 |
| http://epod.usra.edu/blog/2011/02/window-frost-patterns.html |
If you google "images for frost patterns on windows" you can arrive here and be totally amazed at the variety of patterns. Here's a snap-shot:
Such variety.
Wednesday, 30 November 2016
Wednesday 30th November - It's still cold out there
There were frost patterns on the shed windows this morning. I tried to quickly take a photograph before leaving for my first school, the results weren't very good. They looked a bit like this:
I've taken this from the internet (and cropped it to remove the frozen spider...)
If you google "images for frost patterns on windows" you can arrive here and be totally amazed at the variety of patterns. Here's a snap-shot:
Such variety.
If you google "images for frost patterns on windows" you can arrive here and be totally amazed at the variety of patterns. Here's a snap-shot:
Such variety.
Tuesday, 29 November 2016
Tuesday 29th November - It's cold
Last night, today, and tonight are to be the coldest days/nights so far this season. Bearing in mind that Winter starts on 7th November, there's probably a lot more even colder days and nights to come.
 |
| https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gijsbrecht_Leytens_-_A_winter_landscape_with_a_woodsman_and_travellers.jpg |
Determined car scraping was necessary before I could set off for work, and the same will be needed tomorrow, I don't doubt. I spent a few minutes searching out his gloves for him, because one of his (many) kindnesses is scraping the ice off the windows for me before I leave.
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| https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Versoix,_Frozen_car_due_to_%5Equot,bise%5Equot,_wind_-_panoramio.jpg |
Last week the gloves he used were a tight fit - I suspect they below to Number 1 Son. (I could wrap them up for Christmas as an extra present, except I know he reads this blog)
My car's thermometer claimed the temperature was -3C at 8:30 am, and then an amazing 23C when I left the first school at lunchtime to head off to the next educational establishment. I think that's because my car was sitting in full sun. The later reading of 6C as I turned for home at 3:30 pm seemed more likely. But when I was travelling through a road which had been in shadow all day, with the frost still gripping the grass, there was a sudden beep and a warning that the temperature had dropped to 3C so there could be ice on the road. Not too likely at four o'clock in the afternoon, but I was a little cautious just in case.
Well, I'm home, and the day's work has ended, and I've had my supper, and I'm sitting by the radiator, and I'm wearing a thermal vest, and my fingers are cold and I'm still not properly warm.
Time to sign off and make hot chocolate.
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| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_chocolate |
Monday, 28 November 2016
Monday 28th November - The Christmas Story
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| https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Master_Of_The_Castello_Nativity_-_The_Nativity_-_WGA14514.jpg |
I'm bug-eyed from two hours solid work putting carols onto the computer with the adaptations and correct numbers of verses so that the children at a local primary school can get practising ready for their Christmas Service on the last day of term.
Not that I'm moaning - I'm really pleased that there will be traditional carols as well as "specially-written-for-children" carols. Not that I'm moaning about the specially-written-for-children carols either - I enjoy singing them as well. But so many of the children don't know any of the old carols apart from Away in a Manger, and I think it is a Good Thing for them to learn them.
Although the vocabulary is very challenging;
"Fear not" said he, for mighty dread had seized their troubled mind"Ye who sang creation's story, now proclaim Messiah's birth"
And I'd forgotten that the last verse of We Three Kings is a bit direct;
"Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying
Sealed in a cold stone tomb."
At least we are not singing the Coventry Carol in this service, or "Unto us a son is born"
"Thus did Herod sore affray
and did him bewilder
so he gave the word to slay
and slew the little childer, and slew the little childer...."
(I leave you to work out where the first two quotes come from...!)
Sunday, 27 November 2016
Sunday 27th November - Happy New Year
Today is the first Sunday of Advent, the start of the New Year of the church.
I celebrated by steaming the Christmas Puddings that I made yesterday (Delia Smith says to make them up, then leave them overnight before steaming). There have been a few substitutions and adaptations along the way. The suet that I had planned to use smelled distinctly "off", so, as there are only a few ounces required, I grated in some unsalted butter instead. Also, I hadn't bought and barley wine, so just used more rum and more stout.
Then, before church, I weighted out all the dried fruit for the Christmas Cake, and then hit another snag. "Add three tablespoons of brandy and leave overnight." The brandy was definitely lacking in oomph. We sniffed our way through the various alternatives and settled on some of his single malt whisky.
Overnight. If you go to bed at about 11pm, and get up at about 8am, that's just nine hours. Which is why I reckoned it would be ok to continue with the Christmas Cake business at half part five - about nine hours after starting to soak the fruit.
My mini-magimix made short work of creaming the butter and sugar, and had a valiant attempt at whisking in four eggs, but by now the bowl was getting a bit full. Decanting the gloop into a bigger mixing bowl and finishing off the job by hand solved that problem, and the cake has now been in the oven for half an hour.
I reckon it should be done by bedtime.
I also managed to finish the second of the two advent calendar kits I've been sewing over the year, for the two offspring. It was a close call, but they were able to take them away when they went home this evening.
Sorry, I forgot to take a picture - now, if they read this, and if they email me pictures, I'll be able to show you what they look like!
I celebrated by steaming the Christmas Puddings that I made yesterday (Delia Smith says to make them up, then leave them overnight before steaming). There have been a few substitutions and adaptations along the way. The suet that I had planned to use smelled distinctly "off", so, as there are only a few ounces required, I grated in some unsalted butter instead. Also, I hadn't bought and barley wine, so just used more rum and more stout.
Then, before church, I weighted out all the dried fruit for the Christmas Cake, and then hit another snag. "Add three tablespoons of brandy and leave overnight." The brandy was definitely lacking in oomph. We sniffed our way through the various alternatives and settled on some of his single malt whisky.
Overnight. If you go to bed at about 11pm, and get up at about 8am, that's just nine hours. Which is why I reckoned it would be ok to continue with the Christmas Cake business at half part five - about nine hours after starting to soak the fruit.
