I had to rise around two in the morning last night as I heard the mouse chomping away at something. I searched and failed to find him but scared him off again at least, or so I thought. In the morning I found he had been in the bin (covered to keep him out) all the time! Humph! That requires a change of place today.
However as I dozed back into sleep I thought of something of real importance to scribble, scribble, scribble down here. As I lay in the dark I wrote it out in my befuddled mind and it appeared good. I continued this as I drifted into slumber happy in the knowledge that I had a decent worthwhile post awaiting me in the morning.
I have forgotten what it was....
I have not been travelling around much this year and this disappoints me greatly. Either my knees or my health or the weather have hindered me. This in spite of strenuous efforts at exercise that have left me in more aches and pains than before, I'm told this is a good sign...hmmm.
However I looked at some old pictures and thought these were not bad, probably because they have been hidden for a while. These books still line my dusty shelves and most of them have either been read or made use of in previous studies. Greek tragedies are to me not something to get me excited even when a brief understanding of the background is clear, drama is not my thing. Aristophanes is good however, he is the satirist and a very good one even through translation. Bare faced cheek towards Sophocles is abundant in some of his works, well worth reading.
Josephus 'Jewish War' written to help the Romans understand that strange people they had just crushed is also worth reading. In spite of his abundant lack of humility Josephus is a good read and historians claim it is reliable, though exaggerated in places.
Some of those books have been sitting on the shelves for over twenty five years, one or two of those considerably longer, yet I cannot see myself letting them go to a good home, even the tragic Greeks would leave a gap. Isn't it funny how some books must be kept, just in case, while others of less worth, trashy novels, can be dumped easily?
Books are a must, they are always useful!
Many moons have passed since I took this early morning shot. I suspect that as the year turns and the nights draw in I may get more chance to find such sunlight at the bottom of the empty car park! While the US can spot an eclipse I can just as easily spot threatening rain filled clouds passing by ensuring I cannot see the sun much more efficiently than any eclipse can manage.
This postbox has been collecting letters since the reign of King George V who reigned from 1910 - 1936. I suspect this came nearer the end of his reign and that he neither made use of it nor knew of it's existence. When employed at that job I have had occasion to empty the contents, not very exciting I must say, and at least there were no nasty surprises found therein as there have been on other occasions.
Famously imperialist English arrogance placed a brand new pillar box in the new housing estate in Edinburgh after the war bearing the legend QRII. This of course refers to the newish queen who got her well paid job in 1953. However as the Royal Mail imperialist soon discovered there had not been a Queen Elizabeth in Scotland before so the legend 'II' had to go. This was emphasised in those non terrorist days by a Scots hero placing a small piece of gelignite into said post box in a safe manner and destroying the offensive item. Boxes, Royal Mail vans and other apparatus since that period are now bearers of QR and no longer the offensive QRII.
Nothing happened today except the sun shone.
Just imagine, sun and blue sky, daffodils reflecting the sun while they wave in the wind, seagulls bothering folks in the park while they chase food scraps (seagulls not the people), and another inkling of Spring in the air.
However I did nothing.
I do that very well.
This afternoon however was taken up wandering through the shops to find a gift card for my great niece. If only 'Poundland' did them! I finally found one (Primark) that would suit an 18 year old though I believe booze was on her list also. Whether it was on her list or her mothers who informed me of this I am unsure but these folks don't behave in the seemly manner in which I spent my youth.
What?...oh!
Having said that I am reminded of the (near empty) bottle of Armagnac Brandy that has been lying about for a year or two. I thought I had better ensure it was fit for purpose and indeed it is! Such smooth brandy has never before bee invented. How lovely this stuff is. How low the level in the bottle...now.
During the Great War General Haig, then the Commander-in-Chief of the British Army was being constantly pestered by General Joffre the avuncular French top man. He would arrive at Haig's door blustering about the situation and demanding action in a near hysterical demeanour. Haig, though from the 'Haig whisky' family, rarely drank much but when confronted by a demanding Joffre would reach for his best Brandy and supply copious amounts to the eager General. By the time Joffre headed for his car he had agreed in principle to everything Haig required.
I might try this with some folks I know...
