THE RAMBLINGS OF A STRUGGLING ARTIST ON LIFE WITH TWO TERRIERS, A PONY WITH ISSUES AND OTHER WILDLIFE AND BIRDS THAT CROSS OUR PATH

11 November 2014

CARDS ARE READY BUT I'D BE FIRED BY LORD SUGAR


What the hell is wrong with my maths? Okay - I'm not a genius like OB but I have a very good 'O' level and started maths 'A' level.....had to give it up in the face of incomprehensible algebra, but I gave it a go! Yet again, I've managed to get the pricing wrong on the cards, forgetting comission, the cost of postage from the printers and VAT, and will make a loss if I sell them through Etsy or eBay and break even if I sell them to you for 50p more than I said privately with you paying via Paypal (the friendly way that doesn't cost you). Hopeless and I completely understand if you don't want them at £6.50. M refuses to watch 'The Apprentice' but I can't help still getting a guilty pleasure from watching the unbelievable mix of arrogance and stupidity the 'candidates' display. However, the Sugar Lord would have me in the taxi over this one. 

If you do still want the cards (8, not the 4 depicted obviously), please contact me by email at emparko@gmail.com and we can do it that way. I'll never be a millionaire, or even a hundredaire quite frankly. I love those red envelopes.


Just a few photos to cover my embarrassment over financial irregularities. Can't resist those Golden Plovers, here showing off their legs:



A shame they're not sharper here but I still like it with the rocks behind:


Snoozing in the sun, now a distant memory as the rain tips down incessantly:


Terraced shadows:


Sadly uprooted but nice to see the beautiful salmon colour of its underside:


Lone Stone:


Meldon Hill beyond a fir plantation from the moor:


This is a bit bleak but I love it anyway:


One of those Lichens that look like some kind of medical nightmare. I still haven't managed to identify them but they're absolutely fascinating:


The lane is a river at the moment but at least it all runs away pretty quickly. M was driving over the Somerset Levels today and said the fields are already under water. Very worrying. 

OB told me that his acting head teacher didn't manage to observe the two minute silence today (he was timing it on his watch obviously), talking after a minute and a half. Shocking. I was painting next door and stood looking at the rain running down the window for two minutes. I always cry. 

Right, time to go and hang my business head in shame and prepare for tomorrow when OB is going to Exeter University for a day learning about writing and drawing graphic novels arranged for those on the gifted and talented register. I have to print out a parking permit which only allows me 10 minutes. I wish I could go too. So, until next time, here are those dogs stalking things. have a lovely rest of the week all of you and welcome to a couple of new followers, Humberto and Marie....it's been a while!



49 comments:

  1. As someone who has ordered Christmas cards from EM
    I can bloody well vouch just how good they are!

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  2. Oh Em! Not fair at all for you. I am sure that your lovely readers will be happy to pay the extra 50p - please everyone pay Em! - and I hope that you sell them all for a profit!! They are beautiful cards and you might be Lord Sugars loss, but you are our gain!! xx

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    1. I don't think I could work with him....could you? X

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  3. Don't worry, I couldn't have worked out the pricing either. A little worried about Snippet though, his legs seem to have turned to stone! ;)

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    1. He's really slowing down at the ripe old age of five. He just can't keep up with Jack except in very short bursts poor thing. X

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    1. I still haven't found that bloody lichen pony again. It's just disappeared. Spooky.....

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  5. The cards are beautiful! And I love that terraced shadows shot too.

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    1. Not sure what the terraces are but probably left over from some bronze age agriculture or other.

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  6. Your cards are beautiful. I have been perusing your blog. Your photography is wonderful. If I lived somewhat closer than Canada, I would probably be in debt up to my ears buying your cards etc. keep doing what you are doing, all will work out.

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    1. Thank you Jean and lovely to hear from you. I would so love to visit Canada and see your world too!

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  7. Your cards are wonderful because you take such fabulous photos !
    I love the fungus ? with the beautiful shades of salmon pink.

    cheers, parsnip

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  8. The Sugar Lord's obsession with all things money does him no credit to my mind. The cards look lovely Em, as always. And I love the Plovers- fantastic pics of them. Lucky OB with the uni day- sounds like a good one :o) xx

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    1. He really enjoyed it other than having to watch a you tube video sitting on the carpet! xx

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  9. Beautiful cards and beautiful photos.

