Anthony's Literary Lens

Author: Anthony Thomas

  • Sunflowers bring sunshine

    Sunflowers bring sunshine

    Sunflowers are amazing plants that have many fascinating features and uses. Here are some interesting facts about sunflowers that you might not know:

    Sunflower
    I took this photo a few years ago.
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    Sunflowers are not just one flower, but many. The large and colourful flower head of a sunflower is actually composed of hundreds of tiny flowers called florets. The outer petals are called ray florets, and the inner ones are called disc florets. The disc florets produce the seeds that we eat or use for oil.

    🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

    Sunflowers can follow the sun across the sky. This behaviour is called heliotropism, and it helps the sunflowers get more sunlight and attract more pollinators. Sunflower buds face east in the morning and slowly turn west as the day progresses. However, once the sunflowers are fully bloomed, they stop moving and stay facing east.

    Another of my sunny photos.
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    Sunflowers have many benefits for humans and animals. Sunflower seeds are rich in vitamin D, vitamin E, phosphorus, magnesium, selenium, copper, and iron. They can be eaten raw, roasted, or turned into butter or oil. Sunflower oil can be used for cooking, hair conditioning, or leather conditioning. Sunflower petals can be used for dyeing or making tea. Sunflower stems can be used for paper or building materials. Sunflower roots can help remove toxins from the soil. Sunflower pollen and nectar can feed bees and other insects.

    I hope you enjoyed learning about sunflowers. They are truly remarkable plants that brighten up our day. 😊

    Sunflower follows

    The bright and warm sunlight

    A loyal lover

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  • Below the Surface: Fungi’s Role in the Ecosystem

    Below the Surface: Fungi’s Role in the Ecosystem

    “Nature’s architects, fungi lay the silent groundwork, shaping ecosystems from the shadows where their importance silently grows.”

    Anthony
    Sunlit fungus.
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    While often overlooked, fungi play a crucial role in the intricate web of ecological balance. Despite their seemingly unassuming presence, these organisms serve as the silent architects of life. Beneath the surface, fungi form mycorrhizal networks that forge symbiotic relationships with plants, facilitating nutrient exchange and enhancing their ability to thrive. This intricate dance between fungi and flora underscores the foundation of terrestrial ecosystems, influencing everything from soil health to the vitality of entire ecosystems. In essence, though humble, fungi quietly hold the key to the intricate tapestry of life, their significance extending far beyond their inconspicuous appearance.

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  • Hello to the cello

    Hello to the cello

    Notes dance like memories, orchestrating emotions in the grand concert of life

    Anthony Thomas
    My Cello.
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    This is a photo of my cello, which I have not played for a couple of years. I am not very good at it, but I still love the sound and feel of this instrument, though. It’s such a rich and expressive instrument, and it can be used to create music of almost any genre. I remember listening to recordings of great cellists like Yo-Yo Ma and Pablo Casals, and I would be so amazed by their talent. I would try to emulate their playing, but I never could come close.

    I still have my cello, and I’ve been thinking about picking it up again. I know it’s going to be difficult, but I’m determined to give it another try. I’m not sure if I’ll ever be as good as the great cellists I admire, but I don’t think that’s the point; I just want to be able to play music that I enjoy.

    I hope that one day I’ll be able to play the cello well enough to share my music with others. But for now, I’m just going to enjoy the process of learning and practising. I’m excited to see where this journey takes me.

    A few tips if you wants to learn to play the cello:
    Find a good teacher.
    A good teacher can help you develop a solid foundation in the basics of playing the cello. They can also help you to overcome any challenges that you may encounter along the way.
    Be patient.
    It takes time and practice to learn to play the cello. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately. Just keep practicing and you will eventually reach your goals.
    Have fun!
    Playing the cello should be enjoyable. If you’re not having fun, then you’re less likely to stick with it. So find ways to make practising fun and enjoyable.

    I hope this blog has inspired you to pick up your own instrument and start playing. Music is a wonderful gift, and it’s never too late to learn to play an instrument.

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  • Crimson Tears

    Crimson Tears

    The scent of lost love,
    Dull roses and thorns remain,
    Dreams float on the wind.

