For goodness sake

I'm saying hello all with a heavy heart. 

I've regained my blog, but I've lost a treasure.  

Today my lovely, outstanding and amazing, I mean a.m.a.z.i.n.g 79 years-young father Don died.  He left a brother, two sisters, four children, twenty grandchildren, nine greatgrandchildren, 

many special friends, his local church congregation, and the Deaf sign language community in the U.K. at a loss as to how they will ever fill the huge gap he leaves in all their lives.

He was the most loving, considerate, giving and compassionate of men.

And he overcame enormous obstacles with grace and hard work.

His motto was 'sacrifice before self'.

You would love him too if you'd the luck to know him, I know that.

(whoops, he'd be much better at this techno stuff than I am, and have a giggle at my ineptitude)

I'll miss him forever.

Byebye Dad

Love you

and give Mam a hug from us

xxxxx

Bed Back and Beyond

Hello you, how are things?

*

Here we've just finished.....

five months of house-fixing-activities

thirty days of car-filled-drop-offs of little stuff

one day of removals-men-with-van for big stuff

Job done.  

Well, erm, kind of,

Someone has another couple of weeks dismantling/rebuilding

office/work-shop man-type-stuff.

* 

Me?

Hmmm, ok,

it has to be said, 

I'll be twiddling my paint brush for a little while longer

*

But not today

today my back hurt 

so, I gave it.....

*

A cosy bed

a hot water bottle

soup

chocolate

painkillers

and a very good book

 I'll start unpacking....tomorrow

*deep sigh*

*

Happy. soon. me :)

xxx

today's post is dedicated to Francesca's ode to hotwaterbottles;)

Let's Dance, Let's Bounce ........

Hello folks
I'm so grateful for the masses of helpful advice on starting my garden adventures.  Thank you all:)

Brrr, just when we thought it was safe to discard the thermal layer

it's sub-zero frrreezing again.  Ah well, no sign of snow here so at least we can get out and about.  Anyone not in the U.K. may be unaware that the slightest twinkle of white stuff is all it takes to bring this great nation completely to it's knees.  And then some.  Ah but we do love a nice wintery scene, be it a greetings card, calendar picture, or a blog post.  

We do have some signs of spring around magical meadows, oh yes.  
These include boy Blackbirds taking each other on in the my-beak-is-bigger-more-yellow-and-shiney-than-yours dancing competition for territory and girls.  
Very entertaining to observe through my kitchen window.  
And the Jackdaws are pairing up.  Up above the High Street on the chimney pots where they love to nest, I saw two Jackdaws kissing, as I waited for my bus yesterday.  Hey, that could be the start of a nursery rhyme....Two Jackdaws kissing....hmm.
*

I'm still waiting to spot the first snowdrops.  I remember last year they were later than usual and that was a very cold and snowy winter too.  Shouldn't be long now though.  And best of all, the past three mornings I've had my wake-up call from the Dawn Chorus.  Each day a little louder and more exuberant than the one before. It really sets me up well hearing all the different birds chiming in with their part.  Marvellous!
*

One of my favourite things is to go out and about watching the birds.  Most of my life I enjoyed being outdoors walking the hills and dales here in the north of England.  But somehow, when I was out in nature it was animals, rather, mammals that I watched for.  A walk was a disappointment if I didn't spot a weasel or a squirrel, or some reindeer.........

But birds?

Birds just didn't cross my radar (lol)!

Then, one day in August 2007 we were camping in the Scottish Highlands.  Up on the Cairngorm Mountains, we were holed-up in our car on a mountain road, eating our supper and playing scrabble (!) as we waited-out a dismal and very cold drizzle-and-mist evening squall.  Out of my window I saw a tiny bird.  I watched it for ages, as fascination grew.  I was knocked sideways by it's beauty.  I wondered at it's markings, the tiny orange legs and beak and black and white  face mask.  I marvelled at how something so small could possibly find it's way up onto this arctic tundra and survive. I was amazed. 
And, ok this might be the wisdom of age (I am very old), I tell you, at that moment, 

my quality of life soared.

