Haircut :: Birthday :: Writing

 Pip reminds me so much of Sara, never one to shy away from trying new things. After  much back and forth looking at new hairstyles and negotiating with me, we finally agreed on a new hairstyle:

On Tuesday Dave celebrated another year around the sun.  I decided to follow Eva's take on birthday celebrations and the birthday boy chose what he wanted for tea 😊. We had sausage and mushroom casserole with veg and jacket potatoes, followed by cake and custard for pudding.  No-one knew that the cake also contained leftover sweet potato in the mix!  If apple sauce can be added to a cake to add moisture, then why not sweet potato.  

Pip had fun choosing a birthday present for Dave.  She chose a jar of Cumbrian jam and a spectacle repair kit, from the Levens Hall Gift Shop on Saturday.  Both of us chuckled when we saw the spectacle repair kit, as Dave is forever damaging his glasses, either the frame comes apart, he loses a lens or the nose pads fall off, so this miniature kit will come in very handy 😊. Being the mischievous person that she is she set up the birthday ring:

It read this when it should have been:

Cheeky monkey 😂

Yesterday after taking Ben for his haircut we drove out into the countryside for him to work for a new client.  I took advantage of the down time and wrote the following reflective piece.

Right where I am sitting: In a car overlooking a field

The clouds hang low in the blue sky like fluffy cotton wool pillows.  In amongst the blue and white are patches of grey moving slowly across my field of vision.

The quietness and tranquility is interrupted by the fizzing and hissing of a hedge trimmer nearby.  Ben is working in this place and I am the guardian of his diabetes management and general well being.  This is his first time here and anxiety levels are running high.  It takes courage as a youngster to strike out on your own and plough your own furrow.  For years we have known that Ben marches to the beat of a different drum and that is not without uncertainty for what the future may hold.

In truth do we really know what the future may bring?  None of us are guaranteed tomorrow and all we can do is our best in the present moment.  The present moment is a gift, a chance to explore what is around us using all of our senses.  When I do this it anchors me to the 'hear and now' and dampens down the anxious chatter in my head.

I can smell the torn and shredded leaves as they lay scattered on the gravel drive.  I can see hedgerows full of greenery studded with jewel like berries, a harvest for the birds and other local wildlife from the fields.  When the trimmer is quiet a tiny bird is twittering in the trees, their chatter resonates back and forth like a Morse Code signal, from tree to tree and bird to bird.

My thoughts wander to the folk who own this land - two Land Rover Discovery vehicles in the car port, an orchard, acres of greenery and a paddock housing two donkeys, a horse and several geese.  The place has the name Hall at the end but it doesn't resemble a stately home, maybe it was part of a previous estate?  Or maybe its name is a play on words since it has a humorous ring to it.

The chap is out watching Ben as he works, both trying to get the measure of each other.  Him dealing with the fact that age is against him and the land is too big to manage on his own.  Ben gauging what is required and acting appropriately.  He detests being watched, it puts him on edge and the blood sugar numbers start to crash as a result of the stress.

A chocolate flapjack slice and some breathing space, interspersed with companionable chatter from behind the hedge.  Sounds like they have both worked out how the other one ticks and so the trimming continues.  There is a promise of a mug of tea at half time ❤️

Not just any old mug but an Emma Bridgewater creation that usually retails from £16.00 upwards!

This Week

 On Monday we watched the funeral of our late Queen Elizabeth and afterwards I packed my bags and travelled North to spend a few days with my mum.  The reason for my visit was to take her to a hospital appointment in Lancaster (our old home city), so I spent a lot of time up and down the motorway but it was well worth it.  In between the hospital visit I also enjoyed some time with Ottilie and Kath, goodness me that baby girl is getting big ❤️

Whilst I was away Ben started back at college.  He attends two evenings a week from 6-9pm and in between is working for a few folk clearing gardens and undertaking general handyman/ landscape tasks.

