Days of Small Things

Another post, another Instagram hashtag as a title for it…

Firstly: a big thank you for all your comments on my previous post. It’s three weeks since we lost Mackie and although things don’t feel quite as raw, I do still find myself looking out into the dark just before bed and wondering why he wandered off that night. We miss him very much.

Life does, of course, go on. It has to when you have a child at home for the summer, and that’s a necessary and welcome distraction. So we’ve been doing things together in the house and close to home. Although I still don’t really spend much time in the garden because the cat is no longer there, I’m more than happy to wander around Hebden Bridge or go up to Heptonstall for walks.

A week or two ago we did a trial run (climb) of the walk to school from the new house. There are several paths, all through the woods, all steep and challenging. We opted for the direct route up the (very many) rough stone steps laid by the presumably much fitter Victorians and it was absolutely exhausting. As in, legs-turning-to-jelly, gasping for air exhausting. Joe’s not impressed. I was on the point of collapse more than once. But we’ll have to get used to it. Some days, I’ll have to do it twice *shudder* but it should get easier.

I really hope it gets easier.

We did spot a lot of whinberries though, and returned the following week to pick some. One of our other Small Things had been to bake cheese, potato and onion pasties so we took some along for sustenance and wound our way through the trees up to Heptonstall, where we ate lunch in the ruins of the old church.

Obviously, we’re trying not to get too excited about the move just yet. Just cautiously optimistic. Solicitors and financial people are working away in the background, but we haven’t done anything to tempt fate (like packing boxes). Having said that though - there are quite a few up in the loft still unpacked from our move back down south. And I really, absolutely need to have a proper clear out before things get too last-minute.

Best laid plans, etc. etc.

We’re enjoying lots of little details and rituals of late, like the tiny thrill of stepping on a particularly crunchy fallen leaf or collecting teasel stems and poppy seed heads. Alliums too, and the fragile cages of dried wild carrot. The sunflowers in the garden are aflame in shades of claret and bronze and the bramleys are swelling on the trees.

A lady who runs a vintage clothes shop in Hebble End Works was quite taken with Joe when we called in there recently; he was tearfully recounting the story of Mackie’s demise and how he felt some responsibility (having brought ‘unlucky’ peacock feathers into the house the day before). So she gave him a ‘good luck’ token: a big pine cone from a forest in Canada. Joe was thrilled with it (and we have plans for a new Cabinet of Curiosities when we move).

We walked that way again a week or so later and the same lady called Joe over and presented him with an even bigger pine cone; it’s at least a foot long and it got us a lot of attention as Jay walked along the canal with it nestled into the crook of his arm like a baby.

It’s good to know there are Nice People everywhere, even when the world sometimes seems like a frightening place to be.

We’ve been walking along the canal fairly regularly, looking at the boats and communal gardens. We also spotted an elephant hawk moth caterpillar (later identified by someone we know). It was almost the size of Joe’s hand, and a bit of research showed that it’ll transform from a fairly nondescript green-brown caterpillar into a beautiful gold and shocking pink moth.

This inspired us to make gouache paintings of moths on a drizzly afternoon, with the fairy lights twinkling and the record player on the go. Rediscovering the pleasure of music has been a real joy lately and I think I may have to be a complete hipster and go vinyl shopping…

We’ve been reading too. I actually abandoned The Midnight Library partway through as I wasn’t really feeling it. I fared a bit better with The Thursday Murder Club, but was again a bit underwhelmed: I think when books are raved about you have high expectations and they can end up falling flat somehow. But that’s OK as I can pass them on or donate them to a charity shop (I only keep books that I plan to read again, or that I truly treasure for one reason or another).

I enjoyed The Salt Path a bit more and am now on the sequel, The Wild Silence. Although admittedly, I’m still not hugely moved by either of them and am feeling the need to urgently restock my reading pile. Which is fine as I’m off to the library tomorrow. Alone. Just a small trip but one to savour.

On the topic of reading, Todmorden Book Festival takes place from late September to early October. I’m thinking of booking on to a few events (Joanne Harris, Horatio Clare) and going along on my own and enjoying those evenings immersed in literary inspiration and seeing two of my favourite authors in person and hearing what they have to say.

Autumn, books, learning. I’m the eternal student and quite happily admit it.

A few weeks ago we went to Saltaire. Another drizzly day; we went around the mill and had scones with jam and clotted cream and again, I spent a lovely time in the bookshop. It gave me lots of ideas for my wishlist (Joe came away with an actual book - The Broken Ear, one of the Tintin adventures he loves reading so much).

We took a damp walk around the village and the park and I took a lot of pictures - which has prompted me to add a new ‘Yorkshire’ section to the website, soon to be filled with lovely places to visit.

Then we came home for a lazy late afternoon and wet weather comfort food.

Yes, I’ve been ordering paint colour cards. No. I probably shouldn’t have been. I’m honestly trying not to get too excited but it’s hard.

I finished knitting my hat. It’s black, knitted in fisherman’s rib, and is all ready to wear once the weather cools down some more. I also want some fingerless gloves (for photography walks) but know my limits, and knitting anything other than the most rudimentary of garments - well, I’ll keep an eye on the shops. It has actually been quite chilly lately. We keep the doors open at the gallery so people can continue to keep their distance by using a one way system and to be honest, I’d pick being cold over hot any day.

Plus, autumn and winter clothes are so much better.

Other things which are making me happy: sparkly costume jewels. I think I might have been a magpie in a former life.

It’s Joe’s birthday on the 29th. We’re meeting up with friends back home to play in the park and to eat cake. I was supposed to be working the day before but there was a mix-up so I can now bake instead. I probably won’t though. This is one of those rare occasions where buying a cake is probably the better option. You know, the big chocolate-covered caterpillar ones that kids seem to like so much.

I might pick up something a bit more sophisticated for the grown-ups. I’m hoping for dry weather and the option to procure some coffees somewhere too.

It’s hard to believe my little munchkin is turning nine. I think I’ve been blogging for that whole time, more or less, and he’s always featured here. Maybe that’ll stop sooner or later. He’s already much more self-conscious having his picture taken (not ideal for my photography course assignments). But for now he’s still my pet subject…

Have a great weekend.