accept all offerings

256

2012-01-24T07:12:00.027+08:00

A good sleep last night,
the last for several nights to come.

Early morning, sitting at my desk.
A cool breeze through the open door
whispers around my right shoulder.
Later the wind will be easterly and hot,
but in this moment I take delight in my
chilled right shoulder.

A week to come of hot nights and searing days.
I will crave the deep green hedgerows,
rain, mist and cold white snow of where once I lived.

255

2012-01-21T05:55:00.000+08:00

After a day painting the new pergola,

a dry martini beckons.

254

2012-01-11T07:08:00.002+08:00

Leaf

I am sick of ~~bloody~~ leaves. I have raked and bagged and raked again. They are a fire risk, so I am out in our half acre every day filling huge 295 litre leaf sacks, which Alchemist takes to the tip at the weekends. The Shire (council) then shred the leaves and local residents buy the mulch to spread on their gardens!

I have lost my Zen and the art of garden maintenance, but did notice this leaf. I was merciful and let it stay.

253

2012-01-03T09:24:00.002+08:00

Morning

Bedroom window open.

Looking through,
I watch for his return.

He walked with Dog today,

so I wait for both

to stroll back down the road.

A magpie splashes in the bird bath,

Leaves drift down from trees.

A good moment

to just
sit.

Ah, here they come...

252

2011-12-23T07:27:00.000+08:00

It's been several months since I was told to stop swimming.

Today at 5.30am I went back to the pool.

A clear blue sky, water that glittered and a lane to myself.

Eight lengths completed. I am pleased.

Driving home, I sang all the way.

Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year

to one and all.

251

2011-12-18T07:05:00.003+08:00

Dusk

From the kitchen window.

The weather is warming up in Australia, so I close all curtains during the day. Our house remains cool and the air conditioner dormant. As the temperature drops I open curtains, windows and doors again, allowing cross breezes to air the house. Tonight, I was greeted by a pink sky, trees in silhouette and the laughter of Kookaburras. (click on link to see and hear these birds).

250

2011-12-13T13:34:00.002+08:00

Australian Tiger eye rock

All my favourite colours, glistening after rain.
(click on highlighted text for info)

249

2011-12-08T07:59:00.000+08:00

Goanna

There be dragons ambling through my garden.
They eat slugs and snails, so are welcome here.

( for true scale click HERE)

248

2011-12-03T09:07:00.000+08:00

Books and pictures

Every book read and in most cases read again.

Only one defeated me. I surrendered after two chapters.

247

2011-11-22T13:26:00.001+08:00

The essence of ordinary things

Elastic bands from the mail, on a hook in the pantry door.
Chalk for the shopping list blackboard, by the ceramic water filter.
Library books, on the little shelf under the rock and fossil collection.
Reminder notes, on the kitchen counter.
Dog leads, on the 'dog tail' hook by the front door.
Hats for the summer, by the back door, front door and in the ute.
Swimming things in the french basket.
Incense sticks in the wooden jewellery box Pop made me in 1967.
Silver rings in the abalone shell that P. bought back from NZ.
Hand cream, kitchen window sill and the coffee table drawer.
Earrings in woven baskets on a shelf in the bathroom.
Precious (to me) jewellery in a marquetry tea box from J.
Love letters, in a printer paper box, hidden away.
Pencils in the green hand thrown pot made by P.
Reading glasses, shoulder bag and bedside chair.
Three silver beans in small pale blue felt bags.
Computor cables that 'nest' in corners.
Letters to be answered, in the green ceramic bowl.
Candles in a small three drawer chest from Japan.
Bills under the tiny pestle and mortar from H.
Nan's art deco tea service in the crystal cabinet.
Shopping bags in an old basket in the kitchen.
Sewing projects in a linen bag hanging on my armchair.
Books on shelves.
Walking boots, next to the dog bed in the hall.
Magazines to keep, in a box my my desk.
Loose leaf tea in small japanese canisters in the pantry.
Garden shoes by the backdoor.
Rock and pebble collections on a shelf under the mirror.

