meiling's PhotoBlog

Weekend's here!

2008-07-25T17:43:46Z

The weekend is a part of the week usually lasting one or two days in which most paid workers do not work. This is a time for leisure, recreation and religious activities. Sometimes the preceding work day is considered part of the weekend, and sometimes official holidays are scheduled to (or coincidentally do) form a long weekend. The weekend has led to increased consumer spending on Saturdays as a restaurant visit, motorcar journey, or a trip to the movies has become standard Saturday fare. At the same time, developed economies have shifted manufacturing jobs to service jobs, due to increased industrial productivity or migration of manufacturing to lower-wage countries. Many jurisdictions continued to enforce strict blue laws on Sunday which meant that most recreations, such as stores and theatres, were forced to close on that day. These regulations began to weaken in the years after the Second World War and Sunday also became a day of recreation for many. In recent years the weekend has begun to fade in importance. While most people work a five day work week, when the hardware costs outweigh human costs, the competitiveness of the modern economy means that leaving a factory idle or an office unmanned for two days is of too great expense. Thus many workers regularly work during weekends. Since this is seen as a greater burden most employers pay extra for weekend work, either by agreement or by legislation, or else give time off midweek. There is still great variability in many areas between the workweek and weekend. Stores that are reliant on office workers will see far less business on a weekend, while those in the suburbs or in residential areas will see far more. Since weekends are days where people can safely sleep in and also not have to worry as much about the ill effects of a hangover, Friday and Saturday nights are the busiest for bars, restaurants, clubs, and cinemas. There is substantially less activity on many websites during weekends. (Source: Wikipedia) Whatever you will be doing this weekend, have a great time, my friends!!

Artist at work

2008-07-23T19:10:30Z

Obedient wives should know better than to disturb Honorable Husbands at work, but this little woman was exceptionally curious about what her spouse was painting today. So, here's a sneak preview of his work in progress ...

Ouch!!

2008-07-19T14:55:53Z

Prickly pear cacti typically grow with flat, rounded paddle-like ‘leaves’ that are armed with two kinds of spines –– large, smooth, fixed spines and small, hairlike spines called “glochids” that easily penetrate skin and detach from the plant. Many types of prickly pears grow into dense, tangled structures. Prickly pear species are found in abundance in the West and Southwest of the United States and throughout much of Mexico. Prickly pears are also the only types of cactus natively found to grow in the eastern United States. As food, the fruit of prickly pears –– commonly called cactus figs, Indian fig or tuna –– is edible, although it has to be peeled carefully to remove the small spines on the outer skin before consumption. If the outer layer is not properly removed, glochids can be ingested causing discomfort of the throat, lips, and tongue as the small spines are easily lodged in the skin. Native Americans like the Tequesta would roll the fruit around in suitable medium (e.g. grit) to "sand" off the glochids. Cactus figs are often used to make candies and jelly and a refreshing drink. The fruit is a favourite in Sicilian cuisine, where it is called ficurinnia (Indian fig). (Source: Wikipedia)

'Usual sunset' –– for Walter

2008-07-17T22:06:21Z

In response to a question by Walter (PB username "wfrnk") "Are there 'usual' sunsets there?" I said that I would post one the next time one appeared. Coincidentally, today has been balmy in Rojales, with a warm sun and a cool breeze, and a sunset that I would describe as 'usual'. The sky, totally devoid of any cloud, took on the sultry golden-to-orange tinge of the sun, and faded only ever so gently as the sun disappeared behind the mountains. Have a great evening, everyone!!

Striations

2008-07-16T20:50:30Z

Another rainy day in Rojales, another unusual sunset, this time of dark striated clouds across the sky, seemingly attempting to overshadow the glorious sun as it casts an orange-ish tinge over the mountains.

Angry sky

2008-07-14T21:51:06Z

"Black is the beauty of the brightest day; The golden ball of heaven's eternal fire, That danc'd with glory on the silver waves, Now wants the fuel that inflam'd his beams; And all with faintness, and for foul disgrace, He binds his temples with a frowning cloud, Ready to darken earth with endless night..." ("Tamburlaine the Great", Part II Scene IV by Christopher Marlowe) Rained all day in Rojales, didn't let up until about dinner-time when we were met by heavy dark clouds over the mountains and the sun trying to peep through two holes, giving the ghostly illusion of a pair of spotlights eyeing all of Humanity below ...

Peng Che –– In Memory

2008-07-14T01:37:00Z

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters; He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness For His Name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; For Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. Surely goodness and mercy Shall follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell In the house of the Lord forever. The Lord's Prayer, Psalm 23 The first bloom of this Stephanotis in our garden was dedicated to Peng Che on May 27 (For Peng Che from Spain). This plant will always be, for me now, a living memory of her. You fought the good fight, Peng Che –– and you were very brave indeed. You are now in eternal peace, all your suffering is over. Thank you for demonstrating to us your great courage in the face of extreme adversity.

The gold of the day

2008-07-13T22:11:09Z

"Where the blue of the night Meets the gold of the day Someone waits for me And the grey of his hair Crowns the blue of his eyes Like a halo, tenderly ..." (Apologies to RoyTurk, Fred E Alhert and Bing Crosby for these modifications to their superb lyrics) "Where the Blue of the Night (Meets the Gold of the Day)" was the theme Bing Crosby selected for his radio show. It was recorded in November 1931, backed by Bennie Krueger's band. The song was originally "When the Gold of the Day Meets the Blue of the Night", but the title was changed before recording. Because Crosby contributed to the verse, writers Roy Turk and Fred E. Alhert included him in the copyright (and thereby ongoing royalties). Although the song was popular and successful, Crosby did not take special pride in having written it, saying much later, "I really think I'd trade anything I've ever done if I could have written just one hit song." (Source: Wikipedia) Have a great start to a new week, everyone!!

Cool evening

2008-07-08T20:12:23Z

"In the cool, cool, cool of the evenin', Tell 'em I'll be there. In the cool, cool, cool of the evenin', Better save a chair. When the party's gettin' a glow on, Singin' fills the air. In the shank of the night, When the doins' are right, Well you can tell 'em I'll be there ..." "In the Cool Cool Cool of the Evening", from the 1951 movie "Here Comes the Groom", Music: Hoagy Carmichael/Lyrics: Johnny Mercer. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. (Source: Wikipedia)

Eventide

2008-07-06T21:31:07Z

"Abide with me; fast falls the eventide; The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide. When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O abide with me. Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day; Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away; Change and decay in all around I see; O Thou who changest not, abide with me ..." ("Abide with Me" –– Lyrics: Henry F Lyte, 1847/Music: William H Monk, 1861) And so, at the end of what I hope was another exciting weekend, here's wishing all fellow Photobloggers a good start to the new week. ¡Disfrute de un buen comienzo a la nueva semana! Appréciez un bon début à la nouvelle semaine!