Tuesday 27 September 2011

PEARS

are useless.

But I did make a Tarte Tatin with them.

And it was bloody gorgeous.

Sunday 25 September 2011

SOFT SOAP

I saw a survey recently which suggested that women are more likely to be eco friendly, or interested in the eco friendly, than men.

I have a suggestion for all eco concerned ladies.

Stop using cosmetics.

At a stroke you can eliminate swathes of carbon emitting manufacturing processes. Your skin will benefit by not getting clogged up with all the shit you are puttiong on it now. And then you won't have to buy all the gunk to remove the previous slap you stuck on your face. You'll look nicer, more authentic and feel way cleaner. Your skin won't age as quickly (what an idea, that a part of your body could age slower or faster than any other bit) and you will retain in your purses huge amounts of money all of which you can give to the poor and needy or to eco causes.Not only that, your mental health will benefit as you will be moving to a more confident definition of your own aesthetic.

The only downside I can see to this suggestion would be the demise of Body Shop - a noble institution which we all know is saving the planet by a gigantic manufacturing and retail endeavour to sell stuff that no one needs.

Saturday 24 September 2011

There are few things in life which are not cured by a couple of really well made Dry Martinis.

Saturday 17 September 2011

RED ADMIRALS

Should it be a rabble, or a bridge?

Red Admirals.

We've got the full Spithead review of them, sunning themselves in the early autumn sun on the west wall, which, curiously for a weather wall, stays warmest longer.

It took me some time to work out the whys and wherefores of their presence, but a little mowing gave me the answer. The fallen pears, which we find pretty well useless, are their nectar. Down amongst the pear sludge there is a Red Admiral feeding frenzy going on.

My heart lifts as I see them there on the old brickwork.

And my loose intentions to buy a cider press, make perry and find at least some use for the pears, become looser still.

Monday 12 September 2011

TOO DIFFICULT BOX

I've come all this way and never had one of these. Just recently, though I've got myself one, and can now recommend them for all households.

You'd be amazed in recent weeks how much stuff - people and things - have gone in there.

I can't quite believe how I've managed for so long without this particular mod con.

It's done a super job of tidying up.

And one feels a great sense of relief to be rid of clutter once and for all, or, at the very least till it may once again prove its usefulness.

Thursday 8 September 2011

Suppose you believe in empowering your kids.

They let you down.

Do you:

a) bale them out, step in and take control to keep them safe and out of further trouble?
b) empower them some more to sort things out in the best way they can and learn from it in the process?

I am firmly of the theory b persuasion.

But I may be wrong.....................