Cats, Art, Chocolate, Life.....

Almost Christmas

2011-12-24T23:39:00.002Z

It's almost Christmas - I wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Just before I go to sleep I'll remember those who aren't here anymore but are always in my thoughts - friends and family and cats who will live in my heart always x

30 years in the NHS!

2011-12-07T23:09:00.002Z

30 years ago today I started working for the NHS - strangely enough I'm now sitting opposite the person I sat opposite on my first day - funny how things go in circles!

December time again

2011-12-01T19:41:00.003Z

Such a long time since I last posted. I've been busy with major changes at work, not only the splitting up of our department but sending us to another NHS trust and another hospital! Things are slowly beginning to settle down but I don't know if we'll ever be happy where we are at the moment.
Anyway, it's the 1st of December - World Aids Day, the beginning of the Christmas season, the beginning of the frosts and also my birthday month, I'm sure more things will come to mind.
I'm going to try and post almost every day of December - see if I can focus my mind......

Whitby 2011

2011-08-30T22:58:00.003+01:00

We arrived in Whitby on Monday afternoon,the weather isn't great but at least we can see the Abbey from the caravan.

After unloading the car we went for a walk - those 199 steps certainly tire you out.

Missing an old friend 20th June 2011

2011-06-20T23:54:00.004+01:00

My school friend Sue Hollingshead died last year. Today 20th June would have been her 50th birthday but as I can't send her a card I thought I would share a memory from our school years.
My birthday is December and very close to Christmas, consequently it often got forgotten or I would get one present to cover my birthday and Christmas. Being the the kind person she was she declared I could celebrate my half birthday on her birthday so we'd both have something to celebrate. So here I am Sue celebrating my half birthday and hoping that somewhere you're raising a glass.......

Stop all the clocks......

2011-04-29T21:05:00.003+01:00

Yesterday was the funeral of Jason's father. Jason was determined to read a particular poem as a tribute - you'll recognise it from 'Four Weddings and a Funeral'. I think he was brave to do it and I'm proud that he managed to get through it.

W.H. Auden: Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone

From "Twelve Songs"

IX.
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,
Put crêpe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood;
For nothing now can ever come to any good.

St George and Shakespeare

2011-04-23T19:34:00.002+01:00

The 23rd April is not only St George's Day but Shakespeare's birthday - two very 'English' icons even if St George was born in Turkey!

To celebrate I bought some St George's Day doughnuts from Greggs.

St George

St David's Day

2011-03-01T20:59:00.005Z

St David's Day is celebrated in Wales on 1st March as he is the patron saint of Wales. It's customary to wear one of the Welsh national emblems - a leek or a daffodil so I've chosen a picture of daffodils taken from my garden a few years ago.

You can find more info on the National Museum of Wales website

Cats sleep anywhere

2011-02-20T22:07:00.003Z

Jasper loves to sleep on the top cushion of the sofa - it's big, soft and comfy and next to the radiator. I wish I could get this comfortable.

Redbubble - trying to promote my art and photographs

2011-01-30T11:06:00.003Z

Thought I would give Redbubble a go - I'm not David Bailey or Picasso but what the hell, I can take the odd good photo and paint something that catches the eye so here goes! As time goes on I'll alter my 'portfolio' and add more items.

Burns Night

2011-01-25T20:42:00.004Z

Just a quick mention for Burns Night and the poem written by Robert Burns in 1786

Address to a Haggis

Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o' the pudding-race!
Aboon them a' ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm :
Weel are ye wordy o'a grace
As lang's my arm.

The groaning trencher there ye fill,
Your hurdies like a distant hill,
Your pin wad help to mend a mill
In time o'need,
While thro' your pores the dews distil
Like amber bead.

His knife see rustic Labour dight,
An' cut you up wi' ready sleight,
Trenching your gushing entrails bright,
Like ony ditch;
And then, O what a glorious sight,
Warm-reekin', rich!

Then, horn for horn, they stretch an' strive:
Deil tak the hindmost! on they drive,
Till a' their weel-swall'd kytes belyve
Are bent like drums;
Then auld Guidman, maist like to rive,
Bethankit! hums.

Is there that owre his French ragout
Or olio that wad staw a sow,
Or fricassee wad make her spew
Wi' perfect sconner,
Looks down wi' sneering, scornfu' view
On sic a dinner?

Poor devil! see him owre his trash,
As feckless as wither'd rash,
His spindle shank, a guid whip-lash;
His nieve a nit;
Thro' bloody flood or field to dash,
O how unfit!

But mark the Rustic, haggis-fed,
The trembling earth resounds his tread.
Clap in his walie nieve a blade,
He'll mak it whissle;
An' legs an' arms, an' heads will sned,
Like taps o' thrissle.

