English writer
[1868 - 1938]

Former nurse Jenn instantly sprang to mind as she is habitually late.

I frequently wonder how she ever manages to run her now, private care service, as I've never known her ever to be on time!

Yesterday was no exception.

We'd agreed to meet @ the Mitre Inn on the High @ 1pm.

After waiting 30 minutes, I phoned her mobile.

"I'm on my way!" was the ever so bright response.

Eventually @ well past 2, she bounced in full of smiles & apologies.

As for me, by then I was was coffee'd out & caffeine irritable, and not for the first time!

But, we still had a good visit together, as it is genuinely nice she keeps in touch with me, even though seeing her does always bring back sad memories - of all the able nurses, who came in to help me, Jenn was the most caring, the most thoughtful re my Mother and of me and the only one who followed up after she died!

Now for a bit more local history!

Sections of the present day Mitre Inn, where we met, dates from around 1630, but there's was an inn on the site long before that.

The property belongs to Lincoln College, of the Spire, and the hostelries name probably derives from the college's coat of arms, which depicts the Bishop of Lincoln's mitre - poor image re low sunlight...

Once upon a time it was an important Coaching Inn in the city with extensive stables @ the rear; as from as early as the 17th century there were daily coaches running between London & the Mitre!

It wasn't til 1926, that it became simply a hotel & the horses stables were converted to the Turl Bar, in Turl Street.

During the Second World war when my older cousin Lucy-Lu, now in Prairieland was nursing in Dreamingspires, the Mitre Hotel, was THE place to entertain ones gentlemen friends & visitors and partake of afternoon tea, which I understand she did frequently there!

My own Mother visited there then too.

And once she moved to live with me, we frequented it together for schooners of lunch time Sherry!

The hotel business side ceased in the late Sixties when Lincoln College turned the upper rooms into student accommodation & leased the ground floor out for use as a bar & restaurant, initially a Berni Inn - it's been a steak house ever since, but many places has had to diversify re all day licenced opening, so is now once again serving afternoon teas & coffees.

I will add that Jenn & I did supplement our final one with a Kahlua liqueur!

Why I Feature Cakes on True Colours Thurday!

I know, I should know better by now than rise to the bait of a sad Anonymous commenter, but I can never help myself when on put on the defensive!
I received this earlier today on my True Colours True - Orange post:-
"What is it with you & your bloody cakes???
Doubt that you could even bake one!"

Well, Anon, I certainly can bake cakes, so there!!!
Not for you, but for other friends who may wonder about this regular feature - here's the story behind it:-
I infact, successfully made my living making cakes & flapjacks - granola bars to some, for 12+ years!
Those who really know me, know I have the ideal surname name for a cookery concern & I used it in conjunctions with cakes to my full advantage during the 1980/90's!!!
Mine was a personally labour intensive business, I worked from home, mainly on my own & supplied daily a variety of College Tuck shops, student frequented local stores, even Dreamingpires Playhouse & the cult Phoenix cinema's cafe's.
However, bake as I could back then, and as a child play creatively well with Plasticine or Play Dough, the technical skills re icing & marzipan design eluded me, so I always ending up making the Wedding Cake & leaving it to others to decorate it - very frustrating!
Which is why, I so admire the highly artistic, talented work carried out @ the Celebration Cake Shop.
Every single day there is something colourful & new to see, via their huge panoramic windows, that mean you can watch as some of my photo's try to show the creating/decorating cake process.
This is from a while back, previously posted on Woodstock's blog...For those who wonder why I left my cake making career!
New Government legislation re 'Health & Safety', made it impossible for me to continue to work from home.
Sort of ironic as a Government Initiative grant set up 'Cooks Cakes' in business & I had meet all the requirements asked of me over the years, hence having a kitchen still with four fridges & two cookers!!!
But, I was small time, I had already adapted my home enough into a bakery.
And, there was no way could I afford a move to a costly, impersonal industrial stainless steel unit, so I called it a day!

True Colours Thursday - ORANGE, AND Happy American Thanks-Giving Day!

I selected this colour, perhaps more associated with Halloween than Thanks-Giving for today, because having personally celebrated a Canadian Thank-Giving, which occurred last month, I fondly recall my Prairieland cousin Headmistress making an ORANGE table decoration, the finished result was much finer than this scanned photo shows...And, she baked Squash & yummy, yummy, yummy Pumpkin Pie for the family feast - I loved both!

