Living in a Box

Grumpy Grandkids

Not much productivity today. I had my oldest grandson (14) here for the day today. His temperature was soaring on and off, and he was thoroughly miserable -obviously a virus or a cold coming on. His father picked him up after work. If he's the same tomorrow, I'll be taking him over to the Doctor. Granddaughter Meg is full of a cold too ! Her nose is blocked and she is as miserable as sin because she can't breathe ! Needless to say, we had a very grumpy time today, bless 'em.  Let's hope they feel better tomorrow !

As a result of the grumpy grandkids, I didn't get much done at all - neither in the house nor the garden. I spent most of today either mopping brows, supplying cool drinks or blowing noses. I went out into the garden late this evening when the children had gone home, and there is a really cold wind blowing. Everything looks fine out there, but I am keeping my fingers crossed that the temperature doesn't drop too much tonight. It really feels as though it's going to be cold ! Hope not.

So...I am tired tonight ! I'll spend another hour on the computer visiting a few blogs, and then it's off to bed. Tomorrow will be a much better day.

The Worker's Maypole

The Worker's Maypole

A Poem by Walter Crane written in 1894. I rather like it.

World Workers, whatever may bind ye,
    This day let your work be undone:
Cast the clouds of the winter behind ye,
     And come forth and be glad in the sun.

Now again while the green earth rejoices
     In the bud and the blossom of May
Lift your hearts up again, and your voices,
     And keep merry the World's Labour Day.

Let the winds lift your banners from far lands
    With a message of strife and of hope:
Raise the Maypole aloft with its garlands
     That gathers your cause in its scope.

It is writ on each ribbon that flies
     That flutters from fair Freedom's heart:
If still far be the crown and the prize
     In its winning may each take a part.

Your cause is the hope of the world,
     In your strife is the life of the race,
The workers' flag Freedom unfurled
     Is the veil of the bright future's face.

Be ye many or few drawn together,
     Let your message be clear on this day;
Be ye birds of the spring, of one feather
     In this--that ye sing on May-Day.

Of the new life that still lieth hidden,
     Though its shadow is cast before;
The new birth of hope that unbidden
     Surely comes, as the sea to the shore.

Stand fast, then, Oh Workers, your ground,
     Together pull, strong and united:
Link your hands like a chain the world round,
     If you will that your hopes be requited.

When the World's Workers, sisters and brothers,
     Shall build, in the new coming years,
A lair house of life--not for others,
     For the earth and its fulness is theirs.

Morris Men on Mayday

What a wonderful time we've just had watching the Icknield Way Morris Men dancing in Wantage Market Square.  Meg (granddaughter) really enjoyed herself, and was clapping along to the music. The sun was shining (although there was a bit of a stiff breeze).

They even posed for me ! Isn't it wonderful to see young boys taking part in the old traditions ? 

Jim Birch - the Fool

Thank you Icknield Way Morris Men for a lovely hour.

If you don't know anything about Morris Dancing - it's worth looking it up and having a good read.   

May Day

Happy May Day everyone !

Grandson Tim as the May King a couple of years ago

Children Maypole dancing

What a busy day I had yesterday - didn't even get time to blog !! Shameful. I had so much running around to do - shopping included.  I also gave a painting demonstration to the ladies of the British legion last night (I'll tell you about that later). It took a while to prepare for the demo yesterday afternnoon.  I got back home at 9.30pm. Exhausted.  A really busy day and evening.

I really don't like supermarket shopping. I normally order my basic groceries online at Tesco, and they deliver. But there are some things I get from our local shops. Our little shopping centre here in the village is one of my favourite haunts. We have a wonderful DIY/hardware shop where I can get all my basic gardening goodies - soils, seeds, etc. It's a treasure trove, and I can spend hours rummaging among all the gardening stuff. We have a greengrocer whose veg and fruit are great - always fresh and tasty. Our butcher is fantastic - good meat, and good for a laugh. The butchers are always joking and mucking about - makes shopping a pleasure ! We have a pharmacy - friendly and helpful, and we also have a charity shop (I'm quite well known there LOL).  And it's only 2 minutes from my door !!

I am off to Wantage town as soon as finish this. I am fetching my granddaughter from nursery school at 12, and we are staying in town as the Morris Men are dancing in the market square at 12.30.  I really enjoy watching the Morris dancing. I'll be taking my cameral along and hopefully I'll have some photos to show you later on.

Back later when I have more time. 

How Big is Your Butt ?

