Yesterday, one of our dear friends shared the following photo, nature’s beauty indeed. I think it’s a Physalis.
Photo by N, thank you
We sang one of my favourite pieces today, a version of Pachelbel’s Canon as learned at a workshop at WOMAD some years ago. This video was made by a friend in the sopranos – sorry it’s sideways but it does sound lovely as each part is added to the whole. Thank you, S. I love to sing all the parts in turn except the high soprano!
Our Ukrainian friends are back and we are all so happy!
Saw this today and thought you, Dear Readers, might like it too.
Walking into town this afternoon, my eye was caught by a pretty little feather on the path.
Redruth has been privileged to be hosting a remarkable exhibition by Ukrainian artist Evhen Bal ‘Artifacts of Zero’. These antiwar artworks are made of Russian shrapnel and spent munitions that Evhen collected near Severodonets, Mykolaiv and at the Kramatorsk Railway Station. ‘Zero’ refers to military slang – the forward position, closest to the enemy, of fighting units. The exhibition is not beautiful in any conventional sense but talking to the artist and learning more about the war, the people, the community spirit, the grabbing hold of life was such a powerful and moving experience. The following poster was up on the wall.
I’ve worked on my Angels for Ukraine again today and experimented with sea glass for the heads of the smaller ones. I like the way they are not round like the glass beads I usually use. I think they show character!
The tall drawers that I keep all my materials in are very lovely, highly lacquered and painted with lilies.
We sang around the nest today.From Caroline at Jubilee Wharf, “The nest has been all about nurturing creativity and community spirit and has been built by the people who live and work at Jubilee Wharf and Jubilee Warehouse. The nest is the result of a community art project initiated by Jubilee Wharf tenants Arts Well, and part of Fun Palaces. People have put wishes in the nest and we would invite the choir to do so too and would love them to sing around it! Fun Palaces supports local people to co-create their own cultural and community events, across the UK and worldwide, sharing and celebrating the genius in everyone.”
My wish
The last time I made Choc Chip Cookies was for our lovely Ukrainian friends. Those young people are so deep in my heart and will be with me for ever. The following words are part of a message that came to us today and which has touched my soul.
“Just want again say thank you for this beautiful time in Redruth. It was like in Fairytale. Thank you for your attention and time and love.”
I’ve been working on glass all day as it is time for angels to be made. I’m using blue and yellow glass and making Angels for Ukraine. I’ve cut six, filed and cleaned all six, foiled just one and begun to choose the recycled, often given to me by friends, bits of jewellery to decorate them.
A walk on the beach by the sea, on an earring given to me by C.
With recycled beads looking like a sunflower
Beautiful autumnal colours are appearing in the trees.
I found this poem today and it seemed right, being about singing and for peace.
We keep the big doors open at the eco barn when we sing on Monday afternoons and today, through the gap, I saw some of the delightful and imaginative decorations in the yard, all made from old tyres and painted brightly to become a toucan and a palm tree!
I learned a new word the other day – confelicity. It means taking delight in the happiness of others. This is what it was like last week when we so enjoyed taking our Ukrainian friends to the beach where they were able to let go of some worries for a while and could revel in the joy of the sea and the beach.
Gyllyngvase Beach
Porthtowan
Portreath
Chapelporth
Our friends are in our hearts and our thoughts all the time and especially today given the ongoing news.
We made up a lovely bunch of purple, white and green to take when we visited our Dear friend Ti this morning.
The various patches at the allotments still have colour. There are lots of squashes around and some lovely bright dahlias in a neighbouring plot.
One of our young Ukrainian friends posted this today. It is to recognise Defenders Day in Ukraine today and translated says: All defenders and defenders happy holiday! You guys are the best!
Всіх Захисників і Захисниць зі Святом! Друзі, ви найкращі!
I looked up the significance of the day and found the following:
A wonderful day was had by all – walking on Chapelporth Beach, cave exploring, swimming for the brave, and general rejuvenation of the spirit.
The director’s nephew and niece visited too
The lovely people at the Chapelporth Beach Cafe very kindly treated our Ukrainian friends to a delicious lunch of Croques Monsieur followed by the inimitable and scrumptious ice cream, Robin’s Hedgehog. If you have never had one of these wicked treats, they are made up of Cornish ice cream slathered in Cornish cream and dipped in roasted hazlenuts. You can see by their faces how much these were appreciated.
Our farewell party was full of good company, a wonderful shared feast, lots of wine and even more singing. Our Ukrainians sang for us and we for them and together we all sang ‘You Are My Sunshine’ which they had learned last week when they visited my choir. That, and the last twelve days, have filled us all with love and beautiful memories.
Claire learning correct pronounciation of a Ukrainian song that we sing at choir
It’s National Poetry Day and the theme is the environment. However, given all the news around at the moment, I wanted to share this song of hope with you all.
“I’ve Learned to Sing a Song of Hope” by Georgia Douglas Johnson
A feather landed on my purple and white petunias that with their green leaves make the colours of the Suffragettes. The raindrops made it even more special.
Tonight we went to see the performance of Bunker Cabaret, written and performed by our young Ukrainian friends, Hooligan Art Community. It was wonderful, so very moving, a kaleidoscope of dance, drama and song that touched every member of the audience. What a brilliant team they are! If you live in Southhampton, they are coming your way next week; if in Edinburgh, in a couple of weeks. If you get the chance, do see them.
Thank you to Sue for the photo.
The poem above is for Mirra. I had chosen it before the show and then tonight realised the serendipity in that choice. For you, Mirra, with love.