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Simply..hygge time again....

29/9/2023

As I sat here this morning I thought how well we are served by the arts here in uk. I listened to BBC Radio Three (sanity in a mad world!) and heard Sran Getz, followed by a beautiful reading of W H Auden's poem Musee des Beaux-Arts by Paul Scofield, and then a very moving piece by Ysaye played by Maria Duenas a violinist on the excellent New Generation Artists scheme. This was just before 8 this morning should you want to hear it and have access.

At a window on a quiet morning in a small rural village in Scotland I can have such a rich start to my day at the click of a a button.

It's wonderful.

I am off somewhere even quieter for a few days - can probably still get Radio 3 ...

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Simply..windy Wigtown....

28/9/2023

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Listening to an interview with author Joanne Harris on Sunday we were wondering if the marquee would withstand the wind! A little distracting.

My favurite talk was with Denise Mina, author of Three Fires and many crme fiction titles. She is a good speaker, confident and funny and I may read this recent book about Savonarola. I liked the links she made with present day politics.

We sang with Julia Hollander who talked about her book Why We Sing.

The fireworks and drinks party were fun and very well attended. It is the 25th festival and has a very full 10 day programme. See here.

I can recommend the cakes in ReadingLasses a bookshop cum cafe with a cosy atmosphere.

I would have liked to photograph some of the charming buildings, but there were so many cars it was impossible to do them justice...

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Simply..on my way....

27/9/2023

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..to the Book Festivval, I had to run for the bus.

I was so breathless when I got on it I could barely ask for my destination. Telling my friend of my dismay that I was not as fit as I thought I was, she pointed out that -

1 I had a pack on my back
2 I was pulling a suitcase
3 it was uphill
4 I had been sitting
on the ferry for half an hour (no warm-up)
and 5 I did actually catch the bus!

I didn't feel so bad after that :-)

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Simply..in the studio....

21/9/2023

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Susan in Dorset remarked on the light from the large window in the studio (converted from a wash house/coalhouse) and I thought I would show you the other windows and the glass door.

One window looks out onto the forest, and the other window and the door look out onto the loch. Light and inspiration on every side.

I was inspired by Karen who has read the whole archive of Live Simply (!) to look back at previous Septembers. Perhaps you would like to do this while I take a blog break? Here is some work in the studio in Spetember 2010,

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Simply..colour and clearing....

20/9/2023

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More sunptuous colour! A most generous gift (thank you K) will brighten up the autumn table.

A big clear up in the studio has got me going. I threw out 27 things today..it's all about the right mindset isn't it.

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Simply..gorgeousness to come....

19/9/2023

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Mixing it - with price and colour.

Last year I grew these pink tulips from Morrisons's supermarket in the three black pots. They were fabulous and at £5 for 25 bulbs a real bargain, so when I saw them last week I bought more.

I am going to mix the fifty pink ones with this 25 bulb collection from Sarah Raven -much more expensive but a wonderful imaginative mix. She is very good on colour combinationsa and on quality.

Don't you think they will be very exciting together?

I also love the name on the supermarket buls.

Flourish and Joy.

(I must keep flourish in mind for my next word for the year, but I am getting ahead of myself!)

Do you have any plans for georgeousness?

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Simply..

18/9/2023

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..too tired to think. Sorry! Have a nice day.

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Simply..home thoughts....

17/9/2023

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..and the last of the summer flowers. The weather is cooler and wetter here and thoughts turn to the indoor life, and to Marie Kondo!

Did you ever use her method?

Did it spark joy?

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Simply..preparing....

16/9/2023

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The garden furniture has been given another coat of Cuprinol Silver Birch stain to preserve it through the winter, as has the base of the shed, and I had a good worlout stacking the first load of logs..

A job I really enjoy.

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Simply..shades of autumn....

15/9/2023

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Simply..first fire....

14/9/2023

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Simply..rugged....

13/9/2023

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This will give you some idea of the character of the landscape I live in. The line on the left represents the coastline of France, that on the right the coastline of my county, Argyll. Many single track, winding roads hug the coastline.

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Simply..changing season....

12/9/2023

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I listened to Sakanoro as I walked around the garden seeing both summer and autumn and it seemed to me the nusic had just the slightest tinge of sadness... Take a leisurely look with me.

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Simply..an idea..

11/9/2023

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Sometimes I can't sleep for having ideas.

I came back from The Tree Shop with a small buddleia and within 36 hours several red admiral butterflies had found it, although none had been seen in the garden until then. There were also some on the eupatorium which I was considering getting rid of - not any more as I just love having butterflies fluttering about!

They have given me an idea..I am going to make a butterfly walk..

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Simply..of course....

10/9/2023

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..life isn't all vintage teacups and lying in the hammock, but you have to find your bliss, and make it happen.

In the midst of a busy work and family life it might be ten minutes hiding in the bathroom reading your book (been there, done that). What would your late-summer bliss be, and can you create it for yourself?

Find a way!

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Simply..misty....

9/9/2023

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Morning cup of coffee in the greenhouse as the outdoor seats were too wet with mist.

The thick mist (before another sunny day) had the effect of making the garden look much bigger than it is. A lovely silence over it all, and then a robin's song.

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Simply..have to....

8/9/2023

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..in my old age, be able to put my suitcase in the overhead locker on a plane, manage the stairs in the Paris Metro, put on my socks without having to sit down, get in and out of the hammock and the low slung leather chair in the study, get dressed without falling over, push the wheelbarrow and lift pots up onto the porch, run for a bus, carry my own shopping, climb the ladders to prune the clematis round the window (I always have someone hold the steps!)...

