odd and old

small world...

2012-02-10T11:18:00.002Z

its a vast planet

but with technology and transport

the world is smaller than ever before

http://www.etsy.com/listing/92672214/vintage-wallhanging-world-map

blogging cultivates worldwide friendship
and yet distance oftentimes thwarts sharing real time
shame that as i could do with a good natter
over a splendid bottle of rioja
x
...

***

love etsy...

2012-02-09T12:50:00.006Z

sweet

as in

sugar and

cute

sweet pea original wall... noodleandlou $85.00	Wedding Stamp Jumbo Siz... GlitterPuff $16.95	Sweet Sixteen Sterling ... CharmsofFaith $42.00	Cupcake Mold Deco Sweet... WhysperFairy $8.95
Red Kitten Heels size 6 MagpiesShop $21.00	Typewriter. Black Remin... RhapsodyAttic $250.00	30's Kewpie doll, g... OldeTymeNotion... $14.50	Vintage Photo - Adorabl... CassiesTaleVin... $4.49
Bijoux the Little White... naomicayne $16.00	Sweet Diamond Ring Stac... CreativeGoldsm... $269.00	Sweet Pink Marshmellow ... priscilladawn $157.00	Bee Sweet Honey Beeswax... PuurBody $3.50
Vintage 1970's Litt... aniandrose $32.00	Set of 5 Vintage 1940s ... myvictoriancot... $8.00	Tin toy car, tin litho,... modernpoetry $10.00	Vintage Globe Replogle ... NifticVintage $32.00

love scouring etsy

for delights

and always fun

to create a treasury

thanks to a great
free widget from
http://redrowstudio.com/
each item is clickable
and linked
how cool is that

happy browsing
x

...

***

forever young in the sun...

2012-02-08T12:25:00.000Z

i think there is alot
to be said for
growing old
disgracefully
(and especially)
in the sun

and so this aging spaniard gent

appears to be an upright citizen

going about his daily delights

with his little blue shopping bag

and brown/buff getting on in years garb

but just moments before

he was hanging with his homies

enjoying a game of poker and a beer

at 10.00am in the morning

(respect)

...

***

cactus canary and curious hound...

2012-02-07T14:17:00.003Z

i am now officially the proud occupant
of an overgrown finca in spain
and with this in mind

i have potted up a mini cactus corner

and bought a canary to keep me ear 'oles company

he ain't 'yella'

but he sings like a dream

i have called him

domingo

when walking around here

one can often hear songbirds chorusing on balconies

so when in spain and all that

furface hound

is fascinated

by featherface

and has risked all

by sniffing the cacti

(thats m' boy)

...

***

new online gallery...

2012-02-01T13:24:00.002Z

gallery 365

now open

showcasing

(monthly)

my creative

efforts

http://www.lindadacey.blogspot.com

please pop by

if you so desire

...

***

soon to go live...

2012-01-31T09:35:00.001Z

a short while back i mentioned a new project

well it is about to go live

the idea was to move to spain
have a smaller quieter and cheaper life
continue to sell small vintage delights online
http://www.etsy.com/shop/oddandold
and with the time i save
by not running done up furniture and smalls
to the uk several times a month
concentrate on reigniting my career as a fine artist

with this in mind i have built a site

to showcase monthly my creations

this potentially works on several fronts

it is an online portfolio ready to link to potential galleries

and it is an online monthly selling exhibition

the link to gallery 365

will be activated every first day of the month

starting tomorrow

...

***

looking for stock (not)...

2012-01-30T13:02:00.005Z

(goodness me

did i feel rough last week

vicious virus mrs

and yet here i am

alive and lively

hoorah)

sniffing out haunts to buy old/antique/vintage
found this fantastic recuperation yard

whoah
heaven

and yet
average item
too darn weighty
to post

...

***

virus...

2012-01-25T09:38:00.001Z

s n i f f

sniff

s n i f f

sniff

sniff sniff sniff sniff

S N I F F

SNIFF SNIFF

feeling poorly

...

***

happy hound...

2012-01-23T14:02:00.000Z

a happy hound

can be found

on this spanish finca

he blends in good

with rock and wood

and surely

ain't no stinker

hoorah

for doggie

haircuts

...

***

gearing up...

2012-01-20T14:12:00.000Z

life is an awful lot slower here in spain

plenty time to think

lots of wood cutting and everyday stuff to do

still getting prepared physically/mentally
to get down and dirty monoprinting

hopefully have something to show soon

and will share this oh so easy
yet oh so beautiful technique

meanwhile

sunshiny weekends one 'n all

...

***

almonds and jcb...

