Welcome back! We realised you were not feeling great so we did week 31 and the Sunday pics by ourselves.
A couple of days back on the Isle of Wight, golden fields peppered with massive circular bales and cool, leafy hollow-ways. Lavender and roses going over, the scent of a crushed myrtle leaf.
Glad you're better Lia. I ducked out myself in May, as, after wishing Sue well with her treatment, I found a lump myself. I have not noticed much around me since, as have been caught up with tests and scans and poking and prodding and the diagnosis I had been dreading... I had surgery to remove said lump and lymph nodes on Wednesday, and already I feel lighter and ready to immerse myself in nature to recover. Just looked out the window to see my chicory blooming in the morning sun, and too many butterflies to count on my many buddleia bushes. It might just be me and my situation, but has anyone else noticed that, despite the balmy daytime temperatures and sun, on an evening, the darkness sets very quickly and there's a chill in the air that feels distinctly Autumnal? It has been a very odd year, in so many levels.
Oh Amanda I’m so sorry to hear that, you have been through so much and I think at these times it is right that we focus inwards, we need to draw on all of our resources. The fact that you are now able to lift your head and look around again says a lot. Huge good wishes for it all. And yes, autumnal hints indeed! x
This weeks marvel was seeing the carpets of beautiful wildflowers atop Old Winchester Hill. Pink, white, purple, yellow, blue - all dancing in the wind.
Lia, that photo of the water was the perfect expansive art for me (I'm so sorry you got COVID!) in a most implosive week. Despite the major setbacks, I read "Little Men" by Louisa May Alcott and was transported to a time and place via her rich dialog and descriptions. It was my father's. He received it as a boy for Christmas, 1944. As I held it in my hands,I imagined his doing the same.
This was last week but... Coming back from a late run along the seafront, enjoying the cool evening air on my bare arms, I was startled and delighted to cross paths with a badger! We stared at each other for a long moment before it turned and scurried back up the path. I've never seen one so close before. It felt like a magical moment, me and the badger caught out of time on this green corridor as night fell in the city!
Cyclamen mean autumn to me, and the first little pink/purple flowers are popping up in unexpected places.
Crocosmia and fuchsia blocking all my pathways, so I've taken to picking a bunch a day and handing them to passing people, who doesn't like to be given a bunch of flowers?
This week I noticed: a murraya tree downstairs blooming ; supermarkets are often filled with kids on summer vacation asking their moms for jello and ice cream; families camping in the park daily, I noticed the fillings in their sandwiches and made some similar ones at home.
Glad you are feeling better! This week included a tropical storm that tracked right through my city. Lots of rain and wind but fortunately no devastating flooding where I live. We count on hurricane and tropical storm remnants to pull us out of drought every summer. It’s an unusual natural cycle, because it’s needed but not really wanted, especially by people who live in places that can be or are destroyed. I do love watching the clouds turn in counterclockwise motion though.
Walking along a wildlife corridor, which was once a railway track and noticing so many blackberries, to the delight of my two year-old granddaughter who enjoyed popping them in her mouth, her fingers red with the juice!
Noticing the darker mornings when I get up around 4.30 for a wee. The blowsy, flower-bountiful garden is over and everything looks scruffy and in need of a haircut. Including me.
For the first time in ages, I spotted a kingfisher out on the canal. There was a flash of blue, and a splash as it fished in the water. So beautiful to see.
Wild carrot seed heads so beautiful in the verges and on walks where I brush grass heads as I weave through meadows .Watching my fennel grow despite windy conditions so a month of verdant greens and with Mercury in retrograde a chaos in nature weather & everyday life -easing as August unfolds with such sunny days 🌞
Definitely feeling a change in the air at the margins of the day, and so many blackberries and elderberries! Every day our kitchen floor is strewn with the fuzzy strings from the chestnut trees that border the field, picked up by my old dog's furry legs on our walks, he looks like he is wearing golden brown flared trousers!
Welcome back Lia and sending all the healing vibes for your recovery. This week the wind changed direction, the days suddenly are noticeably shorter cooler crisp mornings and darker evenings. We ventured out yesterday and picked punnets of blackberries they are delicious and we’ve just enjoyed some with our breakfast. So now deciding what treats we can do with the rest, definitely a crumble possibly some jam. Nature’s abundance surrounds us.
Welcome back! We realised you were not feeling great so we did week 31 and the Sunday pics by ourselves.
A couple of days back on the Isle of Wight, golden fields peppered with massive circular bales and cool, leafy hollow-ways. Lavender and roses going over, the scent of a crushed myrtle leaf.
