Epiphany

 We have decided to keep the tree up until Candlemas, I think we did the same last year!  I'm just not ready to let go of its comforting presence and it is so cheery to look at too:

Where The Map Begins ~ A Blessing for Epiphany

This is not any map you know,

Forget Longitude, 

Forget Latitude,

Do not think of distance or of plotting the most direct route,

Astrolabe, sextant, compass

these will not help here.

This is the map that begins with a star,

This is the chart that starts with a fire,

With blazing,

with ancient light

that has outlasted

generations, empires,

cultures and wars.

Look starward once

and then look away,

Close your eyes and see how the map begins to blossom

behind your lids,

how it constellates

its lines stretching out

from where you stand.

You cannot see it all,

cannot divine the way

it will turn and spiral

cannot perceive how the road you walk

will lead you finally inside,

through the labyrinth

of your own heart

and belly

and lungs.

But you step out

and you will know

what the wise who travelled this path before you knew,

the treasure in this map

is buried not at journey's end

but at its beginning.

Jan Richardson, 'Circle of Grace, A Book of Blessings for Each Season.'

I love that the treasure is found at the beginning of the journey and not at the end, that gives me a sense of hope and very much ties in with a Benedictine philosophy that, 'each day we begin again' and listen with the ear of our heart to your words O Lord.

I will not lie, I'm struggling with awful inflammation in my low spine and at one point it became too painful to even sit.  I have some pretty strong anti- inflammatory medication that has begun to take down the swelling and the gentle walking is helping to try and shift everything into place.  I also have an Osteopath appointment next week, Praise God!  However, if I'm not careful pain can really start to drag me down, so having these challenges such as an outdoor hour keep me focused and distracted. Seeing the little shapes being coloured in on the nature mandala wheel is also a real encouragement to keep going. 

Since the 2nd of January I have so far clocked up a total of seven hours outside, which is no mean feat for someone with a chronic health condition.  It has not all been plain sailing and there have been times when I have wanted to stay huddled next to the fire, but every time I have ignored that inclination my spirits have lifted for being in nature.  This morning I took a very slow walk to the nearby river and I sat on the bench to soak up the sounds, finish my prayers and just be in God's presence:

In addition to the challenges we also have a joy jar on the table with squares of paper and a pencil and it is openly available for folk to add something that brought them joy that day.  I'm hoping by the end of the year it will be full of such moments that we can share and reflect upon.

Whilst I was on my walk Pip was busy turning this masterpiece into thank you cards for family and friends:

A Light In The Darkness

 In between bouts of sickness and health issues we have managed to attend church.  Unfortunately our local church in the village isn't a place where we feel safe as they have opened up all the pews and the church is often full to capacity.  As a result we felt led to attend elsewhere and are attending a church just under twenty minutes down the road.  Not only do they leave some benches fenced off they also leave the back doors open which then leads into a sizeable narthex.  As we were leaving on Sunday evening I looked up and saw this image of Jesus at the entrance:

The image below was snapped as I left a friend's house yesterday tea time.  I didn't have my camera with me but the phone made a pretty good attempt to capture the glory in the sky.

Both images have me thinking about Advent and how God's Light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it.  This was also confirmed in a chat I had with Sr Emma earlier in the day -  it was her confirmation saint's feast day, St Cecilia, patroness of music.  Emma also shared with me her thoughts about Advent and the need for the light of Christ in the world.  She has written a song for advent based on that precept and whilst in the chapel The Lord gave her the music 😊. Bernadette Farrell also wrote a beautiful piece entitled 'Christ Be Our Light.'

Snippets

It's been a tiring few days and I wonder where the time goes!  We are keeping well and safe and very grateful for the support from St Thomas church in Garstang and other folk that have been checking in to make sure we are OK.  I hope and pray that some of the changes that have been made during this difficult time will continue once the lockdown is over and that chronically sick and disabled people will no longer be sidelined.  If companies can provide flexible home working for all at this time then why not for those of us disenfranchised on a daily basis?  If online classes are free since schools are closed then keep that offer available for home school families once we return to 'normal.' Many churches are streaming their services online and it is quite special to be joining in with folk all around the country, this too in my opinion needs to be remain once this is all over.  Just some random ramblings from a tired mum :-)

Here are some pictures from the past few days:

 Pip playing snakes and ladders with Beth via Whatsapp, she moved Beth's piece and likewise Beth moved hers.  They also each had a Harry Potter quiz book and so asked each other questions and kept score.