    Anthony Thomas
    I took this photo this afternoon. (It’s in my polytunnel which is why it’s flowering so late)
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    In a garden of memories, red roses stand silent witness to a lost love. Their beauty, once a source of joy, now stirs bittersweet feelings. Each crimson petal carries the weight of a love that unfolded and withered, leaving behind a garden of faded colour and thorns that now prick at the edges of my heart. In their fragrance lingers the ghost of shared dreams. Amidst the sorrow, these roses become a sanctuary and a painful memory that some loves, like petals in the wind, are meant to drift away.

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  • Sasha and the Enchanted Rose Garden

    Sasha and the Enchanted Rose Garden

    In a forest where everything was black and white, there lived a kind-hearted skunk named Sasha. Unlike her monochromatic friends, Sasha longed to experience the beauty of colours. While her skunk companions were content with their grey surroundings, Sasha had a deep desire to find a world filled with vibrant hues.

    Sasha’s friends often teased her, saying, “Why do you want to see colours, Sasha? Everything is just fine in black and white!” But Sasha remained determined. She believed in the magic of colours, and she had a secret that her friends couldn’t understand.

    One sunny morning, Sasha decided to embark on a journey deeper into the forest. She had heard whispers about a wondrous place called the Enchanted Rose Garden, rumoured to be hidden far beyond the tallest trees. With hope in her heart and a sparkle in her eyes, Sasha began her quest to find the colours she longed for.

    As Sasha ventured further into the forest, she encountered various animals and creatures who cautioned her about the perils of the unknown. “Beware, Sasha,” advised a wise old owl, “The path ahead is full of challenges, but your love for colours will guide you.”

    Sasha continued her journey with determination, and as she progressed, she noticed the forest becoming increasingly enchanted. Trees transformed into towering rosebushes, and the air became filled with the sweet scent of roses. At last, she arrived at the legendary Rose Garden.

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    The garden was an extraordinary sight. Gigantic, colourful roses bloomed in every shade imaginable. Sasha felt like she had stepped into a magical painting. She began to dance among the roses, and as she twirled, something remarkable happened. Colours burst forth, and her world was transformed from black and white to a dazzling rainbow and her tail was transformed into the most beautiful shade of purple!

    Sasha realised that her determination to change had brought her the very thing she had always dreamed of. The garden was a place of pure enchantment and joy. Sasha’s friends, who had once teased her, were astounded by her newfound colourful appearance and the magical garden she had found.

    From that day on, Sasha was known as the Colourful Queen, and her friends couldn’t get enough of her newfound vibrant beauty. They all joined her in the Enchanted Rose Garden, where they too experienced the wonder of a world filled with colour.

    And so, Sasha the Skunk lived happily ever after in her Enchanted Rose Garden, proving that sometimes it’s the things that make us different that lead us to the most extraordinary discoveries. The end.

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  • Secrets in the Obsidian Night

    Secrets in the Obsidian Night

    The dimly lit room was suffused with the sultry aura of forbidden secrets, where shadows and whispers danced together in a dark tango. The only source of light was a single table lamp, its feeble glow casting eerie silhouettes on this shabby place. It was in this twilight realm that I first laid eyes on it—a mesmerising image that seemed to hold the key to a thousand mysteries.

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    A piece of cloth, carefully draped across the chair, a piece of red satin against a backdrop of obsidian black. The fabric, a deep ruby red, was intensely alluring, like a siren’s song beckoning the lost souls of the night. Its surface shimmered with subtle undulations, as if it concealed a secret known only to those who dared to gaze upon it long enough. Like secrets of liquid passion that would run through your hands if you tried to embrace them. The black expanse around it was like the void of a starless night, an abyss where desires and secrets conspired.

    I couldn’t help but be drawn to it, my eyes fixated on the satin’s inviting folds. It held an allure that transcended mere fabric—it was desire incarnate, a symbol of passions. I knew that behind this innocent facade lay a world of intrigue, one I was compelled to uncover.

