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Peace to you…
On Sunday it’s International Day of Peace, 21 September. At the end of our last choir practice we sang a few songs to peace -it’s a scratch recording but you get the gist – Peace to you!
Amaze: with great wonder; astonish.
Amazement: a mixed emotion of extreme surprise or wonder; astonishment, bewilderment, perplexity, consternation…
Or, as they say, “awesome”: Inspiring or expressing awe – remarkable; outstanding…
Awe: a mixed emotion of reverence, respect, dread, and wonder inspired by authority, genius, great beauty, sublimity, or might
“When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe…”
“All the neighbours were filled with awe…”
“Everyone was amazed…” “They were filled with awe…”
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I never made it…
RAW DATA: Today I went to a open meeting about contemplation and creativity – I never made it.
I went to talk to some people who meet to discuss and create visual art. Specifically contemplative art (Is there any other form of art? I wonder). I have seen some of the group’s creations and I was looking forward to meeting and discussing ‘stuff’.
I cycled into the town an hour early with a view to sitting in Leicester Town Hall Square and having a breather after a day sat at a screen juggling pixels & print. It was a sunny evening and the prospect of 30mins on a bench by the fountain promised grounding and mindful space.
Was I in for a wake up call! It’s not often I venture into Leicester. I used to enjoy it as a young person with no cares or responsibilities. I recall commenting on the buzz and the vibrancy that was there, but I struggle to identify with that sentiment now. I have not had cause to go into the centre for, well I can’t remember; vacuous christmas shopping perhaps? Why would I have needed to go into the city centre?
What greeted me as I sat on the bench was perhaps 20 young people, playing music loudly on the grass and benches, the language was abundantly vulgar and ignorant. I was shocked. This is only the town of Leicester, it’s not a busy city. What then ensued from the other corner of the square was a gang of lads with a brick chasing another lad. “F*C*B* I’m gonna F* kill you, you F*C*”. The gangs faced up to each other and ‘discussed’ what was gonna happen… one on one? weapons?… I sat amongst this. The brick was tossed around and discussions were had as to whether to “smack his F* head” in with it. Others joined in. I looked for a decent person nearby but there was no one. Anyone that was around blanked the situation and scurried away. I decided to move on. I went around the corner to another bench further down the high street. “I’m gonna F* kill your F* dog you C*”, three drunken men were heatedly ‘discussing’ what was gonna F* happen later. I looked for something sane to cling to. I found nothing around of any hopeful substance. I looked for some form of authority to discuss the brewing incident that was happening in the square. Nothing resembling a ‘authority’ in sight. Personal anxiety took over as I looked for something clean, something hopeful.
The meeting was in 40mins and I’m sorry but I was nowhere near in a frame of mind to meet a bunch of strangers (albeit promising strangers) and discuss contemplative photography.
My anxious tweet on the way home: “Leicester city town sq. Contemplating dirt, vulgarity, abuse, violence, drunkenness, dishonesty. I could cry #anxiety what a horrible place.”
It seems to me we create images and pictures of hope and beauty and joy. We create images of violence, despair and horror. We play with expression of love and hate and right and wrong. We sanitise the insanity that might leak into our world and entertain ourselves with horror, failure and sorrow. We live in worlds saturated with infotainment, digital worlds, consumerist worlds, corporate worlds, polished chromium worlds, legal worlds, anthropomorphic worlds, domestic worlds, nutritious worlds. We build our security with what we possess.
Personally I see hope, joy and beauty in nature – I am often overwhelmed but beauty in the natural world, beauty in the innocence of young-people growing and learning. It’s easy to see beauty in the natural world even when in reality it’s a harsh natural world, it’s still visually exciting, it evokes mystery wonder and otherness. But what I would like to see, celebrate and magnify is beauty, hope, love and glory in humanity. I would like to see art that magnifies and resonates human activity, the reality of people, real relationships and real human interactions. But what we so often see in visual art is “pretty stuff”, “polished stuff”, “entertaining stuff” not reality.
I went to Leicester today to contemplate capturing beauty in our world. I left contemplating a grimy, dirty, empty space far outside our ideals.
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Our fave homemade curry
We used to make this a lot but with kids and costs and stuff, the jars and supermarkets have been easy options. The Greens came around for a few jars and drams this weekend so we returned to our fave Chicken Curry…
I thought I’d posted this before but alas can’t find it anywhere so here ’tis.
Jules’ and Em’s Chicken Curry
It always turns out a tad different depending on how much of what u put in but the basic recipe is:
- Fry, mushrooms, then onions (and brown with some butter!), then add toms.
Add:
- Cinnamon stick – snapped in two.
- Split cardamon pods (discard cases)
- Cracked pepper corns
- Cumin seeds (and a tad cumin powder)
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Garam masala
- Chilli Powder
- Salt
- and stir fry for a few minutes and the add chicken (cut in to inchish bits).
We tend to do all the above early, before the meal, turn off the heat, and then let the chicken sit in this mixture for an hour.
When ready you then bring the mix to the heat and stir-fry for a few minutes.
- Then add plain yoghurt to the mix, lower heat cover and cook for about 15 mins.
If it’s too liquid then remove the lid to reduce the mixture, alternatively if seeming too dry add a touch of liquid (water, beer, or small tin of toms)…
- When cooked, dish up with cooked rice and – this bit really makes it!… top with chopped fresh coriander, chopped chillies (of your choice) and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Enjoy!!!
You’ll know that up until now, for the last 3 years, I have ridden my bike to work daily. Through sizzling summers and icy winters I have ridden about 3000 miles a year, this was not something I intended when I started cycling once a week. But it’s infectious!
Three years ago, I bought an average hybrid bike – I spent what I could afford, and it’s been great. However, in retrospect I would possibly have paid more knowing what I know now.
It would seem that possibly bikes “off the shelf” in this country are not expected to be ridden daily through hell and high-water. “Hell and high-water” is what you often find on current cycle/road infrastructures in the UK. For the record, I am “someone who rides a bike”, not “a cyclist”. I ride to get to places, not to see how quickly I can go further.
For starters; If you intend to use your bike regularly through all seasons, you’ll need to ask for proper mudguards, it’s unlikely to come with them. You will need a proper bell – if there’s one on the bike it’s likely to be a ‘ping’ not a BELL! You might want to think about a chain guard, panniers, lights… etc. – you will need them if you’re not just aiming to ride on a sunny day. The wheel rims will need to cope with potholes and curbs. The tyres will need to cope with bullets!
Over the last three years, my bike has had everything on it replaced except the frame and the front forks and the hydraulic disc brakes. You can see some of this here: My bike’s history.
If you are interested in buying a bike to use regularly, that will be practical and will last the test if time, you might want to check out “A Bike for Life”
“A Bike for Life” by Dave Warnock
A friend of mine has written and discussed “bike” issues for years now and is writing a book:
Cycling trends, maintenance, manufacturing, lifestyle, safety, attitudes, infrastructure…
From saddles to shoes, fixies to trikes, Dave’s been there..
His book “A Bike for Life” discusses Dave’s “dream to create a bike to transform life. How your choices can help you embrace and celebrate life, not just for you but for others to.”
Check it out – Who knows where you’ll end up!
Incidentally, I artworked and shot the image the front cover: of which i am pleased.
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Memories Live On
We recently had cause to search out some material that might help some primary school children think, talk, discuss, understand… people dying and “death”. I was directed by many friends of friends (a beauty of the internet) to what turns out to be just the tip of a wealth of material, and I’d like to thank all of those people for their suggestions.
In turn, as always, the local library has been a great help! (Do you use yours? Use it or lose it I fear!?)
I have yet to delve into many of the titles but, I thought I’d share the list here – you might have need of similar.
My selection of stories that relate to death:
- Water bugs and Dragon flies (Looking Up), by Doris Stickney
- Badger’s Parting Gifts, by Susan Varley
- The Heart in a Bottle, by Oliver Jeffers
- Michael Rosen’s Sad Book, by Michael Rosen
Also a friend of a friend also shared a great poem that starts: - A spider spun a silken web and swung from grass to ground… shared by Pat Bilsborrow
Here’s the full list: (in alphabetical order)
A spider spun a silken web and swung from grass to ground… (Author unknown) replicated below
All the dear little animals, by Ulf Nilsson and Eva Erikson
Always and Forever, by Alan Durant.
Badger’s Parting Gifts, by Susan Varley
Charlotte’s Web, by E. B. White
Dear Grandma Bunny, by Dick Bruna
Goodbye Mog, by Judith Kerr
Grandpa, by Raymond Briggs
I Miss You, a first look at death, by Pat Thomas
Little Elephant Thunderfoot, by Sally Grindley
Michael Rosen’s Sad Book, by Michael Rosen
Muddles Puddles and Sunshine, by Diana Crossley illustrated by Kate Sheppard
No matter what, by Debi Gliori
Out of the Blue, by Winston’s Wish (Teenagers)
Tapestry, by Bob Hartman
The Day the Sea Went out and Never Came Back, (Helping Children with Feelings) by Margot Sunderland
The Goodbye Boat, by Mary Joslin
The Heart in a bottle, by Oliver Jeffers
The Soldier and Death: a Russian folk tale
The tenth good thing about Barney, by Judith Viorst
Tiger Eyes, by Judy Blume (teens and adults
Water bugs and Dragon flies (Looking Up), by Doris Stickney
When someone very special dies, by Marge Heegaard to be illustrated by children
A spider spun a silken web (Author unknown) shared by Pat Bilsborrow.
A spider spun a silken web and swung from grass to ground.
