I am happiest writing…..

Harold’s Planet by Swerling and Lazar.

Thoughts swirl within us all the time and when those thoughts are rooted in self-belief they are powerful.

I have been tackling an ‘echo’ (with practical implications) from my ex.marriage lately and goodness it is tiring. I have long realised that the work I do is emotionally based and taps into my sensitivity, so I need to be wary on the other energy ‘pulls’ in my day to day life. I am tackling it by the way and making headway!

My work does not have a full support system in place to ‘download’ after a tricky call/visit or day, so I fall back on my own support system. My lovely family and friends feature, as does fresh air and working outside with the earth and her abundance.

This lovely community I have landed in also works wonders. A village walk recently through private farmland was a delight. The local farmers showed us the spinneys, woods and coppices they have planted and the ponds that have been created with the support of the Countryside Stewardship scheme. We all ended our day with a picnic in woods filled with bluebells. Children playing, a camp fire going to boil water for tea and masses (really) of yummy cakes. I met some lovely people and now get to wave to farmers as they trundle past on their tractors….love it!

The tree clearing in our gardens continues apace and last Saturday we had a huge push to at least get them down. It worked with minimal damage to property (the edge of an old gazebo and a section of picket fence) but the blessing was no potential lumberjacks were harmed. Children played in and out of the houses and gardens whilst the adults beavered away with much chatting and laughter. Funnily enough food featured and we all sat, ate and nattered together when energy flagged. I am surrounded by lovely people. x

I think our strength comes from recognising what works for us and who we really are. I am happiest when writing, so now I have got everything lifewise down to a manageable ‘roar’ it’s time to tackle my book again….no more procrastinating. I shall keep you all posted.

It’s only the end of the road if you don’t go around the bend….

Life is busy and can be overwhelming sometimes and we struggle. It happens to us all doesn’t it? My balance was knocked on Sunday and it has taken me several days to restore it back to a peaceful place. Catching the strands of beauty in simplicity, loving moments and laughter is all part of my restoration process.

The track above leads from the edge of this village to a stunning country house and grounds where a happy ‘sploring day created special memories.

A little one going into school this morning rode up here on her brand new sparkling bright pink bike in her matching boots.

I have found a supplier of vintage hand embroidered linens which will make beautiful blinds for the kitchen and bathroom windows.

A neighbour has loads of chickens and not only could I hear them when I hung my washing out this morning, but another kind neighbour informed me that she sells half a dozen eggs for £1. Now the loving cake I am making for tomorrow will taste extra special.

Over the past few days my face to face work has been very busy and my little place is full of flowers that were brought in by my beloved friends and clients….sweetheart roses, freesias, yellow daffodils and white jonquil.

There is hilarious banter flying by email between my SS and I and funny ditties on ‘WhatsApp’ between Em and I….as only ‘us girls’ can.

An old English Sheepdog has just gone walking past with his owner, and just for a few seconds, sat down at the kerbside (on a lead) and smiled up at his owner and his owner smiled back and nodded and the dog got up and walked on…bouncy walking.

Tomorrow I get to escape for another day with my special ‘sploring friend.

On my cycle ride to the local shop this morning I spotted tiny little daisies joining the primroses, forget-me-nots and daffodils in the hedgerows. My neighbour asked if I was keeping fit as I came haring round the corner on my bike to our sheds….’No, George’ I replied, ‘I think the emphasis is on getting not keeping fit’…delivered with much puffing between words.

It’s The Waltons…or something pretty close to it….

I love living here and it feels like I have stepped through a portal into another life, a old fashioned good one.

At the back of all these little cottages there is a staggered and ‘higgeldy piggeldy’ collection of gardens and in the midst of these there is a row of huge fir trees. They have grown way too big and tall with their shadows stretching out across gardens some way beyond our little collection. Considerate conversations have been taking place and we have all agreed that by banding together we can tackle the work and everyone benefits.

This evening we set too and ‘Fearless Fred’, from a few doors down beyond our cottages, climbed to the top of the first tree. My photo gives some idea of scale and a few of my new found friends could not watch him up there. Another neighbour, all ‘goggled up’, has been wielding his electric chop saw and a kind soul from further down in the village is coming up on Saturday with his chain saw.

The companionship, banter and laughter floated across the early evening sunshine as branches dropped from on high, were chopped up and the debris was cleared. A young lad happily played football (safely) in the lower gardens whilst his Dad sawed away amidst the tree tops. The good feeling out there lifted a neighbour who has been poorly as she came out for a bit of company in the fresh air.

My buddy from a few doors down and I have just sat on her beautiful swing seat and had a natter as we watched the moon rise. Her humour is sharp with dead pan delivery and I am still giggling. We’ve tidied up and have all come in now.

A special evening…..’Night John Boy’.