The house needs vacuuming and dusting, the air conditioners need cleaning and the windows need a wash. Meanwhile all the 'things' sit in their places and make this house, our home.

246

2011-11-18T11:12:00.003+08:00

Here I am testing out my new bed cover. Shewhofeedsme made it. I bet She thinks I won't get up on her lap anymore. Excuse me while I take a minute to ponder on that...

245

2011-11-14T03:54:00.003+08:00

Red

Well worn. His favourite shoes.

244

2011-11-09T07:05:00.000+08:00

He knew I would dismantle the bouquet,

I could hear his smile as he spoke on the telephone.

A ginger beer bottle of gum leaves on the window sill,

a rusting tin of wattle on the kitchen counter,

an old Bovril jar of waratahs and a protea
on the coffee table.

243

2011-11-03T11:51:00.002+08:00

Gum leaf

Burnt and torn, but coloured bright.

(Thankyou Mary Oliver. See previous post.)

242

2011-10-28T13:40:00.000+08:00

241

2011-10-23T15:27:00.000+08:00

Blue glass, sunlight and freesias.

The sun came out as I started washing dishes, so the morning boded well.

240

2011-10-20T07:38:00.004+08:00

See that green dog bed? It's by the window and next to the fire. The perfect spot to check out any enemies (like the postman) approaching the house, to bark at parrots and growl at next door's cat. The perfect place to be on top of the fire. Dog looked at it, looked at me, put a paw on my foot and I gave in.

239

2011-10-15T10:52:00.000+08:00

'Quietly Balanced'

238

2011-10-11T06:29:00.000+08:00

Great Dane

He allowed me to stroke his noble brow.

237

2011-10-06T13:18:00.003+08:00

Under my feet on Dungeness foreshore. UK 2010.

The chain was too heavy to pack in my suitcase,

but some pebbles fell into my pocket.

236

2011-10-01T00:01:00.003+08:00

I still like sitting and looking and covering my toes with pebbles.

235

2011-09-19T06:51:00.002+08:00

After rain all is still.

234

2011-09-15T12:06:00.002+08:00

No surgery required, for which I am grateful.
Long term patience necessary.

I have a 'frozen shoulder'.
I am in the right age bracket for such.
Celestone and local anaesthetic injected into the glenohumeral joint.
I felt it touch the bone.
He told me that my condition could last for two years
(Thankfully one year has passed).

I asked him when I could swim again,
he smiled but would not be drawn on a date.

Next appointment in a month.

So, no swimming... yet.
I WILL get back to it.
Instead, Dog and I walk our little socks off.

233

2011-09-11T18:06:00.034+08:00

I discovered swimming late in life.

I found a moment for me at the local outdoor pool.

At 5.30 am, I would be there.

Two laps to warm up, eighteen to stretch and feel the 'zen'.

Flowing with the water, mind blank, eyes closed.

Just me and the water.

Up turn and back. Up turn and back.

Then my left shoulder sparked bright white pain.

I was told to stop swimming.

I had an examination by ultrasound.

Months of physio exercises.

A perfectly placed cortisone injection.

No relief.

I give in.

I want to swim again.

I need it.

Today I talk with a surgeon.

232

2011-09-05T16:56:00.000+08:00

This day, this hour, this tiny moment.

Just stop, be still.

231

2011-08-28T22:36:00.001+08:00

I shall wait with gravitas and a certain quiet charm.

It always works...

230

2011-08-21T22:21:00.000+08:00

Lichen

Golden cups laid out on a tree.

229

2011-08-17T20:57:00.000+08:00

The party invitation said,

'Fairy fancy dress optional'.

We opted.

228

2011-08-10T17:33:00.002+08:00

Dawn

6 degrees today.

Frost on the paddocks.

Perfect walking weather.

227

2011-08-03T11:42:00.001+08:00

I wanted to be indoors by the fire.
Then I saw the trees,
diamond clad.

