Today’s Flowers #82 – White roses for purity

White roses for purity . . .

The White Rose (die Weiße Rose) was a movement founded by University of Munich students and their philosophy professor to resist Adolf Hitler's Nazi regime. The group conducted an anonymous leaflet campaign from June 1942 until February 1943 calling for active, non-violent opposition.

The six founder members were arrested by the Gestapo and beheaded in 1943 but the text of their last leaflet was smuggled out of Germany through Scandinavia and into UK where it was edited.  Allied planes dropped millions of copies over Germany in that year.

The White Rose of York (Rosa alba) is an heraldic symbol of the House of York and is now regarded as a symbol for Yorkshire. It represented the Virgin Mary, often called 'The Mystical Rose of Heaven'. White  symbolises light, innocence, purity, joy and glory.

Thank you to the Today's Flowers team for hosting this lovely meme. If you would like to see more flowers from around the world, please click here.

Camera Critters #99, Shadow Shot Sunday #93, Swim, swan, swim

Swan, swim over the sea.

Swim, swan, swim!

Swan, swim back again.

Well swum, swan!

These swans didn't swim over the sea but they did swim very fast towards us, expecting (and receiving) food and then they swam away again when it was all gone!

Thanks must go to Misty Dawn and Tracy, the organisers and hosts of these enjoyable memes. If you would like to see more, please click on Camera Critters and/or Shadow Shot Sunday

Six Word Saturday

Been away too long - back now!

I try to keep up with blogging, commenting, regular memes, but sometimes I simply can't! After all, one of the reasons I stopped working was to reduce stress/deadlines and then found myself thinking on different days that I HAD to post this, that or the other. Daft, I know . . . but anyway I've sort of caught up now - till the next time!

Thank you to Cate from 'Call me Cate' for organising and hosting this meme.

To see more thoughts please click here.

Safer in Afghanistan, Iraq or Stafford?

Stafford Hospital has killed more people in the last few years than have died in military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and 9/11 put together. Between 400 and 1200 more patients than would be expected died between 2005 and 2008. Public money has been spent on a private inquiry which has not discovered any more than was already common knowledge among relatives of patients. Successive interviewees paint an appalling picture of neglect, incompetence, carelessness, poor hygiene, lack of compassion and bad medical practice.
Chief executive Martin Yeates who was paid an annual salary of £180,000 and will receive £1m in pension payments was apparently too unwell to attend the private inquiry.
He had been suspended on full pay of more than £3,000 a week pending the outcome of the inquiry.
Relatives of affected patients are demanding a public inquiry.

ABC Wednesday Round 6 F is for Ferns and Fiddleheads

Much of the Forest is covered in large, sharp-edged Ferns known as bracken. At this time of year, February, last year's plants lie brown and dry (or would be if it would only stop precipitating) while under the soil new growth is awakening. Bracken Fern is one of the oldest known Ferns with Fossilised remains pointing to its existence over 55 million years ago. It has a widely spreading rootstock from its rhizomes, maybe as much as one metre underground between individuals, from which large triangular Fronds emerge. When they first appear they are tightly-curled and known as 'Fiddleheads', resembling the Fiddlehead (scroll) of a violin. Bracken Fiddleheads are used in Oriental cookery, cooked Fresh, salted or pickled, or sun-dried. Rhizomes and fronds have been used to make beer, and starch from the rhizomes has been used as a substitute for arrowroot or as Flour to make bread.

By late Summer the plants can be as tall as 8' (2.5m) Though not impenetrable they can present a Formidable barrier, particularly when wet. Dogs and deer, Foxes, badgers and smaller mammals have little difficulty but humans are sometimes deterred by them (well, this human is . . . )

Ferns have neither Flowers nor Fruits and reproduce by means of spores on the undersides of the leaves. Bracken spores are linear rather than the more common circular Form of other Ferns.
Bracken is toxic to cattle, horses, pigs and small rodents, though usually they will eat it only when there is nothing else available. It also allows little else to grow because of the chemicals it produces, though bluebells, wood anemones and mosses are unaffected.

The Fiddle, or violin, has several Fs. The scroll is often called the Fiddlehead, there is a Fingerboard made from ebony, two F holes and often Four Fine-tuners.

