Morning, noon and night
Three random things I learned, or remembered, todayRain
MORNING
A picture of a solitary raindrop, for no other reason other than somehow it reminds me of spring.
I hate January except when it’s icy or snowing.
Oh, how I love the snow!
My linen cupboard
NOON
Everyone has their weakness.
Everyone has something they have always wanted.
To many, my yearning will seem strange.
Very strange.
A linen cupboard – full of vintage linen and lace all beautifully laundered.
Now why have I wanted this for longer than I can remember? It surely has to be because I would love my life to be organised, beautiful, clean, tidy and cared for. Never in my wildest dreams will I ever achieve this, so the linen cupboard is a kind of symbolism. Reminding me of my deficiencies but also hope in a strange way.
Do you know what?
I have just indulged myself in this fantasy and ordered a beautiful linen cupboard from France.
It’s modern but looks old.
It’ll take three months to make.
This is an example of pure, expensive, self – indulgence.
But for me, worth every penny.
I can’t wait.
Ludwig van Beethoven
NOON
Two things I learned about Beethoven today.
There is some evidence that listening to classical music may raise the mood of depressed patients. Beethoven’s 3rd and 5th piano sonatas were the pieces used in the study.
And, there is a great website for musicians dedicated to Beethoven.
Dropped Scones
MORNING
I came across a local parish recipe collection. The women of the parish submitted recipes and the book was sold to raise funds for church roof repairs.
This little book probably dates from the late 1950’s or early 60’s.
There was a recipe for dropped scones (Scottish pancakes) from a 95 year old. I can remember her grand-daughter.
She was the only contributor whose age appeared after her name. This old lady would be over 150 years old if alive today.
DROPPED SCONES
Ingredients:
4oz self raising flour
1 and 1/2 oz castor sugar
1/2 oz butter
1 small teaspoon syrup
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
(it is emphasized that all the teaspoons should be small)
1 egg beaten with about half a cup of milk according to the size of the egg.
Method:
Mix dry ingredients in a basin.
Melt butter and syrup in a pan and add to dry ingredients with the egg and milk.
Mix to a smooth batter, and bake in a fairly hot greased girdle. (I thought it was griddle!)
Where have the saris gone?
NIGHT
Years ago I had several colleagues who wore saris to work. They always looked so elegant and calm somehow.
Yes, saris and calmness seemed to go together.
It struck me that saris have insidiously disappeared from the workplace. Why?
Then it struck me that it might take ages to get dressed in a sari in the morning, so I found a website explaining how to don a sari. The little pleats at the waist sound challenging first thing in the morning.
Christmas snow
NOON
As well as liking arctic photography, I love snow.
Here is a snow scene to get me in the mood for the Christmas countdown.
This year’s gimmick is to do all my Christmas shopping on the (a) internet and (b) a tiny little craft shop nearby.
If I do it on the internet I have about 38 shopping nights to Christmas, allowing for postage time. And no car parking.
If I go into town, I have only about 11 shopping days to Christmas, allowing for work.
So, the internet wins.
WINTER SCENE
© Ajn | Dreamstime.com
Christmas countdown
MORNING
23 October is the day I start thinking about Christmas.
Or should.
I haven’t.
So this year Christmas will probably be shambolic.
So here’s a Christmas tree to focus my mind.
© Photographer:Elena Elisseeva | Agency: Dreamstime.com
Journey by Starlight
NIGHT
This award winning blog looks fascinating.
“Journey by Starlight” is the untold story of Albert Einstein’s imaginary journey across the universe.
“This is the story of a great journey that started with a great thought. One day in 1895 a boy looked into a mirror and wondered what the universe would look like if he could travel on a beam of light. That sixteen year old boy was Albert Einstein and that one thought started him on the road to discover his Theory of Relativity.”
Fiori di Capri
NIGHT
I ordered some perfume from “Carthusia” in Capri and it arrived today. Cologne rather than perfume. One was “Fiori di Capri” and he other “Aria di Capri.”
Why?
Well, for some time I’ve felt I had a fragrance sensitivity which made me sneeze, caused puffy eyes and a very mild wheeze. Since I’ve never been asthmatic before, it makes me wonder how a truly asthmatic patient might respond to such a perfume sensitivity.