226

2011-07-25T14:08:00.002+08:00

'Kitchen curtain'

Daily,
my aging hands

perform the simple act of

letting in the sun.

225

2011-07-18T05:19:00.000+08:00

"Will you...?"

"Yes."

224

2011-06-28T07:58:00.001+08:00

Glimmer

223

2011-06-21T08:38:00.000+08:00

Moment

Came indoors from the studio. Shoes off, made tea, found book, found glasses, sat down, watched birds in garden. Then Dog found me.

Image by Alchemist

222

2011-06-14T06:31:00.000+08:00

Dew

Sunlight

Dog

221

2011-06-07T04:23:00.001+08:00

A small corner

The shiny leaf was given to me by Australian artist, Barry Smith. He forges beautiful objects from reclaimed metal. The wooden eucalyptus leaf is by a local artist and the 'Whistling Man', was found in the UK last year. He is made of soap stone and like the leaves is often picked up, because all three pieces cry out to be touched. The vase of lights is a relic from Christmas, that seems to have found a permanent home.

(Please click on the highlighted text to take you to Barry's site)

220

2011-06-01T12:02:00.002+08:00

I wake early because...

219

2011-05-20T13:26:00.000+08:00

The pleasure of well-worn boots.

Warm socks

Supported ankles

Dry feet

and

the first puddles of the season.

218

2011-05-14T15:31:00.000+08:00

'Frog'

It was dark and 'Shewhogivesmefood' was watching the flickery box. I, that am Dog, poked my head under the curtain and found a tiny pair of eyes looking back at me. How to let She know? I sighed a bit, then growled a bit and eventually She opened the curtain.

I am Dog. I patrol the house and guard it from all creatures. I watched the Tiny Eyed One until the flickery box was turned off and She went to her sleeping place. I look after all who live here. I am Dog. I am Dog and all is well.

(click on image to enlarge the 'tiny eyed one')

217

2011-05-03T14:44:00.000+08:00

Afternoon Breeze

216

2011-04-26T01:42:00.000+08:00

After the Big Fish BBQ

We live in a small house, so at a recent gathering of the clans, the camp chairs came out. The next morning my chair had an occupant. He has THREE beds of his own...

215

2011-04-20T07:39:00.001+08:00

'Walking companion'

Dog and I went for a walk at 6.30am, we were not alone. The 'Roo' jumped a fence line and hopped off into the trees. Dog sat and waited for it to pass. I stood and watched. We both know our places in the natural pecking order around here.

214

2011-04-06T06:30:00.040+08:00

It rains and all is good.

213

2011-03-30T11:55:00.002+08:00

If you don't like spiders, go away!

Redback

Be very, very careful when cleaning flower pots.

Not my favourite creatures, spiders. However, the female of this species has a dangerous elegance about her that I can admire...................from a distance.

(click on highlighted text for info).

212

2011-03-22T14:54:00.005+08:00

For Alison

Who requested an image that said,

'Welcome, you are wanted here, just as you are'.

It was a morning sometime last year. I took the photograph to remind me of a moment. I opened the curtains in the kitchen and stood awhile watching rain fall. I knew, that out there, the perfume of wet eucalyptus trees and damp earth would be intoxicating. The daylight had a watery luminescent quality that seemed to flow into the room.

Inside, I could hear the hound lapping water and his dog tags tinkling against the edge of the bowl. The fridge was humming, the kettle coming to the boil. An ordinary start to a day.

I sat in the rocking chair (the back of which, shows in the left of the picture), a cup of tea in my hands and wanted to share the experience with someone. Alchemist was away and so Dog was my only companion.

You would have been welcome too, just as you are...

211

2011-03-15T17:55:00.003+08:00

For Bee

Who requested an image of a favourite book.