So you did! Gosh I looked to see if anyone had and somehow missed it. What a state… so wonderful that you did x
Glad you're better Lia. I ducked out myself in May, as, after wishing Sue well with her treatment, I found a lump myself. I have not noticed much around me since, as have been caught up with tests and scans and poking and prodding and the diagnosis I had been dreading... I had surgery to remove said lump and lymph nodes on Wednesday, and already I feel lighter and ready to immerse myself in nature to recover. Just looked out the window to see my chicory blooming in the morning sun, and too many butterflies to count on my many buddleia bushes. It might just be me and my situation, but has anyone else noticed that, despite the balmy daytime temperatures and sun, on an evening, the darkness sets very quickly and there's a chill in the air that feels distinctly Autumnal? It has been a very odd year, in so many levels.
Oh Amanda I’m so sorry to hear that, you have been through so much and I think at these times it is right that we focus inwards, we need to draw on all of our resources. The fact that you are now able to lift your head and look around again says a lot. Huge good wishes for it all. And yes, autumnal hints indeed! x
Also, looking forward to receiving the new Almanac at the end of the month. That will lift me for sure. Xx
Sending you all good wishes as you heal and recover Amanda x
Sending best wishes your way Amanda, and hopefully some sunshine before autumn sets in (I’ve noticed the nights drawing in too).
wishing you well in your recovery, chicory has to help and all those butterflies!
How scary and stressful Amanda, glad things went well and you are feeling lighter, nature is such an aid to recovery. Wishing you well x
Sending good wishes for a speedy recovery & enjoy every day x
Noticing the brilliant splashes of purple willow herb and scarlet poppies amongst all the green.
Welcome back Lia, glad to hear you’re better!
This weeks marvel was seeing the carpets of beautiful wildflowers atop Old Winchester Hill. Pink, white, purple, yellow, blue - all dancing in the wind.
Lia, that photo of the water was the perfect expansive art for me (I'm so sorry you got COVID!) in a most implosive week. Despite the major setbacks, I read "Little Men" by Louisa May Alcott and was transported to a time and place via her rich dialog and descriptions. It was my father's. He received it as a boy for Christmas, 1944. As I held it in my hands,I imagined his doing the same.
beautiful!
I've been connecting with my late mum and grandmother from a photo taken in 1938 that I had never seen before, strong connections...
This was last week but... Coming back from a late run along the seafront, enjoying the cool evening air on my bare arms, I was startled and delighted to cross paths with a badger! We stared at each other for a long moment before it turned and scurried back up the path. I've never seen one so close before. It felt like a magical moment, me and the badger caught out of time on this green corridor as night fell in the city!
Wow, that sounds amazing!
Cyclamen mean autumn to me, and the first little pink/purple flowers are popping up in unexpected places.
Crocosmia and fuchsia blocking all my pathways, so I've taken to picking a bunch a day and handing them to passing people, who doesn't like to be given a bunch of flowers?
What a lovely idea!
thank you.
Yesterday the dog walker said it had made her day. Today my neighbour had had bad news at the hospital,
Such perfect connections, at just the right time. Love it!
This week I noticed: a murraya tree downstairs blooming ; supermarkets are often filled with kids on summer vacation asking their moms for jello and ice cream; families camping in the park daily, I noticed the fillings in their sandwiches and made some similar ones at home.
Glad you are feeling better! This week included a tropical storm that tracked right through my city. Lots of rain and wind but fortunately no devastating flooding where I live. We count on hurricane and tropical storm remnants to pull us out of drought every summer. It’s an unusual natural cycle, because it’s needed but not really wanted, especially by people who live in places that can be or are destroyed. I do love watching the clouds turn in counterclockwise motion though.
Walking along a wildlife corridor, which was once a railway track and noticing so many blackberries, to the delight of my two year-old granddaughter who enjoyed popping them in her mouth, her fingers red with the juice!
Noticing the darker mornings when I get up around 4.30 for a wee. The blowsy, flower-bountiful garden is over and everything looks scruffy and in need of a haircut. Including me.
For the first time in ages, I spotted a kingfisher out on the canal. There was a flash of blue, and a splash as it fished in the water. So beautiful to see.
Wild carrot seed heads so beautiful in the verges and on walks where I brush grass heads as I weave through meadows .Watching my fennel grow despite windy conditions so a month of verdant greens and with Mercury in retrograde a chaos in nature weather & everyday life -easing as August unfolds with such sunny days 🌞
Definitely feeling a change in the air at the margins of the day, and so many blackberries and elderberries! Every day our kitchen floor is strewn with the fuzzy strings from the chestnut trees that border the field, picked up by my old dog's furry legs on our walks, he looks like he is wearing golden brown flared trousers!
Harvested the first of this year’s runner beans, whilst watching sunflowers unfurl.
Welcome back Lia and sending all the healing vibes for your recovery. This week the wind changed direction, the days suddenly are noticeably shorter cooler crisp mornings and darker evenings. We ventured out yesterday and picked punnets of blackberries they are delicious and we’ve just enjoyed some with our breakfast. So now deciding what treats we can do with the rest, definitely a crumble possibly some jam. Nature’s abundance surrounds us.