Autumn colours.
When the sun hits these leaves it is shimmering beauty, I didn't have my camera when I first noticed this. When I started out on my walk yesterday the sun was not illuminating the yellow leaves, I thought oh please come out sun, and then it did and the leaves were illuminated!
Autumn colours.
Wasp nest.
I thought I'd put together a little project whilst learning how to use Adobe Creative Suite, in particular Illustrator. A wee book is on its way, just in time for Christmas...this is just a peek. It's really difficult to straight draw with a 'mouse'. I don't think I will ever do a lot of drawing on the computer, it's quick though (for the simple things I'm creating - I do marvel at artists who know the application well).
"Sinewy filaments within squirming microscopic diatoms, a type of algae, are artificially rainbow hued as a result of being photographed through polarizing light filters."
I think someone else should have a turn to play in the sandbox. The Conservatives are in again, with a minority government.
This is Mabel in bed, not wanting to get out from under the warm covers. Far too much pen...hence the gouachery!
For those of you who don't know, this is Mabel and Harold, a Sock and lovely spider friend. They are observing the Transit of Venus.
"May the nine angels of the cross be upon me from the top of my head to the bottom of my soles."Basic elucidation of this interesting myth, it's quite romantic:
1. Seraphim - highest order of angel. They are attendants or guardians before God's throne. Seraphim have 6 wings, two to cover their face, two to cover their feet and two for flying.
2. Cherubim - second order of angel. Manlike in appearance, they have two wings for flying and were guardians of God's glory i.e. God's power and mobility.
3. Thrones - third order of angel of pure humility, peace and submission. They exist in the cosmos where material form begins to take shape. The lower order of angels need the Thrones to communicate with God.
4. Dominions - fourth order of angel, they are leaders: they regulate the duties of angels according to God's commands.
5. Virtues - Fifth order of angel, they are spirits of motion and control the elements. They govern all nature: they control the seasons, celestial objects, also in charge of miracles, provide courage, grace and valour.
6. Powers - Sixth order of angel, they are warrior angels defending humans and the cosmos against evil. They fight evil spirits who attempt to wreak havoc through humans. The chief is Samael or Camael, both angels of darkness.
7. Archangels - Seventh order of angel or chief angels. They can be of this or a higher hierarchy i.e. St. Michael who is a Seraph. They are God's messengers to humans during critical times in history and salvation e.g. the Annunciation, Apocalypse.
8. Principalities - Eighth order of angel, or metaphysical being. They hold great hostility towards God and humans because of sin. They were created through Christ for Him. Christ's ultimate rule over them infers God's great power over the Cosmos. Through Christ this reveals his tremendous salvation in conquering sin and death at the cross. [this is a complicated idea, more study for me].
9. Angels - Ninth and lowest order of angel. They are closest to the material world and humans. They deliver prayers to God. They are the most caring and socius to assist those who ask for help.
Painting: Simón Marmión [French/Flemish, c. 1425-1489]
Hawa Mahal, the Hall of the Winds, or the Palace of the winds. "Part of the Palace of the Maharajas of Jeypore, [the facade] is composed entirely of pink and white stucco, and is a most curious and bewildering piece of Indian architecture. It was built by the founder of the city, Jey Sing, in 1728." The date of its construction is either 1799 or 1728, not sure different sources say different dates. I'd love to visit India.
I dreamt that I dwelt in marble halls,
Once I had a Toothache for about a week, nothing I tried offered relief. According to folklore from I’m looking forward to the inevitable next Earache, because I will then have the opportunity to try out Rosamond Allen’s (from
According to Miss Carolyn Taylor from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, a Sore Throat is sure to be alleviated by taking four or five roasted, little potatoes, putting them into an old stocking, crushing them and then holding the steaming hot potato-filled stocking to the Sore Throat three or four times until the trouble disappears. Or, as Miss Ester Gibbs from
Source: I wrote this in my commonplace book years ago, the source is some old folk remedy book...I don't think I have it anymore or it is amongst the chaos I call my bookshelves.
The image is from this stock photo company.
Throughout life the business of discovering new pleasures is a funny thing. Some time ago I came across a photograph of a remarkable piece of architecture from the ancient city of Ctesiphon: a pleasure previously unknown to me, yet one that has been admired by people for over 17 centuries!Situated on a vast plain looming in the distance, it must be an imposing sight. Its salient feature, the arch, spans 85 feet and stands 110 feet high, it is made of unenforced brickwork. A proverbial Persian carpet hung over the great arch; the design of which was a paradisal garden woven in gold and silver thread, with most of the carpet encrusted with gems: bordered by emeralds, pearls represented water, and birds and fruit were depicted with rubies. Inside the hall the walls were covered with huge murals made of polychrome stucco, with gold stars painted on the blue vault above.
As it is now known, Tak Kisra, Arabic for the Arch of Chosroes, was built by the Parthian Persians on the left bank of the Tigris river at the mouth of the river Diyala. The area once known as Ctesiphon is now a suburb of Baghdad, Iraq. When King Shapor constructed the palace c. 250, the Sassanian dynasty of Persian kings were enjoying a time of immense wealth that lasted many centuries. Chosroes I rebuilt the palace c.550.
