Bluebell is the young lady I photographed yesterday between her partner, Aaron, and the Shetland pony he was photographing.
She photographed me photographing them from beside my trusty steed, and has e-mailed me a copy of it, for which I am very grateful.
This morning I made a further five illustrations into ‘The Old Curiosity Shop’. Regular readers will know that these are by the inimitable Charles Keeping.
‘Messrs Codlin and Short’ were extremely uncomfortable in their unaccustomed environment. Keeping has depicted this just as Dickens described it, even to the extent of their perching on the edges of their seats.
In the theatre ‘Everything was delightful, splendid, and surprising’. The artist has captured the whole gamut of audience reactions.
‘ ‘Stay, Satan, stay !’ roared the preacher again’. Charles Keeping leaves us in no doubt as to the kind of cleric he was.
‘The boat was towed by a couple of horses who were resting on the path’ of a most evocative waterside scene presented as a double page spread.
‘Tall chimneys poured out their plague of smoke and made foul the melancholy air’ subtly depicted in the wavy lines across the background.
This afternoon I gathered
a few garden views, each of which is identified in the gallery which can be accessed by clicking on any image.
This evening we dined on boned chicken thighs marinaded in mango and lime sauce; boiled new potatoes; and tender green beans, with which Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I finished the Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon.
Aside from Keeping’s impeccable characterization, I am quite impressed by the group scene at the theater, and the wavy lines depicting chimney smoke and the “melancholy air.”
Good choices, Dolly. Thanks very much
My pleasure, Derrick.
What a beautiful array of spring flowers, and colours.
The Daphne is particularly lovely, and your Camellias are wonderful – sometimes I think they can look quite sad, but you blooms are so plentiful in number, and look so joyous!
Thank you very much, Emma. All is waking up
What a marvelous gallery of the beginnings of Spring! Thanks for the sharing, Derrick.
And thank you very much, Maj
It’s good to see that spring is on its way — soon your garden will be full of wonderful color!
Thank you very much, Janet
The camellia is looking mighty fine.
Thanks very much, Susan. We have several doing very well at the moment
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon: a South Australian grown wine?
Yes, indeed, Chrissy. Thanks very much
I can see spring popping up all around in your garden… That is unless that preacher scares them back into the ground!! :>)
🙂 Thanks a lot, Dwight
You are welcome! I can hardly wait for spring!
The daffodils look cheerful.
Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal
As usual spring down your way is further ahead than here in Yorkshire. I am delighted Bluebell sent you the photograph, I hope you all meet again. I love to hear of new friendships.
That would be good, Sue. Thanks very much.
The garden is springing into life.
Thanks very much, Sheree
Pleasure Derrick
Beautiful yellow daffodils and purple Tulips… spring is here Derrick..
No it’s not! In true British style it’s gone again!! English weather is such a tease, hard frost again this morning!
The Head Gardener has her doubts, Ivor. Thanks very much.
Spring always comes… !!
🙂 I’ll pass it on
Oh, you’ve captured spring springing! 🙂 Love the yellows, pinks, purples, greens! 🙂 The sun and shade are playing nicely together…creating interesting and artistic shadows!
OOH, I spotted an owl in The Weeping Birch Bed!
How nice of Bluebell to give you that wonderful photo of you! 🙂
Ha! Mr. Keeping’s preacher is a bit scary! 😮 🙂
Ooh, the mango and lime sauce sounds yummy!
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thank you so much for these comprehensive comments, Carolyn, X
Your photos are making it more difficult to be patient for the arrival of spring…but keep them coming!
🙂 Thanks a lot, Jill. Jackie got some frosty ones this morning.
I so love these illustrations, Derrick! They speak. Looking at them is like rereading the story again.
Your garden is full of life.
Thank you so much, Inese
So happy that Spring is here.wonderful sir
Thanks very much, Gary
It’s so nice to be back in your naturally flowing garden. I’m really appreciating how the sweet daffodils and camellias bloom first, like the opening acts in a play, and you know there’s much more loveliness to come.
Thank you very much, JoAnna.
The final sketch made me think of the paintings of your L.S. Lowry. He showed things as they were, for sure.
He did indeed. Our nonagenarian friend, Marjory Clarke, an artist occasionally featured here, was a student and friend of Lowry. Thanks very much, Yvonne
Wow. I saw the movie about him and his mother, I had never heard of him before.
It is already hot here in Florida, but I still hope spring arrives early for yoju Derrick.
Thanks very much, Drew
Keeping’s illustrations will eventually suck me into the sea of Charles Dickens’ books again. Those are lovely daffodils, camellias and tulips illustrating various views of the garden.
Sorry about the book temptations, Uma. Thanks very much.
You are welcome!
I like drawings on pp. 304-305, and 318 a lot. Yu have so many of the same blooms as we do right now, although I have seen no tulips yet! Lovely.
Thanks very much, Cynthia. Those tulips are early for us.
Well, hope they do well–so attractive, aren’t they?
Yes.
No plague of smoke where you live. Everything looks splendid. Far, far different from snowy Maine.
It is very different, yet we have frost this morning. Thanks very much, Laurie
What a splendid introduction to your spring blooms!
Thank you very much, Anne. Frosty this morning 🙂
It is starting to look very colorful there, especially with those golden daffodil trumpets proclaiming the arrival of Lady Spring.
I love the illustrations. Charles Keeping really captures the human spirit, and the state of dentistry during that era.
Thanks very much, Lavinia. As you know, Keeping is a great favourite of mine toothy gaps and all. 🙂
The illustration of the “the melancholy air” is wonderfully done.
It really is, John. Thanks very much
March. In like a lamb, out like a lion!
Probably. Thanks for that, Andrew 🙂
Keeping’s illustration of the city’s “melancholy air” reminded me of Berlin, New Hampshire before the paper mill shut down. The whole city smelled like sulphur.
At least we don’t have our version any more, Liz. Thanks very much
-17 in Ottawa today. Your garden gives me hope.
That is sure cold. Thanks very much, Sue
Ah, those were the days when we had lots of chimneys belching out smoke especially in the winter. 🙁 The sketches are wonderful. Your garden looks interesting during every season; always something to look forward to and much work to keep you busy.
Thank you so much, Sylvia
the garden is coming back to life! great snaps for us today, Derrick! 🙂
Thanks very much, Lola
I love how you make connections with strangers, Derrick.
The expressions of Messrs Codlin and Short are wonderful, and I also how Keeping illustrated the smoke and dismal gloom.
Your March garden looks beautiful!
Thank you so much for all these observations, Merril. I would have been too shy to make such contacts earlier in life, but I have learned that most people welcome it.
I think I’m still too shy. 😀
🙂 Remember, most people do respond heartily.
The photo of you photographing them was excellent. Thanks for sharing.
Nice photo of yours.😊 My husband and Aravind are reading The Commonwealth of Cricket by Ramachandra Guha. They are both liking it very much. You may like it.
Thanks very much, Lakshmi. I think I would
Your gardens are beautiful. Got my flower beds ready for spring yesterday. Green is starting to poke through.
Thanks very much, and well done yourself, Mrs W.
Thank you.
That garden is absolutely beautiful! Spring is really in bloom 🌸
Thank you very much, Ribana
These illustrations are remarkable. It is nice to see a few flowers. Take care.