2012-01-19T10:38:00.001Z

woke to sunshine
and the distant warblings of a jcb

strolled up the track and took

a few photographs

erman was up early and sorting out the access
in anticipation of the arrival of the caravan

admired the view from the top

and the

tenacity of a few

stray last season

almonds

happy days

...

***

magic mules...

2012-01-18T10:56:00.001Z

when i was little
      my neighbour was merrill
               we used to chat
over the garden fence
                     and play together often

i was so jealous of merrill

she had fairytale

sparkly plastic play mules

they were super fantastic

i longed for a pair

                         year on year
                   i sent wishes into the air
                                   and yet
                             i never got my mules

http://www.etsy.com/shop/oddandold

this chad valley moneybox

from the same era

brings back these memories

                                                     was there anything
                                                  you coveted
                                                       as a child
                                               and never got?

sniff

...

***

bathtime...

2012-01-16T09:16:00.000Z

i'm a sucker for bathing
i love a bath at least once a day
can't say i'm a great fan of showers
prefer to wallow in the suds

this is pretty darn humbling

could you cut it?

...

***

odd and old sale...

2012-01-13T16:45:00.002Z

sale sale sale sale sale sale

snap up a vintage delight
15% off until saturday 21 january 2012

http//www.etsy.com/shop/oddandold

at checkout enter this code

JANSALE
x
...

***

dry dock...

2012-01-11T13:40:00.000Z

always the same obsession/inspiration creatively
how we leave our mark on this world

ships that pass in the night (cliche alright)

the vastness of the oceans

small reminders/objects washed ashore
driftwood/detritus

diddling with beachcombing finds:

dry dock assemblage 2012 linda dacey

...

***

it ain't exactly style...

2012-01-10T08:48:00.003Z

so the plan

                    to buy a small abode
                    with a small garden

                                            so the reality

                                                bought a small abode
                                                with 1.5 hectares
                                                of almond olive and fir trees

m a d

tell me
whats a gal to do
with all this land...

the trade off here in spain is this
small townhouse no garden/small country house lots o land

so welcome to the finca almendros

(or property of almonds)

living in one room for now
we are fortunate to have mains water
a rarity in the 'campo'
but no electricity or gas

its amazing what you can do
with a small generator
and a 12 volt car battery and invertor

roll on february when the solar system is installed

bottom lefthand image

you can spot my shower

class eh?

...

***

new beginnings...

2012-01-09T09:42:00.001Z

2012

(and only 23 years
left on the
driving licence)

been a while since i was online

hope you all enjoyed your holidays

and wish happiness and joy to all

bit rusty with this blog lark

so much i could say

dont know where to start

so a few images of

seasons delights in spain

in and around the finca almendros

...

***

rocks...

2011-12-19T08:34:00.000Z

the

earth

holds

secrets

time

layered

crystal

and

dust

rocks acrylic on wood linda dacey 2011

...

***

blue skys...

2011-12-08T10:25:00.000Z

i have a new project brewing

planned launch new year

busy doing nothing

lots of thinking and reflection

and what better environment than here

getting here took time

about a year and a half in the planning

but how lucky am i

no frost snow or grey skies

hope life is good for you too

...

***

intelligent play...

2011-11-29T08:46:00.002Z

sketchbook work 2011 chair 1

here i am
surrounded by stunning scenery
mountains
red earth
and sea
and instead i am
messing around
creating collages
about absence
x
...

***

east west homes best...

2011-11-28T14:23:00.000Z

http://www.etsy.com/listing/78535937/vintage-mechanical-tin-metal-money-box

have you

ever bought

the first house

you have viewed?

would you?

...

***

spain not greece...

2011-11-27T19:10:00.003Z

yes indeed

spain

(not greece)

i used to be decisive but now i'm not so sure

hands up guilty m'lord

europe and the eurozone

complicated currency crisis

unsettled son

unrest in greece

super seismic activity

and not forgetting

a darn bizarre alphabet

ola spain

...

***

spanner in the works...

2011-11-21T20:29:00.000Z

my new old car has let us down

and we are stuck near london town

the starter motor died a treat

more expense not so sweet

and so
we missed our ferry
oh the joys of travel

take it in your stride

enjoy the ride

...

***

i miss you all...

2011-11-17T11:25:00.000Z

http://www.etsy.com/shop/oddandold

blogging is great
through this media i have met you
and being here there everywhere nowhere
i miss my secure and reliable internet connection
snatched wifi connections
just dont cut it

i miss you all

you inspire me and help keep me sane

(no mean feat actually)

big thanks to you all

w i s h
i could visit you all regularly like before

even better would be to share a coffee

although i hate coffee

so i'd have to lace it with whiskey

a bientot

...

***

i am a migrant worker...

