Reflecting

I’ve been doing some painting.

As usual, my initial process involved staring at a blank canvas/paper for several aeons.
This time around, I’ve actually put brush to canvas! 😆

Most of the paintings I’ve done have been acrylics.
That’s my default medium, I think.
This one wanted to be in oils – a medium I’m not too practised in, but one that is quite nice to work with – smooth, and smells nice. (The solvent (turps) also has a distinctive scent, which I like in small doses, but needs good ventilation…)

I have other ideas. Some want to be acrylics, but some prefer ink, or pencil, or maybe some other process.
But for now – oils!

It’s at that “yuck” stage, where nothing looks right.
I knew I had to correct one of the colours, but I’ve overcorrected it now. I think I need to mute it drastically tomorrow.
And it never looks the way I see it in my head.
I’ll trundle on tomorrow with corrections and highlights.
And, eventually, it will be some kind of good.
😊

Published in: on September 9, 2026 at 9:37 pm  Leave a Comment  

Feast

Lunch time today was spent at a buffet place, for a friend’s birthday celebration.
It was a chance to chat longer with people we already knew, and meet people we didn’t 🙂

Also, the dessert bar was well worth a visit!

We stopped, on the way back, at the art galleries in town.
The community gallery was showing a collection of photos of people from our city – they got to decide how they wanted to be seen, and will be given the portrait after the exhibition closes. We had a chat with the artist about the work, and shared impressions of what was portrayed. It’s a concept that seems simple, but perhaps delved more deeply than expected. The subjects of the photos certainly looked like they enjoyed the opportunity!

Then we checked out the main gallery
There were shining ceramics –

…and an exploration of “home” – of connections.

Julie Fragar – “Trust“

I’m glad we could make it – two of the exhibitions finish tomorrow (the ceramics are there until late November).

A feast for the stomach, then a feast for the eyes 🙂
Different opportunities for community, and connection…

It’s been a good day.
💖

Published in: on September 5, 2026 at 10:02 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Remnants Of Winter

I believe it’s supposed to be spring, although I have my doubts.
Today was the first of a run of hot days (over 30C), and I had to unearth the pedestal fan to keep cool.
Last month I took a series of photos of leaves on a plant in town.

I’m not sure if that’s just the way the leaves go, but it looked to me like an autumn colour mix…

On the other hand, the garden at church was exhibiting spring just a bit early.

I liked the shape of the leaves, and the curly tendrils – didn’t realise there were so many pods there as well!
Here’s another perspective. The garden’s too blurry, but it’s set against a dramatic sky.

There was a variety of flowering greenery, and an abundance of strawberries 😀

Today brought an almost summer heat, but also a breeze washing in through the windows from time to time.
It comes around this time of year, and brings with it an assortment of wistful thoughts…
somehow, my brain links it to school holidays – time to read whenever I want to, or wander round the garden, singing.
There’s a feeling of promise, or a delicious dream yet to crystallise.
A memory of cold.
And an inkling of new growth.

This period of higher temperatures is supposed to sink back to proper spring some time next week.
I will keep the fan on standby, and enjoy the changing seasons.

Published in: on September 3, 2026 at 11:15 pm  Leave a Comment  

Coffee Talking

My coffee had a bit to say this morning.
Well, the bikkie did! 😀

Yes – after an early start to the day…

my coffee did, indeed, help!
💖

Published in: on September 2, 2026 at 11:55 pm  Leave a Comment  

After The Clouds

What a week it’s been!
Hit after hit – whether celebrity deaths, or natural disaster…it’s felt like there’s hardly time to take a breath.
In reality, of course, these things are happening fairly frequently. Just, perhaps, in a smaller theatre. People, families, communities devastated, and we may not hear about it.

We pray for those affected.
We give where we can.
And we hold our loved ones close, and look to our communities.

Maybe next week will be quiet.
The future, and the ability to deal with it, is still to come.

Even though there may be clouds…

…the sun will still rise.

❤

People still collaborate to make beautiful things.

…and, because I keep seeing that Dolly Parton was not political…

May your sun rise bright and clear tomorrow.
💖

Published in: on August 29, 2026 at 10:51 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Into The Blue Morning

Dolly Parton died today.

