I'm so excited about Susie's trip, it's almost as if I'm on it!
As for grandparenting, at 65 (me) and 72 (French husband) we just became grandparents a month ago. Although we are "let it be" parents and weren't waiting on anything, it had been a while and we were wondering when and if the grand event would take place.
Tomorrow I'm going into Rodez to buy a foldable baby bed, a baby seat ("transat"? They don't seem to be a thing in the States) and who knows what else.
Betty you would have been a welcome tag-along! We are just sitting down after our first full day, we’ve walked until we can’t walk a step further, climbed more stairs we ever thought possible and finally dipped our toes in the sea..! It’s been a fabulous day.
Tomorrow we will probably do much the same and in the evening we are meeting up with @veronikabond and her husband @joshuabondpoetry for supper - I feel like someone gave me a get-out-of-jail free card!
I can’t wait to read Susie’s reflections on Portugal, especially as we are not long back (though we were in Olhão and Tavira, much further south). We adore being Granny JoJo and Grandpa Barrie … it’s the best kind of fun. And I cry like a big softie every time the grandkids leave! That’s love, I guess.
Barrie thank you for the mention once again… I am incredibly grateful and humbled!
Porto is a dream… with lots of steps but those cabins in the woods… I sitting here after a days walking literally drooling at the thought of such a hideaway!
I’m just trying to decide which of the ridiculous amount of photos I’ve taken to pop in Notes..!!
I am THRILLED you have mentioned me yet again. Thank you so much - I feel very honoured. It’s so lovely.
I am slightly obsessed with those drawing by Joris Hoefnagel - and will now have to do a deep dive. That stag beetle (?) is something I’d have on my wall.
Sunflowers, focaccia and soul-soothing sunsets - it’s a beautiful life you have carved out for yourselves there. X
Just such a pleasure to share your enthusiasm, get-stuck-in, and obvious feel for recipes and ingredients. Such an encouragement to open our own cookbooks. I thought stag beetle too.
And, thank you, there’s another move within France to come, we think, but those sort of ingredients are on the list! X
Yes! Don’t get me started on Beatrix Potter. I fall down into the abyss of her incredible portfolio at least once a year. I still enjoy the stories too.
And yet she thrived and lifted the life she wanted and still thrives today. What an artist.
Not without challenges, wowsers, though I think that’s what makes a true artist. One that journeys on their path regardless of how hard it is. It absolutely drives me to continue onwards.
I appreciate your mention of Justin Deming, a fine writer and uncommonly supportive of and generous to his peers. ( As are you, my friend.) And, Jim Cummings? A humble writer who does not yet believe how brilliant his short stories are. To me, they are magic. More people need to discover his work. Thank you Barrie.
They are two writers who have inspired me so much; writers who are prepared to experiment, always willing to try different angles … at the same time, they are great enthusiasts for the writing of others. That, to me, is almost as important as the words we all write. The way we lift others up is an important marker of the miles we have all travelled pursuing the insistence of the words to have their say. You too, Sharon, are very kind with your encouragement, as well as being a dab hand with organising words into delightful prose and poetry!
I do love a tidy insect drawing.
And Herr Hoefnagel is VERY tidy. Or netjes in the original Flemish!
Loved learning a little of Joris Hoefnagel — fascinatingly awesome!! 🙌
There is SO much to learn. I love it!
Thank you. :)
You are very welcome. 🙏
Something for everyone here. Really enjoyed your comments on grandparenting! And thank you so much for the shout out.
Thanks so much for rippling it on, Jim … such a pleasure to share your words.
I'm so excited about Susie's trip, it's almost as if I'm on it!
As for grandparenting, at 65 (me) and 72 (French husband) we just became grandparents a month ago. Although we are "let it be" parents and weren't waiting on anything, it had been a while and we were wondering when and if the grand event would take place.
Tomorrow I'm going into Rodez to buy a foldable baby bed, a baby seat ("transat"? They don't seem to be a thing in the States) and who knows what else.
Betty you would have been a welcome tag-along! We are just sitting down after our first full day, we’ve walked until we can’t walk a step further, climbed more stairs we ever thought possible and finally dipped our toes in the sea..! It’s been a fabulous day.
Tomorrow we will probably do much the same and in the evening we are meeting up with @veronikabond and her husband @joshuabondpoetry for supper - I feel like someone gave me a get-out-of-jail free card!
I can’t wait to read Susie’s reflections on Portugal, especially as we are not long back (though we were in Olhão and Tavira, much further south). We adore being Granny JoJo and Grandpa Barrie … it’s the best kind of fun. And I cry like a big softie every time the grandkids leave! That’s love, I guess.
Barrie thank you for the mention once again… I am incredibly grateful and humbled!
Porto is a dream… with lots of steps but those cabins in the woods… I sitting here after a days walking literally drooling at the thought of such a hideaway!
I’m just trying to decide which of the ridiculous amount of photos I’ve taken to pop in Notes..!!
All and any of them! 📷 💛
I am THRILLED you have mentioned me yet again. Thank you so much - I feel very honoured. It’s so lovely.
I am slightly obsessed with those drawing by Joris Hoefnagel - and will now have to do a deep dive. That stag beetle (?) is something I’d have on my wall.
Sunflowers, focaccia and soul-soothing sunsets - it’s a beautiful life you have carved out for yourselves there. X
Just such a pleasure to share your enthusiasm, get-stuck-in, and obvious feel for recipes and ingredients. Such an encouragement to open our own cookbooks. I thought stag beetle too.
And, thank you, there’s another move within France to come, we think, but those sort of ingredients are on the list! X
Thanks for the shout out! Plus love the mini beasts art by Joris Hoefnagel and from so long ago. I’m in awe.
Reminded me of Beatrix Potter and her interest in nature and the quality of her illustrations!
https://www.themarginalian.org/2015/07/28/beatrix-potter-a-life-in-nature-botany-mycology-fungi/
Yes! Don’t get me started on Beatrix Potter. I fall down into the abyss of her incredible portfolio at least once a year. I still enjoy the stories too.
Life goals. Just saying 🥹
She was very talented, at a time when clever women were not given their rightful platform.
And yet she thrived and lifted the life she wanted and still thrives today. What an artist.
Not without challenges, wowsers, though I think that’s what makes a true artist. One that journeys on their path regardless of how hard it is. It absolutely drives me to continue onwards.
Very well put, Emma.
I appreciate your mention of Justin Deming, a fine writer and uncommonly supportive of and generous to his peers. ( As are you, my friend.) And, Jim Cummings? A humble writer who does not yet believe how brilliant his short stories are. To me, they are magic. More people need to discover his work. Thank you Barrie.
That’s incredibly kind of you, Sharron. Thank you so much for this unexpected note here. 🙏
Thank you Sharron. You have always been so kind a supportive to me. It means a lot.
They are two writers who have inspired me so much; writers who are prepared to experiment, always willing to try different angles … at the same time, they are great enthusiasts for the writing of others. That, to me, is almost as important as the words we all write. The way we lift others up is an important marker of the miles we have all travelled pursuing the insistence of the words to have their say. You too, Sharon, are very kind with your encouragement, as well as being a dab hand with organising words into delightful prose and poetry!
That is so very generous of you, Barrie. Thank you for the kind words here and for including my story in your inspiring post. You made my day!
Always a pleasure to be inspired by your storytelling, Justin ✍️
Thank you 🙏 for the kind nod.
Fabulous words that are a pleasure to share.