I struggle

What brings you peace?

Last night I wanted a peaceful night’s sleep. I was tired and it was hot. I don’t sleep well these days

I tried to do some relaxation techniques but they didn’t work. I tried listening to the radio on low, but no use. Then I came downstairs and put the TV on quietly. Sometimes that works. Finally I found an app that plays the sound of waves, with video up to 11 hours. It promised peace and rest. I must have had it on too loud, I listened for a couple of hours. The only thing that happened was that I nodded off for a few minutes, then the cat jumped on the bed and woke me up again. Argh! Finally I came downstairs again and fell asleep in exhaustion.

Bravery?

I decided to write a poem on a poetry page on Facebook. Here it is.

I would like to be brave and post something here.


But my poems are mostly spontaneous.


An explosion of thought on the page.


My mind dances around thoughts,


Spiralling into nooks and crannies.


Flying across the landscape of my brain.


Hopefully landing safely and intact.

Umbrella design

This would have been 17 years old if the Leopard Hotel in Burslem hadn’t burnt down two and a half years ago. I don’t seem to have had much luck with murals. At least three were in buildings that were later knocked down. The risk of being a mural artist I guess is that if they are painted in old buildings they might not outlast you!

Medicine

What profession do you admire most and why?

I admire the skills and knowledge you need to practice medicine. That’s not just doctors and nurses, but radiographers, sonographers, physiotherapists, psychologists, occupational health, and not only those that deal with human health, but veterinary experts and their skills and knowledge that is essential to the care of so many animals. Without these skilled people how would many of us would  survive? We would be plunged back into the pre industrial ages or further back in time perhaps to the dark ages, where scam remedies and quackery might take over.

Having knowledge of basic first aid is a good thing too. You never know you might save someone!

Close Encounters

In 1977 a Sci fi film by Steven Spielberg came out that I have always loved. Close Encounters of the Third Kind. I remember queuing around the block to get into the cinema. The story is of an alien encounter. The characters are all drawn to a place called Devils Tower in Wyoming USA.

It was made with cutting edge special effects. We go on a roller coaster adventure and complex plot line. The story was also written by Spielberg. It’s exciting and fascinating. I don’t  believe in Aliens visiting Earth, but I love the story. I’ve watched it several times and Richard Dreyfuss as Roy Neery is the perfect odd ball hero.

The best thing? I’ve just watched it again for probably the 10th time. It cheers me up to see it again.

My art and friends art.

If you were going to open up a shop, what would you sell?

My digital drawing of an apple

I’ve accumulated a lot of physical and digital art over a lifetime of being an artist. A lot of it is still in my house. I would set up a shop to clear some of it so it could go to good homes. I’m sure friends would do the same.

I realise people like to be clutter free, and now AI is creeping in they could press a few buttons and make something. But wouldn’t it be nice to have a creation made by a human that suits your taste and is created with love and attention? Go on, give an artist a try.

My keys

What is the most important thing to carry with you all the time?

I can do without my phone, but I need to get into my house, my car, my shed, my garden gate.

I’ve only ever been locked out a couple of times, the first when I was a child, in that case it was my mum that had slammed the front door shut (it had a yale lock), only to remember she had left the keys inside. I was fairly small and a bit of an athlete so I ended up climbing in through the downstairs toilet window. I managed to let us all in.

The other time I was sharing a house, I left my keys somewhere else and only realised when I was outside the front door. That ended with me sitting on the front doorstep for a couple of hours.

Now I’ve told you I’ve probably jinxed myself to do it again. Luckily I have the number of a locksmith on my phone (which I don’t always keep with me!)