And I finally got birds!
(I later found out this was a Ringed Plover, passing through on a summer holiday from Greenland or Canada!)
The following day we climbed to the top of Cairngorm itself.  Quite a busy spot, with hikers and munro baggers (strange breed of homosapien) and all.  And there on the rock-field, on a gale-blown landscape..........oh my word!

You'll have to zoom in really close, but I promise you - it's there,
 right slap bang in the middle a tiny snow bunting! 
One of only a hundred breeding pairs resident here.

Life without my birds? No thanks.

*

Talking about quality of life, reminds me, something's changed around here.  

Over the past three or four years I've had to cut back on the walking and swimming and general enjoying moving around, keeping fit, getting fitter activities.  

Life got pretty miserable for a time.  

But yesterday, after a very difficult few months

and all thanks to the wonder that is the National Health Service,  

I finally got the eight-weeks-post-op all clear and fit to exercise I was waiting for OH YEAH! 

(Does that include trampolining, I asked :p Of course they said, no problem!)

So, my daily routine will pick up a bit of pace now.  Some speed walking.  A dip and a dive.  A bouncy turn or two.  And before you know it - look out mountains, here I come!

*

Yes, ok, I'll take it slow to start with, don't worry.  After all, I am very old.

Have a good day all

See you soon;)

pamela

xxx

Birds and wildlife encounters today:

1.  A fantastic Sparrowhawk swooping across the gardens after a lunch of small birdies  (and staying long enough perched on a post for me and Dad to both get out our binoculars for a very good long look at impressive plumage, talons, yellow beady eyes and beak:)
2.  A near-miss with a fox streaking across the road in front of us on our full-moon-lit drive home - whoops! too close Mr fox (in pursuit of his first mate maybe?)

How Does Your Garden Grow? Do Tell.

Hello all you lovely folk:)

Thanks for all your lovely comments on Sunday's getting-out-and-about post

You're great!

*

Now then, I know there are some gardeners amongst you.

Some with small plots or giant gardens,

fields or crofts or council allotments.

Some growing fine flowers.

Some harvesting every fruit and vegetable possible.

Some of you just doing your best and giving it a go.

I admire you all.  

But, well (I'm a bit shy to ask) you see.....

I need a bit of help and advice.

*

'Cos, after a bit of browsing during my afternoon tea-break 

with helpful, healthful hints

and a yearning for fresh greens

It's time to get serious

But I ask you.........

Where do I start?

And quite frankly.....

Is there any hope?

Or should I just stick to my sprouted-garden-in-a-jar?

*

*Sigh...wishful thinking....of the Good Life.....Dreams*

*

pamela

xxx

Get on with it pamela . . . Carpe diem!

Hello everyone.

Nice to see you!

So, how are you this grey and dismal January sunday morning?

Still snuggling under cosy old Radio Blanket?

a few magazines or some favourite paperbacks 

tempting you to linger ?

Come on now.......

that's the idea, get a tasty breakfast inside you

do a few stretches

plan a few adventures 

take a break along the way......

meet up with a few friends

and take a trip........to the top!

Now don't you feel better?

That's grand!

*

Bye bye for now

And thank you all so much for stopping by

and for all your lovely fantastic comments!

See you again soon;)

pamela

xxx

Send a hug xxx

Hello people

*

Just a quick note. I hope you can help.

During my early morning blog session I came across a so tragic and sad situation. 

*

A blogger, Lori, who I occasionally pop into visit when I fancy a giggle (such a funny girl) now has to face life alone with her two little ones after her husband Tony died yesterday.  He was 34.  Lori is 29.   He harmed himself, in front of her, which was as she says, during a psychotic episode but completely out of character.  During a torturous bedside vigil she forgave him his actions but had to watch as each medical intervention failed and Tony left her.

*

Lori's blog is the Random Ramblings of a Stay at Home Mum and she's in Sydney Australia.

*

If you're able to leave her a message I know it's hugely appreciated, as Lori says

 "This- the Internet, my community- this is where I've been coming when the pain is so bad I cannot breathe. I read your messages, I feel your prayers, and it gives me faith and comfort".

*

Thank you kind peeps.