Pip and I colouring the images for 'The Spies and Espionage' lap book.  We are keeping up with maths, spellings and reading interspersed with 'fun school' activities during the Easter break.

Guest appearances from Ollie and Mary both in separate places in the county:

#staysafe #stayhome

Did You Clap?

Last night at 8pm people were being encouraged to stand at their doors and clap for the front line workers dealing with this current pandemic.  I wasn't sure if the folk in my neighbourhood would get involved but they did and it was quite moving to all join forces and show our appreciation at this difficult time.  I must admit I was sad when the street was quiet this evening, it was almost a case of 'job done' whereas  the folk in Italy are clapping and banging night after night, maybe the enormity of the approaching tsunami is yet to hit home in the UK.  The current lockdown is an attempt at flattening the curve but the predicted peak is in early June, so we have a long wait ahead of us for sure.

I am so grateful for the current warm spell, we have made the most of it and taken our lessons into the garden.  In between the home schooling I have managed to keep up with household tasks and done my absolute best to tackle a job and then have at least a twenty minute  sit down in between.  It has been great to peg the washing on the line, you cannot beat the smell of line dried laundry :-)

Our Sainsbury's click and collect order was arranged for just after 8:00am this morning and this meant leaving the house just after half seven.  In normal circumstances you would avoid travelling into the city at that time of the morning due to schools traffic and those on the daily commute.  It was quite surreal to be sailing through the city centre and even the pedestrians were thin on the ground.  Sadly the homeless folk are still on the streets but the latest news is that councils have to organise hotel accomodation for them all by the end of the weekend.  Without a doubt we have a duty of care to those less fortunate but when all this blows over, I hope and pray that they won't just be turfed out onto the streets once more.  Can you imagine how awful it would be to be given the luxury of a roof over your head, clean sheets and the luxury of running water only for it to be taken away as quickly as it was given?

After a yummy beakfast of porridge, cream and chocolate pieces Pip set too with her English work, I tackled the bedrooms and Ben organised the lunch and put away the shopping.  Our afternoon was equally productive, Pip had her first Skype session with her maths tutor and Ben began painting our new compost bin.  I kept him company in the sunshine and we prayed The Divine Mercy Chaplet for some dear friends that are poorly with the virus.  I also decided to lay aside my current crochet blanket and instead work on some rainbow coloured bunting for the dining room window.  I don't know how it started but kids around the UK are colouring rainbows and hanging them in their windows as a sign of hope to the world.  As a result I have joined forces with the yarn community to spread some yarny cheer as folk pass by on their daily walk. 

Here are some pictures from our days:

 Even Poppy is enjoying the sunshine.

 Gathering the necessary sheets for the maths session.

 Garden maths from yesterday.

Really tasty Lasagne courtesy of Ben.

This lad always loves to help and really enjoys practical based activities.

One of the "Good Morning" WhatsApp family photos courtesy of Sara and Tom, that smile says, 'Isn't life great!'  xx

Words and Pictures

There used to be a primary schools programme of that title name and it was the highlight of my week.  When the big TV was wheeled out of a cabinet and we were all assembled in the hall it signified a half hour respite from desk work :-) Sorry for my absence here the weeks seem to have flown by, April already?  Crazy!

Words

This year I was determined not to have a word of the year since the last few years have been more than challenging and definitely reflected my given word!  Last year's word was "Trust" and within days of that being chosen I was rushed into hospital!  The previous year was "Hope" and trying to remain hopeful when everything else seems to be crashing around you is very difficult :-)

This year's word came to me whilst washing up and would not let go and so "Possibilities" became the word for 2017.  Within a few weeks I was offered a position using my writing skills as an editor and writer for our local diocesan newspaper.  Instead of leaping right in I commited my answer to prayer and realised that despite this "fitting" my word it was not doable since the work was unpaid.  I felt at peace about my decision and realised that whatever I do needs to provide in some small way financially for myself and the family.

Fast forward a few weeks and a friend from prayer group approached me about a job opportunity!  As of last week I am now content writer and social media manager for this website. In addition her late husband's second book will be launched in October of this year and so I will also have additional responsibilities at this time including the organisation of  two launch date workshops!  I am very thankful to have been given this opportunity and please God other similar work will follow as and when needed.

