Apples and.....

...raspberries and Pimm's in the afternoon.

How lovely it is to spend time doing nothing. In the garden, inlate summer sunshine, picking fruit with a summer drink and a lovely man.

We picked fruit, chatted, laughed - I watched him gardening - and then we went on a country walk through the fields and woods of Kent and then to The Swan, were my grandmother, Florence Amelia (aka 'Ciss' - because she liked the name 'Ciciley') used to have a drink, from time to time. She was widowed for 29 years and lived a very independent life. Always out and about, taking trips, holidays.

Old school pub with a sofa seated outdoor area. Cable reels for tables.Lovely. Then we wound our way back, made an apple pie, had a simple meal, lots of tea and watched the David Niven film, 'A Matter of Life and Death", finished the apple pie and went to bed.

I noticed the clay figurine sculpture that he had made in a life class, early this year, fired and placed on his window sill. I could not help to notice how it resembled me, in a few ways. Not a Michelangelo, but a beautiful and first attempt at sculpture. There was a certain delicacy about it.

Not long before he had made this he had said to me, "You don't know how special you are". What a beautiful thing to say, especially as, at the time, I had not felt very special at all.

My mother had been passed, some months and my ex-partner had left me. I was in deep mourning and not feeling my best. I was not sure how to respond to such a compliment. Though I did not feel that 'special', I respected that he had seen something in me that really was/is.

Maybe he saw me smiling through my brokenness. I should think so. And I did so. There is something sad, melancholy and enigmatic about the face of a woman who's eyes reflect a deep pain while her mouth smiles and her actions remain positive.

Some people would rather see you smile, because they know that this a a good thing.

Last night he told me that i am 'quite delicate'. I am that. I laughed and said 'You could snap me in two'.

We baked the apple pie this morning. He was disappointed that the pastry was very short and that it had cracked on one side. I thought it looked delicious.

I saw my father on the way home. I drove the forest route and saw a young fawn crossing the road and making it alive. I had wanted to stop. I drove past it slowly, it was safe on the verge. We looked at each other.

My Pa and I breakfast together and he had thoughtfully bought a silver frame for my graduation photo, with Richard Attenborough, and had bought me a card with a photo of Picasso at the Chidingly sign post. It was taken by Lee Miller, who he had stayed with on his unique visit to UK. The painting that recently turned up in an auction room in Woodingdean was made during that time. I'm sure that Picasso is haunting me (in a good way)

The frame had an Alfred Sisley (British Impressionist Painter and ancestor of my good friend Rog) quote, "Every picture has a spot with which the artist has fallen in love".

I framed them both up while having breakfast. It was nice of him to think of me.

My Pa also gave me one of my old etchings that I had made as a Christmas card, several years ago. I would like to print from it. It is a simple drawing of a girl ice-skater looking up at a star. A beautiful image.

I removed mum's baking equipment from the kitchen, a lot of it is useful. dad gave me a tub of blueberries from the garden.

As I was packing up the cake tins and pastry cutters he made a comment about my generation having the most divorces and broken relationships. "I know, we are the 'wild child' generation", to which he nodded in agreement. And the universe know this. Always ask the universe for help, and also give gratitude.

He is back in rehearsal with his local Am-Dram group. He will be performing in October. He is getting out and about and doing very well. Much better than I have seen him in the last year.

This afternoon I sorted out my Autumn/Winter wardrobe/s - realising that I have many, many items and that they are all a part of my love affair with me. A spot in my home with which the artist has fallen in love. Clothes, shoes and accessories. Loving yourself enough will be the best love affair that you ever have.

I notice that the colours I have selected are mainly, cream some navy and denim with some black and khaki green and a few russets. Good to pack up the things that will not be used until next year.

I put on a wash and had a salt bath with essential oils and candles.

The last few mornings and evenings have been decidedly cooler. Time to get prepared for the season of Hygge. My Barcombe Nurseries veg/fruit box is now seasonally packed with root vegetables and squash with seasonal fruit, plums, greengages apples, berries. Beautiful colours.

06/09

Birthday of Nina Perrson 45 years old

Tune of the day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI6aOFI7hms

The radio DJ said that she has a thin voice', but unique

I adore this track...there's irony in it.