(and I won't be complaining, or moaning at my man today, at all, promise).

pamela

xxx

80/20 Rules, O.K?

Hello lovely folks and how is this new year treating you so far? 

Looking around blogland has been really delightful this week, with all the wonderful pictures and descriptions of peep's experiences and achievements for 2010.

Some of the Resolutions are great and I may well be copying:)  

But not just yet.

 I've long tended not to jump into resolution enactment mode until February the first.  Get the festive aftermath well cleared before starting afresh.  It works for me.

*

To be truthful, my best and most long-lasting Big Changes have taken place in August and September.  The reason is two-fold.  I have a late summer birthday.  Always a good point for reflection and renewal.  And in U.K. education circles 'the new term' begins after a six-week break, typically last two weeks in July 'til first week in September. 

 As a parent this is significant - the fresh uniforms and equipment, blank timetables eager to be filled, and the choices of after-school activities, sports, crafts, drama, music, vegging-out if front of the T.V., computer gaming skills.

*

So you get the picture.  And of course significant birthdays take on another level of intensity (unless you choose the Ostrich method hehe).  Got to do something meaningful.  Paraglide when you're eighty.  Bungee jump when you reach ninety!
Say a person is approaching their fiftieth birthday.  They have been through some dark and troublesome times.  The sense of a new start, rebirth, builds.  Imagine if you will that person has done, as many do, hankered after a different lifestyle, something major.  They have pushed this desire to one side repeatedly over the years, making 'too difficult' or 'no time' or 'not enough information' their reasoning.  

Then it happens.  The tipping point.  The time is now.  The change is made.  The announcement as well, possibly.

*

In 2005 aged fifty my decision was to be vegan.  For me that meant that no animals were used, exploited, killed.  So, what I ate,drank, wore, consumed, bathed in, dressed in, gifted, and created became cruelty-free.

That was my decision.  

Made by me, personal to me, and not through pressure, persuasion or politic.

*

The 80/20 rule you say, what about that?  Generally means we use/do/act/make ethical choices the majority of the time.  The remaining portion, is outside of our control, or rather, our available choices (an oftenmost example of the rule applied to the mundane is when describing us as only ever wearing twenty percent of our clothing - not all at the same time you understand - whilst the rest remains in the wardrobe, a wasted resource, and an expensive one at that!).

*

But here's the thing.....  
 IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT THE FOOD.  
Because nothing is absolute.  And there are many shades of this thing called vegan.  Personally I respect them all.  We live in complex societies, consuming all manner of things, from all places on this earth.  

*

I added provisos and amendments as I learned what my change meant for me.

*

I included human exploitation as one of the important (for me) factors to be avoided in my consumption-choice-criteria.

*

I wanted earth-friendly not earth-abusive practices used in providing my food and consumables.  I didn't want wastefulness.  I wanted fair-trade and fair-wage.  

*

So for example I decided I would not buy cheap new clothing from high street stores with very low prices and high turnover.  You know the shops I mean.

*

I'm still reviewing my criteria.  New information emerges.  We learn about the impact on communities of the western world's high consumption of new and the disuse, recycling or otherwise, of old.  We learn that the growing of cotton forces millions into unhealthful lives living under the poverty level.  That cotton is the world's most polluting crop.  That huge areas of land given over to one cash crop that is highly managed with vast quantities of pesticides is not compatible with life for animals.  Cotton is a vegan issue.  That children and women spend their days picking through mountains of waste to find plastics to sell for recycling, and earn enough to eat.  Plastic is a vegan issue.  That boys and men on the west coast of Africa, and on the Indian sub-continent, risk life and limb to break-up and reuse machinery and electronics, an activity deemed too risky or not economically viable for western workers.  Consumption is a vegan issue.  

*
So here I sit, typing my blog on a computer wherein the precious metals used in the tiny chip linking me to the worldwide web are mined by children in horrific circumstances.  And the chip in my mobile phone is part of a chain linking families, using their bare hands to pick ore out of the ground, to the militia gangs of rapists, thugs and murderers terrorising communities in Congo.  I'm not being hypocritical.   I'm applying the 80/20 rule.  And I never forget that.

