Broodies, chicks and more joys of the country…
By frances | May 21, 2008
Lavender – a lavender araucana – who has been sitting resolutely on 7 eggs for the past three weeks hatched three gorgeous baby chicks: two with ginger Welsummer markings (the dad) and one pure black. Sadly the only one of her own (blue) eggs she was brooding wasn’t fertile – and the chocolate brown Blue Maran egg was eaten in week one! She is proving an admirable mother, showing the chicks what to eat and keeping them warm.
Her sister, Lilac, who was broody at the same time but gave up when moved to a safer location is sitting again… and my two adorable but feather-brained white silkies are broody during the day but go for lengthy strolls and forget about their eggs each evening. The araucana become comatose, oblivious to all else, and peck fiercely if you try to move them; whereas the silkies have trouble coping with more than one egg, steal eggs from one another, and don’t quite seem to know what they’re up to. Is this a Belbin “personality type” system in the making???
Topics: Chickens, Country Life | 1 Comment »
13 eggs!
By frances | March 20, 2008
A new daily record from my 17 young hens!
[yes I know it's an absurd thing to blog about - but after all I do live in the country!]
Topics: Chickens | 2 Comments »
Easter myths
By frances | March 20, 2008
This morning in the bath my son asked “What is the end of the Easter story?” adding “I need to know in case [my teacher] asks…” I explained that the standard version tended to include resurrection, the empty tomb being discovered by Mary and Martha, then a period of Jesus “being seen” by various disciples (eg. doubting Thomas) to lend credence to the resurrection, and finally ascension to heaven.
I was a bit vague about the last part, and moved hastily on to explain that of course there were also different accounts: eg. Jesus represented as an immortal son of god, for whom human death and resurrection were impossible; Jesus having had a special relationship with Mary Magdalene who in some excluded gospels seems to be represented as a wife or certainly #1 disciple. And the equally heretical Ebionites Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Hypnotherapy for Depression
By frances | March 20, 2008
My copy of the “Handbook of Cognitive Hypnotherapy for Depression” by Assen Alladin arrived this morning – what a remarkable book!
To get out of the way my only two criticisms:
- the print is uncomfortably small for anyone over 40 – which probably constitutes more than 50% of the likely readership…
- his otherwise helpful and concise review of theories of depression manages to leave out any reference to Melanie Klein, whose concepts of the depressive position, guilt and reparation are of far greater value than any of the other psychoanalytic formulations that he included. I presume this is because Mr (Dr?) Alladin is in Canada and unaware of object relations theory.
However, apart from this, the book presents a coherent, practical and information packed outline of his methods of using cognitive hypnotherapy for treating depression. In the wake of last month’s revelations about Prozac being no better than placebo new forms of treatment need to be found and hypnotherapy seems a promising option.
More on this topic later… Meanwhile a book I strongly recommend.
Topics: Hypnotherapy | No Comments »
Hello world!
By frances | March 19, 2008
Yet another Wordpress blog… Must admit I do wonder if the world needs yet another blog – sentiments best expressed by Hugh MacLeod at gapingvoid
Apologies for borrowing the cartoon – but it did seem apt. (He also sells his cartoons on business cards as a memorable way of passing your info on – inexpensive too!)
It is going to take a while to work out what this blog is for and whether I should continue it, but meanwhile ” Hello World”
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Excess domain names for sale…
By frances | March 19, 2008
The following domains are available for sale. Luckily my “domain mania” has now passed… Please contact me if you are interested in buying any of those listed below.
Career-Makeover.co.uk
Culturebite.com
Culturebite.net
Culturebite.co.uk
Culturebites.co.uk
Image-Makeover.co.uk
LifeCoachingBath.co.uk
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »