March blog
For me, New Normal started “proper” this week. I intend to keep a log or blog about everything I achieve, so I can look back and know that I actually did things I enjoy. Or even if I don’t enjoy, it will have been tried and recorded.
I set a full timetable for myself. I’m thinking it will be a sort of Lent Project. As Shrove Tuesday was on 1st March it seemed a good reason to start something new. People talk about giving something up for Lent. But why not start something. Form a new habit?
So Monday started with the Yoga, which I have already written about.
Art Group Tuesday
This week we all tried sketching a human face. Mine looked a bit like Boy George.
At home, I did a sketch of an elephant head in shades of purple and blue, with coloured pencils. I’ve framed it for Jaffa.
Wednesday was an adventure. I went to Cusworth Hall to hear Ian read some poetry and Mick singing a couple of the songs they have written together.
It’s probably the furthest I have driven in a long time. The weather was dreadful – drizzly and chilly. The building is lovely and I enjoyed the event. More than enjoyed – loved it. Came home and wrote a poem.
The Poet
He painted pictures on my eyelids
I walked, for a moment, in his shoes
through memories of coal-dust faces
through lost towns and places
I walked on his beach, and tasted
the salt air and the solitude
I felt Gladstone’s axe in my hand
and tomorrow – I may fell a tree
He painted pictures on my eyelids
and now, I see.
Then in the evening it was Karaoke time. As usual Jeff took me to Mex in the car. Three songs and two large ciders. Happy day.
On Thursday I washed my hair – a day late as I didn’t have time for a shower the day before – had poached eggs for breakfast and took the tram train from Parkgate to Centertainment. I went to the pictures at Cineworld and watched The Duke with Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren in. It’s a true story about a stolen painting.
It is so easy, now, to get to Meadowhall or Sheffield with the tram train and I look forward to making more use of it. I have a bowling event next week. That will be my next tram train run.
In the evening I took the framed Elephant sketch up the road to Jacqs to give it to Jaffa. He was thrilled with it. Jacq and I painted our nails with new enamel. Hers is almost black and really suits her. Mine is bright red. Not sure about it yet.
Friday is a shopping/washing/household chore day. I procrastinated somewhat – although he washing was on a short cycle and Jeff was out shopping – and I needed to find a “spring” or “renewal” poem for Next Monday’s read-around. I scanned most of the poetry books on the shelf, and carried out a google search. I obviously fell into Wordsworth’s Wandering lonely as a cloud, but on this occasion I actually read it right to the end. Good poem, that. But a bit too obvious, probably. I will take it as back up. I will read one of my own, about the garden we found when we arrived at this house. (From “Candle”.) I’ll do a pre-amble – like Ian does- to set the scene. How we had been living in a flat without any garden at all.
This Used To Be Your Garden
Years of care, and love, in this garden,
A creation all his own
A magic of green and growing things
Tended by him.
And he got old, and he looked at his garden
At the weeds and the grass
At the roses he could no longer prune
Untended by him.
I never knew this man, or saw him work
His garden, but I know,
He loved it all, and was sad to have to
Abandon it.
This used to be your garden, old man.
It’s mine, for now,
But you are still alive here,
In this garden
You have felt what I feel now,
Seeing snowdrops break the grey
Of winter. Crocus beads reaching upwards
Into spring.
Then came the daffy leaves, up straight
Beneath the tree
And blossom on an unknown bush down by the gate-
You’d know it’s name.
Today I spotted tulip buds
And hyacinths as well
And a lilac patch of crocuses
I missed before.
Two weeks I’ve had this garden.
Just fourteen days
Of waking up to birdsong
And the view.
Each day’s another wonder,
Finding something new,
What a year of surprises this will be –
Thanks to you.
I think that fits the bill for Spring and Regeneration.
Next week there will be poetry, ten pin bowling and some art work in the signal box.