Quick Tide, Slow Morning

Here's another photo from my walk along the Thames Path a couple of weeks ago. This was actually taken in North Greenwich, after I'd finished the path and crossed the river on the cable cars. It's an art installation by the Argentinian artist Felipe Pantone called "Quick Tide," which transforms the underside of this elevated walkway from bland white surface to jewel-toned kaleidoscope. Pretty cool, though the light was working against me when I took this picture. When I come back along the Thames Path on the south shore I'll see it again and maybe I can catch it in full sun.

Today I can afford to be somewhat leisurely about my morning, because I'm staying home to meet the tree-trimmers. After months of preparation they're finally due to show up today. As soon as the sun comes up I have to go out and tie a few plants back and cover the snowdrops to protect them, and then we're ready to go. I'm a little nervous about it, as I often am before we have major work done in the garden, but I'm sure it will all be fine. The good thing about plants is, they grow back!

We're having the hazel and walnut trees trimmed to admit more light to the center of the garden, and we're cutting back the Philadelphus to make more room for the Japanese maple, among other things. We're not having anything done to the wilderness at the back of the garden -- we want to leave some wild space and it's a good barrier blocking the apartments behind us.

I'll try to show some before and after photos tomorrow.

In the news, did you see that "resume embellisher" (aka serial liar) George Santos has been rewarded with several committee positions in the new Congress? Honestly, I don't know what the USA is coming to. Not many years ago that man would never have been permitted to take his seat, much less get committee assignments. He probably would have been exposed long before the election, by a healthier local press and competent opposition. Nothing like having someone like that serving in federal government to serve as a role model for our children. "Look, kids! You can LIE your way into public office!" (Early indications are he's going to be a MAGA nightmare policy-wise.)

On a positive note, I see that some of the world's wealthiest people have asked leaders at the World Economic Forum to tax them more, saying that current levels of economic inequality threaten public institutions and the stability of society. And right they are.

Finally, The New York Times recently had an interesting story (with amazing pictures) about remote wildlife cameras and the interactions between species that they're recording. It made me want to set up another camera in our garden, even though we only ever saw foxes, squirrels and the occasional urban rat. (Our previous wildlife camera appears to have died, so I'd have to buy a new one and just haven't gotten around to it yet.)