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Simply..codntdown....

28/2/2021

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Better days are coming. On the 5th of April the Stay At Home order shuld be rescinded here in Scotland. 35 Days to the first steps to freedom!

Like you I expect, I am longing to take up the reins of my own life again.

So I will be crossing off the days. And using them to get the garden in order. And myself - I am so unfit! I worled for an hour today and was ridiculously tired. I cleaned the glass in the greenhouse (start and finish task), potted on ten white campion plants for my white border (job I wanted to do), raked up leaves from the path and said white border (ongoing job) and threw out some junk from the back of the shed (rescue job).

I hope to give it all I've got - its a while since I did that with anything. The writing didn't go too well this month. Concentration, motivation, will power - they've been a struggle. Is anyone else finding this?

Do you have a plan for the rest of lockdown or whatever stage you are where you are?
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Simply..gardening in lockdown....

27/2/2021

4 Comments

 

I am so lucky to be able to garden in lockdown.  How peple in city flats are managing this period I do not know.

My four organising tips for garden work (which I have mentioned before, but not for a while) could of course apply to work in rhe home or other projects.

I set a time, which could be ten minutes or an hour, to spend on each point -


an ongoing task
a rescue job
something I want to do
a start and finish task


I write them down and enjoy ticking them off, feeling I have made progress, enjoyed myself, eased my conscience and have the satisfaction of finishing something, no matter how small.  Feels good!
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Simply..affogato Sunday....

25/2/2021

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A friend and I were reminiscing about having an affogato in The Anchor Line in Glasgow.  We were lamenting the fact that we couldn't go there so decided to recreate the experience at home.

That Sunday morning I was out in wellies and rubber gloves scrubbing garden furniture, but I came in well before our appointed time, gave myself a pedicure and a manicure and got changed into some of my nicest clothes.  A dress (!), fine tights, pink shoes, a necklace, earrings and a ring.  I felt ridiculously overdressed (but it also felt really nice!).

I made a pot of strong espresso coffee, and got the ice cream out of the freezer. I set a pretty table, lit candles and put on some cool jazz (Tord Gustavsson Trio) and we linked up on WhatsApp and chatted for an hour or more.

It was fun and  delicious and we are going to do it once a month until we can again do the real thing!
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Simply..not the Blitz....

25/2/2021

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I watched a most interesting programme on BBC One called  Blitz Spirit With Lucy Worsley in which she explores the lives of six ordinary real people who lived through it, using their own words. Cleverly put together, fascinating on many levels and sometimes harrowing to watch, it nevertheless left me aware that my personal experience (and I only speak for myself here) of this pandemic is a picnic in comparison.

Our restrictions and difficulties are  at least because we are trying to help one another, not to kill one another.

I am  humbled and not a little ashamed of feeling sorry for myself.

Worth watching. The link above is to YouTube.


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Simply..a clean sweep....

24/2/2021

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Algae, mould, rust, flaking paint and chipped enamel. On a hot summer day with flowers all around they can look romantic. Shabby chic even. But on a wet dull February day they just look pllain shabby! Some of these things have been here for nearly twenty years. I've had my money's worth and it's time for some new ones.

When we can get to the shops - which may not be too long ....

I am so looking forward to getting into the garden.


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Simply..I can feel....

23/2/2021

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..a garden declutter coming on.
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And I think maybe I have had enough of that 'distressed' look. (There's enough distress around.)

Watch this space..
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Simply..springlike....

22/2/2021

8 Comments

 

It's amazing what one springlike day can do to raise your spirits.

Some sunshine (though only 9 degrees here), a gentle breeze, a coffee outside and that  green smell of new growth which is the first sign that spring is coming. A few tears  let the sad out, and we can pick ourselves up and start over.

An hour in the greenhouse can set me to rights. I sowed Dahlia Bishop's Children and yellow rattle..

Other things which make me feel better - opening the back and front door and letting the air blow through, going for a walk, picking up the phone to a friend, doing something - anything, in the garden, decluttering a surface or a room..

What picks you up when you are down?

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Simply..lost for words....

21/2/2021

6 Comments

 
..and a bit tearful, so sending you this lovely little piece of music. I have been searching for this for years and found it yesterday...

6 Comments

Simply..time warp....

20/2/2021

21 Comments

 
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Snowdrops for Barry

The five years since my husband's death can seem like five months. I am so sad for people who have been bereaved this past year. To be deprived of the comfort of family and friends, and the usual rituals must be heartbreaking and add immeasurably to the anguish.