My mini-magimix made short work of creaming the butter and sugar, and had a valiant attempt at whisking in four eggs, but by now the bowl was getting a bit full. Decanting the gloop into a bigger mixing bowl and finishing off the job by hand solved that problem, and the cake has now been in the oven for half an hour.
I reckon it should be done by bedtime.
I also managed to finish the second of the two advent calendar kits I've been sewing over the year, for the two offspring. It was a close call, but they were able to take them away when they went home this evening.
Sorry, I forgot to take a picture - now, if they read this, and if they email me pictures, I'll be able to show you what they look like!
Saturday, 26 November 2016
Saturday 26th November - The Day
Look - even google seems to know which day it is! But they are sort of out by one day,
because we celebrated yesterday. That's one reason why I might not have posted a post yesterday. (No alcohol involved in the celebrations, but it has been a long, long week). Another reason might be because I was warmly tucked up in bed when I remembered that I had missed a post.
I had lots of presents from friends and family, which I opened yesterday, and lots of flowers which mostly arrived today.
One present was to have my advent calendar refilled - so that's a present that can;t be opened yet, but will last all the way until Christmas Day - whoop whoop!
I had lots of presents from friends and family, which I opened yesterday, and lots of flowers which mostly arrived today.
One present was to have my advent calendar refilled - so that's a present that can;t be opened yet, but will last all the way until Christmas Day - whoop whoop!
Thursday, 24 November 2016
Thursday 24th November - I've lost my pencil
Today I found a pen that I didn't know I'd lost;
It could be in the school where I was teaching this morning, on the pavement, in my car, in a car park, or in the school where I was teaching this evening. It could be on the dining room table,
in my handbag, or in my teaching bag....
I discovered the zip compartment that I use for pens in my bag was open, when it should be closed, so the pencil could have fallen out at any time. I'll do a proper search in and around my car in day light, and also empty out my bag and investigate all the various compartments, but I'm not hopeful.
The multi-coloured pencil was a present this time last year. I've still got the lovely packaging and all the spare leads. If the pencil doesn't turn up, I'll just have to order a replacement.
That's rather how life goes at this stage of the term.
 |
LAMY abc Fountain pen |
and I've lost my super-duper multi-coloured pencil and I don't think I'm going to be able to find it.
 |
Pentel multi 8 PH802 |
It could be in the school where I was teaching this morning, on the pavement, in my car, in a car park, or in the school where I was teaching this evening. It could be on the dining room table,
in my handbag, or in my teaching bag....
I discovered the zip compartment that I use for pens in my bag was open, when it should be closed, so the pencil could have fallen out at any time. I'll do a proper search in and around my car in day light, and also empty out my bag and investigate all the various compartments, but I'm not hopeful.
The multi-coloured pencil was a present this time last year. I've still got the lovely packaging and all the spare leads. If the pencil doesn't turn up, I'll just have to order a replacement.
That's rather how life goes at this stage of the term.
Wednesday, 23 November 2016
Wednesday 23rd November - Playing a baby cello
Today was the first time I tried using a baby cello (half-size) for cello teaching. I've borrowed it from the music dept stores for the duration; just one day of carting my full-size cello in its old-fashioned fibre-glass case was enough for me. I am teaching cello in four schools; in two of them the room is on the first floor (which, in commercial buildings, is more like a floor and a half-worth of stairs) and in the others I have to wend my way through corridors and up and down short flights of stairs.
By the time I'd made it to the music room I could hardly breathe, let alone teach!
I must admit I made a less than impressive noise on the little cello as I adapted to the differences. Where you put your hands, and the spacing between the fingers is all entirely different. Luckily the student ( a sixth-former) was amused by my horrible intonation, and occasional running out of bow (half-size cello, half size bow) as I played scales along with her in the lesson.
Looking at this, I should be aged 7-11 and just over four feet tall. That could explain a lot!
By the time I'd made it to the music room I could hardly breathe, let alone teach!
I must admit I made a less than impressive noise on the little cello as I adapted to the differences. Where you put your hands, and the spacing between the fingers is all entirely different. Luckily the student ( a sixth-former) was amused by my horrible intonation, and occasional running out of bow (half-size cello, half size bow) as I played scales along with her in the lesson.
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| http://www.kennedyviolins.com/cello-rental/ |
Looking at this, I should be aged 7-11 and just over four feet tall. That could explain a lot!
Tuesday, 22 November 2016
Tuesday 22nd November st Cecilia's Day
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| Saint Cecilia with an Angel, by Orazio Gentileschi https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Cecilia |
A bit of a cheat this, but the music is so lovely... in stead of typing a post, here's a link to a blog I follow.
http://nancysblog-seeker.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/st-cecilias-day.html
Do go have have a look and listen.
Sunday, 20 November 2016
Sunday 20th November - Sunday
This was the first official lie-in I've had for several weeks now, and I'm so glad I was awake to enjoy it. No, I mean it. Really.
Then off to church, for the second service as I was on the rota for this Sunday (I much prefer the first, quieter service, but my name crops up on the rota from time to time).
However, there had been a confusion, and I wasn't needed. I thought that I would just slip inside the door, collect a news sheet and some letters from my pigeonhole, drop off a number of "pink envelopes"...
....
... trip down memory lane...
me, aged about nine maybe, staying with my grandmother in her thatched cottage opposite the ancient church in the tiny village.
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| That's her sitting-room window |
 |
| There's the Church |
The church bells fall silent, the organ changes up a gear into the opening hymn. Bert, carrying the cross leads the choir - Bert's Hilda, and Cora, and a few other villagers in their dusty choir robes, and the vicar (I think his name was Father Bodger, surely not?), all with an average age of at least 90, to my young eyes, up the aisle...
... I hadn't planned to stay, but then the pianist and the band played the very gentle song "To be in your presence, not rushing away..." so I found a spare seat and sat down...
