tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44757001479233676202024-02-20T01:29:59.071-08:00Binds you to meLife, loves, family and home.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05659392802742964854noreply@blogger.comBlogger285125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475700147923367620.post-13861016032425709512015-07-29T13:24:00.001-07:002015-07-29T13:24:01.867-07:00Garden Of Light<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5enU_cRGCp7QRj0ODOkdA8i7kKc-373ofYositcP0L7MxxsXNerLmxnbZBC-TyurHClhxyeee-OYoYdy5N7bnHSwfx-ca5TfancxWeVtKLIgaLRSDEwyR-dMmd-Kru8Y__jN270pOhA/s640/blogger-image--1872216352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5enU_cRGCp7QRj0ODOkdA8i7kKc-373ofYositcP0L7MxxsXNerLmxnbZBC-TyurHClhxyeee-OYoYdy5N7bnHSwfx-ca5TfancxWeVtKLIgaLRSDEwyR-dMmd-Kru8Y__jN270pOhA/s640/blogger-image--1872216352.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">////Like black crows they move around me - in a garden of light. Forever there, neither comforting or alarming; just an unwanted prescence, black means death and mourning////</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Verse JS // image Pinterest </div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05659392802742964854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475700147923367620.post-6401501353695511102015-07-27T14:07:00.001-07:002015-07-27T14:07:42.470-07:00Family Holidays<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFnPDCO2eRXgFkrUww9QObdM2OtZub9PwIJ7ZWJxdAKXsyFSTr7hfNmGsbvRRD7l72VXuG5L2QozHfVO3233Po4oUIU2AbMUcSnTx8oYUSYxbgQNsRSJnCgoCsKKTnUx1Dvgq_hi2A1o/s640/blogger-image--682643517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFnPDCO2eRXgFkrUww9QObdM2OtZub9PwIJ7ZWJxdAKXsyFSTr7hfNmGsbvRRD7l72VXuG5L2QozHfVO3233Po4oUIU2AbMUcSnTx8oYUSYxbgQNsRSJnCgoCsKKTnUx1Dvgq_hi2A1o/s640/blogger-image--682643517.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4I1UujYr4ZI12Tu9oPLbpBV8F6Bzl7stZQBAg1i4xgleKuclz8UpQlsUje9UUOqrkblzXWDyvc6eGMSssRK5N5mNx7JUdpgm_qhbXMun2vYuIxyUjRvIR8AncgrGOxwHizJ9QJ4h65y0/s640/blogger-image-1997987275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4I1UujYr4ZI12Tu9oPLbpBV8F6Bzl7stZQBAg1i4xgleKuclz8UpQlsUje9UUOqrkblzXWDyvc6eGMSssRK5N5mNx7JUdpgm_qhbXMun2vYuIxyUjRvIR8AncgrGOxwHizJ9QJ4h65y0/s640/blogger-image-1997987275.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHsm_XMyuElf72-JsLOxneWs1u5L5X00Kn9B-Cw6iA4_ehpg35njJVEcJ41CXvgxIQ1WS7huds1h2RioI5q_vCiUoPsoxxU0FcNlL27XOyh7iZxR7rxzJqlm2znbYoxGx-apeNE73LSS8/s640/blogger-image-1489402437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHsm_XMyuElf72-JsLOxneWs1u5L5X00Kn9B-Cw6iA4_ehpg35njJVEcJ41CXvgxIQ1WS7huds1h2RioI5q_vCiUoPsoxxU0FcNlL27XOyh7iZxR7rxzJqlm2znbYoxGx-apeNE73LSS8/s640/blogger-image-1489402437.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOy3rofEnG7JIbiAd_qwGqIGgt52LdYBjxEzlnM6vkCO2ftWybI_smoawGYym1g_WgtBxE2R0bcVsyelH_DosAleAg-8ina9kO7Tpvm8KQtjEvD_YGaC30At6u9FaZflSJm9gFU_oI4nA/s640/blogger-image-1898526651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOy3rofEnG7JIbiAd_qwGqIGgt52LdYBjxEzlnM6vkCO2ftWybI_smoawGYym1g_WgtBxE2R0bcVsyelH_DosAleAg-8ina9kO7Tpvm8KQtjEvD_YGaC30At6u9FaZflSJm9gFU_oI4nA/s640/blogger-image-1898526651.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gAiS7dOEDIozXfq7Mthu2_1kkzs9iKJYFOTvFVhQ5DTSFMDvuPOajBpUvfhZudbm5fmGsZhO9PMMHhC_oxU_bImJNWGp6OEoIZDdiItaq2wwNZ7OnvR7sAh8aaMJ8M8uVs2SlXHJcJU/s640/blogger-image--249353650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gAiS7dOEDIozXfq7Mthu2_1kkzs9iKJYFOTvFVhQ5DTSFMDvuPOajBpUvfhZudbm5fmGsZhO9PMMHhC_oxU_bImJNWGp6OEoIZDdiItaq2wwNZ7OnvR7sAh8aaMJ8M8uVs2SlXHJcJU/s640/blogger-image--249353650.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjut-1fZiHgflilSphp8qaAl4It_4rkcjybdcQsEw0KywI09FLP2p32lWqDuR2QybvpX5_32bw6dfDDTFRLmsMDLjmO_ifkdvgr0fHu1_qQqIHe7NpaMY4ucanxaXrtzFlX97uw0BA-F68/s640/blogger-image--1773161247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjut-1fZiHgflilSphp8qaAl4It_4rkcjybdcQsEw0KywI09FLP2p32lWqDuR2QybvpX5_32bw6dfDDTFRLmsMDLjmO_ifkdvgr0fHu1_qQqIHe7NpaMY4ucanxaXrtzFlX97uw0BA-F68/s640/blogger-image--1773161247.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Always a challenge - family holidays. And especially when you plan for beaches and sun and you get wood burners, rain and waterproofs. Let me tell you about my hatred of sports/weather specific gear and outward bound kit. All part of my strong dislike of 'doing what I'm told' or 'what I should'. I'll admit to leggings for the gym but always black and normal vest tops. A few years ago I finally gave in to the Scottish weather and bought a Didriksons jacket- stylish and bloody warm - made for Swedish winters- I had to rest my case on that one. But this holiday I was totally caught out and a long walk to see standing stones and abandoned villages, left me chilled to the bone when the rain came on half way through. Oh the ignominy of having to buy light weight waterproofs in Bute in July. Remember I was born in Scotland - I should know better....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">......But it is magical and beautiful here so we will make the best of it. Another walk (this time in my waterproofs) to a ruined church at the tip of Bute in the poaring rain- at this point it had been raining incessantly all day held a perfect moment. An elderly woman parked front of us and walked up slowly behind us, no doubt tutting at our children's bickering, or so I thought. As the children careered around the newly mown grass avoiding standing on the flattened tombs (their reverential wet weather church yard game- believe me they have visited a lot of ruined churches.....) I came across her lighting a candle in a prayer nook. We spoke and she told me this place was her husband's favourite and the family had sprinkled his ashes here. She told me that she comes back every year 'and will do so as long as she can walk up the hill' in order to remember him. At that moment I felt my heart swell with the love she had known and the love I have, despite all the difficulties. Life, family life is hard but it is worth every previous second💖</div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05659392802742964854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475700147923367620.post-89856680102411970082015-07-09T14:30:00.001-07:002015-07-09T14:30:30.313-07:00Summer Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsg8Zf2dTIpI-WSX51mvnCNIvEJnKd-c1IB90xK_aqa1jviNPM5DmTXO1l9W09wzM1aCr7fc-RKrPl3q4f_iQJ2zTL6-5WPb4xG9W23IB6MVCAMh347UHYK-wPB6CnwxqCbPIKmculk8/s640/blogger-image-933623074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsg8Zf2dTIpI-WSX51mvnCNIvEJnKd-c1IB90xK_aqa1jviNPM5DmTXO1l9W09wzM1aCr7fc-RKrPl3q4f_iQJ2zTL6-5WPb4xG9W23IB6MVCAMh347UHYK-wPB6CnwxqCbPIKmculk8/s640/blogger-image-933623074.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftaYt0Ivxwkb7xl7kZSfr-2xITva89T-1z_yZWprOLD5WEOdLLIBP6KhSaTOaCv-2cSavwh1Gl-Wlh1piPuu-uSMp_UQ5G6AvVbsD4s3MT94-IxCwymeVSp6_Ra0oWAKaqEBIsoXoeZo/s640/blogger-image--861556120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftaYt0Ivxwkb7xl7kZSfr-2xITva89T-1z_yZWprOLD5WEOdLLIBP6KhSaTOaCv-2cSavwh1Gl-Wlh1piPuu-uSMp_UQ5G6AvVbsD4s3MT94-IxCwymeVSp6_Ra0oWAKaqEBIsoXoeZo/s640/blogger-image--861556120.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There is a face in that tree - can you see it? Well I can and I know it's a very kind spirit. These woods are here for us and I never come out of them feeling anything but 'better'. Good times with friends on a summer day. </div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05659392802742964854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475700147923367620.post-23582600903539512172015-07-03T14:10:00.001-07:002015-07-03T14:10:29.513-07:00Sands That Change<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAtDqaZ33fZe0hnr3iOCLDkxJLDfDcDsCcoWqabgbVvoKOQLEXM24AYQDjaAHMD9PccSDf7X8M8CRKj_wGxMBhgNzzP4etF-7YRhd9EghRe5SbyZ73FX3uAEzPPNWi0R98iyy89Gqpi4/s640/blogger-image-1955273528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAtDqaZ33fZe0hnr3iOCLDkxJLDfDcDsCcoWqabgbVvoKOQLEXM24AYQDjaAHMD9PccSDf7X8M8CRKj_wGxMBhgNzzP4etF-7YRhd9EghRe5SbyZ73FX3uAEzPPNWi0R98iyy89Gqpi4/s640/blogger-image-1955273528.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1rFYaN-3HD-1tpiYBIVN9ufAmkMuFj0aTGGYnYbP19m_FK8CBaUImr8ZRPxm2xTTLRxW_hNGC0jRYNDjSjSd5r7GljZwOG3iMJE2oEbAy56Gws3BDQJFnECK0Tfe1kNlJ1Xa7AtjI2k/s640/blogger-image-1909266367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1rFYaN-3HD-1tpiYBIVN9ufAmkMuFj0aTGGYnYbP19m_FK8CBaUImr8ZRPxm2xTTLRxW_hNGC0jRYNDjSjSd5r7GljZwOG3iMJE2oEbAy56Gws3BDQJFnECK0Tfe1kNlJ1Xa7AtjI2k/s640/blogger-image-1909266367.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UtJ_MRcVjLKwAR8wElnuR3iPMZK0oggYEwZIJLn2KIatgQqp_wWrE7XkpLPWSNGK-UUj8wB-wDBVqsTZ61B6hCnHOWI6xnIMn2EocLLGDGaYqAx4BaMuLC40ZRZ-XwoY2qbQL8t9-KE/s640/blogger-image--1592680545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UtJ_MRcVjLKwAR8wElnuR3iPMZK0oggYEwZIJLn2KIatgQqp_wWrE7XkpLPWSNGK-UUj8wB-wDBVqsTZ61B6hCnHOWI6xnIMn2EocLLGDGaYqAx4BaMuLC40ZRZ-XwoY2qbQL8t9-KE/s640/blogger-image--1592680545.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJ1ks6q-6ZO9iBmazgbq0NH-h95yXJxTlmmC6aKd8myxxmICmiY3woHvmNQxer6oWlNwsW7PK8JskLo_AUKOPoZORyzYKlCd8QfSfEH1UHy4J9AUWPueB9BS3zOuw2RWi0YUElEGmn6k/s640/blogger-image-888583361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJ1ks6q-6ZO9iBmazgbq0NH-h95yXJxTlmmC6aKd8myxxmICmiY3woHvmNQxer6oWlNwsW7PK8JskLo_AUKOPoZORyzYKlCd8QfSfEH1UHy4J9AUWPueB9BS3zOuw2RWi0YUElEGmn6k/s640/blogger-image-888583361.