In between household tasks and ferrying folk back and forth I've remained committed to writing almost daily.  I'll be honest I don't know where I'm going with it, but I hope at some point something clicks and until then I'm showing up and writing it all down.

Right where I'm sitting: Outside the Library

Amidst the background noise of traffic there are signs of autumn all around.  Crinkled leaves scattered on the floor like confetti at a wedding.  The tree to my right (a sycamore I think)  still decked in its summer glory is sighing as the wind whistles through - one solitary leaf makes its graceful descent to the ground.

The three tiered whiskey barrel arrangements of chrysanthemums and rudbeckia provide a cornucopia of cheer, just the thing for a grey day, although thankfully the sky is blue and the sun gorgeously warm today.

The trees rustling are a comforting sound.  They are a reminder that although change is on its way all will be well.  Without change we cannot grow and growth paves the way for new opportunities.  The tree does not worry that change is happening, it knows and responds to the cycle of life - change, death, renewal and hope.  each has its place in The Grand Scheme.

Rooks are circling above.  They launch themselves into the air, knowing that the same wind that is rustling among the trees will catch them and assist their traverse from the YMCA building to the tree nearby.  Standing still and perched on a top most branch they survey the minions below.

Folk travelling home from work and school kids that have shaken off the shackles of the timetable and bell.  There is value in order but not at the expense of health and well being.  When did it all become so sour?  At the dawn of the industrial and latterly technological revolution?  Or back in that garden when the luscious rosy red apple was stolen from that forbidden tree?

❤️     ❤️     ❤️     ❤️

Right where I am sitting:  The armchair in the corner of the room

The only sound is the hiss from the gas fire.  We have succumbed to switching on localised heat as an autumn chill pervades the air.  Rising fuel prices and a devalued pound is more than a little worrying.

Earlier today the sky shone blue and we enjoyed the autumn colours at a local country estate.  'The Kitchen' as it is called provided the backdrop to good food and conversation with a much loved family member.

From my seat in the cafe the pale straw like fronds of grass waved a graceful hello as they too enjoyed the autumn sunshine.  The colour combination of national trust green and slate grey solved a paint colour conundrum for the lounge back home.

Home that place where you can if you are lucky truly be yourself.  When the front door is closed it is akin to pulling up a drawbridge - an English person's home is their castle. What if you are not of these isles?  What if you are charting a perilous journey across unforgiving seas, will you find a welcome here?

No castle for the interloper but a tent instead.  'No room at our inn since you don't quite fit in," the rallying cry from the gutter press desperate to sell a copy or two.  Have they forgotten the heritage of these isles?  We are a mixed bag culture, actually originating from lands across the seas - from the icy planes of Norway to the Mediterranean heat of Rome and everywhere else in between.  Since when did we shut out the rest of the world and declare ourselves to be an independent state?  When we listened to the lies and the three word slogans: Get Brexit Done.  We've been done for sure - it was a stitch up Gov!

Invisible stitches hold the fabric of society together, fair share, people care and earth share - permaculture ethics spanning way back to time immemorial when we were gifted the earth to steward.  Gospel simplicity of care for the poor and take no more than you need.  Oh how the mindset wanders at the close of day.

❤️     ❤️     ❤️     ❤️

  

 

Yesterday involved ferrying Ben to his work at Valerie's and then swing by to collect Dave and Pip so that we could meet Dave's mum for lunch at Levens Hall.  The food really was spectacular:

Pip had Serrano ham with tomatoes, and halloumi on a bed of greens. 

Dave and his mum both had the pork with Puy lentils, Cavalo Nero and a potato Rosti.

I had feta cheese and bean salad with mint and lemon dressing on a bed of greens.  I think I'll be trying to replicate this recipe at home especially since we have our own home grown mint!

A Mother's Weekday Sabbath

 My outing this morning was  unplanned and unexpected but totally necessary.  You see I've done my usual trick of ignoring the transition to a new season and with that the need for a wardrobe overhaul. 

