These are my chick chicks, or also known as ‘the girls’.
We adopted them from a neighbour who moved and couldn’t take them with them. Chickens are so easy to keep. As you can see I have gone for the black and white theme again. I think it works! X
Daily Prompt: Let’s Dance
After reading today’s daily prompt, I just had to join in today. The question they ask is,
What are your earliest and fondest memories of dance?
As a few of you know, but if you don’t dance has been the main factor in my life. It consumed my childhood and I’m still dancing now. So for the last 42 years I have been dancing.
The question above I think is in two parts, first the earliest memory, which for me was at the age of two and a half. That was my first stage appearance. I was performing in a pantomime, Jack and The Beanstalk, and I was the mini jack who popped out of a pie that jack had been put in and he had shrunk, so my part was to hide in the pie side stage, then the giant pie got wheeled onto stage and out I popped. I did a twirl and a curtesy and then ran off stage being chased by widow Twankie. I remember this in so much detail. So that is my earliest dance and stage performance.
Now fondest will be harder to answer, baring in mind I was going to ballet from the age of two, dancing classes every night whilst at primary age, then off to ballet school at the age of eleven, then off to performing arts college at sixteen, then becoming a performer, then a dance teacher and still a dance teacher till this day. So as you can imagine in the last forty years I have done hundreds of performances, exams and classes, in all sorts of different places, in fields, in theatres, in residential homes, in studios, in village halls, in schools, on floats to name but a few. So to choose the fondest is very difficult.
But then if you look at the question, it says the fondest memory ‘of’ dance, so my fondest memory, that sticks with me, is when I was a child, I don’t know what age, I was taken to see the ballet Swan Lake at the big top. I remember the emotion I felt as I was watching the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I was mesmerized, glued to the ballerinas, watching their feet, their extended legs, the mens high jumps and the music just swept me away. Still now when I watch it I could cry all the way through because it is so beautiful, in fact there is a lump in my throat now just typing this. It’s amazing how something can touch you like that, and for someone else they feel nothing.
I was really struggling with what to blog today. In looking through my photos I came across this picture of the big brown bear that lives at Dartmoor Zoo, Devon.
Now I chose a bear because I am feeling a bit like a grumpy bear, I’m tired, and very stiff. I’m not sure why, it’s just one of those day where you feel like frowning at everything and telling everyone to bugger off, which is hard to do in the job that I do!
On the bright side, in this picture I notice our grizzly bear has a little smile, so maybe if he can find his smile I might find mine somewhere! X
With the pictures I took yesterday, I thought I would have a play around with some editing, which I don’t normally do, mainly because I haven’t got the patience for that. I’m pleased though because they look ok, I think! X
I saw on twitter this morning someone had posted a black and white picture, and I thought that would be a nice idea for my post today. So these are the pictures I took on my dog walk in the woods, next to my house. I think the black and white make it look quite atmospheric.
There does seem to be this wicked witch living in the woods, the ugly hag let me take a picture of her before she disappeared in a puff of smoke into the trees. If you listen carefully you can hear her cackles echoing across the valley!
Back to school for me tomorrow, it has been good having this extra day off, not that I’m organised at all, but it will happen, it always does. I have learnt to be more relaxed about teaching after nine years, as long as the children are happy and having fun that’s my priority and if all the other stuff happens along side it then all the better. My year six children are getting nearer to their SATS! So its teaching them to pass a test, which I do not agree with being the creative type. But that’s a whole different big subject.
Anyhoo…. See you tomorrow! X
Just having a look through my pictures and I thought I would put together for you some of my favourite pictures of the big cats at Dartmoor Zoo, Devon, that OH took.
They are great aren’t they! X
I was wondering what to post today, so I thought I would warm you all up by sharing my wood burner with you!
It’s lovely having a wood burner, but when it is your only heat in the whole house, so no luxury of switching a button to warm up, come wind and rain you have to go out and chop wood. We are in constant forage mode, seeing what we can burn.
My dad always said to me wood heats you up five time, chop tree down, saw wood, load wood, unload wood, burn wood! And he is so right. There is something quite satisfying about having to work so hard to keep yourself warm, but some days when you get home late from work, the house is cold, it’s dark and raining, you would give anything to be able to just switch a switch. And don’t start me on the dust!! X
I took this picture this morning on my first walk of the day, it is a picture of the farm where I live, looking down on it from the lane. It was a beautiful blue sky, a tad chilly though. Now of cause it is raining, so I best wrap up for the next walk! X
Today started off being a day of nothing planned, but ended up beginning a real busy day!
Needed a boost so phoned hairdressers, felt like a change and I have ended up having my hair dyed dark purple. Looks pretty cool!
