Saturday 2 February 2013

What about me?

It has been a funny week.  The weather has been up and down.  No snow now but plenty of rain and suddenly we are all acting as if 4c is like 24c... and now they tell us that we will probably have snow again all next week.

Added to this I have had a great deal of trouble posting comments on blogs.  I am not sure what the problem was but at least now things are back to normal.

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The other week my new blogging friend Olympia over at Old Things, chose five people to answer a series of questions: and I was one of them.

I have given the questions some thought and am now ready to post the answers:

THE QUESTIONS

Do you garden?
Yes I do garden although I would be telling a lie if I said that I garden a lot - that is AGA's department.  Here in Germany we have a small balcony and there is not much you can do - it is frustrating.  In Melbourne however we do have a garden and I have enclosed a few photographs of it for you.

What is your hobby?

I have a few hobbies:
I enjoy reading - a lot.  
I like to read history, gardening, poetry, interior design, select biographies, and murder mysteries: not those graphic ultra-violent ones that seem so prevalent today, but the old fashioned type from the 1930s written by such as Dorothy Sayers.  Mind you, I also loved reading Ellis Peters' Medieval Murder mysteries and the wonderful Phryne Fisher stories by Kerry Greenwood.
I like collecting antiques, porcelain and china.  
I like to write and am attempting a biography of King Henry III.
I like to cook.  Cakes and desserts are my main products.  Today I made Bara Brith (Welsh tea cake) for the first time but it didn't turn out exactly as planned so I shall make it again next week with modifications.  I also like to collect old cook books.
I enjoy taking photographs too, and at present I am enjoying writing a history of our family for my nephews and niece.

One thing that is definitely NOT a hobby of mine is ironing. Ironing sheets is my most unfavourite ironing job which is why the photograph below shows the deft hand of AGA attending to the task.

I also enjoy playing the harpsichord although AGA is much better than I am.  One day I will introduce you to our harpsichord.  We have one here, a copy of an 18th century French instrument and one back in Melbourne, a Flemish single-manual instrument that AGA built.  My mother who is a pianist, is looking after it.

This is the harpsichord we have here in Germany. 

Your favourite plant?
I have a few.  Roses.  Bluebells.  Bougainvillea.  Asters.  Soleil  d'or Jonquils.  But my favourite would have to be yellow daffodils.  There is something so regal, and so beautiful about them!

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lime_Avenue,_Nowton_Park_-_geograph.org.uk_-_730467.jpg

Where have you travelled?
I have travelled to lots of places: All over the UK and many places in Europe, Asia, and Australia.  I have not travelled to Central or Southern Americas, and my only visit to North America was to New York for Christmas shopping one year.  We enjoyed ourselves a lot despite the freezing cold winds that I thought might kill me!

What was your favourite trip?
This is tricky.  I think that it would have to have been my first visit to Pompeii about eight years ago.  I had always wanted to go there since I was a boy and so it could have been described as a dream come true:

This photograph was taken at the main entrance to the city.  I can't describe how excited I was (beneath the calm exterior shown in this photograph) to think that I was about the enter Pompeii!!

I would like to add however that to be honest with you, every holiday I have ever had with AGA could be classified as a 'favourite trip', whether we have been visiting a city, or striding through a muddy field to visit a ruined abbey or castle in the middle of nowhere:

We always have a wonderful time. I guess it is because he is such a wonderful partner and soul mate.

Your horoscope?
Taurus.  I do not know much about horoscopes.  I found out the other day that my Chinese horoscope is a Rabbit.

Your favourite painter?
Another hard question: Simone Martini; Sir Arthur Streeton, Parmigianino, Tiepolo, Giotto, Botticelli, Constable; to name a few.
http://fr.wikipedia.org

A particularly favourite painting of mine is Simone Martini's 'Annunciation' which I have had the ultimate pleasure of viewing in person at the Ufizzi Gallery in Florence:

http://fr.wikipedia.org

What kind of music do you like?
Mostly music of the Baroque period.  Jean Philippe Rameau is my favourite composer, with Handel trotting in a very close second.
I also like music of the Renaissance and in particular Monteverdi and Vittoria.  Monteverdi's Vespers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of 1610 is a wonder!

(In the 1980s and 1990s I was a big music fan - I loved all those dance tunes, new wave songs and the beginning of 'techno'.  I am more sedate these days although we still take our Bananarama CD with us in the car so we can sing our hearts out while travelling from one place to another...)


