New paintings and regular art updates.
Our writing group is sending poems and stories to a new quarterly publication in the local area. I have sent in a poem about roses and a short story in. I’m not sure if either will be published so I’m not going to give much detail here.
The roses poem is about if you had synesthesia and could for example hear what a rose is like. The short story is about a lunar eclipse. Is that enough detail? Wish me luck!
It started so well
I had a shower, struggled as usual to get ready to go out. Honestly five minutes to put my shoes on. Then I decided to drive to choir practice because I can’t walk fast enough. But got stuck in a line of traffic. It’s only a few hundred yards but I couldn’t get round the corner, then had to park a distance away from our meeting room.
I enjoyed the singing and didn’t trip up over my handbag despite getting my foot trapped in its strap. Then lunch with some friends in the restaurant there.
I’d taken the car so I could also go shopping. I can’t carry much and I needed to resupply as I was almost out of groceries. I managed to park badly in the disabled bay, half over the line. I apologise to anyone I obstructed but my arms don’t seem to pull well on the steering wheel. I chatted with someone sitting outside who was obviously in need of help. I could only offer to get him a sandwich, but that was better than nothing.
Home and I had to clean and dry the fridge which had a pool of cold water in its base? I think I’d moved the thermostat dial by accident and it’s not been cold enough. Then I hauled the food into the fridge slowly. I had several bags so I didn’t need to carry much at a time.
By then I was shattered and fell asleep in front of “escape to the country”, escaping my own time line and waking up just in time for an episode of “star trek voyager” where time paradoxes abounded.
But, half way through I remembered choir practice tonight, so had to go out again. I’m tired now because we have to stand up to sing if we can and I use that as an exercise class, I’m not mobile enough and I need to make an effort.
Now I want to go to sleep but need tea. I was going to try and make scrambled eggs on toast. But porridge seems as appealing and easily done in the microwave.
That was a full on day. I’m shattered. But I need to socialise with people. Most of the week I just sit and watch TV. I’m thankful when I can fight anxiety and escape for a while. Singing helps sanity!
Do you need a break? From what?
Take a break…. Lunch? No
What then?
Less stress, more rest….
But things keep going on
Coming at me
Bashing my mind
Thumping. My. Body
Some of it my own fault
But lost without my soulmate.
Tired and alone
Just want to stop the world
And get off
Leave the trolls behind
Hibernate, hide from. Life.
Not giving up
Just relaxing.
If you were going to open up a shop, what would you sell?
If I could I would open an art shop. But I don’t have the skills. I’d need to be trained in accounting, in design to get things looking peofessional, and more knowledge of pricing. Also I’d need sufficient funds to rent or let a property.
At the moment I’m lucky to have some of my work on sale or display, but the business side of it doesn’t enthrall me. I’d never be an entrepreneur.
I did try when I finished work, I set up a studio and worked at producing new art. But the building us rarely open to the public, and my studio is off down a narrow corridor so I don’t have much contact with people when I’m there. Covid and lock downs stopped me from getting stalls on local craft fairs.. A cheaper way of selling than having a permanent ‘public facing’ shop.
I’ve heard of business plans but never had one perhaps that’s my biggest failing, I just keep getting on with getting on….
After several months of little or no activity my brain kicked in and I’ve started walking again. I went from virtually zero to around five thousand steps a day. I think I am finally better after illness and sad times. My health is by no means perfect, I’m having lots of problems with pain, but if I don’t make the effort things will only get worse. Sitting watching daytime TV is not the best use of my time, and I’m hoping more activity will also get my creativity going again.
This was Monday. Over the last three days I’ve done over 5000 steps and I’ve tried to walk up our hill. It’s been months since I’ve done much walking. Anyone who reads this blog knows I’ve had some health and other issues over recent months and to be honest I didn’t know if I was going to be able to do it. I know my muscle strength has reduced. I can’t lift a saucepan with my left hand. My left leg is slightly affected too and I’m getting cramp and my legs feel shaky but if I don’t try I’ll never get better. Sorry to moan, but at least I’m trying, so now, I’m going to have an early night. X
I was given a cat shaped jelly mould a few years ago but never used it. Then yesterday I decided to make an orange jelly for fun. I could have added fruit or trifle sponges to strengthen it but I wanted it to be pure jelly, and I was going to call it ginger and maybe take a few photos in different places before we have it for tea.
I tried mixing the jelly powder but I didn’t realise it hadn’t all dissolved until I cleaned the bowl I’d made it in, would that weaken the jelly? Then I couldn’t lie it down level because it’s head is higher so I had to prop it up in a bowl to put in the fridge. I let it set overnight. But how to get it loose? I tried running a thin knife round the edge, then turned it up on a plate, wobble, no! Tried running the mould under the hot tap, no! Tried tapping the mould, whoosh, a few bits dropped out, tried a knife again and tapping.. It finally came out, a saggy, wibbly wobbly brother cat to the solid mould.
Does anyone know what I should have done?
I was walking up our hill today and this passed me….
I’m not saying I walk slowly but paint can dry before I get back from a walk.
My feet are so flat my arches are basements?
I walked about three miles today. I couldn’t find the off switch for the treadmill!
I’m not saying I’m tired, but I can’t walk to the fridge now!
Bad jokes…..
I have my PC, it’s been upgraded to Windows 10. I have spent HOURS and HOURS trying to get my email to work on it.
It’s a good job my hairs grown. I’m ready to tear it out! I have got to get it done, and of course with covid 19 it’s hard to get hold of expertise to sort it out.
Why is it so hard? I want to sync my phone to my PC so I can simply read my email and access a website I need to use.
Look, I’m not that old, but I don’t understand windows 10, I only had it installed because I had to. I don’t want to have to learn exerything new each time I upgrade. Call me a stick in the mud, I AM!
I give you (please take some).
Home made banana cake with toffees melted on the top.
Ingredients.
Half self raising flour, half plain flour, about 8oz with a bit of yeast. (what I had in the cupboard).
Some granulated sweetener, about a tablespoon full.
4 oz approx of butter
Two eggs
A small mug of milk.
A bit of orange juice.
Two sliced bananas.
Toffees melted on top for the last twenty minutes.
Method
I added the flours together with the yeast, added the sweetener, then added the butter and broke it up until it was crumbly. Then I added the eggs, mixed in milk. It was still a bit dry so I added a bit of orange juice, till it was quite soft. A bit like wet mashed potatoes.
I then chopped the bananas up and mixed them in. I left it for a while to see if it rose (it didn’t!)
Cooked gas mark four for an hour and ten minutes. About forty minutes in I noticed it was rising but split in the top. So I got some toffees we had at Christmas and placed them on top. The mess is where they melted.
Not pretty but tastes OK. Served the first bit with some ice cream while it was hot. Not bad!
Mallaband-Brown