Tuesday 31 March 2015

Camelias

A Japanese element in my courtyard. I have three different camelias but two need blue frostproof pots to match the first. I love that the flowers fall whole and when laid on a dish indoors or laid on another plant still look delicious for days.
Through the blue of rosemary
This one has set up a lead branch ready to climb and has bloomed profusely in the last two months.
This is a darker pink one called Kumasaka but the photo doesn't demonstrate that!
This a different style of Camelia

Monday 30 March 2015

Inherited Furniture

Unfortunately, at this stage in life with the Pension Fund as it is, I have to live with what I have from "The Previous Life"... so no IDEAL HOME style here ... only dreams!

This Coffee Table was left in the house for me as the new owner!
It is heavy and I have never liked it! However, it has been extremely serviceable.
It has been somewhere to sit on, something to climb onto, a garden / kitchen eating place, a child's eating / activity table, a place for fruit and other kitcheny things, a table at the book fair, a coffee table!  The idea to paint it arose at a time when I should be doing other things.

I turned it upside down. It has the feel of home-made about it and was surprised to find CHINON pencilled or penned onto one end. Maybe it had come from an Emmaus? 
I covered the BROWN shiny oak with  B.I.N. to hold  back the varnish / stain.  I needed to use whatever paints are in storage!  I wanted a kind of grey or cream. There were sample pots of paint, so various F&B including Stony Ground mixed with Laura Ashley Green.  These paints were about 5 years old and had been opened, some had been used. I created a very pale green.  Not liking the colour, I also realised that these were wall paints and not for wood.  I found 'Mouse's Back" F&B for wood and so several coats have created a look that I can live with for a while.  The tiles could be replaced but then THAT would be a more difficult project!
At the start in the kitchen... those are my blood spots. I hadn't noticed at the photo moment that the knuckle wound was dripping everywhere! woops!

Primered.. but forgot to take pic of the Pale Green stage. I scrubbed the grouting and you can see what a messy worker I am!
In new situ - with rug inherited with the house! No matching colours!

Sunday 29 March 2015

Prayer

Hearts of mourning sail to all those affected by the incident in a French alpine disaster zone.
May they find courage within the sorrow.
May they find healing through their friends, families.
May they find support and comfort from their communities.
Hearts full of care and sadness.
Bless those who mourn.

If media reports are true, (of course further facts will unfold), then there is no glory in selfishness and thoughtlessness to kill self and others, nor to physically and psychologically injure those who live.
The lives of those who live will be forever affected by this tragedy.
The work involved is phenomenal.
The grief is unquantifiable.
It is terrible yet people will continue to journey.
 I feel a sense of shame for my trivia expressing self-centred pride of small achievements when there is soulful mourning in the world.

Post script:
There is no accounting for the mad man or mad woman who selfishly cannot think out of their own head and have compassion and care for others when suicide occurs. 
I know of two friends who selfishly took their own lives.

Saturday 28 March 2015

So Proud

This evening after a day of cleaning, clearing, walking around house and garden, putting stuff into its rightful place, I just walked at apx 4 km per hour or maybe slightly less... the fastest for this route along 'the vineyards of Remerle", down the ravine of "The American Way" along the water's edge, up the stony cobbled way of La Cueille, where once rain was allowed to cascade down the hill for women to wash the linen-o, to home without stopping for anything, nor passing a soul!  It was 45 minutes door to door! Quickly recuperating an easy breathing rate but sweating on account of so many wintry layers, the glass of red and a bath was heaven!
So proud knowing that I am not fit.
BUT WHAT I DO KNOW is that at 1. 50e per day for supplements I am beginning to be back in touch with that former dynamic self. Watch this space.

