ABC Wednesday
August 24th, 2011

Let's hear it for the formal letter F


F is for Alfred William Finch, who was born to English parents in 1854.  


His parents had moved to Belgium. where "Willy" was born and trained at the Academie Royale des Beaux-Arts in Brussels.  He became a founding member of Les XX, a group of twenty Belgian painters, designers and sculptors who rebelled against the prevailing artistic standards and outmoded academism


He changed his own painting to the Pointillist and Neo Impressionist style, and became one of the leading representatives of his style in Belgium, along with Theo van Rysselberghe. 

The Cliffs at South Foreland in the Finnish National Gallery at Helsinki

Box at the Theatre in the Belgium Art Museum

Landscape Sunset at the Turku Art Museum in Finland

Eventually  he determined that he could not make a living as a painter and moved to Finland in 1897 at the invitation of Count Louis Sparre to become a Ceramist in the Iris Ceramics factory, but when the factory closed he went back to painting.


The Pointillist style of painting, though laborious and difficult, lends an amazing sense of movement to the painted landscape.


For more great F's visit here at Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday.

ABC Wednesday
August 17th, 2011

E is the letter this week

E is for Eeyore, the Endearing, gloomy-doomy friend of Winnie the Pooh.   An old grey donkey with a long detachable tail around which is tied a lovely pink ribbon which he loses quite regularly.  The pink ribbon, I mean.  Owl once found it and used it as a door pull, making Eeyore even sadder than usual.

Eeyore lives in the southeast corner of the Hundred Acre Wood where he has a house of sticks which is continually falling down.  This area of the  Hundred Acre Wood is called Eeyore's Gloomy Place: Rather Boggy and Sad.

Of course he has a repertoire of rather despondent quotes arising from his anhedonic outlook on life and his  poor opinion of the other animals in the woods, describing them as having 'no brain at all, some of them' 'only grey fluff that's blown into their heads by mistake'.

From Winnie the Pooh, a poignant quote - "The old grey donkey, Eeyore stood by himself in a thistly corner of the Forest, his front feet well apart, his head on one side, and thought about things.  Sometimes he thought sadly to himself, "'Why" and sometimes he thought, "wherefore" and sometimes he thought, "Inasmuch as which?" and sometimes he didn't quite know what he was thinking about".

At such times he was probably eating thistles, his favourite food.

Christopher Robin and the other animals tried to cheer Eeyore with a Birthday Party.  He was given an empty honey jar from Pooh, a popped green balloon from Piglet, and a note from Owl.  Piglet and Roo seem to be having a merry time while Eeyore looks quizzical and not sure what to think about the Happy Birthday cake.

Be that as it may, Eeyore's birthday party lives on in Austin, Texas on the last Saturday of April each year.

It started in 1963 as a spring party for students of the University of Texas but after a few years it morphed into a full blown Festival, a tradition in Austin's hippie subculture.  The original event featured a trashcan full of lemonade, beer, honey sandwiches, a live flower-draped donkey and a may pole.

When the festival moved to Pease Park in 1974 Austin area non profit Friends of the Forest began arranging for food and drink vendors, public services and scheduling live music and family-oriented games and contests.  Although family oriented in some parts of the Park it is also known for its adult entertainment, - drum circles, scanty costumes, sweet smoke, modern hippies and an annual attendance in the thousands.

Eeyore would switch his tail slowly and mutter 'I wonder what next!!!!'

For more great E's visit here at ABC Wednesday, with thanks to Mrs. Nesbitt and her wonderful helpers.

The August Break
August 13th, 2011

'A broken down sentinel'
the original picture taken by a
hiker/photographer in the hills
around Summerland.

We hung a few pictures today.

The picture of a Pathfinder Lancaster
guiding a crippled buddy home,
which reminds Charles of the day when
he and his crew, returning from an operation,
flew around and close by a
badly damaged ship until
they reached an emergency drome.

We hung some water colours
and my mother's petit point

Tomorrow I will put up a hook and hang the bewitching ball

and perhaps I will feel less in need of
the August Break.

The August Break
August  10th, 2011

My favourite rose

the Abraham Darby

one of the nicest of the David Austin apricot roses.

It has a strong fragrance 'somewhat fruity mixed with a traditional

old rose scent'  and I love it.

This one grows in the garden we have just left, but I plan to replace it in the new garden - soon!

ABC Wednesday

Here we are at the darling letter, D

D is for Dimple

At one time I was quite sure that the angels in charge of baby making bestowed dimples upon certain people in order to make them appealing, totally adorable and the most favoured of people.  Same for cleft chins!!!

However, Wikipedia now informs me that dimples may be caused by variations in the structure of the facial muscle known as zygomaticus major and that this bifid variation of the muscle originates as a single structure from the zygomatic bone which, as it travels anteriorly, then divides with a superior bundle that inserts in the typical position above the corner of the mouth.  An inferior bundle inserts below the corner of the mouth.

That most attractive cleft chin also has a structural origin, - it is a y-shaped fissure on the chin with an underlying bony peculiarity, apparently resulting from the incomplete fusion of the left and right halves of the jaw bone, or muscle, during the embyonal and fetal development.  Or it can develop over time, often because one half of the jaw is longer than the other, leading to facial asymmetry.

Or, for those who are into this kind of thing, the same result can be achieved by surgery!!!!!!!

So much for my angel theory, but however the dimple and the cleft chin are arrived at I still find them very sweet and feel that those who possess them have definitely an advantage over those of us who are bereft of such an appealing feature.....

Do not despair if you don't have dimples in your cheeks.

Perhaps you have Dimples of Venus, - not so apparent but equally bequiling.

For more daring and delightful Ds visit here at ABC Wednesday, with thanks to Mrs. Nesbitt and her dear helpers.

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Sunday, August 7th, 2011

I picked up my fancy cane with the butterflies on it, tucked my music into my carpet bag and while the air was still fresh and cool this morning I walked the half block to church.

  Across the street and down the sidewalk (we only have sidewalks on one side of the street) I tapped along, feeling rather unfamiliar with this walking aid as it is the first time I have used it since Charles bought it for me a couple of years ago.  I passed the long line of parked cars belonging to Catholic communicants attending 8.30 mass and crossed to the other side into the shade of the trees surrounding the Church where, I have to admit, parked cars were much less prevalent.  The Roman Catholics are staunch in their faith and customs, while we, half Anglican, half United Church, waver around from one tradition to another trying to find a way of worship acceptable to all.

What assists us more than anything is the sense of community and family and a true fondness for each other.

It was a lively service, - I had chosen hymns that were alive with rhythm and syncopation  - a fast paced version  of Psalm 24 based on an Israeli Folk Melody and arranged by John Ferguson, 'Lift up the Gates Eternal', - a real swinger.

And  'I the Lord of Sea and Sky' which the congregation loves and sings the refrain with great gusto - 'Here I am, Lord'!!!!!

We sang 'Praise the Lord with the Sound of Trumpets' which has some lovely bass vamping, and a new hymn that the congregation has taken to their hearts and voices, 'Jesus, You have come to the Lakeshore' which fitted in quite nicely with the story of Jesus walking on the water and calming the disciples in the midst of a storm, and Peter, brave in the faith which sustained him as he joined the Lord, but faltering and sinking when doubt assailed him.  And I thought how true that is of our everyday lives!!!

After a little time of conversation and coffee I swung along home with my butterfly stick, told Charles all the  little bits of news and gossip, - we had lunch, a small nap and then sat out in the shade on our little front lawn and enjoyed the birds and the people passing and each other's company.

A nice Sunday!

August Break

The neighbour's delectable apricots hang across the fence right by our garden gate........

I haven't yet laid eyes upon the snake, but temptation is strong!

"Is not the action of nature like the stretching of a bow?

The high, it pulls down; the low, it lifts up;

it takes from what is in excess

in order to make good of what is deficient.

