Janet E Davis

I have read a lot of Dickens, partly because people started giving me Dickens novels when I was 9, partly because it connected with post-grad research. I don’t think he was a nice man.

Totally agree. I loathed the unrelenting gloom of Hardy when I was at school.

I’m relieved to hear it 😁

I hope you’ve got good wet weather gear, Mark!

My old art teacher was sharing pics of Auckland in the rain very recently. I think he’s off to Japan next.

Britain's youth clubs have been quietly decimated. What's most revealing is that few seem to care | John Harris These vital spaces have been the first targets of cuts in a nation that favours age over youth – despite being the remedy for blights such as social division, polarisation and loneliness, says Guardia...

"More than half of the young people involved said they would like to reduce screen time, but 46% felt “unable” to. And then came the kicker: “93% of young people who have attended a youth centre say it has made a positive difference to their lives.”"

Sunday read: "And so I stand beside the latch, comforted by the collective thumbprint. Through the imperceptible hollowing of its burnished curve, it cradles an immortality defined through touch" www.digest.andymarshall.co/andy-marshal...

They’re trying to get your attention so that you take them home to roast & eat.

stop thinking right now

interesting to see "ax" for "ask" in a rendition of Cockney here, 1830

I was hoping they’re only pretending to be laid back about it but behind the scenes regard it very seriously & are working hard to fight back with disinformation & secretly developing better drones etc.

The Cousin Sven approach?

Purchased 2003

Richard Long, Limestone Drawing Two, 2002
https://botfrens.com/collections/14375/contents/1122528

Happy birthday! 🥳🎊🎂🎉 I hope you have an enjoyable day.

One of the last conversations I’d had with my dad was about how much we’d both wanted to see the aurora borealis since childhood. We’d both hoped to go on a cruise up the Norwegian coast to see it. He missed it but I didn’t. It was as magical as we’d hoped.

Guys guys guys!! Robin of Sherwood streaming on ITVX!! www.itv.com/watch/robin-...

It was spectacular. Never thought I’d see that from Newcastle.

I still live in hope that something eventually will stick & have severe consequences.

Having had it once (I vaguely recognised it fast enough to get the retroviral thing but it was bad enough even after that), I will book mine the moment they tell me I can 😄

Painting, The Dark Blue Bird

The Dark Blue Bird, Edward Lear.

Happy World Mental Health Day - may you be free from stress, stigma or fear.

😄

I’ve got my flu jab on Saturday & am waiting to see if I can get a lift or my car fixed before booking my Covid jab. I had the pneumococcal one some years ago before taking additional immuno-suppressants. I think I’ll be eligible for the shingles one next year. Shingles is horrid.

Damien Hirst has never been underground nor subversive.

ME: Now Mom, just remember, there's a lot of disinformation and AI in your social feed and your friends' Facebook.
MOM: I know! My friend sent me this crazy post where someone used AI to make an image of a giant frog fighting Army troops!
ME: ... okay, no, that one's ... goddamit, Portland.

A new ODNB article from me - James Francis [Jimmy] Durham, formerly Mustapha, a Sudanese boy 'adopted' in 1886 into the Durham Light Infantry. A tale of class and race, geography and the armed forces, music, and goodwill amidst the imperial assumptions: www.oxforddnb.com/display/10.1...

I’m already reminding myself that it can feel good to shut the curtains & switch on a light.

Much sympathy, Lorna. I was going through this stage around this time last year (both parents). It’s so tough. I’d tried to brace myself for it but it’s impossible for such life events. It’s got be a day at a time, perhaps an hour at a time.

I found 1 of the B pencils (there should be at least 4, I think) and 3 of the 2Bs. I really ought to do more drawing to use the 2Bs (which might encourage the Bs to emerge).