Friday 27 March 2015

In My LIving Space

I try to have only things that I use and wish to keep.
I try to keep rooms minimalist and clutter free... but I like to have things to look at.
Once I lived in a tiny modern terrace house.
I moved there from the temporary council accommodation where I had to repaint the orange walls, the purple walls, the blue walls WHITE.  But it was the wrong WHITE. Too harsh. Cheap paint. I wasn;t there long enough to make t a home and I had no intention of making it a home. It was a temporary residence. I yearned to be out of that embarassment asap! Six months and then I owned my very own house not shared with anyone!  I was proud.
However, I was too poor at first, too busy working and caring for two kiddywinks to think about putting pictures on the wall. Although I had made my own curtains with Laura Ashley curtains - never considering at the time that flamingo red was a bit bright to such a sedate sedentary culdesac!!!!!!!!!!  I caused gossip in more ways than one! I did not fit in!

Thursday 26 March 2015

Retro Liberty: Fast forward!

I am very proud to own a Susan Collier and Sarah Campbell design from 1972.  I was poor and had just started or was about to start teaching.  My then husband worked in South Kensington making exotic items with silver, other metals, semi-precious stones, ivory, shells, (all banned now!) for a man with a million.  We were always well entertained at restaurants, eating little pigeons, pheasant breasts all nouveau cuisine!  He was so lovely : J.Anthony Redmile. Breathe deeply! Sigh for such missed opportunities!
Apart from delving into shops such as Biba and all the rest whilst I floated in a cloud of patchouli, long long hair, mini-dresses, crepe culottes, Indian sari, flower-power attire (not all at the same time)  I often was transported in delight in Liberty.  I JUST HAD to have this 'Bauhaus' design roller printed onto thick cotton, before unknowingly I became destitute and further impoverished.  It's a pity I didn't purchase enough to make the third repeat!
I AM SO EXCITED... whilst looking for bird wallpaper and fabric and finding the design I WANT.. I WANT .. I WANT .. (it's fabric only, though I haven't decided in what measure and what I would do with it, if I could ever locate it)  the lovely internet led me to a course... and CAN I BELIEVE THAT later this year, I shall be participating in  two day textile course with THE lovely Sarah Campbell!!! Sadly her sister died in 2011.
It's been a while since yearning to do something with textiles. I have no idea what I shall achieve. 
Collier Campbell Bird fabric
Egyptian Birds 1972

Wednesday 25 March 2015

In My Attic

is a previous life.

Some of it wanted.
Some of it unwanted.
Some of it not mine.
Some belongs to previous partner now nomadic!
Some belongs to two offspring with no space even if they did want it!
Some of it has been assigned for car boot sales, ebay type sales, and after that if it is 'NOT GAWN' it can be assigned to the skip if not good enough for charity. These things take time, for me to do! 
It is a growing attic corner of boxes and stuff.


Some people have an attic, or garage, or room, or rooms, or sheds, or even heaven forbid whole buildings or EVEN, people hire space to house their unwanted or unused things!

The boxes in my attic go through various stages of being opened, sorted or not sorted.
I can't believe that I have suffered whilst LIVING IN  FRANCE without my stuff in my kitchen, without bookshelves, without shelves for my treasures.....

I have some simple yet pleasing treasures! 
I have things from the past not being used!
I have things that need to move on!
It's hard to go back and yet a joy to see it again!

There are three St Andrew crosses... and so we look up to the beauty and not down to the floor covered in STUFF!!!
I WILL ACCOMPLISH MY TASK ... one day  :-)

Tuesday 24 March 2015

Book Review: Singing for Mrs Pettigrew

Michael Morpugo: Singing for Mrs Pettigrew : illustrated by Peter Bailey
Hard back copy 2006 first edition:  borrowed from my daughter

I was drawn to read this book by its design,  the look and the feel of the paper of the wrapped cover.  I love the red hard cover board with its dark green end-papers and I adored the b/w sketches.  I liked that the font size and spacing varied according to the short story of the long story of the journey that he was telling about himself and how he'd become a story maker.
The end story about Mrs Pettigrew is poignant!