Possibly late last night – the official US date was 25/8.
The first thing I saw when I checked my phone this morning was an outpouring of tributes and grief.
A shock, and a sadness.
But also, gratitude.
Dolly was one of those people who seem to sparkle through the world.
I’ve heard her songs throughout my life – my first album (that was bought with my own money) was a country compilation tape. Of course, she was on it – and provided one of my favourites to the mix.

The music was enough to ensure her place in our hearts.
But she was also a beautiful person – someone who just seemed to love people, and looked like she enjoyed spending time with, and getting to know, people from all walks of life.
She was unashamedly herself, and wanted to help others to be their sparkling selves as well. She used what she had to enrich and inspire others, and was passionate about providing education to those who might not otherwise have access to it.

Most of us have probably heard one of her songs, even if we don’t know it.

She sang to us for decades, all over the world – even in a pub in Ireland!

And now, time to rest.

Today, the world dimmed just a little bit.
But we are left with a long legacy of joy.

Goodbye, Dolly.
We will always love you.
❤

Published in: on August 26, 2026 at 10:25 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Roses For The Morning

I decided to wear rose scented perfume oil today (I normally wear “Silk Road”).
It was the start of a little nostalgia trip – I burned incense sticks (Rose and Sandalwood, then Frankincense and Myrrh) and listened to Joni Mitchell.

I thought I would listen to “For The Roses”, but it turns out I don’t have that album.
Here’s the song anyway 🙂

I did listen to her album “Clouds“, which has a song called “Roses Blue“
Had some coffee with lavender.
Wrote for a bit.

It was a rosy kind of morning!
❤

Published in: on August 24, 2026 at 11:02 pm  Leave a Comment  
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The Other Side Of The Coin

Home Free‘s new song (an Alabama cover) reminds me of my decision to slow down and lose the guilt over the “shoulds” in my life. Of course, there are things that need doing… but it’s worth working out what the best next step is in each day!
(because, after all,
“To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven“
Ecclesiastes 3:1)

I’m still working out the whens and hows, but it feels like I’m getting more done 🙂
Not necessarily what I planned to get done…

I just don’t want to be in that “hurrying, but going nowhere” space.

Here’s the earlier version, in a medley.
Yes, there have been some changes in the line up over the years…

🙂

Published in: on August 22, 2026 at 9:44 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Casting Shadows

I was listening to some old CDs today.
One of them was a compilation of Irish womens’ singing – a mixture of traditional and newer songs.
This is one of my favourites.

I had the album before I went overseas in 1994.
Travelled a bit round Europe – pre internet, so I had to find accommodation without the ability to book online.
I somehow found places everywhere I went…using public phones, or sometimes just turning up.
It was an adventure! 🙂

I often ended my day longing to rest my weary feet, and I cast my shadow from Amsterdam, through Salzburg, Venice, Rome, Florence, Siena, and Paris. Then a summer in Galway, learning Irish – a beautiful language. And one I don’t quite remember now…just flashes now and then.

Sometimes, I wonder about the people I met on my travels, all those 32 years ago.
We move through life, interacting with people and places, leaving an imprint of some sort.
I hope the shadows I cast were good ones.

Here are some photos I took last week (because – why not? 🙂 )
They are…photos of shadows.
I love to see what the light does to the everyday earth ❤

Close up!

…and the shape of trees.

This one isn’t shadow – just a straggly web on a green background.

I don’t know if I’ll travel round Europe again.
But I still cast a shadow in my ordinary sphere.
Good idea to check that it’s a kind, gentle shadow!

Published in: on August 20, 2026 at 11:38 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Friends For Tea

Or – friends that help me make tea! 😀

Hibiscus, yesterday.

Liquorice, today.

And even better with an accompanying mug of coffee!

(not to drink at the same time!)

Still enjoying that buzz of creativity, although I seem to be working my way through my projects a bit randomly.
Did my pile of mending today 🙂

It’s a bit of a paradox – taking the “must do, or else” out of the equation means I’m getting more done. Yes, there are deadlines, of a sort. But I’m feeling more confident that I’ll meet them.
It makes my art room the place to be!

Such a happy space…
💖

Published in: on August 18, 2026 at 11:15 pm  Leave a Comment  
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