It feels as though I haven't drawn anything for ages; This sketch of the sage in flower was drawn using a relatively primitive free drawing app called Bamboo which I have on my phone and my tablet. I've been using it more than real pens and paint recently because it's handy for when I'm sitting in front of the television in the evenings.
I've reluctantly come to the conclusion that the way I hold my tablet to play sudoku and free cell and read kindle books is not helping by elbow at all... so I'm being physically forced to do what I mentally couldn't manage - control my sudoku/freecell habit! It will be good for me in the long run.
Meanwhile I'm tapping this out on my phone...
Books
I finished both 'The Clues in the Fjord' by Satu Rämö and 'The Land of Spices' by Kate O'Brien yesterday. You couldn't get two more different books! Just as well, as I have a habit of reading several books at the same time.
The Clues in the Fjord is contemporary crime fiction set in Iceland, such a different place to England. Such a small population for one thing, not quite 400,000. Brighton has a population of just under 300,000. And the cold! The whodunit itself was engrossing, the main characters interesting and likeable, but what really fascinated me was the lifestyle in Iceland. I look forward to reading the next in the series.
The Land of Spices was entirely different. At the centre was the Reverend Mother of a convent in Ireland early in the 20th century, and a girl who joined the other boarders, for it was a girl's boarding school, at a young age. Over the ten or so years we slowly learned of the Reverend Mother's upbringing, and why she became a nun, and watched Anna, the child as she grew up. The narration is very detailed and reflective. It reminded me of Barabara Pym perhaps, thinking of Excellent Women, or Quartet in Autumn. I'm glad I read it; one to revisit in time.
Music
More Cellos!
You may have noticed I'm keen on cellos, possibly because I started learning when I was nearly 11 years old, and kept going all the way through university. Then... it's hard to keep going without other people - an orchestra, or fellow string players.
I did start playing in church for a while, until a professional violinist and two - TWO - professional cellists joined! I felt rather outclassed and stuck to piano and foot-less organ (I never learned to get my feet coordinated with my hands).
Here are the Berlin cellos again
The sage looks really pretty. I'm impressed that you can create such amazing things.
ReplyDeleteI daren't touch free cell - I'm a recovering addict, and I've never learned how to do sudoku, but I read on the kindle app on my phone and on my laptop - at least two books on the go at any one time plus physical books. I've started with plain knitting while reading on my laptop and it's incredibly soothing in all sorts of ways. I hope that your elbow feels better soon.
I could say the same about myself regarding freecell and now sudoku! Once I start... like eating chocolate digestive biscuits...
DeleteI suspect drawing is easier than you think. My metjod is not to be too critical but scribble away until something looks plausible...
I had to stop playing Panagram which was becoming rather obsessive. I have read the Land of Spices and found it very thoughtful. It reminded me slightl y of another writer , Rumer Godden.
ReplyDeleteI think it's the way it is so quick and easy to start another game. I have great sympathy for people with online gambling addictions for that reason
DeleteReading is a much better way of passing time!
Lovely drawing.
ReplyDeleteI don't play games on my phone. I used to play on the computer and ended up spending hours playing them. I can't get caught up in that again. I already procrastinate enough!
I have been using my phone Kindle app to read more on. It's so easy to read on the go and now that I have a new phone that doesn't suck up the battery it's a lot easier!
I always suspected playing games on my phone would be the thin end of a large wedge and never loaded any. I do read on it using the kindle app
DeleteDoing jigsaws on my tablet is my time waster/relaxation. Margaret in Manchester.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, now that is very enjoyable! I like the ones where the pieces appear to have tentacles
DeleteI've also been reading several books at once lately, just like I'm working on several projects at once... I didn't do it that way before. I would always finish one before starting something new... Times change, and so do habits and perspectives... best wishes. All the best to you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the piece of music... so good.
Thank you too!
DeleteOh I do love the cello this piece was such fun. They look as if they are enjoying it all so much. Your drawing of sage is very pretty. I bought a lovely deep blue salvia yesterday, the bees were having a field day once I had planted it up. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteThe blue salvia sounds most attractive. I had lots of very tall deep purple saliva Armistead but over the years it hasn't survived.
DeleteThose cellists are wonderful!
The books sound most interesting and very different. I must take a note of them.
ReplyDeleteThey were both recommended to me one by an old friend and one by someone in comments.
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