Sunday 22 March 2015

Preludes & Fugues afore Mowing the Lawn

Again there are concerts at Bonneuil-Matours. This year I paid 15e subscription which entitles me to pay 15e for each concert instead of 22e. I thought I was vieillese at 7e ... Maybe I have that wrong! I am still young!  I will have to ask discreetly of the proprietor of the chateau and organiser of these wonderful concerts! Sometimes I am very happy to pay full price.
Last evening was a marathon concert of the 2nd book of 48 Preludes and Fugues by JS BACH. The pianist played two clavichords as well as piano. The clavichord is remarkably quiet and one imagined being in a tiny drawing room heavily curtained against a cold draught, with friends and family gathered around to listen or to play their turn or to be accompanied in song or other instrument.  The loudness of the piano was extreme after one's ears had become atuned to the delicate sound, akin to a hand held music box with a handle that turns ... a tinny sound!
I took my piano score. I heard this pianist play the 1st book. He played in order 1st, 2nd, 3rd on the piano, but last evening he played the second 24 in random order which kept me on my toes to find the correct prelude and fugue by listening to / reading the opening bars on the contents page ... with little light it was tricky. I realised I am well out of practice to score reading.  I remembered we had to read symphonic scores at secondary school and prove to the teacher the progress of the music by running our finger along the score.
A few  of the pieces I knew as I have attempted to play them. They are not easy. The pianist had good concentration, stamina, technique and ability.  A lecturer and teacher.  Kindly and humble. 
In the break we were offered a bowl of tomato soup... nice! I was reminded that I haven't had Heinz Tomato soup for years!  It was French and tomatoes were difficult to identify! There was also Chinese tea.. which tasted of licorice and maybe ginger but it was very weak...plus little pieces of the local biscuit Broyé.  I sampled the wine from a 2 litre bottle of Lussac St Emilion 2003... hm 'un peu vinaigré'... but it was better once I'd warmed it up in my chilly hands!  I left before the encore as I was tired and I'd had a traumatic day ... it had been three and a half hours since I arrived at 19h. Drove home, with only one car sighted travelling in the opposite direction!

My lawnmower has been repaired< The facture wasn't ready for payment so he said he would send it in the post. This is most unusual in France but he said he trusts me! The mower is about to launch into its 4th season and every winter I have paid about 85e for a service... the first year and last it hit stones so it needed the blade to be sharpened.  In the first year the lawn was newly growing or cut down from 3 feet of growth... and last year the moles were very bad at throwing up a lot of stone.  BUT this year I have had to have the more expensive service with a change of filter and new accelerator cable. I was ready for battle if he charges me for the latter!!!  It only mows about 500m2 each 7 to 14 days in the cutting season so I don't understand why it has been so needy!!!!!   The specialist shop where I bought it, has taken six weeks to repair it.  I would have liked it last week when the grass was dry and before that I was not well enough but the French aren't very quick with their turnarounds and business!  When I phoned on Thursday I was told it had just been finished! It is a John Deere machine. I think it was a Friday afternoon machine!  Hey ho and off to mow as soon as the weather improves.

This year at the end of my other terrain there is a heavy perfume from swathes of violets. They haven't been there before.  Maybe they have liked the grass kept short over the last five years. I try to keep it manageable.   My neighbour was impressed by their appearance.  I ought to spend more time down there in the evening as the garden bathes for longer in the setting sun than does my courtyard!

Saturday 21 March 2015

Book Review: A Change of Climate

by Hilary Mantel.  1994. This is a personal viewpoint. Found in the books boxed in the attic, I chose to read it for its North Norfolk setting.
It's an interesting tale of two, who linked to 'the family firm', decide to be 'sort-of missionaries' in South Africa and then fall foul of the politics in the 1960s.  Rather than flee homeward they have another 'go' to help others in a different culture to their own and it becomes tragic. The chronology of the plot jumps about but events fell into place in my head at the end of chapter 7. A few more twists to the tale and it ends with unanswered questions as do many a good novel! It is a story of love, marriage, family, loss, bereavement, injustices, the weak, frail and misguided, the loyal, committed and persistent.  Recommended.