Ye Pow'rs, wha mak mankind your care,
And dish them out their bill o' fare,
Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware
That jaups in luggies;
But, if ye wish her gratefu' prayer
Gie her a haggis!

New Years Eve 2010

2010-12-31T16:56:00.004Z

I don't know why but I find New Year depressing - it may be post Christmas Blues, it may be the fact that a new year means I'm getting older. This year has been tough, my other half lost his job twice and is now unemployed as well as having had to undergo major surgery, the NHS is being dismantled bit by bit which causes problems as my wages are now frozen for two years so there are no rises to cope with inflation and my old school friend died leaving a gap in many people's lives.

I'm hoping that 2011 will bring some better times although I can't see it yet.

Regardless of how I feel I wish everyone a happy 2011 and I've posted some random cat pictures just to cheer things up.

Nearly 50

2010-12-14T21:18:00.006Z

It's my last day of being 49 - I'm not quite sure how I feel about it. I had a 'birthday' night out with the girls from work last week and decided my new drink would be Morgan's spiced rum and lemonade. I felt a bit rough on Friday but seeing as I developed flu by the Saturday I'll put it down to the virus. Having flu has somewhat thrown my birthday and Christmas plans - still need to write cards and do some Christmas shopping plus the usual washing, ironing etc.

Anyway, I got a bit nostalgic and ended up downloading lots of old songs from Amazon - plus the new X factor winners single - I'll talk about some of them a little bit more on my music blog.

"Have I The Right"
The Honeycombs;

"No Regrets"
Walker Brothers

"Tell Me When"
The Applejacks

"I'm So Straight I'm a Weirdo"
Rick Wakeman;

"Here Comes The Night"
Them;

"Twighlight Time"
The Platters

"Just A Dream"
Jimmy Clanton

"Take These Chains From My Heart"
Ray Charles

"My Boy Lollipop"
Millie;

"I Remember You"
Frank Ifield

"Let Me Go Lover"
Teresa Brewer

"Lula Rock-A-Hula"
Teresa Brewer;

"Lady With The Big Umbrella"
Dean Martin;

"Go Now"
The Moody Blues;

"Maria Elena"
Los Indios Tabajaras

"Make It Easy On Yourself"
Walker Brothers;

"Jackie"
Scott Walker;

"The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore"
Walker Brothers;

"When We Collide"
Matt Cardle;

Fabulous By: Charlie Gracie

Butterfly by: Charlie Gracie

29 Years

2010-12-07T22:45:00.002Z

I started work in the NHS 29 years ago today - my department was called 'Community Health' and we dealt with childhood immunisations - no computers - everything was sent away for batch processing and ended up on microfiche.

29 years and various NHS departments later I'm back in child health working with same person I was working with on my very first day. Talk about things going full circle!

50 Years of Coronation Street

2010-12-06T21:59:00.005Z

Coronation Street was first broadcast 50 years this week - 6 days before I was born. I remember my Mum watching it when I was a toddler and I suppose I just got sucked into it. It's not the most glamorous of soaps but it's like a nice warm cosy blanket, and that's why I'll be glued to this weeks episodes. Just watched the explosion and tram crash, so we're trying to work out who's not going to survive. So far in the running to die are Ashley, Max, Molly, Rita, Sunita, Peter, Ciaran, Graeme, Fiz's baby and of course bunny boiler Charlotte has already been dispatched by John.

There's a live episode on Thursday and I'm so upset because I'm on a very rare night out - an early birthday night out in fact - never mind will have to catch in on ITV net.

More snow

2010-12-01T22:34:00.003Z

1st of December and there is more snow chaos - it takes hours to get to work and back and I just feel knackered by the time I get home.

On a lighter note it's only 15 days till my 50th birthday - I always imagined I would have a great big party with loads of old music and lots of dancing - it hasn't panned out that way for various reasons, so there's a good chance it will pass by like a wet Sunday!

Snow

2010-11-27T22:22:00.002Z

The snow has arrived! I've been away from work this week looking after Jason who's just had surgery and now the snow has arrived. The bin men couldn't get into the street to empty the bins and today we had no post deliveries either. Last night there was so much snow that the sky was white and it didn't get as dark as usual. I managed to take some photos around midnight - hand held camera, no flash!

The passing of time

2010-10-07T19:55:00.003+01:00

I was at the funeral of an old school friend last week, I'd known her since I was 12 years old and we were very close at school. Even though we saw each other infrequently after leaving school I always considered her a good friend.

I never thought I would be attending her funeral at what I still consider to be a young age - her teenage daughters are the spitting image of her as a young girl and when I saw them I was transported back to the 1970's.

The church was full of her family, friends and colleagues - she was that sort of person - you couldn't not like her. Other old friends from school were there, we sat united in grief but still with an air of disbelief - how could she go, suddenly we were all being confronted by our own mortality and it was a little frightening.