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Beach life is good. Unaccustomed to it as we are, still we manage. And UK, well Scottish beaches are a thing apart. They are all sand and shingle, rock pools and crabs. Sunburn and wind caused goose flesh. Always a mix of extremes- just the way I like it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But this year our beach was much changed- swathes of missing sand and newly appeared long, flat rock formations and clusters of boulders like a family of trolls hunkering together in what remained. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">'But it hasn't changed for years', I kept saying to locals. Some looked at me sympathetically, others tried to tell me that the beach changed, subtly, EVERY day. What they were trying to tell me was that you can't keep perfect memories about something that lives and changes, that is in itself a force of nature. Best to embrace the ever changing coastline, to see it for what it is - a metaphor for life. </div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05659392802742964854noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475700147923367620.post-70841637778854965672015-05-30T14:26:00.001-07:002015-05-30T14:26:05.171-07:00//Poems//The Forest Book//<div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6"><br></span></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6"><br></span></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9-7od6iFcIQWzUvLJyTjBTGKkh87H1y67kGnCbVVZObxLDyNjMlT7AW9qx0WNvzsRdTHVTtyeHo7y4etcdPSaw4VvrQMFWfSSYqG0wvf4cLsG1CX5rX6aJ7RyrxxCTUNBFGSCyksYqE/s640/blogger-image--225826855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9-7od6iFcIQWzUvLJyTjBTGKkh87H1y67kGnCbVVZObxLDyNjMlT7AW9qx0WNvzsRdTHVTtyeHo7y4etcdPSaw4VvrQMFWfSSYqG0wvf4cLsG1CX5rX6aJ7RyrxxCTUNBFGSCyksYqE/s640/blogger-image--225826855.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUeVBKAGxpxksWjaCt7WyJiCne9hTGar5gYqB2IsCkelaJ4ett43XNZvAYqLwWLa0d9dhrMWzHCftJyvPQHeHAIRphIGqvQUvx2J-I-jjwLU_7YoGhYjV9jj6EbSoIuK8lwu8MKHkERg/s640/blogger-image--2064026797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUeVBKAGxpxksWjaCt7WyJiCne9hTGar5gYqB2IsCkelaJ4ett43XNZvAYqLwWLa0d9dhrMWzHCftJyvPQHeHAIRphIGqvQUvx2J-I-jjwLU_7YoGhYjV9jj6EbSoIuK8lwu8MKHkERg/s640/blogger-image--2064026797.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxd2bwXVjJpkYqkUq5MAZYWXhEHx7g3WwgV3N17D_RMpDVcm87QcGYLrdMw_9ADsFQ56VwljxY_9BEV59BlLLBRv2Avb03rMOMPUYFUm29WaefUliDNiVOvbFQxErj5qBiDkRmI-xTurU/s640/blogger-image-1811841862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxd2bwXVjJpkYqkUq5MAZYWXhEHx7g3WwgV3N17D_RMpDVcm87QcGYLrdMw_9ADsFQ56VwljxY_9BEV59BlLLBRv2Avb03rMOMPUYFUm29WaefUliDNiVOvbFQxErj5qBiDkRmI-xTurU/s640/blogger-image-1811841862.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div></span></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6"><b><br></b></span></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6"><b>Forest Girl</b></span></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6"><br></span></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6">With eyes deep as owls </span><span class="s6">and my</span></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Flagrant denials of self.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">With the faint spoor of the forgotten.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Deep green winter cowls.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Aspects of stars in blackness</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And the precious night will show me</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6">Departed people as metaphors.</span></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Silence reverberates through</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The indigo coolness.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Walking with the shadows of the trees</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6">Casting inky blue pools at my feet.</span><span class="s5" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Red Hair</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I’m half hidden beneath the hawthorn tree</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I vouch my life they won’t ever see me.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My incarnation is wispy and winnowed</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I’m barely here on my own terms.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I march through my wooded groves of violent</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">terrain.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My home is hard and unyielding but it is all I have</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6">Ever known. All I've ever known. It is all I've ever known.</span></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6">Blood stains and iron scent that I perfume myself </span></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6">With. </span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I’m expert at killing for nourishment.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Black serge dress and windings of wool</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6">Raise</span><span class="s7"> steam</span><span class="s6"> as I walk for miles.</span></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Hunks of elbow and ungainly movements</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Borne of nights on forest floors with</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Rocks beneath my head.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Flame red hair flowing behind me</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Wound with acorns and cloves that I’ve saved.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Dusty hearts of puffballs explode brown smoke</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">That wreaths around my ankles.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6">I disappear into an ancient hedgerow. </span></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ice Heart</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Its beating stopped long ago</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">With jagged uncertainty I meander through what’s left.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ice scrunched under booted feet, I stamp and I stamp</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What’s left of life and of civility in me.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Like piss yellow snow I’m rank and pale</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The boughs of winter willow scrag and catch my hair.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6">Bed of boughs bent into shelter. </span></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Yearning for heat and consumed by the primary of blood. Weekend prayers and Craving will forever conclude in tears.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6">There isn’t a hand can touch me now or spirit me away.</span></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Anger holds me here and protects me from my fears.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Mine</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Overhanging birch roof on my bothy's walls</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Dripping diamond rain drops when it storms.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6">I curl up warm in hides, fire licking my nose. </span></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Moss and ivy adorn my walls, tiny orchids burst in spring.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6">Despite harrowing winds my tindered fires keep me warm.</span></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6">Fallow deer sniff round the door and kick their tiny hooves.</span></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I’ve a moratorium on killing them</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I like their company.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6">Intelligent eyes. Sad </span><span class="s6">small hearts that keep away the lies.</span></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Skins and hides line my nook.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Beneath them lies my heavy locked chest.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Dried baby’s breath and marigolds disintegrate inside.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6">Far away from earthly things I smile and tend my fires. </span></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6"><br></span></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Tales</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6">They tell the bairns the fairy tales </span></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">To make them bend and comply.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">They dinna tell them properly</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In mine the woman has victory.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You sink your man’s head in</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A pot plant and you keep a</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Mouthful of blood. 'The jessamine will flower</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6">And the truth will out'.