Sing a long a Saturday and feeling reflective

Hello how are you out there in blogland or wherever you are? 

I am enjoying my music at the moment...life is good and I don't want it to stop. I am grateful for my privilege in so many ways. I am fearing change and hanging on to hope for dear life. I am trying to remain grateful and generous towards others. Fear won't stop me anymore. It won't make me hard, or resentful, or lost, and it won't stop me from enjoying the beautiful world...or from laughing and feeling joyful. 

This was one of my favourite songs from a concert I was fortunate enough to go to last November with two of my most favourite family members, my little sister and my son. Tim Minchin is one of my favourite comedians and musicians. He has released his first studio album this week and how wonderful for me that this song is on the album! 

How reflective, and beautiful it is. Not many people could write such a thought provoking song about flying through turbulence and contemplating death. Just so right for this time in the world... though he did write it before the Pandemic. Always good to have a reminder of our one life time, that time is short, and to check ourselves... who are we in this world? Who do we want to be? Before it is too late. 

 

Sing a long a Saturday

 

Sing-a-long-a-Saturday

 

November 2nd - New week, new month.

On Saturday I attended this event at the Good Grief Festival. I sang my heart out along with lots of others who were also attending. I shared my singing with others via our family groups on WhatsApp. 

I sang in memory of my Mum, my Dad, and all of the others that I have said goodbye to. The song reminded one of my sisters of her husband who died nearly ten years ago of Leukaemia. I was afraid I had upset people. It is a habit my family have of not mentioning sadness or loss and grief; this is why I have struggled for so many years. 

I reminded myself it is healthy to feel grief and to speak about loved ones who are no longer with us. 

It was great to see the full moon on Saturday and to think about the Celtic/Pagan Festival of Samhain and to feel the connection with all those who have gone before. Thinking of endings and beginnings, the grief of saying goodbye and the joy of new beginnings. The endless cycle of life, the universe and everything. 

Personally I am starting a new chapter in so many ways. I have spend the last two years (and more) grieving and feeling small and unworthy. The time is right to step into my own skin. There will be more grieving, but mostly there will be a stretching and a celebrating and a joyfulness. Freedom is calling me. 

The Celts saw the darkness as the beginning of the day. The Samhain festival started at sunset on the 31st October. A day goes from sunset to sunset, or so I read somewhere this weekend. 

It starts with darkness. 

There has been so much darkness in the world and I am hopeful that there is a bright new day dawning for the USA. The change that is needed now is overdue. I am not a citizen of the USA of course, but I am a human being and am watching events with the election with hope for change. 

My thoughts are with those in the USA today as I write this post. 

Also with those here in the UK struggling with another lockdown, or grieving loved ones who have died from or are currently in hospital with COVID-19. This is a frightening time. 

The love is needed so badly. Each of us going about our daily lives, we can bring love and compassion to each other. That is all we can do. Let's be joyful for all our new beginnings, let's let go and say goodbye with love and courage...."give people light and they will find a way." 

It starts with darkness. 

 

Pumpkin Time

I made time to carve my pumpkin after it sitting waiting on the side since Sunday for me to do so. I also finished making the pumpkin pie I decided to make with the insides. I have just tried a piece and it is not too shabby. Hopefully I can take some over for family tomorrow or Friday. 

It's been a busy week so far again and late home every day. It is set to continue like this at work and in my personal life too things are getting busier at the moment. I have no time to think but glad I made time to be creative even if it is only a quick carve of a pumpkin and a candle lighting. 

Happy carving if you are doing some too. 

Choose Joy

My friend is making me think a lot about how I had become stuck in an old, old story. And about how life is so fleeting and beautiful. And about how when you could be full of life and wonder and love; fear holds you back, sorrow weighs you down, shame crushes your very spirit. My friend reminded me that i can choose joy. On this Monday morning I decided to do exactly that, and to remind mself to be grateful for my life and my job. Instead of coming to the new working week with dread and resentment.

Time for Change

So change is in the air. 

 I was offered the job on Friday, nothing is happening as yet but I have accepted. It will probably be the new year before I start. 

 I changed my internet and TV provider on Saturday and now have access to a channel where I can watch Tim Minchin's new drama series "Upright". My costs are cut by a third so all is good.

I decided to make a Pumpkin Pie and some Pumpkin soup today. I am not quite finished yet so no photos of the finished products. 

I also roasted the seeds and mixed them in sesame oil, with cumin and coriander. Yummy, yummy!!

The clocks here in the UK went back last night. My kitchen clock was already an hour behind since British Summer Time began earlier in the year, so I didn't need to climb up on the stool and change it. I must remember it now tells me the correct time. My car clock will need changing. 

It didn't rain today as much as yesterday, but it was very windy indeed along the coast when I went for a walk. The clouds looked very dark in the south, and then lovely, white and fluffy over to the north. The tree branches are becoming quite bare suddenly. Winter is not far away now. 

 

Sing-a-long-a Saturday

 

Friday night drive home - it's been a long week, but look at this sky!

 

Yesterday in the House of Commons

I have few words about this cruel decision yesterday, when the Tory government defeated a bill put forward by Labour, to extend the hard won free school holiday meals for children scheme. 

This is the moment back in June 2020 when the decision not to listen to Marcus Rashford and provide vouchers for children in poverty during the summer holidays, was reversed after there was an outcry across the country. Let's hope it happens again. 

Such a magical place - anywhere with books

So I went for my job interview today. I am unsure what i am going to do if they offer me it. The job is with books....and people of course, but it is in a library so very different from my current job. It would be so much more peaceful and less stressful. However i think i would miss my current role and the helping aspect. My work is interesting and challenging, how would i cope without that? Oh well, who knows what will happen and what i will say if they offer it to me. Meanwhile i am thinking back to our holiday in Northumberland in September, when we visiting this enormous secondhand bookshop! Such an amazing place we spent hours in their just looking and i bought several books, none of which are shown here.

 

Tuesday evening drive home - stopping to listen, watch geese and gaze at the crescent moon

Monday again

 

So my new gardener chappy, who agreed to come and do my garden every week for a small fee, didn't come today as he said he would. I was working all day and really busy, plus feeling tired and a little bit grumpy and stressed. I decided not to call or text him in case I scared him off. Maybe he said next Monday? 

By the time I finished work it was getting dark, and I had a meeting tonight for two hours so no time to even think about starting a few jobs myself. The weekends go nowhere, by the time I rest, tidy the house and shop for food for the week, check in on family and see friends(under normal circumstances), there is no time left for gardening. I have decided the house and garden are too big for me on my own, just not decided what I am going to do about it. 

I have grand ideas about doing an hour an night on jobs around the house or the garden. I even have the above book to help me plan my activity. However after a full day working and often late night working, I just don't seem to have the energy in the evening. 

This is a moany post I realise. I am tired tonight and maybe an early night will help. Sleep well and I promise to be more cheery and interesting in my next post. 

Weekend Walk

 So I had a little walk yesterday, at a Nature Reserve nearby to where I live. Here are some photos from the walk. It's been a whirlwind weekend and I haven't even any energy left to add any quotes today. Taking the easy option tonight and just posting photos. I'm trying to post everyday and show up here everyday, but somedays I just haven't anything to say! I will let my photos tell their own story.