Today, tomorrow + yesterday

Imagine my shock and horror this morning as my long-standing suspicions were finally confirmed - I am both an extrovert and an optimist.  Who knew?

But there is no time to dwell on such disturbing revelations!  There is far to much to do this morning.

And yes, I traipsed down my studio stairs with this exact armful of goodies on my left, and another full load on  my right.  Clearly I am taunting fate - as some of you might recall, I recently ended a week-long relationship with a massive bruise that I met after falling down these same stairs.  As I am probably not due to take such a tumble again anytime soon, I figured I was safe.  This time, at least, I was.  But who knows what tomorrow will bring?

Tomorrow is as yet a mystery - but yesterdays, well, I know all about them.  Here's a picture I made while I was in London when 2011 turned into 2012.

A million buildings bend above me
That cathedral's been here so long
This city's just a chocolate box of goodies
The flowers will still be here
When it's gone...

The words belong to my friend The Clerkenwell Kid.  Hear him sing them here.

Sunday

A soft misty Sunday - pale and washed-out, slightly dreamy around the edges.

I am wandering around mouldering stones and towering monuments. The scent of cedars in the damp. I chirp back at the chicakdees that perch low to check me out.

General Brock is up there on top of his column - ah, but he is at the bottom of it as well.  Makes for easier conversation - one doesn't have to shout.

Wide Canadian vistas. Warm English lunch.  It feels like There; it feels like Home.  It feels like Both and None and like they are the Same but Not and this makes total Sense and NonSense both at the same time.

Rocks and water and magnolias that remind me of stars.

 

                     

Cherry blossoms. Twisty roots.  Orchards of white and pink that go on and on.

This is what I need.  This and a few choice mineral specimens that have passed over the Falls and have made their way down here to the Lake.  Oh, and a ginger molasses cookie.

I've been up here so many times.  So many things were different then; are different now.  And, you know?  it's all OK.  I will be back.

Frenzy

I had just wandered downstairs for my next cup of tea when my gaze fell on the packets of poppy seeds lying on the buffet. Next thing I knew I was out in the middle of my William Blake garden. Next thing I knew I was in then out, then back in the middle of my William Blake garden, beloved ho-mi in hand, hacking errant weeds into oblivion with what some might term "terrifying" fervour.I have been told that I am a sight to see while weeding. I can hardly vouch for this myself, since, when thusly engaged, I enter a state comparable to that of battle frenzy. All the symptoms are there - the red veil of rage clouds my vision; my senses (and hacking ability) are heightened; I become one with the ho-mi and the world is reduced to WEAPON and WEEDS. Justice is meted out upon the leafy interlopers and the root veggies and salad greens FLY. It is both extremely satisfying and cathartic.It is in such moments of frenzy that my mind is truly allowed to wander. It is in such moments that my thoughts return to this, my poor neglected blog.And so, Nice People, my point is this - I have a bit of a backlog to work through, but I fully expect to be up to speed in no time. I do hope you'll join me for the ride.