The East Antrim Pipe band Championships were held in the Playing Fields of the High School. Much organisation went into the day providing fun for all the family with stalls, face painting and bouncy castles Alas, the one thing they failed to organise was the weather.
The sun was shining as I left home, but I was well washed by the time I reached the field. There were of course distractions on the way…
No, not for himself but for a very good cause. Are you aware of the Pink for October internet phenomenon? This is a breast cancer awareness programme, where websites and blogs go pink for the month, and photobloggers show pink photos that change daily or weekly throughout the month.
Will has the idea to raise cash for the Irish Cancer Society! I am currently trying to make contact with Action Cancer a Charity based here in Northern Ireland. So while thinking Pink and displaying pictures on our blogs, Will suggests we donate the photos to the charity not just for display, but to be sold and raise money for the charity.
Now this is not confined to Ireland. We are in a global world and anyone is free to take part. Go to your nearest Cancer Charity shop and ask the manager of that shop if he or she would be willing to accept the donation of photographs as part of the “Pink for October Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign“, display and sell them.
Now Mr Knott the clever fellow that he is, covers all angles.
He wants to raise money – Good for our egos and the Charity.
He wants us to take photos – Thus increasing our skills and take exercise.
He would like us to perform a selective colourisation on the photograph so that it becomes a black and white photo with only the pink area coloured – A learning process (for some of us) (major for me).
Then he wants us to print up our pictures in A4 size and present the collection of A4 printouts to the charity shop in the middle of September for display and sale during October – Printing costs will be our contribution to the cause.
We might need to bring some model release forms before approaching people wearing pink. See Will’s blog for details.
Cancer is a disease that we are all touched by at some time in our lives. If not we ourselves then our loved ones, wider family members or friends have become patients needing surgery, chemotherapy or radio-therapy. Action Cancer now provides a breast screening programme from the age of 40 but is it enough? Is the screening sufficient to cover all types of cancer?
At this stage we are all aware of checking for lumps, but do we? How often? It should be as natural as drying yourself after a shower or bath. We are told to get to know our breasts – Men have them too and they can become victims just as much as women. So make a habit of checking once a month and pick the same time each month to do it. The breasts do change with the hormones so get used to the feel of you own breasts; you will quickly come to know what is right for you.
While I am at it Gentlemen, are you listening? Move downstairs and have a little touchy feel around. Behave! No giggling at the back there, this is serious stuff. Get to know how your equipment should feel, any unusual or strange lumps or bumps should be reported to your Doctor quick fast!
In this country breast screening consists of Mammography and physical examination. Is that sufficient, will it show up all types of cancer in the breast? I thought so; until I read this: Inflamatory Breast Cancer, the silent killer over at Alice’s My Wintersong
I beg and plead with you to watch this You Tube video it might save a life!
Not to be daunted I went out with the camera the other day and wanted to find inspiration not based on the above colours.It may have had something to do with my mood, because I had the idea of using Black.Ok, ok I realise black is not strictly a colour, it is a neutral.Everywhere I looked and everything I saw was covered by the colours ranges above.I came home without a picture.
So today in desperation not to be outdone, I went back over the photos I have already taken.Keeping to the black theme I give you:
The kind folk of the blogging world are kind enough to include me in their various groups. BarCampers, PodCampers, Foodies, and Photobloggers come quickly to mind. Did I leave any one out? I consider myself a bumbler among so many talented people. I am forced encouraged to try and take part in all that is happening. My efforts appear to me to be rather tame and amateurish.
I know when a recipe has failed because the term ‘YUK!’ appears and the very few comments that day!The Photo bloggers are a more mannerly crowd.They say nothing about my feeble attempts.Do they think I am made of tissue paper, ready to shred at the slightest criticism?Come on Grannymar is tougher than that.Someone, anyone, all of you take a look at the picture above and tell me where I have gone wrong.I know I use a baby camera smaller than some of the lenses you guys have, but there must be something I can learn.
What was I trying to achieve in the shot above??? I was walking towards the pergola and liked the shade I was in and the light beyond.
Walking in the sunshine and perhaps watching a ferry as it leaves the port of Belfast through the lough on its journey to the open sea and Scotland. Looking across the stretch of water to the south side of the Lough and the landfall of Co Down. Talking to passersby as they exercise their legs or those of their dogs, while these little fellows call their greeting.
Carrickfergus also holds an Aladdins Cave for me in the form of Craftwoman Fabrics. It is a Fabric Warehouse at Kilroot, yet without a Website, where a very friendly staff are helpful and willing to share their knowledge in any area of sewing or needlecraft.
Today I had planned to visit but my plans are twarted once again. Today is not one where I feel like driving so I content myself with staying home and playing with fabric, measuring tape and pins. I am trying to stay away from the computer for a few hours, but normal reading, commenting and general playing should resume in a day or so.
One of these days I will become sensible and not chase Toyboys hang out the bedroom window to take photos of the sky at sunset.This summer we have had some amazing colour.I didn’t see the sunset last night because a heavy rain soaked mist hung over the whole area.The photo above was taken on 25th June.
Modern day kitchens are a world apart from those of my young days. Back then They were places of labour; cooking, washing, and polishing were among the regular tasks accomplished there. Modern day appliances were unheard of. Nowadays modern cookers, microwaves, blenders, juicers and food processors take the hard work out of preparing and cooking food.
Washing machines, tumble dryers and dishwashers work at the press of a button. Fabrics are easy to maintain without the need of starching and ironing. Entertaining today is very relaxed with friends sharing a meal around the kitchen table rather than the more formal gatherings of yesteryear.
With these changes the kitchen provides an opportunity to express ones character in decoration or art work. Art is very personal, Your choice may not be mine.
This is NOT my kitchen, but I did take the photograph.
