256

A good sleep last night,
the last for several nights to come.

Early morning, sitting at my desk.
A cool breeze through the open door
whispers around my right shoulder.
Later the wind will be easterly and hot,
but in this moment I take delight in my
chilled right shoulder.

A week to come of hot nights and searing days.
I will crave the deep green hedgerows, 
rain, mist and cold white snow of where once I lived.

252

It's been several months since I was told to stop swimming.

Today at 5.30am I went back to the pool.

A clear blue sky, water that glittered and a lane to myself.

Eight lengths completed. I am pleased.

Driving home, I sang all the way.

Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year

to one and all.

242

236

52

I still like sitting and looking and covering my toes with pebbles.

234

No surgery required, for which I am grateful.
Long term patience necessary.

I have a 'frozen shoulder'.
I am in the right age bracket for such. 
Celestone and local anaesthetic injected into the glenohumeral joint.
I felt it touch the bone.
He told me that my condition could last for two years
(Thankfully one year has passed).

I asked him when I could swim again,
he smiled but would not be drawn on a date.

Next appointment in a month.

So, no swimming... yet.
 I WILL get back to it.
Instead, Dog and I walk our little socks off.

222

Dew

Sunlight

Dog

189

51

A personal list

1. Walk daily (with Dog) to sleep well at night.
2. Read, read, read.
3. Love is often evident in the mundane.
4. Be absurd.
5. A room of my own is a joy (thankyou A).
6. Crying is often helpful.
7. Think outside the box.
8. Observe hands, they tell a story.
9. Tell beloveds that they are indeed be-loved.
10. Rage when necessary.
11. Butter tastes better than margerine.
12. Running away does not fix it.
13. Grey is good.
14. I am an artist.
15. Cleaning the shower 1x wk is easier than 1x mth.
16. I have become quieter.
17. Walking towards a problem, often clears the view.
18. Accept with grace.
19. Solitude is a balm.
20. Get the vacuuming over and done with.
21. Say 'No'.
22. Say 'Yes' and leap.
23. Eat plenty of fibre.
24. Feet are important, look after them.
25. Wear a hat.
26. Make time to hold a hand.
27. Always carry a camera.
28. Perfume is good (but be subtle).
29. Gather/collect/display.
30. Cwtch. (Welsh for cuddle up).
31. Friends are valuable.
32. If I were rich I'd collect Netsuke.
33. You can't mend someone's life for them.
34. Swim to relax and stretch.
35. Make time to do something creative.
36. Tea cureth all evils.
37. Get up early and enjoy the peace.
38. Just laugh.
39. Bluebell blue/dirt red/linen white/eucalyptus green.
40. Rust and found objects can be beautiful.
41. Give back.
42. Talk it over.
43. Mascara and a good 'concealer' can work wonders.
44. Listen and hear (then ignore if necessary).
45. Insist on a 'date' night once a week.
46. Well made shoes/clothes are expensive, they last.
47. Good bread makes a meal.
48. Gardening is good for thinking.
49. 'Dragonfly-blue' toe nails.
50. Stay in touch.
51. Rules can be broken.

143

Black and white cockatoos

(Image taken using the zoom function on my tiny camera)

136

'Leaves swept'

Time now to sit

and

drink tea

from

my green cup.

132

Bookshop, Fremantle, 7.30pm.

Sitting at a cafe, people watching.

Sipping an espresso with sambuca.

Knowing that when I have finished,

I will be walking across the road

to browse.

123

Kite

85

' Monsterosa'

In the Secret Garden

Light and shade

Summer ends

63

Holiday transport

60

Wind and Sun

(Wind farm. Albany Western Australia)

50

Another bough falls to the ground

46

Waiting for mushrooms on Italian toast and a large cup of coffee

(image by Alchemist)

39

'Still here'

I've written about this old tree before and now have taken to documenting it's decay. Dog and I walk past it most mornings and each day another bough or scrap of bark has fallen to the bush floor.

Grey and pink Cockatoos roost in the upper branches and Kookaburras swoop in to perch on the twiggy ends. We tread carefully Dog and I, the dying branches are called 'Widow makers'.

23

I'd know those ears anywhere.

22. woodsmoke

Mist, rising sun and the scent of woodsmoke.

7 am. Walking with Dog.

*****

-

20. hay

'Flower' and 'Luke'.

Old barn. Wales.
The scent of hay and horses.