I’m a controversialist and catalyst, quietly enabling others to develop by providing different ideas and views of the world. Born in London in the early 1950s and initially trained as a research chemist I retired as a senior project manager after 35 years in the IT industry. Retirement is about community give-back and finding some equilibrium. Founder and Honorary Secretary of the Anthony Powell Society. Chairman of my GP's patient group.
I write this having just bade “good night” to our dinner guest, the lovely Katyboo. Though I say it myself the food, the company and the conversation was rather good.
Steamed English Asparagus and Jersey Royal Potatoes dressed with butter and flaked Parmesan
Smoked Chicken, Broad Bean & Pasta Salad with Tomato, Rocket & Avocado Served with a Lemon & Garlic Dressing
Alcoholic Summer Fruit Salad with Clotted Cream (Nectarine, Blueberries & Raspberries marinated in Cherry Brandy)
Coffee & Florentines
Washed down with a couple of bottles of excellent Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages
All devised and prepared by me. Yes, I am showing off ‘cos I’ve eaten a lot, lot worse in expensive restaurants. And I don’t think I need eat again for a week! Hic!
Somehow, too, we seem to have magically added another branch to the extended family.
As Samuel Pepys might have said “A good day. And so to bed.”
Rose, Buff Beauty from our garden. This old rose is supposed to be a bush, but it wasn’t doing very well so we moved it to under the silver birch tree — and it is now rambling up through the tree like there’s no tomorrow. The bloom was actually at least 2 feet above my head!
… and obscene is not a word I use often or lightly, but I am horrified at the story which is circulating of a New York doctor who is reducing the clitorises of young girls in the belief that they are abnormally large. In deference to my blood pressure I shall say no more here but refer you to the story over on The F-Word. If this is even half true the man (yes, a man, of course) is in my view a paedophile and child abuser.
I went past a building today. When I was a kid it would have been called St Bloggs’ Junior School. Today it is called St Bloggs Children’s Centre. Hmmm ….
Found this wonderful specimen of a male White Ermine Moth, Spilosoma lubricipeda, resting on our bathroom windowsill this morning. It really was absolutely beautiful.
A couple of excellent, if slightly cynical, quotes from Scott Adams (creator of Dilbert) in an article in the Wall Street Journal, Saturday 5 June on why one should invest in companies you hate (sic).
CEOs are highly skilled in a special form of lying called leadership.
Every investment expert knows two truths about investing: 1) Past performance is no indication of future performance. 2) You need to consider a company’s track record. Right, yes, those are opposites.
Eccentric looks at life through the thoughts of a retired working thinker
