Jim Birdsall

at the eastern coast last month

I've been here - great characterful pub!

bluebells for Bluesky

greenhouse life

Aye, a mighty fine river it is.

looking downriver this evening

An important part of photography is simply being in the right place at the right time.

crux et lux

Tortoiseshell butterfly is a good one to look out for in early spring.
#Aglaisurticae

I have been using the word 'evil' more than usual recently, to describe bad people; this is not a word which should be used lightly, but I think we should be bold about using it when appropriate.

'basket of deplorables' was actually very generous.

bee on willow catkins

If you want your spoken French to sound better than it really is, start the odd sentence with 'alors' - it works a treat, plus it is so satisfying to say.

Furthermore, I fantasise about a cataclysm, whereby somehow my scrap paper collection is the only surviving evidence of writing. I wonder what alien archaeologists in the future would make of it all. What could they learn about civilisation from my to-do lists, notes, receipts, and letters?

Certainly, go for it!

Do you ever wonder what someone could find out about you from your scrap paper? I do - I have three drawers of the stuff.

the bridge at Saint-Chély-du-Tarn, France, summer 2018

crocus, harbinger of spring

Very good! I have only ever heard his organ music.

oak and Moon

YouTube video by Felices Cantus Händel Handel 1715 Amadigi di Gaula HWV 11

On another note, are you listening to anything to celebrate Handel's birthday today?
Amadigi for me: youtu.be/pNer5UxsVUI?...

Or because people aren't quite sure of the plural form/s? I just use 'octopuses' on the basis that it is an English word now...you're my word now Dave!

Interesting combination! When I make gnocchi, I form them one by one, so that's why I think about these things. The word literally means 'lump'.

You don't often see or hear the singular form of 'gnocchi' in the Anglosphere. Here it is:

A friend gave me this Russian calendar for 2025. The Year of the Snake is often considered inauspicious in Russia, as it is associated with turmoil; 1905, 1917, 1941, 1953 (Stalin died), and 1989 were all snaky years.

Germinating seeds in winter is an optimistic act.
Here are parsley, hot peppers, tomatoes:

growing garlic for greens 💚

I like lichen.

This noodle soup was yummy; the colouring was from turmeric.