I never wear perfume now and miss it!
Many years ago I bought some “Fiori di Capri” while on holiday on the island and quite liked it. I realise now that this fragrance and “Aria di Capri” are the two that are made to the original monks’ recipe from centuries ago. Assuming this is the case, I reckoned they might be more chemical free than modern perfumes and be less likely to cause symptoms.
So, I’m trying them out to see.
Below is a link to the Carthusia Website (in Italian).
Climate change in the arctic
NOON
“She told me how her mother had taught her to sew skins and make clothing. She told me stories of hunting and fishing, of a happy time when wolves and caribou could be seen from the hamlet.
“You could tell the weather by the smell of the wind. The fragrance of leaves and flowers meant rain from the south; the smell of sea meant rain from the north.”
She looked out of her window at the quad bikes whining down the dusty roads. “The only smell now is petrol”.
Guy Fawkes Day
MORNING
“Remember, remember, the Fifth of November,
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.”
Honey prevents wound infections.
NIGHT
Earlier I mentioned how honey doesn’t spoil. You never see fungus on top of a jar of honey. It has even been found unspoiled after 2000 years.
It therefore seems reasonable to assume it has antibacterial properties and may be useful in treating wound infection.
This seems to be the case.
Below is a link to a 1 minute podcast.
Arctic scenes
NOON
Never having been there, for some reason, I love pictures of the arctic and would love to see it in real life but never will. Well, maybe I will…. Anyway here is an arctic scene which you can click on to see it full size.
ICE FLOATING IN ARCTIC SEA
© Freezingpictures | Dreamstime.com
Dot Earth
MORNING
The New York times runs a fascinating blog……..
“By 2050 or so, the world population is expected to reach nine billion, essentially adding two Chinas to the number of people alive today. Those billions will be seeking food, water and other resources on a planet where, scientists say, humans are already shaping climate and the web of life. In Dot Earth, reporter Andrew C. Revkin examines efforts to balance human affairs with the planet’s limits. Supported in part by a John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship, Mr. Revkin tracks relevant news from suburbia to Siberia, and conducts an interactive exploration of trends and ideas with readers and experts.”
The trouble with women……
NIGHT
DON’T get angry. But do take charge. Be nice. But not too nice. Speak up. But don’t seem like you talk too much. Never, ever dress sexy. Make sure to inspire your colleagues — unless you work in Norway, in which case, focus on delegating instead.
By LISA BELKIN
Published: November 1, 2007
The New York Times carries an article on why the default image of leadership is still male.
“The maiden” three mummified Inca children
NOON
In September, the New York Times published an article on three Inca children mummified for over 500 years by natural conditions prevailing in the mountains of Argentina. Their frozen bodies were almost completely intact and are regarded as “the best preserved bodies ever found”. They look as if they are asleep rather than dead.
It is a sad story which leaves a sick feeling in the pit of your stomach, because these children did not die naturally but were healthy children sacrificed for the sake of a religious ritual.
The Harlequin ladybird
MORNING
The Harlequin Ladybird has landed!
A new ladybird has arrived in Britain. But not just any ladybird: this is the harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis, the most invasive ladybird on Earth.
And furthermore, it might bite you!
Population genetics
NIGHT
Genetic Equilibrium in a large population is based on the Hardy-Weinberg Law
The link below describes what this is about and what factors might disturb this equilibrium.
Animal lovers
NOON
I have just discovered a site called “Advocacy for Animals.” It is a blog that seems to be part of Encyclopedia Britannica.
It quotes the following:
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
Mohandas K. Gandhi
And would also add that a nation’s treatment of its children and its elderly is also a measure of moral progress.
Organic products are better?
MORNING
Up till now, as far as I know, evidence that organic food is higher in nutritional value has been lacking. It has rather been a “lifestyle choice.”
Apparently, this is beginning to change. It has been shown that organic fruit and vegetables contain 40% more antioxidants which are thought to cut the risk of cancer and heart disease. The antioxidants in organic milk were shown to be 90% more in this study.
The food Standards Agency will consider this research and if necessary review their current advice.
