Mock Mayor memory

Today I had the honour of holding the Cerimonial Mace of the borough of Newcastle under Lyme. We were Celebrating the Mock Mayor Ceremony that was held in 2019 to crown a Mock Mayor for the day. Then covid happened so  there hasn’t been another event and I’m effectively still the Mayor! My hubby played the Mayor’s wife in one of my dresses…

The marvellous Glenn Martin James who organised the extravaganza is standing next to hubby in this photo by a lady called Amanda. Glenn has done a wonderful drawing of the whole cast at the event and it is now on display at the Guildhall. Hopefully there will be a new ceremony in the future. X

Had a lovely but tiring afternoon. Might post more later!

Snowdrops or snowbells?

I know they are from the Gallanthus group of plants but I think these might be snowbells not snowdrops. They have bigger flowers than usual and more prominent markings. But there are many variations of these lovely little friendly flowers, and they look great spread in carpets under the bare canopy of winter trees. They only have a short flowering period before they go over and that’s the best time to split their clumps of roots “in the green” so that they become less congested and flower more freely.

His hat

Macro shot of part of my hubbys flat cap from a few years ago.

It’s another one of the photos I found in Facebook memories. It reminds me of how he used to dress. More like a Lancashire farmer than someone living in a modern town. With a tweed jacket and old working mens trousers or jeans. A plaid shirt and boots or black leather shoes. His hair was usually escaping from under that flat cap. He sometimes got called the mad professor because his hairstyle was much like Einstein’s or other times curly when what was left of his hair was uncovered.

A big man, strong. He loved cycling and science. He knew such a lot of things but was often troubled. Bad memories of childhood. Our partnership was of mutual support. Mutual love. I remember his cheeky grin and the twinkle of mischief in his eyes.

Yes this photo bought back many memories.

Needled!

I got a little microscope that used to attach to my old phone which was thinner than this one. A few photos like this have popped up on my Facebook memories today. There are a few interesting ones of woven cloth. I might share. Anyway, having a quiet day after a very upset stomach last night and I’m shattered because I slept downstairs on my armchair. I’d got things planned for today but I’ve given them a raincheck.

Ping pong

I took this photo after playing table tennis today. I’d popped this ping pong ball into my pocket and took it home by mistake. I haven’t been to the group for a few months after I was ill. I’m not sure if I’m fully recovered but decided to give it a go. I managed to play a bit but had to take breaks. Since I got home I’ve been really tired and I think I’m coming down with something. Ugh.

Fish for tea?

Fish fingers or sardines. That’s my choice tonight. Fishfinger sandwiches or sardines on toast. It’s not a Friday but that’s what I’ve got in. Maybe fishfinger and baked beans. I’m not very hungry but I need to eat I guess. It’s late and I’m tired and I don’t feel like cooking.

Anyway it was an excuse to post this photo of a kneeler from the local church, I love the design and the concept of sharing food to give all people a chance by treating them fairly. Anyway just a thought.

Light, Esther’s prompt.

Esther Chiltons weekly prompt was light. As I’m feeling rather sad it bought out a feeling of regret in me:

Light, a rainbow effect, but black? Darkness, hidden, lonely. Why do I want to sit hidden in the dark as the days sparkle around me? Is this my fate? I need to escape into light, but by the time my sad thoughts allow me it will probably be raining. We have been singing “this little light of mine” at choir recently. I need a glimmer of hope. X

An Artist

When you were five, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Celtic Cat

I must have been about five when I realised I wanted to do art. I would make patterns on graph paper, draw and doodle and sketch. I know my mother started to collect some of my drawings. As I got older I put them on my walls. I even strung them across my bedroom held on by pegs because I didn’t have enough wall space.

When I was in my teens one of my paintings was sent to our twin town in Germany to be exhibited. My headmistress was given a drawing I did of my fellow pupils as a leaving present and I knew I wanted to be an artist as I told my careers teacher, not a nurse as she tried to persuade me. On to Art school to do a degree, and even 40 years later an MA in illustration. Now. I’m struggling. But iooking at different methods and skills. I’m not giving up!

Alone

Hubby

You birthday was today

But there is no voice

No laughter

No sudden shout

Of annoyance or glee.

You were here, then gone

Lost in space

Not forgotten by me

But gone from the world

We always held hands

Grasping our dreams

Let’s go out

Take a trip?

Now I stay still

Remembering but not visiting

Still waiting

For your non return.