I feel as though her departure has left a little gap in my life and now I have to cling to fond memories and old photos - R.I.P. Sue

Harvest Moon

2010-09-23T21:52:00.005+01:00

The Northern Autumnal Equinox and the Harvest 'full moon' both occur today which is a rare occurance. It hasn't happened since 1991 and they won't fall together at the same time again until 2029.

2010-09-19T21:50:00.005+01:00

A mixed day today - The 30th Great North Run took place - everyone did very well.

The Great North Run

It was also the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain - there was a service at Westminster Abbey and a Spitfire and Hurricane flypast.

BBC News

And lastly it's 'Talk Like a Pirate Day'!

2010-09-18T22:52:00.003+01:00

As well my own seven cats we get the odd neighbourhood cat turning up to eat our cat food. An un-neutered ginger and white tom often ends up on our doorstep, I don't know who owns him or what his name is so we call him 'Big Ginge'. He's a lovely natured cat but his one big fault is that he sprays if he gets in the house - not good.

2010-09-15T22:19:00.003+01:00

Half way through September and it feels like autumn already, the leaves on the trees are turning yellow and children have started to collect conkers.

During the Summer Sarah grew some lovely sunflowers, unfortunately the snails also loved them and chewed all the leaves.

I managed to get a few snaps with my new camera - I'm still getting to grips with it so pictures are a bit hit and miss.

2010-09-06T22:55:00.003+01:00

I had a mammogram today - part of the NHS breast screening programme. Probably not the usual stuff for a blog but it was the first one I've had and must have been devised by a man - why else would you think it was a good idea to stuff sensitive parts of your body between two plates then attempt to squash them flat! I notice they don't do this for testicular screening...lol

2010-09-04T17:53:00.002+01:00

I'm trying to get the hang of the new Blogger templates so the appearance of my blogs might change from week to week until I can find something I'm happy with. Any constructive comments will be appreciated.

2010-08-30T17:00:00.004+01:00

I've started yet another blog - silly, I know, because sometimes I don't even have the time to post in my current blogs. Anyway The Colour Junkie will focus more on art and colour and less on other stuff (whatever it is I usually ramble on about). I haven't got it set up 'all pretty' yet but when I get time....lol

The Colour Junkie

2010-07-06T21:09:00.002+01:00

Birthdays - the Dalai Lama and Frida Kahlo were both born on 6th July - it's a bit random but there you go!

2010-06-21T23:21:00.004+01:00

At 4:45 am this morning the Summer Solstice was celebrated at Stonehenge, I would love to have been there - maybe some day I will eventually get there. They had wonderful weather for it so I can imagine the view would have been spectacular. This picture is from the Metro newspaper.

2010-06-15T20:59:00.003+01:00

On Saturday Sarah and I visited the Doctor Who Exhibition at the Centre for Life in Newcastle. We're both massive Doctor Who fans and had a great time looking at original props and costumes and experiencing the Daleks - it's a 'must see' for any fans. The centre itself is a great place to visit and brings science to life - also has a great little cafe!

Centre for Life

In Memory Of Owen Brannigan - Blaydon Races

2010-06-09T19:36:00.000+01:00

2010-06-09T19:27:00.003+01:00

"Aa went to Blaydon Races t'was on the Ninth of June" - The Blaydon Races

One of the most famous songs on Tyneside and now also an annual race which follows the route from Balmbras Public House in Newcastle to Blaydon, just over the water in Gateshead.

http://www.blaydonrace.org/

2010-05-31T13:54:00.004+01:00

This is a little tryout I did yesterday. One A4 sheet of gessoed watercolour paper, four tubes of System 3 acrylics - Titanium white, process yellow, process cyan and process magenta, gloss medium, a paint brush, palette knives and fingers. The little painting in the top right has lots of little acrylic paint skins attached - peeled from last weeks palette.

2010-05-27T21:39:00.000+01:00

There's a full moon tonight - I'm going out to howl at the moon........

2010-05-27T21:31:00.003+01:00

It's 70 years since the Dunkirk rescue and a fleet of little ships are heading to France to commemorate this. My thanks go to the original sailors all those years ago as my Grandad was amongst those troops trapped on the beaches. He was rescued and brought back safely, thank you to all those brave people.

2010-05-25T20:05:00.002+01:00

Today is towel day. Don't forget your towel!

Today is towel day in honour of author Douglas Adams. http://www. towel day.org/

2010-05-18T21:32:00.004+01:00

Middle of May already - what a month! A general election, a hung parliament, freezing cold weather and yet another cold/sore throat.

Finally managed to get my paints out though all I've had a chance to do so far is 'play' - I'm hoping I get the chance to do some 'real painting' during the bank holiday weekend.