2011-11-15T14:54:00.002Z

http://www.etsy.com/shop/oddandold

it is not easy
working on the road

especially when curve balls
are thrown into the mix

meant to be heading for greece
this weekend

but now
possibly heading to spain
permanantly
due to sons misadventure

who knows

go with the flow
stay calm
breathe

and thankyou lord
for wifi pubs and mcdo

hope things are more together at yours

...

***

morbid not at all...

2011-11-14T11:42:00.002Z

Ideas swarm my mind

I brace myself

to plunge deep into

my creative pool

I wish I had written these words

… People disappear when they die.
Their voice, their laughter, the warmth of their breath.
Their flesh. Eventually their bones.
All living memory of them ceases.
This is both dreadful and natural.
Yet for some there is an exception to this anniliation.
For in the books they write they continue to exist.
We can rediscover them.
Their humour, their tone of voice, their moods.
Through the written word they can
    anger you or make you happy.
They can comfort you.
They can perplex you.
They can alter you.
All this, even though they are dead.
Like flies in amber, like corpses frozen in ice,
      that which according to the laws
     of nature should pass away is,
          by miracle of ink on paper, preserved.
It is a kind of magic.

As one tends the graves of the dead, so I tend the books.
I clean them, do minor repairs, keep them in good order.
And every day I open a volume or two,
      read a few lines or pages,
             allow the voices of the forgotten dead
       to resonate inside my head.
Do they sense it, these dead writers, when their books are read?
Does a pinprick of light appear in their darkness?
Is their soul stirred by the feather touch
of another mind reading theirs?
I do hope so.
For it must be vey lonely being dead…

excerpt the thirteenth tale by Dianne setterfield
x
...

***

ooop ooops aaargh...

2011-11-04T14:34:00.001Z

feeling rather foolish

made a big mistake

turned up at the airport

.....................

whole

day

early

a a a a r g h

what fools

have you ever done this
or something similar
x

...

***

packing nightmare...

2011-10-31T11:04:00.002Z

i hate packing
why is the bag never big enough

image coutesy of lapetitcoterie.blogspot.com

i have a recurring nightmare
where i see myself
endlessly packing
and i always miss my flight
and end up continually packing
and stuck in a rambling
crumbly hotel

tomorrow we take a bus to sofia

and then we fly on wednesday

do you have any
old time fav nightmares
...

***

************************++++++...

2011-10-28T11:58:00.000+01:00

x
...

***

the long road to bg part 4...

2011-10-27T08:21:00.000+01:00

this is the final part of our
1500 mile trip from the uk to bg

a few images of the ferry trip

from venice to igoumenitsa greece

as i sit here and type the sky is grey

and there is a distinct chill in the air

this sunny trip is but a warm memory

the house here since our arrival
has had new double glazed windows fitted
there are men fixing the roof this very instant
yet sadly not enough time to install a heating system
and with temperatures which can drop to -20
handsome and i are weedy specimens
not up to the challenge
of a long cold harsh bulgarian winter
and so we will decamp to greece
and return here in march
x
...

***

plug...

2011-10-26T08:37:00.002+01:00

handsome

has a project

jules and joy

need to tidy up this logo

to source handmade quality artisan jewellery
from makers in greece and turkey
to offer for sale online

he didnt have much luck in istanbul
except for these lovely simplistic earrings

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190593298957?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

and whilst this amber necklace

isn't artisan handmade

he is a sucker for rocks and minerals

and couldnt resist this little beauty

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190593295517?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

to start off with he intends to sell via ebay
and should things progress well
we will build him an online store

(the walnuts used above as props

came from the garden here

and the other day we were warned

never to cut down a walnut tree

as here in bg this is a crime

punishable by prison

ooooh bit tough eh)

next week we head back to the uk

after several weeks visiting friends and family

we intend to hitch up the caravan

and once again head south

to over winter in greece

to source jewellery makers

and to look for a little house for me to buy

lucky us eh

...

***

strikes a cord...

2011-10-25T14:20:00.002+01:00

everyone

has talent at 25

the difficulty

is to have it

at 50

artist:edgar degas

...

***

visitor...

2011-10-24T15:58:00.000+01:00

i hate bugs

take your pick

creepy crawlies

make me sick

aaaaaaaaaarrrrgh

what the f**k

is this a mini

praying mantis

on my dustpan mrs

who'd love a bug

not i said the fly

and you?

...

***

quality not quantity...

2011-10-21T14:44:00.000+01:00

as i said i did not buy an awful lot in istanbul
in part due to high price tags
in part due to not liking what i saw
and i am quite sure
in part due to not finding the best area to hunt

still the little i got pleases me

now these i love

they are late 1800's

turkish greek orthodox prayer tokens

i found them in a small and dusty shop

in the centre of the grand bazaar

sorry to say not cheap

but unusual and darn cute

and these are rather fantastic says i
again late 1800's turkish
hand carved pinewood hand guards
to protect the fingers and knuckles when scything
i love an unusual find which is super decorative
and can imagine these on the wall
with a single stem dried flower or suchlike

officially my full etsy odd and old shop

will not be open again until 3rd november

as i am here and my stock is there

yet i am listing these delights

in a moment should you be so inclined

happy days

...

***

istanbul...

2011-10-20T09:49:00.001+01:00

istanbul is an inferno of red hot activity

and as a native londoner i loved it

this trip was a search and buy mission
with no time to relax and ruminate
on the history culture and architecture

istanbul is a shoppers paradise

but bargains are not to be had

the turks are savvy

and can wipe the floor with most shoppers

i did not buy alot for etsy odd and old
but am sure that in the future i will uncover areas
where i will be able to find most gorgeous delights
to offer for your delectation

tomorrow i will show you

my beautiful

although

thin on the ground finds

...

***

at the risk of bragging...

2011-10-15T08:15:00.000+01:00

...

***

why bulgaria...

2011-10-14T15:51:00.002+01:00

are you sitting comfortably
then i will begin

                          (in fact this phrase is a british child of the 60's
                                                             memory from infant television)

              i digress/not diversify mrs

as many of you

fellow creatives out there

no doubt

know from bitter experience

it can be difficult to pay the bills

on the back of

ones creativity alone

diversification is necessary

but the risk is always of distraction
and getting lost along the way

modern life is expensive
and the allure of bulgaria is
the fact that everyday life
is still alot cheaper than the rest of europe

add into the mix

free housing in the form

of handsomes paid up house

and hey presto

bulgaria burns bright

the plan is to live a quiet and productive life

to try to get ahead after

lifes little deceptions

to regroup

to give up the battle

in the hope

of winning the war

and the bonus is
that bulgaria as an ex communist regime
is in development
and this evolution
means new and old make interesting bed chums
a mine of visual inspiration for someone
like myself
obsessed with the passage of time
and how we as individuals leave our mark upon this world

once the assimulation process

is complete

and the tools of the trade arrive

let the creativity begin

please be

...

***

so much to share...

2011-10-13T14:54:00.005+01:00

the journey to bg

with lots of visual loveliness

is not finished

(please stiffle that yawn mrs)

but thought i'd share a few images
of my new and immediate surroundings

home sweet home

neigbour

view from loo

bulgaria is beautiful and evolving
no rubbish recyling here
but neighbours keen to re-use nails etc
and yet faster internet access than uk or france
installed within 24 hours
         and pay a fixer a nominal fee
                 and paperwork sorted fast and efficiently
            take heed france

a country on the verge of rebirth

with vital young

and traditional elderly

i think i may well fall in love

but am still in cultural shock
for the moment
x
...

***

the long road to bg part 3...

2011-10-12T11:51:00.002+01:00

i think

i will let

the images

simply

speak for

themselves

so much history

culture

eye candy

and tourism

...

***

the long road to bg part 2...

2011-10-10T14:39:00.000+01:00

the plan was to get on a ferry
venice to igoumenitsa in greece pronto

but this was not to be

before leaving france

i opened a new bank account

and was furnished with a

chimpanzee of a bank card

with no online booking possible

this piece of baboon poo plastic

'maestro' made us miss the boat

literally

but hey i didnt care

cos we got to visit venice

something that i personally

have always longed to do

for as long as i can remember

tomorrow i share

venice

...

***

the long road to bulgaria part 1...

2011-10-09T11:34:00.003+01:00

and so we left the uk at 7pm last thursday

and finally arrived in bg

as the expats call it

on tuesday evening

as the sun settled on the tailend of the day

we didnt rush but we didnt dawdle either

man and woman on a mission

handsome and i shared the driving
and for the first 26 hours managed maidstone to milan
at the french italien mountainous border
tunnels became de riguer
and it cost a whooping 36 euros
to pass through the mont blanc 8km tunnel

(altogether peage/motorway tolls cost
around 180 euros in france italy and greece)

after 20 odd hours on the road

we got our second wind

inspired by the spectacular scenery

happily we missed any sign of rush hour in paris
but got caught out in milan
as the sun and our energy levels started to fade

we were pooped

and whilst we had hoped to reach venice
without stopping

we realised we were beat

so the trusty sat nav
found us a nearby hotel
and boy were we happy...

after many hours en route

with only a paltry packet of babywipes to freshen up

we surely landed on our feet

milan one of the fashion capitals of the world

served up a new york style boutique hotel

with private individual garage parking

private lift directly from garage into room

with remote control everything

and a bed fit for a family of 10

we slept like babies

...

***

rush hour bg style...