 

Finally, in February, I expect to Find Frogs in the garden pond. Thus Far, there are none! I suspect they are sensibly still hibernating in the deep mud. The Fish are becoming more active though many of the Sticklebacks didn't survive the cold spell. Perhaps this year the Frogspawn will be more successful!

Thanks go to the ABC Wednesday team for their hard work in hosting this meme. Click here to see more Fs!

Microfiction Monday #19

Susan at 'Stony River' hosts Microfiction Monday where stories are told in 140 characters or less. It's fun! To read more please click here.

'What do you mean, "Where's your cane?" I'm the White Rabbit, not Fred Astaire. I don't dance! Ask Alice.'

Pet Pride - Buddy Liver Spots sleeps

Buddy Liver Spots sleeps, heedless of the younger dogs playing around him, but he springs into action the minute he realises we're going out. He's an old boy but still wants to be involved in everything . . . especially if it's food-related!

Thank you to Bozo and his human for their work in hosting this meme. Why not click here to see more lovely pets?

Today’s Flowers #81 Crocuses

Finally we have some flowers in the garden! They're not very far advanced but I was delighted to see them! Spring flowers look so delicate but are really very hardy - they grow and bloom despite frost, snow, hail and icy blasts. 

Thank you to the TF team for working so hard in hosting this meme. To see more flowers from around the world please click here.

Camera Critters #98 Feeding the birds

There is a small local nature reserve near us. It boasts a large lake and many trails. The birds are so accustomed to being fed by visitors that they swim or fly speedily across the water to anyone they see.

In this photo there are mallards, Canada geese, swans and a coot. Two young lads are attempting to hand-feed the swans. They're braver than I am - the swans hissed at me when I approached but then I didn't have any food for them!
I have only seen one pair of swans at this reserve but there are many mallards, a couple of pairs of Canada geese, a number of quarrelsome coots and I only saw one pair of moorhens. There is also a tree full of cormorants and herons which share their perching location with lots of gulls. Thank you to Misty Dawn for hosting this meme. To see more critters please click here.

Shadow Shot Sunday #92

Sometimes these 'bird cages' have plants in them

. . . but not today!

Thanks to Tracy from 'Hey Harriet' for hosting this meme.

To see more shadows please click here.

Just for Adi

Adi wanted to see what our dog beds were like . . .

Gus in one of his less elegant poses

Not nearly as soft as your bed/s Adi, but the dogs do sleep on the chairs, settees, our bed, the spare beds . . . and, occasionally, the floor.

The Fifth Blog of Augustus Lazarus Cooke (Gus)

Gus gets his toes wet . . .

Hello everyone!

It's been a funny sort of week. We went out with Tia and Foxy on Monday (their Humans were having 'half-term' – I don't think that's anything to eat but they were all very pleased to be having it) and the next day Jenna was limping really badly. She has been limping on and off and the Humans were making her rest and trying to stop me leaping all over her. She's also going bald!! Well, it's not really that bad but her fur is very thin in parts and she's chipped a couple of bottom teeth – not surprising the way she catches that fast-speeding ball in mid-air!

Anyway, the Humans decided she should go and see Phil-the-Vet so Mr H and Marnie took her on Tuesday. Phil-the-Vet thinks the hair loss might be 'hair-moan-all' – I think that's what they said. Well, when they came back they said Jenna was only to go for walks on a lead for two weeks. I thought a lead might be a bit narrow to walk on but then Jenna explained that it meant she'd have to wear a lead and not be allowed to run about. Sounds pretty dull to me! So yesterday Mrs H took Jenna and me to a place we'd never been to before, with a large lake and lots of birds. They came rushing over to us making all sorts of funny noises. Mrs H walked us all the way round the lake and took lots of photographs too. I wanted to rush about but I had to stay on the lead as well 'coz it wouldn't have been fair if I'd gone off the lead and Jenna couldn't. It was good – lots of different smells and although it rained a bit it wasn't cold. Mrs H said we must have been practising for Maypole dancing as we'd twisted our leads round and round. When we went home Mrs H took Buddy and Frodo out for a walk and I kicked up a fuss 'coz I wanted to go too. I didn't create for long – after all, I am a Labrador and we are a patient breed.

On Wednesday Mrs H and Marnie took me to see Nadia-the-Vet – she's the one who mostly looks after Frodo. When I was born I had an 'unbelievable hernia' – something like that - and Charlotte and Ali said it would probably close up on its own but Nadia-the-Vet said it hasn't so I have to have a little operation soon. I think that means I go and spend a day with Nadia-the-Vet – I'll like that.

