We’ve had fun with our latest jigsaw, another of the Alchemist series by Eeboo jigsaws.
Late sunbeams landing on the Libertia Grandiflora made it look as if it was on fire.
I was looking for today’s poem in the book ‘A Poet for Every Day of the Year , didn’t fancy today’s but this one from September 25th. Celia, Celia by Adrian Mitchell, made us both laugh out loud so I hope it gives you a smile at least today.
There were countless more seedings potted on today at Community Roots by an enthusiastic team of volunteers.
Meanwhile, my lovely Mr S got some tulip bulbs planted in a lovely big pot, some beautiful white ones called White Valley and some very dark ones called Paul Scherer. We need to get some other colours for a different plot, more hope for a pretty Spring..
The following poem by Kim Ridgeon came to me this morning and I absolutely loved it – its subject matter, its rhythm, its humour and its poignancy. I love the ‘book cathedral’ and the way the image is echoed throughout and I love that the ‘unboxing’ is for Kim, and for me and for his many readers, ‘a small consolation in threatening times.’ Thank you, Kim, for giving me permission to share.
I have just received my new book from the ShelterBox Book Club which is the best of book clubs and gives me some small consolation. 
The poet, Brian Bilston has very kindly given me permission to share his clever poem, “At The Intersection” which amused me greatly. He introduces it thus: “The mathematician John Venn was born on this day in 1834. To commemorate the occasion, here’s a poem in the form of a Venn diagram.” I hope it makes you chuckle too.
I made a Lemon, Cinnamon and Blueberry Cake today which is very tasty but all the blueberries have sunk to the bottom, again. Perhaps that’s what blueberries do! I’m guessing the volunteers tomorrow won’t mind.
From the back bedroom, I took a photo of the lily with three buds now open and two to go.
I hope we get all five blooms together.
I salvaged a few beans, maybe three or four dinners….I’ve frozen most of them and we had some fresh with our dinner tonight. 
The following poem came my way today and I love it, the wisdom of a Granny. Hang on to those feelings folks, however hard that might be right now.
It has been heartening today while working in the garden, to hear the constant buzz of bees. They love the Crinodendron and the perennial Cornflowers.
Our golden roses are opening beautifully.
I can’t remember who sent me this poem, but if it was you, thank you. I love it. 
Our Rhododendron, new last year, is flowering well this year.
We are delighted with the colour of the irises in contrast with the Crinodendron flowers. Last year the irises didnt flower at all and Mr S wanted to take them all out. However, after their rest, they have come back in force!
Each day I get a poem in my inbox from Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer. thanks to unexpectedincommonhours.
who told me about the opportunity. I love the poems and this one really touched me and took me back to 2004 and the hospice where my lovely Dad spent his last 17 days and I spent every day with him.
Last Days
In the end, my father couldn’t
raise his arm to feed himself.
Couldn’t sit. Could barely ope
his eyes. But damn, could he love.
He still could curl his thick
fingers around my hand.
Could still say my name.
And though I had never known
a moment when I was not sure
this man loved me, in those last days
I knew it more. Somehow, barely
able to speak, he drenched me
in his devotion. In those last days,
all was reduced to love. Or was it
all was expanded to love? Either
way. Somehow I hadn’t known
how love can take over a body.
A life. The purity of it. The gift.—Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer
A gift of Alium blooms, so delicate and pretty, a present from Sue-next-door
Wisteria and a bird box in the evening sun
It’s International Dylan Thomas Day so here is one of my favourite pieces, recited by one of my favourite actors.
I was in a conversation a couple of days ago with some ex-pupils (I do love that we are still in touch) and they were telling me which of the literature we studied together they remembered . Several said Under Milk Wood which I was delighted about as I went out on a limb to study that with them. That of course, was in the days when teachers could choose which texts to study! 🙂
After a fabulous choir session this afternoon, there were many things to make me smile at the garden centre, first a quirky pottery chicken hiding among some plants.
The place was full of bees and I loved this one with its back end so laden with nectar as it gathered more from a rhododendron.
In the middle of the plant area was a splendid bug hotel which reminded me of one of the poems in Simon Armitage’s new book, ‘Dwell’. In Insect Hotel, he imagines the insects writing their comments in the visitors’ book. Here are a few lines. It’s worth finding the whole poem as it will make you too smile. 
The Fox next door is to go to the Lost Gardens when it is complete as it is one of the creatures being honoured by being written about by our Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage. I was lucky enough to be invited by Sue-next-door to go to the book launch this evening of his new poetry collection, Dwell. It has been a fabulous evening, meeting lots of lovely people, hearing Simon Armitage talk about the project and reading his poems and then meeting him as he signed the two copies I had bought.
Most days i resistUnsocial media.Wishing a more humane human made systemHad manifested.And then, by chanceHere i amSeeing the postsOf the remarkable humansI have connected withOver the years.And I am inspiredIntrigued,Informed,Still connectedThrough ideas and idealsVisions for a just worldAchievements and insights.Thank you all, poets, musiciansActivists, builders, critics, political wranglers, seekers of justice, seekers of wonder,Like the trees in the forest,We nourish each other.
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