Last night's sunset

Rapturous Simplicity

Today l've been busy washing jeans, towels and bed linens because the weather conditions have been just perfect for hanging it all out to dry. Seeing my washing hung out on the line and capturing that moment as it all flaps happily away in the breeze, well it just fills me with an inner sense of accomplishment.

I sat outside for a while after l'd hung the first lot up, enjoying the fresh scent of the wash powder as the sheets danced and made snapping noises in the wind. I lay back on the bench and watched the birds sweeping the vaulted sky above while listening to the soft rustle of Birch leaves; to neighbours mowing their lawn and bumble bees busy among the sage flowers. A symphony of sound- of buzz and whir, of rustle and snap...the soundings and rhythms of life.

Simple pure ethereal calm - a moment to take pause and treasure.

SUMMER SOLSTICE

Today l woke up to another world- a world with very little sound. Unfortunately l've been stuffed up with a head cold these past few days and had hoped that by this morning it would have abated somewhat- but no. I feel like l have pillows covering my ears and l can hear a washing drum sound, most likely from the pulse of blood in my skull or blocked Eustachian tube – slosh and whoosh and whoosh and slosh. The only sound that l seem to pick up is from our wine fermentation bin behind me- the bubbles repeatedly coursing through the airlock and filling the room with a slight boozy smell - between that and the haze of cold medication it is a wonder that l can type!

On my last post l mentioned that l would post a movie – l had the most difficult time with Blogger on posting but FINALLY got there as you can see from the post below.

These past few months have been hectic for me and sadly the summer weather has been as elusive as ever at least for us up on the west coast of Scotland but nevertheless summer is upon us and it is a busy time. I am trying to savour the joy of this season and get out as often as l can so that these memories will see me though the shortening of days to come. Yesterday was the longest day of the year- sunrise around 4:30am and sunset after 10pm!

Wishing you all, love and peace this Midsummer Solstice.

Loving...

Last month of school

With good intentions l started the spring cleaning last week see post below and got a lot accomplished but l've had to stop for the moment to concentrate on the many activities going on with Sam's school in this, the last month of his year.

Last week he took part in the Area Sports Day where all the schools in Cowal compete against each other at different sporting events. Sam was picked to run in the 100mtr for his school. In the running heats he came in second and so l thought he wouldn't have a chance in the final but... he came in second again !!! So this week my wee boy has had his picture in the local paper with all of the other winners – this is the first time he has won a medal.

At the end of last week he also took part in a play with his class – the play was based on the RMS Titanic which is the topic that they have been doing for a while. I was very impressed with all the children that took part, amazed at their knowledge of events and the work that was displayed in their classroom. They were all dressed up in period costume- even Sam wore a bowler hat.

Tomorrow Sam has swimming in the morning and then his own school's sports day in the afternoon so he will be very tired when he finally gets home. On Wednesday there is a Parent's evening at the school too- it is all go at the moment!!

As for the weather, well it has been fickle to say the least. Some moments the sun is shining brightly and the next the heavens open and we have a downpour- not the best for planning to hang out washings.

Sam spent time with Olwyn (granddaughter) out front this weekend - they blew bubbles, ate ice cream and played games. At 2½ Olwyn is really starting to enjoy interacting with Sam and it's lovely to see them together - Sam is so gentle with her and Ollie hangs on his every word.

I've also been tinkering around with ' i-movie' on my Mac computer- a relaxing thing to do in the evening- preferred by me to watching the television. I'm starting to get the gist of it now and will try and add a short video on my next post.

Take care all.

Spring Cleaning Bug

I've been ill and l've been worried but now l am neither!

This morning while getting wee Sam away to school l stood waiting on the kettle to boil thinking and starting to plan. I must have woken up on the right side of the bed because even the ominous weather forecast did not seem to dampen my mood. The calendar showed a few days ahead with nothing pencilled in so l figured – 'hey, why not start the spring cleaning?!' – better late than never!!! I've just had so much going on and when the weather was nice l ended up in the garden so now it's time to focus on the inside.

So after this post and another cup of tea l'll make my check-list, find some up-beat music to sing along loudly to and go throw all the windows open - very therapeutic in its own way!

My daughter, Mel also has some new spring bunnies- 6 in total and all doing well. Some photos below.

The Pendulum of Fate

"This way, that way - swinging with the rhythm of Time's tune - moving with the same unswerving motion, night and noon...Like the heart-beats of the house. With grim monotony - they tick away the measured moments of eternity.

There's a swinging pendulum at work in our affairs - for we swing from griefs to joys - from hopes into despairs... First a flash of happiness - and then a crushing blow.

Seems as if we're meant to keep on swinging to and fro..." Patience Strong

Today l journeyed across the water to go to the big hospital to see about what might have been a 'cancerous melanoma' which turned out NOT TO BE!! Hubby came with me and l cannot convey how relieved we both were when l got the all clear - like a huge weight being lifted. We went to have breakfast together straight after and although it was only at the local Tesco (supermarket) it may as well have been the Ritz because we just felt so happy.