Your favourite food?
Comfort food - the sort of food you make yourself and which leaves you feeling full, content, and sublimely happy afterwards.  I also like  Italian, Afghan and Vietnamese.

Do you have pets?
Alas no.  I did have a wonderful dog.  A true friend named Portmac Wee Hamish of Portland (Hamish for short) but he died 9 years ago.  I miss him:

AGA has said that when we return we will have two dogs.  I also want a house cow but this is still under negotiation (I think AGA suspects I'll let it sit on the sofa!) - and some miniature sheep.  I would like a cat - black with green eyes: a witch's cat!

Well,  these are the questions and my answers.  I hope you enjoyed reading it.  I am supposed to choose five people to answer the same questions however I do not wish to impose upon you so I will say that if you want to take part then feel free to do so!

36 comments:

  1. Hello Kirk, All your choices reveal excellent taste. I too am a fan of Rameau and Handel. What do you think of William Boyce? Some of his work reminds me of Handel's English mode, as well as being attractive on its own.

    I think the secret of ironing sheets is just not to bother, although I allow some divergence of opinion on this point.

    Hope the weather there straightens itself out.
    --Road to Parnassus

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  2. Dear Jim,

    Thank you for your kind comments.

    I like William Boyce too and am inclined to agree with you regarding the similarities between him and Handel. In fact his 'eight symphonies' was the first CD that I bought when that medium for reproducing music had become the norm. I often think that driving along with Boyce playing away in the car makes the journey somehow more elegant!
    We're listening to Jan Zelenka at the moment. Another top composer of the period to my mind.

    Growing up in a family were the sheets etc were always ironed - I don't think I could sleep in a bed where they were not so how lucky am I that AGA takes on the task!

    Bye for now

    Kirk

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    1. Hi again Kirk, What an amazing coincidence--I was listening to Zelenka's trio sonatas (an elegant version on original instruments) as I read your reply to my comment.

      I grew up with ironed sheets also, but that was one standard I was able to relinquish. Not the sheet quality though--my favorite is still 100% cotton percale. --Jim

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    2. Those sonatas are very nice. I like Zelenka's works - they sparkle. Over here we were listening to the Capriccio in A major for two corni da caccia, two oboes, bassoon, strings and basso continuo.

      I think that 100% cotton percale has a very nice feel to it. We have some sets too and we like it in white.

      Kirk

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  3. Dear Kirk - interesting to learn a little more about you. I could not agree with you more about Pompeii and I would include Herculaneum too. If I was to build my own home I would base it on ones I saw in Herculaneum but with a Cotswold twist.
    Jim has the right answer to ironing sheets, what is the point - you get into bed and they all crease up again!!! Hang them very carefully in the airing cupboard to let any creases drop out and then fold them carefully with two of you doing the job to get nice neat folds - there you have it, life is too short.

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    1. Dear Rosemary,
      I was interested to read your comments because I also want to design a house based on those of Pompeii and Herculaneum! I think that a very elegant home could be created using them as a base model. We bought a super book on Pompeii after taking my niece and nephew there a couple of years ago. It really spurred my architectural thoughts in that direction.
      Bye for now
      Kirk

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  4. Hello Kirk,
    Good to get to know more about you. I laughed at the sheets also as I have made myself 'love ironing' because I have to have pressed sheets twice a week (and 100% linen - b*tch to iron!!). It's all about drying them flat!!
    Great choices and happy to see you are dog lovers - says a lot to me!
    I am a 'monkey' - had to look it up!! I am more stuck in your 80's and 90's music, although we go to the Opera which I enjoy.
    Thank you for sharing!
    Best wishes,
    Ivan

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    1. Hello Ivan,

      And now you have made me laugh because we also have 100% linen sheets and it really is all about drying them flat. There is a huge ceremony in our apartment when it comes to preparing the sheets for drying. And then there are the pillow cases! I don't mind 'doing' those because although they take while, they are not as cumbersome as the sheets.

      Living here in the Germany is the first time that there has not been a dog in my life. I found that difficult at first but I realise that apartment living is not in a dog's best interest especially when there is no one at home during the day.

      My favourite full on opera is Rossini's Barber of Seville.

      I hope you have a nice time in Paris!

      Bye for now

      Kirk

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  5. Hello Kirk:
    We have so enjoyed learning a little more about you and having a peek into your elegantly furnished home.