Friday 20 March 2015

Book Review: A Street Cat Named Bob

by James Bowen. 2012. Borrowed from my daughter. 
It is a true story about how one man and his cat found HOPE on the Streets of London.  Each cat has its own personality and can be quite individual; they choose their servants and are usually incrredibly loyal.  Bob is a blessing and helps 'healing' in more ways than one when he arrives in friendship.  They provide reciprocal support.   Bob needs to be looked after and gives James the need to care. It is a basic human need.  Eventually, even though James had tried to cease his addictions, Bob the Cat gives him 'un raison d'être', a reason to live LIFE. He encounters difficulties... well you would walking a cat through London. There are two more books and there is much online.  It's such a HAPPY STORY! A Beautiful Story of HOPE when people or cats are down on the luck.. and currently still devoted friends! 

My Big Feet is now 13 but she used to walk miles and was and is still quite traffic savvy. She used to regularly cross a busy street, trot across the pedestrian pavement of the bridge as she knew that was safer, cross the road again to get to The Common where she would hunt rabbits or moles and bring them home!  She has also followed my partner and I on two mile walks, even noting the two foxes playing their love dance in the field.  She has also travelled with a harness.

Monday 16 March 2015

Deadbeat bore!

Whilst listening to the radio I discovered that I am a 'deadbeat' because I rarely incur interest charges on my credit card thus don't provide revenue for banks and the levels of National Debt.
That same day I read that I am a 'bore'.
Jessica Reed in the Guardian was writing about linguistic changes. 
"Pellerin’s supporters ... quick to remind us that languages are not monuments – they’re living, breathing systems and, above all, they’re tools for communication. As a result, they constantly evolve – and all those bores whining about the good olde days sound like retirees who still insist on paying their bills by snail mail, with a handwritten cheque."
That same day I was not permitted to write a cheque for the car service and repair. Card only or Cash!  At one time I used to pay cash rather than making out a French cheque.  Now having progressed a further stage I have to ditch the cheque book.  BORING!!

I also prefer to have a hard copy facture rather than an efacture (invoice).
I don't wish to sign up to apps where I don't have the music in my hands.
I would like to lean more towards handwritten letters to avoid this world of instant email gratification (which I also have become used to) ... but postal charges are high and sometimes if one includes a gift the packet may not be of the correct dimensions!
On another radio programme I heard about the average house has 70 items linked to the WWW!!! Oh, I am well below the average! 
What happens when the computer systems crash? What happens when society crashes? CHAOS! What happens to those people who do not own computerised equipment.
Maybe I am akin to a 'Luddite'!

Saturday 14 March 2015

Violets

This week I am determined to do a morning and evening walk after having lived in almost closed orders!  The walks are very leisurely. Bimbling even! There is a little black and white pony in the field that was recently sold. The big GREAT DANE sort of dog seemed playful in his HUGE garden but I am glad he was behind wire fencing...although at one time I thought he was surely able to scale it!  Descending down the lane I came upon a beautiful heavy smell and stepped back to identify.. inhale the scent.. deep, melodious, heavy, fleetingly it escapes to return in the nostrils....
And as my mind made the connection with those sweet sugary drops that aunties used to have in their pocket, I saw their purple hue.... violet violets.  Later I spied yellow celandines.
Nice to speak French to a stranger and English to an American.
I am beginning to be less 'off the wall'. Is there any hope?
Postscript: 
But that was all written a week ago because I push postings forwards. The walks dd not materialise after the good start to the week when I concentrated all Monday, was proactive and clear several piles of "things to achieve"! OK there is more which has stacked up for quite a while... but I am tidying it!!!  After a Yoga morning where I had to use muscles `i did not know I had, I idled over copious quantities of tea with a gardener who will help me finish the courtyard project. The larch will go. Thanks Tim for your help on this disturbing decision. Then the GP, bank, Tours sadness,  IKEA visit to check out kitchens,  a car service and thank goodness the electrics on the remorque are repaired.   The bill was within my estimate. No electricity this morning bu then on my frequent search in the street for a helpful resident, the neighbour chez lui only for the weekend turned off all the trip switches until we found the culprit.  The steam from the kettle hits the cupboard above, then condenses to the wall prise. Depressed, I rallied to a bath and drove to a plant sale, where plants were 25% more than Leclerc yesterday or so listless one would not have wished to own them! Then I did a walk and now my head feels better!  The death of an expat has haunted me to keep things simple... but it seems he's left quite a lot of administrative headaches! At least I do have a UK will.

