A Clean Sweep

‘Can we come over and see you this afternoon?’ they asked.
‘Of course!’ I answered.
Then I looked around. Aargh! The house was a mess. I rushed around, tidying, vacuuming, dusting …





Phew! I finished just as my visitors arrived.









When I am Rich I won’t have this problem. I’ll employ a cleaner.





But then I’ll have another problem. Old habits die hard so I’ll have to rush around, tidying, vacuuming, dusting … because I wouldn’t want the cleaner to see my messy house!

Strictly for the birds

I was looking out at my real-life garden, and making plans for my dream garden, when I suddenly realised what was missing. I need one of these …



so all the birds I hope to attract will be able to drink and bathe in comfort.

In the meantime, this little chap doesn’t seem to mind too much having to make do with a plastic dish.



And others are always happy to share a puddle.

Not needed

Most of this blog is about things I don’t have, but Wipso has set me the challenge of compiling a list of things I do have – but don’t need.

It made me feel quite smug because, a few years ago, my husband and I downsized – drastically. We sold our house, sold or gave away nearly all its contents (couldn’t believe we had so much stuff) and put only our most prized personal possessions into storage while we took a gap year to go travelling. When we returned we bought a much smaller house and vowed to keep it clutter-free.

So I didn’t think I had anything I don’t need – until I started looking. Here’s the list:

A cold (not as bad as flu, but more than a sniffle and I hope it goes soon)
Grey hairs (why does nature advertise our age so obviously?)
Clothes that don’t fit me (but they might – one day)
Piles of old magazines
Last week’s Sunday paper (haven’t read it yet)
Dust (where does it all come from?)
An empty chocolate box (the chocolates were delicious and the box too pretty to throw away, but I haven’t found another use for it yet)
Too many bright ideas (well, I think they’re bright!)
All my rejected stories (waiting to be re-written and sent out again)
Egg cups
My old film camera (I might use it again – or keep it until it’s a valuable antique)
An odd sock (it would be terrible to throw it out and then discover its long-lost partner!)

Artist at work!

I went to an art exhibition recently. Some wonderful paintings, but a bit pricey for me.

It got me thinking though …

I could do with some new pictures on my walls. If I can’t buy any perhaps I could paint some myself.

It’s worth a try. You never know, this could be the start of a whole new career!

But does it taste any better?

I’ve just been reading about what is thought to be the world’s most expensive chocolate bar. Cadbury has wrapped one of its Wispa Gold bars in edible gold.

I suppose – if I was rich – I could easily afford the asking price of £961.48 (about US$1637). But for the same amount of money I could buy 1,748 Wispas in ordinary wrappers.

Or a year’s supply of my favourite organic, fair trade chocolate, and I'd still have some change in my pocket.

All that chocolate – or a little bit of gold?

No contest.

Summertime

Hooray for the British summer!
More rain = more rainbows = more pots of gold

... if only I could find them!

This is where the rainbow ended yesterday.

Party time!

The buddleia (see last post) has invited all its friends round.






Bees, butterflies, moths ...














So many visitors coming and going.

They're keeping me busy trying to identify and photograph them all.

Yes, Friko, I did get your message - thank you. I am a bit worried about where the roots are going so when it's finished flowering I think it will have to be evicted. Perhaps I'll be able to sprinkle the seeds somewhere more suitable. (You've got a big garden haven't you?)