Despite my absence here we have continued to take pictures and rumble along with our usual daily activities of keeping body and soul together, housekeeping and homeschooling.  This week has seen slightly more activity than usual though, the kids both big and small gathered here for Mother's day last Sunday and on Thursday we had a field trip with some friends to Speke Hall 

Mother's Day Gathering

One camera, one tripod and a remote control proves to be very handy when taking a group shot!  The only difficulty is getting everyone looking in the right direction ...

 ... and not being silly in the background! 

 The teenage boys that I know seem to be a law unto themselves!!

 I made two soups:  Tomato, Carrot and Chilli and Celery and Sweet Potato.  Sara and Tom made Rice Krispie nests and Kathryn brought a Gluten Free Chocolate Cake and Bakewell Tarts.  I also made a Paleo Orange and Nut Cake.

 Kathryn being "mum" and cutting into the paleo cake.

 Cannot believe that this little miss will be four in just over a week, eep!!

Speke Hall

 There were clouds and a slight drizzle on Thursday but died down just as we reached the picnic table :-)

 Benedict smiling as I was just about to hand him a sandwich!  He was having another hypo and food was needed immediately.

 Rosie sharing a story with Pip who was definitely out of sorts and unbeknown to us brewing a virus that day :-(

 This lovely gal is always smiling and nothing phases her, good job too with four kids eight and under!  Little did we know by the end of the day that one of the kids would require a visit to the emergency room!

 Simeon in camo gear and a mud splattered face for extra authenticity.

 Baby Damien cuteness overload.

 The entrance to the hall.

 We had temporarily lost the kids in the "underpass" but they eventually came back round again.  Pip had also managed to slip in the mud and I had forgot to pack spare clothes!!  We are just not used to going out on field trips, not so long ago I used to be super organised!

 The blue room which was given as a wedding present to one of the ladies of the house.

 By the time we had finished looking around the downstairs, my two had scarpered outside with Kara!  Stately homes are just not their thing, give them a museum with hands on activities and they are fine but wandering around old rooms "is boring."  However, Rosey loves learning about history and since she is familiar with Speke Hall, she became my guide for the day and we had a whole heap of fun.  We followed the kids trail and found the spy hole, the priest's hole and the toilet which was at the end of a very long corridor and up and down several stairs, hence the need for a chamber pot under the bed!

 Happy not Horrible Histories!

 The cafe beckons for cake and tea followed by:

 The Childwell Giant Trail
John Middleton was a 16th century giant who lived locally and is remembered by this trail.  You can read more here

 When you stood next to this small building, the giant began to snore!

The end of the trial then signified the start of a woodland adventure play area which was greatly loved.  Sadly Rosey toppled off the platform for the zip wire and cut her right brow :-(  Thankfully we had the big portable trailer so Rosey and Simeon  who was very tired at this point were transported back to the car. It was all good in the end and with a clean up and some steri strips she was soon sorted.  All in all we had a really lovely day.

The latter part of the week has necessitated immune boosting herbs, remedies and a warm air humidifier, good job I did not give it away!  That virus that Pip was brewing took hold yesterday and late last night she was in the throes of a really nasty croup attack.  She eventually resettled around 2am so I did manage to get some sleep, of sorts :-)

Happy Weekend! 

December Photo Project :: Seven, Eight and Nine

Jingled

Wake up and smell the coffee ... as in dealing with a post lunch, mid afternoon slump.  These magic beans did the trick and the rest of the day ran relatively smoothly ;-)

The Travellers

This image is interesting on two levels.

  Our friend and neighbour helps with the cleaning on a Thursday afternoon and she has taken to placing items in unusual places for the rest of us to find!  We had just arrived back from a trip out; a trip that included traffic delays due to road works, followed by a road traffic collision.  Not only were we delayed but re-routed, there was fog and I felt quite unwell by the end of the trip.  This image cheered me as did the slow cooker hot pot that awaited us on our arrival.

 The image also had me pondering about those misplaced, rejected, isolated and persecuted.  God knew what He was doing when He sent his only Son into a refugee family fleeing for safety.  He understands x 

Reading

 A quiet moment at the hairdressers and a chance to ponder.  Giving thanks for all that I do have and saying a prayer for this lady, her husband and their two year old daughter.  Amnesty International are highlighting her cause and messages of love and support can be sent to her via their website.

#bethechange  #loveinaction