UPDATE As we begin to reflect on what has been particularly “this week”I wanted to give you all a little update on my situation as some of you have been so kind in replying and messaging me with love…..so this is the very latest! We had a huge day at the hospital on Wednesday- with test results, more tests and 2 consultations…..and now I know, with < great relief> that the breast cancer has not spread, it is contained to the one breast we know about, and the pathology shows it is the type which responds very well to the brilliant targeted treatment they have planned for me. Hurrah! We now know I start treatment ( which was all explained yesterday) the week after Easter week - so we are able to get up to our beloved Wooler for Easter after all. Relief and gratitude hardly describes the overwhelming feelings I have. Driving back from the hospital through blossomy, flowery, greening countryside was like the unfolding Spring was enfolding me in a massive hug. Tears of joy at last. I know I have a long and undeniably rough and at times rocky road ahead as I journey the road of chemo, surgery and recovery - but that was a moment to give me strength and joy. It was also the first day of Spring which felt so significant - and also World Happiness Day , which I’d normally scoff at - but believe me, it was very real for me!
I went away with work colleagues on a "team building" trip at the beginning of the week and I went on a five mile bike ride along Loch Tay. This happened to be my second ever (!!!) bike ride outside of the adult learners classes I took this time last year. The rivers babbling, the wind through my hair and the exhilaration of cycling into spring were all so wonderful! So great to see the new growth all around (and the growth within me 😉)
I have seen my first brimstone butterfly this week and about a dozen ladybirds congregating in the front garden. My trees continue to unfurl their buds towards the sun, apart from one apple tree that seems to have succumbed to some mysterious fate. However, I may have accidentally ordered an almond, greengage and crab apple to replace it... oopsy!
Thank you Lia for posting Hollie McNish's poem, I love her work too 🙂 and good to see your lovely pots - I had a little pot of daffs for Mother's day too.
This week I've been digging up snowdrops in the green from the border in my garden, putting them into pots ready to give away. They spread so quickly in the back garden and it's good to share. I love hearing from friends and family every year saying 'your snowdrops are up' 🙂 it's a lovely way to connect at the end of winter and good to know they bring such pleasure.
Thank you for posting Hollie reading her poem ( love it) and for your lovely words Lia. I’m very touched. My three things this week have been our cherry tree in peak blossom, and sitting drinking coffee under it “cherry blossom bathing “ as the petals drift down like pink snow. Hearing every voice in the symphony of birdsong - being anxiously awake very early recently. From the notes of the very first call ( Robin) to the crescendo that grows moment by moment. Heavenly. And then ….the arrival of my Ffern perfume, the Spring 24 edition, and the first sniff of its beautiful citrusy, rhubarby notes. That cheered me up so much!
The patch behind the bin shed in the warm sun, cutting brambles and ivy, the tarmac being subsumed by moss (think I’ll leave it to take over). My stone grown apricot in a pot flourishing, baby green leaves. Thinning bullish Japanese anemones I stopped for a frog and decided to leave the rest.
I'd been looking out anxiously for the first signs of apple mint in the garden. It arrived as an extra guest when my mother brought us Welsh poppies all the way from Wales when we moved here 26 years ago and they've made themselves very much at home but there hadn't been any sight of the mint this year until 20 March. The shoots are tiny but dense and muscular, it was good to see them at last.
More curlews calling, rabbits bouncing and fungi flourishing in the woods today snd soooooo many daffodils dancing in the wind and rain. One blessed and furry bumble bee clinging to a towel on the washing line and a ladybird falling from the hedge on its back and my beloved Pierre the blackbird and his lady friend waiting on the fence for my bag of mealworms.
Ostara is a time that light comes into our lives and we heal , stretch and stride out into our futures in sunshine and the greening of nature .
Magnolia blossom is there and stunning next will be our tree canopies budding up nicely easing us into losing the patterned tree limbs of winter .Happy Ostara 🙏🌀
What a lovely poem 🙂 Our magnolia has come out this week! 🎉 Actually sat outside in the sunshine this week and noticed one or two bumblebees flying about. The daffs are in full bloom everywhere and heard the first chiffchaff of the year.
I’ve seen a few big fat queen bees this week, zig zagging across the garden looking half asleep. More ladybirds, and lovely lambs have appeared in the fields close by. The joy of the season beginning.
Seeing signs of life in the clematis I had to chop down at an entirely inappropriate time (as it was in an entirely inappropriate place next to our house wall) Hooray!
What a wonderful poem! Thank you for sharing. My thing this week is painting wooden Easter eggs for the school egg hunt with a bunch of other nice and laid back mums.
Just listened to the poem Lia...it's so good! She's very clever with words and imagery and the way way reads them aloud. Thanks for switching me on to Hollie and her work 🥰
Seizing the opportunity between rain showers to get up my step ladder and hand pollinate the blossoming plum tree outside my kitchen window, in case there's too few flying insects around to do the job. Then coming inside and seeing them descend on it, to do a much better job.
