When your mo jo is wobbly, call in the troops

Like 99% of the people I know our life is busy, despite Covid 19.

Level 5 has been tough for everyone with our daily social contacts limited, smiles are few and all the cheery hello’s of summer have faded. Pat is recovering from a major operation on his shoulder so we have been cautious

So it is not surprising that we sometimes struggle. But our infusion of smiles comes from phone calls, facetime and the occasional visit from granddaughter number one.

Meabh brings a reminder that life is for living and we need to get on with it. She loves all the animals about her but has learnt to navigate through them without any falls or bumps. She has turned the greenhouse into her playhouse and generally calls the shots.

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September – Harvest time!

I relised I had not posted on this site in a while. No excuse just like many others, getting to grips with our new normal, though I believe there is no such thing as a normal routine, not any more.

However September is here which should mean, slow lazy gardening days, collecting, gathering an generally enjoying the fruits of our busy summer in the garden. It was going well until the brocoli incident.

You would think we had learnt to be a bit more watchful. But we don’t do anything easy or simple in this house. The Garden was looking good until we learnt that Doug loves …

Brocoli, Peas, Beans, Courgettes, Carrots, Tomatoes (red and green) in fact Doug just likes to eat! The result was flattened areas where he harvested his greens, and reds.

Bob’s Diary: Start like you mean to continue

Have you broken your New Years Resolution yet?

All around me I hear people, dogs, cats even birds saying they are disgusted with themselves for they have broken their promise to get fitter, or slimmer.

Well I am proud to say I have not broken mine.

Because I have no desire to learn how to swim, drive a boat,

 

dav

This is the bridge Ellie usually swims under and Maria goes under via boat.

or be fitter or slimmer,

sdr

sdr

I like me just the way I am.

dav

dav

Now can someone please tell Maria this as she insists a two mile walk is good for me.

bmd

bmd

Bob’s Diary: If an Ogre can do it – can I?

I know I haven’t written about the Ogre from the wood for a while but really an Ogre and a Fairy in a book for children? I wonder if anyone would like to read stories about me? Or am I losing my good looks and sociable friendly personality?

bob high viz 1

I know Maria has an idea rattling around in that big old empty brain of hers, but, please let me know what you think.

bob2

Bob’s Diary: Halloween Night is coming …. I thought I was prepared

Hi,

I was having a snooze when I began to feel really warm.

1st of bob in pumpkin suit

Then I woke to find I had been sabotaged. Though the promise of some biscuits did keep me happy for a while.

See what you think, and please let me know if I am an idiot.

bob 3

I made my escape

i am off

 

 

and was rewarded when I spotted these two flying high towards mudpile wood.

ipp

 

I wonder if I could get into Mr. Breeze’s party?

 

 

 

 

Bob’s Diary. Why cats?

I don’t understand why people are so taken with cats.

peeking

They don’t chase balls or fetch stuff. They just lie around and moan a lot. I’ve tried explaining we don’t need them as I catch the mice in this house, two so far this month and winter is not even here yet.

Maybe someone can explain the fascination to me but here is a sketch Maria did a while back of one breaking his way into the house.

ipp

Flash Fiction: Aya’s flight.

Aya clung to the rock.  Her thoughts were bleak. Is this it? The end?  She was tired of running.

Her vision was spectacular. A trait she cursed now as she watched the red spectre creeping relentlessly towards her. It was hungry devouring everything in its path.

Worse she could smell the acrid smell of death. So strong it hit the back of her throat making her gag.

Aya supposed this must be how her victims had felt before she ended their lives. But, she argued, my act had been one of self-defense not one born of hunger and greed.

Her eyelids fluttered, she wobbled a little as she clung to the rock. I mustn’t sleep yet, she whispered though there was no one to hear.  Aya was thirsty, hungry and exhausted.

She looked to the sky. The dark clouds mirrored the color of the charred earth but no rain had fallen.

She offered a prayer to the Gods for a quick end.

A tear escaped.

Then she heard it. A flutter. Ears straining she wondered if she was imagining it. A wishful thought converting a whispering wind to an animal’s movements.

Shoulders slumped as she decided to stay and prepare for death.

Aya flinched when she felt the slightest tingling touch along her back. Turning she saw a bright blue and green flicker darting along her back. The kingfisher moved like a flash of lightning as it danced in the air above her.

She opened her mind and heart to it demanding, “What do you want of me? Death?”

“No. Life. Follow me you are close to a spring which leads to a river many miles from here. ” The kingfisher darted away.

Aya watched him leave. Tiredness dictated she check this out before she moved. Swiveling about she took a deep breath. Her lips quivered as a tentative smile formed. She decided green river reeds never smelt this good.

Summoning the last of her energy, Aya loosened her grip on the rock. Then spreading her wings, the last dragon took flight into the dark sky with a heart burdened with hope.

 

dragon