Note well

We're getting towards the final stages of the drive.  I must go out and take a few more pictures.  I haven't been putting them up here, because actually they're not that interesting, but now I've got into the way of keeping a record of things that happen here, I'll keep it going.  Blue Witch and I were agreeing the other day that, when we wonder how long ago something happened, we go straight to our blogs - although hers goes back a lot longer than this one, of course.  Never having kept a personal (rather than appointments) diary, I can see how useful it would have been to have done so - although a blog is better because I can do a keyword search and not have to guess an approximate date.

Anyway, where roots had cracked the tarmac, they have been dug up and removed, all the kerbs are in place and there's just a few loose bits to remove and refill with rubble and tamp down.  And the low brick retaining wall to build on one side of the lawn.  Three engineering bricks high, plus a capping brick.  We'll get that done in a day, and then Alan can come along, probably next week, and complete the job.  He has to leave timings flexible until the last, it depends on the weather and how other jobs go.  He's another really good friend, and one you can call on in a time of trouble - when my mother's donkey died, it was he who dug his grave (not by hand, with his digger).  There was snow on the ground, and over the next few nights, there were such hard frosts that it wouldn't have been possible.

You know how some people see numbers, days of the week and so on, in colours?  I don't have that sort of brain at all.  I think of people in terms of music, but not in an imaginative way at all.  I'm terribly prosaic and it's more likely to be a simple association, such as hearing a piece of music in someone's company or hearing them sing it.  And, since blogging, having music recommended or referred to (there have been cases where a simple mention triggers an association, it isn't to say this defines anyone's musical taste in any way, this is more about me than you, darlings).  Having, over the last four or so years, decided to expand my musical tastes to include pretty well any genre, this gives quite some scope for me to think of my blogfriends in terms of music.  So, this isn't in any way complete - because I'm not thinking this through, you understand, I'm just rabbiting on as usual, and the prompt is that I'm presently listening to Okkervil River's Black Sheep Boy, which Julie introduced me to, although that isn't what I've picked for her.

So, here are some examples - either albums, single tracks or bands that remind me of a blogger.

Julie, no longer in Athens Georgia - Old 97's - Designs on You  (because she and the BH had it played at their wedding)
Liz - Slash's Snakepit - Neither Can I
Tim - Wynton Marsalis & Eric Clapton Play the Blues - Layla
Badgerdaddy - Pearl Jam - pretty well anything, whenever I hear Pearl Jam I think of the Badge
Rog - They Might Be Giants - Birdhouse in your Soul (Rog probably doesn't even remember that he quoted a line once)
Jonny B - Arizona Smoke Revue - Reuben's Train - (because of the banjo)

There are more of course, these are examples (and apologies if you're startled to find your name there).  But I have delighted you long enough for a Saturday morning.  Although, if anyone can tell me how to link to Spotify, I will.  (ps, I hope I have worked that out for myself.  If it doesn't work, do tell me)