Everything is more colourful: narcissus, muscari, pansies, primulas, tulips, herbs in the fairy garden, star magnolia. it's so much lighter. The heavy feeling has shifted. My yoga teacher has made a full recovery. April's garden is beautiful, red- tailed bees are dashing about, courting bird song of blackcaps, chaffinches, sparrows and seagull all in a heady chorus. Spring has sprung!
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A neighbour let me play with an antique manual (not a treadle) singer sewing machine that was in a pitiful neglected state when he came across it. It was covered in cobwebs, full of dirt and dust, but I knew that Singers usually work if all the parts are there. The wheel turned, just about; the bobbin winder was stuck solid with grim, on the positive side the long bobbin was in the bobbin shuttle. I'd not used a long bobbin before so this was an interesting challenge. I looked on the Singer site to find out the date of the serial number. No. 12321485, and came up with the year 1894. Not that original as about 562,000 had been manufactured that year. I found a diagram there about how to thread a long bobbin. I also went on you tube and found how to oil and clean a vintage long bobbin machine by Lizzie Lenard, She has a very helpful blog for vintage quilters too. www.lizzielenard-vintage.blogspot.co.uk. I must say I found a pastry brush, and inter-dental toothbrushes, and metal polish most useful for the cleaning task. It was only when polishing the metal badge on the front of the machine that I realised that the emblem was a bobbin shuttle. 'Pearl' now positively gleams, works well if simply; a wonderful piece of nineteenth century engineering. ,A few years ago I remember reading a blog where the blogger called her singer sewing machine Pearl, made me smile at the time. As this one has now found a new lease of life and is singing again, I will dedicate this one to that blogger (sorry I don't know her name or her blog any more), and my fondness for Elkie Brooks!
Spent a lovely day with Sean, Victoria and Jura, as they were shortly moving from Keswick up to Fort William. Walking out from The Lingholm Estate www.thelingholmestate.co.uk after a bite to eat at the Lingholm kitchen cafe and shop to Derwent Water, very misty, always beautiful. Ubiquitous daffodils steal the show and some gorgeous red rhododendrons, Alpacas and a selfie.
A new Easter bunny, Parsnip, is happily sitting in a basket with chocolate chicks and bunnies. Parsnip's soft fur is made with velour furnishing fabric, with blue spotted cotton ears. Dressed a little hastily last night and slept in his clothes to make an appearance this morning; from recycled baby T-shirt and trousers. His eyes, mouth and claws are coloured embroidery thread. I think he will be sporting some better clothes very soon. A sweet little duckling card from my sister Ang. A painted boiled egg for breakfast. I still like the tradition of painting real eggs, even with no children here. Crafting and sewing makes me happy, 'good when times are difficult or stressful, and a pleasure at anytime.' Two little hearts made for friends I meet at a weekly aqua zumba class and have coffee afterwards. One friend, her Mother died last week at the amazing age of 101. To think of all the historical events she has lived through - and changes witnessed. . . two world wars. . . A photo on a card, poppies from the weeping window at Hereford Cathedral, sent to me last week from a dear friend, Denise. I haven't done her photo justice as she's managed to take the poppies with snow in the foreground. The poppies are there until the 29th April; part of a touring 5 year arts programme connecting people with the First World War. www.herefordcathedral.org I don't think I will get to see them so its lovely to have this picture. . . Thinking of my friends, the poppies, . . . thoughts of my own dear Mum and Dad, both passed away - my Mum fifteen years ago last week, and my Dad thirty-four years ago last week. . My eldest son's birthday born thirty- four years ago, Sean, from the Irish, meaning, 'gracious, - a gift from God', one of my most precious gifts. A Buddha, my new garden ornament; a wonderful unexpected gift from my current yoga teacher. She has been ill with a chest infections and difficulty breathing (a real worry for a yoga teacher) for the past six weeks, I offered and have taught the class for the past two weeks. My insurance is valid even though I haven't taught for two years due to moving and Brian's medical appointments. Teaching again has been a privilege and a pleasure. The Buddha is sitting in the sunshine among the daffodils. It is Easter Sunday, Christ is risen; for me there is no conflict between Buddha and Christ. Compassion, forgiveness, passion, a nurturing gentle breath of life, resurrection. Love, light and happiness are all. Happy Easter X |
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