Yesterday turned into a great day...but didn't have the best of starts. On Friday, a part of Spot's wedding ring had broken off. Nothing major and, for a silversmith, a simple enough repair. We headed off to the silversmiths where we had had our wedding rings designed and made for us. It's also where we returned last year to have Spot's re-sized.
Spot called the day before to check opening times - from 10:30. We arrived a little early. Then waited, and waited, and waited a little more. At 10:50, there was still no show and we left. Now we'll need to find somewhere else to get it repaired.
It's funny. We didn't marry the rings. They weren't even especially expensive. But they are important to us, for the reason we have them. If we don't have them, we're just as married. They are, after all, only "stuff". Of little worth to anyone but us. But, that's why we will get Spot's wedding ring repaired.
Sunday, 15 August 2010
Sunday, 8 August 2010
A run in the car
Yesterday, Spot and I had planned to take the bike for a run along the Fife coast, generally heading in an East Neuk and then St Andrews direction. When I got up yesterday morning, the weather was dull, but not too bad. That was at 7am, though. By 9, the rain had started and it wasn't very pleasant.
So, we decided to generally follow our original plan, but in the car. The drive was lovely, as the roads weren't too busy and, even in the rail, the scenery is beautiful. The showers were pretty heavy, so we were pleased of the car!
I have been after a leather jacket, but I'd prefer a second hand one, so it's slightly worn in, rather than shinny. St Andrew's has a good selection of charity shops, so Spot and I went for a browse. Well, I didn't find a jacket, but I did make a purchase...
I bought all on this shelf. This includes a dictionary of the bible in 5 volumes from 1906, various text books, reflective reading and prayer/service resources. Some may be more useful than others, some more interesting then others, but I know they will all be useful. Spot recons it may have been divine influence we took the car, as those tomes were heavy!
Just after I made my purchases, the sun broke through the clouds and it turned into a stunning afternoon and evening, as this view of Tentsmuir forest from St Andrews castle shows...
More and more, I feel God guiding me and helping me out. Taking me places I need to go and opening my eyes to things around me. He's also giving me a hand up. Maybe yesterday was one of those. I think it was and I thank Him for it.
So, we decided to generally follow our original plan, but in the car. The drive was lovely, as the roads weren't too busy and, even in the rail, the scenery is beautiful. The showers were pretty heavy, so we were pleased of the car!
I have been after a leather jacket, but I'd prefer a second hand one, so it's slightly worn in, rather than shinny. St Andrew's has a good selection of charity shops, so Spot and I went for a browse. Well, I didn't find a jacket, but I did make a purchase...
I bought all on this shelf. This includes a dictionary of the bible in 5 volumes from 1906, various text books, reflective reading and prayer/service resources. Some may be more useful than others, some more interesting then others, but I know they will all be useful. Spot recons it may have been divine influence we took the car, as those tomes were heavy!
Just after I made my purchases, the sun broke through the clouds and it turned into a stunning afternoon and evening, as this view of Tentsmuir forest from St Andrews castle shows...
More and more, I feel God guiding me and helping me out. Taking me places I need to go and opening my eyes to things around me. He's also giving me a hand up. Maybe yesterday was one of those. I think it was and I thank Him for it.
Watching
I headed into Edinburgh on Thursday. As I waited for Spot I noticed this lady selling "The Big Issue" outside Princes Street's Marks and Spencers. She was reasonably dressed and didn't fit into the stereotype for a homeless person.
Two things struck me as I watched. Firstly, in this uncertain time of job losses and reduction in benefits and public services, how many more of us will be where she was? Secondly, how invisible she was to passers-by. As you can see from the photo, people weren't looking in her direction and there's a clear space around her. No-one wants to get too close.
While I watched, a passer-by shouted "Big Issue, Big Issue" as he walked by. Edinburgh Council banned newspaper sells (mainly the local Evening News and Scotsman) from calling out. This also applies for Big Issue sellers. To her credit, she just shook her head at him.
A couple of minutes later, just as Spot arrived, a person doing a street collection in aid of RSPB turned up. He was about 5 metres away from the lady. I bet Spot someone would speak to him and donate money before anyone approached the lady. We waited less than a minute for me to be proven right. That made me very sad. I love birds and an passionate about watching them, but people are so much more important to God.
In all the time I watched, probably 15 minutes, no one approached the Big Issue lady.
Wednesday, 4 August 2010
Toy Story 3
Today I finally got round to seeing Toy Story 3 (2D only - I can't see out of one eye). I love animation, I think most of what Pixar does it completely genius and I now count Up! as one of my all time favourite films. I had also heard and read numerous reviews which indicated Toy Story 3 was brilliant.
