Slow painting

Friday 7 August 2009

12:34:56 on 07/08/09


Confessions - at 12:34:56 I was actually asleep in the sun in the back garden, but this is the scene minus the sun-soaking bodies of my daughter and me. We have had a week without significant rain, and it has been blissful.

Cultural features to note: the indestructible tartan "travelling rug", a traditional ingredient of Scottish picnics. I have a photo of me as a toddler sitting between my grandparents on such a rug spread out over the heather somewhere in the Braes of Glenlivet. Early 1960's. Grandmother wearing best Sunday cardigan buttoned up tight. Grandfather, a trawler fisherman, looking disconcerted by this landlubbers' custom. White bread tomato sandwiches, the juice from the tomatoes bleeding into the bread. A tartan Thermos flask of strong tea.

Moving to more recent times, two France '98 World Cup (football) cushions, bought for a snip in a supermarket in Brittany a few weeks after the final. And a waterproof-backed polar fleece rug, bought in a general store in a little village on the edge of Dartmoor, down in Devon. Just the thing for those many summer days when the sun shines but the grass may be a tad damp.

Veg Plotting is hosting a gathering of photos of what other gardeners were doing at 12:34:56 on 07/08/09, using UK date notation.

7 comments:

VP said...

Hi Linda - that rug and pillow looks most tempting after an afternoon's hard graft up at the plot today!

I love the tiny little details you've added too about the picture. It's precisiely that kind of thing I was hoping would be captured today :)

Many thanks for taking part and have a great weekend.

Peggy said...

Oh! the soggy tomato sandwiches with a distinct aroma that is particular to them only!The flask of tea with the milk already added, al fresco dining in its infancy.
Thanks for the memory

June said...

We've done our share of sun soaks too this summer -- whenever the rain relents.

Must say I love the Scottish traditions you share. My line leads right back to Scotland, and I feel the pull!

Karen - An Artist's Garden said...

How lovely - it has been nice to have a couple of days without rain.
I love the memories that your post has brought back.
K

Bangchik and Kakdah said...

This photo made me laugh for a minute.

It was pre-pampers days, when small girls and boys would wet the bed after a bad dream... Mom would wash and hang pillows, mattresses and blankets.

Instead of bed-wetting, older boys and girls go for sun-soaking!!... haha.
~bangchik

Juliet said...

Great description of your memories of the old photo your new photo has brought back. I remember white bread tomato sandwiches as well ...

I like the broccoli art in your previous post :-D

donna said...

This post contains everything I like about reading blogs...a great photo and details that leave me wanting more. Boy, would I love to see that photograph of your with your grandparents.