Two very different church services;
one church 1000 years old, the other not yet sixty.
One vicar wearing the full gear - cassock, surplice, stole, preceded by a crucifer and a choir, the other, sitting in the front row of chairs wearing casual jacket and trousers, and a clerical collar wedged into the collar of his ordinary shirt and addressed by everyone by his Christian name.
An elderly organ, still with the original tracker action (but at least with an electric blower!) with the choir sitting in the choir stalls in the chancel; the band - two guitars, drum kit, electric keyboard and a couple of singers all with microphones connected to the speakers either side of the church.
Hymn books and prayer books; over-head projectors and power-point illustrations to the sermon
Both with altars, candles, silver chalice and pattern, carefully set out for a communion service, saying the same words... not so very different after all.
Saturday, 19 November 2016
Saturday 19th November 2016 - Early this morning
As in Very Early....
Woke up at 3 am (why? wish I knew).
After spending a little while trying to get back to sleep, I decided to wake up properly. There was a odd brightness to the light coming through the gaps in the curtains, not entirely due to the neighbours ridiculously bright security light that comes on at random times of the day or night.
I peered out of the window - SNOW! When I put my glasses on to inspect the scene outside properly, it turned out to be a wondrous white frost, so that the grass and the shed roof, and the remaining leaves on the big oak tree were all a shimmering silver.
Still very beautiful.
And I was still awake. I finished my book, dozed, the alarm went off, and the real day began.
It is half past eight in the evening now and I am more than ready for bed after such an early start.
Woke up at 3 am (why? wish I knew).
After spending a little while trying to get back to sleep, I decided to wake up properly. There was a odd brightness to the light coming through the gaps in the curtains, not entirely due to the neighbours ridiculously bright security light that comes on at random times of the day or night.
I peered out of the window - SNOW! When I put my glasses on to inspect the scene outside properly, it turned out to be a wondrous white frost, so that the grass and the shed roof, and the remaining leaves on the big oak tree were all a shimmering silver.
Still very beautiful.
And I was still awake. I finished my book, dozed, the alarm went off, and the real day began.
It is half past eight in the evening now and I am more than ready for bed after such an early start.
Friday, 18 November 2016
Friday 18th November 2016 - an old post that didn't seem to get published
Today was just instrumental teaching, a day in which I proved conclusively
I am out of practice at playing the cello- especially Grade 8 scales right at the high end of the fingerboard
Grade 1 violin is insufficient preparation for playing a viola and also for reading viola clef at sight
You cannot make a convincing sound playing a viola like a cello.
Don't even try to play a cello like a viola unless you have arms that extend forever!
I am out of practice at playing the cello- especially Grade 8 scales right at the high end of the fingerboard
 |
| https://thecellocompanion.info/2011/01/15/developing-cello-technique-part-1/ |
Grade 1 violin is insufficient preparation for playing a viola and also for reading viola clef at sight
 |
| https://www.etsy.com/listing/160518628/hand-painted-alto-clef-plaque-viola |
You cannot make a convincing sound playing a viola like a cello.
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| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXclw49Oc6I |
Don't even try to play a cello like a viola unless you have arms that extend forever!
 |
| https://ifunny.co/fun/JVe3oCK32 |
Friday 18th November - Nearly the weekend
Made it nearly to the end of the week!
Today was just instrumental teaching, a day in which I proved conclusively
I am out of practice at playing the cello- especially Grade 8 scales right at the high end of the fingerboard
Grade 1 violin is insufficient preparation for playing a viola and particularly reading viola clef at sight
You cannot make a convincing sound playing a viola like a cello.
(Don't even try to play a cello like a viola unless you have arms that extend forever!)
Apart from that, everything was more or less fine, until I got home, sat down, and decided to cancel the final two private piano lessons of the day because my eyes were closing, the energy meter was dropping to zero.
Just tomorrow morning to go, ( two piano lessons, two keyboard groups) and the week ends, the weekend begins. Easy peasy (ish)
Today was just instrumental teaching, a day in which I proved conclusively
I am out of practice at playing the cello- especially Grade 8 scales right at the high end of the fingerboard
|
| https://thecellocompanion.info/2011/01/15/developing-cello-technique-part-1/ |
Grade 1 violin is insufficient preparation for playing a viola and particularly reading viola clef at sight
|
| https://www.etsy.com/listing/160518628/hand-painted-alto-clef-plaque-viola |
You cannot make a convincing sound playing a viola like a cello.
|
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXclw49Oc6I |
(Don't even try to play a cello like a viola unless you have arms that extend forever!)
|
| https://ifunny.co/fun/JVe3oCK32 |
Apart from that, everything was more or less fine, until I got home, sat down, and decided to cancel the final two private piano lessons of the day because my eyes were closing, the energy meter was dropping to zero.
Just tomorrow morning to go, ( two piano lessons, two keyboard groups) and the week ends, the weekend begins. Easy peasy (ish)
Thursday, 17 November 2016
Thursday 17th November - This week isn't going the way I'd like
My lovely husband came down with a Proper Cold two weeks ago. Raised temperature, sore throat, cough, wobbly knees; all that kind of thing.
By the following Monday he'd shared his bad luck with me, and I baled out of all my class teaching that week, after struggling through Monday.
I thought I was better this week - and got as far as lunchtime today before ringing in sick and starting on the anti-biotics....
However, I have learned a useful little tip which I will share with you...
When consuming soup and garlic bread whilst propped up in bed, I recommend that you hold a piece of bread in one hand, to wipe the bottom of the spoon on before raising said spoon to your lips. That way, you have eliminated the danger of dollops of soup (chicken, tomato and chorizo in this case) dripping onto the sheets or down the front of your jumper. Works like a charm.
Tomorrow, after having an easy afternoon and evening, I shall have another go at teaching - it's all individual or small group teaching, in 20 or 30 minute lessons. A great deal less exhausting than 45 minute class teaching, I can assure you.
