A bit of a spin, into pocket, and history

Yesterday I did the All Creatures Great and Small matinee, first two episodes. I can't watch longer than that without getting in a blur. I have the whole season to watch.

I really like very much the casting. They acknowledge the vet's a Scot, give Glasgow vet college its due, and the characters talk like people, not like quaint old parties.  And Helen sounds local, not like a poncy London visitor. These are huge improvements on the sadly classist original production.

But the location is further west in the Dales, not the most beautiful part where the original was filmed. It's still lovely but you can do better, on where I lived, Gribdale, now in the North York Moors National Park. Then it was just where we lived!

The first painting I ever exhibited, and the only artwork I've ever declined to sell, is this

It's the view from the back of our house, across the moor with Roseberry Topping sticking up there in the distance. I climbed this when I was three. It's just under mountain height, family day climb, walk from the house, up the hill, down, walk home. 

I remember my Dad putting down his handkerchief for me to scramble up on my knees, so tired. White handkerchief against green mosses and lichens. My Mom told me in later years that when we got home, I was too tired to get my foot over the step.

The painting, you'll noticed, has a very low eye view, close to the ground. That's because I painted from the memory of being about three. I saw everything like that, as little kids do. Small rises in the foreground loom like little hills.

The far view is the Cleveland Hills, the mental framework I carry permanently. The shapes get into my art all over, wherever there are sinuous lines. Even in the silver-work of the art doll. So much more, but another time.

This is a couple of dales, valleys, east from the setting of the first All Creatures, from which a lot of the scenes were familiar to me. Not so much with the new production. 

But it's okay. It's so much better in ways that matter to my social little heart.

Then I got on making the pockets for the Useful Robe, with notches to echo the neckline. I need to try on, to situate them right before I attach them.

And even though it was getting late, I just had to try spinning a bit of that merino silk, and it feels wonderful, fine but strong, slides along. Oh, a pome!

Good day. Listening to an Andy Carpenter while I worked.

Back after a totally down day

Yesterday was about tiredness, under the weatherness, falling asleepness, and a lack of doingstuffness. I'm back.

We had tornado warnings and heavy rain during the night. I never noticed. Sleeping.

Which accounts for the humidity today, I suppose. Not too hot, but the humidity is good for the houseplants and dry skin.

The other day I noticed at the library a brand new announcement among the book group and craft group and health group news. 

This one states firmly that NO photography, recording, videos of any kind may be made on the premises. Quite new to this library visitor who's made loads of pix in the past, Dolliver photoshoots, grip-and-grins with the library director on winning my Kindle, a lot.

Turns out there's yet another thing for library employees to look out for: evidently bands of roving right wing characters have been invading police stations and libraries, filming, recording, creating disturbance, provoking reaction then shouting about their first amendment rights. 

Now, since all the public libraries around here seem to be next door to a police station, it's quick to get help, meanwhile there's a New Rule to try to head off confrontation. We'll see how it goes. 

I was so tempted to take a pic of the notice, but heroically refrained. The staff have enough to do without being teased by the likes of me.

Meanwhile I've been working on the beaded and silver-worked figure. Hair is now out of the picture, another better idea having dawned. 

Seen from above, new ruby (!) headpiece in place

The back of the head, which will be different soon. 

I have inserted a handy skewer type thing, and the body will be slid onto it, too, as soon as I make it. I do love couching, that's where you stitch down the silver (or gold) work. Watch this space!

More roasted vegetables today: onions, garlic, ginger, celery, broccoli, leeks, carrots, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, the remaining mixed spices from the chai, seasalt.

40 minutes at 450°f

Stuffed into the last of the pita, must make my own dough again

Dessert of a fresh peach dashed with baharat, plain yogurt. 

I hugely recommend baharat with fresh peaches. It's a lovely warm spice mix because of the cinnamon and nutmeg, as well as a bit peppery. I've started using it on canteloupe, too, instead of ginger. 

Watching a matinee of All Creatures this afternoon, at least some of it. 

All in all, trying not to be completely got down by all the news I can't help with beyond the little things I already do, there are things to enjoy.

Planning, and enjoying the now, you can do both.

Today was cleaners day, which means getting out of the way so they can work in peace, finding local adventures and coming home to a clean house, yay.

Today was mercifully cooler, and I did a round trip of errands.

No prizes for guessing the destinations.

The first, though, is one you didn't know about. Because we may be in for a restricted winter of Covid precautions, I thought I'd check into new, to me, solo pastimes.

I've never been a jigsaw puzzle fan, but well, why not try it. I can always pass them on. However, I draw the line at spending money. That's why Freecycle was invented!

So I put a "wanted" post up, and within about ten minutes, warp speed, got an offer. Of a Fall scene. One thousand pieces. 

Bigger than my abilities and patience as a beginner and soloist. Not to mention table space. So I wrote back very politely explaining I am a beginner, and would have to pass. They were nice about it. Freecycle is so civilized.

Then, because I now realized I needed to be more specific, I edited the post to say 300-500 pieces. I was guessing since I don't know what they come in. Anyway another lovely person offered me these

And that was my first stop of the day. 

Onward.  

I'm thinking of winter and the store is already stocking up with firelogs. A bit depressing in a way. 

My huge biweekly grocery shop, about ten items

This bag was a Freecycle item, brand new, a while back. It's insulated, very handy, has a Velcro strip on the bottom. This is very useful because it stays upright in the car, held by the Velcro. It's also very annoying when you put it down inside the front door to retrieve your key from the lock, pick up the bag and it brings the doormat with you into the kitchen.

Then to the library to pick up the latest viewing pleasure among other things.

This is where I catch up with people who saw this already on TV. And I hope for captions, because the people talk funny.

On the way back, a stop at the farm to return berry containers and buy plum tomatoes and the best peaches in years. 

Yes, my own bags, a lot of mileage on them, they'll be worn out eventually.

The Great Heat and Rain have given us the best fruit in I dunamany years.

Then a quiet interlude in the park, tea and Worsley on Austen

So home for lunch in a clean, well lighted house, not off the floor, though I could.

Great summer lunch, between Misfits and farm. The colors alone are lovely.

And fun opening my new puzzles after writing my thank you.

You really have to trust that you've been given a complete puzzle when it's not new. It looks as if I have. Methodical puzzlers at work.

These are in my range, 300 and 500, I think. The parrot is a German make, the San Francisco one American made, with a  Woolworths sticker. Anyway this is going to be good, me in my cozy Useful Robe, some future cold day.

Laundry, then reading outside. 

Perfect. Doesn't get better. Happy Blogger here, signing off.