</span></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Bloody knives cut on her every step</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">That’s a real fairy tale for you.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Nothing in exchange for nothing</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A mermaid’s tale for blood tears.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Like the wraith snow child</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Dreams of a life will melt and waste.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You can pretend a family bower</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6">But it ends in weeping and scarlet rage.</span></span></div><div class="s10" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div class="s10" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s5" style="font-weight: bold;">Forest Anaesthesia </span></span></div><div class="s10" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Forest memories and arcs of sparkling yellow light.</span></div><div class="s10" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s7">Foxes' </span><span class="s6">eyes florescent </span><span class="s7">fluorescent</span><span class="s6"> in headlights.</span></span></div><div class="s10" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6">Cool set of moss beneath, tiny droplets surface and tickle my toes. </span></span></div><div class="s10" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6"><br></span></span></div><div class="s10" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tap, tap on the window, spinning on my heels</span></div><div class="s10" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Blur of grey alerts me to the tiny visitor.</span></div><div class="s10" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So set are his visits, someone fed him before me.</span></div><div class="s10" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="s10" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Exchanging one prison for another has been my life</span></div><div class="s10" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Forest, marriage, motherhood and now a locked ward.</span></div><div class="s10" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div class="s10" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My way was always blocked</span></div><div class="s10" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A foot in the door jamb.</span></div><div class="s10" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Another baby, another move,</span></div><div class="s10" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">another congregation of fools</span></div><div class="s10" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6">To be ministered to.</span></span></div><div class="s10" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div class="s10" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My animals still know me.</span></div><div class="s10" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6">Doctors never work out what I need. </span></span></div><div class="s10" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My secrets are in a fairy pool</span></div><div class="s10" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6">Stowed deep beneath the black water. </span></span></div><div class="s10" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Not for me therapy or fixing.</span></div><div class="s10" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6">Nothing can bring back my fire coloured hair.</span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="s10" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05659392802742964854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475700147923367620.post-56632077007052516192015-05-25T14:34:00.001-07:002015-05-25T14:34:26.322-07:00Poems//The Autumn Queen//<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7SCf76SIPWOUJuFBQw1O88YsVxKBQZhFN-2_a6iel363_qnQgqs7Uyux6xgR9xSLDzlRQ-aROClI1_M_8G86u6EP8cm7EeiSlYRN4McrCgvUKOB6JMFV7sD5iOI7nOsngFqIlBA02z4/s640/blogger-image--69094469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7SCf76SIPWOUJuFBQw1O88YsVxKBQZhFN-2_a6iel363_qnQgqs7Uyux6xgR9xSLDzlRQ-aROClI1_M_8G86u6EP8cm7EeiSlYRN4McrCgvUKOB6JMFV7sD5iOI7nOsngFqIlBA02z4/s640/blogger-image--69094469.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Autumn Queen</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A crown of gourds and acorns</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As orange as pumpkin juice.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I uncurl and trace my fingers</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6">Through bark carved curlicues. </span></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6">Acorn cups to hold my blood </span></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I raise a glass and drink to you.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Bark free initials that will leave</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">An indented sign or two.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Curled so tight I bend in ways</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">My heart won't recover.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">White limbs like forced narcissus</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6">My pale nakedness received forever. </span></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Seed head bones click clack</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In the space between my ears.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I roll and turn in leaf mulch</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6">Black as tar my frigid fears. </span></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6">Droplet sparkles of summer rain </span></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Stowed inside green tonic wine glass.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I drip the diamonds on my finger tips</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6">I tell the spiders 'this pain will pass'.</span></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Mallow orbs of snowberries</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Make me shiver and ache.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s6">Their stringent woody taste </span></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Quiets the fretting for everyone's sake.</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">{This is the first of a series of seven linked poems called The Forest Book. I think I will publish them altogether in the next few days. They focus on my interest in forests, in gender and in power.}</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">{Image from Pinterest}</span></div><div class="s4" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div></div><div><span style="line-height: 21px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05659392802742964854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475700147923367620.post-24430946288266668592015-05-05T14:21:00.001-07:002015-05-05T14:21:22.217-07:00Some Things<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yAnf8TXoavrSHaRPX0YJ7vWfrWkdts85aOx2FutgakNUkAvBaTg5wZgPmNJsf6h0mWTPkTbfb9CfIiUmI4FuBqCS6zrAcK3GUpWUFti_WSWIreoLkAkvqzrmZAmp6755xUlqZ7dNVEk/s640/blogger-image--1271595671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yAnf8TXoavrSHaRPX0YJ7vWfrWkdts85aOx2FutgakNUkAvBaTg5wZgPmNJsf6h0mWTPkTbfb9CfIiUmI4FuBqCS6zrAcK3GUpWUFti_WSWIreoLkAkvqzrmZAmp6755xUlqZ7dNVEk/s640/blogger-image--1271595671.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiaP7Ev3EVDuRtMyD5tIgacj1toEGOHUG4AtG3pPQIyZ1h1Kbv9CTisiAldD0nCgpRl3eQTg4WdhI-A4Fz7HhyphenhyphenVR_5zCkmwRAK5JbYBO23Thgaa6Wqvf1THoZtdsWdRRI8m2m-G5pGiSE/s640/blogger-image-1961229661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiaP7Ev3EVDuRtMyD5tIgacj1toEGOHUG4AtG3pPQIyZ1h1Kbv9CTisiAldD0nCgpRl3eQTg4WdhI-A4Fz7HhyphenhyphenVR_5zCkmwRAK5JbYBO23Thgaa6Wqvf1THoZtdsWdRRI8m2m-G5pGiSE/s640/blogger-image-1961229661.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPv-0tSl1wky2sjWlIBjWwGOELumW3JWIhdHV_IXhXmYYATpxSrzbXP8XQzJHLDgbSvzbJSa_pZK8QlYAFFTa1MB037nvIVE9pYYYD79d3ue4oB4ZyjnwEPlRCfwU5K9yM7XCuVEhO1M/s640/blogger-image-25596610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPv-0tSl1wky2sjWlIBjWwGOELumW3JWIhdHV_IXhXmYYATpxSrzbXP8XQzJHLDgbSvzbJSa_pZK8QlYAFFTa1MB037nvIVE9pYYYD79d3ue4oB4ZyjnwEPlRCfwU5K9yM7XCuVEhO1M/s640/blogger-image-25596610.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qg_hQoTOR2hPcMXdPtQNY26TdtECsxCnFOdtLQSpCjtrnJ4fBWXOxCc4DnOEpb2EdMvgtO3KUxx1PxopOaWv_ftbgASpF5Dfz0tRRERprDUn6tDc6kdHhNnZ6LDkSyek7wNj2PlM0Sc/s640/blogger-image-1753563524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qg_hQoTOR2hPcMXdPtQNY26TdtECsxCnFOdtLQSpCjtrnJ4fBWXOxCc4DnOEpb2EdMvgtO3KUxx1PxopOaWv_ftbgASpF5Dfz0tRRERprDUn6tDc6kdHhNnZ6LDkSyek7wNj2PlM0Sc/s640/blogger-image-1753563524.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I've been spending time in my head with all the things going on. In other words the winter brain fog where I let my mind run around and around in concentric circles. Despite this my sporadic productivity has still managed to produce a set of 8 poems I am 'tears in eyes' proud off. I have spent hours listening to that misanthrope Josh Tillman. I've concluded he must see in my head or we are cut from the same bit of dishevelled <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">black velvet. I am still wayward and difficult, which are not necessarily the bad things they can be. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I have been thankful for the fact that it's all still holding together. It is in part that I can see the beauty wherever I turn. It's like a magic trick I keep thinking I will lose the power to conjure up - this ability to see and to find value in everyday life. There are a million threads of narrative in one turn of the head, a vast world with a spin and a click of your heels. And I do 'feel it all' and sometimes it hurts but sometimes it helps.</span></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05659392802742964854noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475700147923367620.post-24563636889346762582015-03-08T15:10:00.001-07:002015-03-08T15:10:25.602-07:00Things keep going<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_cwhrm-MU1thAlMAeZ1lT3W5VifNg40i2L_cIaVUNODAhKuEGOw3SjjHMaTFaFpEj2579PhHzRzlIYz2CuLeBDSrMJW5JxtpHkaaEVhML14NHrVoX9wnn6vZVq_g-CcC4CsFNBlFbPA/s640/blogger-image--245361818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_cwhrm-MU1thAlMAeZ1lT3W5VifNg40i2L_cIaVUNODAhKuEGOw3SjjHMaTFaFpEj2579PhHzRzlIYz2CuLeBDSrMJW5JxtpHkaaEVhML14NHrVoX9wnn6vZVq_g-CcC4CsFNBlFbPA/s640/blogger-image--245361818.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrh2GwDCOUgInDGQXy7SU35c_IyeQriyFhLc8kj2ZVbGPZBncTUD0euayda1z_xDbbnchKP5Hf-ea0rwm9DfMVHrO5MXAYPfoFBTLDZo31HEwPyE0vWwNNDHVgd9NDsCiASkoq-3J8T0/s640/blogger-image-111094329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrh2GwDCOUgInDGQXy7SU35c_IyeQriyFhLc8kj2ZVbGPZBncTUD0euayda1z_xDbbnchKP5Hf-ea0rwm9DfMVHrO5MXAYPfoFBTLDZo31HEwPyE0vWwNNDHVgd9NDsCiASkoq-3J8T0/s640/blogger-image-111094329.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's good to smile, and it is good to see shafts of sunlight on the greenest moss in the woods. So often I see things in nature that I can hardly believe are accidental. Every day there is so much beauty. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">'Sometimes if you look you see'. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05659392802742964854noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475700147923367620.post-26188985129155553992015-02-22T06:19:00.001-08:002015-02-22T06:19:49.221-08:00Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsg9EARtXQqagi10STFwX8SgflwmxNaWhEhOlC5dh_gRxjZ5EX4SXXBdwpfsH1HFgIrGXxip3kuGWa0PbtX40QIWZv5rxSpT7OdgWO4zmaHgxo0OxnzSUW72uT8KC_hxX5ooPEIxbLfE/s640/blogger-image--846175870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsg9EARtXQqagi10STFwX8SgflwmxNaWhEhOlC5dh_gRxjZ5EX4SXXBdwpfsH1HFgIrGXxip3kuGWa0PbtX40QIWZv5rxSpT7OdgWO4zmaHgxo0OxnzSUW72uT8KC_hxX5ooPEIxbLfE/s640/blogger-image--846175870.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">That is what love looks like. That's my childrens uncle, my brother in law, and my two love him to pieces. And for years I have tried to rise above and ignore the vindictive words and actions directed at me and my little family from another, but I am now fighting back with love and kindness because that is the only way. It's not a story for here, or for public over sharing but how we respond to adversity and those that try to hurt and wound us is worth sharing. You keep on going and you keep the love at the fore front. So for anyone also going through hard times, who is hurting, aggrieved and wounded please keep on going. Nothing is made worse by forgiveness and love, of that I am absolutely sure. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05659392802742964854noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475700147923367620.post-31594108422700172522015-01-18T14:25:00.001-08:002015-01-18T14:25:40.786-08:00Meanwhile<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylR3vVHXvk24z2qxjPfKaoQwCUW1yyjDS0GcCP-XGK8cNpRGedhvZCthl-QSixA2scedS-Ic38DXy9l6SNFJnCNlrmkX4YPQzBzBDHj3Px1AhIOfTqR1TP04XzcYqwMliggPkCNRtpu0/s640/blogger-image--1208236670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylR3vVHXvk24z2qxjPfKaoQwCUW1yyjDS0GcCP-XGK8cNpRGedhvZCthl-QSixA2scedS-Ic38DXy9l6SNFJnCNlrmkX4YPQzBzBDHj3Px1AhIOfTqR1TP04XzcYqwMliggPkCNRtpu0/s640/blogger-image--1208236670.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEp1sfMudIEWijBPrCpWYiPeeExVy3js_Ke7Qwh7hr1TZlT6HPWKycsI-4EGXM59lvAZGrQ7GuEmFzFlp69XRbpZyJrEPsDS-GSAwuWoQKNkVw4E3BnarCKVNwoWgK2NbW3KfJ5t048o/s640/blogger-image--237199423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEp1sfMudIEWijBPrCpWYiPeeExVy3js_Ke7Qwh7hr1TZlT6HPWKycsI-4EGXM59lvAZGrQ7GuEmFzFlp69XRbpZyJrEPsDS-GSAwuWoQKNkVw4E3BnarCKVNwoWgK2NbW3KfJ5t048o/s640/blogger-image--237199423.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgan7ZW6MywdBpUju9c1jLJAFKMFJCrX97-0oE0AhFcV5WyTj8qIrk6tNH4XJnHYrJhlMsT1G2pGpu_bVpegX59W2eEvnhOK3bUwY5I0yIlOJJfODGZhqJGiMLgP34tdxAOKg1E8bzp7tE/s640/blogger-image--127128675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgan7ZW6MywdBpUju9c1jLJAFKMFJCrX97-0oE0AhFcV5WyTj8qIrk6tNH4XJnHYrJhlMsT1G2pGpu_bVpegX59W2eEvnhOK3bUwY5I0yIlOJJfODGZhqJGiMLgP34tdxAOKg1E8bzp7tE/s640/blogger-image--127128675.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There is something intrinsic to a certain type of spiritual, naturalistic poetry that makes it touch so many people. And I am pretty certain that it is the same thing I find myself in the woods, and I can best describe it as the beautiful impermanence of nature. I can look at a patch of ivy covered in snow and it comforts me so much to know that at some point tomorrow that crackling white mantle will drip, drip away and the ivy leaves will dry and shine again in the winter sun. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">No matter how overwhelming life is there is always something in the green that springs from the earth that brings me back to a balanced perspective. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Meanwhile the world goes on.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Are moving across the landscapes,</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Over the prairies and the deep trees,</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>The mountains and the rivers. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">{<b>Mary Oliver 'Wild Geese'}</b></div><br></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05659392802742964854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475700147923367620.post-32394361564548696302014-12-14T15:07:00.001-08:002014-12-14T15:07:07.577-08:00Seed Heads<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYt2upK6XHQyptChoFwn2_MVV1by29oDqMIDBSWKCnmEic3sgxj80M_0ImiMEJgtu2c_V7NAzq8BVa_m-LnbRBlLoozmaD_FyCSmT5zuX61zXBau-zyFrlHYBEGS-VgY4oez_XvElaWc/s640/blogger-image-1126537314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYt2upK6XHQyptChoFwn2_MVV1by29oDqMIDBSWKCnmEic3sgxj80M_0ImiMEJgtu2c_V7NAzq8BVa_m-LnbRBlLoozmaD_FyCSmT5zuX61zXBau-zyFrlHYBEGS-VgY4oez_XvElaWc/s640/blogger-image-1126537314.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTlrsBjEh3ykiDtB7evBWNUF0lBW0bmDoaiTvbyMF383ljaBRt7SaM8SPqgjSs_QbGG1CtBUnBv1qmbRPZwFiPf-s0pfcy5GUYx_AZhsfBCgBZnorrPqMkGprvHW2o0oAzUiksA5oiOvI/s640/blogger-image--403245498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTlrsBjEh3ykiDtB7evBWNUF0lBW0bmDoaiTvbyMF383ljaBRt7SaM8SPqgjSs_QbGG1CtBUnBv1qmbRPZwFiPf-s0pfcy5GUYx_AZhsfBCgBZnorrPqMkGprvHW2o0oAzUiksA5oiOvI/s640/blogger-image--403245498.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Seed heads in their dessicated, skeletal beauty. There is something fey and otherworldly about their silent winter appearance. Today they swayed gently in the icy wind, my hand steadying them for a capture. If you teach yourself to stop and look, there is always something, even in the depths of winter within the hedgerows showing you it's simple charm. </div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05659392802742964854noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475700147923367620.post-881988891235963632014-12-08T14:46:00.001-08:002014-12-08T14:46:53.149-08:00Where we are<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTxhrUMBwgAfb0Sdhu5XySQuvlxXhtJ-c6E2kRMraydqE0smRyYNhhuX3JtveiRd5IEntp8qAhH0yL2071LXqngHqIxUTnUUiiOK4SVZas4mPAqPhyg2iLayF7x5fxpFqwLZkMnvyx2w/s640/blogger-image-1558989442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTxhrUMBwgAfb0Sdhu5XySQuvlxXhtJ-c6E2kRMraydqE0smRyYNhhuX3JtveiRd5IEntp8qAhH0yL2071LXqngHqIxUTnUUiiOK4SVZas4mPAqPhyg2iLayF7x5fxpFqwLZkMnvyx2w/s640/blogger-image-1558989442.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-Sa5XggLpQRamheakCniqsXjI7OPa0P5DGfz7MqbC41l3JS3h82NIgBfUEzP_vXJHpASAEnvycR5DFYSUEkccUOJyEob_mLgQzNFxY9NupfFnxoPgytLNXMn8GLTh8dmWPCPySFqKR0/s640/blogger-image-1482974872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-Sa5XggLpQRamheakCniqsXjI7OPa0P5DGfz7MqbC41l3JS3h82NIgBfUEzP_vXJHpASAEnvycR5DFYSUEkccUOJyEob_mLgQzNFxY9NupfFnxoPgytLNXMn8GLTh8dmWPCPySFqKR0/s640/blogger-image-1482974872.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAvMPCBAu-UlUlxfuq9wr1y548r4VxUW7lVqpXZypgB5czPajwzcx3zD7-pNGxMW70cr8G29sOuOh0XddB1sagwtx1KhpbWzP5B4FrpvoLVMs4BeWQTRPhaQabNZL0OIYdLkiqo-dGq4/s640/blogger-image--503416497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAvMPCBAu-UlUlxfuq9wr1y548r4VxUW7lVqpXZypgB5czPajwzcx3zD7-pNGxMW70cr8G29sOuOh0XddB1sagwtx1KhpbWzP5B4FrpvoLVMs4BeWQTRPhaQabNZL0OIYdLkiqo-dGq4/s640/blogger-image--503416497.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhmJOjL-PDtXpS5Au_GUTHUC0vk496erzqSaq1-FeNWAUV4_grDiJFvVKoaO0NZt1POegxpPPP7YsI5nKz6WGojrAxvA4TPCmIn2WzJRt4k3qFsJftGQMAvJyKvzUc5mbaEvN91q2uSs/s640/blogger-image-155575329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhmJOjL-PDtXpS5Au_GUTHUC0vk496erzqSaq1-FeNWAUV4_grDiJFvVKoaO0NZt1POegxpPPP7YsI5nKz6WGojrAxvA4TPCmIn2WzJRt4k3qFsJftGQMAvJyKvzUc5mbaEvN91q2uSs/s640/blogger-image-155575329.