Sunday 1 November 2020

Melodrama









I grew some walnuts. My little walnut tree in its pot finally had around eight nuts on it. I wasn't expecting much, but in fact they were amazing. Proper walnut size, perfectly formed and tasting amazing. I love that sort of brain quality they have. Brilliant.

I picked a few flowers before the storm hit. A pelargonium called Attar of Roses, which is lovely as you might imagine, some roses, Madame Alfred Carriere, and some verbena. There are huge dahlias still out there, but they're a bit big and wet and earwiggy to be allowed into the house.

The littlest boy got a detention last week. Apparently it was yet again a gross miscarriage of justice. He forgot his grippy socks for dance (no more bare feet in case there is covid on the floor) (at least I think that's the theory). Then there was some sort of technical issue and he missed going to the thing that wasn't a detention and ended up getting a red card. Or something. Honestly, the disciplinary system is so complicated I can't always follow it. 

He refuses to show me his dance moves, except for once when they learned something called the Chewing Gum Dance, when you had to stand there doing things with pretend chewing gum. It's the same with drama. I asked him what he was doing and he said, 'Melodrama.' I asked him if it was like being at home and he said, pretty much.

He's started doing The Tempest in English. He was looking at his homework the other day and said, 'There's a lot of it, isn't there?' I asked what, and he said, 'Shakespeare.' Safe to say I don't think they'll run out of plays.

The dog is all about the melodrama as well these days. He's quite anxious about bigger dogs. He lets them sniff him, then after a few seconds he can't stand the tension any more and barks in their faces, just in case they were about to attack. He'll end up with one of those Nervous Dog bright yellow leads at this rate. Or maybe a pale yellow one marked Slightly Dramatic On Occasion. 

I took the littlest boy into the big city yesterday. He had new trainers on and they rubbed after about two minutes so it was not a success. Otherwise I've done hardly anything. Lots of work and a bit of gardening. So I don't feel a lockdown will curtail any wild social whirl. I hope all are well out there and braced for the next bit.

I'm going to have a go at NaNoWriMo again this month - writing 50,000 words of a novel. I've done it the past two years and it's been great. I'm quite busy at the moment, so it will be a stretch. But a stretch is a good thing, no? Any November plans your end?

17 comments:

  1. Is the top picture one of your photos? It looks like a Dutch still life that would be worth a sqillion dollars.

    Love your writing, always.

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    1. Yes, one of my photos, but not my squash sadly. Thank you for your lovely comment, I really appreciate it. CJ xx

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    2. Beautiful photo, I agree.
      I love the humour in your writing, it is very cheering...

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  2. A potted Walnut tree? Well there's a thought... Did you have to dry your nuts before eating them or did you have them wet? You can buy both types so I was just wondering.

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  3. I’m always impressed when you have your 50,000 word stint. Couldn’t be better timing for you with the lockdown in your corner. The melodramas made me chortle and I wish I could see the chewing gum dance. Maybe a short video? Amazing walnuts and I agree about the brain thing. Delicious though. Poor Bertie, hope he gets over his nerves. Maybe feed him acme calming chamomile tea in his dinner ;). Happy writing. B x

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  4. Lovely photos - I also really like the first one! How wonderful to grow your own walnuts. We grew a peanut once and were amazed when we actually got some nuts - it was like magic. No social whirl here either, but I'm very cross about the new lockdown. I sought solace in the garden first time around but, listening to the wind and rain outside, I don't think that will be possible this time. Shame about the detention. Maybe he could have gone barefoot if he promised not to lick the soles of his feet afterwards?! Have fun with NaNoWriMo. xx

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  5. An enjoyable read and lovely pictures as always. Lucky you with the walnuts. Dance and Shakespeare are an interesting combination. Poor Bertie, I sympathise. Good luck with NaNoWriMo.
    If the weather improves I hope to do some plot pottering. Take care. xx

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  6. I think when I am next by myself I shall do a chewing gum dance- it sounds great! There certainly is a lot of Shakespeare- there's quite a lot of Dickens too for him to look forward too. Yes lockdown the second is on the horizon- I shall bake cake.

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  7. I did the Tempest at school for A level. Ruby isn't keen when other dogs rum up to her - she likes to approach them for a nose sniff on her own terms. I don't think being a lockdown pup helped - she improves and them something else crops up to set her back a little. How come we never get to read your stories?

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  8. Such an interesting pumpkin, I don't think I have ever seen one like it. Detention is hard, my youngest had on in his first week of secondary school. Also a miscarriage of justice I am told. Poor old Bertie, it is hard to be anxious. I wonder if it is possible to get badges for people, like those special leads for dogs? I think "slightly dramatic on occasion" would be good for my badge. The walnuts look so good. I haven't eaten a fresh one since I was about 10. There was a big walnut tree on my way to school, I liked to pick up a walnut or two on my way past. Have a very good week x

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  9. Oh , I've always wanted a walnut tree but never had the space. But a walnut tree in a pot... now there's an idea!

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  10. Wonderful images, my friend. Poor littlest.. such unfair treatment! Bravo on the walnut harvest. We have 2 big huge trees of them. I think the squirrels are the winners of our nuts. Maybe you will write a Pulitzer Prize novel with your project! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  11. Well you know that both I and Emma-dog commiserate with you and Bertie. Being a Dog With Nerves is not an easy lot in life. I'm impressed that there's a yellow-lead warning system in place there...we just cross the street if we see anyone coming and it has nothing at all to do with COVID. :D

    A gross miscarriage of justice indeed -- grounds for appeal if ever there was one.

    I'm very impressed with your walnuts -- the squirrel population around here would make that a losing proposition but it feels very aspirational. xo

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  12. Ooh walnuts! I thought about a walnut tree for the plot but apparently they can get quite large. So may be a potted one is the way forward...
    And good luck with NaNoWriMo. Every year I think about it and every year I decide I'm not disciplined enough.
    Schools are hotbeds of gross miscarriages of justice. Down with that sort of thing!

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  13. I am planning to teach a crochet class for children this month - I must have lost my mind! It is making me so anxious!

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