The Glimmer

Yesterday was lovely – cool, with a peace that settled around me.
I had some bikkies to eat…

And reading to do!

A comfortable day, with incense burning, and my big chair to sink into.

Last night was fragmented (sick Bean in the house 😥 )
A bit better this morning, but I knew I’d have to catch up on some sleep.
We still got the morning errands done, but my “catch up” turned into groggily snoozing the rest of the day.

I had things to do!

But, there’s still tomorrow.
The sun will rise, and creativity will shine again.
There will be writing, and drawing, and painting.
And (more) reading, of course!

There’s a plan and a purpose in every day, even when the day goes a bit wonky. 🙂

Published in: on October 9, 2026 at 8:29 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Musing Music

Just right for a Saturday night 💖

What will be…

…and what is.

Beautiful!
🌸

Published in: on October 3, 2026 at 7:58 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Honest

I’ve had a bit of a sniffle the last few days.
Not one of the big 3 (4?) – Covid, Flus A & B, or RSV – I checked 🙂
I thought I’d have to cancel much of my week, but I’ve been steadily feeling better.

Lots of books to read! 😀

In the times when I don’t feel up to going out into the world (which have been many, over the last years) I can sometimes feel useless and a bit dimmed…but sometimes I’m happy and enjoying my uninterrupted reading time.
I used to just feel…icky. Dark. Sad.
Still do, from time to time.
Then I need to look at myself, work out what’s going on, and remember that I’ve been through it before.
Be honest about where I am.
Where I’ve been.
Where I’m going.
And then, just…persevere!

Pretty soon the sun will come out again.

Honest!
❤

Published in: on September 22, 2026 at 11:17 pm  Leave a Comment  
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The Evidence In The Teeth

There’s a Lord Peter Wimsey book called “In The Teeth Of The Evidence“. It’s a collection of short stories by Dorothy L. Sayers, where the title story is centred around a dentist. I was thinking about it yesterday…

I had my teeth looked at yesterday – not something I enjoyed.
I haven’t seen a dentist for something like ten years, but my name finally reached the top of the free dental register.
I don’t really like to have my face touched – I don’t wear make-up, and have never been able to contemplate contact lenses. Poking around my teeth and gums was quite upsetting, and I felt a bit weepy after.
One of the surprising things (at least to me) was the big TV screen attached to the ceiling. The penguins soothed me somewhat 🙂

I took a calming wander after round the nearby Salvos store, and had a little smile to myself when I looked up and –

😀

I’m hoping to be able to get away with just a clean.
Can’t see any gaping holes on the x-ray, but I don’t really know what to look for…

Still, there are cute penguins in this world.
And flowers.
For no reason!

💖

Published in: on September 19, 2026 at 11:44 pm  Leave a Comment  
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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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