Spring Collection 2012

Yes, it's that time of year again, for the Affordable Art Fair to set up shop in Battersea Park, and keep me from gardening.

It was quite mild this year, which made a nice change (although not as amazingly nice as Chicago, so I understand).

So, following on from tradition, I present you with my personal highlights of the Affordable Art Fair Spring Collection 2012.

Just a small fraction of the fantastic art on display.

Not to mention the two (yes, two) pieces I bought. A photograph, and a print.

It was a lovely fair.

Of Time and Zones

When I was very small, I had several books by a poet and illustrator named Joan Walsh Anglund. It was very sweet stuff, fitting for a little girl. I think I had a doll, too.

I'm not sure why one of the poems has stayed with me all these years. Perhaps it started my fascination with England, even at such a young age (which was subsequently fed upon a steady diet of Masterpiece Theatre and Monty Python).

I think of it to this day, as I consistently think in two time zones.

When I am in bed,

The English wake.

While I have lunch,

Their tea they take.

When I say prayers,

They're fast asleep.

What various clocks

Our Lord must keep.

Sweet, no? "Six hours earlier" is my mantra, and I could tell you in my sleep what time it is in Chicago.

Until, that is, you go and change your clocks two weeks before we do.

What time is it?

Jupiter, Venus, The Moon and Mars

Okay, so if you try to take these shots hand-held, it's interesting how squiggly they become, because as still as you think you are being, you're not.


I hope you can just about make out the little dot that is Mars, in Virgo in the second photo. The moon is currently in Cancer, but not too far away from full on the 8th, in Virgo.

Still stunning how Jupiter and Venus shine so brightly in the early evening sky. Lovely.

Happy Fishy Birthday

Just a big shout out to all my fellow Pisces in this, Pisces season, for a very Happy Birthday whether recently, or today, or in the near future (including my best friend, today! and my sweet sister on Tuesday).

Pisces power!