 I really thought this week’s ABC Wednesday would be difficult, but in fact it wasn’t! I found my first set of ‘V’s right next to my comfy chair where I sit to use the laptop.
There. Four CDs, all by artists whose names begin with ‘V‘. In case you can’t read them, from the left we have The Velvet Underground, then two by The View, and one Violent Femmes. Surely everyone knows the Velvet Underground? The View are a relatively new Scottish band and I love them. I used to listen to them when I went to the gym, because quite a lot of their songs are great for pounding the treadmill. Now that we have one at home I just watch TV while using it, but I do still listen to The View, often while using the internet, which, incidentally, is why I may miss leaving a message on one of your blogs. You see, if I’m listening to music while surfing and I open a site with its own music, I’ll simply close it, and I might not remember to go back. Those of you with clearly visible players are probably OK, because I’ll just pause the player, but if I have to search .. uh-uh. Ain’t gonna happen, because not only am I trying to read, but I’m already listening to my own choice of music. Anyway … lastly, the Violent Femmes are a band I discovered through watching Grosse Point Blank, one of my favourite movies.
Books? I have ‘V‘ books! Of course I do!
The two books about the Victorian era need no explanation, other than to say I find it a very interesting period in our history in terms of the society and how people lived, day to day. The J R Ward (’Lover Unbound’) has no ‘V‘ in the title, does it? But here’s the thing – it’s the story of a vampire called Vishous, and yes, I did spell that correctly. Sounds awful? No, it isn’t. Actually, it’s a romance, and Vishous is a sweetheart. Really.
More books? This time from one of our reference shelves.
Look carefully, and you’ll see ‘Veterinary Notes for Horse Owners’, and ‘Veterinary Advice for Greyhound Owners’. Two very useful books, although I’ve never owned a horse in my life! I was an animal nurse once though, and the horse book dates from that time.
Well, we’ve covered music and literature. How about art?
The painting of the two men is by Jack Vettriano. It actually belongs to OH, but I rather like Vettriano, too. He is not an ‘establishment’ artist, being self-taught, and rumour has it that the art world doesn’t like him much, but who cares? He paints good pictures!
Here’s another work of art.
Yes, it’s Johnny Depp, and no, his name does not begin with ‘V‘ – not even his middle name! But he is a very good example of a handsome and virile man, even if he is wearing violet-coloured sunglasses. And the neck of that pristine white shirt of his makes a nice ‘vee‘ shape, don’t you think?
I know some of you will be thinking that’s pushing it, but before you cry foul on me, let me tell you that Johnny has a yacht called the Vajoliroja.  As you will see if you click on the link, it used to be called the Anatolia, but he changed it to incorporate a nod to each one of his family: ‘Va’ for ‘Vanessa’, ‘Jo’ for himself, ‘Liro’ for Lily-Rose, his daughter, and ‘Ja’ for his son Jack. Of course, it helps that when you say it out loud, it sounds a little bit like ‘The Jolly Roger’, which is suitably piratical for one who made Jack Sparrow his own, don’t you think?
How about a coffee? Or maybe a cup of tea?
That’s my favourite coffee, that is – French Vanilla flavour. The nice thing about it is that it isn’t sweet, unlike those coffees which are flavoured with syrups or flavoured creamers. The Rooibos Vanilla tea is lovely too. I like ordinary Rooibos, but the vanilla just gives it a nice lift. Want one?
You can borrow the Vegas mug if you like!
And yes, those are jars of coffee syrups in the background. They are not mine, but the little pot of nail varnish is!
Talking of varnish -
This tin of varnish is sitting on top of a newly sanded piece of furniture which is designed to hold dog bowls. It’s a raised feeding stand for those breeds with long legs or long necks who would find it hard to eat at ground level. We used this one for Jack and Renie’s water bowls and it got wet a lot, so the varnish cracked and peeled, but with the help of that little tin of varnish it will soon be shiny and waterproof once more – and ready for Sid when he moves in.
Are you still with me? Wanna see what I have outside? Well, first, let’s stop in the conservatory.
The large plant in the corner with the heart-shaped leaves is a Sweetheart Vine. OH gave it to me when Son No. 1 was born, which makes it at least 28 years old now. I have a very bad record with houseplants, but thankfully this one is still healthy!
And outside I have two long tubs of sweet violet plants.
They were growing in the lawn so I had to rescue as many as I could before the gardeners ripped it up to do the work.  I have never seen so many blooms on my little violet patch as we had this year! Hopefully, after I replant them in a few weeks, they’ll have plenty of time to recover and will bloom just as well next year.
I love all the members of the violet family, from the tiny wild heartsease, to the big, soft, purple pansies. Â On our patio we have more tubs containing some very pretty lemon and violet violas.
It’s not a colour combination I’d seen before, but aren’t they sweet?
Oh that yacht! It’s just gorgeous.