By the following Monday he'd shared his bad luck with me, and I baled out of all my class teaching that week, after struggling through Monday.
I thought I was better this week - and got as far as lunchtime today before ringing in sick and starting on the anti-biotics....
However, I have learned a useful little tip which I will share with you...
When consuming soup and garlic bread whilst propped up in bed, I recommend that you hold a piece of bread in one hand, to wipe the bottom of the spoon on before raising said spoon to your lips. That way, you have eliminated the danger of dollops of soup (chicken, tomato and chorizo in this case) dripping onto the sheets or down the front of your jumper. Works like a charm.
Tomorrow, after having an easy afternoon and evening, I shall have another go at teaching - it's all individual or small group teaching, in 20 or 30 minute lessons. A great deal less exhausting than 45 minute class teaching, I can assure you.
Wednesday November 16th - F A I L
Another blog post fail.
Tough - life is just like that.
By the way, did you know that
F A I L
stands for
First Attempt In Learning?
That makes me feel so much better.
Tough - life is just like that.
By the way, did you know that
F A I L
stands for
First Attempt In Learning?
That makes me feel so much better.
Tuesday, 15 November 2016
Tuesday 15th November - BBC Radio World Service
Where would I be without it?
Last night was another restless, wakeful night, but I don't mind them so much now. A couple of years ago I spotted headphones like these at John Lewis, reduced in the post-Christmas sale (mine are a tasteful grey/black/white fair isle design) and, with some misgivings, forked out a tenner for them.
Last night was another restless, wakeful night, but I don't mind them so much now. A couple of years ago I spotted headphones like these at John Lewis, reduced in the post-Christmas sale (mine are a tasteful grey/black/white fair isle design) and, with some misgivings, forked out a tenner for them.
 |
| https://www.firebox.com/Knitted-Headphone-Earmuffs/p4848?mkt=en |
They are much easier to sleep in than conventional "stick-'em-in-yer-ear" earphones.
So when I can't sleep, I connect myself up to my trusty mp3 player/radio and listen/doze to BBC World Service. I get to half listen to some fascinating topics which I wouldn't otherwise put myself in the way of. Sometimes it's a quiz, or book programme. Other times it can be factual reports about anything, anywhere in the world. Whatever it is, I'm almost certain to drop off to sleep.
The only problem is that their hourly news service is heralded by an energetic trumpet/xylophone fanfare which can jolt me awake...
Monday, 14 November 2016
Monday 14th November - Ukulele Lesson
I have a ukulele class on Monday afternoons.
No, let's rephrase that - I teach a ukulele class on Monday afternoons.
That's still not quite right - I stand in front of a pack of seven-year-olds, all armed with ukuleles and excited and "on the brink" of chaos, on Monday afternoons.
This week, we tackled Jingle Bells. We learned the C chord way back in September "put your finger on the red spot on your ukulele"). We've been tinkering with the F chord ("move your fingers to the blue spots") with limited success since the beginning of October. Today, I introduced G7 - awed pause - there are No Spots on the uke for G7 so you actually have to pay attention, read the chord chart and follow the instructions. There's novel for you, boyo.
To actually launch the ukulele/song event that is Jingle Bells, I let the children self-select into different groups, ending up with four unequal cohorts;
the large group, who are in charge of playing the C chord (the only one they can do),
the smaller group of hardy souls who play the F chord (for "Oh what fun it is to ride in a"),
a few brave souls who are keen to have a go at the G7 chord ("one horse open sleigh, Hey!").
In front of all of them are two wide eyed lads, bouncing with excitement, eager, concentrating hard, watching me as though their life depends on it, who are the "switchers", playing all the right chords (maybe) at all the right times (possibly). The look on their little faces when they managed to get all the chord right it why I love teaching. Actually, the look on all the children's faces when they manage what it was they set out to do ( I mean playing the music, not the larking about bit) is why I love teaching.
Even so, the concert in two weeks time should be an interesting sonic experience for the audience.
No, let's rephrase that - I teach a ukulele class on Monday afternoons.
That's still not quite right - I stand in front of a pack of seven-year-olds, all armed with ukuleles and excited and "on the brink" of chaos, on Monday afternoons.
This week, we tackled Jingle Bells. We learned the C chord way back in September "put your finger on the red spot on your ukulele"). We've been tinkering with the F chord ("move your fingers to the blue spots") with limited success since the beginning of October. Today, I introduced G7 - awed pause - there are No Spots on the uke for G7 so you actually have to pay attention, read the chord chart and follow the instructions. There's novel for you, boyo.
To actually launch the ukulele/song event that is Jingle Bells, I let the children self-select into different groups, ending up with four unequal cohorts;
the large group, who are in charge of playing the C chord (the only one they can do),
the smaller group of hardy souls who play the F chord (for "Oh what fun it is to ride in a"),
a few brave souls who are keen to have a go at the G7 chord ("one horse open sleigh, Hey!").
In front of all of them are two wide eyed lads, bouncing with excitement, eager, concentrating hard, watching me as though their life depends on it, who are the "switchers", playing all the right chords (maybe) at all the right times (possibly). The look on their little faces when they managed to get all the chord right it why I love teaching. Actually, the look on all the children's faces when they manage what it was they set out to do ( I mean playing the music, not the larking about bit) is why I love teaching.
Even so, the concert in two weeks time should be an interesting sonic experience for the audience.
Sunday, 13 November 2016
Sunday 14th November - Random Thoughts
When I got up this morning, I noticed that the oak trees behind our house still have a lot of green leaves left on them, along with the brown and gold.
Seen through patterned glass in the bathroom window, it looked like some kind of abstract impressionist, abstract painting. Later, once the sun was higher in the sky, the illusion vanished.
A bright sunny day in Autumn is one of my favourite kinds of day. Like today.
This year we didn't go to any Remembrance Parades, Church Services or anything like that. Which is not to say that I didn't do any remembering.
