Dear Steve,
A couple of comments on the photo that I include with this week’s letter. I was curious to see this little plant, so vibrantly green against the severely blanched grass next to it, and couldn’t help wondering how it did that, how did it manage to stay so green?
And then, looking at the picture again, and noticing the discarded cigarette ends next to the plant, and sincerely hoping that whoever they belong to went to great efforts to ensure that the butt had been fully extinguished, and how it highlights just how easy it is to start a fire. I confess, I shook my head in disbelief.
Gilbert opens his letter XXVI by talking about his friend’s travels to Scotland, examining the nature found there. That immediately brought to mind places I have visited abroad (be that anywhere outside Gosport) and the scant attention I have paid to the nature to be found there. This is an error that I shall correct forthwith.
I feel that perhaps an hour, possibly two, exploring what might be found in a particular destination may pay dividends in terms of enjoyment of the time away from home.
Additionally, Gilbert reminds me that there is knowledge to be gained from understanding how time and nature intermingle. I have several books giving versions of Nature’s own calendar. I have been paying little attention to those. Indeed, I think I may consult my assistant, perhaps either to recommend a definitive calendar, or to recommend a good book-based version, or for her to generate a monthly reminder as to what might be expected.
My assistant regularly remonstrates with me on the construction of my paragraphs (actually, she doesn’t, but I feel that she reads my writings with that puzzled look on her face; how did he get from this to that, in two sentences), and then I find Gilbert going from the Eagle-owl to wild geese over two sentences. I would hazard that he did not have an assistant tutting as she read his work. I would insert an emoji here to show that I wrote this paragraph with a smile on my face, lest she take offence.
My earlier comments on the calendar are reinforced when Gilbert, at the end of his letter, comments on what he is expecting to see in October and November. Delightfully, his letter has given me two small tasks for this week, namely, research the nature of holiday destinations, and identify a good calendar. Tasks with which I shall engage with relish.
I was walking between shops on Friday, when I heard the chatter of starlings. Their unmistakable hooting and shouting with the underlying hiss of scandal and gossip being exchanged was a delight to the ear. Hopefully, they’ll resume visiting us soon.
I’m watching two clusters of passion flower pods. There are some big changes under way, mainly in colour. As soon as I see that one of the pods has dropped, I shall have it in to examine.
I think I can say with a degree of confidence that plant life in Gosport is suffering from the lack of water. We have tried our best, but the yield from our little vegetable patch is well down on what it has been in the past, and the flowers, especially the sunflowers, are looking very forlorn. There is rain forecast for this week. I hope it arrives.
Bills Posts 