Jam and Bob Dylan

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.”

- Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Tuesday's moments - enjoying the NOW and remembering some joyful memories from the past.

1. Making the bed lovingly - while thinking about Mr Stayingawake. As I child I disliked having to make my bed. My foster Mum taught me how to do hospital corners. At the time it seemed like just a bit too much trouble, especially when big things were happening out there in the world! Bed making was a very small and not very important thing to be doing!  Boy did I get into trouble if I didn't make that bed, and make it right! These days Mr Stayingawake merely gives a quiet grumble, if the bed isn't made on the days when I am the last one out of it! Quite right too! Oh and I use fitted sheets mostly but if not I do tend to do hospital corners! Old habits.

2. Printing out some photographs and making cards with them. Some as gifts for people, others to send off with messages of good cheer.Slicing, folding and sticking. Completely in the moment.

3. Walking along the beach with the wind blowing my hair around. Sunglasses. No make up. Coat zipped up to my chin. Four minutes of running. Watching the dog walkers. Foam blowing around as the tide comes in.

4. Making Jam. It's the first time I've ever made Jam(too much sugar), or bruised ginger(yes I had to google). I was completely engrossed in the sights, smells and sounds of the jam making, rhubarb soaking, and ginger bruising processes.

Sweetening

Jam making was a big thing in my Mother's family, who owned and ran a market garden. Although I can't actually remember my Mother herself making jam, I do remember once being at one of my Auntie's houses and there being a huge pan of jam boiling away on the stove. I remember the dangers of hot scalding sticky jam, though luckily I wasn't burned.

Ginger wrapped in Muslin. Lemon Juice added.

Boiling, and more boiling, some stiring and then the wrinkle test.

I improvised with my jars, lids and labels. I remember the little circle of greaseproof paper inside the lid, and the lovely little paper tops all tied up with string or elastic bands. So pretty and so much care taken.

5. Listening to Bob Dylan whilst making the Jam and cooking the tea; in honour of his 70th Birthday. Remembering places and people from the time I first discovered his music, in particular a friend who had named her cat after him. I was a little late to find him - about 21 years old. This is Alanis Morissette singing Bob Dylan, in a tribute to him at The 2005 UK Music Hall of Fame.