I was thinking of your little lambs an hour ago as I drove home. It’s a warmer day finally but the winds are back and the wind chill drops the apparent temperature so much! I was hoping most of the lambs survived that bitter cold.
I love your heron! So beautiful, so delicate. Well done with the dancing. Don’t overdo it! (I had a tooth out yesterday and I know I have to take it easy but my goodness old habits die hard. Grin.)
Hugs dear Prue. Let’s hope we do manage to get a proper bit of spring before summer descends.
Hi Beth, tooth extraction - ouch. Take care and no dry sockets!
We did as well as we could with that awful weather last week. But as we said to each other, those lambs are born with no knowledge of polar fleece jackets, wood burners and electric blankets. They're bred to survive the worst and if they don't, we have to accept that its survival of the fittest. The thing is that as I age, I can no longer go out into the paddocks to check because I start to cry if there are rejections and/or death. Not a goodmcompanion for my husband. I'd rather be at home cooking or writing. I know... pathetic, aren't I? I used to be able to do it but something changed.
I'm loving the odd day we have when its warm, calm, and I get to enjoy everything that spring has to offer, but every alternate day is showery with winds up to 40km. Bit over it actually. Teeth-gnashingly so!
Never apologise for being a loving, caring person. Someone told me once that I should have been a nurse, but I couldn’t because I knew I’d get too invested in each patient. It’s even worse when we’re looking after our own animals. We try so hard when we’re younger, pulling lambs out and trying to revive them and get them to bond in the freezing rain. When we get older, or when we’re going through emotional times in other parts of our lives, it can definitely get harder. Never ‘pathetic’ I promise. Sigh…. 🤗🤗💕💕❤️💕
Beautiful embroidery and interesting to see that you enjoyed Hamnet - I hated it with a passion. Kept trying to like it because so many of my friends loved it......but no, I just couldn't understand the appeal. I guess we all have our little differences....
Reading is such a subjective thing - we all have personal preferences. I could never understand the rapture for Wolf Hall and Bring up The Bodies. Hilary Mantels' writing just didn't raise the hairs on my arms whereas Hamnet did and I'm normally such a hist.fict fan.
Here we are with a glimpse of Autumn, the tops of the maples turning red, monarchs fluttering around the milkweed, a few flocks of Canada geese in "V" formation beginning their flight south. I have begun putting the garden to bed, a bittersweet endeavor, still hoping for a few tomatoes and zucchini and planting the last of the Swiss chard and kale. I've gathered the last of the zinnias and the pods of the dwarf iris for small bouquets.I've pulled out the cookbooks and begun looking at hearty bread and soup recipes...such are the small but sacred steps into Autumn up north.
TBH, I love 'the small but sacred steps into autumn'. It's the whole squirrelling away for winter that I love. Lots of cooking for the freezer and making of jams and sauces. Each season has its small but beautiful things, doesn't it.
"There’s something special in diminutive." Yes! Especially the stripes the sun makes on floors and furniture and on walls, as you wrote. Your embroidery is exquisite. Making diminutive and loving diminutive is a powerful fusion. Beautiful post.
I think women are somehow uniquely qualified to appreciate the tiny joys in life - to notice them, in fact. And you do it so well Prue, it's like I'm right there with you as you point these things out. (Naturally, I relate to ALL of them especially the shortbread, birds and striking embroidery. That particular talent seems like it hearkens back to a past life!) I've always loved little lambs too with their pink noses like an old fashioned candy - Dolly Mixtures, anyone? Also not sure if I've recommended before but do seek out the Merlin app for your phone - it's incredible and identifies bird calls in your garden very accurately. I have clocked nearly 100 different birds in our backyard this year! You'll love it if you don't have already. Thanks for this Prue. xo
Lambs are such a delight, but in this case I'm smitten even more by your beautiful embroidery. Maybe you already saw the book mentioned in Rootsie's essay? Yumiko Huguchi’s A Year of Embroidery? I haven't embroidered anything since I dabbled in it in high school, but between the two of you, I find myself wishing I had time to take it up again! What's the destination for your spectacular heron? Will it be framed? A pillow? A gift?
