Spotted on my walk with Bailey yesterday up to Child's Hill Park. I'm glad someone is still thinking about Ukraine (aside from the ever-conscientious Boud). It sometimes seems like that whole conflict has been lost amid the insanity of the Trump administration and the world's other wild vacillations.
We had a good walk, although I could not get Bailey interested in chasing her tennis ball. She'll do it at home, but often when we're out at a park she'd rather smell the smells and explore the new territory. I briefly put her on the long lead to no apparent benefit, before switching back to the short one.
On the way home, Bailey took a moment to watch a Cricket game on the playing fields near the cemetery. She must wonder what's going on out there. The sign on her lead says, "No Dogs -- I Like People." I got it from Amazon at the suggestion of the shelter, but I've debated whether to continue using it. I think most people miss the second part and assume she's just a savage ravening terror. Besides, I steer her around other dogs long before their owners get close enough to benefit from reading it.
Here's what our dry, dry garden looks like. I really think we've lost that buddleia at right, which is a shame. And our wallflower, which is barely visible lower right, is dead as a doornail. I went back to look at pictures of the August garden in recent years and even in dry ones it's never looked this bad. Here it is in 2025, 2024 (so green!), 2023 (CRAZY green!), 2022 (also very green) and 2021 (look at the buddleia then, at right behind the yellow Inulas).
I know I keep moaning about this drought but it feels oppressive. Everything seems dusty and exhausted. I swear I haven't seen a snail all year, and normally I'd celebrate that fact, but it just seems wrong.
Dave is off to school this morning for his first day of work. There are meetings and I AM SO GLAD I'M NOT GOING!
Instead, think I'll get my ears pierced -- seriously. I've always wanted both ears pierced, and if not now, when? I used to have my left ear pierced (twice!) but I haven't worn earrings in at least 25 years so those holes have long since closed. I'm pretty much starting fresh.
Today's Jarmanism, written after gossiping with his friends about figures in the London gay community: "Leigh Bowery -- much loved, and it just goes to show, if you wear silly clothes round Soho for long enough you'll get to be famous."
Having fake grass has kept our garden looking good, and unlike comments often made, the children have played on ours all summer, with the right foundations it does not get too hot. As for the plants, its a case of waiting to see what returns next year.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I agree -- we won't really know the damage until next spring.
DeleteThe gardens around my neighbourhood look very much like yours, Steve.
ReplyDeleteWe're supposed to get a bit of rain this week, starting around lunch time today, but we'll see how much it's actually going to be - what we really need is a fortnight of constant, gentle rain, and that's not to be expected anytime soon.
I can imagine how glad you are that you're not returning to work this week (or ever)!
Any ideas what you'll want to wear on your earlobes? Studs? Small creoles? Pearls or something sparkly? The same on both sides? I don't feel "complete" without earrings, similar to many women who feel "naked" without make-up (which I don't use except for a dash of lipstick every now and then).
PS: I meant to comment on the lack of news about the Ukraine. Here in Germany, it still features regularly, almost nightly, on our main new on state TV. Last night, for instance, it was said that the Ukraine have been attacking Moscow with the largest number of drones in a single attack so far.
Delete...main newS even, not "main new", of course!
DeleteI plan to get small hoops eventually, but I have to start with studs. I'll forego the lipstick, though. :)
DeleteUkraine is in the news here, but not with the prominence it once had. I suspect it has faded from many people's day-to-day lives.
My ear piercings closed up many years ago and I miss wearing earrings, especially since I had all my hair copped short. Clip ons are too painful. I must see if I can find somewhere here that does piercings.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure there's a place. Many beauty salons do them.
DeleteI know you are being very careful with Bailey and dogs. My brother's dog called Dog and she's a larger and taller dog similar to Bailey. She is white and absolutely deaf. My brother was unloading his car in his driveway with Dog nearby with a leash on by not tied. She ran out to boisterously greet a small dog being walked by a couple on the footpath. One of Dog's claws broke the small dogs skin. A large vet bill ensued, mostly for xrays, then an appearance before a magistrate, a solicitor, court costs, and a fine. Total cost about AU$3,000.
ReplyDeleteI can certainly see what you mean about the garden.
Do you fancy some drop diamonds for your ears? Phyllis has so many pairs of earrings, all cheap and most quite flashy.
I meant to also say, Bowery must have been quite a character in that ever so English manner.
DeleteThat seems like a lot of overreaction for a claw breaking the skin, doesn't it? I don't think I'll ever be able to let Bailey off lead (or not hold the lead). At least not now, while she's young and energetic and still being trained.
DeleteLeigh Bowery was DEFINITELY a character!
Greetings from Finland 🇫🇮 What a nice blog you have. I like dogs, and people.
ReplyDeleteI write my blog in Finnish, but there's a google translator there.
Have a pleasant day ☘️
Rita, language teacher, Helsinki 🙂 I speak English.
