It's quiet...summer is dribbling into autumn and there is a touch of melancholy to the mornings. Cricket at the moment involves wearing enough warm clothes not to get exposure, while watching one's beloved thwack a few balls and take a spectacular catch on the boundary. On Saturday, thunderstorms swept West Oxfordshire, raining off dozens of village matches. But where we were, the only downpour obligingly occurred during in the tea break, (time enough to scrounge a hot cup of tea and some wickedly gooey chocolate cake) and we watched the clouds rumble over Chadlington, to assorted cries of 'go over Charlb'ry way!' Which we later learned they obligingly did. Oh yes, and we won.
Sometimes our little cat Mouse sits and stares. And stares. And stares. She may be working out algebraic formulae, but I don't think so. She is a simple soul, and even simpler since wandering out in front of a car. Never been quite 'all there'. Something vacant in her eyes. So when I saw her gazing earnestly into the drinking bowl, I thought she was having one of her 'moments'; perhaps trying to work out who the strange staring cat in the water was. But she was actually watching this tiny chap floundering about. He was so tired, he was quite content to rest on my finger for his portrait.
And then there was this...another SOSF delivery from my lovely and talented friend across the sea. Quite undeserved and unexpected. My favourite nougat 'pie' and brittle honey seedy nutty snacks and natural chewing gum and - and - herbs and spices, and a gorgeous card. Oh yes, did I mention coffee? There was Greek coffee too...and now I know how to make it, as she cunningly posted the recipe for it here.
There has been an enthusiastic response to the call-up for SOSF participants. Remember, the closing date is 21st of September. So there's still time for all fairies - everywhere.
