For any new readers I apologise for the misleading name of the blog. We have now left the vicarage and are living in London looking after a grandchild. The vicar is no longer vicaring as such (though once a priest, unless defrocked, aways a priest and – speedily licensed to officiate by the diocese – he has already taken a couple of services ). So, I really should change the name of the blog – which I will do sometime soon … well soonish.
Angel (based on an angel in Piero della Francesca’s Montefeltro altarpiece of the Madonna and Saints. 1472-4)
Gosh it has been a long time since last I posted. Sadly, not much embroidery has been done, although I have completed the last few flowers for the altar frontal. (Just the border, backing and quilting to go – I use the word just with the full weight of British understatement behind it.) I will start posting pictures of the new flowers at the rate of one a week to spin out my meagre production while I try to get going on other embroideries. Progress will be very slow as childcare and housekeeping for homeless pregnant daughter and son-in-law are almost totally time consuming. (Homelessness is due to occupation by builders rather than in the Christmas sense of not having anywhere to lay their heads.) A wiser woman, I now realise I failed my children in one important respect. Blow imparting the finer points of the Renaissance, meiotic cell division and differential calculus, how did I fail to make them tidy? “Don’t put down, put away” I chant – usually to myself as I wipe down the kitchen surfaces,put the top back on the milk and return the bottle to the fridge with hearty slam. And don’t get me going about leaving clothes on the floor … no, I really mustn’t get going about that…
Angel from Piero della Francesca’s Montefeltro altarpiece of Madonna and Child with Saints
So, moving rapidly on to angels. This year’s Christmas card was a hasty attempt at one of those enigmatic Piero della Francesca angels, that never cease to fascinate me. Most un-angel like they seem solidly human in form yet ethereal in countenance. Seek them out and let their impassive look challenge you to the core.
Piero della Francesca’s Montefeltro altarpiece of Madonna and Child with Saints
Finally many thanks for all the comments on the blog. During the next few days will be answering those who have yet to get a reply. It has bee a joy to hear from you.