Thanks, Rita! I appreciate your visit! I'll take a look at your blog when I have a moment! :)
DeleteWow. I’ve never seen your garden look like that in any photos. Such a shame. Yay for the ear piercing!
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely the driest I've ever seen it. I had a feeling you'd approve of the earring plan! :)
DeleteI guess we are all different but I must say that I would never have a tattoo, eat pickled locusts, jump from an aeroplane, sleep with a Tory or have my ears pierced. It takes all sorts as they say.
ReplyDeleteYou didn't even need to tell me that, YP! Although I would have thought you might go for the locusts, as adventurous a traveler as you've been.
DeleteBailey is a charmer!
ReplyDeleteIf you cut back the buddleia later in the autumn, it will most likely come back next year.
Apart from the lawn your garden looks very well compared to our desert.
We usually let our buddleias hang around until February and cut them all back then, but this one looks so terrible we'll probably trim it sooner!
DeleteRevel in your first full day of realisation that you no longer have to go to work - no better feeling.
ReplyDeleteThat's for sure!
DeleteAlthough I sympathize with Ukraine and their citizens, I don't think the U.S. should be involved in it. If we were to get involved in it, the time to do so should have been under Biden when the war started or as Russia was obviously preparing for invasion. Now it is way too deeply entrenched, almost like a religious war, and short of a miracle, I'm not sure any amount of help by anyone will get this war to come to a resolution. I suspect like many religious wars in history, it will slowly grind to a halt when there aren't enough people to keep on fighting.
ReplyDeleteI don't want troops on the ground or US forces involved, but there are other ways to lend support -- and Trump has been inexcusably hostile to Ukraine and all of Europe for no good reason. It's dangerous to allow Putin to move ahead on his expansionist path. He is a threat to Europe and all of the West.
DeleteIt will rain again some day soon.
ReplyDeleteIt will, but I'm not keen on waiting!
DeleteIt rained for about three minutes yesterday. We were happy ... for three minutes.
ReplyDeleteWe got some overnight after I wrote this post, but not nearly enough.
DeleteThanks for the shoutout. At the Russian invasion I promised Ukrainian friends I would never fail to support them and keep their courage in mind. So I've done so daily on my blog. I know it's heartening to them at little cost to me.
ReplyDeleteEarrings! Another quest, what to buy, what to collect..
I'm glad you keep them in mind and have honored your promise. It reminds ME as a reader that the conflict continues, something that is too easy to overlook these days.
DeleteWe had such a dry summer, and now it feels like every time it gets cool enough to mow, it rains. Mike mowed in 95 degree heat yesterday because he just couldn't wait any longer.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of you getting your ears pierced! I can't wait to see what kind of earrings you'll wear. Please don't be boring. Heh.
I plan on small hoops, eventually, but I have to start with boring studs. (Or maybe interesting studs -- I have to see what the options are!)
DeleteUkraine war news appears in national British newspapers every single day. Rachel
ReplyDeleteIt does, but not with the prominence it once did. I'm not saying there's NO coverage, but it's not front and center the way it was soon after the conflict began. It has essentially become old news, overshadowed by multiple other bright and shiny distractions.
DeleteIt would be great if there were a simple universal symbol for "No Dogs People OK"
ReplyDeleteMaybe if you had a T shirt that said that it would be seen sooner?
You're doing great work with that dog!
Hmmmm...maybe this is a business idea?! :)
DeleteBoy, that's dry. The flowers mostly look good, but sad about the boudelia and wallflower. I hope you get a good soaker soon, but it will take awhile to bring it back. Do you read Anca's Lifestyle? I think she's from Liverpool but volunteers regularly in Ukraine, making camo nets and doing other things. She said she just got her 3-month visa to return for a longer stay. We still do hear about it and yes, people still support it. Although, I worry. I think perhaps if the midterms go well, federal support will increase. But who knows with that idiot at the helm.
ReplyDeleteI sure hope the midterms go well. So much is riding on pushing back against Trump.
DeleteOoo! What earrings will you wear? Bailey is teaching who she is. I missed something tho. Why did the shelter suggest that sign? Is she anxious around other dogs?
ReplyDeleteI envision silver hoops, but we shall see! Yes, Bailey is very reactive to other dogs -- I just have to steer her away from them while we're walking and then she's fine. She's great with people, though, including kids, which is a relief.
DeleteI have ALWAYS loved pierced ears on men. I think my favorite look is smallish hoops in both ears. Pirate! For style ideas, I suggest you search photos of Keith Richards.
ReplyDeleteYour poor garden! I bet you never gave a thought to how lush it was in the rainy summers. It just was.
I think you are right about the message on Bailey's lead. Is it really helping?
Yeah, that's what I'm going for -- I always wanted hoop earrings! I certainly never envisioned this degree of dryness in the garden. Didn't think it was even possible in England.
DeleteWeather has changed and it's hard to accept. we are also very dry but our average precipitation is much less than yours.
