tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-108577862012-01-06T05:00:36.322ZAn American - and honorary "Bronx Girl" - living in little BritainJanethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.comBlogger7301100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-82087009419247454962011-06-23T22:14:00.003+01:002011-06-23T22:32:33.618+01:00

Our bird feeders have been very popular places lately, and John and I really enjoy watching the birds. I was watching the feeder just outside our kitchen window this afternoon, especially enjoying the baby sparrows and baby great tits being fed and watched over by their doting parents.Not long after I snapped this photo, something awful happened. A sparrowhawk swooped into the hedge, grabbed one

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-19463173371913009962011-06-05T15:36:00.004+01:002011-06-05T16:42:27.477+01:00

I'm in a battle with a squirrel. He/she eats the food put out for the birds, spills seeds out of the hanging feeders, and chases the birds away from the bird table.I've been trying all sorts of things to stop the squirrel. So far, what has worked best is putting chili powder on the feeders and on any seeds that are set out for the birds.. According to the RSPB, it's ok for the birds -- apparently

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-13854985804296858832011-05-31T19:19:00.003+01:002011-05-31T19:32:12.760+01:00

One of the new members of our sales team at work asked me last week if I could talk to him about options some time, as he wanted to understand better how our energy industry clients might use them. So he came into my office this morning for his lesson. We discussed options for about 45 minutes.As I'm now in an office on my own, I listen to my DAB radio all day (either BBC Radio 2 or BBC 6 Music).

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-26985084861137207272011-05-27T11:03:00.006+01:002011-05-27T11:39:39.353+01:00

This morning, I had to take my beloved Audi S3 into the dealer for her annual MOT and whatever service she needs (she only has 23,600 miles on the "clock", despite being almost 8 years old now). As I really don't need a car today, I took the Stagecoach 59 bus back home from Oxford Audi rather than accepting a courtesy car for the day.I have a great fondness for the 59 bus. When I first moved into

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-29329175858215791202011-05-21T12:56:00.002+01:002011-05-22T14:00:55.640+01:00

It's John's birthday today. I am so glad you were born, my love!!!I love you,Janet

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-75075140188744491062011-05-13T18:49:00.005+01:002011-05-13T19:48:17.904+01:00

To make the song that's the title to this blog really perfect, we'd have to change the lyric to "Our house, in the middle of the fence..."For John's birthday in May 2009, I bought him a birdhouse. Not just any old birdhouse, either, but a sleek almost Scandinavian-type house.We hung it on the fence at the side of our house, where it's safe from predators...and where it can be seen from several

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-45579102763664737012011-05-03T19:15:00.007+01:002011-05-03T19:49:11.568+01:00

Last Friday was the "Royal Wedding" here in England. The bride and groom had beautiful, dry weather all day. That was good.In our neighborhood in North Oxfordshire, the residents of our two cul-de-sacs had a street party after the wedding, to celebrate the day off work we were given because of the big day.While the weather was apparently fine in and around London, we had a thunderstorm during the

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-87787560761556802322011-04-19T18:46:00.002+01:002011-04-19T20:28:22.792+01:00

For those of you who have been dying for an update to an earlier story, here you go!Following quite a few days of disappointment, I spotted the blue sock again this morning. Yes, it's out of the tree and is now on the path, resting on a plastic shopping bag.Did somebody take it off the tree limb, carry it off, and then reject it -- throwing both it and its carrier bag back down on the path? Or

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-17166500996567258842011-04-18T19:57:00.006+01:002011-04-18T20:15:08.948+01:00

Regular Lord Celery readers might remember that some time ago I took a photo of a ladybird/ladybug I found in our house, eyeing our jelly beans. Well, this evening, when I was watering some of the plants in our back garden, I spotted more of them. They were perched on top of some cornflower-blue-flowering plants that were already planted in the flower bed when we moved into the house...sorry, I

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-63903746025812468212011-04-12T18:55:00.001+01:002011-04-12T19:29:51.729+01:00

For many reasons, I'm really starting to feel my age these days. As a result, I seem to be paying more attention to all that "You Know You're Getting Older If..." stuff.I heard a really funny one on BBC Radio 2 the other day. I'm pretty sure it was on Ken Bruce's morning show.Somebody suggested that you know you're getting old if, when you listen to the Beatles' song "She's Leaving Home", you

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-52666756926677784772011-04-11T20:06:00.002+01:002011-04-11T20:14:43.274+01:00

One of my favorite signs of spring has just happened. The dwarf apple tree that we planted in our garden four years ago, when we first moved into our home, has started to bloom. Despite our dreadful weather in December, it looks great...unlike the Russian sage plant in front of the house, which has well and truly croaked. Life is getting better. There's light at the end of the tunnel after all!

