Jackie spent most of a day that was dull, warm, humid, and oppressed by a burnished gunmetal canopy overhead,
occupied opening up the trellis at the back of the West fence to the nevertheless absent sunlight. At intervals I removed several trugloads of clippings and weeds to the
compost bins and the ever-increasing
piles destined for the dump.
This afternoon I published https://derrickjknight.com/2021/08/18/a-knights-tale-18-in-the-bush/
Later, I scanned the next five of Charles Keeping’s inimitable illustrations to Dickens’s ‘Our Mutual Friend’.
‘ ‘Here’s my father’s, sir’ ‘
‘Bella was seated on the rug, a handful of brown curls in her mouth’
In ‘Mr Wegg was an observant person’ the artist uses a double spread to advertise the stall-holder’s services.
‘The bar of the Six Jolly Fellowship-Porters’
‘Stumping with fresh vigour, he goes in at the dark greasy entry’
This evening we dined on oven fish and chips, onion rings, and garden peas, with which Jackie drank more of the Sauvignon Blanc and I drank more of the Comté Tolosan Rouge.
We had that same canopy this morning, Derrick. Somehow even your piles and compost look neat and tidy. No doubt they don’t want to cross Jackie. 😏
More evocative drawings. The double-page advertisement drawing is quite remarkable.
Thank you so much, Merril. I’m pleased you recognised the canopy.
😀
My mother loved using a trellis, all of her plants climbed right up!
Ours have been deprived of light – we expect to see the roses flourishing soon. Thanks very much, John
Good physical work, good intellectual stimulation, good meal, good company. You have it all, Derrick.
Thank you so much, Pat
My favorite part of this post was your supper. It sounds really good!!
Thanks very much, Liz 🙂
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Mr Keeping at his best: the wavy pattern on the girl’s skirt emphasizes ‘the brown curls’ in her mouth. I am impressed by his meticulous picturing of small details ‘at the bar.’
Thanks very much, Dolly. There is a street scene coming up that is absolutely packed with detail and perspective.
Looking forward to it, Derrick. You are very welcome.
You are going to have to make that dump run soon, Derrick! Maybe we will get more pony pictures when you go. 🙂
We will get our helper, Aaron, to take this in his truck; but ponies won’t have to wait for that. Thanks a lot, AnneMarie
It is good that you have a helper with a truck. Look forward to seeing the ponies.
Thanks again, AnneMarie
You will need heavy transport to carry all those bags to the dump.
We expect to get Aaron to do it with his truck when we have got the last of the work done. Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal.
Just yesterday I was discussing the finer points of India Pale Ale with someone, and look at that– I could get an IPA at ‘The bar of the Six Jolly Fellowship-Porters’! Can you tell from the original what was lost, with a reward offered? I noticed the sign in the window at the lower left.
What a coincidence about IPA. The scanned versions of these pictures are a little larger than the original, and a magnifying glass doesn’t help. I think Keeping’s little notices are deliberately just suggestive of lettering. Thanks very much, Linda.
Norm put a small trellis on the wall of the lawn locker for me yesterday. I plan to grow a native flowing vine on it.
We’re fortunate in our over 60’s community to have a huge industrial bin where residence can dispose of garden refuge. I love the compost bins in your garden. LOL! I think if I put them in my garden, there wouldn’t be a garden. It would be fantastic to be able to visit your garden.
Thank you so much, Chrissy. You would be welcome.
🙂
Super sounds good
Alot of bags to carry.
Thanks very much, More
You’re welcome Derrick
Don’t injure your back or knee moving those bags, Derrick. Do I sound like your Mum? 🙂 We finally got our sunshine back after days and days of tropical downpours.
My Mum would be more likely to say “Don’t be silly”. Thanks a lot, Jill
🙂
You’ve been a busy bee Derrick… and I’m busy today too … catch you tomorrow ..
Humid in Maine, too. But humid or not, gardening must be done.
Thanks a lot, Laurie
the garden is a full time job. but such a wonderful and rewarding job! 🙂
Thank you very much, Lola
I do know what a burnished gunmetal canopy is, except how to express that with such clarity. No matter how many perspectives of the garden I see on your blog, it always remains interesting. Meanwhile, Keeping continues to keep my attention.
Thank you very much, Uma. I appreciate your comments on my poetic attempts.
Finally, we can take rubbish to the tip midweek without an appointment. Hopefully, it’s the same for you and that should make it easier for Aaron.
Unfortunately we still need an appointment – but Aaron uses the commercial facility – we’ll just have to pay the fee for that. Thanks a lot, Sue
Our local one changed this week. We only found out by looking on line. It was busier than during the appointment system.
Such good work getting done. The garden will smile with thanks. 🙂
I think trellises are wonderful! Little ivy-y and climb-y plants seem to enjoy them. 🙂
Bella’s dress is so frilly and flow-y! And I love the details in the bar scene!!! Wow!
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thank you very much, Carolyn X
How nice to see how your garden is progressing and I enjoy viewing the illustrations.
Thank you very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
You could get a job on a bin lorry Derrick.
Once, maybe 🙂
I hope the weather there gives you two a break soon. Heat is bad enough but humidity makes it so much worse. It all looks so beautiful when you are done, though!
Thanks very much, Lavinia. More comfortable now – it even feels cold for August
Looks like a productive day.
It was. Thanks very much, Mrs W