Take Time To Sit And Be Still

I thought it was high time that I re- started my blog! It’s bank holiday, the second for the month of May and I’m feeling a little restless. There is so much I need to do right now I can’t seem to make up my mind.

​Most of Saturday saw me at one of the local farmers markets where I sell my art, then I raced back into Penrith (watching the speed limits) for my appointment at B.H Holistic with Lindsay. A lovely massage and a bit of head Reiki and I was good to go, but not before I frequented Adlib the independent clothes shop where Lindsay works her magic. A lovely coloured aqua blue Tunic type dress from Goose Island and a Aqua Blue soft C.Valentyne Italian jumper, with retail therapy done and an evening of the new Bridgerton series ensued.

Sunday morning came which brought the Sunday morning ritual, coffee in hand and curled up on the sofa ready to watch Gardeners World, Sunday mornings are for the dulcet tones of Monty not a Friday night! But it didn’t record as it was the Chelsea Flower Show and BBC iPlayer wasn’t playing ball. Then I remembered Beachgrove Garden should have started it’s new series by now, I was in luck two minutes to go before it started, the Sunday morning ritual was back on track.

​After another coffee and a big croissant bought from Cumbrian Artisan Bakery the day before I was set to restart drawing my new painting. I really need to get this Dragon painting finished for the two art shows I am attending which aren’t that far off – check out my Events Page for more info. I’ve really only got Sundays to be creative and get my head down, but the light in the whole house isn’t great and the atmosphere isn’t conducive to being focused (we are still renovating!) So, I thought the light would be much better outside and perhaps I can finish the drawing stage. It started to spot with rain briefly at 12:30 and in I went to start a Gelli Art mixed media, my heart wasn’t in the game and decided to go back into the garden to cut tiny flowers for the Gelli Painting. Bob and Mrs, the Blackbirds, made a beeline for me and insisted I gave them some delicious meal worms. That was distraction number one as I stood and chatted with them for five minutes. It’s ok, I am okay my Mother had me tested. After standing and staring at things in the garden for a good twenty minutes I realised the rain had stopped and off I went to gather my canvas and a pencil to restart for round two. Twenty minutes later the heavens opened and off I went back in, this time for a while.

​Sunday clearly was not a day for artiness inside or outside, but the garden needs sorting and the jobs I need to do aren’t five minutes of weed pulling. If I start now or at least some point this Bank holiday all the good that Lindsay did on Saturday will be in vain. The veg patch is now finished - well for the next two years at least - and I’ve planted some already started veg plants courtesy of Pine Tree Nurseries and The Pot Place here in Penrith.

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​So here I am sat looking at the raised bed that should have a lovely array of spiky plants in it, restarting my blog listening to Bob in the Rowan tree opposite telling me that the grey clouds are looming and the sun is definitely not coming out today. The young Blue Tit is fliting from the Apple tree scoffing the insects, to the Rowan Tree for a nibble at the nut feeder I am sat next too. Jack and Doreen (The Jackdaws) can be seen swinging from this feeder most days. The Swallows and House Martins dart about but I am yet to see the Swifts. I was worried about the bees on Wednesday as I hadn’t seen any on the Alliums and they are always covered, but on Saturday they all appeared on the various Cotoneasters and the French Lavender we have. Boy look at that wasp! Think it’s the one The Man ejected from the Garage a few months ago. But still there isn’t as many Bees as usual.

​I think this is what I should have done today just sit and observe the wildlife under the shelter of the tree. It is so tranquil, all I need is the sound of a gentle babbling brook. Take time to sit and be still the world won’t stop revolving but you might just stop your head spinning so you can gather your thoughts.
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Have a great week ahead and I’ll catch you soon for today (Monday) I'm going to go for round three with the Dragon painting!