“Trust your heart if the seas catch fire, live by love though the stars walk backward” E.E. Cummings

It’s about taking chances and even though my heart was in my mouth yesterday I took a chance. I had a work booking in a village about four miles away and the only sensible way to get there was on my bike. I may have already mentioned the hills here. This unfit middle aged woman had let fear turn these into a mountain range.

I gave myself time, walked pushing my bike when my legs screamed in protest, had my spirit friends beside me, prayed that the rain on the distant hills held off (it did), sang (out loud), gave myself ‘safe space’ from the commuter traffic on the part where I was on a main road, shared a friendly ‘Hello’ with early dog walkers and did not think beyond this part of my journey.

Work was a treat with much laughter and five hours later I set off for home.

My reward was seeing primroses, daffodils and forget-me-nots in the hedgerows, feeling the sun on my face, stopping to talk to the horses in the fields, watching the tractors toiling away and sharing a smile as I caught the kind laughter of a grocery delivery man as he watched me stand stock still halfway up the steepest hill.

I can take this chance every single day now for I feel the rewards have only just begin to show themselves.

Flowing choices and nature…

Joy of joys I got to cycle in the sunshine on Sunday along a newly discovered lane coming out from the village that goes along a ridge. No steep hills, oh how my legs rejoiced!

Whilst I cycled along I pondered on a telephone call from Friday night. A gentleman, trying to engage me romantically, called and questioned me on my life choices and whether they were the right ones given my circumstances. It was a soft conversation which gave me pause to think and reflect on where I am now. He was suggesting that my old corporate work may be better suited to my life at this moment and I found myself replying gently, but with conviction. I have my telephone work, clients that come to my home and various new opportunites that spring up from working with these clients. As we move forward together side by side, I am working with them and that in turn is bringing forth creative, financial and practical abundance. I am not talking optimistic plans here, but reality.

I know my spirit guides heard my words and they showed their resounding support the next day. The telephone line was extremely busy and the special blessings and connections that threaded through each call left me in no doubt that I am exactly where I am meant to be.

As I sit writing this I look out across my neighbours gardens and a beautiful Magnolia tree is just coming into bloom.

The seeds that have been planted over the last few years are growing. They are not only growing, but thriving and blooming, and as long as I tend to them with loving care then all is well in the garden.

Rain and good intentions….

Five weeks ago I moved here and my car was sold to secure my new home. ‘Don’t worry’ I assured my loved ones, I will make full use of the internet for grocery shopping, my clients can come here to see me, I will offer yummy food as you visit and when I need to go anywhere I will use my push bike….brave words.

Notice the five weeks and I will admit that the bike has been nestling undisturbed in my shed the whole time. I woke up yesterday needing milk and gave myself a stern talking to while I showered. Reminding myself of all the things I had tackled in my adventurous life so far….all the excuses of snow and ice over the last five weeks melted under my own words.

I grabbed my purse and off I set. Have I mentioned that I live on a hill? I flew down, which was quite enough excitement for one day, and then the heavens opened and I mean opened. The rain lashed at me, it really did, and I was drenched in seconds. I pushed on and soon discovered that there are a few hills between the nearest village shop and my new place. I paused to shelter in a peaceful churchyard, as the church is no longer used and preserved as a historical site.

I made a sensible decision resting under the yew trees and turned back to walk home pushing my bike up these picturesque and challenging hills.

As I rounded the last hill for home a neighbour spotted me and it’s testimony to her kindness that she did not laugh. Wonderfully practical she asked if I was alright and was I exploring or actually trying to get somewhere for something. I was only able to splutter that I was far from fit and in need of milk. Different cycling routes were explained, a corner shop pointed out that was at least two miles closer and she brought me milk when she returned within an hour.

I am not giving up on the bike and am baking for my kind neighbour….

Synchronicity, balance and blessings in simplicity….

Through my own choices my balance was rocked lately and I made a decision to step back and take stock. Time to reflect and just ‘be’ is a blessing.

There is a profound peace in this little cottage where I live and the walls that are over 200 years old protect and enfold me. I pottered yesterday and so many blessings floated up…..

I live on a hilltop looking out over fields and hills and the birds happily sing their freedom up here.

The traffic is a rural mixture of horses, tractors, battered land rovers and a very grumpy postman.

I unpegged my washing from the line yesterday and the setting sun caught the church tower at the side of our gardens.

Neighbours knock on my door all smiles and friendly offers.

There is a Pilates class in the village hall just over the brow of the hill on Monday evenings.

We are all going for a Spring walk on the May bank holiday ending with a picnic in a local wood. Homemade cake has been mentioned.

There is a real possibility of the closed pub building being turned into a village shop.

I have loving friendship links in all the surrounding villages. Friends that I have made with all the different things I have done in various places around the world and here we are in close proximity. Are we having fun catching up with each other? You betcha!

One of my clients looked across my sitting room on a recent visit and quizzed me about the things I make. I am now creating to add to the stock in her vintage gift shop.

There is synchronicity at work here with a balance that I have longed for.

I am grateful and content.