2011-10-07T20:57:00.001+01:00

and so we have arrived

in bulgaria

the land of the donkey and turnip

and as a little taster

an image of rush hour

from mr handsomes house

with plenty of travel images

and who knows what else

to follow

in the coming days
and weeks

...

***

on the road...

2011-09-30T11:00:00.001+01:00

on the road in earnest
left uk at 8pm last night
and am now sitting in a service station
around about 100km from geneva
heading past milan to venice
but sadly
this time
no time to stop and take a punt in a gondola
aiming for a ferry from this watery delight of a town to greece
images to follow
when i remember to bring my plug adaptor
into the wifi area to charge my computer
miss visiting you all
but access to internet massively sporadic
or prohibitively expensive
x
...

***

lucky...

2011-09-28T11:28:00.000+01:00

not a great one for caravans really
that is to say love caravaning
but hate the plastic/draylon interiors
but love my new 10 year old landrover

today the journey begins for real

bit complicated actually

off to bulgaria in mr handsome's car

leaving the caravan and landrover in uk

to be collected a bit later

so:

ferry tomorrow night to france

drive to venice

ferry to greece

drive to bulgaria

hello turnipland

...

***

on the road...

2011-09-26T14:58:00.001+01:00

a few days with the folks

(in kent)

we bought a new car oooh

and now we hit the road

to collect a caravan too

...

***

saying goodbye...

2011-09-23T18:19:00.009+01:00

and so the day finally arrived

(and looking at these grey and humid images
not a day too soon)

when in 2001 I arrived in northern france

I lived in a small village called genech

my first house in genech

(1st image the white one on the right in the distance)

and my friends claire eric gust and gab's house
many a happy hour spent together

full of raw expectation
and today happy yet sad memories
things went tits up/awry in 2006

the last lunch in genech

yum yum carbonade and tripes
chez jannicks

one week on from the signing
of the sale of my house
and I am soooo happy to leave
the land of fantastic cheese and limited vision
(ooh that is controversial mrs)
and yet I still have regrets
for the way things turned sour

driving in convoy with mr handsome

france you are a beautiful country
but you were a fickle friend
adieu I loved you well
for a short while

umm the grey cliffs of dover

so much better?

welcome home for a week
x
...

***

snooze...

2011-09-22T19:13:00.001+01:00

...

***

words for tired...

2011-09-21T17:47:00.000+01:00

tired

exhausted

knackered

(cream crackered)

wiped out

pooped

shattered

too tired to think of any more
hahahahaa
can you...

no word big enough to describe

how i feel

and this

is only

the beginning

...

***

the start of the fresh start...

2011-09-19T12:47:00.005+01:00

so today
is the first day
of our new life

as autumn settles
here in france
we prepare to say adieu and

enjoy our own

springtime

pretty cool you can see your daily bread being made from the cafe

taking time out

to relax and reflect

prepare for our journey
and allowing new buds to form
and slowly blossom

and so we enjoyed
a leisurely breakfast

we have been in motels

since last thursday

waiting for the house sale funds to clear

and then tally-ho we are off

hope you are happy to share

our european road

and relocation adventure

...

***

bag lady...

2011-09-16T15:13:00.000+01:00

pooped

and

homeless

and

happy

to be

...

***

no images sorry...

2011-09-14T10:51:00.001+01:00

salut you/one 'n all

once again no images
sorry
on the hoof and in mcdonald's for wifi

sign for house sale definatively this friday

*******whoooah............

let the adventure begin

moved all my delights to the uk last weekend

looking on ebay to buy a 4 x 4 and caravan

but in effect homeless this weekend

just call me smiley gypo bag lady lind

hope you are all feeling good

...

***

'm' for moving...

2011-09-08T10:12:00.000+01:00

as 'm' day approaches
the stress anticipation and jitters kick in
moving home is always complicated and a fag
moving country is altogether more complicated
but oooh how exciting
going to travel a bit with a caravan
and our plans remain fluid and changeable
i hope to post regularly en route
with lots of interesting images along the way
meanwhile back to the packing
big smile to one 'n all
x
...

***

shop announcement...

2011-09-06T09:30:00.002+01:00

due to relocation
i am forced to temporarily close my shop
if you fancy anything
buy before this friday 09.09.11
and get 10% off with this coupon code:

RELOCATE

the shop will then be closed from 09.09.11 until 02.11.11
x
...

***

uhoh omg...

2011-09-01T09:11:00.002+01:00

the relative chaos of moving =

(not so scientific)

dearie dearie me

lots of things to do

boxes and shite everywhere

living in a zoo

not long to go now

only 15 days

a new adventure about to start

a new exciting faze

(oops! phase)

please excuse my absence

not alot of time

hope to visit you all soon

when the time i have is mine

...

