Added leaf

When the exact size and shaped leaf falls on your picnic plate. I moved it over to line up with the stem. I had to take a photo

Today was a good one. I sang, I laughed, I cried and I felt supported by friends and by the world. I found a plastic heart that had fallen off a picture and was stuck with bluetack to the bottom of my slipper. But that bit of plastic was whole, not broken. A sign? Perhaps, I took the decision to accept it as that and it made me smile.

Abstract for Ukraine

It’s six months since Russia invaded Ukraine and I wanted to make an abstract image in blue and yellow to support the country. The Yellow marks are meant to represent sunflower petals catching the sun against a brilliant blue sky. The petals are interconnected to symbolise that determination of Ukraines people to support each other. Don’t forget the Russian troops massed on the borders of the country before invading. They had no right to do so despite trying to say the invasion was a ‘special operation’. Russia, please leave, we won’t forget what your troops have done.

I am quite lost

My mind is a bit muddled at the moment. I am dealing with lots of ‘stuff’ and I feel overwhelming worry that I won’t get back on track. My life physically has been bothering me and I’m waiting for an appointment to try and find answers. I’m dealing with things for myself, my family and friends, and because I can put a good case for things I don’t mind helping. But when you persue various options and each one closes down it gets more and more frustrating. I wish I could herd cats, work out the best thing for us. I had to ask for help recently, and that was difficult. I’m a proud person and I don’t like to think I can’t cope. But you know those straws that broke the camels back? I think they are building up. Maybe I need to hibernate and look after myself, but turning away from others is not in my nature.

I am a lightweight!

After days of walking decent distances the last two have been a bit of a disappointment. Yesterday I walked uphill though, and got my heart points in. Today it was only because I had to deliver the car to the garage for repairs and walk home via a cafe for a takeaway breakfast, go and help a friend with an online form because she was struggling with filling it in, and this evening going shopping in the local supermarket to collect essentials like milk and bread. During the day I also took part in a lecture that overran somewhat and was busy trying to catch up with household tasks. I have got to do a couple of observational drawings to catch up my weekly quota. I will try and post the results of them later. Still got to wash the shopping (yes I do that) and consider working on an editorial illustration that we have to create for college thus week. But now I’m sitting down with the cat on my lap. Might have a quick nap!

Don’t cry…

Don’t cry for those that are gone. They cannot feel your tears. Wherever they are they can’t hear you. Remember them but don’t cry. Cry for the living, cry for those that have lost loved ones, talk to them about their loss. Don’t stay quiet and hope it will be OK. They need your words of solace.

And don’t forget the poor, the ill and the starving. The ones that are always forgotten. Take care of them, support them. Help them where you can. One day you will be gone too, but others will still be here. Then hope they get help too from others. So life supports life. And share love.

Lest we Forget

The poppy appeal this year won’t be able to do door to door collections, the Royal British Legion are urging people to download printable poppies or order them on line. I don’t have the link to their site but I’m sure there are more details available. As with the NHS earlier in the year they are asking people to put pictures in their windows, in this case a picture of a poppy. I will print a copy of this and put it in our window and send them a donation. Poppies have been the symbol of remembrance since the end of the First World War over 100 years ago in 1918. Lest we Forget.

Pears

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The pears are growing big on the tree and starting to weigh the crown down. Soon they will be ripe. I hope they are ready before their weight snaps the tree! At the moment it’s held up with a block of wood.

Gardening is learning. Finding out how to support plants when they need it. I’ve been told the tree has black spot, but it survives. And is covered in pears.

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Rainbows

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From Facebook :

A friend who works for the NHS said ” I haven’t seen any as yet but a friend has seen a picture of a rainbow in someone’s window, so, how about we all draw, paint, print one off and put them in our windows?? Something to do if nothing else then as We’re bombing around”….. “in our Ambo we can start counting how many we see!!!
There’s always a rainbow at the end of a Storm and it could show that we are all standing together (2 metres apart lol) to ride this storm out!!!
Then when this IS all over, and it will be, we can all have rainbow parties (any excuse for a knees up!) to celebrate “….

I though what a wonderful idea. I did one of my own which is in my front window now. It may not be much, but it made me feel more positive.

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Trying to keep going

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A couple of my friends own restaurants, and now the government has told them to close they are only allowed to do takeaway meals. I feel like I will be buying a takeaway each week to try and help keep them going. With food short in the shops it may be the only way to get something interesting to eat. Yes I can live on vegetables and salads, but it’s nice to have a bit of variety, especially if its well cooked. I mean there is only so much binge watching you can do.

Then exercise. I might drive out to Cannock chase tomorrow for a walk. Somewhere quiet and away from people.