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..in all it's complexity - diversions, road works, scaffolding, high viz jackets and hard hats, road signs, sandbags, queues, petrol stations, ambulance and fire engine sirens, temporary barriers and pedestrian footpaths, new buildings going up so fast, old landmarks disappearing, it strikes me that it is a bit of a miracle that things function as well as they do! A little bit of silly provides light relief...  It is Cowal Open Studios weekend and I visited Jackie Stevenson in her new studio in the village and bought some of her gorgeous cards.
There are five artists showing in my village alone, and 52 over Cowal - a lovely buzz from the many friendly talented people who are taking part. (I was a founder member but am not participating this year....maybe next year - it's a really nice thing to be part of.) If you are near enough I urge you to make the trip, if not have a lovely online browse.. ..about being ill in bed for twelve days was that the sky didn't fall in and the world went on as usual without any input from me! Imagine! Some mystery bug (not Covid) laid me low, strong painkillers and antibiotics are slowly working. The weather has been dreary and still, with low cloud all day long. Apart from brushing my teeth and doing some laundry (was sick on the duvet) I haave done nothing. For almost two weeks. As I contemplate the beauty of this pear before I drizzle it with lemon oil and scatter it with crushed walnuts, I realise it is the first time I have been interested in food for a fortnight. I should have looked inside that book Never Lose Your Sparkle instead of just photographing it's jaunty cover!  I do hope this finds you all well and thriving. A walk through the Botanic Gardens, a meal sitting outside on a warm evening in Byer's Road, a visit to Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery to view some of my favourite paintings, breakfast in their cafe which had just opened again that morning, and the purchase of a pair of cosy gloves from the museum shop. It was only 24 hours but it felt like a long weekend and I enjoyed every minute! Almost 'normal'.      Overstimulated by a trip to the city, I was grateful for a gentle start to today. The mist was slow to rise and the morning air cool and moist. It's turning inot a beautiful sunny day, and I will be taking it easy. A little painting, a little housework and a little planning...No news today. I am looking after my mental health. What are your plans for today?  What else can we do after all? As MaryB said it's too soon to hunker down, but I love her idea of stocking up om preserves and harvesting. I helped a friend lift potatoes yesterday - very satisfying. And the path to the shore is thick with brambles. A few apple and bramble puddings in the freezer would be very satisfying too. Any other ideas for keeping melancholy at bay would be most welcome...  ..always comes over me when I have to acknowledge that summer is over..  .... If at first you don't succeed...have some cake. It's often worked in the past, but oddly , I seem to have gone off cake! Which could in fact be useful as I am still trying to lose those pandemic pounds....  Charlie Mackesey's description of mole stuffing himself with cake in The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and the Horse always makes me laugh out loud. MaryB mentioned that she was feeling haunted by the images of 'woebegone' children in Joan Eardley's work, and I thought you would like to know that many of the children she drew went on to thrive. Thanks to post war Britain's welfare state - free education for all, free healthcare for all (the eye sqint was successfully operated on for example), free school meals, cod liver oil and orange juice, and slum clearance, the abject poverty of many families, including the Sampson family of 12 children, was alleviated. Not to mention effective contraception. Two of the Sampson girls, Pat and Ann, now work with charities in Glasgow which help the (thankfully smaller) homeless population. Both heartbreaking and heartening, and all within living memory. More honest and moving images here.  |
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