Celebrating gardens, photography and a creative life
‘Way down south Louisiana’ it’s an old Cajun tradition to light bonfires along the Mississippi levee to help guide in Santa Claus (Papa Noel) on Christmas Eve. This particular bonfire was lit in advance for guests of The American Queen to enjoy. You can just make out the lights of the paddleboat in the background.
Wishing you a wonderful holiday, with convivial company and all the traditions you hold dear.
An old song drifted into my mind when I saw this week’s photo challenge prompt:
As I sit and bathe
In a wave of nostalgia
For an age yet to come.Pete Shelley
That thought is perhaps best left dangling like a participle, though there is an oblique connection (trust me, there always is) to these oversized branding signs. They’re part of a past that I’ll never fully understand. I don’t know what DX stands for (I cropped the D out). I can’t even date them.
I used to see adverts and film segments on British TV showing American trucks pulling into American petrol stations, or teenagers hanging out in cars, getting soda from a drive-through that looked like a petrol station. In my naivety, I used to think this was nostalgia – that these scenes were retro-styled, hankering back to a loved, lost past. I didn’t realise it’s like that now. In places.
The present looks different, depending on where you are. American trucks really are L-shaped, with bonnets (hoods) like oversized cars. Sonics exist. No need for nostalgia – if a soda float floats your boat, it’s right here, right now.
But back to the signs and their context. Their bold colours and logos were once deployed to promote things, but today they’ve retired to the country. Together with a lot of old, corrugated tin and reclaimed wood, they now reside at one of the world’s most characterful B&Bs. Continue reading “Red, White and Blues in The Delta”
You may have noticed I’ve been a bit quieter than usual. I’ve been travelling, but later today, I’ll be setting off home for Christmas.
I’ve never flown at this time of the year and am wondering whether we can expect more fun than usual on the journey, or mild chaos. In retrospect the timing of our great value flights does seem a little – well – rash. I’m naturally optimistic (hence the ‘mild chaos’) but I wouldn’t be too surprised to see emotions rise if there are any delays. Continue reading “Happy Christmas! Sprouts anyone?”
Some of you may be aware that my sweetheart hails from Mississippi. Over the years, we’ve compiled some tips to help ease the way of people from the Southern States when travelling to the North of England. It seems only right to pass a few of them on.
Continue reading “Tips for Americans visiting England: Eating out”
Zurich is such a visually aware city, and life seems richer for it. I’ve never seen such a fascinating mix of traditional and contemporary design – or better examples of branding signs. Continue reading “Gallery: Zurich Old Town”
England has some wonderful old towns. Shrewsbury is one of my favourites. I love to see how naturally the old sits with the new: it makes for a much richer experience. I was struck by the juxtaposition of new and old in my first picture. If you’re fascinated by paint charts and colours, you’ll find it interesting to contrast the acidic yellow of the Mini with the muted, traditional yellow of the building. Continue reading “Shrewsbury: contemporary life in a medieval setting”
Susan Rushton 