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It has been quiet on this blog for a while now. This year I changed jobs, a huge change for the better, and I have nearly finished the first module in a creative writing degree. The writing here on this blog started the move towards story writing for me. The writing here has been so valuable in developing me as a writer, and in me making writing a bigger part of my life. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I've been thinking a lot recently about what makes us happy, what keeps us afloat and without a doubt for me it is making sure I do a range of things that add up to a whole, balanced individual self. I'm sure you get a sense of those things from my posts- they are varied and multiple. Some are robust and healthy like regular walks in the wood and others are off track and fragile as spider's webs. They are like a web, a complex knit together of activities, actions and things that when balanced make a little seam of happy. I'm sort of quite proud of that, that I have begun to realise I can take control of my life. And at the same time I'm desperately sad for those who through illness, sadness and pain remain without these feelings of hope. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Writing plays a huge part in this for me. There is nothing like the small ripples in my brain when a person or a story or a feeling comes together on the page. I've always had this and I've always written, but the course has directed me to actually persevere and I can now write stories, proper stories with real people in them, with a beginning and a middle and an end. They also aren't all heartbreaking, some of them are actually quite hopeful and dare I say redemptive. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">If I am brave enough I will post one soon. </div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05659392802742964854noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475700147923367620.post-84069740312065522522014-10-17T14:32:00.001-07:002014-10-17T14:32:23.897-07:00Work Done<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLN1COxp3f21zmaMu8jB-1-8dJfxdgp5AKbyXOcKlrC4DdYqQBmnFCRVFNnjtWo499wIr0dJOvq-bi7iAV2owaV-J91JBDCVFhKAykxFDQY1wPimqPpBduSOsJvrvaQQt-LgbBdE_JfNI/s640/blogger-image--555842447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLN1COxp3f21zmaMu8jB-1-8dJfxdgp5AKbyXOcKlrC4DdYqQBmnFCRVFNnjtWo499wIr0dJOvq-bi7iAV2owaV-J91JBDCVFhKAykxFDQY1wPimqPpBduSOsJvrvaQQt-LgbBdE_JfNI/s640/blogger-image--555842447.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNK9yBNme18xVvKuas5NApESHBp5bvq1yLNU0WkAkioWRILPG4jAJe-oON8CKqmsEMVxtvt7uiZFpaUJ0AMxl8z2Rzg86nUl5eeDM2orJRYfRctv6gpKO9yu-qYHZKu8cL8m1I-J5sXk/s640/blogger-image--1228550049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNK9yBNme18xVvKuas5NApESHBp5bvq1yLNU0WkAkioWRILPG4jAJe-oON8CKqmsEMVxtvt7uiZFpaUJ0AMxl8z2Rzg86nUl5eeDM2orJRYfRctv6gpKO9yu-qYHZKu8cL8m1I-J5sXk/s640/blogger-image--1228550049.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mbUrnudRgLtGe4WtWQy2CEyEFWE68zIgjNPEMaeDtOWb7l4dm3GLWSGjJsAUVeUUJr226m9dl3zrp2In299GuaIdZ6mT60Znytyr4lE6LnuClxbpWyw8bdso-tKrFcX0MeWIRgkHtHk/s640/blogger-image--1244560971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mbUrnudRgLtGe4WtWQy2CEyEFWE68zIgjNPEMaeDtOWb7l4dm3GLWSGjJsAUVeUUJr226m9dl3zrp2In299GuaIdZ6mT60Znytyr4lE6LnuClxbpWyw8bdso-tKrFcX0MeWIRgkHtHk/s640/blogger-image--1244560971.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Celebrating writing another short story and the weekend! Also the beautiful colours around just now. </div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05659392802742964854noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475700147923367620.post-34160826383695669852014-09-23T13:13:00.001-07:002014-12-09T15:38:38.773-08:00Autumn<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyWqAJWQD0rdVG17BIgzeYpvK6WUOHQUeUqxkOpnrytItMLQGZje_BDc0v6ACQQThVRb48Bqr6CgYGcZnDL-60LJRij_l5Gk5BYg3de9Hif7d1Ii5r5rkEbasU41Cv5KkK8fe_iwW1Qg/s640/blogger-image-129265387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyWqAJWQD0rdVG17BIgzeYpvK6WUOHQUeUqxkOpnrytItMLQGZje_BDc0v6ACQQThVRb48Bqr6CgYGcZnDL-60LJRij_l5Gk5BYg3de9Hif7d1Ii5r5rkEbasU41Cv5KkK8fe_iwW1Qg/s640/blogger-image-129265387.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUeXDmNEjMyR79P4uDtBxq85MkswDjm_JUTKgKRBl-jTA5ZzrJgZJfUBm0gBGAeIZdV4s3L3rQ5BFMlwxozVs9Kjq-6yecMb3Xe5UCoXoIM29qFbefHngPOJCHIPRd2v9wRlwLvLNGiQ/s640/blogger-image--135967848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUeXDmNEjMyR79P4uDtBxq85MkswDjm_JUTKgKRBl-jTA5ZzrJgZJfUBm0gBGAeIZdV4s3L3rQ5BFMlwxozVs9Kjq-6yecMb3Xe5UCoXoIM29qFbefHngPOJCHIPRd2v9wRlwLvLNGiQ/s640/blogger-image--135967848.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1JtZT6bl5UeTvdKy4kmD191C97ZINPWhNyl9xd4jnDFOmYVnvJPLrKzQysAYlina1rbj6pM0dtBsOK6LmPE5OmFABQj9__TTqqoAQWSTMcTW7Xe-Hj3mk6sWvuljsEi2C_7SpjeRlbA/s640/blogger-image-156241731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1JtZT6bl5UeTvdKy4kmD191C97ZINPWhNyl9xd4jnDFOmYVnvJPLrKzQysAYlina1rbj6pM0dtBsOK6LmPE5OmFABQj9__TTqqoAQWSTMcTW7Xe-Hj3mk6sWvuljsEi2C_7SpjeRlbA/s640/blogger-image-156241731.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">'Autumn leaves are brown and gold, brown and gold, brown and gold. Autumn leaves are brown and gold- in my garden'.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I have been feeling like there is a little bit of Autumn in my heart. I've avoided age and mortality for years now but all of a sudden, a single significant birthday and it's here, right inside me those brown and gold colours. I'm all of a sudden tired, everyone is always younger than me, wrinkles, becoming invisible. I could go on in the same self obsessed lamenting for hours if you would let me. But... Today in the woods, where I always seem to get an epiphany of sorts, it just clicked. I can't be me without the years. I can't be a wife, a mother to my flame haired rascals, a writer, a person trying hard to discover grace and compassion wherever she goes- I can't be that person without having lived what I have lived. It is a truth so simple and searing that I missed it entirely. I've been a 'someone' to people I have loved and still love. I've written off bad decisions (and bad men) with 'rather it happened that it didn't', I've hurt some people terribly but I have survived it all and I am sure I have always been forgiven. If not in the hearts of everyone I've touched, I know in the heart that ultimately matters. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm still sad to see time spinning by and I'm always willing it to slow for one more 'squeeze cuddle', one more sticky little hand in mine. I'm still buying eye cream for the first time and I'm still lowering the length of my skirts. But there has been so much up until now, and God willing there will be so much more to come. </div><br></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05659392802742964854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475700147923367620.post-33792142344690936582014-09-07T14:07:00.001-07:002014-09-07T14:09:31.218-07:00Dancing With Fireweed<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5qhli_YDt5cB8J4IdrNYjusuAKSUvhg3LrjLaOJ4snhHd7KhFnU08Notqydmf2IEpUoTiZgNg74Rr0_rPb9UU7soXQUiIrtXqr82o_Lmn0MDVuPRXdc_TJOtodc30_5DKR-H_fgNvEs/s640/blogger-image--187232265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5qhli_YDt5cB8J4IdrNYjusuAKSUvhg3LrjLaOJ4snhHd7KhFnU08Notqydmf2IEpUoTiZgNg74Rr0_rPb9UU7soXQUiIrtXqr82o_Lmn0MDVuPRXdc_TJOtodc30_5DKR-H_fgNvEs/s640/blogger-image--187232265.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZ6yXpZIMRQ1aOfCOdL9O-2yH_vL0Star0ymew7zuBS-OZ4wsfzGgIVGZQNb3QTMpOxNC5IXlSGInvSuD6UoRevQGmAGBy3ACSMsD3clQHUJLsiFf4QJ9feVayuheayZLTyAfaHbtJ1M/s640/blogger-image--192240264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZ6yXpZIMRQ1aOfCOdL9O-2yH_vL0Star0ymew7zuBS-OZ4wsfzGgIVGZQNb3QTMpOxNC5IXlSGInvSuD6UoRevQGmAGBy3ACSMsD3clQHUJLsiFf4QJ9feVayuheayZLTyAfaHbtJ1M/s640/blogger-image--192240264.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwGKqLCs_37vUJWeL74ZGiIonlAW0gAmyJh4l8nfH2EejTdoJi-AQZj96TGgdpiOiyLG9avwxZcBbn5IImCe7vAMDt1H8n5kmx-eHzwZLcdSw-ypKc-HEUF2ooiaFbSZ-jsp_X4WhG1k/s640/blogger-image-1098489175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwGKqLCs_37vUJWeL74ZGiIonlAW0gAmyJh4l8nfH2EejTdoJi-AQZj96TGgdpiOiyLG9avwxZcBbn5IImCe7vAMDt1H8n5kmx-eHzwZLcdSw-ypKc-HEUF2ooiaFbSZ-jsp_X4WhG1k/s640/blogger-image-1098489175.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">'When the fireweed turns to cotton summertime is forgotten'.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's a Canadian saying but I think it works the same here. And despite my best efforts I can see Autumn will be showing itself to me in full force, that I can't ignore, in the next few weeks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Fireweed is my favourite. It's royal purple blooms tower above me in the summer weeks. The best is yet to come when the cotton appears though- the children grab handfuls and it flys around their fiery red hair like snow flakes in the orange late evening light. We come home with a white downy covering, all the way home sowing the seeds for next summers purple beauties. </div><br></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05659392802742964854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475700147923367620.post-7708186923383443042014-09-02T13:41:00.001-07:002014-09-02T13:41:39.446-07:00Getting your stride<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTSSs8MUqLGZ8hDLtOXsWOZqplM7TkUU9Yg39fICAi8n0nX2FI8t7-ldij6HcPbz7p1yLzh4ucykwfVytZ2eOTm9PFIUTKdX1bsjiFyWL3jY903GPrwr1QNIf_5UFVeCjqWpBTWdnza8/s640/blogger-image-800690499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTSSs8MUqLGZ8hDLtOXsWOZqplM7TkUU9Yg39fICAi8n0nX2FI8t7-ldij6HcPbz7p1yLzh4ucykwfVytZ2eOTm9PFIUTKdX1bsjiFyWL3jY903GPrwr1QNIf_5UFVeCjqWpBTWdnza8/s640/blogger-image-800690499.