Settle down, no talking. | Continue reading
In 1989, British electro pop duo The Pet Shop Boys met Hollywood star Liza Minnelli. Add a ‘theatrical’ song from Stephen Sondheim, and I give you ‘Losing My Mind’. I shouldn’t really like it, but I love it! The sun comes up, I think about you The coffee cup, I think about you I … | Continue reading
Population distribution of China. The most common surnames in Europe. The population of London compared to large American cities. Extreme weather across America. How the British communicate in a foreign language. If you can only see one thing in a foreign country. (This can be en … | Continue reading
This well known surreal painting was originally titled ‘The Garden Of Lusts’. It was painted between 1490 and 1510 by the Dutch artist, Hieronymus Bosch, and is said to either be a celebration of sexual joy, a warning of the perils of the flesh, or both. It is packed with so many … | Continue reading
Visit the post for more. | Continue reading
This is the thirty-second part of a fiction serial, in 750 words. He looked much the same, though his hair had grown since he no longer needed the military haircut she remembered. Dressed in a two-piece suit and a belted raincoat with the collar turned up against the rain, Hettie … | Continue reading
Maurits Cornelis Escher was a Dutch graphic artist who made woodcuts, lithographs, and mezzotints, many of which were inspired by mathematics. Despite wide popular interest, for most of his life Escher was neglected in the art world, even in his native Netherlands. He was 70 befo … | Continue reading
Sit up straight at the back! CLASS DISMISSED. | Continue reading
Monday was bright and sunny, and also felt warm, with a forecast temperature of 17C. (63F) After such a long period of cold weather interspersed with rain, we decided to make the most of it and drive to the holiday town of Cromer, 45 minutes away on the north coast of Norfolk. Fo … | Continue reading
This is the thirty-first part of a fiction serial, in 800 words Fifty years old that birthday, and Hettie thought she looked every minute of those years. There were things happening in nineteen fifty-one, not least the Korean War, and the Festival of Britain being held in London. … | Continue reading
Now pay attention please. CLASS DISMISSED. | Continue reading
If one word can sum a week, then that word is COLD. I have felt cold all week, and the heating has been on in the house for 14 hours a day, every day. Some days have been dry, but walking outside felt like winter, in a biting wind all the way from Norway sweeping … Continue readi … | Continue reading
Still life paintings are often packed with small details, and this one is no exception. It was painted by Dutch artist Jan Van Der Heyden in 1712, shortly before he died. Not only does this feature an exquisitely-detailed twin globe and open books, it also has a painting within a … | Continue reading
I am reposting this music post from 2013. I came across it by chance, and noticed just one like and one comment, from a great friend who is now deceased. Continuing what seems to be a musical theme this week, I am recalling some of the soul songs and dance classics, of my teenage … | Continue reading
Today I bring you a review of a film that will require 2 hours and 53 minutes of your life to watch. That’s a big ask, I know. As it is a true historical story, there are plot spoilers in the review. From Terence Malick, the director of such wonderful films as ‘The Thin Red … Con … | Continue reading
This is the thirtieth part of a fiction serial, in 754 words. During the next two years, Hettie’s life changed a great deal. Edward got his long-desired move to the suburbs when they bought a pre-war semi-detached house in Beckenham, still in Kent but close to south London. He so … | Continue reading
This painting depicts the famous charge of the Scots Greys at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. It was painted by Lady Elizabeth Butler in 1881, and can be seen at the Leeds Art Gallery in Yorkshire, England. The canvas is just over 3 feet high by 6.5 feet wide. Like many paintings … | Continue reading
This is for Carolyn, who worked for an airline for many years. But anyone who has ever flown with an airline can relate to some of them. | Continue reading
This incredibly detailed painting from an unknown artist depicts a fair held on the frozen River Thames in London. It has been dated to around 1685, and the Old London Bridge complete with houses and shops built on it can be seen in the distance. The river froze to a thickness of … | Continue reading
Laurence Stephen Lowry RBA RA; 1 November 1887 – 23 February 1976 was an English artist. His drawings and paintings mainly depict Pendlebury, Greater Manchester (where he lived and worked for more than 40 years), as well as Salford and its vicinity. Lowry painted scenes of life i … | Continue reading
Julie had two extra days off last week, and with the help of her new stand mixer, she spent a long time doing some baking. Two Beef and Onion pies for the freezer, and some sausage rolls. Fresh farmhouse loaf of bread. Coffee and Walnut sponge cake. Victoria Sponge with real crea … | Continue reading
This is the 29th part of a fiction serial, in 824 words. On the long train journey back to London, Hettie made a decision. She would agree to move to the suburbs, allowing Edward to sell up his interests and buy the double-fronted shop he dreamed of. Given his patience with her w … | Continue reading