'There is a story that's told about Stravinsky...It isn't much of a story, simply that when Stravinsky was in mid-composition, he insisted that his family ate lunch in silence. The slightest sound, a murmer, even a whisper, could ruin his concentration and destroy an entire work'. Drusilla Modjeska

This book helped me understand how often women support male artists. Keeping children and visitors quiet. Putting their own creativity on the back burner, because at the end of the day, who has the energy to paint, pot, draw, write when you have to look after the children, ensure everyone is fed, washed and warm, the bills are paid?

I found out how to look at a painting.

To see and understand.
Light, shade, perspective, brushwork
and social commentary.

Female artists.

In particular, two Australians.

Stella Bowen
(1893–1947)

and

Grace Cossington Smith
(1892 1984).

Stella left Australia,

went to France and England.
Painted views of the french coast,

friends, her daughter and finally RAF fighter pilots.
She fell in love with Ford Maddox Ford
(he later left her for Jean Rhys).

Grace stayed at home in Australia,

never married.

Painted pictures of family and friends,

local views, luminous interiors of her home.

Eucalyptus trees, a tea tray,
her sister knitting socks for soldiers.
The Sydney harbour bridge
as it was being built.

I 'll finish with Stella Bowen's words...

"Any artist knows that after a good bout of work one is both too tired and too excited to be of any use to anyone. To be obliged to tackle other people's problems, or merely cook their meals, the moment one lays down pen or brush, is intolerably hard. What one wants, on the contrary, is for other people to occupy themselves with one's own moods and requirements; to lie on a sofa and listen to music, and have things brought to one on a tray! That is why a man writer or painter always manages to get some woman to look after him and make his life easy,............ A professional woman, however, seldom gets this cushioning unless she can pay money for it."
Stella Bowen. (from her Memoir 'Drawn from Life').

Go here and here to view some of their works.

210

2011-02-06T15:06:00.002+08:00

Summer is Dragonfly blue toenails

The mosaic is not one of mine. I found it in an artist's garden. I liked the curving flowerheads and as the colours complimented my toenails, out came the camera.

Creating mosaics is taking up much of my time right now. I invite you to visit my mosaic site and watch Rosalie Gascoigne talk about being an artist. Her common sense and lack of pretension about her own art is a tonic and inspiration to this chipper of tiles.

I have not forgotten about the remaining image requests and Bee, yours (a favourite book) will be up next.

(click on higlihgted text for more info)

209

2011-01-29T06:10:00.003+08:00

For Call me any Name

Who requested an image of 'vibrant vitality'.

During the Spring here in Australia, I took a photo of this grass, because I knew that come the Summer, I would crave all things fresh, green and vibrant.

Right now all is brown and drear. Days of 38-40 degree heat do not sit well with this ~~wilting~~ woman, who grew up in the UK, relishing days of rain, frost and mist.

FLOOD APPEAL

2011-01-12T18:19:00.001+08:00

If anyone wants to donate to the Australian flood appeal, you can do so here .

Click on highlighted text for news updates and donations appeal.

208

2011-01-10T16:07:00.000+08:00

For Robyn

Who requested an image of my favourite chair.

Some one else likes it too. If I don't barricade it with cushions, Dog settles in for the night. The chair belonged to my Grandmother and came with me to Australia. It is a wing back chair, so is perfect for sitting to read or fall asleep in. It stands beside a small bookcase, that holds some classics, a pile of my present reading matter and a collection of semi-precious stones, fossils, carved objects and a piece floor tile from a roman caldarium.

(click on highlghted text to take you to Robyn's blog)

207

2011-01-06T16:12:00.002+08:00

For Rouchswalwe

Who requested an image of the Alchemist and I, toasting with an ale.

Best I could do was this. Sorry, it was champagne not ale.

Can you tell it was my second glass?

This picture is of my two favourite men and they are drinking ale. It's called 'Spitfire'. I like it too, but I was behind the camera.

(click on highlighted text for info)

206

2010-12-21T05:08:00.001+08:00

Happy Christmas

Wishing you all sparkling new horizons.

I shall be back in the new year to complete your image requests.

