Anthony Ruivivar

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

"There'll Be Bluebirds Over"

L IS FOR?

LAKE!
Late last month himself and I enjoyed a leisurely loiter round The Pines Garden, at St. Margaret's Bay in Kent where we lingered lazily by the lake. If you look long and hard into the background you can glimpse the landmark legendary white cliffs of Dover.

A more lucid view was to be had by taking a little walk from the garden down to the beach below ~

Lots more on the letter L over at ABC Wednesday!

Portrait of a Man

The eyes are the windows to the soul, and in photography we can capture that part of the reflection of the human soul for all the world to see. Isn't it all the more important then to make sure that all of our photographic skill is focused on capturing a persons eyes first and foremost and deal with the rest of the person as being only secondary to a successful portrait?

Sunday, October 2, 2011

End Of Month View ~ September 2011

Slowly but inveitably the colour is ebbing away now in the EOMV as the dahlias and penstemons wind down, although I have been pleased to note that other plants have come to the fore. What is still going strong and has made amazing growth from the little plant purchased earlier this year is geranium 'Bob's Blunder'. This plant originates from Cotswold Garden Flowers and is named after owner and plantsman Bob Brown. I have tried to photograph this plant several times but it is most difficult to capture the flower colour. Flecks of white appear which are not visible to the naked eye. I have tried in different light and this is the best photo so far. The foliage of this plant is very attractive - in fact I like it more than the flower. I am not sure what will happen to the foliage as the days get colder so it will be interesting to observe. Another occupant of the border which is still flourishing is the chocolate cosmos which still has a myriad of unopened buds. I am debating whether to leave it in the ground with some added protection for winter or whether to dig the tuber up and overwinter along with the dahlias.

Waiting in the wings to go in the border are some miniature daffs for spring colour, a little clump of thyme (offshoot of one already growing elsewhere in the garden) and the one and only plant that I bought on holiday. A reality check in the shape of himself reared its ugly head in the oh most so tempting nursery at Great Dixter. I was pointedly reminded in no uncertain terms that it would be nearly a fortnight before any plants hit base. I restrained myself made do with a pennisetum alopecuroides 'Little Bunny' which I bought in the last couple of days of our holiday. As it name indicates this is a minature grass and not surprisingly is the sort of plant that makes you want to reach out and stroke it.

With thanks to Helen over at 'The Patient Gardener's Weblog' who came up with the idea of the end of month view.

Delta Airlines

Now you are probably reading the headline of this post and wondering what is seasonal about Delta, right? I just happen to live around the corner from Delta Worldwide Headquarters and from Hartsfield Jackson International Airport so the two are very much a part of every season for me. No, I don't work for the airlines but yesterday was a special day at Delta because they had the airline memorabilia show and an open house day at the museum. Normally the museum is by appointment only but recently I attended an event at the museum and I thought I would take you on a quick tour.

The aircraft you see, the Spirit of Delta is the museum which was purchased and created by Delta employees and is housed in a hangar that was built in the 40's. It's interesting that the plane is bigger than the hangar.

And on this tour you get to go into the cockpit.

And you learn a few interesting facts about Delta.

But my favorite part of the tour was seeing the flight attendant apparel.

At the event I attended, volunteer flight attendants were mixing with the crowd wearing some of the vintage attire. I asked this woman what size she was, her response "size 0."