Monday, September 29, 2014

September 29th - Michaelmas

Michaelmas is the feast of St Michael the archangel. 
 Michael - 'who is like to God ' was the war cry of good angels in the battles fought in Heaven against Satan.  Michael was the greatest of the archangels and is honoured for defeating Lucifer in Heaven.
Because the day occurs on the 29th of September it falls near the equinox and is associated with the
beginning of autumn and the shortening of days.  Michaelmas marked the ending and beginning of the husbandman's year.
Michaelmas also marks the first day of the autumn term.
The lilac and purple asters which bloom at this time are known as Michaelmas daisies.
 
Michaelmas gales assail the waning year,
And Michael’s scale is true, his blade is bright.
He strips dead leaves; and leaves the living clear
To flourish in the touch and reach of light.
Archangel bring your balance, help me turn
Upon this turning world with you and dance
In the Great Dance. Draw near, help me discern,
And trace the hidden grace in change and chance.
Angel of fire, Love’s fierce radiance,
Drive through the deep until the steep waves part,
Undo the dragon’s sinuous influence
And pierce the clotted darkness in my heart.
Unchain the child you find there, break the spell
And overthrow the tyrannies of Hell.
Malcolm Guite

For Vagabonde

Friday, September 26, 2014

Michaelmas in the garden

 
Slowly cyclamen are finding their way to this wild part.
BTW it isn't Michaelmas until the 29th - but you knew that.

This isn't St Michaelmas and it isn't my garden alas - but it is Jesus- courtesy of my friend Gia.

Bless them they come up each year

This must be one I put in last year

It's been so mild the front door has been open all summer.  I do like a good blow through.




Those of you paying attention will remember I decided to empty the fountain, fill it with stones from all over the place and let nature take its course.  What I didn't realise it takes a hell of a lot of stones to fill it so this frog found its way there.
Naturally I asked the Welsh man to bring a couple of samples and - although he thinks I am barmy he obliged.
Aren't they smashing?

Still a way to go.
Click for bigger pics.

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Things a woman likes to hear.

Dylan:  The difference between your house and mine (he has two cleaners) is that yours sparkles.

I can't wait to tell Sheila.  Please excuse my smirk:)

Thursday, September 18, 2014

New York New York!

Angus at Dawn:-   "I'm heading back to Staten from downtown Manhattan, wind blows so hard, I'm trying to keep my hay on."
 
I think 'hay' is a typo.  Anyone's guess but what a stunning city

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Lunch

I just felt like a tomato omelette.  I steeped the tomatoes in warmed butter and fresh chopped basil and flavoured the 2 egg omelette with fresh rosemary.
 
Result
Presentation B minus
Taste delicious
Juices mopped up with a wholemeal roll.
 
Conclusion
A little less rosemary next time..

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Meanwhile - in another part of the Forest...

This is beautiful Snake River just taken by my son Angus who is visiting Wyoming - lucky boy!
It' s a few miles south of Jackson.  Magical names.  Has anyone been or does anyone know it or even live there?

Sunday, September 07, 2014

September Garden

 The cat is back but fled when I approached
 Three men and one carpet make the crazy paving even crazier.  And   the carpet had to go back - it had too stiff a backing which made ridges.



 Fuchsia is flooding the garden.  So far I have resisted popping them
The best bet for pots - Nemesia.  It is pretty - comes up year after year and is fragrant.  My number one pot plant.