205

2010-12-16T16:59:00.000+08:00

For Suse

Who requested an image of my lunch.

A bowl of Edamame, lightly steamed with a pinch of salt. I do not eat meat and these are a good source of protein. Dog was not impressed. I do not share my Edamame with anyone. (click on highlighted text for info).

204

2010-12-12T20:41:00.003+08:00

For Isabelle

Who requested an image of contrasts.

The Summer ocean in December. It was the contrasting bands of blue that caught my eye. Also Isabelle, I thought it highlighted the contrast in seasons, between the Northern and Southern hemispheres.

(click on highlighted text to take you to Isabelle's blog)

203

2010-12-09T13:59:00.010+08:00

More updates listed below.

For BB

Who requested an image of a Vincent Black Lightning bike.

( Apologies for lack of image credit. I can't remember. Please be assured I will remove image if nec.)

Click Here, here, here and here.

I did find an awful lot of info. So you had better read it!

Edit:- for BB and RR. Re your comments see here

I grew up with spare bike parts lying in the hall. I travelled in a motorbike sidecar from a very early age and rode pillion from the age of eight (I think). The only person I trust to take me out on a bike is my Dad. Fear not BB, it is in my blood!

How I adore the internet. The twisting pathways that lead one to new discoveries:- Rouchswalwe left me this link in comments box.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lCH5JgWCZY&feature=related
Richard Thompson singing about a Vincent Black Lightning.

202

2010-12-06T09:34:00.004+08:00

For Zhoen

Who suggested several ideas for my challenge. I chose toothbrushes. This is mine. He has an electric one, I can't abide them. Can you see from the image that I live with a chemist? (click on highlighted text to take you to Zhoen's blog)

201

2010-11-30T16:10:00.002+08:00

For Grrl

Who wanted an image of 'Dog Love'

I think Dog was showing some love here as he does not always comply with Alchemist's requests. However, as you will see, he did lose interest, so I include an image from his youth.

Eight weeks old

(click on highlighted text for a link to Grrl's blog)

200

2010-11-24T10:58:00.004+08:00

The 200th post

A challenge for Herhimnbryn.

Hallo.
Would you like an image,

dedicated to you?

Decide on a subject and

leave a request in the comments box.
I will post the images here.

(keep it clean, people!)

199

2010-11-19T21:53:00.002+08:00

'She dislikes gold'

So she made their wedding rings.

She bought the silver for his.

He bought the silver for hers.

In the making,

her ring fitted first time,

his took three adjustments.

Both are still strong.

His and hers.

He and she.

198

2010-11-14T11:17:00.001+08:00

Visitor

( click on highlighted text for info)

197

2010-11-11T05:18:00.004+08:00

Remember

(Please click on the above, for a post over at my Dad's blog)

196

2010-11-07T07:48:00.002+08:00

Verandah

195

2010-11-02T12:56:00.002+08:00

For Zhoen

Salt glazed pottery.

Recently, a friend and I visited local artist's studios.

Z, as I wandered around this guy's place, I thought of you.

( click on highlighted text for info)

194

2010-10-29T17:16:00.002+08:00

Wolf under my table

I am in my studio on a daily basis now, so after his morning walk, Dog tends to stay in the house. At 10.30 I usually stop for tea. If I forget, a gentle scratching at the door reminds me. He knows that as I drink tea, he may just get a biscuit or an apple core. Afterwards he follows me back to the studio and ignoring his bed in the corner, curls up under the table.

193

2010-10-25T04:52:00.002+08:00

Field of webs

Walking fast,
Dog ahead of me.
I paused and there,
as the sun came out,
the field shimmered.

(click on image to see detail)

192

2010-10-20T08:23:00.001+08:00

Steel, glass and sunlight

191

2010-10-14T06:34:00.001+08:00

I did not want to return this to the library.
I rationed the last chapter, so I could keep it a little longer.

It will have to bought and take it's place

on the crowded bookcase.