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_S8Z4mp-5V7JBCU-PMabL6t2C2LXsn0qw8SMqg5RfJIDFWiSqYjPtInRufB3EhkU_Bv6xiqbO8s_DEfric1bdaz0qPD3niLoraajH8UYOcfbIPfH6E_mqnqP-YQUP9r5wwPWulli0w0/s640/blogger-image-2137043614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_S8Z4mp-5V7JBCU-PMabL6t2C2LXsn0qw8SMqg5RfJIDFWiSqYjPtInRufB3EhkU_Bv6xiqbO8s_DEfric1bdaz0qPD3niLoraajH8UYOcfbIPfH6E_mqnqP-YQUP9r5wwPWulli0w0/s640/blogger-image-2137043614.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Og7x9tfBliUR6gPx4HU3k5OWBnIt8LZlrJJ1htXvanmIhGHzM-OAjhRXMK1qui7w5Ibcx-K3YTvZ4lmxiHlVIFcH3N746wvZaPlHQhFb3_0UC4MSls1AP3kDMJQH3L1nDKKFrSLvnkw/s640/blogger-image--880040190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Og7x9tfBliUR6gPx4HU3k5OWBnIt8LZlrJJ1htXvanmIhGHzM-OAjhRXMK1qui7w5Ibcx-K3YTvZ4lmxiHlVIFcH3N746wvZaPlHQhFb3_0UC4MSls1AP3kDMJQH3L1nDKKFrSLvnkw/s640/blogger-image--880040190.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I was tired on Monday night but I had promised the boy and the dog an evening walk. I had a busy weekend and Mondays are always testing. I just struggled half way round the woods, I was grumpy and really, really wanted to sit down- just for a few minutes. But as I kept going I started to get my stride. Do you know that feeling? When a second wind takes over and your body just moves itself, at a faster pace and you feel ever so slightly revived. My son took my hand we went down his 'secret path' and I really saw the woods again. And in seeing I definitely think the change of seasons is underway. Just look at those snowberries. </div><br></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05659392802742964854noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475700147923367620.post-6481939627480162902014-07-29T15:06:00.001-07:002014-07-29T15:06:39.972-07:00The Beach<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4ZS3ayEUVnkyDxgKrw20JdZ921mv_KX3A0v-PEZAYGybTcraGW94YWOUW4bKnxjqvCyeyQQuaDt9yjgbq8u4qCCKViTE6LxIN4wX1niFMNmzWBPiiWedNge2TOLMYQpVm-opwggZH_c/s640/blogger-image-463322360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4ZS3ayEUVnkyDxgKrw20JdZ921mv_KX3A0v-PEZAYGybTcraGW94YWOUW4bKnxjqvCyeyQQuaDt9yjgbq8u4qCCKViTE6LxIN4wX1niFMNmzWBPiiWedNge2TOLMYQpVm-opwggZH_c/s640/blogger-image-463322360.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zXM5QTB5CCw397VIZ3UV9rlyF_gd3WhFZvbs3IvJRGI2_OD9hNvwrRw2tHFI6npSGXFRlJsMu1j94kZbBcaAEl26bM4jueXThZMhZcr0N8IPOXYfG3UmNaL7M1iuEbWuQaF6Miz4tvg/s640/blogger-image--1341684441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zXM5QTB5CCw397VIZ3UV9rlyF_gd3WhFZvbs3IvJRGI2_OD9hNvwrRw2tHFI6npSGXFRlJsMu1j94kZbBcaAEl26bM4jueXThZMhZcr0N8IPOXYfG3UmNaL7M1iuEbWuQaF6Miz4tvg/s640/blogger-image--1341684441.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEd7dP5mkaT2NCeD7n3PyW2qwy6tFFDA5keZWV6FKTiY80_Shb8OmcD3jox_lroNUNN26YEngUqTRELE56XqoeTYWrylLxbXcvMan-3hljmcy8wopjOgqHS3TnBXM4BbrcmQPIhBCN-VI/s640/blogger-image-694188940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEd7dP5mkaT2NCeD7n3PyW2qwy6tFFDA5keZWV6FKTiY80_Shb8OmcD3jox_lroNUNN26YEngUqTRELE56XqoeTYWrylLxbXcvMan-3hljmcy8wopjOgqHS3TnBXM4BbrcmQPIhBCN-VI/s640/blogger-image-694188940.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0WOyCOCP53g1RemIIZDDOd3Kl2OXvRxtI-1J4KH2esMoMxibVZPQzunRfJGfKUC7XS4brW_AFRhTfnAF6gek50quQY_sxkKNVuItA3n2rfzI2SQ3jw3H30OohRea-5TZnMSGPiWnCYQ/s640/blogger-image-1402910684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0WOyCOCP53g1RemIIZDDOd3Kl2OXvRxtI-1J4KH2esMoMxibVZPQzunRfJGfKUC7XS4brW_AFRhTfnAF6gek50quQY_sxkKNVuItA3n2rfzI2SQ3jw3H30OohRea-5TZnMSGPiWnCYQ/s640/blogger-image-1402910684.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I could post you a hundred pictures of this beach but I still don't think I could convey to you without my words what it means to me. To us I should really say - my husband's family holidayed here. A much regretted sale of a house decades ago never forgotten. That familiar feeling, a slight rush of happiness when you set a foot in sand, when you remember times past and look forward to future family times; a special place.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am not sure much can compare to bringing your coffee cup out of the house to the beach, sat on your deck chair watching the kids build sandcastles for hours and hours. Fishing in rock pools, swimming in shallow waters with pockets of warmth, moving back to the sea wall as the tide returns in. </div>It always returns in.</div><br></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05659392802742964854noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475700147923367620.post-50392011724252320922014-07-20T10:40:00.001-07:002014-07-20T10:40:46.167-07:00#100joyfulfunthings<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-auwJhrkZEU9WXiBPlD7vprAqCuxLJ5McpcD8uSy6Y8uz8tQoZgrjMpmpkoPtSEDBn2nQZ0fgVGBff8lLzF-WUJ5XWkTnu2PT0hdszKefrkSqijWOGR44sfDOP_oLAuk2ttFSddgNbQ/s640/blogger-image--1269230701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-auwJhrkZEU9WXiBPlD7vprAqCuxLJ5McpcD8uSy6Y8uz8tQoZgrjMpmpkoPtSEDBn2nQZ0fgVGBff8lLzF-WUJ5XWkTnu2PT0hdszKefrkSqijWOGR44sfDOP_oLAuk2ttFSddgNbQ/s640/blogger-image--1269230701.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtVZm19STE0FmSqJu-lFSpD7-e0ukhjMR-Z5cvZrjmWQUnxwrQeuj9ja-xtBiOICt4vqE7pjsHWWKhIw-72SaT0vr6r7ygDl8_nddJ3Qp85_Q5cWp33JeyfYGcROMrbj6D2cppQWXizw/s640/blogger-image--1167134593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtVZm19STE0FmSqJu-lFSpD7-e0ukhjMR-Z5cvZrjmWQUnxwrQeuj9ja-xtBiOICt4vqE7pjsHWWKhIw-72SaT0vr6r7ygDl8_nddJ3Qp85_Q5cWp33JeyfYGcROMrbj6D2cppQWXizw/s640/blogger-image--1167134593.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9pmZurY7XD2yTcYnpiDS17pDcRiwMPlh3qmA554uXEjpcoRT130a8J6KWTy79BrVulBBQXQNMUl_voj-V9ymOn6hzV6qkFr07PUCtHbGwBvkSG1LEZ4psVJVrHPc1ULfnprW8fTm7nI/s640/blogger-image--1152996263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9pmZurY7XD2yTcYnpiDS17pDcRiwMPlh3qmA554uXEjpcoRT130a8J6KWTy79BrVulBBQXQNMUl_voj-V9ymOn6hzV6qkFr07PUCtHbGwBvkSG1LEZ4psVJVrHPc1ULfnprW8fTm7nI/s640/blogger-image--1152996263.jpg"></a></div><br></div>We are trying to record the joyful poetry of everyday life and I have just set up a hashtag #100joyfulfunthings over on Instagram. You will find me on Instagram as bindsyoutome. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My dear friend Nic has been recording 100 fun things with her boys over the summer and she has really inspired me. She always inspires me to have more fun and to be grateful for everything. As a family we thought we could combine recording the joyful poetry of everyday life with fun and have agreed on a family list! Let's see how it goes and happy summer everyone :) Jo xx</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05659392802742964854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475700147923367620.post-71279081359867059992014-06-23T14:58:00.001-07:002014-06-23T14:58:22.212-07:00Finding The Poetry<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qBpz_8bJR24PWFT83qMXZ5aLmrmW9px4f-l85F3acdZr50BoESiICKP8hv3r7QwipuqkgQwmlwtEn-UkLESmpttMqLte5NSLrvVbrWFjq3ByK0aFiT-dNkRfunv8GfFT4hP6vFZRpiY/s640/blogger-image--1094347972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qBpz_8bJR24PWFT83qMXZ5aLmrmW9px4f-l85F3acdZr50BoESiICKP8hv3r7QwipuqkgQwmlwtEn-UkLESmpttMqLte5NSLrvVbrWFjq3ByK0aFiT-dNkRfunv8GfFT4hP6vFZRpiY/s640/blogger-image--1094347972.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Can you see it - just there in the light illuminating that fern frond? That beauty, the poetry of the everyday as I call it, brought a catch to my throat and tears to my eyes. It can be a fleeting moment in nature, it can be my daughter telling me for the 5th time today that I am 'the best cooker' (she knows I love cooking and love cooking for my family). Or just a kind word or a memory of being loved and cherished. The thriving stoic little leaves of an apple mint plant I smuggled from an ornate garden and am nurturing in a silver pot in my garden. All of these things the touchstones of my life. It's the observing and the recording that make you value them and use them to shore yourself up for the hard days. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Sometimes if you look, you see.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Maybe for a season, this summer season I will record and hold close the poetry of my life. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05659392802742964854noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475700147923367620.post-63576910696783856042014-06-01T14:07:00.001-07:002014-06-01T14:07:49.286-07:00Sunday Pottering<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByJsSQaajDDCUopizDRprT82bQZgR32pk8eg8eI7DBYreWADM4RSFCntBgyfLag3PkTWDgiO5z81jYMcBxfEPVLiv1Jnwclk0VIjtmFfs1MnY_1Kde-EepcORhNVQXJAWKAYEmPmCrY0/s640/blogger-image--808157896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByJsSQaajDDCUopizDRprT82bQZgR32pk8eg8eI7DBYreWADM4RSFCntBgyfLag3PkTWDgiO5z81jYMcBxfEPVLiv1Jnwclk0VIjtmFfs1MnY_1Kde-EepcORhNVQXJAWKAYEmPmCrY0/s640/blogger-image--808157896.