In The Pink

So after a fairly OK day, but a trying week, I came home to a dog with a poorly tummy, some pants work news and promptly burnt tea! Having been abstaining from alcohol for a few weeks to be healthy I decided on a large scotch to make things better; I don't think it has worked! However what is working is a good bout of Jethro Tull (and a great Scrabble session with my sister) and I am planning on sharing the joy. For all those feeling the strain this is for you. (For some reason we are now listening to a Bernard Cribbins track...hey whatever gets you through the night, it's alright, it's alright.)

We have had some great winter weather recently and lots of fog which makes for some interesting photos. I took a load of shots locally on a beautiful, foggy, early morning, dog walk last week, and got some more shots with my phone around Ironbridge yesterday. The shots on my phone did not come out as well as I would have liked but never mind. Here are some collages of the shots I took. The weather man promised us a foggy day today but it has not emerged which is as shame as I had planned a trip out to get some more shots but I am sure there is some more good wintery weather to come!

All future posts relating to the Compassionate Shopping Guide will be posted over at my other blog   Evolved.  The Compassionate Shopping Guide is described below. 'NEW AND IMPROVED 12th EDITION OF THE COMPASSIONATE SHOPPING GUIDE IS NOW HERE! This 60-page pocket-size guide is packed full of positive and practical tips from where to find cruelty free and eco-friendly products on the internet, in the supermarket or even spa, to eco-cleaning tips and homemade cleaning recipes. The NEW edition includes dozens of newly endorsed companies, including quite a few surprises! From the use of palm oil which endangers orangutans and talc mining, to positives like eco-cleaning products and cruelty free, the Compassionate Shopping Guide helps you use your purchasing power effectively. Each copy of the Guide comes with money saving discounts offering £s of savings on outstanding ethical products and, for orders placed before 1st September 2010, entry into a Priz...

Since I took these photos last weekend we have had a week of storms that have stripped the trees of their remaining leaves. It has been a beautiful autumn so I don't feel cheated, and winter gives us an opportunity to appreciate trees varying and delicate branch structures and take a close look at the years extension growth and new buds, waiting to burst next spring.

Image Credit: Bing

Well that was the best thing I have read in ages! So I am afraid it is goodbye to The Body Shop, goodbye to Ecover and goodbye to Dove, another old favourite, but I feel better for making the decision. Obviously the issues do not only relate to animal experimentation but to detrimental practices in order to obtain some ingredients which damage and reduce valuable wildlife habitat. There is a wealth of knowledge in this book which will help me promote wildlife habitat, reduce harmful bi-products and actively support the abolition of animal experimentation. I am excited to be making a change! As suggested in the Guide I will be writing to the companies I will nolonger be using explaining my decision and urging them to bring about the changes necessary to gain the Naturewatch Approved Status.

Over the past few years I have been trying to buy personal care and house hold cleaning products that are environmentally friendly and are not tested on animals. I use Ecover household products and have, for the most, purchased personal products from The Body Shop. Even Mr Dancin has been a willing convert to The Body Shop. However he returned from town last week saying that he had seen a notice on a stall calling for a boycott of The Body Shop. He was a little reluctant to tell me as The Body Shop is my favourite shop and I love going there to treat myself. Anyway I looked it up online. The Body Shop was sold to  L'Oreal in 2006 and at the time I checked with The Body Shop to ensure that their animal friendly status still stood to be assured it did however it has been speculated that the profits from the organisation are not ring fenced and are used to suppliment L'Oreal who do not maintain an animal friendly status as of yet. There is a lot more to is that this and I reco...

I have had a great year blogging in 2010 but have been a little late getting started this month. As usual I write many mental posts as I pass my days but few make it here. I have however missed blogging. I have recently joined Facebook in an attempt to track down an old friend, and have had a spell of contacts from old friends via Facebook and funnily enough on Friends Reunited. It has been lovely but also a little odd and I have found my head filled with memories over the past week. Its all been a little overwhelming actually and my head seems to be craving some quiet and a calm spell to allow me to adjust. I have found my head filled with lyrics and lines also in recent days and think I should spend some time with my note book and get some of it down. I know it may sound odd but it has been a bombardment of memories and feelings. It made me think of this song from the wonderful David Sylvian, Nostalgia. Its a beautifully chilled song from the album Brilliant Trees, perfect fo...

This is one of my favouroite songs ever, although I find it very sad. Anyway Neil Diamond has recorded it for his new album and I heard it on Radio 2 today, so I thought I would come and post this version here. No offense Neil but this is a tough card to trump. Lyrics, A Song For You (Leon Russell) I've been so many places in my life and time I've sung a lot of songs I've made some bad rhyme I've acted out my love in stages With ten thousand people watching But we're alone now and I'm singing this song for you I know your image of me is what I hope to be I've treated you unkindly but darlin' can't you see There's no one more important to me Darlin' can't you please see through me Cause we're alone now and I'm singing this song for you You tought me precious secrets of the truth withholding nothing You came out in front and I was hiding But now I'm so much better and if my words don't come to...