juliachalkley

Spaghetti Western

We visited friends in Gloucestershire when lockdown eased enough to make it legal, and descended on the local plant nurseries like locusts. I’d had poor success raising seedlings for the polytunnel – well, I’d had the usual success rate, but as the weather in April was more like February, I wasn’t able to plant themContinue reading “Spaghetti Western”

The Real Golden Rule

I read a story earlier this year. Well, I’ve read a lot, but this one was my usual, science fiction. A man who grew up in America in the 21st century was talking to a woman who grew up in a different time and place. He said that he tried to treat people as he’dContinue reading “The Real Golden Rule”

So good, we went twice.

I enjoyed the trip to Colchester to see Robin Ince, but the only way to buy a ticket was to buy a book. We don’t need two copies, and nobody in either of our families would appreciate a copy of the book, signed or not. So I went alone. I enjoyed the talk so muchContinue reading “So good, we went twice.”

Make ’em laugh, make ’em think

Normally, I’d shut myself away at weekends. Everywhere gets busy and I’d just rather be at home than fighting through crowds. Today’s been an exception. I’ve been attending a book club on and off for the last three years which is loosely attached to the Red Lion Bookshop in Colchester, an excellent independent bookshop withContinue reading “Make ’em laugh, make ’em think”

Another Stitch in the Wall

We picked up a leaflet last month for a textile art exhibition taking place in October 2021. I started making patchwork quilts when I was nine – made one, over a few years, then another at the age of nineteen – and, er, that’s it. I have stitched a few oddments like a cushion forContinue reading “Another Stitch in the Wall”

Didn’t It Rain

The weather forecast for our area continues to promise temperatures above the average for autumn with the chance of an odd shower, and the skies are still emptying their bladders on our roof for hours at a time. It’s been raining on and off all day, and is still raining hard now. Appropriate, then, thatContinue reading “Didn’t It Rain”

Scriptly Gets Inventive

We have been asked by the organisers of the Scriptly Challenge not to share details of the challenge on any blogs we write – to leave the exact wording of the brief vague. So I haven’t been giving the brief word for word, but it’s hard not to share the main detail. We’ve been askedContinue reading “Scriptly Gets Inventive”

I’ve got how long, again?

Such a lovely day, and we spoilt it all by setting off our bonfire. We did make sure the wind was north-westerly, which means that the smoke went off in a south-easterly direction – next nearest neighbour to the south east is about a mile away, and the smoke is light, pale and dispersed longContinue reading “I’ve got how long, again?”

Take me to the beach

The weather is still forecast to turn colder soon, and I’m giving up hope for a late summer. It’s been annoying, hearing the national newscasters giving us advice on how to stay cool in this heatwave, week after week, while we huddle down in fleeces and hope it’ll stop raining before the house floats away.Continue reading “Take me to the beach”

He loves us… he loves us not.

Up early to take Max for his annual MOT and booster jabs. There’s been talk of animal vaccination supplies – especially cat vaccinations – suffering a shortfall. Priority is being given to first-time vaccinations, so some adult cats are having their boosters cancelled. I think Max would have preferred that. Instead he got taken intoContinue reading “He loves us… he loves us not.”