Also on our walk we came across this box of free apples and pears. We happily took some pears and this afternoon I have poached them in vanilla for desserts over the next few days.
Last time we were in Arizona (too long ago) I bought a little book of Native American Proverbs. I like the one on the cover and this one below (and many more ) from inside.
“Be kind to everything that lives.” Omaha
And, excellent news, I received my letter from the NHS today inviting me for my vaccine. I booked immediately and get my shot tomorrow and my 2nd dose on 18th April. Shortly after that I’ll be able to hug family if/when they can visit.
Catkins, a sign of Spring on our bright and brisk walk.
A friend popped round on her walk today so that we could swap books and she brought me some beautiful sea glass too. So, I now have new red glass and some sea glass and I need to get back to work.Thank you so much, H, much appreciated.
The following lovely story came my way today and I thought you’d like it too, Dear Reader.
This beautiful embroidered dress is such a gentle reminder of the positivity and sincerity of the First Lady. I love too that she is a teacher.
The following is taken from a Facebook post this morning:
“Dr. Jill Biden’s Inauguration Evening Dress had flowers from all 50 States plus the US territories embroidered on it, with the flower of Delaware sewn near her heart and the other flowers branching out from it. What a lovely message from a lovely woman.
ETA: “Inside of the coat, representing the lifelong calling and service of Dr. Biden as an educator is a hand embroidery on the lining with a quote from Founding Father Benjamin Franklin:
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”’
The materials used were existing available fabrics to minimize the impact on the environment.”
Pictures from designer Gabriela Hearst. Jessica Bustamante
The skies were so beautifully blue today, the moon already risen and the apricity so lovely – until the black clouds came over and the hailstorm swirled around us with the sharp hail bits stinging our faces!
In St Euny Graveyard, on our route down Church Lane on the way to the Great Flat Lode, the Snowdrops are blooming.
What a day! We watched the inauguration of Biden and Harris and found it very moving and full of hope for the future and we loved the poem, The Hill We Climb, by 22 year old Amanda Gorman, a ray of sunshine, from her words to her yellow coat, as my SIL said. You can find out more about this remarkable young woman here. Another lovely thing was seeing Bernie Sanders in his wonderful hand knit mittens.
“To anyone watching the U.S. Inauguration events today, I’d just like to point out this iconic knitwear moment, and also say that this photo is the Berniest thing that ever Bernied. No understated classic black leather men’s gloves for our Bernie Sanders — he went for warmth and practicality, and I bet he has the most comfortable pair of hands of anyone there.
Bernie Sanders’ chevron and diamond patterned mittens were made by Jen Ellis, a teacher from Essex Junction, Vermont. She gave them to him over two years ago and he began wearing them on the campaign trail during his run for presidential nominee. They are made from repurposed wool sweaters and lined with fleece made from recycled plastic bottles.” Taken from a Facebook post by The Knitting Needle and the Damage Done.
Storm Christoph is far worse for our friends in the North, Here it is wet and windy but we have no flooding.Our Sailors’ Barometer has been overflowing to tell us that the storm has been overhead.
Our friend, who winter swims with her pals, The BlueTits, has this delightful sticker on her car as we saw on our walk today.
Since our first visit to America some 40 years ago, I have loved their breakfast of waffles with maple syrup and crispy bacon. Now we have a waffle machine and I can make us that delicious breakfast!
These strange days when we aren’t allowed to hug – and we saw lots of friends yesterday in the market and delivering Christmas cards whom I wanted to hug – this turned up and says it all. In our heads and hearts, we are hugging with delight!
On our walk today, we saw an interesting flag comprising of several different flags. From the top left we identified the flag for Wales, then Scotland but what about the black and white stripy one? I think it’s the Breton flag. From the bottom left is Cornwall’s flag and the Isle of Man but the orange, white and green one? Wikipedia tells me that it is the flag of Ivory Coast. Seen from the other side, it would be green, white and orange, the flag of Ireland. Should one read a flag from the pole? Puzzling. Can anyone help? It would make sense for it to be Ireland, all the Celtic countries. Not sure about the swirly bit in the middle.