*

So when I say I'm vegan, and I live by ethical principles,  what I mean is, I'm doing my best.  But it's never going to be enough.

I'm still learning.

*

So, let's see.  

What are you, 80/20, or All-Or-Nothing?

Best Regards

pamela

xxx
Edited 11/01/2011 to include a link to the most amazingly informative and compassionate and lovely blogger on the planet (I am very fond, it's true) who will tell you HERE a little more about how children suffer

I said it so I will

Hippy Hoppy Happy things to you folks:)

Hey pamela, what are your new year's resolutions?  Do tell:)

I'm thinking SMILE more.  It's a plan.

And stop with the exclammation!!!!!marks!!!!!!

Sounds good!!!  But tell me, why no photo's of late?


Well, have been trying to upload REALLY INTERESTING and EYECATCHING pictures.  But it all went horribly wrong:(

OIC.  And no wintery walks, no creativity to report?  No monthly resolutions post, no update on your house renovation, house move, health status, work in progress?


It's not ME it's THEM!  They're just so blooming interesting!!!!  They suck up all my time and energy!!!!  They hook me in with their gorgeous crafty eyecandy!!!!  Or they have all the solutions to my chaotic and grimy life!!!!!   Or they're just THE BEST PEOPLE! like ever!!!!

Ah!  So it's a digital holiday for you then?  A real break from the blogging and social media?  A get-on-with-the-real-world digi-sabbatical?  A NO INTERNET interlude so that STUFF GETS DONE?


NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

looking on the bright side lol!

(like I said, it all went horribly wrong)
See you soon folks
pamela
xxx

Join the (plastic) dots.......

On the day before the day before, how are you doing people?  New Year's Eve tomorrow, so in the lull before the party are we thinking of our world and how to make it a better place?  Or just how to get by, without too much fuss?  Maybe.

Stone, wood, water, sun, sky.  Plastic.  

Plastic leaches.  Plastic leaks.  Plastic links, insidiously,  inexorably, to everything on this planet.  The way we use plastic, and the way we disuse plastic affects everyone.  Everyone.  Human and non-human animals.  Everyone marine terrestrial or aeriel.

 Lookie here at what the oceans have to cope with.  Sarah at The Daily Ocean collects beach trash, everyday.  She hopes to

 raise awareness for how much Plastic Marine Pollution is out there, that the solutions start with us right here on land, and that everyday we can make choices in what we consume and buy that can add up to make a difference.

Great spirit!   

 Find out some scary stuff and a way out of dependence on plastic by joining with the fake plastic fish to find ways of living plastic-free.  

Take a look at  http://www.facebook.com/UselessPlasticCrap excuse me.  Ahem, *blushes* but a point worth making.

And stop with the plastic bags people, please;) Tim Minchin (hero*sigh*) advises us to

 Take your canvas bags lol!

Every little bit matters, join the dots, we're all connected.

Thanks for listening

Bye for now

pamela x

Happy birthday babe......

I learned of this children's book on a blog (of course, now I want to find which blog I can't remember!  If it was yours, please tell me).  Anyways, I thought that some of you might like it today especially.  

On the night you were born

the moon smiled with such wonder

that the stars peaked in to see you

and the night wind whispered

"life will never be the same"

Because there had never been anyone like you

ever in the world

excerpt from the lovely book by Nancy Tillman

Pretty perfect really......

Happy Winter Solstice to you all!  

Just in case you hadn't noticed, today was the shortest day, that was it - zip - gone!  

All hail the new year.  

So, happy :) sad:( or too stressed to care, how are you feeling?  Is it true to say that the shortest day is also the busiest given the very nature of this seasonal silliness?  (apologies for all who may take christmas very seriously, no offence meant). 

 Usually the female in the house *groans*, who has all the extra work eh?  

These days I don't have much of the stress since, being an oldie I've given up on many seasonal traditions.  Re-invented things to suit myself (and him indoors).  Give gifts to the very old (our parents) and the very young (our grandchildren) take a walk up a hill on christmas day, somewhere wild and wonderful with a bit of luck:)  

Back to a cosy house, a 'feast' of jacket potato and bean casserole, maybe a bit of pud.  

