I've photographed this little dog-legged street in St. John's Wood before. The only time I ever walk it is when I'm going to the Post Office, but its quaintness makes the journey a little nicer. I wonder how many times someone has bumped a car or truck into these buildings?
I mailed my overseas ballot yesterday, having received an e-mail that it was available from the supervisor of elections in Florida. I had to follow a special link, mark the ballot, download it along with an accompanying voter certification statement, print them both, sign the statement, put the ballot in a special envelope all its own, then mail it and the statement back to Florida in a larger envelope. I was very exacting about every step, and nervous as a cat while I was doing it because I didn't want to miss anything.
So yes, I have cast my ballot in the U.S. presidential election. I've done my part, and it feels good to have it behind me.
I'm already seeing autumnal-looking leaves on my walks to and from work. It seems a little early still, but I guess it is officially autumn!
I think I figured out what was going on with the woman and her snail-covered suitcase on Sunday. Remember I mentioned some of the tents along the high street were occupied by community groups focused on recycling? Well, one of them offered a "pop-up skip" where you could dispose of things like household electronics or textiles that would otherwise go to the recycling center (or in the trash). I bet the woman brought that suitcase to put it in the skip. Unfortunately I don't think it was a real skip, and I'm not sure they were taking large items like that -- so I'm not sure she was able to get rid of it.
Of course, all I can think is, "Poor snails." Why didn't she brush them off first?
We just replenished Olga's supply of dog food. I thought the cans looked rather colorful (and seasonal!) all lined up together. She loves this food, but to be fair, she loves any food -- and I love all the labels and the names of the flavors. After all, dog food is marketed to humans, not dogs! The "Rest Up Recipe" even has bananas in it, an ingredient I don't think I've ever seen in canned dog food before. And the "Fishy Fish Pie" is quite...fishy.
I swear I am getting no compensation for posting this picture. (But Lily, if you want to compensate me, please feel free to get in touch. I will accept payment in dog food.)
That street is lovely--so picturesque! The dog food cans are artistic indeed. They do make fish based pet food VERY fishy. I try to stay away from it. Sunday lunch is an interesting one. I wonder what's in it!
ReplyDeleteI don't love it when Olga eats "Fishy Fish Pie," but SHE loves it! I can't remember what's in Sunday lunch -- probably some commonly roasted meat.
DeleteI looked up the "Sunday Lunch" ingredients online. According to the Lily's web site, it's "made using fresh chicken and vegetables, including sugar snap peas, carrots and spinach, with a burst of juicy apple."
DeleteThe dog food cans are cute. I can't imagine driving anything larger than a Mini Cooper on that sharp turn in the narrow street in your first photo. I bet the house on the corner gets scraped regularly!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I bet it does too, but surprisingly I never see it with scrape marks!
DeleteI have never seen such interesting dog food cans before. I like them and there's such a variety of flavours there. Olga is very lucky. I'll have to check the supermarket shelves here and see what's on offer for Australia's dog population.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how much Olga differentiates among the flavors. I think she just eats it without much regard for the taste, to be honest.
DeleteI have never seen such appetizing dog food boxes.
ReplyDeleteAren't they nice? Lily's graphic designer should win a prize!
DeleteI wonder what's in "An English Garden Party"? Perhaps "Pimms", a cucumber sandwich, brandy snap and a cup of tea.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the web site, "succulent, freshly prepared chicken complemented by summery strawberries and garden vegetables."
DeleteI'm certainly hoping that the election is called well before your ballot gets counted Steve. If it is close enough that the election depends on your overseas ballot to tip it in the way I'm guessing you voted, I'm going to be shocked and extremely anxious!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that what happened in Bush/Gore -- the race came down to overseas ballots from Florida? (And then there were recounts and blah blah blah.)
DeleteWell, that little dog-legged street is almost double the width of some streets I’ve seen in Spain. And, yes, the buildings get hit all the time. I’d collect those dog food tins!
ReplyDeleteI think it was a mews -- stables for horses -- before it was a real street. So probably like those narrow streets in Spain, not really built for cars.
DeleteThose dog food labels are really fun! Lucky Olga to get such a gourmet variety of meals! :)
ReplyDeleteAren't they great? Good labels really do sell products.
DeleteThe building in the curvy street doesn't have any scape marks and I note a couple of low down bollards next to it, but it will only take one miscreant truck to do some damage.
ReplyDeleteI just imagined Olga tapping her favourite can of food with her foot, judged by the label, as I judge wine.
I can't imagine trucks can even get around those turns, but surely some have tried.
