Niki

Thought I'd post up this pencil drawing of my dog Niki I did when I was 16.  I discovered it again in my attic.  It's slightly damaged (probably from the water leak again)

Anywhere here it is:

Dislocated shoulder

Today I  did something I haven't done for nearly 20 years - I dislocated my right shoulder! Ouch!

It's very wintry today and icy and sleeting - but did I slip on the ice? No! I fell and slipped down the stairs! What a plonker!

Have written a blog post today, albeit typing veeeerrrrry slowly with one finger! No work I guess for a few days as I'm in a sling and can't drive either! I would really like to use the time constructively - so hope to do some more scanning of old favourite photographs and post them up, so if there is a mad flurry, you will know why!  Just need help getting the boxes of photographs down - there are so many things I now can't do - you'd be surprised! Put your dominant arm behind your back for a while, don't use it and see how difficult it is to cook, write, use scissors, eat, dress, wash, etc etc....

I'm back at Fracture Clinic next week and will see what they say but the chances are I will be off until the end of term now - hurrah!!!!! :-)))

Work of Carl Albrecht

On my very first blog post I mentioned that my love of photography (and art to be fair), was enhanced by the encouragement and invaluable help, and support from Uncle Carl Albrecht from New Jersey. I was encouraged to start writing to him by my parents, as they were quite worried about his failing health and being a new but budding photographer, they thought we would get along just fine ...! It was great actually, I used to write pages to Uncle Carl and in return would get lengthy letters back, often accompanied by items such as a light meter, filters and even a twin lens reflex camera! We developed a lovely friendship - he was only too pleased to write to his late wife's neice and encourage and support, and then took over all my film developing and printing!

So I was delighted today to find some of his work - original American magazine articles, both pre and post war, featuring his photographs, along with a few other photographs and designs he had had published. I thought I'd share them here - a tribute to my Uncle Carl - who I will always be so grateful to.

Uncle Carl in the 1950's

This is one of Carl's published photographs - of my Aunt Sylvia - she was quite an artist herself!

More published work - this was in Harper's Bazaar, October 1937

Pre-war photo

More published work- pre war

1956 - c0ver of Pace College Magazine - Seal designed by Carl when he was Director of Art at the College

The Cinematic Orchestra 'Breathe' - Live At The Barbican

T-Bone and I are off to see Cinematic Orchestra on Sunday at the Royal Albert Hall. I can hardly wait and just watching this video again has given me goosebumps!!!

Great week!

Well it's that Sunday night, back to work feeling, but what a great week!  I've been off work this week (half term) and seem to have managed to do quite a lot in a relatively short time.  I had my lovely friend Clare Cox to stay on Monday and Tuesday - a treat indeed, since I haven't seen her for nearly 3 years!  We had a lovely catch up, lots of laughs, plenty of nice food and wine :-))  .  Haven't laughed so much in ages!  Was really a real tonic to see her.  We made a pact never to leave it 3 years again, and hopefully, all being well, will go down with T-bone in the New Year and have a weekend down in Somerset.

On Wednesday I went up to Wiltshire to see T-Bone and in the evening we went to see Sierra Hurtt doing her thing in The Vic in Swindon.  It was great to see her again.  She performed for an hour in the pub and was sounding really good.  We dragged her and Skeet , her guitarist, etc out for a meal afterwards, once we found somewhere serving food - and it was only 9.30 pm!

Back home Thursday morning, and then T-Bone joined me for a couple of days down here in Hampshire.  We found some blues to go and see on Thursday night, always lovely to see some music.  They were pretty good, although I didn't like the guy's voice and guitar style, but it was good to see anyway, and the double bass playing was really good! 

Friday evening I had a visit from my mate Merryn (more wine lol!).  Saturday I got to catch up with my sister  in Winchester and we had a really nice lunch and catch up, some shopping and then train home, before my mad mate Vicky came round for more wine and laughs in the evening.  Really good to see her again.

Today I have had to catch up with chores - HUGE ironing pile etc!! But in a minute I am off to Acoustic Night in Marlborough - always a pleasure and get to see T-Bone and friends perform in the Green Dragon.  It's a lovely pub, everyone is always very friendly, and I always enjoy going up.   It's going to be a great way to round off the week

Coxy and I

Sierra and Skeet at The Vic

60th Post Already???

I can't believe this is my 60th post since I started my little blog back in August - haha, I remember I stayed up til the sunrise getting it started and sorted out (T-Bone lol!)!  I must admit, it's been really nice to put some photos up - it's nice to have a showcase for pictures that you like, even if they are not that good, it's fun to post them somewhere!

I have really enjoyed reading T-Bones and Dancin's Blogs - keep posting!!!

And I have also recently discovered my 20 something nephew Pete's blog (he is now based in Mexico).  He probably thinks I'm far too old to have a blog and is hiddeously embarrassed to have his ancient auntie comment on his blog, but I just can't help myself!!

So I carry on with this meandering and rambling - one of these days I plan to write something interesting, but until then I will carry on with posting photos and mindless chatterings.

Happy blogging

Loadsalove
Claire xxx

Gerty Goat

T--Bone and Gerty ....... awww, Gerty just loves T-Bone doesn't she?