 Job done. 

*

On any other day I'm most likely to be seen......

trailing around the place 

with my trusty backpack and walking poles

getting stoned..........;)

Castlerigg Neolithic Stone Circle
Cumbria

hanging out with the birds.....

Saltburn's historic Victorian Pier and Industrial Teesport
from Huntcliffe

 sharing a cup of afternoon tea with little friends 

"don't forget mine" says Eeyore

"gosh Tigger", says Piglet, "why do you always look so surprised?" 

 and maybe getting a few unfinished projects ......

Paddington Bear Number Quilt

.......... finished:)

Willow's welcome home bundle November - 2009

Heyho,

*sings* it's a grand old life for us *sings*

*

Have a happy life friends 

xxx

Baggage and should I share.........?

Hi folks.  Brrr chilly old day.  Ice is back on the inside of my windows.  A bit of sun would be nice!

*

Following yesterday's post about change, and quotes, and words that can act as backgrounds for behaviour,

and thanks for all your amazing comments by the way:) golly, you are a.m.a.z.i.n.g!

So
I've been busy and working on my PLAN.
Instead of launching into the obvious"I will write a book" "...earn a fortune" etc, I'm looking at what's stopping me doing the important stuff before now.  And how I'm going to deal with it.
*
Here's a clue, what if you were to change what's normal for you and make a new normal?
Figure out what the issues are, unpack them
and learn how to deal with them.
No need if your normal is totally blinking brilliant.  But mine's not so there you go!
 If you want advice from people who are good at this stuff look here or here or here
*

Which led me to wonder 'should I share?'

Do you lovely people in blogland really have to know me and all my less-than-perfect,
what I'm really like (oh the horror) reality

or would you rather not?
*

A series of pages are developing *points to top of page* if you're brave, take a look

Otherwise, you could just wonder, as I am right now

 who needs this many bags?

bye for now

pamela 'making changes, one bag at a time' lol

What's in a word?

Hello everyone, hope you're having a good day, whatever 'a good day' means to you ;)

*

Today I'm feeling quite self-satisfied with my technical prowess *grins smugly*. 

*

Being one of those new bloggers who finally realised she was never going to start a blog unless she settled for 'start it NOW and learn as you go, don't wait until everything's perfect' which obviously included the skill-set to actually design and run the flipping thing.  That wasn't a proper sentence (duh, writing skills Pamela!).  Sorry.  Point is I was far from happy with the end result.  Definitely a work in progress. 

*

Of course some skills you pick-up without realising you're learning anything.  Follow on-screen prompts.  Click-click ahh!  Others come with a bit more effort.  So I've been fiddling for more than a few days.  Not musically, you understand.  Tweaking.  Re-arranging and adding gadgets, seasonal greetings, info about me and the like.  

I'm wanting, desperately, to change the colours/fonts/banners aka the look of the thing too.  And take better photographs.  But that takes more time.  And I've heard scary stories about whole blogs disappearing into cyberspace if you do too much too soon.  Oo er.  So those can wait.  

But what I really wanted to sort TODAY was the 'blogs I follow' bit.  Somehow only a dozen or so were on show.  And I'd had several bashes at rectifying it.  Because I follow a lot of blogs.  And I like to share.  And I didn't want to appear rude and exclude anyone.
*

So anyway, job done:)  Apart from the ones I follow that I don't follow directly through blogger.  Obviously.  I'll get onto those directly eventually.
*

On a different note,  I've been thinking about quotes and mottoes.  I notice many blogs carry a 'quote of the day' or and inspirational saying.
*

In my life one has been very useful and got me through some rough sh stuff.

I don't know who it's attributed to.  But anyway, it helped me, made me stop and think, and/or changed my actions.
*

treat every obstacle as a stepping-stone

*

Simple eh?
*

A couple of others -

does your face light up when your kid walks in the room?

*

That pulled me up short (I'm thinking it's Maya Angelou right?) at a time when all was going downhill.  Me against them scenario.  Bless!

I think that applies to a whole lot of relationships or scenarios.  Think about it.

