New Year’s Resolution or Revolution!

It’s in between time. Almost New Year. Easy to get lost in a no man’s land of dreams for the future, reflecting on the past. All the daily drama of a ridiculous power fight seem a long time ago and soon will be part of last year’s story. If I have a NYR it is this – before saying anything, let it pass through three gates: Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind? !!

Letting go is an interesting thing. I read recently in the British Heart Foundation magazine an article by a woman who, like me, had to alter her life so much so that many friends disappeared. It seems that it’s not possible to be interesting enough if one doesn’t partake in alcohol consumption in order to socialise. Although I’ve never been a serious or heavy drinker, I am more aware now than ever, just how much alcohol has played a role in my life, in culture, in work. Be a part or miss out. It now feels like so much time has been lost to the dramas that alcohol induces in people, those strange behaviours. But it’s best to leave it all behind.

I wonder too if people are afraid of someone with heart failure. Which is ridiculous and laughable. If we haven’t learned to face death as  mature adults through losing significant others, then we are  truly in greater trouble than the person in front of us fuelled by medications! I am not feart of the future or any person. Things are different now – that is all.

I’m using this precious time to write a second book, research and create a piece of art for my second OCA assignment, connect with new people similar of situation, playing with needle felting, embroidery and felt. The love of colour, art, yarn, books, sustains me day to day.

Then there are dreams of far away places. Keep making, writing, dreaming.

Healthy hearty cuisine – today’s is coleslaw (some have said my coleslaws are epic!) – adding cranberries (dried), walnuts, apple, to cabbage, carrot and red onion. Zero-fat yoghurt, olive oil, lemon juice, cider vinegar, pepper. Enjoy the zing and crunch!

Felt Acorns via Pinterest

Christmas Morning

I love the quietness of Christmas morning, being up before everyone else, no real need to go anywhere.

It’s been many years since I worked in crisis intervention and was on 24 hour call out over the festive period – not so enjoyable, as families feel the pressure. It shouldn’t be like this, but it is.

It saddens me to witness homelessness and on such a scale, in Britain. Every year I ‘do something’, like many, during this time. It’s all too easy to become bereft of home and this shouldn’t be so in our modern, apparently wealthy nation.

We have spent too long squabbling over staying in Europe. Our politicians and media seem to take the p*ss out of all of us, the citizens. Surely this is what binds us together.

I am aware of the rifts in our society, growing deeper – this is how it is before conflict. A slow build-up, a cat amongst the pigeons, the devil that is the rise of the far right. Many refer to the 1930’s. There are similarities.

The difference that could be now is this: We are more aware. We have won many fights against transgressions on humanity. We have learnt the hard way.

We also know what needs to be done to take care of Mother Earth and all her little babies.

On the wall to my right is Desiderata. I read it this morning and reflect on my own confusion, anger, sense of injustice.

Then I pour another coffee.

Peace be with everyone.

The doing of things (or not)

We’re almost at Winter Solstice. I’m still here, now writing a first draft of a new story.

I have found a notebook on the shelf of many, for textiles and words research and doodling. I need to keep a log over coming months.

Procrastination has included testing all pens in my two pots, looking at bundt recipes ( I can’t get the word ‘bundt’ out of my head, thanks to ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’), drifting in and out of snoozing, escapism through episodes of Northern Exposure, looking over Edward Gorey illustrations. Although the latter is relevant to the Textiles course I’m on.

I should be transferring words from a notebook to a document on the computer. Maybe another night.