I wish it was Rose day
Summer scented
Whiffs wafting
In the bright sunlight.
No thought of winter
Or sadness
Or dark days
Just glorious beauty
High up
Entrancing
Captivating my soul.
The contrast
My life in shadow
Rose
Author: artbychristinemallabandbrown
I'm an artist based at the Spode factory site in Stoke on Trent. I paint, draw and create digital art. Contact me at mallabandbrown@aol.com
Hubbys cat painting
He didn’t paint much, but this painting was one of our first cats, he also did a tornado shaped painting in many colours, and a sunflower painting (all acrylics on board). These were his efforts at creating some exuberant pieces of art.
He also made drawings which he did in an A4 sized hardback blue book. It’s crammed with notes and thoughts. Often quite disjointed, he was by training a chemist/physicist. That didn’t stop him enjoying the artistic side of life. I will always miss his thoughtfulness and quirky creativity.
Happy 2026
Just a little finger painting on my phone to wish you all a Happy New Year for 2026.
I hope things go well for us all, that you are safe and happy, cared for and loved.
Best wishes to you all. X
Back to normal
For some reason my stats shot up over December. I don’t know why but my account was being viewed by many people in China. My likes didn’t go up, just several thousand views each week.
Now things have quietened down, going back to what I would see as “normal”. I’m not bothered, I guess it doesn’t mean a lot to me, I’m not monetising this blog in any way, and if my posts are even slightly interesting then I’m pleased. I hope some of my thoughts have been taken in the friendly and peaceful manner that I meant them. Wherever you are, as the old year dwindles and the New year arrives, I wish you peace and tranquility, better times and the best life you can have. X
Cat on the stairs
One problem with a large cat on the stairs is trying to get past him. He’s almost big enough to to fit across the whole width, so if he’s there in the morning I have to tread very gingerly. He’s one of those cats who are so self important they plonk themselves down, or stretch in the most inconvenient places, in a doorway, or by the armchairs so I have to sidle past him.
It’s a nuisance because I’m not very steady on my feet, life is like that, I wish we had nine lives like cats.
Almost 2026
Staring into 2026 which hideous monsters stare back? Will things continue along the lines of this year… War, starvation, animosity, selfishness…
Do we even have the capa to change. Why are we signing over our lives to tech and billionaire masters. Why is it OK for AI to make up facts and misrepresent and tell us “unfacts” (lies).
We need old fashioned education, knowledge and hard work to improve the situation. Caring for and guarding the information we have hard won over the years. Trying to explain and explore, not fight.
That I think could be my new years resolution.
WordPress problem?
I keep getting a message when I try and like people’s posts….
“there is a problem with your request, please try again later”…
It’s annoying because I like to go through peoples posts on the reader section of WordPress and mark the ones I like. I’ve tried twice today but it still doesn’t seem to be working?
So for all of you who I would have liked here’s a thumbs up to you! 👍👍🏻👍🏼👍🏽👍🏾👍🏿
Invasion!
One of the most fun things we did when we went round carol singing on Monday night was to pile into the local fish and chip shop was to sing a couple of songs to the staff and customers!
About 20 of us squeezed into a small space, singing “Welcome all, good friends here, a very merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!” we sang it as a round of three. The place was full of jollity and hilarity. I’m glad we did it, it’s one place we have never sung in before.
Christmas dinner on boxing day.
Just started cooking at midnight, so Christmas day is over. Felt a bit weepy. The sweet potato and sprouts are on. I’ve got some pigs in blankets, a few stuffing balls and some potato fritters in the airfryer. I’m going to do a chicken thigh that’s already cooked in the microwave along with some swede mash. And gravy. It sounds like a lot but I’m only doing small portions.
Might save it for tomorrow (today).
Today. 25.12.25
Being on my own today I only have to cook for myself so when I finally go to bed I don’t need to worry about it. I’m doomscrolling on my phone because it’s cold in the bedroom but I can’t stand a hot bedroom. The cats are huddled around the oil filled radiator. I’ll try and find mushy old films and finish making my trifle with port not sherry. Oh and I’ve got a bit of salmon in for the cats x
Mallaband-Brown 