Fun Monday # 131 Do I have square eyes!

I'm a bit late getting this post up as today is a public holiday here in the UK and I have Embee at home. He even brought me coffee in bed this morning...I must stop this wittering and get down to the task that Janis has set us today.

She says 'its an easy one. Since September is just around the corner, all the TV shows will be having their premiers throughout the month. What kind of TV viewer are you? Do you like sitcoms or do you prefer drama. Are soap operas your cup of tea or murder mysteries. Game, variety and reality shows are big this year too. These are just a few examples. Share with us your favorite shows and why you like it or them so much.'


I thought this would be fairly easy lately however, I've found that there is so much rubbish on TV and far too many repeats. Then Like last night you get a good show on two channels and the times over lap. I know what you are thinking why doesn't she record one of them. I might if I could work out how to use the recorder, I tried following the instructions ...it didn't work and I haven't bothered since.

As I type I have the US Open on and I always try and watch any tennis that is scheduled, again depending on the timing. (Kim Clijsters just won her match)

Last night it was 'Wuthering Heights' that won, it's a new TV adaptation and the second and final part is tonight. (In case you are interested the other movie I wanted to watch was 'Becoming Jane'-Jane Austen)

I love nature programmes and watch 'Countryfile' most weeks and it will soon be time for Autumn Watch to start for 2009 and I also enjoy the Discovery Channel, but don't watch that so often.

I do watch a few soaps, Home and Away and Neighbours (Aussie ones)are regulars and UK ones I dip in and out of are Eastenders, The Bill, Casualty, Holby City to name but a few.

I love the Antiques Road Show, always hoping to see I'm harbouring something of interest and value!!

I'm a fan of 'Strictly Come Dancing' which resumes in September and yes I do watch the X-Factor but prefer it towards the end when the real singing starts.

I think this is quite enough from me; I think I spend more time on the computer than I do in front of the TV, although, with my laptop I can combine the two!

What I definitely won't be watching is Big Brother and I'm so glad it is being axed after next series. Nor will I be watching the endless football that seems to dominate our TV channels.
Have a good week everyone.

Archives:
2008: Awards come in twos
2007: Today is Blog Day

Sunday Spying

I looked out of the window and thought I know that face!

I then noticed these three guys unloading the camping trailer. More chatting than unloading! I think it was the local Air Training Corp returning from camp. Not that I'm nosy or anything!

Embee picked some of the lavender and it's made the hall smell lovely. I decided to play around with the picture.

Archives:
2008: Meme Memories

2007: Pigeon Post

Alton Towers cont

After a gentle boat ride to end our day we saw these pretty little donkeys as we began our walk back to the car.

Don't you think this one has the sweetest face?

Archives:
2008: Hunt the Book

2007: Witty Wednesday-17

Worm Works .....Another Update

I can almost hear you saying yuk at this picture, it looks like.... well I'll leave that to your imagination...and you wouldn't be far wrong!

It has taken nearly seven months for my worms to start producing this 'Leachate' which is rich in organic matter and plant nutrients. Diluted (one part leachate to one part water) for house plants. So I'm now hoping to have some good looking house plants!

Of course, I could make 'compost tea' by using a cup of well processed castings in a gallon of water. You mix and leave overnight and then use within twelve hours. I might try this next Spring as it's still going to take a long time until I have enough actual compost to use on the garden.

Related Posts:
Tom on the Prowl + Worm Update
Worm Works Update-2
Worm Works Original Composting
Why I can't wait for Monday

Archives:
2008: Never mind Twenty Wishes-My wish was granted!
2007: What kind of frog or work of art are you

China # 15 Yangtze river Episode 3 Three Gorges Dam

This enormous dam is an amazing engineering feat and it's very difficult from the pictures here to actually convey the depth of these locks. Before we actually sailed through the lock system we were taken to the visitors centre to see the model of the dam and learn a little of it's history. We had also hoped to see views of the dam. Unfortunately this was the wettest of days and it was very misty so the views were almost non-existent. Below leaving the safety of the boat.
Nevertheless, we appreciated the mammoth task it had been to build this dam. It has been quite a controversial project because of the displacement of over a million people, the flooding of archaeological sites and the changes to the ecology. If you are interested you can read more about Three Gorges Dam
Below is a (not very good) merge of two halves of the model, but it will give you an idea of the size of the area involved.
Below is a model of the ship locks that we went through, it takes several hours to get through all the locks.These are some of the sights we saw at the centre

I was not as brave as some so didn't make it the top in the rain. We gathered afterwards that the weather is nearly always wet in this area.Below view of the dam.I think everyone was glad to get back aboard the boat and dry out.
It was then time to sail through the locking system.It was a fascinating process.
Once the huge gates are closed it actually only took about eight minutes to fill the locks and despite the rain we all made sure we were out on deck to watch the process but only for the first couple of times, it was then inside to the warmth and comfort of the lounge area.
I'm not sure if these pictures will convey the size of these locks. As the boat enters the lock you feel quite small with the sides towering some 180+ feet above you. It really is amazing to see the boats rising so quickly once the lock fills with water. The fact that this actually takes less than ten minutes is even more amazing!
It took quite a lot of skill to pack as many boats as possible alongside the cruise ships.This temple was close to where we boarded the boat, we didn't have time to look inside but it did look well cared for and somehow out of place alongside market stalls (sorry poor picture taken from a video).The rain did eventually stop and once through the locks it back to the scenery.
Despite the weather it was a memorable day and I've enjoyed sharing it with you all..

