Adverts should be representative of traditional British families.

Home through the rain (1969) Artist: John Berry

This year we’re going ghost with our pumpkins.🎃 #dogsofbluesky

1989: Bedrooms from Habitat (+Bibury limed oak bedroom)

“An Autumn gale is stripping off the leaves and sweeping them along in the slanting squall of rain” Artist: CF Tunnicliffe Writer: EL Grant Watson (What to Look for in Autumn, 1960)

"You're still not in your own world, Homer. I can get you home, but you have to do exactly as..." "This is indeed a disturbing universe."

I recently acquired a lot of 35mm cinema ads, the absolute jewel of which is THIS. All of Friends of The Earth’s cinema ads were classics. I cannot wait to open it and discover which one I have.

Here's my contribution to the Secret Places and Trippy Houses blogathon hosted by @takinguproom.bsky.social I cover the 2022 horror "Skinamarink", which in my books is an instant classic. Analog crackle, trippy old school animation, extended shots of ill-lit hallways. Seriously, am I in Heaven?

#Christmas 1994: Pens from WH Smith (+HASH)

the Rat way sanctuary that provides care for rats and that was feature in squeakross needs help! If you can support them, please consider donating!! 🐀 iwantitratway.com/sanctuary/#w... 🐀

New to the BLACK LABEL this December, the gloriously camp comedy horror Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama (1988).

“By the lakeside” Teal, Shoveller, Lapwing and heron Artist: CF Tunnicliffe (What to Look for in Autumn, 1960)

"Stuck-up Riverdale punks... Think they're too good for me."

Revisited "Look and Read: Badger Girl" and spent much of it awkwardly struggling to justify my childhood infatuation with Mick. I mean he's both a git AND an idiot. Then at the end he rides his motorcycle like a boss and saves the kids from going over the dam and it all came flooding back to me.

Oct 1989: Ad for The Witches of Eastwick and Moonstruck «TWO CHANCES TO GET HOLD OF CHER.»

Alan Garner is 91 today. A brilliant and unique author. His books have inspired and enchanted me since I read The Weirdstone of Brisingamen at the age of 11. Here is my treasured copy of Red Shift. The Le Guin quote on the cover is wholly accurate.

Think maybe we could have a ban on children's films parodying *that* scene from "The Silence of the Lambs" for the next 25 years or so? I'm sure we've done it enough times to last us until 2050.

BBC Archive just uploaded The Lonely Shore (1962), a surreal 15-minute short that takes the form of a scientific report from an abandoned and desolate future Britain. Written by Jacquetta Hawkes, an actual archaeologist, and directed by Ken Russell, an actual madman.

An accu-rat My favourite so far 💜 (the inspiration.. took me places) #rattober2025 #digitalart #trippyart

A few randoms

A few extras: The ever popular Test Card F

🧵Thread. I collect photos that people took of their TV screens (in the days before video) because they wanted to capture a historical moment, or at least something that meant something to them.

#Christmas 1992: Tableware from Habitat (+Dinner Plate; Tea/Dessert Plate; Salad Bowl; Cereal Bowl; Jug; Platter; and Teacup/Saucer)

“Farm workers follow where the spinner has passed and collect the potatoes in shallow baskets. Picking up potatoes is back-aching work” Writer: EL Grant Watson Artist: CF Tunnicliffe

#Christmas 1997: Toys from Toys R Us (+Thomas & Percy's Big Adventure; Barney Schoolhouse; Playskool Talking Barney; Tomy Multi Gym Walker; Thomas the Tank Engine Big Loader; Teletubbies Videos; Lullaby Dream Show; Rise 'n' Shine Rabbit; Animal Marching Band; Ball Machine; Mr Potato Head, and more)

Want some rat babes? We welcome Sock and Buskin to the fold.🐀 #rats #ratsofbluesky

5 minute study of a rat sitting like people.

My uncontroversial take of the day: Hangman is the public information film villain who would make the most exciting lover.

In honour of the fact that the new @warringtonruncorn.com album ‘Public Works and Utilities’ is out today (link: warringtonruncorn.com/albums/publi...), here is some Warrington and Runcorn action:

The stones of Calanais... brooding, magical, other-worldly... a remarkable place especially on a wild Hebridean day.

October is upon us, so the Treehouse of Horror opens up again. Let's look at "Hell Toupee" of Season 10, the twisted tale of a dystopian justice system where smoking violations will get you executed live on Fox for public entertainment. Also a couple of supernatural killings occur in the aftermath.

From America, Oct 1951: Scotch Cellophane Tape ad from Minnesota Mining & Mfg. Co. (more at @OldInPrintAds.bsky.social) (+Underseal Rubberized Coating; Scotchlite Reflective Sheeting; Safety-Walk Non-Slip Surfacing; 3M Abrasives; 3M Adhesives; and Scotch Sound Recording Tape)

I know that most people don't share my intense phobia of belly button close-ups, but be warned that "Him" has a particularly nasty one.

Ladybird books in the spotlight. ‘Beauty’s Mirror’ Beauty and the Beast (1968) Artist: Eric Winter

'I never speak behind people's backs. If I've anything nasty to say, I pop it on a postcard.' RIP Patricia 'Kitty' Routledge.

I love this picture of Patrica Routledge, who has died today, taken in London in January of 1966.

Between Robert Redford, Jane Goodall and Patricia Routledge, I'm not sure how many more icons I can stand to lose in such a short space of time.

“We have the choice to use the gift of our life to make the world a better place--or not to bother.” R.I.P and thank you, Jane Goodall

Sep 1994: Ad for The Hudsucker Proxy; Barton Fink, and Miller's Crossing «The Hudsucker Proxy»

Since we're getting another Simpsons movie I hope this one will at least have the decency to have a proper soundtrack, with an original power ballad for the end-credits.

On this day 30th September 1868 the first volume of 'Little Women' by Louisa May Alcott was published. Artist: Terry Gabbey

#OnThisDay 2001 : The final three Sky channels on the Sky Analogue platform was closed down for good. They were Sky One, Sky Premier and Sky Sports 2.

Tonight I made that Jamie Oliver rainbow salad. I even included the dried mango, which is the part he kept emphasising but the part I would ordinarily have been inclined to skip.

"Hello. What's this? Wire hangers, expired medicine, old newspapers... Okay, Homer, stay calm. Just quietly get this stuff inside your house."