Friday 13 March 2015

At the setting of the sun....

It is a terrible thing when Life dies, especially of a human being and someone whom one has known...when one is bereft, when his family and his dear friend E. is bereft....when yet the sun still shines and the birds still sing and Spring springs again indulging on French soil, when Barrie would have been so full of delight for this place that he came to.

I might have some info incorrect. Forgive me if I have. I write this public tribute to say how much I appreciated someone whom I knew very little.

I hadn't seen Barrie for four or five years. I don't read local blogs on a regular basis but was shocked when I discovered that an Englishman, a sort of friend from a while ago,  had died in France.  Thank you to the person whose blog announced his death.  I respected the man enormously in life so wished to be there to respect him, even in death.  I cancelled appointments and drove the distance.  He was a wonderful gentle man...different, kind, calm, funny, a man who loved his garden, who loved colour, who loved architecture, who was an engineer, who loved the sea and La Rochelle, who drove to France in his red sports car with his then best friend, his parrot in a cage, who still speaks and will miss Barrie! He helped lots of people to settle in France and enjoyed working in retirement.
D and I met him  as an acquaintance a long time ago.  I forget how, but it wasn't in order to employ him.  I was always fascinated by his immaculate silver-grey hair, his dark brown, nay, black caterpillar eyebrows, his lovely accent, his knowledge and simplicity, his calm but probable, possible naughty demeanour.   He had a good taste in music I remember.  I was sad for him and his wife when they separated. There was something not quite right, yet they were both fluent in French, had immersed themselves in French village culture, football and belote, happy, but there was unhappiness.  Later, I felt their pain whilst I was feeling the pain that was about to descend on me! Since then, he found his companion and was happy.  I am glad.
The funeral service was eloquent, like him, but his parrot stayed at home!  His family read a well scripted eulogy which evidently he had helped to write.  His hat rested on the coffin...he always wore a hat!  I sent him my thoughts and those from D as requested.  If I had known he was ill I would have gone to see him but didn't know and hadn't known where he was living!  On enquiry, I was told that he'd had intestinal cancer for a year that he knew of, but the treatment became worse than the symptoms, so he gave up... I think I would too!  When the chips are down I am sure one will know.
IT IS  a sad loss for Barrie.  He was happy with his companion and happy with his family. It is a sad loss that a man aged 70 has been deprived of the country he loved,  deprived of his own happiness and that happiness he shared with others and of course that his family have been deprived of him.
It was a reverential AU REVOIR... it was happily done... he would have enjoyed it,  especially when some of us were trying not to dance in the aisle to SULTANS OF SWING!
Thank you Barrie for your advice from time to time and thank the powers that be that enabled me to be there... that one last goodbye.  May your descendants be granted 'bon courage' for all the French admin as well as grief and bereavement.  You touched the lives of those who live in France. I am sure other people would have been there to say FAREWELL if they had known or if they were here in France.  Farewell Barrie.

The setting sun on my way home.

Thursday 12 March 2015

Broken willow tree

Evening spring warmth and light
brings me to the risen river
swollen with clear rushing water.

Purple violets here and there
raise their heads to feel the air
church tower ding dongs the hour.