DeleteThose are such colorful dog food cans and with great names for the different types. I'm glad you shared that. That street is very photogenic indeed. I love some of London's mews. I have the same thought about those narrow ways leading to garages. You would really have to be careful getting your car in and out of those spots.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting how mews houses have become so desirable, considering they were once stables! (Or maybe houses for stable hands and wagon drivers.)
DeleteI love that little street though the idea of having to look both ways before you even step out if the house would be interesting.
ReplyDeleteFortunately, there's not much traffic along that stretch! But still -- you'd want to look.
DeleteThose dog food cans look like art! Yes, packaging matters! And great names! And what a charming little street. Very picturesque! That leaf reminds me of the painting tutorials that Vivian Swift used to do each fall. I miss her blog. I remember watching her paint Olga!
ReplyDeleteAh yes, Vivian! We miss you Vivian, if you're reading this!
DeleteI love that the dog food is called, "Proper Food For Dogs", as opposed to the improper food I feed my dogs:)
ReplyDeleteThat street is so beautiful and quaint, would be a bugger to drive through though.
Such an English way to put it -- "proper" food.
DeleteThank you for voting!! I really appreciate the care and time you took to get it right. And as a Florida voter you had the chance to vote for the dynamo Debbie Mucarsel Powell for Senate! I'm not asking, it's a secret ballot, just hoping you did
ReplyDeleteI don't mind revealing that I did indeed vote for Ms. Mucarsel Powell.
DeleteGood for you for voting! You've done it.
ReplyDeleteThat is a darling little street. I feel like I've seen it or ones like it in many movies.
Those are definitely the. most adorably labeled cans of pet food in the world.
Aren't they great labels? I hope I have immortalized them like Andy Warhol. :)
DeleteI love that little street! I'll bet it's the dickens to navigate in a car. And Olga's dog food can labels are excellent - their marketing definitely works on me.
ReplyDeleteYou'd definitely need a small car, like a Mini or a Smart car.
DeleteThanks for voting! We have early in-person voting starting in 2 days and I can't wait to go vote. Go Harris/Walz!!
ReplyDeleteOlga's food sounds delicious and she might be eating better than lots of humans!
Yes, go Harris/Walz! I thought the same thing about the dog food -- it's sad to say, but I'm sure some people don't get such complete nutrition.
DeleteThat street is so lovely. No room for lots of cars so hopefully most avoid it.
ReplyDeleteOlga's dog food looks very gourmet. She eats a nice variety of meals. Lucky girl.
Yeah, there's not much traffic. You really have to WANT to go down that street!
DeleteI got my ballot in the mail yesterday. I plan to vote this week. The directions are very exacting too. I am not going to mail it in, but deliver it to the county's board of elections. I want to make sure it goes where I want it to go!
ReplyDeleteProbably wise!
DeleteI've never heard of that brand so I suppose it's UK. I was feeding Minnie Blue Buffalo until I read a consumer report thing from the FDA that it and a dozen or more other brands were implicated in canine heart failure.
ReplyDeletethat little dog leg street is so Old World to me, front door two steps from the street. Portugal was like that or would have a narrow sidewalk.
Oh, yikes. Well, let's hope Lily's doesn't have that problem!
DeleteI love the dog food labels. Excellent job of marketing to the dogs' people. London is such a cool place, the dog leg street is not something you would ever see in the US in the west. Maybe in the east, it's older.
ReplyDeleteAreas that arose before cars, like Lower Manhattan, sometimes have streets like that -- but yeah, they're mostly a European thing.
DeleteThat dog legged street fascinates me. Imagine opening your front door directly onto the street. I would not love that, but the street looks quaint and storybook like. I was lost for a moment imagining the lives of the people behind those doors. And thank you for voting, good sir! I plan to vote early, too.
ReplyDeleteI think I'd wince every time someone passed the house in a car!
DeleteI absolutely LOVE those dog food cans!! I like the little dog-legged road, too. 😊
ReplyDeleteAren't they great? Prizes for packaging!
DeleteCharming little street!
ReplyDeleteI would eat that dog food! Sounds delish!
SAVE THE LABELS!! Great graphics on those tins.
DeleteI know, honestly, it doesn't sound half-bad! Maybe I'll mail you some labels to use with your glitter houses. :)
DeleteLorries, please, not "trucks". What are you, a Yankee or something? Olga is too well fed!
ReplyDeleteHa! Yes, my English usage still reflects my pesky American roots. :)
DeleteCanadians would have a tough time to navigate the little street. In fact, we'd panic.
ReplyDeleteHa! So would most Americans. (Including me, if there were oncoming traffic.)
Delete