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  10. Lovely photos especially the terraced shadows one. I always get such a connection with Dartmoor when I look at the Tors especially. Off to do some Christmas Card shopping now!!

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  11. Cheer up Em over those cards - the photographs are so beautiful that I am sure everyone will forgive you. Wish I hadn;t already bought mine. Incidentally the cost of second class stamps is now so high that you can forgive folk for no longer sending cards - I have been buying a book of 12 each week when I go to the Post Office - makes life easier. How well you look after those dogs.

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    1. I have to save up to buy the Christmas stamps. There should be some kind of deal for buying in bulk shouldn't there?

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  12. I had a blonde moment this week - my error was with a tape measure! My beautiful new curtains???? Next clearance?????? I cut them too short! Hmmmmm now busy patching them together!!!!!!!!! Still they are just going in our bedroom so nobody will see them!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hmmmmmmm hangs head in shame - remind me what I was in previous life? A school teacher!!!!!

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    1. Oh no! That's infuriating. M is very good at mis-measuring stuff including what was meant to be a 'Z' gate that was more like a 'Y'!

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  13. The cards look beautiful Em. Lovely photos as always - the lichens and fungi are fantastic. I do enjoy visiting your Blog as it means I can "escape" to Dartmoor whenever I wish :)

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    1. We are so privileged to live here RR - thank you.

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  14. Beautiful captures; just gorgeous and those cards are beautiful as well. =0)

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  15. I didn't think I could find your blog from my Kindle - but here I am.
    I don't care about your shaky maths - I just love your photos, so I definitely want my 2 packs of cards, please. Looking forward to seeing them. x

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    1. Hi Rambler! Just drop me an email at emparko@gmail.com with your address and they'll be on their way.........payment permitting! x

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  17. I will email re meeting up, honest. A bit distracted last couple of days. Matchpot madness and a flock of sheep in the garden.. why me? I do love the plovers, can't resist them either.

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    1. Why you indeed. Cows, now sheep. You must be gardening right though if they're flocking to see you!

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  18. I love the Golden Plovers Em. I'll pick up a pack of cards next week, I too love the red envelopes...that was a great idea! Hope OB had a great day.

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  19. They are super Em and yes I still want a packet of your cards. Those red envelopes are choice. I will probably send you an email after the weekend - will be busy with my visitor over the next few days - BUT just in case I forget, please send me a reminder okay, if you don't mind because I LOVE those cards!!!

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  20. Yay!!! My 2 packs of cards arrived today - and they are excellent, the photos and the quality. Thank you for sending them so promptly, Em. xx

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  21. I definitely want the cards. I know postage across the pond can be pricey, but still....

    Love the ponies sunning and absolutely adore the terraced shadows photo!

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    1. I'll sort out the US postage on Monday and let you know the bad news! X

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  22. Hello Em. Being a Devonian gal now far away in North Carolina, I was thrilled to visit your great blog, found when checking in with Weaver of Grass! Can't believe I didn't find you earlier. Your photos of the moor - my childhood picnic spot/playground/nature walk/Sunday drive on many a weekend - are fabulous and bring back so many splendid memories of a time long gone but etched on my heart forever. I always make an effort to cross Dartmoor at least once when I'm home for a visit - it never fails to amaze.
    I've become a follower so will be back often I hope. Good luck with your card sales - they are beautiful.
    Mary (A Breath of Fresh Air)

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    1. Hi Mary, lovely to have you following. I wonder where exactly you lived? How do you find the US landscape in comparison? Thanks so much for visiting and commenting and I'll look forward to hearing from you again.

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    2. Em, I was born and raised in Torquay. Lived high up in the Shiphay - from my bedroom window I could see Dartmoor in the distance. I still get homesick although I've been gone over fifty years!

      Hope you have a mild winter on the moors - and the ponies fare well when it snows later!
      Mary -

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    3. We could do with a cold snap to be honest....we haven't even had a proper frost yet. I get homesick for Dartmoor on holiday although I didn't on our Scotland trip back in May. I think one of the posts in in the 'popular posts' bit on the sidebar if you want to have a look....

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  23. Hello Em! It has been far too long, and I've so missed seeing those glimpses into your world. Thank-you for stopping by when you can. I do hope all is well, and that OB enjoyed his day at Exeter University.

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    1. He thought it was "okay"! That's ten year old boys for you I guess. Lovely to hear from you as always Kim. x

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