Thursday, September 4

Mutterings

The weather has turned snakey again. We had 2 teasingly beautiful days, with mild breezes, & warm sun, & no humidity. Perfection. Tricking us into believing in the myth of Spring.

It all turned to custard, however, with slushy sleet showers yesterday, rain during the night. Lazy winds, cutting right through your body. Outdoor activities to be avoided, where possible.

This pic of one of the measly crop of flowers on the vine. Others have these vines dripping solid walls of colour. This one never has produced that dreamed of wall of colour.



This small blossomed Azalea, a happy pink splash, somewhat overshadowed by the red Grevillea in our back garden. It struggles with the lace bug all over it's leaves, but still seems to valiantly produce a full array of flowers, in spite of neglect & crowding.

Some years ago, I took some lilly plants from a compost heap/wild garden in the untamed backyard at a house being rented, by acquaintances. I brought them home, & planted them in our garden. They initially threw up a few leaves, then seemed to vanish- for years! I know Gom was responsible for the destruction of some of them, but finally this year, under threats from me, he restrained himself, they were left alone, long enough for them to develop. Imagine my surprise when I met the shy flower.

A light delicate green with the gentle yellow ?stigma?style?. How much of school biology I have forgotten! This is the second flower the group of plants have produced this year. The other group of plants seem to have vanished. I won't blame Gom. They might just be sulking...

Speaking of which...

I have long enjoyed Patricia Cornwell's books. I rather like the gory details & intrigue.

I am wondering though, if I am the only one who finds the 'romance' between Scarpetta & Benton somewhat tedious, for want of a better word.

They seem to deserve each other, both being written as given to arrogance & a certain disregard for the feelings of others. I am just finishing Predator. I have Trace waiting. I am unsure which was written first. I dont care, since I also find the BS about Lucy a little tedious too.

Bottom line, I dont really 'like' the characters any more. I used to rather like Marino, but even he has changed to someone who I am finding irksome?

In fact, I am beginning to wonder why I continue to read these books?

The detail to 'brand name' objects, the detail to guns, vehicles. Perhaps I have got am getting old & crabby!

Yes, I do realise I could always stop reading her books!

In the same vein I have enjoyed Kathy Reichs' books. 'Bones', the TV show, has almost cured me of reading the books. I find the TV version so irritating I cannot watch it! I become enraged at it's seeming stupidity.

Sitting ranting at a TV screen is neither healthy nor attractive!

Much more fun, to find a kindred spirit & sit & rant with them, about all the TV shows, books etc, that we 'hate'.

That was one thing V & I could do in tandem. What fun we had, & how liberating. Who says Little Old Ladies can't cuss! We could prove that wrong. Really it was healthy, cleansing, venting. How we laughed, & laughter is always good for everything that ails one! Plus no one got hurt, or offended.

My back seems to be determined not to improve much. So no sewing, not even any hand work.

I was born without the sport gene. Exercise & I have been sworn enemies for most of my life. I know that I need some form of exercise though, so am reluctantly thinking of (shudder) 'joining' something. Since I have a knee that needs replacement, walking it out. The idea of sitting solitary on an exercycle doesnt really appeal much.. although, perhaps if I had an ipod or something??

I did love swimming, & guess that would be my best avenue. But what the hell does a ruined body wear to 'swim exercise'? A tent would be good....

Sting, Fields of Gold

25 comments:

Mike said...

Your spring is coming on and my summer is going away. The flowers in my wife's gardens are starting to turn brown and keel over. I guess it is that time.

Jeanette said...

Hi Meggie, Were getting lovely spring days in yarra sunshine 18c. but look forward to warmer weather..love your flowers and the Lily is very unusual,,

ancient one said...

My cousin exercises in the pool with a group of women.. she was able to find swimming suits that didn't offend the other ladies...they are out there, somewhere..LOL

Tanya Brown said...

My 73 year old M-I-L goes to an aquacize class, all the more important now that she's recovering from a broken hip. I don't get the impression that she wears a tent. I also don't the impression that people have fled in horror, et cetera.

Sheila said...

I know what you mean about the swimsuit, but once I'm in the water no one can see me. A nice big towel (tent) to cover up when I get out and alls well.
I've gone off Patricia Cornwell too,since the last book I saw was a $13.99 paperback about a half inch thick...!
Have you read any of the Ann Rule books..she writes about true crime in a way that keeps your interest.

molly said...