    It is clear that you and AGA make the most of every moment together and are obviously very well suited to each other. We are not surprised that you found difficulty in choosing your favourite places in the world for we are sure that you, like us, find much of interest wherever you may go. There are always hidden treasures.

    We do have the great luxury of having our sheets and indeed everything else ironed for us. It is, we know,a treat although we often muse about the fact that HM The Queen must have clean AND ironed sheets every day and what bliss that would be!!!Irish Linen too we should bet!!

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    1. Hello Jane and Lance,

      Thank you for your kind comments.

      What you say is very true. We have been to so many places and to be honest, each place has had aspects that have made it special for us. It is precisely the discovery of those hidden treasures that make for wonderful memories.

      To have freshly ironed linen sheets every day would be heavenly indeed. I asked AGA if he would oblige and he said that the answer to that is 'NO'.

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    2. In response to Jane and Lance's comment, I would add that while Her Majesty doubtlessly has freshly iron sheets every day, she also wakes up to bagpipes, which I think I would rather forego! :o)

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    3. Mark,
      You don't care to be awoken daily to the penetrating sounds of 'Bonnie Dundee'?

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  6. That was terrific, Kirk! I enjoyed all your answers, and share many of your hobbies: antiques, reading and photography. What a surprise: Bananarama???? "Cruel Summer" will always be one of my favorite jams. I also love Depeche Mode and Erasure :) As for ironing, I think it can be fun.....NOT, haha.
    Cheers,
    Loi

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    1. Dear Loi,
      For me it will always 'I heard a rumour'. I love love love that song, while AGA's favourite is 'Venus'. When driving we might play those three or four times in a row, singing our heads off. Style Council, Eurythmics, Go West. Great groups. Mind you, there was a group way back then called 'ABC' and the lead singer often wore a gold suit. I loved there songs too and how I wanted a gold suit of my own!
      AGA tells me that ironing is vaguely 'therapeutic'. I'm glad he told me that as he can do more of it!

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  7. Hi Kirk! Thanks for stopping by my blog!

    This is a fun-filled post! We enjoy reading similar genres.....as for Bananarama, you made me laugh, as I remember those days! I am so glad you love daffodils...me too! We have a beautiful patch that blossoms against a stone wall. Although I have seen much of the United States, I have not truly been out of the U. S. (except a brief pass through Canada), I envy the travel stories and memories you must have.

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    1. Those days were great - big hair, out of control outfits . . . it seemed to take for ever to get your hair just right when going out.
      Daffodils are such beautiful flowers and yesterday when we were doing the supermarket shopping they had a pannet of them, flown in from England. All unopened. We took a risk and bought five bunches, and this morning I see they are all opening up. What a sight to cheer the heart on a cold dreary day!
      My father and grandparents travelled to the United States in the early 1950s and while my grandparents travelled about at a more sedate place (Spending much time in Canada), my father went with a friend he had made and rode on horseback from the Mexican border to the Canadian border. The places and sights he saw! One day AGA and I will get there.

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  8. Oh, and one more things....what is up with the ironed sheets?????? We dry them and put them on the beds. Iron them? Never! You boys have me chuckling.

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    1. Having a busy working life we make the bed each Friday evening rather than twice a week.
      Once finished the bed looks very inviting and when eventually one gets 'in' and feels the luxury of those ironed sheets - it is a wonder one doesn't succumb to the charms of Morpheus immediately!

      Try it - once you have tried ironed sheets you will never look back!

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  9. Dear Kirk

    I have been visiting your blog for the past twenty minutes or more. I loved hearing of your travels and likes and dislikes. Your choice of music has had me on you tube listening to many of your suggestions. Monteverdi & Vittoria - Vespers of the BVM is being re-played. Thank you for this. Wishing you a great week

    Helenxx

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    1. Why thank you Helen!
      Those Vespers are among the most wonderful pieces of music I know.
      Vittoria is perfect (I think) for a time of quiet reflection.
      I'm glad you like them too!
      Bye for now
      Kirk

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  10. Ah, nothing quite like a freshly-ironed sheet. Nothing quite so soul-sucking as actually ironing it :)

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    1. How very true MW.
      For my part I always choose to do the ironing on either Tuesday or Thursday after I get home form work. Those are my two late days and I think I may as well join the ironing on to the end of them rather than spoil my 'good' days when I get home earlier.