Pottery find
NIGHT
I love junk and visit auctions, charity shops and car boot sales on the prowl. It’s the thrill of finding hidden treasure that no-one else has noticed. Not real treasure usually, but something that is “good” hidden among the “bad” and the “ugly.”
Here is a photo of a little pottery vase that I found in perfect condition in a charity shop. It has a feeling of “goodness” about it.
Greenland thaws
NOON
To my knowledge, I have never met a greenlander. However I haved look down on this ice covered desolate land from 30,000 plus feet above, and wondered what it would be like to live there.
Global warming is making life more pleasant for greenlanders. For example, they are now trying to grow vegetables. Up till now they only seemed to eat potatoes.
The link below takes you to a lovely slide show of greenland from the ground.
Identical twins re-united
MORNING
I found this story about identical twins being reunited after 35 years more distressing than happy. Happy because they were at last united. Distressing because, unknown to them, they had been part of a cold, calculated experiment.
Writing a book
NIGHT
When writing a story, apparently there are ways to develop a 3D character.
This link tells the difference between 2D and 3D characters.
The Moon
NIGHT
Other planets in the solar system have moons, sometimes multiple moons. They all have names. Seemingly the name of our moon is simply “The Moon” with a capital “M”. Similarly, the stars are suns which are given names. Ours is “The Sun”
I suppose we have always known that.
The meaning of wiki
NOON
When I first discovered Wikipedia I realised I had encountered something new and exciting. However I never knew where the “wiki” part came from.
Apparently “wiki” is a Hawaiian word which means “hurry quick.” So it’s an encyclopedia that can be updated quickly and easily by readers.
I wonder who first thought of this?
Mess
MORNING
The other “must” thing for me while in “messy mode” is a really comfortable fireside chair beside a “live” flame. An open coal or log fire would be nice, but while in “messy mode” there is no time to grapple with coaxing a fire to light every morning and feeding it with fuel. So it has to be a gas fire with “real flames” – almost the same thing.
A little table beside the fire to hold the papers I’m working on. All the papers arranged neatly. And a tiny vase of fresh flowers on the table.
And one of these little lap trays attached to a cushion for the laptop. Another as a tray to eat from.
And that little corner is kept dusted and tidy.
So two corners of maintenance only, while the rest of the house goes to pot!
Eating – well, loads of fresh fruit, cups of tea, cold meats, chicken legs. Very little cooking.
And chocolate, of course. Lots of chocolate.
Oh, and the loo is cleaned daily – and the bathroom sink every couple of days.
So, with these little patches of organisation amid mayhem I can go into a state of hibernation for weeks.
Flowers at the bedside
NIGHT
Just remembered I took a photo of the bedside table last time I was in messy mode.
It was the only dusted part of the house at that time!
Coping with the messy times
NOON
For me, one of the ways of coping with the messy times in life, is to have two beautiful, tidy corners. Just two.
The first of these is bed. The windows can be dirty, clothes strewn on the floor, magazines and books can fall in a pile off the bed, wardrobe doors can be half open, drawers can be half shut, a layer of dust everywhere, but the bed itself has to be pristine and comfortable. The path from the side of the bed to the door must be clear and tidy and the bedside table needs to be dusted and have a tiny posy of fresh flowers on it – even just a couple of daisies will do.
I indulge in beautiful bed linen. Old vintage fine linen sheets and pillow slips that iron with a buttery feel I can’t put into words. Nothing is as cool as real linen. They cost a fortune new, but can be picked up in auction rooms for a song if you know where to look. And of course, fine, fine Egyptian cotton. And even when in messy mode I iron all my bed linen – truly.
I bid for old pure linen in auction rooms when I’m not in messy mode.
I buy the finest, smoothest Egyptian cotton sheets. Nothing else.
And I have lots and lots of pillows to prop me up. Because sometimes my bed, when I’m in messy mode, becomes an office.
And I have beautifully laundered soft comfortable nightdresses to wear in this haven of perfection while I’m in messy mode. Usually bought on the internet from the link below.
That is secret of the night for me, until the sun shines again.
PS This is not my bed, needless to say. It is a beach bed. Am I the only person in the world that has never heard of a beach bed before?
Morning, noon and night 