ReplyDeleteMaybe your plants are more used to it!
DeleteBailey is looking at that Cricket match much the same we Americans look at it. What the heck is going on there?
ReplyDeleteThe difference in your garden over the past years is very stark. I've seen a number of photos in publications and on TV showing just how bad things have dried up in England right now. It's sad to see.
Yeah, it's true -- that's pretty much how I watch cricket! This really is a record-setting drought, making international headlines.
DeleteWow, that's quite a difference. You still have some flowers blooming though and the buddleia may come back. I know what you mean about droughts. Everything just looks tired and dull.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about getting a tattoo. A circlet either around my upper arm or ankle.
You should! No time like the present!
DeleteIt's sad that Ukraine is only rarely mentioned on the news every now and then. We do need to be kept updated on world events regularly, and not just the antics of the big orange baby. I do have pierced ears but I stopped wearing earrings regularly about 10 years ago. If I wear them for a special occasion about once or so a year I find that I can push the earrings through the old holes quite easily.
ReplyDeleteI think if people wear earrings for long enough the holes become more or less permanent. In my case, I only wore them for a couple of years, so my holes healed up again.
DeleteI agree that Bailey probably doesn't need that sign since you keep such good watch over her. Dave can pierce your ears with a raw potato and a sterilized needle. Put the potato behind your earlobe and he can poke with the needle. Oh, ice the lobe first! That's how my college roommate did it for me years ago! Long since closed up since I became allergic to cheap metal and most of my earrings were cheap metal! ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure Dave's stomach could handle that task! LOL
DeleteWe are in a drought , but not as droughty as where you are. Dry as a bone! That does not feel charming or comfortable. Maybe a rock garden will be your future. Our neighbors have done their entire front yard in various white stones with strategic drought resistant plants and it does look lovely. There's a project for you!!
ReplyDeleteThe sign on Bailey could be more noticeable if it were bright hot pink, plus it would make her look groovy!
Leigh was amazing- Truly an artist . some of his work I am sure, will live as long as humanity lives. Only 33 when Aids took him out. Too soon, too tragic! There has been no one close to his genius since. UNTIL YOU, with your ear rings...this could lead to bigger things for you.
I actually love xeriscaping and rock gardens in the right circumstances. If this continues we may move in that direction!
DeleteThe garden looks desperate for rain with no rain in the prediction. It is sad. Nobody expected to see brown landscape in England. The typical lush green is what we are all used to. Hopefully next year will return to normal rain levels and the garden will be green again.
ReplyDeleteOur news covers Ukraine and we are told their own drone building is superlative. The latest is that the orange one has agreed that Ukraine will build Patriot mussels too (hopefully that will come to fruition).
Pierced ears are great and they make wearing earrings easy. I especially like pearl and diamond combination or a single stone using a French Clip.
You have full control over Bailey, and I think that makes the sign unnecessary. If you want her to meet-and-greet other dogs that might require a dog trainer. Something must have happened in her earlier life causing her to distrust other dogs. Resolving that will require some know-how.
Weirdly, rain has arisen in the forecast all of a sudden. We had a short shower last night and we're due for more tomorrow and Thursday. Woo hoo!
DeleteYes, Ukraine has definitely mastered the technique of fighting back with drones.
I'm glad you agree about the sign. I think I'm taking it off her lead.
Pat loves to play ball at home, but when he's out on his leash it's all about the smells (and marking). Maybe Bailey is the same.
ReplyDeleteMy mother forced me to get my ears pierced when I was eight. She also forced me to shave my legs, wear a bra, and wear makeup. I look forward to seeing your piercings!
Fortunately, I don't have to do any of those other things. LOL
DeleteYeah, I think Bailey is too busy experiencing the world to do something as boring as play with her ball -- which she can do at home!
We don't hear much about Ukraine in the news here but then the Epstein files appear to have gone away too. Hmm. I wonder who Russia will invade next and which countries will have the will, funds or means to defend against that; it seems like the way we're headed. It's so dry here too that I've given up on my back lawn and am SO tired of watering plants.
ReplyDeleteThe Epstein files needs long-term coverage -- someone to sit down with them and spend some time and do some real analysis. Maybe write a book. There's too much material there for our cyclical newscasts to handle.
DeleteSmall gold hoops, like a pirate?
ReplyDeleteProbably silver, but yes!
DeleteI am really sorry about your garden, I have always heard that England is so green green green, but this drought is making it more like Australia for you. Keep trying with the tennis ball for Bailey, one day she might decide a run-and-fetch is a good idea. Or maybe she would prefer to fetch sticks? I still have a picture of a Ukrainian Flag on my front door and somewhere I still have the tiny ones my little redheaded dolls posed with for a photo for a friend to send to her friend who was in Ukraine tending wounded people.
ReplyDeleteIt's great that you keep a Ukrainian flag on your door. I might have done so but I was worried to try it with the Russians living upstairs!
Delete