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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Production

I’ve had a lovely, productive day 💖
Not quite as much done as I’d thought I would have.
But I’m satisfied with my day.

I’ve heard that the creative mind is a messy mind, which spills out into its environment.
I’m not sure that’s really true…
I’ve peeked into artists’ studios, either in person, or in a book.
Some are swirling tornadoes of paper, tools, and other bits’n’bobs.
Others are pristine clean, everything in its place.

I’m probably somewhere between…
Here’s my Art Room.

I was sorting through papers.
Listening to music.
Making preliminary sketches for a variety of ideas.
Reading inspiring books.
Taking snapshots of the things that stood out to me.

And, really – is it that untidy?

Well – yes, actually 😂
But at least I’m pretty sure I could find whatever I’m looking for in the teetering pile of stuff!

Each day has the possibility of producing beauty, and joy.
Roll on morning – another chance to have a Really Good Day ❤
And who knows? Maybe I’ll even finish something 😀

I will finish this evening with a strangely soothing symphony…

Published in: on August 15, 2026 at 10:39 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Pummelled

Well – not quite…
Just felt like it!

The other day I went to my physio appointment.
Usually the soft tissue mobilisations (I think that’s what they’re called?) are some form of painful, but I can still function OK the next day.
This time was easily the worst pain I’ve had, although I can see it was necessary – I must have moved wrong, or picked up something without proper technique at some point, because everything was just…not right 😦
I didn’t sleep well after, and didn’t bounce back the next day as usual.
Mostly, I just felt like someone had been whacking me with a blunt object 😆

Planning on getting stuff done tomorrow, though.
Yay! 🙂

Here are some little bright spots I captured over the week (and a bit)

Originally placed on slice of cheesecake 🙂

This was just after my physio appointment – the shopping centre had a mural competition for their car park.
I’ll have to have a closer look next time.

Lots of curls!
I picked up the feather somewhere, but it had been hanging around in the car for a while.
Now it’s living in my random still life 😀

And because the days are suddenly colder…

Published in: on August 13, 2026 at 11:36 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Sleeping Lions

It’s been a good day, but I’m tired…
Got some work done.
Did some stuff.
Another fun day tomorrow!

Instead of my riveting monologue, you can enjoy listening to one of the bassiest basses you will ever hear!

(you may need to click through to hear some of his other stuff)
Also – watch to the end for a bonus good boy lion.
😀

Published in: on July 31, 2026 at 7:34 pm  Leave a Comment  
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An Oddie, But A Goodie

Sorry about the pun.
Although it might possibly have been appreciated by its subject.

Another part of my childhood gone –
Bill Oddie – comedian, conservationist, birdwatcher, and one third of the Goodies has died.

😦

I remember The Goodies being on at the same time as the news, so we didn’t always get to watch it.
But – once seen, hard to forget.
I think a lot of people around my age would remember giant kittens and ecky thump 😀

Just for a laugh…

Leave it to them to make a crossover between Star Wars and Doctor Who!

Published in: on July 28, 2026 at 10:51 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Just These Three

It’s been a full week.
Fun!
But tiring…
So, in lieu of deep and thought provoking commentary, I thought I’d share one photo (that I’ve taken, but not used here) from each of the last three months.

A bit of sunshine on a cosy corner.
Also – one of the few leather sofas I’ve found to be comfortable.
Just don’t put your feet on it!

A big glass Christmas tree ornament.
That I have never used on the Christmas tree…
It’s pretty, though. And shiny!

Lines.
And spirals.
A composition of contentment.
🙂

And to finish –

Good night!
And joy be to you all.
❤

Published in: on July 25, 2026 at 10:43 pm  Leave a Comment  
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