 I wear clothes until they are falling to bits and clothes shopping is one of my least favourite activities!  In addition the clothes that I like and would wear are way out of my price reach and hunting for them online via Ebay can be very waring.  However needs must and so after breakfast I parked in the village and sallied forth.

I visited three charity shops.  The first was 'Save the Children' and in that one I found a Seasalt (one of my favourite brands ❤️) denim tunic dress and some children's books.  The 'Air Ambulance' shop didn't have anything of note but did have a beautiful memorial display for Queen Elizabeth accompanied by a vanilla scented candle, they were very wise in keeping the door open as the scent would have been quite overpowering had it been closed 😊. 

My last shop was 'Sue Ryder' and in there I found a really marvellous book entitled ' How To Be An Explorer Of The World - Portable Life Museum' by Keri Smith.   This book sparked a creative writing piece whilst I was having a well deserved cup of tea in Booths:

An opening page from the book.

A lovely cup of tea and a writing prompt what more could a gal need!  

Right where I am sitting ...

The chair cocoons my body holding me lightly yet sturdily, wood shaped and moulded by a craftsman or a machine?  I sit alone, yet I am not really on my own, there is noise and clatter as I sit here.  Tea cups tinkling, dropped spoons, folk walking by and the ground reverberates beneath me.  Chatterings of conversations, folk sharing anecdotes of their day or the current news in the media.  It is a happy buzz, like bees working and singing in unison in the hive. 

"Two slices of toast..." the lift bell dings in the background and a toddler complains about being strapped in a chair.  The mundanity of life and yet when I pause and appreciate all that is around me I see it differently - a microcosm of relationships, encounters and the space to just be.

The lass with the blue hair and woolly hat I recognise from the charity shop earlier, she was looking for a warm coat, I wonder if she is worried about the winter ahead? That toddler having now escaped the high chair enjoys hearing their loud voice echo and bounce across the space behind me.  Making oneself known, not shrinking or hiding away.  How often do we, do I, make myself small, sinking into oblivion, a non- person, seen yet unseen. 

 When I vacate my chair once the last dregs of tea have been consumed I wonder who will sit in this place?  This space only able to accommodate two people - friends sharing stories and updates on life, a married couple in silence, not as a result of disdain but that companionable peace of being happy in each other's company, a mother and child perhaps sharing a lunchtime break, somewhere different from the confines of the same four walls.  So many stories encapsulated within this space ❤️

Ordinary and Unusual Days

 As the days wore on the school tech issues were resolved and Pip completed her first week of  one of online lessons.  She wasn't the only one back to school and on Wednesday Ollie started his first day in reception:

Thursday was the second anniversary of my Dad and as the day reached a close the whole country was adjusting to the news that Queen Elizabeth 2nd  had died.  As a result there has been wall to wall coverage of funeral plans, interviews and the initial hand over of power to King Charles 3rd.   I've reached a point where I have had to switch off as it really is quite depressing, especially when I think of all the money that will be spent on a state funeral.   The powers that be have already intimated that folk will die this year of  cold and hunger it makes me very sad.

On a slightly lighter note, Ben is due to start college this week but his sessions will be two evenings a week instead of one full day.  This means he will still have time to work for a lady called Valerie, help at the church mowing lawns and undertake any other local paid work that might arise.  In addition he is pretty much rebuilding our side gate and has enjoyed applying his joinery knowledge in making some really sturdy joints:

The best laid plans of mice and men - we had hoped to visit my Mum today as it was her wedding anniversary and the plan was to attend mass and then go out for a meal with her, my brother Col and Dave's mum.  Sadly we are caught up with several weekends of absolute traffic chaos as two motorway junctions near to us are closed and effectively we are on a weekend lockdown!  There are some back roads we could take if we absolutely had to be somewhere but in the main we will stay local throughout September.