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  11. What a wonderful post! I love your way of life, what I like the most of your hobbies, I like gardening, reading misterious novels, cooking and I also like collecting antiques. My father paints so I'm very related to the world of artists in my city and we have lots of books about painting and painters. My uncle Francisco Bejarano is a writer, he has the national award of the critics in Poesy and he has an old house with lots of old books like yours, he made an family tree that I published in a post. So you are very familiar for me.

    http://marinainblue.blogspot.com.es/2012/05/arbol-genealogico.html#comment-form

    Marina from Jerez

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    1. Dear Marina,

      Thank you for your kind comments.

      These hobbies are wonderful aren't they - so full of life and beauty.

      Your father paints? How lovely. My sister is rather good at it and AGA's great-grandfather painted as well. It is a skill that I do not think that I have however maybe one day I shall try.

      I had a look at your family tree. What a great idea!

      Bye for now and have a happy Sunday.

      Kirk

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  12. I love learning about you this way. Don't know if I'll take on the questions myself, but your responses did make me thoughtful (thought-filled?). I have always wanted to visit Pompei. Spent a lot of time in Italy over the years and never got there. One of these days! And the daffodils. My sister used to always buy them for my mother at the subway station near home when they were in season. They always make me think of her. Thanks!

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    1. Thank you Mitch.

      I have to say that despite the crowds, the sun and the general carry-on that happens there, I found it 100% thrilling to visit Pompeii. I've been three times now so I probably won't be going again however, I have not been to Herculaneum or neighbouring Oplontis yet...

      I hope all is well with your plans down there in sunny Spain!

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  13. Hi Kirk, nice to get to know you a little bit more! You are certainly a man with many diverse interests! I guess we can look forward to a lot more fascinating blog posts. One thing I was really surprised about is that you guys are ironing sheets by hand. It is certainly nice to have ironed sheets, but it would never occur to me to do it myself by hand with an iron.
    Christina

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    1. Dear Christina,
      Once you have experienced the utter luxury of slipping between ironed sheets of a night, you will never want to go back!

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  14. Hello, Kirk,

    It's good to know more about you, and it seems that you are in a good space, figuratively and literally. I have never been to Pompeii, but I'm fascinated by it and its splendid murals. I would love to go there. I can tell from my books on Pompeii that a house designed with an atrium would suit me perfectly!

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    1. Thank you Mark.
      Yes I guess you are right: I am in a good space - and there are some exciting prospects just over the horizon too. Pompeii is such an interesting place to visit. And extensive too. Maybe I could 'blog' on it!
      Regarding an atrium - wouldn't it be just lovely? Especially in the summer where you could recline on your Gustavian daybed (courtesy of Loi Thai) and perhaps eat a few grapes while cooling breezes waft through and the tinkling of the fountain lulls you to sleep (or has you rushing for the toilet!)

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  15. Kirk,
    You've certainly told us alot about yourself. I like that. I don't honestly know alot about many of my fellow bloggers, and I'd be happy to know more in the way you've done here.
    Your harpsichord is amazing.
    I wouldn't blame you for burning everything the iron encounters...for me, I go into a sort of trance, when I iron, pretending that's it's great therapy when I really know it's the last thing I want to be doing...

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    1. Faisal,
      Thank you for your comments - the harpsichord is lovely isn't it - I might post something on it one day.
      AGA also says that he thinks ironing is a kind of therapy. I'm not so sure. Some time back I was ironing while watching Mr. Obama speak on the news about something or other (I think it was during their last elections) and accidentally burned my hand by running the iron over it!! I think I was meant to have a servant do my ironing for me...

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  16. Was great to learn more about you. I'm loving your blog, and your picture montages. David.

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    1. Thank you David,
      That's very kind of you. I like your blog too! In fact it was one of the first ones I started reading.
      Kirk

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  17. My dear Kirk , I am really sorry that I missed this post ...But I had lost you from my blog list ....This week the blogger makes me much troubles ...I am glad that you answer this funny game ,I learned more for you ! Thank you so much that you took part !And I apologize for my delay !Have a nice week ! I hope that your blog appears to my sidebar !
    Olympia

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    1. Thanks Olympia,
      I'm glad you liked this post.
      I know what you mean about the blog list - I too lost some blogs for a while. I do not know what I did but they came back eventually!
      Bye for now
      Kirk

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