Then went for a lovely walk on the beach in Paignton, Devon. As you can see by the pictures it was a beautiful afternoon, not raining, which makes a change! Then you can’t go seaside without having a chippy supper, so ate chicken and chips in the car! Brill x
I thought I would link my daily post today with the daily post because it got my mind a ticking!
The question posed is…
Which vice or bad habit can you simply not abide in others?
Well there are many things really, bad manners, rude, grumpy people to name but a few, but there is a vice that really makes my skin curl and sick really, what I’m about to say will probably offend some people, I apologise for that, but we are all initialed to our own opinions, aren’t we.
One word for you ‘gluttony’, I’m not talking about enjoying the odd big meal, I like my food just as much as anyone, but I mean people that eat way too much all the time, pig themselves out, abuse their bodies by feeding it, and feeding it, which in turn transforms them into a very large human body, thus making them ill. Why?
I know there are many deep deep psychological problems why people over eat, I do know, I was brought up by someone that was one of those people. Which is probably why I am discussed by it. A person that when they fell over it took four grown men to get them off the floor, a person that ate an apple but coated it in sugar, a person that would rather feed themselves than their family, a person that would fry everything to a point that there was a coating of grease on everything you touched.
So I suppose there maybe some issues of my own!
‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers,
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all.
Spring was in the air yesterday,
There is light at the end of the tunnel,
It will get dryer and sunnier,
It’s just got to.
My sunshine doesn’t come from the skies,
It comes from the love in my dogs eyes!
At last my OH got the hint that I wanted them to get their camera out again! And has taken the best picture ever of my hairy big boy!
This will look great framed on the wall!
look carefully into his eyes, you will see who he loves and protects!
I nearly didn’t get to do a blog post today! Gasp! I hear you say!
Been a blimin busy day! What with teaching this morning, and my computer going cuput so I had no music.
Bear wrestling this afternoon, that’s translated as walking a oversize, mental, excitable dog. My hand is so sore that I am having trouble typing this!
Then just to top it off we now have a mini visitor, who is now finally settled upstairs asleep. So the lager has just been cracked open and I’m going to sit down, enjoy the peace and wait for the next feeding time! Oh and find a icepack for my hand! X
the picture was taken….yes you’ve guessed it by my OH! Beautiful isn’t it! X
I shouldn’t even be blogging now! Putting this before my OH!
What do you do normally for valentines?
We always take it in turns to cook, this year it’s my turn!
And here it is… Well the end of it because I forgot…
Now must go, film to watch, wine to drink!
Love ya! X
Another one of OHs beautiful pictures!
Exciting things are in the pipeline! Can’t say anything at the moment, because I don’t want to jinks it! All can say is, guardian angels are sent to you in many shapes, sizes and disguises!
As one door closes, another one opens! So watch this space!
I have cheated today, sorry, and not posted a photo I have taken (or OH) and stolen one from the tinernet!
I wanted to post this because I do believe it is very true!
Now without going into details, and I am sure many of you are the same, my life could have gone in a completely different direction, if I had allowed certain events in my life to effect me then goodness knows where I would be!
Today has been an exciting day!
Every day is an exciting new beginning!
A new opportunity!
Embrace it! X
A friend at work today gave me a present, he thought that it was going to a be a joke present, but actually it was quite fun!
He gave it to me because of me recently becoming unexpectedly a young grandparent. He thought I could spend my evenings under my blanket, with a hot water bottle, hot cocoa, Taggert on the TV, furry slippers, hair in rollers, doing my knit one, pearl one!
Well sadly enough I do do some of those activities already! And as you can see in the picture above, I thought I would remember how to cast on and do my first row! I’m not quite sure what it’s going to be yet, and to be fair the colour of the wool is yuk! But I might sit here and knit a couple more rows in a minute.
Sad really! This age thing, or the perception of age! What’s that all about?
Amongst the grey clouds as I was leaving school tonight a double rainbow was across the sky. But of cause by the time I get my camera and fire it up the double part has faded and my picture doesn’t do it justice! But here it is anyway!
It would be so cool if I had the patience to do proper photography, but I’m a bit of an instant girl, if it doesn’t look great first time I’m done. I look at some of the bloggers pictures I follow, and don’t, their pictures are just stunning. Mine, just a grey blob!
Nevermind, can’t be good at everything! X
Firstly, I’m a bit chuffed with myself that I’m on day nine of my challenge and I haven’t missed a day yet! Which is quite good for me because usually life takes over.
I’m feeling exhausted today, got a real Sunday feeling. Still have to do usual Sunday jobs.
What’s your usual Sunday jobs?
Mine, bins, washing, hoovering, washing and more washing! Lots of muddy towels and clothes at the moment! …. Oh and yes, walking the pooch!