***

storm...

2011-08-23T10:23:00.000+01:00

storm * my boy

storm *

that is what we experienced last night

all night long

storm *

not what the weekend brocante

went down like

it was in belguim a place called temploux

and was absolutely massive

and absolutely bonkers mad expensive

bleah bleah et encore bleah

still we had beer and chips and sunshine

and were shiny happy lapins

but as far as bagging a bargain

disappointed

...

***

something i love...

2011-08-19T16:57:00.002+01:00

http://www.etsy.com/listing/80076008/vintage-french-religious-image-of-jesus

here in france

when i scour the brocantes

something i love

are the unique quirky

often silly one off creations i stumble upon

i imagine the maker beavering away

to produce something decorative

but with no real value

oh joy for the human spirit

i raise my glass of red

to the mad amongst us

and wish ya'll a great weekend

sure in the smug knowledge

that mine promises to be a gem

scouring a kick ass brocante

in the heart of belguim

...

***

laugh...

2011-08-18T11:41:00.003+01:00

so busy sorting out

and stumbled upon these old id and passports

pretty scary to see your life whizzing by

18 ish

16 early/mid 20's

and now a scary potato like comparison

with all the new rules and regulations

for passport photos

sit square

no smile

no hair in eyes

i now ressemble an ageing pomme de terre

and the ridiculous image on my passport when i was 16

which caused guffaws of laughter on the german border

oh the humiliation

to have to carry this visual affront for the next 10 years

in the knowledge that it cost me £129.50p

aaaargh

hahhahahahaha

...

***

burn baby burn...

2011-08-17T10:48:00.000+01:00

so back to reality

the house is sold hoorah

time to pack up aaaargh

i find it endlessly amazing

the amount of shite one accumulates

and realise there is discipline and then discipline

when shifting through stuff

time to get radical

i have trailed loads of things around for the last 20 years

and have no desire to continue to do so

but please help me

tell me how can i throw away unwanted things

with sentimental or cash value

...

***

back in the land of baguettes...

2011-08-16T12:27:00.000+01:00

salut one 'n all

how goes you

back from my magical mystery tour with the storm boy

we had a great time together visiting around and about

and spending time with precious people

and here to share

a few images

of this that and the other

the boy

the folks

and i

...

***

time to hang out the bunting...

2011-07-30T10:24:00.001+01:00

http://www.etsy.com/listing/78532306/super-kitsch-vintage-french-tourist

my son storm

has been living with his dad in england

for a while now

and although we chat weekly

(torturous ado chat a bit like pulling teeth

i ave vays of making you talk sonny jim

interogation

question (you vill) answer)

we have not seen one another

imagine

if you will

this mums joy

to know she has her boy for 2 whole weeks

yes indeedy a uk magical mystery 'tour for 2'

swinging by best friends and grandparents

london/winchester/henley on thames

with a bit o camping thrown in

for good measure

hoorah

...

***

savage beastie...

2011-07-29T13:03:00.002+01:00

tigers are cute

tigers are fun

unless they turn nasty

and bite yer bum

lots of new lovelies in store

http://www.etsy.com/listing/78721013/vintage-soft-toy-tiger

...

***

chateau...

2011-07-28T10:30:00.007+01:00

the dream

people often assume that because i live in france

i have a magnificent abode

they imagine a house of grand proportions

and well tended extensive gardens

in their minds eye they see weathered stone

beautiful shutters and wonderful detailing

and inside they envision faded fabrics

stunning french armoires and such like delights

when i first arrived in northern france 10 years back

i did indeed have a large house

with a large rambling secret garden

but even this house opened directly onto the street

not exactly a chateau

sadly i lost this home

when the young frenchie decided i was over the hill

and not far off from being menopausal

the reality

so i think you can see clearly

the modesty of my humble home

and the enormous life lesson i have learnt is that less is more

even in this modest dwelling the garden is too big

700m2 what am i supposed to do with that

so the next purchase will be smaller yet

better to have a well maintained and manageable mini jewel

than a crumbling chateau

and this philosophy sits comfortably

with my rather limited financial means

afterall why battle with a shed load a housework

dusting endless unnecessary objects when in the end

life is too short to be over burdened materialistically

there is so much to see and do and delight upon in this world

and eventually we leave this world the same as we arrived

empty handed

what say you

one 'n all

...

***

dusty soul...

2011-07-27T08:26:00.000+01:00

bogged down by the everyday
struggling creatively

x
...

***

meet the hound...

2011-07-26T11:04:00.002+01:00

i have a furface friend
ain't he sweet

meet puppy

who isn't

a puppy that is

a minature schnauzer whom i bought
9 years ago from a top belgian breeder
for the princely sum of 700 euros
i got a tax refund from the uk
and decided to invest it in a furry bundle

his uncle was champion of belgium

his real name is dexter

but when i brought him home

he would only respond to puppy

the name the breeder gave all the baby furfaces

he is still a real baby
best 700 i ever spent
i love him

...

