Acorns

My hubby keeps collecting seeds and nuts at the moment. His plan is to put them in pots and try and grow them, then pass them on to friends? But what if no-one wants them? I do not need any more trees in our garden. We have two oak saplings already, a twenty five year old walnut tree which is sixty foot high, a willow tree, a pear, two or three apples, a sycamore, a mountain Ash, an Ash tree. Also a eucalyptus, three leylandii, plus others and lots of bushes. But no, he’s not satisfied. The garden is where two houses used to stand, there isn’t enough space for more plants.

January sky

And January sea, up in North Wales. Wide views looking far away to the Snowdonia range of mountains. How I miss driving along the A55 west, climbing past Chester and Queensferry. Then coming out high above Prestatyn and Rhyl, looking over to the mountains. Swooping down the road to St Asaph, then right over the flat ground towards the coast. I first saw that view when I was about ten or eleven when we took a coach trip to a caravan park near Rhyl. I remember catching a crab on the beach and putting it in my plastic bucket. The crab crawled out and nipped my toe when I put my shoe on in the morning.

We were at the back of the caravan site where the trains from Chester raced past on their way to the station. Holidays were walking along the back and paddling in the sea. Collecting razor shells and other classic shell type shells (still don’t know what they are called), strange how a single view of the sea can drag up so many memories.

Sore shoulder

It’s been about six weeks now since I think I hurt my shoulder. The doctors agreed I needed physios they sent me a letter to book an appointment. But there are no appointments. I’m still in pain and no further forward. I wonder if things will ever get back to normal (shoulder and life). I think it’s partly to do with tension. I haven’t got depressed but I seem to always be hunching my shoulders up. I might try and get to yoga again if it starts up again.

When I think about it though I can manage, I have been managing. What about all the people who never get treatment. Who live in poverty in rich and poor countries where health treatment is based on expensive insurance that doesn’t cover existing health issues. I know how lucky I am.

Storm Francis

The storm has been winding round our house all day. Trees bending, wind moaning through the gap in our badly sealed kitchen window. Gusts over 50 miles an hour. The fence is collapsing, the hanging baskets are skittering about, too heavy to take down from their brackets. I will wait and see what damage results from the storm. Meanwhile its blowing across the whole country, an unusually low pressure system for this time of year is tearing at the leaves on the trees. There will be trees blown over, heavy seas, gusting winds. Not fit for man or dog! Torrential rain falling and flooding towns and villages. Not fun. X

Apples

Tasty apple for lunch. There is also a saying, an apple a day keeps the doctor away. But why an apple in Eden? The Bible was written in the countries like Judaea which were roman provinces. The tree of life did not have a specific fruit. It didn’t say what it was in the bible. The fruit didn’t get named until later. So Apples are not evil (never thought they were). Of course you then have stories like Snow white who bit a poisoned apple and could only be revived by the kiss of a Prince. But that wasn’t the apples fault! Anyway there are lots of varieties of apples, this one was a Royal gala which was very tasty.

Now email problems!

Had an email this morning. Because my email is in someone else’s platform I have to download an app or something so it still works in a few weeks. Why? Because I’ve chosen to run the email address this way I’m not bombarded with adverts and junk. I don’t want to lose my email address so I guess I must comply. But it’s irritating. Why can’t they leave things alone. If you can’t email me soon you will know why!

Tea set

Bone China tea set my friend is getting rid of. I’m going to try and find someone who wants it. I think another friend will have it.

Bone China was manufactured by potters who wanted to find a substitute for porcelain that came from China. It took several years to find a formula that produced thin, strong, translucent pots. It contained clay from the China clay quarries in Cornwall, calcined bone and flint (heated and ground to break them down into a fine powder). The bone gives off phosphorus which adds to the strength of the bone china. You end up with a material half way between pottery and glass. This fine white china was then beautifully decorated with hand painted flowers, fruit and landscapes.

I’m sure there is far more to say on this subject. But that’s enough for now.

Fish patterns,

Fish drawing in permanent inks. Patterns in the water, scale patterns on the fish. I left the edges blank but I think it might look better if I add more or crop the image closer in. I do know I have a style of drawing. When you move your hands it follows a certain pattern, I sometimes try and fight the way I do things, but if I imagine something it usually comes out similar each time. Faces generally look left, three quarter faces look towards the right. Horses heads look left. I think it’s because I’m right handed? Maybe it is because I draw left to right, the same as writing?

Tree spirits

Acrylic on canvas

I keep finding old photos of paintings that I have done over the years. This was called tree spirits and went to a lovely couple who had fallen in love with it. Those that follow my blog know I love pattern and shapes. My favourite shape is the spiral. I don’t know why… But curving round and twisting, leaves shading the faces. I want to do more like this.

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