190

2010-10-08T05:12:00.003+08:00

Summer's coming

189

2010-09-29T14:39:00.004+08:00

A personal list

Walk daily (with Dog) to sleep well at night.
Read, read, read.
Love is often evident in the mundane.
Be absurd.
A room of my own is a joy (thankyou A).
Crying is often helpful.
Think outside the box.
Observe hands, they tell a story.
Tell beloveds that they are indeed be-loved.
Rage when necessary.
Butter tastes better than margerine.
Running away does not fix it.
Grey is good.
I am an artist.
Cleaning the shower 1x wk is easier than 1x mth.
I have become quieter.
Walking towards a problem, often clears the view.
Accept with grace.
Solitude is a balm.
Get the vacuuming over and done with.
Say 'No'.
Say 'Yes' and leap.
Eat plenty of fibre.
Feet are important, look after them.
Wear a hat.
Make time to hold a hand.
Always carry a camera.
Perfume is good (but be subtle).
Gather/collect/display.
Cwtch. (Welsh for cuddle up).
Friends are valuable.
If I were rich I'd collect Netsuke.
You can't mend someone's life for them.
Swim to relax and stretch.
Make time to do something creative.
Tea cureth all evils.
Get up early and enjoy the peace.
Just laugh.
Bluebell blue/dirt red/linen white/eucalyptus green.
Rust and found objects can be beautiful.
Give back.
Talk it over.
Mascara and a good 'concealer' can work wonders.
Listen and hear (then ignore if necessary).
Insist on a 'date' night once a week.
Well made shoes/clothes are expensive, they last.
Good bread makes a meal.
Gardening is good for thinking.
'Dragonfly-blue' toe nails.
Stay in touch.
Rules can be broken.

188

2010-09-20T09:32:00.001+08:00

Who lost them, I wonder?
Who placed them here?

187

2010-09-15T22:37:00.002+08:00

I continue to be astonished by this blue.

186

2010-09-10T16:45:00.004+08:00

'Inspection'

Needing good light to take a photo,

I placed freesias from my garden on the kitchen floor.

Dog was bored

(his arthritic back means 'house arrest' again)

so he came to look

and sneeze...

(Freesias are classed as a weed in W. Australia.
See a post from my old blog HERE)

185

2010-09-04T21:39:00.001+08:00

Eucalyptus blossom

184

2010-08-27T20:04:00.001+08:00

We walk

183

2010-08-22T06:56:00.001+08:00

'Mottled'

182

2010-08-07T22:53:00.001+08:00

Patchwork wall

181

2010-07-30T04:35:00.001+08:00

Look up.

See?
There he is.

Sticking out his tongue

and mocking

all who pass by.

180

2010-07-18T00:03:00.001+08:00

179

2010-07-12T06:50:00.003+08:00

The walk

The forecast was for heavy showers,

but we went anyway.

There was blue sky and light rain.

We followed waterfalls all the way.
At the top of the hill
we found the cafe open.

178

2010-07-05T07:28:00.008+08:00

Camouflage

177

2010-06-29T06:52:00.002+08:00

Frost

Once again I am in awe

of the wonders that surround me.

(Click to enlarge)

176

2010-06-24T09:09:00.001+08:00

7am.

2.6 degrees.

There was frost in the paddocks this morning.

Grass was crunchy underfoot.

Dog had many a frost bath

rolling over and over.

175

2010-06-21T10:47:00.002+08:00

'Home again'

Fire lit.

Dog's head on my lap.

Malt whisky

and a

good book.

(click on highlighted text for info)

174

2010-06-16T20:34:00.002+08:00

Smallhythe Place

Ellen Terry's House

Sussex, UK.

Crooked roof-lines, timbered walls and wavy floorboards.

The perfume of beeswax polish and old fashioned roses.

(click on highlighted text for info)

173

2010-06-11T17:56:00.002+08:00

'Sweeties'

Rye, Sussex

I looked in the window and was taken back to my childhood.

Enlarge the image to read the labels on the jars.