***

boy am i busy...

2011-07-25T13:00:00.002+01:00

sorry chums for my prolonged gone dark moment

times are indeedy hectic

rationalising possessions in readiness for

the big 'm (ove) day'

30th septembre

goodbye mr president

looking out for mr handsome who is doing well whilst still wobbly

and working on the bank balance

last week sold at an exhausting 2 day antique fair

with me ole mucker nick

ardingly west sussex uk

we were lucky with the weather

it only rained the last hour on the wednesday

phew phew and double phew

lots of great gear to be had

and plenty of laughs

hope you are all cheery chappies

a plus mes amies

...

***

minor revolution

2011-07-14T15:20:00.002+01:00

after 10 years of living in france

it is surely time to move on

ordinarily i sign the

compromis de vente

first paper to sell my house

tomorrow

not a moment too soon

i am seriously cheesed off with france

and the tunnel vision masses of the french

(although i still love the cheese)

today is revolution day

14th july 1789 the storming of the bastille

what happened to the fire in the belly

frenchman in the intervening years

i realise my rant is controversial and yet:

14 july 2011 the rant of the odd and old expat in france day

france the land of faternitie libertie equalite

i don't think so

a great country for a fab-frenchtastic holiday:

great wine landscape
culture gastronomy brocantes

a dubious country to settle:

arrogance selfishness

small mindedness and

blocked possibilities

and there endeth my mini revolt

...

***

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storming_of_the_Bastille

offering...

2011-07-12T14:46:00.001+01:00

so much to say

nowt to say

i offer flowers

on tuesday

...

***

period drama queen...

2011-07-08T15:11:00.000+01:00

i love a period drama

tell me what's not to love

and you tube is a veritable
sweetie jar of fine offerings
i cancelled my tv package and
now trawl you tube for my viewing fix
i have many recommendations
and here is a real corker

all the back series are posted on you tube

well worth watching and so to view click

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-u9yoWpvrnE

...

***

summer sale...

2011-07-06T08:09:00.001+01:00

yes indeedy it's sale time
good enough for harrods
good enough for l'il ole me

visit my odd and old etsy store

http://www.etsy.com/shop/oddandold

and at checkout enter the code

SUMMER

to qualify for your 15% discount

on any and all purchases

(sorry shipping not included in this promotion)

happy shopping

happy shoppers

smile

...

***

why not a quote...

2011-07-05T12:36:00.001+01:00

i think we consider

too much

the good luck

of the early bird

and not enough

the bad luck

of the early worm

franklin d roosevelt

...

***

meow quack...

2011-07-04T07:32:00.000+01:00

happy monday

...

***

diddling around...

2011-06-30T10:38:00.001+01:00

in 1998 i stopped being
a professional illustrator
i think it is time to reignite this activity
so i am playing around with ideas

(recognise this fella?)

ideas/work in progress 2011

happy

creative days

one 'n all

...

***

so much i could say...

2011-06-29T08:27:00.002+01:00

(so much i could tell you today
but nothing of suitable blogland content)

so instead

i will share with you

an image of past work

which i recently stumbled upon

whilst tidying my

sty of a studio

bit blurred eh

still

this work was created back in the 1990's

the image is a monoprint original

and the sculpture is cast in bronze
they were created during
a period of my life
when anything seemed possible
full of energy and optimisism
and the desire to create new life

i still love these pieces

they remind me that

i could and still can

...

***

cheesy retro...

2011-06-28T08:15:00.001+01:00

a smile a day

helps keep

the blues

at bay

...

***

sunny day...

2011-06-27T08:13:00.001+01:00

summer digital collage linda dacey 2011

(woke early this morning

and it felt like a holiday morn

the anticipation of a long hot lazy day

lunch with friends on the terrace

the simple pleasures of life

enjoy/joy)

...

***

hope...

2011-06-24T09:39:00.003+01:00

hope

is like a bird

that senses

the dawn

and

carefully

starts to sing

while

it is still dark

anonymous

...

***

daft as a brush...

2011-06-16T18:13:00.001+01:00

my paint brushes

basil brush

boom

...

***

business as usual...

2011-06-15T12:23:00.000+01:00

life continues

business continues

needs must

http://www.etsy.com/shop/oddandold

...

***

they say time heals...

2011-06-14T08:48:00.004+01:00

                  30 minutes that change a lifetime

30 hours plus spent with
     doctors
       police
psychologists
endless hours licking wounds/unimaginable hours to come

                      time timing

(the day I left my job as a graphic designer
my watch was placed in a drawer
no longer enslaved by the concept of time)

      time: enemy/friend

hindsight: perception of the significance and nature of events
                      after they have occurred

wishing wishing wishing

        if only
          ...

