I've just read Sherrilyn Kenyon's biography on her website, and what a story that is!  It apparently took ten years to get her first novel from her  Dark Hunter series published, and her determination and tenacity throughout her difficult life has been amazing.  Many others in a similar situation would have given up.  Kudos to Sherrilyn! Read it here: http://www.sherrilynkenyon.com/about/history/

Architect Jacob Szczesny has designed what may be the world's narrowest house, which fits neatly into a small gap between two pre-existing buildings.  It's intended occupant is writer Etgar Keret. I'm not sure why the design is triangular, as from photos it seems like there's plenty of room for a rectangular house which would provide more space.  Also, I suspect the remote control stairs which flatten when raised to make a level floor space will be a mixed blessing.  No object (or person) could be left on that area of the floor as surely it (or they) will go flying whenever anyone wanted to leave the room.  Still, it might be an effective method of ejecting unwanted guests. The first floor is reached by a ladder surrounded by an alarming hole in the floor.  Where does the occupant store  clothes, groceries etc?  There doesn't seem to be a washing machine but then is it described as a workplace (and an art installation) rather than a home - though it does have

These little cross-stitch samplers will among my contributions to a fund-raising craft fair this coming Sunday.  I like the second one best.  Three watercolours of mine are in the raffle, too; two portraits and one landscape - sketches really, rather than finished paintings.

There is a rather lovely tribute to one of my favourite artists, Lucian Freud, who died this week, written by someone who knew him well:- Visit: http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2011/jul/24/lucian-freud-william-feaver-appreciation

In the eleven years we've lived here, we've gone through four lawn mowers.  Whatever happened to electrical goods whose life extended long after the manufacterers' guarantees expired?  These-days products seem to be made as cheaply as possible in the full knowledge that items will develop faults sooner rather than later.  Perhaps it's a deliberate method of keeping the economy turning over, in that goods are made to break down so people will keep buying more of the same.  Repairs cost nearly as much as a new product, assuming spare parts are even available.  This is one contributing factor to the planet's ever-growing rubbish tips. It's also rather annoying.  Our high-pressure waterjet patio cleaner, for example, lasted one season before the plastic handle split, meaning all pressure was lost and water was pouring over the electric wiring.  Could a new handle be bought?  Of course not.  Our fairly new bread-making machine went on fire.  Our deep-fat fryer, o