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-5576847939590915402011-04-06T18:43:00.004+01:002011-04-06T19:03:01.736+01:00

Several weeks ago, I noticed something lying next to the sidewalk ("pavement", as they would say here) near John's office. It was a single bright blue sock. A sock. How do you lose one sock? A jacket, maybe. Perhaps even your shirt, if you took if off on a warm day and hung it on a fence or wall. But a sock? How do you lose a sock and still walk around? Here's what I saw that day... (You can

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-54623686044353404012011-04-01T07:14:00.006+01:002011-04-01T16:53:50.697+01:00

While John was getting ready for work this morning, I switched on the TV in our bedroom. As it was not yet 6am, ITV1 was broadcasting Nightscreen, a collection of still photos and brief descriptions of upcoming ITV programs. One of the items caught my eye. I'm not entirely sure which program was being previewed - it might have been one hosted by Ant and Dec - but it had to do with a family game

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-2724766075081002112011-03-30T20:13:00.004+01:002011-03-30T20:33:36.141+01:00

Yesterday, I got a return email from my long-time friend Joel in Houston. He's one of the funniest people I have ever known. As part of his email, he's mused a little about John's and my future. I think it's worth sharing... Years down the road I can see you as the beautifully eccentric couple living in your nice village. Lord John will be resplendent in his Persian slippers, fez and Hudson's

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-66155854649208775262011-03-29T19:31:00.004+01:002011-03-30T13:57:17.671+01:00

Last night, John and I filled out the 2011 UK Census. It's the first time in my life that I've been counted in a country outside the US.We could have submitted our information online. But we figured it would be just our luck that our broadband would go down at a critical time. So we took the traditional approach and used the paper form."Person 1" is the one who fills out the paperwork. The

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-5608571037630899642011-03-28T20:16:00.005+01:002011-03-28T20:29:23.718+01:00

Last week, John and I had a good laugh about a question asked on "The Weakest Link".The question was something like this: Despite the name, in which US state would you find the Sierra Nevada Mountains? The contestant answered: Canada Today, I had an appointment with a new contact lens specialist at an Oxford optician's office. Like me, she didn't have a British accent. I was so sure of where she

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-9636503355415250302011-03-27T15:01:00.010+01:002011-03-27T17:07:57.145+01:00

As I wrote yesterday, John and I went to see Rumer last night at Oxford's beautiful New Theatre. And she certainly didn't disappoint! I'm not a very good concert/gig reviewer, but I'll do my best here. I expected her voice to be as beautiful (or even more beautiful) live. And it was. I expected her to have a terrific backing band and singers. And she did. I expected a good mix of her own songs

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-64921180141074949512011-03-26T13:09:00.003Z2011-03-26T13:44:52.719Z

The long wait is finally over. John and I are off to see Rumer at Oxford's New Theatre tonight. It's been a very long time since I've been so excited about seeing a recording artist "live"!Some time during the spring of 2010, I first heard Rumer's "Slow" on the radio at the office. Leave it to my favorite BBC Radio 2 DJ Ken Bruce to be the one to play the song. I distinctly remember looking

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-51076789624894183012011-03-25T20:16:00.008Z2011-03-25T20:59:47.980Z

Yesterday morning, John and I were in the Outpatients section of Banbury's Horton Hospital. He was due to see the hand consultant there about his injured little finger. We had a rather long wait for the appointment, so I couldn't help but listen and watch what was going on around us. And sitting near Outpatients Reception made that all the more interesting.At one point, an elderly couple

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-32643994275230445892011-03-22T19:59:00.005Z2011-03-22T20:24:39.482Z

Six year ago today, John asked me to marry him. It was early in the morning, and we were in the Sheraton Suites on the West Loop in Houston. He said it was appropriate to propose in Houston, as that’s where I was living when we met back in 1995. It was a ringless, impromptu proposal, which made it even more special to me.That was such a wonderful day…although unfortunately John was feeling

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-83148751202549788982011-03-20T20:43:00.005Z2011-03-20T21:29:10.843Z

I started thinking this morning that hearing certain words/phrases on the TV or radio can tell me immediately where in the world I am located (assuming that I'm ignoring accents, I mean).Here are three examples...If the weather for the days ahead is being described as "misty and murky" or "settled" (versus "unsettled"), then I'm in the UK.If the announcer says, "So...how long have ya'll been in

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-30352216766796061642011-03-19T19:44:00.004Z2011-03-19T20:40:48.700Z

Something remarkable was happening at my house this afternoon.It was a beautiful almost-spring day here in the UK. I was outdoors, sweeping up winter debris and sprucing up the potted plants around the house. And I was listening to the radio that I had brought outside with me.Sounds pretty ordinary to you, maybe? Well, what made the scene remarkable was what I was listening to...and the radio I

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-75088160532391556922011-03-18T16:34:00.008Z2011-03-18T17:52:02.378Z

I was listening to the news on BBC One this morning - very early this morning - and one of the stories was about Prince William's visit to Christchurch, New Zealand.I could have sworn that I heard the Prince say, "The Queen sends hot dogs and good wishes."Hot dogs????Of course the Queen didn't really send hot dogs to the people of Christchurch. She had sent "her thoughts".But take a look at the

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-8458504435043055222011-03-17T10:28:00.004Z2011-03-17T10:37:59.516Z

I've been a fan of See's Candies for a long time. But I only recently found out about their special St Patrick's Day treats.I can't say that they look very appealing. Can anybody who has tasted one confirm or deny my opinion?Janet

