Summer Comes!

a photo by boo * on Flickr.

I haven't been brilliant with taking photos, keeping my blog up to date or posting on Flickr lately. This is because a week ago, I took out my faithful 40D from its winter hiding place, carefully put on my trusty nifty fifty lens and went out into the garden to catch some blossom. And oh no! The camera refused to work! I went to charge up the battery, although deep inside I knew the battery wasn't at fault. After a whole night in the charger, I tried again. Nothing, absolutely nothing. Almost in tears I researched on the web and discovered that some 40D's with a particular code, had a habit of their motor breaking. In despair I rang the most recommended repair shop and on hearing the serial number of my camera, immediately said it was more than 90% likely I'd lost at least one of the two motors. So, my camera is now being repaired -and I have to say that after only a few thousand photos, I am rather shocked that a Canon can be so faulty.

So here is my shot for today - we started with rain and we're ending the day with blue skies and the promise of HEAT for the weekend!!

1000 Cranes

1000 Cranes a photo by boo * on Flickr.

Next Wednesday I have my first (of many I hope!) Japanese house guest arriving. She'll be living as part of the family and is coming for 4 weeks. I'm really hoping she will enjoy staying here and feel the experience will be great. Today I found out a little about her - and thankfully the only thing she doesn't like to eat is "boiled giblets"! I can safely guarantee they won't be on offer!!!

Paper Cranes for Japan

Paper Cranes for Japan a photo by boo * on Flickr.

Well, my origami skills leave a lot to be desired - but my thoughts and prayers are very definitely with Japan. My Japanese friends have all ensured their family are safe, thankfully - but they are still trying to make contact with some friends. Meanwhile, my mum's cousin left Canada following his sister's funeral to visit Japan... we are still trying to make contact with him, his wife and son. It took mum a few days to locate her brother who was holidaying in New Zealand when the Christchurch earthquake struck - and now she's having to worry all over again for a cousin who she grew up with, days after the sudden death of his elder sister, whom mum was extremely close to. And yet, I think we have a valuable lesson to learn from the quiet dignity, even in extreme grief, that the Japanese are showing us all.

What makes a good day?

hipstamatic iPhone

I wondered today, what exactly makes a 'good' day? On Monday, the power at work was off and we were all sent home. The weather was glorious and I enjoyed an unexpected picnic and a walk. Today, I received two lovely compliments, had the booking for my summer holiday confirmed - in a place I wanted to go to, but didn't think we'd get due to numerous national awards - so today was a good day. So I wondered, does the unexpected make for a good day? However, when my son's bike was stolen - that was a 'bad' day - and that was unexpected. So perhaps, just simple things that make you smile - that's all you need to create a 'good' day.

I'm looking forward to Easter - time with the family, a short holiday in North Norfolk with friends, the promise of chocolate and most of all, the hope of Summer.

Wishing you had a good day too.

always looking up

hipstamatic iPhone

What if this road, that has held no surprises

these many years, decided not to go

home after all; what if it could turn

left or right with no more ado

than a kite-tail? What if its tarry skin

were like a long, supple bolt of cloth,

that is shaken and rolled out, and takes

a new shape from the contours beneath?
And if it chose to lay itself down

in a new way; around a blind corner,

across hills you must climb without knowing

what's on the other side; who would not hanker

to be going, at all risks? Who wants to know

a story's end, or where a road will go? - Sheenagh Pugh

My eldest son had his bike stolen last night. He's had a bad run - leaving school, not finding work, a course he planned to take at college being removed from the curriculum.. about to go to Australia, he was suddenly offered a job and decided to take it so he could show some work experience on his cv - and then go to Australia later. He got the bike as an 18th birthday present and every day he's enjoyed riding it. When he came out from work, the bike, securely locked - had gone. As one friend pointed out - don't bike thieves realise a lot of people cycle because they can't afford to drive? I feel so bad for him - he felt that getting the job might have been a turning of the corner away from a run of bad luck.

Little objects that give pleasure

hipstamatic iPhone glass ceramic butterfly

I have an very large, old pine corner cupboard in my dining room, given to me by my mum when she 'downsized'. Everything stored on top is precious to me for the memories and the person who gave them to me. My mum also gave me the large milk churn - with a warning that it came with the cupboard and has to stay with it! One year for Mother's Day, she gave me the cream jug with the heart - to let me know that even though I'm her daughter, she thinks I'm a pretty ok mummy too! My girls bought me the butterfly, secretly, on a week's holiday in Lyon. The jelly moulds I've had for years - bought one sunny Sunday morning when I lived five minutes away from London's famous Columbia Road flower market. All the childrens' party jellies have been made in them. The just seen spotty glass bowl was a birthday gift from my cousin, the silvered glass tumbler, used for night lights, a gift from my brother - and the tall glass candlestick was brought back by my mum after visiting the yummy Baileys.

Nothing there is worth anything in monetary values - but it's all worth a lot to me for the beauty that simplicity and love bring into my home.



Happy Shrove Tuesday! xx

My blog has moved!!

You can now find me here. See you soon!

Welcome to my new blog!

iPhone, Hipstamatic app. Explored on Flickr!

Inspired by my friend Natasha, I've finally started a new blog. The old one was tired and I didn't like it! The college I work at closed this morning following a prolonged power cut - and what a day to be sent home! The sun was shining and Spring felt like she was really trying hard to break through the long winter. Simon came to meet me at lunch time, we visited our new allotment and then walked on with the dogs to Mousehold Heath. We had a hastily thrown together picnic before walking home.

For the start of this new blog, I'm going to welcome you with these wonderful, 20 blessings.



May the best hour of the day be yours.
May luck go with you from hill to sea.
May you stand against the prevailing wind.
May no forest intimidate you.
May you look out from your own eyes.
May near and far attend you.
May you bathe your face in the sun’s rays.
May you have milk, cream, substance.
May your actions be effective.
May your thoughts be affective.
May you will both the wild and the mild.
May you sing the lark from the sky.
May you place yourself in circumstance.
May you be surrounded by goldfinches.
May you pause among alders.
May your desire be infinite.
May what you touch be touched.
May the company be less for your leaving.
May you walk alone beneath the stars.
May your embers still glow in the morning.  by Thomas A Clark