    In front of the chair was a scarred, mahogany desk, surrounded by an assortment of objects that spoke of the room’s absent occupant. An ashtray, filled with half-smoked cigarettes, a tumbler of bourbon, its contents long drained, hinted at a taste for the forbidden. A crumpled letter, bearing cryptic messages in smudged ink, told a story of intrigue and deceit.

    As I stood there, a gust of wind rattled the dusty windowpane, as if the night itself conspired to keep its secrets hidden. This ruby and obsidian gem, now my silent confidante, seemed to beckon me deeper into the shadows, daring me to uncover the mysteries it held.

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  • Magpies. The Bird of Many Meanings

    Magpies. The Bird of Many Meanings

    Magpies are fascinating birds that have inspired many myths and legends around the world. Here are some examples of stories about magpies from different cultures:

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    In China, Korea, and Japan, magpies are considered to be auspicious birds that bring good luck and happiness. They are associated with the Qixi Festival, also known as the Chinese Valentine’s Day, which celebrates the annual meeting of two lovers, Zhinü and Niulang, who are separated by the Milky Way. According to the legend, a flock of magpies forms a bridge across the sky to allow the lovers to reunite once a year.

    In Britain, magpies are often seen as omens of bad luck or death, especially if seen alone. There is a well-known rhyme that predicts one’s fortune based on the number of magpies seen: “One for sorrow, two for joy, three for a girl, four for a boy, five for silver, six for gold, seven for a secret never to be told.” Some people believe that greeting a lone magpie or saluting it can ward off the bad luck.

    In Celtic lore, the magpie was a bird associated with fairy revels; with the spread of Christianity, however, this changed to a connection with witches and devils. In Scandinavia, magpies were said to be sorcerers flying to unholy gatherings, and yet the nesting magpie was once considered a sign of luck in those countries. In France, magpies were believed to be able to foretell the weather and the future.

    In Native American cultures, magpies had various meanings and roles. Some tribes of Native Americans believed that wearing a magpie feather was a sign of fearlessness, while others considered the magpie to be a sacred messenger of the creator, or even a guardian with shamanic abilities. In some legends, the magpie helped the coyote, the trickster, to create the world or to steal fire from the gods.

    These are just some of the many stories and beliefs that people have about magpies. Magpies are truly remarkable birds that have captured the imagination of humans for centuries.

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  • Silent Battlefield: Poppies Bloom

    Silent Battlefield: Poppies Bloom

    Amidst the silent aftermath of battle, nature’s tears emerge as crimson poppies.

    Anthony
    Taken near Ledbury a few years ago.
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    Amidst the desolation of the battlefield, a lone soldier stood, weary and worn. The deafening crescendo of guns and bombs had finally, like many of his comerades, fallen silent, leaving behind an eerie calm. He gazed across the scarred landscape, where once a sea of mud and destruction reigned.

    As the soldier’s breath hung heavy in the cold, damp air, he noticed a peculiar sight. From the very ground that had soaked up the blood of countless fallen comrades, tiny red poppies began to emerge, like fragile whispers of the departed. They unfurled, their petals delicate yet vibrant, as if nature itself was paying tribute to the sacrifice of so many.

    In the midst of the crimson blooms, the soldier could almost hear the echoes of voices long gone, comrades who had shared their laughter, their fears, and their dreams. The poppies danced in the soft breeze, like the spirits of the fallen, reminding him of the price paid for the fleeting tranquillity that now enveloped the battlefield.

    He reached down to touch one of the poppies, its fragility contrasting with the brutal memories that haunted him. In that simple gesture, he felt a connection to those who had stood beside him, a connection that transcended the horrors of war. The soldier whispered a quiet thank you to the earth for cradling the memories of his fallen comrades, and to the poppies for their silent tribute.

    With tears in his eyes, he knew that the battle of the Somme had left an indelible mark on his soul, a mark that the red poppies would forever represent. And as he walked away from the battlefield, he carried with him the weight of their sacrifice and the hope for a world where the guns and bombs would remain forever silent.

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  • Japanese Maples: A Cultural and Horticultural Treasure

    Japanese Maples: A Cultural and Horticultural Treasure

    The Japanese maple, known as “Acer palmatum” in botanical terms, has a long and rich history in Japan. It is native to Japan, Korea, and China, and its cultivation and appreciation in Japan can be traced back for centuries.