Managed to get some reduced Cryla acrylics from Bradbury Graphics - they're selling off the old style Cryla at bargain prices -http://www.bradburyart.co.uk/

2010-05-05T22:47:00.003+01:00

I've tried to avoid mentioning the General Election but I suppose I should acknowledge it. I will vote - women had to fight for the right to vote so it shouldn't be wasted. I do know that I won't vote for a party who wish to bring back fox hunting. Where is the 'sport' in chasing an animal and ripping it apart - why would you want to trust someone who takes pleasure in something so barbaric.

Found an interesting link organised by Brian May http://www.save-me.org.uk , worth a look.

2010-05-05T08:58:00.002+01:00

Today is 5th May which is my Mums birthday. She sadly died in 2005 so I'm posting an old photograph which I think was probably taken in the early 1950s. She is no longer here but I carry an infinite number of memories with me.

2010-05-05T08:48:00.003+01:00

I was going to mention May Day, but I'm late as usual! Weather was nondescript and there aren't any Maypoles in Benwell (they would have to have CCTV cameras on top). Bank Holiday Monday was cold - nothing new there - so business as usual!

2010-04-24T17:39:00.003+01:00

It was St George's Day yesterday - it doesn't really get as much of a mention as it should - he's our patron Saint so why not - we could celebrate all that's good about England - it's also William Shakespeare's birthday so even more reason to give it a mention.

It's been a gloriously sunny day today - hope it lasts a few days - the cats have been playing outside most of the day and Sarah has been blowing bubbles for them to chase - we've had 'cat ballet' as they jump and twist. I've got a tub of Cornish Vanilla ice cream in the freezer which I might just break out!

2010-04-19T17:48:00.007+01:00

So there I was blogging about the decline in our birds when in runs Angel (above) with a robin in her mouth. They don't catch many birds but they do like to prove me wrong - I held it's little body in my hands as its life ebbed away and the warmth left it....I howled inside and shed a few tears but cats are hunters by nature and this is the dark side that we have to accept when we invite them in - I cry for each tiny body but they do it because they are cats.

2010-04-19T17:08:00.003+01:00

I've added my friend's Blog to the list at the right, please take a look, some of her posts might just strike a chord with you.

The Dark of Night

2010-04-19T14:09:00.007+01:00

Where has all the birdsong gone?

When I moved into this house 20 years ago I was often woken early in the morning by birdsong - nothing special just sparrows, starlings, blackbirds. I wasn't always happy being woken at 4 am in the summer - the sun was up, the birds were singing and I couldn't get back to sleep.

Now each morning, even in summer, there is silence. Yes I live in a city, yes my garden is tiny and yes I have seven cats but apart from the number of cats increasing over the years, nothing has changed. My garden backs onto other gardens so there is plenty of room for wildlife but even the hedgehogs seem to have deserted us. I'm not the only one to notice this - the lack of house sparrows and starlings - at one time they were all over but now I can go for days without seeing any.

Even in the centre of town the pigeons seem to be the only birds thriving - at one time you would see little house sparrows darting in and out between pigeons and starlings but now there are only the pigeons and the odd crow.

I feel a little sorry for the pigeons - they congregate around the Haymarket bus station waiting for crumbs from sandwiches and Greggs pasties - I watch them when I'm waiting for my bus to work - many seem to have injuries to their feet and legs, some are scrawny and sad looking. Many people regard them as vermin - rats with feathers, vermin with wings - but I can't think of them in that way - they have just as much right to be here as anyone else - it's probably the human race who have overrun.

Back to the garden birds - there has been a noted reduction - it's estimated that there are ten million fewer house sparrows in the UK than there were twenty five years ago - so what else may have disappeared in that time...................

House Sparrow Decline

2010-04-18T17:00:00.004+01:00

It's halfway through April already - where does the time go?

We've had a few spring days but true to form it's raining yet again. Meanwhile all the airports have ground to a halt due to a massive cloud of volcanic dust floating over from Iceland. Hoping I can use this as an excuse if I'm late for work - "Sorry I'm late, the bus got caught up in a massive cloud of volcanic dust" - well it's worth a try!

Work and other distractions have kept me from blogging - not an excuse - it's my own fault.

Facebook - wonderful and evil at the same time - I can keep in contact with my brother in Denmark, speak to old and new friends - however there are also so many little distractions which eat away at my time - I should be painting (or God forbid - ironing ) but all those little games and applications vie for my attention - it's just as well Facebook is blocked at work.

2010-02-18T17:59:00.004Z

February already and I've just got around to making my first post of the New Year. Work and flu seem to have taken up all my time but I'm determined to do some painting again soon.

Poor little Ruby is unwell at the moment which is costing a lot in vets bills so I've put books and postcards up for auction if anyone is interested - look for seller ID katkin.

