Foresting
I seem to be leaving big gaps between posts at the moment. Probably because we’re all at home, and usually busy doing something. But I still take lots of pictures. And they need sorting out. But that’s for another day.
Since I last wrote here, I’ve had a birthday (quiet, but I spent my treat money on a Swatch watch because I’m very nostalgic about the 1980s) and I’m currently in the process of legally changing my surname. I’ve been wanting to do it for years; my parents divorced when I was very young, and the experiences I had with the paternal side of my family were not happy ones. All contact stopped when I was around eleven years old and I grew up in a contented home with my mum and brother, and there was a lot of love and fun.
My mum’s side of the family are Polish, so that was a big influence - the food, the culture. So I’ve taken her family name, and am now practising my complicated new signature.
In less significant news: we’ve been spending a lot of time in the woods. We have pine forests edged with deciduous trees, so there are lots of bluebells. I’ve never known anywhere like Skye for bluebells, actually; they’re everywhere. They cover miles of open ground as well as shadier places and it’s magical.
But they’re not quite my favourite wildflower.
This is. Water avens. I love it, and I can’t really explain why. But I do. And I was really excited to see it growing along the banks of the stream in our garden.
We’ve been exploring, wandering away from the paths. We’ve found lots of secret places with water to paddle in and trees for Joe to climb.
And is this not just the most perfect example of a primrose you ever saw? It’s giving me William Morris and Aubrey Beardsley and the Pre Raphaelites all rolled into one.
Back to real life.
We’ve taken the homeschooling outdoors, and had a great time doing a bug hunt for Joe’s science project. Speaking of bugs, the midges are emerging so woodland wanderings will be coming to an end soon…
Time at home isn’t going too badly. The weather has been great, and we’ve been out in the garden a lot. We’ve picked nettle tops and sorrel and made soup; bought ice creams from the little petrol station in the village; we’ve done lots of cyanotype (sun) printing. Joe’s devouring his books and I’m so pleased he’s a keen reader.
I’ve been reading too, and as for TV - Netflix is the friend who never lets me down. I love a good documentary series but there’s plenty of schmaltzy stuff too, perfect for escaping.
My motivation and inspiration to create has returned, and I’ve been sketching and planning new prints. I’m currently waiting for some new lino to arrive for my next project, but in the meantime I’ve been putting some old favourites through the press. I also did a commission for Joe’s teacher (the primrose print - scroll down to see it).
While I’m on a roll, I’ve tidied up the online shop a bit, added some new items, and have put some on sale so if you’re looking for a bargain please take a look.
Life feels busy suddenly, and I’ve been getting up early and heading up to my workroom above the kitchen. It’s a nice place to be when the sun’s shining. There’s a window at either end, and it’s in an extension (circa 1900-1920?) so can only be accessed via a very steep little staircase in the kitchen. It feels separate from the rest of the house so I can get on with printmaking while everyone else is still asleep.
This is quite an achievement for me. I saw (and really want) this pin badge on Etsy: ‘Night Owl Book Club’. It describes me perfectly. I’m an unofficial but fully committed member of that club. Up into the small hours, turning pages. So transitioning into a Morning Person is no small feat. But I quite like it.
And I’m still reading late into the night. Probably not ideal, but I’m unwilling to give it up. If it comes down to it, the Night Owl Book Club will prevail and my Early Bird Society membership will be cancelled. Probably once the summer is over, when the mornings are dark again and my workroom reverts back to being cold and gloomy.
By then I’ll struggle to leave a warm bed, but Joe will be back at school in some capacity and my days will be free again for me to work. So the early starts won’t be necessary anyway.
Everything always works itself out…
Stay safe.