Seen through patterned glass in the bathroom window, it looked like some kind of abstract impressionist, abstract painting. Later, once the sun was higher in the sky, the illusion vanished.
A bright sunny day in Autumn is one of my favourite kinds of day. Like today.
 |
This year we didn't go to any Remembrance Parades, Church Services or anything like that. Which is not to say that I didn't do any remembering.
Saturday, 12 November 2016
Saturday 12th November - Click and Collect
I have ordered a non-surprise present, and bought and non-surprise present on-line today. These presents don't have to be kept secret for Christmas Day, but I have also discovered a totally brilliant (I hope) Christmas Present for us, which somehow I will have to hide away until Christmas time. Oh, oh, oh - I am just so useless at this.
I remember when, back in about 1982, I bought a lego technic racing car with a fully operational gear box and real rack-and-pinion steering at the beginning of November, managed to hide it for all of a week, and then gave it to BB just because he was in need of cheering up and I knew he would enjoy it so much...
I remember when, back in about 1982, I bought a lego technic racing car with a fully operational gear box and real rack-and-pinion steering at the beginning of November, managed to hide it for all of a week, and then gave it to BB just because he was in need of cheering up and I knew he would enjoy it so much...
Anyway - it's over to collect what I clicked on tomorrow afternoon, and then the challenge to keep the surprise begins.
Friday, 11 November 2016
Friday 11th November 2016 - Cats
It has taken our two cats a long time to work out how to communicate with us. When we got them, we assigned them a birth date of 1st March 2003, on the grounds that they probably were around 6 weeks old. That makes them 13 years and 9 months old - properly grown up - past their prime, to be brutally honest.
They have quite different personalities. Here's McCavity, the "downstairs" cat, trying out my new bag for size some time last year.
And Leo, the "upstairs" cat, enjoying a warm spot by the radiator in our bedroom.
Here's a VERY RARE moment indeed - both of them sharing the same piece of furniture without any hissy fits.
I think this has only happened once since; except, of course, when we dump them in the cattery, where they are forced to share a pen and put up with each other at close quarters for a week or more.
Anyway, McCavity has suddenly learned how indicate that she would like to be groomed; with her long fur she has always been susceptible to "Bad Hair Days". Leo has learned how to inform us their plates are empty, or that the kitchen door to upstairs is closed. She is also always encouraging me to to a take a duvet day so that she can spend hours asleep on my feet (keeping me awake in the process).
They have quite different personalities. Here's McCavity, the "downstairs" cat, trying out my new bag for size some time last year.
And Leo, the "upstairs" cat, enjoying a warm spot by the radiator in our bedroom.
I think this has only happened once since; except, of course, when we dump them in the cattery, where they are forced to share a pen and put up with each other at close quarters for a week or more.
Anyway, McCavity has suddenly learned how indicate that she would like to be groomed; with her long fur she has always been susceptible to "Bad Hair Days". Leo has learned how to inform us their plates are empty, or that the kitchen door to upstairs is closed. She is also always encouraging me to to a take a duvet day so that she can spend hours asleep on my feet (keeping me awake in the process).
No such luck this week - although I have taken a couple of days off work with a sore throat and wobbly knees, I haven't stayed in bed this time.
Thursday, 10 November 2016
Thursday 10th November - Viola Lesson
Today a colleague came and gave me a quick viola lesson.
I actually prefer playing it to a violin, even though this one is too big for me. She took a couple of pictures to help me when (If) I practise.
Apparently this is a good wrist position:
And this is me "accessing my back muscles" to support the viola on my shoulder.
I have to say it Really, Really makes my arm and shoulder ache, but I think that is more to do with having a lurgy, and lugging heavy bags, and knocking into a door frame the other day than to do with playing the viola.
This is the same colleague (and one of my very many line managers) who just about collapsed with laughter that time she came across me demonstrating how (very difficult it is) to play a trumpet to my horrified and awestruck early years class a few years back.
I actually prefer playing it to a violin, even though this one is too big for me. She took a couple of pictures to help me when (If) I practise.
Apparently this is a good wrist position:
And this is me "accessing my back muscles" to support the viola on my shoulder.
I have to say it Really, Really makes my arm and shoulder ache, but I think that is more to do with having a lurgy, and lugging heavy bags, and knocking into a door frame the other day than to do with playing the viola.
This is the same colleague (and one of my very many line managers) who just about collapsed with laughter that time she came across me demonstrating how (very difficult it is) to play a trumpet to my horrified and awestruck early years class a few years back.
Wednesday, 9 November 2016
Wednesday 9th November - Christmas....
I've had another "duvet" day, not exactly in bed. I've taught a couple of piano pupils - I can do that sitting down, using a normal voice. However I have cried off teaching three classes of primary music. Standing up, projecting enough voice to carry over thirty children all playing samba instruments was just not going to happen with my wobbly knees and unreliable throat.
Tomorrow, I shall do some more piano teaching, but leave class teaching until Friday.
Meanwhile, I have been beavering away arranging Christmas carols for keyboard/viola/piano pupils, and taking time to enjoy the activities on my jacquie lawson advent calendar;
Kind Friends have sent me one, and I have decorated a tree;
created a wreath
and done the jigsaw puzzles. I shall have to wait a couple of weeks before I can start opening the baubles!
Tomorrow, I shall do some more piano teaching, but leave class teaching until Friday.
Meanwhile, I have been beavering away arranging Christmas carols for keyboard/viola/piano pupils, and taking time to enjoy the activities on my jacquie lawson advent calendar;
Kind Friends have sent me one, and I have decorated a tree;
created a wreath
and done the jigsaw puzzles. I shall have to wait a couple of weeks before I can start opening the baubles!
Tuesday, 8 November 2016
Tuesday 8th November - sibelius
No, not the composer, just the music-writing software that I use for prepare music for teaching.
