Afternoon all: Geez. May already? This happens every year!
Sitting in garden with laptop! Under umbrella in shorts and trying to ID a pale pink hybrid rose I didn't think I'd bought but which is now blooming like mad. I went out to buy orange/apricot/peach and yellow roses and have no idea how this pale pink one got into the mix. Also, it doesn't have a little metal label, which the others do, and I'm wondering if it didn't get into the wrong bin at La Sumida, where I bought six bare roots. In the meantime, Amber Flower Carpet and Julia Child roses are doing brilliantly... Met friends for breakfast this morning: Had a egg-white and seasonal veggie mix - won't make that mistake again! Very boring and challenging since nothing stayed on my fork. Was forced to rectify the situation with a cafe au lait and a boysenberry and lemon scone!
Diane: I have a visor and a sweathshirt with a hood that I wear on windy days at the whale count. That's it! Daughter has several cowboy hats, including one with a woven decorative band she made from hair taken from Cimarron's tail (the horse she had to put down Feb 10). I'll check out Trucker Steve next.
Alicat: Bet you had fun with Bobbie. Have you sorted your naughty OH yet? :-)
Wendy: Dolphin visit sounds like fun.
Sheila: Argh! Take care of that knee. Geez. A 1.5 hour wait for food? Did everyone complain loudly? Apparently, several of our channels repeated the wedding video throughout the day yesterday; I'm watching the recording a bit at a time; can't stand to be inside on a lovely day.
OG: More fab azaleas! Good news that son is trying the part-time option; hope it works out for him. Really understand "more money than sense," which also applies to grandson who, sad to say, doesn't have much money, so .....! Still, he's young yet and as always, we live in hopes. Little vole looks awfully sweet.
Hallo also to Lynette. It's past 4; can now officially start new Weekly Chat!
Sad news. Sir Henry Cooper dies. One of those very well known personalities. Goes right back to my first memories.
Tiger Signature
Unknown said: Happy Beltane/Bealtaine/Bealltainn to everyone! And Happy May Day! I wish you all a sweet summer of peace, prosperity, and abundance! I will be making bannocks this evening. Yum!
Happy Beltane/Bealtaine/Bealltainn to everyone! And Happy May Day! I wish you all a sweet summer of peace, prosperity, and abundance!
I will be making bannocks this evening. Yum!
Happy Beltane to you too Diane (what have I just said ?? ) and what are bannocks - ? Scones of some sort?
Sorry about Henry C Tiger - even I know who he is . An institution.
Shame he never won a world title isn't it? With a left hook "....estimated to travel 15 times faster than a Saturn V rocket"
ChloeB & Tiger's Osprey Data
Whether May Day, Beltane or just another Sunday, it has been another warm and sunny day here, and we had a good trip out – so I hope everybody has enjoyed a very good day. As to Bannocks, I hope Diane tells us about hers – there seem to be many different things described as Bannocks – most frequently seen here are Selkirk Bannocks (and what a price they are these days!).
Talk about Everyday Life 1000-1600 AD was very good, Osprey room was closed being Sunday, but we did see one flying over Wigtown Bay. Ended the day at Threave Castle and saw Mrs Osprey on the nest and Black 80 flying!
Son felt his preaching went well this morning, and says he enjoyed doing it. He even took himself a short drive down the Spey to enjoy the weather in Aberlour this afternoon.
Must get ready for bed after our early start this morning! Hope to catch up reading and replies tomorrow.
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
Seems as if Lily has had something of a miraculous recovery. See Lily
Thanks, Cirrus! Historically, Beltane was a Gaelic holiday and festival held throughout Scotland and Ireland (and other places, as well). It was a time of ritual and celebration. Beltane marks the halfway point between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice, and in ancient times it was considered to be the beginning of summer. Bonfires were lit to mark the transition and to encourage the sun's growing heat and light. The hunger, struggle, and deprivation of winter were over, and people joyfully heralded the Earth's awakening from her long slumber. Beltane honors nature -- the fecundity of the Earth, animals, and people. It's a time of jubilation and renewal as people look forward to the bounty and abundance of summer.
Bannocks are a traditional Scottish type of flat cake or bread. Historically, they are associated with the changing of the Gaelic seasons. In the past, they were cooked on a Bannock Stane (stone) placed directly on a fire. Today, they are usually cooked on a griddle or in heavy frying pan. They're made of oatmeal, but I think they also can be made from barley flour and still be considered "traditional". (I'm happy to be corrected, if this is wrong. I'm not much of a cook.)
OG: This is the recipe I use for bannocks. As a vegetarian, I use margarine instead of bacon grease. I confess that I put raspberry preserves on mine before eating. http://www.rampantscotland.com/recipes/blrecipe_bannocks.htm
Glad you had such a lovely day. I'm also glad that your son's preaching went well. Perhaps that will boost his confidence in himself.
Sandy: Nice to see you. How wonderful that the hawthorn blossoms have arrived with Beltane! Good that you've had such a sunny April. No chance for a big Bel fire here tonight. It's raining again. I'll try to celebrate properly on May 5 (the actual cross-quarter day) or on the full moon.
Yes, for most people, the prospects for prosperity are very dim -- such troubling times. We need change, but it will require great effort, I think.
Diane: Are you watching Obama? Re Bin Laden's death?
Yes, rather shocking news. I hope we are increasing our national security. I fear that retribution is likely.