Hah, I bet you're wondering how I'm going to link those two together. It's quite simple: Circles!!
The thing is, this morning I've already made two pots of tea. The first was Freshpak rooibos, imported from South Africa and not sold at the exorbitant price some is these days. The second was Waitrose Earl Grey which is china and not ceylon tea (and therefore unusual these days). The latter, thanks to dear daughter who always finds room in her suitcase for boxes for us all. Both of these come as square tea bags. Which makes sense.
What doesn't make sense to me is why so many tea bags are round. I mean, when you cut circles of wax or parchment paper to line your cake pans, you have a lot of waste, don't you. Not so much if you use a square pan.
I suppose it has to do with everything having to be new or renewed or the manufacturers lose market share. That doesn't say a lot for us, but I guess it's human nature. It's the same with web sites. They need to be refreshed and have new content or interest fades. So right now I'm gearing up to make an effort with mine. i.e. fix up the existing non-fiction, and get a new one for my to-be-published-in-a-year novel! Stay tuned.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Absence
My apologies. I've been absent. Not physically, but in every other way. This was because an infected tooth affected my ability to think, create, do housework... Yes, truly. I'm serious. Only today am I feeling energetic enough to catch up on cleaning and laundry. Last week, even the tidying was minimal, although I did manage to do a little cooking.
I suppose 'absent' was a word I first learned at school, when the opposite was 'present' and your attendance was marked in the register. Seeing as I loved school, I was always happy to be present -- physically that was. In other ways I was always a day dreamer. That used to annoy my dad who used to tell me to 'wake up'. Strange, really, because he was something of a dreamer himself and could scheme up wonderful plans and stories. He'd get a vague look in his eye and I'd know he was far away in his imagination and would likely soon come up with something new and interesting.
Being around small children means I have no choice at those times but to be present. And sometimes I'd rather be absent in all senses of the word! So maybe this is yet another area where it's good to find the balance between two extremes.
I suppose 'absent' was a word I first learned at school, when the opposite was 'present' and your attendance was marked in the register. Seeing as I loved school, I was always happy to be present -- physically that was. In other ways I was always a day dreamer. That used to annoy my dad who used to tell me to 'wake up'. Strange, really, because he was something of a dreamer himself and could scheme up wonderful plans and stories. He'd get a vague look in his eye and I'd know he was far away in his imagination and would likely soon come up with something new and interesting.
Being around small children means I have no choice at those times but to be present. And sometimes I'd rather be absent in all senses of the word! So maybe this is yet another area where it's good to find the balance between two extremes.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Darning and ballet shoes
I bought my husband a cashmere sweater for $7. Yes, there was a snag... it has a hole where his left breast-pocket would be if he were wearing a jacket. No problem to darn it, but I knew straight away it would be difficult (impossible?) to find darning wool exactly that shade of blue. So I thought the best thing might be to cover the darn with a badge, presuming I can find such a thing.
The owner of the store and I agreed that what my husband needed was a Noddy badge. Mmm. Might also be difficult to find. Another option might be to convert the darn into some kind of logo, not an alligator, not a golfer, not a butterfly... I'm still thinking. Any suggestions dear readers?
Years ago when I was at ballet school we had to darn the toes of our new pointe shoes before wearing them for the first time. I wonder if students still do this. My darning was always admired, which I put down to having been taught to embroider at an early age. Stem stitch and lazy-daisy were the ones my mother started me off on, and with those I embellished a few tray cloths.
My mother-in-law, however, was a much more accomplished needlewoman. She made the sweetest smock for our elder daughter. Around the hem she embroidered small insects, and even put a little fly on her shoulder! Unfortunately, the dress got stained from peach and plum juice and at some stage I let it go. It's a pity I did!
The owner of the store and I agreed that what my husband needed was a Noddy badge. Mmm. Might also be difficult to find. Another option might be to convert the darn into some kind of logo, not an alligator, not a golfer, not a butterfly... I'm still thinking. Any suggestions dear readers?