I've had a day off work, apart from one piano pupil who has a music exam in a few weeks time and still can't play her pieces (fingers very crossed, although, come to think of it, that doesn't help with the playing very much). When I'm sitting down not doing much, I feel OK. It's when I stand up and start doing things that my legs feel achy and my knees feel wobbly. Plus a sore throat doesn't help with projecting one's voice over and above the sound of thirty children experimenting with which instrument would be best to play for the giant in the castle.
Instead, I've made lots of cups of tea, and drunk quite a few of them too. And I have been working away preparing Christmas Carol sheets for beginner pianists, next level pianists, keyboard groups,
and - wait for it - viola players. Yes - today my manager dropped off a viola for me to borrow while I cover for a music teacher colleague's absence.
I had been allocated some of her cello, keyboard and piano pupils, but there are two stray beginner viola pupils which will have to go without lessons unless I take them on.
I have proved to my satisfaction that I can draw a recognisable version of "Jingle Bells", out of said viola, but my word, it is a huge thing to wrangle after playing a violin. I had hoped to be able to borrow a smaller one, but this is a large (16") full-size model. Oh well. It can stand in for a cello in my cello teaching, maybe. The big challenge now is learning to read the music - using the viola clef -
and remembering to do violin fingering rather than cello fingering. I wonder what the next surprise will be?
I've had a day off work, apart from one piano pupil who has a music exam in a few weeks time and still can't play her pieces (fingers very crossed, although, come to think of it, that doesn't help with the playing very much). When I'm sitting down not doing much, I feel OK. It's when I stand up and start doing things that my legs feel achy and my knees feel wobbly. Plus a sore throat doesn't help with projecting one's voice over and above the sound of thirty children experimenting with which instrument would be best to play for the giant in the castle.
Instead, I've made lots of cups of tea, and drunk quite a few of them too. And I have been working away preparing Christmas Carol sheets for beginner pianists, next level pianists, keyboard groups,
 |
| beginner version |
 |
| Giant Viola |
I had been allocated some of her cello, keyboard and piano pupils, but there are two stray beginner viola pupils which will have to go without lessons unless I take them on.
I have proved to my satisfaction that I can draw a recognisable version of "Jingle Bells", out of said viola, but my word, it is a huge thing to wrangle after playing a violin. I had hoped to be able to borrow a smaller one, but this is a large (16") full-size model. Oh well. It can stand in for a cello in my cello teaching, maybe. The big challenge now is learning to read the music - using the viola clef -
 |
| Viola Duets. I'll just do the easy part... |
and remembering to do violin fingering rather than cello fingering. I wonder what the next surprise will be?
Monday, 7 November 2016
Monday 7th November - First Day of Winter
Not feeling great today...
BB has, in his generous style, shared his lurgy. Luckily he's on the mend, so he can bring me cups of tea and breakfast in bed. I've just about survived today, and cancelled nearly everything for tomorrow.
The cat will be pleased - she likes it when I take a duvet day.
I've swiped the following from a blog I follow called www.aclerkofoxford.blogspot.co.uk; here's the link;
http://aclerkofoxford.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/winters-day.html
In some Anglo-Saxon calendars, such as the one above, 7 November is considered to be the first day of winter. The Old English Menologium calls today 'Winter's Day', imagining winter as a warrior who comes to enslave the earth with frost's fetters:
worhtan in worulde willan drihtnes.
Syþþan wintres dæg wide gangeð
on syx nihtum, sigelbeortne genimð
hærfest mid herige hrimes and snawes,
forste gefeterad, be frean hæse,
þæt us wunian ne moton wangas grene,
foldan frætuwe.
And on the same day [November 1] we keep
the feast of All Saints, of those who recently or long ago
worked in the world the will of the Lord.
After that comes Winter’s Day, far and wide,
after six nights, and seizes sun-bright autumn
with its army of ice and snow,
fettered with frost by the Lord's command,
so that the green fields may no longer stay with us,
the ornaments of the earth.
It has been bitterly cold today - not exactly below freezing but pretty close. I've had to scrape my car a couple of times this week, and I'm hoping I remembered to leave the handbrake off and the car in gear when I came home this afternoon. It is massively inconvenient to try and go to work only to discover that the handbrake is frozen on.
BB has, in his generous style, shared his lurgy. Luckily he's on the mend, so he can bring me cups of tea and breakfast in bed. I've just about survived today, and cancelled nearly everything for tomorrow.
The cat will be pleased - she likes it when I take a duvet day.
I've swiped the following from a blog I follow called www.aclerkofoxford.blogspot.co.uk; here's the link;
http://aclerkofoxford.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/winters-day.html
Winter's Day
11th-century calendar from Christ Church, Canterbury (BL Arundel 155, f. 7)
with the beginning of winter marked on 7 November
In some Anglo-Saxon calendars, such as the one above, 7 November is considered to be the first day of winter. The Old English Menologium calls today 'Winter's Day', imagining winter as a warrior who comes to enslave the earth with frost's fetters:
And þy ylcan dæge ealra we healdað
sancta symbel þara þe sið oððe ærworhtan in worulde willan drihtnes.
Syþþan wintres dæg wide gangeð
on syx nihtum, sigelbeortne genimð
hærfest mid herige hrimes and snawes,
forste gefeterad, be frean hæse,
þæt us wunian ne moton wangas grene,
foldan frætuwe.
And on the same day [November 1] we keep
the feast of All Saints, of those who recently or long ago
worked in the world the will of the Lord.
After that comes Winter’s Day, far and wide,
after six nights, and seizes sun-bright autumn
with its army of ice and snow,
fettered with frost by the Lord's command,
so that the green fields may no longer stay with us,
the ornaments of the earth.
It has been bitterly cold today - not exactly below freezing but pretty close. I've had to scrape my car a couple of times this week, and I'm hoping I remembered to leave the handbrake off and the car in gear when I came home this afternoon. It is massively inconvenient to try and go to work only to discover that the handbrake is frozen on.