So, here's wishing my many good friends in the States a Happy Thanks-Giving with a blast of Pumpkin ORANGE...

Continuing with the Kensitas Cigarette Silk Flower cards, this from the 1933 Series is appropiately, an American bloom - Eschscholtzia, more commonly known as Californian Poppy ...Apparently, the flowers formal name comes from a Dr Eschwholtz who explored the botany of California in 1815 - while early Spanish explorers noticing the ORANGE poppies, native to the area, called the California Coast 'the land of fire'.

And, my own garden's version from this years, now distant Summer... I do have a Pumpkin Cake, but as it's greetings read 'Happy Halloween', I've opted for this dark ORANGE guitar instead, snapped through the Celebration Cake Shop's window just a few days ago...
To join True Colours Thursday, all you need, is to post a photo/photographs & text, or better still both, on the specified colour of the week.
If you simply want to use the idea as a 'prompt' for a post, as I do now, with many memes, that is fine with me.
But, if, you'd like others including me, to visit you, please leave a comment below, so we know you are 'IN'!
For this meme only, I lift my 'Comment Moderation' to help players connect with each other.
Everyone, who to my knowledge has participated recently, is named in the TCT Roll Call in my side bar.
Next weeks colour is CREAM & I'm NOT thinking calorific sort!

Wordless Wednesday - Family Pedal Power!

Today's Flowers on Tuesday - A Cyclamen Delight!

One of the few, very few pot-plants that I have, that have survived, along with my Orchid from last week, my total lack of 'Green Fingeredness' - is this Cyclamen, once a very much, nutured green / hot-house flower of friends, who gave it to me when they moved, not knowing my non existant gardening skills...I love it's vibrant colour, that brightens my kitchen window on another damp grey, wet day like today.
Just hope I can keep it flowering for another year, this is amazingly my third - Wow!
All I can add is, Cyclamen are a LOT hardier than they look!
Today's Flowers home is HERE!

Barkday Greetings to Mitch!

After the sad demise of Miss Snickers, it feels good to have something to celebrate!
I, who for personal reasons chooses to remain dogless, takes her friendships made via Dogs With Blogs very seriously, as many have become the real thing, as is in the case with Mitch & his family, even though we will probably never meet.
From the moment I saw him, now many, many moons ago, I've always loved the winning look in this rather special Airedale boy's bright appealing eyes - just look @ them - the innocence - they can melt hearts & certainly do mine [Mitch's photo is courtesy of his Mom & sister Maggie]...And, as I know, he loves Apples big time, I'm 'virtually' sending him a few from my own garden!
Hope you get the real thing thing too and ice-cream and pizza!!!
A very Happy Barkday Mitch!

Farewell Miss Snickers!

"You think dogs will NOT be in heaven?
I tell you, they will be there long before us!"
Robert Louis Stevenson
[1850 - 1894]

I've come late to yesterdays distressing news re Miss Snickers.
I only learnt this morning that her much wished for 'miracle' didn't happen.
Despite last Saturday's 'Worldwide Moment for Snickers', she finally lost her brave battle for life.
My heart aches for her family, who let her go out of love.
May plucky Snickers who wore such pretty outfits made by her Moma, be running happy & pain free over @ the Rainbow Bridge, with my childhood WFT 'sister' Judy, who also wore dresses - my baby / dolls clothes with a 'smile' too!
And, I know all the other wonderful 'fur-kids', we have ALL loved & lost, as their lives are too short compared with our own, will have welcomed her too.

It is amazing how grief stricken you can feel about a pup you don't physically know?
That is the closeness of the DWB community, of which I am a proud honorary 'human' member.

'Copyright'!

My post today is on hold.
Why?
Because of 'Copyright', on a particularly fine photo of a Robin that isn't mine!
In this case it belongs to a professional photographer, who I understand wants to protect his images, his living, so I have sort his approval.
But, I do note that using pictures that are not your own seems to have become a major issue!
I've never thought it necessary to safe guard my own, they're just snaps to me!
But, I'm beginning to wonder, as every time, I turn round re using, innocently on my part, a photo of others on my Blog, despite always making a point of giving Credits/Links to their source I find 'Copyright Restrictions' attached.
And, I will add this is not an attack @ the photo permission I am waiting on - it's a personal reflection!
However, I do begin to wonder about my own photo's posted daily on my blogs???
Okay, most are just simple digital pictures, quickly taken, but some I am seriously proud of, yet I've never thought to protect them.
I photo for the fun of it - it's my hobby/my pleasure - my blog's my beneficiaries!
I'm proud to see / share my photo's elsewhere!
Unless that was, to a commercial money making site using them without recommence to me, when I so, need cash.
Not that has happened or is likely too!
BUT, I guess that is the concern!
We share images freely here, but where do they end up via Blogger???

