» Listings for 2022

1. Full moon and evocative weather

   Posted on 10:00am Thursday 8th Dec 2022

   It's full moon in Gemini today, and indeed it was a fabulous sight early this morning. It emitted incredible light and energy and it felt it had meaning. As the last full moon of 2022, there is sense of needing to let go - of what hasn't worked, what hasn't progressed and what I simply don't want anymore.

   

   It feels Christmasy today - because it's so frosty I suppose. The mornings are so dark now, and the focus has shifted to helping the wildlife survive in the garden rather than nurturing the last of my flowers. I'm hoping I've saved my acidanthera bulbs and dahlia tubers just as the pretty icicles hit the ground. But, I'm always a bit late with these things, and a really bad bout of flu didn't help!

    

   We had thick mist last week which I love. I always feel hidden, and it seems mysterious, like old places. I met with a friend to walk our dogs and we couldn't see them! My feet were cold despite wearing thermal wellies. The mist cooled my forehead which still felt hot with fever. 

    

   The weather is very evocative. I'm reminded of the many walks I used to frequent with Amber and Gracie, of old Chavenage, of Star Farm and Beverston. Of seeing countless deer, foxes and pheasants. Of slight movement through the fog and seeing inquisitive sheep and their little black noses.  I feel sad at the passing of time, but keen to crack on with tomorrow! And on that note, with my to-do list done, I'm off to bed before Mabel claims her place!

2. Torrential rain and obscure tree lines

   Posted on 12:00pm Sunday 23rd Oct 2022

   My morning dog walks of late, have become a bit 'busy'. Because of the dark mornings, I'm out and about a bit later and this makes for less solitary walks. Today, however, was a bit different. It was the rain you see. We got caught and it just poured. My girlie Mabel was not impressed!  She really wasn't! We took slight shelter under trees and I watched the powerful sky through the battered leaves as it swirled. It was a quiet walk and I loved it!

    

   

    

   I love Autumn though, despite the murky weather. It's the colours and the change of smell in the air. It becomes exquisitely earthy like the fallen leaves under big trees. It's a very inspiring and intriguing time of the year. I start thinking about next year's growing season, whilst trying to hold on to the last of my cosmos, salvia and dahlia in the garden. I think about new designs, of next year's art exhibitions and of becoming a weaver of cosy giant scarves!

    

   

    

   I don't much like the shorter days. There's so much to cram in! The day job, artwork, new designs, admin, writing this post, the neglected social media. Then there's my precious Mabel and the garden and the allotments.  But I do love the cosy evenings by the fire and finding those calm moments as I watch the flames. I am reminded that I am very grateful - that I can moan and sigh at the weather, put the hoovering off for another day, pick the last of the brambles and swish the fallen leaves - which are joyously knee deep in places. :-)

    

    

   

3. Slowing down and absorbing the colour

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 31st Aug 2022

   My garden has changed recently. Gone are the cool pale shades and frothy blossom and in their place, big bold blousey and colourful faces! This year I have managed to grow Dahlias without them all being decimated by the slimey little critters! Particularly beautiful are my Cafe au Laits and were one of the plants that I took particular care of during this smoothering heat wave. Sadly, some plants have unfortunately succmbered to the dry weather of late and look withered, desiccated and brittle.

   

   The air is heavy and bitty and the only time to walk outside with Mabel is very early in the morning. But that's ok, as I love the mornings. It's when I see the sun rising (yep, Autumn is round the next corner), catch the haze and the outline of the distance landscape. Oh and that smell, young, fresh, perfect smell of nature in complete harmony with the early bird song. I want to paint this feeling.