Try tai chi Meggie...You might just love it, as I do!

Ali Honey said...

You sound like you are feeling better today - that's good.
Love your flowers although that lily looks wierd.
Our weather over here has been all over the place too. Just no more rain for a while please. I have a little sunburn on my wrists from between my gloves and sleeves so it must be warming up. ( but then back comes another shower of rain! )
Have you considered an ordinary bike so the scenery isn't so boring? ( on quiet streets or roads of course. )

Mary said...

It is a crying shame you can't walk for exercise - you could do as I do and grab the camera and get out and breathe!!!

Swimming and an underwater camera perhaps?!!!

Rosie said...

Benton is annoying isnt he...I found it hard to be concerned when he was seriously injured whilst having his ego transplanted...I like the rude pictures of flowers, by the way!

Cathi said...

I found the last Patricia Cornwell book I read to be nowhere near as good as the earlier ones and, like you, am finding the characters rather tedious now. Perhaps it's time for that series to be retired! Have you tried reading any of the Elizabeth George books?

Thimbleanna said...

Beautiful flowers Meggie. And I can certainly relate about what to wear to swim or exercise classes. If only everyone would wear blinders!

Strider said...

Just letting you know i dropped by.

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

I haven't worn a swimsuit in so long I cannot remember the last time and that's just fine with me! I sometimes grow weary of one author and seek out new ones to mix it up a bit, I fully understand what you're talking about there. Spring will soon be arriving in full bloom, enjoy.

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

No way I would put on a swimsuit!!

I don't like the newer Patricia Cornwell books as much either. Once she shipped off to Florida they have been on the decline.

VioletSky said...

Oh yes, I understand about the swimsuit issue! A big floaty 'cover up' will help. And get into the water quickly - no one will notice once you are underwater. It'll be worth the effort.

Marja said...

Hi Meggie Here the weather does exactly the same. in the weekend it supposed to be warm again. Let's hope so. Soorry to hear about your back. Me and exercise are enemies as well. the only thing I enjoy is walking. Especially here in the beauty of new Zealand.
Hope your knee gets replaced and soon so that will help you.
I wish you a nice day
Ka kite ano, marja

Unknown said...

Noooooooo!!!!! don't go with the tent for swimming, you'll just get waterlogged and sink - you'll be fine once you're in the water in your normal costume, just wear a swanky posh bath robe from the changing room to poolside and leave it there while you're in the water :o)

Anonymous said...

I also went off Patricia Cornwell. It just got all to weird, for me, and the series lost it's ccredentials. Ditto with Bones, I loved the Temp Brennan books but the series left me cold. Sh is NOTHING like the character leads!

Ragged Roses said...

Oh I love that word snakey, I think our whole summer has been full of snakey weather! I'm back to swimming next week after a summer away from the pool, mixed feelings!
Kimx

Lucy said...

'Sitting ranting at a TV screen is neither healthy nor attractive!'

Can you tell my husband that?

I also was born without the sports gene, but surely that is a real handicap living in Oz? The good thing about swimming is your body goes all wibbly-wobbly and shapeless once it's underwater anyway, whatever shape you are, and I bet you'll see some larger ladies than you there anyway!

Jo said...

I laughed when I read your post. I was born without the sport gene too. I like swimming, ice skating and bike riding, but never competitively - just for fun!

You're so fortunate to be going into summer, all the same. It's fall here now, and getting chilly, and the nights are getting longer... Can winter be far behind?

velcro said...

i know what you mean about Patricia Cornwall especially Lucy. There's a Scottish who dunnit author whose pretty good - ummm he wrote " a big boy did it and ran away" amongst others.

rain here, lots and lots of rain.

LBA said...

I stopped reading Patricia Cornwall years ago for the very same reasons - ugh!

Although, when I went to Virginia a few years ago, I did get the heebie jeebies - you could easily kill someone and throw them into dense overgrowth never to be seen again !

Beautiful countryside though .. just also a bit spooky :)

Katie said...

Swimming is great! Even if I do feel like a whale in my swimsuit! :-)

Mary Johnson said...

I agree about Cornwell and haven't read one for a while - the characters are tiresome now but I still like Reichs an just finished her latest - not her best but not too bad.

The flowers are beautiful and a reminder that you are facing spring while we head into autumn.