What would you add?

All this may only be possible if I make some effort now, thus the recent review of the list of the eight things a human needs to be fit and well, at any age. All very basic common sense, but I someitmes need reminding and I think I now have a clearer picture of what I need to work on. I hope it has been of some interest to you too.

I was once visiting my uncle in Edinburgh and as we hopped on and off buses I casually asked Uncle John do you ever take taxis? To which he replied ,equally casually, I will when I am older. He was 96 at the time.

I hope we are all as lucky!

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Simply..touch....

7/9/2023

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Last but nt least of the eight requirements for human thriving is touch. Anyone who lived alone through lockdowns will know how very important it is to touch and be touched. A hug from a friend, linking arms on a walk, a kiss on the cheek, a pat on the shoulder or even a shoulder to cry on - all affect our wellbeng in profound ways.

Being in tuoch with nature, getting in touch with a friend, being touched by soneone's kindness - not all touch is literal, but actual physical touch is essential - a massage, stroking a pet, a pedicure or a manicure, a facial even one given by yourself..it's not good to be out of touch.

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Simply..eating out....

6/9/2023

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..in a lovely old building with thick walls, wooden floors, beautiful views excellent food and friendly staff. A birthday treat for my friend.

If you are ever in the vicinity I can recommend Locj Fyne Oyster Bar and The Tree Shop plant nursery cafe and gift shop and a good local information centre. Great place to spend half a day and lots of money!

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Simply..the morning moon....

5/9/2023

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..and the seventh essential for this himan to thrve is non energy nutrients - important things from food lke fibre, vitamins and minerals. I hope to get all I need from a good mixed healthy diet but I do take a supplement called Macushield (made from marigolds) which contains lutein and zeaxanthin thought to slow the development of macular degeneration. My daily juices of mostly apples, carrots and spinach are also good for eye health I am told.

Another day of glorious weather with meals outside, a little gentle gardening and a nap in the hammock. Bliss.

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Simply..sunlight....

4/9/2023

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The next essential for human beings. I love love love sunlight and for a few days now we have had lots of it! Especially nice when you have a friend to stay.

We don't habe to have direct sunlight on our skin to produce vitamin D, and we definitely don't want to burn (that is just foolish) but daylight, which is sunlight, is really important all year round. I plan to spend some time out of doors most days this winter, even in bad weather...

I hope the sun is shining where you are.

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Simply..too comfortable?

3/9/2023

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Thinking about movement as an essential for human beings (back to that list.) Appaarently if there is a staircase and an escalotor 98% of people will use the esdalator even though all of us know that using the stairs will be better for our health in the long term

We used to have to move constantly to live - to find food and fuel but life today is so comfortable that it is said some even complain if they can't get a parking place close to the door of the gym, and may not even see the irony. There is a new movement, as the pedulum swings, called doing the hard thing encouraging us to toughen up a bit.

What do you think? Have we all got soft? Are we unable and unwilling to do the things which need a little effort?
I must keep moving!

The three black pots have been lovely in their pastel shades

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Simply..just have to laugh....

2/9/2023

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Yesteday I got an urgent email from a garden centre telling me it was my last chance for priority booking for Father Christmas.

Sorry. I am only just able to contemplate the end of summer! Having beautiful weather too. Posting this under Simply Chill and Simply Laugh.

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Simply..complex!

1/9/2023

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I blithely called my bog Live Simply, Simply Live. The first part is aspirational, the second a resolution.

It's a fact that life is not simple. I suppose what I am really doing is taking conscious steps to reduce the complexity of my own life to a level I can cope with. Finding that sweet spot where life is full of interest but not full of stress.
It's a balancing act.

Simply Live on the other hand is simple. I deternine to live every sngle day I am given. Really live it, mindfully, by choice. It would surely be churlish not to! Shameful even, since I have been given so much.

Sweet peas and the full moon (through the bathroom window).

Simply magical.

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Simply..a backlog....

31/8/2023

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of photos..

Issues still not fully resolved but I miss you! Writing a blog post is so much part of my daily routine that I find myself all at sea without it. As I drift around on my day I am on the lookout for something beautiful/funny/unusual/interesting/thought provoking, something I want to share with like-minded friends here. I like to think it keeps me alert, in a gently challening way. I love it when your comments make it a conversation rather than a monologue.

The swallows have fledged and the garden was full of them when I opened the back door this morning. I wonder what it is like to leave the dark warm nest and find yourself in the huge sky with sunlight on your wings and a dozen or more swallows weaving and wheeling around you with joyous cries. I must have watched them for fully five minutes, mouth agape (mine as well as theirs. Truly.) It was the most beautiful start to the day.

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Simply..hygge time again....

Simply..windy Wigtown....

Simply..on my way....

Simply..in the studio....

Simply..colour and clearing....

Simply..gorgeousness to come....

Simply..

Simply..home thoughts....

Simply..preparing....

Simply..shades of autumn....

Simply..first fire....

Simply..rugged....

Simply..changing season....

Simply..an idea..

Simply..of course....

Simply..misty....

Simply..have to....

Simply..touch....

Simply..eating out....

Simply..the morning moon....

Simply..sunlight....

Simply..too comfortable?

Simply..just have to laugh....

Simply..complex!

Simply..a backlog....

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