Years ago when I was at ballet school we had to darn the toes of our new pointe shoes before wearing them for the first time. I wonder if students still do this. My darning was always admired, which I put down to having been taught to embroider at an early age. Stem stitch and lazy-daisy were the ones my mother started me off on, and with those I embellished a few tray cloths.
My mother-in-law, however, was a much more accomplished needlewoman. She made the sweetest smock for our elder daughter. Around the hem she embroidered small insects, and even put a little fly on her shoulder! Unfortunately, the dress got stained from peach and plum juice and at some stage I let it go. It's a pity I did!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Fashion and flares
I suppose it was predictable. After the skinny jeans and pants of the last few season, fashion now decrees the opposite: wide pants are in! Or so I learn via Jess Carter-Morley on the Guardian website. I usually enjoy her videos, in spite of the pigeon-toed stance she assumes for the modelling shots. Seeing as I bought a pair of wide-legged jeans and pair of another camel wool pants on the sales last year, I'm okay with that. Yes, sometimes you can get lucky and pick up things ahead of the trend.
I lost out once, though, with a mini skirt. Seeing it on sale I thought 'nah, we're never going to go for minis again.' How very wrong I was!
Fashion of course, is all about silhouette, so the easiest way for the manufacturers to get us to buy new is to go from one extreme to the other. After the mini-skirted 60's we soon went to the maxi-skirted '70s, and there's a bit of a trend in that direction now. Fortunately, though, there are so many different ways of dressing today that we don't really need to pay heed to anything we don't want to. It's all about choice. I like that!
I lost out once, though, with a mini skirt. Seeing it on sale I thought 'nah, we're never going to go for minis again.' How very wrong I was!
Fashion of course, is all about silhouette, so the easiest way for the manufacturers to get us to buy new is to go from one extreme to the other. After the mini-skirted 60's we soon went to the maxi-skirted '70s, and there's a bit of a trend in that direction now. Fortunately, though, there are so many different ways of dressing today that we don't really need to pay heed to anything we don't want to. It's all about choice. I like that!
Monday, February 7, 2011
What February brings
Last week I heard someone mention that we'd reached the mid-point of winter. What? Do we really have so much more snow and cold ahead of us?
The official start of winter comes with the solstice on the 23rd December. But I think most of us experience this in quite a different way. At some point, as autumn fades away and we lose the warming colours and begin to live in a starker landscape we feel, 'Winter is here'. Also, we gradually don warmer clothes, and the day or night comes when we need gloves, and then hats and then scarves. Eventually, we're completed garbed in winter woollies. So I think it's hard to pinpoint the moment when we feel 'Winter is truly here'.
Anyhow, here we are in February. Apart from the years when I flew off to the Southern Hemisphere, I've found February to be my most creative month. It's shaping up in that direction even now. Why this is, I've no idea, but maybe it has to do with the kind of inside life I lead at this time, which also equals the kind of inner life I lead at this time. I wonder if other writer friends find the same... or, more broadly put, if any of my readers find it so.
Years ago scientists from somewhere or other proclaimed 'The brain functions best at a temperature of 9 degrees'. Not me. At that temp I'd be running on the spot or doing star jumps to warm myself up. To my relief I read a different opinion recently: that we do best at around 21 degrees.
Excuse me while I go and crank up the heating a couple of notches!
The official start of winter comes with the solstice on the 23rd December. But I think most of us experience this in quite a different way. At some point, as autumn fades away and we lose the warming colours and begin to live in a starker landscape we feel, 'Winter is here'. Also, we gradually don warmer clothes, and the day or night comes when we need gloves, and then hats and then scarves. Eventually, we're completed garbed in winter woollies. So I think it's hard to pinpoint the moment when we feel 'Winter is truly here'.
Anyhow, here we are in February. Apart from the years when I flew off to the Southern Hemisphere, I've found February to be my most creative month. It's shaping up in that direction even now. Why this is, I've no idea, but maybe it has to do with the kind of inside life I lead at this time, which also equals the kind of inner life I lead at this time. I wonder if other writer friends find the same... or, more broadly put, if any of my readers find it so.