Today, Mrs H went out early with Jenna and I wanted to go too but when she came back Jenna was nowhere to be seen. I was puzzled, then I remembered Marnie saying that Jenna had to spend the day with Phil-the-Vet, having blood tests and a skin by-topsy. It felt really strange without her and I missed her, especially when Mr and Mrs H took all us boys out for a walk. We went to the lake place again but this time I was allowed to run about and it was ever so much fun with lots of mud and puddles. Frodo and I really enjoyed ourselves and so did Buddy, even though he wound his lead round lots of trees. He can't see very well and goes in the wrong direction so my Humans keep him on a stretchy lead so he can have a bit of freedom but not get lost.

Jenna came home this afternoon and her blood's just as it should be but the Humans have to wait a while for the by-topsy results. I want to play with her but I'm not allowed to 'coz she's still got to rest her leg though she's not limping now.

What else has happened? Ooh, yes, I have a proper bed upstairs now like the big dogs and I like that. Sometimes I spend all night on the Humans' bed but usually I sleep next to Frodo. I really like Frodo – he's awesome. I hope I'll be as strong as him one day. I already weigh 20 kilos and Jenna's only 25. Frodo's 33 kilos – he's a big boy, all muscle. I think I am quite strong 'coz I nearly pull Mrs H over when we go out of the front door. I think it's a bit naughty to do that really 'coz she makes me sit and wait before we go out and before I get in the car. It's just that going for walks is so exciting. 

I am good at waiting though. I sit and wait and look and shake hands and lie down and sit again before I eat, even when I'm really hungry and Winston's about to have my food.

Tia and Foxy are coming again tomorrow 'coz Gillian and Callum are going to dog-sit while Mr and Mrs H go out. Marnie and Kiri can't come 'coz they're in a Prance Show and Paul's going to watch them. It's good though, 'coz Foxy plays with me and that means Jenna can still rest.

It's fun when Tia and Foxy come to stay. Last time they were jumping in the water all the time, chasing the ball – well, Foxy wasn't; she's not really interested in the ball. Frodo goes in the water as well and I nearly went in too. I went in up to my knees. It looks fun but 'm not sure about it yet. I expect it's all right – maybe next time I'll go right in.

Shall I? Shan't I? I want to . . . but I daren't . . .

Hwyl fawr am nawr! (That's Welsh for 'Goodbye for now!')

SkyWatch Friday Season 4 Episode 32

It was a grey, dank, damp day today and it rained - not heavily or steadily but intermittently.

The sky was sombre.

The ground was sodden and squelchy but it was milder than of late.

It was pleasant to be outside!

Thank you to the SkyWatch Team for their work and enthusiasm in organising and hosting this meme.

If you would like to see more skies around the globe please click here.

ABC Wednesday Round 6 E is for Ensign

(Ensign from the Old French 'enseigne', Latin insignia)
When we go sailing I am always interested in the flags and pennants flown by different vessels. Sometimes ships in port are dressed overall for special occasions and they always look very colourful and inviting.
'Ensign' has more than one meaning. It can be a national flag flown on ships and aircraft and often has a special insignia denoting a branch or unit of the armed forces. Sometimes it is a standard or banner representing, for example, a military unit. In times gone by it was used to describe the person carrying a standard.
Ensign is a commissioned rank in the US Navy or Coast Guard below that of lieutenant junior grade. Ensign is also a badge of office or power.
As in all things, there is a great deal of data about ensigns and the correct wearing thereof and the following is just a short overview. I am grateful to Wikipedia for much of the information and the depictions of the various ensigns.
In Great Britain the ensigns with which we are most familiar are the Blue Ensign, Red Ensign and White Ensign. They are worn plain or defaced – that is, with an emblem or badge depicting their business, interest or allegiance.

The Blue Ensign is flown by ships in public service, like Her Majesty's Coastguard, Port of London Authority, the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency, the Northern Lighthouse Board and by some long-established British yacht clubs as well as by some ships not in the RN but commanded by an officer of the Royal Naval Reserve.

The Red Ensign, also known as the 'Red Duster' identifies ships of the United Kingdom's Merchant Navy and civilian merchantmen. It is the courtesy flag that should be worn by foreign private vessels in UK waters.

The White Ensign or St George's Ensign is used by the Royal Navy, British Antarctic Territory and the Royal Yacht Squadron.

There is also a Royal Air Force ensign and a civil air ensign, both of which have a sky blue (air force blue) background. The RAF ensign is defaced with the RAF roundel.

There was also, from the 17^th century to the early 20^th century a Green Ensign which was flown by some Irish merchant vessels.

All ensigns shown here are the most modern versions.

Thank you to the ABC team for hosting this meme. To see more Es please click here.

Today’s Flowers #80 Primroses

The primrose,(Primula vulgaris) one of Great Britain's native plants, is an herbaceous perennial that flowers in early Spring. It is one of the earliest Spring flowers in much of Europe.

I love primroses. My favourites are the wild yellow primroses that grow on roadside banks and in damp woodlands. The primroses in these photographs are cultivated plants and a much deeper, orange-yellow than their wild cousins.

The name Primrose comes from the Old French 'primerose' or mediaeval Latin 'prima rosa' meaning 'first rose'.

Pin flower on the left, thrum flower on the right

Individual plants carry either 'pin' flowers, where the style is prominent, or 'thrum' flowers in which the stamens are prominent. Pin to pin and thrum to thrum pollination is doomed to failure as fertilisation can only take place between pin and thrum flowers.

It is an offence in the UK under the 'Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981' to pick the flowers or remove wild primrose plants. It is illegal in many other countries too.

Flowers and leaves are edible in salads - the flavour ranges from mild to bitter. The leaves can also be used to make an infusion of tea.Young flowers can be fermented to produce primrose wine.

The primrose was Benjamin Disraeli's favourite flower and the Primrose League, an organisation founded to spread Conservative principles, was named to commemorate this.The organisation was founded in 1883 and remained active until the mid-1990s. It was finally wound up in December 2004. Whether this was because it had achieved its aims or because all hope had been abandoned is not known!   

Thank you to the 'Today's Flowers' team for organising and hosting this meme. To see more beautiful blooms around the world please click here.

Pet Pride Togetherness

Monty and Winston spend a lot of time together, often sleeping in the long, dull Winter days.

Winston: It's nice of Barry to leave his gilet on the chair for us but we're not very comfortable like this!

Monty: This is a little better.

Winston: Perhaps we're better this way round.

Monty and Winston: Peace at last!

Thank you to Bozo and his human for hosting this meme. Click here to see more wonderful pets.

Camera Critters #97, Shadow Shot Sunday #91

Whisky was the first dog Barry and I had together. He bought her as a three-year-old for my birthday but as I was still at college she went to live with him in an officers' mess. She went everywhere with him, to lectures, to pubs, in cars. The only thing she never enjoyed was running. They would start together but after a short while she'd turn and trot back home. She was house-trained when we got her and nothing else but she learned quickly if there were treats involved.

She would sit . . .

. . . sometimes balancing a biscuit on her nose, which was brown as she was part of an ongoing breeding programme to produce chocolate Labradors. She never had puppies.

She would lie down and stay for long periods. I could take her shopping and she would stay quietly outside shops while I was inside.

One day I forgot – briefly – that she was with me but when I returned to her she was still waiting, looking rather anxious but trusting. She joyfully jumped up at me on that occasion and nearly knocked my front teeth out! (It would have served me right!!)

In those days, more than 40 years ago, we did not know of the danger that chocolate posed to dogs so in this photograph she is gently taking a finger of 'Kit Kat' from my mouth. Even so, she would not eat it until told she could and would sit with it melting in her mouth.

However, she was as greedy as any other Labrador and sucked berries from brambles, bread rolls from strangers' shopping baskets and sandwiches from their hands. It was essential to keep an eye on her while we were out with her.

She submitted to being dressed up but we didn't often put her through that pantomime and of course, we never laughed at her, only with her.

She looked and felt her best in the great outdoors and, like all self-respecting gun dogs loved water. This photo was taken in 1967, the year before our eldest child was born.
She was a wonderful dog, a worthy pioneer for all the dogs we have had in succeeding years. We often discussed changing her name but somehow never found the right one for her.

She was 16 when she died and is still remembered fondly by all who knew her.
To see more Camera Critters or Shadow Shots please click on the appropriate label.
Thanks go to the organisers and hosts of these entertaining memes.