My dear friend I think you are quite the adventurer, I love reading about what you are up to ....and your books of course. Keep 9n doing what you are doing xxx
So much to love in here. What a life! And what a joy to be able to settle a little now and to really enjoy these more mature years. All the little fun choices we make! A rich and vivid life. Sending heaps of hugs and best wishes. 🤗🤗😘
I thought about life being adventure, Beth, after writing last week's post. Then the leader quote appeared on my Pinterest feed and it was a given for this week. Thank you for reading.
I knew immediately who “she” was!! Young rebel, buck-the-trends career woman, kayaker, environmental agitator, sea-swimmer, dancer, cyclist, indie writer, oh my goodness, the list goes on! Yes, what adventures she had, and is still having! 😊
And now you can go back to gardening! How wonderful! Do I see forget-me-not, lily of the valley, and day lilies too? I predict a bit of time in your garden, especially with your flowers, will complete your healing in mind, body and spirit.
In this pic of my garden from last September, you can see Solomon's seal, hellebores, yellow hoop petticoat daffs, forgetmeknots, dark purple geraniums and yes, some lily of the valley which I'm trying to dig out as it is taking over the long border. The image of the garden is the spring version. It begins to change as we ease into summer and has very little to recommend it except for shades of green and lots of summer annuals in tubs. But I love grubbing around in it, as you know. Everything I do at the cottage is a kind of spiritual existence. I do love it.
When I was a teen, our family’s garden had lily of the valley, but they were little bitty things, not the tall, vigorous plants in your pic! Digging out over-robust flowers is never fun, but it does pay off down the road.
In my garden, I’ve been slowly digging out our Black-eyed Susan (which is *insane*), and slowly replanting bee balm. The effort is well worth the reward of more hummingbirds visiting!
Gardening definitely has a spiritual component, doesn’t it? I guess there’s that innate craving for beauty, and the satisfaction of creating it with one’s own hands😊
PS, and thank you so much Prue for linking to my post about Spirit Animals and Mansfield Park! What a lovely honor 😊
I have always considered myself the antithesis of an adventurer—a stay at home mama and stealth writer for many years…but you’ve helped me see my current homesteady life as quite an adventure after all!
When I first started writing fiction, I wrote romance. I kept my writing on the down-low for at least a year—my parents were both Ph.Ds and acclaimed scholars, and only read academic and literary tomes, lol!
Resounding YES of course to all of this - I remain so impressed with you, Prue.
Your garden is absolutely my style and so much variety. It is wonderful that you are able to start dabbling once more in all the things that you hold most dear.
Thanks for sharing your journey and welcome back home!
(Dorothy was right: "There's no place like home.") xo
There's that link between you and I again, Sue. For what did I write in the novel yesterday as Kate stood battered by the electricity from new character, Alexei? That she could tap her heels together like Dorothy and... well, you know the rest.
I weep every time I watch Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. If I ever have a build up of swallowed tears in my chest, that inflated tension from being emotional for a few days, I like to watch that movie and the minute the theme plays, I cry.
It helps too that the theme song was a favourite of Mum's, and we played it at her small and very private funeral.
It's all relative, right? For some, it's scaling mountains. For others, it's choosing the uncharted path. That's where I fit, and like you, don't readily think of myself as adventurous. I also love, love, love being home. I'm not much into astrology, but I've come to understand that this is a trait common to people under the Cancer sign. My leanings that direction are growing stronger as I age, and I'm reminding myself to be okay with that.
You have had SO MUCH on your plate, Prue. No matter what term you apply to it, it has taken much energy and forbearance, and that is not nothing.
Thank you for a delightful read and a feeling of kinship, once again.
Life certainly is an adventure ... where would be the fun if we all did what was expected when it was expected. I too have been told it would be better for my "brand" if I stuck to one genre, but again, where would the fun be in that?
So true, Joanne. Honestly, I would probably never ever have written a contemporary fiction if my husband hadn't had a farm accident and Australian writer, Juliet Marillier, challenged me to write a contemporary fiction. I thought that the accident might be the basis of a story. And despite writing hist.fict for the last few years (after jumping from hist.fantasy!), I wrote Passage and that was that! But not really, because after returning to hist.fict for another one and a half novels, I just had a burning need to write another contemporary fiction. I call it being flexible - never mind brands. ;)
Such a full life exploring your interests and I was captivated by your career in reporting. I'd love the part of investigating, digging up the details, making story. I miss my bike, one day another. Garden calling you, I'm remembering the first seasonal cleanup a decade back, how the thighs would scream the next day. Loved that feeling after a long winter. Let the earth help you continue healing! What a full garden you get to view, tea in hand, waves purring. Lovely!