(Click on highlighted text for info.)

172

2010-06-08T06:11:00.001+08:00

'As the sun goes down'

Kent, UK.

171

2010-05-25T02:36:00.009+08:00

Scotland

Across the sea to Islay

Home to a couple of favourite Malt Whiskys

Lagavulin and Laphroaig

(click on highlighted text for info)

170

2010-05-20T04:16:00.004+08:00

The Angel of the North

"People are always asking why an angel?

The only response I can give is that

no-one has ever seen one and that we need

to keep imagining them."

by Antony Gormley, Sculptor

Today I touched the toes of an angel.

While people where walking their dogs in the fields nearby,

I walked up and and sat at his feet.

Later Alchemist leant against him,

the Angel did not seem to mind.

(click on highlighted text for info)

169

2010-05-14T16:00:00.003+08:00

Paris

Laduree.

HHB queues for french macaroons, verbena tea

and all kinds of delicious-ness.

(click on highlighted text for more info)

168

2010-05-08T13:45:00.001+08:00

Bluebells

167

2010-05-06T22:06:00.004+08:00

First leg of the flight....spare seats, so two each, perfect.
Second leg of the flight...awful. We have upgraded to premium economy for that part of the journey back!
Family met us with a giant inflatable kangaroo at the airport.
I have a head cold (blaming recycled air on plane).
McVities milk chocolate biscuits.
It is VERY cold. I love it.
We went to Faversham yesterday. The whole town was scented with the aroma of hops from the brewery...bliss.
Sneeeeeze.
I am surrounded by green trees and green grass (this is a novelty).
I am re-learning to drive....the hire car has a manual gear change. I have been using automatic gears for nearly ten years.
The bluebells are out and I can just about smell their perfume.
Canterbury tomorrow. Note to self... take camera. We are tourists in what was our home county. I am seeing things with new eyes.
Cough.
No images for this post as Alchemist has our laptop and he is in London at the Science Museum.
It was the Alchemist's birthday yesterday. He chose a 'Top Gear Stig' birthday cake. We had to save the The Stig (made of icing), because no-one could bring themsleves to eat such an icon.
Any typos and spelling mistakes are due to constant coughing and sneezing and not the shot of whisky that was in my coffee.

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166

2010-04-30T14:59:00.003+08:00

I left him at the boarding kennel today...

165

2010-04-22T17:23:00.002+08:00

Taking flight

Soon we will be flying to the UK.

Kent, Sussex, Scotland

and then
five precious days in Paris.

Travel tips

(especially on how to survive the 24 hour flight)

and suggestions of

places to visit

are always welcome.

I wonder if the French I learnt

thirty-five years ago

will come back to me?

164

2010-04-19T10:19:00.002+08:00

Milo

See that cushion?
I made it for my niece.
Milo has decided...

163

2010-04-15T21:56:00.001+08:00

Droplet

162

2010-04-12T20:20:00.001+08:00

Another of MY toys

(If it's on my paw, I know where it is.)

Do I not look relaxed and svelte?

I think so.

She has put me on a diet.

I have to lose a kilo as my girth has increased.

I know she has lost a few kilos

(where did she leave them?)

But I am DOG

and I don't do diets.

161

2010-04-10T11:59:00.001+08:00

'What's that up there?'

160

2010-04-06T05:21:00.001+08:00

Kookaburra silhouette

159

2010-04-03T05:28:00.001+08:00

Silver pod

Found at

Sculpture by the Sea

Cottesloe 2010

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158

2010-03-31T04:41:00.002+08:00

By Margaret Forster, from her book 'Diary of an Ordinary Woman'.

'My room is large but very nearly empty, with only a bed, one chair, a desk and a chest of drawers and a cupboard in it. The floor is tiled. The bedcovers are white, the chair has a white cover on it, the walls are white. There are no curtains or carpet. It echoes. I love it.'

I imagine terracotta floors and the white covers are a rough weave cotton or linen. I wish...