Ode to basements Monday, Jul 6 2015 

Esperanza acairfearann 19:16

I like our basement. Most people don’t, in fact I think the majority are scared of it: the long darkness wherein lurks Something.*

It is usually in summer that I am reminded of my fondness for the basement. I really do find anything over 70 to be too Hot and as for sun…  The basement is always blessedly dark and cool. Even more so than the house, which is designed to be dark and cool. And there are those deep dark corners. But then, I like cities at 3 am too.

It has its oddments: the working guts of a big modern structure from pipes to wires. The five fuse boxes, genuine fuses mind, and the master switches. The remnants of the phone put in by the good Dr. Bell himself, the old furnace, the new furnace, the tires for some early Model T. The exterior window that leads nowhere…and hasn’t since 1874. The door that can’t be closed….because of the pipe for the plumbing put in 1913.** The water in the spring, that however is channelled neatly back out again (those old builders knew their job). The double foundations and crawl spaces. Clutter, lots, more than it should have, I am sure.

*The worst I have ever encountered is a snake and memorably a salamander. The cats keep the rodents down.

**Has anyone else noticed that that door is not in fact the old exterior door? It appears to have been attached to the southern addition when it was put in place. Why? And why with a window?

 

‘When in the course of human Events…’ Saturday, Jul 4 2015 

Uncategorized acairfearann 20:14

IMG_5243

‘Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.’ BCP

 

Just busy Friday, Jul 3 2015 

gardening and Landscapes , acairfearann 19:37

I know, it has been awhile.

Finally got the clematis and grapes on the pergola under control today, much less sprangly. It is always remarkable how one or two pruning cuts and a few piece of twine can improve things.  Definitely summer here, hot weather and hot colors: white, orange, neon purple or pink, hot orange-reds.  Some nice cool pinks, purples, and blues in the shade though.

Since, however, I haven’t taken photos of any of that yet, you will get some random Connecticut scenery for a change of pace:

001 (1024x768)

 

Roses Saturday, Jun 27 2015 

gardening and Modern Photos , acairfearann 19:42

David Austin’s ‘A Shropshire Lad’ in its first year! It seems to be standing up to this rain rather well too. Furthermore, it was slid into its spot right next to the short/shrub clematis that is also blooming on that pillar. I am rather pleased with that planting job, since the clematis was already there, and both plants needed to be close to the pillar’s south side.

006 (1024x768)

009 (1024x768)

I honestly don’t know the identity of the clematis….

 

Twa Corbies Thursday, Jun 25 2015 

Uncategorized acairfearann 10:13

Quite the start to the morning, glorious blue skies and full summer green…and twa corbies. One raven at the top of the tallest Norway Spruce and the other at the top of the lone Hemlock. Probably able to see most of the town and farther afield from those points since the spruce, located at the hill crest, stands over 100 feet tall, while the hemlock is nearly that. From that height, on a clear day, one would see as far to the east and south as one might be able; and higher elevations to the north and west would be a good ten miles away. I am sure the crow flock will chase them back off, but for the time they seemed quite happy up there!

For those who may not catch the reference:

http://www.rampantscotland.com/songs/blsongs_corbies.htm

Steeleye Span probably did it best:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDvCO2rSCa0

 

Fell the Future Wednesday, Jun 24 2015 

Uncategorized acairfearann 12:03

In this place there lies

A spark not yet crystalline

And shall it rise as living fire

Or hold fast as frozen stone?

None shall last past memory

And there will be no eternal place

But within the creating mind.

 

Clearing Skies Tuesday, Jun 23 2015 

gardening and Modern Photos , acairfearann 19:16

053 (768x1024)

Looking up through the Kousa Dogwood

 

Going out in glory Sunday, Jun 21 2015 

Modern Photos acairfearann 20:01

Summer Solstice

050 (768x1024)

 

Approaches to History Thursday, Jun 18 2015 

Uncategorized acairfearann 21:36

We are used to Twitter updates on events now, I found this review of an historic event rather interesting and horrifying. It is much more real, in the 21st century way, than it would be as a dry summary. Somebody did quite a bit of work to piece it together.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/battle-of-waterloo/11676475/The-Battle-of-Waterloo-as-it-happened-on-June-18-1815.html

 

White Rose Tuesday, Jun 16 2015 

gardening and Modern Photos , acairfearann 20:32

I am waiting to see if the named white rose ‘alba maxima’ planted this year is the same, if so I will be quite happy.

In any case, what I believe to be ‘alba maxima’ blooming. This seems to be the survivor of all survivors, lurking in the underbrush until just enough sunlight was given to it when the hedgerow across the way was cut down about 8 years ago. It had to have been planted at the driveway’s entrance, a good two generations ago, and then shaded out, forgotten entirely. It is back now, and blooms faithfully. A tall lanky bush with lovely (if brief flowers) and beautiful rose hips.

010 (768x1024)

 

« Previous Page — Next Page »