New paintings and regular art updates.
Well after painting all afternoon we’ve decided to go out to our favourite Thai restaurant for tea. It’s valentines day so I’m treating my hubby.
We have ordered Tom Kha (Thai soup), Gang Phed Ped Yang (roast duck curry) and pork with pac choi, plus some rice. I think that’s plenty. I imagine I will be asleep before we finish it I’m so tired! As usual the chef has sent us out extra food!
Have a lovely valentines night if you are celebrating! Might be back later.
X
I’ve just finished these two boards for the panto They may be the last ones I do. If they are sold afterwards the proceeds will go to the Penkhull village hall although it’s not clear whether they will be kept or not. Its been hard work but great fun painting these.
Gretna Green is a Scottish village where people used to elope to get married if they did not have the permission of their parents.
The second picture is an impression of Big Ben and the houses of Parliament situated in London on the River Thames.
The idea is that the images should be clearly visible even at the back of the hall.
Another marketing ploy or a chance to show your love for someone?
I don’t know how many other countries celebrate St Valentines day (no not the massacre). But we celebrate it in Britain. Suddenly the shops are full of red and pink. Specially packaged wine, chocolates and flowers. Lots of glitter and gleaming red ribbons.
There ar cards to all sorts of partners, or anonymous ones for people you might not know as well. I once had a yellow rose, from a garden across the road, left on my front doorstep. I don’t know to this day who it was from.
I guess it’s here to stay like Christmas or Easter. If you are celebrating it have a lovely and romantic time. I guess sometimes people hope for a card but don’t get one. I hope you get your wishes on 14th February
That’s all I want to do, relax and sleep. Resting and recuperating while I get over this cold. I want to go outside and do a bit of gardening but I am not up to it. I tried putting some tulips in a vase earlier and ended up tired out.
This Buddha figure is out in our garden, it will be surrounded in flowers in the summer, but looks a little subdued at this time of year.
I’ve got to plant up the hanging baskets we normally have. And I intend to have some honey suckle and clematis growing on the fence. This time of year its good to plan ahead …
All I hear is chatter, chatter.
Shelves in the shed
Now who’s dead?
Rugby goal posts
Radio hosts
He can’t stop talking
About mamod trains
Steam engine running.
Gas and Electric
Phone call chatting,
Constant rattling…
Over the radio,
Over the TV.
My mind switches off.
I’m overwhelmed.
By his talking at me
To me.
Just…
SHUT UP!
They had known each other since childhood, but when they left school, they went there separate ways.
Sophie knew her friend had got married and had two children. But not much more than that.
She herself had gone to college and then university, now she was back in the old town looking for Jean, but she was having trouble tracking her down.
In the end it was a chance meeting with another old friend that lead her to find Jean again.
She was sitting at a table just inside the door of the cafe when a man walked by. He must have been looking for someone but he saw her. He stopped and stared then came towards her… Sophie? It can’t be? A smile on his face. It is! Hello, how are you? He was asking those little questions you ask someone when you haven’t seen them for years.
The man told her that Jean had moved to the south of the town with her partner. It was a couple of bus rides away, but not too far.
Sophie set out, she hoped that Jean would be in when she got to the house. As she travelled she thought of all the things she wanted and needed to say. There was a long history between them, and she had found out something they had never known as children.
How would Jean react? The bus pulled up and she got off. She checked her mobile. The address was two streets away, near the river.
She walked quickly, trying to stay calm. She could have tried to phone Jean but she didn’t know her new surname. How would she take the news? Life was strange…
She found the modest terraced house halfway down the street. She stood looking. A tiny front garden with a brick wall around it. A modern front door. Could she, should she knock? Yes.
Jean answered the door and took a few moments to recognise Sophie. Oh my God! How are you? What are you doing here??
Sophie took a deep breath. I’ve something to tell you. Can I come in?
Jean smiled, yes, of course, would you like a cup of tea, or coffee? Have a seat. The living room was small and chintzy.
No its OK. Maybe later. Do you remember how close we were when we were children?
Yes. Two peas in a pod people used to say.
There’s a reason for that. I found it out. I was looking on line at my family tree… Sophies voice trailed off..
And? Jean wanted to know…
I won’t beat about the bush… We are sisters, twins!
What?
Yes, twins. Your mum adopted you because my mother could not manage to bring up both of us. Dad was out of work if you remember. ..
But we don’t look alike?
Non identical twins. Sophie replied.
So you want to know more? Jean nodded. Yes please…
This rascal likes to get in boxes and I often put one in the kitchen so he can sleep in the warm.
I can stroke his cheeks and nose, but try giving him a belly rub and the claws come out. I don’t know if it’s because he’s being terratorial or if he’s showing me he’s boss He doesn’t mind my partner tickling his tummy.
He’s not scared of me and is usually purring loudly when he attacks. I think it’s play fighting. My hands have been clawed these last couple of days though. Then I read all the diseases you can catch off cats….. Maybe that’s what’s up with me?
Look what came in the post today!
It’s a postcard from The Alchemist, a blogger here who makes wonderful Raku pottery. He had asked his readers to come up with a name for a vase, and a little explanation or story to explain the thinking behind the name.
My idea was “copper tear” based on the colour and the shape of the vase. I didn’t win, but The Alchemist promised to send a post card to anyone who entered.
It’s good to be in contact with the lovely people here on WordPress!
Thank you, The Alchemist
X
With one of the cats, it’s 2am and I’m still not sleepy. Just had a decaff coffee and a yoghurt because we had our evening meal 8 hours ago and I’m more than a little peckish.
I keep thinking I will go to bed early. Like in that old saying about ” early to bed early to rise makes a man healthy wealthy and wise”. I guess I’m none of those. I will go up in a bit.. .. All this started over a year ago when my partner had his new (then) motorbike stolen. We tracked it down and got it back (now there’s a funny story) but ever since I have listened out most nights to the traffic and footsteps of people passing. Its not good for me I know. So here I am again (starting a sentence with so) (but that was OK in the sound of music?) … Anyway. Its dark and I find now I do actually want to sleep. Perhaps I have bored myself to sleep!
Goodnight x
I’m off out to choir practice today. Learning new songs, and old ones to different tunes.
I’m sure my mental health has been better since I began going to a choir over ten years ago. It’s good for things like relaxation and concentration. I would recommend it to anyone who nerds some stress busting.
I can be sitting with the choir with no memory if the words or tune. Then almost miraculously they come to me as we start singing. We sing mainly acappella and my voice is most suited to alto and low parts.
We learnt a version of let your little light shine for the Stoke sings choir festival the weekend before last. With words that were appropriate to the cities history of pottery and mining.
I hope we sing it again tonight. It was fun to sing with 600 other people belting out the various parts. It is on YouTube somewhere.
Mallaband-Brown