2009-09-03T17:55:00.003+01:00

Well it's the beginning of September, I'm on holiday (well at home) and it's raining. I haven't blogged for ages so I'd better get back into the swing of it.

Got a great new DVD recently - Dynamic Acrylics with Soraya French. It's about 2 hours long and she packs in 5 demos. If you like her work - I have a link to her website - then you'll like this DVD by Town House Films.

2009-05-22T21:11:00.003+01:00

I'd like to introduce you to my two new kittens - Ruby a lttle black and white girl and Felix a fluffy tabby and white boy. They're both adorable and little terrors.

This now brings my cat total to seven and probably means I get membership of the 'crazy cat lady' club!

2009-04-18T16:51:00.002+01:00

Time has flown and I've managed somehow to not post a single thing in March 2009 - not good.
Anyway just for good measure I've started a music blog where I can ramble on about music I like to listen to.
http://welcome-to-my-music-box.blogspot.com

2009-02-23T20:08:00.007Z

Why does the World seem so cruel? I read a news item in the Metro paper on Friday about a teenager who microwaved a six week old kitten for 20 seconds - the poor thing was so badly injured it had to be put down. To add insult to injury the youth was only given a 120 hour community service order - why is life valued so little nowadays? Where is the justice for that poor tortured animal?

http://www.cats.org.uk/

http://www.metro.co.uk/

In the Mirror newspaper today there is an article on women prisoners in Afghanistan. One girl was married off at 10 years old and was beaten each night by her husband, she tried to run away and for that crime has been given 15 years in prison. Imagine your own daughter in that situation - it doesn't bear thinking about.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/

http://www.amnesty.org.uk/

http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/

2009-02-12T20:53:00.003Z

The snow came back thick and fast today - it caught us all by surprise because the morning started off quite dry. All the cats are feeling the cold, Jasper and Carmen even squeezed themselves into the same cat bed.

2009-02-10T23:13:00.002Z

I'm feeling old today - I was sitting on the bus on the way home from work when I realised most of the other passengers were younger than me - I know I'm (only) 48 but I felt more like 88 sitting listening to their conversations. Where did the time go - how did I suddenly get to be middle aged!!

2009-02-05T22:20:00.003Z

I have to admit I have never had much time for Jade Goody and Big Brother but I do feel sorry for her after reading about all she has gone through recently and especially now as it looks as though she may even lose her fight against cancer. She is only mid 20s with two young sons, she may never see them grow up.

It's important then to make sure you get a smear test - don't put off because you're embarrassed or frightened - I've had to have treatment myself for pre-cancerous cells.

With this in mind I also want to mention the new HPV jab for young girls which can lessen the chances of developing cervical cancer in later life. There is a UK website with information about the HPV jab. http://www.immunisation.nhs.uk/Vaccines/HPV

My daughter is amongst the first wave of girls to be vaccinated in school and so far has had two out of a course of three jabs - strangely enough part of my job includes producing lists and statistics about the HPV.

2009-02-03T22:42:00.005Z

Came across a great cat artist who also has a blog - Bruce Andrew McKay - http://bigcatheads.blogspot.com/
I love the colours and the expressions.

The snow has gone as quickly as it arrived though other parts of the country are still freezing - Sarah was disappointed that her school wasn't closed due to the weather!

2009-02-02T17:34:00.003Z

Well the snow definitely arrived - have posted a picture of my daughter Sarah 'tormenting' some of the cats throught the kitchen window. The cats all went out, got cold and wet then came in and covered the house in dirty wet cat prints. Just as well I'm not too houseproud...LOLs

2009-02-01T23:15:00.000Z

Forgot to mention today is also 'Imbolc' - Celtic/Pagan New Year!

2009-02-01T18:00:00.002Z

1st of February and we're expecting snow - even the cats think it's too cold to stay out and play in the garden.

Was looking at the Wetcanvas site and noticed a post about Winsor and Newton acrylics - it seems they have reformulated their Finity artists' acrylics, can't wait to try them - just need some spare cash! Spare cash might be hard to find at the moment as the recession is hitting hard and my partner is waiting to hear whether his job is safe.
Anyway I can recommend the Wetcanvas site if you create any kind of art in any medium - it's listed in my links.

2009-01-31T18:18:00.002Z

My posts have become few and far between but I'm not giving up. I just have to make more time to blog (as long as I can find something interesting to write).
At least Supernatural is back on the TV!

2008-12-31T22:38:00.002Z

Christmas has come and gone and now it's New Years Eve -it's freezing outside and I've got a cold! Never mind, hopefully I'll blog a bit more next year.

2008-12-04T22:25:00.002Z

What a surprise, we've had a few days of snow - haven't had very much December snow for the past few years. It looks great but it's not so much fun trying to get to work - especially on public transport.

