Monty And Max

As I wait for my hot cross bun dough to rise I've got one eye on Jesus, so beautifully played by Max Von Sydow in The Greatest Story Ever Told. (C4) It's a bit slow compared to the remarkable 'The Passion' recently shown on BBC4. Still it's comforting for a sinner like me to be in the presence of God even if he is wearing too much make-up.

On the Horsehound menu today:
Apart from a buttered bun later, I'll be having some lone tomato soup and maybe a fried egg roll about five. John is working today so I'm getting up to all sorts of mischief. Mostly in the kitchen with Monty and the telly.
Better go, because it's after one and me soup has just pinged!
Happy Days...
Nice recent pic of Monty don't you think?

Pigeon Post

Monty is watching two swinging grey pigeons
With each gentle gust of wind, they fall and rise on the branch.
Monty's head is low, his breathing rapid and with each dip of the branch, the cat's head steadies. Rock still, the spoilt predator ponders.
I wonder what he'd do if one got in the conservatory?
Pierce them probably.

Bonkers and Bliss

I want to write a poem and play with Monty and bake a cake and talk with my friends. But all those simple wonderful things will have to wait because today I'm off to London again to see Mum and Dad, I'm taking an overnight bag in the hopes that the old codgers will see sense and allow me to stay, at least overnight.

It's shockingly astounding how ordinary things like sending a simple email, making a cuppa and watching the news seem like great heavenly gifts when life turns bonkers. Talking of bonkers...I went swimming last week, first time in ages and when life resumes normal service I'll bore you all to tears with it.

Anyway chums, I'd better get going, got to feed Monty.
Bliss....

Sweet

I'm in the mood for a pudding.
Any pudding.
Sweet or savoury I don't mind. I just need to see a fat wobbling thing on my plate.

Talking of fat wobbling things. Monty isn't behaving in a cat-like fashion because the tree is STILL erect. Not a bauble or shattered light is on the floor. No sir, he's being very very good...
Talking of being very very good, I've done my Mrs Mop act for the day and am well pleased to be back amongst my own mess and dust as opposed to suffocating in my employer's mess and dust. Although it's hardish work it does have its benefits, one such benefit being that it gives my cardio-vascular system a good old work out. Positively glowing I am, with ruddy cheeks and a damp back, why I almost feel fit!
Although I do have an annoying ache about six inches under my right shoulder blade...That's that flipping Henry again!

Anyway I'm home now and in a tick I'll be in the bosom of my home, the kitchen, making yet another cake, no, I tell a lie, I'll be making two cakes. One for my husband's lunch boxes, the other for me to gnaw on during my long winter afternoons. If that wasn't enough to be getting on with, I've got to start thinking about Mincemeat cakes. And Mincemeat cakes are just a simpler version of the traditional Christmas cake, they don't need 'feeding' with brandy and all that sort of nonsense, they taste delicious eaten totally alcohol free and straight away, which is always nice. They contain not only a jar of best Mincemeat but other goodies as well, goodies like extra raisins and a few chopped dried apricots. So I'm not a complete Scroogey AND I lay whole almonds on top, so that's another excellent addition. All in all my Mincemeat cakes are jolly good. I have about three to make, no four, one for us, another for mum and dad and the other two for a couple of chums. I only wish I could send one to the States, but it'd be off and a bit green by the time it arrived. Never mind.

I am determined not to get in a flap this year, because I always do you know. Always. The tree is up, the cards are bought (not sent) the menus for Christmas Eve, Day and Boxing day are in my mind (just) and the Christmas Day message to my readers is in WordPad. So everything is tickety boo.
Now into the kitchen to make an Apple cake, a Raisin Tea Bread and.....A SYRUP PUDDING!!!
The picture is of an old Raisin Tea Bread. Made in the summer probably.

Freddie Norris

Isn't he beautiful?
I've been looking at photos and came across this one of my dearly missed and loved Freddie. What is it about Christmas that makes me long for lost loves? If a human being could be 'in love' with a creature then this creature was loved by me.
He was a fabulous cat who never had a chance to show us all his talents, I think of him often along with his more gentler brother, Louis. I went a little mad when they died within months of each other but they're in the garden now nourishing the weeds.
Bless there little tickers.

I found the tree feet by the way. So it's up, all 5ft of it, and bedecked with all kinds of glittery and plain things.
Now let's hope Monty pulls it down...

Birds and Bowls

What with all the hullabaloo over 'The X Factor', (apparently it's fixed), the government's I.D. Card scheme (it's unwelcome) and the sudden snap of cold weather (it's winter, nearly) I feel like going back to bed and never getting up again. But I won't. Because even with all these awful things happening I still need to change the curtains, moisturize my legs and look for big bowls. Life goes on.