Well, I wouldn't agree. Yes, the animation was outstanding, but I didn't care about the characters. If anything, I think the animation was so good it had hit uncanny valley. This is where the picture on the screen is very realistic, but not quite. The brain knows it's fake and all empathy is lost for the character. There's one scene where the animation was so realistic I was convinced the hands had been filmed rather than animated.
Personally, Toy Story 3 felt like the executives at Disney Pixar decided they needed to make a 3D Toy Story. 3D will only be a success when the stories are good too. Oh, and when issues with people feeling sick or not being about to see the 3D are resolved. I'd much rather a 2D film with a great story.
So, I think I may just go and watch Monsters Inc. or the Incredibles again. Those are works of animation and story telling genius. Toy Story 3, for me, wasn't.
At the moment, I think Spot and I are the only people who think this. Is it just us?
Well, I wouldn't agree. Yes, the animation was outstanding, but I didn't care about the characters. If anything, I think the animation was so good it had hit uncanny valley. This is where the picture on the screen is very realistic, but not quite. The brain knows it's fake and all empathy is lost for the character. There's one scene where the animation was so realistic I was convinced the hands had been filmed rather than animated.
Personally, Toy Story 3 felt like the executives at Disney Pixar decided they needed to make a 3D Toy Story. 3D will only be a success when the stories are good too. Oh, and when issues with people feeling sick or not being about to see the 3D are resolved. I'd much rather a 2D film with a great story.
So, I think I may just go and watch Monsters Inc. or the Incredibles again. Those are works of animation and story telling genius. Toy Story 3, for me, wasn't.
At the moment, I think Spot and I are the only people who think this. Is it just us?
Sunday, 1 August 2010
Jammin'
When Spot and I were married, some friends gave us gardening vouchers. Among the plants we bought was a redcurrant. That was 6 years ago. It's bore fruit every year, but for one reason or another, I haven't done anything with it.
That changed yesterday. With the assistance of Spot, I harvested the fruit. There was more than either of us expected - 2.75 pounds. My Mum had kept mentioning how much she likes redcurrant jelly, but I couldn't be bothered with the faff of passing the sweated fruit through an old pillowcase to make that, so I came up with this:
Redcurrant and chilli jam.
To make it, I sweated the fruit in a large pan until there was as much liquid as fruit. I then added 1.75 pounds of sugar and stirred thoroughly to make sure the sugar was dissolved. This mix was brought to the boil and after 5 minutes 3 finely chopped cayenne chilli peppers were added (these were growing on our windowsill). The whole mix continued to boil until set. Just about another 7 or 8 minutes. Redcurrants are high in pectin, so jams made with them set quickly! I test the set point by putting a little bit of jam on a plate I put in the freezer just before starting the jamming process.
It tastes really quite nice, even if I say so myself. The chilli just gives a bit of an edge, but not so much as to give heat and take away from the fruit. There's also less sugar than in a "proper" jam - such as strawberry. Normally it's 1 pound of sugar to 1 pound of fruit, though I use 0.75 pounds of sugar. I used less sugar as this is more a savory "with cheese" type jam.
Next thing I'll be making is elderberry jam and maybe some wine too. I've already made strawberry jam from the crop at the front of the house. There's nothing like reducing food miles. And the smell in the house is amazing.
That changed yesterday. With the assistance of Spot, I harvested the fruit. There was more than either of us expected - 2.75 pounds. My Mum had kept mentioning how much she likes redcurrant jelly, but I couldn't be bothered with the faff of passing the sweated fruit through an old pillowcase to make that, so I came up with this:
To make it, I sweated the fruit in a large pan until there was as much liquid as fruit. I then added 1.75 pounds of sugar and stirred thoroughly to make sure the sugar was dissolved. This mix was brought to the boil and after 5 minutes 3 finely chopped cayenne chilli peppers were added (these were growing on our windowsill). The whole mix continued to boil until set. Just about another 7 or 8 minutes. Redcurrants are high in pectin, so jams made with them set quickly! I test the set point by putting a little bit of jam on a plate I put in the freezer just before starting the jamming process.
It tastes really quite nice, even if I say so myself. The chilli just gives a bit of an edge, but not so much as to give heat and take away from the fruit. There's also less sugar than in a "proper" jam - such as strawberry. Normally it's 1 pound of sugar to 1 pound of fruit, though I use 0.75 pounds of sugar. I used less sugar as this is more a savory "with cheese" type jam.
Next thing I'll be making is elderberry jam and maybe some wine too. I've already made strawberry jam from the crop at the front of the house. There's nothing like reducing food miles. And the smell in the house is amazing.
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