Small things are everything, really. The bits that make up a whole life, and that make a life whole.
The bits that make up a whole life, and that make a life whole... that's it. So simple.
But Elizabeth, THANK YOU for that link! I thought her essay spoke to me so well on so many points. I have of course, subscribed and think that, like your essays, like Tom Ryan's essays, when they pop into my in-box, have the capacity to make me think deeply about what I love about life and what I want to take with me (on the day I die). There's a whole post in that one, isn't there? Because most of us are afraid of the cord being cut too early, I'm sure.
I went to a wake yesterday and it was emotional and loving and because all of us there are of an age, it gave us food for thought. Maybe that's part of the future post as well...
In answer to your question, I am my own worst enemy and look at the work and know its a beginner's journey into metal threadwork and I would be rather cocky to do anything with it. My teacher however, explained that most folk know little of the artform and will stand back and enjoy it, unless I take the time to point out faults. So I suspect it may be framed. We'll see. XXXX
Yes, many whole posts to tease out of the subject of death and dying. It's a tricky one, but there is little that is more universal. I'm sorry for your recent loss. Do frame (or otherwise uplift) your heron. It's worthy!
I adored Hamnet when I read it. It was one of those books that stays with you long after it's finished. Treasure these days with your terrier - and the snippets of joy. When you stop to look it really is everywhere. Have a lovely week.
You have sparked a memory and a smile Prue. “Be where your feet are” - my son would at times remind me to “be where your hands are mom”. Somewhere along the way being “Perfectly on Time” evolved and it stands me in good stead - particularly now that I entertain this “fourth quarter” of life - thank you for sharing you 🥰
I was thinking of your little lambs an hour ago as I drove home. It’s a warmer day finally but the winds are back and the wind chill drops the apparent temperature so much! I was hoping most of the lambs survived that bitter cold.
I love your heron! So beautiful, so delicate. Well done with the dancing. Don’t overdo it! (I had a tooth out yesterday and I know I have to take it easy but my goodness old habits die hard. Grin.)
Hugs dear Prue. Let’s hope we do manage to get a proper bit of spring before summer descends.
Hi Beth, tooth extraction - ouch. Take care and no dry sockets!
We did as well as we could with that awful weather last week. But as we said to each other, those lambs are born with no knowledge of polar fleece jackets, wood burners and electric blankets. They're bred to survive the worst and if they don't, we have to accept that its survival of the fittest. The thing is that as I age, I can no longer go out into the paddocks to check because I start to cry if there are rejections and/or death. Not a goodmcompanion for my husband. I'd rather be at home cooking or writing. I know... pathetic, aren't I? I used to be able to do it but something changed.
I'm loving the odd day we have when its warm, calm, and I get to enjoy everything that spring has to offer, but every alternate day is showery with winds up to 40km. Bit over it actually. Teeth-gnashingly so!
XXXX
Never apologise for being a loving, caring person. Someone told me once that I should have been a nurse, but I couldn’t because I knew I’d get too invested in each patient. It’s even worse when we’re looking after our own animals. We try so hard when we’re younger, pulling lambs out and trying to revive them and get them to bond in the freezing rain. When we get older, or when we’re going through emotional times in other parts of our lives, it can definitely get harder. Never ‘pathetic’ I promise. Sigh…. 🤗🤗💕💕❤️💕
Sending healing smiles, Beth, after your dental work! 😘
It’s coming along beautifully thank goodness.
So pleased to hear!
Beautiful embroidery and interesting to see that you enjoyed Hamnet - I hated it with a passion. Kept trying to like it because so many of my friends loved it......but no, I just couldn't understand the appeal. I guess we all have our little differences....
Reading is such a subjective thing - we all have personal preferences. I could never understand the rapture for Wolf Hall and Bring up The Bodies. Hilary Mantels' writing just didn't raise the hairs on my arms whereas Hamnet did and I'm normally such a hist.fict fan.
