Old millstone below Stanage Edge, Derbyshire-Yorkshire border
I could not sleep last night. For hours I tossed and turned thinking about a remark left on this blog by a resident of Prescott Valley, Arizona. Referring to my blogpost of December 28th, he said and I quote - "Your selection of photos seem to me to be a rather grim collection". This judgement was of course valid and delivered without malice but it surprised me. Knocked me back on my heels - me being such a sensitive fellow and all.
Today as 2023 reaches its tail end, I once again looked back through my 2017 photo files to find a more cheerful or benign bunch of pictures that I hope will prove more appealing to the aforementioned resident of Prescott Valley and others. The images are more light-hearted, more "fun" and less artsy. The last thing I want is for this challenging and often grim year to end on a visually "grim" note.
We need more cheeriness in our lives and that is of course what the resident of Prescott Valley provides every Friday with his weekly "Friday Funnies". Go here for a sample.
Spring lamb in a Derbyshire field
Curious cow by Fulwood Lane, Sheffield
Seaside tat in Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Cat in a drainpipe in Foix, France
Toilet seat in "The Princess Royal" pub, Sheffield.
Swan ride in Millhouses Park, Sheffield
Portrait of Bruce Taylor* , Mile End, London
*Bruce Taylor being the blogger from Prescott Valley
* Little Lamb, Who Made Thee ? *
ReplyDeleteWilliam Blake. An English genius, unknown in his lifetime.
It's also a Cappella Christmas Cantata. YouTube.
Your lamb is exquisite; I stopped eating lamb years ago.
Lambs kick and flail as they bleed to death; they are not completely stunned.
In Britain, most lambs are slaughtered at six to seven months.
An odd fact : Animal sacrifice in synagogues stopped about forty years after
the death of Jesus.
This was the birth of rabbinic Judaism.
Fundamentalists in Jerusalem want to build the third temple and reintroduce
animal sacrifice.
Nice to receive such a cheerful comment on New Year's Eve John!
DeleteGaza is horrific, its not surprising its dominating your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteCute cows and kittens are a nice respite
It would be cruel to wish the frightened, trapped, hungry, tired, cold, lost and wailing people of Gaza a happy and prosperous New Year.
DeleteI loved those pictures in that other post; I found most of them beautiful, serene, peaceful, and perhaps if I were in a particular mood, lonely.
ReplyDeleteThank you for that Bob. I guess that when assessing images one's own character comes into play.
DeleteThese were certainly fun to look at, love the inquisitive cow, and the portrait of Bruce.
ReplyDeleteThank you Elsie.
DeleteWell, certainly a cheerful lineup, but for the record I didn't think your previous selection was particularly grim. I thought that herring picture was quite funny, actually. Arizona is a politically grim place so maybe Bruce was affected by that. :)
ReplyDeleteBruce has a jolly disposition so maybe that's why saw the grimness.
DeleteGrim? Your blog, your photos? Hmm…
ReplyDeleteI don‘t think I would use that adjective in this context, but different people of course interpret pictures differently.
The seaside tat in Scarborough made me smile, as it reminded me of a conversation Steve and I overheard while looking at similar tat in Scarborough‘s shop windows in one of the streets leading down to South Bay:
An elderly couple (probably in their late 70s) were looking at the window of a novelty shop with rather saucy exhibits. There was a small female figurine that would move in a particular manner, and on the box it was called „Vicky and her vibe“.
The husband mumbled something and laughed, and his wife pulled at his sleeve, laughed as well and said „Now, don‘t get all excited!“
It doesn‘t sound all that funny now as I am typing it here, butnit was a funny little moment of real life comedy.
I wonder what happened later in the couple's B&B room.
DeleteThe curious cow is rather beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI think she fancied me - staring at me with her brown bovine eyes.
DeleteAt least the seaside tat was amusing! My favourite photos are usually scenic - distant vistas, sunset and sunrise, animals - and yours rarely disappoint YP. The toilet looks a bit grim though!
ReplyDeleteThat pub's regulars nearly all favour Sheffield Wednesday so that's why the Sheffield United badge is on the toilet lid!
DeleteThe cow with the horns is my favourite.
ReplyDeleteLoved the photo of the cow - I hope it didn't get its head stuck like that! As for your night-time worries, we can't please all of the people all of the time! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteBoth posts are perfect as they are.
ReplyDeleteHowever my previous comment was taken or mistaken, the fact that it brought on this delightful post brightens my day, Neil.
ReplyDeleteI love the cow; she has a beautiful face.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and Mrs. Pudding.
Hope 2024 brings peace to all.
ReplyDeleteI would never let a blogger comment keep me awake, I've got too many other things buzzing around in my head that can do that! Blwyddyn Newydd Dda from S Wales.
ReplyDelete