‘Mensonges’, as the French say. What is a puggle? An ugly dog with no magical powers. What is an hibiscus? An Egyptian sacred bird in unfamiliar surroundings. What is a concertina? An accordion with ideas above its station. What is a dipstick? POTUS. What would you use a feeler gauge for? Various nefarious purposes. What…
From as recently as 2023, and seeming appropriate, given that – due to a combination of holidays, other stuff and the ever-present idleness – I haven’t posted on here for about three weeks, this is an important lesson on the rules of French social interaction. Of course you hadn’t noticed. Hello. Again. Most people with…
Just a quickie this week, from 2017. And yes, it is that boy again. Beyond his years “I’m not weird, I’m wise” – Grandson, age 10 (Jury’s still out on that one.) Update: actually it’s not. Said grandson has just completed his first year at one of the UK’s most prestigious universities. His twin brother…
I had no problem whatsoever in choosing an artiste born in August for this week’s Song Lyric Sunday. Jerome John Garcia was born on August 1st 1942 and died on August 9th 1995. Deadheads still celebrate his life in ‘The Days Between’ – the period between the first and ninth of this month. The actual…
Who Said That? ‘I came, I saw, I’…..left a review on Tripadvisor. ‘In for a penny’…..and still have change to get the tram home. ‘Many hands make’…..the Bayeux Tapestry. A stitch in time saves’…..the entire fabric of the universe. ‘Too many cooks’…..not enough honest accountants. ‘A picture is worth a’…..dollar, if it’s of George Washington.…
From 2014 – the signs of early-onset writers’ block… Must try harder “State of your year. Write up a mid-year ‘State of my Year’ post.” Still alive, still married, still solvent. The rest is detail. No news is good news, but it doesn’t provide much meat for a new post. Instead, let’s look at how…
When I saw that the subject for this week’s Song Lyric Sunday was sweet things, there was only one question that needed to be answered: had I used it before? Happily, the answer was ‘no’ – but I have now. From the seminal 1970 studio album ‘American Beauty, this is a particularly fine live version…
The things they ask…. Forty two “Granpa?” (yes, it’s that boy again), “What’s the meaning of existence?” I know my limitations. A question that has occupied the finest minds of Homo Sapiens – and, for all we know, other species as well (those dolphins are no slouches) – for thousands of years was hardly going to receive a definitive…
Pull the other one….. What is a faucet? A pair of matching twin-sets. What is a patella? A child who snitches on a sibling to their father. What is an elevator? It’s a lift. Not an elevator, a lift. What is a lancet? I don’t know. Just ask the office IT geek: he’ll fix it.…
I have to confess that when I saw that the theme for Song Lyric Sunday this week was ’empowerment’, my first, dread, thought was ‘I Will Survive’. Rest easy though, gentle reader, and be assured that this post is an entirely Gloria Gaynor-free zone. Instead, I remembered this song by Jimmy Cliff, the Jamaican reggae…
Say what now? What is a pinkie? An annoying piglet; the runt of the litter. What is a fortress? A fort, but with breastworks. What is a snapdragon? A short-tempered mythical lizard. What is a pantry? Someone attempting to cook for the first time. What is a windchime? Not exactly sure, but it rings a…
From 2014, on being an international jet-setter… Faraway Laughter “Far from home. Tell us about the farthest you’ve ever travelled from home.” There’s a website – of course there is: did you really think there wouldn’t be? – that will tell you the precisely opposite position on the globe to wherever you are in the world. Useful…
This week it’s time to celebrate a July birthday for Song Lyric Sunday. Looking down the list, one true A-lister stood out: (Sir) Michael Philip Jagger, born on 26 July 1943. So he’ll be 83 in a couple of weeks. Eighty three. I’ll just leave that with you for a moment…. Of course my first…
You having me on? What is a heptagon? A disappearing hept. What is a masquerade? A smash and grab attack on a jewellery store. What does the Greek word ‘monos’ mean? Only having one ear. What is a typhoon? A large storage facility for teabags. What is a ninny? Your nan’s sister. How would you…
From 2013, why I shouldn’t be allowed near sharp implements… Nothing to declare Today’s Daily Prompt asks whether I would thrive in a barter-based society. Ha! In a word, no. I have no transferable skills whatsoever, unless you would be willing to pay me to come round and load your dishwasher for you. No, I…
the only deadhead in the hameau 