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-32834965578883565092011-03-16T20:43:00.004Z2011-03-16T21:04:47.557Z

As Lord Celery's readers surely know, tomorrow is St Patrick's Day.Pico's Mex-Mex restaurant in Houston is one of my favorite places to eat when I'm back in town. I could kill for their crabmeat and shrimp enchiladas sometimes! But I don't think I've ever eaten there on the 17th of March.Yesterday, I got an email from Pico's, featuring their special foods and drinks for "El Dia de San Patricio"

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-71367300246761956232011-03-15T18:27:00.008Z2011-03-15T20:23:07.435Z

The color that signals the arrival of spring for me is yellow. And the plant that most represents spring? You might think I'm going to blog about daffodils this evening. But I'm not. I want to write about the lovely forsythia.Ever since I was a little girl, I've always enjoyed the cheery "yellowness" that forsythia bushes provide when we need it the most, just as spring begins. Both of my

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-78075362981313098572011-03-11T15:27:00.004Z2011-03-15T18:03:31.715Z

Because John's broken finger is still healing, he isn't supposed to be driving. So on the days that I don't work, I've been driving him back and forth to one of Oxford's park and ride lots to catch a shuttle bus to work.Last Thursday morning, I watched as the 700 bus he was on left the park and ride terminal area and headed out for the various Oxford hospital areas it services. It was a

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-45055207260049261452011-03-07T18:35:00.000Z2011-03-07T19:11:00.882Z

We have a clear container of jelly beans on our kitchen counter. Over the weekend, I was surprised to see a ladybug (or ladybird, as they are called here in the UK) sitting on the top of the container. I don't recall seeing them indoors all that often.I couldn't help but wonder perhaps he/she was looking at those jellybeans, thinking they might be a collection of colorful potential friends.Janet

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-73345472326484429042011-03-04T21:34:00.007Z2011-03-04T22:05:53.579Z

Here's a little example of the way my brain works.John and I did our weekly grocery shop yesterday afternoon, after his appointment at the Fracture Clinic at the Banbury hospital. (He broke a finger last weekend.) We thought we'd gotten everything on this list, but we'd missed something.Both of us remembered early this morning that we'd forgotten bread yesterday. As I was going to make a stop at

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-63187952070947543902011-03-02T19:43:00.000Z2011-03-02T19:46:44.819Z

The graphic above was on Google's search page yesterday. OK, fess up here. How many of you -- like John and me -- took a look at that graphic yesterday and immediately wondered what the first of March had to do with pilgrims?Happy belated St David's Day to my Welsh readers.Janet

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-41162545232526290712011-03-01T19:06:00.003Z2011-03-01T19:28:38.416Z

About a month ago, I went over to London to run a one-day seminar for one of our clients. I travelled by train; so after class ended for the day, I headed back London's Marylebone Station.I think it's so interesting to people-watch on public transportation. On this particular journey, I became intrigued by an elderly man who was sitting diagonally across the train's aisle from me.This

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-86154545942898874632011-02-28T19:48:00.012Z2011-02-28T20:19:06.225Z

According to something I heard on BBC Radio 5 Live this morning, actor Colin Firth is sometimes mistaken for Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.Personally, I don't really see it. At least I don't see it as much as I see the resemblance between British Labour Party leader Ed Milliband and American comic Ray Romano. I know I've blogged about that before, but the similarity is just so comical that I

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-32682307560854836552011-02-27T19:15:00.003Z2011-02-28T09:20:40.892Z

I'm absolutely hooked on "Ice Road Truckers", and I admit it. But I don't completely understand why.Perhaps it's because of my history in the oil industry. Perhaps it's because I got to visit the Alaskan North Slope back in my trader days, so I've seen the terrain and have met some of the people who work up there. (As an aside, I even stuck my toes - quickly - into the Artic Ocean during

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-87931866805153454302011-02-26T17:19:00.004Z2011-02-26T17:29:19.764Z

I don't often do this, but I'm going to this afternoon.I'm going to refer my Lord Celery readers to a post I just wrote on my music blog, Auditory Cortex. It's called "Tricks That iPods Play...".I'm cheating a little bit, I know, what what the heck.Janet

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-45508055518037252872011-02-25T19:41:00.005Z2011-02-26T17:30:30.414Z

I've been reading the book "Never Let Me Go". It's going to be the first book I've ever read from start to finish on my Amazon Kindle. It's a brave new world.As I read this chilling book, I can't help but feel really sad. For those of you who haven't read it, I won't say too much. What I can safely say is that pre-determined lives is a major theme.Sometimes I feel like we all have pre-determined

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-12159678036171898552010-11-13T20:05:00.005Z2010-11-13T20:55:26.130Z

On Facebook today, I saw an advertisement for a program that will be on PBS tomorrow night in the US. It has to do with that age-old question...cake or pie?When I first read the title, I pondered their question. It's a hard one for me. As I commented on Facebook, I guess it depends upon what type of pie it is and who made it.And then my thoughts turned to one of the items of confusion when I

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-54688972085548340582010-11-12T13:01:00.006Z2010-11-12T14:25:13.854Z

