Another picture from my canal walk on Thursday. I'm showing you this partly because I like it, but also because yesterday was a complete photography fail. I don't think I took any pictures at all.
Oh, actually, I did take a pic of one of our dahlias:
This plant is pumping out flowers by the dozen. It's outperforming all the other "Bishop's Children" plants. I don't know if it's happier because of its location by this warm, south-facing brick wall, or if it's just extra-robust. I have been deadheading the dahlias like crazy, and that supposedly keeps them going.
So, OK, one picture. Otherwise, I just didn't have the opportunity for much photography. I barely left the house, except to go to the laundromat and walk the dog (briefly) up the street. I did a lot of cleaning here and took care of the houseplants, and read a chunk of "Bleak House," and watched a movie in the afternoon. ("Mandragora," a 1997 Czech film about the fraught lives of male hustlers in Prague. I remember seeing it at the theater when it came out, but I'd forgotten how melodramatic it is -- a bit over-the-top considering the subject matter is already plenty dramatic. It's the last of a trilogy of films, the other two being documentaries I watched earlier in the week.)
Dave was away for part of the day, helping students prepare for honor band auditions. I know! On a SUNDAY! I hope those kids are grateful.
Here's another photo from Thursday, a bit of graffiti at Trellick Tower. I was a big fan of Garfield back in the day. I had about eight of his books, I think. As the graffiti artist noted, he was very '80s! I was going to say my level of laziness yesterday was on a par with Garfield's, but I did at least clean the house, and I did not eat any lasagna.
Oh, and we Skyped with Dave's parents last night. They say their mobile home in Cortez survived Milton just fine. A neighbor went and checked it inside and out and sent them a video. Some nearby residents had damage and even flooding, but their home is slightly elevated and apparently stayed high and dry -- except for the loss of the washer and dryer in an outdoor shed during Helene, which I think I mentioned earlier. (And possibly the air conditioner, because the compressor is on the ground -- they're not sure yet because the house still has no power.) Anyway, they're obviously relieved about that.
Dave and I got confirmation of our Christmas plans in Whitstable, and we're also making arrangements for a little trip at Thanksgiving. Stay tuned!
Garfield always makes me smile. Great news about Dave’s parents. Can’t wait to hear about your travel plans.
ReplyDeleteGarfield seems a little bland these days, but I loved him as a kid.
DeleteIs this Whitstable on the coast? I just finished watching Whitstable Pearl on Acorn. (I'm sure you've never seen it, but this is the excitement in my life.) Make sure you go to the Old Neptune for a drink. I think that is an actual working pub, not just one for the show.
ReplyDeleteYes, that's the Whitstable. I'll look for the Old Neptune!
DeleteYes... there's something about the pale light and colouration in that top picture which is appealing even though it is a very ordinary scene. Oh and Elle, "The Old Neptune" is an actual working pub. I was in there five years ago. We drank happily and enjoyed a local band crammed into one of the rooms. A very happy atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a bit overexposed, honestly, but that creates the pastel effect! Good to know about the Old Neptune.
DeleteIt's a nice soft canal reflection in the first photo.
ReplyDeleteI read elsewhere earlier today about bishop's children dahlias.
Czech male hustlers in Prague. Hmm. I should know more about this.
Blog reading does educate one.
I thought you'd know these movies for sure! The first two are "Angels but not Angels" and "Body Without Soul." They are all pretty dark. There's nothing sexy about them.
DeleteI had a dahlia like that prolific one, the only survivor of a group, also against a south brick wall. Maybe they like bricks, with the steady warmth off them. Mine made dozens of yellow flowers till late in the season.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it would make sense that they'd thrive in the warmth of the wall.
DeleteI was a Garfield yesterday ... watched TV, read, napped, made pesto, cooked dinner ... but I enjoyed my laziness.
ReplyDeleteGood news about Dave's parent's trailer; nice to know that it's basically safe.
We really thought it would be a goner!
DeleteAlthough I read Garfield and enjoyed it, I was much more of a "Far Side" fan boy at the same age. Perhaps that explains some of how I ended up like I am now.
ReplyDeleteI liked "The Far Side" too. I think I got more into that in college.
DeleteI love the reflections in that first photo. Glad Dave's parents' mobile home survived. My kids were more into Far Side and The Simpson's back in those days.
ReplyDelete"The Simpsons" came later -- late '80s, as I recall. I believe it started as an animated skit on "The Tracey Ullman Show"?
DeleteThat dahlia is just lovely! Garfield makes me laugh, but my favorite comics from that era are Calvin & Hobbes, and Bloom County (at least I think they were all going at the same time - it's all a blur now).
ReplyDeleteOh, I loved "Bloom County." I still miss it! Bill the cat: "ACK!"
DeleteOoh...that dahlia! She is just throwing caution to the winds with her blooming!
ReplyDeleteHere's where we differ- I HATE Garfield. I HATE Odie. I HATE that guy who lives with him. John? I don't even want my eyes to rest upon them when I read the comics.
Having said that, I do realize that the assessment of my feelings about Garfield is a little over the top.
Ha! I never heard anyone have such a strong negative reaction to "Garfield." I wonder why? It's rather namby-pamby to my adult eyes but I loved it as a teenager.
DeleteWe started watching "Bad Monkey" a couple of nights ago. It's set in Miami and the Florida Keys. Weird and funny, with beautiful scenery; you guys might like it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with YP, that top photo is very good.
I want to watch "Bad Monkey" but Dave HATES Vince Vaughn. So I may need to wait until he's out of town on a school trip!
DeleteThat dahlia plant is looking very good. So is Garfield. And, I love the reflections in your top photo. It's always fun to make travel plans. I need to start thinking of another trip.
ReplyDeleteIt's always good to have one on the horizon!
DeleteThe dahlia is beautiful and bursting with blooms. Late season blooms are a gift. That spot has proven great for dahlias. Next year I would consider grouping more dahlias in that particular spot.
ReplyDeleteThe reflections in the top photo are lovely.
Yeah, I think they like that sunny wall. Maybe I should just line them all up there! The only disadvantage is we can't see it from the inside of the house.
DeleteLooks like Garfield has a bit of attitude there. I LOVE the color of your dahlias!
ReplyDeleteHe's definitely throwing shade!
DeleteGarfield with an attitude! Kinda like Poodle with a Mohawk!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.flickr.com/photos/ladouseur/279609646
Good news on Dave's parents.
Your name gave me a giggle the first time I saw it. Are you that Jim Davis?
DeleteOMG -- I didn't even make the name connection. Jim, if you are THAT Jim Davis, I apologize for calling Garfield "namby-pamby" above. :)
DeleteI remember "Poodle with a Mohawk"! I think I once had it on a postcard.
Steve & Debby, I'm gonna have to break it to you, I'm not "that" Jim Davis, I'm Allison's husband, my drawing talents are pretty much limited to stick figures! Cheers!! :)
DeleteLove that dahlia color! It's wonderful to have plans for the holidays. I have none but we usually stay close to home.
ReplyDeleteWe're not going far this year. Not overseas or anything.
Deletenever a big Garfield fan. too busy with life at the time I guess. the dahlia is probably responding to the heat of the brick wall, plus dead heding.
ReplyDeleteI think he was mainly popular among kids and teenagers.
DeleteI love Garfield! Of course, I do go by the name "Catalyst"!
ReplyDeleteHa! Yes, given your feline proclivities, that makes sense. :)
DeleteThat dahlia is a beauty.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it? I'm so impressed with how well it's done, given that they all got off to such a slow start!
DeleteI like the rippled reflections in the canal and I love the Garfield. I have an elderly neighbour (88) who loves Garfield, she has quite a collection of assorted stuffed Garfields filling two long shelves on her bedroom wall.
ReplyDeleteThe dahlias are beautiful and deadheading does help (with everything else too) and so does the warm wall.
How funny that your neighbor is so into Garfield, even now!
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