Friday 20 January 2017

My Fair Lady


When I wrote the date this morning, I thought of one thing: this is the day Audrey Hepburn died.

I was a secondary schoolkid and it was the first time I noticed the date of someone famous dying. I had seen My Fair Lady a dozen times and I loved the setting (the old Covent Garden flower market!), the humour, and the stunning outfits. (I wasn't discerning enough to mind her dodgy Cockney accent at that age.)

She later presented a documentary about gardens, and gardens were something that gave her pleasure and comfort. It's reflected in the flower world: She has a daylily named after her, a hybrid tulip named after her - and this short piece of film from 1990 shows her love and her sense of humour during the dedication ceremony. She also has a hybrid tea rose named after her.

The photo at the top is taken from this UNICEF article - she became a Goodwill Ambassador in 1989, and some of my last memories of her while she was alive are footage of her working for UNICEF. I saw that side of her years before I saw her Holly Golightly.

"I can testify to what UNICEF means to children, because I was among those who received food and medical relief right after World War II".

I don't know what Audrey would have made of the news in America today. I'm not as nice as she was, but I've always wanted to be a good person, and I do try to help others when I'm able to. I'll work at the hospice today and I'll donate to a foodbank when I do my food shopping. And I'll look after myself as well.

"Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it's at the end of your arm. As you get older, remember you have another hand: The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others."

Friday 13 January 2017

Review of the year: Summer 2016

It started to snow heavily on my way home yesterday evening, and it's snowing again now - just as I need to leave for work. So obviously, there's no better time to remind ourselves of last summer!

This post should have another subheading: Barbara Cartland flowers. There's a lot of pink.

The pinky-red roses in the first few photos are 'Kate' David Austin roses, and the classic dark red roses towards the end are Rosebie Morton British-grown roses - they filled the train carriage with their incredible scent on my way back from New Covent Garden Market. (On a side note, how beautiful is the name Rosebie?)

And the last four photos are from my wonderful visit to My Flower Patch.

Back to the snow: wrap up warm and drive/walk carefully!


















Monday 2 January 2017

Review of the year: Winter/Spring 2016

Happy new year! 

I put my back out yesterday, which wasn't the best start to 2017. And my depression has taken it out of me lately. But my back's on the mend, and hopefully my mood will lift as the days get longer. Today I was looking through this Liz and Claire Cowling book for inspiration, and their beautiful words and pictures gave me the gentle kick I needed.

So here is the first part of a quick photo review of the year. No politics and no misery here; just beauty and hope. Here's wishing you and your loved ones lots of good health, peace and joy this year.