John and I recently spotted these in our local Sainsbury's. Despite our concern about...erm....the "after effects", we bought a can. They aren't too bad. (Click on the image for a full-sized version.)The language on the label still makes me chuckle, though. And who wouldn't be completely smitten when they see that delicate little drip of bean juice!Janet

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-57887985753383660822010-09-27T19:36:00.005+01:002010-09-27T20:01:08.184+01:00

This is Ed Miliband, new leader of Britain's Labour party.And this is comic Ray Romano, of American TV's "Everybody Loves Raymond".Does anybody else see the resemblance? If Ed starts to whine like Ray, we'd better all start running for the hills...!Janet

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-70700072821437283872010-09-24T20:21:00.003+01:002010-09-24T20:51:38.166+01:00

Living on the edge of a village in the English countryside, as we do, we are exposed to a lot of smells. Some are very interesting -- like the smell of a freshly-harvested field; others aren't so great -- like the stench of that poop-based fertilizer that the farmers use on those same fields. In last night's weather forecast, I heard that the winds today were going to be coming from the north.

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-88102277267805011902010-09-21T20:10:00.005+01:002010-09-21T20:25:33.924+01:00

(Click on the image for a full-sized version.)This post is courtesy of my niece Melissa, who spotted this sign near our bus stop in Oxford during her visit to the UK this summer.Take a look at the first item on offer. Either that's a typo...or...this cafe has come up with a unique variation on that famous Japanese beverage!Janet

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-90707642225067365292010-09-19T11:32:00.005+01:002010-09-19T11:59:57.632+01:00

When you make a move to a new country, as I did at the end of 2002, you quickly discover that there are loads of things you don't know...and should, if life is going to run smoothly. Some of those are very important, and some are merely trivial. But even the trivial can add to the feeling of "not belonging" that affects even the most stoic of us.I was reminded of one of those moments of

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-82427497577361265012010-09-10T10:54:00.005+01:002010-09-10T11:17:13.326+01:00

My husband and I live next door to a Church of England school for youngsters...what we would call an "elementary school" in the US. I love our location, because the sound of the kids out in the school play area is wonderful and so full of life.Sometimes, when I'm in the back garden or in my bathroom with the window open, I can actually hear snippets of conversation coming from over the wooden

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-41878254821841946012010-08-30T20:26:00.003+01:002010-08-30T20:41:42.574+01:00

My brother's daughters Melissa and Jennifer each spent some time with us this summer. They are no longer as young as they were in this photo taken in 2002...and neither am I, for that matter. They are now 14 and 16.John and I thoroughly enjoyed having them with us. They are special young women, and we're lucky to have them in our lives. They brought a new energy into our household.Last

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-89434848490014917342010-08-14T20:39:00.007+01:002010-08-14T21:03:58.490+01:00

For all those who have told me they miss "Lord Celery", I am most appreciative...and surprised. I'll (once again) try to do better about posting here.Meanwhile, here's my thought for the evening: How could I have made it through so many years of life without discovering how wonderful Peanut M&Ms taste when they've been frozen? Thanks, Melissa, for the revelation! It's never too late to learn

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-70351416587875542042010-05-06T19:26:00.000+01:002010-05-07T20:39:00.248+01:00

I connect with a lot of friends, family and colleagues on Facebook and really enjoy using it.Imagine my surprise when two of my Facebook contacts -- who don't even know each other -- posted status updates back-to-back which so perfectly flowed one into the other...(Click on the image for a full-sized version.)Now how cool is that?Thanks, John, for spotting this...and for the screenshot!Janet

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-88117208372381207952010-05-04T18:45:00.003+01:002010-05-06T12:53:41.356+01:00

I just saw an ad on TV here for a loan company that offers short-term loans...like the kind that would tide you over if you're a little short before your next pay check.This is most certainly not money for nothing though; take a look at their advertised APR...(Click on the image for a full-sized version.)Janet

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-24753319400190379752010-04-20T19:32:00.003+01:002010-04-20T19:37:14.866+01:00

Classrooms all over the UK have been thrown into chaos because volcanoes failed to show up at school as promised...Janet

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-14048879468125049812010-02-22T19:54:00.004Z2010-02-22T20:05:37.485Z

I was facing backwards on the bus back to the park and ride this evening, from Oxford, heading home. I looked up and saw the following on a vehicle parked just behind us...(Click on the photo for a full-sized image.)It made me wonder just what kind of "operatives" were working from there. MI5? CIA? KGB? Not very subtle, was it?Janet

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-25476445991728676622010-01-17T17:19:00.007Z2010-01-17T17:50:25.378Z

We've finally thawed out here in North Oxfordshire. And so this afternoon, I made sure that all of our bird feeders were refilled with seed, peanuts and suet balls...oh, and that the water bowl was full, too.Some time over the past year or so, somebody (I think it was my sister-in-law Claire) kindly gave us a really interesting feeder log full of fat balls. We'd debated where to hang it and just

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-40369000037641472302010-01-10T17:48:00.003Z2010-01-10T18:44:45.599Z

