My poet friend, Kim, posted this evocative poem today and has given me permission to share it with you, dear Readers. I remember that longing for the Cornish sea when we lived far away from home. Also, the last verse rings particularly true as today I walked by the sea with a lovely friend where I felt, ‘Blessed by the sea and its motion,’ as well as by the warmth of a special friendship.
Godrevy Lighthouse
As we left the allotment this afternoon, the sky was peachy and beautiful.
What a night! There were wild August winds, driving rain and clatters of garden chairs trying to take off. Sadly much of the garden has been flattered as our small landscape has been altered but a disaster can be an opportunity so here we are with a lovely bunch of colour indoors of flowers that we rescued.
As we couldn’t spend much time outside today, we decided to make marmalade with the oranges we froze in January when the all too short Seville orange season was with us. That’s it for the year now. The tiny jars are for breakfast in bed should one of us fall ill. 
My poet friend, Kim Ridgeon, penned the perfect poem for the day and for the strange emotions we are all feeling in these uncertain and disturbing times. Please read it several times and feel the phrases that sum up the unpredictability of our lives right now. I love this poem.
August Wind by Kim Ridgeon
The poet, Kim Ridgeon has written very movingly about isolation. Like me, he worries about those whose views, in isolation, are just bricks and graffiti, who have nowhere beautiful to walk and he expresses that so clearly. He feels he wants to do something, as we all do, and here he is, doing something – writing poems that touch our hearts and set us thinking. I thank Kim for the permission to share his poem with you here. 
Our walk today took us across the railway line and along some lovely lanes with the gift of open skies. We are so very lucky.
I feel the same need to ‘do something’ and though I write for myself, my gift right now is being able to sew. I have made eleven scrub bags which will be collected tomorrow and sent to wherever they are needed. Although I am a political animal, I rarely show that here but I have very mixed feelings about being an amateur sewist doing my bit along with everyone else in the national movement to sew scrubs, caps and bags when our government has let the side down so very badly. NHS and other care workers are dying for lack of PPE. Clapping on Thursdays is good but proper funding over the last ten years would have been much better.
11 scrub bags
Thank you ribbons
We have watched the lambs in the back field with great delight today. The lovely Mr S took photos and I attempted a video in the gale that was blowing. It’s a bit wobbly and very noisy – you can’t hear the lambs talking to their mums – but I hope it will give you a feel for the experience.
It is World Poetry Day today and here I offer you a poem by a poet I much admire. I love his imagery and sensitivity, his use of language and, in this one, his reassurance.
Reassurance by Kim Ridgeon
For the last few days I have been watching a tiny wren in our garden. Today I managed to get a photo, albeit a bit smudgy taken through the window and of a fast moving little creature.
I have another poem for you from Kim Ridgeon whose work I love.
It is International Women’s Day and I send good wishes to women everywhere.
I love seeing the first Snowdrops as Winter moves towards Spring.
A friend sent a beautiful poem a little while ago. I was just waiting for our Snowdrops before I could post it. Thanks Kim.
One of our Crocuses has been attacked on the stem so I have brought it indoors and put it in the little pottery vase we were sent a couple of years ago. 
My Mum was born on Bonfire Night one hundred and five years ago and, as a child, thought that everyone was celebrating her birthday with enormous fires and fireworks lighting up the sky. Memories of my Mum came to the fore a couple of weeks ago when a poet friend sent along this poem which touched me deeply and I was given permission to use it today in honour of my much missed Mum.
We live in very uncertain times and many of us feel worried. At choir we are learning several songs of strength and resistance written by our leader and I always leave choir feeling stronger and more determined. One of our songs (and I will share them after their debut concert in July) is about standing up in the face of injustice and defending those less able to do so for themselves. I was reminded of these words of Desmond Tutu:
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.”
On Sunday, in Saltash, we waited for the Cornwall Pride Bus and the parade. It was brilliant and very well supported. One of our songs is about being who you want to be and loving who you want to love and I will share that one later too. 
I have a friend who is a poet and he has recently had an event where he gave away A Poem on a Paper Bag – a delightful idea. He visited Cornwall last week but we have family here so couldn’t meet up. However, he has sent me my very own Poem on a Paper Bag and here it is, in his very own handwriting. Thank you so much, Kim. I love it – Jackdaws caught to perfection!
Kak-Kak by Kim Ridgeon
Just one Tulip has shown up in a pot from last year.
Just one white Tulip
A couple of years ago, three trees down our lane were felled and we were very sad. We were told that they were diseased. In their place, last year, three small trees were planted which we were very happy to see. Today, we spotted just one bloom on what turns out to be a Magnolia – what joy!
Baby Magnolia tree
Serendipitously, a friend today posted one of his poems with a photograph of a Magnolia and its ‘storm strewn’ petals and I found the accompanying poem very moving.
I shall not mourn the storm strewn magnolia
as fresh flowers unfurl below its boughs.
This is nature’s humble new hope
in a darkening world such as ours.
Kim’s Magnolia
Thank you, Kim.
P.S. I have sold the first of my glass pieces!!
A very quiet day today so a couple of flowers from yesterday’s visit to the garden centre and a video from a poet whose work I have been sharing with you recently – Kim Ridgeon. I love his style.
Hellebore
Camellia
Do click on the link and enjoy Kim’s Outside Broadcast.
Commentator Award