Sunday, 6 November 2016
Sunday 6th November - Action-Packed morning
I was on the rota for playing the organ in church. "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind" is always a bit of a tricky handful, so I wasn't surprised when some of the harmonies sounded a little "original" first time through. It was a bit disappointing that the second and third times sounded no better. Further investigation exonerated me from 90% of the discords. Something is up with the intricacies of the mechanism, or maybe the electronics, of the organ (untrustworthy brutes - not my favourite instrument at all). Certain notes seem to play at the same time, regardless of which stops you choose, giving the whole rendition a surreal sound surround which I am sure would horrify the composer. (Even the congregation MUST be aware something is adrift).
So I abandoned the contraption, which was sounding more and more like a fairground Wurlitzer, and played everything on the piano. Which suited me JUST FINE. That was in the "early" or "more serious" service. Afterwards, we had the "First Sunday of the Month Cafe Church" event - a much more laid back, informal affair. Someone had got their hands on a pop-corn making machine, something like this;
I kid you not - it was a man-size, not counter-top-toy-size version - and it was pop-pop-popping all morning in the hall, while people were making up shoe-boxes to send to Roumania, something we do as a church every year.
I'm not sure but this might be the organisation we send them to. The pictures on the site look a bit familiar. The boxes are filled with soap, toothbrushes, combs, gloves, hats, colouring pencils and paper and so forth in them, tailored for children, babies, men, women, elderly people - have I missed anyone out?
I wasn't involved in the packing, as we also had African Drumming going on in the church, ready to join in with the actual church service at the end of the morning. That was my contribution the the chaos and mayhem.
Sort of along these lines - age range 3 to much, much older. Older than me, even. Oh yeah - we made a brave sound!
So I abandoned the contraption, which was sounding more and more like a fairground Wurlitzer, and played everything on the piano. Which suited me JUST FINE. That was in the "early" or "more serious" service. Afterwards, we had the "First Sunday of the Month Cafe Church" event - a much more laid back, informal affair. Someone had got their hands on a pop-corn making machine, something like this;
I kid you not - it was a man-size, not counter-top-toy-size version - and it was pop-pop-popping all morning in the hall, while people were making up shoe-boxes to send to Roumania, something we do as a church every year.
 |
| http://www.blythswood.org/shoebox-appeal |
I wasn't involved in the packing, as we also had African Drumming going on in the church, ready to join in with the actual church service at the end of the morning. That was my contribution the the chaos and mayhem.
 |
| https://www.travelmoodz.com/nl/reisprofessional/claire-a-m-van-der-werff/tours-en-excursies |
Saturday, 5 November 2016
Saturday 5th November - Fireworks and Lemon Barley Water
The best fireworks were always in Falmouth, at the end of carnival week in the Summer. They were the responsibility of the fire brigade, who would arrange for a barge to be moored in the middle of the water. We could watch from the warmth and comfort of the bay window in the upstairs sitting room, with regular supplies of coffee, whisky, hot chocolate, biscuits, cake... The shadowy figures of the firemen would appear and disappear between thick billows of smoke as they set off the fireworks, first from one end of the barge, then from the other.
The local radio station broadcast a special selection of fireworks music - "In the Hall of the Mountain King", that theme from "The Apprentice" ("March of the Knights from the Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet), the Handel "Music for the Royal Fireworks" (of course) and, for the Grand Finale, the Tchaikovsky 1812 overture. I have a feeling we recorded the broadcast on a cassette tape, and the children listened to it endlessly all the way home.
The thunderous bangs echoed around the harbour, sending the seagulls crazy, and the lights were reflected on the water, giving double the pleasure.
Usually, when we hear the fireworks going off all around the neighbourhood, some of the family stand at windows and doors to get a free show. This year, for some reason, we carried on (playing a board game, Ankh Morpork, if you must know).
It's getting late. Son has taken Daughter back to her flat, and Husband has gone up to bed with a glass of water, aspirin, cough sweets, and a glass of home-made lemon barley water.
Take half a pound of barley, and simmer for twenty minutes with three pints of water. Skim off the scum that rises to the surface. I have found that if you let it boil over, accidentally, the scum is what flows over and down the pan and all over the cooker, saving you the trouble of doing that skimming thing. Then add the rind of a lemon, and 2 ounces of sugar and let it cool. Finally, add the juice of the lemon, and strain into a jug. Or strain into a jug and add the lemon juice. I can't remember the correct order - does it matter? If you prefer it sweeter, add more sugar. You get about two pints for your trouble, and it is very soothing for a sore throat.
Good night.
The local radio station broadcast a special selection of fireworks music - "In the Hall of the Mountain King", that theme from "The Apprentice" ("March of the Knights from the Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet), the Handel "Music for the Royal Fireworks" (of course) and, for the Grand Finale, the Tchaikovsky 1812 overture. I have a feeling we recorded the broadcast on a cassette tape, and the children listened to it endlessly all the way home.
The thunderous bangs echoed around the harbour, sending the seagulls crazy, and the lights were reflected on the water, giving double the pleasure.
Usually, when we hear the fireworks going off all around the neighbourhood, some of the family stand at windows and doors to get a free show. This year, for some reason, we carried on (playing a board game, Ankh Morpork, if you must know).
It's getting late. Son has taken Daughter back to her flat, and Husband has gone up to bed with a glass of water, aspirin, cough sweets, and a glass of home-made lemon barley water.
Take half a pound of barley, and simmer for twenty minutes with three pints of water. Skim off the scum that rises to the surface. I have found that if you let it boil over, accidentally, the scum is what flows over and down the pan and all over the cooker, saving you the trouble of doing that skimming thing. Then add the rind of a lemon, and 2 ounces of sugar and let it cool. Finally, add the juice of the lemon, and strain into a jug. Or strain into a jug and add the lemon juice. I can't remember the correct order - does it matter? If you prefer it sweeter, add more sugar. You get about two pints for your trouble, and it is very soothing for a sore throat.
