A tolerable week on the whole, I guess – we’ve had a fair bit of rain interspersed with some bright, sunny spells. It’s been pretty “fresh” though and we’ve even resorted to lighting the wood burner in the evenings a couple of times. In May? Hmm.
We did have a couple of visits with old friends this week, so that’s good. Our good friends and former neighbours Pete and Sal came over for lunch on Sunday. The weather was kind and we dined out on the patio on one of Penelope’s splendid culinary presentations. Then, on Tuesday they invited us over to theirs in Byfield for an Indian takeaway. It wasn’t so much that they were keen to reciprocate our hospitality so quickly – they had some visitors with whom we were also acquainted and it was an opportunity to catch up with them as well. The takeaway was splendid and, thankfully, plentiful and it was great to catch up. Funny isn’t it – you don’t see friends for some considerable time and then you meet up with them twice in three days. Lovely.
The Guardian has a weekly (I think) gallery of photos. This week’s caught my eye because of the splendid photo of some baby swallows with their mouths wide open waiting for their next meal. Our house martins in the eaves are similarly raising their brood – the squawking that goes on when the mum or dad approaches with a bite to eat is deafening.
The Guardian has also been running a series of articles on the 100 best novels. How many have you read?
I’ve read 46 of the hundred and 14 of the top twenty. Not too bad, I guess. After all, I generally only read in bed and fall asleep after two or three pages so it’s slow going. Still, that leaves me with a mere 54 epics to get through – do I have the time (or the inclination) to muddle my way through The Odessey? I was intrigued to see that Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall made the list but only at number 34. I would have put it somewhat higher than that, I think.
Not surprisingly, this reminded me of my father who read voraciously. He always had two or three substantial tomes on the go at once. How he could keep the details straight in his mind is beyond me. I have trouble keeping the details of whatever I am currently reading straight.
And, of no interest at all, I am currently reading Larry McMurty’s Lonesome Dove again and thoroughly enjoying it (again). Looking back at the top 100, should Lonesome Dove appear in that list? It did win a Pulitzer, after all.
I saw this article in the LA Times the other day. Apparently, the mayor of the town in which I grew up, has resigned following a spying scandal!
Eileen Wang stepped down as Arcadia mayor this week after a plea agreement showed she admitted to undisclosed work on behalf of China.
– Los Angeles Times
Wow! Who knew Arcadia was such a hotbed of political intrigue?
Looking forward to a few days off this week – we’re going to the Peak District in Derbyshire for a few days with our good friends the Waltons and Kelly-Browns. Lots to see and do although the weather isn’t looking grand.
Finally, another set of garden photos to wade through.
And finally, finally, Lilia, one of my sister Sallie’s granddaughters, has a birthday this week so Happy Birthday!
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. And, hold your loved ones close.
Lots of love to you all,
Greg