         ***

simply...

2011-06-13T10:53:00.000+01:00

thankyou

...

***

evil...

2011-06-09T08:24:00.001+01:00

here in my little slice of frogland

just when i thought life was somewhat tough

an event outside of our control

and completely out of our life experience

has utterly shattered and thus reshaped our lives

from this day forward

this little blog is not the place to say

what has happened (sorry to be obtuse)

fortunately no one has died

but the road ahead is long and dark

man can be evil and evil has touched our lives

i hope that for the perpetrators of this crime

there is truth in the words of the proverb below

the acts

of this life

are the destiny

of the next

inspirational eastern proverb
...

***

surprise hit...

2011-06-07T12:52:00.000+01:00

http://www.etsy.com/listing/75538144/vintage-french-wirework-cooling-tray

french patisserie is

renowned worldwide

and my french friend claire

can wipe the floor

with the best of the bakers

oohlala tartes and gateaux extraodinaire

there is a baker shop here called paul

their bread is a delight

and their tarte aux sucre to die for

but honest indian

claires tarte aux sucre is better

meanwhile i couldn't bake

my way out of a chocolate oven

and the craze of cupcakes

leaves me cold

thus imagine my surprise

when i stumbled upon

the popularity of the

vintage french cooling tray

as soon as i list

on etsy it flys out

a cool and cooling way

to cool yer cupcakes mrs

do you bake and munch

(or like me)

wait for the invitation

to lunch

...

***

old work...

2011-06-03T10:55:00.002+01:00

still tidying my workshop
and came across this
poke in your eye
collage

original collage linda in lalaland 2009

meet micky moocall

the little knitted cow

who was bought for me by my gran

from a church bazaar

(i can honestly

remember sitting in my pushchair

and her giving him to me)

gran sadly died when i was 5

and to this day this truth is one

of my biggest life regrets

micky's best mate is bunny

who comes from the same era

i love them both

...

***

poem...

2011-06-01T09:44:00.001+01:00

ode to the spirograph
and fond memories of childhood
rainy day diddlings

...

***

dear oh dear...

2011-05-30T12:58:00.001+01:00

aaaarrrrgh

omg

am i the only

cochon

oink oink

in town

(afterall what is a workshop for
if not for using as a dumping ground)

hmm i don't think so linda

time to tidy up

encombrant

a little french word

which means bulky or difficult to handle

or even an event

tomorrow is

encombrant

that is to say that
everyone has the right

to sling out shite

in front of their home

to be collected and

dumped by the council

ok ok ok
not very green
but jolly
practical

so that is what i am up to

a beautiful sunny day sifting through

accumulated hoardings

not inspiring
nay one 'n all

dull dull double dull

but cathartic

hope your day is
a tad more inspirational
mes amies

...

***

good-looking lighting...

2011-05-27T10:38:00.001+01:00

handsome is

as handsome does

and handsome

does handsome

this man can build anything

since being together

he has fitted bathrooms

built rooms and a 28m2 workshop for moi

and now a new illuminating project

assemblage lighting

with vintage finds

and a distinct french accent

http://www.etsy.com/shop/oddandold

how cool is this kinda kitsch

eiffel tower lamp

and what fab shadows

and on sale today

...

***

cheers big-ears...

2011-05-25T13:33:00.001+01:00

the french love their pernod

i kinda do too
this teatowel is groovy

and available to you

and you get a recipe on how to
flamber
pancakes in pernod

and something quality

and stylish

to dry the dishes up

with afterwards

www.etsy.com/shop/oddandold

can't be bad
and rather
cool eh

...

***

the big ponder...

2011-05-24T17:11:00.002+01:00

i often
wonder
what
it is
all
about

life

one

great

big

combustible

experiment

...

***

roland garros...

2011-05-23T10:10:00.000+01:00

juice 2011 collage linda dacey

tis the tennis season

starting off with the massive french open

roland garros

quickly followed by my fav

wimbledon

hoorah

strawbs cream and rain

not a great sport lover but have always enjoyed wimbledon

especially the vintage mcenroe years

love it love all

and you?

...

***

bit a name dropping...

2011-05-18T14:22:00.002+01:00

i am off to london
   again
        chelsea this time to see a
loyal client whose son
     is in the hot new band

mumford and sons

take a moment to listen to this track
(the video is naff but the music is not)

(was lucky enough

the other year

to be invited to the lead singer's

brothers wedding

where these super talented guys

sung live)

i was so green of their youth and skills

darn

it just makes me wanna spit

...

***