Here I sit near broken willow
stood majestically tall six long winters ago
where I sat with a Lover for a Christmas dinner in snow.

Our barbecue winter four course meals, whatever the weather
unfashionable, until others as mad as us, announced it 'de rigeur.'
Then it was, that willowy tendril garlands decorated our day to tumble on us there.

Willowy strands reminded us, kept us in touch
with the geographical history of man
but Nature does not stay;
willowy tendrils like love can be broken
as all things pass,
whilst the River and Water of Life flows on and on
carrying flotsam and jetsam.

Walking on
found jazz on a 2cv.
A party.
A glass of white wine and company.
Society.
I am alive.
Like willow I can regrow.
This winter broken
with still an eye to view
the barque
the chateau
the church
Thank you willow tree.

Wednesday 11 March 2015

Book Review: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

My daughter gave this book to me.
Living with February influenza forced my mind to read between sleeping!
There has been a glimpse of Spring. I sat in the garden sunshine for no more than 30 minutes contentedly reading.  In the coming days I wondered where I had left the book!  Ah, the rain! The pages weren't yet completely stuck together so I dried the book out on top of the woodburner.  But it pushed against the hot flue.  I wondered what that sweet smell was!  Nevertheless, still a little damp it was readable!
It took a while for me to understand the lay-out of the novel, identify with the characters and understand who was relating the story. It wasn't the Book Thief!  'Twas the Grim Reaper!  It says so on the back cover!  Like many, I am deeply upset at what happened in WWII ...  it is the setting of this literary work!  It must have been hell for so many! We cannot alter our place of birth!  Out of learning grows reward.  The ability to play an instrument, to draw, to write, to have a skill are talents which can be shared with others in joy or dire times. 
I loved the style and the bold black intros to each section...telling of what was to come.
Incredibly soul-wrenching...souls were allowed to live a while before they were taken / stolen... as well as books, apples and potatoes. The desire to read drew the desire to steal.  Out of horror, sorrow, badness grows goodness, delight, satisfaction, love. BUT all things pass and everyone dies!
The fact that my book went through the rigours of the elements,  matching some of that which happens in the story seemed to be ironic!  
An excellent work of how words can triumph over the extremes of loss. I highly recommend the novel. 
Paper books can suffer water and fire damage but still feel great in the hand and to the eye.

Tuesday 10 March 2015

Words are what we are

This is tongue-in-cheek. 
A verbal selfie! 
The modern equivalent is probably "LOL"... does that mean Lots of Love or Lots of Laughter? 
It doesn't really matter! Here we are ust trying to lift spirits and laugh at preposterousness!

A dear good friend described me as formidable... But in which sense or all?
1. Arousing fear, dread, or alarm.
2. Inspiring awe, admiration, or wonder.
3. Difficult to undertake, surmount, or defeat.
-  from Middle English, Old French, Latin formīdābilis, from formīdāre, from formīdō, fear.
Several weeks ago, the same friend described me as enigmatic which I've heard on many an occasion from a number of people, usually of the opposite gender, and have always considered it a compliment and laughed.  I don't understand who I am so how do other people have such an insight?
And so...
ɛnɪɡˈmatɪk/enigmatic: an adjective meaning difficult to interpret or understand!
A Greek and Latin form of being non-conformist.
Synonyms would be: mysterious, puzzling, hard to understand, mystifying, inexplicable, baffling, perplexing, bewildering, confusing, impenetrable, inscrutable, incomprehensible, unexplainable, unfathomable, indecipherable, Delphic, oracular.
Am I all of those?  Oh dear!  I have often wished I could be more straightforward as the recommended antonym suggests!!!  Whoever I am, it seems, has created difficulties in my ability to form and maintain friendships. But I gather I am certainly not alone in that respect!  I am not a social outcast. I enjoy the company of people.  However, it is true I don't suffer fools gladly!  It was a reason given to me during an interview de-briefing, why I wasn't successful! Hm!! I think it was a polite way of telling me not to bother attempting to climb above my station!  