CJ, I did a full day - 2 months worth of work to catch up on before a terrible forecast of a week of winds and rain (not that I'm decrying the rain as we need it so badly). All up for the day, including a walk with the Terrier, I did 11,500 steps. I was utterly wasted - could barely move, and there was such stiffness over the next couple of days in my glutes and neck and left shoulder. But it was worth it - it was sooooo good to be back in the garden.
Re my bike - it came from a recycling shop about 20 years and cost me $A10. I love its green shabby chic look. It's had a new wheel, new tyres and a new pedal in that time and everything's mismatched but that's its charm and it pedals beautifully. It'll see me out.
What a delightful summary of your adventurous life. Would love to hear so much more about all of those adventures...very inspiring! And you've so well stated your preference for yourself now. That is what is important: to know what is right, at that time. And giving ourselves permission to recognise that we change and grow and want different things at different stages in our lives.
Gardens are a never-ending source of satisfaction, from the aching arms and back to the delicate blossoms that glow amongst the glossy leaves. Love the photo of yours!
Thanks Sabrina. I suppose if anything positive has come out of the surgery, it's the realisation of what is most important in one's life.
My broadcasting time may seem an adventure, but in truth, I hated everything about TV but was too young and inexperienced to have the courage to say to my lovely (and respectful) boss, 'This is not me. It's not who I am.' It led to a lot of anxiety in my working life. Seventy two year old me would have just said, 'Thank you for the compliment you have paid me by believing that I can do it, but it's not what I want to do. This is why...'
As for gardens - they are my complete joy, as you see.
My dear friend I think you are quite the adventurer, I love reading about what you are up to ....and your books of course. Keep 9n doing what you are doing xxx
XXXX
So much to love in here. What a life! And what a joy to be able to settle a little now and to really enjoy these more mature years. All the little fun choices we make! A rich and vivid life. Sending heaps of hugs and best wishes. 🤗🤗😘
I thought about life being adventure, Beth, after writing last week's post. Then the leader quote appeared on my Pinterest feed and it was a given for this week. Thank you for reading.
I knew immediately who “she” was!! Young rebel, buck-the-trends career woman, kayaker, environmental agitator, sea-swimmer, dancer, cyclist, indie writer, oh my goodness, the list goes on! Yes, what adventures she had, and is still having! 😊
And now you can go back to gardening! How wonderful! Do I see forget-me-not, lily of the valley, and day lilies too? I predict a bit of time in your garden, especially with your flowers, will complete your healing in mind, body and spirit.
A pleasure to link to your writing, Susan.
In this pic of my garden from last September, you can see Solomon's seal, hellebores, yellow hoop petticoat daffs, forgetmeknots, dark purple geraniums and yes, some lily of the valley which I'm trying to dig out as it is taking over the long border. The image of the garden is the spring version. It begins to change as we ease into summer and has very little to recommend it except for shades of green and lots of summer annuals in tubs. But I love grubbing around in it, as you know. Everything I do at the cottage is a kind of spiritual existence. I do love it.
Thank you for reading.
The purple geraniums are a show-stopper!
When I was a teen, our family’s garden had lily of the valley, but they were little bitty things, not the tall, vigorous plants in your pic! Digging out over-robust flowers is never fun, but it does pay off down the road.
In my garden, I’ve been slowly digging out our Black-eyed Susan (which is *insane*), and slowly replanting bee balm. The effort is well worth the reward of more hummingbirds visiting!
Gardening definitely has a spiritual component, doesn’t it? I guess there’s that innate craving for beauty, and the satisfaction of creating it with one’s own hands😊
There's always that element of hope and reassurance in a garden - that the seasons will turn and things will grow into infinity. I love it.
PS, and thank you so much Prue for linking to my post about Spirit Animals and Mansfield Park! What a lovely honor 😊
I have always considered myself the antithesis of an adventurer—a stay at home mama and stealth writer for many years…but you’ve helped me see my current homesteady life as quite an adventure after all!
Oooh, I so love the title Stealth Writer!
Might pilfer that at some time! ;)
Oh, please do!
When I first started writing fiction, I wrote romance. I kept my writing on the down-low for at least a year—my parents were both Ph.Ds and acclaimed scholars, and only read academic and literary tomes, lol!
Resounding YES of course to all of this - I remain so impressed with you, Prue.
Your garden is absolutely my style and so much variety. It is wonderful that you are able to start dabbling once more in all the things that you hold most dear.
Thanks for sharing your journey and welcome back home!
(Dorothy was right: "There's no place like home.") xo
There's that link between you and I again, Sue. For what did I write in the novel yesterday as Kate stood battered by the electricity from new character, Alexei? That she could tap her heels together like Dorothy and... well, you know the rest.
