trimmingthesails

9.15 a.m.

This was Ali's prompt for her class yesterday: at 9.15 a.m. precisely, look around, note what is happening, give as many details as possible, capture that minute.

And I did. It's below. I was about to post it yesterday at noon, but the phone went and I had to leave. And so it's a little late. I have pondered today about whether to post or not, but have decided to share it with you - for it has let me (and perhaps you) glimpse the significance of recording a moment. Even just one.

The rest of the day, after the phone call, unfolded in ways we had not truly anticipated: a rare complication arose right at the end of the operation and although the cardiac team fought long and hard to save my Mum, they were not able to, and she died. There is great sadness here in my home; but in the midst of the tears, I will be forever glad that I was able to capture so clearly a moment in that day ...

Thank-you for being here with me.

How do you do it ...

... those of you who live in regularly warm and sunny climes? Anything creative, I mean? Here, we are in full throttle of the most glorious summer weather in memory and all I want to do is be outside. And my computer is inside. You see my dilemma ... Still, as the golden day slipped away into dark, I put together another page for Ali Edwards' 31 Things. One of the most interesting aspects of this class, with Ali's mantra of Tell me more, is that as soon as a topic provokes the reaction "I really don't want to write on this", or "I haven't got anything much to say", it's followed hot foot by a sweeping flood of thoughts and memories, resistances and realizations - and at least another whole page which could be written here. But it will need to be cold and wet and windy first. :)


So please share your secrets to scrapping in the sun! At this rate, if we have a good summer, my record of it may be pitifully thin ... :).

Writing it down ...

... certainly makes it swim sharply into focus! If you'd asked me about my mornings before today, you'd have heard words like rushed, and fitting it all in. There might even have been the odd pushed from pillar to post with a grimace and a roll of the eyes. But on sitting down and musing on Ali Edward's prompt in her 31 Things class, I realise it's quite orderly and peaceful in comparison to the years of young children or teenagers at home. So I am now officially ceasing to whinge, appreciating what I have, and taking my metaphorical hat off to all of you whose mornings are almost certainly more frenetic than my own. Which makes me a little embarrassed to actually let you in on it ...

Clearly, most of the imagined hurry-hurry-hurry is all in my head (apart from the days when there is actually a little crisis): a fact on which I will be pondering tomorrow morning! But for today, may your cereal be unsoggy, your toast unblackened and may your cup of tea or coffee be hot (old Irish blessing). :)