Author: Araminta

Moving at last

I know I have been slightly conspicuous by my absence from cyber-space for a while, but I have been busy.

Daughter No.1 is to be married on 28th September, and we are moving house in early October. We are relocating to Dorset which was our intention about five years ago. If the telephone and broadband transfer goes smoothly, we shall be back on line on the 9th.

If nothing else we have made headway with clearing out heaps of rubbish and general unwanted clutter which we found in the attic, shed and cupboards. This has all been given away, recycled or consigned to landfill, and it’s taken an age.

Results of Photo Competition- Dwellings

Many thanks to all those who entered :

Janus’ soon to be ex-dwelling and good luck with your move to a very lovely spot without the wind turbine horror.

Soutie’s very pleasant Port Alfred weekend retreat by the ocean.

Christina’s “Des res, iron age style” : interesting take on the theme.

Christopher submitted a photograph of a modest London residence occasionally inhabited by HM Queen Elizabeth II.

Continue reading “Results of Photo Competition- Dwellings”

April 2013 Photography Competition: Dwellings

The theme this time is dwellings: abode, castle, commorancy, den, digs, domicile,dump, establishment, habitat, habitation, haunt, hole in the wall, house, lodging, pad, quarters, or residence.

Continue reading “April 2013 Photography Competition: Dwellings”

Easter and The Telegraph Pay-wall

Easter without The Telegraph? 

Resurrection of some buns, and bunnies by the score?
Is this the point of Easter, or is there something more?
Yes hot cross buns may be the thing which oddly give a clue,
To why we celebrate this fest, though meanings are perdue.

Continue reading “Easter and The Telegraph Pay-wall”

Results of the Poetry Competition

Sorry for the delay but here are the eagerly awaited (by Janus anyway), and hastily composed results of the February/March Poetry Competition.

Thank you all for your contributions, and PapaG – although yours was too late to be included in the judging – I did enjoy reading your topical verse. Continue reading “Results of the Poetry Competition”

Ethnic minorities and community tensions?

Hackney Planning Watch, which opposes the Stamford Hill Neighbourhood Forum, has posted a flyer warning “Act now! Your neighbourhood is in danger!”

In a London borough there are tensions between the indigenous residents and a group whose religious and cultural values clash. The birthrate for this group is high. It is estimated the average family has eight children and these children are predominantly educated at faith schools. They need more accommodation and more schools, as the population is estimated to double over the next twenty years. The men, many are bearded, often wear very distinctive, traditional clothing and their women dress modestly and cover their hair in public.

Does this all sound familiar?

Full article is here

Poetry Competition February/March 2013

I am cold, no matter how I warm
Or clothe me;
O Winter, greater bards have sung
I loathe thee!

Final stanza from “To Winter” by Eugene O’Neill

The theme for your literary gems this time is Weather: any poetic form is acceptable. May I please have your entries by midnight on the 11th March 2013.

Just add your entries to this thread or link your own posts.

Happy Bloody Christmas America

Eighteen children under ten and ten adults said to have died in Connecticut school.

Link here

Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States is the right to keep and to bear arms.

Right, or is it?  How bloody sad for the parents of these children, and the families of  their teachers who were slaughtered.

I doubt very much that the citizens of the United States would want any restrictions to their right to bear arms but is there any way these killings can be prevented?