Moments...

I haven't much to report, l haven't anything to write about
perhaps l am more chilled than l realize,

so all l can tell you is that l have been quietly doing things

... drinking tea, eating toast with Jeremy Vine

and fiddling in the front 'garden
an overgrown 12' x 4' frontage

being home means l have been able to create this... 

in what was an overgrown wasteland...

removing all the 'growth'

l found this rockery underneath 

which a neighbour tells me was a previous owners pride and joy             

                                               so four hours work. and this is more presentable...

Summer song

l wonder if this will be the song of the summer 2010? The fabulous Scissor sisters...
Great mantra- Fight fire with fire....

time out

I have some time on my hands,

  my doctor has signed me off work for 4 weeks 

and I am under instructions to relax, 

be kind to myself and to let things wash over me. 

In the last few months

I have probably done a little too much coping,

much hiding in my work and a bit too much overtime,

 now I find that l am facing an impenetrable brick wall

So I intend to do as l am told,

enjoy without guilt some morning lay ins,

some must do walking and cycling in the evenings, 

with a rest on my favourite bench,
breathing in deeply of my surroundings

(my bike resting in Rickerby Park, Carlisle)

I have organised my paints and pastels,

bought a couple of fresh canvases

and even had a stab at a large pastel landscape

I am all signed up on courses

including Tai Chi and Shiatsu

l intend to spend many hours in my healing place,

my new secret garden

literally smelling the old roses!

Trees

a selection of trees

probably a century old or more

from within

my secret garden

l wonder 

how many trees can be named 

from this silhouette of leaves

 l love looking skyward 

and being under the canopy of branches

solid, old, strong, wise, dependable

is this the tree or what l'm looking for...

old trees bring out the hugs in me...

Miscellaneous Monday

as l stopped by the window

and filled the kettle for a brew

I was drawn to the symmetrical composition 

outside the kitchen window

twin parked

almost identical cars

made a strangely pleasing sight

What am I?

In an art gallery the other day, a canvas hung with text listing the roles in one persons life. Entitled. What am I? As opposed to, who am I?

I always wonder about that. Am I what l feel l am? What l think l am? Or what people perceive me to be? I believe l am all these things and more, much more. I'm not sure if l even wish to be defined. I certainly do not need to be. I know l am ever changing, never the same, inconsistent yet consistently true to myself.

Is it perception or reality? I feel there must be a constant, as it is innate. A shadow of love and life that connects to the family and friends way beyond any tag l could be given, any box into which l am placed.

I have had many roles, as myself and as other see me;in the workplace, in the home, friendships. I have always been in a front line... more by luck than judgement but there you are..

school girl, checkout girl, shampooist,
 hairdresser, shop girl

manager, area manager, fashion buyer

fundraiser, trainer, counselor

bookseller, market researcher,
school helper, charity worker.
mentor,

dinner lady, volunteer, fundraiser,

gallery assistant, sales advisor

receptionist, exhibition installer,

student, reader, writer,

artist, blogger, book reviewer, museum worker,
art gallery assistant, receptionist,
friend, mother, wife, daughter...

would any define me... .the last four have the most value for me

Where, when, what...

... blatantly taken from Expat mum, who in turn got it from London mum


Where were you 5 years ago?
We were living in an old farmhouse, on a working farm, deep in rural Cumbria. 3 miles from the nearest shop, with cows our nearest neighbours. Surrounded by fields, our kids played in the gardens, lanes and fields safely. I ran them to and from town, a 30 mile round trip once, twice, three times a day. manic by day, laconic by night. I didn't realise how good it all was. How simple.

Where would you like to be in 5 years time?
Happier and pain free certainly.

5 snacks l like.
cashews
gin
swizzels loillipops
strawberry shortcake Haagen Dazs
sex

What is on your to do list today?
washing linens
lunch with french conversation
and any three of the above snacks

5 things to do if l become a billionaire (or millionaire, even thousandaire would be cool)
help children with facial disfigurements in third world countries
set up a trust to help cancer victims receive appropriate unavailable on nhs drugs
get myself a house, with library and garden
own a beach hut
buy some Art