'nuff said!

The other day King Kev did a post about cutting his mother's apron strings (read here) and Menomama has just done an interesting post about mother and child relationships (see here)

It's a hard life.

Don't try this at home!

My Son-in-Law setting a bad example!

This picture put me in mind of Edvard Munch's painting "The Scream"

In case you haven't seen Munch's picture here it is:

I've just been reminded of another version which is well worth a visit for both image and words. Please follow this link for a trip down memory lane.

...........nut blossom?

Have a nice day!

Talking to Daddy

Keep your delicate blooms in the shade and give them plenty to drink!

See you later!

I ask you ……..

This

or this

Enjoy!

My friend Usky says I should have one of these:

Well a girl can dream can't she?

My Hoopoe! Not a great shot but better luck next time!

See some more pictures on the photography blog.

To find out more about the Hoopoe see previous post.

In this part of Europe we are fortunate to see this lovely bird called the hoopoe.

This from the RSPB

The hoopoe is an exotic looking bird that is the size of a mistle thrush. It has a pinkish-brown body, striking black and white wings, a long black downcurved bill, and a long pinkish-brown crest which it raises when excited. It does not breed in the UK, but as many as 100 birds can turn up in spring (mostly seen as single birds) as birds migrating north to Europe from Africa overshoot and land on the south coast of England.

The best chance of seeing one is during spring migration along the south coast and not far inland, but birds have turned up as far north as Shetland. Most birds turn up in late April and May.

They eat insects and spiders.

So why am I blogging about it?

Because over the last couple of days, for the first time ever, a young one has been visiting my garden. At the moment I am cameraless - how frustrating is that?

I'm sure the bird is taunting me!

Last week we were sailing down the Amazon in our homemade dug-out canoe.

Suddenly we were startled by a ripple in the water and as we turned around we spotted a swallow as she flew away.

Isn't the imagination a wonderful thing! Oh the swallow really did swoop down for a drink whilst we fought off the green alligator!

Watch this space!

Don't worry this isn't a posting about my inner workings!

Now I find I don't remember the rules of when to use a colon or semi-colon so I thought I'd better investigate.

So in a nutshell:

Colons :

Colons are used to notify the reader that what follows (a statement) clarifies, defines, or explains what was mentioned or referred to before.

You should use colons to

Present a long quotation for instance;

At the March on Washington Martin Luther King stated:

"The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom."

Use colons to separate chapter and verse in biblical passages.

We studied Genesis 7:1-24 in Bible class today.

Use colons to separate titles and subtitles;
American Voices: Multicultural Literacy and Critical Thinking

Colons are used in the introduction of a definition;
Persistent: continue despite problems

Use colons to present a list of items

Please bring the following items with you:
Beach towel, umbrella, sunglasses, bathing suit, and sunscreen

To present a series of words
She planted numerous flowers in her garden geraniums, daises, roses, sunflowers.

Use colons to follow salutation in a business letter
Dear Miss Wallace:
Dear Editor:

Use colons to express time, the colon should be placed in between hours and minutes

The exchange student will be here tomorrow at 3:30 p.m.
The party will start at 4:50 p.m.
The club does not close until 5:50am

Semicolons ;

Semicolons are used to express a close relation between sentences.

Use semicolons in sentences where three or more items are mentioned and followed by a comma.

Everyone that is going on the trip should bring a cold lunch, a beach towel; and a change of clothes.

Speaking tonight are actor, Don Cheadle, actress, Angelina Jolie; and author Maya Angelou.

Use semicolons to join two complete, simple, sentences together that are close in relation for example
Yesterday it was extremely hot; so we all went to the beach to cool off.

The young boy is very smart; he finished the entire test within 30 minutes

Macaroni and cheese were served to the students on Thursday; Friday the children will be served pizza.

Use semicolon in front of conjunctive adverbs that connect two simple sentences, this is done to make clear relationship between two closely related sentences.

It was raining very hard today; therefore, tomorrow will we take the children to the park.

The young boy failed to stop his car at the red light; consequently, a huge accident took place early Tuesday morning.

Take notice of the format when using the semicolon in this type of sentence, the format includes: (semicolon+ conjunctive adverb+ comma.)

Now all I have to do is remember and that's the irritating bit!!!

I confess!

Kelly has done an interesting posting (once she'd explained the previous posting) about The Six Degrees of Separation. The theory is that everyone knows everyone simply by association with people in common. And gave some examples.

Bloggers who play together stay together

*please note: "Sex on The Beach" and "Orgasm" are genuine cocktail drinks

I've got my cherry out (again!) this time it's for Spiritbird!

He obviously missed my pink bits the other day!

Missing without trace!

Man the lifeboats

Now join the new Blogship "The Good Ship Lollipop"

Yes - today is Friday 11th July 2008 and I've got me an apple.

No queues for me

Anyone interested in my blackberry? - look here

Well it's been a lovely sunny day by the pool so I thought it was only fair to brighten up your day by showing you my pink bits.

Now aren't they bloomin' gorgeous? (even if I do say so myself)

ps Kevin says that tomorrow's colour is "flesh"

How to keep children occupied on a rainy day

Tip #1 The Magic Box

Tell them "this shape has a secret fifth side which you will only see if you stare at it for a very very very long time".

Another meme as seen on Meno's (and other's) blog.

I HAD A SOCIAL LIFE!

Have a peaceful Sunday

I'd better have one of these

NATURE'S UMBRELLA

......which I prefer.

Thank you!

ps does anyone recognise this wild flower which was growing in a ditch?

........ ........ ........I've just been press ganged into joining the crew of

Click on the link and join the crew!

"Just leave me alone!"

Last week the burning question from my Grandchildren was "how do babies get out of mummies tummies"? Fortunately I was driving the car at the time so my daughter explained the intricacies (which she did extremely well I must add!) Phew - well it wasn't my job! And no Louis babies are not pooed out!!!

He thought for a nanosecond and said "but you still need a boyfriend so you can get lots of loving like Mummy and Daddy". Well I couldn't argue with that now could I?

Now then - where can I find me some loving?

From Brambly Hedge

In 1968 a programme for children started on BBC 1 called 'The White Horses'. It was made in Yugoslavia and was dubbed into English. It told the story of Julia (Julka), a girl who went to stay with her uncle Dimitri at his stables where he trains Lipizzaner horses which are the famous white horses used for dressage.

This obviously isn't a Lipizzaner horse but I think she has a certain star quality about her. My daughter didn't believe this horse was wearing ribbons and accused me of 'doctoring' this photo but it is exactly as it was taken. Later this morning I shall be taking her a little walk down the road to prove it!

For those of you who remember the programme here are the words to the theme music:

White Horses

.......go on then.

Have a lovely afternoon