A quiet Sunday at Toad Hall

As a friend asked what we were doing today, I thought I'd might share my answer here as well. I am sitting with woolens on my lap on the lawn at Toad Hall. There is cinnamon black tea and the letters of Nancy Mitford and Evelyn Waugh to accompany me. The sky, though bright and shiny as a blue button this morning has come over grey and dramatic. And I just watched a fox ramble over our beach. Over all a rather fine Sunday, indeed.

Autumn Leaves

     
     

 Though it is not quite that time yet, here in my part of New England, soon enough leaves and their outcome will be upon us. Their beauty every Autumn also ushers in their maintenace shorty there after.

Today let's just view some lovely images of the past and Autumnal leaves. And of course a little hint on what one can do with the pesky things. Though, in all honesty, leaf mold is a wonderful garden resource available free in our own yards. Using Shredded leaves and the joy of Making Leaf Mold.

The 1950's Version of a Facebook Quiz and French Onion Soup

During my sojourn in the 1950’s my daily dose of information included not only books and magazines of the time, but the education films, made for school children, were often helpful. They gave an insight into the thoughts and ideals of the adult population of the day and of what they wished to impart to the next generation.

Yesterday I was going though them and found this one, “Act your Age” from 1949. The title made me laugh and of course think of Facebook. How many times do I see in my feed various ‘tests’: “What tea kettle are you?” What national brand sponge cake would you be? How much like this or that movie star is your dog?” I watched it.

Surprisingly, or actually not so as I often found in my year in the past, the film actually pointed out some rather sound advice and held a mirror to our own modern society. I was happy to see, once fully viewed, that in no one did the ‘bad or childish’ behaviour we were meant to not emulate if we were older include happiness or wonder. Those actions we often associate with child-like attitude of joy from simple things and pleasure in the moment were not looked down upon.

The actions it did associate as child-like made me really take note. These over reactions to things I have viewed on adults in front of children in department stores. A rash quick response which, if we really thought about it, might be better for our mental health were we to stop, assess the moment and then think, “Well, I should act a bit more calm and rational” Which, honestly, is all this film is asking of the young gentleman and ladies of the day.

In the film the main young man on his own makes a list that I thought would be fun to share. Because we could make it and ask friends, family, children, parents, what they think. It could easily be posted on Facebook to get laughs I am sure. Here is the list he made:

Remove

You will have to excuse the quality as I had to do a screen capture of the film. The idea was, if you can’t make it through the film, was that he made this list then rated himself and then asked others what they thought. You might think you act 10 when someone disagrees with you, but you friend might think you act like a toddler. That sort of thing. With the idea that one would monitor their reactions and hope for improvement.

In today’s instant world and endless stuff, we often can seem like a creche’ of spoiled children. We want what we want and we want it now and if we don’t get it you bet you are gonna get an ear full or a tantrum. One has to only ask the poor tired Retail sales person about adults ‘child-like’ behaviour.

Enjoy the film for what it is and let me know if you agree disagree or even care about reactions to situations by adults in our modern world.

And to close on a yummy note, here is last nights home-made French onion soup.

 I just use this recipe:

A new place for the Apron Revolution

I am trying to post now on FB more like a blog and then cut and paste it here, but it is not working. I am out and about today so I will look at this tonight and see what I can see. Here is a link to the post that was unreadable but not sure if it works if you are not on FB if not and you make a page just request friend me and then it would show up I believe...1955 Take me away! HERE is post.

My Morning Walk.

A lovely morning ramble. The leaves are just hinting at their Autumn intentions. The scent of the sea has a poignancy quite particular to this time of year. It makes me think of certain Septembers with an old friend, when our lives stretch unfettered before us. The sky is big and blue and dappled with painterly clouds. Oh, October, you charming companion.

The Flats at the September Blood Moon

I forgot to share my September blood Moon flat photos. Because of the full moon, the conditions created a severe high and low tide. When this occurs here, at Toad Hall, we get flats out front and can walk across the bay. It is just a magical experience, though we have done it before many times. This time it also coincided with Ria's birthday weekend. Enjoy the pictures as we enjoyed the day.

Here are some of our counterparts of the past enjoying low tides. These are from Botany Bay in New South Wales Australia. Link Here.

Here is low tide on the Isle of Wight.

Claming at Low tide in California with Gertrude Southwork photographs.

The "Bogie" man

I am not sure when American's stopped saying Bogie and Bogie-man and started Boogeyman, but from 1912-1925 we at least were still using the English "Bogie" vernacular as is apparent in Dennison's Bogie Book. A lovely Halloween tradition before and between the World Wars.

It seems Bogie, too, was once termed differently. It was from the 16th century Scottish word "Bogle" which meant Goblin, Phantom, or Scarecrow.

Anyway you slice you, the Bogie/boogie man will be about this month and hopefully invited to your Hallow'en festivities.

The Dog Days of Summer?

Sophie enjoying our Summer like weather again today.

BUbbling Brook 3-2468

The change in phones in 1961. Goodbye to the letters in your phone number. Although, technically, we could still use letters to represent numbers today. I wonder if it could become a meme to give out one's number as "BUtterfield 8" to mean "288". Of course who uses their phone to make calls anymore? This short also stars famous radio personalities of their day, Peg Lynch and Alan Bunce ("Ethel and Albert"). Say goodbye to "BUbbling Brook"

I am lucky enough to own this phone. The concept of having a phone in more than one place was a novel idea at the time. 

Here they are much earlier also on film not radio.September 19, 1953 for NBC - TV in New York.

Indian Summer

Since Joaquin has decided to head out to sea we are now blessed with summer-like weather. Sophie enjoyed our morning beach stroll in the sunshine. And our breakfast out at one of our two favorite spots, the narrows, was delicious and felt like a summer outing The photo through the screen is the view at the narrows. Toad Hall is reluctant to give up the summer ghost.