UPDATE As we begin to reflect on what has been particularly “this week”I wanted to give you all a little update on my situation as some of you have been so kind in replying and messaging me with love…..so this is the very latest! We had a huge day at the hospital on Wednesday- with test results, more tests and 2 consultations…..and now I know, with < great relief> that the breast cancer has not spread, it is contained to the one breast we know about, and the pathology shows it is the type which responds very well to the brilliant targeted treatment they have planned for me. Hurrah! We now know I start treatment ( which was all explained yesterday) the week after Easter week - so we are able to get up to our beloved Wooler for Easter after all. Relief and gratitude hardly describes the overwhelming feelings I have. Driving back from the hospital through blossomy, flowery, greening countryside was like the unfolding Spring was enfolding me in a massive hug. Tears of joy at last. I know I have a long and undeniably rough and at times rocky road ahead as I journey the road of chemo, surgery and recovery - but that was a moment to give me strength and joy. It was also the first day of Spring which felt so significant - and also World Happiness Day , which I’d normally scoff at - but believe me, it was very real for me!
I went away with work colleagues on a "team building" trip at the beginning of the week and I went on a five mile bike ride along Loch Tay. This happened to be my second ever (!!!) bike ride outside of the adult learners classes I took this time last year. The rivers babbling, the wind through my hair and the exhilaration of cycling into spring were all so wonderful! So great to see the new growth all around (and the growth within me 😉)
I have seen my first brimstone butterfly this week and about a dozen ladybirds congregating in the front garden. My trees continue to unfurl their buds towards the sun, apart from one apple tree that seems to have succumbed to some mysterious fate. However, I may have accidentally ordered an almond, greengage and crab apple to replace it... oopsy!
Thank you Lia for posting Hollie McNish's poem, I love her work too 🙂 and good to see your lovely pots - I had a little pot of daffs for Mother's day too.
This week I've been digging up snowdrops in the green from the border in my garden, putting them into pots ready to give away. They spread so quickly in the back garden and it's good to share. I love hearing from friends and family every year saying 'your snowdrops are up' 🙂 it's a lovely way to connect at the end of winter and good to know they bring such pleasure.
Thank you for posting Hollie reading her poem ( love it) and for your lovely words Lia. I’m very touched. My three things this week have been our cherry tree in peak blossom, and sitting drinking coffee under it “cherry blossom bathing “ as the petals drift down like pink snow. Hearing every voice in the symphony of birdsong - being anxiously awake very early recently. From the notes of the very first call ( Robin) to the crescendo that grows moment by moment. Heavenly. And then ….the arrival of my Ffern perfume, the Spring 24 edition, and the first sniff of its beautiful citrusy, rhubarby notes. That cheered me up so much!
The patch behind the bin shed in the warm sun, cutting brambles and ivy, the tarmac being subsumed by moss (think I’ll leave it to take over). My stone grown apricot in a pot flourishing, baby green leaves. Thinning bullish Japanese anemones I stopped for a frog and decided to leave the rest.
I'd been looking out anxiously for the first signs of apple mint in the garden. It arrived as an extra guest when my mother brought us Welsh poppies all the way from Wales when we moved here 26 years ago and they've made themselves very much at home but there hadn't been any sight of the mint this year until 20 March. The shoots are tiny but dense and muscular, it was good to see them at last.
More curlews calling, rabbits bouncing and fungi flourishing in the woods today snd soooooo many daffodils dancing in the wind and rain. One blessed and furry bumble bee clinging to a towel on the washing line and a ladybird falling from the hedge on its back and my beloved Pierre the blackbird and his lady friend waiting on the fence for my bag of mealworms.
Ostara is a time that light comes into our lives and we heal , stretch and stride out into our futures in sunshine and the greening of nature .
Magnolia blossom is there and stunning next will be our tree canopies budding up nicely easing us into losing the patterned tree limbs of winter .Happy Ostara 🙏🌀
What a lovely poem 🙂 Our magnolia has come out this week! 🎉 Actually sat outside in the sunshine this week and noticed one or two bumblebees flying about. The daffs are in full bloom everywhere and heard the first chiffchaff of the year.
I’ve seen a few big fat queen bees this week, zig zagging across the garden looking half asleep. More ladybirds, and lovely lambs have appeared in the fields close by. The joy of the season beginning.
Seeing signs of life in the clematis I had to chop down at an entirely inappropriate time (as it was in an entirely inappropriate place next to our house wall) Hooray!
What a wonderful poem! Thank you for sharing. My thing this week is painting wooden Easter eggs for the school egg hunt with a bunch of other nice and laid back mums.
Just listened to the poem Lia...it's so good! She's very clever with words and imagery and the way way reads them aloud. Thanks for switching me on to Hollie and her work 🥰
Thank you for sharing with us Sue. And I am so pleased you are getting quick treatment. Sending love and light and healing vibes to you 🌸💚🌸
Seizing the opportunity between rain showers to get up my step ladder and hand pollinate the blossoming plum tree outside my kitchen window, in case there's too few flying insects around to do the job. Then coming inside and seeing them descend on it, to do a much better job.