We have had loads of snow here in our part of England over the past week. As the temperature hasn't ever gotten much above the freezing point in that time, what little melting has occurred in the daytime just freezes over during the night. And because our district council hasn't yet done anything about the road into our cul-de-sac, John and I haven't gotten a vehicle out of our driveway since

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-77611678295318559772010-01-09T21:41:00.005Z2010-01-09T22:24:03.695Z

Hello, dear readers.I'm sorry for my absence. I'm stunned that I've been missed (I've been told that a few people have noticed I'm not updating this blog), and I'll try to do better this new year.Perhaps I'm now ready to talk a bit more about the "debris" that affected me during the second half of 2009.See the photo I've posted here? Well, as a sort of inside joke, I printed this out and put a

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-37987917077578300332009-11-26T21:50:00.003Z2009-11-26T22:06:12.011Z

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. To me, Thanksgiving is family and friends and good food without the all the materialism of Christmas. It’s the “American” thing that I miss the most about living in Britain.John always makes sure we have some type of American food for Thanksgiving dinner. Tonight we’ve had tacos. Bless him for that. But sadly, it’s not the same as Thanksgiving

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-4639546275093790612009-11-08T19:23:00.003Z2009-11-08T20:04:54.657Z

After an unexpectedly long absence, I'm back with a post tonight. For those of you who don't know me in the everyday world, I'll explain my lack of posts in the days to come.Meanwhile, as we enjoy things humorous in our household, I'll share a photo of a sign that John noticed this afternoon while we were on a shopping trip to Banbury...(Click on photo for a full-sized version.)I realize that

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-65893256946231336532009-08-19T20:20:00.004+01:002009-08-19T20:34:35.171+01:00

As we were waiting for John's laser retinal repair last week, I noticed the following sign on the wall of the hospital's waiting room...(Click on the image for a full-sized version.)Perhaps, because this is posted in a waiting room for patients with eye problems, the NHS/hospital thinks that no one can see well enough to notice their appalling use of apostrophes!Janet

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-83708134238096451992009-08-18T19:34:00.005+01:002009-08-18T20:52:23.131+01:00

Since my last post, my brother and his daughters have come over to the UK to stay with us and have now gone home again. John and I miss them all, and we hope that time with us has helped their healing process.During their visit, we had another complication: John developed two large tears in the retina of his left eye, after shrinkage of the vitreous in that eye put a strain on the retina. He had

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-15946323140481910732009-07-23T15:46:00.003+01:002009-07-23T15:59:02.509+01:00

Something tragic has happened in our family. Someone close to a family member ended her own life just over three weeks ago.A million things have gone through my mind, during this time of repair. I hold John very close these days. I feel a long way from my birth country. Life seems more precious. I treasure what little family I have left.But nothing will bring her back. And I mourn the loss of

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-56764462431821319542009-06-27T21:49:00.005+01:002009-06-27T22:03:16.754+01:00

Here's what we can see from our back door this evening...(Click on the image for a full-sized version.)So the neighbors are either communicating with extraterrestrials with one of the world's largest home dishes, or a huge gust of wind got hold of their trampoline!Janet

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-64939848844385858102009-06-26T18:10:00.004+01:002009-06-26T18:21:14.932+01:00

I guess Michael got enough. His heart stopped at the young age of 50.RIP to an incredibly talented but troubled man. I prefer to remember him like this.Janet

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-79188863017618933472009-06-25T13:27:00.004+01:002009-06-25T13:48:21.547+01:00

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has had more than his share of political scandals. Besides his business and political problems, his wife is divorcing him.As a result of everything going on in his life right now - and judging from what I saw on the BBC this afternoon - Berlusconi must have decided that a make-over would be good for his image...Janet

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-63416265019212843132009-06-22T20:19:00.004+01:002009-06-22T20:41:11.815+01:00

I overheard a little snippet of conversation in Oxford today, as I walked by the court house on the way back to the office after a lunchtime errand.Picture this: Two 20-something males. Smoking. Posture suggested that something wasn't going well. And they weren't the type of blokes you'd want to meet in a dark alley either. I was glad it was daylight.One of them said to the other...."Mate, you

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-88916947232777694592009-06-21T21:16:00.004+01:002009-06-21T21:42:05.774+01:00

I moved a couple of really charming striking clocks over to England with me six and a half years ago. One of them made the trip just fine. The other didn't fare so well. It hasn't run since it was unpacked in April 2003.I just haven't gotten around to having the clock serviced. Well, actually, I haven't found any recommended clock repairers yet. And I just can't bear to turn the clock over to

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-21461578958350076772009-06-20T21:24:00.003+01:002009-06-20T21:48:00.370+01:00

One of the great joys of our North Oxfordshire home is the assortment of birds that visit our various feeders, all year round. Among my favorites this time of year are the elusive Great Spotted Woodpeckers. They are just gorgeous. But they don't like people very much. Even the slightest movement by John or by me in a window of the house will send any of the woodpeckers flying back toward the

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-23936088416494056362009-06-19T12:24:00.004+01:002009-06-19T12:55:32.355+01:00

