Words and expressions

I'm always intrigued by new expressions and words that come into the English language... and thus to our consciousness.

So how about 'done and dusted'? I have the impression that this started in the UK. It's certainly spreading. But surely they've got that the wrong way around? My mother always said the dusting had to happen first, and then the vacumming or sweeping or whatever. Don't you think?

Now the other item that's on my mind is the word 'woke'. First seen on a facebook post via a member of the (much) younger generation, I still am not sure what it means. Obviously, it's gaining some agency (as they say... another spreading expression!) because I saw on The Guardian website that the recent pop concert weekend at Glastonbury has been deemed 'the most woke' ever!! It's definitely a compliment of some kind.

And while we're in the realm of Glastonbury, I'm remembering its connection with King Arthur and the stories of the Grail. Clearly it's a place with special energies, but how is all that modern music affecting them?

I shall continue to ponder.

TUNING IN TO TULIP TIME!

Tulips seems to be blooming better than ever this year. I wonder why. Do you think perhaps it has to do with that long, cold winter we endured? Really, despite the advances and miracles of modern science, how little do we know about growth forces and what impacts what.

After a sunny morning admiring the blooms, beds and colours of this year's Tulip Fest, I suddenly got the idea to send a few photos to my oldest and dearest friend, back in Cape Town. If you want tulips in your South African garden you need to plant new bulbs every year, so that's not something that's done on any kind of a grand scale.

My friend emailed me back almost straight away. This is what she wrote:

'Your marvellous pictures of the tulips arrived as if in response to a most irrational need for a chat with you! An angel brought them and I felt so happy - the exquisite colours, your dear face, the unexpected closeness to you all of a sudden! '

Sometimes it's good to take notice of what flies into your mind!

Now, perhaps you'd like to view a few flowers? Well, take a look...