The spectacular Tradescant tomb: “a world of wonders in one closet shut”

Tucked away in a pretty garden that was once an old churchyard near the River Thames is an extraordinary, richly-carved tomb.  Decorated with exotic scenes and creatures, it marks the resting place… Source: The spectacular Tradescant tomb: “a world of wonders in one closet shut”

Cormorants

These are my favourite birds – maybe along with starlings, but they always seem to be alone, which is why this group of 6 seem so startling – all lined up on their concrete – what are they? podiums? Like dudes in tuxedoes, they don’t care who’s watching them posing. I love the different poses … Continue reading →

Social Mobility by English Rock Stars

The music business has long been seen as a means for poor people to make a living, but in the late 1960s/early 70s there were some truly stellar rises by the few fortunate enough to become famous.  The following snippets come from Dominic Sandbrook’s book The Great British Dream Factory: Bill Wyman had grown up in … Continue reading →

Springsteen, Bowie, Richard Thompson & The EasyBeats all have Friday on their minds!

Originally posted on The Immortal Jukebox:
Damn that alarm! Always too early. Every day. Every day.   Funny how I know the alarm is bound to ring yet somehow it’s always a surprise.   Another day. Here they come, rolling out their carpet of misery.   Mournful Monday. Terrible Tuesday. Woeful Wednesday. Tormenting Thursday.  …

Uh oh

Originally posted on Adventures and Musings of an Arch Druidess:
When was the last time you saw anyone with smallpox in a library? Adventures and Musings of an Arch Druidess View original post

Gender Pay in Hollywood

Yesterday’s i paper featured the headline “Hollywood’s most shameful act – the gender pay divide” It begins Jennifer Lawrence, Scarlet Johansson and Julia Roberts are among the most famous women on the planet – and their substantial pay packets reflect their superstar status. But figures published by the business magazine Forbes show that even Hollywood’s … Continue reading →

Steve Buscemi the Firefighter

All actors have had other jobs before becoming successful – many of them in catering which allows flexible hours. Steve Buscemi has always stuck me as an interesting actor, often cast in a marginal, character roles, but this shows him to be a brave and civic minded  individual as he helped out in the aftermath … Continue reading →

Find the hidden animals!

His Explorer’s Log Book

Originally posted on On Art and Aesthetics:
“I am searching for poetry. Poetry is one of the clues that guides us through the intricate maze,” says Oscar Manuel Vargas. “Where are we from? Who are we? Where are we going? – I want these ancient questions to be in the mind of the viewers. Through…

Scottish Bigamy

This is from the Newcastle Chronicle of  August  1766. When researching wife selling it seems many people believed that if a man went away for 7 years his wife was free to remarry. This may be where the notion comes from but I’ve never come across it in England. there is no mention of what … Continue reading →