Here we are with a glimpse of Autumn, the tops of the maples turning red, monarchs fluttering around the milkweed, a few flocks of Canada geese in "V" formation beginning their flight south. I have begun putting the garden to bed, a bittersweet endeavor, still hoping for a few tomatoes and zucchini and planting the last of the Swiss chard and kale. I've gathered the last of the zinnias and the pods of the dwarf iris for small bouquets.I've pulled out the cookbooks and begun looking at hearty bread and soup recipes...such are the small but sacred steps into Autumn up north.
TBH, I love 'the small but sacred steps into autumn'. It's the whole squirrelling away for winter that I love. Lots of cooking for the freezer and making of jams and sauces. Each season has its small but beautiful things, doesn't it.
Beautiful reminder that small things add up. Thank you.
A pleasure, Alice.
"There’s something special in diminutive." Yes! Especially the stripes the sun makes on floors and furniture and on walls, as you wrote. Your embroidery is exquisite. Making diminutive and loving diminutive is a powerful fusion. Beautiful post.
Thank you so much, Mary. That's very kind.
I think women are somehow uniquely qualified to appreciate the tiny joys in life - to notice them, in fact. And you do it so well Prue, it's like I'm right there with you as you point these things out. (Naturally, I relate to ALL of them especially the shortbread, birds and striking embroidery. That particular talent seems like it hearkens back to a past life!) I've always loved little lambs too with their pink noses like an old fashioned candy - Dolly Mixtures, anyone? Also not sure if I've recommended before but do seek out the Merlin app for your phone - it's incredible and identifies bird calls in your garden very accurately. I have clocked nearly 100 different birds in our backyard this year! You'll love it if you don't have already. Thanks for this Prue. xo
Oooh no. Will get app today. Thank you, Sue!
Ditto Merlin recommendation - it's brilliant!
Lambs are such a delight, but in this case I'm smitten even more by your beautiful embroidery. Maybe you already saw the book mentioned in Rootsie's essay? Yumiko Huguchi’s A Year of Embroidery? I haven't embroidered anything since I dabbled in it in high school, but between the two of you, I find myself wishing I had time to take it up again! What's the destination for your spectacular heron? Will it be framed? A pillow? A gift?
Small things are everything, really. The bits that make up a whole life, and that make a life whole.
https://rootsie.substack.com/p/spring-cleaning-and-new-years-intentions
The bits that make up a whole life, and that make a life whole... that's it. So simple.
But Elizabeth, THANK YOU for that link! I thought her essay spoke to me so well on so many points. I have of course, subscribed and think that, like your essays, like Tom Ryan's essays, when they pop into my in-box, have the capacity to make me think deeply about what I love about life and what I want to take with me (on the day I die). There's a whole post in that one, isn't there? Because most of us are afraid of the cord being cut too early, I'm sure.
I went to a wake yesterday and it was emotional and loving and because all of us there are of an age, it gave us food for thought. Maybe that's part of the future post as well...
In answer to your question, I am my own worst enemy and look at the work and know its a beginner's journey into metal threadwork and I would be rather cocky to do anything with it. My teacher however, explained that most folk know little of the artform and will stand back and enjoy it, unless I take the time to point out faults. So I suspect it may be framed. We'll see. XXXX
Yes, many whole posts to tease out of the subject of death and dying. It's a tricky one, but there is little that is more universal. I'm sorry for your recent loss. Do frame (or otherwise uplift) your heron. It's worthy!
I adored Hamnet when I read it. It was one of those books that stays with you long after it's finished. Treasure these days with your terrier - and the snippets of joy. When you stop to look it really is everywhere. Have a lovely week.
Thank you, Joanne. Small treasures...
There is such beauty in the small things, Prue. A truly lovely read. xxx
Thank you...
You have sparked a memory and a smile Prue. “Be where your feet are” - my son would at times remind me to “be where your hands are mom”. Somewhere along the way being “Perfectly on Time” evolved and it stands me in good stead - particularly now that I entertain this “fourth quarter” of life - thank you for sharing you 🥰
I will always take Kate's comment to heart - it's perfection.