Isn’t it interesting how some weeks your social schedule is full to over-flowing and then at other times it seems like weeks between engagements? That’s how our schedule seems to be at the moment. Last week we had visitors and a garden outing. This week, our diary was astonishingly clear (apart from a visit by the wasp man, more details below). Next week, in contrast, we have a plethora of engagements to look forward to. Hey ho, what’s to do?
On Monday afternoon Lady Penelope spotted some very large wasp-like creatures flying in and out of a hole in the far gable end of the house. Indeed, they turned out to be European Hornets which, although they are generally nonaggressive, with an individual in our household who is prone to anaphylactic reactions, we need to remove any wasps who are in close proximity to the house. So, on Tuesday we welcomed Adin, the Wasp Man to do the business. It appears that they were just beginning to colonise the hole in the wall and he was able to deal with them in short order. Phew!
Of course, we have wasps all over the garden – it’s been a very good year for them. Penny was turning the compost one afternoon this week and the area was soon buzzing – they were clearly enjoying the compost as well as the leaves I had just raked up following a mid-season hedge trim. It’s funny, Penny is the one who went into anaphylactic shock yet she is the one who says, “Oh, don’t bother them – it will be fine. They’ll only sting if they’re upset.” And, I’m the one who says, “F**k that! You (i.e., Penny) get away from the compost and this general area of the garden and I will turn the compost and deal with the hedge clippings.” Even then, she leaves the area somewhat reluctantly. Thankfully, the compost was turned and the hedge clippings incorporated therein with no one getting on the wrong side of the wasps.
Nick & Annabelle seem to be having a lovely time on their road trip. They’ve been visiting family and friends in New England before heading out to LA in the next few days (or they may have already gone for all I know) and then on up to Washington state for our niece Emily’s wedding. During their stay in New England they were able to visit one of our all-time favourite places, Lake George in upstate New York, where they met up with an old friend who took them sailing. Annabelle looks like a natural.
We watched That They May Face the Rising Sun the other night, a lovely, “sweet” Irish film of the “ordinary” comings and goings of folks in a small, rural Irish community. Penny and I both originally thought we had seen it before and when I said at its conclusion, “That was a lovely, sweet film” she said, “That’s exactly what you said when we came out of the cinema.” Sometimes it’s marvellous to have such a crappy memory – as we watched it, even though I initially thought I had seen it before, I had no recollection of anything about it. A fresh surprise every time!
Penelope’s efforts in the garden continue to produce outstanding results. The pond is getting better and better as its vegetation fills out and provides a very restful and peaceful spot under the hawthorn tree.
Great excitement on Friday as Penelope discovered a resident frog as well as some pond skaters and one of her water plants has sent up a flower! The sunflowers are courtesy of my sister Sarah who gave Penny a handful of seeds when we saw her last autumn. Fabulous.
And finally, I ran across a word with which I was unfamiliar. However, it turns out to be a strikingly accurate description of a certain American politician (or, perhaps several American politicians and a few of our own).
Cockwomble – originally British slang, generally used to describe a foolish, arrogant, or irritating person, often one who makes stupid statements or behaves inappropriately while thinking highly of themselves.
Next week is looking like it will be a complete contrast – we’ve got two lunch dates to look forward to as well as dinner and a theatre outing. Phew, I’m feeling tired already!
And, I think that’s it about it for this week!
Meanwhile, keep breathing, keep happy, keep smiling, keep exercising, be good, be careful, and keep safe. And be gentle to wasps and bees – we need all the pollinators we can get.
Lots of love to you all,
Greg
Thrilled to hear the pond now has a resident frog and other small creatures! Great pictures, as always – the last one particularly beautiful.