Have you missed me?Sorry for the silence. I don't have any one excuse for the lack of motivation to write here. There are a lot of reasons. I won't bore you with them.But now it's time for a fresh start.A few nights ago, my mother-in-law told me, during a phone conversation, that she had a bone to pick with me. She missed my Lord Celery entries. And I guess her comment was just what I needed to

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-68311810589149137852009-05-05T20:18:00.003+01:002009-05-05T20:27:13.831+01:00

It's Cinco de Mayo...the day the Mexicans love but the French try to forget!If you haven't heard the story about Obama's fractured Spanish, as he marked the occasion, then take a look at the story here. It certainly gave me a chuckle, as it sounds like something I would have done!Meanwhile, go eat some refried beans and Mexican rice. We have. And we're in England!Janet

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-24158757115973147072009-05-04T20:30:00.005+01:002009-05-04T20:48:02.199+01:00

A Bank Holiday 3-day weekend is just ending here in the UK. It's been great for us. We've run a lot of errands, worked in the garden, watched snooker on TV, watched the bats and birds in the back garden, and gotten extra rest. You can't ask for more than that. Oh, and we ate well, too!Speaking of gardens, the color around our house is incredible this time of year. At some point yesterday

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-15287321688179553192009-04-27T20:19:00.005+01:002009-04-27T20:46:39.845+01:00

As a former crude oil trader, I've always been fascinated by the names given to oil fields.Many oil fields are named after geographical areas (like Brass River, in Nigeria). Some are named by the country they come from and the type of crude being produced (like Arab Light, from Saudi Arabia). Some are named for birds (like Brent crude in the UK North Sea). And some have fanciful names - I

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-16190786338369171462009-04-15T20:50:00.006+01:002009-04-15T21:19:19.931+01:00

Today is the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster in England. On the 15th of April 1989, 96 Liverpool Football Club supporters were crushed to death during their club's FA Cup semi-final game against Nottingham Forest, at the football stadium in Sheffield.You can read about today's memorial events on the BBC's site.And something else you might like to see is a BBC audio slideshow called

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-25182814271632591182009-04-07T07:46:00.001+01:002009-04-07T08:12:53.873+01:00

Sometimes I get hit in the face - hard - by how far away I am from the country where I grew up.Just a few minutes ago, I logged into my office email. I saw I had a message from CNN with some breaking news. Here's what the item was:University of North Carolina beats Michigan State, 89-72, for NCAA basketball championship, Sports Illustrated reports.One of the highlights of springtime for me used

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-77893091826459578762009-04-06T12:33:00.000+01:002009-04-06T12:38:35.036+01:00

One of the things I had to practice, in preparation for taking my UK driving test in 2004, was the three-point turn. Driving over here isn't like driving in America, for a lot of reasons. For example, sometimes you find yourself on a British road, needing to turn around, with absolutely no way to do it besides just flipping yourself around on the road. There might not be a driveway, side road,

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-81056953193427909462009-04-04T10:58:00.003+01:002009-04-06T13:24:48.994+01:00

I had a wonderful experience on Friday afternoon, UK time. I got a phone call from my friend Charlotte in Oklahoma. We don't talk very often - not often enough - and it's always a treat when we do.Charlotte and I have known each other since we were young teenagers starting high school together in Salem, Illinois. Charlotte's father and my father both worked for divisions of the same company in

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-3864510996037945782009-04-01T07:45:00.001+01:002009-04-01T08:56:18.318+01:00

I rode in the downstairs rear of the park and ride bus after work yesterday. Because the bus was more full than normal, I ended up in a seat facing backwards rather than forward like usual.When we pulled into the regular stop in the Oxford suburb of Headington, I was very surprised to see this out of the bus window...I'm usually not facing this direction when we pause at this bus stop:(Click on

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-70297996869279766622009-03-30T12:39:00.003+01:002009-03-30T13:06:50.116+01:00

On the radio while on the way into Oxford this morning, we heard an interview with the Dean of St Albans Cathedral about the origins of the tasty Hot Cross Bun...and its original connection to the Easter season.If you read the Daily Telegraph article I linked in the above sentence, you'll see that the Very Reverend wonders if sales of the modern version of the bun with the cross on top should be

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-40545200008253114092009-03-29T19:44:00.002+01:002009-03-30T12:26:02.177+01:00

What a thrill today to see the newly-formed Brawn Racing Team F1 cars win first and second in today's first F1 race of the season, after starting in exactly the same positions in the first row of the grid! And Lewis Hamilton eventually managed to be declared the third-place finisher, despite not knowing that in time to appear with Jenson Button and Rubens Barichello on the podium immediately

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-74421287906718459282009-03-21T18:10:00.003Z2009-03-21T21:50:38.140Z

One of my favorite signs of spring in Britain is the appearance of various kinds of early-spring flowers. Among them are the primrose - here's a photo of some. It's a plant I'd heard of before, when I lived in the States. But I had never before seen them in abundance as I do here. And the people who previously lived in our house obviously were big fans, because they are all over our garden in

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-58893271170542643662009-03-19T17:29:00.000Z2009-03-21T17:47:59.114Z

