Wed 17 July 2019 Gave Geranium Charity shop 4 x 'the kiss' themed drawings/Cat brought in a mouse

I was meant to go and visit artist Lil Sullivan's house in Brixton to go and finish off uploading artworks into web pages I helped her create. However, I woke up 'late' somewhere past midday. I felt really tired through just not getting enough sleep...my left eye is still extremely sore, and, 'blurry'...not been using the hospital recommended eye drops regularly enough; therefore,  I just wasn't in the mood to do any long travelling.

2 PM I cannot recall, now, if it was she who called me...or, if it was vice versa I called her; however, the conversation went...I don't think I'll be able to make it over there, today. First, I'm going down to my local charity shop called: Geranium on West Norwood High Street; where I'm going to offer them 4 of my artworks: A4 sized 'themed' drawing of The Kiss(two people's heads kissing); and, then, I will return back home...when I will call you if I'm coming or not.

GAVE CHARITY SHOP: GERANIUM 4 OF MY ARTWORKS: THE KISS/A4 PAPER/£1.00 WOODEN FRAMES/GLASS ON TOP

2:30 PM First, I went down to the local charity shop called: Geranium; and, delivered them the artworks; each has a label on the back stating: Name/Date/Time/Location/Medium/Original/Print/Signed; is drawn/printed on A4 paper/and, was given inside of a cheap borderless wooden frame with glass on top. They accepted the gifts.

(Most unfortunately, I forgot to take photos before giving the artworks to the charity shop; thus, I can't include any photos here. Sorry! Next time, I will remember to take photos, first; before giving away anything.)

BROUGHT A SET OF 2 WOODEN DOLPHIN SCULPTURES - MADE IN THE PHIL
IPPINES

Next, I went and brought a set of 2 x wooden dolphin sculptures from the same charity shop costing respectively, £4.00 (3 x dolphins)/and, £3.00 (2 x dolphins).

BROUGHT 7 x PAPER BACK BOOKS TO GO AND READ

Finally, I brought 7 paper back books each costing 0.25p...totalling: £1.75p altogether.

 1> The book of the Dog. I'm actually more of a 'cat' person; however, I decided it might be worth giving this book to a friend...who both loves art/and, also, is mad about keeping dogs. The book contains many artworks which are related to depicting dogs. For me, it was worthwhile having a quick glimpse through; but, doubt I'll 'keep' it.

2> The New Cambridge Shakespeare/Anthony and Cleopatra. I really can't state what a huge Shakespeare fan I am...and, from ever since my 'youth'. This volume interested me because it is very clearly marked up/annotated by a scholar/or, student. I wished to study the passages they've gone and highlighted...; as well as, get to re-read this play going from cover to cover, all over again.

3> Penguin Classics: Bram Stoker, Dracula. I always wanted to be able to find time to read through this great classic. Frankly, I doubt I ever will find enough time; but, nevertheless, I choose to buy it, anyway...in the rather vain hope that one day I will find the necessary time to go and read through over 400+ pages showing really small text.

4> How Coca Cola took over the world. I've always been very highly ambitious to succeed big time in life business wise; and, for me, Coca Cola is about as big as it gets to having been successful as a business. So, quite naturally, I wanted to read/understand more. Where did they start from/how did their business both develop and grow.../-etc.

5> Martin Amis, Times Arrow. I always heard this 'famous' name before...didn't even realise they were a writer. However, when I read the books cover/back cover...it said really 'thrilling book'...so, because the book also looks 'short'...165 pages...I figured that even somebody with an ADD/Attention Deficit Disorder mind like mine...might be able to get all the way straight through it; whilst, at the same time, figuring out what 'Martin Amis' is most famous for, I guess...namely, for being 'an author'.

6> Caged Bird/Stories from safe house and Nadia Anjuman's poems. This, again, is a 'short' book to read...looks like less than 100 pages...foreign text on one side/English translated text on the other; (at the back of the book are a few illustrated artworks). I felt deeply fascinated by it...as it tells 'sad stories' about foreign cultures...namely, about how women are repressed/beaten/tortured (married off too young) in Afghanistan. I quote reading from the back cover: "Humanitarian Assistance for the Women and Children of Afghanistan (HAWCA) is a women headed organisation established in January 1999 by a group of youth Afghan women and men."

7> Paulo Coelho, Eleven Minutes. I first heard of this 'famous' author's name just a few days back...when I went and read through the 'artist statement' having been written by my latest art teacher/and, stroke victim: Lil Sullivan. In her statement she had mentioned that she read the Paulo Coelho book: The Alchemist; and, it had somehow changed her life. So, when I saw this book with his name on...I couldn't help but being curious to go learn more. The book front cover describes him as being an 'international best seller'. The back of the book, describes the heroine as being involved in 'prostitution'...'selling her body to survive'. Again, I couldn't help but to feel intrigued...what will she discover walking down this dark path...will she ever find/or, see the light...?

Thus, the total Geranium charity shop bill came to: £4 + £7  (2 x dolphin sculptures) + £1.25 (7 x paperback books) = £8.75.

4:30 PM PHONE LIL SULLIVAN TO SAY I'M DEFINITELY NOT COMING, TODAY

I phoned artist Lil Sullivan to say I'm sure I'm not going there today. I suggested, maybe, tomorrow...which is when the art class will be: 2 PM - 5 PM. We could get together either before the class/or else, afterwards. However, Lil replied that she would not be free that day...as she has quite a few other commitments, instead.

She asked me to set up the art class tomorrow at 2 PM...; as she might be late attending/and, also, she said she would leave at around 4 PM...another artist would fill in for her: Jane Campbell. All of which I agreed to; and, basically, we left the conversation there.

6:30 PM THE CAT WENT AND BROUGHT A MOUSE INTO THE HOUSE; THEN, LET IT GO...I DON'T KNOW WHERE...?!

Unfortunately, I had let one of the food pots get burned; so, the house was filling up with smoke smells; thus, I decided to go open up the windows/including both front door/back door.

Then, thinking all is peace and safety, now; I went back upstairs to finish doing some typing at the computer; I think, I was filling in a Facebook entry.

Next thing I know I heard a loud constant 'squeaking' noise...meaning, the cat had gone and brought in a mouse which she'd found inside of the back garden. Quickly, I ran downstairs onto the first floor landing to see...; which is when the cat let the mouse go...and, it ran off to go and hide in a corner somewhere. I did not manage to find it, again, yet; not sure I ever will.

I hate it when the cat brings in mice...; as they can poison human food; and, contaminate things by pissing constantly everywhere.

However, if the cat is stupid enough to bring these things in...possibly, to give it to me as being an unwanted present...; then, there's really very little I can do to stop that...other than to keep the back garden door quite safely shut.