Johannes Vermeer was a Dutch painter famous for the portrait of The Girl With A Pearl Earring, among others. The painting I have chosen is his work ‘The Art of Painting, which was completed in around 1668 and now displayed in a gallery in Austria. Considered to be his most detail … | Continue reading
This is the twenty-eighth part of a fiction serial, in 772 words. There was a hectic time before the invasion that would become known as D-Day, and after it happened, things at Craigie House became rather flat. There were no new intakes of students, as it was unlikely more would … | Continue reading
With the help of some wise people. CLASS DISMISSED. | Continue reading
A rocking mature lady belting out a great singalong pop song, Anastacia had a big hit with this in 2000, and followed it up later with other hits. I only ever bought this CD single, and after more than two decades I still enjoy hearing it. Having suffered twice with breast cancer … | Continue reading
I noticed this on the main page of my blog today, so please forgive a little self-congratulation. ‘Join 8,948 other subscribers’ Adding email-only followers, and those who only follow via Twitter, my total follower count has finally exceeded over 9,000. After being stuck on aroun … | Continue reading
In 1976, I heard a new Disco hit record that had elements of Soul, and also felt like a ballad. I bought it immediately, as I knew it would be stuck in my head anyway. Forty-eight years later, it still sounds great to me. Candi Staton had been around since the mid-1960s, but this … | Continue reading
CLASS DISMISSED. | Continue reading
Weather-wise, we were quite lucky this week with not too much rain. Although we had a few cold days, and near-freezing overnight, the sun has been out, the birds singing their heads off, and it does feel like we might finally be able to enjoy the outdoors soon. —————————————————— … | Continue reading
Yesterday, a post from Jill Dennison on her blog reminded me just what a powerful singer Glady Knight could be. https://jilldennison.com/2024/04/20/%E2%99%AB-neither-one-of-us-%E2%99%AB-redux/ I am not using the same song Jill used, but have also chosen a power ballad from the sa … | Continue reading
This is the twenty-seventh part of a fiction serial, in 802 words. As the weather cooled down that year, things were hotting up at Craigie House. They now had a whole department supplying and altering genuine French clothing for agents to wear. It was all thought through, even th … | Continue reading
This is the twenty-seventh part of a fiction serial, in 802 words. As the weather cooled down that year, things were hotting up at Craigie House. They now had a whole department supplying and altering genuine French clothing for agents to wear. It was all thought through, even th … | Continue reading
Our blogging friend Shaily has a new book out on Kindle. Twelve short stories in her great style, and a really good price too, only £2.40. In the UK it is also free on Kindle Unlimited and available in paperback. Please read Shaily’s post for more details. | Continue reading
Our blogging friend Shaily has a new book out on Kindle. Twelve short stories in her great style, and a really good price too, only £2.40. In the UK it is also free on Kindle Unlimited and available in paperback. Please read Shaily’s post for more details. | Continue reading
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio; 29 September 1571 – 18 July 1610), known mononymously as Caravaggio, was an Italian painter active in Rome for most of his artistic life. During the final four years of his life, he moved between Naples, Malta, and Sicily until his death. His pa … | Continue reading
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio; 29 September 1571 – 18 July 1610), known mononymously as Caravaggio, was an Italian painter active in Rome for most of his artistic life. During the final four years of his life, he moved between Naples, Malta, and Sicily until his death. His pa … | Continue reading
Most are cat or dog related, with a few others mixed in. | Continue reading
Most are cat or dog related, with a few others mixed in. | Continue reading
This is the twenty-sixth part of a fiction serial, in 757 words. Not long after celebrating her forty-second birthday, Hettie was informed that her classes would be increasing in size starting the following month. Agents were being recruited to replace those arrested or killed, a … | Continue reading
This is the twenty-sixth part of a fiction serial, in 757 words. Not long after celebrating her forty-second birthday, Hettie was informed that her classes would be increasing in size starting the following month. Agents were being recruited to replace those arrested or killed, a … | Continue reading
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, usually simply known as Rembrandt, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker, and draughtsman. As well as many famous paintings he is associated with, he was also known for frequent self-portraits, showing the changes in his face as he aged. As I … | Continue reading
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, usually simply known as Rembrandt, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker, and draughtsman. As well as many famous paintings he is associated with, he was also known for frequent self-portraits, showing the changes in his face as he aged. As I … | Continue reading
No cats or dogs today, just a random selection. | Continue reading