Thought for the day
In deference to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Royal Commission for Political Correctness, it was announced at the weekend that the local climate in the UK should no longer be referred to as “English weather.”
In order to avoid offending a sizable portion of the population, it will now be referred as “Muslim weather.” In other words -
“partly Sunni but mostly Shiite.”
steph said,
August 3, 2008 at 9:27 am
Love it!
Mostly Shiite is right.
Someone is having fun doing the rain dance!
Donal said,
August 3, 2008 at 9:56 am
Brilliant. You’ll be crucified for this, or should that be stoned?
Grannymar said,
August 3, 2008 at 10:06 am
@Steph - We have sun at the moment but.. but…!
@Donal - Morning and welcome. Is it raining in Cork?
Now tell me, do I need to call in my Toyboys to protect me?
Donal said,
August 3, 2008 at 10:17 am
It’s a lovely sunny morning here in Cork. No need for such blasphemy
Darragh said,
August 3, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Nice one Grannymar, made me laugh out loud
Tis a bit cloudy but still fine in Dublin today. How is it up your way?
steph said,
August 3, 2008 at 12:12 pm
GM,
If I were to count the number of times I’ve got soaked by sudden downpours this summer, I wouldn’t have enough fingers and toes.
However, I’m just back from a lovely walk (in the between the showers) and I have to admit that the blossom on the heather and gorse this year, is all the more vibrant for the rain.
kenju said,
August 3, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Excellent!!
Grannymar said,
August 3, 2008 at 12:49 pm
@Darragh - So far we have sunshine accompanied with plenty of cloud.
@Steph - You are very fortunate to have such lovely walks on your doorstep.
@Judy -
Magpie11 said,
August 3, 2008 at 3:21 pm
It’s August! Thus cloud and rain is not unexpected! And the slugs love it.
Steph: an old sore says, “Kissing needs no reason when gorse is in season.”
The point being that gorse can always be found flowering somewhere in these islands even in the deepest of winters!
Were the bees working the heather? We’ve hardly had any on our lavender this year or last year for that matter.
steph said,
August 3, 2008 at 6:02 pm
GM,
You’re right but the trouble is, we have to share it at the weekends. We can’t complain though as it’s pretty quiet all week.
The trick is to get out early for a walk on Sat/Sun, before the hordes arrive.
@ Magpie
I did see a bee wearing a life-jacket yesterday!
I’ve never seen the gorse and the heather look as well as it does right now. We usually have lots of gorse fires during the summer drought but it looks like we might escape that fate this year.
My favourite wildflowers of all time is the fuschia and monbretia hedgerows you see in the west of Ireland. I was in Connemara last weekend and the hedgerows were only beginning to come alive. The end of August is usually the best time to see the ‘flame’ of colour.
Magpie 11 said,
August 3, 2008 at 8:51 pm
My neighbour, an Irish lady married to an Algerian guy, begged some Monbretia from me to remind her of home. I couldn’t supply the fuschias tho’
Intriguind because Montbretia are natiives of S America and Fuschias of Central America, New Zealand and (I think ) Tahiti!
One Irish plant I love to see is the strawbery tree. (Arbutus unedo?) From somewhere in my childhood comes the idea that Arbutus is an exotic tree so to have thenm grow on ones doorstep (we had one at my college) is a wonderful idea.
I’m now going to shut up ‘cos I’m almost onto another hobby horse of mine!
Ian said,
August 3, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Got soaked in graveyard this afternoon, but the rain did bring a wonderful scent from the trees and shrubs.
Grannymar said,
August 3, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Magpie tells me that the strawberry tree is a member of the heather family and he sent a link so we can see what it looks like.
http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/potd/arbutus_menzi...
Grannymar said,
August 3, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Ian
I was trying to read your post and keep having interruptions. I am sure funerals like that get no easier. Hugs.
Miike said,
August 3, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Sums up this summer GM
Has the weather gone all pc
Grannymar said,
August 3, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Mike
We have to pay for the 40 shades of green somehow.
Nancy said,
August 4, 2008 at 12:25 am
Grannymar,
When we were young we used to sing this tune on the 1st of May:
”It’s May, it’s May, outdoor lovin’ starts today”
You will have to wait until October to hear what we sang in the Fall…..
Grannymar said,
August 4, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Nancy
Not long now to hear your other ditty.