This morning I

Most weekday mornings I try to start the day with a walk, often by the river. It was such a lovely bright morning this morning so I took my camera, just in case. I love the shadows the trees cast. I likes trees.

Trees Nº2

I took this photo yesterday. The bare branches against the blue winter sky are quite striking. It's a perfect example of why I love trees.

Lateral ruminations

This morning, as I was getting dressed, I witnessed a very large branch of a tree, in the wooded area opposite, break with an almighty crack, free fall almost in slow motion and disappear amongst the other trees. I saw it snap before the sound of the crack reached me. The immediate area between where I live and the trees is relatively quiet first thing in the morning in my little part of the city so the sound of the crack was quite loud. Rather musing on what caused it my immediate that was of that old philosophical chestnut “If a tree falls in the forest and no one hears it, does it make a sound?" The joy of that question is that there isn’t really an answer. But then I suppose you can also ask the question, what is an answer?

All my life I’ve suffered from ‘going off at a tangent thinking’ syndrome. I think it’s what has given me my creativity. Shame I’ve never been able to harness it fully or to good effect. Creatively I’ve always felt unfulfilled.

I then went on to ponder about the tree. Was it the victim of a disease, what humans have done to the environment or just old age and the cycle of life? I never reached any conclusion of course. There are no answers. There are only ever questions.

Those who find themselves ridiculous – That’s me

“Those who feel the breath of sadness

Sit down next to me

Those who find they’re touched by madness

Sit down next to me

Those who find themselves ridiculous

Sit down next to me

In love, in fear, in hate, in tears”

Last night I jigged and danced to this song in my own inimitable, arthritic way along with the rest of ‘the people of the forest’

Thermals in June? – That was me last night. They were needed!

The downside of the British weather is that as, due to climate change, our summers seem to be getting colder and more unpredictable outdoor music events are not for the faint-hearted or the ill-prepared. But last night in the bitterly cold, in Thetford Forest, I witnessed one of the best concerts I’d ever seen!

I am a late covert to the gospel according to James. I came to them via their lead singer the attractive, charismatic and totally hypnotic Tim Booth. After I grooved to a solo album of his I discovered he was the lead singer of a band I’d heard of but knew very little about. I rectified that by purchasing most of the back catalogue by James and subsequent new stuff. James can do no wrong!

The show that James put on was faultless; the band was tight and Tim Booth was note perfect, hitting those amazing highs that he does and sustaining them. Not only were the band faultless but the technical side of things was spot on as well; the sound was so clear and the complimenting light show was also pretty bloody amazing.

I want to see them again.

If you only ever go to one concert in your life make it a James. You will not be disappointed.

Dogwood sunrise

Sometimes less is more...

Trees Nº1

I learned recently that a very good friend shares my love of trees, and their odd and interesting shapes. I admitted to often taking photos of them. With our conversation in mind I thought I’d look through my photos and perhaps share a picture or two.

So here are two: