Northumberland folk

I have neglected the blog I know. I have been having long conversations with my new grandaughter on Skype and admiring her dimples and gorgeous chubby thighs.  But we have also been to the north for a visit. Husband had an important meeting and I sauntered around Alnwick. I took my picnic to the countryside, it was a beautiful day. The local folk were very friendly. Everyone came to say hello and look enquiringly at my sandwiches. But when it came to the Polos I knew there wouldn't be enough to go round. So I felt mean, I didn't share, I hoped they wouldn't notice. But I did rub their ears and chat for quite a while...........

Dentists and delights

Yesterday I went to the dentist. I go because I am more scared of what will happen if I don't go. Life's a careful balance! To get there I walked along the Marina side, admiring the boats in the sunshine. Then I heard a loud whooshing and thwacking noise and to my delight seven swans decided to try the pond weed at the far end of the water. In careful formation so not to bump into each other, they ran along the surface of the water. Large webbed feet, toes spread wide, they slapped down on the water. Wings outstretched and beating hard and fast, the huge, heavy birds took off with enormous grace. It took the length of the marina to get airborne. Would they clear the bridge?  With careful calculation, they glided underneath and out the other side. It reminded me of a sculpture I saw in Newcastle on Tyne recently. And going to the dentist wasn't so bad after all.

A very special holiday

Throughout July I have been in Singapore. It was a very special trip to meet my first grandaughter. I may be biased but she's gorgeous, so new, skin so soft  and hair all fluffy. I took along things I had made for her, a pink velvet rabbit, tiny cardigans, a coloured blanket I knitted in the winter. Also a baby dress which her mum once wore.  I was so glad that my daughter was safely delivered and her new girl was well. Did my mum have the same worries for me? I remember her making little baby nighties, arriving with apple crumbles, holding my daughters with such care. It's a precious gift to be a granny.

Garden problems

In my English garden I have a fiberglass wild boar near the pond. And blackbirds who have eaten all the raspberries. The bees which frequent the borage have nasty tempers and the squirrels bury walnuts. But my troubles are small. Denise in Ohio on the other hand, has racoons. The racoons have babies. And the babies are badly behaved. They use her pot plants as a litter tray. Now they have discovered the bird feeder. Here is the photo she sent me. I will stop complaining about my squirrels.......... and the racoons do look so cuddly!

Young families

In our garden there are several young families being raised at present. The parents look tired and rumpled, rushing about in a distracted manner. Regular mealtimes are so important and snacks are required constantly. The babies, often more than one per family, are demanding. As big as their parents, they shout and yell for more food. They are not fussy, any worm will do, beetles, wire worms, bugs of all sorts are stuffed into their beaks by fond mums and dads. Today I was digging in the garden and a blackbird dad was constantly under my feet. As soon as the spade turned the earth, he was there. Catching food I couldn't see. Sometimes his beak was so full, everything was dropped like a carrier bag failure in a supermarket. Big worms fought back. But off he flew and then back again for more. Under a bush sat his sulky offspring. Beak wide open. But then baby hopped off. Dad arrived, lots of worms at the ready, so worried . Where was that baby? It should have stood still, stayed where it was left, done as it was told........and now the wrens have the same problem........and the robins....... 

A birthday present

Husband has been given a rather special birthday present. It arrived carefully wrapped, a bulky and awkward parcel to carry. Was that a tail and could that be four ( rather rigid ) feet sticking out of the paper? It came on the train with daughter, she was asked if it was a dog..... whatever did that person think?? Husband was thrilled, it was just the thing. The present stood in the study for several days. It made me jump every  time I entered the room. It wasn't scary, it had rather a shy smile, but it seemed out of place. So this morning we went for a walk. Together. And now amongst the buttercups, in a damp corner of the garden, where he can rootle in the mud  when we are not looking, stands the birthday wild boar...........

Breakfast

Everyday throughout the cold weather he arrived outside the back door. He spent the day lurking under the bird feeder, sometimes perching on the back door ledge hoping for bread. I called him William, a very beautiful wood pigeon. Very soon it was clear he was bigger than the other pigeons. Much bigger. So he became William the biggest pigeon in the world. But a sad day has come. William couldn't escape the sparrow hawk. A pile of  feathers lay on the path, gorgeous shades of grey, pink and faintly blue. He had become a breakfast . I quite miss him around the kitchen door. So I have made a fabric picture after a workshop with the textile picture maker Janet Bolton. It is in folk art style, and William stands on a step next to a pink tulip from the garden. I have put a large pearl button above him, it's colours are like his feathers. No sparrow hawk in this picture.......but today I heard that three perigrine falcons have hatched on a ledge of Lincoln cathedral. They may be eating the sparrowhawk for breakfast soon....