2008-12-01T23:42:00.000Z

1st of December - here before I even realised and very frosty

2008-10-31T22:53:00.001Z

End of October already and Halloween - where do the days go?

2008-09-17T22:34:00.002+01:00

Middle of September already, weather is still terrible, seems like Autumn already.
Just caught a news article on the web today saying that one of my favourite artists had just died at the weekend after a battle with cancer. I love his colourful paintings - well worth taking a look at his website. http://www.hamish-macdonald.com/

2008-08-26T09:40:00.002+01:00

I've neglected my blog recently, it's shocking to see that I didn't post once during July. I have to admit that July was hectic - we moved offices yet again then went straight into the holiday season with lots of staff on holiday. I'll get back into the swing of things now (hopefully) and might even manage to post a few pictures!

2008-06-30T15:15:00.002+01:00

Last day of June and the weather is still decidedly 'iffy'.
Went to my daughter's prize giving last week and was very pleased to see that she won 3 prizes. The school is closing in July to make way for the new 'Academy' opening in September. It's a little sad as I also went to that school many years ago.

2008-06-17T21:04:00.001+01:00

Came across another interesting artist in the latest International Artist magazine. His name is Richard Clare and he paints wonderful colourful landscapes. http://www.richardclareart.com/

2008-06-17T21:01:00.002+01:00

It's a full moon tonight - have you ever had the urge to go outside and howl at the moon? OK maybe it's just me but sometimes I would love to go out and howl like a wolf - don't think the neighbours would be too happy......

2008-05-31T14:11:00.003+01:00

The artist Beryl Cook sadly passed away on 28th May 2008. She was well known for her paintings of cheery, rounded figures and delighted thousands of people. Her official website is http://www.berylcook.org

2008-05-14T21:35:00.002+01:00

Thought I'd mention another Artist that I admire. Her name is Jennie Tuffs and she uses Magic Color liquid acrylics. Her paintings have such colour and movment.
http://www.jennietuffs.co.uk/Home.html

2008-05-06T18:30:00.002+01:00

May has finally arrived and at last has brought some nice weather. The tulips are staring up at the sunshine - I think they're surprised to see the sun! Daisy is certainly enjoying it.

2008-04-23T21:09:00.002+01:00

Just a quick post to remind everyone that today is St. George's Day. St George is the Patron Saint of England and there is in fact a Royal Society of St George http://www.royalsocietyofstgeorge.com/index2.htm

2008-04-19T15:42:00.004+01:00

CATS PROTECTION

I went to a Cats Protection Volunteering Fair this morning at Northumbria University. Although I'm a member of the Newcastle branch I decided to try and take a more active role so I put my name down for 'admin and computer' duties as I can't drive and already have 5 cats so I don't really have enough room to foster kittens. The national and local website links are shown in my links list so please take a look if you get a chance. Three local groups had got together to try and drum up support - Newcastle, Gateshead & Bedlington - so I hope a few more people join up.
The local branches are also running a £5 neutering scheme for those on low incomes so there's no excuse for not getting it done - details again are on the websites.
http://www.cats.org.uk
http://www.cats-protection-newcastle.co.uk/

2008-04-16T21:10:00.001+01:00

I thought I would post my daughter's Stardoll here as well.

2008-04-16T20:58:00.010+01:00

Thought I would give you a bit of a chuckle and put a couple of Stardoll pictures on here - they are both 'me' but one is my Goth phase and the other is my Exotic look.

My Stardoll page is http://www.stardoll.com/member/Cat_Artist

2008-04-15T14:57:00.003+01:00

It seems like ages since I posted anything. It's taking me sometime to get back to normal after the surgery on my hand and it's still painful - I sometimes forget and do something I shouldn't with that hand.
Anyway the weather is still unpredictable, work is still busy and me and my daughter are still having fun on Stardoll - in fact I may post a few pictures later - Doctor Who is back and Torchwood has just come to an end!

2008-04-01T23:23:00.002+01:00

It's my first day back at work since my surgery - I had a few hundred emails to read which took half the morning! By 10 am I was wishing I was still at home. Never mind I'm sure I'll get back into the swing of it soon.

2008-03-18T21:26:00.004Z

Got my stitches out last Thursday but got another big bandage which I finally got to remove today. My hand is still painful but it should improve.
My daughter recently joined a website called stardoll.com - it's shallow, frivolous and utterly pointless, but great fun! I decided to join up so I could find out what was so attractive about the site - it's a bit like dressing up dolls but you get to make a me doll and dress yourself up!!! It also gives me something I can share with my daughter and I've found I'm not the only mum on the site. My 'me' doll can be found on http://www.stardoll.com/member/Cat_Artist

2008-03-12T15:16:00.003Z

Hopefully I will be getting my bandages and stitches removed from my wrist tomorrow - I'm still not sure how much I will be able to do even when they are removed.
I've been listening to more of my 'old music' and today I thought I would mention Split Enz who are still one of my favourite groups. True Colours and Corroboree (Waiata) are probably my favourite Split Enz albums and well worth a listen.

