Eenie meenie miney mo

The animals graves had become a bit overgrown; in fact they had become totally swamped by a huge Fig Tree, so I removed the actual headstones and brought them back to the house. As such I can now see them every day rather than having to go to Haddock's.

Recently I was sitting looking at them (as I do), and remembering them, and it made me wonder which of the three I missed the most. Of course I miss all three of them, and loved each of them equally, but I knew that if I thought long enough, I could come to some sort of decision.

Monty was a yellow Lab' and thought of nothing but food, walks, and sleeping. He didn't seem to be particularly fond of us, he just relied on us to fill his bowl twice a day, and take him for long walks. He was a lovely dog, but very aloof.

Bok was half Black Lab' and half Border Collie. He was friendly and enthusiastic. He loved being with us.

Freddie was a Tabby; my favourite type of Cat. He was BOUGHT by Kimbo in Windsor. I never asked how much he paid for him. He was a beautiful boy, and would sit in the Quince tree for hours, looking at us. He walked across the roof at night, demanding to be let in through the Velux window. He would also often bring live Mice up to the bedroom.

So I was looking at their headstones and thinking, if I could only have had ONE of them, which one would it have been?

You may be surprised to hear that I eventually decided on Freddie. He was a lovely boy. He would come and sleep with me at night. I'd find him curled-up, fast asleep, under my chin. He was adorable.

Of course, as soon as I'd made my decision, I changed my mind and decided that Bok was the one. And then I also thought that Monty was probably the most fun to be with, so I'd choose him.

It was a silly idea to try to choose one of the three. They were all equally lovely in their way. So I abandoned my silly game and thought no more about it.

 

Favourite painters.

 

As a painter myself, I have my favourites. One may be for his/her wonderful use of colour, another for deftness of hand, and a third for technique. Each 'favourite' has a quality that makes them stand out from the others.

I have chosen three painters who's work I would not only be pleased to hang on my walls, but each one of them has taught me something special. They are Matisse, Augustus John, and R B Kitaj.

Matisse (Red Studio, above) is not only admired by painters everywhere, but has also become a favourite amongst all social levels as an example of artistic simplicity; his work is 'acceptably modern', and is found on the walls of homes from the most basic to the most exotic. I have even seen reproductions of his work in children's nurseries/bedrooms.

Augustus John was a craftsman. He 'visualised' through his brushstrokes. He was an observer in paint. He had an artistic 'talent' that very few possess. A painter's painter.

And finally. R B Kitaj who was a pure 'paint magician'. Never satisfied with a single view, he combined images to tell a whole story on one page; a painterly collage of subject matter. His use of colour and line are almost unequalled. He painted to illustrate history; never to impress. He was without question a genius. 

As students of painting, and throughout our working lives, we make reference to those who have influenced us; without realising as much. This isn't plagiarism, it is a subconscious recollection of how others may have approached a similar subject, or situation. It is in homage to those who cleared the path ahead.

The Dressing Room

The new Football season has started, and when I last looked, Brighton were temporarily TOP of the Premier League. I believe Manchester have now overtaken them. It had to happen!

I've shown this video before, but it's so good I've decided to show it again. Enjoy.

 

Warning. Bad times ahead!

We are being told that Nasty Weather, and/or Putin, could reek havoc in the UK this Winter. We should stockpile bottled water, baked beans, tinned food of all sorts, and maybe even buy a camping gas stove, in case all the utilities disappear.

Frankly, if water, gas, petrol, and electricity, were all cut-off I think we'd find it quite difficult to survive, even if we did possess an industrial pack of bog paper, and a year's supply of wholemeal flour.  

We do have a BBQ, so a stock of charcoal might be a good idea. But with no power for the freezer, where would we store our chops, burgers, or snags.

Humans can live for quite a while without food, but we can't live without water. So a huge stash of bottled water would probably be advisable. Have you see the price of bottled water??? 

In the UK I live by the sea; but why is there no desalination plant nearby? Surely this can't be difficult, and they'd have the salt to sell as a by-product. There used to be a pool along the coast somewhere that used sea water that had been through a desalination plant; so these things can be done.

So, will we be stocking-up on baked beans and spaghetti hoops? I don't think so. I might buy a few multi-packs of bottled water, but otherwise I'll cross my fingers, and throw caution to the winds! 

Let El Nino do his worst!

Feral youth.

 

It's a tragedy that shocked the nation. Two serving Police Officers, PC Tom Clough, and PC Matt Blades (above), were killed by a bunch of five feral youths, speeding in the wrong direction on a motorway, in a stolen car. The five youths also died in the head-on crash, but that doesn't concern me.

The youths all had criminal records, and by all accounts were completely 'out of control'.

As if this wasn't bad enough, local masked hooligans later got together in memory of their mates, tearing about on E Bikes and taunting the police, whilst letting-off flares and shouting obscenities. 

This took place in N Yorkshire/Teesside, but it could have been anywhere. Sadly the government has made it too difficult to employ such people, so just over a million of them now live on the dole, ride around terrorising their local communities, and creating havoc. They have nothing better to do.

So, what is the solution to this ever increasing problem? Well, the easiest course of action would be to return to the days when young people could get employment on leaving school or college. Politicians created the problem; they can un-create it. When I left school in the mid 60's, there was no question that I wouldn't have been offered whatever job I applied for. We must return to those days!

The other solution might be to re-introduce some form of National Service. Not necessarily 100% military training, but maybe 50/50 social work as well. There are acres of graffiti that needs removing, vast amounts of potholes that need filling, and countless other national, and international, projects that would improve people's lives. At the same time, these people might learn some discipline. And, don't forget, in our dangerous times, conscription might not be a bad idea

Maybe, then, they wouldn't go around stealing cars, making idiotic Tik Tok videos, and needlessly taking the lives of innocent people.

BIZARRE.

 

One hears of strange projects around the world. Roads that lead nowhere, bridges that end mid-air, and even a huge estate of 732 mini castles that remain unfinished and unoccupied.

One might be forgiven thinking that Turkey's 'Burg Al Babas' is an AI fabrication; but no. It's real OK.

What is unbelievable, is how, or why some entrepreneur imagined that this was a good idea. Who in their right mind would want to live in a development of hundreds of small Disney-Style 'castles', crammed together over several acres. You'd have to be bonkers! Having said that; about half of them were sold in the early stages of development.

When we look at the above photo, we can hardly believe that someone didn't have a word with the Construction/Development Co, and attempt to stop them. They went bankrupt of course.

One can but wonder what will happen to all these houses. Most are only half built; just exterior shells.

Handy Hints

My French supermarket (Leclerc) could never be accused of not giving good advice to its customers; including me.

You can imagine how pleased I was to see these handy hints printed on the side of a paper bag in the fruit/veg section. It probably doesn't need translating, but I will anyway.

                                   

1. Take the bag

2. Open the bag

3. Place hand beneath the bag to avoid tearing

4. Put food in bag

I really don't know what I would have done without these tips, along with the handy illustrations. I would have been all of a dither, confused, and panicking.

So, thank you M Leclerc; you saved my day.