Archives:
2008: Witty Wednesday-62
2007: Fun Monday-31

Witty Wednesday # 110 Maxine Cartoons

My friend Daffy has sent me enough cartoons to keep me going for the next few weeks.


I find these John Wagner's Maxine Cartoons, that she sent me, particularly amusing especially as they are based on real people! You've not heard of him read on for some info. I have to be honest, I've seen some of his cards but never thought about the artist.

John Wagner, Hallmark artist since 1970, says Maxine was inspired by his mother, his maiden aunts and his grandmother, the woman who bought him art lessons when 'fill in the pumpkins' was about the extent of his art classes at St. John's Catholic School in Leonia, N.J.
John remembers doodling as a preschooler and says both his grandmother and his mother encouraged his artistic interests. He eventually attended the Vesper George School of Art in Boston and landed at Hallmark as part of a new artists group. But it was the birth of the humorous Shoebox Greetings (a tiny little division of Hallmark) in 1986 that added a new dimension to John's professional life. The Shoebox way of seeing the world unleashed his talents and he created Maxine. Hope you enjoy these





If you've enjoyed these I'll share some more next week.

Archives:
2008: 2nd Crop of home grown spuds
2007: Everything happens in threes

Fun Monday # 130 Back to school!

Our hostess this week is Faye who asks:

--Do you still think of yourself as a student? A lifelong learner?

--If so, what would you like to learn? Something job related to improve your work performance? Technology skills to keep up with the modern times? Personal financial management skills? Stress management strategies? Playing bridge? Belly dancing? Writing? Better blogging? Speaking another language? Car maintenance? DIY home improvements? You get the idea--the list of learning options for adults is endless.

--Are you currently taking a class or online study? What is this experience like? What are you learning?

--If not actually in a class, how do you learn something new? Tutorials on computer or TV? How to books? One on one with an instructor or coach? Practice on your own?


I could easily answer this all these questions one word...NO..... but in some ways that wouldn't be strictly true. Although, I'm not actually doing any formal learning, in the past three years I have done a lot of self learning.

Before I retired using the computer was mainly work related and sending a few emails. That all changed and it became my main hobby, well I think you all know that!

I have become much more interested in trying to take better photographs and I'm still learning more about photoshop elements for macs. I do my own research and try to follow it through, I won't pretend I find it easy as I don't always understand computer lingo. I did put my name down to attend a photography/computer course but the guy who was intending to run it hasn't organised anything yet. Maybe not enough people were interested.

I did a lot of research and reading about setting up and keeping my 'worm works' and this is ongoing as there is a bit more involved than I had originally imagined.

Also, I have been saying that I'm going to learn to paint (I have plenty of materials) maybe that needs to be my next project, I keep finding excuses reasons not to get started!!

I know when I come and read all the learning everyone else is doing, it will put me to shame. I also realise that one needs to keep the old grey matter stimulated so maybe your posts will get me motivated to try something new.

Archives:
2008: Thought for today
2007: What does your eye see

On 23rd of the month!

I was prowling around the house looking for a '23'. No I haven't lost my marbles just yet but my plurk pal and fellow blogger Rantz encourges everyone to post an unusual '23' on this day each month. I take my camera everywhere but often can't come up with the goods. Although having said that I have managed a few over the past months.
Although I'm not actually a proper member of this group as I don't have a flickr account, I still join in on plurk.
Today's contribution is the clock I have on my landing wall. This belonged to my grandmother and I'm rather fond of it (we don't have it working as my mother said the chiming kept her awake).

Here are a few more I've done in the past

Archives:
2007: What's you names hidden meaning
2007: CN Tower and Toronto Island

Storage Jars

I've just inherited some additional storage jars from Sam, she decided that she didn't want to take them back to the US with her so I found a good use for them.
I've already got some of the dried fruit, she brought me, in three of them. In case you are wondering I add some of it to my breakfast muesli, and the apricots make a good snack if I'm feeling peckish.
So thank you dear daughter, it was worth you lugging all that fruit, halfway across the world to make your mum happy.

Archives:
2008: King Bladuds Pigs
2007: Witty Wednesday-16

Soda Bread and Frittata

My first attempt at making soda bread was reasonably successful.

I saw a recipe in the daily paper for a Potato, Spring Onion, Dill and Cheese Frittata but as I didn't have half the ingredients I made my own version and this was the result:


14 oz cookd new potatoes sliced
4 eggs beaten
1 leek finely chopped (or as recipe 4 spring onions)
Few beans cooked and sliced
1 bunch dill roughly chopped(recipe)
25g 1 oz grated cheese

Method:
I didn't actually weigh anything
*potatoes fried until crisp in olive oil
* leeks and beans added to beaten eggs (or onions , dill)
* pour into pan and quickly mix, turn down heat top with grated cheese
*once almost set finish off under grill.

Embee's verdict very good.

Archives:
2008: What Olympic Sport are you
2007: Georgian Bath