I have friends coming to stay next week. I've known them a long time, they are wonderful trans allies, and I'm looking forward to it.
As they'll be staying two weeks, I've emptied the wardrobe in the guest room completely of my things and put all my clothes in the other bedroom. Amazingly, everything fits there, something I never expected or even tried before. This means that when my friends leave I will have a completely empty wardrobe in what was their bedroom. And that means .... more frocks will be needed to fill the aching void.
Yes, this is how the minds of trans women work. (Did I say trans women? ;-) )
I've been replacing furniture this summer bit by bit and I got a new shoe rack - an expandable one (always think ahead!) and I'm rather liking the collection of cute shoes I see there.
Robert Redford
My tribute to a great actor and director, of course, but also to a significant supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community. In addition, the New Queer Cinema movement emerged partly through his Sundance Film Festival that promoted lesser known film makers.
Autumn festivals
Well, the outdoor swimming pool has now closed for the season, which is a real loss as I love the location and miss the benefit - it's helped me lose five kilos (11 pounds) this summer. I love the sunlight dancing on the water as I move through it, and the greenery surrounding it. Personally, I've never liked the chlorinated rectangular starkness of a normal swimming pool and much prefer to swim in rivers, lakes or the sea. This pool, with its guitar-like outline, is a great compromise between a managed, hygienic venue and a natural body of water. Till next summer, then. Now my quest to get back into those cute dresses must rely on my diet.
We're into local food and drink festivals now. Villages dedicating weekends to beer, wine, sausages, codfish, edible snails... I like it on the riviera; there is always something going on. My slimming voice suggests cod and snails are better than sausages and beer ... just possibly not quite so fun!
Additionally, the protected nests of loggerhead turtles on the beaches here have each been disgorging dozens of baby turtles to the delight of beachgoers and nature lovers. There is something endearing about a tiny hatchling flippering its way through the sand to the waves as fast as it can. Well, I guess its instinct is to do that or get eaten, so maybe the reason is not so endearing, but here they ensure they make it to the water.
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| Sanremo Bay in autumn |
Growing like fungus
Ever since I posted about Kew Gardens and mushrooms last month, I have had a huge increase in interest in this blog from the most diverse and unexpected places; thousands of views a day, in fact. Fungus is the trigger, folks. So to that lovely bloggerette who was wondering how to boost her viewing statistics, this might be the answer!
Sue x
Mmm. Codfish! 🐱 Maybe a spritz of oil, a breadcrumb topping with finely chopped olives? On the side, a subtle garlic aÏoli and a squeeze of very tart lemon juice? Nom, nom, nom.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the wardrobe tidy and having things ready for your guests. I'm guessing as they're airing, they'll know the effort you've got through for them! 🙂
As to swimming, a lovely way to cook off and get some exercise. Are you closer to the sea at all?
Fairly sure you'd need the immune system of an alligator (yes, really), to risk any of the rivers - or canals! 😬 - near me.
Thanks, Lynn.
DeleteI think we had another exchange about cod quite recently. I have noted your predilection and next time we meet I think it should be in a fish bar. I actually quite miss British cod 'n' chips.
The sea's a short walk away but it's colder and more unpredictable as we head into autumn so I don't usually go. There are better beaches up the coast but then it's a trip and a faff. Maybe I'm spoilt!
I have swum in the Thames which is nothing like as polluted as it used to be, although it is very turbid. But I was really referring to rivers on the continent that don't have industry near them. Some lakes in Italy are beautiful for swimming in: Maggiore, Trasimeno, Monate, Orta ... I'd not recommend canal swimming, either in Nottinghamshire or Venice!
Sue xx
An empty wardrobe? We can't have that.
ReplyDeleteI think I might need expandable shoes for my expandable shoe rack. Luckily the UK 8 black heels from TU have started to break in and stop pinching round the toe.
It's good when shoes start to work with one's feet, rather than the other way round.
DeleteI don't know about expandable shoes, but I did know a Dutch girl who had inflatable shoes. Sadly, one day her mother rang me with the tragic news that she'd popped her clogs.
Sue xx
Definitely need to see that shoe rack and cute shoes Sue.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the 5kg weight loss, was that all down to swimming or a combination of swimming at watching the calories?
That swimming pool does sound very nice especially with the sunshine sparkling in the water. Hurray to free wardrobe space and hopefully some new dresses.
Cod sounds good but not sure about snails though, they are way to slimy for my liking.
Hope you have a great time with your friends staying with you.
Best Wishes
Lotte x
Thanks for all your comments, Lotte. I shall attempt a smart shoe photoshoot one day. My weight loss is a bit less now that I'm eating out a lot with my friends. Oops! Sue xx
DeleteOooh an empty wardrobe! So much opportunity. And so many fabulous things calling your name.
ReplyDeleteA guitar shaped swimming pool? That's just crying out for someone to drive a Rolls Royce into it.
Well done on the weight loss. I'd recommend staying away from the scales for a month after your friends leave. Then hopefully you will have lost a lot of what you put on by your next weigh in.
Dee xxx
Thanks, Dee.
DeleteThat comment about the Rolls Royce was really funny.
I think I will definitely adopt your advice about the scales!
Sue xx