2008-03-04T21:28:00.002Z

I'm sitting here attempting to type with one hand - I had day surgery yesterday afternoon for carpal tunnel syndrome and now even the simplest things are difficult. I have to keep this great big dressing on for 10 days until my stiches are removed - at least I found a use for those spare ASDA plastic carrier bags - I have to fasten one around my hand and lower arm to keep the water out while I get a shower!

2008-02-26T23:15:00.006Z

I recently bought myself a 'cheapish' MP3 player from eBay so I could pass the time listening to music while travelling to work. I used to think they were anti-social items but I can see the attraction when you're travelling some distance on public transport - I can close my eyes and sink into the music and be transported somewhere else.

I do like some of today's music but I have to admit to filling my MP3 player with lots of 'old' music. Today I was listening to one of my favourite albums from the 80s - A letter from St. Paul by The Silencers. Lots of jangley guitars and sweet boyish voices - however listening to the lyrics you find the music is deeper than it first seems.

I think the CD is long out of print but there is a 'best of' which features some of the tracks though I recommend the original CD if you can find it.

2008-02-25T21:56:00.002Z

It's been a busy few weeks, just over a week ago was my daughter's birthday, then my partner broke his toe, my home phone line is on the blink and next week I have to have surgery on my wrist - no rest for the wicked!

2008-02-14T21:00:00.003Z

Today is the tenth birthday of the Angel of the North http://www.gateshead.gov.uk/Council%20and%20Democracy/news/News%20Articles/Angel%20of%20the%20North%20is%2010%20today.aspx

When it was first errected I thought it looked like a man with an ironing board stuck to his back. I have warmed to it since - when I see it I think of the North East so I suppose it has done its job http://www.gateshead.gov.uk/Leisure%20and%20Culture/attractions/Angel/Home.aspx

Of course it is also Valentines Day today so love to you all!

2008-02-13T22:42:00.003Z

Came across another modern artist who appeals to me - I was searching for colourists and came across Sally Carlaw http://sallycarlaw.com/index.html There are some lovely paintings on her site and I really like her use of colour.

2008-02-06T20:19:00.000Z

Thought I'd mention another interesting artist - Charles Sovek - he sadly passed away last year but has left a wonderful website full of useful articles for the artist. http://www.sovek.com/
As you can see it's another site full of colourful paintings - I'm a 'colour junkie'.

2008-01-28T21:50:00.000Z

I can't resist sci fi and fantasy programmes and films. Blood Ties and Ghost Whisperer have just finished but Torchwood, Primeval and Supernatural are back on our screens - hurrah!

2008-01-22T17:50:00.000Z

Bet you didn't know it was National Rabbit Week! I don't have a rabbit but I thought I would give it a mention as they are so cute - http://www.nationalrabbitweek.co.uk/

2008-01-18T22:29:00.000Z

I love watching Coronation Street but I cried tonight when Vera Duckworth died. I just can't help myself I always cry at these sort of things - I even cried when they took Robocop to bits in the first Robocop movie!
Jack and Vera were like some of your own relations - always arguing with each other but together forever.

2008-01-17T22:50:00.000Z

Hurrah! Torchwood and Primeval are back. OK, so the stories can be a bit ropey sometimes but they are entertaining. I love Captain Jack in Torchwood- he'll snog anything male, female, alien.........

2008-01-08T23:02:00.000Z

Looks like we're going to have gale force winds tonight - I've already found two pieces of someone's roof in my front garden!
Today I'm going to mention another favourite artist - Stephen Quiller - his site is worth looking at as I love his use of colour - http://www.quillergallery.com/index.htm. He has produced a number of books and videos which are great if you love colour.

2008-01-05T17:00:00.000Z

Thought I would feature another of my favourite artists today - Robert Burridge- his website is http://www.robertburridge.com/. I love the vitality and colour in his paintings. I have some of his instructional videos and have just ordered his workbook. As I am a colour junkie his work really apeals to me!

2008-01-04T20:58:00.000Z

We had snow yesterday and now today we have had rain - all day!
I'm back to work and all I can say is 'thank goodness it's the weekend' - it's dark when I go to work in the mornings and dark when I come home, I'd much rather be curled up on the sofa with the cats.