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWijqdqu3By1sgdtN3tGZB4iBZ25d4muMOg1jbRrTvG2IBQ4SfKnpzQB6r14ECm1yxAbif89eDnTSawc57OLs-u_S3mLwGw4WWzpblYIWxji1xU_65v00k4bortwLwasDbdqoF-YZqpD4/s640/blogger-image-1948651213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWijqdqu3By1sgdtN3tGZB4iBZ25d4muMOg1jbRrTvG2IBQ4SfKnpzQB6r14ECm1yxAbif89eDnTSawc57OLs-u_S3mLwGw4WWzpblYIWxji1xU_65v00k4bortwLwasDbdqoF-YZqpD4/s640/blogger-image-1948651213.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2O8eiIyCznU8AN2EvYppt3M-jThAq88tsWLt6KjdMI2FjNVy3uBVmTinBoNLHheyLxX0DcQ-asb9DnuAqaMJs9jjJp73V0gl-aQvT9goJKFwdfe0H_RpdXcifsCcCw0hConn1p_jtWs/s640/blogger-image--513281316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2O8eiIyCznU8AN2EvYppt3M-jThAq88tsWLt6KjdMI2FjNVy3uBVmTinBoNLHheyLxX0DcQ-asb9DnuAqaMJs9jjJp73V0gl-aQvT9goJKFwdfe0H_RpdXcifsCcCw0hConn1p_jtWs/s640/blogger-image--513281316.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje62llqGPetrjREcR4wYxDk47PMyVFQBxO_A5N7T8i9DGXtk9NaL7FnJLZgZw6VpHpDhaUQ1inJOv2RPrihSdxZ41pgh6ISGPgGP1y0eL1zQvvpUR_HmPwy7T6FxlOzg268W1LW_8-qwY/s640/blogger-image--1054479961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje62llqGPetrjREcR4wYxDk47PMyVFQBxO_A5N7T8i9DGXtk9NaL7FnJLZgZw6VpHpDhaUQ1inJOv2RPrihSdxZ41pgh6ISGPgGP1y0eL1zQvvpUR_HmPwy7T6FxlOzg268W1LW_8-qwY/s640/blogger-image--1054479961.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKJP0Kn2MbatcHMDw2dcR9c0hvQMJZrOQFeifngjxLlKXUpFqUcQLnY5YxpPQkNk0byOHpsKCS4zbfEa95ncjtn7NrdVYQIyAbfMH5INujHIWpx8lDLSsW5-DJKXW2L4scvs_RKI1oEg/s640/blogger-image--680241706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKJP0Kn2MbatcHMDw2dcR9c0hvQMJZrOQFeifngjxLlKXUpFqUcQLnY5YxpPQkNk0byOHpsKCS4zbfEa95ncjtn7NrdVYQIyAbfMH5INujHIWpx8lDLSsW5-DJKXW2L4scvs_RKI1oEg/s640/blogger-image--680241706.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was a busy weekend with my oldest's theatre school show on Friday night and attending a wedding with the family on Saturday. Good times.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sundays, well Sundays are for pottering. We started the day with big fluffy pancakes- I've been making pancakes for the kiddos for breakfast for years but just recently found the perfect recipe. It's by the Reith sisters from their 'Three Sister's Bake' cookbook. I've posted about them before and I cannot recomend the book enough. This pancake recipe is foolproof. You know when you watch the bubbles forming on the pancake surface and then flip them and they just begin to puff and rise, such basic, beautiful kitchen alchemy - well these pancakes do that every time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Later on I tried the Earl Grey Tea Bread from this months The Simple Things magazine. Again this recipe worked a treat and is a lovely tea loaf, dense, moist and not too sweet. I just could not resist a recipe that involved grinding a spoonful of Earl Grey tea leaves with sugar- just a little more kitchen magic. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Lastly inspired by Jen over at Little Birdie blog I got snipping at my chive flowers and made some chive vinegar. Already the blush pink of the liquid looks enticing. I doubt it will be laid by for a few weeks, rather used for salad dressing through the week.........</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05659392802742964854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475700147923367620.post-52298465549554552302014-05-26T13:41:00.001-07:002014-05-26T13:41:34.733-07:00Days Past<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmoIk5OZoB4vRYQt15nCl1T6KethZjcGsfUtKrb3_ygwFrOv984Hpi4PX3Nf_SAMDxjyWQHgiaWyzSDCxSzuoV9sYjaA4dERdjnHS-B8SxU2li9jSfzGii3PrxGWgRGfAJTwzsWpDSug/s640/blogger-image-1644731139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmoIk5OZoB4vRYQt15nCl1T6KethZjcGsfUtKrb3_ygwFrOv984Hpi4PX3Nf_SAMDxjyWQHgiaWyzSDCxSzuoV9sYjaA4dERdjnHS-B8SxU2li9jSfzGii3PrxGWgRGfAJTwzsWpDSug/s640/blogger-image-1644731139.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzgxOaDUfJcDZNFN8YOWAOUuFmHf7qulnpHELmXD8AcH_1nMZeYMS4AVf33cA7alYYBUI0_zO7wsBd-OUA-WatsEd85s3jJuzA6OwKhyQa7-aDrSItMfflfb-jycT0LNfM-kEv8TdM_4/s640/blogger-image--1811201969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzgxOaDUfJcDZNFN8YOWAOUuFmHf7qulnpHELmXD8AcH_1nMZeYMS4AVf33cA7alYYBUI0_zO7wsBd-OUA-WatsEd85s3jJuzA6OwKhyQa7-aDrSItMfflfb-jycT0LNfM-kEv8TdM_4/s640/blogger-image--1811201969.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdUVjEv2opLGWPVTl5mOORV88zx27j7zfcaDHJiIB4UdRFBDsOaLze85pixEwPvo88sHpxyfS8prdYBdA0dxiGYOtVdkMdFWCfIPkYy_oVuhbaO4_3qYYKLy1UdvEAeMxFJbgTt15_84/s640/blogger-image--1853698419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdUVjEv2opLGWPVTl5mOORV88zx27j7zfcaDHJiIB4UdRFBDsOaLze85pixEwPvo88sHpxyfS8prdYBdA0dxiGYOtVdkMdFWCfIPkYy_oVuhbaO4_3qYYKLy1UdvEAeMxFJbgTt15_84/s640/blogger-image--1853698419.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVz5gwwFk1B4xI2CU1jJTMCrKybWHv4VqTmZYx5qI915j1KyLKxit5N-eboyUDMJLz-l4K949cmOlgItYM3apXk4FooroTAvHEaJZYOv4E3OC9d7cmEfUaDicfgWhmr1JfnO8hwNIM_k/s640/blogger-image-1921313868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVz5gwwFk1B4xI2CU1jJTMCrKybWHv4VqTmZYx5qI915j1KyLKxit5N-eboyUDMJLz-l4K949cmOlgItYM3apXk4FooroTAvHEaJZYOv4E3OC9d7cmEfUaDicfgWhmr1JfnO8hwNIM_k/s640/blogger-image-1921313868.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8NlJDl1r6TTS_BFUcYN2FnIdj6loNXPjS5-huP9nd2S9FTk8eJXSOsEQsILqxSMdnUB1ZPyu9M30UhTBq7QPQAGgvcRNPTFe2XB8QYpHkkU4kVr8gDWKsmkg5dxdb2olM2KMXRmlHtHw/s640/blogger-image--577019354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8NlJDl1r6TTS_BFUcYN2FnIdj6loNXPjS5-huP9nd2S9FTk8eJXSOsEQsILqxSMdnUB1ZPyu9M30UhTBq7QPQAGgvcRNPTFe2XB8QYpHkkU4kVr8gDWKsmkg5dxdb2olM2KMXRmlHtHw/s640/blogger-image--577019354.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9qsJLkt7Kfx5LLYIPVv0JYmxCvc1LwRfkzkJCo7GCeNgQ4GLOmz_z0CUcPfwV3PgXZiPVC_yQ0Hge1I8IswvB0GV7t1tTNfyG2eZj6Q6seY0vXVaN6uX3mn7tgOGt2X14fT96Nrsz83E/s640/blogger-image-676780165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9qsJLkt7Kfx5LLYIPVv0JYmxCvc1LwRfkzkJCo7GCeNgQ4GLOmz_z0CUcPfwV3PgXZiPVC_yQ0Hge1I8IswvB0GV7t1tTNfyG2eZj6Q6seY0vXVaN6uX3mn7tgOGt2X14fT96Nrsz83E/s640/blogger-image-676780165.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We did a bit of planning for the bank holiday weekend- we need to with two small kiddos with a ton of energy. I've told you about Finlaystone Country Park before, it's our special family place. For the past few years we have taken out an annual pass. Unlike a National Trust membership that we had before we have really made use of the Finlaystone pass. We headed there on Friday, the kids took in the pirate ship (in the middle of the forest and made from wood), the swings and we did their favourite 'hill walk'. Lunch in the cafe which is now run by the Reith sisters, of the Three Sister's Bake fame - the food was delicious and they were very patient and child friendly! We ended the day with a walk around the formal gardens, beautiful summer light making the flowers look magical. Just look at the ethereal blue of those Himalyan Mountain Poppies (Meconopsis).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I managed to fit in seeing Boo Hewerdine with a good friend- a musician I have loved since I was 14. It was good to hear some of the old songs, some brilliant new ones and Boo's hilarious, wry take on a fascinating and often under appreciated song writing career.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Other highlights were removing an over grown shrub from our garden at home and some replanting. I have had to admit recently that gardening is a new passion. My other half described gardening as 'my hobby' and well, it suddenly dawned on me that it is. It's grown on me slowly, every year since we moved to this house my Dad has given me tomato and courgette plants. This year I have grown the courgette plants and a range of other herbs myself. I'm amazed that I can do it. Start small and learn as you go is my advice, oh and Elspeth Thompson's wise words to hand helps me too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Today was a family bowling outing with a pizza lunch, a final garden centre trip for a new hydrangea and now early nights all round but with good memories to carry us through the week ahead.</div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05659392802742964854noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475700147923367620.post-39205396496052068782014-05-13T14:56:00.001-07:002014-05-13T15:22:59.710-07:00Promised<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhv061oiphNCIQSJbYj7ehBceJJhH41yMaHP_nTaRxIdnkm_2mXtvsBXgC2IpRiQbZm-hVXeYYfi7rtWmz4_XYxAJiEFDBh8akL2BbMHlw8GYl-fqNq4G13PaMK-W7YnqhBCgE13ELt_I/s640/blogger-image-472159085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhv061oiphNCIQSJbYj7ehBceJJhH41yMaHP_nTaRxIdnkm_2mXtvsBXgC2IpRiQbZm-hVXeYYfi7rtWmz4_XYxAJiEFDBh8akL2BbMHlw8GYl-fqNq4G13PaMK-W7YnqhBCgE13ELt_I/s640/blogger-image-472159085.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This post is for a very old friend. I promised him at Christmas that I would send him the link for my blog and I haven't. It's possibly that I felt self conscious about him reading this- I'm not sure on reflection why. At one time he probably knew me better than anyone alive. Maybe it's my habit of compartmentalising my life and of being woeful at keeping in touch.......