Thankful

Still haven’t finished my print.
I have done quite a lot of it.

It’s me! 🙂
Only in one colour, though.

I finished the carving for this colour yesterday, and printed up proofs and the prints for the edition.
There are always things you don’t quite expect – this time around, the pin holding the roller in the holder fell out, and there were a few ink-where-it-shouldn’t-be mishaps.
Overall, it went well.

I was achy this morning, but had hoped to get the last bit done.
My back argued with me, after hours of bending over the lino block. And my (cutting) hand wasn’t best pleased either. I decided that the best results would come from leaving the final printing until next week…

The (mostly) final block – it’s only while I’m looking at it now that I see that one area needs a bit of fine tuning. I’ll need to cut some paper to mask the bigger areas, as well.

Why am I thankful?
Well, for one, right now I’m comfortable in bed with the fan on, and a cup of tea by my side. 😀
But also – even though I ache from using muscles harder than I’ve had to lately, I was still able to do it.
And that’s just wonderful!

Published in: on November 2, 2024 at 8:33 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Facing The Fear

I don’t do Halloween.
Our neighbours do…

Yes, it’s not very clear – had to take it quickly because there were people walking around it and I don’t like to put random strangers (at least their faces) on here without permission.
That’s just one section of the yard – there’s lots more to see. And at least some of them are movement activated, so we’re getting strange sounds drifting across from time to time.

Skeletons don’t scare me, but I have been putting off carving my lino block for my next assessment.
I’m very good at procrastination.
Got started on it today and, as usual, it wasn’t as hard as I’d thought it would be. Not the design or design transfer anyway. The actual carving requires more energy than I had today, so I’ll continue tomorrow. Of course, it would all be easier if I didn’t take aeons to think about everything that could go wrong!
The block that I’m using is 40 years old, so it might not be as easy to use as these new-fangled lino blocks…

Yes, I have carved a bit more than that!

I think I’m so tired today because we were out yesterday (I pretty much came home to bed). Glad to be able to be out and about, though 🙂
We went to our favourite place.

🙂
Checked out the flowers before going in.

I don’t know what these are, but they look like tiny parrots.
Pink seemed to be the order of the day.

…and a welcome cup of hot chocolate.

I did find my own little monster for the windowsill.

A…dinochicken? Chickosaur?

Like I said earlier – I don’t do Halloween.
I do, however, do “silly”.

😀

Published in: on October 31, 2024 at 9:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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My Life, As I Know It

It’s pretty good, really…
I had a productive day today. Did some stuff I hadn’t got to before.
Some days aren’t quite as smooth – I had a bout with pain the other night, something that tends to come roaring out of nowhere, and smashes my schedules.
Generally, it doesn’t stay long, but I tend to be quite tired the next day or two.
This was day two.
Suddenly – Energy! Ability!
What to do when I wake up and feel capable?

ALL THE THINGS!!
At least until my body goes, “Nope.”

But at least I got stuff done 🙂

Well – life as I know it.
Pretty good.
Just sometimes a lot slower than at other times…

Published in: on October 11, 2024 at 10:36 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Remembering Priorities

Well, winter came back for a visit.
It’s still not quite as cold as it could be, but my toes are gently freezing…yesterday the wind was so strong that I didn’t even consider putting the washing on the line. I had visions of our clothes winging their way to the river, and beyond!
The asparagus has sprung up again, and is ensuring that we don’t have to buy any for a while.
It seems the wildlife is also finding its way to the garden – I surprised a snake in our yard today, just next to our back path. It was only about a couple of feet long, so mid-size, I guess… they can move fast, can’t they? Don’t know what sort it was, but I thought I’d stay out of its way.

We’re off on our anniversary jaunt tomorrow, or at least an overnight stay not too far away.
It’s been many years of winters, washing, and anniversaries. Not so many snakes, though. 😀
But, it can be easy to let things slide, and take all the good stuff for granted.
Time to take stock again, and remember what’s important.
We’ve had our moments over the years.
But we’re still here 🙂 🙂 And there are a lot more years to come!

❤

Published in: on September 14, 2024 at 9:17 pm  Leave a Comment  
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It’s A New Day!

Well, it was this morning.
As it is, of course, every morning.

Each day starts new, and has 24 hours of potential in it…
I’ve been taking notes from lessons, each somewhere around two hours long.
I know I should summarise, just write down the good stuff. The trouble is – it’s all good stuff!
In the end, it was a good thing I had caught up on my notes (although there’s aways more to come). Today was a low energy day. I read for a bit, watched stuff for a bit. Got feedback for my first two assessments – all good!

It’s a new day for my favourite band (group?) as well – a new member, to replace an amazing singer, who is going on to do solo work.
I have to admit, I was apprehensive about what the new sound would be like.
Seems there was no reason to worry…

The new guy is the lead in this song.
His name is Adam. If you’re wondering about the “2 Adams 2 Many” sign – this is a five person group, and three of them are called Adam…

It’s good when something is better than you thought it would be.
Even if it’s a day that otherwise didn’t go the way that was expected.
🙂

And for days when there isn’t a happy new song waiting, I have my collection of cheery sayings!

There’s always night –
but there’s also always a dawn.
❤

Published in: on August 15, 2024 at 9:44 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Glimpsing The Sunshine

I was surprised to see the sun today, since the forecast had been talking about rain over the week ahead, and we’ve had downpours here lately.
I love grey days, especially when they’re just on the comfortable side of cool. I often feel a bit more energetic on those days – not sure whether it’s the “grey” or the “cool” that helps…
Still, nice to see blue skies today!