Here's a little reminder to my American friends living in Britain.Sunday is Mother's Day - or Mothering Sunday, as I often hear it called - here in Britain. Yes, I know it's only March. But in the UK, Mother's Day isn't in May. It's in March. And this year, it's March 22nd.That's where the reminder comes in.When May approaches and my Americans friends over here head for their local British

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-88738747380286920542009-03-17T19:50:00.002Z2009-03-17T20:12:05.335Z

Tonight, here in the UK (because we're a bit behind the US), we will see the final episode of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" featuring Gil Grissom as a regular character. I'm really heartbroken.Throughout my life, I have had favorite male TV heroes. To me, they were all very special men. I've been sitting here this evening, trying to compile a list. Here it is, although it probably isn't

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-77931987880291067112009-03-16T07:40:00.003Z2009-03-16T11:24:52.216Z

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie - that's Pyongyang???Who would have thought that I would ever be Googling a combination of "Kim Jong-il" and "pizza"? But I just have, to find an article to link here, after hearing a short news item on the radio this morning.And after doing a bit more research, it seems that the connection between the North Korean dictator and pizza isn't new,

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-59128690826324581202009-03-11T12:51:00.002Z2009-03-16T08:30:31.306Z

One of the highlights of British sport is going on this week - the Cheltenham Festival, at the Cheltenham racecourse in Gloucestershire.Now, I'm not a great fan of horse-y things. But it's hard to avoid all of the reports about events at Cheltenham on sports reports this week.If you look at the schedule of events on the website I've linked above, you'll see that one of the events today is called

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-89410143375788372542009-03-10T12:49:00.003Z2009-03-10T13:03:58.310Z

I have John to thank for this one.He spotted a report on the BBC's website called "Zoo Chimp 'Planned' Stone Attacks". It's a really fascinating story!Although experts suspect that many animals have a great amount of intelligence, the idea of "planning" for future events was thought to be only in the domain of us humans.Perhaps not...Janet

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-52246871549474934092009-03-04T20:41:00.001Z2009-03-10T12:48:55.771Z

Today is my brother's birthday. It's a BIG one. And it's NOT 21, either!I hope you have a terrific day, Larry. I'm sorry we can't be with you in Austin.Janet

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-44650157828836826922009-03-02T12:26:00.000Z2009-03-02T12:29:33.773Z

When you're the owner of a small business, you need to take care when you give your venture a name. Take the case of a popular two-year-old cafe on Texas Highway 71, near Bastrop. Last Saturday, a tree falling onto a power line sparked a serious wild fire between Bastrop and nearby Smithville. According to the Austin American-Statesman, the 1200-acre fire has so far consumed 23 homes and 12

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-69027577064065922852009-03-01T20:34:00.003Z2009-03-01T20:52:34.217Z

John and I came up with a game this weekend. Here's how it works.Take a movie title. Change only ONE letter within the title. And the resulting word, after the letter change, must be a real word.Examples? The first one I came up was: "The Bribe of Frankenstein". And how about the film about abnormal weather: "One Blew Over the Cuckoo's Nest".John came up with a couple of classics. He

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-78043192751009094772009-02-26T15:02:00.001Z2009-02-26T19:50:39.160Z

When they came to see us in October, Mike and Eileen brought us a giant flower bulb as a gift. I joked that it looked like a giant turnip - while being very appreciative, needless to say! It's an amaryllis, and the tag said it was "striped".Bulbs are always fun, aren't they...so full of surprises....so interesting to watch as they develop!Well, our amaryllis. although coming alive a little slowly

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-68649119495245697552009-02-25T12:48:00.002Z2009-02-25T13:47:18.282Z

John and I watched the BBC's long-running soap "EastEnders" last night, just as usual for a Tuesday evening. It was an interesting episode, dealing with the history of racial problems in an area of London during the late 1950s.Some time after the program finished, John found this article on the BBC's website.Wow! We hadn't even noticed that had watched something so historic. Good for you, BBC!

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-41712726324805629952009-02-24T12:33:00.001Z2009-02-24T13:02:13.988Z

I have vivid memories of watching the "G.E. College Bowl" on television, beginning when I was a youngster living in Tulsa. (That was back when the world was in black & white, by the way.) I admired the ultra-smart college students; and I tried, valiantly, to correctly answer every question that I could.I always thought it was a terrific format. The program was educational and entertaining at the

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-89345057961573624382009-02-18T12:35:00.004Z2009-02-18T13:25:49.935Z

As one of my American friends would say, I can be a "little slow on the uptake" sometimes.I've been hearing sporting news reports over here for ages about Sir Allen Stanford. I knew he was not British but an American. I knew he was very rich. And I knew he was seriously into cricket.But I never made the connection to the firm with questionable financial practices (to put it mildly...), Stanford

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-10333154318289868582009-02-14T20:33:00.003Z2009-02-14T20:40:15.037Z

Today is Valentine's Day. I love the 14th of February. That's probably because I'm in love with the most terrific man I've ever known.Happy Valentine's Day to all of you! Janet

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-112550085596388012009-02-13T20:43:00.009Z2009-02-13T21:16:24.240Z

