Sad things

A woman crying on the train. The way she curls her hands around her face to disguise her tears is saddening.

A stump-footed pigeon hobbling after a piece of bread.

Elderly people left alone for Christmas or holidays. Their loneliness is quite sorrowful and unnecessary.

Two people arguing about something unimportant. You can tell from the way they scream at each other that the true reason for their disagreement remains buried below the surface, unspoken.

Someone kneeling at an alter, praying fervent prayers.

A parent sitting by the bedside of their sick child. Their helplessness and powerlessness is extremely saddening.

The body of a rabbit being picked at by birds.

A funeral at which no one is present.

The devotion of a person which is lost on the other. To see affection offered and dismissed is most distressing. 

English wildflowers

Wood Anemone, Traveller's Joy,
Cowslip, Primrose, Lady's Smock.

Hogweed, Bogbean, Eyebright, Ling,
Skullcap, Bugle, White Dead-Nettle.

Sheep's-bit, Goosegrass, Field mouse-ear,
Hound's-tongue,  Hogweed, Ragged robin,

Gypsywort, Fairy flax,
Jack-by-the-hedge

Feverfew, Ragwort, Daisy.

The pleasure of watching birds

Whether one lives in the countryside or in the city, there are always wild birds to be found. It takes only patience and a certain stillness and soon enough a bird or a flock of birds will come into view. Watching birds can bring considerable pleasure.

From my window I have a good view of the garden, and I am fortunate to live in a place in which there is an abundance of wild birds. I love to identify the different species of bird that arrive in my garden. There are the flocks of starlings that arrive en masse, a great speckled blackness pecking in the grass or weaving a dance in the sky. Goldfinches are another bird that appear in packs, little fluttering flashes of gold and red that settle on the roofs of the houses or amongst the branches of trees. House sparrows, though dowdy of feather, remain interesting to watch on account of their constant movement, their squabbles and their comparative boldness. Blackbirds often appear solo; with their bright orange beaks and musical whistle they are a pleasant presence in the garden, though when a cat appears their warning cry carries quite a distance and can grate on the nerves. Tits, of any variety, are always a flashy presence with their vivid colouring and acrobatic capability they are the true showman of the suburban garden. The robin is a heartening presence in winter or summer. Crows are always an interesting visitor; there is something in the eyes of a crow that speak intelligence, and their glossy feathers and vicious beak create an impressive vision.

Even within the apparent desert of cities, birds may often be found. The pigeon, though considered a pest, is still quite beautiful. With their soft grey feathers, interspersed with light pinks and lavender, a glitter of teal, and their curiously clockwork-like movements, their variety and boldness they are a most under-appreciated presence in our cities. Their deformed feet and the way in which people disperse them so offhandedly, is a source of much dismay. It is easy to forget that pigeons thrive in such numbers because of human wastefulness and lack of care for the environment. Similarly in seaside resorts, gulls are a familiar but unwelcome presence yet they are quite graceful and appealing in flight.

It is exciting to hear the hoot of the owl at night. 

Irritating things

People who walk along staring at their mobile phone. They are like a stone in the shoe, impeding movement. This is especially irritating in cities.

Competitive misery.

When someone says "With all due respect..." and what follows is invariably less than respectful.

Stock phrases such as "to be fair; to cut a long story short; at the end of the day; I hear what you're saying...". Rarely do these phrases serve any other purpose than to fill a silence.

Media sites that deliberately seek to goad or annoy. Why do they feel it necessary to spread misery and anger?

People who check their mobile phones in the middle of a conversation or meeting. How rude!

Dog excrement on the pavement.

People who throw their rubbish out of car windows. This behaviour is simply lazy and inconsiderate.

People who complain about the behaviour of others, but smile and accept it when in that other party's presence. *

Mobile phones.

People who say they are going to do something, but never do.


*I may be guilty of this, on occasion. 

Enviable people

A young woman, unconscious of her innate beauty and grace.

People who can speak more than one language, and learn new ones with apparent ease.

People who know exactly how to dress for their figure. Their elegance and style appears effortless.

An elderly couple walking slowly along, hand in hand.

Men with deep, measured voices. No matter what they say, people listen.

A child at play.

Two women sitting at a cafe table in the mid-afternoon, each with a glass of wine. By the way they talk to each other, the way they laugh, it is obvious that they have nothing more pressing to do than enjoy each other's company.

People who have followed their dreams. Though their life may have followed a difficult path, the result is rewarding.

Young boys playing at war. Their freedom and spirit is enviable.

Clouds

There are clouds that blanket the sky like a shroud, flat featureless swaths of grey.

There are clouds like great snow encrusted mountains resting on the horizon some distance away.

The cumulonimbus cloud as it descends is quite dramatic, darkening the air with electric shadows.

The clouds I like the best are cirrus, wisps of translucence like the gentle stroke of an artist's brush. It is astonishing to think that so many miles up, it is raining.

I enjoy the sky in the evening. Skies preceding turbulent weather when many cloud types - cirrus, altocumulus, altostratus - compete to catch the vibrant colours cast by the receding sun.

Flat-bottomed cumulus on a sunny day remind me of days out at carnival or an amusement park. They way they form in neat, patient rows is quite charming.