Hibernation

Today, I have taken delivery of a new book to read, Direct Red, by Gabriel Weston that I ordered after seeing her on BBC Breakfast the other day. The author studied literature before switching to medicine and becoming a surgeon. An account of what life as a surgeon is really like, it promises to be interesting. Meanwhile, the weather promises to be miserable and as I'm feeling very under the weather too, I'm going to take a little break from using the computer (I may have to be surgically removed) for a few days whilst I recharge my batteries. Back soon!

For my sister in Australia - frozen sprouts!

and .....



and ....

Caught in the act

This image speaks for itself. All I need to tell you is that this was taken early yesterday morning. Someone isn't quite as fast on their feet as they used to be.

The lost photo

This was one of the photos I couldn't upload on Friday.

Keeping it Fluid

What never ceases to amaze me when I'm writing these days is how I never (or rarely) know what I'm going to write about when I set about the task. I think that I have my studies to thank for this sense of discovery which makes writing such a pleasure. I won't bore you with the details of that but I will bore you will the details of this ........ Oh no I won't, which just goes to prove the point. I was going to show you a photo I took this morning but it wasn't to be after all so I'll have to explain it instead.

There was another pretty sunrise this morning so whilst our daughter took the dog out around the front garden, I thought I'd take a picture. Just as I was about to press the button, he cocked his leg which was both unwelcome and unexpected because usually he doesn't bother these days. It was only then that I noticed how the cat was perched on top of the bird bath in the middle of the lawn. I'm not sure if he was frozen solid to the stone, waiting for it to thaw for a drink or even expecting breakfast to arrive. All of these little incidents sparked off a train of thought different to the one with which I had started off. So, filled with creative, inspirational ideas - albeit very small ones - I thought I'd post the photo here and write something outstanding. I connected up my camera but the pictures I took don't seem to be there. I'm not sure if it's because a), the battery is flat and I can't seem to get the cover off, b) I'd had to wrestle the camera away from our youngest son before connecting it up or c), what I had suspected all along is true; that I never really understood how to use it, only pure fluke has enabled me to do so up until now and I've finally been discovered for what I am. A failure. Whatever, you're not going to see the photo now.

So, I'm back to square one telling you how unpredictable writing can be, how it is both joyous and frustrating. Willingness to keep it fluid (I'm not referring to the dog's poor joint mobility here) bring me tales of the unexpected on a daily basis.

A new broom sweeps clean ... or something like that

I knew it, I just knew it!

Readers of this blog - and I know that there are a few of you poor masochistic souls out there - may or may not be aware that along with the pretty Maploco picture, there is a list of places inhabited by the people who have visited. This seems to be a good time to thank regulars or say 'Hello' to any new people passing through today. I often have a look and usually I see my friend Cheryl has stopped by, Lost Star, my mother-in-law Pat and it's always nice to know that my sister, Maureen, in Australia is still alive (unless, of course, there is internet available in the next place) and I know that the lovely Pierre is a follower too.

However, today, I am especially excited because I got a visit from Washington DC and I am amazed that he's got back to me about the muffin situation so soon. I feel most privileged that I can hardly concentrate. I've cleaned the kitchen up just in case he pops in to give me a demonstration.

Monty indulges

I was a bit shattered from my first session down at Sussex so Monty has taken over for today!