I must find out the news he said, thats buzzing all around.
The garden creatures great and small were quiet as a mouse,
they saw the caterpillar crawl into a tiny house.
She’s such a fool said the lady bird, whilst polishing her nails,
its the silliest thing I’ve ever heard, said a pair of solemn snails.
And all the creatures went away all thinking she was dead.
Until one bright and shiny day A little earthworm said.
I see a crack in the little shell, and something moves inside,
I see a head and wings as well, come quick and see, he cried.
The caterpillars back, they said, before their very eyes,
A butterfly stepped out and smiles at their surprise.
I left the life you thought I knew, you thought that I was dead.
I did it just to show to you, we die to grow. she said.
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Bowls anyone?
After some posters that I had created were recognised as “far more effective than their usual ones”, a friend of a friend asked if I might revamp some leaflets for Melton Indoors Bowls Club.
I had space in my calendar, so was happy to help.
I found that quality off-the-shelf graphic material relating to “indoor bowls” was lacking and so I took a trip along to the club and shot some new photography for the new promotional material.
The new leaflets have just arrived hot-off-the-press:
It’s a simple job but after a bit of thought and appropriate graphic work hopefully the new leaflets are more engaging and appealing to a new target audience. Have you every tried bowls? Give it a go!
The standard press add that they the club were using also needed a revamp and so, following the style of the new leaflet, I put a new press ad together. This image can also easily be shared on social media like facebook and twitter etc.
Old Advert
New Design
If you and your organisation might need similar and if I have time and space – I might be able to help if and when I can! 🙂
Some of my other voluntary work can bee seen here: print
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Sunny pancakes – Stormy skies.
So the wife took the mutley out for a walk – or did he take her out? Anyway the much promised remnants of Bertha were on their way and promptly rained a bit! They got a tad wet!
Incidentally, Bracken’s now grumpy ‘cos he was going to visit his mum in Coventry (he’s one year old now), he’s not seen mum ‘Princess’ since he packed his bags for the big wide world! They will make another dryer date.
If you’ve had the privilege of flying above stormy clouds, you might remember that the sun’s always there! The only thing for it on this grey wet English ‘summer’ morning, breakfast pancakes. Or as our girls say P A N C A K E S!
So here’ tis:
(SCOTCH) PANCAKES
175g SR Flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
40g caster sugar
1 extra-large egg
200ml milk
(and of course toppings)
Beat all of the above together to the consistency of thick cream.
Drop a few spoonfuls onto a HOT oiled frying pan. Space the well as they will spread.
When bubbles rise to the surface (it wont take long), turn the cakes over and cook for another 30-60 seconds. They should be golden brown.
Put them on a wire rack or sumpt and cover with a tea towel to keep them soft while you cook t’others.
Serve with the nectar of your choice; honey, sugar and lemon, golden syrup, jam, choc spread…
(oh, and we put raisins into our mix)
Happy daze!
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Butterflies, buzzards and bees…
After two weeks away in an primordial wonderland, the return to England is marked by the richness and abundance of natural life. Butterflies, buzzards, bees and at risk of excessive alliteration, berries and birds…
The volcanic land that we have been exploring is markedly barren due to the relatively new (300 years old) volcanic activity and the lack of annual rainfall (~20 days a year). The Montañas de Fuego last saw volcanic eruptions in the 1730s. Even after 300 years little plant life has taken hold. Lichen is starting to cover the rocks but other than that a few hardy bushes and succulents punctuate the harsh grey. There are a few lizards and insects but notably almost no daytime birds. In contrast the sea is teaming with life! Only a few yards from the shore you find an abundance of blues, blacks, neon, stripes, spots… fish the size of dinner plates to shoals of little tetra like sparkles – a few cheesy wotsits on the surface of the water and you have a feeding frenzy – truly amazing. But back to the essential colours of new life on the island and we have deep reds, purples, blues, earthy oranges and emerald greens. The hardy cacti and succulent-like plants that populate the shores are punctuate by bright flowers in high contrast to their desolate environment.
That environment is such a world away from the one we sometimes take for granted in England. As I say, on return, as I sat in the garden summoning up the will to attack the lawn’s 3 weeks’ growth, I was greeted by butterflies aplenty, young buzzards calling to their circling parents, bees busy harvesting, berries, plums, rhubarb, and birdsong.
But all of these observances are of Mother Nature’s ways. So often we turn to natural phenomenon to illuminate our condition but what of our fellow wo/man? What everyday glories of man might we equally celebrate?
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Froglets
And so now in week 15….
Our tadpoles are becoming a tad froglike!
Froglet
You can see the progression her over weeks week 1 , week 2, week 3, week 6, week 9,
We think we’ll be returning them to the pond that they came from this week and hope the fish don’t feast!
It’s been a great few months of observation!
From this… to this!
Spawn…
Froglet
Jules P Richards 