And how about ........
*

your lack of planning is not my emergency!

*

I only just learned the last one.  Shame.  Could've used it A LOT with my teenage/twenty-somethings back then.  *Sigh*

Could you use it now with someone?  (I'm not saying you shouldn't help-out of course I'm not, but y'know, you've got a life too, agreed?)

***

I've also been thinking ahead about changes to come and how to 'be the best' I can be (apart from recognising zombie-danger of course!).  Lots of motivational thinking out there.  One great idea here on Christine Kane's blog to change the approach on the resolution front and choose a word.  One word becomes an emblem of the game-plan for the year.  Read her post from 2007 and then again this week if you're one who fails to keep her new year's resolutions, like me.  Don't give up!  Get smart!

  I've chosen my word of 2011.  'TRY'.  That's it!  I'm holding that thought.  On serious issues, plans, and fun.  I'm going to TRY.  And not have the pressure of MUST (....lose weight, de-clutter, learn whatever).  I think this is the way for me, motivational, and mindful.
*

So there you have it.  Technically accomplished, wise and smart;)  Lol!

How about you?  Any mantra guiding your day? 

And what word would you choose?

Love to hear from you!

pamela x
*

and for a bit of fun (aka 'life')

from the Channel Four comedy series 'Black Books' - Bernard: [selling a book]
"Enjoy. It's dreadful, but quite short"

It's that time of year again!

Hello lovely people, how is it going with you hohoho;)

I don't know what it is about me and December.  Some of my many and most stressful house moves and medical dilemmas always seem to gather momentum as Christmas approaches.  One memorable year we moved into a newly purchased house on the sixteenth of December.  The 'chain' meant we had to leave our home, no option.  So we arrived with small children and all our effects to find the occupants still packing!  We were carrying boxes in as they filled and carried theirs out.  Eventually they went, having given up on half their furniture and belongings.  We couldn't move for other people's stuff.  And no time for cleaning or decorating.  Hanging paperchains on greasy walls.  Yeaurgh!

Several years back I'd had surgery at the end of Michaelmas term just before the Christmas break and hoped I'd be recovered before the commencement of Epiphany semester.  Struggling to shop,  deck the halls and trim the tree, not to mention hobbling around the kitchen hoping that wrestling with heavy baking dishes and their contents wasn't delaying my body in healing or doing me further harm (reader, it was).

Well folks, this year is double jeopardy.  Three weeks post-op I'm deemed able enough (by general consensus, to whit 'no-one else is going to do it'), to recommence work in the batcave' (with deep voice - dum dum da!) with a view to getting it habitable i.e. moving-in condition, by next thursday.  Yup.  Day before Christmas Eve.  A two-day moving experience (oh,yes that would be Christmas Day and Boxing Day) and then we're off south until New Years, to visit children and grandchildren.  Weather permitting (cue hysterical laughter).

This is only my second day up.  And not in pyjamas.  I've had to wear clothes.  Brush my hair.  Put boots, coat, hat, gloves and scarf on.  Walk to the bus stop, travel into town and meet-up with my driver at the diy emporium.  Bathroom tiles and trims were selected.  (more) Wallcoverings of several varieties purchased (we couldn't choose so will decide in situ and return rejects for full refund.  Or donate to Freecycle).  The shed is arriving on Friday.  The hob which is (apparently) lost-in-transit is being attached to gas supply very soon.  Man-who-does-tiling promises to 'work through the night' in order that bathroom fitter may (finally) finish the job (started the day of my op November 24th) on Monday.  Carpet fitter arrives Tuesday.  Wednesday we pack.

Ok, you're getting the picture, right?

So all I've got to do in five days is (hobble around) wall-prepping, painting, pasting, wallpapering, cleaning and finishing living room dining room kitchen utility stairs landing hall and grand daughter's room.  And hoping all the exertion doesn't delay my body in healing or cause me further harm.
Reader, *dramatic sigh* stay tuned;)

And don't worry.  I'll be fine.  And it'll all be worth it in the end;)
Just don't ask me how my festive preparations are going, ok?

