Disraeli TV series, Ian McShane and Bougainvillea

 Above is the young Ian McShane starring in the 1978 4 part mini series "Disraeli: Portrait of a Romantic". He is so handsome in this, I have a bit of a crush on him. This photo shows McShane as Disraeli (1804-1881) when he styled himself proudly as a young dandy who loved beauty, wine, women and song. Note the rings worn on top of his gloves, cameo pin on his neck scarf and diamonds everywhere. When he entered politics he was told by a mentor no one would take him seriously dressed like that, wearing diamonds and green velvet coats. He toned down his dress and faced a rocky road to success. Right after reading the novel "Ayala's Angel" by Anthony Trollope, I saw this photo and understood more Ayala's earnest suitor who dressed like that.

I do recommend watching this show. Disraeli succeeded with difficulty; he lacked family and fortune, was Jewish, and seemed to be quite an honorable man who became devoted to his wife in a time when love matches were not common. Would Queen Victoria accept him as advisor? Did he become Prime Minister? Watch the show and find out.

A block away from my house I admire this bougainvillea bush in my neighbor's yard. Yes, it is in full bloom today in January. I would say it is 10 feet high.

I do love walking on crisp winter days as Bounce and I patrol the neighborhood and check out all the gardens.

Bougainvilleas, one that invaded our house, and Senior Angels program

I took these photos yesterday. What a richly colored happiness-evoking bougainvillea. And gold stars for everyone who can spell this plant's name, it is rather tricky.

I pass this magenta bougainvillea every day while walking with Bounce. The color is more like the top photo, and less of a red like the second photo, but I want to show you the size and shape of the bush, it reaches the top of the door.
A bougainvillea invaded our house
Decades ago when we bought an old wooden farmhouse, on the farm we transformed into a small winery, there was a stunning bougainvillea, which turned out to be growing into the attic and its vines were wrapped around the electrical wires to the house, inside the attic.
An electrician told us this monster vine had to be removed because it was a fire hazard as it clutched the electrical wiring. My husband had to cut it down with a chain saw, the trunk was about a foot across and very hard wood. The spikes or thorns were fierce and sharp and my husband was a brave man to do battle with it.
The plant liked what it decided was an invigorating pruning and quickly grew back and we kept it pruned to a modest size, no longer growing into our house.
Senior Angel Program
I don't recall which of my dear blogger friends recently suggested Chemo Angels and Senior Angels on her blog, to do as a volunteer. I want to thank you, please tell me who you are. I signed up to be a Senior Angel, haven't gotten matched with my senior yet, but I am excited to begin. It sounds like a good program that we can do from our home which is super convenient. The responsibility is to write notes of encouragement a couple times a week and to send small gifts if you want, I think it said the gifts should be only 2 or 3 dollars, just a friendly token.