Stumbled across this today - the Cloud Appreciation Society. They have a beautiful cloud gallery, including a page of clouds that look like things. I like this mermaid/nacreous cloud.

Interesting article by Oliver James here. Lots to think about and chew over. Slightly less interesting is this review of the book he's talking about.

Your numbers fall, and it’s tempting to think
you’re deserting our suburbs and estates
like your cousins at Pompeii; that when you return
to bathe in dust and build your nests again
in a roofless world where no one hears your cheeps,
only a starling’s modem mimicry
will remind you of how you once supplied
the incidental music of our lives.

- Paul Farley

It's been a little while. I went home for the Easter weekend – everyone was there, which was lovely. Easter Sunday we went to a farm where we could pet lambs, and we even saw one being born, which was messier and less spectacular than I was expecting, though no less magical for that. Much like life, I suppose.

I had the next four days off, so I took myself off to the cottage for time spent by myself, reading, writing and walking. The near-constant rain put paid to the walking, and I did virtually no writing (some tinkering and some plotting), but I did read a lot. The gospels, Dallas Willard, a guilty Agatha Christie... I've mentioned Dallas Willard before, I think – I'd really recommend The Divine Conspiracy as an invitation to the life that Jesus lived, and The Spirit of the Disciplines as a theology of the classical spiritual disciplines. Lots of food for thought. I also read a lovely book of poetry by Paul Farley called The Ice Age (thank you, Katharine), and finished The Discovery of Slowness, which was brilliant.

Back at work this week – terrifying. It's hard work being a lazy perfectionist. Does anyone have any tips on how to face down the paralysing fear and find some motivation when you have too much to do and no one cracking the whip?

This made me laugh today. The kitkat, the twix and the creme egg are my favourites. Inspired lunacy. I like the Blue Peter-ishness of it all.

edit: there was a picture here, of the enormous peanut butter chunky Kitkat. Unfortunately it got lost when the platform changed, and I've tried to re-upload it, but for some reason it's not having it. So you'll just have to imagine it, I'm afraid. 26.01.07

I can't believe I haven't linked to this yet. Old news to lots of folk I'm sure, but I only came across (the real) Tuesday Weld and the song 'Bathtime in Clerkenwell', with its amazing video, a couple of weeks ago. Brilliant.

I always knew you
in your mother's arms 
I have called your name 
I have an idea
placed in your mind
to be a better man
I've made a crown for you
put it in your room
and when the bridegroom comes
there will be noise
there will be glad
and a perfect bed
and when you write a poem 
I know the words
I know the sounds
before you write it down
only wear your clothes
I wear them too 
I wear your shoes
and your jacket too 
I always knew you
in your mother's arms 
I have called you son
I've made amends
between father and son
or if you haven't one
rest in my arms
sleep in my bed
there is a design
to what I did and said

- 'Vito's ordination song', Sufjan Stevens, from the album Michigan