Who can take what they have in excess and offer it to others?"

Tao de Ching

Friday, August 5th, 2011

Sitting on the porch in the cool of the evening, watching the mourning doves and the quail perform their evening rituals and admiring the delicate willow that grows in the front garden, a haven for dozens of small song birds.

I don't know the name of this lovely tree that bends and sways in the breeze (that has thankfully arrived to blow away the heat of the day).  Charles thinks it would be perfect for making baskets, so for the moment it is the Basket Willow.

Summer has truly arrived in the Similkameen, - a time for doing chores early in the morning, - running over town before everyone is mopping their brow and complaining about the heat, - well, what can you expect.  It's Summertime, summertime, - the days are hazy, the hills are blue in the distance and nobody is moving at a very fast pace, - including the person unpacking boxes.

Today I tackled the den, where the computers live and where at one time I had a wall of shelves and a desk of drawers, filled to overflowing.  The things that are important will eventually find the perfect spot, and the rest of the 'stuff' that seems to gradually accumulate, will be gone, gone, gone, and I will feel happy and cleansed.

In the meantime, think of me......

ABC Wednesday
August 3. 2011

The letter this week is the curly  C and first of all the many interpretations of Clementine!

A traditional rendition of the song 'O my darling Clementine' by Pete Seeger



But Clementine is not only a song, - behold the beautiful Mandarin Orange, - the Clementine.

wonderful to eat, - great in salads

There is a NASA  mission to the moon that mapped most of the lunar surface, named Clementine;

but also  known as the Deep Space Program Science Experiment.   This mission was launched from

Vandenberg Air Force Base on January 25th, 1994. Clementine tested a small spacecraft subsytems and 

sensors in deep space and returned a vast amount of scientific data from the Moon.. 

How many of you are old enough to have seen the 1946 movie 'My Darling Clementine'

starring Henry Fonda, Linda Darnell and Victor Mature, (sigh).

(I am, but unfortunately didn't ever see it)

and then, of course, there was the love of Churchill's life......... Clementine (Hosier) Churchill

He wrote to her.....

January 23, 1935

My darling Clemmie,
    In your letter from Madras you wrote some word vy dear to me, about my having enriched yr life. I cannot tell you what pleasure this gave me, because I always feel so overwhelmingly in yr debt, if there can be accounts in love. It was sweet of you to write this to me, and I hope and pray I shall be able to make you happy and secure during my remaining years, and cherish you my darling one as you

 deserve, and leave you in comfort when my race is run. What it has been to me to live all these years in yr heart and companionship no phrases can convey. Time passes swiftly, but it is not joyous to see how great and growing is the treasure we have gathered together, amid the storms and stresses of so many eventful and to millions tragic and terrible years?... 

    Your loving husband, 

I am sure there must be a Band somewhere named 'The Clementines' - there usually is.

But  I wasn't able to find it.....

Do go over to ABC Wednesday to see what other classy C's are there.

ABC Wednesday
July 27th, 2011

Here is the letter B

B is for Banjo

And a wonderful banjo rendition of  ' All the World is Waiting for the Sunrise'  by Ken Aoki.   I love his smile, his happy enthusiasm and the marvelous attachment between performer and instrument.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I have.  It makes my eyes sparkle and my heart smiles too.



For more interesting B's visit here at ABC Wednesday, with thanks to Mrs. Nesbitt and her band of merry helpers.

Big celebration! 

 Although when I woke up I didn't think there was anything special about the day. 

 However, Teena from Toronto pointed out to me that it was my blogaversary, and when I went to investigate I found that yes, indeed it was!  I first dipped my toe into the literary waters on July 23rd, 2006 - what a long time ago that seems....

And what an interesting and heart warming experience it has been, to be part of Blogland wherein dwell such a variety of writers, with a myriad of mind opening views and ways of life and lovely entertaining postings that keep me enthusiastically surfing all the while time flies by.

A handful of writers who are also kind readers of my posts, have become familiar and are often in my thoughts. I enjoy the small insights into their lives, - rejoice when good things happen to them, and feel sympathy over inevitable sadness's.

