I enjoy getting the beds ready for a LiveWire visit. The duvet covers were made by my Mum many years ago and I love the fact that the LiveWires’ Great Granny made their bed covers. ClothKitty, made by me about 40 years ago, a Wild Thing and Bagpuss await LiveWire No 4’s arrival tomorrow.
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Heavy showers were threatened in Truro today but the squirrel on top of the spire still glowed.
Buying train tickets today, I was delighted to spot this planter on the platform.
We need one of these on every beach.
The bird feeder has been busy. Look carefully at the second photo to see the departing Goldfinch.
The following poem, “I am very bothered” by Simon Armitage was one much enjoyed by the teenagers I used to teach. It touched something in them. I was pleased to hear that he is our new Poet Laureate.
I am very bothered when I think
of the bad things I have done in my life.
Not least that time in the chemistry lab
when I held a pair of scissors by the blades
and played the handles
in the naked lilac flame of the Bunsen burner;
then called your name, and handed them over.O the unrivalled stench of branded skin
as you slipped your thumb and middle finger in,
then couldn’t shake off the two burning rings. Marked,
the doctor said, for eternity.Don’t believe me, please, if I say
that was just my butterfingered way, at thirteen,
of asking you if you would marry me.
We had lunch in the garden today and were so aware of the continuous buzzing all over the garden so I set out with my camera to attempt, on a very windy day, to capture the bees on various wind-blown plants. Some of the photos, plants and/or bees, are a bit fuzzy. It is very heartening to find our plantings attracting so many pollinators.
On the French Lavender
Dozens on the Crinodendron
On the Lamb’s Ears
On the Cotoneaster
On the Mexican Fleabane
On the Thyme
On the Rosemary
On the Raspberries.
On the Broad Beans
I would love to be able to identify each of these bees, especially after hearing on the radio this morning that we have at least 150 different kinds of bees in the UK! I shall make a start….. Try here if you want to play along https://friendsoftheearth.uk/bee-count/great-british-bee-count-bee-identification-guide
The next photo is of a creature I do not know but which is very beautiful. The last time I posted a photo of a beautiful creature, a bright red one, I was very quickly told that it was a Lily Beetle and I should ‘dispose’ of it asap! I’m hoping this is a friendly and beneficial little critter.
Beautiful creature on the Mexican Fleabane
If you would like to take part in Six on Saturday, pop over to The Propagator’s blog where, in the comments, you can follow gardeners and their blogs from all over the world
PS I have discovered from the above mentioned site that the creature on the Rosemary isn’t a bee – it’s a Hoverfly.
We have found the perfect place to keep our new mugs, bought from our potter friend in Open Studios week. Isn’t the turquoise colour just gorgeous?
Last week I was sent some new earrings to use in my glass work and this is the piece that they inspired – purple, white and green, a Suffragette piece! 
I came across this quilt a few days ago and loved it. Just look at the work that has gone into it with words from Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol, a favourite song that we sing with my choirs.
Chasing Cars
We’ll do it all
Everything
On our ownWe don’t need
Anything
Or anyoneIf I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?I don’t quite know
How to say
How I feelThose three words
Are said too much
They’re not enoughIf I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?Forget what we’re told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that’s bursting into lifeLet’s waste time
Chasing cars
Around our headsI need your grace
To remind me
To find my ownIf I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?Forget what we’re told
Before we get too old
Show me…
Just inside the car park today, these two little feathers were lying on the ground, looking just like tiny angel’s wings that had fallen from the sky.
Our lighthouse nesting box had to come down today and is due a paint. With the lid off, we discovered a tiny little nest that must have been from last year as no-one took up residence this Spring. If you look carefully, you can make out the neat construction. 
This came my way today and was most timely. I had a nasty experience on a roundabout on my way to Penryn to sing as I was cut up by someone in the wrong lane who cut very tightly in front of me. I was all of a tremble when I arrived and the Singing salve certainly settled me as well as the friendship which surrounded me.
Today’s post brought me a small packet and a card from a friend with whom I used to work. She has seen my glass pieces and sent some earrings for me to use. I have already put three of them into designs and will show you when they are complete.
Card from June
The earrings are perfect for the way I use them Thank you so much, J.
It is 26 years since my Mum died on this day, 4th June in 1993. Last year at this time I showed you some lovely photos. This year, here is a poem I wrote some years ago when challenged to write a 26 line poem, each line starting with the next letter of the alphabet. It was one of those moments. This one is for you, Mum.
As I was walking along the
Beach
Clutching my shoes,
Dipping my toes in the water and
Expecting to meet a
Friend,
Grief
Hit.
I
Just had to
Kneel in the sand,
Linking
My fingers so tightly they became
Numb.
Odd, how the
Passion of grief
Quits only to
Return
So suddenly and unexpectedly.
Then it’s gone again and I’m left
Uplifted by the
Vision of the sea she loved,
Watching
X numbers of
Yachts
Zimming across the waves………..
Join us on our delightful stroll around the Woodland Sculpture Garden at Salena Stamps where the works of Peter Boex are around every corner. Click on any photo in the gallery for a larger view.
The Big Lunch at the local allotments was lovely, lots of neighbours and a delicious spread including some scrumptious miniature pasties.
The Poppies were striking and the Artichokes massive.
Here is the Action for Happiness calendar for June.
Joyful June
I love white flowers. I once had a book called “Plant a Moon Garden’ which was full of white flowers to capture the moonlight. I am still working towards our Moon Garden and our white flowers are all over the garden rather than together. The next full moon is 17th June so I hope all will be aglow in our garden that evening. Here are some of our white moon-catchers.
1 Clematis Montana Alba in our shady corner with the fountain playing. This won’t still be in flower for the full moon.
Clematis Montana in our shady corner
2. Lychnis Petit Henri. Beautiful delicate flowers on this little plant. We have two that we bought last year but they are taking their time to establish.
Lychnis Petit Henri
3. White Cosmos. Cosmos, pink and white, grow in profusion by the roadside in South Africa as we saw last Spring – what a delight that was – and I love having them in our garden.
White Cosmos
4. White Cornflower – to join the blue ones (not quite open yet) in the blue and white border with the white Lupins and a very pale Foxglove in the back.
White Cornflower, White Lupins behind
5. I can’t remember the name of this one, something Titanic I think………
Forgotten the name of this very tall and striking flower
6. Mexican Fleabane Erigeron karvinskianus We didn’t plant this but love it in our three wall gardens. It thrives in walls all over our town, reappearing year after year and clothing winter-bare walls in no time.
Mexican Fleabane Erigeron karvinskianus
The Propagator hosts Six on Saturday. Pop over and see his blog and follow the links in the comments to other gardeners all over the world who bring their Six to the party.
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