XXXX
Oh, WOW - and of course, one of my all time fav films!
I weep every.single.time. And of course, I love Toto so much and used to fret about him as a child lol. We won't even start about the MONKEYS gah!!!
Can't wait to hear more about this exciting new writing project too :)
I weep every time I watch Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. If I ever have a build up of swallowed tears in my chest, that inflated tension from being emotional for a few days, I like to watch that movie and the minute the theme plays, I cry.
It helps too that the theme song was a favourite of Mum's, and we played it at her small and very private funeral.
I so understand that feeling!
The theme for To Sir With Love is pretty potent too ... I could go on and on lol. So happy we've met, Prue xo
Oh Sue, the MONKEYS! They terrified me for *years*—even now, they still completely creep me out!
Agreed! The way they moved from side to side even on land was so disturbing lol.
For me, it was the eager look in their horrible eyes, as they got their orders to hurt poor Dorothy and her compadres 😢
You're definitely an adventurer, Prue! Loved everything about this post.
Life is absolutely an adventure - oh, the twists and turns and unexpecteds everywhere you look. Exciting stuff! ❤️
Hurrah for permission for gardening having been granted. I'm so happy for you!
Perhaps a genteel adventurer. ;)
It's all relative, right? For some, it's scaling mountains. For others, it's choosing the uncharted path. That's where I fit, and like you, don't readily think of myself as adventurous. I also love, love, love being home. I'm not much into astrology, but I've come to understand that this is a trait common to people under the Cancer sign. My leanings that direction are growing stronger as I age, and I'm reminding myself to be okay with that.
You have had SO MUCH on your plate, Prue. No matter what term you apply to it, it has taken much energy and forbearance, and that is not nothing.
Thank you for a delightful read and a feeling of kinship, once again.
Oh, the kindness of your comment makes me feel a little weepy. You're the best, EB! XXXX
🧡 💛 🧡
Life certainly is an adventure ... where would be the fun if we all did what was expected when it was expected. I too have been told it would be better for my "brand" if I stuck to one genre, but again, where would the fun be in that?
So true, Joanne. Honestly, I would probably never ever have written a contemporary fiction if my husband hadn't had a farm accident and Australian writer, Juliet Marillier, challenged me to write a contemporary fiction. I thought that the accident might be the basis of a story. And despite writing hist.fict for the last few years (after jumping from hist.fantasy!), I wrote Passage and that was that! But not really, because after returning to hist.fict for another one and a half novels, I just had a burning need to write another contemporary fiction. I call it being flexible - never mind brands. ;)
Such a full life exploring your interests and I was captivated by your career in reporting. I'd love the part of investigating, digging up the details, making story. I miss my bike, one day another. Garden calling you, I'm remembering the first seasonal cleanup a decade back, how the thighs would scream the next day. Loved that feeling after a long winter. Let the earth help you continue healing! What a full garden you get to view, tea in hand, waves purring. Lovely!
CJ, I did a full day - 2 months worth of work to catch up on before a terrible forecast of a week of winds and rain (not that I'm decrying the rain as we need it so badly). All up for the day, including a walk with the Terrier, I did 11,500 steps. I was utterly wasted - could barely move, and there was such stiffness over the next couple of days in my glutes and neck and left shoulder. But it was worth it - it was sooooo good to be back in the garden.
Re my bike - it came from a recycling shop about 20 years and cost me $A10. I love its green shabby chic look. It's had a new wheel, new tyres and a new pedal in that time and everything's mismatched but that's its charm and it pedals beautifully. It'll see me out.
Glad to hear you're 'back in the saddle' - enjoy every moment (hopefully) pain-free!
What a delightful summary of your adventurous life. Would love to hear so much more about all of those adventures...very inspiring! And you've so well stated your preference for yourself now. That is what is important: to know what is right, at that time. And giving ourselves permission to recognise that we change and grow and want different things at different stages in our lives.
Gardens are a never-ending source of satisfaction, from the aching arms and back to the delicate blossoms that glow amongst the glossy leaves. Love the photo of yours!
Welcome back to living your full life.
Thanks Sabrina. I suppose if anything positive has come out of the surgery, it's the realisation of what is most important in one's life.
My broadcasting time may seem an adventure, but in truth, I hated everything about TV but was too young and inexperienced to have the courage to say to my lovely (and respectful) boss, 'This is not me. It's not who I am.' It led to a lot of anxiety in my working life. Seventy two year old me would have just said, 'Thank you for the compliment you have paid me by believing that I can do it, but it's not what I want to do. This is why...'
As for gardens - they are my complete joy, as you see.