Menodiddly; This And That

Slightly limbo this past week. The Grey went in for his service last week, which went well, although there are some repairs that require attending, which requires parts to be ordered. I am preparing this post on Tuesday and still no word. Slightly concerning, because until the repairs are done, his first official MOT (roadworthiness) can't be performed, and the deadline for that is tomorrow! I am hoping that as you read this, things have moved or are about to.

Anyway, whilst waiting for all that, I've been doing my usual, listening, watching, reading, yarning... got a bit more done on WIPs as per my post on Saturday Stitches, but also, being me, working new projects, too. Like this...

Say what?! Read all about that one on the upcoming stitches post.

I received the following update from the Lake District... oor wee pal has been undergoing some spring shenanigans, it seems!

I hope the wee lad didn't have too much of a hangover from that! 

While on the subject of dogs, I had some disappointing news about my current guide dog sponsor pup.

There was a bit more spiel than that, but that's the essential stuff. As compensation for the ongoing sponsorship, I have had a substitute puppy assigned, who is at a similar level as Buttons, in that she is due to go to full training. Once the pups are at training, there is usually only one, at most two, further pupdates, before then being signed off and then a new puppy comes my way again. I believe there is to be a full pupdate for Clover, coming up in June, so will share a bit more about her then. Meanwhile, isn't she pretty?

Menoizikul; Midweek Musicalisms

Now I bring you a composer who started out as a violinist, then went on to operatic singing, and is in that sphere that he is most known for the music he wrote. Michael William Balfe was born on the 15th of May, 1808, in Dublin, Ireland. I was not familiar with the name, although I did recognise some of the music. This piece is particularly imaginatively performed, I think you will agree.

Menonday Art Vibe; Henry Kondracki Peeks

For the next three weeks, I am sharing screenshots of works I have cherry-picked from an online display of this artist's work. Mr Kondracki is a creator whose pieces I always admire, but have generally been well outwith my price capability - or are oversized for my space. This recent offering, though, includes several pieces that are not exorbitant - I will save my absolute fave until the last. 

HK has a very loose stroke, generous in its application, but never loses the integrity of the scene being depicted. He paints the streets, the seascapes, and countryside, the seasons and ambience, of the Edinburgh, of the Scotland, that I know. 

Let us begin with this view across to Calton Hill from the Queen's Park (Holyrood)...