So after I've clambered on the sink bypassing Monty, I'll attempt and I do say attempt, attempt to re-introduce a cottagey feel to the kitchen with the re-introduction of a nice bit of net curtain and brightly coloured bowls set upon the windowsill. Then tea.
I'm not sure if I should go out today on account of me still bearing bravely a truly awful cold, had it for nearly two weeks and the blighter shows no signs of abating. Maybe I should pop to the shops and spread it around a bit!

What to cook tonight, now there's a question, probably plump for Chicken risotto followed by a good helping of steamed syrup pudding. I need to gain some weight you see, because yesterday I went into the garden and the sparrows laughed.

So on Glo's to do list:
Cooking a bird.
Stirring fattening mixtures.
Heading down with head down to the local shop.
Turning into a frilly housewife with big bowls and lacey curtains.
Scouring Monty's tum with a Brillo pad.
Tea.
Feeding Birds.

Desperate Housewife

Here I am goofing in the office nearly two years ago. I've put it on here because I need to see something funny on this bleak and dismal day.
I'm stopping now because this is supposed to be breezy blog, not a whining old blog. Er...I've got a cold and a backache. My left eye looks a bit odd. I'm fed up with Sainsbury's sending me money-off vouchers, just lower your prices you tight-fisted old crows. Monty is being an almighty pain in the neck today, he ran into the garden after seeing a pair if pigeons on the fence, he then got all wet and tangled in my Maple tree/shrub/bush. Silly puss.
I had four sausages in the fridge so I put them and two carrots and half a pint of apple juice in a big green dish, will casserole them for tonight. But I don't want them I want another curry.
I've cancelled an appointment with my hairdresser on account of two facts. 1. I'm in a right bad mood and 2. She talks too much.
Things I Love: Curry and Lipsticks.
Thank You Goodbye.

After wasting more money in Sainsbury's I came home to a mental Monty. The first class clown had some sort of fluff upon his person, all over his hairy chops it was, I later discovered he'd managed to open a grubby cupboard and therein lie!.
What a love he is...

So after wiping away the aforementioned fluff, much to the chagrin of the Mont meister I have to say, I had a cucumber sandwich.
Then after all that I marinated some small chicken thighs for tomorrow, gelled up my hair and then wrote a fine piece of erotica.
The two aren't linked.

The night is so young and I'm listening to Soul tunes in my much loved much neglected office. Isn't it odd how the things we love the most are the things we feel we can dis the most? Just a thought.

So now with a longish evening ahead of me I'll spruce myself up with more creams, I do love creaming myself, especially on a Thursday.

I hope I sleep better tonight because the past two nights have been awful and I look terrible.
Or is it the other way around?

You're The Boss...

Well would YOU cross him! I wouldn't, I couldn't because after all he's mummy's only baby!

Been up to me eyeballs in domestic nonsense today, got in a bit of a flap over a couple of fancy pillow cases, undercooked half a pound of Brussel sprouts and then managed to scorch a gentlemans boxer shorts.
I'm a poet for God's sake!
Anyway, after doing something vicious with the garden hose I dusted orf all me ceramic birdies they're now perched on the bathroom window sill. Monty's having a ball!
As The Great Man is on the late shift I'll be up to all sorts tonight, sorts like watching the telly, looking into my handbag and walking around the garden at ten p.m.(I often do you know) I'll probably drink too much tea aswell and then wonder why I'm awake half the night.
I watched the final punch-up between Senators Obama and McCain and thought Obama won it hands down. His opponent was a bit creepy in a walking-dead kind of way, I don't like his jaw action. Obama on the other hand was the handsome good guy who'll put the world to rights if only he can get his wiry frame into the Oval office.
McCain was like an angry little yapping dog who was spoiling for a fight, yuk what a horrid man he is. Meanwhile Barack sat ramrod straight smiling as the brickbats flew in his direction, he reminded me of a rather shiny pristine toy soldier..
So to sum up McCain is a bully and Obama is the good quiet boy who does his homework on time. I like him.
I'll be all alone tonight so no dinner for me, I might have to raid Monty's own cupboard if I get a bit peckish. I'm sure he won't mind......:(
Gotta dash. My hairdresser is coming to see to me locks tonight, she's a decent enough sort, a bit on the chav side but a good cutter.

Friday Frolics

A pink rose has sprung up by the front door and I don't know whether to leave it to freeze on the stem or slice it and press it. (see above)

On Saturday evening BBC Parliament is showing this weeks spat between Barack Obama and John McCain. Might be able to watch it, depends if I'm teetering to a car on those killer heels or not!

Got a backlog of films which I've recorded, I have to make an effort to watch some of them. There's nothing like sinking into a settee wearing loose clothing and watching a good movie. I want to do that NOW!

I'm in the mood for making a Bara Brith. It's especially nice toasted and buttered for breakfast.

I need a new hat.

I've been lugging a wretched bookcase about. Can't decide where to put it, it's currently under the window in the sitting room. Monty certainly approves, he's already laid royally on top of it like the little Prince he is.

