Photo and words by Kris Meadon, written yesterday, used here with permission.
“It’s 4.30pm as this evening’s full Wolf moon rises slowly through the mist and clouds behind the fairytale castle of St.Michael’s Mount. 🌝 January’s full moon was dubbed the Wolf Moon by early Native Americans due to villagers hearing packs of wolves howling in hunger around this time of the year!”
We couldn’t see the full moon at all last night as it was far too cloudy. I went out several times to find it…… I was delighted when Kris’ beautiful photo turned up and he said I could use it.
A friend alerted me to the fact that Seville Oranges (needed for making marmalade) are in the shops for their very short season so off we went this morning to our local greengrocer’s to pick up enough for 4 batches. These are enough for one batch. I shall freeze some to make later.
Seville Oranges
Tonight’s Turkey stir-fry featured Pak Choi from our vegetable patch at the back.
Porthowan was a treat – toddlers playing in the puddles left behind by the retreating tide; people strolling and waves crashing – wonderfully uplifting.
Toddlers
Waves
Sky and puddles
Self portrait
Sun and cloud reflected in a puddle
Later we went to walk around Trelissick Gardens – saw Daffodils on the way and lots of signs of Spring in the garden.
Yesterday I received a message from Dear Friends, “Now the Xmas tree is gone, I have transferred our Angel to his/her permanent home. Amazingly, the way the light is catching the crystal head has given the figure hair and eyes!” I thought you might like to see the described effect.
Before I added the stock to the Spicy Parsnip Soup, the colours and shapes pleased me. The soup was tasty too!
On my drive to Penryn to sing this morning, I saw numerous Camellias in flower. Unable to stop to take a photo, here is one from last year, so lovely to see on these grey winter mornings.
I was given a beautiful book for my birthday, The Singing Tree, written and illustrated by Kate Seredy, which I read yesterday and absolutely loved. The story was very touching and the illustrations very lovely. Thank you very much C.
It was Sing for your Heart, Sing for your Soul today at the Eco park and I thought you might like to hear a couple of snippets. They are both recorded with the camera looking at the floorboards as I hadn’t asked anyone if they would be okay with being filmed. The sessions are open to anyone to come along and songs are taught by voice in four parts. Everyone comes away feeling loved and exhilarated.
We love these little Italian lemony treats which we buy at a local market occasionally.
I have had this little model for many, many years. It was made by S, a very talented writer in one of my English classes. He was a restless sixteen year old who needed encouragement, both to believe in his own talent and to sit still! I discovered that, given something to model with, his concentration on the literature we were studying increased hugely. One day, at the end of the lesson, he presented me with this precious little model, made of Blutak. It’s me – curly hair, long skirt, a necklace and a scarf, carrying books and a heavy bag of files and with a huge grin on my face. I was so touched and I have kept this little treasure ever since.
Thank you, S. I hope you have become the writer I thought you could become. Maybe you went on to make models in the style of Wallace and Gromit! Maybe one of my ex-pupils who reads this will tell you of this post!
I first posted this in 2013! I still have my little 5″ model and it still means the world to me. I was reminded of it again yesterday as I was talking teaching techniques with our son, D, and spoke of how I gave fidgety young people something (Blutak) to play with.
Yesterday, our last day with the family here, D gave the children his Senegalese Djembe. They are going to have lessons at school next term and were delighted with this very special gift.
Last Saturday a neighbour and good friend had her birthday party. We couldn’t go but I made her a tear-and-share Camembert party piece to be finally cooked at the party. I am told it went down very well!
We were introduced to these delightful letters a couple of weeks ago and I thought today a suitable day to share them. Just in case you are unfamiliar with the Christmas song, The Twelve Days of Christmas, I give you the song first…
THE TWELVE THANK YOU NOTES OF CHRISTMAS: AGNES TO JOHN
Loosely Based On The Twelve Days of Christmas
Dearest John:
I went to the door today and the postman delivered a partridge in a pear tree. What a delightful gift. I couldn’t have been more surprised.
With dearest love and affection, Agnes
December 15th
Dearest John:
Today the postman brought your very sweet gift. Just imagine, two turtle doves…. I’m just delighted at your very thoughtful gift. They are just adorable.
All my love, Agnes
Dear John:
Oh, aren’t you the extravagant one! Now I must protest. I don’t deserve such generosity. Three french hens. They are just darling but I must insist…. you’re just too kind.
Love Agnes
December 17th
Today the postman delivered four calling birds. Now really! They are beautiful, but don’t you think enough is enough? You’re being too romantic.
Affectionately, Agnes
December 18th
Dearest John:
What a surprise! Today the postman delivered five golden rings. One for each finger. You’re just impossible, but I love it. Frankly, John, all those squawking birds were beginning to get on my nerves.
All my love, Agnes
December 19th
Dear John:
When I opened the door there were actually six geese-a-laying on my front steps. So you’re back to the birds again, huh? Those geese are huge. Where will I ever keep them? The neighbors are complaining and I can’t sleep through the racket. PLEASE STOP!
Cordially, Agnes
December 20th
John:
What’s with you and those birds???? Seven swans-a-swimming. What kind of joke is this? There’s bird do-do all over the house and they never stop the racket. I’m a nervous wreck and I can’t sleep all night. IT’S NOT FUNNY…….So stop with those birds.
Sincerely, Agnes
December 21st
OK Buster:
I think I prefer the birds. What am I going to do with eight maids-a-milking? It’s not enough with all those birds and eight maids-a-milking, but they had to bring their own cows. There is poop all over the lawn and I can’t move into my own house. Just lay off me. .
Ag
December 22nd
Hey:
What are you? Some kind of sadist? Now there’s nine pipers playing. And do they play! They never stopped chasing those maids since they got here yesterday morning. The cows are upset and are stepping all over those screeching birds. No wonder they screech. What am I going to do? The neighbors have started a petition to evict me. You’ll get yours.
From Ag
December 23rd
You Creep!
Now there’s ten ladies dancing – I don’t know why I call them ladies. Now the cows can’t sleep and they’ve got diarrhea. My living room is a river of poop. The commissioner of buildings has subpoenaed me to give cause why the building shouldn’t be condemned. I’m siccing the police on you.
One who means it, Ag
December 24th
Listen Idiot:
What’s with the eleven lords a-leaping? All 234 of the birds are dead. I hope you’re satisfied, you rotten swine.
Your sworn enemy, Miss Agnes McCallister
December 25th (From the law offices Taeker, Spedar, and Baegar)
Dear Sir:
This is to acknowledge your latest gift of twelve fiddlers fiddling, which you have seen fit to inflict on our client, Miss Agnes McCallister. The destruction, of course, was total. All correspondence should come to our attention. If you should attempt to reach Miss McCallister at Happy Dale Sanitarium, the attendants have instructions to shoot you on sight. With this letter, please find attached a warrant for your arrest.
On January 1, 1943, the American folk music legend Woody Guthrie jotted in his journal a list of 33 “New Years Rulin’s.” Nowadays, we’d call them New Year’s Resolutions. Adorned by doodles, the list is down to earth by any measure. Family, song, taking a political stand, personal hygiene — they’re the values or aspirations that top his list. For a clearer view, you can click here to view the list.
My favourites are No’s 13,14, 19, 31 and 33. I wonder which ones you favour. Happy days to you all.