    This tree is looking lovely in my garden at the moment.
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    Momiji’s embrace,
    A season’s fiery farewell,
    Maple leaves ablaze.

    Anthony
    [Momiji (紅葉) – The changing colors of autumn leaves]
    Not the easiest photograph to take – a proper black background.
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    • Ancient Roots: Japanese maple trees have been cultivated in Japan for over a thousand years. They are believed to have been introduced to Japan from China or Korea during the early Heian period (794-1185).
    • Symbolism: In Japanese culture, the Japanese maple has symbolic significance. It is often associated with tranquillity, beauty, and change, which are important themes in Japanese aesthetics. The changing colours of the leaves during the fall have been a source of inspiration for many forms of art, including painting and poetry.
    • Bonsai and Niwaki: Japanese maple trees are commonly used in bonsai and niwaki (a form of ornamental pruning). Their small leaves and graceful branches make them well-suited for these artistic practices. This tradition has been passed down through generations.
    • Modern Appreciation: Japanese maples continue to be highly regarded in Japan and around the world. They are commonly used in landscaping and gardening for their ornamental value, and their stunning foliage is admired in both public and private gardens.
    • Varieties: There are numerous cultivars of Japanese maple, each with its own characteristics. Some popular varieties include the “Acer palmatum dissectum” with finely dissected leaves and the “Acer palmatum atropurpureum” with deep purple leaves.

    The Japanese maple’s long history in Japan reflects its enduring cultural significance and aesthetic value in the country. Today, it remains a beloved and iconic tree in Japanese gardens and landscapes.

    Higan’s gentle light,
    Maple leaves drift to the earth,
    Ancestor’s embrace.

    Anthony
    [Higan (彼岸) – autumn equinox]
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  • Cardiff Castle: A Grand Opportunity {not really}

    Cardiff Castle: A Grand Opportunity {not really}

    Cardiff Castle is a truly unique and historic property, now available for purchase. (NOT actually for sale! 🙂). This magnificent castle dates back to the 11th century and has been home to many notable figures throughout history, including the Normans, the Tudors, and the Butes.

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    The castle is set in the heart of Cardiff, just a short walk from the city centre and all of its amenities. It is also conveniently located close to major road and rail links, making it easy to get to and from the city.

    The castle itself is a sprawling complex of buildings and grounds, covering over 21 acres. The main castle building is a Norman keep, with thick stone walls and towers. Inside, the castle is decorated in a variety of styles, from mediaeval to Victorian.

    The castle grounds are also extensive and include a variety of features, such as a moat, a drawbridge, a courtyard, and gardens. There is also a castle museum, which houses a collection of artefacts and exhibits on the history of the castle and its inhabitants.

    Cardiff Castle is a truly unique and special property, and it would be the perfect home for someone who appreciates history, architecture, and luxury.

    Not actually for sale

    Floor Plan

    The main castle building is divided into three floors:

    • Ground floor: The ground floor houses the castle’s main entrance hall, as well as a number of other staterooms, including the Great Hall, the Dining Room, and the Drawing Room.
    • First floor: The first floor houses the castle’s private apartments, including the bedrooms, bathrooms, and dressing rooms.
    • Second floor: The second floor houses the castle’s servants’ quarters, as well as a number of other rooms, such as the library, the chapel, and the ballroom.

    Features

    • Historic Norman keep
    • Beautifully decorated staterooms
    • Extensive grounds with moat, drawbridge, courtyard, and gardens
    • Castle museum housing a collection of artefacts and exhibits
    • Convenient location in the heart of Cardiff

    Price

    Cardiff Castle is available for purchase at a guide price of POA. (Not actually for sale! 🙂)

    Contact Us

    If you are interested in purchasing Cardiff Castle, please contact us today to arrange a viewing. We would be delighted to show you this magnificent property and answer any questions you may have. (Please do not contact anyone! 🙂).

    P.S. We are [NOT] offering a special discount to buyers who are willing to pay in bitcoin.

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