On the menu for tonight is Chilli Con Carne. I'm ditching the familiar Kidney Beans in favour of Pinto Beans, will also tinker with the spices. I want it to look redder!

I'll be out and about later in my new second-hand boots, they're a tad too big in the toe department, but with plenty of sock they feel ok!

On that dopey note I must say cheerio because I need some porridge and Monty has wrapped his front legs around my ankles and that's a sure sign he wants to play.

Port and Brown Please Barman!

Here are some random thoughts on a Wednesday, I should be going shopping but I can't go out on account of my knees/hair/and chipped nail polish/lingering dreams/unclean blouses and no car.

1. Gordon Brown is the most unpopular Prime Minister since Neville Chamberlain. But his hair is gorgeous.
2. Monty is getting heavier and heavier, he jumped on my lap last night turning my legs into lolly sticks
3. Gordon Brown has to voluntarily vacate Downing St, because if he doesn't tempers will flare.
4. My poems are going from good to sublime
5. Gordon Brown is losing weight and it doesn't suit him or his suits. He is better as fat Bear Man as opposed to skinny Squirrel Man
6. Orlando Beef or Latimer Beef?
7. Gordon Brown looked tired yesterday in Stormont and he looked a bit shrivelled up. I think he needs a rest. He was never cut out to be P.M.
8. I had four and a bit Ports last night. One of them had lemonade in it and it tasted lethal and it did the trick. I lived it up a bit.
9. Gordon Brown looks like a Whisky man to me.
10. I'm looking into writing erotica because I need to write something other than poetry, emails, shopping lists and blog posts. I haven't felt this inspired for years. So now comes the hard work of checking out stuff. Got a few publishers in mind. Got a couple of storylines in mind too.
11. Gordon Brown although a tired and misplaced politician is a very handsome man.
He gets my vote but not for leading the country...

Young Nick, Young Monty, Old Me

Some random thoughts because I can't possibly do a proper post on account of work commitments, Monty, and my late night last night with a tub of Hummus.

1.Nick Clegg (that's him up there) and his co-horts are busy in Bournemouth cooking up a fantasy, their hideous fantasy taking the form of one day running the country. (Hold on a mo while I get up off the floor).
The thought of a the Liberal Democrats ever wielding power in this magnificent country is, quite frankly, laughable. But the scariest thing of all is that Young Nick will one day be Old Nick...

2. At long last there is more than just murmurs on the backbenchers. Worried M.P's and one, now, ex-minister, have decided it's time to throw caution to the wind and have a public bash at Gordo. And about time too. I'm so excited at the thought watching the Labour Party Conference next week that I'm almost purple with frenzikins. I know it's nasty enjoying other people's misery but I can't help it. And anyway I'm horrible.

3. There's another fantastic offering from the BBC. A 90 part series on Radio 4 called "America: Empire of Liberty" introduced by the BBC's Washington correspondent Justin Webb, this is going to be a corker. Another big hug for Aunty.

4. While I'm on the subject of our American cousins, last night on BBC4, I watched 'The Candidate' with Robert Redford, what a fab film that was. Couldn't stay up to watch the next programme "How To Be A Good President" which was a documentary about what it takes to become President, so I recorded it and will watch it tonight whilst tenderly chomping on a burger.

5. My hands are playing up/Monty's playing up/My hips feel a bit queer.
6. But my lungs/ribs/calves are all tickety boo.

7. Monty chased a Daddy-Long-Legs around the kitchen last night whilst I was slicing some French bread, you won't be surprised to hear old fatso didn't catch him.
But I did...
No I didn't kill it, I put him in a cup and chucked him out the window.

Democrats All The Way

The Democrats Convention in Denver is top of my list of priorities today and for the rest of the week.
It's being shown on the the B.B.C's Parliament channel, so for a political enthusiast like me the next few days are going to be heaven. I'm eager to see how the Americans handle it, how they do it, I've seen clips of their conventions before of course, but to see the whole thing (sort of live!) is going to be a real treat.
The Americans are natural showmen so I'm not only looking forward to lots of shouting and colour I'm also looking forward to hearing great uplifting speeches, and seeing tons of flag waving and oceans of white teeth. I wonder if I'll see Barack's running mate Senator Joe Biden. I do hope so. See pic above.
Love it, love it, love it.

But other things will be vying for my attention today and this week; namely which poem to read out at the Bandstand in Priory Park next Sunday. I've been informed that poets will be alternating with a Brass Band to entertain the few people who are brave enough to turn up to a beautiful park at the end of a typically British summer. But rain or shine I'll be there with sheets of paper clamped in my hands.... and a brolly.

A few titbits before I sign off..

*I've nearly finished Bibi's reply to Michael. Should be up on Thursday.
*Monty slept with me last night, he looked like a big black drunken sheep. What a good kid he is.
*It's clouding over, summer is all but finished, nearly gone, autumn is hanging around like a faithful friend waiting to bring us back to a calm normality.