Wonderful to have a spot where you can reminisce and comment and express your thoughts and longings, and I do thank all those of you who write of exotic places or everyday happenings; of your deepest feelings and your wisest words and your most entertaining imaginings.

Perfectly lovely!!!

Thank you all.....

Living like a minimalist, in spades.

I am gradually adjusting to this simple and sparse mode of living.

The pictures are still on the walls.

The books are still on the shelves.

But the drawers and the cupboards are bare as Mother Hubbard's, - I open a door to find something, but look!  Simplicity plus, - nothing but pure air.  Whatever I needed is packed in a box......amazingly we manage to make do, or go without.

We have a pen, two pencils, a large pad to make notes on and remind ourselves of what still needs to be done, and we are excruciatingly careful not to misplace any of them.

We make lists of what happens when, who will be on first, and where will the cat live while all chaos slowly becomes order.  I envision in my mind what will fit where in the new rooms, and try to remember just where the second bathroom fits into the scheme of things.  And what will I do without a pantry?

When it gets too much I go out into the garden and admire the lilies and the bee balm growing next to them, snip some sweet peas and rub the lavender between my fingertips, enveloping myself in its beautiful fragrance.

or gaze off into the hills and the heavens

The movers come on the 28th!

ABC Wednesday
Starting all over again on this wonderful adventure of matching up the letters of the alphabet with an object, a poem, a place, a painting or some whimsical thing that challenges your imagination.

A is for Anemone

picture by S. & J. Perkins

A lovely example of this early spring flower

the Anemone Nemorosa

or Wood Anemone

a beautiful member of the Ranunulacae family.

Alas, the plant contains poisonous chemicals that are toxic to animals, including humans,

 but it has also beenused as a medicine.

All parts of the plant contain protanemonin which can cause severe skin and 

gastrointestinal irritation.

For more interesting A's visit here at Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday meme.

More on Moving

There are things in this house that have crept in unbeknown to anyone who resides here, - at least that is the story I hear.  Sometimes the memory is a little shaky and things that have come home in a pocket, or from yard sales, or things that were an attraction have ended up being mislaid and forgotten  anad are now turning up and  either dismaying or delighting us.

Such a one is this hand printed instruction on "How to be an Artist" - it immediately caught my eye at the Bargain Centre, but somehow ended up hidden behind a large desk calendar after I got it home,  and I have only just discovered it again.

It stirs me still, and I would like to share it with you, but now that Blogger has changed

I haven't been able to find the picture re-sizer

so here it is!

How to be an Artist

Stay loose.  Learn to watch snails.

Plant impossible gardens.  Invite

someone dangerous to tea.  Make

little signs that say Yes!  and post them

all over your house.  Make friends

with Freedom and uncertainty.  Look forward 

to dreams.  Cry during movies.  Swing

as high as you can on a swingset, 

by moonlight.  Cultivate moods.  Refuse

to 'be responsible'  Do it for love.

Take lots of naps.  Give money away.

Do it now.  The money will follow.

Believe in magic.  Laugh a lot..

Celebrate every gorgeous moment.

Take moonbaths.  Have wild

imaginings, transformative dreams,

and perfect calm.  Draw on the walls.

Read everyday.  Imagine yourself

magic.  Giggle with children.  Listen 

to old people.  Open up.  Dive in.  Be Free.

Bless yourself.  Drive away fear.

Play with everything.  Entertain

your inner child.  You are innocent.

Build a fort with blankets.  Get wet.

Hug trees.

Write love letters.

© SARK 90

There are lots of free spirits in Cawston, and I believe this appealing sign might

have originated there.

I will take it with us to our new home

 and practice being  wild and carefree and maybe wear purple and run my stick
against the railings....

Thank you to SARK

ABC Wednesday

Here we are at the end of the alphabet - again.

How could I choose anything else to represent Z except the Zinnia, one of my favourite flowers.