I'm going to keep this post short tonight because l'm babysitting our wee granddaughter but wanted to share the good news.

bests all xx

Beauty in the ordinary

Seeing the beauty in the everyday things around us is easier said than done, especially when we've had weeks of relentless rain and gale-force winds. But beauty is not always as we imagine- like in a painting or even a small flower, sometimes it's as simple as an old stone wall full of moss and lichen or a weathered shed door with rusted handle, sometimes it's the scenery that we take for granted around us or the canopy of trees that form a dappled shade below. Wherever we look there is always beauty to be found in the most ordinary of places – beauty to be found in the quality of light just after the rain or beauty to be found in the stillness of an early morn.

There is a vitality of greenery this year – certainly one added benefit from the abundance of rain we've had to endure. The trees on the hillside, so lush with so many different shades of green that you are suddenly drawn to the textures; the Creeping Jenny with bright yellowy foliage spreading and filling out in every direction- always a wonderful complement to any neighbouring plant.

Down at the beach l love the shades of the rocks and could stand for ages watching as the waves lap gently over and around them. For me, it's the light- the quality of light that makes everything come alive!

There is nothing more beautiful than a kind spirit – a gentleness and empathy that shines out from the inside. Treating others the way you would wish to be treated – this beauty manifests itself in all sorts of ways – through words and deeds – neighbourly gestures and so on. Sadly however not everyone reciprocates in the same manner, some people hold back and have a coldness inside. I have told my oldest son to not just go for the looks in a girl but to see the beauty that lies beneath – a prerequisite for any of my daughter-in-laws to be – lol.

And lets not forget the most wonderful of moments- sharing and caring. The holding of hands with your partner, the hug from your children or grandchild, a caring word from a friend – that is beauty to warm the cockles of your heart!

So these are the moments in my life that l try to focus on- especially when things are not always easy.

I am drawn to the people who care and to my family who love me.

Love, life and the everyday beauty of things.

I wish you all the very best of weekends and will get round to visiting soon. Thank you for your kind thoughts and wishes.

"Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee,

the small child, and the smiling faces.

Smell the rain, and feel the wind..." Ashley Smith

A dismal day - dreaming of sunshine

Well today's weather really is awful- rainy, windy and dull, humph... I'm still a little shaky on my pins so have decided to stay in for a few days anyway. The weather is supposed to improve towards the weekend so l'll try and get out and do a little gardening then– the garden's in desperate need of some TLC. With the early sunshine this year plus last months rainfall the plants AND weeds seem to have come on tenfold!! I'm not going to complain about the weather though because there are serious drought problems arising south of the border. On the news last night cattle farmers were struggling to find enough grass for their cattle/sheep and crop yields are being affected which will bump food prices up later - watch this space.

Last night l was awake for ages – just couldn't sleep. The house was so quiet except for the wind which blew fitfully against the windows. I sat in my wee craft room wrapped in my old cardigan with the fire on and busied myself making a birthday card for my father-in-law- Hubby is going to post it today. Ironically l used sunflowers as my theme on the card - perhaps subconsciously l was trying to let in a little sunshine.

Anyway, from my window here l can see the freight ships going up and down the river – the local ferries also seem unaffected by the wind gusts. Long ripples are forming across the surface of the Clyde – like finger rolls when you smooth the sheets on a bed. I'm enjoying watching the gulls soaring, hovering - it's almost a game for them- bowcurving wind currents. I'm envious. Life seems to be going on as usual even though it's all wet and grey...and l'm stuck indoors.

I've added the poem below by James C. Welsh. It just seems to fit.

A PICTURE IN GREY

Waves on a cold grey shore,

Sea birds on heavy wing,

Mists all the headlands o'er,

Grey thoughts the soft winds bring;

Far out, the white birds cry,

Sigh of the wave and wind,

Ships passing out, and l

Dreaming along behind.

Bleak, bleak, the shore and lea,

Soft stirs the yellow grass,

Grey sand and greyer sea

Change as the shadows pass;

Still out of all the pain,

Out of the misty sea,

Out from this threat of rain -

Shall break the sun to me.

Just another excuse

So, after the last post l thought l'd be blogging again sooner than now! Turns out l went downhill quickly with the stomach flu (gastroenteritis)- oh joy. Yesterday evening l was discharged from the hospital after an overnight there. I went in on the Sunday and was immediately hooked up to the IV and got an injection for the nausea. It was the worst sick bug l've ever had - l hadn't eaten for 5 days and was very very dehydrated - couldn't even keep water down. Anyway after an overnight on the IV = 8+bags later and a few more meds/blood tests l was able to return home.

My husband, Gerald deserves a medal for the way he has looked after me and our family this past week. He has rushed around shopping, cleaning and cooking. All l could do was stay in bed. He has been both mum and dad and is the very best husband l could ever wish for. Thanks love!!!

I am just so glad to be feeling normal again and tonight l had my first proper meal - woo hoo! On the brighter side, l've lost a bit of weight which will do me no harm and l have learned to never EVER leave it so late before making an appointment to see the doctor. We are never too old to learn.

I have to also say how lovely the hospital staff were - so many people make the effort to complain but we will be writing a letter of thanks for the great job they did and their kindness.

I hope you are all in good health. bests all.

ps- Hubby couldn't believe l was dehydrated, not with the amount of Gin l drink (wink)...he actually said that!