Saturday Photo Hunt - Bird(s), PLUS Color Carnival & Camera Critters Sunday early!

Three memes in one today, with just a single photo, that has to be a first, even for me!
Now, since there is no way I can capture close ups of small birds like Blue-Tits or Robins, imagine my delight, when visiting the Garden Centre in Kent the other week, to find these...No zoom lens was required & pleasingly, they did not fly off when approached!

Tnchick prompt's Saturday's Photo Hunt.
Martha is the creator & host of Color Carnival.
And, Camera Critters is Misty Dawn's creation - the blog is HERE!

Children in Need 2009!

I openly admit I am not child friendly - no maternal bones in my body unless it's an animal!

But, the annual Children in Need charity appeal run by BBC tv to raise funds for dis-advantaged children in the UK does generally get my support - maybe it's because as a bear lover, of their mascot Pudsey, seen here with Woodstock...

But, I like to think I am not quite as shallow as that???

For once, Dreamingspires had no active fund raising in the city, so will do my bit via the TV telefone programme tonight.

Sky Watch Friday - St Aldates!

It's been an odd week weather wise!
A mixture of pleasant blue skies one minute, then grey with strong, strong winds & heavy rainfall the next and more of the same is forecast for the days ahead.
Thankfully, no floods have ensued locally, unlike elsewhere in the UK, particularly Cumbria where hundreds of people were rescued last night from their homes due to rising water levels.
And, a Policeman helping evacuate folks, was swept away when a bridge collapsed beneath him!
The Winds, I'm not enjoying - as several of my window panes rattle worryingly!!!
I know I should have had them re-puttied this Summer.
Tutt -Tutt, on my part!
This quote describes me & my increasingly dilapidated terraced home to a T...
"Our houses are such unwieldy property that we are often imprisoned rather than housed by them."
Henry David Thoreau
[1817 - 1862]

Moving on - hopefully next year to Brighton[!]...
I only made it into town when it was briefly sunny, and when my aches, pains, & bruises, a consequence of my stupid fall last weekend due to wet slippery leaves, let me.
TY for all the kind words re this latest mishap of mine - I am OK - just a clumsy Clutz!
This is from my one walk up St Aldates - the turret on the right is part of Christ Church...And the gated archway, is a side gated entrance to the college, used in the days of 'Coach & Horses', when the carriages of wealthy parents came calling on their academically blessed prodigy...
For more interesting skies from around the world - ALL 349 plus of them, last weeks total, the designated blog is HERE!
Skywatch it seems, is now even on Facebook!

Purr-day Greetings to Ginger Jasper!

Now, I still have to personally encounter this friendly furball of a blogging pusscat, but having meet Ginger Jasper's great folks Carol & Barrie, the other month when they visted Dreamingspires, I feel we have a connection.

And, even more so because of this...

Yes, it could be a portrait of Jasper & I've lived with it for many, many happy years!

I gave up attempting to photograph 'him' in location, ie on my living rooms wall, due to the **** flash reflection on the Clip-Art glass frame, so the above is a scanned image of this delightful Birthday Card given to me by my Mother in 1988!

The work is by artist Patrick, copyright Gorden Fraser Cards.
My Mother & I, though both doggy people, loved the picture, hence framing the card all that time ago.

Happy Purr-day Jasper!

Photo courtesy of his 'Mum' Carol.

True Colours Thursday - LAPIS LAZULI!