I had family and friends close by me. They kept me company, had me for meals. took me on holiday with them and supported me in so many ways, both spiritually and practically..and I am so grateful.  It means so much. They supported me today with mesages and cards and thoughtful gifts.


I was comforted by listening again to Charlie Mackesey reading The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse. In the introduction he says life is 'sometimes frightening, but beautiful' and says he hopes the book helps us to live with courage.


You can listen to this on Audible free with a months trial and I enjoyed this video. I hope you do too, and that it comforts you.

21 Comments

Simply time....

19/2/2021

6 Comments

 
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Would you agree?
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Simply beset....

16/2/2021

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..by computer gremlins!

Back soon I hope...
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Simply..cheerful tulips....

16/2/2021

4 Comments

 
..for Tuesday. Aren't these gorgeous?

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4 Comments

Simply..the diet starts....

14/2/2021

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..when this box of chocolates finishes!


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Simply..thoughts on love....

13/2/2021

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..from previous posts here, and here.


And a man with a big heart.


Love and hugs to you!


4 Comments

Simply..traces....

13/2/2021

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red squirrel
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blackbird
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and me!



7 Comments

Simply..recent delights....

10/2/2021

6 Comments

 
..include snow - just enough to transform everything, sunshine - just enough to make the snow sparkle, snowdriops - beginning to open and make it worth a walk round the village, and saxifrage - waiting for me at the supermarket.  They  may not be up to the below freezing temperatures, having been coddled in vans and supermarket, so are in the greenhouse under fleece for now, but will soon be on the porch.

Oh, and another S - the stars have been fabulous these freezing nights . A few moments standing under a starry sky give me a whole better perspeective on things....


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Simply..wordless this Wednesday....

9/2/2021

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2 Comments

Simply..sweet snowdrops....

9/2/2021

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The lovely walk up the River Finart yesterday was in the hope of seeing the many snowdrops planted there but they were not in evidence yet, however I picked these few from a clump in the garden and they opened gently within minutes in the warmth of the house. They are the sweetest of flowers and even have a faint honey perfume...
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Simply..a river walk....

8/2/2021

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Simply..comfort....

7/2/2021

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Well, comfort food to be precise.  Bitterly cold outside with minute flakes of snow in the air, I took a notion to make pancakes...two days in a row.

Crispy and wafer thin, drenched in lemon juice and caster sugar, with a few slices of banana. Yum.

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Made in minutes with 50g plain flour, one egg, 150ml milk and a good glug of olive oil whizzed together.

Raise your hand if you have not put on weight during this pandemic.

Thought so!

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Simply..wired for change....

6/2/2021

4 Comments

 
I have read that human beings are wired for change, variety and novelty - some of us more than others I expect.

I know I am! I need to see different things.

So I ordered a pack of clip frames and looked out some favourite photographs and cards and sat them around...

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On the stairs
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On a stack of towels
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On a wall where there is already a nail
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On the kitchen counter
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A chest of drawers
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A shelf (thank you S)

Inexpensive. quick and easy, and fun! Do you have ways of ringing the changes?
4 Comments

Simply..stretching....

5/2/2021

9 Comments

 

Are you remembering your word for the year? Is it proving helpful? You can of course change it if it is not...

Mine is stretch and I do some nice stretches before I even get out of bed. Very pleasurable.

Another way I build in stretches is to have tea and coffee on a high shelf so I have to stretch a little to reach them.

I am reminded of a story of a plumber fitting a new washing machine for an elderly lady. He asked her if she wanted it raised up on a plinth to make it easier for her. Not at all she reolied. Then I would have to go to a gym and pay to bend like your generation!

Much of modern life is so easy we barely need to move ourselves...
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Simply..scarlet joy....

3/2/2021

4 Comments

 
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4 Comments

Simply Write....

2/2/2021

10 Comments

 

For a little insight into how I came to have February as my writing month see this post.

I only write my novel in Februaries (I know, really weird!) so if you are interested check out February from 2011 in the archive of the blog - scroll down the sidebar to Archive or depending on which device you are reading on scroll to end of posts.

To concentrate on the job at hand I will post simple short posts and may repost some from previous Februaries

Do you have a project for February?
10 Comments

Simply Write....

1/2/2021

7 Comments

 

February is my Writing Month.

I clear my diary (no need this year. Covid has done it for me).

I clear my desk..

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The dining table extends. The extension will be my dining area - I do like to eat at the table.
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A few essentials
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And I'm set to go. It will get messier. Much messier..

Our book group read A Room of One's Own in January and I came across this brilliant performance by Eileen Atkins  A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction.  Virginia Woolf.

How lucky I am.


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    An artist seeking a simpler life - (but not too simple!)

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