Ready, set, cast

Okay I am all set: have my wacky circular knitting needles, have scrummy wool, have delightful bag in which to store wool - I will be embarking upon a hat this very evening.

But first to more immediate matters: candles, firelight and an afternoon of writing.

And of course:



Hope your week is going well thus far :-)

Sense of Place

In Bushes last night, we were talking about a trip that friends of mine are making today to the Dominican Republic. Conversation turned of course to Haiti, to emergency routes and fly zones, and the behind-the-bar Atlas was requested.

Who knew?

And lo and behold, a weighty atlas was produced. There's a neat inscription written on its fly leaf, explaining that it was donated to Bushes for the purpose of settling arguments. Arguments featuring one local in particular.

One suspects the mediating atlas has been called forth often over the years.

I imagined if such a book was in Plum Village, the Zen Buddhisty inscription would be something overtly affectionate and warm. It might read something like 'to help quieten seeds of discontent and frustration among our treasured community'.

And though the Baltimore version might phrase it differently, its purpose - with its teasing humour - is probably much the same.

And in other news:

Miserly Images

I finally got through photos from The Miser - they're not great quality, between phone-camera, stage lights, effervescent ever-moving cast and me shivering with cold in the wings. But you get a flavour at least :-)

It's been a burstingly creative week - writing knitting dyeing make-and-doing website designing - all good fun.

And after all that, a pint is in order, despite the manky weather this evening.

Have a lovely weekend, all :-)

Christmas Catch-Up

I'm getting through some photos from the last few weeks. This was Christmas morning in Baltimore, where the village gathers around for the Christmas Swim, before all heading to the home of the lovely Bushe family for a seasonal tipple and treats.

You meet the known world, laugh and cheer together, then get warm and share a drink, and talk presents and recipes, before going home to embark upon Christmas dinner.

As Christmas Day traditions go, it's pretty fabulous.

And picking up the Rilke strand of this blog, I am treasuring 'A Year with Rilke' which offers readings for each day. This was the reading for 1 January:

I Choose to Begin

I love all beginnings, despite their anxiousness and their uncertainty, which belong to every commencement. If I have earned a pleasure or a reward, or if I wish that something had not happened; if I doubt the worth of an experience and remain in my past--then I choose to begin at this very second.
Begin what? I begin. I have already thus begun a thousand lives.

RM Rilke

Here be dragons...

So, there's no news yet from the Dragons' Den - Sharon's in there pitching as I type.

Just passing time... waiting to hear... and it occurs to me that in tweeting or blogging about this, I've created inevitable frustration for readers, as there'll have to be a giant Clamming Up as soon as I know, either way.

So let's say: I hope that whatever happens, it works out for the best, for Sharon and myself and for Nosey Rosie.

Have a lovely weekend :-)

Sunny New Year

At last, pause for breath!

Today is still and sunny - the Big Freeze is due in tomorrow, so I shall take advantage of this halcyon day to re-stock the cupboards.

I love the story of 'halcyon days' - that halcyon birds (kingfishers) built their nests in little crevices on stormy cliffs (or built them floating on the sea itself). For two short weeks while their eggs were hatching, the seas calmed their constant buffetting. And then the violent storms kicked in again... I used to think it meant 'golden days', but it's more the calm between storms.

Anyhoo, after that, life will be about Nosey Rosie rewrites :-)

Our next performance isn't until Saturday night (note to self: take camera), so I figure I can risk a sauna - if it makes my cold flare up, there's recuperation time a'plenty. But I am on the mend, praise!

[There's a family standing outside the sitting room window, chatting away to the kittens who are outrageously on display, stretched out on the chaise longue. I am trying my best not to giggle...]

And in other news:

Between nights...

'The Miser' opened last night (after a batch of extra rehearsal yesterday) - and went really well.

I'm struggling with a cold at the moment: kind of sound like I gargle gravel for breakfast :-) Had to pause during my lines for breath.

Anyhoo, will take some piccies tonight before we start. I just wanted to thank everyone for the texts and emails wishing us well - they were much appreciated XXX

All is calm, all is bright...

Gorgeous day here: Baltimore is still and quiet, and the sea is like glass.



It's been bizarrely mild - just nippy enough now to light the fire :-) Max and Dubh are calm at last, after getting overexcited about the all-new scents of spiced beef and butter respectively. Speaking of which:



And the Nosey Rosie proof copies are back from the printer (who took a copy home to read to his kids - and they loved it!). Slightly surreal see her all bound - it's been a manic few weeks! Sharon's illustrations came up great, and she was amazing to get the book together in time - well done Sharon!!



Safe travels, for those who are on the road or in the air. Hope Christmas Eve is filled with warmth and joy, and a very merry Christmas X

No-one gets out alive

Off I went to drop off some rubbish, took four steps onto the pavement when I realised the glossy sheen to the path was not freshly fallen rain but slick ice. I stood, with two rubbish bags, wobbling, while planning a course of action.

There were several cars up at the top of the hill, setting up bollards to block off the road. A friend pulled up - he was trying this exit rather than the other hilly road coming out of Baltimore (which it turns out, is just as treacherous). 'There's no getting out of the village now,' he declared, turning and retreating home.

And I too retreated, reshuffling my To Do list in the hope that the Road Elves work their magic. For there's another Nosey Rosie road trip planned, and there's venison to collect :-)

Nosey Rosie Road Trip

Quick note before rehearsal, while oven heats to cook frozen pizza (can't wait for all my free time when the Christmas treaty cooking can begin. And the Christmas decorations can be unpacked).

So, today was a Nosey Rosie fiesta: visits to her printer, and stockists of all kinds, and a trip to the Magic Embroiderer Machine, where I watched in awe as garments were transformed into branded NR goods. Very positive feedback throughout. Baby steps :-)

But the roads, oh the roads. Two slides on ice: one coming around a corner as we sailed across the road, swerved, avoided hitting the other side. The other was when we turned down at the top of my road - massive thanks to Paddy the Dub for freeing Sharon Rose and me from our second twirley slide, and well done Sharon for the quick reflexes throughout.

Home. Hungry. Adrenalined up. Dress rehearsal in - oh, half an hour. Just enough time for that pizza...