</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I remember when I was younger I did nothing but talk, we talked about everything and anything, analysed things, speculated, read and discussed. My friend loved the first line in L'Etranger by Camus. How I knew so much about nihilism and philosophy then I'll never know- I've forgotten almost all of it. And I've never really found that talking again. When I see my oldest friends it's there but time and life and children all alter you. I miss that talking. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We would lie on the pavement and look at the stars, honestly we did, and completely without irony. Long drives in our parents cars on a few pounds of petrol, those beautiful country roads are with me still. I was lucky very lucky to have had such connected relationships. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">That picture is me circa the times I'm talking about in this post- on an art trip to London. Taken by my friend Jacqui. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05659392802742964854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475700147923367620.post-21401361068467626022014-04-24T13:47:00.001-07:002014-04-24T13:47:48.571-07:00Easter Hope<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7sc5R45-nLKG5nWIwr8QSHm9cRXQbzZ5pgLpo0rvaUXCpD2kY00h8xNZ9uKcDumO_dmFfdCyiXzhoHXmIF-Sgl9mJEdBScERozSetmry1YHqMJrP2v45msHG_shTkSzoyMvi4g8ESCM/s640/blogger-image--938153311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7sc5R45-nLKG5nWIwr8QSHm9cRXQbzZ5pgLpo0rvaUXCpD2kY00h8xNZ9uKcDumO_dmFfdCyiXzhoHXmIF-Sgl9mJEdBScERozSetmry1YHqMJrP2v45msHG_shTkSzoyMvi4g8ESCM/s640/blogger-image--938153311.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmFJvME9tD89Q-P32GrP2LRKZhBvdQHPkpItSzo-GJB2u8UbEB3_AAO2g8sG-ceMLomSjZmg3BuEVP8MtRoFFm3Pp7tABekhg_ias9hVdsX3KTOA9Hr-q-ptWGaBT7a4Ehxh9OcZm7ME/s640/blogger-image-2015055186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmFJvME9tD89Q-P32GrP2LRKZhBvdQHPkpItSzo-GJB2u8UbEB3_AAO2g8sG-ceMLomSjZmg3BuEVP8MtRoFFm3Pp7tABekhg_ias9hVdsX3KTOA9Hr-q-ptWGaBT7a4Ehxh9OcZm7ME/s640/blogger-image-2015055186.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6iQ8XkGw1uiM3xQhDQUkKYW_uveWA8qixrdliXs_L1RcZOCdkW_2YvztLkyjd2cGO9qTGq5JjwgqUnSok0G7In951O5VeWivuqVYgCTfyiRcUrEVWb6g28PRP76_83JCTZaqBp1GlR6w/s640/blogger-image-1453026905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6iQ8XkGw1uiM3xQhDQUkKYW_uveWA8qixrdliXs_L1RcZOCdkW_2YvztLkyjd2cGO9qTGq5JjwgqUnSok0G7In951O5VeWivuqVYgCTfyiRcUrEVWb6g28PRP76_83JCTZaqBp1GlR6w/s640/blogger-image-1453026905.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXwnTcPOcTQcVqi87cYJFwtZjqN1rczC91jmADMtaERfyW0P-OX_HJnOVhyphenhyphen_7XePG3xIDeFLOOdFMT1fBnTjddo2gPhusnUJu2kuSPQIqCKsYzFw4HOTQi4o5Zxt3bTnYgEE_hrqOfh4/s640/blogger-image--1585858195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXwnTcPOcTQcVqi87cYJFwtZjqN1rczC91jmADMtaERfyW0P-OX_HJnOVhyphenhyphen_7XePG3xIDeFLOOdFMT1fBnTjddo2gPhusnUJu2kuSPQIqCKsYzFw4HOTQi4o5Zxt3bTnYgEE_hrqOfh4/s640/blogger-image--1585858195.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjg9NgfdaxzQvzMFZnjVwXMkn_1WR1WGLc1x35KqRFeDXq401exl96ibJiDFYibrV2kqe_-YALxdqMXqtctCicYEGncuiZf4cjPsYCW2RdMWCjd4cZPFsjjhEin-NswMLYWy80JsCP-ZU/s640/blogger-image-1681970478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjg9NgfdaxzQvzMFZnjVwXMkn_1WR1WGLc1x35KqRFeDXq401exl96ibJiDFYibrV2kqe_-YALxdqMXqtctCicYEGncuiZf4cjPsYCW2RdMWCjd4cZPFsjjhEin-NswMLYWy80JsCP-ZU/s640/blogger-image-1681970478.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLg55sfJ3igwMOY1wtj4-a9qVRj5gkImPcISFWU2EPVi-oyL8gGXm6SLlXuHOd1oifsR8IO8cf4AwBY0XoCK9iBv1lpb9qhyAZcAi0V-TJ0xwkxqk9-pxIUawXt6NgwYbgao4aVEVJJk/s640/blogger-image-246751006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLg55sfJ3igwMOY1wtj4-a9qVRj5gkImPcISFWU2EPVi-oyL8gGXm6SLlXuHOd1oifsR8IO8cf4AwBY0XoCK9iBv1lpb9qhyAZcAi0V-TJ0xwkxqk9-pxIUawXt6NgwYbgao4aVEVJJk/s640/blogger-image-246751006.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Well there you go- Easter 2014 gone in a flash. Two cakes, a lot of chocolate, lovely family visiting and our 10 year wedding anniversary. I also got to hold my new, beautiful wee niece. She is tiny and perfect and meeting her was the best feeling. I hope you all had a great long weekend. Easter is special to me, it is sad but ultimately uplifting and I think regardless of what you believe it is hope for the year ahead and a new beginning. I know this will be an exciting year with lots of warm sunny days to come. </div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05659392802742964854noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475700147923367620.post-81959106679002444682014-04-05T11:53:00.001-07:002014-04-05T11:53:31.964-07:00Treat Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KTpjycFXxT4ylBQ_JMyryaGwjtvtuOKLoqv5VonL3RciK0U_jQLB113b44mFg7P_KaNZRIP6NIJNZTRy3dsdgs_MyIWLbAJ1uaU8ROXpSc6ixzs-nZLC5AntHnPu27SKDwMd0vWABDY/s640/blogger-image--66761746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KTpjycFXxT4ylBQ_JMyryaGwjtvtuOKLoqv5VonL3RciK0U_jQLB113b44mFg7P_KaNZRIP6NIJNZTRy3dsdgs_MyIWLbAJ1uaU8ROXpSc6ixzs-nZLC5AntHnPu27SKDwMd0vWABDY/s640/blogger-image--66761746.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheweLk6L6aWX_DrWU-CfcBHH08BRRzRcC8nNoT0tgZgzZS30iQr61vND9KeDIjxKIYx-1FVtol56dMAOfCSajIjhAb0zSHTFid73mIa1EfPK9YED7FpzYIAnaEr-OlqW7rWH1gL3Q-hEU/s640/blogger-image-1194319863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheweLk6L6aWX_DrWU-CfcBHH08BRRzRcC8nNoT0tgZgzZS30iQr61vND9KeDIjxKIYx-1FVtol56dMAOfCSajIjhAb0zSHTFid73mIa1EfPK9YED7FpzYIAnaEr-OlqW7rWH1gL3Q-hEU/s640/blogger-image-1194319863.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JiQmp1B_2N3xtRaoi2ES1a6Dd1ysbrKRqc-u0kYa-z2Z-FqmhwHq5E5SxJxhoy6vrijgx3maMqyzKntfY91cVEQG0VwH9S6Eycwon5WR8IVMJbhsk7Kl5QaSZ6fSI4BVyvJaqu6Qs6o/s640/blogger-image--358561610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JiQmp1B_2N3xtRaoi2ES1a6Dd1ysbrKRqc-u0kYa-z2Z-FqmhwHq5E5SxJxhoy6vrijgx3maMqyzKntfY91cVEQG0VwH9S6Eycwon5WR8IVMJbhsk7Kl5QaSZ6fSI4BVyvJaqu6Qs6o/s640/blogger-image--358561610.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Now and again it is good to have some treats. Every few months my littlest and I head down to Glasgow's west end for ice cream and good, good coffee at Nardinis. Little booths where you can sit and sip and slurp, childhood memories for me from the Largs Nardinis and afterwards a wee trip to the shops. This time as well as a toy shop trip (they do great 'lucky dips' at 50p a time- perfect for an inexpensive treat for little ones) we went to my favourite vintage dress shop 'Vintage Guru'. It was a window on times to come, she clip clopped around in the most fabulous gold 60's sling backs whilst I tried on Easter dresses. The shoes were too small for me but we bought the bunny brooch to 'share '. Such good times, and more to come, of that I'm sure. Jxxxxx</div><br></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05659392802742964854noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4475700147923367620.post-42687561598322085742014-03-25T15:22:00.001-07:002014-03-25T15:22:54.350-07:00Weekend Rush<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlhozLVkT_fXdCP0JAnhRa9yMkbI_q-s7AAmkXyCFlqxVCmQEJWAgSoxnGec28opaFemHLG0BbmwOt7-wNsdaK1kiH3bb6YoQ-IYHb94Os2Sv2YNbBiis2o4aVOLNlWJ_PUUv5w5Fj74/s640/blogger-image-1455303679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlhozLVkT_fXdCP0JAnhRa9yMkbI_q-s7AAmkXyCFlqxVCmQEJWAgSoxnGec28opaFemHLG0BbmwOt7-wNsdaK1kiH3bb6YoQ-IYHb94Os2Sv2YNbBiis2o4aVOLNlWJ_PUUv5w5Fj74/s640/blogger-image-1455303679.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfPG8VoFc1xilAFgNQr4szC5sy7NojwbTNgk0UVtGaDc0Gxe1hVAgkij6uV2UR6j92tZN3OIhoeiM0ch8W1iLpkEQxprBCWVPai4_N7f6pkKUhwZWkgyc8OF80ortapPeujmhOXUIgso/s640/blogger-image--1243694403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfPG8VoFc1xilAFgNQr4szC5sy7NojwbTNgk0UVtGaDc0Gxe1hVAgkij6uV2UR6j92tZN3OIhoeiM0ch8W1iLpkEQxprBCWVPai4_N7f6pkKUhwZWkgyc8OF80ortapPeujmhOXUIgso/s640/blogger-image--1243694403.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXS5odrC_479kNKlm79v9wHoE_Y7xIJvXj9PeJGUzClh3VYhGHQnzVXe0T_OZMHQjQADuWCBghx7WhUHgbdKDOaQPQWZY9SzUeB4E0pK_JCH0yQfwPFy2vS-tP-QA-5GrtuSvsI3oe16A/s640/blogger-image-284470501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXS5odrC_479kNKlm79v9wHoE_Y7xIJvXj9PeJGUzClh3VYhGHQnzVXe0T_OZMHQjQADuWCBghx7WhUHgbdKDOaQPQWZY9SzUeB4E0pK_JCH0yQfwPFy2vS-tP-QA-5GrtuSvsI3oe16A/s640/blogger-image-284470501.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyr_a7gVykveJvCtZVxxNVWItawA4zLk062ePwptfftEpAHJzPkfF-PSlJ06pXzygKIVNGnv7Iu1VnBdz_F3oAjipNhv3KoCDgs9gmGxcTPVrhHE7PmBH4eIBZ-EKqqgv3h3bJXJtMSw/s640/blogger-image-1011303595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyr_a7gVykveJvCtZVxxNVWItawA4zLk062ePwptfftEpAHJzPkfF-PSlJ06pXzygKIVNGnv7Iu1VnBdz_F3oAjipNhv3KoCDgs9gmGxcTPVrhHE7PmBH4eIBZ-EKqqgv3h3bJXJtMSw/s640/blogger-image-1011303595.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Well there it went again - the weekend passed by in a flash. These days of mine are always rapid, two bright, inquisitive bundles of energy see to that. It's often only when I review my pictures during the week that I see how many lovely memories we are making. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Spring is definitely on its way, just look at that blossom, the bright sun on those bulrushes. A wee flash of pink with bright red hair playing hide and seek and my favourite window in my home town. Everyone has a favourite window don't they?</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05659392802742964854noreply@blogger.com1