Monday 9 March 2015

Ah-mund-buns

Last week I baked little cakes for little people with this recipe doubled:
Almond Buns
180g caster sugar and the same of butter beaten together until creamy then 4 eggs whipped in with 80g flour and a sprinkle of baking powder plus 150g ground almonds.  You could do 230g ground almonds for gluten free!  Then mix in more or less 100g marzipan cut into small lumps. Add milk if necessary. Beat well. Spoon into cases and add whatever dried fruits you have. Unfortunately I didn't have any blueberries / bilberries / myrtilles and I wasn't sure if the kiddies liked ginger, so I used expensive dried raspberries and mini-smarties! mmmmmmmmmmmmm but avoided M&Ms a fave of mine! Peanuts!  Bake, 180C,  but my oven is just HOT... one stat without a timer...  hence one batch got double baked as I gave the buns just a few more minutes (ahem) forgetting they were on the bottom shelf!!!!!!!!!!!! Their daddy said,  after I had cut off the paper and we were all enjoying the twice baked cakes, they would be good with custard. I agree! But then they were gone!
Mix up the mixture
Spoon into pretty baking cases
Decorate with crystallised raspberries and smarties
or cranberries
Four of the not baked twice buns gifted to each twin
My-made cards for twins

We played Connect, magnetic shapes, Kerplunk bees in the tree...drank copious cups of tea.

Sunday 8 March 2015

An evening sky boils

Falling asleep early evening after two glasses of Chardonnay, she raised her head to look west, grabbed a camera, rushed to the higher plain to overview the sky above the river, then cut down to the chateau by the back lanes but was too late to catch the magic.  There by the Chapel, several groups of people, obviously met in friendship, sharing relaxation and pleasure by the light and fire of a glorious setting sun.  Bird song trilled, smoke-laden smells of verdure filled the air between the stone walled maisons.  Spring arrives. She feels released from her prison. She wants it to last!  She has missed so much in her hibernation and recent illness, akin to being in a nunnery cell.  She has missed friendship and nature.

Friday 6 March 2015

A Poem: I am a Mummy Octopus


Happy 7th Birthday, 6th March to special Francesca!
Happy Felicity Feast day 7th March with babe in arms!
Happy Birthday Party 8th March
Happy Francesca Feast Day 9th March 

This Poem which is absolutely copyright is a tribute to my grand daughter who has a busy mummy making her seventh birthday weekend a memorable happy event.  
The Poem was started in 2013 from a song idea from my daughter to her daughter but she couldn't sing enough ideas about what an octopus could do.  
She asked Grandmama in France to obligeShe has never had sufficient inspiration or imagination to make it into a children's rhyme or song but now supposes the octopus could find treasures in the sea. A pictorial artist is needed to help develop a story!

A Poem: A Mummy Octopus sings to Baby Octopus

I am a mummy octopus with many arms to hold 
you safe with all my heart until the days grow old.

I am a mummy octopus with eight long tentacles
to keep me busy all the time to clear all obstacles.

I am a mummy octopus working hard for family,
I try to give my very best for health and harmony.

I am a mummy octopus, I wrap the world together,
Open - close, hug you tight, embrace shared love forever.

We spread ourselves around the world to reach out arms unfurled,
wide and far, wrap loved ones near, tentacles are curled.

We squish and squirm in Waters of Life, build friendship out of trust,
destroy unwanted nuisances, convert to angel dust.

On your seventh birthday, Mother and Daughter, we
keep our tentacles busy baking cakes for your party.

I hope that when you grow up more
your octopus daughter’s arms stretch to adore
the beautiful world of hope - a kaleidoscope.

One day my daughter you might be
a mummy octopus just like me
with arms to hold ME safe
with all your heart
until my days grow old and cold.

Thank you for letting me be a mummy octopus!