Good night.
Friday 4th November - Proper Post for the day
If I had managed to remember to do a post on time yesterday, it might have gone like this...
What a contrast from one week to the next...
Last Friday we were still in Canada. The weather had turned; there had been a frost, with Real Ice on the puddles and Real Frost on the cars. However, the sun came out, and we went for a glorious walk in Beamer Conservation Area; easy walking through woods along paths carpeted with fallen leaves. Every so often I would get a scent of some kind of foliage, or maybe flower; I have no idea what it was, but it was exactly like the smell you get from some kinds of real, old-fashioned pot-pourri.
The sun was bright, the birds were singing, the sky was blue, the views were amazing. Sadly, none of us had looked at the "welcome board" on the way in, and though were were fairly sure that we would get back to the start if we continued along the path, we weren't certain enough to risk it.
So we turned round and went back the way we came. Next stop, a food court to pick up some bread for lunch. Hey! Tescos and Sainsburys! You've a long way to go to understand the Canadian idea of cake decoration! Especially for Halloween!
Home, for lunch, at 4pm! Where had the day gone?
Contrast this Friday... a tedious drive through rain and drizzle to get to the dentist. BB is unwell at the moment - sore throat and temperature - so decided to stay at home. It wasn't all bad though... last time I went to the dentist it turned out into a protracted root canal filling repair and replacement crown. This time all was well and I only had to endure a ruthless descaling and polishing.
What a contrast from one week to the next...
Last Friday we were still in Canada. The weather had turned; there had been a frost, with Real Ice on the puddles and Real Frost on the cars. However, the sun came out, and we went for a glorious walk in Beamer Conservation Area; easy walking through woods along paths carpeted with fallen leaves. Every so often I would get a scent of some kind of foliage, or maybe flower; I have no idea what it was, but it was exactly like the smell you get from some kinds of real, old-fashioned pot-pourri.
 |
| What we should have looked at properly on the way in. |
 |
| View across Grimsby and Lake Ontario to Toronto. If this picture had been better, you would be able to see Toronto looking like some kind of science fiction city; the road going directly into the distance it pointing straight at the CNN Tower . |
 |
| I don't think that is land you can see across the lake in the far distance, but clouds. |
The sun was bright, the birds were singing, the sky was blue, the views were amazing. Sadly, none of us had looked at the "welcome board" on the way in, and though were were fairly sure that we would get back to the start if we continued along the path, we weren't certain enough to risk it.
So we turned round and went back the way we came. Next stop, a food court to pick up some bread for lunch. Hey! Tescos and Sainsburys! You've a long way to go to understand the Canadian idea of cake decoration! Especially for Halloween!
Home, for lunch, at 4pm! Where had the day gone?
Contrast this Friday... a tedious drive through rain and drizzle to get to the dentist. BB is unwell at the moment - sore throat and temperature - so decided to stay at home. It wasn't all bad though... last time I went to the dentist it turned out into a protracted root canal filling repair and replacement crown. This time all was well and I only had to endure a ruthless descaling and polishing.
Friday 4th November - Ooops
OK
Four days in and my first blog-post-fail.
At school, we say that FAIL stands for First Attempt In Learning.
Anyway, if I post this before anyone is up and awake enough to read it, I reckon it sort of counts.
Here's a flower picture - this not-so-little-treasure was already in flower when we came back to Canada.
I won't say why it is such a treasure... let's just say I bought it at the end of November last year. I already had one, that I have been showing pictures of in previous years, and this is a companion for it.
Enough burbling. I've pupils to teach and really ought to get dressed first.
Four days in and my first blog-post-fail.
At school, we say that FAIL stands for First Attempt In Learning.
Anyway, if I post this before anyone is up and awake enough to read it, I reckon it sort of counts.
Here's a flower picture - this not-so-little-treasure was already in flower when we came back to Canada.
I won't say why it is such a treasure... let's just say I bought it at the end of November last year. I already had one, that I have been showing pictures of in previous years, and this is a companion for it.
Enough burbling. I've pupils to teach and really ought to get dressed first.
Thursday, 3 November 2016
Thursday 3rd November - Bleah
There are days when posting something positive is not going to happen.
Like when you've spent HOURS sorting out cover for a colleague who is signed off for several months, only to find the days whizzing past, and the work you have done being affected by unknown forces operating in alternate universes without making their presence felt until the final countdown approaches.
In other words, it's time to throw the schedule into the air, scrumple all the post-its with messages and notes and phone numbers and reminders into the bin,
drink a LARGE GLASS of something
and GO TO BED.
Which is what I will do shortly after this delicious looking meal prepared by my ever-loving husband has been consumed.
(photo to be inserted here next time he cooks it - I ate it before I could photograph it)
And if my boss phones with an explanation of the various grenades he threw through the original proposal, he may find I've gone to sleep.
Like when you've spent HOURS sorting out cover for a colleague who is signed off for several months, only to find the days whizzing past, and the work you have done being affected by unknown forces operating in alternate universes without making their presence felt until the final countdown approaches.
 |
| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orrery |
In other words, it's time to throw the schedule into the air, scrumple all the post-its with messages and notes and phone numbers and reminders into the bin,
 |
| https://uk.pinterest.com/colingaudet9/throwing-paper/ |
drink a LARGE GLASS of something
 |
| https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Red_wine_closeup_in_glass.jpg |
and GO TO BED.
 |
| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Bed_of_Ware |
Which is what I will do shortly after this delicious looking meal prepared by my ever-loving husband has been consumed.
(photo to be inserted here next time he cooks it - I ate it before I could photograph it)
And if my boss phones with an explanation of the various grenades he threw through the original proposal, he may find I've gone to sleep.
 |
| https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_sleeping_beauty_by_John_Collier_1.jpg |