2008-01-01T20:50:00.000Z

2008 already - tried to have a reasonably quite day so we chilled out and watched some TV. Saw an interesting documentary on the English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams - might pick up a couple of CDs when I have some spare cash. Found a good website - http://www.rvwsociety.com/.
I also watched one of my favourite musicals - Singing in the Rain. My daughter watched it with me as she's never seen it before (she's only 11!).
Back to work tomorrow - back to the early mornings and packed public transport - never mind it's the weekend soon - ha, ha

2007-12-31T21:47:00.001Z

Jasper's Feline Abstract ACEO

2007-12-31T21:45:00.000Z

Sarah's ACEOs

2007-12-31T21:37:00.000Z

Haven't had much time to paint recently but we did manage to snatch an hour this afternoon to do a little fun painting. I had some ACEO size pieces of gessoed watercolour paper so I got a few acrylic paints out and got my daughter Sarah involved. I only finished one before our tom cat Jasper decided to leap onto the paint and one of the prepared ACEO cards. I've posted my piece here and will post Sarah's and Jasper's in separate posts.

I find new year a little bit depressing but I wish everyone a Happy New Year!

2007-12-30T17:33:00.000Z

Thought I'd mention a couple of art technique books which I like. The first one by Claire Harrigan I have mentioned before in a previous posting 'Abstract and Colour Techniques in Painting'. I can't find a website for this artist but you can find examples of her work on the web. The book is illustrated with numerous colour illustrations of her work and gives a good insight into moving towards abstract and semi-abstract art and the use of colour. Being a 'colour junkie' I love looking through this book.

Another book which came my way recently is 'Collins 30 Minute Acrylics' by Soraya French. She is a professional artist and was the 2005 winner of the SAA Artist of the Year award. This book is a little gem which covers the basics as well as providing inspiration in small bites. It is also full of lots of colourful illustrations to whet the appetite. Her website is - http://sorayafrench.com/wordpress/

2007-12-29T22:10:00.000Z

The weather has been wet and windy - not quite 'Christmas' weather. The snow - if we get any - seems to come later now, between January and March.
All the cats went out to play before the rain got too heavy so the house is now covered in hundreds of muddy cat prints - amazing how they even get them on the walls!

2007-12-28T17:25:00.000Z

I've never been ice skating before and today was my first attempt. I went with my daughter to The Centre for Life in Newcastle where they set up a temporary open-air rink during the winter. http://www.life.org.uk/.
It took me a long time to leave go of the side and the boots were killing me but I finally managed to get round the rink on my own - I never fell over once, which really surprised me. It's only something small but I feel a real sense of achievement and I tried something new!

2007-12-27T23:10:00.000Z

The only problem with the days after Christmas is 'post Christmas depression' - that sort of empty feeling you get when the celebrations are over (or is it just me!) Could just be that I'm tired and need a rest - I just don't seem to have the time.

2007-12-26T16:14:00.000Z

On Boxing Day there was often a tradition of fox hunting in more rural areas – while some people call this a sport I could never see anything sporting about a group of grown men and women with a pack of savage dogs chasing a frightened animal and tearing it to bits – not to mention the occasions when they invaded peoples gardens and ‘accidentally’ killed peoples pets.

A few years ago a law was passed in England to make hunting wild mammals with dogs illegal though this often seems to be flaunted by people who think they are above the law. I know my views won’t be shared by some people but I’m sure there are more humane ways to deal with foxes and other animals if they become a problem, anyway today I am mentioning the website for the League Against Cruel Sports – always worth a look. http://www.league.org.uk/index.asp

What we seem to forget is that the human race is encroaching more and more into the wild areas that are left leaving nowhere for our wildlife to inhabit – we seem to cause most of the problems, I just hope we can come up with the solutions.

2007-12-25T17:48:00.000Z

Well , Christmas Day is here at last. We've opened presents, eaten and drunk too much and will spend the evening as 'couch potatoes' watching soaps and the Doctor Who special, then we'll all most likely fall asleep on the sofa with the cats.

My Daughter has spent half the day playing 'Brain Training' on her Nintendo DS - I did try it but found that attempting it after a few glasses of wine is not good for your score! The cats have been playing with the wrapping paper and Christmas crackers and my partner has been chilling out as today is his only day off this week.

I hope you all had a good Christmas.

2007-12-24T16:52:00.000Z

I know it's a bit of a miserable subject to talk about on Christmas Eve but my Dad died late at night on Christmas Eve 1979, and for all it's 28 years ago I still think of him every Christmas Eve. It's a bittersweet time for me as I also lost my Mother in December 2005.
It's about this time of day when the sun has gone down and it's dark outside that I think about all those people I miss, whether they are just a distance away or gone forever. Spare thought for all those missing someone at Christmas, whether they have passed on, or are elsewhere and can't be with you, maybe they have to work over Christmas or maybe they're in the armed forces and posted abroad.
And as it's Christmas Eve and a special time for children let's remember Madeleine McCann who disappeared on May 3rd and hope for a miracle.