Wednesday’s woman …
Wednesday, again follows a day of blog post inaction, as a result of a funeral and a medical appointment. So, in a bid to bring some normality I honour Patti Smith. For the last few weeks I have dedicated myself to reading more by default, as it has been uncomfortable and sometimes impossible to to anything else.
Also, during this time I have been thinking about writing and publishing a book; in fact this has been on my mind for a long time, yet have done nothing about it. So Patti Smith has helped in some ways and in others made think that I don’t have the ability and perhaps I should leave it to the experts or those who have so much more to say.
Today,I have been reading a one her little books of prose called Woolgathering and she says, as if in a dream that she is ‘wading in a shallow pool … her daily journal is mocking her’. Already I can relate to this daily struggle; not to write, but to write something meaningful and appropriate, rather than self pitying drivel. Then she adds the phrase ‘movement is blessing’ and she is right, sitting and thinking is OK but it is the physical effort; the getting of the pen and paper and the doing is the catalyst … Thank You Patti Smith.
Weekly photo challenge … Weight
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My regular blog post on Tuesday to the weekly photo challenge was taken over by events. What with the sudden death of David Bowie who incidentally was not my favourite rock star and a personal disruption, it nearly passed me by.
Also, as you know I usually use a recent image, but as winter creeps on so the light levels decrease and I go to work and return home in the dark; so the appropriate image and the window of light don’t come together. So this is the ‘weight’ of my reasons for this week’s lack of image … I am hoping this poor snapshot of my ancient kitchen scales will suffice … Thank you
At the weekend …
My first memories as a child are those of Christmas; which looking back didn’t amount to much, in those days still in the time of wartime rations. So while there was not much in the way of special food, Christmas day was just a day, with a few extra delights that my mother could muster, my dad returned to work on Boxing Day, when lunch really was lefts overs from the day before.
Nonetheless. it was a perfect day, me and my siblings didn’t want it to end and the next opportunity to feel that joy was in 12 months; a lifetime away; it seemed.
Even though Christmas Day day has extended to several weeks or months, when we consider the phenomenal preparations, it, in my opinion doesn’t come near to the joy I felt then.
That doesn’t mean my life is full of woe and regret for those good old days of without and stoicism. Far from it, we have plenty of opportunities to share and celebrate throughout the year without the need to prepare or over spend, to keep us going before the so called annual festivals that so often can be a let down.
I had one on those days this weekend (a happy event I mean) Saturday morning was spent doing some printmaking using Plasticine as a ‘block’ impressed with odd and bobs. It was a happy community event that went on to become an art exhibition in our new Yellow Tea Pot Cafe … this was one of those occasions that will never be repeated like the second cup of tea never matches the first draft!
In my enthusiasm I didn’t take pictures of the event but this image is the result of the morning session.
Silent Sunday …
A celebration …
Today I begin something I have wanted to do for a long time and a little dream has come true. Since I was a child I have wanted to become an artist, an author and have a cafe and or a bookshop. Other things overtook my dream but it seems now 50 years later it might come true. I have become an artist, a blogger and I am gathering material for a book.
However, from my dream comes the desire to exhibit and sell my work and join an artistic community. This part has been more difficult to fulfill; mainly because I lacked the confidence to show myself, let alone my work. So a little over a year ago I began to expose myself little by little and have become recognised a little locally. I have exhibited my work, sold some pieces and joined a local art group.
But then another exciting opportunity came up and this begins today. In the Reading is an art centre, where each month I meet friends to share our artistic journey. We organise workshops and organise regular community events. These have proved successful and now we have decided extend these meetings and to open the cafe to to passers by and make use of the exhibition space. One Saturday per month we can dedicate a time to exhibit and serve tea and coffee, with a hope that in time the the Rising Sun Arts Centre will become more inclusive and an exciting haunt for passers by and the local community not an exclusive and hidden place for select few.
So while it will not be my cafe it will be a delight to share my love for tea.
Snapshot from the Library …
The provenance of a book in a library is generally unimportant to the reader. He or she wants to learn, read or merely look. However, in Special Collections the books by their very nature are special. The content remains relevant but we look more closely at other attributes such as its binding, paper, design. illustrations etc. So, to colate and retrieve this information requires much time and expertise;nothing gets overlooked; not even this … simple note from the author to a colleague in an insignificant little book. A greeting from Thomas Hardy to his then secretary Florence Emily Dugdale. When his wife, Emma Lavinia Gifford died, Florence, 39 years his junior became his wife.
Tea on Thursday
Inspired by the poems about the laundry yesterday … I think tea?
Morning white awaken,
silver tongues smoky taste.
Mild morning energy
pure green leaves bathed,
Water barely boiled ,
emerald twirls, swirling
blossom of the warm pot.
Day closes so black warms,
Belly replete gentle
Pu’erh brings sleep day ends..
Tea is my tipple… dawn, noon or night. I am methodical with my choice and each brew is as ceremonious as one might experience in China, the home of fine tea. I am particular as regards quality and provenance, and also dependent on the time of day.
Wednesday’s wood engravers ….
I enjoy washing clothes, not necessarily rinsing out the smalls,but the clearing of the dirty linen basket is always is a good thing. The pegging out and the subsequent bringing in, of the perfumed delights on a summer’s day is a joy. Less, fun is the ironing of the crumpled remains at the end of an inclement day.
Nonetheless, a poetry book to celebrate such an underrated event must be remarkable and to bring to my attention some lesser known wood engravers and illustrators is a bonus.
Weekly Photo Challenge … circles
Didn’t have to look far this morning on my desk … a little pile of clock parts arrived in the post and a perfect Christmas present to put to good use at some point.
On Monday …
Without dwelling on the previous few weeks I limp into the New Year with good wishes and love to those who have been there viewing, commenting and liking, while I have grizzled and procrastinated. Fortunately my Christmas and New Year celebrations have marked reversal in these non-productive feelings. I now look forward to a change of fortune which I share gratefully now.
During my enforced vacation from blog posting,I have read a lot, something I haven’t done for months or even longer. I found myself reading for hours on end; seemingly not coming up for breath! This proved to be enlightening, relaxing and rewarding and a habit I plan to continue. Not perhaps, back to back novel bashing, but certainly time out every month or so to immerse myself in a book … What do you commend? I haven’t, I am sure exhausted the list of inspirational women.
Coat Hanger Doll's House 