Years ago scientists from somewhere or other proclaimed 'The brain functions best at a temperature of 9 degrees'. Not me. At that temp I'd be running on the spot or doing star jumps to warm myself up. To my relief I read a different opinion recently: that we do best at around 21 degrees.
Excuse me while I go and crank up the heating a couple of notches!
Friday, February 4, 2011
As long as... my hair?
Yesterday I went for an overdue haircut. When I told my elder son I was going to try a new hair salon he remarked, 'That's brave!' The thing is, after the splurginess of Christmas, January and February bring frugality, and that was my motivation.
It's been a very long time since I walked out of a salon thrilled with my hair. Certainly I loved emerging from Vidal Sassoon in Bond Street when the master-cutter himself was there, although I hated the two hours it took to get my hair done. But in general I think most of us are dissatisfied with our hair. Often, that's putting it mildly!
Why is this, I wonder? It surely can't be a throw back to Biblical times and the story of Samson? These days I don't believe our strength and life-force lives in our hair. And yet, many of us are obsessed. And I say that with some consideration, because I've been thinking about different cultures. Take the Rastas for e.g.
How was it? you ask anxiously. I'd say, the jury's still out. I'll be able to judge better once I've washed my hair myself. It was a mistake to allow ze hair glue to be sprayed around me as if I were a mosquito. I never use that as a rule, preferring to feel softness rather than straw. So we'll see.
Oh, and just so you know, my husband's barber is called.... wait for it... Delilah!!
It's been a very long time since I walked out of a salon thrilled with my hair. Certainly I loved emerging from Vidal Sassoon in Bond Street when the master-cutter himself was there, although I hated the two hours it took to get my hair done. But in general I think most of us are dissatisfied with our hair. Often, that's putting it mildly!
Why is this, I wonder? It surely can't be a throw back to Biblical times and the story of Samson? These days I don't believe our strength and life-force lives in our hair. And yet, many of us are obsessed. And I say that with some consideration, because I've been thinking about different cultures. Take the Rastas for e.g.
How was it? you ask anxiously. I'd say, the jury's still out. I'll be able to judge better once I've washed my hair myself. It was a mistake to allow ze hair glue to be sprayed around me as if I were a mosquito. I never use that as a rule, preferring to feel softness rather than straw. So we'll see.
Oh, and just so you know, my husband's barber is called.... wait for it... Delilah!!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Changing habits/Checking in
So, how'm I doing?
First of all: the success. I'm happily leading with my left foot when I step out of the bath. The not-so-good side to this is that I now need to find another activity to switch sides. Why bother, you ask? Because this is a good way to keep your brain young. I'm thinking maybe I'll hold the electrical apparatus in my left hand when I want to puree the soup. We call this a zhoosher, and I can't think of the proper term! Seeing as it's mostly Oupa who does this, the exercise shouldn't be too taxing for me.
Secondly... getting there. This is, I'm managing mostly to complete one practical task before I go onto another. Writing wise, I need a bit of variety, especially when I'm busy with a long project such as a novel. That's okay, I feel.
Lastly, changing my bath time from morning to night. Epic fail, or is it?? Seeing as I have my mornings to myself again, I decided to go back to the old habit. The reason for this is that my mind sinks into a creative space and throws up various ideas, words and phrases that are useful to me. I'm good with that.
First of all: the success. I'm happily leading with my left foot when I step out of the bath. The not-so-good side to this is that I now need to find another activity to switch sides. Why bother, you ask? Because this is a good way to keep your brain young. I'm thinking maybe I'll hold the electrical apparatus in my left hand when I want to puree the soup. We call this a zhoosher, and I can't think of the proper term! Seeing as it's mostly Oupa who does this, the exercise shouldn't be too taxing for me.
Secondly... getting there. This is, I'm managing mostly to complete one practical task before I go onto another. Writing wise, I need a bit of variety, especially when I'm busy with a long project such as a novel. That's okay, I feel.
Lastly, changing my bath time from morning to night. Epic fail, or is it?? Seeing as I have my mornings to myself again, I decided to go back to the old habit. The reason for this is that my mind sinks into a creative space and throws up various ideas, words and phrases that are useful to me. I'm good with that.
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