2018 drawing

Smallest house in Great Britain, in Wales, is it in Caernarfon? (I’ve just been told its actually in Conway) If I remember it’s one up one down. If you spread your arms out it’s only just a bit wider than them (it’s smaller on the inside). I remember there was a woman called Carole dressed in Welsh traditional costume standing outside. We went in (squeezed in) and were amazed at how small it is.

I wouldn’t be surprised if some flats in big cities are actually smaller than this, although I don’t remember seeing a bathroom in it. It’s on the seafront between the castle and a bigger building than it if I remember correctly. It might be worth Googling it if you are interested. I didn’t realise how long ago it was that we visited it, hence the hazy memories.

Floating

I used to do a lot of collages like this. I just looked back and saw this. Blue sky and wispy clouds with an old building suspended in the sky. I think I might try and do a few more if the rain ever stops! Grey skies and lack of sunshine makes me a dull woman. I need to try and do more art and experiment more. I don’t want to come to a stop. I hope when the sunlight comes back I feel more bright myself.

Floor paint

Seeing the floor in the Spode Factory is a memory of what went before. Industry and creativity joined. Scratched and chipped, the surface is damaged. Most of it is hidden by studios on either side of a central corridor. When you go into the studios some have metal, single glazed windows that let in the cold of winter. And once the cold gets in it doesn’t seem to get warm again till March!

The building is solid concrete and brick, with arched, barrel shaped ceilings high above. I think any heat rises up there and is lost to us on the shiny, scratched floor.

But here people worked hard to create beautiful ceramics, magical pottery, a hive of hot activity that didn’t need heating because of the kilns and machinery, now long gone.

Paddling home

Sitting on a blow up bed, with a trowel for a paddle, my hubby a few years ago decided to paddle across a bay in Devon. I was standing on the beach wondering whether to jump in the sea and drag him home to shore!

Always adventurous, he managed to get back after twenty minutes. He did slide off the bed and kicked for shore. I admired his  strength, as the off shore breeze had started to tug him out to sea for a while.

He was grinning happily when he came back up to me on the beach. He enjoyed being adventurous and I was just glad I hadn’t had to call out the coast guard!

21.2.2010

14 years ago and we had heavy snow. On the night of 14 February 2010. The orange sodium streetlamps cast a reddish glow across the snow. Those lamps are now changed to white LED lights. Less energy used, less atmospheric lighting. No snow!

This has been the hottest February on record. Even in the alps and other mountains in the UK and Europe the amount of snow is 47% less than in previous years. Not good for skiers and winter sports.

This was on my Facebook memories today.

Lime and soda

What is your favorite drink?

Something refreshing for summer days. Non alcoholic, sparkling, tasty.

Fresh and cool with lots of ice. Safe to drink if you are driving. The zest of limes and lime cordial add flavour.

It looks convivial and more interesting than tap water. So you don’t feel left out at a party. And you can always sneak in a gin and tonic if you want a small drink to join in the fun!

Young at heart

Hubby on a swing we found, at the edge of a field a couple of years ago on a country walk. Soon he was flying up to the sky! Luckily the rope didn’t give way.

When covid was going on we actually went walking more, getting away from the city and people, then when lock down ended we continued but with more friends. This was one of those occasions.

Later I stopped walking as much after badly pulling a muscle, but we were trying to get back into walking when I trapped my leg in the car door and that resulted in a wound that took months to heal. We were just getting back into walking when my hubbys health deteriorated and he passed away. The universe seems against me!

I think I need company to get back out again. I don’t like walking on my own, easier to hide.

Cat keeps warm

She’s taking advantage of the radiator being on for a while. A friend said she looks content in the photo.

I currently have another cat sitting on my knees poddling (kneading) me. I’m enjoying being nuzzled on my hand while loud purrs are surrounding me.

Content cats lead to content humans, warm and happy cats show you love. I don’t think they are as aloof as they are sometimes painted. But they do seem to have an off switch, they can be lovely and then just jump off you for no reason! My Mom used to call it cupboard love, because they usually just want feeding!

Friends

Who are your favorite people to be around?

So lucky to have many friends. I admit they have had to put up with a lot from me lately and I appreciate every minute they have given to me.

For the first time in 63 years I was on my own in December last year. Without those friends I don’t know if I would still have been here.

Time moves on and you lose track of people, trying to find them again hurts when they just seem to have vanished. But I have managed to track some of them down through Facebook (whatever happened to “friends reunited”?)

I hope we maintain some of those interrupted friendships. Covid didn’t help, although Zoom meetings made life a bit easier, but I’m glad not to do them anymore. X