Sara, Tom and Ollie however did venture afield and it looks like they had a really lovely time - a suitable ending to one week and a good start to another:

Take Care x 

Summer Snippets

 We've had a busy few weeks with a couple of jaunts alongside family time.  It's been exhausting but totally worth it :-)

Salts Mill

Early in August Dave's mum came to stay and Dave and I had time on our own doing our own thing.  The initial plan had been to visit Bletchley Park and Coventry Cathedral, but we had another crazy heat index that would not have been good for either of us, so we stayed closer to home.  One of our trips out included a trip to Salts Mill where we had a lovely lunch, enjoyed an exhibition by David Hockney and had a good browse in an utterly fab bookshop.

I managed to buy two Christmas presents whilst here :-)

Reception area and entrance to the mill.

Stunning artwork depicting the mill and the surrounding area.  We actually ran out of time as there was a church, really interesting independent shops and a wheelchair accessible park all within easy reach.  We will definitely visit again with Pip.

Belated 18th Birthday Bash

What with Covid and then multiple health problems in the family we didn't manage to take Ben on his birthday jaunt to Norfolk but this time round we succeeded!

  We stayed at a Premier Inn in Kings Lynne and the sole reason for the trip was to take Ben to the Dad's Army Museum in Thetford where most of the filming took place.  Dad's Army was a long running televised comedy show and Ben was gifted a box set of all the programmes and pretty much knows the episodes and story lines word for word! 

1971 Movie Trailer

We watched a recording of the various locals that had been drafted in as extras for the television series.  Originally the local drama society volunteered their services for free but Equity wasn't happy with that arrangement so shortly afterwards folk were paid.  One young lass aged 10 years was paid £5.00 for a day's work in the early 1970s.

The various displays also included handwritten notes from the various cast members, photographs of scene stills and all sorts of paraphernalia.

Soon it was time for a much needed tea break complete with the traditional brown teapot, original Beryl Woods Ware and accompanied by live entertainment from Johnny Victory.

Here we are trying to choose a coaster for each of us based around the well known catch phrases associated with the show, such as:  Don't tell them Pike, stupid boy, we're doomed and don't panic!

Mary Visit

We had Mary visit quite recently and there were cafe trips, a cinema visit to see the "Railway Children Returns" which was an utterly epic film and a trip to Carnforth Heritage Museum to see the trains, watch some short films and have a cup of tea in the cafe where "The Brief Encounter" film was set many moons ago.

A Weekend with Sara, Tom and Ollie

Our last foray of the summer occurred this past weekend where we stayed with our Grange family.  There was crab apple jelly making, buckwheat pancakes for breakfast and an epic trip to Coniston Water for some wild swimming!  Although the trip isn't far from S and T's house it was epic in that we had a flat tyre due to inconsiderate party revellers leaving a trail of beer bottles along the side of the road!  I must admit I was worried as I hadn't packed extra medicine for Pip, not envisaging being out for too long.  As Sara was just about to put a call through to the roadside recovery service, a lovely couple had just returned from their swim and the husband offered to replace the flat tyre with the emergency back up!  God was really looking after us for sure :-)  Whilst the tyre was being replaced, Pip, Ollie and I picked blackberries and once all was well we made our way down to the shore.  My goodness the cold certainly took my breath away ( outside temp 18C so possibly around 13C in the water?) but we soon acclimatised and it was really lovely to be in the water.

Pip, Sara and Ollie also had a lovely walk in the nearby woods

Such a lovely way to close out the summer and provide welcome refreshment for the new term ahead.  Pip is now in year 9 at InterHigh and has quite a busy timetable but alas the tech side of things has caused massive headaches at this end - not our doing I hasten to add :-)  The school is using a new system and despite turning up on time and logging in with the usual links Pip has only managed to access two out of the nine scheduled lessons thus far :-(  I'm hoping tomorrow is a better day!