In the world of gemstones, after Diamonds - well, they are said to be 'A Girl's Best Friend', and monetarily I do believe it - I adore the bright blue of LAPIS LAZULI, which takes it's name from the Persian word 'lazhuward' meaning blue - present day war torn Afghanistan is still the primary source of this gemstone.
From my enjoyable time managing Cetlic/New Age business 'Otherworld' & selling crystals amongst many other things, I have have two pieces of LAPIS LAZULI.
This blue rock, is it in its very raw state...The next piece has been polished, so the gold flecks of Iron Pyrite sparkle through...The ancient Egyptians believed the flecks in the deep blue stone resembled the the stars in the heavens!
And, in the world of 'Crystal Magic', LAPIS, is believed to expand both the awareness & intellect of the mind, bringing clarity & understanding, as well as helping over come depression!
I should therefore, wear my prized ring much more often...I bought it with Christmas gift money from Little Buddy because I loved the shape & colour.
But, memories of our time together in Italy, are to be found in another present.
On this occassion actually purchased by him, with the aid of a few none to subtle hints!
These vibrant, extremely soft supple Italian leather gloves lined with warm cosy Cashmere, come from Giorgio Sermoneta, the specialist glove makers found @ the foot of the Spanish Steps in Rome, the match shawl is my addition...Keeping things current, Notcutts Garden Centre provided these LAPIS pots to brighten any patio...And, I also have another Kensitas Cigarette Silk Flower card, this time Phlox, No 43 from Series One... Per the cards quote, Longfellow wrote...
"Gorgeous flowerets in the sun light shining,
Blossoms flauting in the eye of day"

This week Celebration Cake Shop's offering is about sailing the bright blue seas, which the cakes recipient must enjoy....

To join True Colours Thursday, all you need, is to post a photo/photographs & text, or better still both, on the specified colour of the week.
If you simply want to use the idea as a 'prompt' for a post, as I do now, with many memes, that is fine with me.
But, if, you'd like others including me, to visit you, please leave a comment below, so we know you are 'IN'!
For this meme only, I lift my 'Comment Moderation' to help players connect with each other.
Everyone, who to my knowledge has participated recently, is named in the TCT Roll Call in my side bar.
Next weeks colour is ORANGE for Thanks-Giving!
And, PLEASE help me with colour suggestions for next year, other wise you only have yourselves to blame!!!

Wordless Wednesday - Charity Work!

Two Fer Tuesday & Today's Flowers - Orchids!

As I said yesterday, Garden Centre's never fail to interest me or further my love of flowers.

Last weeks highlight re my visit to Notcutts was the wonderful Orchid House display, perfect for a Today's Flowers post...I do find Orchids intriguing & actually have one of my own...A 'Thank-you' cat minding gift from Pussycat Paul & family, it incredably, two years on, is still blooming well, despite my frequent neglect..Jonna created Twofer, but her busy life prevents her from posting frequently now a days!

Mellow Yellow - Being Garden Co-ordinated!

Despite NOT being green fingered, I always enjoy looking around Garden Centres.
They have a certain crazy appeal to me, a case of 'If, only, if only I could plant...'!
And, my recent stay @ WelshAire Country, entailed a visit to the local Notcutts.
This time, one of their outside features was colour co-inordinating your planting with your garden bag...
This photo seemed destined to be a 'Mellow Yellow' post - the flowers come tomorrow!

Monochrome & Odd Shot Monday - Me & My Shadow!

From my recent stay @ Molly, Taffy & Monty's - this is probably the one & only image, you will ever see in Blogland of my friend H, their 'hooman', and I'm 'whispering' here, she's the one on the left...Ouch!
And, she's just delivered me a sharp 'virtual' kick on the shins for naming her & posting it!
Sorry, but I just couldn't resist!

Alieni is the creator & host of Monochrome Weekly.
Odd Shots home is @ Katney's Kaboodle.

Camera Critters Sunday - Not Today!

Yesterday, my intention was to head off to the Discover Dogs Show, hosted by the Kennal Club @ Earls Court - where I was to meet up with friends JI & Queen of Treats, who's mother to Jackson's Irish Terrier pal Molly.
However, after Fridays night of torential gales & rain, clutzy me - grrrrrrrrrrrrrr - slipped on slimmy leaves as I hurried to catch my coach to the Capital - Crash, Bang, Wallop I went down on the pavement yet again!!!
All I can say is my Calcuim tablets must be working on my brittle bones, as nothing seems broken.
But, I hit as usual my left knee, wrist & turned my ankle - so, I limped home instead of going on to London!
Today I'm just very sore & stiff & still grieved, as instead of loads of pups photo's for Camera Critters I have zilch!
Since last year, I was unfortunate enough to have my old digital camera knocked out of my hands & smashed to the ground @ Discover Dogs, I'm trusting next year all will go smoothly re my visit there - one can only hope re 'Third Time Lucky'!

A Worldwide Moment for Miss Snickers!

Being a dog-lover, most of my early blog friends belonged to the group DogsWithBlogs, and because of fond memories of my childhood 'doggy sister' Judy, the majority were Wire Fox Terriers.