It's been a quiet day today. I pottered about, not really getting stuck into anything at all. The weather was lovely apart from a very cool breeze. The breeze has stopped and it's a beautiful evening at the moment. The forecast shows rain tonight. I really hope so. We haven't had a good shower for ages, and we need it.  Baz and I are going to look at getting a water butt. I've just been looking online, and see this one at Tesco that might do the trick. The photo below is from the Tesco website. We're not sure exactly what size to go for. Does size matter ?? I'm sure it does !! I suppose the bigger the better - but we don't have much space for it. Ho hum - decisions, decisions.

I'll let you know what we come up with. I have a lot of orchids indoors (I need to show some photos), and ideally, they should be watered with rain water. And...if this summer is as hot as predicted, we are sure to need the extra water.

So...we're having a quiet evening watching telly. We'll have a full day tomorrow - the kids are all coming for lunch - so we'll make the best of the peace this evening. LOL !!

A People Day

I had a lovely day today - full of people ! I was invited to visit an elderly friend this morning. She lives in a studio flat in a sheltered housing complex nearby. It was great to be able to sit and listen. She doesn't get a lot of visitors, and I know she sometimes feels very lonely. She chatters non-stop whenever I go there. And I barely talk at all. She just needs someone to listen to her. She was a great gardener when she was younger, and still has such wonderful advice to share.

She gave me two small cuttings I'm very pleased with. One is a Schlumbergera (Christmas cactus). I haven't had one for quite a few years, so will treasure it.

The other is a piece of  Zebrina pendula (Wandering Jew).

Now...to get them to root, and we'll be away.

This afternoon I had a surprise visit from my sister-in-law (who lives nearby) with my niece, who lives in Sicily !! It was wonderful to see her. She moved there from Ireland 3 months ago - her husband is Sicilian. She brought photos of the house and garden they are renting on the outskirts of Trapani. Well..the garden is amazing !! Gosh - the fruit...the flowers...a feast for the eyes. I was green with envy ! My sister-in-law has decided she is going to Sicily to live with them. I was even more green after hearing that. But I was made to promise that I will visit them later in the year. That's something to look forward to.

I didn't get anything done in the garden at all today. Between visiting, and visits, and watching South Africa lose to Australia in the Cricket World Cup, there was only time for essential watering. Tomorrow, I plan to spend most of the day in the garden. Wonderful !

Now - I'm off to bed !! Goodnight.

April Record

It seems that last night was the warmest April night on record, according to the lovely Claire (the weather girl) on GMTV. Temps dipped to a sultry 15C in some areas.  If this is a sign of things to come, I shall soon be looking at the tropical plants section of our local nursery !

Below are a few scans of photos of my garden in Zimbabwe. I left Zimbabwe to come to the UK at the end of 2001. The photos were taken in 2001. I really miss my garden !

Me - in front of the beautiful petrea. 

My mother and 2 of my dogs - Lily & Gus.

   

Wrong Blog ??

If you have noticed that the colour & style of this blog keep changing...and you think that maybe you've come to the wrong blog or you must be imagining things...it's not you - it's me ! I am just not satisifed with the colour and style and I keep trying new layouts. I'll settle on one eventually.

Early Rising

I am up very early. It's just after 5am, and it is a beautiful morning. The birds are all awake too. I'm sitting in the dining room, patio door open, listening to the dawn chorus !  Now...I'm usually an early riser, but not this early !!! I have to take Baz to a meeting this morning in Thame. He can't drive himself - so I'm to be the chauffeur. Just before we went to sleep last night, I mumbled "Set the alarm love - I have a lot to do before we leave in the morning", and then promptly fell asleep. Well...he set the alarm all right !! For 5am !! I awoke to the beeping of the alarm and him saying "It's 6 o'clock if you want to get up". He then turned over and went back to sleep. I staggered out of bed thinking it was still very dark...but what the heck.

It's only as I sit here with my early morning cuppa that I've looked at the clock to discover the time. He's an hour out ! I don't quite know how he managed that but he's sure to hear all about it shortly !!

April Showers

At last - April showers have come our way. I'm really very thankful.  It's been drizzling on and off all morning - the garden smells wonderful - and it is so mild. The temp will be over 20C today (68F).

I had such a lovely weekend. Yesterday, all the children came for lunch (even my youngest son came from Bristol). It's so nice to see them all laughing and having fun together. I really feel blessed to have such loving children and grandchildren.

In the late afternoon, daughter Fiona and I went off to B&Q to have a look at their garden section (she wanted some herbs), and look what I found.

I am absolutely thrilled with it. It is going to be such a help to me. (I can start more seeds now ! LOL !!) It cost £19.99. Maybe I could have got it cheaper if I'd shopped around. (Please don't tell me if you've seen them at a lower price - I'll be kicking myself.)

Look what else I bought. I'll get a better picture when it's a bit brighter. I took this one last night.

It's a piece of willow trellis. I've put it behind the clematis. It look so nice against the green fence. Aaaah. Lovely !