I just finished a book about sunshine.

It was written earlier in the pandemic, when people were still trying to comprehend the “new normal”. It’s a compilation of stories about people making sunshine out of life’s storms…that sounds very airy-fairy, but it’s really about those people standing in their grey cloud realities and looking for the light. You can’t just wish tragedies away, or wish the good stuff in. You can stand where you are, and find where the cracks let the light in. Or let someone close to you see them, if you just can’t get there ❤
One thing that runs through the stories is the kindness of others. That’s something that we saw during lockdowns, and have experienced at other times in our lives.
Light will always overcome darkness.

Also, clouds come in different sizes, and shades.

Look for the blue sky.
Reach for the light!

Tonight I found out that a friend had died, earlier on in the year.
We only knew each other online, and there were many others in our group who knew him better.
Still, we had various interactions, and he sent me two books that are still in my bookcases. I will get them out to look through again tomorrow.
This song came my way tonight, and I thought it fitting for this post.

I don’t think that his life was “troubled”, as such, but a long life lived kindly and openly will have pain and trouble in it. And then – rest…for someone who spread ripples of love, and shone light where the clouds had formed.

Published in: on April 6, 2024 at 9:13 pm  Leave a Comment  
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A Couple Of Cacti And A Clear Path

We’ve had a tree by the front steps since we’ve been here.
It was quite majestic, towering against the front of the house, but partly blocking the concrete path.
It was also full of toxic sap. If you believe the online reviews, it also had a tendency to fight back when you break the branches. As it was right there by the steps (and front door) we’d already had a couple of people reach out to touch it when they visited.
It’s gone now, and the area seems a lot bigger. The little ex-garden under the steps will need sorting out, but we now have a path that we can use to get to the car when it’s raining, rather than trying not to get drenched by wet grass.


I hadn’t realised what was there, hidden and waiting. I could see the hanging basket and the concrete(?) birdbath/succulent planter, which both need to be replanted. But there are also two little potted cacti, just waiting to be brought back into the light!

And a little metal guardian 🙂

My “life” path for this year seems to be getting clearer as well.
There are still some things to be decided, and organised, but I’m feeling more optimistic.
And to keep the good mood going, I’ll have another listen to this cheerfulness…

Published in: on March 2, 2024 at 10:05 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Thinking About The Tree

December is here!
Christmas songs are sneaking into my head at odd moments, and I’m contemplating putting up the tree next week.
Last year the tree stayed in its box under the bed. We didn’t know if we were moving, there were boxes everywhere, not much room…we decided to take year off decorating.
I don’t know what it is about the last few days, but I’ve suddenly leapt into Christmas mode! Christmas Day itself is just over three weeks away, so I can’t say it’s too early 🙂
Perhaps it’s because we feel settled here. Perhaps we just needed a rest last year. I’m excited to see how our decorations fit in this house.

I’ve been looking for a Nativity set lately. I couldn’t find anything in our budget that I liked, but then my Mum gave me some bits towards putting one together. Until I figure out how to make the rest of the figures, they’ll be here.

There’s even a cat in attendance!

We went to a wedding today, which was beautiful ❤
We were outside for lunch afterwards, and this was our view.

As trees go, these were quite majestic.

I’ll still enjoy my little fake tree with nearly thirty years of accumulated baubles…

Just to start off the Christmassy season with a smile – and an acknowledgement that Christmas here is considerably hotter than some other parts of the world (even if we’re not in LA).

And a bonus – this is more of a “winter” song than a “Christmas” song, but we’ve had the air conditioner on, and this made me (happy) cry.

Published in: on December 2, 2023 at 10:39 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Drowsing In The Summer Heat

At least that’s part of the reason!
We’ve had a bit of a virus drifting round the house this week, so we’re all a bit languid at the moment. The heat hasn’t helped…
Littlest Bean has had the worst of it, but even my Babe spent a large part of yesterday sleeping.
Lots of cups of tea and snacky things happening.
Still, there’s time to smile.

I’ve been reading a lot, but also listening to cool music 😀

Or if I’m feeling a bit more energetic…


Time to turn the air conditioner on again!

Published in: on November 16, 2023 at 9:38 pm  Leave a Comment  
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The Elephant In The Room

There are various nooks and crannies in this house, just waiting for beauty.
Books, of course, are what I choose first…
I also have a collection of jewellery. I don’t wear jewellery that much, but I love looking at it. The wardrobe that came with our room has lots of shelves, so I have space to hang up my sparklies 😀

Finally, a way to display my medals (from virtual challenges).
Also, a place to hang up necklaces so I can see them, and they don’t attract dust.

I had a good week for most of last week, and got all sorts of washing, cleaning and organising done. This tends to culminate in some days of not so good, which was the last few days. This morning I felt I was turning the corner a bit (and today has been better), but Biggest Boy came in to say good morning to me, and the first thing he said was, “You look really sick!”.
Such encouragement for the new week 😆
I have had my moments today, but I think what he was seeing was a combination of middle aged lady and lack of sleep – dark circles under the eyes, with an overall crumpled, bleary look…
Still, it’s been a good day.

But – what about the elephant?
Here he is!

A tiny little being from the charity shop ❤
There’s just enough room for a tealight (via a flap at the back).
So many ways to light up a room…

And to bring some more cheer – another fun song! Complete with what I think is a depiction of the way the years seem to speed up as life goes on (and how that sometimes feels…).

Just tell ’em we’re survivors!
😀

Published in: on October 23, 2023 at 8:04 pm  Leave a Comment  
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