New Layout

As my regular readers will be aware, I've redesigned this Blog's layout - a new header and sidebars full of ferns. It's Spring where I live, and the warm weather is intoxicating. Hence the visual spring cleaning. 

Some New Music

I don't normally post this kind of thing, but these albums are particularly good. I bought them on CD recently:

This is my first Zevon album. I might have to get his back catalogue.

Miles Davis - Tutu. Not very spontaneous, in fact a lot of 80s synth and drum machines, but actually rather good.

This Original Album Series is excellent. Dr John's first 5 albums for $20! Each disc in an original artwork minisleeve. Bargain.

I've been meaning to buy this on CD for years, having worn out my vinyl and cassette copies. Finally!
Motown doesn't get better than this masterpiece.

Beans, Beans and more Beans

While my broccoli is quite disappointing - it's growing , but bolting because of the recent warm spell - my broad beans are thriving. Whenever it rains, they seem to grow a couple of inches overnight! Actually, I have no idea how to cook the beans once I've harvested, having never used them in meal preparation, but I'm willing to try.

Beans in forground, broccoli behind (a lot of weeds too!).

These are starting to flower, so beans must be on the way!

2 minutes ago the England cricket team were confirmed as the number 1 Test cricket team in the world. How sweet it is!

Dumbing Down

Why does everything have to be dumbed down? Yet more evidence: Go to the BBC website or the ABC (Australian...) website and look for a category called "Arts". You won't find one. Sure, they have "Business" and "Sport" and "World", but no "Arts". No, the editors of these prestigious organisations have seen fit to file the Arts - poetry, dance, literature, classical music, painting, etc etc - under "Entertainment". ENTERTAINMENT! When I listen to Beethoven, or browse the drawings of Rembrandt, or read some Wallace Stevens, I don't look to be "entertained'! Sure, some art can be entertaining, and some entertainment can be artful, but PLEASE! Yes, I know that Entertainment is now the opium of the people, but this is further evidence of the long decline into barbarism.

I Want to Live Here

AMAZING!
The full story can be read here: http://www.wired.com/techbiz/people/magazine/16-10/ff_walker?currentPage=all

Beans and Brocolli: a match made in heaven

My brocolli has reached new heights. It's very windy here in the Hunter Valley but my vegetables respond to my loving touch. The beans I planted weeks ago have sprouted. Next door the brocolli is thriving:

Two rows of beans

Thriving beans, with brocolli next door