It's Friday-the-13th today. So it's time for a little levity.When I changed the type of contact lenses I wear, I also changed the type of lens solution I use. Here's a photo of the box I get every quarter from my Oxford optician...Every single time I look at that box, what runs through my head is:"Out of the clear blue of the Western sky comes...Cy Clean."Now I only expect a few of you - of a

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-41009752519259294782009-02-12T17:01:00.008Z2009-02-12T17:23:59.560Z

Thursday used to be my least favorite day of the work week. Starting this year, though, it's not a work day anymore, and I now love Thursdays!Anyway, I was reading some email in the living room this afternoon when the doorbell rang. It was a floral delivery - for me - of a dozen long-stemmed red roses! What a nice surprise! John said that he thought I would enjoy getting my Valentine's Day

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-42634317691879415342009-02-08T20:59:00.004Z2009-02-08T21:08:15.863Z

The snow just keeps coming here. This was taken about 4:30 this afternoon, out of our front door. And there's a forecast for blizzard conditions starting late Monday!(Click on the photo for a full-sized version.)Janet

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-60354211349867272112009-02-08T20:36:00.005Z2009-02-09T08:27:09.224Z

One of my friends here in England has just lost his beloved cat. Although his little friend had a very long and happy life, he was very ill at the end.I understand what's that like...and how hard it is to let go, despite the condition of the pet you love. The same thing happened to me when my little Mac died in 2001. Sometimes, it feels like I lost him only yesterday.To give my friend what I hope

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-53896632316255804682009-02-06T21:03:00.017Z2009-02-06T21:50:36.180Z

Well, the snow has continued over the week in parts of the UK. That has certainly been the case here in our part of Oxfordshire. Let me share a few photos. (You can click on any of them for a full-sized image.)Here's our house from the front window of our neighbor across the cul-de-sac. This was taken about 11am Thursday. It had snowed quite a bit overnight. But you can see that it never snowed

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-59142940610595260212009-02-02T20:16:00.003Z2009-02-02T20:34:08.256Z

Some of you may have heard that Britain had a big snowfall beginning during the night and continuing today. Our part of Oxfordshire didn't get more than, maybe, an inch at the most. But east of here - especially in and around London - they got much more.John took a very atmospheric photo during his shuttle bus trip from his Oxford workplace back to the park and ride after work today. With his

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-60287259662816035722009-02-01T19:51:00.009Z2009-02-01T21:22:37.637Z

I spent quite a bit of time this afternoon watching one of the robins who regularly visits our bird table. I don't think it's our friend Batman, who has appeared in an early blog post, but I could be wrong about that.We have a fat ball hanging off our bird table. Some of the birds - notably the acrobatic little blue tits - have no problem clinging onto the ball to munch...sometimes in multiples!

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-22075874472151604572009-01-31T19:29:00.004Z2009-01-31T20:42:56.157Z

One of the saddest pieces of news I've heard in a long time was about the death of one of my favorite musicians, John Martyn, last Thursday.John and I had the great privilege - along with GLW - of seeing Martyn in concert in Oxford last November. Little did any of us know that this would be our last opportunity to see him perform. I do recall, though, that at the time we all agreed that he

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-82586018437697708882009-01-28T20:30:00.000Z2009-01-30T20:42:51.424Z

I thought all of you might like to see a shot from this evening's commute from the city centre of Oxford out to the Thornhill park and ride lot. It's the most beautiful trip to and from a workplace that I've ever had in my life.(Click on the image for a full-sized version.)Janet

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-52697670376120532872009-01-25T19:45:00.007Z2009-01-25T20:34:35.419Z

Since moving to North Oxfordshire almost 6 year ago, I have learned about Banbury cakes, named for the largest community in this area. I still haven't had one, but I'll bet they are delicious. They are famous enough that one of Banbury's local newspapers is named the "Banbury Cake", after the pastries.Yesterday, John and I actually got up early enough on a Saturday morning to go to our own

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-87095374807207662042009-01-23T21:35:00.005Z2009-01-25T19:38:55.219Z

I'm going to crawl up onto my soapbox for awhile. You'll have to excuse me. It's because of what I've done for a living for so long.In August last year, in the midst of rising fuel prices, British Gas offered us the opportunity for a fixed-price gas contract for our home gas supply. John and I decided to not take them up on it. A "price cap" might have gotten us interested, but not a fixed price.

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-18594175732574376222009-01-20T08:19:00.002Z2009-01-20T09:58:14.773Z

I don't need to tell anybody reading this what an important day it is. It's Inauguration Day for the 44th President of the United States. Barack Obama will make history. And he's giving America - and the world - a much-needed sense of hope.Perhaps this is the main source of the recent blues. I feel really homesick for the US today. Although I probably wouldn't have been in DC anyway, at least I

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10857786.post-56612167416967562962009-01-19T08:09:00.001Z2009-01-19T08:55:45.134Z

Although it's been rumored for awhile now, reporters on BBC Five Live were talking this morning about a possible merger of Britain's Channel 4 and Channel 5, both television stations.Of course that begs the question - what would the new channel be called? Channel 9? Channel 4-1/2?(By the way, my blues have lightened a bit this morning, although I still feel a bit like there's a black cloud

Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494516976868488211noreply@blogger.com1