We’ve spent several happy hours at our allotment today, weeding a bit more and planting some Osteospermum which we have had in pots at home over the summer.
The next door plot has some amazingly beautiful Rainbow Chard. I’m tempted to grow it just for the winter colour but neither of us like eating it so there doesn’t seem much point. We need to grow plants we like to eat!
These photos came my way today with the words: “Rosa sat so Ruby could walk, so Kamala could run. “So delighted by the election results in America, so relieved, so happy for all friends, family and citizens in the US. I especially love the last picture.
P.S. Nearly forgot, for Remembrance Day, knitted white poppies for Peace outside our favourite pub, photo taken a few days ago.
YesterdayI learned from a friend that our town, Redruth, is twinned with Mineral Point in Wisconsin, USA! We knew that many Cornish hard rock miners emigrated to the states to take their much needed skills and I did a lot of research into that when I was part of the Perthi Kov team putting together our stories from St Euny graveyard for Until the Day Break. I think Wisconsin will have to be on our next US trip, whenever that can be. I wonder if any of my dear Readers are in Wisconsin. That would be really cool!
Our supermarket delivery came tonight. We have croissants for tomorrow’s breakfast!
I am not alone among my friends in having the odd wobble emotionally during this strange period in all our lives and I send my love out there to any of my readers also feeling the strangeness. The following poem of Mary Oliver’s captures the essence of what we all need to do. Go out and sing!
The following poem by Maya Angelou came my way today in remembrance and honour of Ruth Bader Ginsburg who died two days ago. She will be so greatly missed.
When Great Trees Fall – Maya Angelou
When great trees fall, rocks on distant hills shudder, lions hunker down in tall grasses, and even elephants lumber after safety.
When great trees fall in forests, small things recoil into silence, their senses eroded beyond fear.
When great souls die, the air around us becomes light, rare, sterile. We breathe, briefly. Our eyes, briefly, see with a hurtful clarity. Our memory, suddenly sharpened, examines, gnaws on kind words unsaid, promised walks never taken.
Great souls die and our reality, bound to them, takes leave of us. Our souls, dependent upon their nurture, now shrink, wizened. Our minds, formed and informed by their radiance, fall away. We are not so much maddened as reduced to the unutterable ignorance of dark, cold caves.
And when great souls die, after a period peace blooms, slowly and always irregularly. Spaces fill with a kind of soothing electric vibration. Our senses, restored, never to be the same, whisper to us: They existed. They existed. We can be. Be and be better. For they existed.
We have finished the painting and have put the trellis back in place. Next comes the planting after we have replaced all the soil.
We had tickets tonight for the latest WildWorks show, Meet me at the Edge, to be played out, socially distanced at Botallack. Sadly, it was cancelled on Friday as new Covid rules came into play that the National Trust have to abide by. Instead, the whole wonderful thing was live-streamed and we watched from home. It was so moving and beautifully done. You can watch if you’d like to. I recommend it if you can find an hour.
Our government tells us that in a few days, because of the Coronavirus, they will tell the over 70s that in a few weeks they should self isolate to protect themselves. With a warning like that, we and many of our friends are already self isolating. However, we are very lucky because we live outside the town and can walk out of our front door to be straight into the countryside . We can also drive to the coast and walk along in the beauty of our Cornwall where there are other walkers but no-one close by which was what we did this afternoon along a short stretch of the South West Coastal path.
Daffodils along the roadside
The view from the path towards Chapel Porth and Porthtowan
Looking out to rocks from the cliffs at St Agnes Beacon – Does anyone local know the name?
On Radio 4 this morning, we were being advised that laughter is the best medicine and that, just as we should be eating 5 a day fruit and veg, we should be finding 5 things a day to make us feel good. I might have to upgrade MBT to 5 a day when I can.
It is Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s birthday. We first learned of her when she was a much admired Law Professor at Columbia University School of Law in New York, USA. My brother was in her classes. Happy Birthday!
“Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court (b. 15 Mar 1933)