Zombies........and then some

Hello folks,
Time for a change around here.
*Sigh* Y'know, the internet is a wonderous, fragile, fascinating and dangerous place.  Oh yeah, you knew.  Enough said.  On a positive note, I've being learning about zombies.  And how to battle against them.  And then some.  Let me share....................

Over the past few weeks I've had a great deal of time to kill (awful expression that, killing time).  And yes, you're right, I could have spent it crafting or reading or writing.  I was just too unwell, drugged-up and unmotivated and, truth be told too absorbed into travelling the blogosphere to do owt else (a northern phrase - owt=nought=nothing).  I'll go as far as suggesting I had a bit of an addiction phase going on.  As in, morning starts: wake up, turn on computer check blogger, before tablets toilet teeth tea toast.  Hmmmm.

I've been all around the world.  I've visited (sometimes leaving comments, oftentimes just ahem lurking) blogs in many countries, in most continants.  Virtually.  I've gained insight, nay, witnessed the most amazing, or heartwarming, or heartbreaking, sorrowful, joyful, or mundane, prosaic lives and lifestyles, stories and events.  I've wanted to share.  I've mentally composed posts.   I've wanted to write about blogging, and about blogs.   I've thought about this alot.  Blogging is a very thought-provoking pastime.

I started off with craft blogs.  Colourful, inspiring, technical, helpful.  I wandered into home-making, small-holding, arts, literature, all things vintage, frugal, green and minimalist.  All have a hold on me. Learn new skills, get ideas, find validation.  But I wanted more.

Read a blog post.  Read the comments left.  Link to the commentors.  Read their blog.  Link to.....and so on.  Start to meet blogs I've visited already, commented on, sometimes weeks before.  But got there by a different route.  Sometimes I stand by my comments - hey! I said that woah! or sometimes I groan, I was too hasty! in my rush to leave a message and move on.  Sometimes I didn't remember visiting or commenting, like seeing a ghost of me, in the wrong place.

I've read a lot of blogs.

And slowly something less transient, more meaningful started to evolve.  Not just the serendipitous spider's web, but a shape of a change in the way I was thinking and reacting, mirrored in the blogs I found.

If this has happened to you then you'll recognise what I mean.  Some key points, maybe erm......

Personal reflection
Living with gratitude
Making changes
Being kind
Being kinder
Clearing space
Clearing more space
B-r-e-a-t-h-i-n-g
Releasing possessions
Releasing possessiveness
Getting rid of stuff

All from the same nursery.

The new year, twenty eleven, is nearly upon us.  Time for a change.
I need a plan.

1. Deal with the zombies.  Start by identification. Find a plan here farbeyondthestars
2. Build an escape tunnel.  Find a plan here Regards From The Balcony
3. Eat real food.  Do this already.  You can find it here veganlunchbox and a gzillion other places
4. Stop being a packrat.  Clear out clutter as demonstrated here  minimalistpackrat
5. Creat your new life, discover your passion here christinekane.com
6. Just care more as shown fantastically  here notesfromthefrugaltrenches

Don't want to be a zombie?  Me neither!
Twenty days.
What's your plan?

Rest and Recuperation.....and cats

Hello there you folks, struggling with the winter snow, or otherwise (comments box on last post, phew).  I'm on convalescence leave of absence.  Safely tucked up at my daughter and partner's house after a short seven mile ride last night.  They have just as much snow as us........ gosh!

 Introducing .........

 Angela the snowgirl!

We were woken last night by avalanches of snow and ice sliding off the roof

many have lost guttering, aerials and roof tiles

looks like a few more to come down I think

 Some christmas sparkles

 a few of these passed down from mother to daughter - with memories included

and keeping company with our feline friends Lottie and Norman, otherwise known as ....

 

 Hide and seek cats

 Snow panther

 Snow leopard

 Snuggle Puss

  and Boo! Puss 

 and very, very,

contented happycats:)

Just like me!

Bye for now xxx Pamela

Edited to add:

You're right.  I'm shamelessly attempting to attract cat people to come visit.  I've heard there are a lot of them about.  Lurking.  Waiting to pounce.  Lol.