And the books about horses, well, obviously those are very interesting. The painting by Vettriano somehow reminds me of Edward Hopper. Although the Vettriano one makes you feel less like you’re just an observer. I like it.
Carolinas last blog post..PetPride
Another great selection Jay. I love the delicacy of those violas.
Dragonstars last blog post..ABC Wednesday, Round 4 – V.
With vampires and Velvet Underground, how can this post fail? Oh, and I see you have a Sheldrake book – a great researcher. Oh, and a message for Data:
Miss you.
Anthony Norths last blog post..TONY ON UNFREEDOM
That dog bowl holder reminded me of my great-aunt’s toilet!
lizs last blog post..What Lego-men do when they’re not being pirates
V – v – v . . . I’m looking around my office for V things. NOTHING!
I like The View too! (And Violent Femmes). As for Johnny’s V-neck shirt, that’s definitely a V thing worth mentioning.
Oh, and I LOVE violas. That’s a beautiful color combo.
JD at I Do Thingss last blog post..I Am Speaking at BlogHer so you don’t have to
I feel like I’ve traveled around the world today! Thank you, Jay!
)
Curious. Is Jack Vettriano living? LOL I really don’t know why I’m asking because I’m not in the market for buying a painting. But the one you have on display has a retro feel! Love retro!
Have a wonderful day, Jay!
)
Wow! You got some great “V” words and great shots of those.
Barbs last blog post..ABC Wed. – "V" = Vehix Van and Velcro
Carolina – isn’t it lovely? Want to see a picture of Johnny on board? Of course you do!
Want to see another one? That one is rather more … interesting. Tee hee.
Dragonstar – Thanks! I love them, too. I have plans to find some winter flowering ones in a similar shade and fill all the pots with them when the summer plants are over.
Anthony North – Ah, yes, poor Data. He’s sulking, you know, because he doesn’t get to make a guest appearance this week. I just had too many ‘V’s, or I’d have had him posing with a bottle of rice vinegar!
Liz – Hahahahaha!!! Hilarious! I know exactly what you mean, though.
JD – You can’t see any ‘v’s? That’s funny! I bet there are some though, even if it’s only a view, or some varnished wood! If nothing else, there’ll be a ‘v’ on your keyboard, and I bet you have some alphabetical files around somewhere.
The View are great, aren’t they? I’d like to see them live, but I fear for my ageing ears! LOL!
Petra – Yes, indeed, Jack Vettriano is still with us! He’s somewhere in his fifties, I believe.
Barb – Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed your visit here!
I just adore the weekly letter scavenger hunt through your house! Gosh! I haven’t listened to the violent femmes in ages.. I’m going to go put on their cd right now!
Maries last blog post..Babylonian Envelopes
Atleast I klnew some of them…
RuneEs last blog post..V is for View of Various Vessels from the Veranda
Oh, I love Grosse Pointe Blank, but I never remember the music. I love the way you push your way into the improbable to get Johnny in. Very well done!
Maras last blog post..V is for…
Jay, You always make me laugh:) I’m never quite sure how Johnny is going to fit in, but he always does, of course. And along the way, I’m never sure what we will find in your house…I’m surprised we didn’t look in the fridge for some vegetables, as well. Beautiful violets; they are an unusual color indeed. Have a great week!
roses last blog post..ABC Wednesday: V
Your post has just reminded me I was brewing a cup of rooibus when I sat down to look at ABC, its cold now. Other peoples books are always interesting, I was trying to work out if the tooled back one was a Louis Figuier, prossibly because it was near your insect field guide, or is that just a word association too far.
Joys last blog post..ABC Wednesday – V
Marie – I fancy giving that one a spin again too!
RuneE – LOL! Do you mean the music?
Mara – Now, what is improbable about the Vajoliroja?
Another Grosse Point Blank fan! It’s great, isn’t it?
Rose – Thanks!
I’m always happy to fit Johnny in where I can, you know that! LOL!
Vegetables, I do love … but I ran out of space. I had pictures of other things too, like Vitamins!
Joy – I do that too! I’m always taking half-cups of cold tea or coffee out to the kitchen!
The little book with a tooled leather cover is ‘Common British Beetles’ by Rev J G Wood. It has an inscription in the front dated 1894! I love it, it has such a special feel. I don’t use it for identification – I have modern books for that – but I love browsing through it and seeing what was considered common or rare then, and if it’s still the same today.
Thank you for my weekly JD fix… I can always count on you, no matter what letter of the alphabet you present.
Lovely flowers too! And holy heck, you’ve had the same plant for nearly 30 years??? Crap. I’m lucky if mine survive a few years. My best plant is in my office; obviously they do better when I’m NOT around.
Maureens last blog post..Summer Vacation
The violets are a most beautiful pastel combination. And a cup of Vanilla tea – I would love one!
Love the little hearts on the vine too!
Another fun trip through a letter…
Tumblewordss last blog post..NaisaiKu for 3WW
Now when I read your ABC, the first thing I’d like to find out is how you work Mr Depp into your post. Nice.:)
krizcpecs last blog post..ABC Wednesday – V
I’m one of Mr Depp Fan:)
Nice photos ,all of them & Thanks for the visit.
i’m going to join this next round. you are really an outside the box and in box thinker, and good at it..sandy
sandys last blog post..Those ferrets – such little clowns !!
Not a big fan of Johnny – sorry!, but I do love the violas. When is Sid arriving??????
Don’t Bug Me!s last blog post..Would You Like Ice With That?
Very good Jay although you lost me a bit with the music (it’s an age thing) and I’m not having that good a day today!!
I like Jack Vettriano though and thought your references to JD were inspired – but then why wouldn’t they be. Loved it. A x
Strawberry Jam Annes last blog post..Coffee Time
As always I was wondering how you’d manage the letter– and to fit Mr. Depp into it– but you did. Vajoliroja had me thinking “Hm… roja is red and then…”
I guess I would have been there guessing a while.
I thought of you on Tuesday, Jay, when I came home and found the friend who rents from me had brought me…
A giant stand-up Jack Sparrow. I guess one of her coworkers had had him and was going to THROW HIM OUT!
So now Johnny has been standing around various places in the house, scaring the crap out of us because it looks like someone is standing there.
Keeps us on our toes!
Jenn Thorsons last blog post..Extreme Classic Novel Makeover
Hi Jay –
Come on over and check out my new digs. I’m incognito….I’m sure there’s a Depp movie that we could relate to it.
Peace – D
Such an interesting journey this week Jay. How romantic of OH to buy you a sweetheart vine for your first born. I’s doing well, as is, I hope, the said first born! The oldest indoor plant I have is a Christmas Cactus which is about twenty years old.
I very much fancy a cup of the French Vanilla flavoured coffee, but haven’t seen it for sale anywhere. Where can one buy it?
I thought the dog bowl holder looked like an Australian double dunny.
And yes, those violas are the prettiest colour combination I’ve ever seen. So delicate.
Granny Grimbles last blog post..NOT ALL PLATES ARE CLARIS CLIFF
Maureen – Trust me, that is my only plant success! I have to stick to the hardy ones, and even then I manage to kill them half the time.
And yes, you can always count on me for your weekly JD fix!
KLM and Tumblewords – Thanks! Glad you liked it!
Krizcpec – Keep your fingers crossed for X and Z! I have no idea how I’m going to do those!
Awang – Always good to hear of another fan!
Sandy – Thank you! Yes, you should join in – it’s fun!
DBM – It’s OK. I do understand that there are people in the world who don’t much care for him. That’s fine, it means the queue is shorter.
Sid will be here soon. Just waiting for the grass to take properly before he starts ripping it up! LOL!
SJ Anne – Sorry to hear you aren’t having a good day. I hope it’s improved by now.
However, I don’t believe you are any older than I am, woman! I think it’s more a case of being exposed to different things. OH and I were talking about that just today – we were both hippies, but we liked different music. I liked the fringe hippie music (Beatles, Donovan, Mamas and Papas, Cat Stevens, ), he liked the more mainstream hippie stuff, like Grateful Dead, Country Joe & The Fish, The Byrds. Well, actually we both like some of each, but I just hadn’t run across some of the stuff he listened to. Now I have!
It was later that I got into punk and hard rock and the odd stuff which doesn’t fit into a category!
Jenn – They were going to THROW JACK SPARROW AWAY?? *Gasp* Heresy!!
I’m so glad you saved him. When can I come over?
Thelma and Louise – I found you! Thanks honey! Nice to see you still blogging!
Granny – Yes, it was romantic, wasn’t it?
You can buy the vanilla coffee at Julian Graves. Or there’s an internet supplier. I’ll see if I can find the link if you’d like?
Australian double dunny? ROFL!!
Have been to Julian Graves site and ordered the coffee. Can’t wait to taste it. Thanks for your help Jay
Granny Grimbles last blog post..NOT ALL PLATES ARE CLARIS CLIFF
the only thought on my mind is that u do yr housekeeping well, everything is so neat..look at those books..so neatly lined up and not a speck of dust in sight. if only my home were 50% that well maintained
Granny – Oh good! I hadn’t realised you could order from Julian Graves onine! Excellent! I hope you like it.
BengBeng – I choose the good parts to photograph, that’s my secret! Also, Photoshop is my friend.
LOL!
Yes, you can order all sorts of wonderful goodies from Julian Graves on line. Not only did I order it late at night on thursday, but it arrived this morning (Sat!) I haven’t tried it yet, but will let you know when I do.
Granny Grimbles last blog post..NOT ALL PLATES ARE CLARIS CLIFF