I thought this picture sums up the day really, a typical winters day. This is another beautiful picture my OH took.
Note to OH when you read this…..start taking some pictures again, get your camera out of the cupboard, cos I’m missing your lovely pictures!
Love ya! X
Went this evening to visit my granddaughter, and my son of cause, he took this picture of her doing her first ballet pose! Obviously takes after her nana! (Still a bit weird saying that)
Her first tooth has just pushed through and is now standing up around the furniture, as you can see!
See you tomorrow! X
Just having a look though some pictures, trying to get some inspiration for a post today, I found this picture which I would say is one of my favourite pictures my OH has taken. This fella landed on my finger on a summers day and sat there for a pose! I love the detail of the wings.
See you tomorrow! (I’m managing to keep up with daily post, quite chuffed, shall go off and shine my chuffty badge)
Some days you just feel like this, and today is one of those day! (Sorry if it has offended anyone)
New day tomorrow! X
Just a short and sweet post this evening, have just got in! Been a long day!
Just thought I would post a picture of blue sky because I have forgotten what it looks like! As I type there is gale force winds, and driving rain outside, the conservatory roof has just blown off to add to the side blowing out! So now the floor looks like a paddling pool.
The picture is of a beach down in Looe, Cornwall.
Hope for those of you in England you don’t get blown away!
See you tomorrow! X
It’s been a year today that Tyler the German Shepard has been living with us! It has gone quickly but it also feels he has always been here. He has fitted very well into our family, I never thought that I would have time for dog in my life but we have managed to make it work without having to leave him for long periods of time, in fact he comes everywhere with me! He loves the car and I brought a car with an extra big boot especially for him, because he is a very big boy, the biggest german Shepard that I have ever seen. That normally the second thing that people say when they meet him, the first being, isn’t he handsome, the second, he is big! We have a good weekly routine between me and my OH to have him and he goes to doggy day care twice a week, training classes once a week and I’m going to start agility at Easter when the weather cheers up!
The things I miss…
Having lie ins, even though I am a morning person, which is just as well, I never like to leave him without going outside longer than 8. I’ve had to start my working day earlier to fit him in for a walk before work! The dark and wet mornings have been a joy! Not!
A clean house, even though I’m not a show house kinda person, you can’t be living on a farm, having a dog brings more mess, more dust, hair on the carpet, muddy paw prints, half chews smelly bones and doggy toys.
Going out for long periods of time and not having to worry that you need to get back for the dog, that is always at the back of your mind when you are a dog owner, how long have you left them.
The things having a dog has brought to my life…
Pure joy, I love having him, in fact my grown up children say I love the dog and treat him better than I do them…. They are probably right!
Exercise, since having him I have lost a stone and a half just because of walking every day. He has about two hours a day!
Comfort, his cuddles are amazing he snuggles right in and sometimes that is really needed!
Security, when he sits proudly by my side I feel safe and reassured, he is very protective of his pack. I walk confidently in dark woods knowing no one is coming near me with him beside me! When walking down the street people give me a wide birth.
Advice I would give if you are thinking of getting a dog…
I wasn’t planning on getting a dog because I didn’t think with working full time it would work but you do make it work if you have a helpful partner and don’t mind spending out on doggy care.
It is expensive having a dog, he eats a lot, treats, toys, training, care, crate, bedding, insurance and the biggest expense vets. So you do need to budget for it.
He chose me I didn’t go out looking for a dog, I saw him out with his breeder one Saturday afternoon and it was love at first sight, he just sat at my feet and looked up at me, then that was it. Really I never thought I would get a German Shepard breed because I was always scared of them after getting bitten by one as a child, but I don’t see that when I look at him.
It is the same commitment having a dog as having another child in the house, they need structure, routines, love, security and consist disipline.
Walking, if you don’t like walking then don’t get a dog. You have to go out everyday come wind, rain, sleet, hail, cold. I have got myself some good warm waterproofs. The mud and rain lately has been getting on my nerves a bit now, roll on the spring and summer! I go out about three times a day, one of those being at least an hour walk. I am lucky I live in the countryside surrounded by fields and woods and I have the moors ten minutes away and beaches.
So now for the pictures…
This is him just before he come to us.
This is in his first week with us.
This is one of my many favourite pictures because this is him how he is at home playing.
In fact, this is my favourite picture of me and my dog!
And this is him this morning a year on!
As you
As you can imagine I could have shown you hundreds of pictures, he has been in woods, on beaches, on the moors, up farms, in a caravan, in a lodge even in a speed boat, so not a bad life, is it? X
This gallery contains 3 photos.
I had noticed that my blog is getting neglected so I’m going to try and solve this problem and challenge myself to post a picture or two everyday for the month of February! These pictures are of my trip last … Continue reading
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