I keep telling myself, that I should do a short daily write up of what we've done, as then I forget, but it just never happens. Then when it's time to write the post, I stare at the photos, and try to remember, what was special about that day. The thing is every day is pretty much the same, apart from a few occasions.
And most days I am on an auto-pilot, looking after the family, cooking, doing the chores, reading, painting, chatting to my Mum online.
It's very pretty in town, with all the spring blossom.
Our darling Sasha turned 24, and I was very emotional, remembering the day he was born. It was such a tough day, and when I held him in my arms, I naively believed that the worst, most difficult, part was over, and everything would be fine from then all. In a way, it's a blessing, that most of us don't have a gift of seeing into one's future.
Sasha fancied a chocolate cake, as he kept showing me the picture of one in the Ocado food magazine. I bought a chocolate cake for him in M&S. Alas, it wasn't a big success. I think we'd go back to the Neapolitan three-layer cake I usually buy for my guys' birthdays.
I ordered a gift for Sasha's birthday at Next, which didn't arrive in time for his birthday (he had other presents too). When I went to collect it, I snapped a photo of a Hokusai hoodie, in case Eddie might fancy it, since he has a big poster of Hokusai's wave in his room. He wasn't interested.
I started reading Citizens by Simon Schama in early January, it was my big non-fiction project of the year. I read about 10-12 pages per day, and then escaped down the rabbit hole of Wikipedia, looking for more information and visuals. It took me over two and a half months to finish the book (there are about 800 pages). It's a great sense of achievement, I tell you that.
The book is a fountain of data. To start with, I wasn't overly keen on the style of writing, as Schama loves using obscure words, like picayune (he really likes this word, as he used it at least three times).
If you're not familiar with the topic, perhaps don't start with this book. It expects you to know about the main protagonists and events already. Saying that, the book gives a sense of drama and makes you think.
I was often left fuming over the unnecessary cruelty and pure savagery of the events. And it also shows that we really don't learn from the past.
Inspired by the book, I painted Marie Antoinette looking in the mirror, to see a vision of horror, her older self just before she is taken to the guillotine.
More of bloom in town. I love this magnolia hanging over the river.
Needed to go to the bank, when Sasha was out with his PAs, and my husband has enticed me into Huffkins cafe for a quick treat. He had a milkshake, and I had a cup of chai. We also shared a chocolate eclair.
Thankfully, the bank business didn't take long.
Looking at the bunches of spring flowers and pussy willow stems in Waitrose. Didn't buy any, but might treat myself for Easter.
My older niece sent me a photo of my old Mama, reading to her great grandson. If only I could reach out and hug them both, my darlings.
Another non-fiction book I've been reading is Chronicles, volume one, by Bob Dylan. It truly is one of the best books I have been reading recently, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
It's not an auto-biography in a chronological sense. It is more of a story of who and what influenced his way of thinking and creating.
As a book lover myself, I enjoyed all the literature references and observations. Dylan's strength is his poetic descriptions of people and places. A couple of lines, and a person comes to life.
The book was published in 2004, and so far there is no volume two. I wonder if it's ever going to be written.
While reading, I dipped in and out of YouTube, listening to the songs he mentions. I enjoyed the back story fo the song Man in the long black coat, and wanted to paint young Bob.
I found it very tricky to capture his likeness.
Our local yarn bombing group keep changing their colourful displays to go with the seasons and occasions. For the coming Easter they knitted a vibrant scene, based on Beatrix Potter's tales.
We had a crafts fair in town on Saturday. I forgot all about it, until I accompanied Sasha and my husband to the cafe, left them there to enjoy their drinks and pastries and had a good rummage through the stalls.
I bought three jars of The Cherry Tree jam, a lovely homemade candle, and a vintage Scottish brooch/pin for my coat.
The Marriott's Walk, where the fair took place, is decorated with the colourful umbrellas.
What else did we do? We watched Dead Poets' Society with Robin Williams and very young Ethan Hawke, and The Martian with Matt Damon. Different genres and pace, and both brilliant.
Eddie went to see Project Hail Mary with his mates, and said it was even better than The Martian. I'll have to wait until it comes to one of the streaming channels, now that he has seen it, and I certainly don't fancy going on my own.
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I feel like that most weeks, being on auto-pilot. You do well with your photos, I always enjoy seeing them.
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday to Sasha! That's a shame the cake wasn't a success.
Good job with finishing the book, it does sound a challenging read but really interesting.
What a sweet photo of your mama and the yarn bombing group are so talented.