@pedant  It does have a face and long fuzzy legs too. We have been getting a hummingbird moth to our lilac and it is also strange and wonderful. It has clear wings which beat so fast you can barely see them and it flies in and out of the flowers like a hummingbird and she comes out when the sun is shining. A very good mimic. Also the monarch and…[Read more]

@pedant  That is a cool creature and would make a very excellent Who monster. Is it a moth because if it is I am already scared.Also nice picture.

@doctor-levina   So you have reached the crusty ,sarcastic and cheeky 12th Doctor and isn’t he great. Have fun.

@pedant agree, absolutely brilliant. There was, I think, a small element of hindsight, though never smart-arse or preachy, from the opening scene.

I also have to mention the scene I was absolutely dreading (I’m trying to avoid spoilers even though this is an historical series and it’s something that actually happened – but there is a webpage…[Read more]

@pedant  I have heard about the show and I am glad it is as good as they say. I will have to wait for my library to order it but they are pretty good at getting things if people request them. Thanks for the review.

@mudlark

Sublimi vertice are in the ablative singular masculine but it’s vertex, as you identified, that points to “the crown or the top of the head”

But allow the larks to call! I can imagine the birds tweeting and the Narcissi blooming (OK, I’m no poet). Here, it’s about 10 overnight now and 22 to 24 during sunny days -so much like your spring…[Read more]

Hellooo @JanetteB @mudlark @pedant and other delightful & clever people!

I have a small amount of Horace which I’m certain is Pindaric in origin.

Now, do not be concerned -it’s the Horace I’m after. I have several definitions but I’d like to know yours (if you have any Pindar encomium all the better!)

Sunt quos curriculo pulverum…

[Read more]

BBC APPROVED SPOILERS...

@Craig

Well that’s very difficult, but as your neighbour says, you really can’t save everyone. Nor can you always be in the right place to save them. And sometimes it takes a few gentle words, kind words, particularly if you happen to know the person relatively well. Or a bit.

I remember, nearly two years back at 5 am my mum being told, “Oh, get…[Read more]

Sorry for the late responses to you all @pedant @janetteb @whisht @mudlark @winston @thane16

Thank you for the kind words but I hope, actually I believe, it’s something anyone could and should do. As I said, I have no training, it just takes a bit of nerve to go up and talk to a stranger. It might take even more nerve to call up a…[Read more]

BBC APPROVED SPOILERS...

BBC APPROVED SPOILERS...

@JanetteB @Blenkinsopthebrave @Craig @pedant @missy @winston

Paging anyone anywhere..

mate of mine is taking a last minute contract at university for 1st years where the topic is, basically, modern Australia. She’s wondering if anyone can add ideas as to what concepts or items are icons for Australia (forgive my bad gramma but it’s “Australia…[Read more]

@pedant indeed yes, this track showed his comedic quality when prior it was all “take me very seriously intensity.”

Whistle Test -know it well. Various faculties had access to whole boxes of recorded cassettes!

Time was a beast, though.

@pedant

Well, normally I’d agree but Meatloaf is TGOAT -his inspiration only from Zeus. Karla is Hecate. Or….something.

She’s unbelievably good isn’t she?

And I think, I think, Paradise is the best rock song ever written, actually.

Closely followed, of course, by Wilde’s Kids in America…. (Seen recently in S2 of Killing Eve)

Puro

@pedant  @craig

Absolutely phenomenal, wasn’t she?

Two nights ago we were watching a Doris Day movie (hadn’t done this in AGES) and when we awoke the next morning, found out she’d died.

A genuine talent to be missed.

@pedant You beat me to it. But here’s the beautiful clip from ‘The Man Who Knew Too Much’.

Truly one of the greats.

@craig

Absolutely. You did a wonderful thing. A necessary thing. I think @whisht‘s idea of speaking with the Samaritans yourself -if you feel you may need to – is top advice.

Also, what @pedant said -it’s rarely capricious.

It must have been difficult to do & you could’ve looked the other way. You turned towards them, Craig.

Puro and Thane.

@pedant – oooof – that’s strong, but yeah.

Don’t be hurt if I don’t find a song to match your reply though!

So, I saw on the news that a known racist and bigot in the UK, has had milkshake thrown over him on a couple of occasions recently and thought “I wonder would @pedant approve?”

;¬)

Anyway, here’s something…. provocative in completely other ways.
{ahem}

@thane16  @janetteB

I have a strong suspicion that we are not talking about the same plant. The vinca minor in @pedant ‘s photo and the vinca major which lurks at the back of my shrubbery – aka lesser and greater periwinkle – are the common varieties in these parts, native to Europe and adjacent regions,  and they are low growing hardy, e…[Read more]