So varied and versatile in the garden - when you plant a bed of Zinnias you are in for the most pleasant surprises.

this painting by Jimmie Trotter 

more information here to view the painting in greeting card format

Rally round for another trip through the alphabet in this great meme started by Mrs. Nesbitt and maintained by Denise and all her helpers.

For more amaZing Zs visit here, at ABC Wednesday

Texture Tuesday
The Pink Edition

A June Peony texturized with Kim's Not Too Shabby

This journey to another dwelling is fraught with the most complex emotions.

It is also fraught with lists and time and notions which come and go, and although I hate to wish time away I sometimes think how nice it would be if we were coming to the end of September and were all nicely settled, enjoying the late summer roses and the vivid colours of the chrysanthemums.

This morning we investigated the boxes which had been tucked into the pantry when last we moved six years ago.  There was the silver, wrapped in saran when it was newly polished and still gleaming faintly, - and a box of recipes that I had saved in the early days of my marriage when my cooking was full of enthusiasm.  I refused to throw it away the last time we moved, but time passes and a lot of the inventiveness lives in my mind now - a little creativity comes more naturally and so the contents of the box went into the recycle bag, with hardly a regret.  I believe this to be healthy thinking....

Will anyone want the silver?  Much of it is that forties grape pattern that is such a devil to clean.

Do the young ones have fond memories of the things I thrust upon them, and will they hold them dear?

I must go now and make out a list for tomorrow, - there is that box of crazy quilt pieces to finger and sigh over and perhaps if I leave a little sample square someone will be inspired!

And all the bits and pieces in the bottom drawer of the sewing machine, - the braids and buttons and bias binding, and the satin ribbons and unfinished embroidery.

Did I mention how much nostalgia is involved in this whole business?????

Mirjana Gotovac

Busy, Busy, Busy

As we prepare to 'move to town'!

Here are a few shots of the lovely garden that awaits us.

Collage customized with Smilebox

Click, enlarge and enjoy the waltz.....

ABC Wednesday

Y is the letter of the week

Y is for YELLOW

Photo collage customized with Smilebox

Click for music and to enlarge
For more Ys visit here at ABC Wednesday with thanks to Mrs. Nesbitt and all her kind helpers.

Sunday, July 3rd,  2011

The first flush of roses is fading fast

and I spend much of my time in the garden

these days, deadheading and tending

to the last new buds.

Although these roses will bloom again

I will have moved away

and will be burying my face

in other fragrances.

But perhaps we will take the Abraham Darby with us

It is so beautiful.

A poem by Mary Oliver about late summer roses

What happens

to the leaves after

they turn red and golden and fall

away?  What happens

to the singing birds

when they can't sing

 any longer?  What happens

to their quick wings?

Do you think there is any

personal heaven

for any of us?

Do you think anyone,

the other side of that darkness,

will call to us, meaning us?

Beyond the trees

the foxes keep teaching their children

to live in the valley.

So they never seem to vanish, they are always there

in the blossom of the light

that stands up every morning

in the dark sky.

And over one more set of hills,

along the sea,

the last roses have opened their factories of sweetness

and are giving it back to the world.

If I had another life

I would want to spend it all on some

unstinting happiness.

I would be a fox, or a tree

full of waving branches.

I wouldn't mind being a rose

in a field full of roses.

Fear has not yet occurred to them, nor ambition.

Reason they have not yet thought of.

Neither do they ask how long they must be roses, and then what.

Or any other foolish question.

Cookbooks

Tonight I peeked into the pantry and was slightly appalled at how the row of cook books has lengthened to take up a whole shelf...

I gathered them all together, removed them and piled them on the dining room table, washed the shelf and quickly replaced them with some of the other staples that had been elbowed out of the way to make room for dessert books, slow cooker recipes, a tome on how to cook British Beef and dozens of others that had seduced me somehow into giving them shelf space.

How does this happen????  I know I am not alone, - I know of people who hide cookbooks in drawers and out of the way places, and other ladies whose Achilles heel is found in fancy shoes.