One of this special group close to my heart, is Miss Snickers, who for sometime has been battling with the 'seizure monster'.

However it's now not her epilepsy that is making her seriously ill, but suspected Lymphoma Cancer!

Fellow WFT's Jake & Miss Fergi yesterday put out an urgent appeal to all her friends and all animal lovers!

In their words:-

"Before you read on,
We ask you to please help spread this message
as quickly and as far as you can
So as many dogs and cats and families as possible
Can read it prior to 5:00 PM, Saturday, 14 Nov 09, Iowa Time
(11:00 PM, 14 Nov 09 GMT)
Copy it.
Paste it.
Link to it.
Whatever.
Just please help us get the message out.

As you may know
Miss Snickers is struggling mightily
Along with her family.
(The best place to keep up with updates is her Gussie’s blog.)
Last night looked as if it might have been her last.
This morning she rebounded with improved symptoms.
She is far from out of the woods
But she and her family
Including her gentle and loving brother Butchy
Have been granted another day.
We can’t help but believe
that part of the improvement is because of
The support and love that have surrounded her
From all around the world
Thanks to the linked paws
Of her blogging friends.
The Power of the Circle of Paw We are asking everyone to set your alarms
And at exactly 11:00 PM GMT on Saturday 14 Nov 09
(Go to this link to find what time that is for you)
5:00 PM Saturday evening in Iowa
as Snickers' family sits down to eat
Turn toward them (in the central USA)
And join together in a silent minute
Of prayer, meditation, contemplation, reflection
Whatever feels right to you.
Followed by whatever means of communication
You choose.
Arrooing
Barking
Howling
Yipping
Yapping
Wooing
Meowing
Mewing
Purring
To wish and send Miss Snickers and her family
whatever is in your hearts
That will help them feel the Love and Support
They need right now.
Personally, we’ll be praying for a Miracle.
Then
Blow a Kiss
and send your Love and Prayers and Best Wishes
to Miss Snickers and her Family
and they will feel their arrival in the breeze.
OK?
We believe it will help.
And we'll do anything in our power right now to."

As I did last year for Jackson re his surgery, I'll be wishing on the Dog Star along with Asta, for this brave & very plucky WFT Miss to make a full recovery...

If you are a dog/pet lover please join me!

Saturday Photo Hunt - Music!

Tnchick's prompt this week, had me think of the many Street Artists who perform locally!

And thankfully, most are blessed with musical talent, as was this guy playing the Saxophone...

He was doing his own excellent rendition of 'Bakers Street', a favourite music track of mine from Gerry Rafferty's 1978 album 'City to City'.

For those not familiar with the piece, it can be heard HERE on my 'Films, Memories & Music' blog post for today!

Friday, the 13th AND Color Carnival - Brummel!!

Today's a seriously bad day for the superstitious & 'Triskaidekaphobiacs', ie those who have an unreasonable fear of the number 13, particularly Friday the thirteenth - not me, but I am interested in the mythology associated with the date!
Legend has it that, Christ was crucified on Friday; there was 13 @ the Last Supper & according to ancient Viking myth, the spirit of evil was the 13th guest @ the Valhalla banquet.
Which is why, many people reluctantly sit @ a table laid for 13 diners - so much so, London's Savoy Hotel, reputedly has a 3ft high model cat called Kasper, who is sent to the dinning room if there are 13 guests!
He's placed on the 14th chair with a napkin around his neck & served every single course!
I hope he looks like Brummel, from Brighton's Museum & Art Gallery, in the Royal Pavilion Gardens...This colourful cat figurine, since 1998 has stood @ the Museum's entrance to raise funds to maintain the museum.
And, is modelled on a pair of French Chinz China Cats to be found in the Chinese Exhibit.

Martha is the creator of Color Carnival, that simply requires a colourful photo!

Sky Watch Friday - Autumn Market!

Gloucester Green in central Dreamingspires, is home to a new development of modern designer apartments...I do like the 'look', as fancy flat living, but perhaps not the location so much!
It was though, thoughtfully tree'ed for Autumnal colour...Every Thursday it's central square, hosts an Antiques [& Craft] Market.
I regularly check it out....All these shots were taken yesterday morning, before the skies clouded over & we, locally battened down the hatches for a long weekend of torrential gales & rain - Yuk, yuk, yuk!

Sky Watch for the brave, is to be found HERE!