Cats, camellias and constitutional rights

This month's tbr pile

After making a cross-stitch of a suffragette design, I went on-line to see if anyone would like it. A friend who teaches history in New Zealand said she would like it for her classroom, so I framed it, wrapped it in appropriately-coloured purple crepe paper, and popped it in the post. I hope she and her students appreciate it. I will offer others sporadically. 

Looking for props for Dead Man's Cell Phone - the play was first performed in 2007, so I am looking for the correct technology of the period. I found this trusty old Nokia in my bottom drawer - it probably still works too. It's staggering the speed with which we have moved on with communication devices, while actual communication seems to stagnate or even regress. 

Meanwhile, Melantho and Penelope remain determinedly unperturbed. 

It's pretty green and fresh outside, and the silk camellias are making their presence known along the side of the driveway. I love how nature always gives us year-round colour and interest in the garden.

What Have I Done with My Life?

During Production Week for Oh, What a Lovely War!  we had a couple of full day rehearsals, with lunch laid on. Here's the cast and crew taking a well-deserved break from the stifling temperatures inside the theatre, followed by a picture of the cast on-stage on Preview Night.

Cast and crew relax

The Merry Roosters!

I took time out to go and see a film at the local Hoyts Cinema, to find this emblazoned on the walls. I was hoping it was a commentary on the insidious way that women are taught to project a socially acceptable facade, by reinforcing patronising messages about how they 'should' behave, but I suspect not.

Smile and Wave

This is some of the first release of 3 Sons' Champagne Méthode Traditionelle Cider. At 8% it packs a punch and is full of vibrancy and elegance. The apples used are Kingston Black, Sweet Coppin, Somerset Redstreak, Michelin, Bulmer's Norman, Frequin Rouge and The Sutton.

3 Sons' Champagne Méthode Traditionelle

A friend posted this on her Facebook post, which amused me, partly because my father also has jars full of screws in the utility room that he will probably never use:

So I replied with an image of a pot full of corks - I have several boxes of these - which I believe indicates precisely what I have done with my life. 

What I Have Done with My Life