I chose just nine from the great accumulation, - old favourites and certainly the old red Purity Flour recipe book that has been replaced twice since I started cooking,

 and even before that lived on my Mother's pantry shelf;  my version is held together with elastic bands!!

I saved an old church cookbook that contains dozens of tried and true recipes from tried and true friends and a couple of Canadian Living Christmas books that I will probably pass on to granddaughters.

I'm here to tell you that I'm feeling terribly virtuous these days as I look at the boxes of cast-offs that sit around waiting to slip into the Bargain Centre and begin a new life!!!

A River of Stones

A small stone for the 1st of July, - cool in my pocket and polished idly between my thumb and forefinger.

Turned upside down

and inside out -

the winds of change blow fresh

and promising.

ABC Wednesday

The letter this week is X

Xu Gu   1824-1896

A painting by the Chinese painter and poet Xu Gu (Hsu Ku)

during the Qing Dynasty (1844-1912)

Xu Gu was born in Xin'an in the Anjui province and later lived in

Guangling in the Jiangsu province. 

Xu was an army official, and then later a monk.

When painting he used the side of the brush in a fluent and

bold style.

In poetry he produced the work Poetry of Xugo monk. 

All this information was kindly given to me by Google!

For more original X's shuffle over to here ABC Wednesday

and see what all the participants have come up with for this

difficult letter.

.

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Texture Tuesday

Some photos using Kim's Golden Texture, - lovely and warm.

For more beautifully textured pictures go here to Texture Tuesday.

Monday, June 27th, 2011

Jess brought boxes today!   Moving boxes, - once more into the breach, dear friends, as we garner visions of the simple life and rid outselves of all the extraneous stuff to which we give storage room.

I have lovely visions of simple, spare rooms, - cupboards with nicely spaced contents, - perhaps even ribbons around the towels in the linen closet if I get really inspired by Martha Stewart, although that might be a little counterproductive if we are striving to live the simple life.

We are moving back to town.  Away, alas from our wonderful view of the valley, but closer to facilities, available for friends to drop in as they pass,  a pretty little garden with just a soupcon of all the plants that live in our hillside jungle, and for each thing we give up there is something splendid to take its place.

So I am being very ruthless, - except for treasures and things of historical or genealogical interest, if you are just taking up storage space out you go to find a new home.....  I am thinking of setting up a long table with things that have been precious to me and inviting children and grandchildren and even great grands to come and take their pick.  I know the really little ones are fascinated with music boxes or merry-go-rounds.

Same with books, - but oh, it is harder with books.  How does one pass on an old friend!  Will my bookcase be barren without Penmarric or Louis Bromfield's Malibar Farm?  Well, perhaps I can be a little more discriminate when it comes to books.

I opened two suitcases in the walk in closet today.  They came with us on our last move and have lain dormant since then, - one contained old, old, ancient music, and the other was full of cards we had received for anniversaries, birthdays, Mothers' day and Fathers' day and Christmas!!!!  You can imagine, - I knew I had a box of these cards, but the suitcase was a surprise!

We will keep the letters that Charles and I wrote back and forth during the war, for sentimental reasons.  And pictures.  But gone are the extra dinner plates and gravy boats and the remnants of a half a dozen sets of cutlery and the white gloves from bygone days!   And at least some of the pretty china tea cups.

And I haven't mentioned yet the travel trailer that is full of weaving supplies  - cottons and silks and linens and wool and heddles and shuttles and ball winders and umbrella swifts, books and magazines and looms and spinning wheels and spindles.   We gather so much in a lifetime....sometimes Charles and I remark on the time when there was just us, his uniforms, my trousseau clothes, some wedding presents and a great deal of love and determination.

Wish me luck as I dive into this desperate task, so that I don't linger too long in memories.

And while you're at it, remember Charles in your prayers, - you ought to see the accumulation of tool treasures in the garage and workshop!!!!!! 

 I am thankful for family that will help us for the next few weeks...  You hear me family????  Come for a keepsake and a hug.....